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« Last post by Medivh on April 12, 2024, 10:07:40 AM »
Corellia
Surface: Coronet City
The conversation was long, detailed. And exhausting. The look on Agent Thekla's face, a mix of shock and awe and confusion and worry all showed Artemis and Mara the real risk of putting their cards on the table. A risk for them. And a risk for anyone in the know.
Mara barely said a word as Artemis updated Thekla on the threats that Corellia was facing, and what they were doing to stop it.
One thing, she noted. Artemis didn't say a word about what Mara really was. It was a fairly recent revelation for him and that he kept it to himself showed that even with honesty, he knew how Corellians would perceive her, even the best, most well meaning Corellians would see her as a threat.
She remembered that feeling. How she had to run, flee. Fight her very programming.
And lost. She had, afterall, committed the very acts she was originally programmed to do. She infiltrated Corellia, and the Trade Federation and killed some of PHAGE's most top-tiered enemies, including those she now considered family.
Mara wasn't really needed for this conversation, and didn't really want to be present for whatever reaction Thekla was going to have at the end.
"I don't need to sit here for this entire debrief. Agent Thekla - I came here to ensure that my nephew is alright. If you are satisfied that he is not the danger you perceive him to be, I'd like to go see him. The senator can continue to answer any questions you have."
Thekla's shocked look broke for just a moment as he turned away from Artemis Soldys to Mara. He didn't really know what to say. If anything, Riley and his cohorts actually sounded like they were more dangerous than he had originally thought. But the senator had placed his trust in him. He couldn't really break that trust right now, whatever misgivings he had.
"He's not detained. Technically. He's undergoing a psych evaluation down the hall, and if cleared, will be released."
"No more surveillance"
"I cannot promise that"
Mara stood, a cold look in her eyes as she repeated herself.
"No more surveillance"
Thekla looked to Artemis with an almost helpless look on his face, hoping the senator would agree with him.
And though Artemis was opposed to Riley and Gemma's contingency plans, he was otherwise supportive of giving the young adults the free reign they need.
"He needs to be able to move about without being tracked. No more surveillance. You and I can discuss more, but he needs to be free and unfollowed"
Thekla let out a sigh but nodded his head.
Mara said nothing more, swivelling around and making her way down the hall, where she found Riley sitting, Sixta and Cassidy standing nearby, as the psychologist was running through a checklist with him. Riley was about to answer another question when he turned to face Mara, a sheepish look crossing his face.
"Aunt Mara ... what are you doing here?"
Her look was stern, tone matter-of-fact
"Making sure my nephew isn't getting arrested or getting himself killed"
"Aunt Mara"
"Don't Aunt Mara me young man. You've got enough recklessness in the things you have planned that you cannot afford to be so uncareful. There are people out there who will, at the first chance they get, take you out. And unlike your friends, what they do to you will be a lot worse than having you detained."
She lifted a datapad, handing it to the psychologist who seemed bewildered by Mara's sudden appearance.
"Agent Thekla has cleared Riley. You don't need to complete your evaluation, and I'm going to ask that you step out so we can have a private conversation."
The psychologist was hardly one to refuse orders, and Mara had an imposing presence as it was. After the doctor disappeared, Mara's eyes glanced over at the two CorSec agents standing at the side. She recognized them both as colleagues of Riley, but the way she looked at them was anything but friendly.
"And which one of you decided it was a good idea to shoot my nephew?"
TBC
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