Private The Denonite's Shadow

[Kira Veylan]

//: Dominique Vexx //:

The rain slicked towers of Denon’s central corporate district glitter like blades in the night. A black-coated silhouette moves through the downpour, claws tucked into the folds of her jacket. Her optics sweep over the glowing signage of Koris Dynamics, the corporation that’s been slow-walking cooperation with Dominique Vexx’s interests.

They’ve had weeks to comply.

Dominique was off-world.

Tonight, Kira is the only reminder they need.

The front lobby was all glass, marble, and an overabundance of false warmth. Security in polished grey armor spot her the second the doors hiss open, the servo-hum of her augments carrying in the quiet air. One stepped forward to challenge her. Thinking she was some errant wandering in from the street.

She didn't stop walking.

One flick of her claw and the man’s blaster spun out of his hand. Cloak flipping back to reveal the large augmented arms. Before the others can react, she’s across the floor in a blur of plated limbs and hydraulic force. Blaster fire erupts through the lobby. Loud, bright, echoing off the marble walls and throwing distorted fractals of light.

Kira was already among them.

Two went down in the first strike, one with a crushed visor, the other thrown into a desk hard enough to break it in half with a single swing of tightly clenched claws. The third barely gets a scream out before her claws close around his arm and send him spinning into a wall. Blasters and armor clattering against the floor as if finally announcing her arrival.

The receptionist ducked behind her counter, trembling, and Kira ignored her entirely. Stepping over scattered furniture and crumpled bodies, claws still faintly glowing from the heat of their own servos.

The enhancements to her claws left inert for the time being as a final warning.

The elevator ride up is silent, except for the drip of rainwater from her coat. Now settled back into place and covering her form once more.

At the top floor, two more guards try to block her path. She moves through them like they’re nothing. One pinned against the wall by his throat until he passes out beneath the unforgiving alloyed hand, the other hurled back into an art display that shatters across the carpet.

The owner, Marcan Durell, stood frozen at the far end of the office. A man in his sixties, expensive suit, shaking hands.

Upsetting the stack of datapads on his desk as he pressed himself against it with her slow, predatory approach. The assessing tilt of her head had lowered when she spotted her target.

A faint metallic snick rang out as she locked her talons into their most lethal configuration, her gaze never wavering as the red lines began to trace across the edges and points of each alloy claw.

“Kira,” he manages, “I think-we can work something-”

Her claws flexed, the light from the cityscape beyond the panoramic windows highlighting the vibrant red of the monomolecular edged claws.

"Not ‘think.’ You will.” She walked forward, each stride slow and deliberate, until she was standing close enough for the tips of her claws to graze his collar. "No more delays."

Marcan swallowed, hid head bobbing rapidly in agreement. Shaking at the effort to keep from touching the deep singular gouge in his collar. “Yes. You’ll… you’ll have my full cooperation.”

"Good." Kira tilted her head, almost sounding disappointed despite the word.

The claws returned to their dormant gunmetal color. Arm lowered to her side as she watched him work.

Eyes wide and fixated before she silently slipped away.

By the time she was back in the rain, the building’s security teams remained silent with some unconscious, others deciding it’s not worth the fight. Activating her commlink, the static crackle filled the night air as Kira adjusted her coat to muffle her voice.

"Dominique. Issue corrected."

There was a pause on the other end, then Dominique’s voice like silk over steel.

"Excellent. Now… drop everything and come to me."

Her tone wasn’t a request.

"You're off-world."

"I am. And I want you here. Now."

The line clicked dead.

Kira looked once over her shoulder at the still-lit office tower, then up at the starless skyline of Denon. Her claws curled once, tight.

It was time to move.

Naboo wasn't the crowded and noisy place that Denon was. Both relief and terror as Kira stepped off the transport to the new planet. Eyes alight as she scanned the immediate area. Noting the easy way some of the beings carried themselves.

Having never known a day of watching their backs or glancing over their shoulders.

Faces that were as wary as her own regarding her stocky frame hidden beneath the heavy coat. Or maybe because of it with the temperate weather.

