PDA

View Full Version : Runabout



Bretak
May 22nd, 2019, 04:18:34 PM
The Aranar had picked up the distress call, and followed it to the source. A light freighter was marooned between stars, a standard distress beacon beaming it's coordinates into space.

It looked like easy pickings, and as Bretak scanned the drifting ship it appeared to have suffered a catastrophic electrical failure. Even life support had failed, so whatever crew it had once had were likely dead.

The Interceptor-class frigate maneuvered around, carefully docking with the dead freighter, and Bretak ordered a boarding party to see if there was any cargo worth taking on board. He remained on the bridge, keeping tabs on their progress.

The armored Mando'ade forced the hatch, waiting a few minutes as the Aranar filled the freighter with air, before carefully entering and exploring the ship.

Nelaa Kyris
May 22nd, 2019, 10:58:34 PM
It had been several hours since Nelaa had shut the power down on the light freighter that she was piloting and activated the distress beacon. To pass the time, she thought back on the events that had lead her to this moment. The catalyst for this entire ordeal was the attack on the Ord Trasi shipyards. In the beginning, Nelaa suspected that it was a covert hit done by the Alliance to give the Empire a black eye. The more she dug into it however, the more she was led her in a slightly different direction.

The fact that the attack was carried out by Mandalorians was the most intriguing part. While the Mandalorians held a respectable amount of space, they survived basically by not being worth killing. Stomping into the Empire's backyard (no matter how remote) and taking a piss wasn't something they would do without great benefit to offset the huge risks. The ships that were stolen from Ord Trasi would not offset that risk. She then looked at the Alliance angle. It would have been right up their alley, but a full company of Mandalorians? Mandalorians were popular mercenaries, but they normally operated solo. Nelaa could count on one hand the number of Mandalorian mercenary companies she knew of, and the number she'd only heard rumors about on the other. The biggest issue with hiring a whole company of Mandalorians is that they're not subtle. Eventually someone would be able to follow their trail back to the person or people who hired them.

One by one, Nelaa went through every group she could think of and struck them off the list for similar reasons. The biggest possibility this left was that she was hunting a renegade group of Mandalorians. Not unheard of, especially when a new Mandalore takes control, but those are normally hunted down and exterminated, or reabsorbed after hurt feelings healed. This didn't feel like that at all.

With that logical framework, finding them became a matter of sifting through data. They had stolen, not destroyed, ships, so they were looking to grow and expand. This turned her attention to areas where ships had been blipping off the map never to be heard from again. This narrowed it down some, but still left a huge amount of data to sort through. Then she started working from the other direction, searching through reports for any times that a boarding party was mentioned. Eventually she stumbled over a small snippet of a distress call that hinted at the boarding party wearing helmets that could match the Mandalorian style.

That specific area was the one she was floating through now. Oxygen was low enough now that each breath was getting heavier so she went ahead and strapped a rebreather on. Soon after, she was greeted with a light show just outside her window.

The frigate that found her wasn't a large one, but it still dwarfed the tiny little freighter that she was hanging out on. The suit she was wearing would mask her heat signature, so a heat scan wouldn't show any life forms on board. Over her suit she was wearing a loose fitting pair of pants and a t-shirt, with a coat on over it, hiding her arms. Her red hair was pulled back into a bun on the back of her head. As soon as the frigate refilled the ship with air she took off the rebreather and set it in the co pilot's chair. She glanced back at a datapad that she had propped up on the control that was showing feeds from small cameras she'd placed around the ship. She witnessed five people dressed in Mandalorian armor making their way onto the ship. These are my guys, she thought to herself. Guess I'll have to be social.

She reached over and switched the ships reactor on and waited to see what sort of response that would earn her.

Bretak
May 22nd, 2019, 11:10:52 PM
"The reactor on the freighter is powering up!" called one of the vod manning the sensors station.

Bretak frowned. "There's someone on -"

"There is someone on board!" came the call over the comms, Aang's name lighting up on the readout by the captain's seat. He was leading the boarding party. "This is not a disabled ship, Bretak."

"Bring them to me," he ordered.


***

Aang, his helmet bearing a wide blue stripe along the crown, made it into the cockpit first. A human female was sitting there, just waiting. Waiting for them?

Cautious, he held up a gauntleted fist, stopping the others from entering. "Spread out," he said subvocally to their helmets. "I want this ship scanned for traps."

Out loud he said, "You will come with me. Your ship is forfeit but you will be unharmed if you do not resist."

Aang kept his blaster rifle pointed in her direction, scanning the cockpit for anything out of the ordinary for a freighter of this size.

Nelaa Kyris
May 22nd, 2019, 11:26:22 PM
"You can stow the rifle big boy, I'm not looking to misbehave."

She stood up and straightened her jacket.

"In fact, I would like to speak with the man in charge."

Bretak
May 22nd, 2019, 11:31:32 PM
Aang did not stow the rifle, but did let the point drop a bit.

"I am in charge here," he said. "Why do you pretend your ship is disabled and then expect to get what you want from us?"

He stepped toward her, holding his blaster rifle with his dominant hand while reaching for her arm with the other. "Come with me."

Nelaa Kyris
May 22nd, 2019, 11:47:15 PM
It was obvious that he wasn't going to play nice. Time to make a first impression, she thought to herself.

"Just remember that I asked nicely..."

As his hand was about to reach her, her own hand shot out to grab it, lurching him toward her while pulling herself behind him with the same motion. As his leg came forward to brace himself, her foot found the back of his knee, forcing it to the floor. He tried to swing the rifle around but only succeeding in having in yanked from his hands. He now found himself on the floor on one knee with his own rifle aiming at the back of his helmet. She knew things were about to start happening quickly.

"Your first man through the door will die. I may even get the others before help arrives. Tell them to stand down and we can try this again."

Bretak
May 22nd, 2019, 11:57:53 PM
He was on the ground with his own blaster rifle pointed at his head before he quite knew what was happening. Aang fumed, but put out the call over the comm.

