Private Shadows of the Grid

[Daxin Veyr]

Lily Decoria

---

The Hollow Circuit was alive with the usual mid-level Denon chaos: pulsing violet and cyan neon and thick bass music. The air smelled of spiced liquor, ozone, and too many bodies.

Daxin Veyr leaned against the bar. No Jedi robes and no obvious lightsaber. He was supposed to just be another sharp-looking spacer nursing a drink.

He kept his mental shields firm. The emotional noise in the bar pressed against him constantly. There greed, suspicion, and fleeting lust. It was a lot for him to manage. If he couldn't manage this, then he was never going to be able to act as a full Jedi Knight.

His dark eyes drifted across the room to where Lily Decoria sat. She was leading this one. Their target was Korrin Vex, a slick Mirialan info broker and suspected middleman moving Force-attuned artifacts through Denon’s undergrid. Word was he was meeting a buyer tonight, and the Jedi wanted to know who that buyer was and where the artifacts were coming from.

Daxin caught Lily’s eye from across the bar and gave her a small, subtle nod. He finished the last sip of his drink. He made his way over to her table and slid into the seat across from her.

"Still no sign of our friend?" he asked.

A half-smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned forwards. From a distance it would look like typical Zeltron charm, but he was just moving closer to drop his voice.

"Few nervous people here."

Daxin settled back in his chair, posture relaxed but ready, scanning the entrance while staying focused on her. The mission was clear: tail Korrin Vex once he arrived, see who he met, and trace the artifacts without being noticed.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily had not done a lot of tracking and casual operations like this one. She was someone who preferred to take the fight in open and handle a situation quickly. It had taken time for her to understand the importance of tracking and taking stealthier approach to missions. Several missions she had realised that her preferred methods were not always the best methods. So, over time, Lily had developed the ability to track and lean into a cooler head approach.

Sitting at the bar, she was drinking a non-alcoholic cocktail, something that would appear alcoholic and feminine enough to not arouse suspicion but allowing Lily to keep her senses throughout the mission. The jacket and outfit was something to avoid standing out too much, Lily wasn't really used to wearing outfits in this style but it was something that seemed to fit the planet that she was on. Watching as Daxin walked over to her, it was the first time that Lily was going to be working on a mission with the Padawan. She didn't know much about him but he was clearly a Zeltron based on his skin tone and some of the attitude he demonstrated.

It was going to be interesting to see how he handled a mission like this.

"Not yet but still plenty of time for him to arrive." Looking around the bar, Lily giggled softly, "well, this is Denon, and quite the dive bar. Nervousness is a guarantee, but don't fret. As long as we don't do anything outlandish, everyone shall be too focused on their own business to acknowledge us." One of the benefits from her previous training on Coruscant. Everyone was usually too preoccupied with their own issues to take a look around see what else is going on.

As she ordered another beverage, the Mirialan entered the bar. "Here he comes, don't stare, use your periphery vision to track him." Lily mentioned to the Padawan as she smiled to the bartender and accepted her drink. "Also, get another drink, we aren't going to be rushing from here."

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Lily Decoria

The bar’s emotional soup pressed in on him from every side, sharp spikes of paranoia, the dull haze of intoxication. It made his skin prickle beneath the charcoal jacket, but he kept his expression relaxed, that familiar half-smirk curving his scarred lip as he met her gaze.

He could feel her focus. It was steady. It was almost refreshing compared to the rest of the room.

"Fair point," he murmured. His tone carried just a hint of dry humor.

"Everyone here’s too busy guarding their own business."

Daxin’s gaze lingered on her for a beat longer than necessary, curiosity and something lighter flickering in the Force between them as he waited for her lead. He smiled from one corner of his mouth. It tugged at the scar on his top lip.

His dark eyes flicked briefly toward the entrance as the Mirialan - Korrin Vex - stepped inside, then slid back to Lily. He could sense the shift in the room’s tension, a subtle ripple of recognition and wariness brushing against his senses like static.

