Faction Moment of Truth (SIA)

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ (COMPNOR REPLICANT)
LOCATION: SIA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, CORUSCANT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF HER CREATED ORIGIN @ RESPOND APPROPRIATELY
TAGS: IVI Valery Noble Lyrrin

​

Kalie had probably stepped into the large SIA headquarters thousands of times throughout the past decade, ever since her career as an agent had begun. At least, that is what her programming told her. The truth? Well… that’s what she hoped to find out today.

She walked through the exquisitely kept entrance and into the main lobby, her expression one of casual normality while a churning and unsettled storm swirled violently within her. The white walls towered above her with simple elegance and precision. Her steps echoing slightly across the hard floor as she passed through the standard screening checks and made her way to the elevator, pressing the button and awaiting for it to arrive as her eyes focused habitually on the closed doors in front of her.

It had been a month since the dramatic escapade in Kuat and her subsequent capture by NIO operatives. She glanced down briefly at her hand, twisting her wrist slowly, remembering the moment that the saber had sliced through her wrist and exposed the circuitry underneath. They had done their best to put her back together, however her wrist had never been the same since.

She was an android.

The NIO had released her back into the field after the discovery, believing that they were effectively releasing her to deal a massive blow to the SIA, and the Alliance by extension. It was a risk on their part, because nothing was guaranteed. They were gambling on her rage and her grief, believing for it to be focused solely against the SIA under the assumption that it had been IVI that had created her and programmed her with human-like emotions, memories, and deep connections to other SIA operatives, such as Valery Noble , Lyrrin , and Gramani Fey’la, in order to maintain her unwavering loyalty to the Alliance and its assets.

It was a big risk for the NIO… but if they were right, then it was likely that the SIA would loose it’s director today. But Kalie was smarter than to fling herself into a blind rage… she had leaned heavily into that narrative, so much that they had believed her without any shadow of doubt, which luckily had resulted in her freedom from their custody. But she had chosen to lay low and continue her life as normally as possible throughout the following weeks… besides doing some deep research into both the COMPNOR Replicant program as well as infiltrating the SIA Databases in search for any top-secret android programs that might exist.

She was doing what she did best… gathering intelligence… filling in the missing pieces. But she had gotten to the point where a confrontation with IVI was the only way forward. She needed answers from the Director, and if she didn’t like her answers, well…

Then the NIO’s gamble would pay itself off in droves.

The doors opened and no-one was inside. She stepped in and pivoted, pressing the button to close the doors quickly before anyone else had the opportunity to join her. She was scheduled for a standard debrief with IVI regarding her top-secret infiltration of the Senate under the alias of Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix , and so she had her datapad ready with some notable intelligence updates… but she also had planted an advanced signal jammer into the datapad that would activate once she entered a specific command. The jammer would immediately cut off and distort any form of signal transmission within a 50 foot radius, which should be more than adequate at keeping M from being able to effectively alert anyone if she happened to grow suspicious.

Kalie swiped her clearance card and inputed the floor level. The elevator beeped softly, then proceeded to ascend up to M’s office. This was it… the moment of truth… she felt extremely anxious, hoping that somehow the answers she would find would bring her some sort of resolution, or at the very least, help her to further cope with the truth of her reality. And, ultimately, she hoped to discover the truth of her created purpose.

As the doors opened, she stepped out and walked down the hall towards M's office. There were two guards standing outside, which was standard protocol.

"Asher! Ferriway!" She said with a smile as she walked up to them and patted both of them on the shoulder with a light show of camaraderie. As she did, she stuck a micro stun grenade to their uniforms, close to their neck. She could activate it later from her datapad, which would cause a mini explosion that would release a nerve toxin into the air, causing temporary paralysis for up to ten minutes.

"Aie! Agent Alverez!" Asher responded with a smile, "Good to see you!"

"You to! Is IVI ready for me?" The guards both nodded and shifted so as to let her pass. "Thanks boys." She said as she walked past them and placed her hand on the handle of the door to IVI 's office, her heartbeat beginning to race a bit quicker as the door opened. She had a tremendous amount of respect for the Director, so this would be a very difficult encounter for the both of them, no matter which way things turned out. But again... was that just her programming?

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

T E S T​

Every once in a while, when she finished the paragraph she was reading, M’s gaze shifted to the screen to her lower right. It was possibly one of the smallest in her office, only a few inches larger than a personal datapad. But it was one that came to life any time an agent reported in, at least for the first thirty seconds of their arrival. And would reactivate again in the last thirty seconds of the agent’s presence within the building. The two most vulnerable spans of time — the beginning and the end — were often the most telling of a disposition.

M could always choose to extend the longevity of the filming, or disconnect. In today’s case, she extended it. Long enough to last through half a report and Kalie to get into the lift.

Her lips drew into a thin line, and as unbothered as she looked, something settled over her that felt uncomfortable. Kalie had been a complicated case since she’d been asked to keep an eye on Loghain. Lyrrin had reported her being made, but Tiresh’s report remained constant. Either way, it was an asset at work that M couldn’t risk interfering with.

But observation was not a risk.

She closed the reports she’d been reading, sent an encrypted message to Arage Bao that had been sitting in her drafts as the cameras indicated Kalie had stopped. Two other silhouettes filled the frame, and M watched the brief interaction that happened on the other side of her door.

When the blast doors hissed open, M was sitting with her hands clasped together on the smooth surface of her desk. She unlinked them and pressed her palms to the top, pushing herself to rise — as was customary in polite society — and then gestured to one of the two empty chairs on the other side of the desk.

“Agent Alverez.” She nodded, and then sat herself back down and crossed her ankles.

