Trust No One

[Jole Zakath]

(This is an offshoot thread of "A Hunter and a Jedi go shopping" (http://pub2.ezboard.com/fswvstitanicstarwarsroleplayingarchive.showMessage ?topicID=3222.topic))


Allright. This was either a bad dream, or he'd walked into his personal version of hell. What the frack was going on????

He'd gotten off the elevator at the back of the mall on the first floor, walking over towards the appointed meeting place, when he'd heard shots coming from that end. Drawn to the fighting like a vulture to a rotting carcass, he got there in time to see some walking weapons arsenal shooting up tables inside the foodcourt, before blowing the brains out of some guy. Then all hell had broken loose as another guy started shooting back, and yelling.

He'd not been far away from that flashbomb that had gone off not much later, and had been flung up into the air and against a wall and lain unconscious just long enough to wake up to a whiff of gas in his nose. Opening his eyes, green smoke clouded his eyes, and someone shouted VERXENE before two figures suddenly loomed up before him and then vanished out of sight and upwards.

Jole shook his head, trying to get his head to clear. This was probably the biggest chaos he'd ever walked into, and it wasn't even of his own making.

That pissed him off. A lot.

Right then, though, he didn't feel like hanging around for much longer. Death wasn't a lot to his liking, especially not in a place like that sold bad food.

Every bone in his body protested as he slowly tried to crawl out of reach of the slowly spreading green gas. It wasn't just his bones that were protesting. Most of his inner organs seemed to have gone on strike, as well, a sharp pain coming from his chest. Coughing heavily, his eyes stinging, he crept onward, towards the elevator that had to be around here somewhere. He was close to fainting dead away, and several boots kicking him as people were frantically running from the damned gas, running over him, didn't contribute much to his staying conscious.

It was only when his head finally bumped into something large and made out of solid durasteel when he remembered that he'd seen that huge clock crash down in front of the elevator, blocking most of it.

His eyes rolled, and he passed out again.


Somebody was kicking him. A dull pain throbbed in his chest, and when he finally managed to open his crusted eyes, he saw more green. Oh frack...

Then he looked upwards, and saw that the green was the colour of the person standing over him, and he felt an arm dragging him up by the shoulders. What the hell...?

"Can you walk?" A male voice asked him, in hurried words.

Jole wasn't sure he could stand, even, no less walk. But he'd be damned to admit that. So he shook off the supporting arm around his back, and felt surprised that he actually could stand on his own. It wasn't feeling all too good, but better than lying face-down on the floor. And the gas seemed to be a little less concentrated higher up than when he'd been lying down.

He remembered to thank whoever had helped him, but the man had already vanished when Jole turned around. He shrugged. Well, at last I'm not quite dead... yet...

He shook his head again, rubbing his eyes, then slowly hobbled away from the carnage behind him. Whatever had been going on before was still going on, from the sound of things, and he still had a job to do, no matter if he felt more like lying down and dying on the spot.

Damnit - it was time to start acting like a man and not like a whining baby. He'd survived worse things than a mall war in the past, and Verxene gas was so commonly used these days that his body should really be immune to it by now.

He got a grip on himself, finally, and slowly limped over to the shop the meeting was going to be at. Behind him, the carnage was still going on, but at least the gas wasn't so concentrated any more. What he really needed was a breather mask or something, but holding his shirt up before his nose and mouth seemed to help a bit, too.

this didn't seem the ideal place for any kind of meeting though, and if whoever he was supposed to meet wasn't going to be there, he'd leave. No way he'd stay around in this chaos and ending up getting killed because someone was taking pot shoots at innocent bystanders.

He briefly cursed that gun boy back in the food court, which resulted in another coughing fit. Then he cursed again, as he came to stand before what not long ago had been a holobook store.

The place was a smoking ruin.

And worse - there was no one in sight that even remotely looked like a Sith.

[Jerred Rez]

Jerred made his way through the mall, a dark metallic plate over his mouth glinting through a haze. His goggles glowed an erie hue of green, making him seem as if he was just another of the shapeless utility droids that now made their way left and right, attempting to pick up and recycle the ash and crumbled fragments of walls, holoprojectors, tables, and crystal clocks.


