Lies Beneath the Ice | The Collective

[Ashana]

ARKANIA
OOC

Arkania could be described as many things, but hospitable would be found far down that list, and yet life persisted.

The Arkanians, their Offshoots, and a variety of wildlife made its home on the tundra world. It was also rich in minerals--precious diamonds among them--which has driven the interest of many ventures. Perhaps most famously though are the inventions of the Arkanians themselves. Gifted minds considered by many to be among the most intelligent species in the galaxy. They created technology that all desired but few could get their hands on, and engineered new species by combining foreign genes with their own.

Truly, Arkania is one of the galaxy's marvels, yet somehow that all seemed lost by war and turmoil... Ignored by many organizations.

Perhaps all save for the Collective, whose agents had quietly filled vacancies in the fragile political ecosystem. Whispering into desperate and suspicious ears alike, playing the nobles against each other to weed out undesirables. Their ultimate prize then is total control over Adascopolis, the capital.

After their retreat on Nar Shaddaa, many of those same agents would find their way here.

Time to begin.

ADASCOPOLIS
Adascorp HQ

Ashana sat quietly outside the cybernetics lab.

Her otherwise curious eyes sated by the datapad in her hands. On the screen she reviewed the results of a fascinating experiment, cybernetic implants which could manipulate the behavior of animals; even command simple orders such as 'Go here. Get that. Stay there.' Nothing that would turn them into weapons or sentients, but fascinating enough that it might lead to greater things in the future.

The door next to her slid open, and an Arkanian's head popped out. "You can go home." Said the older man.

"Home..? I thought were doing the preliminary tests today?" She quirked a brow.

"Home." He repeated. "Tests are canceled. Something's up with management but no one knows what. I'm staying after to clean up, but you can go." His head disappeared back into the room, and the door closed behind him. Beeping rather loudly because it had been stuck open for so long; some warning she didn't really understand.

Ashana stood up from the bench, grabbed her things, and walked off down the hall. Perhaps someone in management could tell her what was going on.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

​

Arkania - Adascopolis​

​

Arkania hated him.

Maybe he hated Arkania.

Either way the cold wasn't doing wonders for his mood and it hadn't been in the best of states anyway. See, he had been planning this expedition for the past two months, meticulously he might add. Saved up a boatload of money to be able to pay the contractors, the equipment, the privacy and a month reserve of the finest Tapani caf this side of the Galaxy. The discoveries this expedition would make? It would keep him flushed for at least a year, if not more. It shouldn't surprise anyone - then - that things hadn't gone the way he wanted them to. First, three of his contractors dropped out. Two of them were dead apparently and the third one simply disappeared from the face of the Galaxy.

Then the expedition site got overrun by... things.

He had managed to escape with nothing more than the clothes on his back and his bag- the caf was lost. He hadn't been able to get a good look at the things, but they were distinctly humanoid. Except for the fact that they hadn't been wearing anything more than rags, their faces contorted in silent, horrific screams and instead of hands they had claws.

That was why he was here.

"Yeah, can I have another? Thanks." The best caf shop that he had been able to find when he first got there. They were still running his tab, unaware that all his fortunes were currently tied up with a venture that was slowly unraveling around him. Right now he was awaiting the arrival of some sordid individuals, people of experience and people of knowledge. He'd need good brains and strong arms for this thing, if he wanted to salvage whatever was left of this operation.

"they will come, Tash, they will be here." He mumbled to himself... they better be. Otherwise the Tapani noble was rightly karked.

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Hoth. Belsavis. Arkania.

They had all been planets Mara had once been stationed on, through one operation or another back when she was part of the Republic/Alliance.

She hated ice planets, for various different reasons. Not because the mission had gone bad, or was just generally awful. Rather, it was because she hated the cold, despised it even. Mara preferred moving quiet, keeping light and having to be bundled up in layers of clothes didn't work well.

And the fact the Collective was suppose to move here? Mara wanted to voice a complaint, but kept her lips shut on the matter. She'd much rather brave the cold than remain in the mess that had come about on Nar Shaddaa. Although, she'd remain in touch with her contacts and connections she had made on the Smuggler's Moon. But for now, it was best to avoid the place until a later date.

What brought her to Arkania however, was not to specifically help the Collective. Well, not directly anyway. Apparently they had caught wind of someone subtly reaching out into the Criminal Underworld. They were requesting aid, and offering a reward for anyone who could successfully help. With the losses from Nar Shaddaa still looming, something like this was nothing but beneficial to the group.