Daxin raised a hand to flag the bartender, ordering a non-alcoholic cocktail. No one would question a Zeltron with something colourful in their hand.

He watched using his peripheral vision. The mirilan did a small circuit, greeting some people before taking the stairs to the mez floor above.

"We tail him when he leaves or are we waiting to see who he talks to first?” His tone stayed casual, but the question carried quiet respect and a subtle undercurrent of warmth. It was the kind that came naturally when he let a little of that Zeltron charm slip through the Jedi discipline.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily gave a small smile as Daxin agreed with her, "it is good to be concerned about others during a mission like this, just be wary on overthinking such things. Easy to read too much into a situation or person's actions and then reveal your hand too quickly." It was not dissimilar to playing pazaak or sabaac. Though Lily was never good at either game, she was far too easy to read according to players she had lost a few games to before.

As Korrin Vex entered, Lily continued to focus on her drink and just allowing the Force to sense the presence and where he was wandering. It was interesting to feel the intentions and desires of the man. He was clearly here to connect with several people before going onto more serious business. Lily took a sip of her drink slowly and shook her head, "no one here will lead us to the artefacts. We need to wait till he leaves and heads to his actual business deal. So, wait till he is leaving. You head for the exit at the back and I'll wait a minute or two and follow him out the front." Lily instructed, sensing some of the Zeltron natural charm that was combating the Jedi discipline that Daxin knew well.

"For now, let's change the music to something a little more entertaining." Lily shifted from her bar stool and wandered casually over to the juke box, letting her hips sway a little as she shifted. All part of the ploy that she was carefree and just here to enjoy herself drinking and dancing. Not here to spy or tail a person.

Her fingers tapped on the screen, cycling through the music options till she found something perfect. Something with rhythm and electric energy that would be ideal for a fun night. Lily was using the time to also get a different angle on Korrin as well, watching as he shifted through the throngs on people as he discussed things just a little out of earshot. It was too tricky to read the lips and Lily hoped it would not be something about her or Daxin.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

"I got it," he murmured. His voice was soft and warm. He gave a small nod.

He could feel her focus. It was steady. Her own state helped him keep his head clear.

She’s good at this, he thought, the half-smirk tugging at the scarred corner of his mouth.

The Zeltron in him picked up the faint pulse of Lily’s confidence as she slid off her stool, and he couldn’t quite stop the appreciative glint in his eyes when she started moving toward the jukebox.

He watched way her hips swayed with a casual rhythm. His lingering gaze was obviously part of the ploy too. Daxin felt heat creep up the back of his neck. He took a slow sip of his drink.

He pushed away from the table a moment later, drifting through the crowd in the opposite direction. The bass from the new track Lily had chosen thrummed through the floor, vibrating against his boots as he positioned himself near the bar with the back exit in his line of sight.

The Mirialan was still above on the me floor and out of sight. He was porbbaly sitting down to have some serious conversations.

"Nice choice on the music," he said once she was close enough again.

"Dance floor to blend in while we wait?" His golden-brown eyes met hers with a spark of teasing.

He tilted his head slightly toward the back exit, waiting for a sign of Korron and her cue while the new song pulsed around them.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily could tell that Daxin was keeping his eyes on her, whether that was for the mission or just because he enjoyed the view from her, Lily was less certain on. However, it was nothing that Lily would discourage for now, they were playing roles and she was not going to compromise them by lecturing a young man on not ogling at her as she walked away. The thought nearly made her giggle at how ridiculous it would be and she knew that she needed to just focus on keeping things contained to what was important to the mission.

She grinned, "I enjoy anything with a good beat and the ability to dance towards it." Lily commented as she scanned over the bar, noting that there wasn't anyone walking upstairs. That meant that they would look strange if they suddenly shifted from the bar to the lounge area upstairs. Meaning they couldn't keep eyes on the target, just had to focus on the Force and sensing his presence which was something Lily considered less than ideal.