“It’s been some time since your last report. How have you been? What do you have for me?”

​

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ (COMPNOR REPLICANT)
LOCATION: SIA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, CORUSCANT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF HER CREATED ORIGIN @ RESPOND APPROPRIATELY
TAGS: IVI Valery Noble Lyrrin

​

Kalie nodded her greeting in return.

"M."

Her eyes drifted, taking glances at some of the screens as she ventured over to the chair and sat down, her gaze returning to the Director with a calm and professional demeanor as she crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair.

"Yes. Kuat was quite a mess… took me some time to pull out of there. I had to tie up some loose ends." She let out a weary sigh as she opened her datapad and sent some recent intelligence reports over to IVI 's datapad regarding her undercover work as Tiresh.

"And the Senate is a true clusterfuck, to put it mildly. The longer I am there, the harder it is to find a clean politician. I've even resorted to getting my hands dirty on a couple occasions. I guess it comes with the territory. The Free Alliance Coalition is beginning to make some waves, and I anticipate the waters will grow increasingly turbulent throughout the coming months. Once we reach the boiling point, it will surely provoke a handful of senators into more desperate countermeasures, and if there is anything beyond the usual rubble that surfaces, I will be ready, and you will know as soon as I do."

She paused for a moment, taking in a long breath before continuing, "I am developing some very strategic relationships with other Senators right now, and with Tiresh being at the helm of the Free Alliance Coalition, it is worth noting…" She uncrossed her legs and leaned in closer to IVI , a serious look etched across her face, "This operation has the potential to bear more fruit than we had ever imagined back when you had initially signed off on it. We can go way beyond rooting out some internal corruption… we could begin to shape the future of the Alliance…" She raised her eyebrows, studying the Directors reaction to the direction of thought she was going in, "We are positioned to become the superior influence within the Senate within the next one to two years. With the enemy threats that surround us, and the corruption of the Corporatists, we will have the ability to truly undergird the Alliance and help guide it into a better future." She paused, leaning back in her chair and awaiting to hear what the Director would say in response to such a proposal.

Whether it was her programming or not, she was genuinely invested in the work she was accomplishing as Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix . And she used that passion as a shield to hopefully deflect any suspicions that the Director might have regarding the strange progression of events that had transpired on Kuat. She didn't know where Lyrrin had ended up in the midst of everything, but if he had heard her transmission, then it was very possible that he had witnessed what had happened within that council room with the NIO leaders. And if that was the case, then it was likely that there were conflicting reports that M was having to navigate through.

She needed to be very, very careful about how this meeting transpired. She wanted to keep M assuming that everything was normal for as long as possible… convince her that Kalie was being the good, reliable agent that she always was, and that there was nothing out of place. And then, when she brought up some more off-topic questions about various other projects and operations, hopefully they would not raise immediate red flags and allow for her to get some honest answers from the Director.

 

[Lyrrin]

-

Lyrrin had returned to the headquarters ahead of Kalie Alverez some time ago. His report was inclusive to IVI . He had done his best to complete the information and returned the intelligence that he had garnered from hiding within the ceiling though he didn't look into the room to see what the commotion was below... he had definitely heard it! Simply put his report started with the alert from Kalie, him scaling the building, entering through a high window, and making his way into the space between floors within the ceiling. From there he had spent multiple hours waiting for the opportunity to escape.

He was told by some more gossipy agents and other employees that Kalie had returned "Is that so?" Lyrrin asked one of his fellow agents, a Rodian man, to which the other nodded then went on about his business. The Farghul's eyes went towards the Director's office, as distant as it was, he assumed that was where she had to be going.

As Lyrrin walked down the sterile looking corridor towards the Director's office he encountered a few members of the security division, and pointed to the metallic bad that hung around his neck on a small, tight, chain "Agent Lyrrin, VEIL Division. I need through." one of the security agents skeptically looked him over and folded her arms "Sure you do Lyrrin. Not at all like you to skulk around." she said sarcastically while motioning towards her comrades "And what? Are we supposed to believe that you need access to the Director's office because you have some sort of valuable intel you didn't tell her before? I think we all know why you're wanting through." without skipping a beat Lyrrin folded his arms in a manner similar to hers "Chatty aren't we?" the security agent squinted at him "Agent Alvarez." the other guards waited for Lyrrin's reaction "Well no chit. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I wanted to check on my partner, you know the one I went to with Kuat while you chucklefucks were yucking it up here? That maybe, perhaps, you didn't know that M wanted us to both be at her office whenever she got back? Is that in your clearance? Are you her secretary now? What is it that you do again, hall monitor? Oh that's right... you scan tags. Ssssooo bring out your little scanner and scan. Uppity monkeys aren't you." the Human, primate descended, security agents looked both enraged and stunned "Keep talking furball and you'll eat your words." Lyrrin smugly took a step forward while leering down his nose at the agent as she scanned his ID and waved him through down the hall.

His walk was uneventful as he took turn after turn in the twisting maze-like halls of the headquarters. Lyrrin was certain that the building had been made this way to prevent those who were unaware of the layout to become lost and easier prey for the security division. Counter-espionage via architecture. Then he came across a holographic wall sign that pointed the way to the Director's office "Bingo." Lyrrin smiled and began to walk softly as he knew that going in this deep would mean that the people standing between him and the Director's office was most likely from the 'Operations' branch, not in the same vein as VEIL but the kind that roll up a blacked out LAAT/le and 'recovered' foreign dignitaries from their homes. As long as he did nothing incredibly stupid or noticeable he should be fine, at least that was the hope.

