Murder in Neos

[Lysle of the Hydian Way]

​

​

Babylon,
Antecedent,
03:40 Local Time
________________________

Lysle Rigger stood vigil over Antecedent. The window before him was made of reinforced transparisteel, the quality used on the most elite of Star Destroyers. It rose over two floors high and spread out around the top two floors of the tower of Babylon. It gave him unprecedented views of Antecedent, his empire. Despite his successes, there were always those who sought his destruction. Now was one such time. With his absence from Neos, gangs had risen, crime lords had attempted coups and mega-corps had looked to buy their way to the top. His business in Hutt and Wild Space prevented him from returning. He had sent a hitman of his to deal with the matter only to find the one man capable of the job dead. This wasn't good.

He turned from the window and his icy blue gaze fellow upon the elevator at the far end of the room. Even from his distance to the lift he could see the small digital indicators that showed someone was coming and soon. Cybernetic eyes. Truly, what little of his flesh remained untouched? He was as much machine as he was human these days, and in saying that his humanity had always been lacking.

Lysle moved from the window and towards the center floor. A large table awaited his guests. The tables surface was finished to a mirror polish. The chairs were luxurious and the waitresses, if they could even be called that, were scantily clad. Twi'leks with a purple-blue tinge to their pigmentation, twins. They wore only the smallest amount of cloth to cover their breasts and even less cloth to cover the other parts. Babylon wasn't just any building. It was a tower of sin. All pleasures of the flesh could be found here. From spice bars and casinos to strip clubs and brothels. Lysle could cater to the desires of any man, woman or hermaphrodite alien.

His suit was a smooth black. A thin black tie lay over a white undershirt. He looked impeccable. His hairline cut to laser precision. Red Raven droids flanked the room on all sides, watching tirelessly, their submachine guns held lazily in their hands. Their payload varying from electromagnetic and slugs to pure plasma, and even a shatter gun. Babylon took no risks, not after what had happened with the Dragon Palace Casino. Constant raids from daring crooks and warring syndicates. The only gang to take a shot at Babylon had suffered a terrible price. A swooper gang that had been shot down on arrival by the point-defense systems of Babylon. It was not only a tower of sin, but a fortress and a city in of itself. So large was this spire that it soared above any other building on Antecedent. A superskytower. 1313 floors high.

At last, the elevator pinged. The matter at hand would be discussed. He had hired an individual to solve a murder and he would pay handsomely. Lysle moved to the far end of his grand table, taking a seat as he glanced across the room with the patience of a predator. The waitresses moved to provide food and beverages to the table. A Bith in the far corner began to play soft jazz while another danced his fingers across a piano. A contract form was on the table, placed on the opposite end of the table to Lysle. It would only need their signature. Lysle was going to get answers, even if it cost lives, so long as those lives were not those of his men.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

​

Neos? It didn't exist, or that is what the skeptics had claimed. A Planet that resided in the depths of unknown space, capable of rivalling the parties of Zeltros, and triumphing above Nar Shaddaa and it's criminal elite. It was a myth, a thing of legend. If you spent enough time in the outer-rim you had heard whispers of it, but there was never any concrete evidence that it truly existed. Had Kole been infatuated with the idea? No, not really. He wasn't one for parties in which the music coursed through your body, the illicit substances that altered your mind, or spending time with a different woman every night. That may have been enjoyable for some, perhaps even for Lyn, but Kole had come here for a job. That's all it was. Neos, if it were anything like the tales, was somewhere you didn't want to find yourself for too long. Least you find yourself entangled in it forever.

There was a certain tenseness to the calm of the room they had wandered into. Kole's eyes flickered left, they flickered right, briefly falling onto anything worth taking note of. He wasn't in any danger; it was instinctive. There had been too many rooms that could've led to his death that the HRD had walked right into, lucky to come out the other side. He hadn't said anything to Lyn, his Zeltron Companion, assuming that she kept her wits about her as much as he had. It was an essential, especially in an environment such as this.

Kole had found himself before Lysle. His clothes paled in comparison to Crime Lord's, finding nothing immaculate about the simplicity of the darker clothes he typically wore. That same old coat, the undershirt, the pants and boots. A Blaster, or was it a Slugthrower, tucked into the basic chest holster that was primarily concealed by the coat itself. He was, at the very least, clean.

Silent. Waiting.

[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] | [member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

HBABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

MR. MAN​

​

Imagine.

Imagine being invited to, essentially, the event of a lifetime, with someone you fancied; all the promised delights one could picture, the depths of a planet rarely if ever visited by anyone, period. How a planet remained undetected in this day and age, she couldn't guess or care. The mystique was all that mattered, the clout gained from being in proximity.

