Domo Arigato, Miss Roboto

[Eluna Thals]

(Frequent flyer miles. If anything, it was one perk of Eluna's changing assignments. From planet to planet to planet, she had been on the move, constantly providing her superiors with the subtle watchful eye that they needed. She was becoming a casualty of a rapidly-evolving game. Imperial Intelligence constantly had to alter its stratagem, shift its paradigm, and diversify in innovative ways. This meant that while Eluna constantly stayed in the limelight, preaching about the humanitarian virtues of imperialism, she also had to be able to gather a bit of intelligence herself. With the changing face of Intel, it was a job that had become demanded of her.

Then there was Quill. Eluna shuddered as she began to disembark from the star ferry that had touched down on the planet. Something about Intel's good doctor disturbed her greatly. Every day, it was the same. Two or three emails, reminding Eluna that she was overdue on the "company checkup and physical exam". There weren't many people that Eluna minded probing her...but Quill was one of those. Maybe it wasn't just him, however. She had never been very comfortable of doctors. All the same, with their rubber gloves, and cold stethoscopes...

...were the situation slightly different, she might like it. However, good Doctor Quill was a bit too creepy for Eluna's tastes. He was indirectly responsible for Eluna snatching up this assignment. After all, if she spent time spreading propaganda across borders, she didn't have to worry about Quill and his "checkups".

Grabbing her luggage, Eluna finally began to depart the ferry, to where a hovertaxi awaited. She hopped in, putting her bags aside, and smiled at the driver.)

Take me to the first bar you can find. I need a drink.

(The cabbie nodded, and his repulsorcab veered off, towards Master Yoghurt's Bar & Grill. As they approached, Eluna remembered the establishment from about half a year back. She smiled as she exited the cab, tipping the driver with a generous helping of credits. Removing her baggage, she smiled as the cab departed. Staring at the bar, she smirked)

Well well, its certainly been a while...

(Slinging a carry-on over her shoulder, Eluna walked into the bar)

[ReaperFett]

:: "So, I can come round when ready? Yeah, thats perfect. See you soon Sug" Fett says into a small communications device, putting it into his coat, and taking a drink of his drink. It was a reasonably quiet day, noone to be seen. Slowly, he turned round, surveying the scene, seeing noone but a female at the door, saying something to herself::

[Guri HRD]

(Eluna awkwardly holds onto her luggage as she enters the bar. Spotting a trenchcoat-wearing man, she smiles somewhat, and continues struggling with her cumbersome baggage. A suitcase slips out of her grasp and onto the floor. Cursing slightly, she brushes away a strand of her auburn hair.)

Krasst, I knew I should've checked into the hotel first.

(Without losing any more bags, Eluna tries to duck down and pick up her dropped bag.)

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: Fett slides off his stool, and picks up the fallen case for the woman.

"Here, let me help you with that"::

[Guri HRD]

(At first, Eluna tried one more time to carry the bags, but then her carry-on fell to the floor. With a sigh of resignation, she took what she could carry, and stood up. It was then that her eyes met with the man's. Her red lips parted into a smile ever-so slightly.)

Thank you.

(She stood, watching as he shouldered most of the load. Ah Chivalry...it must not be as dead as previously thought.

Dragging her luggage to a table, she gestured for the man to sit, as she took her place at the opposite side.)

I never got your name, Mr...?

[c]<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg></enter>

[ReaperFett]

:: "Longbaugh. Ash Longbaugh" Fett said, leanng over to shake her hand"::

[Guri HRD]

(Eluna took his hand, feeling the warmth in it. With a smirking smile, she brushed back her hair.)

Nice to meet you, can I call you Ash? My name's Eluna, I'm a Leo, and the best way to cure jetlag and meet new people at the same time is with Tequila.

(She raised her hand up, snapping her fingers to get the attention of the waitress. Returning her attention to Ash, she leaned over the table, grinning luridly)

Interested?

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: "Yes, very" Fett replied, smiling::

[Guri HRD]

(The waitress came to the table, and Eluna didn't waste any time. She was a woman who always knew what she wanted, and didn't waste a second in indecision.)

I'd like a liter of Cuervo, two limes, two shots, and a shaker of salt.

(Nodding without jotting the order, the waitress trotted off. Eluna stretched in her seat slightly, working the space mileage out of her cramped muscles.)

So Ash...pardon the cliche, but what brings a guy like you into a place like this? I don't know what Jedi bars are known for, but it isn't for the party scene, I don't think. What's your story?