Lyrrin turned yet another corner with the only sound being the click of his claws against tile, and saw the back of Kalie as she entered the office! Target acquired. Swiftly, and with care, Lyrrin tip toed towards the opened door and then when he was within range he lunged forward and hugged Kalie from behind and held the side of his head against hers "Ha!! Got you! Now we know how you got made!" in truth, while he wouldn't express it through much more than through his antics, he was escatic to see that she was unharmed. He opened his eyes and looked to the stern Chiss woman, IVI and smiled at her warmly, no doubt turning on the charm so that she wouldn't be too mad at him for barging in "Hey Mom, thanks for bringing her back." Lyrrin had often called M, 'Mom', in many of his coded reports. An easy acronym that provided a sliver more security.

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

​

“Loose ends.” M repeated pointedly and leaned forward to accept the incoming transmission. The pad on her desk glowed with a red notification and only disappeared when she interacted directly with it.

It was unsurprising to hear her suspicions of The Senate’s inadequacies, and M’s displeasure crawled across her face to twist her lips into a thin, deep frown. Countermeasures were always in place, her people were always ready to take the helm from the politicians at the snap of her fingers — but it would have been nice if the Senate could just get it together on their own, and not fail. Coruscant had been the apex of their damnation, and the recovery was sluggish.

The snowball effect of the FAC was remarkable indeed, and so long as the head of the operation remained uncompromised, Kalie’s intuition about shaping the Alliance could come to fruition. It would be a more pleasant transition to influence The Alliance through a political guise — one they were used to — rather than a full military coup.

But that was still several, several steps away.

“I’ve been watching the Free Alliance Coalition’s growth.” The director interjected, pinching the screen to look at the portrait of one of the members included in the report. “Good work with that.” She restrained her admonishment for later when it was time to end their briefing. If she warned Kalie of the dangers of putting herself in such a public-facing position, it could compromise her safety. And in due course, the longevity of the SIA’s subversion.

“If your findings are true,” M began, her words slow and thoughtful while she flipped through another page of notes from Kalie’s operations. “And the coalition continues to pick up traction, we’ll also start to exploit the Imperial-aligned senators that aren’t outright affiliated with the Imperial Bloc.”

Another page flip.

“That was part of the mess on Kuat.” M noted, lifting her eyes from the scrawl of informative text “Pocketbooks were supplying both our former allies and ——”

The rest of the sentence died in the space between Kalie and Lyrrin, that was squished to death with a hug.

"Hey Mom, thanks for bringing her back."

M — who had lost much of her real family long ago, and whatever remained had been devastated in the annihilation of Csilla — gave a tight nod. If the title affected her at all, she didn’t show it. The first time she’d read it in a report, however, the skin under her eyes had quivered. Now, she relegated any agitation to acceptance. An element of trust from the pack-minded Farghul who were typically xenophobic.

“Always.” She smiled and gestured to the empty seat. Immediately, the report from Kalie on Tiresh was concealed. That was exclusively need-to-know and outside the operations the partners operated within. Compromise was not acceptable, and certainly not within her walls.

“Well, given the reunion in this room — which is entirely outside of protocol, Lyrrin — we may as well use this time to debrief Kuat officially.”

Her motions were effortless, and soon Lyrrin’s and a few other reports that were dated within weeks of one another appeared. “Loghain’s involvement with the Imperial Order was conclusive, and much to everyone’s surprise The Chancellor and Emperor Fel seemed to reach some sort of verbal agreement that resulted in a ceasefire.

But much happened between your initial recordings Agent Alverez, and now.

Several unaccounted for loose ends, so to speak.”

​

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ (COMPNOR REPLICANT)
LOCATION: SIA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, CORUSCANT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF HER CREATED ORIGIN @ RESPOND APPROPRIATELY
TAGS: IVI Valery Noble Lyrrin

​

She listened intently to IVI as she responded to the intel and shared her observations. It was slightly worrying that M had repeated her own words back to her regarding “loose ends”… Such demeanor hinted that there were definitely discrepancies with the reports that M had received. Not good… But also not unexpected. She would continue to tread carefully and see just how long this masquerade would last before things got... interesting.

It was pleasing to hear that M seemed to be on a similar page regarding the Senate and the possibilities presented by the FAC. She let out a slow breath as her body slightly relaxed a bit, the conversation pulling far, far away from Kuat. The further, the better. She nodded at M's remark regarding utilizing certain senators that were more aligned with the Imperial Block. There were a lot of them in the Coalition, and so it made a lot of sense for her to suggest it.

And... yet again... the conversation drifted back to Kuat. Her tension rose a bit internally, trying to determine the best way to divert the topic back to Tiresh and the Senate when suddenly IVI ’s voice trailed off abruptly. Kalie blinked curiously, unsure as to why M had stopped so suddenly, when…

“Ooof!” She let out a surprised gasp as she was practically tackled from behind by Lyrrin . Immediately a sense of severe alarm arose highly within her... What was he doing here? Was M pulling some kind of manipulative string by bringing him in? Did she know why she had come here already and is simply playing her?

And, at the same time, she was very relieved to see her friend. A smile came back to her face as she reached up and patted his head fondly with her hand. “Chit Lyrrin! Don’t do that! I’m already jumpy as it is!” She laughed, “Good to see you made it out ok.”

When he called IVI “mom”, Kalie couldn’t keep the look of horror from flashing across her face as she glanced back towards M, curious as to how the ultra-serious Director would respond to such an affectionate and unprofessional term. She was surprised at how pleasantly she seemed to respond... Kalie would never in a million years ever dare to call her “mom”… Perhaps it was just because their relationship was… different. In some ways, she viewed M almost like she did her step father, who had insanely high standards and expectations for her to reach and who never settled for failure, lest you bear the unbearable weight of his all-encompassing disapproval. There was a part of her that always aimed to be worthy of M’s approval and affirmation… and any criticism that M gave her was always received ten times more intensely than M likely intended. Whether or not M was actually anything like her step father was irrelevant... M was her superior and her authority figure, and Kalie subconsciously brought the wounds gained from her overbearing step father into their relationship as well.

