"Your vote is noted," Kyle chuckles as the pair arrive outside the entrance to the TSF headquarters.

Biggs presses the panel beside the door, which opens to admit them. The headquarters are not expansive, consisting of a narrow foyer in which a protocol droid stands behind a desk, from which a wider room extends in which a number of TSF officers are seated at desks or terminals. A door to the right of this room leads to the containment cells while another door on the far side of the room leads to the analysis lab.

"Greetings Lieutenants Onasi and Relkan," the protocol droid addresses the pair as they enter.

"Hello C2-L4," Biggs nods at the droid as he passes through the foyer, before entering the room beyond and approaching one of the desks at which an aged, grizzled officer is seated.

"Greetings Dol," he addresses the man with a grin.

"Biggs! What a pleasant surprise," the man responds, the concern which lines his features morphing into a smile as he rises, "I thought you were on the other side of the galaxy. What brings you here?"

"Long story," Biggs replies grimly, "I was hoping you might be able to provide me access to a secure communication channel. I need to speak with my father."

If Dol is at all curious about what is so important, he is professional enough to keep his questions to himself, especially in front of a room full of attentively listening ears.

"Of course," he says with a grim nod, "Follow me."

Dol withdraws a code cylinder from his pocket to scan it against a panel on the wall behind his desk. A door opens into a small office in which a small holographic table stands beside a wall full of panels and wires.

As he follows after Dol, Biggs suddenly halts frowning as he rummages in his pouch.

"Everything okay?" Kyle enquires.

"My datapad," Biggs explains apologetically, "I must have left it on my ship. Sorry Dol, I need to go back for it."

"That's fine," Kyle says, "I can grab it for you. Where is your ship?"

"I can't make you do that," Biggs shakes his head, "It's all the way over in Module 62. Besides, you were returning here from your own assignment, I assume?"

"Nothing too important," Kyle insists, "I could use a the exercise anyway. I spend far too long stuck behind a desk these days. What hanger are you in?"

Biggs glances at Dol, who nods.

"Very well," he says gratefully, "My ship is in Docking Bay 2. Access code is nine-four-two-eight if T3 doesn't have the boarding ramp down. I appreciate it Kyle."

Kyle grins, slapping Biggs on the shoulder as he strides back through the foyer and into the corridors of the module beyond.

Biggs proceeds into the communications room after Dol, who types in a code to activate the holographic table before heading back towards the door.

"I'll be just outside if you need anything," he says with a nod as he exits.

Biggs nods as the door closes once more. He then proceeds to type in a series of digits into the communication panel as the table begins to emit a series of slow beeps.

It isn't long before the holographic image of a middle aged man with greying hair and moustache flickers into view on the hologram table, dressed in the uniform of an admiral in the Republic Navy.

"Biggs," he says, grinning, "That was quick! How was the mission?"

"Father," Biggs smiles back, before his expression turning grim, "Not well, I'm afraid. I made it to Ord Mantell and located Kadon Lane, but I'm afraid he is dead."

"Dead?" his father repeats, his own expression turning grim, "That is unfortunate. Do you know what happened?"

"I think it might have something to do with these attacks on the Exchange or whatever is happening," Biggs says slowly.

"The Exchange?" Huff frowns, "I didn't know Kadon was mixed up with them. I was under the impression that it was the Republic's lack of initiative in tackling organised crime that caused him to resign in the first place."

"I'm not sure that he was involved with the Exchange," Biggs clarifies, scratching his head, "But he might have been caught in the crossfire by whoever is attacking them."

"Hmm, very well, we can discuss in more detail upon you return. Did you get the details on those hyperspace routes?"