He looked down through the fog, his heat sensors allowing him to catch and glimpse of someone who was in a state of shock. Mostly likely from the gas.

<font size=1 color=lightgreen>Active Feed....Target Now Immmobile... Threat Minimal.</font>

Gee, He thought, thanx! I might have just missed that...

<font size=1 color=lightgreen>Body Heat Dropping... 89%...87%...92%...81%...</font>


He kicked the stranger carefully; Saving lives wasn't his business, but he had nothing better to do with his time now... The gas could easily kill the man within minutes if he stayed here asleep.

"Can you walk?"

Nothing came back but a grunt, then finally he helped the man to his feet. Jole pushed his arm away and began walking deeper into the fog.

Does he want to die??

He reached into his coat and pulled a tiny oxygen filter out; It was usually used for water, but would work here as well. At least he hoped. The man paced foward limping as Jerred caught up and shoved it into his hand.

"You're welcome."

He shot him a insulted glare. He might have shot him, if not for the fact that he would be in need of someone to direct him to the nearest exit.

This is the last time I ever help a bystander...

[Lady DeVille]

Blood, and bloody ashes... De'Ville pried open the door to the Chronostore's back room. The green gas was already disapating, but from the looks of it the Rodain clerk hadn't made it. Lousy service anyway. Vader was already pushing past her.

"Our contact had better still be alive." She groused as they made their way to the front of the store. The occasional blaster was heard, as well as a very large crashing sound. Glass exploded on the lower floor in two different places. De'Ville stopped herself from flinching, but the closer they got to the railing the frequency of the projectiles increased.

Vader waved her over to the elevator, her adamantium claws already working at prying the doors open. De'Ville stuck her fingers in the crack and pushed the sliding doors apart with her. Both women dropped through the shaft to the top of the turbolift. De'Ville opened up the hatch in the ceiling of the 'lift, and they crawled down inside.

The doors of the 'lift were propped open with a fragment of duracrete. The firefight was still going strong on the other side, but they had to risk venturing out into the open air. The holostore was only a few feet away from the turbolift shaft.

De'Ville looked to Vader, willing to let her make the first move. They had gotten down to the needed level without getting blown to bits, but this was another story. If only we had our sabers...

[Dark Prince Corona]

"It's not plausable. The price you've offered is far below the bar I've set myself."

"Corona," he said, leaning forward. "Just one million more. You'll get the gems, plus the ship."

"Where have you got them?"

"The gems are with me. The ship's in the bay."

"I'll cut you a deal. Ten million."

"But of course, my lord. That is a price I can accept."

Corona slid a breifcase across the table. The supplier looked happily, and picked it up. He tosses a leather sack on the table, which Corona grabbed. "Aren't you forgetting something, Mister Bloche?"

The 'merchant' looked sheepishly at Corona and tossed him a key. "I trust you know the code?"

"Of course. Be gone, Bloche." Under his breath, he murmurred something incomprehendable. He exited the food court, and a dozen meters down the hall, he heard an explosion and a wet splatter. Got to love plastiques.

[Lady Vader]

*LV opened herself to the Force and "looked" outisde of thier little hole... sensing nothing, she stuck her head out and took a quick look around... everything seemed semi-calm on this side of the mall... the occassional lazer splat whizzed by, but not so much as to make her flinch... she looked across to the other side and saw the holobook store there, in complete ruins... and a man just now walking up to it*

*she ducked back inside and addressed LD*

LV: It appears our conact may have already arrived.

LD: How do you know? You've never met the guy?

*LV chuckled*

LV: Who else would be standing outside of a ruined holobook store in the middle of a fire fight?

*she gestured with her arm*

LV: Come on.

*before LD could say anything, LV was dashing out towards the holobook store... the man ahdn't noticed her yet, and probably wouldn't even think twice about herself and LD being Sith, especially since they were clothed in civilian garb*

*LV came to a halt behind a large planter. away from the man's eyes and away from the direction of whizzing blaster bolts... LD came and stopped next to her*

LV: As much as I'd like to say this is gonna be a piece of cake, I still wanna go sperately and in stages.

