Chapter 66 : The Jedi Investigation Returns
[POV: Anakin Skywalker]
The technical analyst's report is spread across command table aboard Republic cruiser, pages of specifications that make no sense according to known galactic manufacturing capabilities. Obi-Wan studies documentation with professional detachment while I want to throw it across room.
"These technologies," Senior Analyst Bren Derlin explains for third time, "do not exist in Republic database. Materials science is decades ahead of current standards. Manufacturing processes use techniques we don't recognize. Design philosophy predates known galactic civilization."
"Predates?" Obi-Wan's tone is carefully neutral—diplomatic inquiry rather than accusation. "Explain."
"Look at this rifle." Derlin activates holographic display showing captured Halo MA5D. "Projectile weapon using chemical propellant—technology Republic abandoned millennia ago in favor of energy-based blasters. But engineering sophistication is extraordinary. Barrel tolerance measured in microns. Ammunition design suggests understanding of ballistics far exceeding historical records. It's like someone took ancient weapon concept and rebuilt it using manufacturing capability that shouldn't exist."
"So Varro has access to lost technology?" I ask, though question is rhetorical. We know he does—issue is explaining how.
"Not lost technology. Foreign technology. These items weren't made in this galaxy based on our technical analysis." Derlin switches to different display showing Mass Effect Carnifex pistol. "This one uses mass effect fields—theoretical physics Republic scientists have proposed but never successfully implemented. Varro's supplier not only implemented it but miniaturized system into handheld weapon."
"Foreign technology from where?" Obi-Wan's skepticism is obvious. "Only known sapient life exists in this galaxy. Unless you're suggesting extragalactic contact?"
"I'm suggesting Kade Varro's supply chain operates beyond our understanding. Either he has access to technology from unknown civilization, or..." Derlin hesitates. "Or he's producing items through means that violate known physics."
"Like what? Magic?" My sarcasm is reflexive, but Obi-Wan's expression suggests he's considering possibility seriously.
"Force-based creation is theoretical possibility. Ancient Sith alchemy could supposedly transmute materials. But scale required for Varro's operation would need Force-user of extraordinary power—nothing we've detected on Mandalore."
Captain Rex enters command room carrying additional reports. "Generals. We've completed background investigation on Kade Varro. Results are... concerning."
"How concerning?" I gesture to chair, though Rex remains standing at attention.
"He appeared on Coruscant ten months ago with no verifiable history. No birth records, no educational background, no prior employment—nothing before his arrival on Coruscant Level 1313. First documented activity is selling weapons to Red Spire Syndicate."
"So he's using false identity."
"No sir. Identity appears genuine—Republic citizenship confirmed, identification legitimate. He didn't forge documents. He just... didn't exist before ten months ago according to every database we've checked."
Obi-Wan leans forward with increased interest. "People don't spontaneously appear with legitimate documentation and no history. What's alternative explanation?"
"Either he has exceptional forgers who inserted him into Republic systems retroactively, or..." Rex pauses. "Or he's from somewhere our databases don't track."
"Like outside Republic space?" I suggest, though explanation feels insufficient.
"Or outside known reality," Derlin interjects quietly. "Listen to what we're describing: person with no verifiable history appearing with technology from unknown sources, building operation in ten months that should take years, supplying equipment we can't replicate or explain. Standard explanations don't work."
"So what's non-standard explanation?" Obi-Wan asks—genuine inquiry rather than dismissal.
"I don't have one. But investigation should focus on explaining impossible rather than assuming conventional criminal with unusually good suppliers."
After analysts depart, Obi-Wan and I review options. The political situation has deteriorated—Senate authorized formal investigation after Duchess Satine presented evidence of Death Watch's military buildup. We have mandate to examine captured equipment, interview witnesses, and potentially arrest Varro if Republic treaty violations are found.
"What's probability he cooperates with investigation?" I ask Rex.
"Near zero sir. He's protected by Death Watch, integrated into their operations, and has personal relationship with Pre Vizsla's lieutenant. Cooperating with Republic means betraying them. He rejected Satine's fifty million credit offer to stay with Death Watch—suggests loyalty beyond pure profit motive."
"Or stupidity," I mutter. "Who rejects fifty million credits?"
"Someone who values relationships over wealth," Obi-Wan observes. "That's noteworthy character trait for merchant we've characterized as purely self-interested."
"Doesn't change that he's supplying terrorists with advanced weapons."
"Agreed. But understanding his motivations helps predict behavior. If he values loyalty, threatening his Death Watch relationships might be leverage."
