Eye of the Beyonder

[Kinsey Starchaser]

Coruscant - Level 67 shipping district

Kinsey Starchaser cast a surreptitious glance over her shoulder. Feth. They were definitely following her. The Keenjay clan seemed to be more widespread than she'd anticipated. They must've found a way to track her from the university.

Maybe when she'd fenced that student's stolen ship. Hopefully Kurt was okay. Though they'd had a rough start, he'd helped her get out of a pickle.

Good thing he wasn't with her now because things were about to get ugly.

A chubby, large man stepped in front of her path. Tattooed were indicative of Keenjay. Her steps smoothly wandered over to a fruit cart where she pretended to be interested in some partially rotted jubjubs. The man began making a beeline for her, not hiding his intentions. One of his pudgy hands was reaching for a blaster.

"Kark it all...," turning on her heel, she bolted the other way. A blue stun bolt ripped into the fruit stand and the space she just left. She would've felt better if it had been a killbolt, actually.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Felix was on an entirely different planet, well, figuratively at least.

Just a few hangars down from Kinsey, in the same shipping district as her, Felix stood speaking to one of the many freighter Captains who worked for SIN Incorporated. The Conversation so far had been rather droll, and this place was entirely disgusting, but it had to be done. Coruscant was one of SIN's central Hubs. Many of their clubs, hotels, and Casino's were located all around Coruscant, and unsurprisingly they made quite the profit on the grand city world.

Of course that meant Felix spent an inordinate amount of time here, but that wasn't exactly a bad thing. Most of Coruscant was divine, the lap of luxury in fact. It was really only when you got to the lower levels that you had to start questioning why anyone would actually want to go there.

It just so happened that Level 67 was one of those sections. "Look. Either deliver the supplies or don't, at this point I don't really care."

He bristled slightly, his gloved hand forming into a fist.

"Either way our contract after this will be done." Felix didn't have time for fools that tried to extort more money from him and his family. They had made a deal, and he expected that deal to be kept. It was unfortunate that this man couldn't understand that, but it didn't matter at this point. He had tried to gain advantage over SIN and now he would be visited by the other arm of his family.

Unfortunate really, but necessary.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

There was a scream as someone behind caught a stunbolt meant for her. Then a solid thud as they went down. People scattered. Not so much out of surprise or fear. More out of annoyance. Shootouts happened often on a level like this is Coruscant. And the folk knew no port authority or any kind of authority would be coming down here to break anything up.

Kinsey grimaced as two more members of the clan entered from the opposite end, cutting her off.

FETHCHITSTICKSKARK

Portable wrist shield activated and she caught a stun bolt onto the round, golden energy surface just in time. Each impact hammered into her arm. Teeth grit as she ducked behind a loading crate. Free hand found its way to her blaster and she fired off a few shots. But it was clear she was pinned down. And outnumbered.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Scream echoed down the street, interrupting Felix just as he was about to speak to the captain again. The man glanced towards the screams, raised an eyebrow, and then quickly jumped away into the hangar bay. Before Felix could even say anything the Captain had already run half way towards his ship.

Felix frowned for a moment, looking towards the commotion. From his place he could barely make out a small group of thugs firing stun bolts into a larger crowd, all of them clustering and moving forward on a small crate. His lips twitched in disgust for a moment, and then he noticed a young woman hiding behind the cluster of wood and durasteel. His eyebrow perked, bright blue eyes shifting to look up at the thugs. For a moment he considered, and then a smile touched his lips.

Slowly he walked towards the oncoming thugs, his hands raised. "Oi!"

His voice boomed out in the small alleyway. Felix's father had taught him from a young age how to project himself as an authority figure, something that he was exceedingly good at. The Thugs seemed confused for a moment, their blasters stopping their incessant assault.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

Mousy-brown haired head peeked up from the top of the crate. Some guy who looked too well dressed was in the mix. Call her mildly impressed he'd stopped the firing. Temporarily.

What the kark was he doing?!

"Bugger off unless yah wanna get shot pretty boy." Chubby offered that response. She missed the other gang member giving Felix a look, like there was something more to the teen. Something that was important to remember.

