To Capture or Kill

[Ra'a'mah]

Talan Darmel was an image of perfection. An ideal citizen of the Empire. Ra knew differently though. She had been starting quietly to stir seeds of dissent in a small town. That then grew to encompass the other communities of the area. Finally word through her network of spies, this news reached her.

So as not to alert her that anybody was onto her antics, Ra reached out to one of the majors in the Empire's legion to assist her in the task of capturing this woman. Death would be too quick and look suspicious to the community, so capture and then trial was what was required for this. They did not need to deal with an open rebellion.

A woman that worked her way up through the ranks on her own in much the same way Ra had herself. A person that knew how to be alone and get things done. She had come across as cold and ruthless, able to kill without hesitation. Death wasn't what Ra wanted though, but capture.

The message she sent to Iella was simple. Phrased as a request to meet her at the spaceport of the planet where this woman lived. Two women leaving the spaceport together would not draw any sort of odd attention and Ra portrayed herself as a merchant looking for a new market. Wearing business attire, she was not weaponless however. Ra waited in the small cantina of the spaceport where she had asked the other woman to meet her.

The details of the assignment would be provided when they left the spaceport.

[member="Iella Renz"]

 

[Iella Renz]

To recieve a request from a dark lord wasn't necessarily unusual for Iella. It was very uncommon, but not out of the ordinary. Having spent many years making a name for herself, she was often requested for special missions, but seldom did her name reach those who wielded the Force as a weapon. The fact that Iella was requested often meant that there was someone or someones that needed dispatching in a swift manner. Though through the years, she had done her fair share of captures or just plain tracking.

Iella dressed simply, gold and white clothing, giving her an aura of sophistication and maybe even a hint of nobility. But it wasn't so flashy that it caught the eyes of many. No, as she walked she did so in the shadows, avoiding the eyes of many citizens. Walking in shadows was a skill that a woman must learn when young and alone as she was years ago.

The spaceport she was meeting this lord at was in a fancier part of town. Not so many low-lives hung around the area. This, at least, was pleasant. Ducking her head, Iella dipped into the cantina, eyes cast down, avoiding eye contact with anyone. She felt as if she had little patience and didn't want anyone taking particular interest in her. Moving to a corner of the room, Iella looked up. No matter how a Sith Lord dressed, it was easy to find one in a crowd to a trained eye.

Finding her target, she moved to the table in just a few strides. Taking her seat, she kept her voice low. "Sorry I am late. Had a few lose ends to clear up," she said with a slight smile, though it was a smile more for show, because in it her face had a look of business.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra waited with a drink in front of her to make herself fit in more as well a datapad she was looking through. She wore a neutral façade within the Force in case of these people were able to pick up on that. While this might be a sith controlled world, many were uncomfortable around them. Her face was businesslike and as neutral as one could be made. Only her eyes might show what she was to a normal person. However, the way she sat, carried and held herself would come across as one with power.

Knowing when the major entered, the woman spotted her easily and moved to the small table quickly and quietly. Taking the seat across from Ra she apologized for being late and gave the reason as needing to clear a few loose ends up. Waving off the apology, Ra wasn't upset in any form. Their task, while important, wasn't time sensitive.

Pushing the datapad across the table to Iella and pointing at it.

"On that contains information you need to know about our target. Her name is Talan Darmel."

Her voice was only loud enough for Iella to hear, anybody trying to listen in would hear nothing but a little muttering.

"Her routines, favorite places and such. She is quietly causing issues within our empire and needs to stand trial. Do you think you can bring her in alive?"

A raised eyebrow accompanied the question and a calm look.

[member="Iella Renz"]

 

[Iella Renz]

As the Sith Lord spoke, Iella briefly glanced up and beckoned to a waitress. A drink to add some fire to her veins would not hurt. A drink before any sort of work often did her much more good than bad. It brought a serenity over her mind, which in turn sharpened it. "It seems odd that you would have chosen someone such as myself for a live capture. I'm sure you have read my mission reports. I am more known for leaving none alive. Nonetheless," she continued, glancing down at the datapad, "it can be done."

The waiter approached the women's table at that moment and Iella placed her order. "But if violence comes to pass. Can the target be returned damaged if no other method is possible?" As she was speaking, her hands were busy, drawing another datapad out. She hurriedly made many swipes and movements across the screen.

While Iella was known to be a lone wolf and chose not to command vast squadrons of soldiers, she did have a select few agents that acted more as hidden sentinels than troops. For missions like this she often enlisted their help. The information from the datapad she was handed was extracted, copied and sent to her men. The target's life would be of no secret to their eyes.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

The activities that Iella did were noticed by Ra, but trusted her judgement on what information she was noting down.

"It may seem odd, but I feel you were best suited to perform this job." The drink arrived and Ra closed her mouth before continuing, "damaged yes. Take all precautions you need to make sure she is brought in alive."

Ra sat back in her chair and allowed the woman the time she needed to take her drink and make sure she had all the information she needed from the datapad. Taking that back, she took a sip of own drink. She set the glass back down on the table when she was done and looked at Iella.

"Do you have any questions that haven't been answered already?"

Lifting an eyebrow, Ra waited to hear the answer.

[member="Iella Renz"]

 

[Iella Renz]

The drink she ordered slid down Iella's throat with a fiery chill. It was sweet and the burn of alcohol was low. For a time, the table fell silent as she drank and kept looking through the information. As she finished her drink, a notification appeared on her screen. She read the message carefully.

"I think I should be okay with the information provided. My agents have already moved on the targets potential locations. Though, she has not yet been spotted," Iella's voice trailed off in thought. "But that is no matter. If no headway is made by the time we reach the most likely of her locations, I shall step in personally," she finished.

