Theron Shan
"Oh, it's not going in my mission report either," Theron replied. "This isn't SIS business. It isn't something the Republic cares about. This is my own little... aside."
She had tipped her hand a little. Showed a card or two. He had no doubt there were many, many more she was hiding - he would expect nothing less - but he would repay the candor with a bit of his own.
"I can't help feeling somewhat responsible. I should have seen this coming. They were an obvious target. We knew Volent was using the market as a cover, for goodness sake. But I missed it. I didn't see it coming at all. I was angry about what those other SIS goons did, and I got distracted by it. I didn't see the big picture. I can't go back in time and fix that, but I can do what I can to make it right now. Fortunately, my friend Felix here has a connection; we don't know many details yet, but we know where to find the Evocii."
He gestured to the ship.
"If you want to come, wheels up in five. It'll be a small party, just the people you see here and Visper. Don't want to attract too much attention. Though if we end up having to evacuate the tribe, attention may be unavoidable."
Theron started to turn back to his packing, then added casually, "Oh, and I won't tell anyone about your friend. Don't worry."
He returned to loading cargo.
***
Gina regarded the Jedi with surprise yet again.
"I... am not used to such consideration," she said finally. "Things I felt were sensitive have never been a concern to anyone at Volent. This is... new to me. Whatever you need to do. Whatever you need me to do. I want Volent stopped. I don't want them to keep doing what they did to us. Whatever it takes - whatever little I can offer - you have my full cooperation."
Corporate Affairs
Re: Corporate Affairs
Padawan Dallyn
He had figured out that something was up when Theron came dashing into the landing area looking for Felix. Their voices were low and their conversation seemed strangely furtive despite the fact that it always seemed that a group of people were going off somewhere to rescue someone. Well, unless it was Jedi business. Then everyone knew about the business and at best two people went to do anything about it.
So the fact that something was going on and the circle was being kept so tight raised Dallyn's interest levels significantly. He already wanted to spend more time around the SIS operative - if he could get on the team, he'd get the chance to learn more about how the SIS did things. How they helped people the Jedi wouldn't. But if he asked Theron, Dallyn had a funny feeling the man would turn him away. Sure, he thought he'd done well on Mek-Sha, but that wouldn't give him a clear pass on whatever this secretive mission was about.
Dallyn decided to try a different tack. He found Master Visper moving between piles of crates, clearly looking for something. He took a deep breath and approached her, bowing his head over steepled fingers when he knew she'd seen him.
"Master Visper, I wish to accompany you on your mission. Please allow me to put my training into practice."
Of course, he had no idea what the mission was about...but it didn't matter. He wanted to be on it.
He had figured out that something was up when Theron came dashing into the landing area looking for Felix. Their voices were low and their conversation seemed strangely furtive despite the fact that it always seemed that a group of people were going off somewhere to rescue someone. Well, unless it was Jedi business. Then everyone knew about the business and at best two people went to do anything about it.
So the fact that something was going on and the circle was being kept so tight raised Dallyn's interest levels significantly. He already wanted to spend more time around the SIS operative - if he could get on the team, he'd get the chance to learn more about how the SIS did things. How they helped people the Jedi wouldn't. But if he asked Theron, Dallyn had a funny feeling the man would turn him away. Sure, he thought he'd done well on Mek-Sha, but that wouldn't give him a clear pass on whatever this secretive mission was about.
Dallyn decided to try a different tack. He found Master Visper moving between piles of crates, clearly looking for something. He took a deep breath and approached her, bowing his head over steepled fingers when he knew she'd seen him.
"Master Visper, I wish to accompany you on your mission. Please allow me to put my training into practice."
Of course, he had no idea what the mission was about...but it didn't matter. He wanted to be on it.
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Corporate Affairs
Visper Averrod-Iresso
Visper regarded Dallyn for a moment.
Then she said, "This is a very serious mission. Innocent lives are at stake. There will be people counting on us, and if we fail, no one else is coming to their aid in our place. We cannot have any distractions."
She met his eyes pointedly.
"An example of such a distraction would be a padawan who has half of his brain occupied by what will happen when his Master figures out that he's slipped off."
Her voice was calm, free of judgment, but firm.
