Becki and Josh moved to the computer where Vickie was sitting. She had found the approximate location of the odd number. It was in Saudi Arabia. Mike had taken the datapad into the living area, still reading.
"I think it's a cell phone number," Vickie said.
"See if you can find out what company it's through," Josh suggested.
She nodded and began to work frantically on the keyboard. Behind the three, Hyper approached beeping wildly. "He has finished analyzing the wood," she said without looking up.
Josh rolled his eyes at her, slightly jealous of her ability to understand the droids. "What is it," he asked the blue and white droid.
Hyper popped open his communication panel and displayed his findings. NERGON 14. JUST A SMALL AMOUNT CAUSED THE BLAST. IT IS A VERY POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE.
He stooped to read the display. "That explains that."
"Explains what?" Becki asked.
"It had to be someone from GFFA. They used Nergon 14."
"Curiouser and curiouser," Becki quoted.
"Guys," Mike said from the couch. "I think you need to come take a look at this.
There was a newscaster on the television screen out in front of the openings to the catacombs that stretched beneath Paris. "The suspect entered the catacombs on the south side, but did not make it out," she said pointing to the opening.
The camera angle changed. It panned over to just inside the catacomb. A body lay on the ground, dressed all in black; a beret lay a few meters away.
"Oh God," Josh said, his eyes widening.
The camera panned in on the body. A glock was clutched in its dead hand.
Becki's hand came quickly to her mouth.
"The body has not yet been identified, but several terrorist groups have already claimed responsibility."
Vickie looked at the screen in disbelief. "No," she said quietly. "It can't be." She sank down to the floor, her eyes still glued to the image on the television.
It's my fault, Josh thought. It's all my fault. I sent him on a death mission and he ended up just that. Dead.
"That's Crispy's hat," Becki said quietly. "And his clothes and..."
Mike nodded. "Yep, and his gun. Looks the same height, maybe same build. Can't tell since it's partly in the water."
Josh's face grew stoic. "I've got to comm Sci. Hopefully they haven't left the system yet." He moved to the comm station they had set up.
Becki, Mike and Vickie continued to watch the breaking news. None of them could believe that Death had finally come to the Crispy Fried Aussie. He had survived so much.
Josh finished his conversation with Sci and Kristy and returned to the room. Becki looked up at him as he entered. "What'd the Chief have to say?"
"You know Sci," Josh replied rather bland. "Nothing seems to get to him. He almost didn't seem to believe me."
Mike looked up from his place on the couch. "He didn't believe you?"
"Yeah, big shock, huh? I mean, are we the only ones bothered by Crispy..." He paused for a moment before continuing. "By Josh dying?"
"He's not dead." Vickie appeared beside him.
Josh sighed. "Vickie, I know you don't want to believe it - none of us do - but we just saw it plain as day!"
"He is not dead. I know it."
"C'mon, Vickie, we don't have time for denial here! I know it's normal and all that, but save it for later." His words came out a bit harsher than he expected.
She glared at the younger man. "May I speak with you for a moment. Alone."
"Sure," he said with a shrug.
They moved into the other room and she looked up at him. The height difference made her slightly uncomfortable. It always made her feel like she could never get through to him. During their training, he'd always used his height to his advantage. She wasn't one who liked to lose, especially to someone younger than her. "Listen to me. Crispy is alive. You know my abilities. Don't you think I would know if he had died?"
"I know your abilities, but I think your emotions are clouding your focus. We saw him dead on TV! You're taking wishful thinking as a vision from the Force." His voice grew louder.
Her's followed suit. "My emotions have nothing to do with this. We don't know for sure it was him. I'm not going to be the pessimist this time."
"Then why don't you try being the realist?"
"And why don't you try being an optimist!"
"There's nothing to be optimistic about! You saw the same thing I did - he's DEAD!"
"We don't know for sure it was him!"
"Those are his clothes! You can't deny that!"
"Maybe he found a body and changed to draw the police off his trail?"
Josh waved an arm in the air in frustration. "Fine, whatever."
She stared at him a moment, not quite comprehending his attitude. "You don't believe," she said much softer. "You'll never believe. I never should have agreed. I was never meant to do this." She shook her head and pushed past him. Grabbing her jacket, she headed for the door.
"What do you know about what I believe?" He looked at her incredulously. "You've got about three weeks more experience at this than I do. You're no Jedi Master."
She stopped with the door open to look back at him. Her face showing great pain. "I never asked to be either." She turned and stormed out.
The door slammed behind her. Becki and Mike watched the end of the altercation in shock. Neither could believe the harsh words the Jedi had said to each other.