Sundown | Collective Dominion of Eshan

[Janeth Farr]

​

Naesha​

— Echani Stronghold — ​

The Collective has been monitoring transmissions and data from nearby systems.

A plot has been revealed…

A Thrysian terrorist cell called the Sundown Warriors intent on overthrowing the legitimate government on Eshan. Although many would look to the Mandalorians as being the archrivals of the Echani, their true counterparts are the Thrysians, who contrast the Echani in nearly every way. Long ago the two races fought a civil war that would see the Thrysians abandon their homeworld and roam the galaxy in search of conflict and strife as mercenaries.

Eventually they would be all but ignored by the Echani who instead isolated themselves upon Eshan, staying out of the raging wars around them. The rather alarming motivations of the Sundown Warriors could not be ignored, however, as they present both a threat and an opportunity to the Collective.

Their ultimate goal is the subversion of the Eshan government, and the reintegration of Echani and Thrysians into a united people. Once united they would subject their way of life to the rest of the galaxy by force. Despite these rather extreme ambitions, the prowess of the Thrysian, much like their Echani cousins, cannot be denied. If the Sundown threat proves real enough, they may also prove to be a valuable asset to the Collective’s cause.

Of course aligning with the Sundown would alienate the Echani resistance to this movement, but at the same time aiding the Echani would grant a more immediate alliance with a venerable and proven warrior culture.

Naturally in a dilemma such as this, the Collective sees only one proper course of action: Support both sides and see who comes out on top, then bring them into the fold.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Naesha: An Echani stronghold, and the de facto seat of power on Eshan. The central structure of the city is the Hall of Sisters, where the Echani Command—a matriarchal council—rules the Echani people. Despite its elegant architecture and cultured look, Naesha acts as a stronghold in times of war and every Echani citizen doubles as a warrior. Making it incredibly formidable against any overt threats.

Sundown Outpost: A potential Sundown outpost was recently pinpointed by the Collective’s intelligence network. By our calculations, there’s a 96.7% probability that it is operated by the cell, and will be well-defended as a result. Due to their goals and nature, the Sundown are ones to shoot first and ask questions later. Approaching the Sundown here would require careful planning and tact.

INFORMATIVE LEADS

Ibinus: An Echani merchant and secret associate of the Sundown within Naesha. Approaching him may prove useful for discerning Sundown activities within the city, or setting up a meeting with a member of the cell itself.

Thannah Kall: Matriarch Kall is a member of of the Echani Command, and the most aware of returning tensions between the Thrysians and Echani peoples. She is adamant on ensuring the survival and integrity of her people, and one of the few willing to look to outsider aid to achieve it.

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Location: Naehsa | Marketplace
Objective: Make Contact with Ibinus

It was time for the Collective to make their first proper move after finally setting down somewhere. Nar Shaddaa hadn't worked, but Arkania had proven to be somewhere the group could plant their roots and become a base of operations for them. Cold weather notwithstanding, it had gone well.

Hopefully this one would have a distinct lack of Sithspawn.

Mara was dressed fairly casually; jacket, trousers and boots. Her belt held a knife and blaster, neatly hidden beneath her jacket - but remained easily in reach should things get hairy at some point. Which when it came to the Collective, seemed to be a habit.

Especially if Mandalorians were involved.

The market was quite busy, crowds were bustling back and forth, individuals splitting off to head up one of the stalls. Mindless chattered flooded the area, merchants yelling to catch potential customers' attentions.

A typical day in Naesha's Market, but Mara had a specific goal she wanted to achieve today.

Ibinus; an Echani merchant that has known ties to the Sundown Warriors. The Board had pinged him as a person of interest, someone the Collective wanted to get in contact with to see if they could obtain information on the terrorist cell.

Mara had opted to take this on herself - whether anyone else was to join he she didn't know. But right now she was moving through the marketplace with a casual gaze. The agent had her target's identity memorized, now it was just a matter of finding him.

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Wes Rykker"] | [member="Janeth Farr"] | [member="Evoros"]

Ain't much Itash knew about Eshan.

Besides that their women were fierce, dominating and beautiful. Well, beautiful if they were your type, because word had it there was only one type amidst the Echani. They all looked alike, something about ancient Arkanian experiments and gene-therapy. In all honestly Tash had zoned out once a picture had been pushed his way how they exactly looked.