Now, imagine being invited to it, a planet somehow worse than her own homeworld, a singular opportunity many would kill for, and being unable to indulge in the base instincts to join the dance, sway to the beat, sing along, follow your literal biological hardwiring. And one could then have a relatively clear picture of Lynnori's conundrum as she stood by Kole, arms crossed, fingers tapping nervously against her upper arm. The sound of nails on the fabric of her jacket sleeve was the only thing keeping her pheromones and her telepathy from blasting out of control. Here, this was the temptation. The path to Hell paved with sex and sin, as she knew all too well. All that was left was the repenting, now.

It helped to have him nearby. The blankness she received in her sixth sense from Kole served as a would-be anchor, a lighthouse, helping her pass through the storm of lust and avarice without incident. It'd also do her no good to go and kark that, his support, up, too. Best to be quiet, let the one without the gift of gab do the talking, see what new adventure was being woven for them by the man in black she was being taken before. Just look and the floor and block it out.

This, she assured herself, was her turning over a new leaf. A leaf emblematic of self-control.

Heeled boots made an appealing din as her short footfalls trailed after Kole-- He had longer legs, sadly, which left her playing catch-up with strides more often than not --and she stopped when he did. Black boots, black pants, black holster and black pistol, sharp clothing choices but the blandest colours. It was slightly unflattering against her hot pink skin and cyan mass of curls, but, what could you do? Fashion wasn't a priority. If it had been, well, the Zeltron would have turned a lot more heads. Someone had been persuasive in dressing properly today, clearly.

Amber eyes studied the unknown entity in the room. Lysle. Was that it? Kole didn't speak, so she followed his example and didn't either, crossed arms loosening a little as her posture turned casual, a leg crossing behind the other as her body weight shifted.

[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

 

[Lysle of the Hydian Way]

As Kole entered the room Lysle seemed to stare back at himself. They were night identical in appearance. While cosmetics had kept him looking young it was only holding back the inevitable. Lysle was fifty, Kole appeared much younger, but their likeness was uncanny. Their eyes matched each other, but Lysles was far more terrible to look upon. There was almost a lack of humanity in his eyes. A cold calculating stare, the icy regard of a reptile who saw others only as things to be had or used. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Kole," Lysle said with a voice that would be distinctly different. Accented from Kesh.

Then his gaze turned to the other guest and Lysle smiled. Neither warm nor welcoming. Like a puppet mimicking the social cues of others. "Food?" Lysle offered and motioned a hand to the table, "Drinks?" he said, almost as a hiss from his lips. A knowing flickered across his eyes. The Devil tempts. The twin Twi'leks moved in towards Kole and Lynnori, they whispered in their ears, "Your guns, please." Soft hands extended, expecting and waiting to have the guests hand over their weapons. The Bith continued to play their tune and the robotic guards remained silent and vigilant. Lysle gave one final judging look towards Kole and began, "There's been a murder I want investigated."

"Two months ago I had one of my men investigate an underground corporation working on Neos. They've been routinely breaking the laws I laid down on Neos and I wanted them dealt with. So I sent my best man. One week ago he returned to me, or rather, his hand did, in a bag." Lysle laid down a hand on the table. It was in a vacuum sealed electro-locked bag with its own temperature regulator, keeping the hand from decomposition. It was almost perfectly preserved. Further inspection may be needed.

Lysle clicked his fingers and as he did the floor next to the table began to peel away. A horrible chill swept into the room as cold air swept in. The floor fell away and a platform began to rise from a freezer-cell beneath the floor. "The rest of his body was found in a gutter. We had it put on ice and brought to Babylon." As the platform rose a grizzly sight appeared. There was a large metal pole with a butchers hook, often used for the purposes of the butcher to cut meat from a carcass. Instead of an animal it was a human hanging from the hook.

The hook was placed into the mans back, he hung limp. His feet dangling just inches from the ground. No, not feet, cybernetic legs. Two powerful mechanical legs were joined at the mans hips where it met further albeit minor cybernetic enhancements on the mans stomach and chest. He was in his late forties. Scars marked his flesh. His beard was neatly trimmed and his eyes were missing. Further inspection may be needed.

Next to the body was a table. A Hammerhead helmet was propped atop a pile of clothes, nexu hide bandoleers and a poncho. An extensive array of weapons and gadgets were neatly displayed beside the clothes. The man had been a walking armory, death on two legs, but that hadn't stopped whoever had killed him from doing so. "Julian Valentine," Lysle said, naming the victim, "I want answers, and I'm willing to pay handsomely, but I have rules." The Crime Lord of the Red Raven Syndicate leaned forward in his seat and rested his closed hands on the table, "Interested?"

 

[Rakaan Horne]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDENT​

​

Crime Lords. They were typically as vicious as they came, the most predatory and psychotic you could ever find in the Galactic Underworld. He wasn't truly able to say he knew any, but he had once been within the presence of the Prince of the Exchange. To see Lysle, a man so similar to himself -- outwardly -- was strange. It might of even been crippling if he hadn't seen that face once before. There were more than a few questions he had to ask himself, and the most pressing was why he had managed to witness two others that were identical to him. There was always a chance that someone was uncanny in their resemblance to yourself, but the Galaxy was so large it was incredibly unlikely that the two would ever cross paths. To do so twice, on two separate occasions? It didn't make sense. Kole was troubled, to say the least.

