For Your Photoreceptors Only/Chapter 4

For Your Photoreceptors Only

Chapter 4

When the agents arrived at the Detention Center, the guards escorted them to a holding cell where they had left the out-of-commission replica droid. Even though the droid was inactive, they had taken the precaution of locking it in a cell just in case it unexpectedly reactivated. Pandolfo, on the other hand, had headed for the security office to sift through security footage.

When the cell was opened, they looked in at the droid laying face-down on the floor. "The guard uniform certainly looks authentic," Europa commented.

Jace Bont stepped in and crouched down to examine the droid. "You said it just strolled through the facility like it was a normal guard?"

"Yes, sir," one of the guards responded.

"Maybe it was pre-programmed," Shasta said. "How else would it know the layout of the facility, not to mention the exact location of Urma Boont's cell."

Bont pulled a small disk-shaped device from the droid. He stood up and turned to show the others. "This chip may have something to do with it."

"Let me examine it," QUAD said, reaching out to take the chip device. Bont handed it to him. QUAD looked it over for a moment. A panel popped open in his chest and he inserted the chip. "Processing..." he said aloud.

"You sure you wanna do that?" Shasta asked. "If that chip made the replica droid do something, would it affect you too?"

"No," QUAD answered. "Q'u put safeguards in to prevent that."

The chip processed a few more moments, then QUAD said, "Yes. It appears this device indeed had specific modifications to control the replica droids actions. Phase One was to get Urma Boont out of the cell, and Phase Two was to get her to the landing platform. That was all."

"That's it?" Bont asked.

Gruu said, "So da droid was only meant to break Urma Boont out of da cell. After dat, it was worthless."

"Only meant to cover their escape," Acura added.

Their comlinks beeped and Pandolfo's voice was heard. "I've got nothing, guys. These two unknown suspects that broke them out knew exactly where the cameras were. Their faces are blocked in every view."

"Copy that," Shasta responded into the comlink. Turning to the others, she said, "I guess we'll just take this replica droid with us back to HQ. Q'u Branch can probably examine it then dismantle it."

"I have traced the location where the chip was programmed," QUAD said, popping open the panel again and pulling the chip out. "Corellian Security Force Academy on Corellia."

"CorSec?!" Bont exclaimed. He was formerly a Commander for CorSec and surprised to hear that they were involved in this break-out. He took the device back from QUAD. "I guess I'll have to pay them a visit."

- - - - - - - - - -

After departing Coruscant and making the short jump to Corellia, Bont landed in the Governmental Sector of Coronet City and headed for the Academy. Since he was the former CorSec Commander, he wanted to investigate this one alone. Bringing in an entire team of MI5 agents would alert any enemies that they were on to them. So Bont left the others on Coruscant for the time-being.

"Greetings," a protocol droid said as Bont entered the Academy. "How can CorSec help you today?"

Before Bont had a chance to respond, he heard his name called from across the entryway.

"Commander Bont."

Bont peeked around the droid to see a familiar face. "Rath Styles," Bont said, smiling.

The middle-aged CorSec officer patted the droid on the shoulder. "It's alright, Rusty. He's one of ours."

The droid responded with "Affirmative, sir," and scurried off.

Bont shook Rath's hand. "How are you, Styles?"

"Good, good. How has MI5 been treating you?"

"No complaints," Bont responded.

"What's it been," Rath asked. "Four, five years? We've missed you around here."

"I've accomplished quite a lot in those few years," Bont said.

"I heard about that thwarted attack on the Banking Clan soon after you left us. Was that you?" Rath asked.

"Yes," Bont nodded. "I was involved in that mission."

"So what brings you back here? Just a visit? Wanna see the old stomping grounds?"

"Sadly, I'm here on an investigation," Bont responded.

"Well, come on in," Rath said turning to walk into the facility. "CorSec is happy to help any way we can."

Bont strolled through the Academy with his Human friend explaining that a recent investigation of Dr. Noah led him here. Walking together through the halls, Bont said, "I know for a fact those files on Dr. Noah were sealed and only accessible to a select few...since he was actually doing most of his work here all those years ago."

"Yes," Rath said. "I'm one of the few." He waved Bont into a room full of computer terminals. Most of them were being used by technicians. Rath found an open terminal and keyed in some commands. "Let's see if we can find out who accessed them and when."

Eight years ago, during MI5's first search for Noah, they discovered that the Doctor had a laboratory at CorSec Academy and was conducting a lot of research. Much of it was developing CorSec's technology and weapons. But there was also other research that...wasn't authorized. After Noah had been captured and taken into custody, everything having to do with Noah at CorSec was deemed "classified".