As Lyrrin took a seat next to her, she glanced over at him. He looked like he was doing good, and his demeanor towards her was very warm and very… normal. Perhaps he had not witnessed what had happened in that room on Kuat after all…. Maybe she was in the clear…

But then M brought the conversation around to the one place she feared to go…

Kuat.

Tension arose within her as she listened to M speak. It was pretty standard at first, but then she focused in on what Kalie had assumed and feared existed within the SIA reports…

The gaps. The holes. The missing pieces.

And at the mention yet again of her own words back to her… loose ends… Kalie's fears were realized. She squeezed a bit tighter onto the chair, doing her best to keep her composure.

Chit.

M knew. She knew something at least. This was going to be one hell of a conversation… and if she said one thing out of place, or there was one detail that happened to contradict any of M's reports…

She would be made. And this conversation would likely take a drastic turn for the worst.

“Again… it was chaotic, but if there is anything that needs attention, then I’ll do my best to provide clarity.” She said flatly.

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

​

"The time between your being made, and the ceasefire are missing from both your reports." The director emphasized without missing a beat.

Her shoulders pressed into the high-backed leatherbound chair, the smoothed and dried hide of a Terentatek. A recovery prize from one of her agents that had been working on the Outbound Flight initiative.

"That requires some clarity.

Being made, and returning back to operations require clearance and details to explain the off-script responses from your baseline examination."

​

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Lyrrin]

-

IVI Valery Noble Kalie Alverez

---

"Ha! Gotya. Didn't even hear me coming!" Lyrrin teased Kalie as she responded to his antics and when he sat down he gave a genuine smile to M even though the rest of his face was the usual cocky, wry, look he normally had when comfortable around people that he knew. The perceptive eye of the Farghul caught M concealing what he assumed to be a report of some kind though he chalked it up to events unrelated. He took no offense and made no mention of the concealment "Sorry Director. I'll make sure not to break anymore norms and protocols when I leave."

Lyrrin sat down in the other chair though his hand lingered for a moment longer on Kalie's shoulder, he had missed her and despite his confidence in her abilities, he had been very worried for her "Kuat. Fun times." he said dryly then crossed a leg over another and got comfortable. As Kalie was asked about her whereabouts and what had happened after the fact he, at first, didn't look at her. Then it dawned on him. He had originally put cameras up in the conference room, routed to the encryption terminal in his make-shift hideout within the base ventilation systems of a nearby building. Though they had lacked audio was the primary reason he had rushed to replace Kalie as the ears of the mission.

"You know, and its a bit embarassing, but I did have camera access in that room. Standard tap. The storage terminal data should be in the VEIL division evidence storage." he explained it as best he could then rubbed his hands together with a tinge of nervousness on his voice "Forgot to include that in my report I guess. Was worried for Kalie. My report should've included the fight I heard in the conference room. I couldn't hear what was said but I know for a fact some form of large scale altercation occurred. Didn't watch it back either once I got the distress signal from Kalie and the notice from you Director. Again, emotionally impaired. Totally unprofessional I know. If I could get the stored footage we could picture to sound. Have the full report." his diligence was beign though for Kalie it may have been seen differently. "I'll get that later for you, if you'd like, or I can see if someone can bring it here?"

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

​

The lines on her face drew tighter, her eyes sharp and calculating. Lyrrin's apology for emotional compromise was affable but unprofessional, and her mouth pursed into an irritated pucker for half a second before:

"Immediately, Lyrrin. Have the files sent to my office immediately. You can connect it to your original report number. I have it ready." M instructed, and tapped her desk with a manicured point.

"Audiovisual accounts, as you both know, are the least biased method agents have at their disposal."

​

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ (COMPNOR REPLICANT)
LOCATION: SIA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, CORUSCANT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF HER CREATED ORIGIN @ RESPOND APPROPRIATELY
TAGS: IVI Valery Noble Lyrrin

​

The sound of their voices seemed to dull as her heart dropped into her stomach. Her mind racing as to what she should do next. On the outside she did her best to remain calm, but inside she was flooded with elements of fear, insecurity, and even… sadness.

Sadness at the fact that this might be the end of her programed illusion… the termination of the concept of friendship that she felt for Lyrrin and the others… the perception of the many weathered storms that she and M had journeyed through together for so many years, creating a unique bond between them in the process. The end of the life she had always known.

Finally, she came to terms that this was the end. Oh Lyrrin… why did you have to be here for this?? Whether or not their friendship was just in her programing, she didn’t believe that he was aware of what was going on. She didn’t want for him to get hurt. But there was nowhere else to turn but towards the truth now… no matter how much it might hurt. Her emotions chilled suddenly as she went into full-on agent mode, her senses on high alert and her mind clear.

“Don’t bother, Lyrrin.” She said flatly as she pulled up her own data pad and opened the video files that he had referenced. “I took the liberty of removing the files from storage a week ago. The only remaining copy of the footage is on this data pad.” She set the data pad down on the table and pressed another command. Instantly, all the screens around them turned to static as she activated the jammer inside it, casting an eerie bluish hue upon everyone's bodies and faces. Now, any incoming or outbound signal would be cut off and scrambled within 50 foot radius, however there was no signal distortion for devices on the inside of the radius, which allowed for the video files to be played back from the internal storage on her data pad.