It didn't help that none of the burdens he bore were shared with Lyn. She may have been the only real thing in his life worth keeping, but that didn't make it any easier. Give it time. They've still got a long way to go.

"Lynnori." Kole said, introducing the Zeltron as his head twitched to the right in her direction and his left arm lazily gestured across his chest towards her. There wasn't any indication as to what​ they were, Simply partners, but not strictly. It was discomforting to be back in the criminal saddle when with Lyn, even if it seemed to be on the right side of the law; perhaps she'd believe that that's all it was. Justice. Something good.

Kole wasn't really able to admit he was either hungry or thirsty in a tower of sin, offered a meal and a beverage by the Devil himself. It didn't seem wise to accept such an offer, and so somewhat of a dismissive wave had come from the Human Replicant Droid that hadn't a clue as to what it was. It wasn't anymore comforting that the next action was disarming himself. His right hand reaching across his chest, into the coat, and retrieving the firearm before placing it inside the grip of one of the Twi'leks that seemed to wear next to absolutely nothing. His eyes wandered, but that wasn't on purpose; he was a man, after all. Simply hoping that Lyn hadn't took any notice of it, however brief it was.

Then... Then came reality. The job, his career. It wasn't particularly clean, dirty, much like himself. Even if he wasn't really willing to admit how much of that grime touched him. His artificial eyes had turned to the severed hand concealed within the bag. His eyes and ears were the only thing open in the current moment. Especially as the floor peeled away, sending in cold chills in addition to a hooked corpse. There wasn't an emotion on his face, for Kole had seen more than enough to leave him mentally capable of absorbing some brutality. It was amusing, from another perspective, that amidst all the gore, dealings of death, that the Bith played away, filling the room with soft, ambient jazz.

There was a moment of silence after his question, be it deliberation or a flair for the dramatics. "I can get you answers." Kole replied, accepting the offer, even without discussing such a thing with Lyn. That was bound to be a mistake.

[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] | [member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

MR. MAN​

​

If it had not been for earlier events, Lyn might have been a little more than surprised to see a man similar in appearance to Kole. But, ironically enough, this wasn't her first time at that particular rodeo/horror-show; so perhaps she wasn't exactly going through the momentary-shock Kole could be upon laying eyes on Lysle. Blank golden irises simply looked between her partner and her new boss, noting their similarities, but differences too. Lysle almost seemed artificial, falsifying life with that puppetmaster look on his face, unlike Kole in that regard who, ironically, was more Human than ever in her view. Ah, Twi'leks. Those who often 'came for the crown' of the Zeltrons in terms of sensuality. She didn't dislike them. Actually, she probably liked them, very much, very very much -- Alas, this was a different time, a different place, a tragically different Lynnori. A year or two ago, absolutely. Now? She could pass. But, still, the fact that Lyn sized up one of the Twi'leks was probably why she hadn't noticed Kole doing the same to his. Fantastic, these two. No matter how much she wished it was different, Lyn was still a member of her species and still found anything with a modicum of sentience attractive. Certainly explains what she was doing with an HRD.
Once prompted for weaponry Lyn began that laborious effort. Removing first the blaster at her hip, then reaching down, for the hold-out pistol crammed in her tall boots. She offered both to the twin collecting hers, managing a grin that was definitely not as appealing as it might have been. Refreshments sounded lovely, but, Kole didn't move, so neither did Lyn. For some reason, she actually trusted his judgement concerning what and what not to do here, which meant for the moment he had a definite pink shadow to copy his motions to avoid offence. Did it mean she would uncharacteristically stand around like an angry brick which seemed to be Kole's talent? Yes, it did. Lyn's arms crossed again, blue hair was brushed over her shoulder to hang down her back, and she listened to Lysle explain his offer of employment.
The hand was... Gruesome, but nothing new. Her partner might have expected some level of visceral reaction from the Zeltron who often appeared softer than she really was, but there was no outward indication of that. Sure, in her mind, she had a dozen little Lyn's running around screaming in terror, but outwardly she almost looked bored in regarding the limb. At least he doesn't have a corpse--
Oh, he does. Lovely.
Lynnori's lips pursed a little upon the arrival of the deceased. Suddenly she was thankful Darius Maltoya, the previous murder Lynnori and Kole had met investigating, had only been strangled by a combination of his own ego and a Trandoshan's meaty paws. This man, Valentine, looked like he had it a lot worse, and after a few seconds of brutal staring, she was forced to drop her gaze lest her facade crack. She was strong, but not that sort of strong. The jazz tempered her mood, let her focus on Lysle's words, and her head remained tipped downwards until Kole spoke.
"I can get you answers."
"We can." Lyn cut in after her partner, head sharply tipping up with a look of 'did you forget I'm here or something'. She didn't seem perturbed that he'd made the choice for her, more or less bugged by his choice of wording. Honestly, his nerve sometimes.
[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

 

[Lysle of the Hydian Way]

"Good," Lysle said with a semblance of relief. "As you may have been informed prior to this offer, you will be going to Neos. Due to the nature of its secrecy I will require you to both be placed in stasis during transit." The Twi'leks had taken their guns and left the room. The Bith playing their tunes slowly ended their song, packed up and left their stage. The droids remained as still as statues. "Upon arrival you're to meet with one of my men, a slicer that goes by the name Spook. He will be your eyes and ears on the CryptNet and he will give you unprecedented access to its servers."

