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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 1966262" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 128: Good News for One, Bad Feeling for AnotherKet Halpak sat forward in his chair, leaning over his desk like a predator. Both hands were cupped around a small object that had been on the desk for as long as he’d had the thing. What the little object was, Ket had never actually figured out. However, it had provided hours of entertainment in times of boredom. But it seemed those times of boredom would soon come to an end, as there was much to do. So he sat at his desk, idly batting the small half-spherical object back and forth. Waiting. Nine should be stepping in anytime now. What she had to report, he didn’t know yet. It probably wouldn’t be good. Problems were bound to pop up soon, as everything had been going far too perfectly for too long.    There was a soft, echoing swishing noise off in the distance. Right on cue. Smiling to himself, Ket pushed the little object back to its spot on the corner of his empty desk and sat back in his usual business appearance. It took Nine much less time than usual to reach his desk. Only a minute later, she stood in front of the desk, staring at him with her usual emotionless, soul-eating look. He managed a smile and met her eyes, having never had trouble ignoring the Marix-glare, as he’d once called it. Knowing that Nine was not one to speak first, he smiled softly and asked, “What’s gone wrong?”    Surprisingly, that got a slightly curious look on Nine’s face. It was wiped back to the usual empty slate a second later, and she just leaned forward into a more comfortable position, saying, “Nothing has.”    Ket’s smile became a grin. He couldn’t help it. It just felt good to be wrong about certain things. And so, there was only one thing he could ask, “Oh really? Then what is it?”    If Ket could have found a way to record the look on Nine’s face, he would have. It was the first time that he had ever seen a smile on that face, save the one on the real Marix’s when she’d taken his tail...but what could he say? She was smiling. Smiling! Sure, none of the Tam-Day-U had ever really expressed emotions, but Marix had been the top of the class in that respect. But here was the Ice Queen, smiling without even being provoked! She didn’t even look like she was about to maul him! The smile became the old grin when Nine saw his shocked look, and she half sat on the desk before speaking in an almost too happy voice, “It seems that some interesting things have occurred on Coruscant. Our contacts there have heard reports of...I believe it was ‘Cathar’, that killed a security group and have stolen a prototype ship, blasting their way off of the planet.”    “Cathar?” Ket raised an eyebrow. It was not the first time he’d heard that, and knew that Nine was not knew to this either. The times that the two of them had been seen and identified had always been as this isolationist feline species. This had been encouraged, so much that many people that he did business with truly believed he was Cathar. But Ket just shook his head, waving a hand at her, “It could have easily been real Cathar. They aren’t just some myth.”    Nine caught his hand, grabbing it in mid air and squeezing it roughly. She glared at him with an accusing look before speaking slowly, “There are security holos. I saw them. The two were Alraxian.”    “The clone and her little friend, then?” Ket asked, not trying to pull his hand away. She would likely break it anyway, but it wasn’t best to encourage her when she was in such a mood.    “No,” Nine corrected him sharply, “The boy was there, and another. I did not recognize the other...but I believe she was Tam-Day-U. Blackflame from the way she fought.”    “The way she fought?” Ket was getting even more curious. Another Alraxian here. But why would a Tam-Day-U be sent here? Something was going on back in the Hidden Worlds. Something Ket would need to discover for himself...possibly find a way to use.    This time, though, Nine let go of his hand. She left him a moment to rub the feeling back into it before sitting more comfortably on the desk and saying more quietly, “Yes. She attempted to kill him. I would assume that it was an attack meant for the clone herself. That would mean that someone else knows of their connection and sees him as the weaker.”    “They aren’t alone,” mumbled Ket, smiling to himself.    But Nine didn’t seem to hear his comment, continuing on her own, “The boy killed her. His fighting technique was very unorthodox, and I expect it surprised her. She was young. It was likely her first real mission. However, the fact that he killed her shows that we have underestimated him.”    “You don’t sound surprised,” Ket said, louder so that she would actually hear him this time.    Nine raised an eyebrow, but shrugged, “Why should I be? Three and I are, of course, alike. She would not choose a weak human for her Nothlit. But that is not my point. The real point is, the ship that the boy stole had a tracking device on it. The New Republic dispatched a task force to follow the ship two hours ago.”    Ket smiled. That would force the little brat out of her hiding. And if he knew her well enough, which he did at a base level, she would find a goal to run for. Marix would never, ever run from something. Running to, however, was completely different. How else could she have justified her exile? But what would this clone of Marix run to?  