Logged October 13, 2001
Logged by Ashton
Titled:  Treachery Revealed
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Characters: 
Ashton 
Moria
Merina
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Courtyard -- Jedi Praxeum Coruscant
    This vast courtyard is where much of the daily life of the Jedi can be 
observed. A park-like area near the bridge is often used as a study area, 
and the open areas in that park are teaming with life as students and 
teachers alike take part in sports and athletic activities, honing the body. 
At each corner of the square compound is a tower that is easily 200 stories 
high. Paths criss-cross the entire compound and run the perimeter, from tower 
to tower. At the north end of the compound is a large hill constructed of 
many different types and sizes of boulders.
    In the center of the courtyard is the largest tower, rising another 100 
stories above the other towers in the complex. The double-wide, ornate doors 
to this tower are always open. Unlike the other towers, this one has a wide 
section near the top that removes the tapered look the other towers have. 
Above this bulge is where the Jedi Council Chamber is located.

As usual the click-clack of heels on stone announces the arrival of Merina. 
And as usual, most of the Jedi familiar with her can hear her before the see 
her. Merina hurries along, it is the reason her clicks are louder than usual. 
She spies Moira immediately and begins to head in her general direction.

Moira turns towards the sound of the clicking. "Merina!" She calls cheerfully, 
heading towards the approaching woman. "How are you?" Goodness, it's been a 
while since she's seen the woman. The Padawan smiles, looking a bit tired but 
definitely in good cheer.

Merina stops abruptly. IT HAD been a long time; Meri had been thinking much 
the same think herself. Since the run-in with Ryl, she'd been avoiding the 
Praxeum, mostly because she wasn't sure how to adequately express her 
gratitude. Though the Jedi had been very helpful all along, this latest 
from Moira seemed somehow more tangible. She knew she was being silly, but 
she couldn't help herself. Still, some of the things she'd caught wind of, 
she thought were appropriate to bring to Moira's attention, even though they 
had nothing to do with Meri, or the mess that she was entangled in. She 
looks closely at the padawan, and has second thoughts. Why does she look so 
tired. "Moira" she begins brightly. "it has been too long. How goes it with 
you? You seem tired..?"

"I am a little tired, but it's fine." Moira replies with a smile. "I tagged 
along with Kastanje on a trip to find some smugglers, because she said she 
needed help. I've only returned recently, and space travel always is a bit 
tiring." There's a pause as the Padawan examines Merina. "Are you alright? 
What brings you to the lovely Praxeum Courtyard?" Moira's voice takes on a 
cheerful, joking quality, as she tries to shift focus from her own state. 
Tired really isn't important.

Merina recognizes immediately her own trick of changing the subject. It 
isn't often it got thrown back at her, but she respected Moira enough to 
let it go at that. She wasn't entirely sure she believed what the Padawan 
said, but she knew it would be useless to delve deeper. Likely that trip 
involved more than she was being told. She hoped it did not involve any 
smuggler she knew. So be it. She smiles happily. "I cam looking for you 
actually" she begins. "I was getting lonely and was looking for some 
company" It wasn't the whole truth but it certainly was true enough. 
Merina was hungry for company. The rest of the WHY she had come here could 
wait.

Moira grins. "Well, that I can provide." And though she's not trying to read 
Meri's mind, somehow her own thoughts coincide with her curiosity. "If I tell 
you what I've been up to, will you tell me what's up with you?" There's a 
pause, and then the Padawan continues. "We wound up in the tundra on Arkania- 
Kas, Tai and I. The ship we were chasing crashed, and it turns out Davros was 
on it. You know Davros?" Moira doesn't wait, instead plowing right ahead. 
"One smuggler survived. We were getting him out when Spectre appeared, tried 
to eat us all,and then accused Tai and I of being the source of his pain 
before running off. Overall, a very confusing trip."

