[FIC]Star Wars: CSI: Coruscant Episode 1

[Diego Varen]

Pardon me, what do you mean, "one-shot"?

 

You've read them CSI. They're Short Fics. I've wrote them and JM12 has wrote several of them. One-Shots are another name for them. I prefer to call them Short Fics though. There is a lot of One-Shots on Fanfiction.Net.

[CSI]

You've read them CSI. They're Short Fics. I've wrote them and JM12 has wrote several of them. One-Shots are another name for them. I prefer to call them Short Fics though. There is a lot of One-Shots on Fanfiction.Net.

 

Negative. It's not a short fic. It's just as long as previous two episodes. Thanks for filling me out of what "one-shot" means.

[CSI]

[@JM12: Thank you very much for revising the chapters for me!

 

@Pottsie: About the Bounty Hunter: Pilot, I haven't decided who to cue yet, but you gave me a hint, maybe Cassus Fett will work, and maybe Jango will join, too...

 

@Mods: If there are any inappropriate contents, please don't hestitate to PM me. Thanks.]

 

Chapter 10

 

Later, Malak’s speeder raced down onto the crime scene. His mood was reflected in his driving for he drove a little too fast and he was silent. He was still seething with rage against Arren when the speeder pulled up to the crime scene. The scene was protected by two Security Force speeders with flashers on. The neighbor looked unsavory but what do you expect in a sprawling metropolis?

 

“Sorry you gotta baby-sit,” Exar apologized to Malak when he stopped his speeder. Exar may be the newbie but he was smart enough to know when to leave well alone. Malak thought.

 

“Yeah, I’m sorry, too.” Malak nodded and said to his intercom: “Control, P-4422 arrived.”

 

Dispatch responded: “OK, go inside.”

 

Then he instructed Exar, “Dust for prints, make sure you take plenty of photographs…”

 

“Photographs. Be thorough. Don’t worry. Nihilus told me that.” Exar smiled. After the incident in the mini mart, he felt ready for anything. He thought nothing could be worse than that.

 

“Good. Look, I gotta run an errand. You okay for your own?” Malak asked Exar. Malak knew he wasn’t supposed to leave the newbie alone and he was under orders to shadow Exar but he also had his word to the Judge. At first he thought nothing of it as he watched Exar get out.

 

“You kidding? I’m fired up, ready to go.” Exar said happily. It was his first time in the field, so he was very excited, “Besides, there is a Security Force officer here.” Though the neighborhood was not the best part of town, Exar felt okay. It was going to be a piece of cake.

 

Malak nodded as Exar disembarked the speeder. “I have a bad feeling about this,” became a nagging thought as Malak drove away.

 

Exar watched Malak pulled away and walked towards the scene. He sighed, and tried to clear his head out a lot of things. It was going to be a busy night.

 

----

 

At the husband’s house, Nihilus knocked the door and the door was opened by the husband. With the mask on the face, Nihilus said professionally, “Good morning. Nihilus, Forensics. I’m taking over the case for Malak. Mind if I come in?”

 

“How can I help you?” The husband let out a deep sigh, his irritation apparent.

 

“I need to give you a pedicure.” Nihilus explained. If it were any other occasion, it would have been a funny situation for Nihilus was not prone to being funny on purpose.

 

“Come again?” The husband asked confused. He had a strong suspicion that Nihilus knew something.

 

“I have a warrant for your toenails.” Nilihus had a serious expression on his face. All that mattered was the evidence.

 

“A warrant? What? Am I a suspect?” The husband let Nihilus in and read the warrant carefully.

 

Nihilus walked in and studied the surroundings carefully. He knew Malak would have done a thorough job near the door. He pushed Malak from his thoughts as he went to collect his evidence.

 

“I already gave you a sworn statement,” The husband replied with annoyance.

 

“A statement is just a public record of your version,” Nihilus clarified, “We still need proof.” Then he noticed the concerned wife walking into the living room. She looked scared and nervous, almost as if she knew something was not right.

 

The husband turned his head and looked at her for a few seconds, then turned to Nihilus again, “Well, I’d love to help you, but I already cut them.” He had a smug look on his face as if he thought he was going to get out of this.

 

“May I see where you discarded the clippings?” Nihilus asked politely. Well, this is not a good thing, at least not a clean thing to do. Nihilus frowned slightly but gave nothing away.

 

“I flushed them down the toilet.”

 

Nihilus’s heart sank when the husband said that. He cursed the husband a thousand times in his heart. Then he thought of something. With professional courtesy that could provoke anger, he asked, “May I see your toilet?”