"You can show me that you have the maturity to accompany us on this mission by having the maturity to speak to your Master and make your case to her. If you secure Jedi Lin's approval and return before we depart - and only if you do so - you may join us."
Visper regarded Dallyn for a moment.
Then she said, "This is a very serious mission. Innocent lives are at stake. There will be people counting on us, and if we fail, no one else is coming to their aid in our place. We cannot have any distractions."
She met his eyes pointedly.
"An example of such a distraction would be a padawan who has half of his brain occupied by what will happen when his Master figures out that he's slipped off."
Her voice was calm, free of judgment, but firm.
"You can show me that you have the maturity to accompany us on this mission by having the maturity to speak to your Master and make your case to her. If you secure Jedi Lin's approval and return before we depart - and only if you do so - you may join us."
Re: Corporate Affairs
Teizi Lin and Padawan Dallyn
Teizi was walking Gina through the busy hangar when she spotted her padawan coming toward her, his robes billowing behind him and his eyes set firmly on her shoulder. He wanted something. And he thought she might refuse. The realization both settled and concerned her.
"Gina, please excuse me for a moment. I think my padawan needs a word."
Teizi stepped toward Dallyn, halting his process as his eyes flicked up to hers. There was firmness there as well as uncertainty. She took a moment to settle herself in the Force, folding her hands before her and squaring herself to her padawan that he might know he had her complete attention.
~~~~~
His master was incredibly intimidating - even more so when she was attempting not to be. Her presence tended to overshadow her gentleness - the latter he knew to be true, but somehow he had trouble remembering that. Dallyn tried to steady himself. It was just a simple question. She sent him on missions all the time.
She sent him. This was the first time he was requesting a specific cause. It would help if he knew what it was...
"Master. Theron Shan and Master Visper are going on a mission and I would like to go with them. It is of a sensitive nature and we must leave immediately."
Jedi Lin didn't respond immediately. He began to sweat, frantically trying to come up with additional reasons why he should be allowed to go.
"I can tell this mission is important to you. I will allow it." she spoke quietly, and his elation nearly covered up the caution in her tone.
Dallyn turned to go, but his Master's voice came over his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
"Be careful, Dallyn. I sense that you are standing at the edge of a cliff. Remember your training."
He nodded, not quite meeting her eye and dashed off. The last thing he wanted was to be left behind.
Teizi was walking Gina through the busy hangar when she spotted her padawan coming toward her, his robes billowing behind him and his eyes set firmly on her shoulder. He wanted something. And he thought she might refuse. The realization both settled and concerned her.
"Gina, please excuse me for a moment. I think my padawan needs a word."
Teizi stepped toward Dallyn, halting his process as his eyes flicked up to hers. There was firmness there as well as uncertainty. She took a moment to settle herself in the Force, folding her hands before her and squaring herself to her padawan that he might know he had her complete attention.
~~~~~
His master was incredibly intimidating - even more so when she was attempting not to be. Her presence tended to overshadow her gentleness - the latter he knew to be true, but somehow he had trouble remembering that. Dallyn tried to steady himself. It was just a simple question. She sent him on missions all the time.
She sent him. This was the first time he was requesting a specific cause. It would help if he knew what it was...
"Master. Theron Shan and Master Visper are going on a mission and I would like to go with them. It is of a sensitive nature and we must leave immediately."
Jedi Lin didn't respond immediately. He began to sweat, frantically trying to come up with additional reasons why he should be allowed to go.
"I can tell this mission is important to you. I will allow it." she spoke quietly, and his elation nearly covered up the caution in her tone.
Dallyn turned to go, but his Master's voice came over his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
"Be careful, Dallyn. I sense that you are standing at the edge of a cliff. Remember your training."
He nodded, not quite meeting her eye and dashed off. The last thing he wanted was to be left behind.
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Corporate Affairs
Visper Averrod-Iresso, Felix Iresso, and Theron Shan
Dallyn was not left behind. He arrived, looking apprehensive and a tiny bit winded, but determined. Visper nodded her approval. He had done as he asked. She could tell. Not through the Force - simply by an understanding of human nature. He was allowed to board the vessel.
The trip to Rishi was a quiet one. Theron gave a bare-bones mission briefing. Felix maintained contact with Susanna, who sounded determined but grim. The question on everyone's mind was whether they would be there in time to help.