Sadly he wasn't here for their women.

Not their men either.

In fact Itash wasn't on Eshan for the Echani. Instead he was here for the Thyrsians.

Two rumours had been circulating his way through his contact: 1) a detachment of Sun Guard had split off from their fortress on Thyrsus and secretly formed a camp on Eshan. 2) they were currently guarding some kind of ancient artefact of the force.

The first rumour meant zilch to Tash... the second? Credit signs to his eyes, babuh.

It wouldn't be easy, but Tash had Wes with him and even hired a Mandalorian merc as back-up. Who apparently worked with a partner, so two for one pricing there. Currently Wes and him were waiting in the clearing of Forest Tishan. It was about four clicks away from the encampment filled with zealous Thyrsians protecting a relic that was holy to them.

Oh, Tash could practically smell the credits already.

 

[Spencer Varanin]

Safe house near Naesha​

​

​

This was not how this was all supposed to work out. Eshan had been perfect capable of running themselves, they were a good people, they knew what they wanted and influence of the outside worlds were nonexistent. The thought of the Thyrsians invading was something she couldn’t even fathom. Ties with them were for the most part neutral and they weren’t a bothersome group. Trade was okay, but still there was a slight bit of tension. Fingers dug into arms as a woman dressed in spacer clothing with a saber and blaster clipped to her thighs, stared out the window. She had given several commands from the backdrop – she was the woman behind the curtain, but it seemed there were others that thought they had better ideas.

So with that understanding and her desire to live a more peaceful life off the planet, she and the council appointed a puppet ruler. Spencer still ran the government from the warmth of her ship – with the woman her life was dedicated to, but that puppet ruler decided to buck against the commands given to her by the true Matriarch, the true Queen of this planet. Her anger flared under the cool façade she portrayed. Those sensitive to the force round her would feel the mentalist’s rage building as she watched her former stronghold overrun with traitors who now cannot handle the invaders. One of the woman still loyal to the true Queen wandered into the room. The girl stumbled as she walked feeling the weight of the woman’s mind, “Y-your Highnes-“Spencer quickly pulled out her mind and looked towards the girl, realizing there were no barriers up guarding those from her mind and vice versa she winced and apologized.

The mentalist’s aura disappeared and the young woman could stand with Spencer’s help. “Matriarch Kall is still loyal, not all is lost.” Spencer nodded taking the woman’s name into her head. She remembered her advice and knew that at least someone was partially loyal to her. They butted heads several times during the council meetings, but she provided another view and Spencer would listen. Inhaling deeply, she felt this was a time she could have used Ashin’s military mind – but the woman was enjoying her vacation after being told not to worry and that Spencer would be home before she realized it.

Such a mistake, but Spencer was trained by her as the First Apprentice to the Sith Empire and in several other forms of the ways of war. In all actuality Spencer desired to do what she did with the Gand when she was younger, but morals and such forbid her from it. “Stupid things morals, but I have to mind them if I wish to retain who I am.” The girl standing beside her nodded, not fully understanding what the half Echani woman was speaking about. She had learned in her years of service to the woman that it wasn’t best to question too much also if she was getting cranky offer a piece of cake. Remembering this, the girl turned to a small bag where she removed a small cupcake. “I brought something for you…” Spencer turned and took the cupcake, her mind opened for just a moment to investigate the other girl’s intention. During these times Spencer knew assassination attempts were a real thing – she knew that both sides were aware of her presence of course the planet wide force horror she unleashed when she touched down probably didn’t keep it too much of a secret.

No foul intentions detected and Spencer devoured the cupcake, but with her mind open she sensed something else intended for her. A single bolt of energy was silently fired towards the open window where she had viewing from. A blink of an eye and the bolt met the woman and she instantly fell to the ground. The handmaiden quickly moved over to the Queen. “Spencer!”

Hazel eyes fluttered open and Spencer sat up and used the absorbed energy from the bolt to heal the burn and the headache she had surfacing from the contact. “I’m okay, we need to move though – but it might be okay if they think they killed me. Don’t cause a panic – someone should be meeting us here.”

