Collecting Strays

[Darkwasp]

Terris stepped into bustling nighttime streets of Nar Shaddaa. She fiddled with a small business card that she had forgotten was in her hip satchel. The card contained the information to a contact that wasn’t high on her list of those possibly having the information that she required. The location of the person on the card, however, was relatively close. The turbolift two blocks down would take her to the lower levels and then from there, it was quick walk to the address.

Tucking the card away, Terris walked to the nearest communications terminal. After pushing a few buttons, a weary face appeared on the vid monitor.

”Sidrick?” she called into the terminal.

”Yeah.” the man responded. It was as much of a question as it was an answer.

”Daylyn sent me. I’m Sarianna Ro. He said that you may have information that I need.” Terris continued. Sarianna Ro was an alias that Terris had used for nearly 14 years. It was a combination of her sister’s first name and her first Master’s last name.

The man wiped his eyes and quickly began an attempt to tame his disheveled hair. He looked around at the apartment behind him, and then back in her direction. ”Sure.” he said. ”You can come by. How far are you away?”

”I’ll be there in about 30 minutes.” Terris guesstimated.

Sidrick looked about his apartment nervously before replying ”Yeah. Okay.”

The communications terminal went dark, and Terris began to make her way toward the lower levels.

 

[Paradox]

”I’ll be there in about 30 minutes.” Terris guesstimated.

Sidrick looked about his apartment nervously before replying ”Yeah. Okay.”

"You heard the lady boys..." The man turned to the others in the room and smiled. 'Sidrick' and the men with him were not who they claimed to be. His real name was Agar. He was a giant of a man with a brutal temper. The other four in the room were no prettier and just as vicious. They weren't truly men sympathetic to the rebellion or the Jedi, but mercenaries who were currently freelancing for the Imperium They drew out rebels, Jedi, and sympathizers only to lure them into a trap so they could be shipped off to the nearest Imperial transport. For each one they captured they grew wealthier and higher in favor with the ruling government. They had caught plenty of sympathizers and a few rebels, but it wasn't until two days ago they caught their first Jedi.

It hadn't been easy. He had lost over half his men and all his droids, but they had done it. That one was sure to be worth a great deal. He would have handed him over already but the Imperium liaison wouldn't arrive for another day, so he figured he might as well bag one more. But with his group so wounded he decided he would just go after a sympathizer. It would be easy as they were normally unarmed and whined a lot. Luckily an old friend seemed to have rebel contacts and so he manipulated him into sending a sympathizer over under the pretense of having important information. Now she was at his doorstep. A woman would be an even easier mark. "Let's set the table."

The Rodian twins moved to the door and got on either side so they would end up behind the woman, the Zabrak aimed his stun rifle right at the door, and the Ithorian readied his heavy repeater in case anything went wrong. With the Zabrak and Ithorian behind him in opposite corners, Agar stood in the center smiling; waiting for the next little fly to get caught in his web.

In the backroom a young adult human sat caged with a Wookiee and two Twi'lekks. He sat up suddenly and looked around. He closed his eyes to confirm what he felt and smiled at the other prisoners. "Get ready. Deliverance has come."

 

[Darkwasp]

Nar Shaddaa was a planetary ecumenopolis always compare to the larger, more centrally located Coruscant. Now that Coruscant lay nearly uninhabitable, the Smuggler’s Moon was receiving a boon in business and trade. Unfortunately, with the increase in traffic came the increase in illicit affairs in Nar Shaddaa’s Undercity.

The lovely Echani, with the wild, frizzy, silver mane, stood out amongst the rabble of the Undercity. Not necessarily because of her beauty or her hair, but because she was actually clean. If Nar Shaddaa had its former big sister beat in anything… it was grime. As she travelled through the dim grungy streets of the Undercity, her face easily betrayed how disgusted she was with the current state of the level.


