Team Paris stood outside the apartment building that housed the last known location of Cheriss. Josh rechecked the address three times. "It's about time we got here," he mumbled to himself. They had been delayed and arrived early in the afternoon. He was getting very upset. Sci would never give him another assignment after this.
The other four members of the group sighed in unison. "Now that we are here, can we just go on up?" Vickie stood with a hand on her hip impatiently.
He looked up and glared at her. "We can't just waltz in there."
Crispy looked around the side of the building. "We can't really all barge in as a group. You three go in the front - you're the least conspicuous. Mike, it looks like there's a back door to this place - you go in there since you've got just enough French to bullshit your way out if there's trouble. I'll keep a lookout in case, I dunno, a SWAT team turns up or something."
Becki, Vickie and Josh looked at each other. "The beatnik has a point," Becki said.
Josh sighed and nodded. "All right. Mike, third floor. We'll meet you there."
Vickie looked up at the five story building. She tried to figure out where Cheriss's room should be. The blinds were closed. A sly grin crossed her face. "I have an idea."
A reluctant Becki and Josh followed Vickie into the complex. The doorman looked curiously at them. "Bonjour!" Vickie smiled as she spoke. "I am here to show this nice couple one of the apartments that a tenant is wishing to sell."
Josh and Becki stood beside her holding hands and smiling like newlyweds.
He nodded and called the lift for them. When it arrived, he opened the gate and let them in. "Good luck. I hope you enjoy our facilities."
After they rose a floor, Josh whispered to Vickie, "I can't believe you did that." He finally realized he was still holding Becki's hand and let go.
YES! Vickie giggled. "Well, we had to be convincing."
Becki actually chuckled. "That was the most unusual thing I have ever done."
The doors opened as they arrived on the third floor. Josh led the way out and down the hall towards the apartment. Mike lounged against the wall just outside the door. "So how are we getting in there?" Mike asked.
Josh pulled out a datapad from his pocket and placed it against the electronic lock. He tapped in a code and within moments there was an audible click. Reaching over, he opened the door. "Voilá."
The others pushed past him and into the room. It was a basic one room apartment. Right across from the door was the single window, the blinds drawn shut. To their right was a small kitchen. The sink was full of dirty dishes and food containers were scattered everywhere.
At the end of the kitchen area was a short counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of the apartment. To the left was a corner and around it was the bed, disheveled as if someone had been sleeping in it recently. The door to the bathroom was open on the left wall.
Becki sat on the stool that was at the counter. She picked up a chinese carry-out carton and opened it. Sniffing the contents, she quickly dropped the box. "Ew, I never knew Cheriss was a slob."
"Who can't cook," Mike said, showing the tray of burnt cookies to the others before moving out of the kitchenette.
Josh went towards the bathroom, checking for any clues. Vickie sat on the bed. A throwing star struck her leg. She picked it up and turned it over in her hand. Something just wasn't quite right. She couldn't put her finger on it.
Becki began to fidget. She pulled a pencil from where it was twisted in her hair and began to tap it absently on the counter. Underneath, a small flimsy came loose from where it was taped and fell onto Terra Three's lap. She picked it up and unfolded it.
Mike saw a pile of clothes on the floor. He stooped down and sorted through them. There was a blue jumpsuit, almost like a flightsuit, a black, shimmering evening gown, a scarf to match the gown and...
"What have we here." Mike picked up a black shirt, khaki pants and a black scarf. "I'll be damned."
The others all turned towards him. "What is it," Josh asked as he moved over to look.
"This is what she was wearing." Mike stood and moved to the bed. He lay the outfit down together. "That had to have been Cheriss who I fought with at the pub."
Vickie looked down at the clothes curiously. Something was familiar. She just couldn't place it. Suddenly, she got a very bad feeling. Her eyes widened and she jumped up from the bed. "We've got to get out of here."
"What?" Josh turned to her. "What do you mean?"
"Everyone out. NOW!" She shouted and began pushing the others towards the door.
They all scrambled from the apartment and went across the hall. Vickie turned and held up her hands in front of her. She concentrated on the Force and projected her shield towards the doorway.
*KABOOM*
The small bomb that had been on a delay timer finally got to zero. The explosion rocked the complex. Vickie could feel the heat and and was thankful for her Force sense. The intensity pushed her backwards into the wall. She held her ground, making sure the others were all safe.
As the dust settled, Becki turned towards Vickie. The Jedi's arms were still up before her. "Are you ok?" she asked.
"Perfect," she said as she slid down the wall and fell unconscious.