Coruscant Tales: Info Gathering

[Daleethria]

Daleethria's mind played back what happened with Sanis over and over again in her mind. She thought a simple kiss on his cheek would be a simple gesture to show concern. Then he ... he kissed her fully. The contact brought about a swirling sensation of emotions since Daleethria could feel the emotions that he had for her. Never did she encounter anything that powerful and strong in a being. Not for her anyway.

She pulled the speeder up and parked it four blocks away from the Imperial Center Database building. Not too long ago, Sanis and MARCUS were here recently working for a couple of Jedi (http://pub64.ezboard.com/fswvstitanicstarwarsroleplayingarchive.showMessage ?topicID=3191.topic). She briefly saw the outside of the place but nothing praticular. Good thing MARCUS was along to help her out.

Now it was time for business. She needed that information on Tondry and fast. Sanis' life could depend on it. Hopping out of the speeder, Daleethria slowly made her way down the block as MARCUS followed suit.

[MARCUS v4]

The small MARCUS module had trouble keeping up with Daleethria as she walked inside the building.

Miss Daleethria, could you possibly slow down? I am not properly calibrated to attain such speed.

MARCUS' visual indicators flashed as he received an incoming message.

Excuse me, Miss Daleethria, but I believe I am receiving a message from Sanis. He says to be on the lookout for a scruffy-looking man wearing a black trenchcoat and a white hat. He is apparently going to help us access the information banks.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria slowed her pace, acknowledging the droid's request. She really never gave much thought to how fast she walked since what mattered what the environment around her. She would have to be more observant with whom she was around.

Stopping about half way down the block, Daleethria looked at the droid. White hat and black trench? A contact wasn't suppose to stick out like that. The side of her face twitched and Daleethria hoped that at least this person she was to meet was legit.

Extending her enhanced senses through the area, Daleethria continued on her way towards the data center, keeping her eyes open for this scruffy looking individual.

[Vekaar Vekin]

At the end of the block, in one of the alleys, this man was indeed waiting for them. In fact he could see them right now.

His name was Vekaar Vekin, an infamous Infomation Broker and adventurist trying to survive in modern day life. At his side, he had a blaster, safely in it's holster and a rather unusual belt. A smaller blaster was hooked on to the belt along with grappling hooks. Inside his trench coat, Vekaar had many secrets and goodies. The one that stood out the most was an Imperial Blaster rifle. He had killed a Stormtrooper and modified the blaster.

The scruffy looking information broker waited until they neared. When they were close to the end of the block, he took out a cigar and stepped out of the ally. He lit the cigar and puffed on it slowly.

The woman, Daleethria he presumed spotted him first. Beside her a small pink droid bumbled along trying to keep up. Vekaar figured she was looking for him. He sat there, pretending to mind his own business. In reality he was waiting for her and the droid to come over.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria sensed the thoughts of one who was looking for her. A man was waiting just outside the alley and she could smell the cigar smoke that was coming from his direction. Ever since she started to try and stop Sanis from his glitterstim habit, Daleethria has had this incessant dislike of any type of smoking. Puzzling it was to her.

She walked up to this unknown person and tilted her head in curiosity, watching him inhale without a word. Little did the contact know, Daleethria already masked their presence from the surrounding citizens that passed by. A simple trick in the mind's eye that both of them blended into the building after they "walked off".

[Vekaar Vekin]

They both entered the building but not before Vekaar disposed of his cigar. He could tell from her face, that she didn't like smoking. It didn't matter to him either way.

Vekaar knew there was something about her, he couldn't put his finger on it. He still didn't know that well who she was. She had a striking resemblance to Dalethria Mal Pannis, a Sith Lord. He shrugged it off and finally came to a conclusion. She was a force user...There was no doubt about it.

"Do you have a name?" He asked her after entering the building.

[Daleethria]

This man new of her maker, Dalethria. That could pose a problem, but then again ... maybe not. If he knew that much about Dalethria then she could use it as an advantage. She knew her sister had a small reputation when she was a Knight. Mostly because of her constant struggle with the Skywalkers, yet this man knew her to be a Lord. That was news to her.

When Vekaar asked her for a name, Daleethria looked down at MARCUS, waiting for him to take over.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS began to postulate several hypothetical scenarios, each with a different response. Now, it was not necessary for MARCUS to reveal Daleethria's true name, as the nature of their association with this information broker seemed to be strictly business-oriented.

MARCUS began to access his prior records database. Interesting. Sanis had made prior dealings with a Sith woman named Dalethria Mal Pannis, and even more interesting, her profile seemed to match that of Daleethria's. What importance this information had was not known, but in this scenerio, such knowledge could be used for an advantage.