The CryptNet. The Dark Web of the HoloNet. Created by the notorious slicer known as Jen and designed for the Red Ravens over a decade ago, it was used during their height of supremacy to run invisible markets across the galaxy. Raven Netrunners aren't the only danger on the CryptNet, rogue slicer droids from KV-N1 were known to have recently jumped the servers and were spreading their influence across the 'Net.

"Sign the contract and you can begin," Lysle said as he rose from his chair, "We can negotiate the final price upon completion, but for now, this will do." He placed a credit chip on the table. It marked over five-hundred thousand creds. "If you decline, well, that's your loss." The Red Raven President moved from the table to a private elevator, turned and vanished behind the closing doors of the lift. The two were left to debate over taking the job or not, and where to begin their investigation.

On the table was a list of notes about the murder. A corporation known as BodMod was running an illegal business in the no-fly, no-gun zone of Neos. Julian Valentine had been sent to put an end to their dealings and he was found dead. No known murder. The location his body had been found was locked down, preserved and awaiting detectives. There was also a list of witnesses who were present when the hand was delivered. That ended the list. Then there was the carcass of one of the three most notorious Bounty Hunters in the galaxy hanging from a butchers hook next to them.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

​

There wasn't a point in denying the task. Not now, at least. Kole had briefly, so, so, briefly mulled over the decision. He had given his word, no? It wasn't as if it mattered much, especially here of all places. Yet, Kole was maintained the idea that he was able to stick to the promises he made, even if they weren't explicitly promises. Those credits were far too enticing, either way. Five-Hundred Thousand? Maybe he was to find himself in harms way, but it wasn't going to be anything new. His concern was that of Lyn, though. Further reflection was sure to reveal that his concern should be on those that he's to come across. Julian Valentine was surely a dangerous man to earn the reputation he had, and to find himself killed by those Kole is investigating? It was no easy task. Perhaps he was bound to stay out of harms way to some extent, restricting himself to the passiveness of an investigation, relaying information for the Red Ravens to take action. It was sure to be preferred, if nothing else.

​Kole cast a brief glance towards the Zeltron, it was typically reminiscent of a blank expression but she was sure to know what exactly he was asking in that moment. It hardly mattered, for either way he was taking the job. His eyes scanned over the words laid out before him, then signing on the dotted line. Lysle had left, and they had their own devices to tend to. Kole was interested in the corpse, for any specifications that came with the way they might have been killed. A particular type of weapon, method, so on and so forth. Maybe it was something they were going to encounter on their endeavour across the stars.

The Replicant Droid had shifted his positioning in the room, approaching the corpse. There wasn't a sign of disgust present on his face, even as he found himself awfully close. His eyes shifted over it, absorbing any and all details that could be made known.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

MR. MANhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiZiwmknA-A​

​

In response to Kole's 'look', the one she could easily identify from the sheer number of times she had seen it across his usually-blank expression, Lyn grinned a little bashfully. Her non-verbal reply to his own response was more or less her own way of telling him off, egging him on as well, but in the trademarked gentle way that friends did.

Friends. Yeah, right.

Narrowed eyes watched as the twins meandered away with their weapons. She liked those blasters quite a bit and would hope to see them eventually returned. Then again, five-hundred-thousand-credits? That could buy a lot of sentimental guns. A lot. It could also buy a lot of other things, like a ship, a few crates of high-end booze, more invitations to more pointless balls. Maybe a nice house somewhere by a beach for her to trash. Oh, they were signing documents now. Probably signing their soul away, for all Lynnori knew, even as she followed Kole to sign right alongside him with implicit trust in her posture next to him. There was no debate about what to do, nothing but synchronicity; she'd follow him, he knew that, it meant that nothing had to be said aloud. Just a nervous glance upwards.

Though make no mistake, she had her doubts. First; stasis? 'Stasis' didn't sound like fun. Stasis sounded like the potential to die in your sleep. Secondly, the CryptNet, oh no. She was more than familiar from her time as an underground streamer, attracting the wrong types on defunct sites to place ridiculous bets on whether she'd die today or not. Even hearing the word of the illicit underbelly on the HoloNet sent a noticeable tremble racing down her back. Perhaps it was a good thing she'd left her mask at home.