Merina is at first taken aback. But with all this new information she hasn't 
time to think much about it. Davros? Him she knew. Spectre? That name sounded 
familiar. The Trianni on Arkania who drank that awful curdled milk all the 
time. He tried to EAT Moira? The Spectre Meri knew wouldn't eat a fly without 
asking the fly's permission. For a moment, Merina is without words. It doesn't 
occur to her that Moira read her mind, it seem to Meri that Moi just changed 
her mind. "that DOES sound confusing. Davros I know. He turns up in all the 
most unexpected places. Last time I saw him he was trying to find out some 
information for me. And I think I know Spectre as well. He's a Trianni right? 
But if he is the Cat I met on Arkania, that isn't him. That Spectre was 
honorable and kind. Not the kind to eat anyone." There is a long pause. "Do 
you know the name of the smuggler's ship? Do you know who survived and who 
did not?" her heart races...but she maintains her composure. Suddenly this 
seems more important than what brought her here. "and umm, yes...I'll tell 
you what's been up with me, though it isn't nearly as wild as what you've 
been through"

"You'd have to ask Kas about the ship and smugglers. The one we saved I 
dubbed 'Nelly.' And yes, Spectre was a Trianni...he was kind and thoughtful, 
but his time with the Sith seems to have been painful. He's got fangs now, 
and large claws. And yes, he tried to eat the smuggler and then me." Ah, 
what a mouthful. Moira's cheer fades into a calm but solemn expression. 
"And I'm glad you're life isn't 'wild.' Calm is a very good thing, I think."

Merina releases a breath that she did not realize she'd been holding. "I'll 
take calm any day" she says in a soft voice. "I've had enough 'wild' to last 
me a lifetime" There is much to assimilate in what Moira tells her. "And so 
what's become of Spectre then?" she asks in a voice so quiet it would be 
hard to hear her, were it not for the fact that they are standing so near 
to one another. "And of Davros?" Before Moira can even begin to answer. 
"It must have been just awful for you" Meri's tone is sympathetic. "How 
did you manage it?"

Ashton emerges from the residence tower of the Praxeum with Tirol'dyn, the 
two becoming thick as thieves as of late. The pair of knights make their 
way toward the council tower, in no apparent rush to reach their destination. 
As Ashton senses his padawan, however, he says something to Tirol'dyn and 
breaks off from the older knight, veering off towards where Moira and Merina 
are. The young knight's step is a step lighter than it has been lately, and 
he seems to be back to his old self again.

"Well, Spectre ran off into the tundra threatening to kill something. Tai and 
I didn't follow him because Kas and the smuggler needed to get back to town. 
Davros claimed not to know they were smugglers, and honestly my priorities 
were with keeping the burned gentleman alive. I believe Kas let Davros go." 
Moira doesn't comment on its 'awfulness,' because while unpleasant it was 
very little more. Acting through the Force doesn't let it be anything painful 
or hard, which is actually rather nice. When she feels Ashton approaching, 
Moira turns to give her master a cheery wave.

With her attention completely on Moira, Merina is not aware of Ashton's 
approach until Moira turns to offer him a wave. She is at a loss as to what 
else to say about the situation. Nothing she can think to say seems 
appropriate. She settles with just a mod, and a neutral "It's good you were 
all there to help. Personally, I think Davros often knows more than he lets 
on" She sighs softly. "that's sad about Spectre. Is it beyond hope?"

"Spectre?" Ashton asks as he closes the gap and overhears Merina's last 
statement. He looks at Moira with a questioning look. "You've seen him 
recently then? Tai told me he had received a claw of his, and I guess I 
assumed he was ..." and then a realization dawns on him. "Was he okay?" The 
knight's mood seems to become somber at the idea of what the Sith could do 
to the Trianni.

"Nothing is ever beyond hope. Though realistically, I'm not sure what's 
possible. I'll just do everything I can." Moira replies. Then she blinks 
at Ashton's query. "He's alive, but he's much changed. Both physically and 
personality wise. He's got huge fangs and claws, now. When we ran into him, 
he tried to eat Kastanje's smuggler and kill me. Then he accused Tai and I 
of bringing pain upon him, and ran off into the tundra threatening to kill 
something." Yeah, sure he's okay in an evil demon cat-monster kind of way.

Merina pales slightly at the description of Spectre. Huge fangs and claws? 
How is it possible. She is heartened by Moira's initial words, though she 
thinks she reads doubt in what follows. Perhaps hope is just an illusion. 
Certainly Spectre seems far gone by the sound of it. She smiles in greeting 
to Ashton and slightly nods her head. It's an awkward silence, but since 
Moira's words were directed more at Ashton, more than at herself, it hardly 
seems to be an issue.

Ashton hrms slowly. "Not good..." The knight looks over at Merina and offers 
her a smile, but adds, "We'll find him. I think for Tai's own peace of mind, 
we kind of have to." Back to Merina, "So you're looking very nice, Merina. 
Anything new going on?" He refers to her search for her brother and what 
next step she might need Ashton for, but he's not real clear about that.