“Please pardon the theatrics, but I would prefer for this next part of the conversation to remain uninterrupted.” She stood up, her expression one of calm calculation as she looked at M directly in the eyes. “Kuat is not over… not for me. And as I said... I am still tying up some loose ends.”

She activated the video feed as it displayed itself as a holofilm on top of the table, “You want some clarity? So would I. Perhaps we can arrive at some… clarity… together.”

She refused to look over at Lyrrin, keeping her focus exclusively on M. She knew that if she looked at him, she might not be able to follow through with what she needed to do. The events began to play out in front of them, portraying the brutal torture that was inflicted upon her eye, then transitioning to her flinging the SCAR troopers off of her as she snapped the NIO Commanders arms like twigs in her hands before flinging him across the table with a brutal head butt. the next bit was truly unbelievable, as the small agent completely decimated the entire scar squad single handedly with nothing but her fists. And finally, the end concluded with her pulling a blaster from one of their holsters and aiming it at the NIO Commander, eventually releasing a blaster bolt that shattered his jaw and sent him flying towards the ground in severe pain. Kalie watched the events unfold in complete silence, her gaze one of sober resignation.

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

​

One after the other, M’s comm outlets and inputs were compromised. Backups staccato’d from back up to back up to reinforce the uptime guarantee. Through the quantum installation, a small, tiny, micro-blip managed to puff out into the ether, seeking desperately for a network to ride through to connect and proclaim some level of alert to anyone listening.

As if she were at the cinema, she lifted her blue milk to her lips to take a drink. It was grounding to feel the liquid against the roof of her mouth, sugars sought taste recognition, molecules latched to contact sites, and the nerves ran through the meat of her tongue, back to her body like she was drinking it twice. Once with the liquid, and once with the disoriented sensation of inexplicable telling on the screen.

Second after second passed, and through the gruesome interrogation and thereafter, jaws snapped, teeth bore, shouts and cries rose and fell in quick succession in the precise chaos on the recording.

Through it all, M’s expression remained unadulterated by emotion. She might have swallowed once, but that was just required to move saliva and milk around. Not a tell. But the emotion she felt was thick and apprehensive that evidenced as tightness in her throat and fingers.

Finally, it ended. But the meaning behind it was just starting — the biggest worry that built pressure in M’s skull, was the concept of infiltration and betrayal. She’d have to navigate the next several moments carefully. Lyrrin’s genuine emotion for his friend could be either an asset or a liability – which meant she’d have to speak first.

M’s hands folded on the table, the gleam in her full-ruby eyes shifted to show her focus was meeting Kalie entirely.

“Who am I speaking to right now.” She asked, her voice forcing through a level of crispness that she didn’t feel. “The loose end, or Kalie Alverez.”

​

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Lyrrin]

-

IVI Kalie Alverez Valery Noble

---

Lyrrin towards M whenever she had told him that she wanted to see the files as soon as possible "I'll go ge-" his head turned to Kalie when she told him not to bother, his face was quizzical which then shifted to surprise when his friend revealed that she had taken custody of the classified material. That was so far from what he expected that it left Lyrrin speechless. Why would she do that? She had broken countless internal policies not to mention a handful of Alliance laws "Kalie?" he asked in hopes of further explanation of her strange behavior.

Looking between the Director and Kalie, Lyrrin, slowly stood, his hand reflexively twitching towards his concealed hold-out blaster stuffed below the folds of his baggy pants - what was he doing? This was Kalie. His clawed fingers withdrew from the top of the grip, clinking against it almost inaudibly even for the keen eared Farghul. Lyrrin glanced at M who seemed entirely focused on Kalie. Then his gaze went to the holographic display of what his cameras had recorded.

The sight of Kalie being tortured made him sick to his stomach. An unbelievably cruel performance by the agents of the New Imperial Order on display. Though this was not all. Whenever the fight ensued and Kalie had dispatched her tormentors with swift efficiency that would have been remarkable even for the SIA's most ruthless agents of the secretive Special Operations Division, SpecDiv, within the Operations Bureau. Lyrrin was overcome simply stunned. He had never witnessed such carnage and seeing the havoc that Kalie had caused, and the actions of the New Imperial Order, he stepped back and held onto the side of his chair with a tight grip as his free hand clenched at the side of his head. He was distraught, distressed, and angry.

He had told himself that operational security had to be maintained and that he couldn't have exposed himself to the possibility of being made - like Kalie had been reported to be - thus ending the Kuat Mission in failure. So he remained concealed within the ceiling of the very room as the chaos had erupted. But now he believed it was his in ability to properly assess the situation or perhaps it was cowardice? Lyrrin had been in charge of planting the cameras, gathering information on security measures, and ensuring the team's overall secrecy. Clearly he had failed. The implications were so much worse than he had expected, and had blamed himself for.

To the trained eye of the Director it could not be more clear that Lyrrin was within his own head.

 

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ (COMPNOR REPLICANT)
LOCATION: SIA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, CORUSCANT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF HER CREATED ORIGIN @ RESPOND APPROPRIATELY
TAGS: IVI Valery Noble Lyrrin

​

The video playback finished it’s last seconds before the image disappeared, and Kalie let out a slow and tempered breath, her eyes locked on IVI with a look that wasn’t as much biting as it was somber and tired. As M asked her who she was speaking to, she closed her eyes and fought back the raw emotions that she had already been wrestling with ever since Kuat.

“Either you know the answer to that question, and I am a product of your own twisted mind… the perfect SIA asset… or…” She crossed her arms in front of her as she stood at the edge of her desk, “…This is just as big of a shock to you as it was to me, and I am a COMPNOR Replicant, meaning that…” She paused, letting out a labored sigh as she held back her emotions again, doing her best to stay composed, “…That the real Kalie was killed by COMPNOR, and I was sent in as her replacement, in order to infiltrate the SIA.”