The porcelain skinned Echani moved through the dingy streets if Nar Shaddaa’s Undercity with as since of purpose. Seedy denizens eyed the lovely woman as she passed, but did nothing to hinder her progress. Her confidence, the twin Cortosis woven swords strapped to her back, and the blaster slung at her hip were enough of a deterrent to keep most of the riffraff away. Turning the final corner, she approached the disgustingly grungy door of her destination. She reached out and pressed the button to the right of the living unit door, alerting the occupant to her arrival. After a moment the static-filled speaker above the button sprung to life.

”Yes?” The almost inaudible voice called out.

”It’s Sarianna.” Terris replied, studying the environment around her.

She was fairly sure that the man wouldn’t have access to alternate hyperspace routes into the Core Systems. Someone with that kind of information was usually either a successful smuggler or a crafty informant. Neither one would be caught dead in this kind of residence. She adjusted her Bantha leather and mesh top, to make sure everything was properly covered before the man opened the door.

”Ah. Come in.” the static-filled voice offered.

The filthy door made strange and unnatural sounds as it struggled to slide to one side. Sidrick stood in the doorway with a bright smile plastered across his face. He was a large behemoth of a man, who made a poor attempt at looking as unassuming as possible. There was a quick hint of surprise in his eyes that quickly subsided. It was almost as if he weren’t expecting something. The man took a few steps back and gestured for her to enter.

As the Echani began to pass through the doorway, she noticed two shadows on either side. She would have normally chalked them up to furniture or decoration, but the one on the right moved. Her brow furrowed at such an obvious attempt. Looking back to Sidrick, she continued to smile.

It all happened so quickly. The Rodian to her right reached out for her. Grabbing his wrist she pulled him over her right hip. He swore in Rodian, as the motion sent his body hurling toward Sidrick. The Rodian’s twin approached from her left. Continuing her momentum from the throw, Terris used her hand to chop the Rodian in the throat. From the corner of her eye Terris saw a bright flash. She quickly moved so that the Rodian twin, who was now clutching at his throat, stood between her and the bright ring of energy that was rapidly approaching. The Rodian twin’s body immediately relaxed and fell to a heap on the floor. Drawing her blaster from its holster, Terris dived behind the nearby coach for cover.

 

[Paradox]

"Well, droyk." Agar cursed in Corellian. "This could have been so simple. I guess my boys were a bit overzealous and it seems we under estimated you little rebel. Those were some pretty good moves. But you were lucky. We're trained killers and we bagged dozens of your kind. Sniveling sympathizers and hopeless rebels. You think you're doing the galaxy a favor by continuing to fight but your kind just makes things worse. But don't worry, I'm not complaining. Capturing people like you is a good gig. Imperium pays it's friends well. So why don't you just surrender before someone gets hurt? Like I said you're good. But we bagged a Jedi the other day, so do you really think you can take us all?"

One of the Rodians was stunned and down for the count, but the Ithorian readied his heavy repeater which could easily rip apart the couch she was using as cover. The Zabrak marksman had his focus back after the initial shock, ready with the stun rifle if she moved out of cover. The other Rodian, angry at the woman, was sliding toward her hiding place with his vibroblade hanging loosely for a swift attack when he closed the gap. Agar himself had drawn his dual blasters. All and all, the situation looked grim for the woman; at least from the mercenaries perspective it did.

Meanwhile in the cage in the backroom, the hooded human looked to the others as the noise from the brief firefight had ended. "It won't long now. Are you with me?"

The Twi'lekk man and woman looked down. They had been terrorized throughout the ordeal, being held for weeks before he had been capture. The man looked up sorrowfully, the fight literally beaten from him as he had also failed to protect his wife. But before he come say the words he dreaded, the hooded figure held up a hand. "No need. I understand. Just stay with your loved one and let me handle this."

"You won't handle it alone." The tan colored Wookiee rose from the corner. "I will fight with you. My people have been enslaved and caged too much throughout the ages. Now I stand for not only my honor but my people's as well."

The man nodded and decided it was time. He looked to the pipe that edged along the top of the cage, a steam pipe. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He had never attempted this before so he tried his best to send a message. The pipe above the brute. Rupture it. Please. I can help. He opened his eyes and turned to the Wookiee. "When it happens. You'll know what to do."

((OOC: Ugh, such a meh post. Sorry about that. Not my best work.))

