Devolve

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira sat quietly in her seat in the common room aboard the Rebel Outcast. To her left was her ex-Imperial Death Trooper, Leohttp://starwarsrp.net/topic/138882-leo-coburn/, who acted as her gunner and first mate; to his left was the Yuuzhan Vong Jedi Padawan, Saeza, who had become Laira’s partner in crime as it were since they had been assigned to work together. The redhead was a little bored, waiting on the Jedi Master Em Durost to begin his briefing of their mission. The Kel Dor was taking his time, being deliberate about collecting his files, and Laira was sure that if he didn’t hurry the Outcast would be close to reversion by the time he started.

She cast a glance over to Saeza who was sitting attentively and ready to take notes on her datapad, and then to Leo who had his eyes closed and arms folded over his chest. Finally, the Kel Dor began, his monotonous mechanical droll reaching across the ship’s quarters.

“RESINT reports have revealed to us the possibility of a defector from the Sith Empire having taken refuge on the world of Cademimu outside Imperial-space. What they are able to tell us is that the defector is a scientist linked to a classified Project Triumph, though RESINT hasn’t been able to discover what project’s focus was, he is believed to be vital to it.

“Shortly after RESINT confirmed the defector’s existence and location with their sources, Sith Inquisitorial assets were deployed on the planet, though great efforts were made to conceal their purpose and number. Given the lengths they’ve taken to keep their operatives from public view, we can assume they intend to recapture and reeducate the defector.

“Our information indicates the defector fled from the Inquisitors into the Quarantine Zone, a rakghoul invested ghetto of immense proportions. Why he chose to hide there, we can only guess at, but we are aware that the Sith have begun making forays into the region since arriving on the planet.

“We are being sent to recover the scientist so that he can be debriefed and potentially brought into the Resistance before the Sith are able to recapture him. We will need to be careful, as if we bring too much attention to ourselves our purpose will be revealed and the Sith will likely take measures to ensure we are not successful. The planet’s government has aligned itself with the Sith Empire and will likely be supporting the Inquisition in their mission.

“You’ve been supplied a data-packet with further information. Please read them carefully.” The Jedi finished, his black, bionic eye-coverings viewing the trio impassively. Laira began reading the data, scanning the information and maps of the quarantine zone. Though scans could be taken of it from orbit, the smog from the planet and the radiation muddled sensors enough that lifeform scans were unreliable at best, however some topographical data was supplied as well as areas with increased radiation levels.

“Oof, best load up on Anti-Rad pills.” She muttered, “Especially if you don’t want deformed kids down the road.” Leo snorted, while Saeza’s gold eyes rested behind a furrowed brow.

“I would be much more concerned with the immediate health risks, only-” She started to explain them before Leo touched her thigh, a signal to her that the redhead had been making a joke. “Oh. Yes.” the Yuuzhan Vong stopped, her bluish skin blushing a shade of purple in embarrassment.

“We will also need to procure doses of the Rakghoul Inoculation before proceeding into the Quarantinze Zone. Each dose generally lasts eight hours and provides a noticeable resistance to the plague, even scratches and bites aren’t inherently infectious when properly inoculated.” The Jedi Master said, either passing over Laira’s joke or he hadn’t found it amusing.

Laira flipped to the False Identification documentation supplied by RESINT, plugging in the ship registry into the Rebel Outcast’s computer so that it could alter its sensor signature to match the fake. “Seems like I’m going to be Kailyn Joyce.” She said, fetching the papers out of the packet. “I’m the pilot for Dr. Yath Dural. That’s pretty cool, they wrote us backstories. I’m the pilot for the good doctor accompanying him on his humanitarian mission within the Quarantine Zone.”

“Huh, I’m Olen Joyce. Are we supposed to be newly weds?”

“No, brother-sister team up. We’re ne’er-do-wells he’s employing to help with the shadier side of doctoring. Master Durost is playing Dural, Saeza is going to be his nurse Genny Setter. Oh, I have a costume you could wear Saeza!” Laira grinned mischievously at the little Vong padawan.

“I need a costume?” Saeza turned her puzzled gaze towards the Jedi Master.

“Do you really need anything? Can’t you just do some things for my amusement?”

“Enough.” The Jedi Master cut through the jokes and the mischief like a knife, his tone suddenly stern and unflinching. “Street clothes and a pack of survival gear. The government doesn’t allow others into the Quarantine Zone freely, but there are ways in and those willing to help smuggle others in. We’ll be making our entrance at Skipper’s Den, a smuggler’s cantina that supposedly has a hidden tunnel to the Rift where we can make our way to Port Naru. We will pose as our provided identities until we get inside the quarantine zone. Padawan Darkhold and Mister Coburn, you will be in charge of securing us passage while Padawan Bolok’Vang and I focus on purchasing additional medical supplies to cover our intentions.”

“Alright. Let me go handle the comms and get us landed.” Laira said, standing to make her way to the cockpit. Leo slid out of the booth after her while Saeza continued to review her material.