"Hmmm... We have the time. But don't get any ideas from this, you are a Padawan and I am not single." She whispered, she did not wish to mislead or give the wrong impression to Daxin. Finishing her drink, Lily placed it on the bar counter and slid from the bar stool. Walking towards the dance floor, letting Daxin follow her towards there.

The Echani Jedi Knight stretched her limbs and rolled her head as she thought about how much she enjoyed dancing. How close it felt at times to the Echani ways of fighting and communicating. Lily's body show shifting and dancing as she felt the beat of the music pulsating through her.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Daxin felt the playful warning hit him like a gentle push, laced with Lily’s amusement and firm boundary. Not single. The other concern was nearly a challenge. He respected the boundary immediately, even if - for a Zeltron - a little flirtation was akin to saying food morning.

"Of course."

He let out a soft chuckle under his breath, the half-smirk deepening as he pushed off the bar to follow her toward the dance floor.

She was confident in herself. She had an easy way that she owned the rhythm. It reminded him of flowing water. Graceful, controlled, and far more distracting than he wanted to admit.

He stepped onto the dance floor after her, keeping just enough distance to look natural while staying close enough to talk under the pulsing music. The beat thrummed through his chest, mixing with the chaotic swirl of emotions around them. Greed, lust, paranoia. All of it pressed against him, but Lily’s presence cut through it like a clear signal. Focused. Enjoying herself. Grounded.

Daxin moved with her, his own body finding the rhythm in loose, confident steps. From here he could keep Korrin Vex in his peripheral vision. The Mirialan was still talking, but the tension around him was sharpening. He’d be moving soon.

There was a teasing humor in his eyes, the half-smirk firmly in place as he faced Lily. There was a playful spark there, but no push. Just honest Zeltron charm, tempered now.

He spun once, stepping closer for a moment so only she could hear the next part. "He’s getting restless. I can feel it. Another couple minutes and he’ll head for the exit."

Daxin’s golden-brown eyes flicked briefly toward the target before returning to Lily, softer now.

"You enjoy a good dance?"

The music surged around them. Daxin kept his movements easy and natural, staying in sync with her while his empathy stayed locked on both Lily and their target. He tilted his head slightly, waiting for her next call, the small scar on his lip catching the neon light as his smirk lingered.

The mirialan headed down the stairs. Daxin realised he'd missed something. A guard watching from the bar. He would have to be more observant.

Lily Decoria

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Moving naturally with the beat, Lily didn't think too much about anything else, when she got the chance to dance the Echani took it. While she was trained in more ballet and classical dancing, Lily was capable of dancing to more modern forms of music and using modern dancing techniques. It was all an expression of emotions and a person's being, so she had explored and understood a lot of it in ways that was very enjoyable. She could also sense the tension still above them and agreed with Daxin that he was not going to be lingering much further. Lily gave a smirk to Daxin, "well, seems our dancing won't be continuing for much longer. Remember keep to the shadows and if you follow him from a higher position, I will keep to the ground myself." That way if either one lost track or had a risk of being made, the other could continue the following without fear of being caught as well.

"Can't you tell?" Lily raised an eyebrow with a glint of playfulness as she danced to the beat, a smile on her lips as it was clear that she enjoyed dancing a lot. "It is the closest that I feel non-Echani get to expressing themselves through movement. How about you?"

Sensing the movements of their target, Lily moved in closer to Daxin to softly whisper into his ear, "he is on the move. Act as if you are heading to the bathroom then use the back exit." She maintained a smile to him as she pulled back and continued to dance with the strong beat of the song. Her body moving fluidly and naturally. Korrin was shifting from the meetings and heading towards the stairs. Lily knew that her plan was to trail after him out of the front door. She figured that trailing after Korrin from two different angles would avoid the pair of Jedi from standing out as people following someone on their own.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Lily Decoria

Daxin moved with the rhythm, his steps confident but controlled as he stayed in sync with Lily on the dance floor. The pulsing beat helped mask the constant press of emotions crashing against his shields. Greed and suspicion from the crowd mixed with the sharper spike of their target’s growing impatience. He kept his half-smirk in place, golden-brown eyes warm as he watched her.

