Owner	Pose
Athena	In the following weeks after the group's attempt to land on a compromise regarding the hostages the Mandalorians were holding, things settled down slightly. The doctor had decided it was wisest to leave things be for time being while pondering a way to speak with the supposed clone 1-1 without the Mandalorians knowledge. Later, he'd announced that Rykard had said he would return at the end of the month, and his return would coincide with the arrival of the new CSF agent, Maren Mondrian. He'd advised that they just put their primary investigations on hold until then, since the end of the month was only a couple weeks away, and everyone else had agreed, even Xera. This would have given Navi quite a bit of free time - enough free time to leave Tenoo entirely and visit Elphrona, a planet within the same sector that she'd discovered not so long ago, Hedicole was hiding out on.
Navi	Navi was able to rent a shuttle (not from that Bothan crank!) to fly to Elphrona. That was the easy part. Flying to Elphrona was only slightly harder. Now all she has to do is find Hedicole. The hardest part will be persuading him to come home.
Athena	The second hardest part might have been attempting to convince Peeka and her siblings to listen to their mother and stay behind while Navi herself traveled to Elphrona to find their father. She may have had variable success with this. Elphrona, at least, isn't a complicated place. Dry, and much like a desert wasteland with too much sand, but at least there's only a few small settlements that the young Sephi girl will need to visit in order to find out more about where Hedicole has gone.
Navi	"Hedicole might try to make a go of it as a moisture farmer, but I think he'd go somewhere there are things to fix and people to pay him to fix them," Navi muses, guiding her shuttle in for a landing at the closest settlement's landing field.
Athena	Navi had been successful in convincing all of the Fan four to stay behind... except for Peeka. There was no stopping the youngest, apparently. "My dad would never be a moisture farmer," she scoffs, "But just like everyone else, they need equipment, and equipment always breaks, eventually, so he's probably somewhere not far from all the people who practically break stuff professionally." The settlement is small - probably smaller than Aklyrr Bend. And the industrial part of it isn't hard to spot. She'll be able to smell the grease and notice the smoke from a kilometer away!
Navi	"Looks like we've got a potential hit," Navi says, guiding the shuttle in for a landing. "Let's go meet the locals." She disembarks and immediately looks for the nearest bar. Bars are not her favorite places, but they /are/ prime hubs for the local rumormill.
Athena	"Oh, goody, I'm -so- excited..." Peeka says, rolling her eyes when Navi starts heading for the cantina. "Do we have to? Why can't we just like, go towards the area where clearly all the mechanics work? Like, that's probably where he is." But she follows Navi into the cantina anyway. The cantina smells bad, but Navi won't be able to tell if it's because its near the industrial part of the settlement or because the patrons hadn't had a shower in days. The bartender is a droid, who looks busy enough, but if Navi waves at it, it'll turn to attend to her and Peeka. "Good evening miss, I hope you're aware no children under the age of sixteen are allowed in here," it says. "Hey!" Peeka shouts, insulted.
Navi	Navi takes out a holobead and flicks it on, showing a holographic image of Hedicole. "Good evening. We won't keep you long. I was wondering if you've seen this adult male Chadra Fan? His family is worried about him and wants him to come home."
Athena	The bartender peers at the holographic image of Hedicole. It looks thoughtful for a moment, and then distracted, and then starts cleaning some cups. "Never seen him," it says, averting it's gaze. "You're lying!" Peeka accuses.
Navi	"I'm not convinced you're telling me the truth," Navi says softly. "Droids are fully capable of lying if they deem it necessary. We mean him no harm. And the one person who could hurt him is in custody, and will be going to trial for an easy conviction and a very long prison term."
Athena	The droid still seems skeptical. "And how do I know -you're- not lying," it says, putting its hands on its hips. "You could be making this all up, for all I know."
Navi	Navi sets her badge on the counter. "Colonial Deputy Marshal Navi Valrennan, Aklyrr Bend, Tenoo," she states, producing her ID. "You can scan it. It's legit. And this is the good man's daughter, Peeka."
Athena	"I mean it's obvious," Peeka comments, "I'm a Chadra Fan, and I also look exactly like him." Navi might find that point debatable, however. The droid scans the badge, and takes it's time doing so. It still seems somewhat reluctant to help them. "Deputy," it finally says, "I think you've forgotten that this is the Outer Rim, not the Republic." "But since the child is insisting and the badge doesn't appear to have been forged," it adds, "I have seen him. He does not want to be found, and so does not linger in the settlement itself. That's all I can tell you."
Navi	"That would suggest he's close by. Unless he's taken up moisture farming, living in the deep desert alone is extremely risky," Navi observes softly. "Do you know of anyone who might know where to find him?"
Athena	"No," the droid says simply, "But process of elimination will be your guide. Living in the deep desert is risky and there are rust storms. Therefore, there's only so many places he might be." Then it goes back to cleaning the mugs.