“She’s not going to be able to handle too much of the deception.” He muttered to Laira as they turned into the cockpit.

“She’ll be fine. Master Durost works with RESINT all the time. He knows what he’s doing.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t know us. How about you?”

“Me?” Laira asked, studying him for a moment while they found their seats in the tandem cockpit. “I’m alright. Do this everyday.” She smiled, referring to her alter ego. It was a bit of an inside joke, though perhaps not as inside as she would like. Still, deception like this was something the redhead was perfectly familiar and comfortable with.

“I mean, are you alright. We haven’t talked much about what all’s happening with you. Or Tython. Or Azure.” Laira could tell he was just concerned, trying to be sweet and caring. Part of her wanted that desperately, someone she could call on to help her through all the mess she was in, all the issues she had caused and been around that had nearly driven her mad. But, she was guarded. Too much time alone had left her with walls up to defend herself from hurting others by letting them get attached to her only for her to screw it up somehow.

“I’m fine. Really.” She winked at him, putting on a brave face. “It’s not like I went home all that often, so I barely even miss it.”

“You started on a suicide letter.” Laira snapped her head back to look at him, glaring daggers into the Death Trooper. If looks could kill, he’d be vapor. “What? You locked yourself in your room, you didn’t eat or drink, you didn’t sleep. You won’t talk to us about everything. Yeah, I’ve been checking up on your datapad’s logs. Sue me.”

“It wasn’t that. It was just. Just, how about don’t invade my privacy, alright!” She was hissing, angry and hurt, not that he was concerned or had invaded her privacy, but that he knew she was suffering. Still struggling to come to terms with everything she had done and everyone she had inadvertently hurt along the way. It’s not like her cockpit had a lot more space for names of people she cared about, people that trusted her. It hadn't been a suicide letter so much as writing something for her friends and family in case the next time she had a brush with death she didn't make it. Laira was done letting others take the fall for her, the next time it was her or someone else, it was going to be her through hell or high-water and she just didn't want to leave them with nothing.

“I’m just worried about you is all.”

She tried to soften, “Nothing to be worried about. I’ll pull through, always do.” Laira turned back to the controls, watching the blue tunnel of Hyperspace disappear and fade back into pinpricks of stars. “This is Truist Star to Cademimum Control. Permission to land at Starport three-three-seven.”

[member="Nima Tann"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

Nima continued walking towards the briefing room, passing the freighter’s empty corridors. It had been some time since Nima checked in for a job. She was absent for a while due to the recent developments in her life, trying to find back the balance she was so proud of having. She hasn’t checked her emails, hasn’t contacted anyone. She journeyed from one planet to another, helping people and meditating along the way. This journey was helpful for her indeed and brought back some of that balance that she badly needed, however, she couldn’t help but feel guilty for leaving everything behind. To make things worse, a lot of things have happened while she was absent, it seemed. A lot of bad things.

While she was lost in thought, she felt a sudden headache and the silhouette of an older, blue Twi’lek appeared walking beside her. The silhouette belonged to none other than Daesha, her mother. The primary reason why Nima needed that vacation. A spirit stuck in the crystal of a lightsaber as a final “gift” from her father, she first met her on an expedition to Sith catacombs while she was still a Jedi. She convinced her that if she removed her lightsaber from her dead body, she would rest in peace. Nima recently found out that it was a lie and her mother still lingered. She was having blackouts ever since and didn’t remember anything afterwards, which she learned was mother’s doing as well. She’d take control of her body whenever she saw fit and keep her locked in to keep herself hidden.

However, it was now in the past and they already had their fights and discussions about it in detail. Nima drew some boundaries and wanted her mother to respect those and Daesha understood. It was never her intention to hurt her anyway, she just wanted to protect her and sometimes her mother instincts took over her logic. There was still awkwardness, especially from Nima’s side as she was now living with another voice in her head which belonged to her dead mother, but the two have started to communicate better. Daesha would materialise herself whenever she wanted to discuss something, so that Nima wouldn’t feel like she was talking to herself. Still though, the two continued their discussions mentally so that people around Nima wouldn’t think that she was going mad.

“So, already back to work, huh?” Daesha said, and added. “You should’ve taken more time off. ”

“I think I took enough.” Nima replied. “I’ve neglected my duties for selfish reasons.”

“You haven’t exactly left your duties behind, dear. That trip wasn’t for a vacation.” Daesha’s tone was firm.

“I know. It was still selfish though. Of all my years of helping people, this time it wasn’t for their sake but mine.” She sighed. There was guilt all over her sentences.

“Dear, please. This isn’t like you. Leave the whining to the weak minded. You have done your best. Does it matter if you did it for yourself? You still helped those people.”

“I... uhm... I suppose... but...”

“No buts. You are not a shield. You are a person. You need to look after yourself too. Don’t forget it.”

Nima didn’t reply. Yes, what she said made sense, but was it Nima? Daesha took her silence as a response and sighed. “Oh dear. We still have a lot of work to do...”