 

Opening the refresher door, Nihilus turned on the light. The husband waited at the door curious and nervous but Nilihus took no notice of it as he approached the toilet. Nihilus lifted the toilet seat and bent down to study it closely. I hate this but I gotta follow the evidence, Nihilus thought.

 

The husband smiled slightly after watching Nihilus bending down. How do you think you’re gonna find them? Dig them? the husband wondered, this CSI was different from the other one. He was persistent, too persistent.

Finally, Nihilus stood up and walked toward the husband. Stopping, he said, “I’ll be right back.” As he walked to his speeder, an idea forming in his mind.

 

He returned a little while later with a UV light system and proceeded back to the refresher, ignoring the look that the husband was giving him. He took the UV light system into the refresher, turned the light off, and lit the UV system. Blue* light filled the tiny room. Nihilus, with his trademark mask on, said politely to the husband, “Excuse me.” With a polite smile, he closed the door in the husband’s face.

 

Nihilus went down on hands and knees and used the UV light to search the floor carefully. When he hit the mat in front of the toilet, he found something strange. With a practiced hand, he held the light while he took out a pair of forceps and picked it up—a cut toenail. Never underestimate a CSI, Nihilus smiled.

 

----

 

“Nope, loser.” Nihilus was in the lab with the tech looking into the microscope and comparing the cut toenail, “Give me the next item up for bid.”

 

The tech looked into the evidence bag and used the forceps to pick another toenail under microscope. He had a disgusted look on his face as he handed the clipping over. “It’s nasty,” he remarked.

 

“No, striation. Whenever two objects are broken, there occurs what we call striate—two unique connecting points.” Nihilus didn’t look away from his objects, “If I can match the nail in the sneaker to the suspect’s clippings…” He cut off his reply. Smirking, he exclaimed, “By the Name of the Force!” They had their man.

 

“The brother was right, wasn’t he?” The tech asked excited.

 

“Uh-huh.” Nihilus nodded and snuck his tongue out as he peered closer into the scope.

 

“Yeah!” the tech jumped up and began dancing.

 

“Careful, you’ll hurt your back.” Nihilus let a smile show. Malak had been right. If only he kept his mind on the evidence, he thought. He left to go have Arren make the arrest.

 

----

 

At the Coruscant cantina, Malak parked his speeder in front of a booth. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right but he had to do this. He owed the Judge.

 

“What’s up, man?” The booth agent asked in a semi bored voice.

 

“Gimme Packers.” Malak replied, ignoring the tone of voice.

 

“One second…”

 

“Malak, come in.” The intercom shouted. OK, whoever is calling, this is not a good time to, Malak thought. Sighing, he picked up the comm and replied, “This is Malak. Go ahead.”

 

“It’s Nihilus. We got him.”

 

“Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah!” Malak cheered, “I’ll be right there.”

 

“Who do you want now?” The booth person asked again.

 

“Gimmie Niners for Five hundred credits.” Malak had been distracted by the call that he gave the name of the wrong team. It would later prove to be disastrous in his dealings with the Judge. He thought none of this as he collected his ticket and raced down towards the suspect’s home.

 

----

 

At the house, Nihilus and Malak watched the arrested husband to the squad speeder. In their minds, they put together what had happened based on the evidence they collected.

 

The husband loaded up the blaster while Jimmy was banging the door, “Open up!” Then the husband said calmly, “open the door.”

 

“What are you gonna do?” The frightened wife asked.

 

“Don’t ask questions.” The husband replied, “Don’t ask questions, just open the door.”

 

“You son of a b****!” Jimmy walked in.

 

With three blaster shots, the husband shot Jimmy and he was killed instantly.

Pointing the blaster at the dead, he made sure that he was the one with the Force. Then he took off Jimmy’s left shoe and attempted to put it on. During that, he broke the toenail.

 

“Do it!” He ordered his wife to walk away. Then he went out and locked the door with his key. Taking a calming breath he then kicked the door open to create the self-defense scene.

 

“Hey, weren’t you supposed to be shadowing Exar?” Nihilus asked Malak as they were standing there. Something wasn’t it right and he had to know.

 

“Oh, he’s cool. He’s doing prints on that 407.” Malak replied calmly, “There is an officer there.” Then he patted Nihilus’s back and walked away, “I’m on.”

 

Nilihus watched as Malak walked away. He had the distinct impression all was not right, that something bad may have happened to their new guy. Something is not right, Nihilus thought. I have a bad feeling about this.