Rath was working at the terminal as Bont waited. He took a quick glance at all the technicians busily doing their work. "Looks like Captain Tramm accessed those files recently."

It was a name Bont didn't recognize. But CorSec was a huge organization. There were many people employed by CorSec that he didn't know. "Perhaps we should pay Captain Tramm a visit."

A few moments later, while walking the corridors toward Tramms office, they encountered Tramm walking the other direction. "Captain," Rath addressed him, saluting.

"Yes, sir," Tramm stopped, giving a quick salute in return. "What can I do for you?"

"This is Commander Bont of MI5," Rath started. "He is here--"

Bont wasn't even listening to Rath. He was too busy watching the young Human Captain Tramm. Upon mentioning "MI5", Tramm had a surprised look on his face. Tramm immediately took off running back the way he had come.

"Hey!" Rath exclaimed as Bont ran after Tramm.

Bont followed Tramm through a few corridors and into an empty conference room. Tramm rushed past the conference table and flipped a chair over behind him, hoping to slow down his pursuer. Bont jumped over the flipped chair and continued on, chasing Tramm through the door on the opposite side of the room.

As the two of them entered the next room, which was full of CorSec officers, Tramm drew his blaster and yelled, "A terrorist infiltrated the Academy! Shoot him!" He bumped into the officers on his way through and accidentally dropped his blaster.

As Bont followed close behind, he drew his own blaster and yelled, "MI5! Get out of the way!" He pushed the confused officers aside and continued the chase.

The officers then heard Rath's voice over their comms. "Stop Captain Tramm. Don't let him leave the building. Repeat...do NOT let him leave the building."

The chase continued back into a series of corridors where Tramm was heading for a lift. The lift doors opened and two officers appeared. "Hey, it's Captain Tramm." They both drew their blasters.

"Captain, stop!" the second officer ordered.

Tramm skidded to a halt and bolted through a door to his immediate left. Bont also made the sharp turn through the door. The two officers followed.

In the next room, Tramm found himself trapped. The only escape was a small balcony looking over the city. The drop was at least 30 stories. Taking dead aim with his blaster, Bont stepped toward Tramm. "There's nowhere else to go."

Tramm leaned against the railing of the balcony and turned to look at the approaching MI5 operative. He was breathing heavily from all the running.

Still inching closer, Bont said, "I know you're working for Dr. Noah. Who contacted you about programming the disk? Was it Noah himself?"

Tramm didn't respond.

Bont pushed Tramm and leaned his torso backward over the railing of the balcony. Using his left hand to keep Tramm bent over backward, Bont's right hand held the blaster to Tramms forehead. "Where is Noah now?"

Tramm could feel the edge of the railing digging into his lower back. He quickly used both hands to swat at Bont's right arm, forcing it downward and slamming it into the top of the railing. Bont felt pain shoot through his wrist, causing him to drop the blaster. It fell from the balcony to the ground below. Tramm pushed Bont aside but the MI5 agent managed to get a jab in with his left hand.

Rath finally entered the room behind the two waiting officers. Trying to catch his breath, he saw Bont and Tramm fighting on the small balcony.

Tramm threw an uppercut into Bont's chin. Bont then responded by grabbing Tramm and tossing him into the railing. The force of it caused Tramm to flip over the railing. He reached out and grabbed hold of Bont's sleeve. Bont dropped to his knees so that he didn't go over with him.

Rath walked up toward the balcony to get a better look at what was happening.

Bont had his left arm over the railing with the sleeve of his jacket being stretched down over his hand because Tramm had a grasp on it, dangling 30 stories high.

"Pull me up! Pull me up!" Tramm said frantically.

"Tell me who contacted you," Bont said.

"Th-they said their names were Perkins and Clowe. I-I-I don't know if those were their real names or not."

"Where are they now?"

"I-I don't know."

"Where are they?!" Bont reiterated, more forcefully this time.

"One of Noah's other labs. I don't know which one. Please, pull me up!"

With his free hand, Bont reached down to his boot and pulled out Q'u Branch's Zapper. He then reached over the railing and zapped Tramm's hands. Tramm began to fall.

Bont watched as Tramm screamed out in fright and slammed into an air taxi that was hovering roughly 20 stories down. The taxi wobbled from the impact and Tramm's broken body slid off and fell the rest of the way to the street below. His body was in a bloodied contorted position.

Rath rushed over as Bont stood up and straightened out his sleeves. Looking down at the mess below, Rath said, "Do you think he survived?"

"I seriously doubt it."

"You let him fall?" One of the officers questioned. "Why didn't you pull him up?!"

Rath answered, "He's MI5. He has a licence to kill when and whom he chooses."

Bont turned and left the room.

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