It didn't surprise her in the slightest that he was going for the body. That definitely seemed more up his alley, considering his police background. Lyn? Lyn was more of a people person. She was better at handling and reading individuals, not exactly dealing with the dead. But, hey, might as well try and be useful. She'd been helpful on the Maltoya case. So whilst her partner went to perform an impromptu autopsy, the Zeltron elected to inspect the preserved hand. It was gruesome, sure, but not as bad to be near around. The arm, if Lysle was to be believed, belonged to Valentine anyways. If there was any significance to be found, she'd try her best to uncover it before they were forced into a slumber for their trip to a world few had seen.

[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

 

[Murder in Neos]

The Hand

The hand of Julian Valentine was completely frozen. The fingers were flexed and there was little blood to be found on them. The wound at the wrist had been cleaned up but the hand had visibly bled out. It was a horrible pale complexion that was near blue-purple. There was something under his thumbs fingernail, a dark brown substance. Dried blood.

Then there was the middle finger. A thin almost imperceptible metal rod was sticking mere millimeters out from the skin. Any scanners would be able to detect a small leak of electromagnetic radiation coming from the rod. The bottom of the vacuum-sealed bag was a palm sized control panel that allowed one to open the bag and defrost its contents.



The Body

The armor appeared authentic, right down to the gadgets and weapons. This was Julian Valentines gear without a doubt. There was blood splatter on the left fin of the Hammerhead Helm. Further inspection would find that the software in the helmet had been replaced by something else. It was coded and locked, only an experienced slicer could crack the software and find its intent. Observing the collection it was obvious Lysle had no one in the Ravens inspect the gear prior to hiring the investigators.

As the chill air dispersed throughout the room the body seemed to begin to drip with blood from its wrist. It wasn't dark brown or even crimson but a deep healthy red. The legs appeared fried. It could be deduced an EMP grenade had disabled the bounty hunters legs before going in for the kill. Aside from the clean, laser-precise cut on the wrist where his hand had been detached there was also a deep hole in the cavity of his chest. This too was leaking blood, despite having been dead for some time. Something wasn't right here.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

​

Kole wasn't entirely sure as to what to think regarding the dripping wounds. Had it been because the body had left the freezer for too long, the decaying process returning in it's strongest, most pure form? Or, had there been a certain kind of weapon? There was a wide variety of technology that was bizarre, unnecessarily violent and cruel to those that it can be fired upon with. He was certain that this here Valentine had been familiar with that. Bounty Hunters were cruelest of the investigative kind. They covered a broad field from mercenary, investigator and assassin. Many of which resembled that of warriors, specifically the Mandalorians. Valentine, however, had a reputation. To see it disappear into a corpse, thrust into a gutter, and removed with a hand? It wasn't an enticing thought as to who he had to face to get it done.

There was an expression of suspicion that came with the furrowing of his brow and the squint of his eyes as he heard the blood trickle onto the floor beneath the corpse before seeing it. Kole's head pivoted, and drip, drip, drip. Harper had taken the mental images neccessary, but something more concrete was to come with time, something to refer back to with absolute certainty. "Can this be locked away?" Kole questioned, his head turning to face any Raven within the room whilst his right index finger lazily pointed in it's direction.

His attention, after the corpse, had turned to the gear. It was surely expensive, and with it came advanced technology. His hands had both slinked into a pair of gloves, raising the helmet as he rotated it within his hands in an effort to catch a greater glimpse of it. Even then, it was confirmed that anything internal was locked away. They needed a slicer, someone good, if not better. Kole gave a sigh of disappointment. He knew this was going to be far from easy.

[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

MR. MANhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiZiwmknA-A​

​

Lyn couldn't imagine why anyone would want to defrost the hand. That'd just start decomposition and-- And yuck. Still, the Zeltron was a little more learned from the previous case they had investigated; that blood could belong to a perpetrator, the killer even. Those reverted to their basic survival instincts often attacked with the natural weapons of humanoids. Nails, teeth. If Valentine had taken a chunk of whoever had done him in with him to the grave (Or, well, meathook), he could posthumously help solve his own murder.
"Ugh--" Her nose scrunched up a little in revulsion considering what she'd likely have to do next, "This is gonna be disgusting." She spoke to herself, but her head still tipped in Kole's direction. Instinctively. This was nothing quite like their first morgue trip, which had been more sanitized than this. This, was real. This was real, uncensored death. And it was uglier than sin.
It was with a sigh that indicated intense displeasure that Lyn began the defrosting procedure, pink fingers quickly tapping across the controls to begin the procedure. All the while, she slid on her own pair of protective gloves. Touching the severed hand was going to be horrific enough, but she was absolute about being sanitary and not making skin-to-skin contact. Once defrosting was complete, a squeamish Lynnori would reel her head back to avoid any foul scents or sights as much as possible, gloved hands beginning to probe inside to collect a sample of the blood under the nail's thumb. She was by no means a forensic expert, but at least she had some experience doing this particular extraction. With a sample of potentially anomalous DNA, they were one step closer to finding the killer.
A step closer to five-hundred-thousand, too. Beach-houses were in Lynnori's future, she could tell. Softly wheezing, the uncomfortable Zeltron went to re-seal the bag, head turning to Kole just in time to see him order the body into storage, "Find anything?"
[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

 

[Murder in Neos]

As Kole inquired about the possibility of locking the corpse away the floor would begin to rumble. The platform slowly began to descend, giving Kole more than ample time to return to the main floor before the platform descended back to where it had come, vanishing as the floor enveloped the platform and the corpse, placing it back into cold storage once more. Babylon wasn't entirely automated, but Lysle's penthouse was. Requests could be made and fulfilled at the whim of his every word, and the words of his guests.

