Smoke and Mirrors (Open RPG)

[Sumor Rayial]

**Sumor sat at his desk, but not the desk he was used to. No this one was on the 29th story of a steel and transparasteel building in a secure compound on the planet Belderone. He had come here with Dara after leaving TSE hoping to be able to get a job and put his military background to good use, for good money.**

"Why should we hire a member of TSE?" **The president of the company had asked**

I am no longer a member of TSE. I have done some research and I know that you had a son who was killed during TSE's invasion of Bakura. Most regrettable and I would like to offer my condolences, I led that attack, but only under the orders of the leaders of the Empire, leaders who have recently made my departure necessary for my survival.

"Yes I lost a son at the hands of you barbarians. And yes I despise The Sith Empire for it. You say you have left, under less that amicable terms and that you were once their military commander?"

Yes.

"Would you be willing to work on projects that hypothetically could be used against the Empire?"

Of course, I have no qualms with that. I am now in the business of creating the best life for my companion and myself. This seemed to be one of the better ways.

"Very well. We will hire you, but under a probationary level for a time so that we may check your story. For now you will work on unclassified projects. I hope that you can understand our concern."

But of course. Take all the time that you need to check thoroughly.

**That had been a month ago. After a week the company had moved him to their special projects division where he had access to the schematics for all the new designs and modifications. They had also increased his salary. He could get used to this he thought. An evil smile crossed over his face as he worked, "Too bad."**

[Dara Shadowtide]

:: Dara sat at her desk on the 18th floor of the new company building that she now worked for. The company was a bit hesitant on hiring former members of TSE, but the two Sith Lords were able to secure a job after jumping through the appropriate hoops. Sumor was able to secure a job in the weapons department while Dara, with her diplomatic background, was able to secure a job working directly for the government. Things had changed so quickly after leaving TSE with Sumor. She was now putting her smuggling skills and analytical prowess to work ::

Dara: "Sevra, we need a full schematics of the buildings in sector 12. There have been reports of militia activity there."

Sevra: "Understood, Lordess Shadowtide. The report is forthcoming."

:: Dara was involved in a full detailed analysis of all military operations on the planet, both known and covert, as directed by her new boss. Dara was also monitoring all activity in and out of the major cities so as to keep aprised of all phases of operation ::

[Sumor Rayial]

**The sun was low in the sky as Sumor packed up to leave his office. After transfering some of the classified files to the computer in the apartment that he shared with Dara he headed for the elevator nodding to the clerk at the front desk first.

Stepping out on the ground floor he walked to the security desk and opened the case that he was carrying. He was allowed to transfer files between company computers but he could not take any data pads out of the building. After the security gaurd was satisfied he let Sumor leave the building. Walking towards the apartment an evil smile crossed his lips. For he knew that later that evening, thanks to a little gadget of Dara's, the "safe" classified files would join a mass of others he had already put onto some of a cache of data pads hidden in their apartment.**

[Dara Shadowtide]

:: After arriving home from work, Dara had programmed the dinner menu into the computer in the kitchen area and then had returned to her neverending work on the home computer that she and Sums had "acquired".

Dara's smuggling background had afforded her certain skills in the acquisition of information and the tools used therin. She had this old computer stored in one of the smuggling bins on her father's ship and had almost completely forgotten about it until this particular trip.

While on a smuggling mission to Selonia, Dara had come into contact with a local there, Zrac Demca. With a few credits and a modified Sensor Tag, he had provided her with a small tool which could download and save files in a zipped format until it could be later downloaded onto a host machine. Early on in this business, Dara knew that knowledge was indeed power and sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know to be successful in a business deal.

Zrac's invention was now being put to use in another way now. A smile spread across her lips as she entered the last of the data for the day and she turned to see Sums walk into the apartment ::

Dara: "Well hello there, how was your day at work?"

:: Sums smiled and walked to greet her with a kiss ::

Sums: "Hello. My day went very well. I almost feel like I am getting to know this planet like the back of my hand."

:: Dara smiled back warmly ::

Dara: "Yes, I think I am learning a few things about the planet that even the government does not know about."