Her playful question pulled a quiet laugh from him.

"It is a good way to let go for a moment," he replied.

"Helps drown out some of the noise in a place like this. Didn't grow up on Zeltros yet still love a dance. Some nature vs nurture science to check there."

He felt the shift in the Force as Korrin Vex started moving toward the stairs. Lily’s whisper brushed warm against his ear, sending a small ripple through him that he quickly pushed down. Mission first. Not single.

"Got it," he murmured back, the half-smirk tugging at the small scar on his top lip.

Daxin gave her one last appreciative look, letting the cover play out as he slowly eased away from the dance floor. He rolled his shoulders casually and headed toward the dimly lit hallway that led to the restrooms, using the movement to slip closer to the back exit without drawing attention.

His senses stayed locked on the Mirialan’s emotional signature while he stayed alert for anyone who might be watching them.

The humid night air waited just beyond the door. He paused for a second at the threshold, glancing back once toward the front of the bar, before stepping out into the shadowed undergrid streets.

He watched from a distance as Korrin Vex walked down the street. He'd picked up one of two guards in the club who now walked alongside him.

Daxin followed on a parallel street, using the Force to keep tabs on the group. Following from a distance made up for the fact that he'd never tried tailing anyone before. The guards probably would have noticed him immediately.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily shrugged her shoulders, "Zeltrons aren't the only one to enjoy dance and pleasure, they just overindulge in such things." There was a slight giggle to her voice as she thought that people were always more than their race and Daxin could always enjoy a thing because it was an enjoyable experience. While Lily knew that she was a terrible example since she was the most stereotypical type of Echani. A warrior first, everything else second. It was not easy but she did try to show there was more to her, that she could be insightful, deep in her thinking. That violence was not always her first desire, nor was it always the answer in her mind. But she did believe sparring was the best way to communicate. That and she did understand that there was always going to be a necessary level of violence in order to bring the Sith down.

While it was not the necessary thing for each Sith, too many were beyond reform.

As Daxin left for the back exit, Lily continued to dance on her own, noticing a few other men admiring her while they had the chance. It wasn't anything concerning for the Jedi Knight as she focused her mind on tracking their target. Sensing him descending the stairs and heading out the front door. Taking a few steps from the bar as the song came to an end, Lily paid for the drinks with a tip. She figured that would ensure that they had a good connection with the staff of the bar if they ever needed to return here. Contacts were always crucial.

Giving enough time to pass, Lily stepped outside and breathed in deeply. The humid air was not as refreshing from the dive bar heated atmosphere that Lily would have liked. Instead she was feeling quite the opposite, that the indoors were much more refreshing from the humid wave that one felt stepping outside. Placing her hands in her jacket pockets, Lily began to walk down the street. Carrying herself with an aura that was confident, satisfied and seemingly unaware of her surroundings. Play into the ditz role now would make things believable if she was caught.

Allowed Lily to also adjust to that mindset. Prep herself mentally for the task.

Lily could sense that Daxin was doing well with the trailing as well. Making sure not to get too close. The pick up of guards demonstrated that this was definitely going to be leading into a meeting of some importance or at least travelling to a location where Korrin believed he needed protection. Lily continued to wander through the streets and weave through industrial construction to hide her presence the best that she could. Observing how Korrin was behaving with his guards as well as getting a good idea of what they could be like in a fight. Since they were definitely going to be barriers in getting the pair some answers on these smuggled items.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Lily Decoria

He could still feel the echo of Lily’s presence through the Force. She was steady and focussed. Her words about Zeltrons and pleasure lingered in his mind, pulling a quiet half-smirk to his scarred lips. She wasn't entirely wrong. He had not grown up amongst them, but overindulgence seemed to be in his bones.

Korrin Vex and his two guards were easy to track. Their emotions cut through the general static of the city like jagged blades. Daxin kept his mental shields tight as he followed, the route narrowed into the mid-level industrial zone. Towering warehouses loomed around them, stacked cargo containers casting long shadows under harsh security lights. The air grew thicker with the scent of rust, machine oil and old coolant.

