Impact

[Asmus Janes]

He grimaced briefly at the mixed news. He walked down a road that cut past the shuttle park. There was a small marked out taxi stop and another unguarded entrance to the shuttles. He checked there was no one within earshot.

“These shuttles don't come and go often. I know who owns the sleek Naboo model and the Quad jumper. Might be days before anyone comes or goes so copying a key might be tricky. And slicing a shuttle...Could you even do that?” He asked.

A common criminal could clone a key. There were a couple of models in there that they would just have to get through the door and he could jump start them electronically.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Kaile bit her lip. Slicing into a shuttle could take time. However, she could do it. Just needed a distraction.

"Yeah... just will take time." her voice echoed a measure of concern. She was weighing the risks and benefits. ""How is the security in there?" she asked, moving around and letting her eyes drift at the attendees around her. There were many. The city itself was rather on the high end of quality of life. While she didn't stand out as much due to the conference, Kaile couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. As a Lorrdian, she was able to mimic anyone down to their voice and mannerisms, even non humanoids. It still felt a bit off though. As if she was wearing someone else's skin.

"Would the naboo shuttle be best or the Quad?"

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"The quad jumper is less likely to attract attention," he reasoned. "Security is next to none. There's one bored man and some cameras. It's a glorified airspeeder park. I think if he spots someone hanging around the Naboo ship now it would garner some attention."

There were quite a lot of people around the area, walking the streets. But people had a habit of not looking too closely at their surroundings. "Better to come back at night?" He asked. Cameras might not even spot the pair and he would almost bet on the night guard sleeping on the job.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

"Yeah, we don't want to end up making anyone suspicious." Kaile agreed.

"Come on, we'll meet up and see what we can learn about Pute." the agent kept her voice quiet, but she had a feeling this would be important. Not only for their mission but for what could potentially go wrong.

"The likes of him don't just blend easy... there are signs everywhere." Kaile came to a stop in front of a small caf shop. The scent of chocolate, mocha, and freshly brewed caf tickled her nose. The patrons seemingly going about their day unaware of the real threat they had with Pute.

 

[Asmus Janes]

“If you say so,” Asmus replied. There was nothing sarcastic in his reply at all. “You might have to give me a brief back on the hotel room on what to look for. Best thing I can probably do tomorrow is keep an eye on the building and surroundings.”

That was in his opinion, but he was more than amenable to go with whatever Kaile thought was the best option. He approached the caf shop and smiled as he stepped inside.

“May as well get some lunch if they have something?” He asked. Asmus was always hungry, but especially today. He slipped the sunglasses back into a pocket within his loose top. He idly patted down his pocket to check his credits were still there. Safe looking city, but there were pickpockets even in the cleanest centres.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

There he was. Jade green eyes met brown, and Kaile gave a half smile. Always hungry and thinking with his stomach. Well, with the field rations they had the past day, Kaile couldn't blame him.

"They should have a few sandwiches." she told him, following him inside.

"Maybe another caf." that actually sounded rather good.

Wandering up ahead towards to get a gander at the overhead holo menu, Kaile allowed herself a small moment to relax. To try to be normal. Well, as normal could be.

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Cheese melt sandwich, a bottle of water and double shot of caf please?" He asked the service droid. It was still hot and humid even inside the city. If anything the duracrete soaked up the heat more than the woods had shaded them from it.

Looking across at Kaile he was once again struck by the notion that they could really go on a break together and actually be normal together. It would take time. Those days hadn't been enough to fully settle. Every evening she had still pulled an expression and pretended that she wasn't really going to stay again.

"What would you like?" He prompted.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

"Grilled cheese and a caf please," Kaile replied, passing a smile over to the service droid.

[ Of course madam. ] a quick tap of the keys and he replied [ That will be fourteen credits.]

Kaile's eyes immediately bulged. What?? Fourteen credits for two sandwiches, two cafs, and a bottle of water??!

Her jaw fell and then suddenly closed.

" What?!" she blinked, unable to help herself. That was so much!

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Asmus pulled a face, but gave a resigned shrug. "Inner city caf shop," he said. "Some spaceport can be even worse unless you know the right places to go."

That, he decided, was probably about as much as he should talk about ports and his past life. Back then he'd known so many of the good food joints in the major ports. Good places that served hearty portions for a few coins.

With one hand he slid the coins across the counter, the other had found the small of her back before he'd even realised it.

"Bet it's not even a good caf," he remarked.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

"That is so expensive!" the reply came as a harsh whisper still shocked at how much just that small bit of food cost. Even while working at Yum Bunnies, at least the prices weren't high lane robbery!

The flat press of Asmus' handled Kaile over to a small booth at the rear of the caf. He remembered about keeping the wall to their backs. Sliding into a seat, Kaile gave a scowl, amazed and disturbed at a price.

"Well, better be for how much we paid for it." came the grumble, a little bit of the regular Kaile shining through.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Need to know a place well to know the fun joints" he reflected as he sat down. Two imperial officers came through the door. Mid thirties, majors. Shoulder patches reflected their work in logistics. No troopers. Asmus was used to seeing stormtroopers. But of course back on Sullust or eriadu he didn't get an armed guard when walking around the civilian sectors in uniform.

"I like a bit more colour," he said. It was a reference back to a time he'd explained the places he liked to visits in shadow ports. But today it was a reference to the almost exclusively white, human and rich patrons of this inner city coffee shop. He liked aliens, cultures music and fun.