:: A small bell sounded indicating that dinner was ready and Dara walked to set out the platters on the table ::

[Sumor Rayial]

**Sumor sat down across from her and took a couple bites of his dinner.**

More than the government? Oh well.

**They both chuckled at their inside joke. Idle chatter filled the rest of the dinner conversation. After they had finished Sums put the dishes back in the kitchen where the automated systems went to work on them.

Walking over to his desk which sat 90-degrees to Dara's he turned on the computer the company had proveded before getting down on his hands and knees. Crawling under his desk, Sums pried the cover off a small opening in the wall. Inside the opening sat two satchels of data pads. One three quarters full of pads containing data, the other a quarter full of empty pads. Grabbing a handfull he crawled back from under the desk and sat down. Calling up the classified files, Sums began to rip them from their supposed safety and save them on the empty data pads.**

[Dara Shadowtide]

:: Dara smiled at Sums and then walked to her desk. As she sat down, she pulled out a drawer and flipped on the comms controls. She had earlier deployed several seekers, identical to those used by local police, to supplement their security checkpoints and to provide a more discreet method of surveillance. She reviewed the latest footage with a smile on her face and recorded the coordinates onto the log for future reference.

As Sums transferred the data to the disks, she entered more information onto the recording rods she had found in the lower levels of the ship. After inputting the data, she sent new coordinates to the seekers as she and Sums moved closer to completing their task. She turned to Sums and spoke quietly ::

"So, how long do we have? It seems like we almost have everything we need."

[Sumor Rayial]

Couple of day's I'd say. Maybe less. There are a few more files I have to get. Should have them tomorrow.

**He went about finishing up the rest of the files. Once he had copies of the latest batch he put the data pads in one of the satchels and closed the opening in the wall. Sitting back down he started doing his actual work for the company. A couple hours later he shut off his computer.**

So do you think we should let the bomb loose in their system or gamble that they won't have time to purge it later?

[Dara Shadowtide]

"I have something in mind that should work. Although I am new at this particular field of technology, smuggling with my father always required me to be a quick study to keep up with things like this. Father was always very proud of my resourcefulness..."

:: She paused a moment to look downward and then returned her gaze to Sums ::

"To safeguard losing everything in a complete purge by them, I think that the new firewall program I set up for the government to use could be easily reconfigured for remote access which would shut down the core and stop the purge until we provide the proper keystrokes."

:: She smiled and winked at Sums ::

"I'll take care of that first thing tomorrow. Tight security is always a concern for the government. I am sure they will welcome my newfound expertise in this area."

[Sumor Rayial]

Okay that sounds good.

**The spent the rest of the night chatting about what would happen in the next couple days before heading to bed for the night.

Over the next two days Sumor collected the last of the data he needed as Dara set up the firewall hybrid program.

Two nights after their initial discussion a pair of shadowed figures moved silently through the compound, their destination Dara's CR-90 The Resilience. Once on board Dara led Sums to the back cargo hold where they used the Corvettes smuggling modifications to store away all the data and information files they had aquired in their time on the planet. Once everything was stored and ready to go the pair hugged the shadows and returned to their apartment.**

That takes care of that. Now we wait.

[Darth Renegade]

A large flash of light appears in space just ouside of the planet Beladrone. The ISD2 Suppressor begins moving slowly towards the planet, and then assumes a high orbit around it. The Sith Knight, Laran Katern, stands on the brigde overlooking all the officers and tech's busy at work at their stations. One of the techs pipes up

"Sir, we are now in orbit around Beladrone. Your orders?"

He smiled to himself and began to think. Everything was going according to plan thus far. Soon his master and Dara would be aboard and they'd be back on their way to TSE headquarters.

Hail the corporation. I want to speak to the president of the company right now.

Within seconds, the line is open and the face of the president appears on the screen. At the sight of the TSE member, his face quickly turns into a scowl, and his eyes harden.

"What do you want? Make it quick, I have no time for your kind."

Renegade merely smiles back at the president

I would choose your words and your attitude a little more carefully when dealing with me. I am here to pick up a couple of your trusted employees. I want Sumor Rayial and Dara Shadowtide brought to me immediately. They are being brought back to our headquarters where the traitors will face charges of treason.