Spencer remained out of the sight of the window. Remaining low, she moved towards one of the walls near the doorway, leaning against it she frowned. Her reflexes weren’t as good as they once were, she would have realized the bolt was being shot before the assassin knew that they were firing. Leaning against the wall she smiled and sighed. “I’m getting old.” Looking towards the girl once more, she continued to smile. “No one leaves the building, we should have someone from the outside contacting us soon. Keep your mind aware Iris, and continue to keep contact with the Matriarch.” The girl nodded and sat beside her Queen allowing her a moment of peace. The rest of the loyalists moved about keeping out of the way of the windows, if Spencer was assumed to be alone it would be better for everyone.

As Spencer sat there with her eyes closed she groaned and opened an eye and looked at Iris. "Where's that damn cat of mine?" The girl blinked remembering an orange tabby from time to time meowing and stealing potato chips from the counter tops. "Mittens?" Worry appeared on the girl's face knowing that she failed to recover the royal cat. Spencer raised a hand and waved off the worry. "That animal...or should I say woman could live through hell and back. Don't worry, just open a bag of potato chips."

Which the young girl reached into her back and did so. [member="Ria Misrani"] should know where to go from there.

 

[Janeth Farr]

Janeth had just returned into the Collective's ranks after narrowly escaping Gorba's palace on Nar Shaddaa.

Now she found herself back into a situation with the potential of putting herself back into a life-or-death situation. Fun.

At least the pay was good. The Mandalorian wore her signature armour, simple but effective. Alloy plates covering more essential areas of her body, with a more flexible synthetic material covering the rest of her. She also sported her trademark rebreather; rarely taking the chance of exposing her lungs to potential toxins.

Janeth walked through the forest towards where Wes and Itash were to meet them.

"Hard to find you two," she said announcing her presence. "This better be good."

She was really taking a chance here, as she knew very little of the two 'gentlemen' she would be working with.

A single blaster pistol hung at her hip, in case she needed it.

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

 

[Evoros]

She had to admit, she was skeptical of how this would go.

Yvonne's last encounter with Janeth Farr had involved sitting a distance away from a carbonite slab of the Mandalorian woman as she tried to bargain for her release. And the agent doubted either of them felt like a repeat of an encounter like that.

All the same, Evoros trusted Janeth's skill, and this was a different mission. Two others there to help them, too, although she only knew as much about her new team as the other woman had told her (not enough). She didn't like working in a team, truth be told - but she had her orders, and Evoros had every intention to make sure things went smoothly. Neglecting teammates was dangerous. More efficient, perhaps, but dangerous.

So, a four-man mission on Eshan involving the Thyrsians and something about an artefact. Perhaps not her favourite operation ever, but apparently the paycheck was promising.

_____​

​

All that said, she hadn't expected to recognize her team. And she definitely hadn't expected to recognize them from her most recent failed mission.
Janeth really could have thought to mention that bit.

Nothing she couldn't get past (she'd learned early on that adapting was a useful skill), but she'd let Janeth do the talking for now.

For now she could wait, armed with quiet smiles and a blaster at her side. What fun.

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

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Evoros"] | [member="Janeth Farr"] | [member="Wes Rykker"]

"That's the point." Tash retorted smoothly, before breaking off his conversation with Wes and rubbing the tip of his pink against the tip of his thumb. The itch to smoke was there, but he kept it in for now. Hands weren't shaking, no sweat, eyes were calm, very well then.

The last thing that the Tapani nobleman needed was to tip off any possible scouts or guards by the scent of cigars and bad wishes.

But once Itash turned around most of his cool froze into place. The first person was a Mandalorian, so far so good, but it was the second person that caused him to pause in his second glib remark. Evoros was still just as beautiful as he remembered her to be. Deadly too with that quiet smile at her side, whispering of promises and a certain sense of discontenting murder. It was a good thing that Wes had never met her and wouldn't know that her face was a... problem right now.

The hired gun would presumably start shooting away.

Most of his issues were solved at the far-end of his blaster barrel, but that wasn't something that would help here. No. That wasn't right- it would be helpful... for all of ten seconds, before the blaster fire would draw in the attention of the Tyrsians.