So the Collective had dispatched a few agents to assist, and Mara couldn't help but suspect there was something more. At least, that's what she had gathered from the knowing smile [member="Evoros"] had on her face at the time. Why did the agent have a feeling the woman knew who their contact was?

Either way, Mara found herself heading to a rather cozy caf shop. In her mind, the guy already got points in her book for simply making this place the meeting. She could knock out two birds with one stone, she needed some caf whenever on ice planets.

She walked into the establishment, playing the act of any other passer-by as she strode towards the counter. Mara settled herself down, eyes lingering over the various different cafs on offer. Eventually she made her choice and order, now it was a matter of waiting. In the meantime she began to look around, gaze searching around for the contact.

[member="Itash Mecetti"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

At least something good came out of the battering he received on Shaddaa a few weeks back. It gave him quickly another contract. Cash flow was running slow and he needed to up his game if he wanted to maintain the same level of capabilities he usually possessed. Yet, that was not on his mind as he walked down through the snowy streets of Adascopolis dressed in winter clothes, a hood covering his head and a pistol holster hanging from his right hip.

No, not at all.

His mind couldn't stop thinking about those things he and his employer barely survived. Not out of some spine freezing fear but out of immense desire to solving this problem.

And it was a big problem, alright. If it all went to shitters, he'd see no coin.

That's why his employer - Mecetti - had him rendezvous at a tap caf today, most likely with a new person on board this crazy venture.

A moment later after a lady donned in layers of winter clothing entered the tap caf did Wes also cross the threshold of the establishment. The mercenary calmly made his way to the table where his employer was sitting and made himself comfortable. Removing the hood from his head, Wes raised a finger at one of the server droids.

"Black." He then turned his gaze at Mecetti. "You look just a tad bit less dead than last time. Keep it up."

[member="Mara Kellarov"] | [member="Itash Mecetti"]​

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

​

Itash did notice the lady-in-fur waltzing into the caf shop.

Not because of her military stance, wide stride of confidence or anything useful like that- no... he simply liked the way her hip swayed. How he even noticed that when she was covered in fur was anyone's guess, but that was seemingly the only thing the Tapani nobleman was paying attention to. If this had been any other day he would have walked on over and chatted her up a bit, but this was not one of those days. No, today was a business day and Tash wasn't about to let his tool get in the way of a payday. Once his wallet was flushed with coin, it wouldn't be a problem to get dozens of women like Mara in his bed. The second time the bell rang another person stepped on it.

Male.

Face cowled in a shadow for a second, before Wes' face revealed itself.

"I had to use my entire supply of Atrisian Rejuvenation creme just to get the bruises out." Tash responded back with a scowl, before shaking his head. "Glad to see your face is still just as karked to hell as when we got here."

Most of it was just bluster, Tash was definitely happy to see Wes. He was the only reason they got out alive and relatively intact. "Their black is foul here, by the way. Should get one of their Cheritto Macconinos. They are delicious." A sigh escaped his lips as hands curled around the cup and the warmth flooded back into his limbs. Why these people didn't just terraform the planet into a tropical wonderland was anyone's gues, they were freaking insane.

"Manage to get your hands on the thing we talked about?" It was the reason why they had split up in the first place.

Tash waiting for their new contractors, Wes making sure they that they weren't going back there without superior firepower. He had wanted a tank or something, but that wasn't really feasible at such short notice and especially not on Adascopolis.

This place was regulated to nether and back.

But explosives? They could swing that.

 

[Mara Kellarov]

It had taken a minute for her caf to finally be ready, but the moment it was Mara had her hands wrapped around the cup. She remained like that, simply asborbing the wonderful warmth that began to spread up her arms.

With a swift swipe of her hand, Mara brought to caf to her lips and took a hearty sip.

She let out a pleased sigh, feeling that warmth begin to flow down the rest of her body. Not exactly the greatest caf she had tasted, but right now that wasn't really why she was drinking it.

Now somewhat more content, Mara began to look around slightly. From the corner of her vision she watched the various bodies as they moved around the place. Coming and going, sitting down and taking their order. At one point she caught the eye of someone in particular; dark hair and beard, blue eyes.

That, and she was fairly certain he had been watching her the moment she had entered the caf. The amusing thought was about to slip from her mind, attention slipping away until she overhead parts of their conversation.