"Vod, stand down. Do not come to the cockpit."

His HUD told him exactly where the others were throughout the ship, Tiktik was closest to the cockpit and she was already moving up the corridor toward them. If he didn't get his brains painted over the bulkheads he was never going to live this down.

"What do you want to meet our leader for?" Aang asked. "To set a trap like this, leaving yourself as bait and taking me hostage - you are either very confident or very stupid."

Everything he said was going out over the comm, and he saw Tiktik's icon on his HUD stop moving, still a relatively safe distance as she presumably listened to the conversation.

Nelaa Kyris
May 23rd, 2019, 11:14:16 AM
“Hmm, the jury is still out on that. As far as your leader goes, he’s left a mess in my backyard and I’m a nice enough neighbor to talk things out before they escalate.”

She wagered that she’d shown the Mandalorian enough stick. It was time to start showing a little carrot.

“I’m unfamiliar with your culture, so you’ll have to excuse me...”

She gave his helmet a light tap with the barrel of the rifle.

”Will it bring you dishonor to remove that?”

Bretak
May 23rd, 2019, 03:36:24 PM
Aang bristled, hesitating to buy time and also trying to decide what to do.

"It will not dishonor me," he said at last, reaching up slowly to remove it. Underneath the helmet his black hair was smushed to the side, his skin bronzed from a lifetime in the sun of the Wilds of Onderon.

Aang did not close his brown eyes, his body tense as he waited for any kind of opening to present itself.

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 12:10:21 AM
Nelaa began to circle around the Mandalorian as he took his helmet off. She made sure to keep herself out of reach, lest she make the same mistake he made with her. Her path brought her back around to the pilot's seat where she sat down, laying the rifle across her lap. She was close enough to tempt the Mandalorian into rushing her, but just far enough away that it probably would end with a hole through his head. She didn't plan it this way, that just happened to be where he was in relation to the chair.

"Okay. I'm going to ask you a few questions. The truth would be most productive for both of us, but failing that I would prefer silence over lies. Understand?"

The Mandalorian nodded grudgingly. She cracked a thin smile.

"What is you name?"

"...Aang."

He seemed to be telling the truth, and he didn't give any indication that he was making subvocal commands. He was ready for the real test.

"Aang, I was always taught that negotiations at gunpoint aren't negotiations at all. If I set this rifle aside, can we speak with some civility?"

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 12:32:08 AM
Aang narrowed his eyes, but nodded again.

"What do you wish to speak about?"

In the corridor beyond, Tiktik began to creep closer as the other three Mando'ade staggered themselves in the main hub of the freighter, waiting to see what was going to happen.

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 01:18:35 AM
This was the test of everything now. If she removed this rifle from the equation and Aang decided to attack then there would be no peaceful discussion. Her best case scenario at that point would be to subdue the five Mandalorians and hold them as hostage. The worst case was obviously death, and just short of that was being captured. Being shackled up and frogmarched in to see their leader wouldn't put her in a very good position for possible negotiations.

"I want your word, Aang. On your honor, if I put this weapon down, we will negotiate and I won't have to worry about an attack from you, or that shadow I see moving around in the corridor. Do I have your word?"

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 01:25:46 AM
Aang frowned and lifted his hand from his position on his knees, a staying motion to keep Tiktik from trying anything.

"The Mando'ade have great honor," he said quietly, his eyes burning into hers. "I give you my word: if you put the rifle down we will not attack you."

As he said it the tension did not leave his body - until she began to set aside the rifle. Aang settled back on his heels in an almost relaxed crouch, studying this strange woman who was so intent on an audience with their leader.

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 01:37:45 AM
She set the rifle on the floor then slid it a few feet away. It was close enough that Aang MIGHT be able to get to it before Nelaa, or he might not. She hoped they wouldn't have to find out.

"Now, as I mentioned before, your people made a mess in my backyard, even took a few things that don't belong to you. This..." she waved a hand around, gesturing at the ship around them "...was a necessity. None of you thought to leave a business card where I could reach you."

She took a seat back in the pilot's chair.

"I would like to speak with your leader to see about making things right, but I will not be taken in as a prisoner. Are you a person who can make this meeting happen, or am I not speaking high enough on the food chain?"

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 01:44:37 AM
He took in the form of her as she spoke. The woman didn't look like much, but she'd certainly had extensive training and was versed in combat. Or at least in disarming an opponent caught unaware. It would not happen again.

"We can be reached, if you know who you are looking for." Aang tilted his head a little to the side. She had not known who she was looking for, not exactly. "Mand'alor sees who they wish to. But I can bring you to Mand'alor's second and let him decide."

Aang rested his forearms on his knees, looking perfectly relaxed except for the intensity of his dark eyes.

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 01:59:34 AM
She arched an eyebrow. His words were direct, but left out certain details.

"And I won't be subdued for this meeting in any way?"

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 02:13:48 AM
Aang raised his own eyebrow to match hers.

"Unless you wish to be."

He slowly stood up, watching her reactions carefully. "I have given my word. Do not dishonor yourself by doubting it."

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 09:44:52 AM
"I have given my word. Do not dishonor yourself by doubting it."

There was menace in that last statement. Intentional or not, Aang just made it clear that he would not be bound by honor if she wasn't. Nelaa was the type of person who didn't let concepts such as honor stand in the way of progress, but she recognized that it was in her best interest to keep up appearances for Aang's sake.

"I will follow you then." She saw him glance toward his rifle. She took a symbolic step away from it. "It's yours, I won't try to stop you now."

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 10:13:27 AM
He kept his eyes on her as he put his helmet back on, and reached for the rifle. The HUD in the helmet reconnected and blinked to life, showing Aang that Tiktik was retreating back down the passage.

”What is your name and allegiance?”

Aang tapped his helmet, as if the question had come through his comm as he walked down the corridor. Turning to face her in the main hub, he gestured toward the hatch where Tiktik was standing, her chestplate marked with large scratch marks from a boma that had gotten a little too close in the Wilds. She had colored her armor with a thick red vertical stripe, but left the grooves unpainted, highlighting them and her brush with death.