Nima didn’t realise that she arrived already. At the center of the room, the holoimage of the planet was shown, as well as information about the planet, its climate, possible dangers and inhabitants. The other panel showed information about the job.

Cademimu, a planet infested with rakghouls, a defector scientist hiding somewhere inside. A complicated case, to say the least. Other people were inside the room as well, discussing something. She approached them to introduce herself. “Hello. I’m Master Nima Tann. I’m here to offer my assistance for the mission.”

[member="Laira Darkhold"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Laira Darkhold"]

As could be expected the briefing room was utilitarian and a bit cramped. Room had been made for computer monitors in the centre of the room, displaying various tactical data on the planet and their target. Four women had already made themselves more or less comfortable in the room.

One was Karrigan'Xalda, a Xioquo Nima knew somewhat from a mission to Tash-Taral that had never really been concluded on-screen. To her right sat Sergeant Hikari Saito, a Panathan exile and Force suppression specialist, and to her left Natalie Dorne, a spy and terrorist from Ession.

A tough-looking, muscular woman called Lieutenant Cross was heading the briefing. She derived her name from the prominent X on her neck. It was a memento from her time in a Republic army prison. Her hair was very short and most of her head was shaved. "...if we cannot extract the scientist, we must do what is necessary to keep the Sith from nabbing him again," she spoke. Evidently Nima had walked right into things.
"That means terminate him," Natalie threw in.
"Yes," Cross stated, as if it were obvious. "Orders from on-high." At this moment the Twi'lek made herself known. "I assume you know the basics because we're on the clock and don't have time for recaps," the Lieutenant said gruffly.

Without waiting for a response, she pressed a button on, which projected an image of a human male. "Memorise the face. Our cover story is that we're mercenaries on the government's payroll, here to help with some cleanup. That means no insignia, no gear that can be traced back to Firemane. The ghetto he's supposed to be hiding in is infested with Rakghouls."
Before she could continue, Xalda interjected. "What are these Rakghouls? Are they a type of abomination?"
"Sithspawn mutants created by a plague. They're savage, vicious and infect others through bite or scratch," Saito explained for her.
"I see. I have fought similar abominations in the Underealm. They do die like any other beast?" she got a curt nod. "Good. Then they shall wet my blade. We have a means of protecting ourselves from this plague?"

"Yes," Cross grunted. "The bosses had to deal with 'em on Denon, so we got an inoculation. Supposedly it lasts eight hours, which means probably closer to six. We'll see about getting more from our 'employers'."
"Imps don't value the lives of their minions or hired help much, so I wouldn't trust the quality of whatever we get down there. On the bright side, it being an imperialist dictatorship had its benefits since it's bloody corrupt," Saito added."

Cross glanced towards Natalie. As if on cue, the blonde produced some datapads and passed them over. "These are your cover stories. Make sure to study them thoroughly. We have a limited window of opportunity to make our move before the imperialists send their thugs after us. If the mission goes pear-shaped, there's no backup, no rescue team. Just us. Tann, best conceal your sabre."

Xalda had taken the proffered datapad and was studying it with a look of intense concentration. It became increasingly frustrated as she tried to understand the words, running her finger across the screen. Finally, Saito leaned close to her, read the text with her and whispered some words in Xio into her pointed ear.

"Our objective is to avoid contact with the Sith Inquisitors as far as possible. If we're engaged, we must eliminate these frakkers quickly and quietly. Xalda, you'll be our scout. Natalie, sharpshooting and slicing. Saito, if we run into space mages, you suppress them." Cross' eyes fell upon Nima last. "You can mind frak people and chop them up with your glowstick, can't you, Tann?"

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Leo slung his eradicator into a slot on his survival pack, the final weapon he was intent on taking, his carbine similarly stashed away and pistol worn on his hip. The Deathtrooper would have enjoyed being able to stash grenades, however given they had to swing through the Spaceport it would have drawn more attention than was necessary. Since he and Laira were supposedly the smugglers and muscle hired by the good Doctor it made sense for him to have a few weapon stashed away. Laira of course carried her renegade five-five-seven on her thigh, Lightsaber hidden in her belt’s secret compartment until later.

Master Durost was wearing field gear, a simple outfit with a hold out blaster tucked away in a holster, and Saeza wore similar outfit and weapon, both with their lightsabers hidden and their packs containing additional medical supplies to sterilize and treat patients.

The four of them may not have been open about their intentions, but it usually didn’t take a genius to figure out there was a doctor staying near the Quarantine Zone and what their intentions were. Sometimes the Imperial-Government looked the other way, sometimes they did not. Usually their biggest concern was images and recordings of the Quarantine Zone getting out to the public and so the Jedi group had taken precautions to avoid having any recording equipment on them when they passed through the dinky-little Spaceports security terminal. Militia wearing Sith Trooper armor scanned their packs, checked their identifications, and then cautioned them about the Cademiman Laws regarding the discharge of weapons in public spaces, but otherwise waved them along.