Navi	"Anywhere I can find a map of the local area?" Navi asks. "Elevations, contours, water sources, that kind of thing?"
Athena	The droid points to the back of the cantina, where a holographic display of Elphrona itself is being projected above a table near a window with it's curtains pulled over it. There's a data socket in it, and Navi will be able to download some topographical data about the planet from the holoprojector.
Navi	"Thank you. You've been a great help," Navi says to the droid. She downloads a copy of the map and all the data about the planet to her datapad, and then beckons to Peeka. "Let's go back to the ship. We're going to have a good, long look at this map on the main holoviewer, and then we're going to go get your father."
Athena	Peeka hurries after her, and groans. "A long look? That sounds like a complete waste of time," she says. "Look, it should be simple. Just find the places that look like good campsites, and check them out. There can't be -that- many."
Navi	"That's why we need the map," Navi replies. "Don't forget that the last 'simple' approach you had was to sign on with the Marauders for life, over a bad lead."
Athena	"It might have worked out," Peeka still insists, "you never know. But the past is the past, no use wondering what could have happened." She reaches to snatch the datastick from Navi and plug it into the ship's console once they arrive back on the ship. Navi will see that Peeka isn't right, but she isn't wrong either. There are lot of spots Hedicole might be, but most of them are too far away for Hedicole to have traveled there alone by landspeeder, since a lot of Elphrona is rocky desert that isn't very traversible by vehicle. Which narrows down their search considerably, to a small area south of the settlement that has a few rocky formations.
Navi	"Strap in. We've got a short hop to the south to pick up your father," Navi says, moving to the cockpit. The map on her datapad guides them toward the southern rock formations.
Athena	Once they arrive, Navi will immediately recognize a building shaped stone structure looming into view. It looks a lot like... a Temple? It would appear the Jedi have an out post here. To the left of it is a series of a caves, surrounding by some native cacti. Really, it seems there's only two place Hedicole could be in this area, taking sanctuary with the Jedi at the outpost here, or hiding out in the caves across from the outpost.
Navi	"Peeka? I want you to go to that Jedi temple over there and see if your father is there. If he isn't, wait for me near the entrance. I'm going to check out those caves over there," Navi says, passing Peeka a spare comlink. "I shouldn't be long."
Athena	"Why do you make me do the boring stuff?!" Peeka complains, but takes the commlink and complies, heading towards the Temple. The caves are situated under an overhang, so visibility in this area isn't great. Navi will be able to observe three holes that lead to only light knows where. She'll just have to pick one for now, and hope for the best...
Navi	Navi pauses before the mouths of the caves, stretching out with her feelings through the Force, hunting for surface thoughts with her telepathic talents. In a few moments she registers a mind at work... a very depressed mind, grimly accepting something... probably isolation. She enters the tunnel on the far right, taking a compact, high-intensity glowrod from her satchel and flicking it on.
Athena	The cave ceiling is very low! Chadra Fan sized, so Navi will have to duck. And there are some unwelcome guests crawling on the ceiling of the cave too - chromants, thousands and thousands of them! Navi will have to crawl, and crawl carefully as they're on the walls and ceiling.
Navi	"How the frell did Hedicole get past these?" Navi murmurs, scrunching into as small of a shape as she can and crawling...
Athena	Well, it may occur to Navi and Hedicole is half her height, or less. That's how. She'll manage to crawl past the nest of chromants with some effort, and will eventually find herself in a cavern littered with various belongings. Someone had definitely holed up in here.
Navi	"Helloooo in here!" Navi calls ahead of herself. Going places unannounced is a good way to get shot.
Athena	"Who's there?" A familiar voice calls out. There's a loud clank, and some shuffling. "I'm.. I'm armed. Get out."
Navi	"It's Navi, Hedicole. I just want to talk," Navi calls to him, crawling closer to the voice.
Athena	There's a pause, but the Chadra Fan still remains hidden. "If you're here to convince me to go back to Tenoo, you should just head back now." "I'm not going back. You've wasted your time."
Navi	"Wenisicio is in custody, Hedicole. He's going to Coruscant for trial, and most likely a very, very long prison sentence," Navi replies. "Besides, I brought Peeka with me. Don't you want to give her a hug?"
Athena	When she mentions Peeka, there's another clanking sound, as if more junk is falling to the ground. "You -brought- her -here-? How could you? This is no place for a child, it's too dangerous!" Another pause. "Where...where is she?"
Navi	"It's more like she wouldn't let go of my leg until I let her come along," Navi calls back, her tone half affection and half exasperation. "She's at the little Jedi temple."
Athena	There's another lengthy pause. But finally Hedicole stumbles out from behind a stone column. "This doesn't mean I'm going back with you," he grumbles. Then he drops on all fours and starts crawling out of the cave with surprising dexterity for a stout Chadra Fan!
Navi	"Thattaboy," Navi cheers him, crawling after him. "Don't forget to watch out for those chromants. How do you stand being around those little nasties?"