Flexing her augmented fingers one by one as the metallic tendons sang with a faint, predatory hum as each claw clicked into place. Eyeing each being that strode across her path.

Unnerved by the calm that seemed to radiate from those around her.

Pushing past the nerves to rendezvous with Dominique with even more clarity of purpose now having found herself surrounded with incompetent fools. Security at least was of a noticeably better quality, but even lower level civilians were more alert than these Naboo folk in Kira's humble opinion.

Pushing forward until she found the one she had been requested by.

Falling into place just behind Dominique like a living shadow of alloyed metals. Close enough to act, far enough to not be underfoot.

"You have orders?"

Not entirely sure what use Dominique could have for her presently on this peaceful planet. Whatever it was had been urgent enough from dealing with any further issues on Denon. Feeling very out of sorts, like a single broken bulb in a sea of them.

Watching everyone that moved around them, unblinking. The whirring and faint hydraulic hiss from her arms punctuated the air around them, like the breath of some caged machine-beast.

 

[Dominique Vexx]

The High Republic. A lofty name for equally ambitious aspirations. There was still much to do for it to explore its potential, however. The Economic Development Board's sole purpose was ensuring the continued development of its member worlds, and its economy. Matters that several like-minded members of the Assembly had an interest in, but not all for a common cause. Some wanted to grind the machine to a halt. Others wanted to suck it dry. All very familiar motivations and means she'd observed on Denon. And it wasn't that she disagreed with extracting the full worth of the Republic, but too often such hunger led to over-eating. There was an evolutionary desire to consume all that lay before your eyes unconcerned whether it would be there tomorrow -- in fact, there was the unconscious fear that it would not in fact be there tomorrow. An endless buffet that wouldn't last forever. A delicious paradox most didn't bother mulling over.

Dominique wasn't a conversationalist by any means, however. Denon needed resources to produce the countless machines, weapons, vehicles, and whatever else the galaxy needed. Resources only extracted from mineral-rich worlds. Mining was the cost of doing business. But they didn't need to hollow out a planet before moving on to the next one -- as Denon had their own moons. Distributing their efforts ensured if galactic events outpaced them they wouldn't lose all of their harvesting operations because any one planet went dark; and, at times, some of those resources could even replenish themselves with enough time. Not that all Directors agreed.

So many matters to handle for Denon and the Republic alike. So many interests eager to take whatever they could get their hands on. And Dominique was certainly one of those. Any opportunity for her to expand her own authority within the Republic was taken. It would only benefit them in the long-run, she thought.

Especially when she could do things so many others would not dare dream of.

As she strode down a hallway, a family shadow haunted Dominique's steps. "Have you kept up to date with recent events?" The Senator didn't look back at Kira Veylan as they continued to move among the peace-loving community. "The reminder that the Southern reaches aren't so remote others won't seek to take them for themselves? The near incursion by economic partners that might have led to a hostile takeover of our own world?" The Black Sun could be useful in their own way from afar, but they would also be counterproductive if they established a firm foothold on Denon. Certain gangs already held too much power over certain Districts. If the Black Sun empowered them further or promised them money for loyalty... Dominique's resources had to be spread over more than just establishing a better security force to counter them, and Denon was a massive world to secure. Worse, there were those on the Board all too eager to welcome the criminals to setup a presence on their world.

 

[Kira Veylan]

//: Dominique Vexx //:

"Not well enough."

The events surrounding her employer had been tumultuous of late. And the creep of criminal elements attempting to strike out of their controlled zone of operations was annoying but not unexpected given the recent successes they had put under their belt.

"But that was corrected."

Kira did her best to remain docile despite the obvious whirs and groans of her arms as she relaxed and tensed with every room they passed.

The quiet calculation began once more as Kira ran through the phrasing. "Remote enough help is local. Fast response is hours not minutes. Deals for quiet support or outright rebellion despite the outstretched hand."

