by Razzmatin
Guild Story: CIB in SWTOR, alliance. – Part 1
01:16 in Razzmatin's blog, Stories and tales by Razzmatin
The Leak
The moon of Jedo-14 was unknown to most, never registered at any galaxy map, not even Coruscants. It was a gathering place of the old and wise, those who took decisions for the future. Some said it was illegal. Decisions needed to be discussed in the council where the chancellor and the senate was positioned. Dire times however had a necessity for methods unspoken. The leaders seen as those with most influence among the other systems were there. Harko and Jinn among those being unofficial leaders and respected by all of those wanting good for the galaxy. Except the seven wise there were two others who were dressed in black. Their capes and hoods covered both face and body. The facial mask used by Mandalorians altered their voices. It was impossible to judge what system they derived from or of what race they were. All you could realise was that they were humanoids and of the highest rank within CIB, Coruscant Intelligence Bureau. The famed symbol of the intelligence council members, rank 10, was seen to their cape’s right shoulder. Behind them stood three council guards in armor and with traditional vibroswords to their sides. Everyone knew that if the agents of the bureau were all potent, talented and dangerous, the council guards were among the toughest there were. Rumours said that a council guard had fallen into Sarlacc and climbed out alive. Other rumours said a council guard had battled a Poodo and survived. Other rumours stated a council guard had eaten a Warlacc for lunch and not even burped. Many were the rumours and what was true, no one knew.
“Ashala-Jaa”
“Ashalaa-Ja, honored council members of the CIB. I greet you.”
“We come with dire news.”
“We realised this. Not for more than 440 years have the CIB decided to turn up with more than one council member at the same time. Please enlighten us.”
“Your security is breached. One of your knowledge discs are open for interpretation by protocol droids.”
“That is impossible. Never in the history of Cor…”
“We need to take measures. The identity of CIB agents are under large threat. Yesterday, the true story of CIB leaked out to the public. The story of how the bureau was never a body guard organisation is spreading. Instead the public have access to files proving that CIB was always an intelligence, some files openly telling of top secret operations such as operation Kudo and Operation Podrace. In the latter, even some of our decisions and to what extent of power and jurisdiction you’ve granted us in the field are told.”
“That is very alarming. Can we somehow stop this information from spreading?”
“Unlikely. Even though we’ve shut down sector 41 and 97 of the information discs, the access to information was to large.
Harko nodded as he listened, he seemed irritated but yet focused:
“So you are saying that you’ve failed?”
“Explain.”
“Your overall mission is to keep sensitive information safe and sound and secure the inner core of the Coruscant growth and stability against the growing force of the Sith.”
“Our overall mission is to always defend and protect Coruscants hidden agenda, paving ground for the armies and the Jedi Council to do their more formal and official field work.”
“Precisley. Leaking information does not go hand in hand with this, does it?”
“Leader Harko, I hear what you are saying. Yet, the failure should not be blamed onto us. The information disc leaking is not under our control.”
“What are you saying? As our intelligence bureau, you are in control of all the official information discs and none other have access to information main operations than the CIB.”
“The disc leaking is plugged into the system by administrative rights, Harko, with the only reason to spread this information about the CIB.”
“What?! Are you saying that someone among the inner core of the chancellor’s office has made this happen, the only ones with access to the information library?”
“Yes.”
Silence came. The seven wise looked at each other, some glances showed fear, others showed scepticism. The two council members stood still.
“What do you need from us, honored council members of the CIB?”
“We need access to your inner information centre. We may succeed in repairing the damages of leaked information but we could see to that more information isn’t spread. Later we must discuss our approach on the matter for the public. CIB may have to accept becoming the official intelligence given the fact that the public already realised we have been for the last millennia.”
“Openly admitting to you acting in secret missions for the senate and risking the wrath of the minor systems. Are you out of your mind?”
“By adding information to the leak in the way we want and provide rhyme and reason for why this has been so, we minimise the risk of the wrath. By denying that this ever happened we will instead risk an open conflict in the senate, you rather want that?”
“I see your point. So what do you suggest?”
“CIB suggests that we should primarily repair the leak, followed by granting us full control to this information disc. Then we add information to the leaked stories, we have already a full brief ready to be plugged into the main information system. When this brief is put in place, we shall have the public realise the mission reports seen were the only operations ever performed in secrecy and done so because of the safety of Coruscant and the senate. Last we need access to make a full investigation of who the traitor is and make a full research of his contacts and access routes.”
The wise ones looked at each other, their glances showing concern and fear. Who could blame them? Asking for access to the very inner core of information centre of Coruscant was bold, even for the CIB. And if denied, the very existence of the CIB could be threatened and may seize to exist forever. They knew that mission briefings contained secrets and reports of such extent their own careers and wisdom could be questioned. Would they deny the CIB their wish, it could mean more than ending the CIB, it could end the trust for the inner circle of the galactic senate. It could become an open war among the systems gathered and united at Coruscant. It would be the greatest gift to the growing Sith threat ever imagined. But allowing CIB access to the information system was not easily decided; they would break many laws while doing so. Worse was, they needed to trust the CIB entirely. They could wreck Coruscants entire information system and endanger every citizen with an important identity in a second would they have a hidden agenda. The CIB had acted and fought the Coruscant interests for a millennia but could you really trust someone whose face you’d never seen?
The wise ones nodded to each other after some consideration and Harko spoke once more:
“With discontent I accept this wish of yours. I see many dangers but in order to protect the strength of Coruscant and our shared agenda we shall allow you this action.”
“Good. I trust we have little more to discuss. We shall send an agent to … “
“On one condition.”
The CIB council member came silent and nodded, awaiting the condition to their demand.
“You must do it. We will only allow you as a council member to enter the information disc.”
“Council members of the CIB does not operate in the field, we have never ..”
“.. And you must do it alone, we won’t allow one of your council guards there.”
“Impossible.”
“Then the only way left is for us to cut funding to continue CIB operations. We will have to face the anger of the public and gather the Jedi council and ask their guidance in how to once more acquire the faith of the public in our methods and decisions. This means the end of your organisation as our intelligence.”
Silence once more came as a result.
One of the council members of the CIB nodded to the other and then looked at Harko:
“Very well, we will do it.”