Daxin found a good vantage on a rusted catwalk overlooking one of the loading docks. He crouched low, watching as Korrin and his guards approached a side entrance to a large warehouse. A nervous-looking human in corporate attire waited for them, glancing around constantly. The Mirialan handed over a small encrypted case, and the two began talking in low voices.

Daxin reached out gently in the Force toward Lily, sending a light brush of awareness so she would know he was close.

He shifted slightly on the catwalk, golden-brown eyes scanning the area. It was a maze of containers and walkways. He stretched out with his senses to find a few more guards lurking. Someone was approaching from within one of the warehouses with purpose.

The exchange was about to happen.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily observed the approach of a new person wearing a suit, very formal attire for this exchange. Something lingered in her mind that this was going to be important, that it seemed that this was someone who was either very well connected or very wealthy. It came across more of a business meeting in an unfortunate locale than shady smuggling work. It was only because the corporate man was nervous and causing ripples in the Force that Lily could sense that he knew that this was something not above board, that indicated to Lily this was definitely the exchange spot. The Jedi Knight noted the reassuring energy of Daxin that he was close by. It was good that he had been able to keep up, Lily did fear he would have fallen behind or unable to keep up without Lily giving guidance.

She never wished to underestimate Padawans that worked with her, but Lily also tended to jump into the deep end thinking it could be good to see if the Padawan could keep up without hand holding from her.

Looking up to Daxin, she signalled to wait. They couldn't jump in just yet. While there was more than enough to ensure that they could get the guards, Korrin and this corporate shill arrested, they were only half of the exchange. Lily knew that they needed to wait till the other half were arriving and Lily wanted to make sure that they had everyone grouped to grab them all and hopefully cut the operation at the head, not allowing it to continue and end up chasing dead ends for months to come to clean up a messy job done.

Grabbing her Lightsaber, Lily shifted to holding it one hand, remaining hidden behind a large industrial pipe. As she breathed in deeply, composing herself and letting her mind settle for exchange, keeping her eagerness in check. She sensed the person approaching. Her silver eyes snapped open and she studied the other person approaching. A Quarren was walking with the confident swagger of someone in charge. Glancing to Daxin's position, she counted down on her fingers from five. They needed to work quickly and while that meant that they might not find what was in the case immediately, it was better to secure everything before losing anyone in attendance of this criminal exchange.

Once her fingers reached one, Lily gestured they move forward and charged forward. "This operation is at an end. Jedi Knight Lily Decoria, here to arrest you all on suspicion for criminal smuggling of dangerous goods." Her Lightsaber ignited into the classic cyan blade that she carried with her.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Lily Decoria

Daxin stayed crouched on the catwalk, watching the exchange unfold below. He felt Lily’s focused determination through the Force, steady and resolute.

When she signaled him to wait, he gave a small nod even though she probably couldn’t see it clearly. The the Quarren arrived, radiating cold authority that made the whole atmosphere shift.

He saw Lily hold her lightsaber. He felt her resolve galvanised. Then her hand came up, holding five fingers towards him. Daxin swallowed. He hadn't been held back because of a lack of ability, but self control. Her insistent warning that she wasn't single had already kept him from crossing one line today. Now he had to keep his fear and anger in check. Logically, that should have been easier for the Zeltron than resisting the fine figure she cut on the dance floor, but now that met reality.

When Lily’s countdown reached one and she rushed forward, Daxin moved without hesitation. He dropped from the catwalk, landing in a smooth roll that brought him up beside her. His hand dropped to his belt and his lightsaber sprang to life with a sharp snap-hiss.

Daxin positioned himself to cover her left flank as the guards spun toward them in alarm. The sudden spike of fear and aggression from the four men slammed into him like a wave. He tightened his mental shields, jaw clenching for a brief second as the emotions tried to overwhelm him.

