Private Good Guys Don't Always Wear White

[Calyx Sundrift]

Aruza, Apartment block 5157-C

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

Electricity sparked from the panel as the vibroknife clicked into place. The digital lock offered one last warble of resistance before surrendering with a defeated little chirp. The door slid open, and Calyx retracted his slicing tool, tucking it back into his sleeve.

Beyond it lay a small two-room apartment, well-kept, done up in creamy white and touches of orange. It was the kind of place someone had tried to make comfortable without ever meaning to stay. None of this was built for permanent residence, Calyx guessed. The whole city of Lurn ran on seasonal workers passing through, here for a harvest or a contract, gone when the work dried up. That would explain why half the building stood empty, at least.

And that made it ideal for its current purpose. The apartment had once been a safehouse for the Hidden Path. One of the precious few to survive the Path's collapse, and, he suspected, one of the fewer still that some splinter group might still be quietly using.

He didn't step inside right away. Cautiously, his eye drifted from floor to ceiling. He took in everything that seemed to be placed delibaretely, and then the more mundane.

No obvious traps. His mouth twisted. I'd have preferred obvious traps.

Obvious traps, at least, told you where not to step. This kind of absence just meant someone had gotten cleverer. Now he'd have to think twice before touching anything.

Quietly, he crossed the threshold, resisting the urge to announce himself.

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
Calyx Sundrift ​

At first, a creamy vanilla scent softened the air as he entered. But the sensation was far from pure as hints of smoke, fuel and spice intermingled with the vanilla. A few half dried-out bottles of perfume and toothpaste could be gleaned in the lavatory from where he stood - a few more steps would reveal a rudimentary make-up set.

A few tablets rested in disarray on the bookshelf on the opposite side of the room, displaying current news, both local and from the nearby systems. News about suspected Imperial cells, Remnant activities, Imperial data available on the black market, swoop gangs and criminality on the rise once more. Months ago; when the path was still active here, this had been a simple, albeit effective, way to keep track of the major events in the area if combined with good footwork.

The holocaster had been left running with the volume high enough to scare the worst thieves away. After the advertisement break, the anchor resumed her reporting. Yet another explosion had gone off, this time by an apartment building. Food prices were up due to destabilised supply chains. A reform package on healthcare was being launched and the heavy rain was not about to cease.

While it might have been easy to miss at first, a small stream of smoke came from the other room. The formerly magnetically sealable door had been torn apart a long time ago and the weapons which used to be store inside were long gone. A simple light hung over a metal table at the center and three jackets or coats hung on the free hooks together with matching shawls. The clothes might have been colourful and vibrant and one point - but dirt, ash and years of wear and tear had left a clear mark. A plate with 80 credits and two pipes laid plainly on the table by the chair closest to the door. One was empty and used, the other still carried a good amount of spice, ready to use for anyone with a light.

An old computer console stood at the far end of the room. The holocam and holoprojector were still running but the blue flicker of a light that it projected suggested a glitch, an interrupted call or perhaps even tampering. Regardless, the screen offered a standard welcome screen with an offer for anyone to enter their password.

The apartment contained plenty of more or less mundane curiosities. Crates which used to contain weapons, a large chest in the first room, a few locked bureaus under the book shelf, a creaky floor plate under the mat, a stocked fridge and a bed with a used left side.

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

The thick scent of vanilla perfume left him unperturbed. He liked perfume. His type of lady wore it. His type of men too. But the undertone, the familiar waft...

He fanned it away from his nose, grimace deepening. Spice.

Soft footfalls carried him deeper into the room. He threw a quick glance at the holocaster, dismissed it immediately, and slid closer to the wall to peer into the next room.

He could think of enough reasons why somebody would leave a holocaster running. The most obvious was to feign being home. But it also masked sound. And what if an anxious burglar simply turned it off on instinct?

Could be rigged. Quite spectacularly, too.

His attention shifted to the lavatory, fully in view now. A couple of perfume bottles, a tube of toothpaste, two spent towels, and a small make-up kit tucked away on the upper shelf. A woman, then.

He crept along the edge of the room, careful not to touch anything that didn't warrant touching, and stopped briefly at the datapads sprawled across the desk.

Somebody's been busy. He rubbed his chin. What were you up to? His hand hovered over them. Imperial cells. Swoop gangs. He glanced over his shoulder at the holocaster. Related? He mulled it over.

.--PERCEPTION: 15 --.

Then his eye caught it. A wisp, a thin tendril of smoke. Silently, he traced it to the other end of the apartment, where an old console stood, holocam and projector still humming.

He wondered if someone was watching. It hardly mattered either way. The place would be compromised the moment he finished his business, seen or not. He approached the flickering blue light slowly.

Can I... no. Password-protected.

He stepped back, weighing what he might be missing.

There was, of course, the tried and true method. Wait for somebody to come "home." Or he could forgo caution entirely and play the burglar.

Calyx shifted, raised a hand, and made a slow swiping gesture. The front door slid shut behind him with a quiet click.

Well then. Let's make ourselves at home.