We coordinate with Duchess Satine, who's grimly satisfied that Republic finally takes situation seriously. She arranges meeting in Sundari palace command center.
"Thank you for returning," she greets formally. "Death Watch grows bolder daily. Last week they raided government armory—killed twelve officers using Varro's equipment."
"We've analyzed captured weapons," Obi-Wan responds diplomatically. "Technical specifications confirm they're beyond standard galactic manufacturing. That justifies Republic intervention despite Mandalore's neutrality."
"What action will you take?"
"Formal summons. Varro must appear before Republic investigation panel within forty-eight hours. If he refuses, arrest warrant issues with full legal authority."
"And if Death Watch protects him?"
"Then we arrest Pre Vizsla for harboring Republic fugitive. Escalates situation but within legal bounds." Obi-Wan's expression shows he dislikes necessity but accepts it. "We're hoping Varro appears voluntarily to avoid larger conflict."
Satine activates holographic display showing Death Watch territory on Concordia. "He won't come voluntarily. Death Watch doesn't respect Republic authority. They'll view summons as provocation."
"Then we serve summons through official channels and see how they respond," I say, impatient with political maneuvering. "At some point, we need to actually act instead of endless diplomatic preparation."
Obi-Wan shoots me warning glance—temper control reminder he's been giving since I was Padawan. But this situation requires action, not patience.
The summons is drafted formally:
REPUBLIC INVESTIGATION PANEL
SUBJECT: KADE VARRO
CHARGES: SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF REPUBLIC MILITARY TECHNOLOGY TREATIES
SUMMONS: APPEAR BEFORE PANEL WITHIN 48 HOURS
LOCATION: SUNDARI GOVERNMENT COMPLEX
FAILURE TO APPEAR: ARREST WARRANT ISSUES
Rex transmits through official diplomatic channels to Death Watch leadership. Response arrives within hours—Pre Vizsla's hologram appearing with controlled fury.
"Republic summons my supplier on trumped charges. This is harassment."
"This is legal investigation into technology violations," Obi-Wan responds calmly. "Kade Varro's equipment exceeds Republic treaty limitations. He must explain sources or face prosecution."
"He operates on Mandalore—neutral territory outside Republic jurisdiction."
"He's Republic citizen wanted for crimes committed in Republic space. We have jurisdiction regardless of current location."
Vizsla's expression promises violence. "You want war with Death Watch? This is how you get war."
"We want cooperation with investigation. If Varro is innocent, examination will prove it. If guilty, he faces prosecution. Standard legal process."
"Nothing about this is standard. You're targeting my supplier because Satine complained we're winning civil war." Vizsla leans forward. "But I'm practical. Varro will appear before your panel. Under Death Watch escort, with full legal representation, and understanding that any attempt to arrest him triggers military response."
"Acceptable terms. Investigation seeks truth, not conflict."
After hologram disconnects, Rex voices concern: "Death Watch will be heavily armed at meeting. Any provocation could start firefight in Sundari government complex."
"Then we avoid provocation," Obi-Wan says. "Professional inquiry only. We determine technology sources, assess treaty compliance, and make recommendations to Senate. Nothing more."
"And if he can't explain technology sources?" I press. "If answers don't make sense?"
"Then we report findings and let Senate decide next steps. This is information-gathering mission, not arrest operation."
But we all know truth—if Varro can't explain impossible technology, arrest becomes inevitable. And Death Watch will fight to prevent that.
[POV: Kade Varro]
The summons arrives via official Republic channels during Death Watch strategic planning meeting. Pre Vizsla reads it aloud with barely controlled fury, then slams datapad on table hard enough to crack casing.
"Republic investigators demanding you appear before their panel. This is Satine's doing—using Jedi as enforcers for her political agenda."
"Can we refuse?" I ask, though answer is obvious.
"Legally? No. You're Republic citizen, they have jurisdiction. Practically? Yes, but that triggers arrest warrant and probable military action." Vizsla reviews summons again. "I could tell them to enforce warrant if they dare."
"That starts war Death Watch isn't ready to win," Bo-Katan interjects. She's been silent during meeting until now—probably because I'm subject of discussion. "Republic has full military behind them. We have eight hundred warriors. Bad odds."
"So you're saying he appears?" Vizsla's tone suggests this isn't his preference.
"I'm saying we escort him there, provide legal representation, and dare them to arrest our supplier while we're standing armed in government complex. It's political theater but plays better than outright defiance."
