Chp-36: Anger and Apathy
Kaela Grant
Edin System, Edin 2, EdinFront Imperial Garrison Base, 17 Miles from Edin City
Kaela paced, impatience welling up within her as she watched the tracker data out of the corner of her eyes.
The holo table in the center of the room displayed the tracking data they were receiving from the various Wretches they had tagged. All the wretches moved, quite fast in fact, after they were tagged.
Outside of visible range, they moved fast enough that the analysts concluded that a speeder or ship of some kind had to be moving them. Except, scanners weren't picking up any signals. High altitude drones spied on the tracked wretches as they left the scene of their attack, but any groups seemed to disappear into thin air. Some sort of cloaking tech, since the trackers were still there.
The trackers themselves all lost contact after entering the Dala Canyon, a massive canyon range that covered the eastern third of the continent. Edin City was built some 30 miles southwest of the nearest entrance.
All the trackers lost signal once they got deep enough in the canyon.
She was barely containing herself. Her heart had raced when Edin was given to the governor. So many operations! So much combat! She had personally entered the fray in some of the operations for the hell of it, and it was some of the most fun she had ever had.
But then came the Wretches. Hiding away, too sneaky to get much on them, leaving her in the command chair for
months. The Governor didn't say anything, because he was an understanding sort and had a bevy of other things to worry about, but it irked her to no end.
The beast wanted blood, and she did not have it. The trackers were not strong enough to emanate a signal once inside the twisting valleys and deep caves of the canyon, but any larger trackers would be undoubtedly noticed by whoever was orchestrating these attacks.
Again the beast raged, and again she clamped down. She wanted nothing more than to rip
something to shreds, but to lose control now would be folly.
Going along with her plan, she had used a very small amount of the budget given to her for new vehicles and troops. She had invested more into droid scouts and probe droids, and had them deployed to gain more accurate topographical information. This was, to the public view, needed to more accurately assess the usefulness of the surrounding environment for new industries, cities, and other expansions.
In reality, it was the only step of her plan that she could take at the moment. Since trackers failed and the drones and droids could not detect the wretches after they turned invisible(save for the trackers), she could not identify where the enemies' bases were.
So, trap them with wide jaws, like Usla had mentioned. The droids would very lightly probe the canyon, while instead working around it. As the enemy attacked them, the sites of attack would give her analysts data points that could help in establishing a rough idea of the enemy's territory.
In terms of new vehicles, she had invested some more of the money into expanding the fleet of K79's, Trexlers, LA-AG's and AC-AT's. Some new Swift Assault 5's were added to deal with any larger problems or criminal holdovers as well.
The rest of the money had gone back into Edin's development and R&D. The techies were working on some landspeeder designs and she wanted that sped up. Any advantage given over the Wretches was one that she would gladly take. So long as she got closer to the slaughter, she was happy.
It pained her to know that an Inquisitor had been summoned. They would surely get to be in the thick of it. Still, the more esoteric reinforcements were needed and appreciated.
A new report pings on her PDA. Opening it, her hands nearly snap the device in half with the strength of her grip.
Another string of attacks. Another 10 troopers lost.
A fist flew, and the steel of her desk dented as her clenched hand bled. Her eyes were wild. Nearly every day, more attacks came and more troops died.
She wanted to be there, killing. But instead, she had to send others to die instead. It was not pity or empathy that drove this, but envy.
It should be
her out there, in range of the creatures, indulging in the slaughter. It should be
her bathing in the blood of her enemies. Instead, it was just scouts falling victim to an enemy they rarely saw coming.
Another ping on her PDA. Instead of a report of attacks, it was different. It was about Usla.
A family on Minda had offered to adopt her. Both parents were child psychologists, and had no children of their own. Usla was being picked up a few days from now, and Kaela's secretary had seen fit to report to her about it.
He may fear her, but he knew her well. She should give him a raise. After all, she was likely the cause of his graying hair.
Looking back at the report, she could feel the beast quelling itself. The child she had fostered had been an impulse decision. Yet…she did not want her to leave. She would let her, of course. She could not take care of a child.
Yet…
A small note was sent to her secretary. A meeting with the child was to occur the next day. A chance to say goodbye.
If nothing else, the beast was quieter that day.
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I was back on Minda, and boy was I
scared.
Sure, it was nice being back on the better of the two worlds I ruled. I had my room, my office, my hot chocolate. Oioro came with me, sure. And she and Darna had some weird stares between them, sure. But it was fine.
Except it wasn't. I wasn't here to do any
normal work. Not approving any part of the new College being built, or the improvements to the Guild, or the plans for a small shipyard. None of it.
I was here to receive a guest. A ~magical~ guest.
And as that guest stepped off the platform of a Phi-Class shuttle, I was supremely glad that Mugwuffin had such incredible control over her Force powers to make up for her lack of raw esoteric strength.
Because before him stood an
Inquisitor.
"Seventh Brother. It is good that you are here. Thank you for your willingness to assist in this matter."
He said nothing for a moment, simply looking out over the city from the landing pad on the Tower. Mugwuffin simply sat there, out connection practically severed as she maintained a tight grip on her Force presence. I would've rathered she stay behind, but without her he might get the wrong impression from my emotions and then I'm fucked.
"Your reports stated that a possible Force phenomenon was occurring. Sentients turned rabid enhanced animals, correct?" he said. His voice sounded…tired. Yet also angry.
The kind of exhaustion that can only come from a lifetime of never ending hatred.
"Correct, Inquisitor. Numerous attacks on patrols and even military centers have occurred on Edin, near the capitol. The bodies of these Wretches, as they are being called, have been studied and found to be enhanced beyond their normal capabilities through no visible means."
Again he stared in silence, looking down at the crowds of the daily markets that ran 24/7 across the city. The construction sites for new elevated speeder lanes loomed over parts of the city, an unfinished mesh of ferrocrete wires that would blanket the sky.
"Take me to the bodies." he said, tone tired yet powerful. I immediately complied, gesturing towards my shuttle so we could make our way to the labs.
As we stepped in, I could only grouch. He did scare the shit out of me.
And he looked good doing it too!
I really need to upgrade my fit.
…Even with the connection blocked, I could imagine Mugwuffin's amusement if she could read my thoughts.
Rat.
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Hi there folks! Chapter would be longer, but it's late and I can't be bothered. There were like another 500-1000 words planned for the Las's POV this chapter, but I want to go to sleep. I could've started earlier in the day, sure, but I was busy not building a chair for my room. Woulda gotten farther in building it, but Amazon somehow forgot to send the legs of the chair. And all the screws. At least the ottoman came finished, so I got something out of it.
I also baked for the first time today! Coffee Cake. Absolute fuckin BANGER.
Thanks for reading, Inquisitor POV next chapter, and a list of fan art/fan creations used in this fic coming soon!
-Freefaller