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: "I just spend a lot of spare time here. Lots of people normally, people to meet, things to gain" He said smiling::

[Guri HRD]

People to meet, things to gain, huh?

(Eluna chuckled slightly)

You sound like a very modern-minded individual.

(As she talked, the waitress placed the drinks on the table. Eluna filled the shots with Cuervo, and sliced a lime into quarters. Sliding a shot glass and a lime slice to Ash, Eluna took the salt shaker, licked her wrist, and salted it heavily.)

So, how modern-minded are you, Mr. Longbaugh?

(She grinned, raising her glass)

We're obviously not as naive as our first encounters might indicate. I know who you are, and judging by this, you obviously know who I am as well.

(She bit into the lime slice, downed her tequila, and licked the salt on her arm, all in one fluid motion. Squinting her eyes slightly as the alcohol went down, she turned her glass over, setting it on the table)

I have to admit, you're the most unconventional Jedi I've ever met before.

(Eluna began to refill her glass. Looking up with her green eyes, she winked)

And I hope I'm not disappointing, either.

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: "Curtainly not" Fett said smiling, as he downed his drink.

"So, what brings you here?"::

[Guri HRD]

(He either didn't know, or was unnecessarily playing dumb. Either way, there was no point in concealing anything.)

I'm speaking at the upcoming Humanitarian Accords on Malastare. This was one of the stops on the way, so I thought I'd spend the evening here. At any rate, it gives me a little time to let my hair down, so to speak. Also, spending an evening among Jedi is good for PR as well.

(Eluna smiled slightly, refilling her shot)

So tell me more about Ash Longbaugh...seems like just the kind of man I've been looking to meet lately.

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: "Really?" Fett said, smiling.

"Well, Ash started off doing what he could for money, before doing what he could for good. bit of a difference really"::

[Guri HRD]

Can't you have both?

(Eluna asked, as she bit into another slice of lime. As she slammed the cuervo shot and licked the salt off her arm, she continued)

I mean...if you put the money to good use?

(She blinked. Evidently, it had been a while since she was able to "kick back". Two shots of cuervo were already starting to get to her.)

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: "I suppose so, yes. Ive got money for repairs and things before. Depends on the case really" Fett replies thoughtfully::

[Guri HRD]

(Eluna topped off another shooter, and salted her wrist)

Or what if you busted your tail to make enough cash to find the right person to be with. Sure, if they are the right one, you'd be just as happy in a wood shack eating ramen noodles, but wouldn't it be so much better at a five star restaurant?

Then again, I'm getting ahead of myself.

(She chortled)

"Right one"...what the frell is that?

(Sighing, she took another shooter)

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: "The one where you could stay up all night just watching them sleep. Saw it on a Holo Commercial once. Now, finding them, thats a whole different kettle of Wamprats"::

[Guri HRD]

(Eluna sighed audibly)

Ugh...don't remind me. Its hard enough to do that and tour 2 planets a day. I've gotten by mainly on cheap thrills for the past few years, and I think at times it takes its toll on me.

(She took another shot, and let the cool shot glass rest against the side of her face. The warm buzzy feeling was starting to grow. If she kept her pace up, she would be on a fast track to full-blown intoxication in no time)

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[Gurney Devries]

It finally occured to Gurney that the darkened corner of the Bar he now sat in seemed purposefully left empty. Sure, the place was pretty empty overall. But there was just something about this little section that seemed particularly deserted. One of the overhead lumi-lights was apparently on the fritz, casting a cone of relative darkness over the spot he was sitting in. And it had apparently been that way for a while, too: a small table and single chair were pushed up against the wall, kept almost entirely out of sight as much by the darkness as the abundant glare. The walls were an appallingly bright blue which was designed to reflect the maximum amount of light. Unfortunately.

Gurney shifted in his seat a but, trying in vain to find a position that wouldn't make his rear fall asleep. There was precious little fat on his body: Normally a good sign in a combat instructor. However, this also resulted in a lack of padding in the kaboose area. Well, maybe he could just numb the rest of his body with the Spice Beer and not be able to tell the difference. A pleasant thought, but he knew that he wasn't nearly as succeptable to it as most people were. He ingested such large amounts of it's key ingredient, after all, that his body had built up a tolerance for it. And a dependancy on it, as well.

