The Telos Tale

[thegreatbeyonder]

"This is it..." Arian held the controls of a modified Helix-class freighter, modified being a little more juice to the engines and a scrapped cargo bay to allow for greater passenger complements.

Their destination? Ignus Industries headquarters located soundly on Telos, a world found just along the infamous Hydian Way. In its Primeval days the fabled Citadel Station had been rebuilt and repurposed, now a hub of commercial activity that served well to disguise the intended business of an armed freighter. Would it be so odd to find an armed vessel on the edge of Wild Space? Few would think so.

Arian swivels around on his chair to face the crew behind him, the trajectory safely handled by the auto-pilot. "We go in, we get out. There is zero room for distractions out here--one mistake and you may very well be left behind; or worse." Hard to tell which was worse actually, no one knew for sure what might happen if one of them got caught... But one could guess.

"One more time, let's go over the plan." His eyes wandered to glitch first. He felt of all of them she would need the most reminding.

[member="GL1TCH"] | [member="ch1m3r4"] | [member="Jorel Imos"] | [member="Ignus"]

 

[FlowerPower]

If he were a little bit older and maybe had a bit of silver in his hair, Glitch might've found Arian's constant worrying about her charming. Maybe even cute.

But as it stood, she just thought it was annoying as feth.

"Yeah, yeah, honey - don't need to eye me like that." The half-mechanical slicer took a long, irritated draw from her cigarra, then puffed a ring of smoke in Arian's general direction. "My job's pretty easy, at least for me; we sneak in, the big boys maybe bust some heads, and me and Chimera over here," Glitch gestured vaguely to her slicing companion, then took another draw. "Handle electronic security. When we've cracked it, we find the info we're looking for, which is like, karking all of it, if I heard right, delete the original info." A small pause, and then Glitch tapped the side of her head. "When we find the backups, we overwrite those. How does ten terabytes of Hutt on Zeltron action sound?"

Glitch was almost hopping with excitement. She hadn't been out in the field in Force knows how long, for one thing. But more importantly - there was a lot of information on those servers. There had to be something there that proved her right about one of her theories, at least.

---

[member="Arian Lenar"]
[member="ch1m3r4"]
[member="Jorel Imos"]
[member="Ignus"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Crossed legs, crossed arms, Jorel sat relaxed into the comfortable chair eyeing the rest of the rag tag group. The ex-cop tapped his foot to the rhythm of a song playing in his head as he listened to what the others were discussing. Weird ass peeps, alright. Growing up in the Coruscant under levels, Jorel had seen his fair share of weird things.

"Easier said than done, right ?" The private eye muttered and smirked as he glanced between the woman slicer and the leader of the ops. "We got any blueprints ? Or are we getting those in action ? Courtesy of the nerds here."

Jorel had done his fair share of research on the company at hand. Ignus Industries. Ships and arms producing magnate, generally doing business in these section of the galaxy. No lights flashing but if he was getting paid this good for an ops like this, then someone wanted this company down.

For what reason ? He wasn't aware neither did her care. Jim had seen plenty of strange reasons from simple outstretched pranks and sick humor to ex-wives' vengeance.

He wondered which category the motive here fell under.

​

[member="Arian Lenar"] | [member="ch1m3r4"] | [member="Ignus"] | [member="GL1TCH"]​

 

[NPC's by Rev]

"Hmph..." He looked down, star struck, as the perfect reflection of the black tiling caught his eye. Well, almost perfect. He missed a spot, something that was all too common in his line work. The vibro-mop moved slowly, swaying from side to side, as he captured the last vestige of dirt that rested beneath his domain. Standing straight up, he stretched triumphantly, as he ran coarse fingers through the grey caterpillar of a a mustache that had taken residence above his upper lip over 15 years ago.

"You about done with that hallway, Bob?"

He turned, the jump suit of blue twisting with those perfect creases, indicative of a uniform well kept. "Yes, sir. Just putting the final touches on 'er before I move on."

"10-4. Say, hows the family doing?"

"Doing good, doing great. Thanks for asking." Bob replied warmly, equipped with a smile.

But when the manager left, that smile left with him. The family wasn't doing so well. The boy had caught a cough, the wife had been bed ridden for what felt like ages. The daughter had to take care of the smallest one, often skipping what classes were offered through the Telos public school systems.

Bob was just thankful for Ignus Industries. He felt that he teetered on the precipice of not being needed. After all, drones could do his work and with better diligence. But they lacked the heart for the work, the eye for perfection, that he often boasted. As he pulled the equipment back through the halls of the retail location, he scanned his business credentials and offered the various other security metrics that would take him through the headquarters.

"One hallway down, just a few more to go."

The elevator clicked on and descended to the sound of him whistling.