MARCUS wheeled up in front of Daleethria, looking up at Vekaar.

The woman you are addressing is no other than the feared Sith Lordess Dalethria Mal Pannis, of the Sith Empire. I would advise you to show your proper respects.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar felt that the droid wasn't telling the truth, but she did look exactly like Dalethria Mal Pannis. He figured he'd play along, for she could be the real Dalethria.

Vekaar smirked at the droid telling him yo show respect. People had to earn his respect. The broker took a few mental pictures of the droid and the woman.

"Well then...Do you have the building blueprints little droid?"

Vekaar had obtained the blueprints beforehand, he just wanted to compare his with the droid's blueprints (if he had any). Not everyone who easily hands over info is trustworthy.

[i]

[MARCUS v4]

As requested, the top access port in MARCUS' frame opened up, and a small dataslip ejected from it. On the slip, MARCUS had stored the Imperial Center Database building blueprint schematics.

But of course. I prepared a copy of the schematics for your use.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar inserts the slip in his datapad. This one was very different from the one he bought. Vekaar silently cursed the man he bought it from. He looked at the map one more time and turned to Dalethria and the droid.

"Let's do this."

They casually walked further into the building until Vekaar stops at the lounge.

"Did Sanis tell any of you how he wants this done?"

[Daleethria]

Daleethria knew what the plan was. It was just like before. MARCUS was the key to this plan, going through the ventilation shafts to break into the database. Unfortunately, the wonderful side affect of her condition had never been so impeding as it is now. Being in such social settings now really made Daleethria aware to how limiting her inability to speak was. When she was a prisoner, there were only so few of them that it was easy to communicate through the Force in time if she thought it necessary. Now, so many people and so many minds ... it was too much for her. In the back of her mind, she was quite worried that perhaps she might loose herself with too much information coming in. It might reach a boiling point and cause her to become catatonic if she was pushed too far.

She could never let Sanis or anyone else find that out.

Her attention returned to Vekaar and his original question. As always, she would have to rely on MARCUS to answer his question. Daleethria on the other hand would have to live up to this Sith Lordess reputation of her maker. Her face became lined long and drawn as her eyes narrowed, as if searching her surroundings and lash out at the first person that seems to get in their way.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar silently stood there and waited for an answer. The girl wasn't that much of a talker. He bent down to the droid, until his face was level with it's pink body.

"Did Sanis tell you how he wants this done?" He repeated.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS accessed his records on the past operation at the Database, and cross-referenced the information against the current mission.

Sanis has left that part of the mission in my discretion. I would suggest that we procede according to the pattern of operations our previous mission here went.

MARCUS postulated the probability of his preparedness for the task.

However, I am rather unsure of my abilities to breech Intelligence-related security nodes. The data I retrieved last time was under confidential security, but I find it highly unlikely it will be so easy to extract data on an officer of the Empire, especially one so prominent as General Tondry.

MARCUS slowly approached Vekaar

Do you have any special data regarding high-level nodular bypasses that I may be able to incorporate into my program guidelines? It would drastically shorten the amount of time we are at risk of discovery, and generally improve our chances of completing the mision.

Hypothesizing that perhapse he was asserting himself too much, MARCUS decided to divert the attention of the task.

Also, I am afraid that if I should err and take too much time in completing my task, it will anger the Lordess Dalethria quite severely.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria stopped at the mention of her "name" by MARCUS. She eyed Vekaar with a cold stare, completely taking in his form to search out the quickest way to take him out. Her hand slowly moved to her hip, inching slowly to her sabre until it rested on her weapon belt. Her head lowered a little and her face wondered if Vekaar could comply with the droid's request.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Ignoring the droid's question for a moment, he turned to face Dalethria. He could see she wasn't very fond of him. Vekaar wasn't dumb either. He knew what Sith did to those they weren't fond of.

"Excuse any rudeness I may have shown upon meeting you Mrs. Pannis."

He turned back to the droid. Vekaar did indeed have something. The only question was were the new enough?

"I have with me the newest Imperial Decrypting codes I could find. I had to kill an officer in high places to ge them. They might help you."

Vekaar removes a datapad from his trenchcoat. He kneels down.

"The codes have been copied onto this datapad. Possibly if you hook up with it, you could download the codes into your own system?"

He placed the datapad before Marcus.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS wheeled over to the datapad, plugging a peripheral device into its datajack. His visual indicators blinked a few times as he uploaded the data stream.

Oh this is most interesting. I don't believe I have ever seen such strange data nodes in all of my operational timeframe. I must say I am quite envious of the use of program logic implemented here.

