Jubilar is in the same coordinates as Iego. A little west of Iego, in quadrant T-7. Of course, I deliberately told the Chiss that we were gathering at Jubilar, while we were assembling the Justice fleet at Iego. What was my motive for providing disinformation? Firstly, I'm seeing her for the second time in my life. Secondly – even the fact that I didn't feel lies doesn't mean she's not lying. If a being sincerely believes in their lie, then for them it's not a lie at all. But I can be deceived. And thirdly... Someone really managed to give Lora false information. And here two options open up. Either Lora's informant himself received disinformation so that the lady from this Moon organization would not attack the syndicate. And a dreadnought and its accompanying gunships and fighters are an unpleasant thing for these places. Or the informant himself is not clean.
In such a situation, it is necessary to determine who the enemy is, so that the thread can be carefully cut, or to feed her disinformation. Of course, the Mandalorian will not like that I am using her in the dark. But in this situation, identifying the problem is much more important than good relations between us. I will somehow survive her anger. But working as a spy for "Black Sun," especially for Darko Itari, there's a chance I might not survive. And our entire enterprise to destroy the "Black Sun" station and the Vigo territory could fail. It is problematic to kill a Jedi in direct combat. But what if I blow up a spaceship? I will not survive in such a situation. In space combat, sometimes, one well-aimed hit is enough to die.
Therefore, I decided to eliminate surprises. Unfortunately, she did not reveal the informant's name to me, and she herself most likely does not believe it unconditionally. Therefore, to conduct a full-fledged interrogation and still hope for reliable and accurate results is a thankless task. I could have pressed her against the wall with telekinesis, threatened to cut off her arm or leg, but the problem here is culture. She has enough willpower not to blab under the influence of the Force, and Mandalorians themselves are not very inclined to disclose important information. Well, I wasn't worried about possibly sending her into a trap. Lora, considering that she has known the informant for a long time, according to her words, might inform him that the Jedi told her. But that won't change anything. Yes, the Anzati might try, and will definitely try if they find out, to eliminate Lora and her squad. To reduce their problems... But... Darko hardly has gravity well technology, so if the traitor is in Lora's team, then even with their forces, Darko will not be able to detain and destroy her. Lora will be able to escape. And if it's empty there, then the traitor is not in Lora's team... Or she didn't tell him... Hmm... I need to consider everything. The lion's share of preparation for battle takes place not at the command post on a starship, but at the assembly point. Even if it's a battle like the one we're facing – not a battle between GAR and CIS, but just an attempt to beat up a criminal syndicate. By the way, I even saw a unique chance in all this to have a run for myself. I read a lot of theory from the Citadel of Anaxis, even passed and received a diploma, or rather, the rank of officer. But in this case, theory is text. A set of letters and advice... But how will it be in practice? It's really interesting to try. And I've already taken the first step. I sent one of our possible connections to find out who the traitor is. Even if the commander of the connection is playing me in the dark. But I am not obliged to report my actions, nor to inform Lora about my plans? If we are in an Alliance, it will be temporary, and she will hold a subordinate position. In parallel, I organized surveillance of the Mandalorian. Thanks to my training and study of stealth techniques, she did not notice me and came to... The Justice Corps Headquarters? Interesting... She entered a huge building, built more for pomp. Officers and employees of the corps walked quickly and not so quickly on business. No one paid attention to the Mandalorian. Until she approached the checkpoint. I tried to sharpen my hearing because she spoke to a corps soldier standing at the checkpoint.
"Good afternoon," the Mandalorian said politely. "I need Admiral Graves."
Admiral Graves is responsible for the functioning of this Justice Corps headquarters. He commands it. Why does she need him? It would be good to overhear her conversation and the admiral's conversation. I feel, given the operation, her possible participation, and the imminent arrival of the Order's forces on the planet, this is important.
"I beg your pardon, but Admiral Graves is absent at the moment. He has gone on an inspection to one of the stations on the sector border. Can I pass anything on to him?"
"Hmm, I suppose," the Mandalorian said thoughtfully. "Tell him that I want to talk to him seriously about something. In four days."