"...just to get the bruises out." ... "Manage to get your hands on the thing we talked about?"

It was an interesting conversation, one Mara would've normally just tuned out as nothing more. But she was here to meet up with someone, they had been vague about where they would be seated, but had left simple instructions.

She took one last look around to see if anyone would fit, but her eyes always fell on the table with the two men seated at it. With a short swing of her legs, Mara hopped off the stool with her caf in hand.

"Gentlemen." Mara began with a smile on her face, sliding into a seat beside Wes and opposite to Itash. She gave no outwards reaction to practically sitting with strangers, but if she was correct then that wouldn't be the case for much longer. Her eyes bounced between them, sizing up who exactly she should ask. The one she was seated next to didn't strike her as a 'Tash', leaving the man opposite her.

"I take it you're 'Tash' then?" She asked, taking a sip of her caf.

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Wes Rykker"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

Point taken.

He opened his mouth in an attempt to counter Mecetti's retort but he quickly surrendered realizing he couldn't come up with anything good. Fortunately, the man changed the subject to caf making Wes grimace. The mercenary's eyes squinted at his employer's proposition with a hint of confusion.

Who the hell drinks caf that's anything else than black?

At Mecetti's question, he nodded curtly and gave him a slight smile. Before he could give him a vocal explanation, someone interrupted their conversation. Hence, Wes simply hand mimicked an explosion and then turned to look at the newcomer. Her posture, sharpened attention at Tash, hell, even tone of her voice hinted military. It wasn't that obvious, actually almost at all. And maybe the mercenary was wrong.

But there was a feel to her air that made him visually analyze her completely.

Guessing by her knowledge of Mecetti's name then this was either the new contract he'd promised or...

He felt his hand itch for his pistol.

You never know.

​

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

​

Grin grew wider when Wes had nothing to retort.

1-0

Heh.

But all of that had to wait when they were joined by... oh, you. First Tash assumed she just wanted to get some of them, but then he noticed the sudden tension in Wes' shoulders, the hand itching to go towards the blaster holstered at his belt. He wasn't exactly an expert, but something told him that his associate was seeing something he had missed. After having his ass rescued by him Itash was far more willing to take his judgement for what it was, instead of questioning it. The mercenary did manage to relay the fact that the explosives were secured.

Big boom.

That was good. It meant that this operation suddenly had a way better chance for survival, once they reached the contact point. "That's me. You know the name, my friend over there thinks you are dangerous, that means you are here for the job." He took the time to sip from his caf and in that time gauged her reaction. She wasn't screaming anxiety or deceit, her aura was clean, blue, strong and solid. No, this one wasn't nervous at all in the moment.

This meant that either they were lucky or... they were completely karked.

"I am hoping for a few more faces to show, so we will wait on them before I set out the details." No sense in repeating himself six times. "What are you bringing to the table?"

Just then the waitress, cute Arkanian (although those claws would be a hassle), wandering by with hips swaying. She brought Wes his coffee, eyed his bruises and then kept sneaking in glances at Itash. Well, that was fairly obvious and expected.

"Anything more I can get you?" For some reason she was ignoring both the merc as well as the lady.

"Oh... I can think of a thing or two." Grin wider, bright white teeth dazzling. All that the Tapani received was a giggle... but he could recognize that giggle from a thousand places and crowds. He was watching her leave, before shaking his head and looking back at the two. "Where were we again?"

 

[Mara Kellarov]

The moment she had sat down, Mara had begun to analyze the two men she had taken up a seat with.

She already had her assumptions on Itash, from the way he held himself to how he looked at her and other woman that walked passed. Eyes lingering on them, watching their behind as they walked by. But there was no mistaking the slight edge to him, it was clear to Mara that he could be dangerous if the situation arose. Beneath the attitude on the surface, there was something there.

At the mention of his friend, Mara glanced over at Wes. She had felt the sharp spike of tension beside her, caught the slight shift in his shoulder as his hand inched towards his weapon. Mara hadn't reacted to it in any way, if maybe a slight veil of amusement.

He screamed military to her, definitely a soldier at some point in his life. Experiences learned and forced upon, now ingrained into his everyday life. Mara wasn't going to bother trying to ease his mind, that she wasn't going to do them harm. That, would probably just make the man more tense and suspicious.

She looked at Itash again, mouth opening to speak but stopped when the waitress approached. Her body language and attention was focused solely at Mecetti, and Mara let out a brief chuckle as she took a sip of her caf.