*she looked around the edge of the planter*

LV: I'll head on the in the direction of the store. I want you to wait a few seconds, then come around from the other side. But we don't want to scare the guy, so make it as casual as possible. Alright?

*LD nodded*

LV: Ok...

*with that LV walked out from behind the planter and walked towards the holobook store... towards the man*

[Lady DeVille]

De'Ville ducked down behind the planter to avoid being toasted by a stray energy bolt, and then carefully stood back up. One... two... three...

[Jole Zakath]

He was considering to leave when somebody pushed him from behind and then slammed something into his hand.

What the...???

Jole looked down at the tiny cylinder in his hand, and he didn't get it. What the frack was happening? Someone hissed a "Your welcome!" at him, but either the noxious fumes had damaged a few braincells too many at once, or someone was seriously messing with his mind.

He shook his head. What the frack was going on??? All he'd wanted to do was meet with some Sith - not end up getting half killed in a nasty mall brawl, or having his brain smoked out cos some freak was messing with verxene.

Looking at the cylinder up close, he finally figured out what it was that he was holding: a re-breather! Someone had just done him a huge favour. But when he turned around, the guy from before wasn't there anymore. Jole had the distinct impression, though, that it was the same guy who'd helped him up earlier on.

Well, maybe he should go after him and thank him. Besides, it really wasn't such a good idea to hang around this place for much longer. Whoever he was supposed to meet had probably buggered off when the whole thing had escalated.

Jole was about to turn around and walk into the generl direction of outside, when he noticed the woman bearing down at him. Tall, slim, nice shapes... but the grim look on her face left no doubt that she wasn't happy about whatever it was she had to do. He fervently hoped that this wasn't whoever he was to meet.

But she stopped right next to him, turned at the still-smoking store, and remarked:

"Nice display."

[Lady Vader]

*LV waited, still looking at the smoldering store... she'd said the line she was supposed to say, and waited to see if the man would respond correctly*

*if all went well, and he was their contact, they would soon be on their way to the business at hand*

[Jole Zakath]

Holy Frack! That was the catchphrase! She was indeed the person he'd come to meet.

This was going to be bad. He just knew it. At any other time, the now ensuing game of throwing meaningless phrases at each other for the sake of security would have been a good idea, but standing before a burnt-out shop, staring at the charred debris, this was going to sound awfully ludicrous.

He closed his eyes for a moment and wished for the gazillionth time to be anywhere else but where he was now.

Then he turned back at the smoking ruins of what had once been a display stand, and remarked in a neutral tone:

"I can't believe that 1,001.4 nights of Robotic Passion has been on the bestsellers list for ten weeks already."

[Lady DeVille]

De'Ville walked quickly to the remains of the store, and stood on the other side of their contact. Vader had initiated the sequence, and he responded, the three of them looking ridiculous standing in the glass of the display window.

She added, "Yeah, but who actually reads this stuff?" De'Ville looked at her chrono.

[Lady Vader]

*LV smiled... yes, they looked ludicrous standing outside of a charred store, staring at a display that was a garble of ashes, but they had met their contact*

LV: "Obviously, there are enough people with no taste at all, or it woulnd't be in the list."

*she then turned and looked at the man, taking a quick peek at LD, then giving the man her full attention*

[CATS ZIG]

-Cats continued to shop for stylish cybernetic implants.

mmmZig.

[Lady DeVille]

She stood behind the man, hand on her blaster. He was their contact, but the Sector Rangers weren't exactly friendly folk.

[Jole Zakath]

Two of them???

Well, so there were two Sith. Two Sith women. Jole didn't quite know how to react, but he guessed a good start would be to get the hell out of here.

He put on his most charming smile, and addressed both of them, still looking into the burnt-out shop.

"Well, Ladies, what say you we leave this place and go somewhere a little more... healthy to have this meeting?"

[Lady Vader]

*LV nodded her head*

LV: So be it.

*she didn't wait for the man to lead the way... she merely walked past him and LD, with LD falling into step with her, and headed towards the nearest edge of the walkway*

*she turned to find the man coming to a hault just behind her*

LV: I would appreciate this meeting take place in a none conspicuous area, and preferably one where there are no people. You wish for secrecy and so do I in this matter. Therefore...