 

[Darkwasp]

"This could have been so simple. I guess my boys were a bit overzealous and it seems we under estimated you little rebel. Those were some pretty good moves. But you were lucky. We're trained killers and we bagged dozens of your kind. Sniveling sympathizers and hopeless rebels. You think you're doing the galaxy a favor by continuing to fight but your kind just makes things worse. But don't worry, I'm not complaining. Capturing people like you is a good gig. Imperium pays it's friends well. So why don't you just surrender before someone gets hurt? Like I said you're good. But we bagged a Jedi the other day, so do you really think you can take us all?" The man –that Terris knew as Sidrick - babbled

Tucked neatly behind the large fluid stained sofa, the Echani shifted her position. With no immediate attempts made on her life during the exhausting diatribe, she could only assume that the others were moving into a more strategic position. She carefully watched the edges of the couch, in search of movement or shadows. It would be any moment that they would close in on her. The good news was that it was obvious that she was worth more to them alive.

The pipe above the brute, rupture it. Please I can help. an unfamiliar voice echoed in her head. Terris swore slightly under her breath. She didn’t condone using Force Powers in such densely populated areas. The chance that a Sith was around was just too high, and doing so was like shinning a shinning a flashlight in flat baron dark field. Well, since there was already a flashlight in the field she might as well turn on the floodlight.

Terris stood from behind the nasty piece of furniture, with a look of confidence and sternness. ”Grossly underestimated.” she corrected, as she wave her arm across her body. A cone of concussive force sent the entire group flying through the air; most of them slamming into the wall on the other side of the room. As she holstered her blaster, she reached up with her hand and pulled it in a downward motion. The metal steam pipe collapsed in on itself slightly, before being yanked from its moorings and separated at one of its seams. Hot steam began to fill the room, making difficult to both see and breathe.

Just as she was about to make her way to were she had felt the young Jedi, the slinky Rodian brandishing a deadly vibro-knife appeared from the corner of the couch. Apparently he hadn’t been within the arch of her attack. Turning to face of against the angry sentient, she hoped that her comrade had more to his plan.

 

[Paradox]

As the pipes ruptured and filled the room, the chain reaction continued to the pack room where the steam short circuited the elctrocuffs. As soon as it did the hooded man was a blur of motion. Calling upon the Force he let loose a blast of telekinetic energy to burst open the cage. The Wookiee followed nearly as quickly as they burst out of the back. In a flash the Rodian attacked the woman, the Wookiee charged out and tackled the Zabrak, and the Jedi slammed the Ithorian against the wall knocking him unconscious. The hooded figure turned to the brute of a mercenary.

"Agar. It's time for you to pay for your crimes." He lowered his tattered hood. Fierce brown eyes beneath raven-fair hair pierced the man. "Make this easy on yourself and surrender."

 

[Darkwasp]

There was a flash of silver, as the polished vibro-knife flitted before her. It first lunged at her chest, but she contracted her spine and took a small step back. The humming blade stopped mere centimeters from her pale flesh. The sharp knife turned, and made a quick slash toward her right shoulder. She pulled the intended target back, to match the curvature of her spine; correcting her posture. The hardened durasteel passed harmlessly, causing the air to whistle as it passed. Terris’ left hand jutted outward, collecting the scaly greenish wrist of her attacker.

Now that she had already alerted any Sith - that may be in the area – to her presence, she felt no need to hold back her abilities. Terris concentrated, as the next ability took great focus. This focus wasn’t needed to maximize power, but quite the opposite; to reduce it. Blue arcs of electricity travelled from the Echani’s fingertips and through the Rodian’s body. The belligerent man convulsed for a brief moment, before dropping his weapon and collapsing to the ground. Terris quickly checked the man’s pulse, to insure that he was still alive. Satisfied with the results, she rushed to her compatriots to see if they needed any assistance.

 

[Paradox]

The Wookiee was holding the Zabrak up against the wall; he wasn't going anywhere. Variik face Agar with a stern face. "You have been responsible for so much pain and suffering. You are responsible for the death and torture of dozens. Your men are otherwise occupied. So now you have no one else to hide behind. Are you ready to be judged?"

