Impact

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

He didn't let go of her hand. Throughout the conversation and their walk, Asmus didn't let go of her hand. Did he even realize it? Or did the pilot simply play with the valleys of her fingers without thought or provocation?

“Sure you haven't worked out your legs enough?” A casual commentary, but a bit of humor glimmered in her brown eyes. They both had done quite a bit.

Another soft gust of the breeze went flowing across the street. Everyone seemed to just mind their own business or try to talk themselves up if they were Imperials. Braggarts made for poor retention of secrets. Every exaggeration a measure of truth. It was just up to Kaile to discern the wheat from the chaff.

Just that Kaile had to remind herself not to become too lost in the easy manner Asmus made her smile. Or helped her relax. Or the easygoing way it was to simply forget. Forget the rest of the ‘verse save his smile.

But that had been what he'd done back on the Quintessence.
Managed the impossible in that paradox where he'd made everything fade away but also so vibrant at the same time.

 

[Asmus Janes]

Part of him enjoyed the casual walk with her fingers tucked between his own, but he kept it in check. She'd made clear it was time for business once more. Something, he knew, was out of place. His mind hadn't seen fit to point out exactly what it was. One of these things was not like the others.

Asmus didn't focus on any one thing when he was trying to be observant. In his cockpit if he focussed on one instrument everything else would fade away and leave him vulnerable. He had to watch for enemy fighters and read off several instruments all in his periphery. It was almost a state of meditation that left him open to his surroundings, reacting without his brain getting in the way too much.

“Jewel? Brown hoodie.”

It was the clothes. Of course that was what Asmus noticed. The man had a hood, but not in the local fashion. He wasn't dressed as city professional or imperial officer. He was dressed as if he had tried to blend in, but had failed to get things quite right. Hoods were the fashion here, but of light fabric that pointed above the forehead, not like the one he wore. The pieces didn't fit together.

Asmus always noticed clothes. People who looked out of place were often lonely. Those kinds of people often liked to talk. Kairon always thought he was always after one thing. That wasn't true, it was just a natural consequence of having an easy smile, and being talkative and a little handsome. Asmus loved to hear stories. To hear about far off places and cultures he hadn't visited. When people knew you were interested they smiled. Asmus liked smiles, but hers above all others. She seemed as if she should wear a smile as easily as he did, but had never been that way since he'd met her.

You should have kept me Kaile. You needed me.

As a boy he had been enthralled by Kairon's stories. Through the filter applied by his uncle to make them child safe it sounded like he'd been on a great adventure. It had seemed so far removed from what his own sheltered existence had been. His travels with Kairon had not been as exciting as he had hoped, but they had made new stories. He loved to tell stories almost as much as he liked to listen, even if he had never become quite as adept at the telling as his uncle. Whiskey girl was one he never told when sober however.

Asmus imagined there were probably plenty of spooks around that Kaile wouldn't even recognise unless they messed up. But this man was obvious. He kept glancing at the conference centre and stopping to pretend to look at his datapad. She'd probably spotted him a mile back.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

That's when Kaile seemingly gave a small chuckle and began to play a different game. A flirty step towards Asmus, a brief leaning forward to his ear. Much like any young couple really, but used for her to murmur,”We’ll follow him. Play along.”

Leaning back she shined him a bright smile. It might seem a bit too easy for her to fall into that. Was it the professional espion or Kaile? Or both?

A curl of fingers tightened along his own, and Kaile gave a small tug of his hand as they shifted towards a steady meander towards the brown hoodie top.

He was good a picking up things. Observant. Well he'd always been that way. There was humor in that fact he'd done so just by clothing. What else could he pick up?

There was a large fountain to the right, and the path curved before straightening again. Not a far walk was a small park. The conference facility was near. As was their hotel among the many others.

 

[Asmus Janes]

It didn’t matter if it was an act, or Kaile letting some slip through the mask. The tingling that spread from his middle to fingers and toes was still the same when he felt her breath brush across his ear. Asmus became an almost dead weight, allowing her to tug him along those first few steps. There was a mischievous grin on his face.