*LV raised her arm and tapped a few numbers into a small computer pad... the whine of a ship began to grow until a modified Sith Infiltrator, came up from below the walkway and hovered before them... a short, straight ramp extended from the doorway, and the door slid open*

*LV led the way, followed by LD, and then by a reluctant contact... she could feel the uneasiness rolling off him, but she had no doubt he would soon be over that once their business had comenced... as soon as the man had stepped foot into the ship, the door slid shut and sealed and the whir of the ramp closing was heard... then the auto pilot engaged to a remote area a few miles from there, near a small mountain range... one of the few that still protruded through the fast cities of Coruscant*

LV: Welcome to my ship, the "Cat's Claw". We will not be interupted in our meeting and we will not be seen if we intend to travel to your headquarters. She is a cloaking and silencer ship.

*she looked at the man and smiled, though the smile was one of business... she getsured towards a lounge in the corner, and sat herself on the edge of the leather booth... LD came to stand beside her*

LV: Please. Have a seat, and let us get down to business.

[Jole Zakath]

He didn't like this. He didn't like this at all.

But he didn't really have much of a choice - these were Sith, after all. And if there was anything that really had him spooked, then it was Sith. He cursed the boss for the umpteenth time that day for sending him. She knew well enough about his dislike for Sith.

So Jole followed the two women to a ship he'd only rarely seen before - and never from the inside. For a brief moment, curiosity got the better of him, and he forgot in which company he was in.

His curiosity held until the moment he heard the ramp close shut behind him. Then the very unpleasant thought hit him that he was now effectively trapped inside a ship with two Sith women.

He had to focus hard to hide the shaking he felt inside. So he obediently sat down on the edge of the lounge chair, and faced the two Sith with an uncertain look in his eyes.

What did Sasseeri arrange with those two? Does she know anything about them? What they want? Heck - for all it matters, they could be dragging me off to sacrifice me in some gruesome way - who knows?

His voice came out low and shaky when he finally replied.

"So wha-what is it I - I mean, we - can do for you?"

[Lady DeVille]

De'Ville folded her arms and studied the face of their contact. He seemed solid enough, but was visibly shaken from being enclosed in the presence of two Sith. It would not do Vader and herself any good if he wet himself, so De'Ville smiled at him, as sweetly as she could without altering her stance.

He looked at her uncertainly, and then back to Vader. The Sith Lordess was the lead in this little expedition, so De'Ville stood by her side in silence. The contact reeked of nervous jitters, but De'Ville had to continue to gauge his sense throughout the meeting.

Her abilities in the area of the mind were moderate. If she didn't maintain a block on the thoughts of others around her she herself could be affected if their feelings were too intense. De'Ville used a relaxation technique to calm the adrenaline that was being secreted into her system, and fixed her eyes on the man across from her. She would know if he lied.

[Lady Vader]

*LV studdied the man a moment after he'd spoken and then spoke herself*

LV: First order of business are introductions, otherwise we won't get very far, now will we?

*she smiled and gestured towards LD*

LV: This is Lady DeVille, Sith Lordess and respected Council member of The Sith Order, and my second in this mission.

*she pointd to herself*

LV: I am Lady Vader, Council elder at The Sith Order and prime negotiator for this mission.

*she leaned forward looking the man in the eye*

LV: I have established this meeting through various contacts to get aquainted with... the Sector Rangers. I wish to open relations with your boss, and possibly form an alliance that will be beneficial to both our respected groups.

*she leaned back and once again studdied the man, waiting for him to take in what she'd said and also introduce himself*

[Jole Zakath]

Holy Frack!

He'd heard of Lady Vader before... and what he'd heard, wasn't all too pleasant for a normal human being. And that smile the other one... DeVille?... had put on her face resulted in nothing less but cold shudders running down his spine. A smiling Sith was even worse, where he was concerned.

He swallowed hard, then worked up some saliva in his suddenly dry mouth, and finally found his voice again.

"Z-Zakath--"

Fracken hell, get a grip on yourself! This is no time to lose your wits!

"My... my name's Jole Zakath. I'm Miss Reeouurra's assistant - amongst other things."