They didn't land at the spaceport. They bypassed the populated area near it entirely, and landed at the coordinates Felix directed them to on an empty, barren strip of beach. On a planet with more laws, that might have been a problem; on Rishi, someone might eventually get mad at the encroachment on their territory, but there wasn't exactly any real law enforcement to call. In an area this remote, they would have some time before anyone took the law into their own hands. Hopefully, by then they would be on their way back to Odessen... with some extra passengers.
As soon as they touched down, a disheveled Susanna Shepard emerged from the trees. It appeared she had been watching for them. Her military bearing was intact as ever, but her hair stuck out from her ponytail in crazy directions, she smelled of the smoke of burning market stalls, and there were a couple of blood stains on her shirt. She didn't appear injured at all, so the blood was presumably not her own.
"Glad you made it," she said. "No time to waste here."
She led them across the stretch of beach to a cave opening. "The tribe is back in the tunnels," she said. "There are some injuries among the Evocii, but nothing dire."
Theron noticed the careful phrasing. "How about adopted Evocii?"
There was a silence. Then, "We're going to need a medic."
Frenka was just inside the mouth of the cave, apparently to be more easily accessed by said medic upon arrival. She was bleeding from multiple wounds all over her body, but the most serious one was a deep one in her gut. Huttsbane was by her side, keeping pressure on the wound, visibly terrified for her and covered in his wife's blood. Visper immediately set to work, trying to stabilize her enough to get her to the bacta tank. "Dallyn, I need your hands," Visper said.
"She tried to take on all of the Volent goons by herself," Susanna told Theron quietly. "And she managed it. She won. She protected the tribe. But... at a cost."
Theron glanced over at the Agent, curious what her reaction would be, if any. Definitely not going to tell our respective governments about any of this, right? he confirmed silently.
Dallyn was not left behind. He arrived, looking apprehensive and a tiny bit winded, but determined. Visper nodded her approval. He had done as he asked. She could tell. Not through the Force - simply by an understanding of human nature. He was allowed to board the vessel.
The trip to Rishi was a quiet one. Theron gave a bare-bones mission briefing. Felix maintained contact with Susanna, who sounded determined but grim. The question on everyone's mind was whether they would be there in time to help.
They didn't land at the spaceport. They bypassed the populated area near it entirely, and landed at the coordinates Felix directed them to on an empty, barren strip of beach. On a planet with more laws, that might have been a problem; on Rishi, someone might eventually get mad at the encroachment on their territory, but there wasn't exactly any real law enforcement to call. In an area this remote, they would have some time before anyone took the law into their own hands. Hopefully, by then they would be on their way back to Odessen... with some extra passengers.
As soon as they touched down, a disheveled Susanna Shepard emerged from the trees. It appeared she had been watching for them. Her military bearing was intact as ever, but her hair stuck out from her ponytail in crazy directions, she smelled of the smoke of burning market stalls, and there were a couple of blood stains on her shirt. She didn't appear injured at all, so the blood was presumably not her own.
"Glad you made it," she said. "No time to waste here."
She led them across the stretch of beach to a cave opening. "The tribe is back in the tunnels," she said. "There are some injuries among the Evocii, but nothing dire."
Theron noticed the careful phrasing. "How about adopted Evocii?"
There was a silence. Then, "We're going to need a medic."
Frenka was just inside the mouth of the cave, apparently to be more easily accessed by said medic upon arrival. She was bleeding from multiple wounds all over her body, but the most serious one was a deep one in her gut. Huttsbane was by her side, keeping pressure on the wound, visibly terrified for her and covered in his wife's blood. Visper immediately set to work, trying to stabilize her enough to get her to the bacta tank. "Dallyn, I need your hands," Visper said.
"She tried to take on all of the Volent goons by herself," Susanna told Theron quietly. "And she managed it. She won. She protected the tribe. But... at a cost."
Theron glanced over at the Agent, curious what her reaction would be, if any. Definitely not going to tell our respective governments about any of this, right? he confirmed silently.