 

----

 

Exar was dusting for prints on a telephone in the robbery case. It was simple enough and should be an easy case. There were prints all over the room. He didn’t notice when a man walked in quietly and said, “Excuse me, sir,”

 

“Hi, sir, eh, can I help you?” Exar cleaned his sweat on his forehead. He tried not to show any fear. Civilians weren’t allowed to crime scenes but this guy didn’t seem like a civilian. It sent the hairs on his neck prickling.

 

“I’m the neighbor from across the way and I just saw a Squad speeder leave. Is everything okay?” The man appeared to be concerned and sincere.

 

“Yeah, we had a robbery, but everything is fine.” Exar appreciated the gesture but that tingling feeling wasn’t going away. The best he could do was play it cool.

 

“Oh, okay.” The man gave a smile and made to turn and leave.

 

Exar smiled back and hurried back to his work, oblivious to the fact that the man didn’t leave.

 

The “kind” neighbor reached behind him to reach the blaster that was resting in the waistband of his pants.

 

----

 

At the hotel, Carth Onasi knocked Mukai’s room door. He had a satisfied smile on his face and waited until Mukai opened the door. With a smile, Carth said, “Room service.” Still smiling, Carth handed Mukai a package.

 

“You’re kidding me.” Mukai flung open the door and gently took the package. Then he opened the package. “My stuff! You found my stuff!” Mukai was excited. He didn’t think that he would ever see his stuff, especially his wedding ring.

 

“Yeah, yeah, your wallet, your cash, credit cards…and wedding ring.” Carth showed him his wedding ring.

 

“Oh! Thank you!” Mukai thanked Carth and placed his wedding ring right where it belonged.

 

“Ok, next time you wanna take a shot, go to a dice table. At least if you crap out, you can go home broke instead of busted, you know what I mean?” Carth smiled.

 

“I sure do. Thank you very much,” Mukai replied with gratuity in his voice. It seemed that kindness was still a norm in the galaxy, even in this part of town.

 

----

 

“Congratulations, Carth, my boy. You’re now a CSI level III,” Nihilus said and showed Carth his new badge.

 

“Whoo!” Carth raised his hands in a prizefighter victory.

 

“Good job, Carth.” Malak gave his praise with good form.

 

“Thanks. Uh, hey, Malak, listen, I heard about the whole thing with the shoe and…” Carth was trying to be the good friend and show sympathy.

 

Malak stood up and shook Carth’s hand. “Forget it, man. It’s all you.” Malak meant every word of it. Nilihus was right. He showed have kept his mind on the case and the evidence.

 

“Thanks.” Carth said.

 

“Let’s get some breakfast. It’s on me!” Mira said.

 

Their celebration was cut short when Arren walked in and put a dampner on things. “Sorry to break your party but I need grave to pull a double,” she said, “Exar Kun has been shot. He’s in hospital now. Apparently the suspect returned to the scene.”

 

Not a word was spoken. The only thing apparent was the look of astonishment mingled with grief and in one’s face, guilt.

 

“They don’t think he’s gonna make it.” Arren added, “Malak, I’m putting you on administrative leave pending a full report on your whereabouts. So wash your face and change your socks.” Malak’s face shifted from surprise to angry, but Arren ignored it. She directed her comment to the rest of the group, “You have a long day ahead of you.”

 

Nick sighed and threw his new badge on the table. Malak shook his head, the guilt burnt in his ears. Nihilus said nothing.

 

*: UV lights shows a bluish violet light, which us used for detecting any biological fluids or similiar. Besides, there is no "black light".

[CSI]

Epilogue

 

Next day, the HoloNet broadcasted the shooting. Everyone was watching it in the break room. The announcer spoke, “Tragedy struck early this morning when an on-duty Coruscant Criminalist was brutally gunned down.” Mira and Carth sighed and covered their eyes while the announcer continued, “It was his first night on the job. Victim Exar Kun was investigating a robbery/homicide in an apartment on the corner of Coruscant and Commerce. The crime lab now faces the daunting task of investigating the shooting of one of their own. The wounded CSI has been taken to Jedi Memorial Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.”

 

Malak was watching the HoloNet standing behind Carth and Mira. He felt guilty and it was eating him alive.

 

“The suspect is still at large…” Ignoring the rest of the broadcast, Mira turned to Malak, “Weren’t you supposed to be shadowing Exar?”

 

“Malak, man, what happened?” Carth asked him kindly.

 

“I left him to hook up with Nihilus on that toenail case, and then, I came back here.” Malak sighed.

 

“You left Exar solo?” Mira asked with an incredulous look on her face. Newbies had to be shadowed until they were confident enough to go solo.

