Private Harbor City Shuffle

[Kivah]

Harbor City Shuffle
Tags: Shot Sutaz , Vaux Gred , Juniper Le Fey , Hilal Vizsla , Siv Kryze

The lounge of the freighter was feeling a little cramped with the motley crew the Dawn had assembled for this project all gathered together. Looking them over from her perch atop the back of the curved bench seats, Kivah once again wished that she’d been given the opportunity to pick her own team. None of them looked like hardened criminals, but maybe that was a good thing considering the task ahead of them. None of them would stand out in a crowd like Kivah would with her Amazonian stature and feline features. Juniper might, but they’d planned to put that to use when the time came.

“Right,” she began in her low, smooth drawl. “Now that there’s no turning back, I can give you the fracking lecture on what we’re going to be doing for the next two weeks.” Kivah clicked the remote dangling in hand, activating a holo tank she’d set up for the occasion. The face of a middle-aged woman, hardened like many Mandalorian’s tended to be, appeared in the blue light. “A Mayor doesn’t sound like that impressive of a person, but they reign through political favors, influencing policy and enforcement. Not a small thing in New Harbor, the diplomatic center of Dral'vencuyot. This is Maras Solari, potential mayor and our benefactor for this mission. We’re going to do her a big fething favor by getting her elected.”

Kivah hit the remote again, changing the display to include an older man just starting to be a little too soft around the edges after a long political career. “The incumbent, Garrick Thorne. Current projections have him winning by a sleight margin, one he intends to secure through gaining the support of the planetary governor.” A third click and a third picture appeared. “He’s an avid art collector and Thorne thinks he can gain favor by presenting him with a few pieces to round out his collection. This is where we come in.”

Leaning forward, she ran her eyes over the team. “We’re going to steal that art and replace them with forgeries. Thorne doesn’t know his stuff, but the governor will think he’s either being played, or that Thorne was. Either way, he looses any hope of gaining his nomination. The only opportunity to make the switch is in two weeks at a fundraising party Thorne is hosting in his penthouse. Before then, we need to persuade the local art dealer to divulge what pieces they sold to him, and form a plan to infiltrate the penthouse. Fortunately, local contacts are providing us with both an expert forger and a pair of invites, but the rest is on us.” Flicking off the holograms, Kivah gave a one-armed shrug. “And that’s it. Can not stress enough how subtly is key. We don’t want Solari’s administration to begin with scandal, so no killing unless its unavoidable. Any questions before we drop out of hyperspace?”

 

[Juniper Le Fey]

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Juniper chose to haunt the back of the lounge, just behind the rest of the group. She wasn't sure about everyone else yet, so she allowed only the best vantage point she could find. Her eyes were laser focused on the other criminals. She didn't trust anyone she had met yet in Crimson Dawn, and she was safer for it. The intel drop had been smooth enough, Crimson Dawn wanted to make a move and they needed a face, and they were willing to pay for the best.

A hand lazily played at the strap of her boot while Kivah went over what their mission was. Juniper didn't bother looking at the holo at first. Politicians, favors, elections, they all blurred together after a few years. The powerful playing dress up and kissing ass. It wasn't until the mention of the party that her attention shifted, eyes flicking up with something a little closer to interest. It was akin to when Misch only lifted his head up when Juniper mentioned food. Penthouse, party, rich guests- she'd be chasing her tail if she had one.

She shifted her gaze across the room again, this time a bit slower, sizing up the others. She was curious as to what they would show for themselves. "Subtle," she echoed, her head tilted slightly, dark eyes finally settling toward Kivah. "I can do subtle."

Her manicured fingers stilled against the strap of her boot before she pushed herself up just enough to sit a little straighter, now leaning in toward the group. "Penthouse parties usually come with guest lists." A small, deliberate pause. "Who am I supposed to be?" A faint grin tugged at her lips, as she thought of the possibilities.

 

[Tobi Fett]

.​

HARBOR CITY SHUFFLE​

​

Tobi sat slouched near the end of the bench the entire briefing, one arm draped lazily over the backrest while he spun a datachip between his fingers. At the mention of subtlety, the black visor lifted slightly.


"Ehhh? No explosions? No dramatic hostage situations? Crimson Dawn missions are becoming very restrictive."


The filtered voice carried an almost playful disappointment.


Then Juniper mentioned guest lists.


The helmet turned toward her immediately.


"Ooooh, that's easy. You already look like you belong at a rich people party." He pointed at her lazily. "Scary confidence. Expensive attitude. Probably smells like credits."


A beat passed before he continued, lighter now, almost rambling.


"Rich people are weird anyway. They don't actually remember faces. Just titles and gossip. If someone walks in looking important enough, everyone else just assumes somebody else knows them." He tapped the side of his helmet twice. "But workers? Nobody looks at workers. Catering crews, freight handlers, service elevators... very tragic. Invisible heroes of society."


Tobi leaned back further into the seat.


"Which is great for us, because Tobi likes invisible things. Less getting shot that way."

 

[Vaux Gred]

Vaux was already out of her usual flight armor, instead taking up so more spacer-like regalia. A pair of goggles sat above her silver eyes. One of the main giveaways for both her and her brother. She wasn’t really Crimson Dawn like some of the others, heck she’d spent most of the flight in the cockpit by choice, but she had recently taken to more subtle missions. Last one was hiding as a slave to try and bust some slavers, but this seemed less insane. She still had her usual Trayc’kal, electro-whip, and stolen Sith saber on her hips, but she could handle not making a mess of things.

But then there was the mention of the party. Vaux frowned a little, looking at Kivah. “Guess I might as well ask. You’re not making me wear a dress to this right?” It was half joking, half serious, though hearing Tobi’s remark on no explosions got a smirk. “Something tells me you could learn a thing or two, Fett. Trust me, if I’ve picked up one thing from my tat (Concordian Mando’a, “Brother”) it’s that sometimes restrain’s the better part of honor. Plus, less chance of staring down a blaster.”


She then thought things over, trying to figure out if she had a more relevant question. “Any leads on these dealers and forgers?”

Kivah Tobi Fett Juniper Le Fey

 

[Kivah]

Tags: Shot Sutaz , Vaux Gred , Juniper Le Fey , Hilal Vizsla , Tobi Fett

While her expression didn't change as she looked out at those gathered, Kivah's ear flicked in what anyone who knew her or Denik social cues would recognize as disappointment. She'd been hoping for more, but she had to admit that the few who spoke up had some good points and an eagerness that she often had herself. "Not unless things go horribly wrong." She said with a grin at Tobi, "and that's the exact attitude we want to take advantage of. If we go in quiet, only show them what they expect, everyone will be too preoccupied with the party to realize our star is letting in a few extra caterers or guests." Kivah turned her attention back to Juniper. "We have your invite under Lana Lux, she's a deva-pop star you may have heard, but not seen. You'll be making her first public appearance. Before now she's stayed hidden behind holograms and animations, lets you play the role how you like."

"As for the dealers, Vaux. There's a limited number of them in town of a high enough class to attract the Mayor's attention, and the two likeliest are rivals. We just have to interview them and find out which of them it is." Her grin made it clear that the interview likely wasn't going to be pleasant if subterfuge lost out. "Forgers are in-house. Once we know what we need, we'll send a message off, and they'll get to work." Kivah took a moment, looking each member in the eyes, seeing if she'd answered their questions. "We do this right, and we've got a nice pay-day ahead of us. Vaux, take us in please."