"Oh, I have a way of finding myself into bounties of wealth." Head tilted ever so slightly as his attention shifted from the Mandalorian to Evoros. "The pursuit of booty can be quite rewarding in its own right."

Itash reminded himself that this wasn't about the women. Even though he had a feeling that once he started stripping Janeth off of her armor pieces there were plenty of rewards to be reaped and found. Alas, perhaps a different time and place would be better served for that. Perhaps once the drinks started flowing... though he'd have to watch both of them. Part of him wondered if this was a repayment of their previous ordeal and if they were here for revenge.

"Ready for business, my friends?"

 

[Zef Halo]

"Right." Wes muttered ending the his side of the conversation with Mecetti.

Two figures approached them from the woods. His helmet's scanner had already notified him of their presence. These were to be their co-workers for this operation.

Females only.

Again.

Hopefully, one of them would be at least as capable as that Mara they worked with on Arkania. Arkania was crazy, he had to admit.

This seemed less crazy but you never knew. Wes had heard all sorts of stories about Thyrsians and Echani.

Wes sighed underneath his helmet and mentally facepalmed at Tash's conversation starter. Could he possibly stop or, like, halt it for a period of time. Eitherways, the mercenary had to get used to it.

The Axxilan jumped down from the rock he had been sitting on and approached the new duo, stopping a few feet behind Mecetti. Other than his armor, his pistol was holstered while in his arms he carried a slugthrower rifle with a rather larger silencer.

There was nothing for him to say, as per usual, so he remained silently while analyzing their new temporary co-workers.

​

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Evoros"] | [member="Janeth Farr"]​

 

[Janeth Farr]

Janeth sized Wes and Itash up with a quick glance or two, saying nothing on the matter.

After the latter finished his obvious pickup routine with Evoros, she was just glad that he went straight to business. "If I wasn't ready I wouldn't be here." She quipped. An honest statement, though, as she most certainly would not have arrived if she wasn't ready to get underway.

"I assume you have a plan?" Necessary questions and all... As long as it didn't involve walking into a palace and shooting a guard in the face, then Janeth would probably be satisfied. She wasn't much of a planner herself at any rate, so naturally she was happy sticking to the basics.

She walked closer to the treeline, keeping herself well within earshot of the others. The Mandalorian unclipped a pair of macrobinoculars to examine the outskirts of the Thyrsian camp.

"We're not walking there, right...?" She asked, speaking a little louder than before. Janeth could only make out some tiny figures, but it appeared the camp was erected around a small ruin of some kind. If she was to understand correctly, the Thyrsians had a longstanding history of Sith occultism. Thus ruins didn't bode well for her.

Nonetheless she brought down her macrobinoculars and clipped them back to her belt, waiting to hear the rest of what Itash had to say before they moved out.

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

 

[Evoros]

Just for a moment, she met Itash's gaze, faintly matched his smile.

But - and it was likely a blessing - they were on a tighter schedule than Evoros had been last they'd met. Less time to kill - and definitely no time to react to dreadful pickup lines.

So she broke her gaze in a moment, glanced to the second mercenary, then back to Janeth. Deathstares could wait for when they didn't have places to be.

Twitching an eyebrow at the mention of a plan (if she had to guess, this plan of his would involve a great deal of blaster fire and a distinct lack of subtlety, but she supposed that sometimes people could surprise you), Evoros stayed not far from her companion as she waited on this illustrious plan of theirs. Eyes ticked between Janeth and the Thyrsian encampment she was observing through macrobinoculars, and her hallmark smirk resurfaced at the Mandalorian woman's question.

"Look on the bright side, Janeth honey," she quipped, evidently amused at her concern over walking, "the views 'round here aren't so bad."

​

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

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Evoros"] | [member="Janeth Farr"] | [member="Wes Rykker"]

Her smile told Itash all that he needed to know.

Oh, there was an undercurrent of resentment alright, but that was to be expected after that video message he left for her to find amidst the remnants of the treasure. Nothing to be done about it and in all honesty... it was far more enjoyable when they were angry.

Gave it some extra spunk to it.

"Walking's good for ya." Tash commented lightly as he followed suit and stepped on beside her, to watch the encampment build around the ruins. "Besides, word is they got scouts hidden in the trees leading up to the camp itself."

Meant that anything louder than a brisk walk had the potential of giving them away.

