Private The Catalyst Protocol: Reclamation

[Liin Terallo]

The terminal within my private laboratory hums quietly beneath my hands with the cold metal almost soothing to my skin. It is a strange occurance of how everything seems amplified now that I have become a part of my experiments. But it is not an unpleasant side effect. Not like some of the others are.

I should not be doing this. Every instinct in me calls for me to stay quiet and stay hidden. But instincts do not refill catalyst tubes or synth-bonding agents. They do not fix the isotope regulators slowly starving my system of power. My supplies are running low. Lower than I am comfortable admitting.

Most of what I need; the rare compounds, the modified genomes, the isotope fragments, they are out there waiting in caches I placed across the Mid Rim. Makeb is one of them. It is one of the last real drops that I can still reach.

If only I could go there myself. But I cannot. Not when I am being hunted. Not when even a whisper of my name draws too much heat.

So I open a secure line; something old, something underground, something used by people who know how to keep their heads down. Smuggler frequencies. Black-channel threads. I keep the message short, just enough to sound like a job and not a cry for help.

---

Looking for a captain with a fast ship and no questions.
Retrieval job on Makeb. Dead-drop coordinates provided on contact.
High payout. No politics. No drama.
Just clean work for someone who knows how to disappear.

---

I hesitate for only a second before sending it through. "I just need someone who does not care who I am.”

The encryption locks into place. The signal fires off into the dark. Now all that I can do is wait. And hope the right kind of person answers.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

Wasn't much to do on a night like this, so Kaelen sat in a slum-bar somewhere off the grid on the Outer Rim, leafing through back-nets and frequencies left behind by his grandfather. The man seemed to have a handle or comm-line to anything that thumbed it's nose and the Stih, Imperials, or authority in general. Most of it was often dormant, or chatter. But on occasion, a job would float through.

With a grin, Kaelen keys up the 'wave, and sends a singular worded response.

"Ok."

It wasn't flowery, it had no post-script, and it fit the man perfectly. And so, as it bounced through relays and old beacons, he waited, and whistled tunelessly, idly swirling a plastic pair of chopsticks around some instant noodles that had long since gone cold and overly-soggy. If nothing came of it, he'd just go pick a fight with one of the idiot rodians down at the end of the bar flashing their paycheck from a spice run.

Though he didn't know it, he had inherited the Sedaire snark from his grandfather, and he could often make friends or enemies with just a well timed grin.

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

Well that did not take long for a response to get through. It was short. Very short. A little wave of sorts followed by just one word. How curious indeed. But it is not as though I am familiar with these kinds of communications.

Still I respond back in kind:

I seek a package retrieval on Makeb. Are you familiar with the planet?

Not many are familiar with the gravitational anomolies. At least not until it is too late as they try to pilot their ships into the atmosphere. The electrical storms that flourish in the upper atmosphere are a hazard to many unseasoned pilots. And even the seasoned ones.

I suppose that the only way to find out about how good this one can be is whether or not they can be successful in this task.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

It took longer than one might expect, but the reply did come, eventually.

"Not overly, but I can see the gravitic issues... I can probably avoid the complications. What's the site for retrieval?"

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

Another response was sent by him. This is something that I am not used to. Being in direct communication with someone has now become an uncommon thing for me. Perhaps it is due to my isolation. In fact, I know that it is. But I cannot change that right now. I do not want to put my life or others in danger for being near me.

I return my focus towards my response and type it up:

I sure hope that you can. The location is at the Stronghold in the volcanic region. So you will need to wear a heat resistant suit. I have hidden the box inside of the main entrance behind a double-dented panel. Take extreme caution for some of the old security droids are still active.

I send the reply off. Who knows of how long it will be before the next response comes in.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

It took some time, other than a cryptic reply almost immediately that one could suppose meant they were retrieving the item and taking on the job.
Then, after a respectable lag of time to get to the site and retrieve things, a confirmation came.