Laira took the lead as the four cut through dim catwalks and mezzanines of the Lower Levels, starlight never breached through the smog and clouds enough to call it daylight in this part of the city, there were Imperial dessentors, criminals, and the like throughout the darkness. “We should find somewhere close by to stop and check our bags. They may have dropped trackers in them.” Laira said as they neared a motel, gesturing for the four to take a break before making a move for the Skipper’s Den. The Jedi Master nodded and procured them a room for a few hours with some of the credits he’d been afforded for their mission.

Once they had a room and had managed to get inside, they rifled through bags that had passed through the security checkpoint, ensuring there weren't trackers dropped inside by the militia. Laira didn't expect to find anything, but caution was better exercised than ignored for times like this. Even though the Sith Empire hadn't taken an interest in the planet yet, that didn't mean there was no chance of them supplying their supporters under the table. “Alright, don’t leave anything you don’t mind losing but I think now might be a good time for us to split up and deal with our individual parts of getting inside. Saeza and I will go to the general hospital and speak with one of their doctors, we have reason to believe he has aided other medical personnel with supplies to take into the Quarantine Zone.”

“Make sure to get some opioids and narcotics as well. Credits are fine and all, but if we are going to be bribing and booking passage inside, we’ll need something a little harder to get in order to grease the wheels.”

The Jedi nodded again, stuffing his holdout blaster into his jacket. “I will see if we can procure something for their vices. What will you do?”

“Gonna case the Den.” Leo said with a shrug. “If our info is good, its possible the Government knows about the tunnel as well. Wanna see if they are watching it before making a move.”

“And I’m gonna see about how much its gonna take to get us inside. Do we know any contact to reach out to about the way in?” Laira asked while she fixed her jacket and shirt, unbuttoning the top few of her shirt buttons.

“No, only that the place supposedly has a hidden entrance to a broken pipe that leads out to the rift.”

“Alright, I’ll see if I can get in to talk to management then. Good luck,” She gave Leo and Saeza a nod, letting Saeza clasp her shoulder as she left with Leo ducking out behind her and setting off towards their respective goals.

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

When she approached the group, she overheard the last part of their conversation before the Twi'lek caught the muscular woman's attention, who seemed to be in the leading position. They were talking about the scientist. As the Sith were after him, it was their top priority to find him before they did. The blonde one talked about "terminating" him if they couldn't. Nima hoped things wouldn't come to that as it would be good to learn what made him a defector, but one couldn't deny the possibility of that happening. Most of the people here she didn't know, except the Xioquo who seemed a bit familiar to her even though she couldn't exactly tell who she was. "Yes, I have enough knowledge about the mission. You don’t need to... uhm..." She was about to finish her sentence but was cut by the woman who pressed a button to reveal the scientist’s face and moved on with the conversation without waiting for her response.

She didn’t think much of it. They were on a mission after all and were about to reach their destination so had little time for chats. The woman continued, giving a bit more detail about the mission. Since they were landing on a planet with strong Imperial influence, their true identities would cause problems, therefore a cover story was needed. Theirs was “a group of mercenaries hired for cleanup”. Sounded simple enough. As long as Nima didn’t have to talk, she would play the part well.

“Go for the head.” She replied to Xioquo about the Rakghouls. “It works for most of the creatures. Don’t swing your arm too much, go for a stab so that they can’t grab you. Arm protectors also work, make sure their teeth can’t pierce through.”

Afterwards, with the muscular woman’s cold glance, the blonde one produced and passed over the datapads that contained their cover stories. She started reading immediately once she got hers.

“Giza Hirani

Grew up on the streets after she lost her family. Was adopted by a mercenary passing through after an unsuccessful attempt to steal from her and trained by her to become one herself. Her experiences growing up made her wary of others.”

As she continued to read, she heard her name. The voice belonged to the blonde girl and she warned her about the lightsaber. “Got it.” Nima responded with a nod. Appearing with a lightsaber on her belt would just complicate things. Instead, she proceeded to put both in the hidden compartments of her belt.

She had the chance to learn about their names once the muscular woman called them by their names to assign them roles. So the Xioquo’s name was Xalda, the blonde one was Natalie and the Panathan was Saito. When the turn was hers, she heard the voice of her amused mother in her mind.

“I like her.” Daesha commented. Nima responded with an internal sigh.

“Uhm.. yes, I can.” She’d probably use other words for her skills, but she wasn’t exactly wrong. “I can also provide protection for a short period of time if things go wrong.” She added.

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Nima Tann"]. [member="Laira Darkhold"]

"Lovely. Now get ready. We don't frak this up, and we can look forward to a lot of credits," Cross declared, clearly winding up the briefing. She was not a woman who liked to waste time.
"To serve the Karishzar and smite the wicked is a reward in itself," Xalda responded piously. "What coin I earn shall go to bettering my race."
"Yeah, whatever," Cross said dismissively, evidently feeling that this was enough small talk.
"Everyone take a stealth field generator," Saito instructed. "The battery does not last forever, so don't be wasteful." Thus the group started to break up. Cue montage where everyone strapped on gear. Since they were pretending to be mercenaries, they obviously donned armour and equipped themselves with weapons.

