"You've Taken Your First Step Into A Larger World." [Coci]

[Connor Harrison]

Galactic Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Coruscant

Ben Trasker had been an operative of the Coruscant Security Force for many, many years now. Serving his planet and protecting its citizens through riots, terrorist plots and even off-world assignments covering the planet's underworld link to slave rings and even prisoner extraditions to the Outer Rim.

Now, however, he was stuck in a plush, well-lit room of the Galactic Intelligence Agency on Coruscant with his future resting in the hands of desk clerks and diplomats.

He was under the impression his request to be transferred to the GIA was under consideration due to the increasing number of Republic operations he had ben on recently, taking further out of the jurisdiction he was used to. The web of crime and corruption didn't just stay where it was told, it went to the furthest reaches it could in the galaxy and Trasker was determined to follow where it went and stop it at whatever cost.

Crossing paths with both Force users and non-Force users, his eyes were opened to a much wider, much more dangerous galaxy and he was the one to help protect and defend it.

Linking his fingers behind his back, he left his small complimentary cup of caf on the glass table to cool and stood looking out over the planet he knew so well.

He just had to wait for the jobs-worth who had been told of his arrival from by his captain back at the CSF and also the young Rodian on front desk who had directed him to the room.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

Her soft shoes made of the finest leather especially for stealth, fell silent on the carpet leading to the room in which Ben awaited. The doors swished open on her approach and she entered. She is not attempting to enter the room undetected, he would soon hear the doors .. it simply was the way she is dressed today. Today for Coci, held the boring task of report writing . . she .. of course .. preferred to be out in the field on a mission or spending time with her beloved .. @[member="Vexander Graves"].

But the task now before her is one that pleased her and she looked forward to this moment, it was a shining light at the end of a dull day. Her eyes fell on Ben standing by the window looking out across the sea of tall buildings and the never ending traffic of the sky lanes, something she too, enjoyed the sight of. Coci walked up beside him and for a moment just stood there enjoying the same moment.

"Regardless of the crime, regardless of the many faults this planets holds, it truly is the Jewel of the Galaxy", she said softly. Off in the distance the sun is setting .. casting a soft yellow over the entire city .. well planet. It is a wonder of the force, to be marveled by all those that took the time to stop and think.

"How are you .. my friend?", she asked .. Coci did not have many friends but since having worked with Ben on more then one occasion both directly and indirectly .. she considered him as such.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trasker head the door open, but he was too caught up in the moment to turn straight away. It was almost as if the sounds of the smooth door opening was a figment of his imagination, another noise happening elsewhere in the building. It was that soft voice that snapped him out of his daydream in an instant.

She spoke calm, true words. It was that girl. Coci.

"From either in the depths of the underworld to the stars in the atmosphere, Coruscant really does have a nasty habit of bringing us together Miss Sinopi."

He smiled and turned to his side to face her, the planet's constant thriving activity of speeder lanes and shimmering skyscrapers casting a relaxing background to their meeting.

"Now just what are you doing here?"

Trasker for a split second wanted to lean in and kiss her cheek. Instead he simply extended his hand.

Discipline, Agent.

Discipline.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

"I could ask you the same question", she replied to his. She took his hand in hers and gave it a gentle shake before she turned and walked over to a side board. Taking two glasses and placing them down she grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured a glass.

"Care for a drink?", she asked as this was going to be a casual meeting. "I believe you are here to consider joining the GIA, am I right?". She picked up the two glasses and moved around to a leather sofa and sat. "Please come join me .. we need to talk".

Ben's abilities was never in question, Coci had enough experience with him to know this, and she also trusted him, that he would be there either at his colleagues side or watching their backs. What concerned her was the .. more unsavory missions that one had to perform .. from time to time. Mission that will fall outside the cover of the law. She needed to know if he was prepared for this, and more so, willing to do it.

 

[Connor Harrison]

"Well, I had imagined I'd be sitting down with a suit, not an operative. And especially not you."

He watched her with great interest and surprise she headed for the harder stuff. His caf was cooled on the table, but seemed a little insignificant now.

"Thank you, Miss Sinopi."

He walked around to the sofa and sat in a leather chair opposite her so he could see and read her. The drinks before them, he slid the caf away with the back of his hand.

"And yes. I am here to consider transitioning from CSF to GIA." Trasker spoke as he watched her pour the drink, certainly something that would clear his head. Good job he wasn't on duty after this meeting.

"7 years active service with the CSF itself, and with the growing presence of the Republic in the galaxy with operations I've seen and heard about, I've been aiming to progress further than just Coruscant."

Nodding to her as she poured his drink, he continued.

"Let's just say I've seen the crime out there, and I for one feel I can be more use to the GIA than restricted CSF operations only."

Leaning forward, he took the drink in his hand.