Asmus tried to think about what they were really doing. They were tailing someone in an imperial city who seemed to be out of place. Just as he’d listened to Kairon once upon a time, Asmus had listened intently to stories from the operatives he picked up back on the Subversion. The medical team hadn’t been lying. He would happily spend a few hours keeping their patients company in exchange for some interesting tales. Sometimes they were talk about how the odd speeder chase and shootout really did happen. This was all rather exhilarating.

“You know we should go and see the monuments near the square,” he declared, just to be talking. He had absolutely no interest in seeing statues dedicated to the battles of the Empire. Apparently there was some abstract art depicting the last stand at Jakku. If it had a representation of a Super Star Destroyer going down then perhaps he could stomach it. He kept his eyes on Kaile, concerned that he would be the one to give the game away by watching too intently. It was really quite easy. No dull artificial lighting, no First Order uniform or walking gear. He could watch her shifting expression, and the faint blush that showed she knew he was giving her all his attention, for the entire day.

On an impulse - and because they’d gained quite a bit of ground and the man had stopped to pretend to look at his datapad - he tugged on her arm and spun her back towards him. Her look of surprise lasted a fractions of a second before he kissed her. The fountain was behind them, the sound of gently rushing water and the odd cold pricks of water droplets that were welcome on a hot day.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

And just like that, all thought left Kaile's mind. It was almost a holomark moment. The bubbling fountain, the lazy afternoon, the way that Asmus had swept her into his arms and kissed her. Surprise melted her widening eyes half closed, lids lowering as her fingers went curling around his fingers while the one on her left over the fabric of his shirt.

Well, it was one way of making them both blend in. A bit too easily actually. Even then, Kaile couldn't stop the half jump skip of her heart or the way her body naturally went curving against him. Neither could he.

The man they'd been trailing took them as simply another silly couple. There was no faking the way Asmus held her, or the attention he gave in the soft kiss.

And just maybe, the so-called illusion of keeping up appearances had little to do with the espion's skill and more with the fact that the scoundrel pilot managed to play her heart.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]


His heart accelerated away. One hand slipping easily into the small of her back. It had seemed like a lifetime since she had kissed him properly. So much time together yet so little in privacy. In the time since their last meeting Kairon had admitted to giving the pair space on the Quintessence. He had admitted, with some shame, that he had been amused at how smitten Asmus seemed with Kaile. There had been no gloating when Asmus suffered a heartache he had obliviously doled out to several people before. A year left completely alone wouldn't be enough to satisfy the pilot's desire to be close.

Kaile took most of his awareness. The press of her warmth against him, the taste of her on his lips. The man in the brown top remained in his periphery. Like a TIE formation that lingered on one flank. A threat that needed monitoring but could not take all of his focus.

When he moved once more Asmus reluctantly broke his lips away, pulling her lower lip with him briefly. The tip of his nose slid affectionately against the side of her own, but he only retreated a few inches. Her eyes were so very beautiful. His brain felt like mush, but he did think it would be a little obvious to set off after the man immediately. So there he stayed, Kaile in his arms, breathing deeply as he waited for her to initiate the pursuit once more. There was just a tiny quirk at the corner of his mouth, betraying the fact that he was quite aware of what he had done.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


Kaile took a breath. Her lashes slowly rose and she caught the half upward lift at the corner of Asmus’ mouth. For a few seconds, the Lorrdian simply stared up at him. A few more seconds and Kaile caught herself. The rest of the ‘verse caught up and she immediately flushed.

Blinking rapidly, Kaile took stock of just what was going on. Of her surroundings. From her peripheral, the man they had been following continued on his way.

“Umm..” a flickered glance over at the man and then back at Asmus. Stars, how he made her heart skip a beat. He still hand his arm around her, but it was with a reluctance that he slid it away.