 

[Kamon Vondiranach]

Leos was at the Telos facility on that particular day, along with one of his apprentices, [member="Kith Verloren"]. The two were paying a visit while passing through, and The Lambent Shadow was sitting in orbit above the planet, directly above the position of the Ignus Industries headquarters. Situated at the docks was a pair of RAL transports that had brought the two Sith down to the world, along with his Vermilion Guard in their specialized armor. They'd all entered the facility in light of a rather momentous ocassion for the company. It was definitely not a normal work day around the campus on Telos, as one could quickly see when they took note that only janitorial staff, security, and a few personnel were around.

Why was this?

In light of the attack that happened on the facility before, they were installing a new, top of the line, cyber security system and network vault. That meant that the entire Ignus Industries network of data was offline across all of their facilities. Additionally, all the storage systems were shut down in order to preserve them from power disruption due to the new network installation. As such, Leos had given almost everyone the day off. Well, Kaela had done that, but it was at his order. Only the janitorial staff was currently working, aside from security and the tech people that were busy installing the new security and vault units. It was quite quiet around the HQ.

"Quiet days are pleasant," he said to Kith as they waited for the lift to take them up to his office.

When it opened, Bob the janitor stepped out.

"Oh, Bob. Hello. I heard about your family and I just want you to know that we'll be taking care of any medical expenses and there's a bonus on its way to your account today. I've taken care of that myself."

He smiled at the man and moved past him into the lift, holding it for Kith to join him before hitting the button for the second to the top floor. The top floor was all mechanical equipment so there was no real reason to go up there. His and Kaela's offices were on the floor directly beneath that with some hefty sound proofing between the floor and ceiling. A nice quiet work environment was essential in the world of business.

"Telos is a busy place. Usually we're so busy here it's hard to get a lift."

They exited and he led her past Kaela's office where the Mirialan was busy typing away on her datapad. She'd been given the day off too, but she was as much of a workaholic as he was. He led Kith into his office and walked over to look out the window and admire the view.

"Nice view, isn't it?"

| [member="NPC's by Rev"] | [member="Jorel Imos"] | [member="GL1TCH"] | [member="Arian Lenar"] |​

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

Arian waved the smoke out of his face, and swiveled back around.

"More-or-less, but don't forget. We're here to make everything public access before we erase that data." The Couriers weren't here to take for themselves, they were here to even the playing field in whatever way they could. As the old saying goes: The higher you climb, the harder you fall.

Meanwhile the freighter continued nicely along course to the facility, passing over some other facilities. "Huh, isn't that something." Arian looked out to the left of him. Through the viewport he was able to witness one of the largest sodium mines in the sector, a top product of Telos these days, and not too far away from Ignus Industries. A valuable resource in fact, and one which dominates mining industries across worlds. He wondered if perhaps the two facilities were related, after all businesses expanded to increase revenue.

"Jorel, just remember to keep weapons on stun. If we're lucky we won't have to use them, but we're not here to kill. Understood?" Although sometimes the couriers were forced to partake in violent ops, this was one of the many where they would try to avoid such necessary actions at all costs.

Whilst the starship continued to drift, it was the perfect opportunity for its crew to undergo final checks before deployment.

[member="GL1TCH"] | [member="ch1m3r4"] | [member="Jorel Imos"] | [member="Ignus"]

 

[Darth Caecus]

Kith had walked in silence beside [member="Ignus"] . But that was typical, especially when she was in new placed. Blue-grey eyes flickered here and there, absorbing everything as they moved through the complex. He had explained to her what was happening on Telos before they arrived, so she didn't need to ask any questions while they moved up to his office.

Quiet days are pleasant was something she could agree on.

It wasn't until they reached their destination, the door between them and Kaela closing that she finally spoke.

"Is it?"

She stepped up to the window, a small frown on her face as she studied the view. The expression on her face was serious but pure- no mocking, she was truly assessing the comment in light of the vista provided. Eventually, she nodded in agreement.

"It is, yes."

There were times when the two of them had real conversations. But the farther outside of her comfort zone she was, the quieter she became. Even 'home' however, she still veered toward silence over needless chatter. Oh, she would not hesitate to ask a question if something wasn't clear to her. But she rarely spoke simply for the sake of speaking. Speaking of questions....

"If it is usually that busy, why not install additional lifts?"

 

[RC 212]

[member="Arian Lenar"] [member="Ignus"] [member="NPC's by Rev"] [member="Jorel Imos"] [member="GL1TCH"]

Somewhere on the Station....

There was a drunk on the loose. Holocams would show him drinking one too many and getting in a bar brawl. That was before he'd ripped a speeder through the airlanes, crashed that baby and wound up in a shoot out with the Police.

Or what accounted for the police.

Everywhere Rex went, there was chaos, and it was unfolding on these streets. The thing was he wasn't even a bad guy to begin with. People just didn't understand him. Like they didn't understand that after one too many drinks the disgraced Ex-Republic fighter jockey liked to box. And when boxing turned to bashing peoples skulls in, that turned to... Other things.

Another round whistled by from the balconies above. He guessed he was about a couple hundred meters from his K-Wing, and that was no help. Nope he was definitely pinned down and by the sounds of it, drawing even more gunfire as he went.