All that remains is to understand whether this is related to the raid on Darko, and how. When the Mandalorian moved away from the counter and left the huge hall of the building where the Justice Corps employees were, I approached the checkpoint.
"And who do you need?" the soldier asked.
"No one, I just want to ask about someone..."
"I don't have time for gossip, get out..."
"You have time for my questions," I put the Force into my words and directed the influence at the soldier.
"I have time for your questions," he said, mesmerized. "Ask your questions."
"Don't act like our conversation is strange," I continued. "So. I'm interested in – what are the Mandalorian's relations with the Admiral? Where exactly is the Admiral now?"
"I heard," the soldier began slightly sluggishly, "that she somehow saved the Admiral's life and he now owes her. Admiral Graves is currently on the northern border of the sector, inspecting a station. To the north is the border with the Pakuuni sector. A haven for pirates and smugglers."
"Anything else about Admiral Graves? Or the Mandalorian?"
"Admiral Graves is a man of incredible honor and high ideals," the soldier said. "He is disciplined and serious, always calm and reserved. There is an opinion that he never even sleeps, because he does not need to. A loyal soldier of the Republic."
"You're practically in love with him," I noted. "But I suppose everyone thinks so."
The soldier nodded.
"You won't mind forgetting about our conversation, will you?" The distraction technique diverted the gazes of the sentient beings from us. And the ionization burned out the circuits on the camera that hung in the soldier's breast pocket. So, what did I learn? Admiral Graves and Lora herself are connected by some shared past. Further, Graves is a loyal servant of the Justice Corps, apparently, a loyal and honest man who could have been exiled for loyalty and honesty... However... There is one nuance – I am not going to unconditionally trust a sentient being I know by reputation. And what did the Mandalorian want from him? Either to report about me and the forces we are going to throw at Darko. Or maybe he supplied her with information that the base with the bota is not on Drongar? The cards are laying out interestingly. Depending on his actions and the reasons for those actions, he could be either an enemy or a good comrade. Well... There are still three or four days until Tivokka and Plo Koon arrive. And I managed to find a promising ally, I just need to check her. But is there anything else I need to do? Hmm... And why not find out where Darko Itari's main base is? She hardly lives on a space station above Drongar. So, another place. And Iego is suitable as a planet where I can get the necessary information.
No world inhabited by smugglers, gangsters, and other not-so-socially-correct elements can do without such an important thing as an information broker. That is, a trader of various kinds of information that falls into the category of "on the verge of foul play." Bothans, natives of Bothawui, sell information quite officially. However, they have some restrictions. Although in reality they disregard them. But there is something that cannot be bought from Bothans even for a lot of money – data about corporate convoys, or some important Republic research. Information about some senators and the actions of the Jedi is taboo for them. The identities of the Shadows – that's definitely something that cannot be established even with Bothans. Well, more precisely, the latter they do not have the right to sell, they understand who the Shadows are and what they can do for impudence. However, everything can be bought for money, no matter what anyone says. Even love is bought for money, only naive and foolish children believe otherwise. So I hedged my bets and simply erased myself from all databases. Light Flaingstar, if he exists as a Jedi, was not born on Tustra, but who knows where he was born at all. As for the current situation and the services of brokers, I seriously considered buying information about "Black Sun" from them, especially about Darko. However... brokers can definitely work for the syndicate. And therefore, it's not an option, unless... To purposefully find someone who works for "Black Sun" and interrogate him with impartiality. I'm sure he could tell me everything about Darko Itari... But how to determine who here works for "Black Sun"?
The so-called "smuggler's quarter" in the capital of Iego was overcrowded with sentient beings. It didn't look very rich or impressive. The buildings were at most four stories high. Speeders flew over the roads. I spent a day choosing my target. I had to look for the most respectable establishment where information could be traded. After all, this is the Outer Rim. And the Criminal Syndicate, taking advantage of the fact that the further power is from the center of the Republic, the weaker it is – can afford not to be afraid. In addition, even the local senator is on the bait from "Black Sun," although it's not quite the bait I thought of. My choice fell on a two-story building, in front of which stood guards. It looked like a cantina for rich sentient beings, or rather, not even a cantina. A cabaret with a program clearly of a strip bar. Inside, it was quite clean for such a quarter. Beautiful women of different races danced on stages-podiums. Men filled the hall with approving shouts, cheerfully discussing pressing matters.