“We should get going.” Kaile added quietly, still feeling the tingle of the slight tug upon her lower lip. Although even as she said it, her fingers still clung to his shirt.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"We should," he agreed. His eyes moved down from her eyes to her lips and back as he took in a deep breath. Some part of him really didn't want to move. Wanted to keep his feet rooted to the spot.

An instant before he started to move he realised he'd got his wires crossed and he brain was also telling him to stop still because the man in brown was idly walking back in their direction, personal device to his ear.

He stepped back in towards Kaile, but turned as he moved. Echoes of a cargo deck dance routine. He pulled he close, one hand behind her head, the other on the small of her back once more. Asmus had given her an excellent view of the man over his own shoulder.

"How close to pull the messages off that device?" He whispered in her ear. His hand curled a length of her hair around one finger. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her again, but was well aware that another round would probably leave them both ignorant of their surroundings. There wouldn't be much in the way of received messages on the device, just some requests for status updates. However the sent box was full of reports of trooper activity and suggested ingress points to assault the facility. The device would have an old Alliance cipher on it for coding messages.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Another sharp intake of breath, then the warmth of Asmus' hand tightening at her back. The swerve and dance allowed Kaile to get a good look at the guy. A quick flash and the lens over her pupil augmented the image, taking a few holo pictures. In tune, the Lorrdian tucked in her chin and gave a small nuzzle along the scruffy line of Asmus' jaw. Maybe lingering a bit too much there as she breathed in his scent.

"Plenty, but the closer the better." A quick perk of her ear and Kaile attempted to discern what she could with her cybernetic enhancements. Remote slicing wasn't going to help her here. A quick test proved that he was sending messages. But if what? Lips went trailing up towards his ear, her breath warm. She could just nibble here...

A quick surge of the Force and Kaile was able to pick up a little bit more. They didn't have the time to daudle for her to take the long way. What she found had her hitch her breath.

"It's an old alliance cipher code." A bit more concentration and she could pick up more.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kaile would feel a shudder run down his spine that had nothing to do with the presence of an Alliance cipher. His lids were half closed but he watched with amusement as an older man smile at them as he passed. The Imperials were quite adept at breaking the Alliance codes. They had to change them regularly to keep ahead of the game. It didn't necessarily mean the man didn't have access to new codes, perhaps the risk was worth it for some reason. But on balance Asmus settled on a conclusion.

"We gave him those back in the day," he whispered softly. He nuzzled into her neck affectionately. He didn't use his name just in case the man was close and attuned to Valdamir's name. "We need to get out soon," he suggested. He suddenly wanted to be away from this city. He estimated that even if they did follow their tracks in the woods and get some idea of what they looked like it would be some days before they were tracked by the imperials. But he didn't want to be around if the district got turned into a warzone.

Perhaps if the rebel cell attacked they could flee more easily in the confusion. But from what he had seen of the city and the conference he did not expect Kaile would have the hardest time getting the Colonel out. They only needed to get him to the shuttles.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

One of the Rebel extremists perhaps? It wouldn't surprise her. When Asmus mentioned quietly that the Alliance had given those in the past, it only confirmed it. Confirmed it and worried her.

"Can't linger long." she agreed, although her voice caught at the sensation of the pilot nuzzling the crook of her neck. Goosebumps ran down her arms and along her spine.

"Gotta book that ride." an emphasis that they had to get the code key for that Quad jumper. The sooner, the better. But it was likely a job that Kaile would have to do by herself to mitigate risk.

Quickly, the espion attempted to duplicate a quick snapshot of the most recent sent messages. Only got about the last two. Any more and they'd have to linger too long.

"Come on..." her fingers curled onto his shirt again.

"Let's go."

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Rather than tag onto the tail of the rebel they passed by him to avoid suspicion. Asmus didn't pick up a word that came from the other end of the line in the brief call but within that hood the man had a grim look of determination on his face. It chilled him. He didn't pay a bit of attention to the young couple ambling past. Asmus could almost feel the tension radiate off him. He was soon behind them as they carried on towards the conference centre. Asmus slipped his arm around Kaile's waist and pulled her tight. Probably not necessary, he mused.