The bag hissed out cold air, the fingers went from their purple-blue color to a more blackened-purple state as it was slowly warmed up. The fingers, previously flexed, fell limp as they were defrosted. Lynnori was able to collect a perfect sample of the blood under the nail, DNA of an unknown person or suspect. As her fingers retreated from the bag she hit the seal button, immediately the bag vacuum-sealed against the flesh once more and temperature regulators froze the hand once more, preserving it.

One of the Raven droids who had stood motionless stepped forward, its weapon lowered. "When you complete your assessment, follow me. I will guide you to your stasis chamber," the droid spoke in a distinctly human voice. A young man. A bright red arm motioned towards a corner of the room away from the luxuries of Lysle and towards two pods, waiting for the pair - that is, if they were done inspecting.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

​

The Hammerhead Helmet, gripped by either fin, had been lowered down gently- far more care had been given to it from Kole than those that had killed Julian, that was for sure. Those gloves that happened to be wrapped around his hand, constricting his fingers had made the kind of tense noise they were prone to once he briefly curled both hands into a fist, but only as if he were flexing one. Kole hadn't felt as if there was much for them to discover by looking at the corpse and that the details were out in the field in which they had to roam. He desired to know who operated where, the big names that had even larger ones above them. This wasn't something standard, obviously. Organised by someone with the power to wield it.

"Not of use. Need a slicer for that helmet."

His synthetic eyes turned towards the Droid that had approached them, spoken so differently than what Kole was to expect. He had figured that he was finished here, and that anything could surely be relayed to him if he was to keep in contact with Lysle, or those he may have assigned to the task itself. Kole pivoted his head, facing Lyn, removing the gloves from his hand and stifling them into a pocket. His expression was firmly that of a question, seeing if she was ready to leave as he was.

In the event that the Zeltron was, Kole was sure to head into the direction the Droid had been prompted to guide them in.

[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

BABYLON​

ANTECEDANT​

MR. MANhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiZiwmknA-A​

​

"That's a shame," Lyn noted dryly, fiddling with the evidence bag she had collected earlier, plastic curled into a fisted grip, "Guess we'll find one for hire on Neos. Got us a bit of a lead, going to have to find someone there who can check DNA databases."

There were a dozen things she wanted to also say. Ask. Was he worried, scared, concerned about their destination, this job? Likely not; Kole never seemed to exhibit those sort of emotions. That didn't necessarily mean that he didn't experience them, but, well, she'd just never seen them, not really. See to believe, right? That gaze in his eyes she could recall plainly, however, the lilt of his head a question silently that she floundered to answer. Was she really ready to go? There were no changing minds on this one, for they'd be stuck on a world scarce few had seen. Technically, she'd already signed herself off earlier, but entering that pod still felt like a true signature to the grave.

Rolling up the evidence bag and unceremoniously shoving it in the pocket of her jacket, the Zeltron smiled to the HRD and nodded. It still seemed wary, chock full of caution, but resigned to this as well.

As she moved to walk on by Kole, a few fingers loosely ran against his hand. The briefest touch they allowed, professionalism (Whatever remained of it) reigning above all. But that didn't stop everything else happening at the same time. Another glance back to his perfectly stoic face, and she followed the droid to these so-called pods that they would use for travel. God, if this kills me, I'll haunt this place till the stars burn out.

[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

 

[Murder in Neos]

Babylon,
Antecedent

The Raven droid, discretely puppeteered by the Raven slicer and netrunner Spook, turned and led the two investigators towards the stasis bay. A motion of the droids red humanoid hand directed the pair to their individual pods. They were akin to sleeper pods on some star yachts and galaxy cruises. Although these had a transparisteel shell so one could see the occupants.

The droid would direct them into each pod, activating the hard freeze and placing them into a deep hypernation. They would dream, but who could say if they were pleasant dreams? The droid looked down at the two just as the freeze took over, a painful experience, "See you on the other side," Spook would say through the droid. As their bodies froze over and their mind were suspended, the droid was released from the slicers hold. It fell into a deactivated state.



Neos City,
Neos

​

"Darekaga kare no nō o ageta," someone said and then laughter followed. The two investigator would awake. Their datapads would indicate they had been asleep for a little over a month, ferried across the galaxy on smugglers freighters. The seats they were laying down on rocked gently. The train squealed as it began to brake. The train wasn't using modern technology but rather an archaic system of transport; wheels. Across from them were three unsavory figures, each with a varying degree of cybernetic implants and tattoos. Their skin was blue and their eyes yellow. Their hair was dyed in various colors. Highly modified humans, hardly human anymore.