After a few moments, MARCUS finished uploading

Thank you very much, Mr. Vekin. I believe I will find these quite useful.

MARCUS wheeled back up to Daleethria, springing up into the air, and into her arms.

Mr. Vekin, I suggest that you go ahead and enter the facility, and log onto a data terminal. I will remain in contact via HoloNet audio channel 4345.353.35. Lordess Dalethria has a special mission planned for me, and I will contact you as my task is completed.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria caught the pink droid with her hand and cradled it in her arm, giving Vekin once last icy stare before she took her leave.

This next part was going to be simple for her as it was MARCUS that was the key player now. Pushing the door open to the women's bathroom, Daleethria made her way inside. Already her senses told her that no one was inside. Checking each stall, she was now completely sure of it.

MARCUS hopped out of her arms and made his way over to the the ventalation shaft. Dalethria used finesse and opened the metal grate through the Force. Kneeling down, she looked at MARCUS and then down the shaft wondering how far it was to reach his objective. By the smell of the air and the shadows playing off the sides, she could tell that it forked about a meter down there.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar nodded and walked into the building. He kept the Holonet channel open on his small holoprojector. Vekaar passed through the security systems and removed his weapons. He walked over to a droid at the main desk.

Droid: "May I help you?"

Vekaar: "I would liek to use one of the facility computers."

Droid: "State purpose please."

Vekaar: "I'm just going to upgrade my holoprojector graphics."

Droid: "Acknowledged. You may have computer terminal 114."

The droid gave Vekaar a map of the facility and pointed to the area. The broker nodded and pocketed the map. He walked off to the terminal.

Moments later, Vekaar reached the data terminal. He hooked his holoprojector up and logged on. The broker opened a separate window for contacting MARCUS. He entered the channel: 4345.353.35.

Vekaar leaned forward and whispered into the transmitter.

"MARCUS, this is Vekaar. Can you hear me?"

[MARCUS v4]

Before MARCUS left, he advised for Daleethria to be careful, and avoid any security personnel. He did not wish to see her harmed. That would upset his emotional engram programming, and he was quite sure it would make Sanis equally distraught. Sanis quickly skeetered through the ventilation duct, dodging here and there as he navigated around debris.

My my...I don't think they bother to clean these airways. How unsanitary.

As MARCUS continued along his way, he received a HoloNet ping on channel 4345.353.35. That was confirmed as the secure channel he had designated for Vekaar to use. MARCUS returned the reply.

I am here, Mr. Vekin. Currently, I am 67.34 percent from reaching the main computer hub system. Please stand by another three minutes, and I will arrive shortly. In the meantime, I suggest you engage a random search program, to keep your terminal active. I will contact you as soon as possible. MARCUS out.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar nodded to himself quietly. He began to type on the keyboard in front of him. He clicked on the search program and typed in: Tatooine. He had not been there since childhood. He hadn't been in the Outer rim since childhood. Vekaar pulled some recent Holonet reports from the planet and downloaded them onto his datapad. He would read them later. The Broker remained silent waiting for MARCUS to contact him.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS finally cleared the rest of the air duct, and slowly emerged once again into the database hub mainframe center. Wheeling cautiously over to a cluster of access dataports, MARCUS extended a data jack from his casing, and began to interface himself directly into the system. Quickly, he began to manipulate the outer level security nodes, the bypass routines aleady stored in his memory from the previous mission. What had previously taken five minutes now took half a second, as MARCUS easily bypassed the nodes and moved deeper into the data system. Now, he came to the military-encrypt system. The size and complexity of even the outer node of this subsystem would have taken MARCUS hours to decrypt, if it weren't for the decryption base that Mr. Vekin had provided. Quickly MARCUS began to overlay the first node template over the current layout. It was 94.34 percent similar. So the code had changed, but not by much, which saved MARCUS a lot of time. Within 30 seconds, MARCUS set the node into an auto-loop, and proceeded inwards into the system. From the schematics that Vekaar had given him, there were only three more nodes such as this in the military data system, and they predictably increased in complexity.

MARCUS accessed the second node, and overlaid the template onto it. It was 100 percent similar. MARCUS found it interesting that this level of security was not changed as he instantly bypassed the node, and moved further inward. Further intriguing was that the next node was also unchanged. Working quickly, MARCUS nullified it and moved to the final security node. It was a marvel in programming design. Retro-active and semi-autonomous with exponential subroutines, the final security node was formidable. Without Vekaar's template, MARCUS was not sure if he would be able to decipher it at all. However, as MARCUS began to extrapolate similarities between his template and the last node, he found that it was 89.6 percent similar. Even with a percentile that high, the amount of logic that MARCUS would have to generate for the missing information was quite large. Quickly, MARCUS set to work, running test routines within his own programming as he sampled subsections of the node's layout. As he did so, he sent a message to Vekaar.