There was a slight whine from the end of Kinsey's blaster. Looked like the make shift powerpack was up. Still had her stun baton.

"Don't sound good girl." One of the closest Keenjay members sneered in her direction.

"We're all fine here, thanks," the young Starchaser retorted from behind her cover.

"Don't think anyone is fine here on Guavian Death Gang Territory," said a rumbling voice behind Felix.

Great. Now she was in the middle of a turf war.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Felix didn't seem half as worried as Kinsey was, in fact from his posture it was easy to tell that he was downright relaxed about the whole situation. For a moment he turned turn around, only glancing at the first group of thugs that had been firing at the girl. He glanced down at her behind the crates for a moment, then slowly turned around to look who had actually stepped up behind him. His posture didn't change in the least when he did, and the confident smirk on his face only seemed to grow wider.

"Jara." Felix said in a rather familiar tone.

The heavyset Besalisk who had walked up behind Felix seemed entirely taken aback seeing him there, his face contorting for half a moment before he managed to right it and put on a smile. The young Thawne simply smiled up at him, dwarfed by the massive alien. If Felix was at all worried about being caught between two gangs he showed absolutely no sign of it.

"I do hate to impose on you." Felix began. "But my friend here ran afoul of these..."

He glanced back towards the other thugs. "Things."

For a moment Feelix glanced down at Kinsey, then back up towards Jara. The Besalisk was clearly uncomfortable in Felix's presence, though why he should be anything of the sort was a complete and utter mystery. Still, the massive Alien and his thugs seemed to mean absolutely no ill-will towards Felix.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

"What're you doing?" She whispered up at Ken Barbie. "Get the kark do-," voice trailed off as the Death Gang member joined them. Suits was smooth, stoic, and a bit unnerving, considering he seemed about her same age or perhaps a few years younger. He was going to get shot.

Except, he wasn't.

Starburst blues met the blues of the stranger, flickering to the Besalisk. Sandy-brown brows crinkled together. Friend?

"Aww c'mon. We've bin trackin her since...," the Keenjay guy was cut off.

Jara held up a fist and thrummed. "Don't care. This is our turf." Hefting his weight, he stepped in front of the crate she and smoother operator were behind. He brought out a repeater and leveled it at the Keenjay members. Their blasters were pointed at the Besalisk. Didn't seem like either was about to back down.

But that didn't matter. This was a perfect opportunity to get away with a drying power source. She eased up, wrist shield still activated and blaster still gripped in one hand. "Time to go mystery man," she nudged suits with her elbow and motioned to the opening down the street littered with discarded fruit and scurrying pedestrians scrambling to get clear of the situation.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Felix glanced down at Kinsey for a moment, smiling, then looked up at Jara once more. "You'll take care of this, yeah?"

Usually he didn't like dealing with gangsters, that was more the purview of his siblings, but it seemed necessary right now. The Coratanni Cartel was hardly the largest criminal syndicate operating on Coruscant, but it was one of the most influential. Their reputation for violence and extreme action as enough to ward off any street gangs. More than that however, their ability to make money was attractive to people like Jara, people who were only driven by greed.

Felix could respect that.

"Come on." Felix said, giving Kinsey a little wave. "This way."

He pointed towards where Jara had come from. He knew that even if the other gangsters tried to pursue Kinsey and him in that direction they would meet quite a bit more resistance at the hands of Jara's goons. Territory was rather important on Coruscant, and especially down here.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

That was it? He was so karking casual. It was fething unnerving. Couldn't help glancing over her shoulder even as she followed after suits.

When they were a good 100 yards away, she finally powered off her wrist shield and holstered her semi-working blaster. The ships they were walking between made her feel a bit more at ease. More cover. And there were no screaming people, so that was a plus. Arm shook out. Seemed a bit bruised after taking on two of those stun bolts.

She was quiet and snuck a glance or two at this mystery man. That suit out of place? His easy way of dodging a turf war. His...swagger.

Made her feel more than cautious about him.

Starburst blues were already scanning for an opening to dodge this guy and get back on her quest.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

He glanced at her, noting that her eyes seemed to be darting about as quickly as possible. Briefly Felix wondered why she was running through the shipping district of Coruscant, more so though he wondered why she was running from a gang.

