What had been his interest, or interests, in the Mandalore Sector? Well, they were manifold. But his most persistent interest in Mandalore or, say, the crisis at Acherin, or in any of hundreds of mundane Senate debates was rather more simple; he had a sadomasochistic delight in the misfortune of others. It was, indeed, one of the few pleasures he found in life. His targets were typically people who aspired to things, and believed in things—confident people who believed in themselves, or their ambition, or their "cause." There was a certain satisfaction in destroying these people, but also a disappointment; as if he secretly longed for his foes to prevail, to prove that there is something, anything in the galaxy that was worthwhile.

Naturally, Cambrist obsessed over the Jedi for these reasons. He was, in fact, much more knowledgeable about the Jedi and the Force than Nintra had given him credit for. The Senator was a compulsive reader of ancient Jedi and Sith ephemera, and he had an unusually large collection of these and other artifacts, including more than one lightsaber, in his chateau on Brentaal. He didn't believe in any of these things, of course, but they fascinated him regardless. His knowledge was, indeed, quite extensive and included, for instance, a familiarity with the historic Mecrosa Order which had also piqued Nintra's own interest.

The Senator had two traits, however, that concerned Nintra more immediately. One of these was his habit of personally answering letters and correspondence as often as he could, uncommon for a Senator and even more uncommon for a Senator whose mail consisted mostly of vulgar threats on his life (which did not frighten him, also unlike certain Senators). The other was his more or less consistent, liberal fealty to the law. There were exceptions, of course, but for the most part he was quite unwilling to involve himself in nefarious conspiracies. Nintra would likely discover this to his chagrin if he broached the matter of his "cause" with Cambrist—not that it wasn't worth a try, of course.

In the meantime, however, possible evidence against the Jedi certainly interested him. He did not expect much, however; many people hated the Jedi, and since Cambrist was one of the most visible opponents of the Academy he often recieved correspondence such as this. Most of them, sadly, were rumors or innuendo that did not concern him. He would give this fellow a chance, however. He answered the anonymous man's letter as follows:

Citizen,

If you do indeed have information on the assailant—or collaborator(s)—responsible for this heinous incident, I must of course recommend that it is provided to the proper authorities. I appreciate, however, your desire for discretion and I am willing to meet with you provided, again, that you do have credible information. I'm sure you understand that I would like some verification of this before we meet. Please provide something to this effect in a subsequent letter, and also your name. I will be dining at the Manarai at 1300 on Satunda. If I am convinced that you have credible information, your name will be on my guest list (be advised, please, that the Manarai has a dress code).

My thanks to you, citizen, for coming forward and doing your patriotic duty to this Republic.

Regards.

Cambrist had finished his lunch some time ago, and was just finishing a conversation with the chairman of the Brentaal's chamber of commerce when Tes'dra approached. The chairman excused himself, leaving the table to Tes'dra and Cambrist. The latter gestured for the former to be seated. It was apparent from the number of used plates, napkins, and wine glasses on the table that the Senator was partial to doing business at the Manarai. That is, business that wasn't suitable for his office—such as meeting with a Tapani informant on a sensitive and potentially incriminating matter for Senator Crion and the Jedi.

It was quite a difference from Tes'dra's very formal meeting in Senator Crion's office, enveloped by the man's security detail. Weapons, even ceremonial ones, were not permitted inside the restaurant. Tes'dra would thus be asked to deposit his lightfoil at the reception area, but otherwise Cambrist had no security guards or droids with him. Considering the significant number of people who wanted Cambrist dead, whether because of his opinions or simply his charming demeanor, he had long ago decided that security was, largely, a farce. He certainly wouldn't change his opinions or his demeanor, and so he surrendered himself to circumstance. It didn't trouble him. In fact, if anyone ever did assassinate him, it would only vindicate his low esteem for humanity and, thus, he would die as sardonically as he lived, smug in the knowledge that he was right.

Alas, he had more immediate concerns. "Mr. Nav'lon," he said, his tone bland and direct. The Senator was not as tall in person as he was on the holonet, but his scowl was the same. Indeed, he had once been described as appearing, at all times, as though he had smelled something pungent (that something was his career, according to one commentator who later received a personal letter from Cambrist commending him on the quip). "Thank you for joining me," he added as he, too, seated himself at the table once again, opposite Tes'dra. "Please, do tell me more about your suspicions of your Sector's involvement in this Jedi affair."