Pulling the Right Trigger

[Alanie Herleva]

Placing her hand atop the datachip, she slid it back to herself as the waitress approached, glancing up to the young blonde. "Hey," Alanie began. "Like the Kor'ingah with a side of beszin."

Nodding as she annotated the order on her datapad, the girl then glanced to Morgana, "Like a refill on that ma'am?"

As they talked, Alanie sat back and slipped the datachip into her own datapad, then looked over the dossier on her next target, though unsure of what the desired outcome would be. Memorizing the woman's face, address and other pertinent information, she refrained from deleting it just yet as the waitress left them and headed back for the kitchen's large window. "So, what's the plan for this one?" Knowing she had to be discreet with others seated nearby, the hunter already knew this woman to be as well.

[Morgana DeLaTour]

"A refill and a large slice of meat quiche with a side of fried vegetables would be lovely, thank you," Morgana replied with a smile to the waitress. It was funny how growing up with one side of the family in nobility and the other in the criminal world could make you have manners impeccable or deadly depending on the situation.

Letting the hunter go through the provided information, she wondered what the other woman would say. She grinned at the question asked.

"I am meeting with her and a few others since our committee monthly reunion in five days. The security is good, but an accident can always happen, so I prefer to be sure that all goes well. We wouldn't want anything to go sour with such a delicate matter at hand." She was speaking as if she meant it, when in truth the file she had provided had been clear in a tiny script on one of the page that the target was wanted dead.

[Alanie Herleva]

Nodding, she dropped the datapad into her pocket and mused on the scenario offered. "She staying there, or coming and going directly from home? If there, then I'll work on getting in before the meeting as one of the help and then disappear. If not, then I can make other arrangements." Her mind working the way her trainer had taught her so long ago, Alanie almost hated how her mind worked sometimes, but all that knowledge had come with a price.

[Morgana DeLaTour]

"We all meet directly at the committee's offices. She made sure that these were located closer to where she normally worked. Most of us are the ones traveling for these reunions," Morgana replied, very curious to see what the hunter would do. She knew that having things taken care of possibly when she might get in the line of fire was risky, but it was her best option.

"It's a beautiful city though, so I don't mind going, especially since it's for work."

[Alanie Herleva]

Nodding, Alanie wondered sometimes what a normal life would be like, then remembered that she wasn't normal in any sense of the word. But, everyone had a part to play and hers was taking out the trash, but she at least got paid well for it. "When and where did you want me to meet you for this? I'll find another way in that won't implicate you, so." Formulating a plan in her head, she felt it the safer option for both of them if they didn't go together. Especially if she was being used as a scapegoat afterwards. Some criminals loved doing that and she had seen it often, especially to those assassins that weren't keeping their eyes on everyone when it counted.

[Morgana DeLaTour]

Morgana's expression remained unchanged until the waitress brought the orders to the table. Taking a bite from her food, she mused on what the hunter had said. "We can meet directly at the office, unless you'd like to join us for the caf we always share at Brasserie Du Lac on the other side of the street. It's a bit of a tradition by now."

She didn't know how the hunter would approach this contract, whether it would be discreet, or plain visible. The half-Zeltron had made sure not to be vocal about her hatred for the woman who was such a danger to academia, leaving that to others on the committee. She had just stood her ground in a polite way, having waited for the right moment to strike.

[Alanie Herleva]

Mention of the meeting at the cafe was now something that had more promise and allowed for a random encounter which could implicate nearly anyone that this mark had offended at some point. As she began eating, the hunter pondered the new possibilities more and soon set her fork down against the side of her plate. "That might be better, actually. Give me time to open another door," she grinned and glanced back to her meal, choosing the next bite. "Give you a more personal moment with her before it's over."

[Morgana DeLaTour]

Morgana was delighted to see the hunter so quick to think clearly and quickly. She grinned in between taking bites from her food. "Exactly. This informal get-together always offers opportunities and can steer the discussion into new directions."

Though she was known to the public eye as a talented Light Sculptor and brilliant mathematician, she found dealings with the criminal world easier than having to put up with some so-called civilized beings who just loved listening to themselves as they pontificate without ever having tried to grow a brain.

[Alanie Herleva]

So that was settled, she mused and continued eating as they drifted into small talk about the town and it's typical attractions. Though Alanie wasn't much for sightseeing when on the job, she did appreciate scenery and such when she could. The ride here had offered several moments of tree-lined rivers which offered a serene image. Her time on this world had been interesting already and she even thought about developing a few contacts outside of Morgana and her family for the future. Places to hide when the need arose always came in handy, she knew.

