Bite in the Dark

[Rozala]

Courascant was not exactly the most quiet place in the galaxy. If anything it was a constant whirl of noises and light that would never end. But that didn't matter when on the hunt. In a hunt there is only two people that matter: the hunter and the prey. And in a bustling city wide planet like this, both could easily blend into the environment. That was all that was needed.

The worried looking Chiss made his way through the crowds as fast as he could. He kept looking over his shoulder while bumping and pushing past as many people that stood in his way. Sweat was across his brow. He was running from something and rightfully so. He had wronged the wrong people and doing so made him a lot of enemies. And all of his money could not save him from what was after him now. He knew this when he'd come to a warehouse where some of his underhand dealings went only to find the dozen men waiting for him all dead. Throats cut and necks snapped. A calling card of one whom he had to get away from as fast as possible.

He was making for the spaceport when he thought he saw something in front of him. A dark shadow in the crowd that moved away before being seen again. He could already tell he was in trouble. He tried to walk away from the direction, going to the right. He walked down that block until he saw the shadow again, making him turn left now. He walked further, still trying to make for the spaceport, when the shadow was clear and in view in front of him amongst the passing people. He could tell what it was and fled down the nearest alleyway. He kept looking back, not seeing the shadow anymore. When he came to the end of the alley he found it blocked by a broken up speeder bike. On it were the words "You cannot run from me."

Scared out of his mind the Chiss turned and fired behind him, expecting the shadow to be there. But there was nothing. No sign or anything. But when he turned the first thing he felt was a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down he could see what it was: the clawed gauntlet of the shadow following him. He looked up to see the hooded figure who had killed him. The darkness of the night and the alleyway made it hard to see the face but he could see those two blazing eyes looking at him from the shadows. With his last gasping breath the Chiss could only give gasps of horror at what looked at him.

When the life was gone from him the shadow dropped his body, nudging it with her foot for a moment to confirm he was dead. However a shrill of horror came from above. A woman had seen what she'd done and now she needed to run before the police arrived. She jumped over the hover bike and began hurrying out of the scene.

 

[D' Orrin]

Orrin was present upon the planet that day. After having woken from a stint of cryo sleep, he was anxious to see just how things had changed since he was last up and conscious. Though as he was moving about the crowds on the planet, he felt the pull of the Force. His metaphysical senses seemed almost out of tune with his body as he found it a bit hard to focus his mind on things from time to time. Too much had happened, too much had come and passed without his even knowing it. But he was stalking, almost, through the crowds as he was simply observing them for the point of gathering information about what all had changed, when he heard the scream. It seemed female in origin. And so he'd activate his cloaking system within his armor and shield himself from the eyes of those that were around him. Using his Force training with the skill Art of the Small to alter the spacing of his molecules, and allowing him to phase through buildings before he solidified himself again. Keeping his cloak activated, he'd kneel down close to the new fallen victim and scan over the body for information.

 

[Rozala]

The scans would reveal to him the metal from the gloves she's used to kill. What the shadow woman did not know as she still hurried onward was that there was blood still staining the ends of her gloves. It didn't matter to her as she took them off while making for the spaceport. She was used to this sort of thing, having needed to make a quick run while trying to hide the fact she'd done it. Not like this wasn't her first assassination after all. The only thing was that she did not stick around to have seen this man begin examining the scene of the crime.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

His right eye began to blink on and off with a blue light as he was finishing up the scan. The traces of blood that were leaving a trail had caught his attention though. A few more quick beeps and then he'd focus in on the blood. Shaking his head somewhat as he figured that the assassin had probably simply left in a hurry. Which now created a way for Orrin to track them, for as long as the blood trail panned out at least. So as to not lose anymore time to attempt to trail the killer, Orrin would stand and follow the blood trail. Still using his cloaking ability with his armor, he'd again turn to his ability to phase through solid objects as a means to aid in his pursuit. The two combined allowed him to become something of a ghost to those around him. And so for now he simply followed the trail as best he could.

