[D4EE] Exchange of Favors

[Niall Organa]

Niall's expression didn't change as he looked at Layne. "In what circumstances did you have a chance to knock the Queen into the mud?" Niall sighed, shaking his head. "There's a big chandelier in the Organa manor entry hall. Perhaps you'd like to knock it down on the way out."

He shook his head again. "Nevermind. I mentioned the other group to Unther. I can mention that I don't think the Blackguard are behind it all." He frowned. "But have you learned any more about them? They're still, well, rather peculiar, even if I've heard they're not as bad as the name Blackguard would suggest."

[Layne Hoshin]

She threw her hands up; as if she couldn't believe that *she* was somehow the bad guy in all of this.

"She was out hunting! Had armor on! I didn't even recognize her until she was already in the mud! Anyway, no. I haven't really... since getting involved with this business I've not really investigated Thul or the Blackguard at all. Some of the other Jedi might've had more luck in that regard. I *still* don't think they're a good influence or anything though. I'm still pretty sure they draw from the Dark Side much more than they do the light."

[Niall Organa]

One of Niall's eyebrows went up. "So... you encountered someone in the woods, and just knocked them into the mud? Then figured out who they were? Have you considered not knocking people into the mud?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "That may be. I expect that is very much a Jedi concern. But we cannot punish them for something they aren't responsible for. Still, do let local forces know if you require assistance with your business."

He frowned again. "I don't quite understand why this Star Cabal is targeting Alderaan. The Sith have Force-Users in their government. Go bother them." He waved a hand.

[Layne Hoshin]

"I *tripped*. The Force made me trip, and I happened to trip into her. That's how the Force works."

She nodded solemnly, before turning to matters at hand again.

"To them, the Sith and Jedi are just as bad. And they want to get rid of *both*. She... *did* claim to have been on Ziost before. Which is not impossible I suppose. But she might've lied. For all we know this is really just a Sith plot, putting a bunch of clueless malcontents in front of a cart, telling them they're going after both while aiming them mostly at the Jedi and Republic; and maybe the occasional rival Sith. It *is* something I could see my old master doing. But... I don't know. She seemed to genuinely believe what she was saying, and wasn't very open to my arguments about the Sith being way worse and what not."

[Niall Organa]

Niall frowned. "That's not how the Force works." He said. Was it? He'd ask his wife later.

Sighing, he shook his head. "Well. I suppose their hypocrisy doesn't really matter. They're here, and they want to make trouble." After a moment, he smiled. "Thank you, Layne. You're a good friend, you know." He half said it to judge her reaction, but it was true.

[Layne Hoshin]

"That *is* in fact, how the Force works,* she said with a shrug, "how else do you explain such a coincidence?"

"I mean I know," she said with another shrug; a little confused; to his comment about friendship, "but weird much? What's that got to do with secret cabals and assaulting your queen?"

[Niall Organa]

Niall looked at her a moment, grimacing. Then he shrugged. "I appreciate you telling me these things. I suppose it could just be one colleague to another."

He took a slow sip of tea.

[Layne Hoshin]

"Ugh fine, you're a good friend too," she said, "Lt.Onderon."

She started to turn. "Anyway, don't be late tomorrow. If this guy's really involved, he may already be in the wind."

[Niall Organa]

Niall grinned. "That's the spirit."

He gave her a vague sort of wave. "Until tomorrow, then. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to do." It was a line that would feature in the tape later that night.