Ask A Game of Cat and Cat and Mouse

[Zylah Nightblade]

.

The hour was late when Zylah returned to her ship. A long day, a weary day, filled with travel and little else. Her craft was docked with an orbital station and she'd returned with armfuls of fresh provisions. Not stolen, bought and paid for in New Republic Credits, theft wasn't worth the energy here. Too many cameras and too little reward for too much work. As she finished stowing away her groceries the woman headed back to her gunship's narrow cockpit, taking a seat as she let out a sigh.

There was a red light beeping on her control panel, it had immediately caught her eye. A transmission, she usually knew from who. Leaning forward and pressing the button, the woman was greeted by the holographic image of a shadowy figure draped in a dark cloak. One of her masters, she snapped to soldierly like attention as she listened. A raspy voice spoke, filled with in an unspoken malice and great power in the Dark Side of the Force. "Zylah Nightblade..." Her master said between hoarse breaths. "I entrust you have handled your last... diversion by now. By the time you reach see this message your next target will already be in motion, so we expect all many of haste in your pursuit. One of your fellow Legionnaires has brought us word of an ancient Sith relic, dating back to before the birth of the Republic. Uncovered from a ruin on Taris, it now rests in the hands of a collector known as Ral Chii, a Rodian whom we believe still has the artifact in his possession."

Zylah sat on the edge of her seat, one hand rubbing her chin as she mused over the information. "Our operative lost track of Chii in the Obtrexta Sector... and we believe he is headed to the Muunilinst System. As you are already headed there, the task now falls to you. Hunt down this Rodian filth, and recover the artifact. It is an ancient Sith encryption device, used to create indecipherable starmaps to safeguard secret Sith worlds. Though damaged, we believe we have the means to repair it, and bring it into service for the Sith Eternal once more. Now go, and may the Dark Side of the Force be with you." The transmission ended, as her master gave a fiendish cackle.

The assassin stood in silence for a minute, pondering her new mission. Along with the holographic message was relayed a list of known information on this Rodian to her. Everything the previous Legionnaire had gathered, including a physical description, his mannerisms, and most importantly details regarding his ship. "It's not much... but it'll do." Zylah told herself, before closing the transmission and tapping buttons along her control interface. She opened a hailing frequency with station command. "This is ship designation E51-79T-468-NB2 requesting launch clearance." She spoke in a confident tone, already priming her vessel's engines as she felt the craft hum with power.

"Request acknowledged, clearance granted 468-NBT. You have permission to embark, the skies are clear." The traffic controller responded back quickly, guide lights illuminating on the docking platform to signal her launch status. Zylah's ship lifted into the air, before launching itself forward as she left the bustling spaceport behind. Alright punching in coordinates for her hyperdrive, the vessel's engines spooled up before the stars themselves seemed to stretch back into infinity as they raced along her viewing port. She'd be at Muunilinst within the hour, and with any luck so would her prey. Then the real hunt could begin...

---

@Kaarz Pollux

 

[Kaarz Pollux]

Kaarz looked on with annoyance as Darib, his current contractor, spluttered and gesticulated before him. It had not been a half an hour since he had checked in to a halfway house before a crackling call had been patched through his rooms comm. Bleary eyed and half-awake he had been forced to listen to the thugs seemingly drunken tirade about a Rodian and protection money, before being forced to redon his armor and head out.

"Tha little bahstards gone too far this time! Waltzed right through mah territory without so much as a look sideways! Chii! The cowardly Rodian who'd piss himself as soon a womp rat scampered towards him!"

Darib paused, wheezing as he shakily reached for a clear case of vials filled with multi colored liquids. All four of the Besalisk's arms were shaking with an intensity Kaarz could easily recognize as rage. In the few weeks that Kaarz had known the thug, Darib had proven to lack control over each and everyone of his emotions, vices, and cut-throats in his "gang".

The Besalisk's clothing was stained with sweat and other unknowns, the smell just making it's way past Kaarz's helmets breathing filters, nearly making the near-human gag as he continued to listen to the mad ramblings of his unstable employer.

Sighing lightly as the Besalisk spluttered, Kaarz waited till Darib had downed a few of the vials and taken a seat at the bar of the cantina he had holed up in for the last few days. His mouth thin with disdain, Kaarz motioned for the Besalisk to continue.

"He's been owin' me credits lately, always promising that he's got some big score coming up. Disappeared couple months ago after lyin' to mah face about the 'biggest score yet!' Damn bug face jumped planet!

Darib began wheezing again, before filling each hand with another clearly drug-ladened vial. Downing each in quick succession he continued.

Then not even an hour ago my lookouts saying the damn Rodian was just walking through our turf! Confident, talkin 'bout some big score he's gonna make, an' how he can finally ditch this place. I need ya ta find him, an' bring him back here alive.

At this Darib leaned in close. So close Kaarz could swear he could hear the whine of his air purifiers as they struggled to keep up with the breath and stench of the unwashed Besalisk.