His raw talents with the Force were sparse, and he'd had precious little training in the use of it. But whether it was some convulted Jedi trick his mind was playing out for him, or his own natural instinct guided by experience, something went off in his head as he saw that last woman enter the bar. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Tall, nice set of legs. The type of woman most guys would kill to have a drink with. And there was one now, doing just that. Typical.

Gurney wanted to dismiss her as just that: Some broad looking to get drunk and possibly get something else. But there was something about her that set off warning buzzers all through his head. He could hardly keep his attention on his drink, and that in itself was a feat. Without taking his eyes off of the woman, Gurney unconsciously raised the glass to his lips and took a slow sip, trying to listen carefully for any snippets of conversation that might carry across the room.

[ReaperFett]

::Fett looks down at her reflling her glass again, then looks back up at her.

"Dont you think you should slow down?"::

[Guri HRD]

(Eluna spilled a dabbling of cuervo on the table in response. She giggled at her mishap)

Oh, probably...I guess. Just don't get much time to enjoy myself. Have to compress it in between business meetings.

And to think about it

(She leaned forward)

I've never been one to take it slow...

(The effects of the drinks began to show their toll on Eluna. She took a napkin on the table and sloppily jotted down an address and a phone number. Sliding the napkin to Ash, she winked at him.)

...because if you go too slow, you won't get there in time.

(She hoped that he would take her up on the offer, as she finished her last shooter. Licking the salt and lime from her lips, she tossed a strand of hair back.)

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: Smiling, Fett slid the napkin into his pocket.

"I'll keep that in mind" ::

[Guri HRD]

(Smiling invitingly, Eluna slid the remnants of the Cuervo bottle to Ash's side of the table. Standing up in a slightly-disoriented fashion, Eluna began to gather her luggage with the best of her dignity.)

My taxi....its outside....

(Stumbling a few times from the alcohol and the burden of her bags, Eluna managed to get all of her bags into the hovertaxi...minus a small carry-on that slipped unnoticed out of her grasp in mid transit. Within moments, the cab began to speed away, towards the hotel that Eluna had a room at.)

10 minutes later

(After tipping the cabbie well, Eluna made her way to her 3rd story hotel room. Gracelessly, she slid the keycard into the door, and dragged her luggage inside. Giggling to herself, she began to kick off her shoes, and similarly remove her formal business attire. Within two minutes, she had slinked into a semi-tasteful pink lingerie that she always preferred.

Sitting down on the bed, she drummed her fingers on the mattess for a moment. Then she remembered....)

Krasst. I need to check my email.

(Standing shakily again, Eluna walked to the small coffee table across the room, removing a palm-sized holoprojector from a black bag. Returning to the bed, Eluna laid back down, and activated the device. It came to life in a blue flicker.)

<font color=0099CC>You have mail!

One message!

Sent today at 18:45 hours!

User: Anonymous.</font>

(Shrugging her shoulders, Eluna opened the email. The text was only one line.)

<font color=0099CC>She sells seashells by the seashore.</font>

(Feeling even more woozy than before, Eluna's eyes fluttered into the back of her head, and she passed out...her head slumping sideways onto the pillow.)

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/theloungelizard/eluna.jpg>

[Guri HRD]

::Ash woke in the shower with a splitting headache.

"Bloody hell, that's the last time I ever do shooters."

Turning the water off, he stood, drying the water off his body with a just-too-small white hotel towel. For some reason, his body ached all over...like he had been working out the day before. But, he couldn't really remember a thing. Not that such events had never happened to him before, it was just an odd feeling about it all.

Washing his face in the sink, he looked in the mirror. At least he was still himself today. Things could always be worse.

Ash strode into the living area, and found his suitcase exactly where he remembered putting it. Unzipping it, he slid on his shirt, jeans, and trademark trenchcoat. Making sure that everything was where it was needed, he glanced down to the suitcase. Only two things remained...

...Ash slid his trusty Colt 1911 .45 semiautos into their respective holsters. Now at last, the wardrobe was complete.

He closed his eyes, and opened them with a start.

"What the hell was that?"

He could have sworn that he'd seen the word "<font color=990000>KILL</font>" in front of him when he shut his eyes. It happened so suddenly, that it creeped the hell out of him.::

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/reaperfett/Fett_14.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: Fett stayed seated as she left the bar, and poured himself another drink. Should I go? he wonders. I mean, its not like you need to. You could throw that napkin away right now, and life would go on

He leant back on his chair, tilting his head to look up at the ceiling, before bringing it down for a drink. Just to check she got back ok. Thats all Ill go for. To check.