No use hiding that fact, because he was sure they could just pick all the knowledge off the top of his brain, if they wanted to. They were Sith after all, and he'd heard some rumours of what a Sith could do.

Another shudder ran down his spine as he remembered what other things he'd heard they could do - or would take pleasure in doing.

He forced out a smile, trying against his instincts to appear as casual as he could.

"Get acquainted, eh? Well, I'm sure the boss - ah, I mean, Miss Reeouurra, would be more than pleased to establish contacts. Ask me anything you want to know, and I'll answer to the best of my knowledge."

He hoped that Sasseeri wasn't going to have him roasted for dinner about this. She'd given him full authority to deal with this as he wished, so he hoped fervently that he wasn't doing anything she wouldn't do.

[Lady Vader]

*the nervousness rolling off of Zakath was unmistakeable... but LV could also sense he was trying to suppress it... she smiled... she'd do her best not to scare him into a stroke*

LV: Well, Mr. Zakath, I wanted to open relations with the Sector Rangers because, as I stated before, I thought it'd be beneficial to both our groups. TSO has a lot to offer in the sense of resources and warriors, while the Rangers no doubt have many contacts and resources at their finger tips.

*she leaned forward again, placing her hands together*

LV: You see, Mr. Zakath, with both our groups united in an alliance, we could reap benificial rewards, not to mention more respect than we already hold.

*her smile broadened*

LV: And, it would also ensure our long survival. Who knows what could happen in this big universe. But, I DO know, that being allied with strong groups makes for a long life indeed.

*she leaned back thinking... then, as an after thought, she spoke again*

LV: Oh, and at one point in this, I would like to meet Miss Reeouurra. Going through her assistant is one thing, but meeting face to face is another. I have a feeling we'd have quite a few things in common, aside from both of us being related to a feline race.

[Jole Zakath]

He was all business now. This was what Sasseeri had liked in him when she'd taken him on - when it came to business, Jole was the most single-minded person on this planet.

"Well, yes, I certainly agree that a connection between TSO and TSR is mutually beneficial. We both have our resources, as you have pointed out, and pooling them in some circumstances should prove most profitable for both of our organisations."

He swallowed hard again. Now came the tricky part - he was going to have to fall back on something that was no more than trickery and sham, but that he would have to uphold for all that it was worth. The only thing that made it possible was the fact that the two Sith opposite him knew as well as he did what lay behind the cover-up. Still, it was like walking a thin line between truth and lie, for if they didn't get the meaning of his words and thought he was out to trick them, then it oculd cost him his head even before Sasseeri could get to it.

"On the other hand, Ladies - putting all thought of profit and benefits aside - why would a powerful group of Dark Side warriors be interested in a business alliance with a group of Sector Rangers who's only aim is to keep peace in the Galaxy?"

He hoped that the sarcasm in his voice would speak the volumes he couldn't otherwise say aloud.

"As for meeting with Miss Reeouurra - I believe that could be arranged easily, if we come to an agreement here. The meeting would take place at a location of her choice, under her security. I trust that would be acceptable?"

[Lady Vader]

*LV chuckled... the sarcasm was unmistakeable when he spoke the word peace... she had to keep from outright bursting into full blown laughter... after all, she didn't want to scare the poor man*

LV: I have a feeling this peace you are trying to optain in this galaxy is quite like our goal, though perhaps in a different light.

*she leaned forward*

LV: Our methods of keeping... peace... are similar in the sense we strive to achieve our goals, and more times than not, do.

*she eyed him and smiled... a smile that would send shivers up spines*

LV: I know how one keeps the peace, and if we were to make official arrangments of sorts, I'm most sure we could aid each other in reaching this peace.

[Lady DeVille]

The contact had settled down finally, but it seemed to De'Ville that he had gotten too settled. It was always better to keep beings such as himself on their toes.

She shifted position slightly and kept her eyes on the man across from Vader and herself. The sweat on his forehead had dried a little, so De'Ville stared there, not meeting his eyes, but focusing above them. As she did so she called a glass of water to her hand from across the room with the Force, handing it to Vader.

She didn't take her eyes off the contact's forehead. He was starting to smell hot, like a man who had been in the Dune Sea for a week too long.