"Package secured... But... You owe me a new thermal suit... And I'm keeping the droid head I used.. He's rude, but funny... Exchange or cold drop?"

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

At first I had heard nothing. Not after confirmation for the task at hand was received. Yet it was not hard to keep myself occupied. At least not with all of the rigorus tests that I needed to go through. As well as the preperations for the arrival of the Isotope-5 and other materials acquired. It will be interesting to see if any of it had been tampered with. That will let me know if my hidden cache's are compromised.

Finally a message had come in. I found it to be slightly humerous. Whether or not that was it's intention, I am uncertain. But it was amusing nonetheless.

I quickly prepared a reply to him:

Your request is granted. An exchange will suffice. Meet me at Achra Station in two days time. Docking Bay 4.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

He made it, taking a bay himself almost competely on the other end of Achra Station, and due to the odd engineerings of whoever this Jorus Q. Merrill who had built this ship his grandfather had mothballed was, he was a day early. He took on supplies, fuel, even a good solid meal that wasn't a ration bar. At roughly a few chrono-hours before noon, he wandered over to Docking Bay 4, looking utterly like any other scruzzy smuggler, and waited against a box of crates just outside the bay. The only indicator of identity would be the curious armband from his grandfather's possessions. It displayed proudly the governmental provision of Corellia, back in the time the One Sith occupied them. His reply to his employer had stated to look for someone wearing such.

And, while he waited, he chatted up a disgruntled wookie dockhand, bemoaning the state of affairs for the local dock hand union and their workers at the station.


Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

Achra station was known to be of particular interest to pirates and the black market. Both of which would love to get their hands on my materials. So why would I chose to go there instead of some place out of their reach? It was simple. Such a place did not exist. And it is far safer to be where they would least expect than to be somewhere that they did. That is the logic that I am going with. I just hope that it is the correct one.

I dress accordingly; in a casual skirt, jacket and blouse. I did my best to look like a merchant than what I really am. Most people would hide themselves in a hooded cloak if they wanted to sneak in somewhere. But people have done that so much that it would only draw suspicion. So I chose not to wear a cloak.

In my hands I carry a wrapped bundle. And behind me floats a small crate on a floating platform that is guided by Varlo; a security guard that Diarch Reign has graciously allowed me to borrow from time to time. Usually in public we pretend to be cousins; but not today. Today we are fellow merchants exchanging supplies.

I spot the man that I was looking for. The described insignia on his arm is exactly what he said it would be. So Varlo and I make our approach.

"Ah, there you are. I take it that your journey was a successful and productive one?"

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

I nod to the retrieved contents to the side of our meeting place, smiling easily as he excuses himself from speaking to the wookie who nods and grunts. With that done, he turns to Liin Terallo and nods.

"Quite so, yeah. LIttle worse for wear wardrobe wise, but nothing significantly important was lost. Is this a quiet and don't ask portion, or can I ask what caused me to need to get shot a few times by very angry droids?"

 

[Liin Terallo]

I dip my head in greeting. I do not give him my name, nor do I ask for his. That in and of itself is out of character for me, yet I must do my very best to keep up this merchant personna.

"I have secured a replacement suit for you. As well as enough credits to cover your expenses. And to answer your question; I am afraid that I need to respond with vague answers. They are supplies for a project of mine, as well as some personal notes. It is not anything too exciting, I assure you."

I am sure that he can tell that I am hiding information from him. Yet how can I not? It is a sensative subject for me and speaking about it out in the open is not something that I am very comfortable with.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

"Well, if you need further work, I am available for hire still, there's some lags between jobs currently... And it was a very sought after piece on a rather restrictive market."

He can speak vague lingo just fine, and rather clearly too:

I've got time, I could use more work, and they shot me in the arse because of this, so now i'm curious...

He doesn't say all, or any of this, of course... But... His serious glance combined with an easy, affixed smirk, show that he's wondering.


Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

The expression that his eyes held was different than the rest of his features. He is curious. I felt my jaw tighten as I considered giving him a bit more information. And given the success of him retrieving my parcel; it would only make sense to have him secure the others in hiding as well.