"Are you here to evaluate me?" A wry smile of suspicion crossed his face.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

As Coci settled into the leather sofa, she smiled at Ben's words. "Well you certainly have enough experience, seven years is a long time", she took a large sip of her whiskey. The brown liquid burned her throat but warmed her body in the process, she screwed up her face as a result of it and remembered why she prefers Corellian Ale.

"The GIA will demand lots of you, not only working in and around Coruscant but yes... further afield. But that is not the concern, the concern is what they might ask of you in the sense of methods to perform your duties. You will be asked to kill and you must be able to pull the trigger. Without question", well that was to a point even for her, if something was blatantly out of order, corrupted then she would question it.

"Yes I guess I am evaluating you. I don't not question your abilities, I want to know if you know what you are in for".

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trasker sat upright in the chair, leaning on his knees and swirling the drink around in the glass heeld in his hands, maintaining eye contacting with Coci as she spoke.

He couldn't help a small smile as she chocked back the drink. Obviously this was something she felt she had to do around him, not because she wanted to. His fingers tapped the glass as he words sank in.

"To answer your question, I have killed before. All were those who posed a threat to either myself or those around me, and it was simple as that."

Raising the glass he took a sip, closing his lips tight afterwards and letting the drink warm his insides.

"I've taught myself to distance emotion from the job in hand and it's saved my life more than once. I don't lose sleep over those I take down, because I know it's for the good of the greater galaxy."

Trasker sat his glass down.

"I only have this line of work to live for, so nothing will deter me in terms of what you're hinting at. The danger just makes the work that more...enjoyable."

For a moment, he raised his fingers and tapped his chin in thought briefly, once more looking into her dark eyes.

"You've survived it. So if you can make a way for yourself out there, you know I will be able to."

There was that smile again.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

"Survived it for now", she smiled back. She pushed her glass of whiskey away on the table as she could not stomach it really. This was done more as a formality and a means to create a relaxed situation for Ben, but she would prefer to be out on the streets or in a bar. But that would not do for what they needed to talk about.

His answer rang true and with much considered thought, she knew Ben is more capable and more suited then most she had previously encountered. His experience showing her that and his attitude. He is confident which is good and necessary but not arrogant which is also a very good thing as that is the attitude that will get you killed and more so your comrades.

"Your experience tells me you know what you are doing, also we both have very different experiences here on Coruscant which has allowed us to form certain contacts etc, and combining that will only increase the information asset. Also different means in which to operate here, you will know of things I don't and vice verse so it can only improve and increase our own knowledge". There really was not much more to evaluate about Ben, it is a no brainer to have him join the GIA.

"I will put you in contact with the Director of the GIA and you can begin from there. I don't really have the authority to say yes or no but I believe there will not be a problem". She stood up.

"You fancy putting this all to the test?, I have somewhere I need to go .. down in the lower levels, you are welcome to come".

 

[Connor Harrison]

Swirling the drink in his glass, he was glad Coci didn't seem to stomach it either. He was more a firm Corellian ale man. And, rather embarrassingly, couldn't get enough of ice cold Blue Milk.

Anyway, back to the task. Placing the drink down, he smiled softly as she summed up their brief meeting. He assumed now that his meeting was a simply warm up for the powers that be, the Directors and Captains, working in the plush suites above them. He'd done all he could save any further meetings, which he welcomed.

Trasker appreciated the words Coci spoke; they were very true and very observant, and it would be nice, dare the thought slipped into his mind, to have someone as professional as her on the same side as he. Of course they'd crossed paths before but were working under different jurisdictions, different methods and different views. It would be nice to be on the same page with someone like her.

Was he thinking of a partner out there in the galaxy? Well, maybe, side by side fighting the evil that plagued their galaxy, but that was too far ahead to contemplate until he was in the G.I.A

Coci stood, and so he followed suit.

"I'd love to. Consider me your shadow for now Miss Sinopi."

With an invitation like that, who could resist?


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

"I need to go check out a warehouse, nothing to exciting but I received some information about possible illegal 'goods' being transferred from this warehouse, I am going to verify the information", she said as she stood up. She is pleased for the outing much preferring to be on the streets of Coruscant then in the stuffy office and this building. As time had passed, Coci grew more and more discontented with remaining here and she knew one day she would have to make a decision. But not today.

She walked to a cabinet and opened one of the draws, inside some of her weapons which she clipped to her belt, her lightsaber however never left her side now. She walked to the door and stopped gathering her cowled cloak which hung nearby and placed it around her shoulders.

"You ready to go?", she asked as she moved to the door. The pair did not take long to reach the landing where her air speeder waited, it had room enough to the two of them and provided cover. She climbed into the pilot seat and waited for Ben.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trasker stood in the well light office, glancing over once more at the gleaming jewel of Coruscant as Coci gathered her belongings. She was very complex, but that was part of her attraction to him. She carried a professional manner to her, but also an independence that she acted on her own instinct, not that of something dictated to her.