 

[Rozala]

As Rozala walked on, trying not to catch any attention, she began to feel something off. As if she was being followed. But every time she glanced back there was no sign of anyone doing so. Her use of the force was admittedly not as perked as her other abilities but she could still sense something was off. But because of her uncertainty she still continued on, figuring if anyone was around she could easily lose them. After walking long enough she ducked down one alleyway that proceeded into a series of others, thus her using her advantage of having used this route to follow her target. It helped her to reach her destination: an apartment complex in the more run down level of Courascant. She used her clawed gloves to scale up to the open window of her room, making it seem to anyone who'd have noticed that she was in there the whole time. With one quick look for anyone outside she closed the window behind her.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

He was observing the trail of blood, as well as anybody that would be acting somewhat suspicious. When the woman seemed to be bothered by being followed, his attention had peaked. Still keeping to his active camouflage, he'd simply observe for the time being. What had confirmed things for him, at least in his mind, was when the woman used the gloves to scale the walls. That was when he'd drop the active camo and become visible. His six foot form was clad in black powered armor that was obviously customized. The camo option was again used, though this time just for the helmet, as it seemed to disappear from his head. A display system allowed for his facial features to be seen when the helmet disappeared, so it didn't look like he just lost his head. His right cybernetic eye was blinking off and on again with an electric blue light as he was using the telescopic vision equipped within it to zoom in on the individual's face. For now though, he simply stood still. Waiting to see what the woman would do when armed with the information that someone had indeed actually followed her, and may now know what she looked like. If she saw him as a threat, she'd opt to end him. Though what he'd do if she actually went with that option, was beyond him. He hadn't fully thought this course of action through. A rookie mistake on his part, and quite possibly from his being groggy from the cryo sleep.

 

[Rozala]

As soon as she caught a glimpse Rozala looked down and saw the man, her eyes narrowing as they met for that one moment. She still closed the window behind her, only not it now seemed she would need to make a greater run for it. She gathered what little she had in the room, having only rented it for about a day, before making her way down to the lobby and paying her bill. The whole while she stretched out her sense of the force to see if the man was nearby. She could see it was present somewhere just not entirely sure where. Once the bill was paid she was out of there and making for the space port.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

The woman hadn't attacked him. But he took notice to the way her facial expressions had changed when he looked at her. On top of that, he walked up to the wall and was scanning it over with his cybernetic eye. The marks that were made on the wall matched up almost exactly to what he saw at the scene where the body was. That was the nail in the coffin for him. And so as she was finishing the action of gathering her things up, Orrin caused himself to levitate via his abilities granted from the Force. She was hurrying out of the place just as he was phasing through the solid surface. Activating his cloaking system in its entirety while he went about following her as best he could. When she had reached out to scan the area through the Force, he stopped cold. Feeling a small tingle shoot down his spine. He wasn't fully sure what it meant, but he'd continue on as he stuck with the action of tracking the woman.

 

[Rozala]

Nothing fully sensing anything Rozala continued onward, getting out of the hotel and then making for the streets. Her hood was still up so she tried to keep with the blend of everyone else. What was also an interesting change was that she put shoes on when, the entire time before, she was barefoot. It was her means of killing, not leaving even a boot print for evidence. The padding underneath her feet kept from any other evidence getting left behind. Making for the space port she kept looking back for the man following. Now and then she'd duck down one alley just to come back to the street she was already walking, or cut across to get to another street just to keep going the same direction. It was all a matter of making sure whoever was following couldn't.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

As he was attempting to track the woman, he was running what few statistics through the processor he had attached to the back of his skull. Running the information through data filing and then once he had compiled at the very least a point of basic height for the woman, he was using his right cybernetic eye to scan those on the streets and was ruling out whom wasn't the one he was searching for. But for now he was ground level. The better vantage point would be from a higher point, as he'd levitate himself off of the ground. Bringing himself on top of the roof of a close by smaller building as he continued to scan. Rolling his shoulders back to loosen up a bit before he'd start to take note of someone fitting the height profile coming and going off of his HUD. The lense within the optical unit would narrow a bit as it would shift through visual spectrums while he'd focus in now on the being that was ducking in and out. The lense widening a bit as he'd attempt to stalk her from the roofs.

 

[Rozala]

One final look back and so sign of him. Rozala was relieved but still felt a sudden tension. He may have been gone but she still had the feeling of being watched. Still little chance in worrying now as the spaceport was in view. She hurried her steps to reach it, taking no chances with wanting to get away from Courascant before anyone could stop her. She entered and began standing in line for her ticket, waiting and waiting silently and without any signs of impatiences.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

The one thing that had actually done her in, was the waiting in line. He wasn't one hundred percent sure if the one he was following was the same one he had been tracking all this time, but when she had stopped and now began waiting in line, his optical sensor had the time to profile the height of those that were present. A few had matched the specs thathe had come up with, but that was when he decided to stop going purely with technology. The blinking of his right eye would dull and become a steady blue light coming from the cybernetic replacement as he'd center himself mentally. Allowing the flow of the Force to move through him more freely. As this was happening he'd let his consciousness span out with the flow of the enrgies around him. Attempting to learn if any of them were sensative to the Force. This was because he remembered that back at the apartment, he felt a tingling sensation flowing down his spine when someone had employed the talents from the Force.