[Jole Zakath]

His fingers a little sweaty, he smiled nonetheless, and reached for the datapad concealed in his overcoat. When he had come to this meeting, he hadn't come completely unprepared.

Knowing that it would be a Sith who'd come to meet him, he'd downloaded every available file - and then some more - before he'd left the HQ. It was a matter of seconds to call up the info he was looking for, and a smirk crept on his face as he held out the pad and placed it right into the center of the table.

Sith be damned - they hadn't killed him yet, and by now, it seemed highly improbably they would; he was, after all, only the messenger.

He sat back, and eyed the two women with a grin.

"Well, Ladies, let's begin our possible alliance with a little game of 'how far can we trust each other', shall we?"

He pointed at the card, as calm as he could, but he had no doubt that they could both feel the fear rolling off him. Damn, he was close to pissing his pants! If this went wrong, and he was still alive after they'd be done with him, he'd see to it that it would be him who'd be roasting heads - Sasseeri's head, that is.

Gripping the seat's edge hard with his hand, trying not to let his fear show, he continued.

"This datapad is keyed to a specific voice command from me. If I activate it, I can show you two files - every bit of data the Empire and the NR has ever collected about you two, and some of your activities. The files also contain a specific command that would, if used correctly, wipe out these files from every system in the galaxy... it wouldn't happen over night, but trust me, it will work."

He smiled a crooked smile.

"The datapad contains another file - one accessible by you. A file that contains the location for Miss Reeouurra's safe house, as well as several plans for future engagements and current business."

His heart beat very fast now. He was either going to be a pile of ash soon, smoking on the seat, or this little plot that Sasseeri had hatched would work.

"What shall it be? Your own safety assured for the rest of your lives? Or to make more profit for your Order? You have nothing to loose. Unless of course you try to take both, in which case the datapad will simply explode into your faces."

[Lady DeVille]

She did not move, but shifted her eyes to briefly glance at Vader.

[Lady Vader]

*LV looked up at LD and smiled, then looked back at Zakath... oh, she was quite sure he'd done his homework, and quite thoroughly at that... but she also knew the outcome of this little game with assuredness... the smile she was holding soon turned into a chuckle, which itself turned into a laugh... she saw Zakath tense*

*she shook her head and leaned forward slamming a hand down of the pad, making the man jump halfway to the Outter Rim*

LV: Mr. Zakath... I am well aware of my past and the things I have done. No doubt De'Ville here is also quite aware of her past. I for one, though, am not ashamed of my past. And, though it would be nice to have it erased from perminent record, it would never be erased from the hundreds of minds out there that no doubt know about my little escapades. So, in essence, deleting my records would seem to be a waste of time.

*she slowly slid back into her seat, letting her hand gently slide from the pad*

LV: Of course, I cannot speak for De'Ville.

*she gestured towards LD*

LV: You'll have to ask her yourself. But, as for me, I want TSO to grow, and this will help it grow. Let my records stand where they are. And let me be happy to have the location of Miss Sasseeri to finish our deal.

[Lady DeVille]

De'Ville slid her eyes over to the man, Slimy thing that he is, and tilted her head to the side. "I have no record to be ashamed of. No past that could possibly be on your 'files.' So do what the Lady Vader requests."

[Jole Zakath]

He visibly sagged with relief. They had taken it better than he would expected.

Now he just had to get out of there. Alive.

Jole grabbed for the datapad, and spoke a short command at it. That erased the files he had downloaded onto it earlier concerning TSO. One that was done, he put it down onto the table, and pressed a button.

A map came up on its surface.

"That is the location of the safe house Miss Reeouurra will meet you. On this page, there is also a comm channel you can contact her on when you decide to meet her."

Then he got up from his seat, his knees still shaking slightly.

"And now, if you would excuse me - I'd like to get back to the city."

[Lady Vader]

*LV picked up the data pad and let a claw run along it's edge... she then looked up at Jole and stood... she extended a hand*

LV: It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Zakath. Perhaps we will meet again.

*she shook his hand firmly... then she gestured towards the door and it slid open, it's ramp extending to a small walkway near a buidling*

LV: And you be careful... the streets and airways of Coruscant are not to be traveled lightly.

*she smiled, almost menacingly, but still in a business state*