Rundown [Spencer Jacobs]

[Arik Andees]

TELOS IV
Citadel Station


Public transport was one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to traverse the stars, and while the Needle Nose was available, it was also a cramped and irritating ride if he was doing more than simple atmospheric bound trips. Sure it had a lightspeed hyperdrive, but Arik didn't favor it for longer journeys. While he could get far more leg-room in a bulk freighter, and even get a half-way decent meal, he still had to put up with the most unpleasant part of Public transport; namely the public. Three times during the trip between the Hutt infestation near where the Black Sun used to operate and the somewhat new faction and cousin to the Empire that was the One Sith - Arik found a particularly large Rodian who had attempted to nap on his shoulder during the ride. Despite the intrusions and interruptions, he had some time to get some leg-work done, and that meant digging through his sources onto the name that he'd been given. Normally he had to branch out into various avenues of the holonet, the dark-net, and even some outer rim contacts in order to hunt down enough intel on a case. This one however seemed to be bountiful in the ability to star-search the name of [member="Spencer Jacobs"]. Why he was taking a job provided by the Hutts was something even Arik was still questioning. Sure he needed the credits, but he was also certain that doing those gelatinous space slugs a favor would somehow end up with a bad taste in his mouth.

The almighty credit was the force that drove Arik to accept these jobs, and most of them didn't pay nearly as well as the salary he earned for years in the famous and now dismantled Corsec operation. He'd been a high ranking officer with a family of his own once, and now there was hardly anything resembling the clean cut and official brass of Corellia. Even the karking planet was left in fragments after a devastating attack. When he had left, he simply had no home in the figurative sense to go back to, now there was literally nothing to return to - ever again. It was all wiped out, and despite the reasons for him leaving, sometimes that was the hardest blow. All the research and all the time he had poured into a case so close to his heart was left in pieces after that world no longer rested on the Galactic radar. There was a great amount of disparity among all Corellians on that point, and he shared in their grief. Sources had indicated though that his target had been spotted in the Primeval territory and if he could make this a quick job, even the snoring Rodian wouldn't seem like such a headache for his troubles. If the Hutts did anything well, it was paying for good service.

Ten minutes in the docking sequence was no surprise, as the bulk freighters certainly didn't do the space port patrol any favors in making up for the use of their ports. They paid next to nothing over the actual minimal cost, and by mandate of the trade federation, they could still get by - it just meant longer wait times, and more less security to check unwanted persons. Arik slipped from the freighter with only a datapad and some other accessories that got passed the custom check by the official Firemane branding of his ident card and Infochant license. He didn't look for trouble, but it had a way of finding him - and thus the weapons were holstered in the shoulder harnesses worn under the dark black overcoat. Other than those finely tuned blasters, the rest of his wardrobe was rather plain and ordinary, something he preferred as not to call too much undo attention to his activities. Arik found it prudent to be able to gather information when others saw you as background noise - so blending in was the objective. Citadel station was certainly a massive complex of residence, entertainment, space ports, and other work related avenues. However there were a few spots there that people could just get a decent meal and kick back with a Corellian ale - if they even stocked that stuff. Yeah, he was going to miss that place, a lot.

Ten Minutes Later

Citadel R.A.C.
(Residency Auxiliary Cantina)

"Let it never be said that Telos can't pick a name." The infochant mentioned to himself once he stepped down the staircase leading towards the atmosphere comprised of everything you'd expect in a Cantina this size. It was less gritty, and still less opulent as other places he'd been. Still the chances of getting into a fight were still just hovering about average as every glance and stare from those looking at the new blood hit him the second he crossed the threshold. "Really feel welcome here." Another side glance before he approached the bar, and took a stool, to gaze longingly at a menu and decide on the simplistic stimcaf that he'd become something of a dependent creature for.

 

[Allyson Locke]

There was one thing that was on her mind as she wandered the streets for a bit, she was hungry and somewhat alone at a time like this. Spencer looked at her wrist and read the numbers along the watch, it was late and Ashin was probably home and in bed. This meant that she was going to have to check in with the woman in the morning. After resuming their activity beyond the borders of Annaj, Spencer hadn’t seen her wife in some time. Ashin was off doing Ashin things and Spencer resumed her travels as a wandering teacher. There were times of course they crossed paths and then time was spent. The wonderful thing about their relationship was that there wasn’t a desire for another – there was a sense of comfort knowing the other was out there alive and they would see each other again.

Thoughts like that are what brought peace to Spencer’s mind as she wandered down the street. A leather jacket that belonged to Ashin wrapped around her slender frame was zipped up as she continued to make her way towards where she was renting a small apartment. Stopping though, she caught the wind and there lingered the smell of warm food and good drinks. Spencer placed a hand over her stomach as it growled in protest. “I know I know.” Deciding against going hungry for another night, Spencer followed the scent to a nearby cantina. Poking her head in, she did a quick scan of the room – no faces she knew of and hopefully that meant she’d have a peaceful dinner. With her past being her past she knew that she wasn’t as safe as she’d like to believe.

Yet, despite her bubbly personality and extremely feminine outer appearance. The former First Apprentice of Darth Desmus wasn’t someone you wanted to catch in a dark alley. The woman was rumored to be merciful, but if the woman she belonged too caught wind of your transgressions against the young blonde – you would be wishing for a quick death.