Smooth, Ashton. Moira is quietly appreciative of her master's way of turning 
the conversation. There is little doubt in Moira, but much uncertainty about 
how to proceed. Ah, well. With meditation and time it would become clear. 
"He was on Arkania last we saw him." Moira states, and then eases out of the 
conversation so Ashton can proceed.

Those few words from Ashton 'not good' strike a cold note in Merina, and she 
involuntarily gives a small shudder. There is something else going on here, 
she is sure of it. Still a compliment is a compliment, and it has been a 
Bantha year since someone has offered her one. She'll take it gladly. "Thank 
you" she says. "Anything new? I don't know if it is anything, but I have 
heard some things that give me pause."

"Really?" Ashton's questioning look is now turned on Merina. "Anything Moira 
or I can help with?" The knight glances to his padawan, smiling slightly. "I 
mean, if you need her help on anything, feel free to ask. I've decided she's 
ready to start doing some things on her own - without me." And now he speaks 
to Moira. "That means leaving the planet as well, but you need to be sure to 
at least make sure I know where you went... just in case. I also would like 
you to start working with the Senate when you get chances to. The more you 
get exposed to diplomatic posturing of other cultures, the easier it will be 
for you to work out agreements with other species, whether on the senate 
floor, or in a seedy bar on Corellia."

Moira nods to her master, then glances to Merina. "If I can help, I'd be 
glad to. Even if it's something you might not think is important, it would 
be important to me." Yeah. Moira smiles in what she hopes is a reassuring 
way, and awaits an answer. Of course, she's thinking too. Doing things on 
her own? Senate? Well, alright.

Merina smiles inwardly. She isn't sure, but it seems to her that Ashton has 
just done something very significant in what he has said to Moira. She 
bristles slightly at the categorization of bars on Corellia as "seedy" until 
she remembers that Ashton himself is from the system, and knows form where he 
speaks. She knows this truth as well, though pride in Corellia gets a bit in 
the way. Not all the bars are seedy, just most of them. She isn't sure where 
to begin in that to tell them. There are a few issues fresh in her mind. One 
is that strange conversation she overheard in the botanical garden, perhaps 
that is the best place to start. It has nothing to do with her brother, but 
what she has learned there can wait. "I was in the sky dome the other night" 
she begins, after what seems to be a long pause. "I've been spending quite a 
great deal of time there. I was sitting by the display of carnivorous plants, 
when two beings walked by, and stopped to admire the display" she stops. It's 
silly. "They carried on a bit, and then sat at a bench not too far from me"

Ashton listens attentively now, not speaking or interrupting. It was the sign 
of a good diplomat, a trait that Ashton seems to have good mastery of when 
needed. He also realizes that the last few times he has met with his friends, 
he has been less than himself and he knows the best way to change his erratic 
behavior of late is to concentrate on the moment, and not let his attention 
waver. A tough step for a knight who has recently found that his personal 
emotions are more powerful than he believed them to be.

Moira blinks, and nods. A pair, and apparently there's more to it than just a 
conversation. Wonder what the content of that conversation was? The Padawan 
girl remains attentive, waiting for the rest of the story to come out. She 
can't really think of anything to say, 'uh-huh' and 'okay' seem so rude. And 
Moi definitely doesn't want to be rude to Meri.

Merina chews a bit on her lip before continuing. "They were discussing a 
particular plant, and how they might get their hands on a quantity of it. 
They were disappointed that it was not to be found in any of the displays at 
the gardens. "Mezereon" she says, as if that would explain everything. 
"Mezereon" she repeats. "It is common enough in some of the rim worlds, but 
it doesn't travel well." she swallows. "there is only one reason someone 
would want a quantity of this particular plant"

Ashton furrows his eyebrows after Merina mentions the plant's name. 
"Mezereon?" In all of his botanical studies, he hadn't ever heard of that 
one. But then again, most of his study had been on medicinal toxic plants 
that were 'garden variety' or commonly used. His eyebrows lower as he nods 
to Merina to continue.

The name is a mystery to Moira as well, but with the dramatic pauses and 
the way everyone's talking about it, it doesn't sound good. "Why would one 
want it?" She inquires, hoping the answer is not 'to kill a bunch of people.' 
That would definitely not be good.