A roll of the eyes followed shortly after, hearing the man's response. She waited until Itash was out of his little daze before speaking.

"Personally, I'm bringing combat experience, slicing, stealth. Blowing stuff up." There was a whole list of things Mara could go on about, but those were usually the highlights. Another sip of her drink, eyes on Itash as the silence lingered for a bit as if waiting for her to continue. "But I'm also here on behalf of an interested party."

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Wes Rykker"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

Wes kept his gaze upon the newcomer without flinching when Mecetti shared his concerns out loud. The lady's carefree attitude, a chuckle here, a smile there either meant she brought no harm or she perfectly well knew no harm would come to her at this moment.

His mind ran through different scenarios, a habit for someone in his line of work.

Abruptly, at Tash's shenanigans with the waitress who brought his black caf, Wes lost his focus and glanced at his employer. The mercenary thought he'd get used to the man's natural...behavior but boy.

The lady began speaking and the Axxilan turned his head back again at her. Her 'portfolio' did not surprise him, her confidence in her overall behavior did. This lady wasn't just some average material you'd hire for the number.

This lady had something above his paycheck.

Wes had questions of his own but he was not the captain here. He knew his place.

Hopefully Mecetti would discuss with her something meaningful that did not include her aesthetics and intimate capabilities.

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

Explosives?

That was perfect considering the plant they had established when it came to the mutants skulking around their excavation site, but it was the second mention that suddenly put Tash on guard. She was not an independent contractor and that brought complications. It didn't have to mean anything, after all, everyone worked for someone in general. But there needed to be some caution involved in this- it was sad, then, that Itash's idea of caution was to either run or storm into the problem face-first.

"Well, I am always interested in parties, but what is their interest exactly?" If this was an offer of investment or something similar, than the the details would have to be very beneficial.

Specifically because investments meant dividends, which meant sharing the profit in a larger fashion that he had been expecting. Which would cut back into his profits once all the costs had been dealt with. "And what is it that they can bring to the table." If Itash had known that Evoros and this woman were part of the same organization...

Well, he'd probably run, because that was too much of a coincidence.

In the meantime his gaze swept back to Wes for a moment. A warning in his eyes, to keep that blaster at the ready, if this suddenly turned two shades ugly for all of them.

 

[Mara Kellarov]

This was part of the game that Mara didn't often find herself in, intentionally so. She was a person of action, preferring to be hitting the ground with a knife and gun, than sitting at a table sweet talking someone.

Although she was certain Itash wouldn't mind, especially if it ended up leading where his mind had wandered when he first laid eyes on her.

Unfortunately for him, it wasn't going to be that type of action.

"Profits; credits, connections." The first was the lifeblood of any organization, and the other the lifelines. Something that would appeal to Itash, especially with his present situation. "All that's asked, is that you join us - help us on our endeavour. And at the same time, you keep doing what you do." It was what appealed to Mara specifically, she could help The Collective, but also keep pushing her own plans without there being any conflict.

Neutrality was a wonderful thing.

Mara didn't want to reveal too much information to Itash and Wes; hadn't openly referred to 'us' as The Collective. Especially not about their intent to make a move on Arkania, that could potentially screw over plans before they ever got their hooks in.

At least that's what she would do if she were in their shoes.

"They want to help you in your current problem here, of course it will come at a cost - a share."

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Wes Rykker"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

When Mecetti said he'd find new people for the venture Wes expected them to be just other grunts like him or some freelancing specialists in a certain field.

Not another damn shareholder.

Who she worked for did not matter in the immediate future. Priority was getting the job done and getting his fair cut of it. As long as whoever the woman worked for did not hinder any of those two priorities then she was alright in his book.

Thing is - it was Mecetti's 'book' that mattered. Despite keeping his eyes on the woman, his ears were curiously sharpened at what Tash was to say.


[member="Mara Kellarov"] | [member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Delilah Keyes]

After Nar Shaddaa, they had tried to renegotiate.

The security footage of her taking out six men before the EMP blast had taken out the cameras had been salvaged before they'd pulled out. Unarmed and unarmored, she'd neutralized each of them with an unexpected level of professionalism.... considering she had signed on with the Collective as a specialist, not as hired muscle. They hadn't seen the fight with [member="Xian Valart"], but the fact that during their sit down her face had still shown signs of it hadn't swayed them.

They had offered her more money. The number was nothing to sneeze at, and in fact, before, might have made her consider.