He looked down at some movement, Nine’s tail was flicking, and thought about it. Once, not long ago, Nine had been a bit more than just obsessed with finding the real Marix. Killing her was the original goal, but it was still a fierce need. Would this clone do the same? Why not? Why wouldn’t a copy be curious if they were the same as their original? That was the base reason for the hatred of clones among the Alraxians. If a clone could be a different person, then killing it could not be justified. Then...then it wasn’t a real copy anymore. Nine had been forced to prove that she wasn’t just a copy. This young Three would likely be feeling something similar.    Quickly, he came to a decision, “Its time to change plans. Go to Coruscant. Go to that facility where the rest of the clones are and wait. Change the labels if you must, but you know what to do.”    “Yes,” Nine smiled again, “What would that little brat do if she found the real Marix was me?”    “Exactly,” he nodded and motioned towards the exit, “Go as quickly as you can.”* * * *Not long after Shadow and Titus had gone off, Jen found her way into the hut. Akan was lying back again, eyes closed but obviously away...and also a little red still. She grinned slightly and stood next to the small bed, “You going to keep acting dead like that?”    That got his eyes opened. Somehow, it seemed he hadn’t even noticed she was there. Akan had nearly jumped out of the bed in surprised, but managed to cling to the small blanket instead. Seeing who it was, he looked over her and mumbled, “I’m fine. Don’t need anything.”    Jen sighed, “Akan, stop that. Besides, there is something I’d be willing to bet you’d like a lot right now.”    At least he looked slightly interested, almost looking her in the eye but managing to look more through her than anything. Quietly, almost worried about what she could mean, he asked, “What...?”    “These,” with a grin, Jen tossed Akan’s clothes onto him. They were still slightly damp, but she knew that he wouldn’t really care. Especially considering how red he’d been the last few minutes. No matter how funny it was, he deserved at least a little help from someone. And maybe it would ease his mood with her...maybe.    Akan caught the pile of clothes, clinging to them and then pulling the jacket off of his face to give her a meaningful look. Laughing slightly, Jen figured out what he wanted and nodded, patting his shoulder gently and then stepped out to let him change. Part of her wondered if it would be too cruel to step in a few seconds later just to start asking a question. Well, it would be cruel...but might lighten his mood just a little. But just as she’d thought about doing that, she noticed the spot that the unconscious Hansen had occupied was now empty. Instinctively, she looked around for the other woman. No sign of her. Footprints were impossible to see in the thick brush and such all over the ground.    The thought of stepping in on Akan returned again. Yet again, though, something else got in the way. This time, it was Titus. He came running around a couple of trees, jumping over a large branch on the ground that would have easily tripped him if he hadn’t payed attention, and then stopping right in front of her. By now, Jen wasn’t surprised that he hadn’t even broken a sweat. That man had some serious stamina. Normally, she would have grinned at that thought, but something in Titus’ expression showed that there was a problem. And she knew how to read him by now.    “We have to leave,” he said, without even a hint of heavy breathing in his voice.    Jen gave him a confused look, but didn’t have to ask why. He had been expecting the question, and had already decided on the short version of the story, “That X-Wing Akan brought has a tracking device on it. I’ve got a bad feeling that he may lead our friends out here.”    At hearing that, Jen got a worried expression on her face. And it brought up a question, “How high are those bounties, anyway?”    “You don’t want to know,” Titus grumbled, and then turned his head sharply to look off left. A moment later, Jen heard the same noise of footsteps. Hansen appeared out of the brush, looking more panicked than annoyed. The other woman didn’t even look at Jen, and stopped a good few meters away from the two of them, motioning off towards where the three ships were set own.    “Three New Republic ships just came out of hyperspace,” she said breathlessly, obviously not in as good a shape as Titus was, “They’re broadcasting on all channels that they know you...we...whatever. They know we’re here. Sensor readings show they’ve already launched a few transports. That sithspawn in there led them right to u—“    ”Its too damned late to start throwing blame around!” Titus growled, surprising both women with his swift and harsh words, “We just need to get out of here now.”Akan appeared in the doorway, obviously having heard them speaking. He and Titus exchanged looks, and a quiet decision seemed to be made between them. Talk later. Get out now. Akan nodded, saying quickly, “I’ll go get Shadow. You get out of here and we’ll catch up.”    “I’m going to pry that damned tracking device off of your little ship,” Titus called to Akan as the kid ran off, following the smell and the link to find the other Alraxian.    Over his shoulder, Akan yelled back, “I’ll buy you a drink once this is over!”    The two Voorts exchanged looks. That was odd. He seemed...happy. Jen grinned after a moment, then whispered to Titus, “He’s got an excuse to get out of bed.”    Titus laughed and nodded, looking to both Hansen and Jen, “Come on. We’ll pry that thing off of the X-Wing and then get to the Alderaan. I’ve got a bad feeling we’re going to need that little fighter.”    As the two women followed him, Jen couldn’t help but saying, “You need to stop with these bad feelings. They’re always ending up right.”</blockquote>

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