Standing from her seat, she walked and paid the tab for herself and the Sith Lord before returning to the table. "Let us make our leave now. I have a transport awaiting us nearby," she said, beckoning slightly with her head.

They exited the cantina, moving along the streets towards the small port that held a ship, engines spun up and ready for takeoff. Iella showed her partner to a nice comfortable chair, sitting across from her with a table in between. As the ship lifted off, Iella turned her attention back to Ra. "I thank you for your trust in allowing me to serve on this mission. In fact it comes at an opportune time," she said with a grin. "I am on the cusp of promotion. Not that that is a huge deal for me, but who doesn't love new titles," a light chuckle and small grin came from Iella.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

They finished their conversation as they drank. It made them at least appear to fit in more. Two women meeting for a drink after their respective flights in and then leaving to go about their business. The business though wasn't what others would think of them. Even though Ra wore a neutral Force façade, she still moved like a woman full of confidence within herself.

Iella said she had transport arranged for them and that they should get moving. The drinks having been paid for, Ra stood up and allowed her companion to take the lead. The walk to the shuttle only took a few minutes and to blend in Ra made some small talk with the other woman. It was nothing of importance and if anybody over heard they would assume it was casual conversation and it was. Utterly pointless, but warranted to fill the role they were portraying.

Once they reached the shuttle with the doors shut, they sat down at the table provided and they could get back to the real purpose of their visit to this world.

"I do feel it is nice to get away from routine now and then. Assuming of course, this is different than what you are used. Congratulations on your future promotion, Major. Titles can sometimes have for more meaning though. Personally I can without them myself."

She didn't even have a sith name and instead simply went by that which was given to her at the orphanage on Coruscant. Ra didn't even know if it was her real name or not. That part of her memory was never given to her.

[member="Iella Renz"]

 

[Iella Renz]

"That's understandable," Iella said, carrying on the conversation. "But in my line of work, titles are all we have," she said grimly. And this was more true for Iella, as she had come from nothing, having even a title to grasp on to was an anchor for her. Something that made her feel real in this galaxy. Something that, beyond anything else, gave her the ability to be herself.

The transport drew near to their destination. To start out she was going to the small town that their target was causing trouble in. Any sort of resistence to the Empire needed to be extinguished. This town was distant and isolated, not much travel came to or went from it. That said it was sizable. Enough of a population that if there were to be any resistance from them, it would take valuable resources to quell.

The transport lay down in the city as the women continued their talk of smaller, but somewhat important dealings. "Well," said Iella rising, "this is my stop." She walked over to a small cupboard and it slid open, a variety of tools and weapons lay inside. Reaching in, Iella grasped her bow, blue and beautiful it reflected in the light. A couple of more tools were grabbed and put on her body.

"If you would accompany me, I am first going to the local cantina, I would like to hear what the locals say about her," she said, slipping a small device in her ear, "without them knowing. Going as a par will make us look like travelers." She collapsed her bow into pieces, hiding them throughout her clothing.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Listening to what Iella had say about titles meaning something to those that were within her line of work, Ra smiled in understanding. What Ra did know of the other woman, she did indeed feel that titles had meaning and merit in them.

"Oh I agree and stated as much, Major Renz. There is always a time and place for them. Even among the sith."

Her smile had faded, but the tone of her voice remained the same. Calm, but full of confidence. Some people might confuse confidence with arrogance, but Ra displayed none of that. She was confident in her choice of people to assist her in the outing and in herself. Also knowing harm could potentially come to any of them at any time. Thinking that unlikely to happen though.

The shuttle sat down in the city. Ra watched as Iella gathered up a few items and her bow. That weapon interested the sith, but she didn't ask about it right now. If her feeling was correct, then Iella could use the Force and used it hand and hand with that weapon. At the suggestion of the major they go to the cantina together, Ra agreed. They had been seen leaving the spaceport together, so if they had anybody watching them, then it made sense they were seen together at the cantina too.

"Lead the way, Major."

[member="Iella Renz"]

 

[Iella Renz]

Iella walked off of the ship. She had previously looked through a small guide of the city and had her route memorized. Asking for directions or taking time in the moment was inefficient. The air of the city had a calm feel to it. But as they walked, Iella began to feel as if the calmness about her was a bit more pressuring than it should be. Thinking it was odd, Iella continued walking, making short bits of conversation with her partner as they strode.

Coming to an abrupt stop, Iella turned and looked to Ra. "I don't know if it's just me. And I really don't think it is. But there is an extreme lack of people for a city of this size. Not to mention it just...feels wrong," she said, a suspicion growing on her voice. Her eyes scanned about, and while there were people, there were not crowds like a city of this size would warrant. The cantina they were headed to was just up the street and as Iella watched the doorway to it, very few people walked in or out. "I would like to speak with who ever keeps the bar. They always know more information that the common rabble," she said, walking off almost in a trance toward the door. There was definitely something wrong here.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

As they walked, they made the normal and useless small chatter to look normal. Ra paid attention to the area around them as well, but didn't pick up anything that felt like hostile intentions to them. Maybe they had moved too late and the rebellion Talan Darmel wanted was already underway.

"You go on, I'm going to keep looking around. Follow the mission plans though if we don't meet up again before she is sighted. Keep me up dated."

With a simple motion, she would indicate the shared ear piece, but act like she pushing a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. Ra then moved off and away from Iella. What the major said was usually the case, but not always. It depended on if the keeper was part of the plot or not.

Iella moved off and Ra turned down one of the other streets. As soon as she was out of sight from anybody, Ra placed around herself a force stealth and an illusion that made her almost invisible to normal sight. If somebody looked close, they may notice a slight wavering of the area around her, but that was all.

She would follow and observe the other woman in action and moved back to the area of the cantina she had walked into moments ago.

[member="Iella Renz"]