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
Calyx Sundrift ​

Datapads, poorly secured and on open display for anyone who entered to see - and listing current events too. Whoever lived in the apartment sure wasn't hiding their lingering affiliation with the Path - or at least their continued interests in Imperial elements and the injustices of the galaxy. Curiously, most of the news sources had been opened one or two days back, but the events they covered had no apparent connection other than in theme and had all happened over the last month, not just the last couple of days. Perhaps the occupant's true interests were hiding between the sheer number of articles which had been put on display.

Suspicions of Imperial cells hiding among the elites in the commercial district, swoop gangs causing civilian casualties in their turf wars with two victims in the last week and a few more topics - hardly actionable without further footwork. The only truly actionable article was the -possibly ongoing- sale of the Imperial data which was bound to happen soon, or perhaps even right as the apartment was being investigated.

The anchor on the holocaster moved onto local news with the main headline being sightings of rogue security droids by apartment block 5157. The doors shutting didn't do much to disturb anyone wishing to listen in on the news - but then came the unmistakeable heavy clonking sound from a magnetic lock being engaged. A small display by the side of the otherwise innocent-looking door indicated as much as it showed a simple 'Security re-armed. Away Mode Active' The message soon shifted to a simple 'Enter Code' as it dimmed down with a small 'boop' sounding each second.

If this was not interrupted the turbolift would soon be heard stopping on the floor of the apartment followed by the approach of heavy metallic footsteps belonging to at least two units.

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

.--INVESTIGATION: 5 --.

He'd begun rummaging through the crates, prying them open by wedging his vibroknife between box and lid. It proved a bigger hassle than he'd expected, and the results were less than satisfying. Most held outdated weapons or scraps of ammunition. Nothing that suggested any real plan beyond "arm thyself."

The floor sounded hollow under the carpet too, but he'd found no hatch, no panel, nothing he could pry loose.

Defeated, he swept the room with his eye once more. "No chance you've got the password just lying around, eh?" Calyx murmured. He'd taken to muttering to himself a while back, somewhere around the point his frustration overtook his patience. "Not for friends. Not for fellow 'rebels'..." Probably some catchphrase they all traded. Like 'Hide in hope', 'I'm on the right path,' or something equally insufferable.

The holocaster chirped another announcement. This just in-

Lazily, Calyx glanced at it. Then his gaze fixed on the all-too-familiar building behind the news anchor.

That's-

"Two malfunctioning security droids are roaming District 5100, last sighted near apartment block 5150. Please avoid contact and remain inside your homes until the threat is dealt with."

Yeah, no. His hand drifted to his side, closing around the familiar grip of his, and formerly Drystan's, lightsaber. That's not a coincidence.

Maybe, just maybe, his vibroknives would suffice. But it'd get messy, and messy drew more attention than a lightsaber ever would. A quick, clean dispatch, that was the goal.

Somewhere down the corridor, out of earshot, a turbolift's doors slid open.

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
Calyx Sundrift ​

The metallic steps were heavy and mechanical. Cargo droids were still a possibility but all signs pointed towards what the news broadcast had warned of - especially considering the seemingly heavy activity coming from the upper body rotors. It would soon be easy to identify two separate units moving in the corridor outside until they stopped in front of the door to the apartment.

A few moments passed by before a simple click could be heard from outside. An automated voice spoke, 'Access denied'. After a few more moments of silence there was another click followed by the exact same message. There was once more silence until the droids outside opened up the same panel that Calyx had accessed earlier. A scomp link was inserted; it was now just a matter of time until they were through.

Meanwhile, the soft static sound from the holoprojector in the second room tightened into a zip before the blue static sharpened into the image of a woman. Verse was removing a hair tie, letting her hair flow like it had when they last met. Her tan leather jacket was not at all what she could be found wearing in the past but a familiar soft flowery shawl could be seen underneath as she casually opened the jacket. Curious blue eyes were watching a feed on her and as if trying to see what was going on.

"Cal?" Her tone was bright, like it had always been - but the brightness didn't do much to hide her surprise. "What are you-..? Uh, hold on. You've..." she trailed off, seemingly concentrating on a computer console outside the scope of her holocam.

Her brows furrowed as she worked to access a number of systems remotely. "Hang on tight, I should be able to..."

Spoiler: Roll

Hacking: 1

Judging by her tightening brows and how hard she was biting her lip, something didn't seem to be going well at all. Little error-sounding beeps were coming from her end of the call. "I can't call 'em off but I might be able to shut 'em out from the apartment." she said, offering a determined nod. Just as she clicked the last button in the sequence, the doors swooshed open, allowing both KX-series security droids to march in. They opened fire with simple blaster pistols on stun mode immediately - but their goal was clearly to close the gap.

Verse was already on the move. She had left the computer console and was hopping into a speeder.

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

He stood ready, anticipation tempered by years of life-and-death situations. The news had announced only two droids, yet the room's utility flashed through his mind. What tables could be upturned for cover, what items could be flung, what could serve as a feint, what might disorient. He didn't doubt he could take them.

Still, his expression oozed regret, thanks to a single thought that surfaced.