As I walked to the bar counter, I managed to catch a couple of words of interest about what to say here and to whom, to get an offer to buy information.
"So, are Jedi flying here?" one of the male Twi'leks asked a Togruta.
"Yes, Captain," the Togruta said, and I turned around and instead of heading to the center, where the bar was and where I could ask for a meeting with a broker, I paid attention to a table where a couple was chatting. "I received this information from my contact in the Justice Corps."
The local branch – they were definitely informed... But, damn it... Their counter-intelligence clearly gets paid only for the fact that the employees are screwing around! How can it be that important information becomes the property of a thieving rabble? Okay, calm down, Light. You'll fall again, by accident.
"What the Jedi will do here – he didn't say, apparently he doesn't know himself, but he spoke about the arrival of a Master from their Higher Council..."
"Hutt," the Twi'lek exclaimed, "a master is not just a pompous title! We need to get out of here to a couple of sectors. Are others already aware?"
"I'm sure they are," the Togruta said. "Unless the gang of Mad Jer wanted to kill the Jedi and thus gain fame."
"Jer is a fairytale idiot," the Twi'lek said powerfully, adjusting the blaster holster that hung on his belt. "I still don't understand – why was he released from the asylum? Ever since he was concussed, he's been looking for a chance to become famous everywhere. I even pity him, we grew up on the same street. But I pity myself even more. A confrontation with the Jedi... The master is unlikely to come to destroy us specifically, but he might get caught. So order the team to prepare for departure. It's time for us to go..."
Damn it. However, predictable. But I hoped that the secret would remain a secret at least until the actual arrival of Tivokka's forces. And we are already exposed. However, this does not cancel the attack, it only remains to decide where exactly. Presumably, Darko's main base is... in several sectors. Namely, nine sectors – S-5, or the same S but six, or seven. T and U with the same parameters.
More precise location of the base could not be determined. There are several dozen planets. On each of which, according to Jedi intelligence, there is a "Black Sun" cell. And one of them is the main one, where Darko should be. And it would be good to find out where it is. Ordinary pawns will not have such knowledge. So I finally approached the bar and uttered the code phrase, which initiated a meeting with a broker's representative. The meeting was supposed to take place on the second floor of the building, in a separate booth. And the representative turned out to be a problematic type – a Toydarian. Resistant to the Force... According to my information, the broker himself, responsible for this place, only appeared when the issue was about buying really important information... Or selling it, because he could buy important information from an external sentient being. He can't rely only on his own intelligence, can he?
"Eeeeh, does the respected gentleman want to sell information, not buy it?" the Toydarian asked, using his wings to keep himself in the air. "Then why was I informed about a purchase? You probably used the phrase intended for a purchase."
In the cramped booth, there were two chairs, and a table between them.
"I just said a phrase I heard on the street," I replied calmly.
"Never do that again," the sentient being said importantly. "The problem is that you will have to pay for the purchase of information, or rather, for my work."
"So I didn't buy anything and want to sell information of galactic scale and still have to pay extra?"
"That you owe is your problem," the Toydarian replied. "Your own stupidity."
The code phrase, which was spoken in Huttese, I heard on the street. More precisely, it was dropped by a tout, whom I helped with the Force Suggestion. At first, he wanted to sell me this phrase, but I convinced him to give a hundred percent discount... Unfortunately, with the Toydarian, it won't be possible to convince him to give a discount. Sighing, I inserted the credit chip into the slot and paid for the work of my stupidity. Five hundred credits flew away...
"Soon a representative for selling information will appear here," the Toydarian said importantly.
"I was hoping to see Vidm," I said, naming the owner of this place. "My information can shake the Republic itself!"
"The importance of the information and the necessity of Mr. Vidm's participation will be assessed by our employee," the Toydarian said. "Mr. Vidm does not meet just anyone. Moreover," the Toydarian looked into my eyes, I had removed my hood for a visit here, fearing that I might be easily identified. Although they can identify me now, Darko saw my suit in a somewhat tattered state and even more the silhouette than the suit. "You look very suspicious."
