For Your Photoreceptors Only/Chapter 3

For Your Photoreceptors Only

Chapter 3

Word had gotten around Headquarters about the return of Gruu Funkistann, a Jedi Knight and fellow MI5 operative. Gruu had taken a "leave of absence" from MI5 to concentrate on retraining a Padawan who had been tempted by the Dark Side of the Force. Gruu was also a Gungan from Naboo. He still spoke like a Gungan but had incredible intelligence for his species.

He was a long-time operative and friend to many at the agency. So when he arrived back at Headquarters, he was greeted by his friends. As soon as he walked in the door, Gruu saw them all standing there. He smiled.

Jace Bont spoke first, shaking Gruu's hand. "Good to have you back."

"Me-sa feels good to be back," Gruu responded.

Bont then noticed a young woman behind the Gungan. She couldn't have been more than 21 years old. Long dark hair, brown eyes and a leather Jedi-looking outfit with the midriff showing. That, of course, caught Bont's eye. A lightsaber hilt also hung from her belt.

Gruu said, "Dis is da Padawan me-sa has been training."

Bont gently took her hand. "Miss Krill, correct?"

"Yes," she said. "Acura Krill."

When it was announced that Gruu would be returning to MI5, a deal was made to have his Padawan join him as well. She wouldn't be considered an "official" MI5 agent, more of an "honorary" agent.

"Welcome to MI5, my dear," Bont said, pouring on the charm...not to mention his Zeltron pheromones.

Gruu introduced everyone to Acura. There was Jace Bont, Shasta Moonreaper, the Nosaurian agent Pandolfo Taproot, and another Human female Europa Kapanen. Gruu paused when he got to QUAD. "Uh, me-sa sorry, but... Me-sa has never met you-sa before."

Shasta said, "We call him QUAD. He was created by Q'u soon after you left a few years ago."

"Pleasure to meet you both," QUAD said to the two Jedi.

"He's really quite a technological marvel," the short Nosaurian agent said looking up at the towering droid. Since Pandolfo has been with MI5, he's gone from being the nature-friendly warrior to a techno-genius.

"Since we're all reacquainted with one another," Europa started, "we should probably head up to the Briefing Room. M wanted us there in a few minutes."

- - - - - - - - - -

M was only a code name. His real name, Miko Danderin, was known only to his superiors. "First of all," said the Human male, "I want to officially welcome Agent Funkistann back."

"T'ank you-sa, sir," Gruu responded.

"And also welcome his Padawan, Acura Krill," M added.

Acura raised one hand and gave a quick wave from her seat. She and the agents were seated in a half-circle facing the podium where M stood. Acura sat on the far left of the curved line of chairs. Gruu was next to her, then Bont. Quad sat in the center, and continuing to the right was Shasta, Europa and Pandolfo on the end.

M continued, "Now, I'm sure you all heard there was a prison break at the Detention Center here on Coruscant earlier today." He clicked on the holo-projector and an image appeared of the detention facility. "This was no ordinary escape. No tunnels, no tools made from kitchen utensils. This was a well-organized escape plan. And as it turns out, the three escapees were criminals our organization put behind bars."

That caught everyone's attention, all except Acura since she was the newcomer.

The holo-image changed to show Urma Boont. M said, "Urma Boont; Bothan female, 39 standard years of age, criminal mastermind, former SMERSH operative. Boont was sent out by SMERSH to assassinate Queen Teresaa on Naboo. I believe Gruu was the only one on that particular mission."

Gruu nodded. He remembered. That was when he was taken captive and a good portion of Otoh Gunga was destroyed.

The holo-image then changed to Noah. M continued, "Dr. Noah; Human male, 38 standard years of age, scientist and inventor, former SMERSH operative. After defecting from SMERSH, Noah formed his own army, which MI5 defeated."

The holo-image changed once again. "And finally Klay: Human male, 45 standard years of age, arms dealer. Agents Bont and Moonreaper arrested him during a transaction on Bakura."

Bont and Shasta looked at each other. They remembered the fight quite clearly. That was Bont's first official mission with MI5.

"These three criminals escaped with the help of two guards. We currently don't know who these guards are, but they weren't real guards. They were disguised in guard uniforms. All detention center guards were accounted for. Since these three escaped together, we fear they may be teaming up to strike back at MI5, since we were the ones that put them there. The five of them managed to steal a ship and fly off-world. I'm sending all of you to the Detention Center to investigate the situation. Find out who helped them, where they were headed, and what they are up to. If possible, bring them back alive. Only eliminate them if it's absolutely necessary. Good luck, and may the Force be with you."

"So," Bont said, turning to Gruu, "you ready to kill some bad guys? Because I know killing isn't really the Jedi way."

"Only if there is no other option," Gruu said. He looked at Acura.

"Yes, Master," Acura said, nodding, remembering her Jedi training.

"Shall we stop at Q'u Branch first," Pandolfo asked, "and see what gadgets he's got for us?"

- - - - - - - - - -

On the way to the labs, QUAD was explaining the time travel situation to the other agents. They had a hard time believing it, but Bont insisted it was all true. The agents strolled into the Q'u Branch lab to see Q'u himself bent over a table working on some obscure device.

Europa asked QUAD, "If you can time travel, then why not just go back in time and stop these guys from breaking out of prison?"

Before QUAD could respond, Q'u spun around to answer that question himself. "Unfortunately, time travel doesn't quite work that way. You see, time is a constant flow and cannot be altered. History cannot be changed. QUAD can't stop the break out, because he didn't. He can, in fact, save himself in the hotel on Ando Prime, because he did."

Some of the agents looked a bit confused. Q'u understood it all in his own brain, but might not have explained it all that well...

"Which reminds me," QUAD said, "I have to go save myself and Bont on Ando Prime. I'll be right back." QUAD suddenly shimmered out of existence, then reappeared only seconds later. "There. That's done."

Europa said, "Uh, yeah, I still don't fully understand everything..."

"We can discuss it later," Shasta said. "We have a mission to get to. What've you got, Q'u?"

Q'u picked up a small, flat, rectangular chunk of metal off the table. It was only a couple inches in length. Q'u said, "This I call the Zapper. You only need to point it at your target and push this button on top here." He turned to aim at a target across the room and pushed the button. An electrical charge bolted straight out of the small device and fried the target. "It will electrocute any living being. And it's slim enough that it will slide into any little hiding spot on your person."

Bont took the device and tested it out himself, frying another target. "Shocking," he quipped.

"What does this do?" Pandolfo said, picking up a metal box of some sort.

"Don't touch that!" Q'u swiped the box from his hands. He opened the box and looked at the food inside. "That's my lunch."

Chapters: Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Epilogue