She wasn't nearly as in tune with the Board as Dominique was, but it was plain enough to see that an enterprise like the Black Sun could be baited to certain actions with enough of a prize dangled in front of them. Especially if they were willing to test the strength of this, High Republic group, that her employer was putting effort into maintaining a relationship with.

"This High Republic is soft. A child of Denon has more grit."

Kira was not a negotiator. Nor was she a symbol of cooperation. She was a well trained weapon at best. A beast with a short leash at worst.

But thinking had become more suited to her with these word challenges Dominique presented her with.

"Strengthening our ties with them may be seen as growing soft." Her fingers flexed.

Bladed ends rubbing against each other like a blade unsheathing itself. "The house may need cleaning before long. Or some here to be implanted with a spine. The Board has many voices in their ear. Some listen better than others."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. Remembering the dossiers that had been provided to her on the way over.

"These senators need to know danger. And be able to act without blinking."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled and nodded to someone they passed before she gave Kira a discrete glance. The Republic soft? They were inexperienced. Idealistic. Not hopelessly idealistic, however. Not one preoccupied with holding to an ancient religion -- as well meaning as Jedi often were. Though, ironically, some did hold to a different ancient religion, but not one that instructed their day to day.

"Perhaps." Danger. "Some of them know it. Intimately. The whole has not had the pleasure." Dominique slowly cheeked to her left and then to the right. "But they may. Soon. There are rumors circulating in dark places, Kira. Something is planned. Something they believe will cow the Republic." The problem with the depths of the Holonet was that might slicers might uncover something, or infer it, they would rarely spill all the details. Some wanted credits. Others simply liked the sensation of feeling superior -- knowing something others only wished they did. Others... actually agreed or wanted to see a tragedy unfold.

The Director stopped to turn and look back at Kira from behind her glareshades. "I need you here to ensure that doesn't happen. Denon will prosper greatly within the boundaries of the High Republic, but free to operate with whatever customers we choose. The same cannot be said for any other, nearby government, which would seek to dictate who we consort with and what we do."

"This is a learning opportunity, Kira." If the Senate needed a lesson then Dominique assumed they would soon have it. How. Why. She didn't know, but if Wielu wasn't enough then this was going to be more blatant. This time they might not see the faces of the enemy until they battle had already begun -- and perhaps was nearly over. Dominique had to position her pieces on the board for circumstances she couldn't anticipate. Pieces like Kira, a dynamic, game-changing force.

She would need to discretely let Aurelian know as well. The man had capable guards. They could be given a little extra armament to bolster their ranks.

Kira Veylan​

 

[Kira Veylan]

//: Dominique Vexx //:

Being idealistic didn't get your stomach full or bills paid in Kira's experience. But the luxury could apparently do this elsewhere in the galaxy. Fighting and death threats along with a good set of arms? Those usually got the job done a lot better than hopes and dreams.

But she was not here to question the method Dominque had in mind for guiding things along.

Just to play her part in it.

Whatever that might require.

She processed the news of rumors and dark tidings like one might the weather. Having already been in the most broad of terms aware that they existed. "Bad news is not news for us."

A slow sigh almost masked the faint clink of her fingers as she thought on the matter.

The holonet had been in a muted roar of late. At least on sites that still permitted conspiracy theorists to post without issues like the EchoNet. Dominque was certainly more in the know than herself, but even the limited skimming Kira did in her idle time held underlying tones of a much larger trouble waiting to emerge.

Or at least that was the idea in her head.

"It is just foreign possibilities." Her eyes never seemed to settle in one place until directly spoken to, always keeping herself within arms reach of her employer as they walked.

The mention of a learning opportunity drawing out a curiosity as she posed the question.

"You mentioned favorable Republic figures." The list Dominique had provided her to study had named a handful of useful, and potentially friendly, figures. The distinction between the two words not lost on her given their proximity in the message.

"Should I go meet them?" As sincere as Kira could get without breaking the facade of a simple bodyguard.

Keeping the usual inflections from her tone that might suggest less than friendly intent. The tone that never failed to share how excited she was to go hunting. Keeping herself focused, observing, and thinking.

Knowing those names were the things helping to keep business, and Denon’s future, going.