A pinger went which signalled his toastie being finished. A small floating droid dropped their tray off on the table without a word. Cold. Despite the heat and humidity this city was cold.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

"Reckon they go more for efficiency than service." Kaile would say under her breath. She could be quite sassy when she wanted to be. It had more to do with being a waitress across several diners, fly-ins, and dives and having that personal contact that perhaps made the droid service grate on her. Not that she blamed the droids, it just seemed a bit too utilitarian. Sanitary, yes that was the word.

"Detached," she added, taking her cup of caf and setting it on the table. Searching for the sugar, Kaile continued.

"But you find that more in the Core Worlds."

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

A twitch of his lips that he covered with his mug. He never had seen Kaile in her waitressing outfit. One of the officers smiled and said 'good morning' to someone else. They looked at him oddly. Obviously he was from a more friendly location and unused to big cities.

Asmus tried not to look at them. He could have been in an imperial uniform another time. He didn't hate the pilots he shot down. There was a line. Valdsmir was on the wrong side of it. Just as much as those who ordered those pilots to bomb rioting cities.

"A smile goes a long way," he replied. He offered her one and she instinctively responded in turn. The room didn't feel cold any more.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

"They do." For a moment, the pair had an understanding. Maybe it was just the normalcy of the situation, of where they were - expensive caf included.

"Anyways," fingers went reaching out to take her plate. Grilled cheese. Well, a fancy grilled cheese. This one even had the crust removed. Who would even DO that?

A shake of her head made her brown hair tickle her cheeks. Certainly wasn't the strawberry blonde he'd first meet her with, but with the dye fading under the rays of the sunlight that filtered through the window, one could catch the brief highlights of gold.

"How's the sandwich?"

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Hair wasn't something Asmus missed. He caught those hints of her natural colour returning. For an instant he wondered if he noticed it because of the light or because right now he really wanted - not to ignore but - to see his Kaile through the professional. They were both now of course. Different yet the same. She had been the agent before, but that layer had been transparent to him. Yet she had seen the potential of this Asmus then.

It was a good spot to watch the street. He still didn't know what she would be looking for to see signs of Pute. This wasn't his battlefield. This was just a caf shop in an orderly imperial street to him. He knew it no more than she would know who had the edge from a holomap of two engaged fighter wings.

He took a bite. "It tastes like a sandwich thats been sat in a plastic package for a few days." He rolled his eyes. It was food even if overpriced and prepackaged.

 

[Kaile Vera]

That prompted a snicker.

"Doubt your belly minds." then a nod and another grumble. "Like our pockets." a sigh and then she took a bite out of her own sandwich. It was good, at least it was hot.

"At least my faith in the 'verse remains; one can't screw up a grilled cheese sandwich." a slight wag of her hand that held the lunch gave more emphasis to it.

Brown eyes swept over his face. Taking three spoonfuls of sugar, she added them to her caf.

"You're mind is busy."

[member="Asmus Janes"]

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Yeah," he replied with a one sided smile. "Sometimes when you're moving quickly it's only when you come to a sudden halt that everything starts to shake about."

Of course she knew; she always did.

"I was, in part, trying to figure out what it is you're looking for." The question was generic, could have meant anything. "You'll have to tell me later."

He didn't know this field, but he was a quick study. He didn't know people, not like she did. He could be completely in tune with those he cared about and at other times utterly oblivious. But he was observant and used to working with distant targets in a three dimensional environment. At the very least he could try and look for trouble.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Asmus didn't know the half of it. His words struck a cord in the agent, for her own life had been much the safe years back. Moving so fast and so free until suddenly it all just stopped. Then things start shaking loose, and it just becomes a muck.

Chewing thoughtfully, Kaile swiveled her head and let her eyes wander over the passing civilians. So many meanings there. She was doing the girl thing and putting far too much thought into the many different meanings. Choosing to go for the most literal and likely, the espion added, "Yeah, back at the room."

"So fancy out here. And shiny."

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"At least it's clean," he said softly. Didn't want to draw to much attention to the fact that they were tourists. "I'd take colour and culture over clean," he added with a lopsided smile. The imperial officers were engaged in a pleasant conversation over caf themselves just a handful of tables around. Asmus took a big bite of his sandwich and washed it down with water. He would have his short caf after to give him a bit of pep before they left.

"Back to the room after and then a little stroll to see the sights?" he asked. "Might be we can find somewhere a little more reasonable for dinner."

Asmus suddenly looked quite content with the situation. Everything was a concern. The imperials, the extremists, the lack of transport. But at least he could find somewhere for a nice meal and they could talk of ordinary things.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

"Maybe if it isn't a hyperlane robbery," a soft grumble, but at least this time around with no lingering venom. A sigh and then the Lorrdian took to eating her sandwich. Relax. Everything would be a go tomorrow.

That's when she had to really focus then.

There were a few families about, some with younglings as well. All dressed in their little chic attires that made Kaile think of how excited Asmus had been over clothing. One, in particular, was a mother with a little girl playing with a red ball. She had dark hair and pale skin. Looked no older than five actually. That ball was bouncing around the small fountain, her giggles drifting in her wake. The mother called out for the little girl to be careful, but of course, she paid no mind. She was having too much fun.

Kaile slowed her chew, staring out of that window and into the beyond. What ifs and maybes.