The Limmie Daylights/Chapter 8

The Limmie Daylights

Chapter 8

When Jace Bont returned to the crash site where the speeder slammed into the rocks killing Bozak, the Aldera Peace Force had sectioned it off from the public and had begun their investigations. As always, the Secret Galactic Intelligence Service outranked the local planetary authorities...even if they didn't like it.

Bypassing all of the security, Bont was able to use his MI5 status and confiscate whatever survived the crash. Bozak's body was so badly burned and mangled it was unrecognizable. But while his speeder spiraled downward out of control, the two items that he had placed on the passenger seat were thrown from the speeder. His sniper rifle and his communicator. So Bont grabbed those items and headed to the designated rendezvous for the MI5 agents.

The rendezvous point was actually a Q'u Branch workshop there on Alderaan. It had been hidden underneath the Royal hotel that was destroyed five years ago. Thankfully the workshop was deep enough underground that it was unharmed. And it was still being used by the agency today.

The Dirtlanders and their droid were also brought to the workshop. They would be protected there. There was no telling how many more beings were out there looking for them, so that was the safest place for them to be.

After Kara M'Lovi and the MI5 agents regrouped, they took Bozak's belongings to the technicians. Since Bozak was killed, which Shasta wasn't too happy about, they were hoping to get something from his rifle and comlink.

A Human woman, looking to be in her late-20's, escorted them through the workshop. Alexis Keer was one of the technicians that worked closely with Q'u on many of the department's projects. She was currently stationed here on Alderaan while Q'u was back on Coruscant. "There's not much I can do with the rifle," she told the agents. "But the comlink is another matter." She took it from Bont as they walked through the workshop.

It seemed just like the workshop back at MI5 HQ. Gadgets and weapons being tested, half-built devices and machines, numerous techs in white lab coats running around busily working... To Bont it almost felt like home away from home.

Alexis flipped the comlink over in her hands, examining it. "We should be able to plug in to it's memory chip and find out who he was communicating with. We can triangulate where the incoming transmission signal originated."

"Really?" the tech-savvy Pandolfo questioned. "That's pretty impressive."

"Q'u Branch makes MI5 one of the most technologically advanced organizations in the galaxy," Alexis added. As another technician scurried past them, she handed the comlink to him. "Here. Track where the incoming signal came from."

"Yes, ma'am," the tech responded and hurried off.

"But it's a good thing you arrived here," Alexis continued, leading the agents further into the workshop. Then they saw it. The tall QUAD droid Q'u showed them before embarking on the mission. It seemed to tower over Alexis. "Q'u sent this over to me to put on the finishing touches. I'm sure he told you about it?"

The agents nodded, wondering what she was going to say next...

"All the preliminary tests have been completed," Alexis said. "It just needs a field test." She smiled.

Shasta said, "Are you saying this thing will be joining us?"

Alexis shrugged and said, "Sorry. M's orders."

"We don't need another useless being tagging along for the ride," Shasta said, shooting Kara a glance.

Kara just stared daggers back at her.

Alexis reached up, stood on her tippy-toes, and opened the top of the droids head. The small lid-like hatch flopped back as Alexis poked her fingers inside it's head. The droid suddenly activated and Alexis closed the lid.

The droids head turned slightly from side-to-side as it got it's bearings.

"Good day, QUAD."

"Hello, Miss Keer," the QUAD droid said in a surprisingly deep masculine voice.

Alexis waved a hand toward the agents. "I'd like you to meet some of your fellow MI5 agents. This is Jace B--"

QUAD cut her off, "Jace Bont. Male. Zeltron. Age 29. Former Commander in the Corellian Security Force. Loves drinks, fast speeders and females."

Bont couldn't help but crack a smile. He thought this droid reciting all the MI5 database information was funny.

QUAD turned to the next agent. "Shasta Moonreaper. Female. Human. Age--"

"Stop right there!" Shasta interrupted, throwing up her hands to stop him.

"Sorry," Alexis said. "As you may have guessed, he has all the updated information from our organizations databanks."

"Isn't that..." Europa started, "kind of a security issue? I mean, what if he's captured or something?"

"Q'u built in a fail-safe. If QUAD is ever compromised, the data automatically gets corrupted and he shuts himself down."

Pandolfo stepped closer to the droid, looking up at QUAD's head...which had no facial features at all. "How does he see us? Where are the photoreceptors?"

"The photoreceptors are actually built right in to the metal of his face," Alexis explained. "There are many photoreceptors in the upper plate," she pointed to the droids face, "lining the curviture, giving QUAD an almost panoramic view. He can see the full 180 degrees in front of him."

Impressed with the technology, Pandolfo shook his head. "Wow. Q'u is a genius. There's nothing he can't do."

Alexis continued, "He's also programmed for all forms of hand-to-hand combat and weapons training including blasters and heavy weapons."

"Let me guess," Shasta said, "can he handle a lightsaber and use the Force too?"

Alexis smiled. "He's programmed with the skills for swordplay, but no, he can't use the Force."

"Gruu will be so disappointed," Shasta said jokingly.

Pandolfo examined the droid. At first, he thought this thing might take his job as the hacker on the team. But after hearing what QUAD is capable of, he was actually impressed by it. It certainly was a marvel. He was so interested in the Q'u Branch droid that he wasn't even listening to the others, until the technician came back with news.

The tech said, "Miss Keer, we've found the origin of the transmissions. They were coming from the Kaamos Territory here on Alderaan."

"Are you able to pinpoint the exact location within the territory?" Bont asked.

"Yes."

"Transmit the coordinates to our datapads," Bont said, then turned to his fellow agents. "Shasta, you come with me to the Kaamos Territory. The rest of you wait here. We'll get this guy yet."

Chapters: Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Epilogue