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique wouldn't utter it aloud, especially on Naboo itself, but even if she had known precisely when, where, how, and who the attack would occur she wouldn't have sought to proactively stop it. Sometimes the best thing you could do for someone was to let them suffer the consequences of their own mistakes. That being said, the Director had no intention of letting valuable people on the board be taken from her. Just because the collective needed to learn a lesson did not mean everyone had to suffer equally. Knowledge was power -- power to shape the battlefield to her advantage.

"You should become acquainted with them. They share much in common with Executive Directors, but are steeped in a political game with different rules than our own. Rules that guide their actions." There was a brief paused as she briefly imagined the scene. "Aurelian's guards won't let you get too close. They might not be on your level, but they known their duty." A smile spread across Dominique's lips and shone in her bright eyes. Kira did not exude a friendly, welcoming, or warm atmosphere. Aurelians' guards would immediately tense at her sight even long before she got within lethal distance.

Which actually drew a curious thought forth. "Have you ever trained others, Kira?" Given Kira's circumstances, Dominique might be able to just as easily answer her own question, but she was the sort that sought to build relationships.

Kira Veylan​

 

[Kira Veylan]

//: Dominique Vexx //:

The initial information Dominique shared did not appeal to Kira. Eyes moving away from Dominique at first. The matter that brought her interest back was the news of different rules.

A sideways glance sent to her employer before she resumed her watch. "Preem. A change of pace. "

It wasn't her scene but it was something to chew on out in the galaxy. She wouldn't even be here if she hadn't been picked up by Dominique for what amounted to a one-sided deal. But securing her family for service was a price she was willing to pay.

Holding up a clawed hand for a split second to let it drop by her side again.

Reminding herself she wasn't good for much else.

The mention of guards being competent seemed to strike a circuit. Jolting her thoughts back with another glance to Dominique before returning to scanning around them.

"Thing's get missed out of habit." Not a direct challenge to the statement, but an observation. Even Kira had found herself outdone a handful of times by the more ingenious individuals trying to hide from her.

Not that hiding helped them in the end. Body heat usually betrayed them in the end.

The look Dominique gave her was met with a single brow, rising in silent question. Expression locked in perpetual disdain unless meeting her employers gaze, which shifted quickly to a lukewarm friendly.

"There are a few around Denon that learned. Not well. But surviving isn't an easily trained skill." A servo whined as her hand flexed to cradle a leaf they passed. "It's not polished or gentle. And from the scenery, they will not take to it."

The leaf was crumpled as her hand pulled away, with a tear reaching from the tip to the stem in a jagged line.

Turning to Dominique with a smile. "But we see where gentle and polished got them."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique laughed more to her self than anything. "Yes. It is that." A change of pace. Perhaps Kira would like to get away from woman-handling people into compliance. Well, people should stop earning her ire. In any case, there'd be none of that with Sibylla and other nobles. Or far less of it, anyway. Whether Kira would come to love or hate it, however, would depend on just how fervently she wanted something 'different.' Noble politics were hardly... satisfying to someone used to treating everything like a nail.

"Habit? Yes, that's true." Dominique went silent for a moment. "But their greatest lack is in experience."

Kira had some thoughts on that front, which earned a look and a nod from Dominique. "If they were confined to Naboo, and somehow able to keep others away, they would be just fine as they are. Aurelian, however, is not an isolationist and has no delusions regarding the ambitions of others. I think you'll find him quite... agreeable, Kira. Its those he's surrounded with that are the issue. They want to remain lost in paradise. They need a wake-up call and someone capable of giving those with the mental fortitude the skills to enable Aurelian and our agenda."

"Can you do it? Help him find people that will ensure his survival through the storms ahead?" It wasn't that Dominique didn't think Kira lacked the ability, but the will. An instructor with no interest in teaching was about as useful as an ignorant blowhard. She could order the woman to do it, but that wasn't her style. Negotiation was always preferable -- provided the other party was reasonable.

Kira Veylan​

 

[Kira Veylan]

//: Dominique Vexx //:

Kira was silent a long moment.