The facility itself had a wide, glass front. The kind of thing a well paid architect would sketch out. One could see two armed guards inside and several men and women manning a welcome table. They were all immaculately dressed and smiling at the conference guests. A well suited elderly man stood off to one side. He wasn't smiling, he was clearly appraising his own staff.

Their were hoardings for the event's principle industrial sponsors and signs towards various parts of the conference. It all seemed very familiar to Asmus. Low security too. The plaza out the front of it was wide and open. All sorts of civilians milling about. If anyone mounted a violent attack there would be civilian casualties. He kept an absent minded smile on his face that wasn't a voluntary part of his disguise. He let Kaile take the lead on where they went next.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


He didn’t have to wrap his arm around her waist, but Kaile didn’t mind it. Just like they didn’t have to walk side by side as they entered the facility, feeling the warmth of each others bodies as they ambled together. The espion realized at the back of her mind that she was taking advantage. That she was doing a little bit more than what she’d normally do when on assignment. Lingering a tad bit too much. Even with Max, Kaile hadn’t been this touchy -- well, during the mission anyways. Before they had met at the bar had been a different story.

Slowing, Kaile let her eyes wander over the conference center. Too many civilians. Too exposed. Far too little security. There were pros and cons to this. With the understanding that Pute might actually attack thsi centre, it struck Kaile a little bit harder. Could she do something to help prevent it? Likely. Would that increase the risk of their mission. Absolutely.

The moral dilemma of such a choice. Kaile bit her lower lip.

“Damnit.” she murmured. A tug of Asmus’ hand and they continued along. She’d continue to briefly look around, attempting to keep the curious expression of a tourist enjoying the sites and what could be found here. However, the agent was trying to pick up any more information that she could glean from any of Pute’s agents.

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus’ thoughts were similar to Kaile's. This was a lot of civilians. It wasn't often that he rooted for the empire, but in this case he hoped they caught Pute and his men before they could start something. How far would he go to send his message this time? He and Kaile weren't in a hotel with many imperials, they'd booked out a couple of five star buildings just across the plaza. Would he strike there? Going room to room with his men?

They took a short tour around the facility. He soon realised Kaile was taking them from point to point, trying to avoid the appearance of deliberately following a loop. It was subtle. They'd stop to check the menu in the window of a restaurant and balk at the prices, then head for another then took them around the sides. There were several fire escapes locked from the outside and one service door with a single guard posted.

Once they'd nearly done he leaned in and nuzzled against her. The scent of her hair almost made him forget why.

“I didn't see any others,” he murmured. The man in brown was back, meandering across the open plaza and making a better effort of looking inconspicuous.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

“That's enough for today,” Kaile managed to murmur as she used the excuse of wrapping her arms around his waist and dropping her forehead against his chest. Far too comfortable in this position while mulling just how much risk to take. How much she could push the envelope before Intel would say it is not her objective and the rest are just collateral damage.

That she should pick her fights.

“Let's go,” Kaile sighed out, but there was a weariness in her tone. A heaviness to the sink of her shoulders. A burden to carry. With every breath Asmus took he’d fan the stray strands of her hair at the top of her head. No words needed to be said with what concerned her.

If they lingered too long, the man would become suspicious. It was best to leave and go over what they knew. Maybe sending back word to the Subversion might prove helpful. Although Amadgener proved to be a strictly by the book sort of guy.

But what would Vo think?

 

[Asmus Janes]

“There are too many people around,” Asmus stated flatly as the door to their room closed behind them. “Not for us but for them. This is no place for an armed assault.”

He paced around the bed briefly, clearly perturbed by the possibility. He had done some work in the grey margins for the SIS too. He had essentially assassinated two individuals with precise missile strikes after weaving his craft through air defence systems.