Vizsla considers, then nods. "Acceptable strategy. Varro appears with full Death Watch escort. Any arrest attempt triggers immediate military response—legal consequences be damned."
After meeting concludes, Bo-Katan pulls me aside to private corridor. Her expression is concerned beneath warrior's professional mask.
"They're investigating your technology sources. You realize you can't explain where equipment comes from without revealing... whatever it is you're actually doing."
"I realize."
"What will you tell them?"
"That I have magical interdimensional System from transmigration that pulls weapons from fictional universes? That'll go well."
"Standard cover story—I'm middleman for anonymous suppliers who prefer confidentiality. Plausible deniability."
"They'll demand supplier identities."
"Then I refuse and face contempt charges. Better than revealing truth that sounds insane."
"What is truth?" Her question is direct. "After eight months together, I still don't actually know how you source equipment. You materialize items through method I've never seen clearly. Your prices don't make sense—sometimes you charge more for simpler items, sometimes less for complex ones. Your suppliers never contact you visibly. It's like..." She struggles for analogy. "Like you pull items from nowhere."
The observation is uncomfortably accurate. She's noticed patterns despite my operational security efforts.
"Some things are better left unexplained. Even to you."
"Especially to me apparently. Because you still don't trust me with full truth." Her hurt is visible despite attempt at neutral tone. "You'll face Jedi investigation that might destroy everything rather than admit what you're actually doing."
"Because admitting it would sound delusional and change nothing. Truth doesn't help here—only makes me appear unstable or lying."
"Try me. Tell me truth right now, privately, and let me decide if it's delusional."
The invitation is genuine. She wants to understand. Wants me to trust her with information I've guarded obsessively since transmigration.
But explaining System means explaining transmigration. Means admitting I died in different reality and woke here with interdimensional interface letting me purchase weapons from fictional universes. Means revealing I'm not who she thinks I am—not even from this reality originally.
"I can't. Not because I don't trust you. Because truth is literally unbelievable and sharing it accomplishes nothing except making me sound insane."
Her expression hardens. "Then good luck with Jedi investigation. Because if you won't trust me, you definitely won't trust them. And they have Force abilities that might extract truth whether you cooperate or not."
She walks away. Again. Pattern is established—I refuse transparency, she leaves hurt and frustrated, relationship deteriorates incrementally toward inevitable ending.
R4 hovers close after she's gone. "Master's investigation threat is existential. System cannot be explained through conventional means. Jedi Force abilities may detect deception even if master maintains cover story. Probability of exposure: significant."
"What are consequences of exposure?"
"Republic will classify master as reality-warping threat requiring containment. Jedi will investigate Force mechanics despite System being non-Force-based. Clients will lose confidence in supply reliability. Death Watch protection becomes insufficient against Republic military response."
"So exposure equals operation ending and probable death or imprisonment."
"Correct assessment. Master faces choice: flee Mandalore before investigation, appear and risk exposure, or eliminate investigation threat."
"Eight suggested that last option," I mutter. "Assassinating Jedi investigators."
"This unit does not recommend violence against Jedi—probability of success is minimal and consequences of failure are catastrophic. However, options are limited."
Eight interjects with characteristic pragmatism: "Master should consider all strategic options. Jedi investigation represents existential threat. Eliminating investigators is highest-risk but potentially highest-reward solution. Alternatively, master could flee—abandon Mandalore operations, relocate to systems outside Republic jurisdiction, rebuild elsewhere."
"And lose Death Watch protection, Bo-Katan, existing client relationships, and twelve million credits in non-liquid assets?"
"Survival is priority. Assets are replaceable. Life is not."
"Master's long-term pattern: escalate until untenable, flee, repeat," R4 observes. "This time, pattern breaks. Master has committed to Death Watch—fleeing violates that commitment. Additionally, nowhere left to flee where investigation won't eventually follow."
The droid is right. Republic investigators can operate anywhere. Jedi have reach across galaxy. Running just delays inevitable confrontation while abandoning everything built here.
"I appear before panel. Maintain cover story. Refuse to compromise clients. Face contempt charges if necessary. Hope legal process moves slowly enough to find alternative solution."
"That is plan with minimal probability of success," Eight notes.
"It's only plan that doesn't require assassinating Jedi or abandoning everything. So it's plan we're using."
Forty-eight hours until investigation. Forty-eight hours to prepare testimony that explains impossible without revealing truth. Forty-eight hours until accumulated choices converge into confrontation I can't avoid or resolve satisfactorily.
Forward. Because there's nowhere else to go except through crisis toward whatever comes next.
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