She finally looked over at Lyrrin , observing the intense wrestle he was going through with what was happening as well as seeing his hand that rested on a hidden weapon in his clothing. She gave him a sorrowful expression, but made no move to try to stop him from drawing his weapon and shooting her. Instead she refocused and turned back to IVI and pulled out what looked like a detonator from her jacket, her finger resting on top of the red ignition switch.

“If I am a COMPNOR replicant, then you are both in danger of my programming taking over at any moment and killing you both. If that happens…” She tossed the detonator to Lyrrin , her trusted friend whom she hoped would not immediately activate it like she figured M would do out of pure self preservation. “Then pressing that button will activate an EMP that I implanted into my neck. It should take my systems off line.”

She looked down at the tabletop, her heart and mind heavy, “I’ve been infiltrating the SIA databases for the past few weeks, searching for any programs that the SIA might be pursuing regarding android technology. I found this, and I demand an honest answer…” Her tone was growing steadily more pointed as she turned her data pad back on, opened a folder with a collection of files in it, and slid it across the table to IVI for her to comment on.

“What is project Alterium?” She said in a demanding tone. "The SIA has been doing research into android tech, and there are prototypes listed. Also, there is a detailed autopsy report of a COMPNOR Replicant named Asa Yurabi.” She looked over at Lyrrin, hoping he would want to know as much as she did whether she was a creation of the SIA or not. “This is not your fault, Lyrrin.” She said softly, her eyes welling up with tears. “I know you didn’t know about any of this.” She sighed and raised her head, looking up at the ceiling as she blinked away the tears. She didn't know what to say, but all that came out was... "I'm sorry." Sorry for not being the person that he thought she was... sorry that he had to find out this way... sorry that Kalie might be dead... sorry for a lot of things.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Jacket and Jeans​

Tag: Kalie Alverez Lyrrin IVI ​

​

Walking through the streets of Coruscant with her family, Valery suddenly stopped and closed her eyes as something called out to her from afar. Echoing through the Force, Valery could feel the intense emotions that were coming from one of her closest friends. Something was wrong with Lyrrin or whoever was with him — it brought a frown to her face and while she extended her mind as far as she could, it was difficult to tell what was going on.​

​

But she knew one thing, he needed help.​

​

"Valery?" the voice combined with his hand settling on her shoulder instantly drew her out of her vision, and she turned to look up at Kahlil, who was holding their daughter. He looked down at Valery, somewhat confused and a little worried but through their bond, he already knew what was up.​

​

"I'm okay but... I gotta go. I saw something; a friend needs-"​

​

"I know, be safe and I'll see you at home soon."​

​

Valery smiled and raised herself on her toes to quickly press a kiss against his lips, "Love you," she smiled and leaned in to kiss Vera on her forehead as well before she turned around and began to sprint to the nearest Taxi point. She wasn't in her usual Jedi gear but she had a lightsaber concealed in her jacket, and that was all she needed if it came down to it.​

​

So as fast as she possibly could, she followed her senses and began making her way over to the SIA offices.​

​

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

​

Circumstances, mood, psychological states — all resulted in emotion. And the room was thick with it, polluting the potential for clarity.

Emotion that quietly simmered was a dangerous thing.

Emotion that raged like a wildfire was more dangerous still.

And both states of the spectrum were embodied within the confines of M’s muted office. Its grip tightening on one, and tenuous on the other. Emotion spread its open hands around the room, gripping at the throat of Lyrrin and brushing the skin of The Director. Worse, it wrapped itself around agent Alverez.

The Director drew in a sharp breath.

Subtle movements came from Lyrrin, his hands seeking what might make him feel in control of his emotion with an out: Violence. The first thing agents were encouraged to be trained against.
Unsettled, M felt emotion crawl over her skin and the space between her shoulders went taut.

With her hands still resting on the desktop, M flashed a palm in Lyrrin’s direction — the gesture calm and practiced, encouraging him to stay his reaction while still showing Kalie she was not perceived as a threat.

“Either you know the answer to that question, and I am a product of your own twisted mind… the perfect SIA asset… or…”

Berry-coloured lips twitched slightly at the thinly-veiled insult Agent Alverez managed to deliver while desperately confounded. There was something amusing about the potential for M to create the perfect SIA agent with script and code, but having the binary fail when it became existential. Self-awareness was a powerful, powerful asset that when left unanswered resulted in mind-numbing hypotheticals that nobody had time for. Perfect SIA agents weren’t subject to such insecurities.

The heaviness in Kalie’s sigh pulled at something behind M’s ribs, and her chest tightened. Her expression remained listless.

M tracked the toss of the detonator, from Kalie’s desperate clutches to Lyrrin’s. A choice that manifested from intimacy, not protocol. Another result of emotion’s vice-like grip in this room. She made a small noise at the back of her throat.

“Project Alterium…” She repeated softly and looked to the files that were sent her way. The hand that had gestured for Lyrrin’s pause clapped down on the edge of the hardware that glowed symbols and links, data, charts, hypotheses, and other lab-based recordings.

“Android agents are the next logical step in a war that threatens my agents’ lives during every mission. The Alliance is not the MAW with their Children of The Moon hordes as flesh for the machine, nor The Empire with mindless servitude for our soldiers — we operate solely on belief and character — our curiosities into synthetic intelligence are a trade of costs. Financial for emotional.”

Leaning back into her chair, M remained stiff. The lights of her communication devices were still dark.