However, the most high-end pieces of equipment had to be left behind or concealed because it would risk blowing their cover. Of the three Force-users, Nima was the only one with a lightsabre. Saito stuck with a vibroblade, a Renegade Five-Five-Seven and a rifle, while Xalda equipped her invisible sword.

Their freighter descended from the dark sky, being steered towards the hangar they had been assigned. Ironically, it was not far from where Laira and her party had landed. During their descent, they spied what appeared to be an enormous statue of a stylised Stormtrooper, crushing the 'forces of anarchy' beneath him.

Seeing that, Saito shook her head. "It's one thing to grow up in a system that moulds you into thinking the dark lord is a god and you should worship him and that anyone who defies him must die. It's another to willingly hand your people over to tyranny because you're a coward and want a few scraps of power."
"And there are educated people who trumpet the Faux News party line without having the excuse of not being able to know better. They close their eyes because they want to. It is convenient for them. Repeat it enough times and it becomes the truth," Natalie threw in. "Seen it before. Ession's elites, those Jedi hippies who collaborated with the First Order."
"Time to upset the narrative," Saito muttered. "Gods be with us."
Natalie scoffed. "No Gods out there. Just the cold, us and the enemy."
"We won't know for sure till we're dead. Until then, it never hurts to have insurance."
"The Mother Earth will shield us from the lies and sabres of the Sith and the Karishzar will guide us in victory," Xalda asserted. There was a somewhat fanatical glint in her eyes. "I shall lay the ears of our foes at her feet." Her red eyes darted towards Nima. "I am pleased you are with us."

"Get moving," Cross barked as the ship landed. The hatch was opened, and the team departed. Theirs was the only ship in the hangar. However, they soon happened upon Militia clad in suits that looked like Stormtrooper Armour knockoffs.
In addition, there were Secret Police thugs wearing leather coats and white uniforms. "Someone's been raiding the ISB's closet," Natalie mumbled under her breath.
A Secret Police officer stepped forward with his escort. He wore what looked like a monocle but was probably some sort of visor with a retro look. "You're Eclipse?" he asked imperiously. Without waiting for a response he added, "you're late."
"Hyperspace calculations aren't a science," Cross said flatly, presenting her papers. "Brunhilde Wagner. You got a job you need us for?"
"The military of the glorious Supreme Governor does not need any outsiders, least of all contractors motivated by coin rather than fervent love for the fatherland," the officer said in his most officious tone.

"But in certain situations it is best to hire outsiders who are...deniable and not tied to your politics," Natalie said softly. All the snark and scorn was gone from her tone. "So that your soldiers can focus on protecting your fatherland. We discussed a cleanup op over holocomm. We provide a service, you pay, we leave."

"Yes, yes," the officer waved his hand. You will follow my instructions to the letter. If you disobey them, you'll be shot. Your mission will pit you against degenerates who undermine our harmonious society." He seemed the type who liked to give speeches.
Natalie's face remained serene. "Your representative said you had a problem that needed taking care of in the zone. A job you want handled quickly and cleanly. A fugitive."
The officer gave her a serious look. "What happens in the zone is a matter of national security. Our glorious troops see to it that the vermin and riff-raff remain contained. You will be deployed against the leeches that undermine our great wall and smuggle criminals who try to escape justice."
"We can do a lot more than just take out a couple smugglers. You don't need hire foreign pros for that," Cross said firmly. This had not been part of the arrangement.
But the officer did not budge. "That is what you are being hired for. Eliminate them, and we shall see what other use we shall find you."
"The rates we agreed on apply?" Cross asked, or rather demanded. "Good our services aren't free, and we break necks if we get screwed over. We got a deal."
"You will find that our nation rewards those who serve it loyally. Those who don't, on the other hand...," the officer trailed off and handed over a datapad. The screen showed a couple individuals. They looked quite like the smugglers Laira and her friends wanted to get help from. "These are your targets. Degenerate anarchists. Not that I can expect sellswords to take an interest in such matters."
"They got a Twi'lek, Commander," one of his minions said. He had been checking their IDs and giving Nima a very inappropriate look. "You sure you wouldn't be more comfortable getting out of that costume and dancing?"
Xalda looked about ready to stab him. Almost imperceptibly, Saito gripped her shoulder. "I don't think you'd survive if she 'danced'," Natalie said in a strangely conversational tone. "Her idea of it tends to involve jabbing people's eyes out, which is why she's here and not in a whorehouse."
"Enough," the Secret Police goon's boss said. "You'll be directed to your target by my men and support them. Clear out the vermin. Do not waste this opportunity. Hail the New Order." Soon they were on their way.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Leo followed Laira at a comfortable distance for a short while before making his way off to go and look for ISB, or what passed for ISB on Cademimu, that might be watching the Skipper’s Den. While he did that, the redhead entered the establishment. It was pretty much what she expected. Smugglers, pirates, criminals, dancers, and the like in a dark, smoky room. There were some tables set up for gambling, a bar with an old nautolan woman behind it serving drinks, and a few tables with dancers on them towards the back of the establishment.