But she'd been firm.

She had signed on for certain types of jobs. She had no interests in becoming a combat operative for them. That was an anomaly, and while she'd do it again if a situation went sideways, there was no amount of money they could offer her to do that for them in any official capacity.

So they'd offered more.

She still said no.

It had been one thing for it to go down the way it had. It was entirely another thing to put herself in life and death situations for something like credits. She wasn't a mercenary.

And she pretended she wasn't a mandalorian.

Of course, after that footage, the way they looked at her, she wasn't entirely certain it was a secret anymore.

Eventually they had relented. Paid out the agreed upon rate for hazard pay, plus a fairly generous bonus. If she ever changed her mind of course..... no, she had assured them. She would not be changing her mind.

A week later and her face looked better. Not good, by any means. But the swelling around her nose and eyes had gone down, the stitches on the bridge of her nose were less angry. But she still sported a pair of black eyes, turning green and yellow around the edges, and the split in her lip had not yet full healed. She managed to walk without a limp, but that was for show. At home, with Walk, she was perfectly content to lean on him at the end of the day and limp around without concern of anyone seeing her at it.

When the call had come in, requesting her presence on Arkania.... she and Walk had fought over that one. They'd made up, but he'd been tense as they kissed good bye. And it irritated her.

Partly because she knew he was right.

One of the more annoying things about Walk sometimes.

They'd respected her requirements, assigned her as back up for a different agent in a mission to put out feelers. Low impact, low threat. And the bruising on her face was actually an asset in that situation anyway.

Of course, her partner hadn't waited for her, so she was walking into the meet late and already annoyed. She recognized Mara from the file they had given her- and she just hoped they'd told her she was coming.

The scents of the caf shop assaulted her when she stepped inside, but anything was better than the bitter cold of Arkania. She made sure to approach on an angle, so her partner would see her coming. No need to startle someone in this case if she could avoid it. Dressed in a dark grey parka, jeans and boots, she was largely unassuming..... except for the fact that it was clear someone had treated her face like a piñata recently.

She offered a nod to the two others with the other woman, making eye contact with Mara to judge if she knew she was coming or if she'd have to explain.

[member="Mara Kellarov"] [member="Wes Rykker"] [member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Mara waited patiently as Itash seemed to internally debate what to say and do. All the while, Wes remained near her side ready to go for his weapon at a moment's notice. She reckoned the two men already had some measure of a rapport with one another. The fact the soldier beside her was seemingly waiting on Itash's word, was evident of that.

She raised her cup up, bringing it to her lips to drink when she saw Delilah.

Immediately, Mara recognized the face from the dossier she had been given prior. Albeit it was also hard to miss the damage across the woman's face.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, curiosity worming its way to the forefront of her mind. But only for a moment, then it was going and Mara inclined her head a bit.

Acknowledgement that she recognized Delilah, and why she was here.

Mara had indeed pushed things forwards a little bit, reality being that Delilah had arrived on time. Mara had just simply wanted to get out of the blasted cold a lot sooner.

"Gentlemen, I'd like you both to meet Delilah." She spoke just as the woman in question reached the table. "She's here with me." Nothing more had to be said really, another agent in the organization that had pinged Itash' request. Although a moment later, Mara realized something and let out a chuckle.

"Which reminds me I never did give my name, did I?" She paused for a moment. "I'm Mara."

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Delilah Keyes"]​

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Delilah Keyes"] | [member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

​

He was currently internally debating if he should signal for Wes to take out Mara and start over again.

But the truth of the matter was that Itash couldn't afford that. Not here anyway, because this wasn't Nar Shaddaa. If they executed this woman in a gorram caf shop in full view of everyone that would raise questions. Questions was the last thing that the Tapani needed, while they were doing the dig of the millennia.

The appearance of another.... face (or what was left of it anyway) halted his response. "...pleased to meet you." I guess? What the nether had happened to that one?

Then again, as she took a seat, he did notice her other assets.

Definitely got a butter face that one. Tash had overheard that once during a college party back on Coruscant, strange saying, but it fit in this particular situation. "And what kind of share are you thinking of, exactly?" If all her people were as beat-up to feth as Delilah here, then he wasn't really sure they would be of any use.

But perhaps that meant they were relatively cheap.

 

[Zef Halo]

Wes momentarily registered the woman's change of attention and he couldn't help but steal a glance at where she was looking at. Another woman.