“The project is an investment to mitigate the harm done to agents and their psyche by feigning sentience. The question that remains, is how far do we go with artificial intelligence? Self-awareness and its balance with obedience is still conceptual.

Asa Yurabi was a COMPNOR issued replicant we recovered on Kuat during the outbreak on the plaza. She’d been assigned to assassinate Lady Elane of Kuat, and one of the Jedi ended her.

Her autopsy was conducted to learn from the technology that went into her uncannily humanlike appearance, and as you probably read in the reports, her likeness to emotion and attachment. A false consciousness that was fully aware of what she was. A replicant.”

M gambled her next words. “She felt no confusion of self, or of purpose. She knew what she was. Her programming was intentionally unquestioning. Apparently, she always knew her mission.

A far cry from our current situation.” She gestured loosely at the triangular dynamic of the room. “If you were sent by the NIO, and you are no longer the Kalie Alverez that was hired by the SIA, then one would suspect your awareness extends to a similar extent as Agent Yuarbi.

So, Agent Alverez, what is your mission now.”

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Lyrrin]

-

IVI Kalie Alverez Valery Noble

---

Lyrrin couldn't believe the words he was hearing and whenever the detonator was tossed to him, more out of reflex than conscious thought, he snatched the cylindrical device from the air. When he looked to what he had been given his eyes went from the device to the Director. He held within his grasp Kalie's life. It was daunting. The Farghul inhaled deeply through his nose and stood up straighter as he steadied himself and tried to regain his composure - as difficult as that was to do. Lyrrin exchanged the grip of the detonator to his left hand while his right hung idly at his side, though in reality it dangled closely to his concealed hold-out blaster.

As potential reality of this being before him not being Kalie but a replicant created by the SIA's Imperial rivals, COMPNOR, he didn't seem to register the information. His stare betrayed only the pain he had been feeling. For now it seemed the agent was desperately attempting to compartmentalize and repress anymore emotional outbursts. Then Kalie, or the replicant of Kalie, he could not be certain apologized to him and assured him of his innocence in the matter his teeth clenched together and his face grew taught. He gave no response. Not because he didn't want to but because if he opened the door he had just closed in this conversation - the possibility that any of this was in his power to prevent - he wasn't sure that he could close it again. So instead Lyrrin did his best to remain stoic.

The information about the Director's secret initiatives and the existence of more than one COMPNOR replicant possibility was another burden to bear. There was so much that Lyrrin did not know. What could he do with this information? Nothing, clearly, it would have all been highly classified. At M's weighty question of Kalie's mission the expression changed ever so slightly into a grimace. How could Kalie not know her mission if she was a replicant? Would there be some form of triggering event that would make her aware? Was that possible? Could Kalie, the real Kalie, held up to such torture? Did Kalie have cybernetics that he was not previously aware of that would allow her to commit such impressive feats of martial violence? The questions bore fruit to revelation. No biological Human could have survived nor fought so fiercely as she had done, such things were relegated to more monstrous species like the Trandoshans, Wookies, and Felacatians. Never before had Kalie displayed augmentations and even if she had what kind would allow for these abilities? Nothing that he knew of. Which could only mean one thing, this 'Kalie' if she was the same from the video was not his Kalie but COMPNOR's.

Lyrrin's hand turned the detonator around in his hand idly. Could he be certain? This information was so knew and his conclusions were based off circumstantial evidence and incomplete estimations. He couldn't pin the life of Kalie on them, could he? To acknowledge her as a COMPNOR Replicant was to embrace the possibility that the real Kalie Alvarez was dead. Even worse so if he was wrong and he had killed her of his own accord. Did he need to make this decision now? Who was pressuring him towards it? Nobody. He had time, the Director was giving Kalie or the replicant - whichever she was - an out. She could stall for time, give Lyrrin time, to investigate. To find the truth "You said it yourself Director." he spoke up "If she was a replicant then she would know her mission. She doesn't, because she isn't a replicant." Lyrrin looked to Kalie and smiled "You've been through a lot, and I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help you on Kuat. Director-" he turned his head to M "I don't want to challenge your methods though if we press her to recall memories that don't exist anymore is it possible we are forcing her to create false memories? Grasp at smoke?" there was a pleading look in Lyrrin's eyes. Whether or not he had intentionally made it so.

 

[Kalie Alverez]

COMPNOR AGENT: REPLICANT 835M5
LOCATION: SIA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, CORUSCANT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: KILL SIA DIRECTOR
ENEMY TAGS: IVI Valery Noble Lyrrin

​

As she listened to IVI 's response, although it did not outright address whether or not she was apart of the program, it seemed fairly clear that M was implying that the program was in alpha stages of development. Kalie began to feel a sense of terror slowly creeping up her spine as she continued to listen, M's words beginning to blur as she found herself coming to the conclusion that IVI was just as clueless as she was as to what was going on. And if that was the case…

Her eyes widened as she slowly backed away from the table, trying to create more distance between her and the others. There was a look of severe fear that flooded her features as her hands began to tremble.

She was a COMPNOR replicant.

This had all been a terrible plot to kill the director of the SIA, and she had allowed for the events to unfold in such a way that it might lead to just that outcome.

IVI said:

"So, Agent Alverez, what is your mission now."

She looked at M with a mix of confusion as well as clarity that produced an expression that was undeniably terrified for whatever might come next.

"Kill me…" She muttered, turning her gaze to Lyrrin with horrified eyes, "I'm a COMPNOR agent…. Lyrrin…. DO IT!"

She begged him to press the button on the detonator before it was too late, her arm held tightly by her hand in front of her as if she felt completely exposed before them.

"…KILL ME!"