Athena	"Huh? Oh, they can't reach me down here," he says, "plus my fur is too thick." Well, that question is answered, now. Once they're out of the cave, he hurries towards the Temple, where Peeka is impatiently waiting. When she sees Hedicole, she runs to him. "Dad!"
Navi	Navi follows Hedicole out of the cave, crawling carefully past the chromants. She can't help smiling as Peeka runs to her father. "Guess this job does have a few perks after all."
Athena	They have a tearful and happy reunion, but Navi will be able to tell that Hedicole still isn't completely convinced. And Peeka isn't doing a very fine job either, since her relief upon seeing her father quickly turns into a one way guilt trip for having abandoned them all. The young Sephi girl may feel inclined to step in.
Navi	"Have a heart, Peeka... your father was looking at either jail from the Republic, or a chance at being killed by Wenisicio's goon friends," Navi says. "Focus on how good it is to see him again." She looks to Hedicole. "Your family is safe, but they really, really want you back. Plus, Master is taking up the role of Marshal again soon, and we're getting a new Republic Security Force officer to replace that harridan that was thick as thieves with Mondrian. It's safe for you to come home now."
Athena	"You say that," Hedicole replies, "but you saw the evidence. I'll be proven guilty for crimes that I was forced to commit. The Republic won't care that I was desperate!" "I could tell you so many more stories, Deputy. But you'll have to promise me amnesty."
Navi	"That's why we have plea bargains, Hedicole," Navi replies with a small smile. "We can probably get you probation if you can give us information that will put Wenisicio away and help put away criminals in Whatever Bend. Or maybe just get you sentenced to staying in Whatever Bend, like the doctor."
Athena	"Listen, all the information on Weniscio is already out. It's like you said, he's going to be tried and put away, whether I say anything or not. There's other people, I know. And all this talk of 'probably'. It's not a guarantee. How do I know I'm not just gonna land in jail anyway?"
Navi	"Nothing's ever guaranteed in this life. Except that hiding out here is a dead-end life with nothing to look forward to, ever. Nothing will change that," Navi adds softly. "At the very least you'll get to be with your family. And we have some Mandalorians visiting... you might be able to talk them into taking you and your family someplace safe. Even Mandalorians need a good mechanic."
Athena	"Mandalorians?? Are you kidding me?" Hedicole turns away. "I don't care about what kind of life I lead. I just need to make sure my family is safe from any trouble that might come to them because of me. If you can promise me amnesty, and guarantee my family's safety, then I'll come back. Otherwise, I'll just have to stay here." He looks away, his expression miserable. Peeka seems disappointed. "But Dad...! Who's gonna be my dad if you don't come back..."
Navi	"I don't want to promise you something I may not be able to deliver. But if I bring you home in secret and tell no one except your family, I can work on securing amnesty for you, and you can stay with your family," Navi says. "Would that work for you?"
Athena	Hedicole pauses, glancing over at Navi, then over at Peeka, who looks at him pleadingly. "... alright. But no one gets to know, except my wife. Peeka, don't even tell your brothers. I'm going to find somewhere remote on Tenoo to settle down - somewhere where no one from the colony will find me. And if you can't get me amnesty by the time this initiative is over, then I'm leaving, to go somewhere you really won't find me."
Navi	"That's very workable. I'm going to check on this Jedi outpost, and then we'll head for Tenoo," Navi says. She walks toward the little temple. "Feel free to have a seat in the shuttle. Make sure you get anything you want to keep, 'cause we're not coming back here without a compelling reason."
Athena	"Fine," Hedicole says, "but don't linger. And don't tell the Jedi I was here. I don't think they knew I was, and I don't want them knowing I was." Then he and Peeka head to the shuttle after he packs up his few belongings. Navi will find the outpost is mostly empty, but if she ventures farther in, she'll find a sage old Master in the archives, studying some books. He doesn't seems surprised or startled by her presence. "Welcome," he says, "what can I do for you?"
Navi	"Just seeing if anyone was here, Master. I had no idea the Jedi Order had an outpost here," Navi says politely.
Athena	"Oh, well, thank you for stopping in. It's just me here, for now. However, I do believe the Council has just approved a request by a certain Jedi Knight for himself and his previous Master to be stationed here. They're currently finishing up a mission on E'ronoh, but they should be here within the next month or so. So I'll be having company soon." "What where their names again? Oh, yes, Kuyvar Cassias and Shasta Morlock." "You're welcome to visit here anytime, Deputy," he says to Navi, getting up and bowing politely at her. "But the time for my daily meditation has come, so I must depart. Have a wonderful evening, and may the Force be with you."
Navi	"And you, Master." Navi bows to him from the shoulders and returns to the shuttle. It will be good to get Hedicole deposited somewhere secret and safe, and then to get back to Whatever Bend. She had almost thought of it as going home. But she caught herself in time. Tenoo will never be home; not for her. Moss biscuits and local fish have seen to that several times over.