 

“It was just supposed to be an easy print job. Look, I feel bad enough, okay?” Malak responded in slight agitation. Things were bad.

 

Mira and Carth said nothing more when Nihilus came walking in. After watching them a few seconds, Nihilus announced, “Here is what we know: Arren assigned Malak to shadow Exar on a robbery. He left him at the scene. The suspect returned and Exar was shot. The Security Force told me earlier this morning, Arren went back to Security Force.”

 

“Who’s going to run the unit?” Carth asked.

 

“For now? Me.” Nihilus said.

 

Carth sighed and Mira looked as if she had been bitten by a gizka. Nilihus noticed and tried to reassure the team, “I know. We’ll just play it by ear, okay?” Taking a brief glance at Malak, he continued, “All right. Here we go…” He began to read the case briefs. When he was finished handing out the assignments, he stated the obvious though no one said anything, “It’s time to let Visas come back. We need her.”

[Diego Varen]

Good Chapter and Epilogue CSI. Will you wait for JM12 to PM the beta read version, before posting the Archives version? Looking foward to the CSI vs CSI Pilot.

[CSI]

Good Chapter and Epilogue CSI. Will you wait for JM12 to PM the beta read version, before posting the Archives version? Looking foward to the CSI vs CSI Pilot.

 

Oh, speaking of that, I let JM12 to beta-read all my fic, but I told him/her to make Ch.10 and Epilogue as the first priority, so I think I'll just wait for JM12 and post a Beta-Read version here, instead of the original version. Then I'll put it into Archives.

 

Oh, I'm writing the prologue now. But you want me to put on the original version or beta-read version?

 

By the way, sorry if it hears like pushing you around, but how is your Echoes of Darkness now?

 

Have a nice Thanksgiving (I believe it passed already, but please accept my belated regard.) and a nice Christmas.

[Diego Varen]

By the way, sorry if it hears like pushing you around, but how is your Echoes of Darkness now?

 

No problem, I can tell you. Echoes of Darkness is going fine so far, after so many rewrites, I've nearly completed the first Part and then I've got nine more parts to write. This is a big project.

 

Also about your Fic, post whichever version you think is best. I'll read it, if I'm online.

[CSI]

No problem, I can tell you. Echoes of Darkness is going fine so far, after so many rewrites, I've nearly completed the first Part and then I've got nine more parts to write. This is a big project.

 

Also about your Fic, post whichever version you think is best. I'll read it, if I'm online.

 

Quite comforting. But another question, did you post your finished 1st part in the forum? Let me dig it out and have a good read!!

[Diego Varen]

Quite comforting. But another question, did you post your finished 1st part in the forum? Let me dig it out and have a good read!!

 

Well no, just a preview (The Prologue). Despite it not starring the Exile, it has a lot to do with the plot. If you like, I can confirm the planets that will be in the Fic (Highlight the white box below).

 

 

Lehon (Rakatan Prime) | Coruscant | Onderon | The Sojourn | Sleheyron | Vogga’s Palace | Ruusan | Valley of the Jedi | Tramond XXV | The Emperor’s Crypt

 

[CSI]

Well no, just a preview (The Prologue). Despite it not starring the Exile, it has a lot to do with the plot. If you like, I can confirm the planets that will be in the Fic (Highlight the white box below).

 

 

Lehon (Rakatan Prime) | Coruscant | Onderon | The Sojourn | Sleheyron | Vogga’s Palace | Ruusan | Valley of the Jedi | Tramond XXV | The Emperor’s Crypt

 

Valley of the Jedi? Well, nice idea.

 

Off topic, do you know where to check for the Star Wars races list? I need it for CSI fic.

 

[edit: never mind, wookiepedias.]

[Dark_Lady]

Awww, Exar DIED! Great final chapter and epilogue, though. Just awesome.

[CSI]

Awww, Exar DIED! Great final chapter and epilogue, though. Just awesome.

 

have to end it because he's not a official character on my character list...

 

Yeah, but stay tuned for CSI vs. CSI: Pilot Episode.

[JediMaster12]

I am reading it CSI. It's good and I knew what was going to happen. CSI buff

Will send you the beta.

[CSI]

I am reading it CSI. It's good and I knew what was going to happen. CSI buff

Will send you the beta.

 

Well, Thank you very, very much for proof-reading it for me.

 

Also, have a great Christmas.

[JediMaster12]

I'll read the rest of the Episode and make suggestions too. Always a pleasure to beta for you or anone who needs it.

[Master Revenge]

loved it m8 wish i could write like this

[CSI]

Master Revenge. U. What are u doing here, m8?