Eyes never quite settling until she turned her attention back to Dominique. "Even if it is only a few seconds-"

Her claws curled into tight fists. A single, excruciating memory of pain, blinding light, and sounds mingling together with a constant ringing behind it all.

Until everything came into a too sharp focus and her arms and eyes had been replaced.

"It's the difference between having flesh or steel." A daunting task. But everyday was a daunting task in the lower sections of Denon. Her claws unfurled as she thought over the names once more. Mentally drawing lines between them and best avenues of approach.

Her usual approach would be good for one, maybe two.

At least until they mentioned her in passing to someone if they didn't know better. Eyes flicking back and forth in barely perceptible patterns as her thoughts arranged themselves. Eyes finally settling from their shaking until they focused only on the now instead of the future.

"If I cannot secure them for him-" Head tilting slightly as she thought on the chances. Calculations for the most promising path being navigated with the information she had on hand currently. "I will set him on the path to acquire them."

Arms curling around herself as servos and gears whirred and chirped with the roll of her neck. Already having a game plan in mind for how best to potentially introduce herself to the players in this little game.

"Unless you object, I will begin."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Good," Dominique replied succinctly.

Though mere training wasn't enough, was it? "Make sure they report back anything... unusual. We're wading into dark and turbulent waters. They can test even the best of us at times. I have enough Directors that would gladly see me in a pool of my own blood; it'd be nice if I heard prospective allies started getting ideas." Not that she thought Aurelian meant to betray her. He was a man of ambition, however, and willing to play a game by his own rules. Someone still distant despite encounters. There was no telling what influences might turn his favor against her; even if it was not something of his own desire.

"Kira," Dominique looked over at the other woman meaningfully, "let me know if you require any resources." Though Kira had the authority to acquire most on her own, but sometimes one needed Executive level clearance for riskier plays. More importantly, sometimes people needed help. They might not be friends, but Dominique cherished people of skill and intellect no matter their financial circumstances.

Kira Veylan​

 

[Kira Veylan]

//: Dominique Vexx //:

The mention of having them report any oddities brought a slight tilt of her head. A favor did endear one to another, and even small things could lead to larger opportunities.

The hint of a smile played across her face.

A clawed hand covering her protected heart as she spoke the words. "I will leave instructions."

Another thought trickling in at the mention of other directors.

"If a warning is needed, I will be at your disposal." The clawed hand dropping to her side with a slight flex.

She already didn't like the open nature of the building layout here. It wasn't Denon, and the bustling density of the packed buildings had long ago become a part of her as much as she had become a part of it.

Safe houses, supply caches, terminals, all useless here as she thought of one requirement going forward.

"A tech, repair materials, and plenty of bacta will be required." A sigh already marking the ideas she had in mind. "I will suffer some damages in this process. But I will not fail."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Instructions? Dominique wasn't going to ask. Kira was probably just affirming she'd tell them to keep an ear open. It was still an odd way to acknowledge an order though. As it would turn out that and perhaps other statements resulted in unforeseen events, but she wasn't a psychic.

Perhaps Dominique should have seen it coming with Kira saying she'd suffer damage. But she took it to mean she'd engage the guards in strenuous training exercises. Not break into Sibylla's residence and literally stress test her and every guard's ability to respond in a less... structured manner.

"I see nothing wrong with that. I do not want either of them harmed." Dominique lifted a finger to stress the point. "They could be quite useful ensuring this Republic's prosperity. Denon can make use of a stable regional government." Others thought to ruin them to make them compliant; control politicians with bribes and backchannel negotiations. Dominique could do that, but if the Republic were amenable to sensible legislation then managing things out in the open was more efficient. It'd be easier to track the movements of their rivals as they sought to counter their efforts.

"And while you're here, don't be afraid to explore. Ayumi has been working tirelessly to make Upcity a tourist attraction. Perhaps there are other services we could bring home to bolster our image." If Kira wanted a change in pace Dominique would offer her the option to do something other than fight or train others.

Kira Veylan​