Laira entered and was stopped by a grim looking Zabrak wearing a blaster on his hip and a scanner in his off-hand. “How long you been in the Lower Levels?” He asked in a thick accent. Beside him, a massive Yuzzem with greying fur around his muzzle sat. Clearly they were the establishments bouncers.

“Just arrived. Looking to kill some time before I gotta go to work.”

The scanner beeped and the light turned green over her wrist. “Comlink?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Gotta leave it with Braja. Could be a recorder.” The Zabrak said, waving his hand towards the Yuzzem. Laira pulled the wrist-link off and handed it over to the yuzzem who merely dropped it into a transmission blocking box with a grunt. “Blaster too.” Laira sighed but removed her Renegade 557 from its holster gingerly and slipped it into the Yuzzem’s monstrous hands.

“Take care of those for me sweetie.” Laira gave him a little wave and then was allowed to proceed into the cantina. In the front, music played loudly but as she walked towards the bar the volume was dampened allowing for customers to converse normally. The redhead found a seat at the bar and ordered a glass of jawa juice. “Hi!” She said when she was approached by the nautolan with her beverage. Laira wasn’t certain how she should broach the subject of requesting to be smuggled through to the Quarantine Zone, “Is the owner in tonight?”

“He might have made it in already. Why?” The woman asked as she continued serving drinks.

“Well. I’ve got a friend, inside, and was wondering if he could help me send her a gift at the end of her shift.” Laira said with a soft, coquettish smile.

“Ah, I see.” The nautolan pressed a button under the bar. A few seconds later she beckoned Laira to sit over to one of the empty booths. As the redhead made her way past a few customers she was grabbed and shoved into the kitchen by the yuzzem roughly.

Saeza followed the Kel Dor Jedi Master quietly, standing behind him when they were stopped at the entrance to the General Hospital and letting him do most of the talking. “Doctor Piloma I presume?” The Jedi said when they were greeted by a man coming out of surgery.

“Yes. I’m a little busy. Some of the stormtroopers got a little carried away putting down a protest and I’ve got a full ICU.” He answered tossing a pair of gloves into a trashbin.

“I saw some in the waiting room.”

“Yeah, i’ve got seventy four more in the ICU and nineteen in the morgue already.”

“Genny and I can assist if necessary.” He answered. Saeza looked up, starting to make her way towards the door when the doctor protested.

“Maybe, but let’s just make this quick. You made an appointment?”

“Yes. I’m heading for Taris and the field hospital within a secure zone there is in need of medical supplies. Specifically doses of Rakghoul Vaccines and painkillers, though Bacta or Kolto wouldn’t hurt either.”

“Field hospital. Um, I’m afraid we don’t have a ton on hand. I can’t exactly pack a medical frigate for you.” Doctor Piloma responded.

“I confess, you are not going to be the last Chief I plan on asking. Anything you can spare that my assistant and I can carry ourselves would be appreciated.” The Kel Dor responded. It wasn’t much, but the shuffling of medical supplies was always a little risky, even between hospitals.

“Of course. I’ll call the Pharmacy and have them prepare a care package.”

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Nima Tann"]

 

[Nima Tann]

After preparing to look their part for their cover identities, the group finally arrived to their destination. A huge stormtrooper statue welcomed them as they descended to the hangar, painting a picture of how “heroic” he was while crushing someone’s, who had a demonized face and wore rebel clothes, head with his feet. Nima didn’t like any kinds of propaganda as she thought it only showed a part of the big picture to manipulate minds and shook her head with a sigh, while the statue caused a strong reaction within the group as well.

“I feel right at home. Glad to see some things never change.” Daesha commented, Nima could sense that she was annoyed even though her voice didn’t have a tone due to being a ghost. Daesha was a Sith and while she had her fair share of bloodshed, she had respect for her opponents. She didn’t think that they were lesser beings for believing otherwise, certainly no demons. She despised those who thought having the slightest power advantage made them a god. One would think that 30 years were a long time, but apparently not. Nima sighed as a response, she would tell her that there are many things that she’d find not changed, but wasn’t in the mood for a conversation with the voice in her mind as she had to concentrate. They were about to enter the lion’s den after all.

Meanwhile, the ship was about to land. “Likewise.” Nima responded to the Xioquo with a smile. She seemed to be a fanatic of Sio’s, Karishzar was one of her titles if Nima remembered correctly, considering how she mentioned her. “Let’s do our best out there.” She added.

And it was show time. The hatch opened and the team departed, soon welcomed by a not so welcoming group of soldiers. She stood in the background as the others did the talking. It seemed that the officer has changed his mind about the job, a minor setback, but otherwise it seemed to be going well and their cover was still intact. One of the soldiers started checking their IDs as the officer gave them a datapad that contained their new “targets”.