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 01:23:40 PM
She kept a mental note of Aang's positioning as she stepped by him into the hatch. Though she was confident that honor would keep him in check, she was about to lay a huge card on the table that may change every dynamic of the encounter. The smaller Mandalorian in the corridor was an unknown variable as well. She immediately noticed the Mandalorian's posture and proportioning. I believe this is a woman, she thought to herself. She glanced back to Aang.

"Nelaa Kyris, Imperial Intelligence."

She was thankful for the loose clothing she wore that hid the fact that every muscle in her body was tensed and ready to spring into action.

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 04:49:12 PM
Bretak's voice came through the comm in Aang's ear. "I will meet with her since you pledged your honor, Aang, but she will be searched before boarding."

Aang nodded to Tiktik, who stepped between Nelaa and the airlock.

"I will have to search you," she said. "Trust is earned."

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 09:36:36 PM
Nelaa gave a curt nod.

"Certainly. I am armed."

She made her statement matter of factly, with no suggestion of protest or worry. She started to remove her jacket before Aang held up his hand. She couldn't see his face, but his body language almost suggested some discomfort. Not fear, shyness perhaps? Embarrassment?. His words were quick, almost clipped off.

"Tiktik will search you..."

Nelaa turned and found herself face to face with Tiktik, who wasted no time relieving her of her weapons. She pulled a blaster from Nelaa's coat and handed it off. Her hands moved under Nelaa's shirt and pressed around her stomach, feeling the texture of the suit underneath. Tiktik glanced at Aang for a second then back to Nelaa.

"What is this underneath?"

Nelaa pulled off her jacket and dropped it to the floor before pulling off her shirt. With the exception of Tiktik, she found the Mandalorians glancing away. She removed the rest of her outer clothing until she was in only her combat suit. It was form-fitting, but with it's unlinked light armor plating, was not at all revealing.

"This is combat armor. I can remove it if you would like, but I fear I'm not wearing much underneath..."

"That will not be necessary" Aang croaked.

Tiktik went back to work, removing a vibroblade from Nelaa's hip, and her utility belt. She looked over at Aang.

"That is all."

Nelaa spoke up.

"Hold on..."

She held her right arm up to give Aang a better look.

"The bracer's on this armor have a dart launcher hidden inside. It's built into the suit so I can't remove it, but I can unload the darts. Is this acceptable?"

Bretak
May 24th, 2019, 10:27:34 PM
“Acceptable,” nodded Aang, stepping closer to examine how she unloaded the dart launcher. Tiktik confiscates the darts, and he took ahold of Nelaa’s forearm, looking over the cleverly concealed launcher. It was very similar to the dart launcher in his own gauntlet, but more compact and sleek.

After a moment he released her and walked through the hatch to the airlock and the Aranar​. “Come.”

Nelaa Kyris
May 24th, 2019, 10:54:08 PM
She fell in step behind Aang, and the other Mandalorians fell in behind her. She strode with a confidence that she didn't completely feel. I'm committed now. Her job always carried the threat of capture or death, and it was normally up to her ability to lie to avoid it. Now she found herself being open and honest, and literally allowing herself to be captured. She knew it was the correct play, but it went against years of developed instincts. They walked in silence into a lift, and when the doors opened, she found herself stepping into a conference room of some sort.

Aang escorted her to a table and gestured for her to have a seat. She thanked him and sat down. A million scenarios started running through her mind and she had to exert some mental effort to shut it down. Something I did not anticipate will happen. I must be ready to act.

Bretak
May 26th, 2019, 03:22:36 PM
Bretak walked into the conference room, armored and wearing his helmet. He nodded to Aang and Tiktik, the two escorts for their unusual visitor from Imperial Intelligence. He stood across from her, then pulled out a chair and sat.

After a moment he unbuckled his helmet and removed it, setting it on the table to his right. Bretak was a man of nearly fifty cycles, his dark blond hair lightening to white at the temples. Intelligent blue eyes stared out of a sun browned face at Nelaa Kyris.

”I am Bretak, second to Mand’alor.” He paused. “Why are you here?”

Nelaa Kyris
May 26th, 2019, 03:58:21 PM
This one has a similar accent to Aang. If they're an offshoot clan of Mandalorian, they've been separated for awhile. She pushed the thought to the side. It could be useful at some point, but Betak was here now and didn't seem like he would be too interested in giving her a history lesson. He was direct, with an edge to his voice that suggested that he was just ticking off a few boxes before he slapped her in shackles or worse. She couldn't afford to show weakness now though, not after the performance she'd put on earlier. Her body language was loose, almost casual. She leaned forward in her chair, resting her right arm on the table in front of her and smiled almost warmly before she spoke.

"Bretak, I need to speak with your Mandalore about the Ord Trasi shipyards."

She watched, curious to see how he would react.

Bretak
May 26th, 2019, 09:03:52 PM
Bretak’s sabbac face was impassive. “A strange request. Does the Empire require mercenaries at the shipyards? I fail to see how this would interest Mand’alor.”

How does this one know...and how did she find us? Whatever the answer was, Agent Kyris had sealed her fate. She would not be released.

Nelaa Kyris
May 26th, 2019, 11:09:46 PM
Oh how coy...

"Bretak, do you think I would have come all this way and gone through all of this if I wasn't certain your crew were responsible for the attack at Ord Trasi? Do you think I would do all of this on a hunch? Is that the impression I've given you so far?"

She had the sense Bretak was going to try to get her to lay every card on the table without showing his hand at all. She wasn't in the strongest position to negotiate - he could literally kill her at any time - but the last thing she was going to do was be played for a fool.

Bretak
May 26th, 2019, 11:38:46 PM
He did not change his expression, but he leaned ever so slightly forward. “Did your search for us, whoever you think we are, lead you to believe this was going to be simple? Or easy?”

Bretak raised an eyebrow. “Or safe?”