"He's gotta be alive, got that? I need him awake and alive to make an example outta him, think you can do that Kar?"

Nodding slowly, Kaarz turned on his heel and started for the cantina door. The whining sounds he attributed to his air purifier, as well as Darib, slowly fading as he entered the fluorescent lit smoggy air of a Muunilist city night. Stretching and groaning lightly, he began to head down the semi-crowded street.

So much for a full night's rest

 

[Zylah Nightblade]

.

There was a distinctive feeling as the gunship pulled itself out of hyperspace, coming to rest in low orbit above Muunilinist. The planet had once been a major backer of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Now it was far from its former glory. Heavy Imperial sanctions and decades of oppressive rule under the old Empire had hobbled the once monstrously rich world. It was still wealthy, richer than most planets in the Outer Rim. But for many, the Banking Clans' best days were firmly behind them.

Zylah switched over to sublight speed, engines firing as her vessel roared its way forward. She pulled up a holographic map of the planet, surveying it carefully as her ship continued on its course. "If I were in possession of a rare Sith Artifact.. where would I go to sell it..." The woman mused aloud, tapping at a few buttons on her display. "Filter by cities. Sort by number of museums, art galleries, and auction houses per million inhabitants." Her ship's computer beeped and hummed, going over the request.

The cities shifted in order, save for one that remained firmly at the top of the list. "Harnaidan..." Zylah said, just above a whisper. "I suppose that's to be expected..." The planet's capital city, and the seat of the Muun government. It was only fitting the greatest concentration of wealth lay here, and thus, the greatest likelihood of a buyer interested in such a relic. Zylah quickly adjusted her course, setting new coordinates as she veered towards the continent containing the capital.

As she drew close, the blanket of space was pulled back and replaced with dense clouds. The weather below was overcast and dreary, with persistent rain and sprinklings of thunder. She groaned internally, she'd need fetch her cloak to stay dry. Looking down at the megapolis growing in size beneath her as she approached, Zylah pondered how best to track down her target. One man, hiding among tens of millions. It seemed an impossible goal. Luckily, for the Force nothing was impossible.

Zylah closed her eyes, taking her hands off the controls as she briefly meditated. She felt outwards, calling to the Dark Side of the Force. Compelling it to search for the one she sought. To will her in the right path, as it had so many times. She felt it, a feeling, like a memory she didn't know she had. "There..." She said excitedly to herself. "I hope..." The woman quickly added, the Dark Side had not failed her before. But it did not ever give clear instructions, only vague feelings the wielder need interpret.

All the same, the Force compelled her to veer to a modest starport on the southern edge of Harnaidan. It was far from the massive starports in the commercial districts that housed the enormous freighters and starliners that kept the city flowing with people and goods. But not so far to the outskirts it was a dingy hell hole only used by industrial ships and thieves wishing to remain hidden. Zylah pinged the starport, and requested a landing site. A droid response came over her intercom, informing her of her landing pad. 17B, and soon enough her gunship's unfurled landing gear was touching down.

 

[Kaarz Pollux]

Kaarz had never liked the crowds of the underworlds, and yet here he was, amidst the unwashed masses of lower Harnaidan. He was a rather imposing sight amongst the crowd, though not an uncommon one. The only thing setting him apart from the other mercenaries in the crowd being his armor, and even then he looked far more worn then they.

Chii couldn't have gotten too far in an hour. Why Darib had waited so long was beyond Kaarz, but he wasn't one to bite the hand that dealt out the credits. Sighing he shifted his shoulder cape to allow easier access to the blaster pistol at his left hip, as well as an easier means to clear a path ahead.

Kaarz didn't enjoy working for the Besaliskian, but it was not as if he needed to. Personal feelings weren't enough to have him leave the relative comfort of being the go-to gun for a minor thug-lord for the cold, uncomfortable nights on the street or for the hunger pangs that came with it. He'd rather be unhappy, but comfortable, than unhappy and starving.

Overhead, as he mused on the ugliness of the hands dealt the credits, Kaarz heard the distinct sound of a starship slowly preparing to make it's landing in the lower districts. A noise he often heard from his rented room, a noise he could count on warning him of the sudden exhaust that would trigger the buildings toxins alarms and keep him up all night.

Kaarz yawned quietly as he thought of his vermin-choked room, it wasn't much but the bed was pretty comfortable. The vermin never came out when he was in the room as well, only skittering around when he was in bed or had left food on the table. With vermin on his mind he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Chii had a score to cash in on. He'd likely be doing it fairly quickly if he was bragging about it in a place like this, but where would he go? He's just like those vermin, all bravery when the danger is gone...or when the prize is easily accessible.