The trio were watching the investigators with a hint of mirth. They had been making fun of the sleeping pair. As the train came to a halt at the station the three stood up and departed, but not before the left-most individual gave them a lingering glare from behind his heavy visor. The train was filthy, the floor was sticky and smelt of vomit. The windows were cracked, stained, scratched and covered in graffiti and stickers. Hardly the beautiful world Neos was rumored to be. They would find credit chips in their pockets as well as a note and a pair of keys. The note detailed that upon arrival they had been left on the train. Lysle didn't want to shepherd the investigators around, he didn't want the murderer knowing the Ravens were sniffing his trail.

The keyring had four keys, one for a vehicle, gun cabinet, an apartment in the lower end of the city and lastly a key for Spooks apartment. The credits were the five-hundred thousand they had been given upon accepting the investigation. The station was located closest to the edge of the city. A large shield enclosed the entire city in a protective bubble and kept the synthetic atmosphere in check. The energy shield itself was a purple-pink. The station was seedy and in disrepair. There were armed criminals wandering the streets in this part of town. Many of them were eccentric in character and appearance.

In the distance rose immense buildings that dared to touch the clouds high above. Bright neon lights lit up the eternal darkness of this city. That was the central business district, far from where Julian Valentine had been assassinated. That was the part of Neos all liked to talk about, many ignored the underworld that lived on the border of the city limits. A festering suburbia of gangs and violence. A car was parked in a premium parking bay, the car plates matching the number attached to one of the keys. Inside would be another note. Three leads. Speak to Spook on the other side of town for footage of Julians death. Go to the murder site that was a twenty-minute drive from them and immediately begin examining the scene. Or visit the bar that Julians body had been found outside of.

Now began the real investigation...

 

[Rakaan Horne]

BABYLON
ANTECEDANT​

​

Things had been different before.

Kole had been the constant professional. There wasn't a thing that had interfered in his work, for he more often than not worked alone. It was easier that way. He never had to be concerned with the actions of another, or when certain unfortunate scenarios had been bestowed upon him Kole hadn't to think twice about the survival of another. He was unwavering in it, it had become apart of him. Both when he was Coruscant Security, and when he was a criminal. Now? Things had changed. Kole had a partner, a companion, a lover; someone that needed care and protection, even if they didn't know it. The Droid, perhaps for the first time, had something to lose other than himself. It was an unsettling thought.

​The Zeltron had been answered by an acknowledging nod of the head. It shifted forwards with a knowing expression, one of understanding as an instinctive huff of air had blown from his nostrils. Kole knew. And as her hand brushed against his own he enabled that of a brief, gentle squeeze. It, if anything, had simply gave acknowledgement; similarly to his previous nod.

Perhaps the last thing he truly recalled after stepping inside the ice-box that was said to transport them to Neos was that of hesitance. There wasn't a doubt that it was where they were heading, but this method appeared to be less than comfortably desirable. There was one last look towards the Zeltron before it had all closed down, and it was that of a faint grin merely being flexed across his features. Fading within an instant. Kole instinctively hissed in a gasp for air once everything ran cold, but it hadn't lasted long. Everything turned dark, and one could suppose that androids do dream of electric sheep. For Kole dreamt, and dreamt, and dreamt. As to what is was of, he couldn't say. It all faded from his memory after waking up.

NEOS CITY
NEOS
TWO MONTHS LATER

There was something loud, something shrieking that pried the Droid's synthetic eyes open. They hadn't come abruptly, instead slow, batting open and closed on several occasions before ultimately having a fuzzy view of the area ahead of him. This hadn't been where he was, nor where he expected to be. Kole reached out for the thin, metallic beam that was often used for support in an effort to sit instead of lay. On a seat such as this, there was hardly enough room for two to lay across it's width, and after his freehand had rubbed at his eyes in an effort to gain a better visual understanding, he was able to see the Zeltron. At least he hadn't lost her.

His head turned left, and it turned right. Kole could feel the rumbling, the bumping, the nudging back and forth of the train they were on as it rolled across on it's tracks. The feeling of prying eyes was ever apparent as blatant smirks and amusement was clear to Kole. Though they weren't of any importance, and thus there wasn't entirely a need to bother acknowledging their existence. Both his booted feet planted themselves on the ground, and with an awakening grunt he rose up to stand, still clutching the stability bar as the nudging became less difficult to control. His feet felt as if they were stuck, a hint of tension beneath his foot as he rose it from the ground whilst seeing if there was anything beneath it. That putrid stench, however, had caused an almost disgusted scowl to appear.