He turned to Aang, who was standing off to the side like a statue, and spoke to him in mando’a. “Did this one try to bring weapons on board?”

“No. Yes - but when we searched her she gave up them all, including one Tiktik did not find.”

Tiktik made a noise in her throat, but said nothing. That would come later, when the Imperial agent was not present.

“So she had you dead to rights, and yet you live and she relinquished her weapons.” Bretak turned back to Agent Kyris, speaking in Basic once more.

”If we are the ones you seek, why have you come alone?”

Nelaa Kyris
May 27th, 2019, 12:05:28 AM
"Nothing I've done up to this point has been easy or safe, I don't expect different from you."

She almost decided to reply to him in Mandalorian, but her grasp on the language wasn't that great. Best keep that card in the deck for now.

"The reason I come alone is that I believe there may be a solution here that doesn't involve bringing the Imperial Navy down on your head."

Bretak
May 27th, 2019, 01:02:07 PM
Bretak sat back a bit, studying the woman. She was relatively young, but was showing no signs of fear at her situation. If she was a Force user, such as those that Mand'alor had been bringing among them, then that could account for her self-assurance.

If she was not, then she was either very smart ...or very dumb.

He did not think it was the latter. As an agent of Imperial Intelligence she could simply be very highly trained.

He was not sure how to prove whether she was an adept or not. If she was, then pushing her to reveal herself could be very bad for his vod. Mand'alor would be able to handle her, so the solution was to give Agent Kyris what she wanted. An audience.

"Very well. I will take you to Mand'alor." He sat forward, resting his forearms on the table. "You will be our guest for the journey. Your freighter will be left here. If Mand'alor deems it wise, you will be returned to it after your meeting."

Nelaa Kyris
May 27th, 2019, 02:04:42 PM
Nelaa smiled and tilted her head in a slight bow.

"Thank you for your courtesy, Bretak. It is an honor."

There was no hint of mocking in her tone at all, even if the word courtesy was a bit of a stretch.

Bretak
May 27th, 2019, 02:38:08 PM
****

After a full day of travel, the Agent confined to quarters with a guard outside the door and trusted warriors in the rooms adjacent in case she tried anything tricky, the Aranar arrived at Dantooine.

Aang hooded the Imperial agent after escorting her to a shuttle, sitting her down and making sure she was strapped in for the ride to the planet's surface. The woman did not speak much, beyond a question about their destination.

"You will meet Mand'alor," said Aang, before placing the hood. "Just as you wished."

Under the claustrophobic darkness of the hood, Kyris could not tell what planet they were at, or even if they had arrived at a planet. They could have been taking her to another ship, or even out and around and back to the one they'd left from. But once the shuttle landed Aang carefully removed the hood.

"We are here. Follow me."

They were obviously expected. Armed and armored Acolytes stood outside the shuttle as they exited, walking along behind them as they passed through the village. The planet was non-descript - grasses and trees that might be found on any number of habitable worlds.

The village was unique. Cobbled together from pre-fabs and old masonry, there were living areas and open fires, and children running around playing games. One small group of youngsters, including a young Wookiee, was being herded into a pre-fab hut by a grizzled looking old woman in armor. The old woman glared at Kyris when she caught her looking, and closed the door.

Aang walked through confidently, greeting friends in Mando'a loudly as he led the way to Mand'alor's dwelling. The longhouse was larger than the others, not because Mand'alor wished it so, but because it was proper.

Outside the building he saluted Hel and Jeng, of Mand'alor's honor guard, with a fist over his heart. "The agent."

Hel sniffed. "She does not look like much. And she got the upper hand on you, Aang?" She was not speaking Mando'a, letting the visitor hear their conversation on purpose.

Aang grimaced, non-plussed. "She's quicker than she looks. But she has given her word and kept it." He gestured past them. "Shall we enter?"

"She goes in alone, Mand'alor's orders."

All three Mando'ade turned and looked at Kyris as she faced the open door.

Nelaa Kyris
May 27th, 2019, 03:45:24 PM
Nelaa from slight sensory deprivation with the hood over her head to a full on assault on her senses once it was removed, which she guessed was probably the desired effect. Taking in her surroundings, it was interesting how the very primitive met with high tech with little buffer in between. In the back of her mind, she knew this was another clue to the origin of these people, but she dare not lose focus trying to figure that out just this moment. A longhouse was the center of everything, and it was most certainly where Nelaa would be meeting this Mand'alor. The accent they spoke with still picked at her mind. It was almost as if she'd heard it at some point, but just couldn't place it.

Upon reaching the longhouse, a small pang of guilt hit her stomach as Aang took some abuse from the honor guard at the door. She brushed it to the side during her assessment of Hel and Jeng. These two are quite the pair... she thought to herself. The man was tall and broad and Nelaa found her eyes lingering on him perhaps a bit longer than they should have. The woman giving Aang grief was probably the more interesting of the pair. With her battle armor and scarred face, she seemed to be almost a monster, even though a more detailed assessment revealed that she wasn't much bigger than Nelaa. She guessed that the woman was probably the more dangerous of the two.

As they directed her inside she glanced back and gave Aang a respectful nod before stepping inside. As she stepped in, she found herself in a large audience chamber. On the other side of the room sat a figure dressed in red, white, and black armor. It only took a few seconds to realize the figure sitting across the room was a woman. Nelaa found that very interesting. She also found it interesting that she was going in alone. Even though she'd been thoroughly searched for weapons, and the Mandalore was supposed to be strongest among them, it still seemed strange that she would meet with Nelaa without some guards present, even if for looks.

Unless she doesn't want them to hear what we discuss...

Lilaena De'Ville
May 27th, 2019, 04:18:18 PM
Lilaena watched the woman, this Imperial agent, as she walked into the room. Nelaa Kyris, if that was her true name, was calm as she entered the audience chamber, her heartbeat steady as she walked to a respectful distance and stopped, holding her arms behind her back like a soldier at ease.

Behind her helmet Lilaena sat silently, letting the silence drag for a moment longer than was comfortable.