Finishing up with her dinner, she set her fork down and wiped her mouth, then sat back, allowing the waitress to eventually clear the table. Waving off another cup of tea, she let her food settle for a bit and scanned the room for anyone that may be watching over Morgana, or may be just curious. Though few fit that description, there were at least two that caught her attention at one point or another. Leaning in, Alanie grinned, "Your grandmother not trust you to work alone?"

[Morgana DeLaTour]

The rest of the meeting with the hunter went well and Morgana ensured that the first part of the payment was transfered to Herleva before they parted ways. The plan was now in motion and the brunette was glad that she took the opportunity to hire the hunter for her own needs, besides the contract she had just performed for Vilara. The Mathematician and Light Sculptor wasn't the kind to turn a blind eye to profit of any kind.

She carried on with her work as normal for the next few days, losing no sleep over having paid for someone's death. It wasn't in her nature. It was business and she knew why she made her choices.

When the day arrived for the committee meeting, she showed on time at the café, finding two or three of the dozen members already there. Exchanging pleasantries, she was behaving as any other time, not even feeling nervous about how things would go. One way or the other, her target would be taken care of. She didn't know how the hunter would exactly play her cards, but she knew it would be efficient.

[Alanie Herleva]

Having secured a waitress position at the upscale restaurant, Alanie got to know the other cooks and staff as well as the bartender who worked there as well. Having them as friends only helped her get to know the regulars as well as how to talk to many of them when they arrived. Memorizing tendencies with orders, drinks and how they liked their evening to go only helped the assassin and bounty hunter to be ready for the night when Morgana and her guest would be arriving. In her off hours, she began researching the woman who's dossier was easily gained with another friend she made at the local news station. Playing up his need for attention, the shapely assassin had also learned how to dress for such an occasion. For her troubles, she gained information that few would know outside the target's doctor and close family. Allergies, recent surgeries and other pertinent information only helped Alanie prepare for what she was about to do.

That evening, Alanie worked her section of the dining room and knew that Morgana and her guests would be arriving shortly. Having called ahead, the target's assistant had pre-ordered several dishes to be prepared in a certain way and once blue green eyes watched as her benefactor and the others walk in, she relaxed and grinned to herself knowing this evening was going to be another victory.

Being led to their table by the maitre' d, Alanie kept serving her tables in that area, tending to her other customers as if nothing else was amiss.

[Morgana DeLaTour]

The informal meal before the meeting used to be something Morgana believed in but for the past months, she had dreaded them because everyone was busier tooting their own horns than discussing anything of interest. She partook in it as much as everyone else because it was expected of her, but it was as boring as having to answer stupid questions from journalists who had no idea about art or science.

Accepting the drink that was brought to her, she caught sight of the hunter from afar. It was enough confirmation for her to know that things were progressing. She'd see the results of the given contract shortly.

For now, she was going to make the best of the ronto legs, served with the delicious bearnaise sauce. There was no reason she couldn't make the best of this get-together as she always did.

[Alanie Herleva]

Serving the table that would be the center of attention here shortly, Alanie kept to herself as the guests around Morgana continued on with their droll discussions and largely ignored the waitress. Moving around to the target, she set the pre-ordered dish before her as well as the woman's favorite drink. "Enjoy," Alanie said as the woman waved her away, as if frustrated at being interrupted by such trivial formalities.

Grinning, she glanced to Morgana as she carried the flip-open stand back to the kitchen. Setting it on the side, leaned against the wall, Alanie knew the busy kitchen would remain aloof of the murder they had just taken part in and the hunter intended to keep it that way as she headed back out to the dining room.

Tapping her, the supervisor motioned to a large booth near the far corner, "Five needs more condiments. I told you that earlier," he snapped.

"On it," she nodded, turning back into the kitchen and grabbing up the variety of bottled sauces and other spreads, then carried them back out into the elegantly lit room. The buzz of discussion echoed quietly and only added to the ambiance as Alanie reached the table and set the condiments in the center, sported now in the center of four muscle bound, suited men. Each grinning at her hungrily as she backed.

"This would probably taste nice on those," the one to her left smiled, eyeing her blouse. "What are you doing after you get off, later?"

"My girlfriend and I are heading to the beach. Enjoy your dinner," she stated, turned and left them and now wished that she had more of that poison for those idiots. Glancing to the woman as she ate, Alanie began to notice her forehead glistening and soon, she sat back, dropping her fork. Eyes now red, her cheeks blushed, Alanie continued walking as if nothing was wrong, scanning the other tables she was responsible for. It wouldn't be long now, she knew as the woman began choking, her face and neck swelling.