THE NEXT DAY
Fett walks into the hotel bar, and orders a quick drink. Looking round for anyone he knows and seeing noone, he takes his, drink, and takes a drink. It was a bit too early to go visiting just yet.

A short while later, Fett leaves the bar, and begins walking to the room number he was given. Remember Ash, he thinks Youre going to say hi, see if she got back ok from the bar, nothing else. Realising he was outside the room, Fett takes a breath, and knocks on the door...::

[Guri HRD]

::Jerking up from bed at the sound of a knocking door, Ash, immediately snatched a 1911 from under his pillow. Slipping his trenchcoat and shoes on discreetly, he silently padded over to the door, pulling the hammer back on his pistol. Placing his eye to the peephole, he does a double-take.

"What the frell?!?"

His first instinct was to bring both guns up blazing through the door, but he hesitated. In a fraction of a second, his head twitched.

<font color=990000>RUN.</font>

Tightening and loosening his grips on the guns, Ash gulped slightly, holstering them and spinning on his heel. He ran to the other side of the room, breaking the door down to the adjacent room with a shoulder charge. He startled an elderly man, and quickly made his way through the room. Giving himself a chance to catch his breath, and to give a silent three-count, he quietly opened the door, and nonchalantly walked into the hall, keeping his back facing the bizarre man who seemed to look just like him!

"C'mon Ash, one foot in front of the other...play it cool."

He got to the elevator, and pressed the down button.::

<img src=http://www16.brinkster.com/reaperfett/Fett_14.jpg>

[ReaperFett]

:: having waiting a fair time for a reply, Fett knocks again, listening in carefully, when he hears a crash noise inside. Thinking that she might be in trouble, he took a step back, and shoulder barged the door..

"AARGH!" He yells, as he smacks into the door, not realising that the doors were reinforced. Holding his shoulder and stepping back a bit, he begins to kick at the door, and has a wave of satisfaction roll over him when the door does swing in. Running in, Fett sees that the room is completely empty, but a side door to another room was broken in. Going in, he saw nothing but a startled and confused elderly man, and the front door open. Jogging through, he saw that the hallway was empty::

[Gurney Devries]

"I guess that about answers it," Gurney thought to himself. "I'm going to have to open it."

He had left his name and an address he could be reached at with the bartender, in case the strange lady came back later looking for her carry-on. To this man's eyes, the luggage looked mighty expensive, and he wanted to see to it that it got returned to it's owner. He had asked around to see if anyone knew who the lady was, but not a single person claimed to have ever seen her before. The guy talking to her might have gotten a holo-number, or something of the sort. But Gurney hadn't noticed it until after he, too, had left. That meant that his only chance of getting this thing back to it's owner... was opening it up.

Gurney grimaced at this prospect. He hated invading on other people's privacy almost as much as he hated having his own intruded upon. But... she would probably appreciate the infraction when the luggage was returned. He glanced it over, looking for some way to pry it open without damaging it or it's contents. The lock on it's side seemed to be a pretty sturdy one, but nothing out of this system. Gurney was a lot of things, but unfortunately, "lock-pick" was not one of them. Short of taking a blaster to it, he couldn't think of any way to get past it's locking mechanism. Wait... one way came to mind.

He had been getting pretty chummy lately with one of the people that lived about three apartments down from his. The guy was always bragging about his ability to crack any lock. Most assuredly, he'd been using his talents for something highly illegal. But the man also showed a particular dislike for Imperials. More specifically, Imperial Security Systems. So Gurney didn't really object when his new friend decided to go on a slicing spree through some whitecollar's bank account. As long as he kept away from New Rep systems, it was pretty much 'all good'.

Picking up the carry-all under one arm, Gurney made his way down the hall to the Slicer's apartment. Precisely five minutes and 23 seconds later, the carry all was open. With a quick thanks, the padawan made his way back to his room, sifting through the contents mildly. Inside, there was a passport, Diplomatic Visa, a small blaster, and various other odds and ends. The woman's name was 'Eluna Thals', and she was apparently some sort of high mucky-muck. Gurney gave the Visa another look and grimaced for the second time today: Make that an Imperial mucky-muck. He bit his lower lip in consternation. Well, a good dead is a good dead, even if it was for some Imp. He put everything back inside and closed it up, leaving the lock open in case he needed to poke around again for more information. He'd give this Eluna dame another day to pick her stuff up before dropping it off at the nearest diplomatic embassy.