"You laid a trap for my mando'ade and came alone to beg audience with me," she said at last, her voice filtered through the helmet's vocoder. "You have been scanned for trackers and none were found. You are alone, Agent Kyris."

Lilaena did not move, only turned her head to look at the agent fully. "I assume you were not so unwise as to leave your safety entirely to chance. You told Bretak that you had a solution that did not involve the entire Imperial Navy. But I think that the Navy is your plan B."

She stood up, her red-lined black cape draping elegantly behind her from her shoulders to her knees. "We have no love for the Empire here, Agent. Tell me what it is you wish to say, but make it quick."

Nelaa Kyris
May 27th, 2019, 08:02:29 PM
Nelaa seemed almost amused.

"Mandalore, as I told your man Aang back on my ship, negotiation at gunpoint is no negotiation. I won't sit here and tell you that the Empire will erase your entire existence from this galaxy if you kill me because it isn't true."

She found herself looking around the room, taking in the small details as she spoke.

"Truth be told their will be very little consequence for my untimely death."

Her words were directed at the room almost as much as they were at this Mand'alor. She accepted her death every time she set out on a mission. The ironic part is that acceptance is what had kept her alive all these years. It gave her a boldness to act where pure fear would have frozen her. She brought her gaze back to the Mand'alor.

"What I'm offering you is the choice between two universes. One where you're an enemy of the Empire, and one where you are not."

Lilaena De'Ville
May 27th, 2019, 10:55:32 PM
Lilaena stood still, staring, gauging Agent Kyris with the Force. She seemed to be telling the truth, but skilled intelligence agents would know how to mask their physical reactions to hide a lie. The emotion coming off do her was honest, however.

She reached up and removed her helmet, setting it on the metallic bench she had been seated on. Shaking out her hair, she looked flatly at the other woman. She had painted on the black mark she customarily wore over her left eye, covering a scar that she had earned years ago.

Lilaena smiled grimly. “I am interested in hearing your proposal, but I am also sure there is no scenario where the Empire and I will not be enemies.”

Nelaa Kyris
May 28th, 2019, 08:03:07 PM
Nelaa's heart skipped a beat the moment that the mark on De'Ville's face became visible. It only took a brief moment to pull herself together, but during that time it was obvious that she had been taken completely by surprise. She sat quietly for some time, making no effort to hide the fact that the wheels were turning in her mind. Then, in an instant, her mind seemed to finally gain traction.

"I won't pretend that I don't recognize you, it would be too late for that even if I cared to. This will complicate some matters and simplify others."

It occurred to her that De'Ville had advantages that Nelaa had not accounted for, but the situation was still tenable. Lying was a riskier option now, but that was a tool that she had already planned not to use. De'Ville was physically more of a threat than anticipated, but killing her would have been counterproductive anyways. They were further apart than Nelaa had originally thought they would be, but she could still sense that a middle ground could be located.

"I must ask. These people..." she gestured back toward the door, "...are they now your people or are they a means to an end for you?"

Lilaena De'Ville
May 28th, 2019, 08:30:55 PM
The shock that Nelaa Kyris felt was quickly brought under control, but not before Lilaena picked up on an undercurrent of panic. She did not smile at the revelation, however, keeping her own face impassively neutral.

”They are my people. Any threat to them is a threat to me, and I will protect them to my fullest ability.”

She did smile then, just a quirk of the left side of her lips.

”It is a strange twist of fate bringing an Imperial agent to my door requesting a parley. What was your offer going to be, before you knew who I was?”

Nelaa Kyris
May 28th, 2019, 08:56:02 PM
Either she means that, or I'm completely out of my league...

Nelaa narrowed her eyes and tilted her head ever so slightly. Her expression picked up a tinge of intensity, reservation mixed with realization as she locked eyes with De'Ville. She spoke quietly, loud enough for De'Ville to hear, but almost to herself, as if her own words were surprising her.

"The same offer I'm making now. Cease all hostile activities toward the Empire and I'll help keep you off their radar."

It did occur to her that her statement was treason, but she pushed the thought to the side.

Lilaena De'Ville
May 28th, 2019, 09:22:19 PM
“Intriguing offer, Agent Kyris.”

Lilaena took a step toward her, down off the small platform the bench was placed upon. To her credit the agent did not retreat or flinch.

”Do you know why I hate the Empire? Why I made a name over the years with activities that brand me a traitor and a terrorist?

”It is because the Empire cannot be reasoned with. It cannot be parleyed with. It does not compromise its ideals, however monstrous they are. The Empire is a monolith headed by one person, one being with too much power and a penchant for planet killing weapons and genocide.

”I was fighting to avenge the death of the Jedi order, of which I was once a part, long, long ago when I was a child.”

Lilaena fell silent, her face somber.

“My aims have shifted in the last few years. But I still have no love for the Empire.”

Nelaa Kyris
May 28th, 2019, 10:46:04 PM
De'Ville's fury seemed to barely be held in check as she described her hatred for the Empire in painstaking detail. Nelaa, for her part, remained passive, showing almost no emotion. There was no point defending the Empire's actions to De'ville. It was a simple fact of life: governments commit atrocities. When you boil it down to bare essentials, there was very little functional difference from one government to the next. Anyone who thought otherwise was deluded.

As De'Ville cooled down, Nelaa decided to cut to the heart of the situation, aware of how painful that could be.

"I understand why you hate the Empire. I understand why you carried out the acts that you did. And I know that you understand that those actions have consequences."

The fire seemed to be returning to De'Ville's eyes, but Nelaa pressed forward.

"You told me that you would protect these people to your fullest abilities, and I absolutely believe you when you say that. Understand, however, that your past puts them between you and that uncompromising monolith, and it won't have any qualms about rolling over them to get to you."

She could almost feel the anger that radiated off De'Ville, but maintained eye contact, easily within striking range.

"I'm offering a way to keep the Empire from killing your people, and in return you stop killing mine. If you won't take a path to avoid pointless bloodshed, then you're the greatest threat these people have ever known. What is your plan to protect them from you?"