"Kriffing cops!"

The DL-44 came around the corner, and pulverized another balcony railing. Not that it did him any good.

He needed to get out of here, and fast!

 

[Zef Halo]

Jorel arched an eyebrow and shifted his back into the seat before he spoke.

"My question still stands but..." Jim pursed his lips before he signed and turned to the half-cyborg half-woman slicer beside him. "I swear he tells me that for the fifth time. Do I look like a cold blooded killer or something ? Is it the leather ? The face ? This face ain't the face of a murderer, that's for sure."

"Of course, that depends on what we're killin'." His head tilted to a side and his eyes widened before Jim regained his standard facial expression. "Seriously, I'm feeling like I got hired to team up with the most unprepared team ever."

The investigator took out his Lazy Eye Merr-Sonn Power 5 pistol and demonstratively exposed it to Arian as he switched it to stun.

[member="Arian Lenar"] [member="GL1TCH"] [member="ch1m3r4"]​

 

[Kamon Vondiranach]

"Stairs are good for exercise."

He watched a vessel flying over the mines, and wondered where it was heading since it was about to fly over them. The nearest starport was on the other side of the city, and as far as he knew they weren't expecting any shipments at the facility that day. Hmm. He shrugged it away, though, for the moment. No sense in worrying about what was likely nothing. Not like anyone was going to break into one of the most secure facilities on the planet in an effort to rob him blind, right? Even if they tried they'd fail miserably. It would be almost humorous. And they'd have to really be dumb to try it when he was there.

"A physically fit workforce tends to be happier. While they may not enjoy taking the stairs, it keeps their bodies in better condition. All part of the company health plan."

Orange eyes turned towards her with a smile.

"I started this company a long while ago and we've been growing steadily. Kaela runs the day to day operations. I'm mostly just a figurehead unless I want to get something important done. We can go talk to her if you'd like to meet her."

| [member="Arian Lenar"] | [member="Jorel Imos"] | [member="Arian Lenar"] | [member="NPC's by Rev"] | [member="GL1TCH"] |​

 

[RC 212]

[member="Arian Lenar"] [member="Ignus"] [member="NPC's by Rev"] [member="Jorel Imos"] [member="GL1TCH"]

Twas only after ten minutes of exchanging fire Rex spied an opening. The sewer hatch for the street was nearby, maybe a five meter run from his position behind a dumpster. The problem was the huge volleys of fire he was receiving from the cops, they were closing in.

Another two rounds ricocheted off the ground, one striking the dumpster and the other grazing his arm.

"Kark!"

There wasn't enough booze in his system to shake this one off. the bolt hurt bad, it had singed some of his coat to his skin and was smoking now. which made Rex all the more angry, and that combined with alcohol made him dangerous.

"Alright, you wanna play! Let's play! Yaaaah!!!"

All hell broke loose as he opened fire, laying don bolt after bolt of rounds downrange. Railings, walls, windows and balconies were hit, disintegrating under his heavy blaster pistols fire. As the pack ran dry he ejected it and rammed another in with smooth precision.

"Huh even drunk I can reload this thing!"

Then he sprinted, while their heads were down. Another ten or so rounds impacted towards the police positions, keeping their heads down. Then he fired on the manhole cover, slagging it and dropped down into the filthy muck an mire. As soon as the smell hit him he doubled over and almost booted everywhere.

"Not the best of my ideas!"

It was approximately two hundred meter north through a bunch of poodoo to his K-Wing. So he doubled down and moved out, grimacing as he slogged his way through the goo...

 

[Darth Caecus]

Kith nodded slowly and then after a beat asked:

"Then why didn't we take the stairs?"

She absorbed the rest of his comments with her usual stoicism, though she did frown and look over at him with some confusion when he offered to introduce her. Would she *like* to meet her? Not particularly.

"Do.... I..... need to meet her? For some reason?"

To call Kith an introvert would be a drastic understatement. It wasn't that she didn't like other people. But that for the most part, she didn't really care one way or the other. Certainly not enough to go deliberately say hello unless [member="Ignus"] wanted to or had some compelling reason to do so.

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

The starship nears its destination, the vessel bringing itself low and steady to avoid arousing any suspicions.

"Alright, this is the last check. In a few moments we'll be at our L-Z." Arian announced. Four mercs were standing by and awaiting further orders under the command of [member="Jorel Imos"], meanwhile the two slicers would be escorted by these same armed men and women. Arian of course would stay behind with the ship, it would be silly to leave their single means of escape unguarded in-case things went wrong.

Honestly... When didn't things go wrong?

The starships relatively low profile allowed it to slip through a small canyon and avoid the major traffic hotspot. Once through it continued to lower itself towards their designated landing zone, just outside the main facility which they weren't bold enough to breach by ship.

[member="GL1TCH"] | [member="ch1m3r4"] | [member="Ignus"]