Re: Corporate Affairs
The Agent
The addition of the padawan did not please me. Things were sticky enough without an additional witness from a religious order of questionable stances. It bothered me that I could not be certain of any Jedi's position. Sith tended to be straightforward enough, most recently met Sith aside, of course. I liked it better when we were the only ones who existed in the extensive moral grey area. Call me possessive.
Still, I could not have found out about Frenka and her tribe in time to be of service, and for that I was grateful. Even for the former Republic soldiers who had happened to choose a path that aligned with mine. I could feel Vector's anxiety rising as it became clear that Frenka's life was in danger. The Jedi rushed in and I let her. I needed to speak with the one person who seemed to know things.
"Tell me, do you expect reinforcements?" I asked Susanna. She shook her head explaining that no calls had gone out from the raiding party. Good. It meant that I didn't need to try to be in two places at once.
I turned my attention to the datpad in my hands and began sending messages to my ship. I requested schematics for Volent's headquarters and labs from SCORPIO. I tasked Kaliyo with slicing and hacking Volent vessels. Raina would be getting her first solo mission, not that I thought it was a good idea, but necessity often overruled my better instincts.
That done, I looked up and met Theron's gaze. I did not know how to answer his questioning look. I knew that his government would not appreciate what I was planning to do. I had thought it prudent to stop the Gina project - and I still wanted that to happen - but now I felt that Volent had outlived its welcome in this corner of the galaxy.
I was planning to ensure that they could never lay a finger on an Evocii ever again. Permanently.
Vector was speaking with Huttsbane, apparently trying to calm the man down and keep him out of the way of the medical treatment the Jedi was supplying. That was wise. I knew how attached Huttsbane was to Frenka and vice versa. He would need the distraction. Especially as if Frenka had to be removed from the vicinity as he would likely want to attend, leaving the tribe without their key protectors. My plans could wait. I approached Theron, standing near enough Frenka so as to be overheard.
"She requires bacta and I am certain Huttsbane wishes to attend her. It would be disrespectful to their culture to remove both chief and protector without supplying a surrogate. I could volunteer to stay behind, but that may impact certain time-sensitive initiatives involving Volent. Ideas."
The addition of the padawan did not please me. Things were sticky enough without an additional witness from a religious order of questionable stances. It bothered me that I could not be certain of any Jedi's position. Sith tended to be straightforward enough, most recently met Sith aside, of course. I liked it better when we were the only ones who existed in the extensive moral grey area. Call me possessive.
Still, I could not have found out about Frenka and her tribe in time to be of service, and for that I was grateful. Even for the former Republic soldiers who had happened to choose a path that aligned with mine. I could feel Vector's anxiety rising as it became clear that Frenka's life was in danger. The Jedi rushed in and I let her. I needed to speak with the one person who seemed to know things.
"Tell me, do you expect reinforcements?" I asked Susanna. She shook her head explaining that no calls had gone out from the raiding party. Good. It meant that I didn't need to try to be in two places at once.
I turned my attention to the datpad in my hands and began sending messages to my ship. I requested schematics for Volent's headquarters and labs from SCORPIO. I tasked Kaliyo with slicing and hacking Volent vessels. Raina would be getting her first solo mission, not that I thought it was a good idea, but necessity often overruled my better instincts.
That done, I looked up and met Theron's gaze. I did not know how to answer his questioning look. I knew that his government would not appreciate what I was planning to do. I had thought it prudent to stop the Gina project - and I still wanted that to happen - but now I felt that Volent had outlived its welcome in this corner of the galaxy.
I was planning to ensure that they could never lay a finger on an Evocii ever again. Permanently.
Vector was speaking with Huttsbane, apparently trying to calm the man down and keep him out of the way of the medical treatment the Jedi was supplying. That was wise. I knew how attached Huttsbane was to Frenka and vice versa. He would need the distraction. Especially as if Frenka had to be removed from the vicinity as he would likely want to attend, leaving the tribe without their key protectors. My plans could wait. I approached Theron, standing near enough Frenka so as to be overheard.
"She requires bacta and I am certain Huttsbane wishes to attend her. It would be disrespectful to their culture to remove both chief and protector without supplying a surrogate. I could volunteer to stay behind, but that may impact certain time-sensitive initiatives involving Volent. Ideas."