Lilaena De'Ville
May 28th, 2019, 11:48:59 PM
Nelaa Kyris’ words made Lilaena angry, and she felt angrier still because she could feel the cold hard truth in them. She clenched her fists, and had to purposefully loosen her hands.

“In return for this great favor what do you require in return?” Lilaena’s green eyes flashed.

Nelaa Kyris
May 29th, 2019, 11:31:49 AM
She sensed the venom in De’Ville’s tone and chose to meet it with a confident calmness.

“Peace of mind.” She spoke matter-of-factory.

She sensed that she had moved through the worst of the storm, but now stood in its eye. One wrong step would find her back out in its fury.

”I don’t want to sit in a medbay listening to a terrified pilot describe how you and your people killed all of her friends. I don’t want to have to worry what your next target will be. I want it to stop.”

Lilaena De'Ville
May 29th, 2019, 11:45:47 AM
She wanted to move, to stalk, to channel the energy that was building inside her into something, but she did not. Lilaena clenched her hands again, leaving them as fists.

”The battle we fight will not stop simply because we withdraw. Innocents suffer - those who did not sign up to protect a corrupt system,” she added. “True innocents.”

Lilaena tilted her head a little, studying the other woman. “If, and it is a big if, we come to an agreement, how could I ever trust the word of a woman who has trained for years to be a skilled liar?”

Nelaa Kyris
May 29th, 2019, 08:14:42 PM
Nelaa looked away for a moment, her face showing no emotion as her mind kept turning. She spoke softly, still looking away.

"The same way I can trust a woman who would bomb a bacta facility just to spite the Empire."

She turned to meet De'Ville's gaze once again. "To answer your question, you can't."

Nelaa continued on, calmly and methodically, despite knowing that she was walking on very thin ice.

"What you can trust is logic. What you stand to gain by attacking the Empire doesn't even begin to offset the risk you will take doing it. If you're not attacking the Empire then I have no reason to waste resources coming after you. That's not to mention the prospect of mutual benefit down the line. It may be that we're both lying to one another, but I don't think either of us believes that to be the case."

Lilaena De'Ville
May 29th, 2019, 08:45:29 PM
Mutual benefit.

Lilaena narrowed her eyes, and looked past Nelaa toward the door she had entered through.

”Olaror o'r!” She called in Mando’a, and Hel immediately entered, saluting with fist over heart. “Hiibir kaysh at a taap she liser udes venjii kaysh munit ca'nara at ve'ganir olar.”*

She looked at Nelaa. “I require time to think. Food and a place to rest will be provided. Hel will remain with you, in case you need anything.” Lilaena looked at Hel, who stared intently back. “Our guest may walk around if she wishes.”

She turned and walked back toward the metal bench where her helmet lay, the other two clearly dismissed.


*Come in! Take her to a place she can rest after her long time to get here.

Nelaa Kyris
May 29th, 2019, 09:47:07 PM
"Your hospitality is sincerely appreciated."

She was doing a good job of keeping up appearances, but the meeting with De'Ville had been emotionally and mentally draining. She still had plenty in the tank, but she found herself eager to see the sun again. Of course, that could have also been a product of her mood. More than once during their conversation she'd steeled herself for death. She turned to Hel, as she was called, and bowed her head slightly.

"Please, lead the way."

Lilaena De'Ville
May 29th, 2019, 10:23:49 PM
Hel nodded to Mand’alor, turning and walking back out of the longhouse as Lilaena waited for the pair to leave. When she was alone again, she headed to her personal quarters behind the audience chamber, cape swishing behind her.

Hel slowly walked Nelaa through the village. More than a camp, they had lived here for over a year now, and it was evident they had put down roots. She paused for a group of youngsters to run past, chasing a flying remote shaped like a disc, and looked at the Imperial agent.

”You have questions.”

It was a statement, not quite an invitation. Hel started to walk again, skirting around a communal fire where a group of men and women were preparing an evening meal.

Nelaa Kyris
May 29th, 2019, 11:16:03 PM
"I do."

She got the sense that Hel wasn't quite in the mood for questions, and decided to at least figure out where her quarters would be before provoking the woman. They moved on past the men and women and soon found themselves approaching a small hut, set aside from the others but still nearby. Inside, Nelaa found a bed, a chair, and a table, but not much else in the way of furnishings. On the bed was a small bag, and when she opened it she found the clothing she'd been wearing back on her ship. Not wanting to shed her combat suit just yet, she pulled the shirt and pants on, hoping to blend in slightly more.

"Do you have a specific time and place for prayer or anything like that. I don't mean to take you away from something like that."

Lilaena De'Ville
May 30th, 2019, 05:52:54 PM
Hel looked at her curiously. “No prayers.”

She watched the woman pull on extra layers, but remained in the doorway. “Do you require food?”

***

In her private chambers Lilaena stripped off her armor and carefully placed it on its stand. Zipping out of the body glove she left it crumpled on the floor as she padded to the closet where more comfortable clothes were hanging.

What annoyed her the most about her visitor was that Nelaa Kyris was right. Without the governing body of Onderon to protect them everything they did could draw the attention of one of the larger powers. Dantooine was safe for now, but if they were found Lilaena wasn’t sure she could stop the Empire from slagging them from orbit. She would die trying, if it came to it.

The gravity well generator was needed, but had it been worth the risk?

The day was coming soon, when the orphans and underprivileged children from Naboo would be sent to Ossus. And she would still stop them.

I don’t have time for this.

Lilaena pulled a tunic and pants from her closet and began to get dressed, frowning the whole time.

Nelaa Kyris
May 30th, 2019, 11:16:07 PM
"Food would be nice, thank you."

Truth be told she wasn't very hungry at all, but there was no telling when the next meal would come, and it would be rude to turn down hospitality when it was offered. Plus it would give her a chance to observe the village and the people more closely.