There were dozens, if not hundreds of Street Gangs that operated all over Coruscant. Most of them were happy enough in their quiet little world, never causing trouble and just doing what they could to make money. Some were a bit more stupid however, generally doing whatever they thought was a good idea at the time. It was foolish of course, but Felix could respect the ambition. Of course, that ambition often lead to doing incredibly stupid things, like chasing someone into enemy territory.

"So." Felix began as they stepped through a doorway into a separate hangar bay.

He watched as her eyes darted around.

"I suppose you'll be on your way now." Felix smiled. "Running headlong into another gang so they can take whatever it is you're carrying."

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

She was looking for a way out...

Arms crossed and she turned to suits and would tug him into a shadowy-nook provided by a parked freighter. Was a little less out in the complete open. Just as quickly, she would release his arm. The sounds of refueling and landing ships would help drown out their voices. Exhaust and oil mixed in the air. Two smells Kinsey was perfectly familiar and at home with.

Nothing was for free anywhere. Let alone Coruscant. So, the young Starchaser cut right to it.

"Who ARE you and why're you helping me?"

What did he want?

This time her starburst eyes remained locked with his glacier ones.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Felix wrinkled his nose at the smell in the air, clearly rather displeased with where Kinsey had chosen to have this little confrontation. Annoyance floated across his features, though it was more at where they were standing than anything else.

It seemed that for a second he would ignore her question, thought after a minute he adjusted the hem of his coat and then shifted his gaze towards her. The easy going smile reappeared on his lips, features softening. The confidence that he had been brimming with never left him, lingering in the air. "My name is Felix Thawne."

That would likely mean nothing to her.

"I helped you." He began. "Because your shenanigans interrupted a business transaction."

Felix doubted he'd ever see that captain again. "So I thought I'd at least find out why."

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

Lips pursed together.

The girl stared up at him, jaw clenching. Loading droids tinkered in the background, sending a spray of sparks through the dense air. Fingers came up to tuck golden-brown ribbons of hair behind an ear.

Felix Thawne.

She knew enough by the way he carried himself, the clothes he wore, his voice, and almost haughty attitude to know what kind of connection he may have. Not to mention his interaction with Jara. The way his nose crinkled at the smell in the air. Or maybe something else.

She'd probably never see him again. Not that he or anyone else would believe her. Well, besides the Keenjay clan.

"Treasure map." Thin shoulders shrugged. Corner of her eyes caught a shipment marked for a dozen levels up. Looked like maybe a shipment of protocol droids and powered-down BB8 and BB9 units.

"Anyway, thanks for the spot back there." A brilliant smile was flashed in his direction. She had swagger of her own. "I probably could've handled it, y'know." She went to step away from the shadow of the ship. Independent as ever.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

"Sure." He answered, a shrug rolling over his shoulder.

Felix's smile seemed to imply that there was something he knew that he wasn't telling. It wasn't too obvious from the way he looked, but the amusement that played across his features hid something beneath the surface. Perhaps he found all of this funny.

"Can you handle getting off Coruscant though?" He smiled. "Won't find many ships around here you can stow away on."

He rocked on his heels. "Most of this place is run by Jara and his gang."

Dangerous folk.

"They don't take too kindly to people trying to hitch rides...or worse." Not to mention the other street gang she was running from.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

She pressed against an opposite side of a ship parked parallel to the one she'd just been sharing that shadowy space with. The droid transporter would be going by just at the right spot. Just had to wait.....for it.

Head turned to Felix. "Hey. Just because I'm not wearing fancy clothes, doesn't mean I can't afford a ship of my own." Lips still twitched within a smile, a humorous look dancing in those mixed blue eyes of hers. Anyone looking at her for long would pick up on her being a spacer. Well-worn clothes that had already seen its fair share of stitching with various patches from whatever material was available. Everything she wore had a purpose and had already seen her through a bunch of pinches. And each tool in the belt strapped around the curves of her hips she could use blindfolded and with either hand.

"Just have to get a dozen or so levels up."