"As for a plan.... I figured an opportunity will present itself once we are on top of them." Side-glance over to Evoros. "It usually does."

She would know better than most that his 'plans' often worked. Wes would know best, but Wes wasn't a pretty lady sending him cindering eye-fulls right now. So Itash could be forgiven for not exactly paying attention.

"Unless there is anything else?" No? Good, because Tash was already walking in a brisk pace.

 

[Janeth Farr]

Janeth merely sighed.

She wasn't going to argue about that, and she supposed it made sense to walk if his information about scouts reigned true. On the other hand the four of them were already outnumbered, so superior mobility would have had a significant advantage for the four.

The Mandalorian followed after Itash first, her pace meeting his own. She had trained nearly all her youth and continued to do so in her adult life, so she was more than fit enough for the trek. "If I had known we were going on foot I would have brought a bigger gun." She commented. The single blaster pistol at her side, although quite powerful at a close range, was at a disadvantage out in the open where they walked.

Unless the four of them managed to get a jump on the Thyrsians, then she'd have to rely on her wits in a firefight to get close enough to deal damage.

Her eyes glanced around the scene, a pair of large birds flew overhead and seemed to circle them like a predator stalking prey.

"What are those?" She asked whilst still keeping pace. Clearly unamused by the encircling.

She lowered a hand towards the hilt of her blaster, ready to draw in case they swooped.

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

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Location: Naehsa | Marketplace
Objective: Make Contact with Ibinus

Mara frowned as she continued to search, finding no sign of the target anywhere. The information she had been provided, had pointed at the fact Ibinus was suppose to be at the market today. And yet he was nowhere to be seen, at least Mara couldn't identify him amongst the crowds of people.

But even then, Ibinus was a merchant and ought to have been behind one of the stalls.

Unless...he was only overseeing it instead.

The agent cursed quietly, that made things more trickier. If Ibinus had been outside; in the public eye, it would've nipped any potential threats on her life before it could even be a thought. Ibinus was a proud man, and always preferred to keep his image squeaky clean to anyone outside of his trusted circle.

Now it was a matter of finding his usual haunts during this time of the day. Perhaps scoping out this stall would be a useful lead-

As Mara went to turn she collided into a young Echani boy.

"Oh, excuse me-"

"You lost, miss?"

"Um, well..."

"Looking for someone?"

"No, no. I'm just, looking around at the wares."

"Oh, okay then. Sorry for running into you, miss."

With that, the boy was running off again, easily threading through the crowd like it was nothing. Mara, if she wasn't bemused by the situation, and somewhat frustrated her mission was already going off the initial path - she would've realize the boy was a spy.

And he was going straight to where Ibinus was.

 

[Faceless]

Eshan
Objective: Infiltrate the Sundown Outpost

---

If it wasn't assassination or marksmanship, it was infiltration.

Since his partnership with the Collective, his eyes and ears had become much more open to the galaxy's secrets. Faceless shouldn't of been too surprised, considering it was what the Collective prided itself upon, intelligence. Nonetheless, he had never been in such close contact and relations with a group of people who had their hands in everyone's pockets, ears to everyone's voices. Sure, it wasn't absolutely everything but compared to his jobs before where everything had to be found out through his own actions and wit, having a group of people who specialized in such matters made a whole galaxy of difference. With half of his job covered from now on, he could focus on the more important aspects of things, his 'art' and perhaps what the Collective lacked, he could certainly make up for.

Word had spread that a more-than-likely Sundown outpost was within the city and was probably well defended and garrisoned. The Collective wanted to play both sides and see who could come up on top and make a deal accordingly. The Sundown were typically ones to shoot first and ask questions later, meaning that simply walking up to the gates and asking to be let in would surely end in a bad way. Faceless, however, had something that could probably make the whole deal a hell of a lot easier. The perfect act of blending in.

Having split off from the rest of the Collective, Faceless made his way through the streets. Whilst his attire remained the same, he clearly looked like an Echani in the best attempt to blend in with the populace and avoid drawing attention to himself as an outsider. He'd move as they did, talk as they did, live as they did. Perhaps a little too in-depth for what would be nothing more than simple reconnaissance that'd lead up to the eventual infiltration of the Sundown but the more information, the better. As long as he wasn't caught.