Hardly a coincidence.

Very soon after did the introductions commence and Wes followed simply with his first name. So these two ladies would be filling in the gap of the slaughtered dozen prior. Hopefully they'd be enough.

The mercenary gave another look at Delilah and realized how battered up her face was. Was she a damn shock boxer? Hardly, considering how frail she seemed in his eyes.

But you never know. Looks can be deceiving.

Mecetti's question was essential to what was to happen, yet the mercenary was growing impatient. He wanted things done.

ASAP.

[member="Mara Kellarov"] | [member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Delilah Keyes"]​

 

[Mara Kellarov]

With the introductions out of the way, it was straight back to business.

Mara leaned back in her chair, eyes firmly fixed on Itash.

"Well, that entirely depends on what exactly we'll be getting into."

The Board hadn't been outright specific on what they wanted in return of following this lead. The usual assumptions were made, that bringing another person or two into the roster was always a boon.

Credits and resources were useful both short term and long, but having more agents for the Collective was ideal.

"I think it's about time you regaled us on what exactly you've been working here and what forced you and Wes to flee."

There was after all no way of knowing what to go for until they knew what was up on offer.

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Delilah Keyes"]​

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Delilah Keyes"] | [member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"]​

​

Itash didn't like this.

There were only two kinds of people who dealt in unspecific demands: conmen and governments. He was the first and knew exactly just how much damage they could do in the right place at the right time.... the latter? Tash didn't even want to consider that option right now. But what was there really to do here?

Sure, they could just walk out, but that left them with a few hands short to make this work and that wasn't acceptable.

So, Tash inclined his head and started talking. It was his narrative voice, the one he used to spin tales, the one that was pleasant to the ear and pulled you into the story. "Millennia ago the Lords of the Sith had a library here. It was the apex of their knowledge, the epicenter of their studies into the Force. It was said that the corridors went on for miles under the ground, packed to the brink with artifacts, tomes, holocrons and other objects of power."

"Then... the Great Hyperspace War began, pitting the Republic against the Sith Empire. We all know how that ended- the Republic won and during their victory they caught wind of this great library. The Jedi... were not amused. They send their best and strongest, to raid, to destroy and to purify all that was dark there."

By the end of it the temple was wiped out and nothing remained but the metaphorical bones.

Head tilted and he smiled. "A few months back I came across rumors that not everything was destroyed." The Darkside clouds all... after all. "We found the site, we started to excavate..."

A frown now, before looking to Wes.

"Tell them what we came across, Wes, you were there first."

 

[Zef Halo]

The mercenary eased up, his hand no longer itching for his pistol but still in his standard increased awareness state fitting a soldier. Mecetti would have the two join them on their venture, Wes could see why. He'd drawn bad cards and now he had to play them the best way he could. Wes would follow. He'd drawn even worse cards. Cash was on a shortage and the promised paycheck here would certainly help.

There's only so much you could maintain armor and gear on a tight budget. Hell, supplements' prices were on a spike after one of the major companies went bankrupt.

As Mecetti spun and weaved the tale of promised fortune in the most mesmerising way, the mercenary noticed his caf had gone cold without him even taking a sip.

Fantastic.

"Tell them what we came across, Wes, you were there first."

He turned his attention back from the caf to the table caught by surprise as the spotlight fell on him.

"Karkin' demons." Wes spat out then took to explaining it in the most informative, matter of fact way possible glad that things were finally starting to move. "Humanoids but out of your sickest nightmare. No need for anything to keep them warm out there, possibly able to see in the dark as well as we see Tattooine's horizon. Agile, fast, strong. What I was able to record with my helmet and analyze afterwards was their incredibly advanced muscular tissues. They've got nothing but skin but you'd need more than your average weapon to take 'em down. Skin will disintegrate but the muscle remains, whether it's regenerative or no - I do not know. We were over a dozen. Fight ended in less than a minute."

"The two of us got out, not unharmed." Wes began unbuttoning his coat to reveal the chest plate beneath it. A man always had to have protection (right, Itash?). A clear mark of a claw dug deep into one of the metal plates, at its fringes noticeable black spots of burned steel could be seen. "This. This is duranium steel. It could survive a glance from a lightsaber, technically. One of the feths got me in close, had time to claw me real good."

He buttoned up his coat once again and gave a glance to each lady.

"The worst is - they aren't as dumb as they look."

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Mara Kellarov"] | [member="Delilah Keyes"]​