Who was close, as well as trustworthy enough around here that even Chii, a well known coward, would have no fear? Who had the ability to charm Chii out of his hole, and even back onto Muunilist in the first place? Kaarz began moving again, this time at a greater speed, navigating and muscling his way through the crowds towards the landing pads. Just beyond there would be the private housing block of Molrett Slillah, the most notorious business-Muun turned thug this side of the lower districts.

Where there's Molrett there's protection, and where there's protection, there's good ol' cowardly Chii.

 

[Zylah Nightblade]

.

Zylah stepped out the landing ramp of her ship, surveying the starport around her. It bustled with activity, human, alien, and droid alike all going about their business. She wore her armor, clad head to toe in a violet catsuit with durasteel plates layered over top. Though her mask she left behind, as breathing through its filter felt awkward and stagnant on worlds with reasonable air quality. "Away we go." She said to herself, before taking off towards the nearest landspeeder rental shop.

The clerk inside looked rather bored, feet kicked up on the counter as he watched a podrace on a small holoscreen. He quickly stumbled to his feet as Zylah pushed open the door, trying to hurriedly look presentable. "What can I interest you in Miss?" He said in a slimy, salesman's voice. Zylah had already made her selection as she walked through the lot outside.

"There's a black RX-Phantom in the back of the lot with aftermarket turbines on it. I need a one day rental." She gave her request dryly, already reaching into her pocket for her Datapad to transfer the credits.

"Could I perhaps interest you in paying the optional fee for insurance today? That model is rather sporty, and I'd hate to see you financially burdened if a young... mercenary? such as yourself were to damage it." The man tried to make it sound like a suggestion, but Zylah knew the game he was getting out. She turns his offer down, he turns her away. She gets belligerent, he pulls a blaster, she pulls her saber. He tells her he's sorry and begs for forgiveness, she cuts his head off and sets the building on fire. Same story, different day. She didn't have time for this.

"Fine..." Zylah merely stated, ponying up the additional credits for proper insurance coverage. She'd return the landspeeder in flawless condition, just to spite the man. Right now she had bigger fish to fry. A few minutes later and Zylah was straddling the seat of the thin, agile craft. Slightly larger than a speederbike, the Phantom was a two seater craft that was effectively a large engine mounted inside a rather sleek outer shell. Popular among street racers, it traded in agility slightly for a much smoother ride than more rugged speederbikes.

Zylah raced off on her mechanical steed, heading for the city's lower districts. She'd comb the undercity first, then move on to the upper levels if need be. There was an immense amount of ground to cover, but the Dark Side of the Force was ever on her side. Whenever a crossroads came, she felt out to it to guide her. It's subtle pull and tug guiding her through the labyrinthine maze of streets... hopefully to her destination. She had no knowledge of Harnaidan's layout, beyond what little she'd observed from her ship's maps. Ever at the mercy of the Force, the young assassin pushed forward.

One street after another, it all looked the same. Minutes passed, with the assassin moving her landspeeder at blistering speed. Down in the undercity there were few law enforcement officers. Only security droids that beeped and hollered as she roared by. Traffic laws meant nothing to a Sith, and Zylah freely ducked and weaved through traffic like an agile predator moving among a herd of lumbering beasts. Guided by her keen Force sense and deadly quick reflexes, she held no fear of the congestion that plagued every inch of the busy city. She was getting close, she told herself, she could feel it.

 

[Kaarz Pollux]

Kaarz continued to make his way toward the landing pads where, just beyond, his quarry was likely hiding. Hopefully this night would be over before he knew it, and he'd finally be able to get some real sleep. Unlikely as it was the thought of his bed, as well as being a few credits richer, propelled Kaarz faster into the rainy night.

Droplets pitter-pattered against Kaarz's helmet, keeping a steady beat to the hunt at hand. The Muun known as Molrett was not one to be underestimated, nor were the thugs he hired to keep his housing block safe after he had evicted all the residents. The place was six stories tall, a pitiful ant compared to the buildings surrounding it, but big enough for Kaarz to begin seeing the top cresting over the crowds and stalls of the night. It wouldn't be an easy job, but nothing was ever easy working for Darib, especially when the Besalisk was off his ass on whatever narcotic of the day he had chosen.

What Kaarz would do for a more professional setting, a more professional job, a respectable one even! He had thought about claiming some bounties, but until he had enough credits for his own ship, or enough to make use of transports, he was stuck putting his nose to the grinder for these low-lives.

It was just past the landing pads, when Kaarz slammed himself against a wall to avoid an oncoming speeder. The street itself had been relatively quiet, save for a beggar or the occasional junky, a quiet Kaarz had begun to enjoy before nearly being run over. Pulling himself from the wall Kaarz shouted after the speeder

"Watch where you're going laser brain! Nearly killed me!"

Heart racing from the near-death experience, Kaarz caught sight of the driver's long silver hair whipping in the wind. Scowling he broke into a run after them splashing through puddles and drenched refuse as he went. No one nearly ran over Kaarz Pollux, and get away with it![/abox4}