He'd try to aim to get high and look down into the outpost, find a way in and a place to sneak. More importantly, a place that'd be considered a blind spot or a possible location as to where they'd be holding spare equipment.

It was time to become a terrorist. Another occupation to put under the ever growing number of questionable jobs, both fake and legitimate. Fortunately for him, however, it wasn't like his line of work needed a CV.

[member="Janeth Farr"]

 

[Evoros]

She snorted.

No plan. Opportunities instead. That sounded just perfect. Itash was lucky he was...well, he was lucky. As far as she was concerned, that was just about all he had going for him. And the looks, but they didn't count.

Evoros was not by a long shot a fan of waiting for opportunities, but she'd concede that he had a knack for crossing paths with fortune. Besides, she'd become well acquainted with how often plans liked to go wrong. When it came down to it, a failed plan worked the same as a failed opportunity; in situations like those, Evoros took what she could from the wreckage and ran.

So between one thing and another, the agent found it in herself not to object to this state of affairs, and instead followed as they set off, eyes sweeping the area in constant lookout. (She had abandoned a plan, not her senses).

"Farr." She glanced at the sky, an eyebrow lifted dubiously. "They're birds. Pretty views, remember?"

Evoros was no stranger to paranoia. It could prove very dangerous not to maintain a healthy level of caution in careers like intelligence. But there was caution and overdrive, and the latter could prove awfully disruptive.

And she was sure it wouldn't be too long before something arrived that they did, in fact, need to worry about. There was only so much caution to spare.

 

[Zef Halo]

Wes majorly ignored most of the dialogue the others were having as he proceeded through the hilly forest down towards the camp, slugthrower ready to pop some heads. The four were moving carefully in a line (not a file) as they kept coming closer to the camp.

Hopefully, the two ladies would shut the feth up so the darn creep convention down there wouldn't hear them.

The mercenary turned his head to face them and gestured with his finger to keep silent. If he'd known they'd be loud as hell, then he'd shoot them up on the flatland before they were close enough to be heard.

Curiosity took over and he looked up at a school of birds flying in menace. Upon reaching a rock, he crouched and laid his rifle on the it. A good enough vantage point.

If they had some military sense in their heads, they would know their blasters would do better if they got closer while Wes could play the silent sniper in the woods like the good boy he was. Rarely did he get the chance of not being in the mid of all the action, taking the bulk of damage and then trying to figure out how much credits would it cost him to fix his armor.

Debt was a bad thing.

Stay way from it, kids.

[member="Itash Mecetti"] | [member="Evoros"] | [member="Janeth Farr"]​

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Evoros"] | [member="Janeth Farr"] | [member="Wes Rykker"]

Itash was amused by their conversation, but equally amused by Wes' silencing of it.

He was already comfortable with the merc's attitude. Very no-nonsense, professional, Wes didn't particularly like the way he was around the wild wild women, but... part of that was also envy. That much the Tapani was certain of. After all, after the fourth time your employer heists the lady you were trying to get with, it gets kinda old.

Presumably.

Once more the merc took the lead in the actual mission. This time skirting off and finding a good vantage point from where he could lend support- Tash wasn't very happy with it.

Meant that he didn't have muscle right next to him that he could trust.

But it did mean alone time with two very Nice Ladies.

"Don't mind him too much," Itash mumbled over to them once they were out of ear-shot. "He takes protecting my body very seriously." It was strange how he specifically underlined his body, but with the amount of shet they went through... the mind was less important. It was the body that was paying the money, wasn't it?

A few more meters and suddenly Itash went to a crouch, huddling up next to a tree and staring out past the bushes.

Eyes and finger went aiming at what he saw.

A Thyrsian on patrol.

 

[Janeth Farr]

Janeth looked back to see Wes move off and into his position.

She felt better about it, at least, having someone for ranged fire support. Assuming he was a good shot, that is.

"Armour does a pretty good job, too." She retorted at Itash's statement. Though when he crouched down, Janeth instinctively followed in suit and took up position along the opposite tree to defend their flank, or flank herself if prudent. Already there were several options being played out in her mind if they decided to engage the patrol.