Why did I have to wear my best shirt today?

It was a nice synthsilk shirt, coloured aubergine, worn loose. Three quick paces brought him back to the coat rack. He chose a rugged one in a warm shade of ivory - he had to stay fashionable - and vainly tried to cover the shirt as the heavy metallic footfalls grew closer.

"Cal?"

He froze mid-third button.

"Shorts?" His one-eyed gaze shot to the ghostly blue image. "What are y-" She interjected, her attention drawn elsewhere. "Should be able to what?" His grin turned sheepish. "Come over? As it happens, I'm home alone." He glanced back as the automated voice echoed through the hallway again. "Well- for now."

She stayed matter-of-fact, told him she couldn't call it off. The implication dawned on him quickly. "This is your place, isn't it?" Before she could answer, the door slid open. Two broad security droids flung themselves through in a hail of blasterfire.

.--DEFLECTION: 8 --.

Calyx swiveled, the first of many stun bolts warbling past him. "Well, in that case, sorry about the coat." The saber's sleek hilt erupted into a fan of crimson light, batting stun bolts aside. But the room was too small for proper form, and his swings kept catching on the doorpost and the desk.

The security droids closed in.

.--MELEE: 1 --.

Disgruntled, he traded saber for vibroknife. Now that Verse knew he was here, he couldn't afford to leave lightsaber marks. He simply couldn't risk that shrewd woman's suspicion.

The droid reached for him, and Calyx slashed back with the vibroknife drawn from his sleeve. The blow glanced clean off, not even sparking at the joints.

Kriff.

He leapt to dodge a blow from the second droid, aiming to take the first down in an upper-body tackle. Its torso rotated in retaliation, and his grip slipped. He flew across the room, over the bed, and crashed into a small cabinet.

Dazed, he tried to stand, but the droids were already on top of him. He thrust out a hand in a telekinetic push. The droid simply took it, flinging him across the room before the Force could ripple outward.

"That's—" he panted, lying upside down against the far wall, "that's some damn strong grip you've got there." He gestured with the vibroknife.

"Alright, c'mon." Shakily, he pushed himself up again.

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
Calyx Sundrift ​

The serious facade poorly hid her amusement upon hearing him apologising for the coat. "15 credits and the coat is all yours." she smirked whilst bringing the speeder up into a fast lane, cutting through traffic to get back home as quickly as possible.

Brows furrowed, her attention flickered between her datapad and the speeder lanes ahead. She mumbled a distant "I'mma see if..." but trailed off as her datapad grabbed her attention. It would seem like she was still working on getting through the droids' outer encryption until she had to make a sudden evasive manoeuvre. Avoiding mid-air collisions while hacking via datapad was certainly a few steps beyond what one would expect from Verse. Judiging by the results, it probably still was. The droids kept working to aggressively subdue the intruder.

From where she was, it was hard to keep track of what was going on inside the apartment. The initial volley had ended and the distinct sound of a melee scuffle followed. As soon as she heard the thud of her friend being thrown into a wall she looked to the holoprojector to see what was going on. Unfortunately, it only displayed blue static. "What's going on? Are you? Cal, what are-..?" Her voice was confused until she seemed to realise what was going on. She let out an incredulous exclamation "Don't let them get close! Just shoot 'em. A bolt or two to the head."

Spoiler: Roll

Knowledge (technology): 13

Soon, she'd let out a sigh "You didn't bring a gun, did you? I've got a hold-out blaster under the left pillow." She thought for a few moments whilst bringing the speeder out of the fast lane - she was close to arriving. "One of these guys has an open access panel at his upper back. Hitting that could shut him off."

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

"Really?" He ducked just in time as mechanical joints stirred and a durasteel arm swept overhead. "I hadn't thought of that!"

The droids were tenacious, their programming springing relentlessly from one move into the next. He sidestepped the kick of a durasteel foot and leapt back from another grapple, maneuvering behind crates and whirling aside when a tackle came.

"You keep a blaster there?" He tried to catch a glimpse of the pillows, but the broad droids kept blocking his view. "Well, if that's what does it for you…"

He backpedaled, and the droids advanced.

Calyx seized the dark side, funneling it into his movements. In a flash of motion, he threw his vibroknife and dashed forward.

It grazed the first droid and, with a harsh clang, buried itself in the armor of the second. Sparks flew, and the thing's arm locked with the blade jutting from the joint, though the staggering droid still kept its balance. Calyx nearly took a blow from the first as he dashed past, leapt, and landed on the bed.

He reached under the pillow, hand closing around the grip of a blaster pistol.

Calyx rolled back and fired twice. One bolt caught the farthest droid, punching into the other's control panel. The second shot took the security droid straight through the head's core processor. Both slowed to fading buzzes, then collapsed forward.

Smoke still trailed from the pistol when he sagged back on the bed.

"Y'know, Verse, I've dealt with overprotective brothers, furious lovers, and drunken friends. But never in my life have I, upon visiting a lady's bedroom, been assaulted by security droids." He massaged his aching shoulder. "So. Did I come at a bad time? Seems like there was nobody home."