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Corporate Affairs
Theron Shan
"Yeah," Theron said, shoving his hands in his pockets and glancing away. "I guess Felix and I didn't quite fill you in on the entire plan. Sorry. There's a reason we're flying with minimal crew and barely any supplies. We're going to evacuate the tribe to Odessen. I just don't see any other alternative. They're too vulnerable here on Rishi, especially with Frenka down. Even though it doesn't sound like Volent is coming back, this place is a crawling hive of opportunists - every pirate and their mother will hear about this and try to get a piece of whatever smoldering wreckage of a pie may be left. If we pack them into the ship, we can get them to Odessen. They'll be jammed in like sardines, but it's a relatively short trip, and we should be fine weight-wise if we ditch all the cargo containers we used to bring the emergency supplies."
His expression was rueful as he added, "Work as a plan for you? And I hope it goes without saying, but I'm not logging this trip on any SIS reports, no matter how things go down."
"Yeah," Theron said, shoving his hands in his pockets and glancing away. "I guess Felix and I didn't quite fill you in on the entire plan. Sorry. There's a reason we're flying with minimal crew and barely any supplies. We're going to evacuate the tribe to Odessen. I just don't see any other alternative. They're too vulnerable here on Rishi, especially with Frenka down. Even though it doesn't sound like Volent is coming back, this place is a crawling hive of opportunists - every pirate and their mother will hear about this and try to get a piece of whatever smoldering wreckage of a pie may be left. If we pack them into the ship, we can get them to Odessen. They'll be jammed in like sardines, but it's a relatively short trip, and we should be fine weight-wise if we ditch all the cargo containers we used to bring the emergency supplies."
His expression was rueful as he added, "Work as a plan for you? And I hope it goes without saying, but I'm not logging this trip on any SIS reports, no matter how things go down."
Re: Corporate Affairs
The Agent
I was angry - I was willing to admit that much. But I wasn't really angry with Theron for his suggestion of uprooting the Evocii. I was angry that it was required. He was right, we could not leave the tribe here, even with me as guardian. They would be the target of every attack for years to come as others tested Frenka's strength and resolve. I didn't like it.
"It sounds like the best course of action." I paused, then added "Of course. The Ministry will hear nothing from me."
I looked at the group clustered around Frenka. There was at least one body that could have stayed on Odessen to make room for the Evocii and their belongings. If he helped Frenka more than Visper could have alone, I would consider forgiving him. But first things first. I approached Vector and Huttsbane, taking a knee to get into the latter's line of sight.
"Huttsbane. You must gather the tribe. Frenka needs a bacta tank and none of you will be safe here for some time. I know you built your home here and I hope that one day you will be able to return if you wish. But for now...we must go."
I hoped he would see reason, instead of interference.
Padawan Dallyn
The light in her eyes intensified when she looked at him, which unsettled him further. Even more than all the blood pulsing through his fingers with every weak heartbeat from the rattataki woman. He looked in the only safe direction - Master Visper's face. Her calm and determination drew him to her, even as every foul thing around him tried to drag his attention away. A wheeze from their patient broke his concentration and he chanced a look downward.
"Master Visper? How..."
can we save her when she's so far past saving he finished in his mind, suddenly aware of how tactless it might sound to say as much aloud. But honestly, what chance did she have?
I was angry - I was willing to admit that much. But I wasn't really angry with Theron for his suggestion of uprooting the Evocii. I was angry that it was required. He was right, we could not leave the tribe here, even with me as guardian. They would be the target of every attack for years to come as others tested Frenka's strength and resolve. I didn't like it.
"It sounds like the best course of action." I paused, then added "Of course. The Ministry will hear nothing from me."
I looked at the group clustered around Frenka. There was at least one body that could have stayed on Odessen to make room for the Evocii and their belongings. If he helped Frenka more than Visper could have alone, I would consider forgiving him. But first things first. I approached Vector and Huttsbane, taking a knee to get into the latter's line of sight.
"Huttsbane. You must gather the tribe. Frenka needs a bacta tank and none of you will be safe here for some time. I know you built your home here and I hope that one day you will be able to return if you wish. But for now...we must go."
I hoped he would see reason, instead of interference.