"Everyone here looks like that," I sighed. "After all, this place is not holy. But I am not dangerous. At least without my blaster and a bunch of grenades that I handed over to the guard at the entrance."
But I kept my lightsabers. My bracers were securely hidden and did not show up on the scanner. As were the hilts themselves. I added material that helped hide both the lightsabers and the bracers and their true functionality.
"Well," the Toydarian lowered himself and took a glass of drink from the table, "but as I said, visitor, you will have to follow the procedures. If you don't want trouble. And keep in mind, Mr. Vidm can cause you problems..."
"I'm not looking for trouble intentionally," a strange sensation that had been tormenting me since I entered this simple room solidified, as if someone was watching me from behind. And it wasn't cameras.
"Well, wait," the Toydarian said and flew out of the room. Right at the door, as if he remembered something, he placed alcohol in front of me. "You can also have a drink."
"Thank you," the door closed, and I took the bottle of alcohol. Hmm... It's poisoned. He poisoned it before flying out. Using my senses, I could feel the danger. So they figured it out. Not that everything is so bad. But not good either... Perhaps I revealed myself. Plus, the pirates who learned about Tivokka's arrival. "Black Sun" already knows everything. Most likely, the leak was not organized by my appearance here, even though I am wanted... Even if unofficially. No... Someone deliberately led Lora by the nose and before that leaked the plans of the Jedi Order. Mmm? They released gas, and the door leading to the exit snapped shut. "So that's how it is," I stood up and squeezed the bottle. The glass cracked, and then broke.
"So you figured it out," a voice came from the speakers. "Yes, when you showed up here, I couldn't believe my luck, Jedi. You insulted my mistress and then dared to act so freely on her territory?"
"Your mistress is doomed," I replied.
"Oh, you're surely hoping for the arrival of the Justice Corps from Coruscant, aren't you, Jedi?" a mocking male voice came. "I dare to assure you – they won't have time to save you. And as for their attack on my mistress, that's a failure too. No one will ever reveal her base's location to you. Each of us, her loyal servants, would rather die than betray her. And you, a pathetic cur of the Jedi Order, will soon understand what 'die' means."
"Is that all?" I approached the mirror with a heavy sigh. The mirror, which was behind me when I sat opposite the Toydarian. "I could break out into the corridor, but I feel a much more promising option, Vidm. I clearly feel the aura of a living being, sentient, right behind this mirror. It's you, isn't it, Vidm?" I placed my right hand on the mirror.
"What are you..."
Directing the Force, like a river stream, I broke the window separating us. Before me appeared a richly decorated and furnished room, quite spacious. Rich sofas stood against the walls, a table stood in the middle. Vidm turned out to be a human male about thirty years old with a cunning gaze. He was dressed in a white shirt and black pants. As soon as I jumped into the room, he pulled a blaster from his belt.
"You shouldn't have played seller and buyer with me," I said, disarming him with telekinesis with a wave of my hand.
"Fire! Fire! Kill the Jedi."
Besides Vidm, there were "Black Sun" bandits and five B1 droids in the room. Sentient beings would have reacted faster, but I didn't even let them shoot, pushing them all against the wall with telekinesis. Someone broke their spine or twisted their neck on impact with the wall, I hit too hard. Vidm was also thrown back, but not far, I brought him back to myself.
"Honestly, Vidm, you've played too much. Since I broke the glass between the rooms, the gas will soon fill this room too," I threw my lightsaber from my left hand and five B1s fell to the floor. "Your people are amateurs. They couldn't detect my lightsabers, taking only the blaster and grenades. Although maybe it's because I convinced them that I'm not a Jedi? Hmm... Let's get back to business, Vidm. I'll break all your limbs and leave you to die from the gas, or we'll leave this room together as friends. And you, out of friendly kindness, will give me information about Darko Itari and her base."
"Go to hell," he spat. "Better to die..."
"Why are you doing this, Vidm?" I asked. "You understand – the chance I've given you is one in a million. Can't you, as a sentient being, process such simple... information?"