"I won't have it, they....."

You will do as I wish, otherwise you rish bombardment of not only your building but other areas of the planet. Do you wish to be held responsible for the deaths of thousands, or even millions?

The president face quickly looses it's hardness as he realizes he is beat. He look at the floor, and nods slightly.

That's what I thought. They will be on Dara's ship. You will escort them them to these coordinates, and I will have a squadron of TIE fighters waiting to escort them back here. I hope I make myself clear. There will be no errors.

The tech then transmits the coordinates to the president. The president begins to open his mouth as if to say somehting, however the link is severed. Laran turns and begins to leave the bridge heading for his quarters. He speaks as he leaves

Inform me as soon as our shuttle rendez-vous with them. I'll be in my quarters

"Yes sir"

[Dara Shadowtide]

:: Dara and Sumor are enjoying their evening meal when there is a knock at the door. Flipping the security camera on they see that it is a security officer of the company Sumor works for. Sumor walks to the door and opens it ::

Sumor: "Good evening. Am I missing some vital overtime or something?"

Officer: "Not at all. You and your companion are to board her ship where you will be meeting with a member of TSE who has been sent to take you back. Prepare your things for immediate departure. I shall wait here to escort you to the hangar bay."

:: Sumor nods and looks over at Dara. She raises her eyebrows and then goes to gather her things. Grabbing their satchels, they walk out of their apartment with the officer. His transport takes them to the hangar bay where he walks them all the way to the ramp, making sure he follows his orders to the letter ::

Officer: "The ship should be hailing you soon as they are expecting you. Farewell."

:: Dara and Sumor enter her ship and he stows their bags for takeoff. She closes the ramp to the ship and then makes her way to the smuggling bins to make sure their cargo is undisturbed. Taking a quick inventory, she smiles as everything is as it should be.

Returning to the captain's chair, she readies the ship for take off with Sumor as her co pilot. Making a quick sytems check, she slides the switches as the engines ignite, the repulsor lifts humming as the ship rises into the air and makes its way to space.

As soon as they hit the orbit, a light flashes on the comms desk where they are being hailed. Sumor flips on the switch to receive the message ::

Sumor: "The Resilience here, over?"

Laran Katern: "Well if it isn't the traitors. You will be coming with me and will answer for your actions. My squadron will escort you to the ship... oh, and don't try anything."

Sumor: "Yes, my apprentice."

:: The Resilience docks with the Suppressor and Dara lowers the ramp once they have touched down. Walking down the ramp they are met by some guards and taken to Laran Katern's quarters. Sumor's apprentice, Laran, stands from his desk as they enter and has his hands folded behind his back, a scowl upon his face ::

Sumor: "The traitorous Sumor Rayial reporting as ordered.. sir."

:: Sumor gives him a mock salute and they start laughing. Dara smiles and nods to Laran as well, and the three sit down as Laran is briefed on the situation at hand. Laran hails the bridge upon the end of the conversation with his comrades ::

Laran: "Bridge this is Laran Katern, set a course for TSE headquarters and proceed en route immediately. Katern out."

:: He turns and smiles at Sumor and Dara ::

Laran: "It is good to see you again my friends. I had thought we lost you for good."

[Sumor Rayial]

Just what they were meant to believe Laran. Seemed to deceive these fools, and that was the point. We have all the files we need for our later operation, plus back up files in case they find a way to purge their main computer core.

**The idle chat continued for the duration of their trip back to Munto Codru. The main topics of discussion Sumor and Dara's time on Belderone, outside their mission, and the events at TSE during their absence.

Sumor watched through the viewscreen behind Laran as the streaks returned to points of light in the sky signaling their arrival. Standing up he turned to Dara.**

Let's go home.

[GuardPiett]

In a Star Destroyer, dozens of systems away from the Resilience, Sean cued up a status report on Dara's and Sumor's recovery operation for the umpteenth time. New results were pouring in. The duo had been captured.

With a turn of his heal, he looked directly at an aide. "Prepare a shuttle. A fast one. Plot a course for 123-99876-443-Q9. I'll be in the docking bay in an hour's time."