As they made their way back into the village Nelaa was thankful for the extra clothing. Temperate really wasn't an issue, but she found herself getting fewer stares and glances now that she was wearing clothing that was a bit more normal. The village itself was interesting. It was obviously run by the Mandalorians, but she noticed that some of the children didn't seem to belong. I wonder what the story is with the wookiee child that I saw earlier. It was being rushed inside, I probably wasn't supposed to see it. She pushed the thought out of her mind for now. It was a technique she'd learned early on her career. Don't get caught up on a single detail. Just take in the surroundings and process it later. It was part of what made her a good agent. As they walked, she picked up her stride a bit, getting side by side with Hel.

"Do the nights get very cold here?"

Lilaena De'Ville
May 30th, 2019, 11:28:23 PM
"It is temperate enough, this time of year." Hel was careful not to reveal anything that might help the Imperial identify what planet they were on.

Arriving at a cookfire she called for a bowl of stew, and a eight year old boy brought one over. He had a scrape on his bare shoulder from battle play, and Hel grinned at it, giving him a gesture of pride. "You fought well?"

"I will do better next time," he said, blushing that she had noticed him.

"Ayy, I know you will." Hel cuffed him gently alongside his head to send him on his way and handed the bowl of stew to Nelaa, the smile instantly gone from her face. "It's good," she said, pointing to a smoothed log as a place to sit.

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 11:41:02 AM
She thanked Hel for the stew and watched the young boy run off before taking a seat. She had to remind herself that the Mandalorians were a warrior culture and that early combat training was a necessity to survive in their way of life. She ate a bit of stew before turning her attention back to Hel.

”How early do the children begin combat training?”

Lilaena De'Ville
May 31st, 2019, 11:56:52 AM
Hel raised an eyebrow at the question. “Usually around twelve cycles their formal training begins. Survival and battle play is encouraged, and by his age,” she nodded back to where the boy had scampered, “A child knows how to hunt for food. Their parents teach them at their own pace.”

She shrugged. She had never wanted children, personally, but they had their place in the clan and she would die to protect their future.

”When did you begin combat training?”

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 12:44:55 PM
“When I was eighteen. I signed up for military service as early as I could.”

She took another bite of her stew and scanned the horizon. The light from the village made it seem earlier than it was. With her back to everything she started seeing the first few stars becoming visible in the sky.

”It’s peaceful out here. Most places I get sent to are in the middle of big cities where you can’t see a single star in the sky. I don’t know what decision your Mandalore will make or what my fate will be, but if my time is almost up, I’m glad for this little window of peace.”

Lilaena De'Ville
May 31st, 2019, 01:03:49 PM
Hel seemed unmoved by Nelaa’s speech, folding her arms as she watched the other woman eat.

”Mand’alor is a dangerous woman,” she said at last. “Enjoy your peace while you can.”

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 01:44:37 PM
She smiled at Hel.

”I hope to.”

She walked back toward the camp. Others were eating, and she noticed some were already finishing their food and dropping their bowls off near a large tub. She followed suit, noticing that this was one of the few instances of running water that she’d seen. she set back toward the outskirts of the camp. She thought to ask Hel how far out she could go but decided to just start walking. Hel wasn’t the type to be too shy to speak up if Nekaa was going out of bounds.

They were well outside the camp (though it was still very much in sight) when Nelaa came up on a small tree. She walked over two it and sat down, leaning back against it, looking up at the sky.

”Is it ok if we sit here for a bit?”

Lilaena De'Ville
May 31st, 2019, 03:33:31 PM
Hel shrugged. “If you want.”

She did not join Nelaa on the ground, standing instead where she had a good view of their surroundings. This woman was strange, but perhaps this was her way of making peace with the upcoming end of her life.

After a few moments of silence they both heard someone walking toward them. Hel turned, then stood aside as Lilaena became visible in the growing darkness.

”May I join you?” Lilaena waited for the agent to nod, and then sat in the grass a few feet away. She was wearing leggings and a loose tunic, and the paint had been washed off her face, leaving a thin white scar where the jagged black line had been.

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 04:50:59 PM
Nelaa looked up at the stars for a few more seconds. She mouthed a few words to herself, silently, before turning her attention to De'Ville.

"I'd like to thank you again for the hospitality. Your people are impressive..." She glanced over to Hel for a moment. "...and the food was surprisingly good."

Lilaena De'Ville
May 31st, 2019, 09:41:39 PM
Lilaena smiled tightly. “I have been giving what you said a lot of thought.”

Behind her Choruk drew nearer, standing a few feet behind her with full armor on. He was about 6’5” and an imposing figure, if you didn’t know how jovial he was, and a surprisingly passable cook. He and Hel exchanged a nod, but other than that they almost appeared to be statues.

”I must make a living. The supplies that my people need do not come cheaply. We operate as mercenaries, and we will continue to do so. I can see the wisdom in leaving Imperial targets alone. We will cease all large scale assaults on the Empire’s military installations.

”In return for your life, and these concessions, you will keep the Empire off of our backs. This is the deal you wish to make, correct?”

Lilaena drew a small knife, holding it by the blade.

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 10:13:38 PM
Nelaa narrowed her eyes at the obvious intimidation play. Hel was intimidating enough, as was De'Ville. The large Mandalorian in full battle armor was complete overkill. It suggested that De'Ville wasn't as secure in her position in the negotiation as she'd like to be. When you cut it down to basics, dead was dead no matter how many people you brought to do the deed. For a moment, Nelaa was tempted to just accept the deal as is then come back with a few Star Destroyers and call it a day but she quickly dismissed that idea. Play the long game.

"When you say 'large scale assaults' you leave the door open for a lot of funny business. I told you before, cease all hostilities against the Empire. Full stop."

She maintained eye contact with De'Ville, choosing to the ignore the knife in the woman's hand.

Lilaena De'Ville
May 31st, 2019, 10:26:30 PM
Lilaena raised an eyebrow, noticing the agent’s glance toward Choruk. He’d insisted on coming along, he was part of her honor guard after all, even if she needed very little actual protection.