She screamed in a demanding and desperate tone as tears started to stream down her cheeks.

..........

Suddenly her expression went blank as a twitch occurred in her face. It seemed that something had just activated in her programing, and the stoic expression now covering her face was enough to send a cold chill throughout the room in the midst of the unknown of what was happening. The Replicant turned and looked coldly at Lyrrin, bringing its arms down to its sides as its eyes switched to a terrifying, glowing white hue.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Jacket and Jeans​

Tag: Kalie Alverez Lyrrin IVI ​

​

While tension in the room was rising rapidly in response to a shift in the replicant, a keen observer may have noticed that the elevator was moving up towards the level that held M's office. With no appointment scheduled outside what was happening within the room, this was likely a strange and unexpected event, but a reality nonetheless.​

​

Slowly, the lift came to a stop and a small green light on the panel beside it began to flicker, indicating that it had stopped and the door was about to open. But when the two metal doors slid aside, there was nothing inside the elevator — no building staff, no visitor and no droid either.​

​

The doors closed again moments later and while the elevator remained stationary at this level of the building, a silence lingered in the hallway leading up to the locked doors of M's office. But after a few seconds ticked by, the sound of the locking mechanisms shifting within the door and walls could be heard, yet any camera looking out into the hallway would reveal there was nothing on the other side of the door.​

​

With a loud bang, the office door flung open and while it was logical to assume there was someone there, the three wouldn't see a thing — just the empty hallway and the elevator at the very end of it.​

​

But as a few seconds passed again, Lyrrin and IVI would both hear a familiar voice within their minds, speaking to them with a calm tone in an attempt to not startle them.​

​

<T> "Don't move."​

​

Seemingly from thin air, Valery suddenly appeared inside the room between Lyrrin and Kalie to meet the replicant's terrifying white gaze with fiery orange. The hilt of her lightsaber was already drawn into her right hand, but she had not yet ignited the weapon and simply stared down what looked like one of her closest friends, but felt so very different.​

​

"Apologies for the interruption, Director. I felt something was off and now I know why." she said without looking away from the Replicant.​

​

"Who or what is this, and where is Kalie?"​

​

 

[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE

NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE​

Lyrrin’s words went unanswered by M. Instead, the reply came from the shift in the red-head. It seemed Agent Alverez indeed knew her mission. And M’s methods had activated the response she’d been dreading. At

Sadness flashed across The Director’s face — she’d hoped to be wrong. Unfortunately, she rarely was.

"It's me, isn't it Alverez."

"…KILL ME!"

In a desperate attempt to cling to who the replicant thought she was, Kalie demanded death.

“No!” The Director barked and rose abruptly. Her chair rolled backwards. Her mind was already racing through a series of potentials, and although the replicant desired to wear her destiny like a noose around her neck M would not see it so. The Imperials had planted a mole in her world, and she be damned if she let them think they weren’t getting away with it. A triple agent’s value was multiples more valuable. All the SIA had to do was reprogram ——

— Kalie’s façade fell. All the emotion M had been apprehensive of was replaced with something far colder, listless, calculating and sharp. Inhuman.

It had been so long since M had been in the field, and for all her bravado and brains, she felt an embarrassing stillness grip at her muscles. For half a heartbeat, she felt immobile in the sight of danger. Her throat tightened, and her heart thundered behind her breastbone.

Too many impossibly loud heartbeats pounded by before she held out her hand again, nudging the air with her fingers to appeal once more for the detonator.

“Lyrrin.. Give it to me.”

Her other hand patted blindly for the blaster secured beneath the overhang of her desk.

“Give me the detonator. Do not activate it.”

The tips of her fingers were just smoothing over the cold metal of her blaster when the door flung open.

In the shock of the moment, M’s hand curled around the custom grip and her arm stiffly lifted to point forward. One eye down the scope, her peripherals still keeping track of Lyrrin and her hand out for the detonator.

Surprise followed surprise, and the silhouette of the former SIA-shadow in her doorway shouldn’t have been as unpredictable as it was. Nevertheless, there she was. And somehow just as caught up as the two non-Force users.

"Who or what is this,

“A replicant.”

and where is Kalie?"

“Do not destroy her, or we may lose the chance to find out. Everyone stand down.

Alverez. Your mission awaits. You're recording, aren't you?

Let them go. It can be just you and me.”

---

Kalie Alverez | Lyrrin | Valery Noble

 

[Lyrrin]

Lyrrin looked back to Kalie as her voice became strained with distress and then her entire attitude changed. It was so much for him to take in, and then Valery arrived from seemingly no where! It was like he was in a waking nightmare. The tear streaked Kalie's face which was now emotionless and alight in white light from her irises was haunting "Eeeassy Val..." he hesitantly muttered to her, he could not be entirely sure what was happening though he had a feeling it could be nothing good for anyone involved! His eyes slid over towards the Director as she urged him to relinquish the detonator. He dare not throw it and even if he did he wasn't sure that his aim would have been steady enough to reach her hand.

So instead the Farghul moved behind the chair that he had been sitting in, using an additional distance between himself and Kalie - with Valery being the most effective blockage available, as he maneuvered towards M. Without lifting his hand much above the level of his navel he offered the detonator in a clenched fist towards the Chiss woman. All the while his eyes were fixed on Kalie. Despite her words and the words of the Director he was so sure that who he was seeing was Kalie. The Kalie. His cherished friend. Could she really be a fraud? It didn't seem possible - yet here they were. Valery, Kalie, M, and himself all in the room with a crisis of trust.

"M please don't do this." he whispered to her as his fist relaxed, Lyrrin raised it, and put the detonator into M's open hand.

Kalie Alverez Valery Noble IVI