"C'mon." Kole said with a look towards the open train doors after it came grinding to a halt. Of course, beginning to walk in their direction and off of the archaic method of transport. Through his walk, he placed one hand inside of his pocket- finding something in there whilst shifting through the crowds. It had been brought to the lip of the pocket, the credit stick being rapidly rushed back inside, clenched within his fist as it was thrust further inside. "We've been paid." The Droid stated, stealing a glance in Lyn's direction before the path ahead of them.

He hadn't anything else. The rest of the items must of been left with the Zeltron.

[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

NEOS CITY​

NEOS​

MONTHS LATER​

MY FRIENDS ARE ROBOTShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy7RrJNVtOI​

​

Lyn slept ugly.

Kole likely knew that, one way or another, which was why the Zeltron, when stirred by his movement, turned knife-edge yellow eyes on the blue trio laughing at them. There were no words to say-- She hoped to hell that people here could speak Basic, or at least had good translators --but the universal language of angry looks was hopefully enough to translate what she was thinking of them. The heel of her palm rubbed sleep from her eyes; her partner's voice lured her from getting too angry at the stupid, no-good pedestrians; and she tried to rise.

It was a little hard. Being down for a month and change does that to you, sadly, makes you a little groggier. She sat up first and used the nearby pole like he had, eventually finding her balance in rising, "Uh?" She offered in response, still getting her bearings. At least she was dressed the same. Sharply, practically, completely unlike their first encounter on Coruscant.

Ah, to be there again.

As she moved to follow her pocket jingled, which left her rooting through them whilst disembarking. Keys. She hadn't seen real keys in a while -- Not since Zeltros, at least, when she was younger. Her mother used to have a set; didn't trust electronic locks. Hooking a finger through the metal ring and hefting it up, she eyed the four dangling bits of metal, then her eyes turned to the car that she'd picked out for having matching plate numbers. Then to the keys, the car, Harper, the car, the keys. The smile that crossed her face would have made a Dark Lord shiver.

"Glad to hear it," Lyn mused in response to his payment comment, but seemed far more focused on things that, in Kole's experience, were likely to lead to intense cases of whiplash and seat-belt-related-injuries, "We've got keys for an apartment, I think, and something else. But--"

"That's mine." Not 'ours', but hers. With a smile that seemed terribly out of place, the Zeltron ex-racer pointed to the ride down the ways in a paid parking spot to indicate what she meant, "We should get some weapons and hit the town." Seemed like the obvious next step. Perhaps people in their situation ought to physically reunite, hug, kiss, hold hands, do that sort of chit; Lyn had found something to make go very, very fast, and it was all that was on her mind. The look briefly passed between the two was enough -- These two seemed capable of affection just through the eyes.

"Shall we?" And she moved past.

[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Kole Harper"]

 

[Rakaan Horne]

NEOS CITY​

NEOS​

​

She slept ugly, but it was apart of her charm.

Lyn made that smile, that smile that always meant there was something he didn't quite know about. Typically trouble, or so it had always seemed. It was the kind that made him feel a compulsion to radiate the same level of joy. Yet, ultimately, he knew that mischief was afoot. Perhaps in separate circumstances he was sure to act in a similar fashion to herself, but in this moment he paused with some hesitation. His synthetic eyes had shifted to the vehicle, knowing that if he hadn't any set of keys then they had to be in her possession. That was always trouble, for despite her competence it was often an uneasy ride. Maybe with time he could come to find himself entirely trusting of it.

Kole had internally grinned, at least.

​He had nodded along with her words, acknowledging them with an understanding and approval. The Zeltron moved ahead of him, and he followed closely behind. His wandered over her. Appreciated, but ultimately snapped back into reality as they approached the car. "Not a bad idea." Kole stated, sure to be entering the car in any moment. Turning to face the skyline whilst opening the door, catching a glimpse of the beauty that was the mythical city of Neos.

Never thought he was going to make it here.

[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Lynnori Cruz"]

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

NEOS CITY​

NEOS​

MY FRIENDS ARE ROBOTShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy7RrJNVtOI​

​

"I haven't driven something on wheels in... Uhhh."
"Well, I don't think ever. No, that one time on Zeltros, I did, but I almost crashed. Almost." In her normal fashion, Lyn prattled off mostly-nonsense as her form shuffled into the driver's side, throwing the remaining pairs of keys in the cupholder so they might be mutually accessible by both parties. It took her mere moments to figure out the systems, the key jolting into the ignition and twisted, so the engine would start.
"Archaic," She noted, with an almost forlorn sigh, "I need a pair of sunglasses."
She was sure to back out of their parking spot casually before looking over to Kole, pink fingers wound tight around the steering wheel's grips, "We've got three places to go," A cyan brow raised, "--Or we check out the apartment."
"Personally? I'd like a blaster before we go anywhere, and I bet our stuff's all at the apartment, so..." Regardless of his answer she began to drive, but went slow, to learn the way it handled, and also to ensure they didn't go in any one direction too much. An eye occasionally wandered over to him, waiting for his judgement on where to take them.
[member="Murder in Neos"] | [member="Kole Harper"]