[Morgana DeLaTour]

Morgana caught how the woman whose death she had paid for started to sweat. She had wondered whether it would have anything to do with poisoining but she believed she might be right about that. One of the other patrons at their table asked whether she was all right but the strong reaction didn't need any worded answer. Someone yelled for a medic, and managed to pick up an argument with one of the members of the committee present because the Twi'lek man was a doctor. He rushed to the soon-to-be-dead's side.

Panic happened at other tables around them, ruckus quite stirred with the events. Morgana grabbed her comlink and was the one calling for medical emergency services. She knew it'd be too late but she had to play her part. And looking with a level-head in the middle of the crisis wasn't abnormal for her. Two others were doing their best to assist the doctor among them, making it four of nine keeping their cool and doing what they could to "save" their fellow commitee member.

Sadly, nothing could be done and her target had already been pronounced dead by the time the medical team arrived.

Now, Morgana bet that law enforcement would soon show up to start an investigation. She was expecting this to happen as it was the usual procedure. Whatever the hunter would do regarding it wasn't her problem. She believed that if Herleva could get to her targets, she knew how to get out of trouble on her own.

[Alanie Herleva]

As the woman died from the food and drink, Alanie retreated into the kitchen with the other staff members, their supervisor now in a panic for the lawsuit that was about to come down on the restaurant during his watch. Enjoying the outpouring of support for the deceased and her family now, the bounty hunter removed her apron and hung it up in her locker, knowing it was going to be a long night once the police arrived.

"What the hell happened," one of the other waitresses inquired, eyeing the others also gathering their things.

"No clue," another female replied, closing the door of her own locker, then eyed Alanie. "That was your table, right?"

"Yeah," the assassin nodded. "She seemed fine as they ate," she mused aloud, feigning concern.

"Everyone out here," the supervisor commanded, his typically finely combed hair now slightly out of sorts. Filing out, the waitresses all gathered in the kitchen with the chef and his crew. "I don't want to hear anything more than exactly what you did and saw," he began. "No one leaves here until we're cleared by the police, so make yourselves comfortable."

"She passed," the chef asked, still in disbelief.

"Yes," the supervisor replied, hands on his hips as his mind raced.

Soon, the investigators finished with those that sat at the same table as well as those around them, eventually letting most go about their way, but not until personal information had been gathered. Alanie entered the manager's office where the police set up their makeshift interrogation room and as their eyes met, she sat down.

"You served table with the deceased," the older of the two suited men asked.

"I did," she replied, concernedly.

"Notice anything or hear anything between them that seemed out of the ordinary?"

Thinking a moment, she shook her head. "No. They were busy talking about business and a charity that a few of them were sponsoring, but other than that it didn't seem out of the ordinary. She was nearly done, so I thought everything was okay. None of them had any complaints."

Nodding, he annotated a few things and then glanced up again. "Her personal secretary called in the order ahead of time?"

"That's what I was told."

His eyes glanced to her purse. "We'll need to see that."

"Sure," she placed it upon the desk and let the quieter of the two rifle through it, though she knew nothing would be found.

"How long have you worked here," the first continued.

"Only a couple of days. Just moved here from Quinton."

Nothing found, the second officer shook his head and then handed the purse back to her. "Clean," he stated.

"Alright," the lead investigator straightened in his chair. "Don't leave town, we may have a few more questions for you."

"Okay," she rose and shouldered her purse, turned and left. Once outside, she grinned to herself - food allergies were a bitch.

[Morgana DeLaTour]

The next hours were long but Morgana played the part well. After all, she knew no details about the deceased's end, save for what she had witnessed like everyone else. The half Zeltron was good at playing people when need be, but the questioning and being supportive in these supposedly difficult moments didn't require much acting. After all, they were members of the same committee not best buddies or family, so they were only acquaintances.

It seemed that the investigators were more inclined to follow the food poisoning road anyway and the café might be thoroughly checked when it came to certain regulations. It was going well and she had to admit that the hunter proved as brilliant as she had expected, based on the performance during the contract for her grandmother.

The committee would go through voting for a new addition soon enough, but the next options weren't likely to share the dead's views. Some current members did, but not a majority and without the annoyance here to stir them up, things should be much easier.

As she made it back home that evening, Morgana was in a good mood. Once at her place, she poured herself a nice glass of champagne in celebration and made sure to get the rest of the money transfered to the hunter. No need to meet again. The job was done and paid for.