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.

 

[Hatred]

He followed.

Whatever the Pyke was here for, the Elder had no reason not to. He kept the same warm smile on his face as he walked past the guards, no longer sparing them a glance as he went after his now master. He asked no questions, gave no excuses. He was just delighted to be within the building for the time being, even under a lie.

Or perhaps because of the lie.

It wasn't until they were deeper within that he realized they weren't heading towards the auction. That wasn't going to help him at the moment.

"So, where are we heading?"

Nathea

 

[Nathea]

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

Nathea finally turned toward him, studying the man for a brief moment as her systems quietly scanned him for anything useful—Holonet records, identification, affiliations, anything that could help identify who he was. She marked the information as a secondary task before returning her attention to the mission, her route already slightly off course.

"You will watch. Too much talking will result in your termination."

Without waiting for a response, her holographic systems shifted, reconstructing her appearance into that of one of the guards. She then moved into the restricted zone, blending into the patrols while quietly eliminating any threats that could interfere with their progress. Her movements were precise and brutally efficient, the instincts of the assassin she once was resurfacing as she cleared their path without unnecessary noise or hesitation. Eventually, the two reached the storage room, Nathea stopping near the entrance as her stolen face remained perfectly expressionless.

"Reason of your coming here?"

​

 

[Hatred]

Both hands came up in a sign of surrender at the threat, but the smile never faded. He walked with her, slightly behind, and watched as she instructed. He made no move to assist her s she went through the guards, but did make sure he remained out of the way. Out of sight to avoid giving away their position or what they were doing. If violence was what she wanted, he certainly wasn't about to stop her.

A brow raised curiously as her form shifted. That was handy sort of technology, being able to steal another's face. Fascinating.

"I am here for an artifact. I heard one had been stolen many years ago, but was finally returned. I'd like to take it for myself."

Nathea