Mr. Vekin, I am currently processing the final node, but I am having to interpret a significant amount of changed data. I estimate the process will take another 10 minutes. Please hold.

[Daleethria]

After Daleethria had finished putting the metal grate back in place, she left the women's bathroom. She decided it was best to keep on eye on Vekin for her own best interest. Sure this information broker had his own time and money invested in this little operation but for Daleethria, she had Sanis' life invested.

She headed towards the glass doors that led out of the datacenter but then acted interested in what was on the holo-vids. Heading over to stand in front on a monitor, she made sure that in her peripheral vision she could keep on eye on Vekin. Not to mention that on this side of security, she could keep her sabre hidden underneath her cloak.

From what she could see now, Vekin was reading something on his terminal. It was most likely that as soon as he left, MARCUS would have finished his information download and she could proceed back to the bathroom to pick the droid up. For now though, she waited.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar could faintly see someone staring at him, the reflecting image from the datascreen. He shrugged it off and continued to wait for MARCUS to contact him.

While he waited, he read some of the recent news on Tatooine. Something caught his eye. Chalmun's Cantina was set on fire by a band of terrorists. He used to work at Chalmun's cantina. Vekaar continued to scroll through the news headlines.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS finally extracted the proper data sequence, synthesizing the correct data path from only 124 million possibilities. He implemented the node path, and executed, putting the final security node into a repeating loop. His last obstacle out of the way, MARCUS prepared to access the information he looked for. He entered two names which were confirmed aliases used by Pierce Tondry. Once entered, he set the search to standby mode, and contacted Vekaar.

Mr. Vekin, I have bypassed the database's security. Please stand by to enter in the two names you were given, in the appropriate order. I will give the countdown. Five...four...three...two...one...mark.

MARCUS began the data search, synchronizing it with Vekaar's own search pattern.

EDIT: TTT (Waiting on Vekaar)

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar clicks a few buttons and watches as MARCUS' search synchronized with his own. He obtains the aliases names and types them in. He begins to search for any property holdings either of them might have.

"Searching now MARCUS."

[MARCUS v4]

As Vekaar searches for information on the two identities, MARCUS begins a synchronized search with the same parameters. The result of which is that the overlapping search masks the security penetration, in essence, making it appear that only Vekaar's search was initiated. While Vekaar searches and finds little useable information on his side, MARCUS begins the real search, accessing the secured databases. He pulls up property sales, deeds, asset gains and losses, incomes, and a dozen other concurrent information between the two people in question. After 32 seconds, MARCUS terminates his search.

Vekaar, I have concluded the search. You may exit the database archives now. I would suggest meeting with Lordess Dalethria as soon as possible.

As MARCUS spoke, he detatched himself from the dataport, and began to quickly skitter away, finding his way back to the ventillation shaft. One last turn to make sure his movements were not detected, and MARCUS entered the air vent. He would arrive back at Daleethria's position within five minutes.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar nods and cancels his search also. He grabs the datapads of info he had downloaded while waiting and shuts down the computer. Pocketing his equipment he stands up and exits the terminal.

Vekaar heads off to find Dalethria as the droid had suggested.

[Daleethria]

Keeping a watchful eye on Vekar, she noticed that he removed himself from the terminal. MARCUS must be on this way back. The last piece of news was ending on the holo-vid so Daleethria made her way back to the women's bathroom, weaving her way through the other beings passing by.

Stepping inside the bathroom, she automatically sensed that another being was inside and headed for the sink. A young Bothan headed out of the stall and washed her hands as Daleethria fixed her hair in the mirror, paying no attention to the other. Daleethria really had no time table to work with when MARCUS would reach the grate so she hoped that the Bothan would leave soon. She rather like to avoid any persuasion to get her to leave quicker.

[MARCUS v4]

Quickly negating the mazework of passageways, MARCUS retraced his movements back to the women's refresher. However, when he arrived at his designated coordinates, he noticed that the access panel was still securely attached. Curious, MARCUS peered through the grate...hoping to spot Daleethria in the refresher stall. He did not. Curious, MARCUS decided it would be in his best interest to wait. If he made a noise, it might draw unwanted attention to himself, so in the interests of completing the mission, MARCUS waited. He hoped it would not take long. His probability calculations showed the chances of success gradually diminish as operational execution time increased. However, MARCUS knew that Daleethria would return as soon as she could.