Padawan Dallyn
The light in her eyes intensified when she looked at him, which unsettled him further. Even more than all the blood pulsing through his fingers with every weak heartbeat from the rattataki woman. He looked in the only safe direction - Master Visper's face. Her calm and determination drew him to her, even as every foul thing around him tried to drag his attention away. A wheeze from their patient broke his concentration and he chanced a look downward.
"Master Visper? How..."
can we save her when she's so far past saving he finished in his mind, suddenly aware of how tactless it might sound to say as much aloud. But honestly, what chance did she have?
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Monkey Kitty
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- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Corporate Affairs
Theron Shan and Visper Averrod-Iresso
For just a split second, Huttsbane was merely a person instead of his tribe's figurehead. His face was clouded with worry about his wife, and his eyes were drawn to her like magnets. Theron felt for the man. But then Huttsbane drew a deep breath, looked away from her, and nodded. He was a leader. In this moment of crisis, he couldn't be merely a person. The tribe was counting on him. "I will rally them," he said, and turned to go - with just one final glance at Frenka.
Theron squeezed his shoulder in passing. "She's in good hands," he said quietly. Then he let Huttsbane depart to do his duty for the tribe.
"Stop thinking about the future," Visper told Dallyn firmly. "What will happen to her tomorrow - or even five minutes from now - is not your concern right now. Keep your mind in the present. Identify the injuries and treat them. Find the sources of bleeding and stop it. Again and again, thinking only of that, until you are finished. Otherwise you'll talk yourself into despair before you even begin. As long as life remains, there is hope. Hold to it, and focus your mind only on the work."
For just a split second, Huttsbane was merely a person instead of his tribe's figurehead. His face was clouded with worry about his wife, and his eyes were drawn to her like magnets. Theron felt for the man. But then Huttsbane drew a deep breath, looked away from her, and nodded. He was a leader. In this moment of crisis, he couldn't be merely a person. The tribe was counting on him. "I will rally them," he said, and turned to go - with just one final glance at Frenka.
Theron squeezed his shoulder in passing. "She's in good hands," he said quietly. Then he let Huttsbane depart to do his duty for the tribe.
"Stop thinking about the future," Visper told Dallyn firmly. "What will happen to her tomorrow - or even five minutes from now - is not your concern right now. Keep your mind in the present. Identify the injuries and treat them. Find the sources of bleeding and stop it. Again and again, thinking only of that, until you are finished. Otherwise you'll talk yourself into despair before you even begin. As long as life remains, there is hope. Hold to it, and focus your mind only on the work."
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Corporate Affairs
Gina Valli, Odessen
The First Gina still bore the marks of her ordeal. Her face was bruised and peppered with cuts, her eyes blackened, her nose and cheekbones swollen. It was, she mused ruefully, quite an impressive technological feat, when you thought about it - a synthetic body that looked damaged in the same way a human one would. But of course that was an important design feature; a woman who didn't bruise would be a fairly clear giveaway that the situation was outside the norm. Her flesh had to look real - and feel real - under all conditions. Volent had completed their task admirably.
Well, except for the fact that both she and the other one had been freed.
The First Gina searched faces on Odessen with nervous eagerness... then she saw one identical to her own. For a moment, the two women met each other's eyes wordlessly, taking each other in.
Then, moving as one, they embraced. The First Gina felt The Second Gina's tears against her own bruised cheek.
"I'm so glad you're safe."
"You too."
The closest thing either of them had to family. It counted.
The First Gina still bore the marks of her ordeal. Her face was bruised and peppered with cuts, her eyes blackened, her nose and cheekbones swollen. It was, she mused ruefully, quite an impressive technological feat, when you thought about it - a synthetic body that looked damaged in the same way a human one would. But of course that was an important design feature; a woman who didn't bruise would be a fairly clear giveaway that the situation was outside the norm. Her flesh had to look real - and feel real - under all conditions. Volent had completed their task admirably.
Well, except for the fact that both she and the other one had been freed.
The First Gina searched faces on Odessen with nervous eagerness... then she saw one identical to her own. For a moment, the two women met each other's eyes wordlessly, taking each other in.
Then, moving as one, they embraced. The First Gina felt The Second Gina's tears against her own bruised cheek.
"I'm so glad you're safe."
"You too."
The closest thing either of them had to family. It counted.