Private Angels and Devils

[DEVILMAN]

Nar Shaddaa – City Streets – Rooftop
Objective: Observation
NPC(s): Sage
Vehicles: Devilmobile​

The drizzling downpour of rain became heavy, distorting the neon lights of the city. Puddles splashed with each footstep of the masses below on the wet ferrocrete. The rain broke up the smog hanging in the air but it provided its own dreary fog wading in and out between the different levels and buildings. The relentless drumming on rooftops as the heavy sheets of rain did not let up. It would cool, crisp, and biting unless one wore the proper attire. Distant thunder cracked in the distance while air speeders soared through the air.

A crack of lighting followed, illuminating the city in its bright light. Clinging to the side of a nearby skyscraper, a figure clad in black and numb to the rain's downpour and the thundering of the enclosing storm briefly revealed itself in the sudden cascading of light. The Living Nightmare was waiting, watching.

His focus never faltering from the city itself as he hid himself silently. He had become shadow, become the predator. His presence, whether observed or not, had a rippling effect across the city. The criminal element waited with baited breath for when the myth would next strike, make itself real once more. The plan was working.

The fear within the city grew. Fear of retribution, of vengeance.

Of the Demon.

Patrols were a rare occurrence. The Proto-Predator often operated similarly to a surgeon's scalpel. Precise. Focused. On-target. His methods were far more effective than simply assaulting what random crooks he may come across. If he fought the criminal underworld like a blunt instrument or brute, the results would have been disappointing, and his death even more so. But his current investigations had halted and required time before further pursuing them. His leads needed time to pan out.

A patrol would not yet prove necessary as something else had caught his attention. Or rather someone.

Sensors pinged an notification on his HUD as his gaze swept over the city. A familiar face. Someone he had observed before and made sure to keep tabs on as well as further investigate her background. Katherine Holt. A former Sithspawn experiment as well as out-of-commission until her legs were restored. Her current rank was that of a New Jedi Order knight. She had become stronger, taller, faster than she ever had been before. Her appearance and demeanor evoked that of the valkyrie, and she held the capacity to be a threat, especially with her association with the Strategic Intelligence Agency. However, her striking appearance made her stand out, and even without the sensors, he could spot her a mile away.

Facial recognition was not necessary in her case either. He had catalogued her unique biology, particularly her wings' shape and structure, into his database for full-body biometric recognition. He could locate her or anyone like her from a crowd if she chose to wear a simple disguise. That is if he had to locate her and had not been keeping tabs on her. A security measure to ensure he knew the general whereabouts and locations of any and all potential disruptive agents that could impede his work.

He had been waiting for her arrival and exit from the spaceport for while now. There had been little information about her arrival beyond the schedule of her arrival. Either an oversight on his intelligence-gathering, which would require strict review in either case, or there could have been a more personal or private reason for her visit. Something not logged on any database or conversation for him to find.

At this specific moment in time, his real concern laid in a single question: what was she doing here? There were few if any other Jedi on the moon, and he had noted them as non-factors towards affecting his work tonight.

["Sage,"] the Living Shadow tapped the side of his cowl, activating the communication link, ["Keep the vehicle nearby and on standby, and find any further information that may explain Knight Holt's visit. Use the sensor and visor data for additional investigative parameters."]

A voice responded on the other end of the line, ["Of course, sir. Is something wrong?"]

["That is what I intend to find out."]

Leaping off and away from the building, his wings extended from his back as he glided over the city's skyline like an inhuman create of the night. With a deliberate yet soft impact upon landing, his presence remained on the periphery of Knight Holt's presence. She would not spot him unless he wanted her to see him. His form glided in the shadows as he kept pace with her movements. His built-in visor zooming in and watching her every move, every motion she made. With practiced ease, the Walking Shadow become exactly that.

Her shadow.

Waiting for the purpose of her arrival to become clear to him.

Direct: Katherine Holt || Indirect: N/A​

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Objective: Find Darro Berik
Outfit: Link
Tags: DEVILMAN​

Nar Shaddaa.

It was one of a few places in the galaxy that Katherine did not like setting foot on. Although now, it was for almost entirely opposite reasons. The first time around Katherine was able to practically disappear into the crowds. Large throngs of people, of a variety of different species, all going about their day on the Smugglers’ Moon. It felt suffocating to the redhead, feeling as though a simple trip would’ve seen her get trampled.

Or that it would be easy for someone to kidnap her, and not even be noticed.

But now, as she returned to Nar Shaddaa, Katherine felt like she wanted to shrink back down to that smaller size, now that she stood out like even more of a sore thumb. Sure, she still had the large wings even back then, but they seemed even more ‘apparent’ with her increased height.

At the very least, she had the foresight to not wear anything that practically screamed ‘Hello, I’m a Jedi!’. The redhead was dressed in a more casual outfit, with only a holstered blaster at her hip. Her lightsaber was nowhere in sight, seemingly so at least.

Focus Katherine, you’re not here to deal with your own personal crap.

She was here on a mission assigned to her by the Council. With the ever increasing conflicts around the galaxy, particular criminal elements were ramping up their activities. With civilians getting caught in the middle of wars, forcing them to leave their homes for safety, it left them vulnerable to a certain kind of criminal.

Slavers.

Reports had come in of whole families going missing, failing to report in to Alliance representatives that had helped set them up with a safe place to live. They only learned of the fact when someone was able to escape their clutches, immediately reporting it to the Alliance.

Thus leading to Katherine’s presence on Nar Shaddaa.

Somewhere within the city district was a male Weequay by the name of Darro Berik. He was a known element to the Jedi, having been a point of contact in the Underworld when needed, Proven to often be a good source of leads, ‘often’ being the operative word.