Spencer wandered in to the cantina and took an empty seat at the bar, she held the menu in one hand as she sipped the complimentary water with the other. Her eyes scanned quickly through the menu searching for the vegetarian options. The woman didn’t eat meat – some purity type of crap she decided to follow since she was a child. Searching for what she wanted took a bit longer, but finally she found her favorite dish. “Uh excuse me, can I get the bantha burger, veggie style and can you not put the up egg on it?” The bartender grunted and nodded, he knew the kitchen was going to throw a fit – no one ever ordered the veggie bantha burger. He knew he was going to hear about it later. On the other hand, Spencer was happy and she continued to drink the water. The order was put in and she waited another 5 or 6 minutes for the bar tender to pay attention to her again. “Corellian whiskey and root beer, heavy on the ice please – tall with double root beer” Shaking his head, he poured the woman her drink and she continued to wait for the food and the drink.

The night seemed peaceful enough.

[member="Arik Andees"]

 

[Arik Andees]

While Telos' Citadel Station was large enough to accommodate a sizable population complete with industry, residence, and socializing places of interest - it was still just a floating space station above wasted real estate. Comparatively though, it was no Cloud City. Nothing was so polished and pristine like that legendary floating island that hovered above the gas giant Bespin - and that offered both blessing and curse as it were to those more savvy among the rabble. Part of Arik was more familiar with places like Cloud city, as after he had tenured into leadership position through Corsec, he's mainstay had been in the sterile environments of white washed walls, and hissing doors opening and closing to let command personnel enter and exit the various flag ships he rode within. The other part, the side of his life that had been damaged by events of the past was getting by in the lower sectors of life, making do with what he could scrounge up, and making a small life for himself above a Sanitizer shop on the arid and odorous Deservo. The RAC wasn't nearly as foul smelling as where he often made port, but it certainly didn't scream luxury, but then again it didn't have to. A fresh mug of decent stimcaf would do the trick, and in quick order it was served up, with steam rising from the surface in wisps of opaque white clouds.

The substance had become something of an addiction in the last few years, as the most notorious of enemies that followed Andess was that of sleep itself. Lines beneath the human's told the tale well enough. Running on steam was a pretty solid state of affairs for the Infochant, as he replaced the normal contents of his own energy reserves with the dark roast of the stimcaf substance. It was by sure willpower that the man hadn't turned to any harsher substances, or perhaps it was the memory of what he'd seen it do to people that couldn't dose properly, or handle their cravings. Aboard medical frigates early on in his leadership training - Arik had witnessed all sorts of garish horrors that would come against both civilians, citizens, and even criminals. Medics did not discriminate, and Arik's late wife was no exception. He often argued with her about that at length, long before they become involved. Efficiency demanded a caste system, but she would have none of it, and treated every patient - no matter the type as a deserving party for her medical expertise. To this day, Arik still admired her for that attribute and altruism, it was something he learned, but never really converted into fully.

Hands clasped around the mug, warming them with quiet observation through his peripheral vision. The target was noted to be residing on Citadel for the past few weeks - as far as his contacts were aware. A myriad of informants that kept their eyes and their ears open to quietly spot and record movement and destination patterns while going about their day to day. The most advanced security was never a match for the tried and true method of greasing a few pockets. Arik had been on the job for about two weeks now, a job he normally wouldn't have taken. The Hutts were unlovely creatures, masses of fat and scales that held a very high and mighty sense of their importance. If a slave could choke you out in a room full of your own security detail - perhaps you brain wasn't as large and in charge as you might think. Still, if the Hutts did anything right, they paid well. They were still evil bastards that had no business that wasn't shady - but they were true to their word, and would put down good credits for what they wanted. Credits were the issue, a sorely needed one if he was going to continue his practice and keep his Investigation license up to part. Arik intended to keep on Firemane's good side, as they provided him jurisdiction in even the most unwelcoming of places. A glance upwards at the barkeep, his hand gave a paused motion for their attention.

"Say, I'm looking for a lady."

"Aren't we all, pal..." The Chiss said with a slight smirk, and a glint in his red eyes.

"This one's blonde, little over one and a half meters with hazel eyes. Young too, mid twenties."

"Human?"

"Probably. Her name's [member="Spencer Jacobs"], wear's a leather jacket, fitted pants with matching leather boots. Right now she's got a real bewildered look on her face."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer waited for her food to come. The bar was some place she had only visited on a handful of occasions. It was nice to know that there were places like this still around in the galaxy. Only a few more minutes passed and a young twi’lek came by and dropped the food for her. The young woman winked and then scampered off to get the next order for the next guest in the place. The smell of the delicious veggie burger filled her nose - she hadn’t eaten in a few days minus the on board food that she got on shuttles and in her own ship. Rations only tasted half way good after some time.

There was enough thoughts on how and what she’s eaten in the last few days, she needed to dig in before it got cold. No one liked a cold veggie burger. Her fingers pressed into the warm and tender bun, juices from the cheese and the tomatoes dripped on her slender fingers. That only made her more excited for when she finished it - there would be some sort of prize at the end of all of this. The young woman opened her mouth as wide as she could and took a bite from the burger. Pure euphoria showed on her face as she chewed and swallowed the first bite.

Ears perked up as she listened around her. It was something she had grown used to since she was a padawan following Ashin around. Always be aware of those around you. Even though she was fully focused on her food, she kept her mind somewhat open. Her name came from someone and she did her best not to look aware of it. Instead, she quieted her chewing and listened in on the conversation between the man and the chiss bartender.


[member="Arik Andees"]