Star Wars Fanfic - The Clone Jedi

(XXV) The Shadow of Coruscant

"When we entered the apartment I was shocked to see such a mess. It was more than clear that something bad had happened there. I started looking inside each of the rooms... but something didn't add up.

The stove had burn marks, and several pans were burned. As if a fire was started until the system fire fighting would have been activated by itself. Hina's room had a floor littered with her clothes, but by such a quantity I could know that she had not packed anything. The computers were insurmountable and I was not able to recognize the different teams.

The blaster marks were small, but enough to fry console circuitry. Maybe a gun with a silencer.

Kilo: - Oh no. This is a disaster. -

Rage: - We must search a track something and soon. -

I looked everywhere and saw a terminal near the front door... but there was a problem. Whoever was there, knew very well what he was doing. Shot to all the house systems and interfaces were irreparable. I went over and removed the pieces of machinery that were blocking the way. Finally, I removed the cover of the terminal interface. As I did so, several sparks flew out and I could see the panel destroyed.

Rage: - Damn! - I reacted when I saw the sparks that jumped towards my face. - Hmm. This looks very bad. Kilo. Do you think you can do something about it? -

Kilo: - I'll see what I can do. But I don't promise anything. -

While Kilo was trying to access some digital file that would give us a clue. I began to review the interior of the apartment in more detail. It doesn't look like there was a fight. In fact except for the crystals of the electronic devices, all the decoration of the place was in perfect condition. I checked the rest of the rooms, but with the exception of the living room and Hina's room, everything seemed to be in order.

I searched Hina's room once more. I went through the empty drawers and searched among the clothes that were on the floor. I looked under the mattress and furniture, but to no avail. I remember that I was distracted in my thoughts when Kilo entered the room.

Kilo: - Mr. Rage. I already have the information of who could do it. -

Rage: - So, something happened here but, how could you do it? The console was fried. -

Kilo: - The interfaces were broken... but I was able to access the property records through the fridge. -

Rage: - Is it a joke? -

Kilo: - No. It's not. These apartments have hundreds of circuits connected. It is more than clear that those who broke into the department did not know. -

Rage: - Do you know what happened? -

Kilo: - The cameras recorded how five hooded individuals entered the apartment. It's hard to see their faces. But I was able to get the full picture from one of them. They apparently stunned Hina with a blaster and took her away. Then, they destroyed everything and shot at the camera. -

Rage: - And in the bedroom? -

Kilo: - Apparently, the only security camera is at the entrance of the apartment. -

Rage: - Hmm. They were surely looking for something. I dont know, Kilo. This is very strange. -

Kilo: - I agree. It still seems strange to me that no one has checked. considering that this is a residential block of ex-military. Anyway... I can track down the kidnapper. I just need to connect to a terminal. A civilian would be enough. -

Rage: - It can't be. Will I have to do another drama? -

Kilo: - Fortunately no. I have the location of several public terminals in my memory. We can reach one on foot. -

Rage: - Good to hear. -

Several minutes from where we were, we found a public access terminal. Apparently a variant for tourists or something similar. Anyway it was the luxurious sector of the city. Kilo went online and took a long time trying to locate our target. I began to worry and my nerves were killing me. Luckily there were not many people at that time. And finally:

Kilo: - I have the data. But I have a feeling you won't like hearing it. -

Rage: - Without detour, Kilo. What's the matter? -

Kilo: - Apparently our target is called Tunk-Pilsa, he is a Trandoshan. -

Rage: - A Trandoshan? Here? On Coruscant? -

Kilo: - More than one... in fact. Apparently they set up shop near a garbage dump on level 1. The lowest level on Coruscant. -

When Kilo mentioned the dump I was shocked. Would it be the same one I had in my vision in Moraband? I doubt that this was a coincidence? Anyway. We had no time to lose.

We descended as quickly as possible to the lower levels. The worst of the worse. Level 1 was just heartbreaking. The streets could hardly be defined from so much dirt and garbage. The few residents gathered near round tanks or ancient R2 units where a slight flame warmed them. The temperature was unbelievably low. I felt like my bones were freezing.

I took several rags when I had the chance. No matter how dirty they were I just had to keep warm. The wetsuit helped... but it wasn't enough. We walked slowly until we found the place. An extended fence of metal surrounded a dump. And in the distance, a kind of warehouse.

We moved slowly... but something activated in me. I remember thinking: "I've been here before"...and with good reason. I recognized the passageways and broken walls. I started to get over excited when I realized that it was the place of the vision. My heart began to clench. I turned around slowly and saw it. The same dumpster in the same place. I slowly approached and there it was. A body wrapped in paper and plastic. Not just one. Hundreds of them. As if they were waiting to be cremated.

I instantly recognized the body of a Kaminoan. I approached slowly... praying that it wasn't true... that my vision was nothing more than a horrible nightmare. I took the lightsaber and opened the package and it was her. It was Hina. With her face completely disfigured. But I could recognize the two earrings that she always wore on the left side of her head.

The image tore my soul apart. I started to feel a strong pain in my chest. My already disturbed breathing due to the cold began to accelerate. My hands were shaking... and finally... Everything went dark.

That is the last thing I can remember."

The recording is interrupted with Rage's disturbed face.