Here came the droid shipment going up. Bursting from the shadow of the ship they shared, she jumped onto the back, hands wrapping around the lip of the container.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Felix watched her with interest for a moment, smiling slightly as he realized what she was doing. There wasn't a lot of mystery to it, and he was more observant than most. Oh Felix certainly didn't know everything, but the way she moved about made her intentions a little obvious.

"I wouldn't do that." He said out loud as the droid carrier came by.

Coruscant was his home, had been since last year. Most of the business SIN conducted was done here, and it was why his penthouse and everything else was located on the upper levels. He knew this section of the planet quite well, and he especially knew the shipping and manufacturing industry. It was part of his job to know the ins and outs of all of it, mostly so that he could keep track of his families holdings and what they were doing. An important aspect.

"Those go through purifiers before they leave the district." He stated. "Gigant chemical and electrical cleansers."

Felix smiled. "Make sure contaminations from other planets don't spread to Coruscant."

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

Felix was still talking as she clung to the back. Head looked over her shoulder, golden-brown hair plastering across her face. Blues narrowed trying to make out his lips.

"W-H-A-T?" She mouthed back without shouting above the rumble of the transport. Didn't need to drag much more attention to herself than she already was. But the clinking and clattering of the transport was making too much noise anyway. Not like she'd be able to hear him. Shrugging in his direction, she offered a two-fingered wave and turned back around.

Tongue ran along her lower-lip as she looked up. She'd have to hoist herself over the top to get nice and comfy among the droids and cargo. Booted-toes pushed up. Fingers tugged on the lip and she heaved herself up, one leg coming up to straddle the container. There was a quiet bzzzzzt sound and Kinsey suddenly found several high bolts of energy coursing through her body.

ZZZzzzzzZZZZzzzzzzzzt

Next thing she knew, she was an un-moving tangle of limbs and flopped hair on the hangar floor.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

Felix didn't even react when the girl was zapped off of the transport. His face and body language didn't change, his eyes barely blinked, but he couldn't help but feel some amusement. Had the girl not been so hasty she very likely would have made it out of the sector without even the slightest problem, but now...well he couldn't imagine that she would be perfectly okay.

A small sigh escaped him and he glanced at his Chrono.

Technically he had another meeting to get to, but this...well this was far more interesting. Business could always wait, especially now that the Captain had disappeared. He would have to make sure to send some of the Cartel's Executioners after the man, show him that running from Coratanni was not at all smart. He slowly shook his head and crossed the hangar bay, pulling out a communicator as he approached the girl and squatted down besides her.

His eyes wandered to chest face, then to her chest to make sure she was still breathing.

When he saw the shallow rise and fall he knew she wasn't dead at least. "Good."

Felix said to himself as he pressed the communicator to his ear and called for some of his guards. He wasn't about to carry her to get medical treatment himself after all.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

There was a beeping sound in the distance. Something behind the fog. Everything felt....heavy. Mind began to crank, pushing back the fog and blackness and remembering what happened before.

Map. Gangs. Felix. Cargo box.

"Feth," the girl croaked, lids finally opening. Blue's squinted against sunlight streaming through windows that showed a site of Coruscant upper levels. At least, she hoped she was still on Coruscant. From her bed, it looked like she was occupying some sort of private, high end medical suite. And there were a few things she noticed right away: her clothes were gone, she was wearing a hospital gown that definitely opened in the back, and apparently someone had washed her hair.

Because it smelled like lavender and vanilla.

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

The high end medical suite was actually just a regular room in Felix's penthouse that had some medical equipment thrown into it.

His connections with the local hospitals on Coruscant had come in handy, and he'd ended up calling his brother in order to get a doctor to check up on Kinsey. The task had been a relatively easy one, and as always no one had asked any questions.

Part of being who he was.

No one ever questioned a member of the Coratanni Cartel, at least not if they were smart. Felix generally wasn't part of the Cartel, not really, but everyone who mattered knew of his connection to both SIN and the rest of the Thawne family. That was what mattered in the end. So Kinsey found herself within Felix's penthouse, fully cared for by a doctor and of course treated with all the care in the world.

While she awoke, Felix remained in the living room watching a Holo-show.