> The Royal Inusagi Intelligence Service announced that a magisterial committee will be empaneled 'in the coming days' to investigate the recent outbreak of violence that resulted in thousands of injuries and millions of credits in damage to the prefectural capital of Pratikaya. Lady Lutija Pindu, Subminister for Public Information at the RIIS released the following statement:
>
> 'The Chieftess and the RIIS wish to extend our sincere sympathies to citizens, denizens, and visitors who were impacted by the unforeseen and unfortunate eruption of violence in Pratikaya, Clan Nimor's prefectural capital. We are committed to working with clan officials to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances leading to the disturbances, the persons involved, and whether the perpetrators of this senseless mayhem were assisted by anyone acting in an official capacity. We pledge a rapid, comprehensive review to hold the perpetrators to account for their crimes.'
>
> In other news, the office of the Chommel Sector Rangers announced an independent investigation into possible organized crime activity in the sector. A spokesbeing hinted at an illicit drug manufacturing operation that may have included facilities on Inusagi, but provided no additional details. Asked about reports of a recent enforcement action and combat operations near Daroga, the spokesbeing noted only that a Customs Service cruiser was patrolling near the moons' orbits and may have conducted interdiction operations as part of their routine duties. Further questions were referred to the Customs office on Naboo. As of this broadcast, requests for comment have not been returned.
- Mondir Inisharu, Royal Security correspondent
Inusagi News Service
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41:03:33 GrS
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Taz downed a quick dinner, earning himself a frown from Lyra and vaguely critical stares from the inn's staff. He'd been feeling nervous all day about the task he'd set for himself, and he decided the best course was just to get it over with. Knocking at Sera and Reiko's room, he found the commando already propped up on a soft sujon among a pile of pillows, waiting for him and looking expectant. Rei knelt beside her, fussing with the cushions, though she too looked eager to see him.
"Evening, Doc."
"Hi Sera, Reiko-grasha," Taz greeted them both and took a seat on a fat cushion. "How are you feeling?"
"Great. Those hot springs are really something." She glanced at Reiko. Both women wore beatific expressions and their eyes glittered adoringly.
"Looks like you both enjoyed it," he commented and kept his many questions to himself. "May I?"
Sera offered her hand. Taz gave it a look, with particular attention to the sutures. He took out his medscanner and ran a pass just to confirm what he could see. "Good vascularization, no sign of infection or necrosis. Any pain?"
"Sometimes. You know, that whole phantom limb thing."
"Sure. The brain's a miraculous organ but it doesn't always get the memo."
Sera shrugged. "No big deal, Doc. Same thing happened with my leg."
"I remember."
"So, anything I need to do?"
"Just relax." He gave them both serious looks. "I've never regrown a digit before, so..."
"You seemed okay with my ear," she said, pulling on her earlobe.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
He cocked a grin. "Fingers are going to be a little more complicated. I'm not sure how long it'll take, but same drill as last time. If it's too painful, let me know and we'll take a break."
"Listen, Doc, I'm pretty sure nothing's going to be worse than what I went through losing them." She gave Reiko a sweet, empathetic smile and a squeeze with her good hand. "Do what you do. If I need you to stop, I'll tell you."
"Alright. Get comfortable and relax," he advised needlessly.
"One sec, Doc," said Sera. She slid the flask out of her pocket and took a long draught of the smoky, dense whiskey. Then she gave him a wicked grin and settled back against the pillows. "Now I'm ready."
Taz smirked at her, then closed his eyes and cleared his mind. It took a few moments for him to find a ripple of light among the rush of dark currents. He willed himself to even greater stillness until the light resolved into its own current, mixing with the greater volume of dark energy a little at a time until he had the balance he wanted.
Expanding his senses, he opened himself to the flow of power. It felt thick and hot, but he'd experienced that before when he rejuvenated the Rayeths. He sharpened his concentration, willing the energy down his arm, out through his hand into Sera's. She inhaled a little quicker than before, the only sign she felt any discomfort. The heat built rapidly, like he was sitting too close to a fusion engine. Despite that he redoubled his will, reaching out with it to encompass the hazy gray swirls. Then he began shaping it, directing it to replicate muscle and bone, nerves and tendons, blood vessels, keratin, glandular structures, and finally, skin.
Every second, Taz could feel the presence of the dark Force urging him to move faster, to pour more of himself into the task, to compel it with more strength. He wanted to; his pace felt pitifully slow compared to the healing power he'd used on the Rayeths aboard the Misery. As seconds wore into minutes, the pain and heat got worse and he knew that even if Sera didn't make a sound, she was feeling the same singeing burn that he was.
He had a vague awareness of his ragged breathing and sweat beading on his forehead. He tried to relax by reciting the Dahannist meditations, but he realized with a disquieting start that he couldn't remember them. They'd always come instantly to mind when he sought tranquility, even when he was dying under a crush of rocks on Narendri Prime. But now, try as he might to recall them, the phrases eluded him.
Calm yourself, he thought as the mix of energies verged too far toward the dark and the pain turned into a stabbing needle. He uttered a groan through pursed lips and set his will toward regaining the balance. It felt like forever, but he found it again and cleared his mind as much as he could.
Taz held the trance for another few minutes until he was on the cusp of pain so sharp he couldn't tolerate it. He opened his eyes with a low grunt. Sera stared at him, composed, though he could see the telltale strain in the stiff set of her jaw.
"That was... different," he admitted, wiping away the perspiration.
Sera took back her hand, flexing all five of her fingers. An earnest, awestruck smile spread over her face. The last two fingers were covered with new, pink skin. She touched them with the tip of her thumb and let out a little surprised noise.
"How do they feel?"
"Great," she said, sounding excited. "A little sensitive."
"That should go away soon," he assured her, then checked her range of motion, muscle strength, and sensation. "I... think that's it," he marveled, almost as amazed as Sera.
Rei clapped her hands together in delight, then took Sera's. She beamed at him. "Not even any scars," she announced, turning her lover's hand this way and that. "Thank you, Taz-aktushu!" she cried.
Taz waved dismissively but Sera sat up and grasped his shoulder. "I know you don't want to make a big deal out of it, Doc, and I won't, but I want you to know how much I appreciate what you've done for me. For the both of us." Then she swept him in a tight hug.
Reiko laughed at the shocked look on his face. Taz couldn't remember Sera ever actually hugging him before. He'd just started to raise his arms to reciprocate when she let him go.
Abashed, Taz cleared his throat with a conspicuous cough. "I, um, I'm glad I could help. Sorry if that hurt."
"Nothing to be sorry about, Doc." She wrapped her arm around Reiko's waist and pulled her in close.
Taz got up, feeling a little stiff and tired. "I'll let you two enjoy the rest of your evening."
"We're going to the hot springs again. You're welcome to come along, Doc. Your girlfriend, too."
"Nah," he declined with a grimace. "Lyra wants an early start tomorrow. She left some things at Senguru Raga's house before she went to the academy. I told her I'd help collect them."
"If I know Nimor, it was more like she volunteered you," Sera winked.
"Maybe something like that," Taz grinned.
She moved her fingers. "Think I might try some exercises. Anything I shouldn't do with these?"
"Nope. Just Let me know if anything doesn't feel right, okay?"
"Will do, Doc," answered a distracted Sera. The way her hands were already wandering over Reiko left little doubt as to the kind of exercises she had in mind.
"Good night, you two." Grinning madly, Taz shook his head and let himself out.