He was an opportunist after all.

But enough to be trusted as a means to discern where these slavers might be hiding. It was a question of working out where Darro was right now. So Katherine strolled through the streets, heading towards a popular cantina closeby.

​

 

[DEVILMAN]

Nar Shaddaa – City Streets – Rooftop
Objective: Observation
NPC(s): Sage
Vehicles: Devilmobile​

As her Walking Shadow followed her throughout the streets of Nar Shadda, the HUD inside the cowl began to ping with a communication notification. Tapping the side of his cowl, the Fiend's transmitter activated and established a link as digital information began to file into the vision of his visor. However, the Proto-Predator's attention never shifted away from Knight Holt or her surrounding area.

A steady voice followed from the other end of the communication line, ["Sir, I have the data you requested. Sending it to your HUD now."]

A series of reports and dates displayed on the HUD. Refugees without homes disappearing, going missing. Recently, a report from one such displaced individual indicated that a slaver gang had been kidnapping these families, even after such families had been set up with a safe residence to live. This indicated a leak of sensitive information regarding the locations and identities of these families.

A concerning discovery that required investigation.

["I have the data. Begin tracking any transmitters or communication devices on Knight Holt's person,"] the Detective ordered quietly. ["Gather all data from any previous investigations, including my own, and cross reference with the Knight Holt's case files. There might be a connection that could prove useful."]

"[Right away, sir.]"

Wrapping up the telecommunication conversation, the Walking Shadow slipped closer and closer towards Knight Holt's position. It glided once more before landing in a nearby alleyway, invisible in the darkness from prying eyes. It studied the Jedi Knight's path towards the cantina. The files had indicated that Holt's most prominent lead was a Weequay named Darro Berik. An information dealer who did not turn down contact with the Alliance.

An opportunist that the Demon had not enlisted as a source of information. The Living Nightmare's existence needed to remain a mystery to the Galactic Alliance. For now, at least.

Landing atop the cantina rooftop, the Proto-Predator scanned the surrounding area and checking for any traps or patrols. No one was up here except him. Twisting a dial on its utility belt, the Fiend became invisible to the naked and technological eye. Its entire coat of armor shimmering for a moment before camouflaging into the surrounding area. Silently, the Demon crawled along the outside walls before entering the cantina the same moment another patron entered inside.

Crawling along the ceiling of the cantina, the Living Nightmare followed after Knight Holt. His listening devices on his gloves could have allowed him the ability to spy on the conversation from the outside. However, any cantina on Nar Shaddaa often sported backrooms or secret chamber for private discussions. There could be the possibility that the Detective would miss pertinent information or the Knight could find herself in danger in one of these hidden quarters.

Neither were a risk he could take. This particular investigation required the Fiend to keep close to the Jedi.

Slowly and silently, the Jedi Knight's Shadow followed while scanning the surrounding cantina for names and faces. Any hostile elements that may impede the investigation or threaten Holt's life became catalogued.

Nothing escaped his careful gaze.

Direct: Katherine Holt || Indirect: N/A​

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Objective: Find Darro Berik
Outfit: Link
Tags: DEVILMAN​

As she stepped into the cantina, Katherine almost instinctively stretched out her senses. She was heading into an unfamiliar establishment, where there would no doubt be numerous threats lurking in the shadows, or merely sitting across the way from her.

Cantinas weren’t her usual scene, especially so in places like Nar Shaddaa. Where the clientele weren’t exactly the most law abiding type. The second she set foot inside, Katherine could feel countless pairs of eyes looking her way. But she paid them no attention, instead casually glancing around as she strode further inside.

Despite her senses screaming at her to pretty much have eyes in the back of her head.

The sooner I’m out of this place, the better.

It made her skin crawl.

With her height, her ability to look above crowds of people, it didn’t take long for Katherine to catch sight of her target. Darro Berik, sitting at his personal little corner, with a pair of Twi’leks, on either arm. No doubt they were employees of the cantina.

It seemed he was chatting with someone, another patron. Katherine didn’t recognize them, but she was sure some more in the know wouldn’t be surprised with the company Berik kept.

Don’t hesitate Katherine, you’re playing a role here. Show vulnerability, it’ll get exploited.

“Darro Berik?” She inquired, stepping up to the table where the Weequay was sitting, just as the previous person had stood up and left. The man looked her up and down, letting out a suggestive whistle. Katherine kept her expression neutral, ‘business-like’.

“Depends, who's asking?” He replied, keeping his tone casual.

“A mutual friend of ours; Marion, says you’re the go to man on this side of the moon for information.” Katherine said, crossing her arms together. “Is that the case?”

“Hmm, indeed.” Darro’s hummed to himself, staring a hole straight into the towering redhead. “Alright girls, time for a little break. I’ve got some business to sort.” The Weequay chuckle, ushering the two Twi’leks away.

Once they had some measure of privacy, Katherine took a seat opposite to Darro.

“Sooo, what are you exactly? One of their agents or something?”

“Yeah, something like that.” Katherine replied, sidestepping around the truth. After all, she didn’t exactly want to blurt out she was a Jedi, even if this guy was supposedly on ‘good terms’ with the Alliance.

She just hoped other patrons around them didn’t pay a lot of attention to the warfront news. The Valkyrie was a bit of a prominent presence on the battlefields, and her physical description; tall, redhead, white wings, wasn’t exactly a common sight amongst the New Jedi Order.

“Huh, you don’t say…” Darro’s tone made no effort to hide his own suspicion, but the Weequay seemed to shrug it off. “Can’t say I’ve ever met one who looks quite like you.”

Katherine smiled slightly, amused. “We come in all shapes and sizes. But enough of that, I’m here on business, and I was hoping you’d have the info I need.”

​