One of the guards drew a blaster. Daxin reacted instantly, stepping forward to intercept. He deflected the first shot with a clean sweep of his blade. His half-smirk appeared for just a moment, more out of habit than cockiness, as adrenaline mixed with the chaotic swirl of everyone’s emotions.

"I can hold the guards," he grunted.

Daxin moved fluidly, pressing the attack on the two armed guards to keep them off Lily while staying aware of the corporate fixer and the newly arrived Quarren.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily heard Daxin called out that he could handle the guards, she looked towards him and gave a sharp nod. Approving the move, it was important that they get everyone so she couldn't linger around, babysitting the Padawan. There had to be trust in his skills in this moment. So Lily continued to charge forward. Blaster fire coming her way from the Quarren as Lily skilfully deflected and chased after him. Splaying out her free hand, Lily used the Force to push the corporate fixer and Korrin into the industrial wall hard. Knocking the wind out of them and incapacitating them long enough for Daxin to grab them after dealing with the guards.

The Echani moved fast, with a skilled precision that came not only from her heritage as an Echani but also from the years of dedicated training to being the best warrior she could be. Lily had spent years honing her muscles and skills to be the strongest representation of an Echani warrior that she could be. Dodging bolts as much as she was deflecting, the deflections targeting safe directions, away from civilians and dangerous weak points. Lily was equal parts fluid and sharp. Never rigid or too grounded in the ways that she moved. Maintaining the dancing grace that she displayed in the dive bar.

The Quarren stood no chance with her. Lily moved in close and sliced at the blaster upwards, cutting the weapon in half as she then twirled the blade to point it at her target. "Surrender, this ends now." Lily commanded in a firm voice. She saw the Quarren think through his options, considering the chances he had if he attempted to run and the desperate that called out. However, he sighed deeply and surrendered himself to Lily. She took one set of cuffs from her belt and cuffed him.

"Come on." Lily pulled sharply, keen on checking how Daxin was getting on, she hoped that he was doing well. Switching her Lightsaber off, she clipped it back to her belt.

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Lily Decoria

Daxin closed the distance on the two guards. Their fear and aggression slammed into his senses like a tidal wave, making his temples throb, but he kept his mental shields locked tight.

Not now, stay in control

The first guard fired wildly. Daxin deflected the bolts with smooth arcs of his blue blade. The second delivered a single more precise shot.

Daxin almost missed it. He was pushed to the limit to deflect it wide. Daxin yanked the weapon with the Force before the second guard could fire again.

Daxin turned to the first, stepping inside the man’s reach and delivering a sharp Force-assisted shove that sent him crashing into a stack of crates.

The second guard tried to flank him, swinging a vibroknife. Daxin spun low, sweeping the man’s legs out from under him before pressing a knee into his back and wrenching the weapon away.

"Stay down," he muttered, voice steady despite the emotional storm raging around him.

He pulled a cable tie from his belt and secured both guards quickly, breathing hard as the adrenaline mixed with the fading echoes of their panic.

He looked has barely held awareness as Lily disarmed the Quarren with that graceful, deadly precision. The way she moved, both fluid and sharp at the same time was impressive.

She really is something else.

He crossed the loading dock toward her, leaving the two guards bound and face down.

"Nice work," he said warmly as he reached her side, golden-brown eyes meeting her silver ones. There was clear admiration in his voice, tempered with that familiar cautious warmth.

"You made that look easy."

He rolled his shoulders, trying to shake off the lingering emotional static still pressing against his mind. The humid night air felt heavier now, thick with the scent of scorched metal and coolant. Daxin glanced at the small encrypted case the corporate man had been holding, then back to Lily.

"What now? We call this in, or do we open that case first and see exactly what kind of trouble we just walked into?"

His half-smirk softened into something more genuine as he waited for her lead. He was quietly grateful the fight had ended cleanly.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

Lily smiled to Daxin as he gave his compliment to how she worked, nodding her head. "You weren't too bad yourself, I am sure it won't be long till you make Knight." She placed the corporate criminal and the Quarren with the others that Daxin had been able to arrest. "Everything looks easy when a person has spent decades mastering it. In time, you will see yourself being able to work that effectively as well. Just remember that there will always be someone better than you and keep striving to do better."

