Locke's Shock

Something felt off as Lock approached the Archduchess’ office, but he couldn’t say for certain what exactly made him feel that way. He never felt welcome here, so it only made sense objectively to not feel at ease. Maybe it was just the early hour, maybe it was the disturbing conclusions Locke had come to. Halcyon had nudged him just enough, directed his mind down the right path that now it was inescapable… sooner or later this war would end, and that would be a more dangerous time than now, in the midst of war itself. Undoubtedly Halcyon had worked this out a long time ago, and she had mentioned making plans. Locke realized he needed to be a very real part of those plans. He approached the exterior door, took a deep breath, and pulled it open.

Once he made it to through the vestibule and down a corridor, he arrived outside the office. To his surprise the Twi’lek assistant was absent. It was pre-office hours, so it was understandable, however, the same assistant had holo-chatted and offered this time slot. Locke looked at the next door, and recalled the very painful threat mentioned during a previous visit. Today has no place for timidity. He grasped the long vertical rod that served as the door-pull. He didn’t die, not even a spark of static electricity. Locke went inside. Halcyon was not at her window, in the almost total darkness it was hard to see where she was, but his eyes adjusted, and he saw her in her chair.

“I hope you don’t mind a little illumination?” Locke requested, this room was uncomfortable with normal lighting, much less this dramatic darkness. Halcyon said nothing, and Locke turned up the lights. He then saw that the Archduchess was slumped over her desk. His first thought was that she was sleeping. Then he saw the blood. “HEY!” Locke bolted to her side. The pool of blood on her desk was nothing compared to all that had spilled over her body, chair, and clothes. Locke realized he was about to go into shock, his mind raced, who should he call first? There was no pulse, she was dead, and his head pounded so he didn’t hear the two police officers enter and draw their weapons.

“Hands up, then don’t move.”

“What?” Locke’s shock dulled his reaction. Before he knew it he was in restraints, being taken away for the murder of Archduchess Lori Halcyon.