"You're a Jedi, I'm unarmed... You won't kill me!"
"Vidm, Vidm, Vidm," I put my left hand to my forehead. "Who told you about killing? I said I'd break all your limbs with the Force. Like this," I directed my right hand at Vidm's left arm. A wave of telekinesis passed through his body, his left arm bent at an unnatural angle, and he screamed. The bone had just been broken into two parts. "See?" I asked the groaning Vidm. Guards are rushing here. I pulled up my hood... I should finish with him. "How do you feel? This isn't killing, is it?"
"Bastard..."
"You know, I think I'll open an account, on which I'll save a decicredit for every such word addressed to me, and when I save a million, I'll transfer it to a charity fund for disabled people. Maybe you'll get something too," I grinned. The main thing here is not to overdo it in the "very bad cop" game. "I'll ask again. Where is Darko Itari? Who from this system, from the Justice Corps, works for her?"
"Go to hell..."
I broke his second arm. Torture did not bring me pleasure, rather disgust. It's one thing to mock an opponent and provoke him during a fight, but during an interrogation – it's boring. All right, then... I injected him with a drug and tried to influence his mind... But the effect on him was different, not like on Rosamunde. Vidm resisted, and very fiercely.
"So you're a drug addict, that's why you have resistance to drugs. Not to all, but unfortunately, I only have the drug from the substance you used... Hmm," I sighed. "Then, maybe you can tell me the password to your computer?"
This room, Vidm's office, had no cameras, hidden or otherwise. Only in Vidm's shirt breast pocket – a camera was visible, which he apparently used to record what was happening during meetings. But I disabled it with ionization.
"So what?" the gas had already begun to fill the room, and the guards had taken positions outside the doors.
"Go to hell!"
"You damn pervert, go yourself," I broke both his legs. The merchant's scream was almost deafening. Well, I have to admit that the interrogation failed this time. I could have spent more time with him, but... I don't have time for all this. I approached Vidm's computer and opened the case, taking out all the hard drives.
"Attention," a cold, female voice said, "self-destruct program activated. Self-destruct will occur in thirty seconds."
Okay, wait, who did that? Me or the guards... The countdown, meanwhile, had begun. The guards left the entrance and headed for the exit. It's time for me to leave. I'm sure VV-7 will be able to hack the hard drives. Unfortunately, hacking them remotely is not possible. Since Darko started working with the hacker who tracked me down on Drongar. So I'll bring the drives to VV, and he'll crack everything. Breaking the window on the opposite side of the main entrance of the building, I crossed the room and jumped from the first floor. Thirteen seconds later, a powerful explosion sounded behind the wall. Sentient beings crowded outside with surprise, watching the establishment burn. "Perhaps next time I'll bring my own, unpoisoned alcohol. Maybe then we can come to an agreement?"
Meanwhile, another explosion sounded. Some sentient beings fell from its force. And, getting up, they ran as far away as possible. And rightly so... Who knows what they kept there.
I left my mark in the capital, not exactly a significant one. The self-destruct program, as it turned out, activated when I tried to extract the hard drives from Vidm's computer. Simultaneously, data was being deleted from them… But the data was recovered by VV, who had the appropriate settings, thanks to father. So, within two hours, from the commotion in the capital, I became the "happy owner of hardcore, lesbian porn," five terabytes worth. I decided to keep the collection. And study it for… porn… later. I was interested in documents… No matter how criminal the syndicate was, it should have work records. And there were such. The disks contained logs of corporate system emails. This computer was also used as a server, so I managed to access Jarco's emails and now I knew the exact location of two of her bases. The main one was located on Pakuuni, and the backup was on Munto-Codru. That's something… The only question is, where will Jorka Itari be? On Munto-Codru, or Pakuuni? I considered Pakuuni the main base because it was a logical decision to set up a base there. Pakuuni is closest to Drongar. It was to Pakuuni that ships from Drongar used to go…
Great, all that's left is to wait for Magistrate Tivokka with Plo Koon, and also to find out the result of Laura's forces' inspection, and then we can proceed.