Walking over to the case, Lily looked it over. She had no clue if she could open it or if there was any kind of trap or explosive that would detonate if they attempted to open it without knowing how to do it correctly. She breathed in deeply as Lily thought over the options and what would be the most sensible and safest option to do this.

"How are you with picking locks and disarming any potential explosives?" Lily asked Daxin, "I fear that any attempts to do this incorrectly could cause us to lose all the evidence potentially within the case. Especially if they were smuggling something of great importance." Lily continued as she crouched to look at the case further.

Nothing she could notice but she was also no expert in this field.

"I can't see any explosives but that doesn't really mean much, I am not usually the one sent to disarm traps and such, so I could be missing something obvious. So, I'll let you make the call on this one. If you think you can crack it open without ruining the contents of the case then I think it would be best to do it now so we know what they were doing and could have be planning next." Grabbing her comms from her belt, "but if you aren't sure then it will be best to wait on an expert so we don't ruin evidence and end up having to let these guys go on a technicality." Lily mentioned.

Tapping the comms, "this is Jedi Knight Lily Decoria, need police support in this sector. Apprehend a group of smugglers, we need assistance in bringing them in and getting them processed." Lily spoke into the comms before looking over to Daxin. "We should have some time till they arrive, so now is the time if you think you can do this."

 

[Daxin Veyr]

Daxin felt a small flush of pride at Lily’s compliment, the warmth of it cutting through the fading adrenaline. He offered her a half-smirk, the small scar on his top lip pulling slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thanks, " he said, voice warm with genuine appreciation.

He moved closer as she crouched by the encrypted case, his golden-brown eyes studying the sturdy lock and reinforced seams. The thing looked expensive and deliberately tamper-proof.

He could sense the faint, muted presence of whatever was inside. It hummed quietly in the Force, like a distant echo, but nothing clear enough to identify.

"Always someone better out there. But you can't have been training for decades!" he said emphatically.

When Lily asked about his skills with locks and explosives, Daxin shook his head with a self-deprecating chuckle.

"I am not the one you want for that," he admitted honestly.

He glanced at the four cuffed prisoners, then back to the case.

Korrin cleared his throat.

"Did I get caught in a damned training exercise?" the criminal complained.

Lily Decoria

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Denon
Outfit: Casual
Equipment: Arwr Da
Tag: Daxin Veyr

She nodded her head when he thanked Lily for the compliment, not thinking too much on it. When he doubted that she had been training for decades, Lily giggled softly. "When I first learned to walk, that was when I first started to train in fighting. Nothing massively serious or dangerous at that age, but means that I have been training for two decades, just. Only been able to say decades very recently, and only because I was trained so young due to my Echani upbringing." There was no concerns over it, the fact she started so young was a benefit in Lily's mind, kept her active, disciplined and developed a strong sense of what her body could and could not do.

When Daxin confessed that he was similarly limited in his abilities as Lily was, she gave a gentle smile, nothing that showed disappointment or frustration. It was totally understandable to know be skilled in these areas, Lily wasn't and she was more than content with that. So, she hoped that Daxin wouldn't feel bad for not being able to do something. Sometimes, your mind just can't compute or overcome the challenges of learning something new or what it saw as too complicated.

"No worries, best we leave this to the professionals, I would hate to do anything that damaged evidence." Lily mentioned, affirming that it was far too crucial to keep evidence safe than attempt to break into something and then ruin the arrest. Allowing the criminals to run free. "However, I doubt we will have to wait long. The local police shall be here soon." There were already distant sirens going off.

Looking over to Korrin, all the warmth and softness that Lily showed the Padawan was gone. Her silver eyes were stone cold and resolute. "You don't get to complain about anything. This is a chance to reflect on your own failings and a demonstration that criminal activity does not offer reward." Lily spoke in a firm voice, hoping that this could lead to a more redemptive future for them all.