Private Business As Usual?

[Hatred]

Heat and sand. It was incredibly uncomfortable. Another sensation that Hatred was able to experience for the first time. Not that experiencing the different forms of suffering was why he was here. Rumors had filled his ears of Ascendant tech, or perhaps a lead. Or something along those lines, it was incredibly tight lipped. An auction would reveal what it was, though he had to get in first. The actually homeless looking old man standing outside what was supposed to be a secret.

He smiled none the less, glancing between the two guards. Thugs, trying not to make it look obvious that they were guarding something.

"I would appreciate it if you would let me attend. There's a lot to see within, right?"

"Look, old man, just move along. There's nothing for you here."

Nathea

 

[Nathea]

"Nathea"
D-13 "Athena" Class Assassin Droid

​

Nathea was here for an entirely different reason. Another job, another easy payday. Her orders were simple: inspect the items being presented at the auction and, if anything valuable caught her attention, steal it.

She approached the two guards without hesitation, wearing the face of another Pyke. Nothing particularly important-looking, nothing extravagant—just enough authority to pass through without raising questions. Her holographic disguise was convincing enough to make her look like she belonged there.

As she approached, however, she noticed the lone homeless man nearby. An unexpected variable… but potentially a useful one. A distraction, if things went wrong.

Nathea stopped beside the guards, casually gestured toward him, and spoke in fluent Pyke through her borrowed voice.

"He's with me. A servant."

She waited only long enough for the guards to accept the explanation before walking inside.

Once through the door, her eyes immediately began scanning the room. Her head moved slowly from one display to another, searching for anything that matched the description of the artefact—or anything else valuable enough to justify stealing.

The disguise remained perfectly composed.Her attention did not.

She catalogued exits, guards, cameras, valuable objects, and possible escape routes almost simultaneously.

The old man was already becoming irrelevant.
If he followed, she would tolerate his presence.
If he didn't, Nathea wouldn't even bother looking back.