I hold out the bundle within my hands for him to take. "Here is your payment. The suit is behind me on the platform there. Do you need some help getting it inside of your ship? And is my parcel inside? I should like to see if everything is all in one piece." Being inside of the confines of a ship was far more secure and private than being out in the open. I can only hope that he picks up on that.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

I shift from my lounging posture, grabbing the lift handle and nod.

"Mine is a ways away, just in case you were some deranged ex lover or disgruntled former client. Let's load your things first, if you want. Then we can see about my bits, and discuss further work on my ship. I have some curiosities you might like anyway..."

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

I had assumed that his ship was nearby. Yet that assumption had appeared to be dead wrong. His little jest at deranged ex lovered and former clients caused me to give him a bit of a smirk. And it also gave me cause to wonder at just what kinds of people he invited into his life.

But it is of no matter. I needed my items that he had retrieved. "Yes, I should like to be sure that my items are intact, if you please." I cannot imagine what curiosities that he may have. No doubt they could be trinkets from some far off planets somewhere.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

Kaelen led the way without further ado, and after a relatively short jaunt, they were at his ship. A relic, it was a heavily modified Corellian freighter, with some obvious after-market modifications that were decidedly non-human in design and aesthetics. A ramp hissed open slowly, and he ascended once it was locked for entry, a hand dipping into the open to motion her up and forward with him.

"Well, no sense in waiting out there. Might even have some kaff, if you're interested..."

The tone, while still respectful, had somehow become much more casual and relaxed, as if being relatively out of earshot of port authority had brought out almost a different person.

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

I kept pace with the man while Varlo tailed the two of us. If my guard sensed any danger; then he would be sure to intervene. For now though he just remained ever vigilant.

The man's ship appeared to be what I was expecting. Just enough to not catch anyone's attention and enough to tend to whatever jobs he takes on. Now I am no expert in that field at all and cannot even pilot a ship, so I commend those that do. My colorblindness would probably be an issue when it comes to all of the buttons in the cockpit. I would have to have something specifically tailored just for me. Yet there is very, very little chance that I would ever learn how to pilot anyways.

I dip my head to him in thanks for the offer. "A kaff would be nice, thank you." A quick look back at Varlo is taken before I follow the man up the ramp and into his ship. "How long have you had this vessel? It looks as though it has had many adventures." Smalltalk is a language that I am fluent in. Being a former corporate politician has it's benefits.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin

 

[Kaelen Varrin]

"It's a family thing, I suppose... Grandfather had it made by someone named Jorus Q. Merrill . It's... Different... I'm not a bad pilot, but it has systems and functions I can't even honestly suss out."

Leading her in, he busied himself with the kaff maker, indicating a seat nearby for her.

"So, now that the bafflers are on.. Tell me... What exactly was that parcel you sent me after, and why were the so many damn droids shooting at me over it? Your ping made it seem like groceries or a rare piece of art. I am now doubting that was the case.."

Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

"Did it come with an instruction manual?" It was an honest question for I know next to nothing about being a pilot or how any of the ships operate. I leave that sort of thing to the professionals.

As soon as I sat down on the chair that he gestured to; I realized that the conversation had just been smalltalk for any eavesdroppers. And now he was getting into the knit and gritty of it. Although when I had hired him, I had assumed that it was on a no questions asked policy. Still, I suppose that he required some answers at the very least for putting his life on the line for the job. "Those security droids have been there for centuries. I was there not long ago with a hired crew to help me acquire some of the Isotope-5 deep within the Stronghold. And when I needed a safe place to stash a portion of it as well as some of my notes; I thought that it was a good place for that. It is nothing stolen from anyone else, I assure you. It is my items. Does that answer your question?" I have a few more stashes elsewhere in neutral zones throughout the Galaxy. But there is little need to gather all of them at once. Instead I merely retrieve them when needed.

Tag: Kaelen Varrin