 

[Rozala]

Perking up when that sensation ran out, Rozala realized she hadn't lost him. Just her luck. She made no indication she'd noticed, not looking around or anything, just staring forward and waiting until it finally was her turn. She got her pass and was told which shuttle to exit on, she quickly taking everything before hustling off. Still not looking or making any notion of knowing she hurried to where her shuttle would be waiting to leave this planet.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

After scanning over the crowd and seeing whom had matched the height profile, he'd more so center in on the figure he was following up to this point. He wasn't sure it was the same individual that he had been tracking the entire time. The way she had been ducking in and out, coupled with how she fit the height profile was the best he had to go on for the time. And so he'd phase through the surface he was standing on and then would walk through the wall before him. After that he'd solidify, though he'd keep his stealth function operational. Moving quite fast, as a means to catch up with her, and then right before she'd board the shuttle, he'd attempt to push her. Nothing so horrid as a shove meant to topple her over, but just something to move her and jostle her hood a bit. Something meant as an attempt to see her face, if at all possible.

 

[Rozala]

His push was a success and he was able to see her face, for when she fell her hood had come off and, wanting to see who did it, she turned and revealed herself to him. Their eyes locked and she was more angered by the site of him. What did he want with her? Why did he constantly manage to keep up with her? Did he want her dead or not? So many questions and yet no real answers. All she knew was that this man, whoever he was, he was beginning to annoy her to great lengths.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

"I think you and I should talk." And that was pretty much all he'd say about that. For now, all he wanted to do was talk. He'd keep it to that, for the time being. But seeing as to how he'd been cloaked, and all of a sudden shown up, and the fact thathe was indeed armed, would alert the local guards and authorities. And so. He'd go about helping her up. His right eye fully scanning her face now, for recognition later, if need be. If he had to track her down. Now came the hard part. He'd never attempted to phase with another living being. And he wasn't sure he was ready for such a thing. But with the situation being what it was, he was hard pressed for solutions. When he touched her, he attempted to mentally link with her. And if she had agreed to such a mental link, he'd share with her the knowledge he had about manipulating the Force and one's own molecular structure to allow them to phase and solidify. It was the first time he had shared such a secret with someone and may prove to be a big mistake later. But for now he was phasing through the flooring with hopes that she was doing the same.

 

[Rozala]

She wondered what the story was with this man and why he was all of a sudden helping her. He wanted to talk and yet wanted to avoid her getting caught. She looked to the guards and back to him just as he began sending the message into her mind to phase through the floor. She agreed, reluctantly, to his mental link and began to see how it was done. It felt like all lessons to learn within a month had been filled into her within a second. With all of it in her head she stumbled a bit before, after regaining herself, began using the knowledge her phase through with him. It was an odd sensation as it almost felt like she was there and not at the same time, vibrating so fast. She phased with him and followed to wherever he wanted, though his scans would not pick up on anything based on her facial features. She was, after all, good at being an assassin without a name.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

"Ok. Before I go any further as far as actions go, I wanna know why. Why'd you do it? Take in mind, I'm a bounty hunter, as well as a merc." He'd explain as he looked her over. His posture and demeanor indicated with clear effect, that he had no immediate intentions of being aggressive.
"Depending on what you say, I may be able to use your help."

((Sorry for the wait. Hope you got the post about me being away for a little bit.))

 

[Rozala]

Not speaking after they'd made it to safety, Rozala titled her head a little when he asked. Looking abour she found a spot to easily carve something in with her claws. She did so, taking her time to crave carefully and yet fast enough to not waste time. Afterwards she stood to the side and showed the word she carved was "Job". Looking to him Rozala waited to hear what he'd say and if what he had to offer was worth her time. She was still taking in the fact she could now phase through walls.

@D' Orrin

 

[D' Orrin]

He looked at her, and then off at the carving. The most logical conclussion thathe could come to, was that she couldn't speak. He'd mind melded with her just prior, but he was wondering if he should do it again as a means to allow for things to go a bit smoother as far as a method of fluidly communicating went. But in that matter, he'd allow her to decide. Quite obviously. He'd look around for a moment and then towards the woman he'd been talking to. He'd close his eyes for a moment, and then just as fast he'd open them. An exhale had been produced as he was allowing his mind to once again touch hers.
"It will make for much easier way to communicate." He said.