Just as they were about to be dismissed, the soldier checking their IDs came for hers. His gaze made her uncomfortable, as if he was checking her out. And all of a sudden he made comments belittling her in front of everyone. She freezed up, averting her gaze as she was suddenly put in front of the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. She wanted to punch the guy right then and there, but didn’t want to mess up anything. Fortunately for her, Natalie took over to help her but she could still feel his looks targeting her.

“Nima, dear, what are you doing? Why aren’t you saying anything?” Daesha asked, annoyed.

“I... We are on a mission. I don’t want to ruin it just because of some guy’s comments.”

“So you are just going to let him get away with it? Look at his smug face. He’s still looking at you.”

“Natalie is handling it. She’s way better at talking than I am.”

As her inner dialogue continued, the soldier seemed taken aback by Natalie’s comments but soon regained his composure. “So little miss can’t talk for herself?” He said in a condescending tone, it seemed Natalie managed to break his fragile ego a bit.

“See?” Daesha said, then added. “Look, dear, if you want people to respect you, you need to act. You can't expect people to help you all the time. You have grown up to be a strong woman. Act that way."

"I... suppose. But what would I say?"

"What do you want to say? As I said, I won't be holding your hands."

"I..."

"Nima. Just try it. You won't mess up anything."

Nima sighed. "Okay."

With the encouragement she got from her mother and the group protecting her, Nima pysched herself up and moved forward. "I'd listen to her if I were you." She said, giving a hint of smile to Natalie as thanks. "I can cut you open before you even blink." She didn't try to sound intimidating, it was a fact. Nima was fast after all. With her standing up for herself, the last piece of ego the man had left him, and the officer soon dismissed both parties before the situation dragged on.

"See, was it hard?"

"I... feel good... but uncomfortable at the same time."

"It will pass. You made a good step forward today."

Now that they were out before anything else happened, Nima found the need to explain her behaviour. "Apologies for that. I got... upset."

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"] | [member="Laira Darkhold"]

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Laira Darkhold"]

Where Xalda came from, malelings knew their place. It was another sign of the degeneracy of this world. She was unimpressed by Nima's words. She found them perplexing. She was a Mistress, so why did she struggle to put a goon, especially a maleling, in his place and then apparently feel bad about it? It did not strike her as the behaviour of a Mistress. It shows weakness.

Cross was evidently not in the mood for chatter. "I'm not here to hold your hand and talk about your frakking feelings, Hirani. So get your head out of your arse and in the game," she said flatly. The secret police honcho had been briefly conversing with his subordinates, but now beckoned them to follow. Vehicles were being brought up to transport them to their destination. "Time to improvise," Cross added. Those she knew among her team mates were professionals and would be able to adjust. Those who did not would be sorry.

Xalda followed her, though she kept some distance, watchful for surprises. She glanced towards Nima and Saito. "Why do you apologise? Where I come from, a degenerate maleling would not dare speak like that, lest he swallow his tongue," she spoke in Xio, disdain evident in her tone.
"And we're not in Tlaxqui anymore," Saito reminded her sharply. She kept her voice low, but her tone was rather stern. "Adapt. The mission's what matters. Nothing else. It's more important than you not getting your feathers ruffled. So focus. Understood?" That was directed towards both the Xioquo and the Twi'lek.
"Yes," Xalda spoke. "I would perish before I endangered the mission." She said the last part in Xio. The rebuke stung, but she was a soldier. I shall not disappoint the Great One. She would be the hidden blade in the night, striking down her enemies. When the time came, she would purge the vermin.
"Good. When we're done, we'll have a ton of credits. Now let's go hunt some scum," Saito declared. Her last line could be interpreted in more ways than one. The secret police was so nice to provide them with armoured speeders. Naturally each of the vehicles had at least one thug in it with them. Cross and Natalie saw with the officer, whose name was apparently Koch. His rank was Standard Leader and Colonel of the Police, in case anyone was wondering.

"What leads do we have on the smugglers?" Natalie asked as they drove through the pitiful slum. It reminded her a bit of the Taris Undercity or Lower Coruscant. She suppressed her feelings of revulsion. Her face gave little away. "Any people inside?" she tried to fish.
"The degenerates are canny," Koch admitted. "They keep changing their access routes ever so often. We find them and flush them out, they hide in their holes like rats. However, we have discovered a tunnel that saw use recently."
"Then let's pick up the trail while it's fresh," Cross spoke. "Even if they've switched, they might have gotten sloppy and left clues behind."
"Anyone found there will be rounded up for questioning," Koch said darkly. "I understand you have a certain expertise in this?"
"You could call it that."
"Mecatl is a good tracker," Natalie added after Cross had responded, referring to Xalda by her cover identity. "Security's tight in your city. Lots of boots on the ground, gunships in the air. A lot more than you need for Rakghouls and criminals. This fugitive must be very important."
Koch gave her a cold look. "That is not your concern."
"My apologies," the blonde agent said diplomatically, looking rather unfazed. "We're always here to help if needed." Especially if they got paid! They passed a haggard, bloodied man whose hands were tied behind his back and who hung from a pole. He wore a sign accusing him of being an enemy of the people.