A small huff of exhaled breath is the only outward sign of Merina's 
impatience. Really, she shouldn't expect people to know some of the things 
she takes for granted, but bad habits are hard to unlearn. "Mezereon." she 
repeats, her voice flat. "The whole plant is toxic, but not so much as it 
would cause a real problem unless you ate a ton of it." she pauses. "However, 
the berries are particularly dangerous. It only takes two or three to poison 
a large man, and 6 will lay flat even the largest Wookiee. The berries have 
a short season, and that starts around now and lasts only for about four 
standard weeks." She pauses, not for dramatic effect, though that is how 
it might seem. "Then they started to speak of one of the senators. Tintaner, 
I believe...is he a senator?" she sighs. "one of them said he knows someone 
who works in the Senate kitchen. I think it might be quite a risk. Then 
again it might be nothing" there she was, equivocating again.

A deep look of concern suddenly crosses Ashton's face as Merina mentions the 
name. He puts a hand out in front him, palm down. Sort of a 'hold it' gesture. 
"Senator Tintaner?" He looks over at Moira, and then back to Merina. "He's 
the representative from Commenor. He's head of the Teta committee. They are 
a committee solely dedicated to freeing Cinnagar from Sith rule and returning 
it to Empress Teta's descendents." A serious frown crosses the Knight's face 
as he contemplates this bit of information, and then he peers at Merina 
curiously. "Where exactly is Mezereon grown? Is there a way to transport it 
to the Core at all? You said it doesn't travel well, but I assume that 
doesn't mean it couldn't survive if they were looking for it..."

Hmm. That really -does- sound bad. Moira blinks a few times, thinking about 
the implications of an assassination attempt. So perhaps this was a Sith-
sponsored assassination attempt? Moira nods, silent but attentive. If there 
was to be an attempt on the Senator's life, it would have to be stopped.

Merina starts to reach for the satchel at her hip, but pauses. "It doesn't 
travel well, the potency degrades within hours of being harvested, and so 
far, no storage method has been effective. Freezing or drying seems to sap 
the potency. Only the fresh berry will do. But there have been a few 
documented cases of people being poisoned by eating birds who have eaten 
the berries. I would think that is the route these two were likely thinking 
of taking."

Ashton's eyes follow Merina's movement to the satchel, but avert to her eyes 
when she starts talking. He ponders for a few moments, listening to her 
explanation of the life expectancy of the plant. Once she's done, he frowns, 
a bit more seriously than normal. "The Senator isn't on Coruscant at the 
moment, but is supposed to return in the morning for a special meeting of the 
appropriations committee. If this was days ago, they may strike as soon as 
tomorrow if they've found a way to get this into his food." He turns to Moira 
grimly, "Looks like you might be spending time in the senate hall long before 
the beginning of the week. Maybe you and I should check things out over there 
when the Senator gets in tomorrow?"

Moira nods to Ashton. "Of course, master. If there's a chance the Senator 
might be poisoned, I believe extra attention would be important." Oh, stars. 
Assassination attempts? That's really sneaky and not nice. "And if they've 
friends in the Senate kitchens, it makes me wonder who else they know..." 
Possibly Moira being paranoid, but then again, maybe not. The girl shakes 
her head, coming out of her thoughts. There's a difference between concern 
and worry, and Moi refuses to worry. She'll just have to keep an eye out, 
that's all.

Merina looks from one to the other. There is precious little more she can 
add. There must be something else, something she's overlooked. Finally!. 
"They were human, these two, but they had accents I was unfamiliar with...
lilting, and their S's sounded like 'th's."

Ashton nods at Merina's additional information. "Humans make it a little bit 
easier. But we don't know who the kitchen person is, which means a lot of 
beings to cover if we're to investigate this." He pauses, looking thoughtful, 
and then smiling at Merina. "Could you identify them, if you saw them again?"

And of course, Moira doesn't have anything to add. So the Padawan girl 
remains silent for now, waiting until she has something to add. Yes, Ashton 
was right- if they had to investigate every employee it would take quite some 
time.

Merina nods resolutely. "without a doubt"

Ashton lifts a hand, "Never mind... we'll see if we can root them out, but 
Merina... if you can, meet us at the Senate building tomorrow before they 
serve dinner. Your comlink should still be linked to ours. I'm going to head 
over to the senate building for a quick sweep." He turns to Moira, "Contact 
me tomorrow morning. We'll begin our work." And with that, the Knight steps 
back, pausing long enough to smile and nod at them both before excusing 
himself.

END OF LOG