She carried a lightsaber, which did un-nerve him as he had no connection to the power of the Force that Jedi warriors did, and even though he had seen her in action, there was a part of him that would always feel dis-connected and inferior to her in this case.

Still, he smiled as she certainly looked the part and he wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley in the underworld with her looking as she did now.

With the sidearm, frag and concussion grenade clipped to his belt and the blast-vest strapped over his torso, he was as he arrived; ready for anything. Standing by the speeder, Ben slowly got inside the passenger side.

He looked over at her.

"Call it fate but I find myself a nervous passenger when ever you're around."



@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

"I hate flying", she softly said as she started the engines and lifted the speeder off the landing pad. It is this hate for flying that makes her a good pilot. "You have good reason to be nervous", she smiled slightly now. She pushed the speeder forward over the tops of the roofs of the nearby building, the nature of her path causing her to pull the speeder up and down to avoid collision. When she reached the point, she pulled back on the controls and the speeder lifted sharply to the night sky, and straight into the sky lane to take them to the trading district.

A much smoother ride now and she dropped speed to match the traffic. Soon they reached the entrance sink to the lower levels which would take them into the trading district. The speeder dropped like a floating feather .. down and down into the darkened pit, the occasional transport passing them in ascent. Finally she saw her destination.

​

​

And landed the speeder near a docile crane. "There", she pointed to the left, the warehouse doors open and operational , "Lets see whats going on". She unclicked the canopy on the speeder to get out.

 

[Connor Harrison]

As the speeder pulled up from the hangar, Trasker just smiled and held on. He wasn't afraid of Coci's piloting skills; in fact he was amused. She was good, just a little rusty.

Watching the building spit them out as she rocketed away into the dusk of Coruscant, he just sat back and took in the sight around him. It was beautiful. It was alive. Coci took the speeder in and out, up and down, and gained confidence each moment.

Trasker saw their district they were descending to, and he knew it well, having had to bust drug imports coming into the trade district. He could now expect something along the same line, so he hoped anyway, some opportunists trying to break their goods into Coruscant illegally.

Following suit, he stepped out as Coci led the way and looked around.

"I've had many nights around here I can tell you."

He slowly walked around to the edge of the crane platform they were on and looked down around them.

"Seems quiet."

Trasker rested his hand on his DC-15s.

Never a good sign. I hope your contact was reliable."

He indicated with his head for her to come over and stay close. He suddenly felt protective over another he was with out in the field.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

"I agree, it is too quiet", she said in a whisper as she moved closer and followed Ben as they approached the walk way to the upper level of the loading platforms. Although they could see beings within the warehouse, the area surrounding was all but deserted.

"That is why we are here, this information is from a new contact and not one of mine. I need to simply verify the information as correct and gather intelligence for an operation if required".

She made sure they kept the create either in front of them or close by for cover if something was to happen, but soon they would have to approach in open space. "We need a plan.. and I don't like this, something is wrong already. Either I am in the wrong place, or we have been given false information, the lay out of this warehouse does not match the description given to us", and she knew she was not in the wrong place.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The words he didn't want to hear; it sounded like she'd been set up. But this was meant just for her, and now there were two of them.

"I count four...maybe five inside."

He stepped up by the crane arm and leant against it leaning forward slightly. There was movement down below and he would assume there would be armed operatives either packing or unloading inside. Trassker looked up at the crane, and the ramp leading to the upper platform.

"Head on up there," he indicated up the ramp with his hand."The information was for Coci Sinopi, not Ben Trasker. I'll go take a look."

Looking ahead, he quietly slid of the platform onto a lower level, a matter of feet below, but one that would take him to the main level of the warehouse.

"Don't hesitate a shot or...something if things go wrong. You'll need to be quick, as we won't be able to talk."

He offered her a smile. "If this is a test, I'll be very upset."


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

Coci gave Ben a very rare grin, "No test ... and by the way no operatives to back us up", she added for his delight. "This is er... off the record so to speak", then she thought more. "If you are thinking this is a trap .. which I might add looks and smells that way, sometimes the best plan is to simply ... get caught?", she grinned more. "But only me, I need you as back up".

But for the moment she would wait until Ben was in position before she approached the warehouse. Her black eyes pierced the interior of the warehouse, she could see that Ben was right .. five sentient beings worked loading and packing crates onto a small transport, unmarked and small crates, fire arms and munitions maybe. The information she had received thus far was correct, the layout seemed to be exactly as reported but there is something wrong and for the moment she could not place it. The force told her that something was about to happen, an event but she could not see it or grasp it. But it was not directly linked to her.