"In the old days, natural selection took care of the degenerates," Koch said conversationally, as if this were perfectly normal. "But then society was infected with the belief that inferiors must be coddled and allowed to exploit the healthy elements of society. Liberal fools call us cruel."
"Nature is cruel. So we are entitled to be as well," Cross stated.
This caused him to smile thinly. "You understand then. The Governor-Militant saved our nation from being overrun by the Rakghoul hordes. He alone was bold enough to make the hard decisions needed to protect our people. Let the degenerates wallow in the filth with the Rakghouls. They wish to place their selfish whims above the greater good, so they shall experience the consequences and not drag us down with them."
Finally they reached what seemed to be a narrow tunnel. The area was rather run-down. There was filth and squalour everywhere. The air was smoggy and difficult to breathe in. Anyone who was not wearing a breath mask would probably feel rather unhappy about this. It was also very dark. Sunlight did not reach this far down. Quickly the convoy came to a halt, and the group fanned out. "Let's get to work," Koch declared.
"I'm sceptical of this being the right one," Cross said in a low voice. "But it's a start. Keep your eye on the prize. Mecatl, you're on point."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira was shoved bodily through a door by the Yuzzem, whose massive frame took up the entire hallway, filling it with thick fur, sinew, and raw muscle the likes of which a wookiee would be jealous of. The redhead let him keep shoving her along, not wanting to start a fight this close to a clawed behemoth. She’d try talking instead, “Um honey, you could have bought me a drink first.”

He didn’t respond, just grabbed her roughly by one arm and hauled her through a hidden door behind a cabinet. Inside was just a dim light, a chair with cuffs for a person’s hands, and blood staining the floor. “Oh, listen, no need for all this-” she started before he punched her in the stomach, driving the wind from her lungs. Dots filled Laira’s vision and she gasped trying to suck in air while Braja merely shoved her into the chair and locked her hands.

With his arms crossed he eyed her with dark brown irises scanning her intently. Laira felt like she might pass out from asphyxiation, unable to suck in air for what felt like the longest time. When she finally managed to fill her lungs, she winced sharply. “Ugghh.…." The redhead groaned loudly, doubling over in the chair. "I..… might.…. have….. wanted….. kids….. one….. day.….” She said in between sharp breaths, trying to recover as best she could. The yuzzem chuckled at that finally breaking his icy stare. “I’m… going… to… bill… you… for… damaging… the… goods.” Laira could tell she wasn't seriously damaged or injured, it just hurt like hell being punched in the gut by a fist bigger than her head.

The door opened and a young woman entered, handing her jacket to the Yuzzem. “Thank you Braja. Who does she work for?” The Yuzzem shrugged his shoulders, muscles tensing and relaxing like those of a massive bull.

Laira, at least having recovered her breath though the pain hadn’t faded yet. “I work for a doctor… he wants to take medical supplies into the ghetto.”

“Oh, alright.” The woman said sarcastically, leaning down to look Laira in the eyes, “And why did you think to look here for a way in to that infested craphole?”

Laira shrugged unknowingly, displaying pain and uncertainty.

The woman stood, “Braja, hit her again.”

“No, no, no, no need for any of that.” Laira said as the Yuzzem stepped forward with a clenched fist. “We can go with the easy way.” The redhead fumbled with her legs, raising them as if to try and hold him back. He paused, looking back at the female. Laira relaxed, “Seriously, next time just buy me a drink and let me pet you and I'd be butter. Heard from one of the doctors at the district general hospital.”

“How am I supposed to fact check that?”

“I don’t know. Ask Doctor Dural when he gets here? I’m just supposed to set up the payment, get him in and get him out when he’s done. He's supposed to be bringing some money to pay, so since he's info is wrong, he can tip you for your time and I can go about finding him another way in.” Laira answered, trying her best to feign skittishness. The woman eyed Laira carefully and then conversed with the Yuzzem in a hushed whisper.

“Alright, let's say I believe you. What’s he paying?”

“Five thousand, plus expenses.” Laira looked back at the Yuzzem, “Really, I’m sending you the medical bills for the new baby-maker I’m gonna need.” Once again the otherwise silent beast huffed out a chuckle.

The woman smiled, “Well, there isn’t really an entrance fee. But if you want out, that’s what costs you the big bucks. Around here, those people who do have ways in and out like to charge in diatium. Ten kilos a head to get out.” Laira nodded in response, understanding the way things worked around these parts. Everything, even supposed acts of charity were used as ways to make money for the disreputable. "I would charge you a finder's fee, but I we can just call your medical bills even instead. Braja, unlock her."

Laira grinned, twisting her wrists and popping the cuffs open. "No need, I got em." She started to rise, on shaky legs still recovering from the massive strike to her torso. "Woah," Braja caught her and steadied the redhead on her feet, letting Laira use him for balance at first. "Oh, woah." She said again in a lower tone as she braced herself against him, "About that drink?"

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Nima Tann"]