She leaned forward a little, fiddling with the knife in her hands.

”Your Empire does a lot of extremely dark things. Experiments on children. On entire cities. Surely you heard of the incident on Sestooine (https://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?21507-Sestooine-Rage) a few years back. The city that was cleaned off the planet? I was there, when it happened. I know what your people did to those innocents. I reserve the right to cut the throat of whatever evil bastards I find who are doing shit like that, whether they belong to the Empire or not.”

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 10:45:55 PM
"And when you decide that any person wearing an imperial uniform is responsible for any horrible thing that the empire has ever done, or you THINK they've done, then I'm supposed to stand by and let you go? Can you see how this entire thing falls apart?"

De'Ville was too quick to let passion override practicality. You may not survive this after all Nelaa...

Lilaena De'Ville
May 31st, 2019, 10:56:22 PM
She flipped the knife and caught it again by the blade.

”Do you condone such actions, Agent Kyris? Experimentation on children? Is that the Empire you swore oaths to?”

Nelaa Kyris
May 31st, 2019, 11:30:30 PM
Nelaa went deep into thought for a moment, completely ignoring how weak it would make her position look. Of course I do not condone something like that. The thought made her blood boil. But even with full knowledge that these things go on, what could she do? Get herself executed? Realizing she had been quiet for too long she spoke.

"Of course I don't..."

She was still obviously caught up in thought. Here was an outside force that was ready and willing to shoulder the repercussions of going after the worst people the Empire gave power to.

"If you find the Empire doing something like that, would you give me the chance to find out the truth before you act?"

Lilaena De'Ville
Jun 1st, 2019, 01:05:44 PM
Lilaena's eyes tightened a little, but she nodded. "Yes."

A thought occurred to her, and a smile half-formed on her lips. "If you hear of anything in Alliance space, you could pass that on to us. I know that the current state of the galaxy prevents the Empire's agents from taking direct action in Alliance space."

Nelaa Kyris
Jun 1st, 2019, 06:02:56 PM
Now, that is an interesting suggestion... Nelaa nodded her head.

"I think we can make a deal."

She stood to gain much more out of this arrangement then she had originally planned for, but she had the good manners to keep her elation in check.

"I'm assuming you have a secure line where I can reach you? It will take me some time when I get back to set up a proper back channel but it's easily doable."

Lilaena De'Ville
Jun 1st, 2019, 06:31:13 PM
“We have something set up for the mercenary company. It is quite secure.” Lilaena was a talented slicer and had set up their communications herself.

She balanced the knife on her fingertip, the sharp blade dimpling the skin. “We cease operations against the Empire, unless it’s the sort of monster you agree should be removed. You pass on information to us that we can use against worthwhile targets in the Alliance - which will benefit us physically or simply remove pieces from the board that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Those that betray the trust of innocents. You keep the Empire off of our backs, permanently.

”This is the deal we strike, Nelaa Kyris, with Hel and Choruk as witness. Bound by honor and blood.”

Lilaena took the knife and made a shallow cut across her palm, handing the blade to the Imperial agent.

Nelaa Kyris
Jun 1st, 2019, 07:51:51 PM
As De’Ville offered her the knife, it occurred to Nelaa that she wasn’t sure exactly what this ritual would entail. It seemed straight forward enough though. She removed the glove from her right hand before accepting the knife. Instinctively her mind measured the distance between them. “I’m fast enough”, she thought, smiling inwardly. She glanced over at Hel, who was doing a very good job of hiding the fact that she was fully prepared to intercept any foolishness that Nelaa may try. She realized these thoughts were the byproduct of her training mixed with a reluctance to take the next big step that lay in front of her. She looked up and made eye contact with De’Ville as she traced the tip of the knife across her palm.

”By honor and blood.”

Lilaena De'Ville
Jun 1st, 2019, 09:19:47 PM
Lilaena reached out and the two women clasped hands to seal the oath.

She clenched her bloodied hand into a fist as she got to her feet. “You are free to wander the village if you wish. Hel will show you back to your room if you need help finding it again. We will take you back to your ship tomorrow. Oh, and ...” Lilaena nodded toward the knife, holding her left hand out for it.

Nelaa gave the blade a skillful twirl and handed it back, handle first. Lilaena smirked a little, using the Force to pluck it from the woman’s hand and transfer it to her own. “I will see you tomorrow before you head out.”

She turned to leave, Choruk proceeding her back toward the village.

Nelaa Kyris
Jun 2nd, 2019, 06:06:18 PM
It was deep into the evening before Nelaa decided to abandon her little tree in the field and go back to her quarters. Hel had left her almost immediately after De'Ville had, inquiring if she needed to be led back to the town, and leaving immediately when she wasn't. She spent the first hour just watching the stars go by, connecting them together in her mind and giving them little names. It was a meditative action that allowed her to completely clear her mind and entertain herself for a bit. Soon though, she was using the newfound organization in her mind to reconstruct and reflect on what she had seen and done that day.

"I've committed treason today." She thought to herself. There was a time when she could think of no worse action than the one she'd taken today. "But the events that De'Ville spoke of..." The nastier actions that the Empire took were rarely on an official record, but Nelaa knew they went on. There was nothing that couldn't be accomplished if the machine of government was allowed to function but the lure of power always drew out the psychopaths. Sadly, it was the psychopaths that the Empire would be judged by, and there was no good system in place to eliminate them. "But that may change soon..."

It occurred to her why she found her actions so unsettling. "All these years, I followed a simple formula: Receive mission, complete mission, repeat. My influence was based on how well I executed someone else's goals. I've just gained the ability to truly change the shape of this Empire." She looked down at the cut across her palm. "I don't really know what this means to De'Ville, but I know it's something her Mandalorians will take very seriously. She wouldn't have done such a gesture just to impress or intimidate me. She means this."

She stood up and pulled her glove over her right hand then dusted herself off. She felt that, after all this runabout, she was not just walking back to her quarters, but taking a step into a new galaxy.

"And this galaxy doesn't realize what is coming."