"It is just .. too quiet", she whispered to herself, unsure if Ben even heard.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trasker gave her a mock salute as he dropped down another level, landing on a crate and sliding to the hard floor below. He drew his sidearm and kept a low profile, peering out from behind his cover to look into the warehouse.

He knew Coci had his back, but just hoped there was no other surprise waiting for them. It'd be far easier once he was with the G.I.A to have a direct link to her...if that was to happen of course, but at a time like this communication was crucial.

However it would be a good test to see how well suited they were without verbally communicating. A nice little test for them both.

He looked up at Coci and saw her supple dexterity moving along, seeking a good position, and it was impressive. This was going to be easy with someone with her skill along for the ride.

Zig-zagging between two large pillars belonging to another crane leading into the depths of the levels below, Trasker moved closer and held his position, fingers flexing on his DC-15s sidearm ready for action.

Back to Coci, she was making it look easy now. She had stopped, and waiting for her to make eye contact with him, Trasker offered his hand in an "after you" gesture, smiling and lowering his head. He would have her back, that was a given, and he'd make sure she was safe and they criminals inside the warehouse would think twice about under-estimating the law enforcers after this encounter.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

Coci had made eye contact with Ben and nodded that she was ready. She moved out from behind her cover and began a slow walk toward the warehouse. Her weapons tucked away out of sight for the moment. Approaching the main doors, it was then the workers noticed her enter. But paid her no attention save for one.

"Who are you and what do you want?", a rough looking human asked as he approached. "I have been informed that this is the place to come to acquire .. lets just say .. some items of interest no able to be found elsewhere?", she smiled with a knowing grin. "I want to talk to your boss, and cut a deal".

The man looked at her with confusion, as it turned out this operation is not illegal and well above board. The misinformation was a trap set by one of the criminals Coci had dealings with previously, well in actually fact .. his partner who she had killed as ordered. He had not taken kindly to her removing his partner. Before the rough looking man could reply a single shot echoed through the warehouse and he fell dead at her feet.

Outside on the loading platform a ship dropped down with ten thugs running up to the warehouse firing. Their only intent was to kill her. "Take cover", she yelled to the crew of the warehouse, realising the situation immediately. Coci began to open fire with her blaster taking out one of the thugs as she ran for cover behind several crates in the loading bay.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trasker peered around the large pillar he knelt behind, watching Coci move into the warehouse.

Watching...watching...nothing, she had things under con-

A blast of wind suddenly started to hit his face, kicking up loose bits of litter around him. Snapping his head upwards, a transport ship was dropping down quickly, side doors open and full of armed hostiles. Glancing towards the warehouse and standing up at once, he could see those inside had already hit the ground, covering themselves as best they could; innocents caught in the crossfire.

It was a trap.

Not hesitating to help his friend, he pulled off the frag grenade from his belt, thumbed the arming pin and threw it overarm towards the hovering ship, the gunmen jumping out to head into the warehouse.

The second that one gunner was dropped by Coci, the grenade went off with a resounding explosion and took out four of the rear gunmen, rocking the ship as a result of the blast and forcing it upwards.A nice number of 5 remained, it seemed a couple of them were now holding back to seek out the source of the ambush set by Trasker, while Coci still had 3 coming.

Running across to a large wooden crate, Trasker let a number of shots fly from his sidearm towards the gunmen, clipping one in the knee and sending him down. That was quickly met by a powerful volley of blasts from his ally.

Crouching to avoid losing his head, Trasker knelt and peered out over to the warehouse - he just prayed she could take care of the advancing three.

Smiling, he knew she could. She was more powerful than he would actually like to admit. A bolt sizzled overhead.


@[member="Coci Sinopi"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Ben Trasker"]

The wave of the explosion almost knocked her off her feet. She knew it's author was Ben and she smiled. She could see man filing off the ship as it teetered before landing with a thud on the loading platform. He had brought it down. Quickly she looked to make sure all the warehouse workers were safe, they are not the threat, in fact they now found themselves in a situation unexpected and did not have the experience of combat.

"Make your way to the back of the warehouse and stay there!", she yelled to the remaining workers. Coci now turned her attention to the fight. Her black eyes darting outward to the platform .. she could not see Ben at this point but knew he was there, she could sense him, but moreover she could see his handy work. She then saw the three man enter the warehouse. Assessing her situation, and what was at her disposal .. she smiled.

Her arm raised to the right and through the force she lifted three crates and hurled them toward the approaching men. The crates hit them on the side and sent them sprawling to the floor, this gave her time to regroup and position herself with more cover. She wanted to take at least one of them alive for questioning .. a lightsaber is not the weapon for such a need. Her blaster sprang to her hand and she opened fire from her cover behind stacked crates.

The blue bolt shot from the weapon and hit the first man, they are not soldiers and ware no armour, the bolt hit the first man in the side and he dropped dead. Damn! she hates it when she is off target.