“We could tip off the imperials about that man or have Vo leaks something, but it could compromise what we're doing?” He looked to Kaile with some concern on his face, searching her for the answers. This wasn't his decision to make. Perhaps it wasn't even Kaile's but she was far better placed to judge. He snatched up a datapad and sat down on the edge of the bed, leaving the desk for her to work.

They had both changed. Or been changed by events and war. But in some way Asmus was correct. They were both the same people. He had never been a hard man. The other smugglers had always known it. Kaile tended to look out for others. The junior officers talking could have been him, those civilians could have been eriaduans, the ones with unfortunate imperial tendencies. He could see the notion was bothering her too, so he offered a smile before switching on his datapad.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


Kaile had found herself standing beside the holographic display of the facility. It had several floors, all highlighted in bright yellow light. A hand had come up during Asmus’ pacing, slowly rotating the image from right to left. The agent had been considering their options. On what they could do. A thought came to her, but she knew that she couldn’t just deviate off on her own. That would invite too much risk.

A quick tap of a finger and another screen popped up. At the very least she was able to use the holonet to send encrypted messages. With so many patrons in the area, it was easy to blend in the additional use.

“I’m sending an update about Pute.” Kaile relayed to him, the brunette quickly typing out a brief summary. She couldn’t give too much or Amadgener would shut it immediately down. Too little and Vo wouldn’t have enough information to adequately calculate the risks.

“However… I have an idea.” brown eyes went flickering up to catch the pilot mid his pace.

“With as many sapients they are expecting…. I imagine a fire drill would be mandatory right?” that was a thought.
“We could use it as a distraction as well as a way to clear out as many civilians as possible.”

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus nodded slowly. “Might make it easy to get the target out without anyone noticing. Some of those fire exits were very close to back alleys. Could easily have an airspeeder on hand. Might be best if I go and rent one actually, could do that with my credentials and park it behind the hotel in case we need to move faster.”

In his head he tried to imagine the situation. What would Valdamir do? Set charges? Mount a direct assault? There was still that gunship in the region so if he got men into the area they couldn’t stay in the streets.

“Depends what he does and when,” he reasoned. “I can imagine a situation where spilling everyone out of the building would be the worst thing to do.”

Beep

PROCEED AS PLANNED. OPERATION IS PRIORITY. USE BEST JUDGEMENT TO BALANCE RISK BUT MOVE QUICKLY. AS SOON AS YOU ARE CLEAR REPORT BACK AND THERE ARE STEPS THAT COULD BE TAKEN.

That was relatively clear. Stay on track and focus on the Colonel, but try and do it quickly. Perhaps Vo had some methods to make the imperials treat the threat more seriously? There must have been channels to leak intelligence down.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Kaile agreed, her focus shifting to the incoming message. A quick decryption and she knew where they could gravitate the plan.

“Gotta stay on track, but whatever we do, we have to do it fast and make sure risks are mitigated.” it was better than simply ignore the situation and let the sabacc cards fall where they may. That gave a bit of relief to the Lorrdian. Slinking back against her seat, Kaile wearily gave a sigh. Her right hand came up, fingers running through the length of dark brown hair. One can only barely pick up the subtle hints of where the strawberry blonde shone through, but for the most part, still seemed to be three parts agent to one part Kaile.

“Go rent the speeder. “ a quick rap of her fingers against the desk marked her decision. “I’ll go over what I managed to pick off of Pute’s agent. See what we can work with.”

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus tapped away at his datapad for a few minutes. “You know what, it also means we don't get recorded on the subway's feeds if we take the speeder for dinner,” he added quietly.

“Right,” he said suddenly as he slipped the datapad away. “Turns out I've got quite a good credit rating. Booked one in from a little walk away.” He patted down his jacket to check he still had the glasses she'd given him.

He slipped off the bed and moved to stand behind her. “I'll go get it quickly. You can keep tabs on me. Anything useful in the data you ripped?”

He very lightly rested both hands on her shoulders. No cover routine this time, just Asmus finding a modicum of comfort in physical contact. He deliberately kept it a light touch, nothing to distract her from her work.