Though she would argue against it. In their situation stealth was the better choice. Why fight if you can avoid a fight all together? That probably wouldn't sound too 'mandalorian' of her, but Janeth wasn't a fool if she could help it. She rarely took great risks and opted to play it safe. Though that changed when she looked about and noticed it was only one.

The Mandalorian glanced out to the Thyrsian then looked at Itash, gesturing for him to move around the brush once the Thyrsian crossed into the blindspot.

Her goal was to avoid a loud commotion. If Itash did as told he would be in prime position to deal the killing blow once Janeth apprehended him. She snuck out behind him, then with a burst of speed came up behind the warrior and grabbed him across the shoulders and by the neck. Her hand tearing out the wiring of his comm piece.

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

 

[Ashana]

IBINUS' PAZAAK DEN
[member="Mara Kellarov"]

The boy ran straight for the other side of the market where Ibinus was held up in his pazaak den.

Ibinus knew it was only a matter of time before the plot took off, and opted to keep himself held up there until it did. The ran up to Ibinus and whispered into his ear. The aged Echani leaned in to hear, a scowl formed across his face. "I forfeit," he said to his playing partner and bowed his head. The merchant walked into the back of the den and had a little chat with one of his hired goons.

The large and out of place trandoshan was now on the job. The lizard left the den and went traveling down the streets in search of Mara.

Eventually he arrived in the general vicinity of the agent, and like him she too stood out of the Echani crowd.

He began to follow... And he didn't try to hide it.

 

[Asher]

[member="Spencer Varanin"]​

[ I need to come through, I have news that the Queen will want to hear. ]

The woman gave the brunette a look as she tried to sign with her to no avail. The echani guard blinked as her arms lifted in a shrug and shook her head and then let her hands fall by her side again. There was a language barrier here, which wasn’t even to mention the fact that Rae was looking more and more like a crazy woman than the investigator who had been hired by none other than the Matriarch herself to find out more about the attacks on the Queen’s life. Well Rae had done her job, and she had done it to the fullest extent of her abilities. Tracking down secret cults weren’t her field, but the delivery of relevant information on them was.

The building was impressive in its construction, but nothing Rae would have trouble invading should she be left with no other choice. Her eyes looked for other plans of entry but found nothing. Great. Lips thinned as the freelance agent got her pad out and began writing down what she was meaning to say.

“I need to see the queen, it’s a matter of life and death.”

“Well why didn’t you say so?” The guard smiled for a second. It quickly dropped into a deep frown. “Also, no. You must have me figured for an idiot.”

“This will be on your head.”

“And you won’t have one if you don’t leave.” The guard looked unamused. “Now.”

A sigh burst through the mute’s nose as she pocketed her pad. Did it not occur to her that it was a bit odd that someone was casually walking up to a safe house? A house that was by all means supposed to be safe? A place kept secret except from those who had business there. No, there was really just the one thing Rae could do at this point and pray to whatever gods there might have been that it worked. With her pad stashed safely within the confines of her bag she turned to look back over her shoulder at the guard who waved their hand for her to continue leaving.

Right, well, Rae wasn’t going to.

Her body turned to face her obstacle in full. The guard lowering their glance at her as if to check what she was even doing. They both knew what came next, the question was who would be the one who could anticipate the others’ move. Rae entered a sprint for the door, the guard got into a combat stance. Feet rushed for the entrance and Rae went low, the guard swept for a roundhouse kick at her face yet the boot never connected with anything. The gamble had paid off, Rae slid her way inside the door and slammed it shut behind her and continued running in whichever direction felt like the right one.

“SPENCER!” A voice called from behind her. Had she had the ability to Rae would have cursed under her breath, but well, she was still as mute as an late-790s gaming protagonist. Boots of guards echoed around the entire compound. Rae had to move quickly.

By the time she reached the room she had them all on her heel. Arm bracing for a tackle through the door keeping her from the Queen’s reach. Once more the door slammed, albeit open rather than close as Rae fell to the ground grappled by just about the entire guardforce that could get a grip on her. Eyes fell on the Queen pleading for her to get her lackeys off of her, provided that the regent even knew who Rae was.

… She would have signed a hello had it not been that her legs, arms and torso were all being pushed firmly into the ground by one guard each.

So much for a good second impression.