Ask Corellia CASE 5643

[The Storyteller]

Spoiler: Background Noise

Industrial Sector, Corellia
Condor Inc. Munitions Production Factory

The air was dark, light shining down in hazy columns from the high ceiling. It was sweltering, but despite the heat, most grime streaked workers wore a mask of a layer of cloth to filter out smoke and debris. Crates upon crates of small spherical objects stretched upwards like the miniature towers of the planet, further helped by the blinking lights of monitors, resembling distant speeders. The air smelled of oil and sweat. The factory would not be the type of establishment to be placed on a holonet advertisement for Corellia. Every surface was caked with grease.

The ring of employees stood silently around Bast Emblai. Only the thrum of machinery could be heard, constant as a heartbeat. One woman‘s shoulders were heaving up and down, her wet face in her hands, but no sound escaped her mouth. The rest were a motley crew with various expressions of fear, shock, and boredom playing across their features. The typical reaction to sudden death. The Ranger had long ago learned to separate herself from deep emotions during her investigations, feeling only a twinge of remorse as she solemnly studied the bodies. This one had been the death of a young woman with little family and few friends. She had been called to the scene and had written up a report, but the case was not Bast’s. Even so, the detective had already assumed the death was no accident. She had requested the body remained untouched until the two officers taking the case arrived, so, two rooms over, a lifeless mound lay still, covered by a white sheet. Now she simply waited quietly. An announcement over her comm indicated they were only a few minutes away.
—
The three Sector Rangers walked into the room where Katmyr had died, their footsteps echoing unusually loudly on the duracrete floor. Bast drew back the sheet, revealing a disfigured and charred face. “Here she is. Her belongings are bagged up and in the corner of the room and detailed in the report which I have given you. I also managed to put together small profiles on linked individuals. You are welcome to search the premises, her body, and interview persons of interest. I trust you will bring justice to this woman.” And with that, the ranger left, giving an encouraging smile.

 

[Roland Rook]

THEME​

Ship parts, even those not made by corellia engineers could still be found on Corellia. It was a hub of trade and industry but Roland was not out looking for upgrades at this time. As he walked through the crowd of gathered people some would notice him and step aside. Otherwise he would push through without hesitation. On his belt he had his badge which was easier to see after he left the grouping of people.

The way Bast spoke made it sound like this was some kind of scavenger hunt. Either that or the woman had a strange way of talking. "Uh...ok" The Mandalorian looked towards Trys to see if she had picked up on it and had any thoughts. "They identified the body right? Local gal?" He scooped up his datapad on any collected information about the case since Bast had seen fit to collect the information. Most law enforcement agents tended to prefer working their case until the end and get credit, especially when they had gone through some legwork. Then again maybe Cor Sec had been taking care of it until the Sector Rangers had arrived. Not everybody was warm and fuzzy when the triple-star badge came out.

Roland walked over to the body that was covered. He pealed back the covering to see her face for a moment and then put it back. "Official cause of death was burn related? What did that to her face?." The helmeted head looked around for an obvious cause. In an industrial place like this with hot machenry, volatile chemicals and other dangers there were plenty of chances for injury but rarely did that cause an outright death. Defensive wounds and signs of struggle were the next step. Someone didn't like you.

@Kestrel @Sreeya

 

[Trys Aran]

Trys had been so caught up with chasing down Sith leads that she hadn’t done a good ol’ fashioned detective case in some time. She hadn’t directly worked with Roland before, though she knew about his various exploits. Trys was finally not injured or crippled in some shape or form and was seen carrying an actually lethal gun on her for once.

The Lieutenant arrived on the scene shortly after Roland, the scent of cigarra still lingering on her. She hadn’t managed to kick the habit and working late hours had made the addiction worse. Trys came upon the dead body, not having had a chance to review all the details from the data that was collected already.

Trys looked over at the other Rangers, her face now known to almost every Ranger in the Deep Core. She didn’t care for fame, but hopefully in this case it would allow her to cut through the bullshit faster.

“Were there any odd items found near her? Figurines or something that was simply out of place?” She couldn’t help but lead with ruling out the serial killer she had been chasing for some time. That man had a habit of leaving behind a flower just to taunt the authorities. Trys waited for an answer before looking over at Roland to offer a smile, “Nice to see you again, Roland. About time we worked a case together.”

@Kestrel @Darasuum

 

[Bast Emblai]

Bast straightened for the lieutenant and returned to the room. This was an intriguing case. She felt compelled see it carried out. Immediately, the voice of the old DCS she had worked under spoke in her mind. “Old Bast. You cannot bear to give up a case you have not seen through for the fear of miscarriage of justice. I doubt you will ever retire”. That had been before her accident. She did not leave then. Still, she had to be careful. She focused mainly on policing the core worlds and Corellia was her home. The more anonymity she kept, the better. Offering a cordial smile to Lieutenant Aran and Ranger Rolland, she spoke, her words measured. “I do hope it will not be an intrusion for me to help on the case. Many minds make quick work of murders.”

As the two investigated the remains, she analysed her associates. She believed both had fought to suppress the prison break in on Coruscant. However, with blaster bolts humming and evacuees everywhere, remembering faces had been far from her first priority. Trys was young and strong. She exuded a commanding presence as well as the scent of spiced smoke. Bast wondered if whatever she was smoking was legal. It likely was, but Bast was devoted to holding all to the same standards, and thus, through her eyes, criminals and comrades were scrutinized equally. The other ranger, Roland was wearing armor of the mandalorian sort. She wondered if it was common for members of his clan to become sector rangers. His face was obscured by a helmet, unreadable.

Bending down, Bast gestured with her gloved hand. “Many items have been destroyed. Here is her work mask. There was also a com link and an apartment key, as well as a blaster. That bit is odd, considering it is forbidden to bring unauthorized weapons into the plant and she appeared to be the model worker. Also a few pills of sorts. Of course, I have had ample time to study the body already, but would you like for time or should we begin forming a plan of action?

@Sreeya @Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland looked over his shoulder at Trys but then over to Bast as she politely presented herself somewhat. The way she spoke seemed precise. Or maybe he had just been spending too much time in the outer rim where nobody spoke properly. Roland felt that even if he didn't have the armor he would still be judged on being associated with the outer rim. There were still rivalries between stations in the Sector Rangers. "By all means."

A few moments would pass as he look up information on relatives and family situations. They would need to be contacted naturally. But the Mandalorian felt Bast's eyes on him for a bit longer. Everyone assumed the man with the helmet was looking towards where his helmet was pointing. But her stare didn't go unnoticed.

As she pointed out the personal possessions of the victim Roland looked towards the blaster for a bit. But his eyes were drawn back to the commlink. The Lieutenant asking about specific out of place items was interesting. He wondered why she would ask that. The man would have to ask about it later maybe.

He finally rose from his position as Trys addressed him. Facing her he raised a gloved hand to shake. "Likewise Lieutenant." Roland gave a nod. " Look forward to working with you." She was good at her job from everything he had seen and heard and trusted with all that evidence she was as good a comrade in the workplace as any.

Turning his cross visored helmet back towards the Corellian the Mandalorain gestured towards communication device. "Any saved calls, recordings or contacts in the commlink?" Carefully he picked up the device to look it over. With it functioning still, he could see if the people Katmyr had been in contact with recently. "Toxicology should take a look at her too. The pills...were they prescription meds or....?" He trailed off into the obvious.

@Kestrel @Sreeya