[Daleethria]

After fixing the strands of hair that fell about her face, Daleethria washed her hands. Glancing over to her right, the Bothan finished drying her hands under the heating panel on the wall and finally walked out. Good thing not all beings that were female had to take forever in making themselves presentable.

Now that everyone was gone, her attention went to the metal grate and through the Force, gently pried it open. A thin smile spread across her face as the pink form of MARCUS was already waiting for her. The little droid hopped out and Daleethria picked it up in her arms. Standing up, the grate easily was reattached with a mental command and she walked out of the women's bathroom.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS was grateful for Daleethria's presence.

Thank goodness you arrived back. I was wondering where you had been. At any rate, I believe I have extracted enough information to begin cross-referencing.

MARCUS' visual indicators flash rapidly as he sifts through the data he collected, comparing it to each of the names searched under. Suddenly, MARCUS stopped searching.

Most excellent. I believe I have determined four common property assets that each of the identities possessed at some time. This would indicate a concurring nature between these two seemingly-unrelated individuals. There is a 94.24 percent chance that these locations do in fact belong to the individual named Pierce Tondry.

In colloquial terms, I believe we have hit the Jackpot.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar looked all around for the droid and Dalethria, but there was no sign of them. He had even asked around, but nobody had seemed to know where they were. After his search was conducted he ended up at the refresher areas. Vekaar rested his body against a wall and waited.

A young Bothan female exited the Woman's Refresher. Vekaar decided he would ask once more. He stopped her and knelt down to her height.

"You haven't happened to see a female human in there have you?"

"Actually I believe there was another woman in there with me. I couldn't quite make out what she looked like."

"Thank you."

Vekaar rose and decided to wait until this female woman exited. MARCUS told him to find Dalethria. He intended to do just that.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria nodded absently at MARCUS' success. Sanis would be very pleased that things went well here today. Of course, this is probably the last time that this plan would work. They were running out of bathrooms to use. She almost laughed at the possible joke that could be made out of that not knowing that what she thought was the actual joke. Humor. A concept even more confusing then love.

She easily found Vekar. He was practically waiting for her. Leaning on the wall between the refresher doors, Vekar was casually looking around the area as she headed out of the ladies room. With a simple lowering of her head, Daleethria acknowledged him and started to leave the building. She still didn't trust this individual and kept her senses alert on his presence, as well as those around her.

[Vekaar Vekin]

Vekaar ran out after her and MARCUS.

"Is that it? Does Sanis still need my services? Where are you going now anyway?"

He directed the questions at the droid, not expecting Dalethria to talk.

[MARCUS v4]

MARCUS courteously looked up at Daleethria, waiting for a nod from her before he spoke.

Yes, Mr. Vekin. We are concluded with the mission.

A small hatch opened on top of the MARCUS module, and a credit chit ejected from it. The chit was denoted in the amount of 20,000 credits.

We shouldn't be needing your services any more...at least in scope of this mission. On behalf of Lordess Dalethria and Sanis Prent, I thank you.

Once Vekaar had taken the chit, MARCUS and Daleethria began to go in their own direction. On the way, MARCUS opened a commlink to Sanis.

Sanis, are you there? Daleethria and I have just completed our mission, and have extracted the necessary information. Your hunch was correct. The records on these two men seem to have four common property assets between them. Two of which are incapable of housing a craft of any kind. This leaves two choices. One is a small space dock near the 3453 district, and another is a warehouse, 4 districts away. Either one entertains an equal chance of housing the Layla, if its even still planetside.

Daleethria and I will continue to investigate. Shall I make arrangements to meet up with our "usual" help?

[Sanis Prent]

(A few seconds later, Sanis' voice came through the comm unit.)

Great news! I was afraid it was gonna be more than that. This is perfect. My trip to Tondry's should be enough distraction for you to bust in there and get the ship back. I've already given "Matches" a call. Forward me the two addresses, and I'll have him meet up with you in an hour.

(MARCUS transmitted the information)

Thanks MARCUS. Oh, one more thing...Dalee?

(Daleethria stepped forward at her name...listening.)

May the Force be with you. I'll be back soon.

(Sanis cut the comm)

[Daleethria]

As the comm went silent, Daleethria thought about the last thing that Sanis said. "May the Force be with you." She had never heard that expression before and why would he say something like that? Of course the Force was with her. Perhaps it was a warning about those horrible creatures called, ysalamiri? She thought she remembered that the Imperial agent had one.

Looking down at MARCUS, Daleethria shrugged a little. She brought up a map in her minds eye of Coruscant and knew that the warehouse would be closer. Best to go there first and as Sanis would say, case the place, to see if the Layla was there.

Slightly nudging MARCUS with her foot, Daleethria headed off in that general direction and hoped that "Matches" would be there