Agar snorted and a holdout blaster appeared in his hand. But before he could fire the blaster was in Variik's hand. Agar seemed confused for a moment and then realized exactly what had happened, he looked around but he knew he had no cards left to play. Variik was suddenly in front of him with an ignited azure lightsaber pointed right under the brute's chin. His demeanor changed even quicker. "Hey...I didn't kill or torture nobody, just bagged and tagged for the Imps. That's all."

"But by handing them over to the Imperium, you knew full well what would happen to them. That makes you an accomplice and equally guilty." Variik's face was stone, but anger was within his brown eyes. The energy blade inched closer to Agar's throat as his voice lowered dangerously. "And I know what you did to those women..."

Agar's eyes widened as he swallowed hard. Variik stared him down, unblinking. "I wonder...do you even realize how great a pain you caused them? Do you even care? Maybe I should just...remove the problem."

Now the man's eyes widened again, but this time with fear as the energy blade was now aimed between his legs. He looked to the Echani. "Hey! Please, get him to stop! Your a rebel, I can tell you things! Just get me away from this psychotic Jedi!"

 

[Darkwasp]

The Wookie bellowed in victory, as he held the Zarbrak pinned against the wall. The mercenary struggled for a moment, but slumped over in defeat once he realized that he was getting nowhere with the massive giant. The steam in the room had begun to subside. Apparently there was an emergency valve that closed to prevent situations such as this from occurring. As the noise from the escaping heated vapor settled, the familiar echoes of a deep hum filled the room. The young Force User’s lightsaber casted an eerie azure light on Sidrick’s face, as the blade danced dangerously close to the large mercenary’s neck.

A smirk played across Terris’ lips. The Jedi had disarmed Sidrick and was consequently listing off an assortment of offenses that the mercenary had infringed upon. The glowing blue plasma moved from Sidrick’s neck to the area between his legs. Her smile quickly faded once the Echani realized that the young man might have been serious about castrating the contemptible malcontent.

"Hey! Please, get him to stop! You’re a rebel, I can tell you things! Just get me away from this psychotic Jedi!" The frightened man hollered out.

“He’s right,” Terris called out as she calmly began to walk to the young Jedi. ”It’s not our job to administer justice anymore.” She made sure to emphasize the word so that the man could acknowledge that he was now dealing with two Jedi.

”We only harm or kill in self-defense; not as a sentence for the guilty.” She continued, reaching out gently for the man’s hand so that she could coax him into lowering the weapon. ”However, this is Hutt Space, and the Cartel would be quite interested in gentlemen, like Sidrick here, working so closely with a government that they are so close to going to war with.” she offered with a concerned look on her face. ”I wonder what the Hutts will think of your little operation? Let’s tie them up, wait for their employer to arrive, and then turn them all in to the Hutts.” Terris offered to the angered Jedi. The large mercenary began to look extremely worried with the Echani’s suggestion.

Wait! Sidrick pleaded.

”Hey, we just bagged and tagged you… It’s up to the Hutts, what happens next.” she responded, winking at her new Jedi friend.

 

[Paradox]

"Your right. I apologize to both of you. You see, 'Sidrick,' I'm only technically a Jedi. I haven't been trained so controlling my emotions is still difficult at times." Variik switched off the saber and nodded to the woman as she suggested they allow the Hutts to deal with the Imperial liaison along with this crew. He looked back at the man who heaved a sigh of relief...before Variik's fist blackened his eye.

"Kriffing hell!" Agar cried out holding his face.

Variik looked apologetically at the woman. "Like I said; difficult."

The Wookiee was still holding the Zabrak like a rag doll when the Twi'lekk couple slowly emerged from the back room. The woman hid behind he man, both amazed that the three had succeeded against such trained individuals. The man straightened his back and walked over to the Wookiee. He helped cuff the Zabrak and then walked over to Agar. He stared at him. His family had been terrorized and scarred by the man, so...he got another black eye. Variik had to stifle a laugh as the brute cussed but knew he couldn't retaliate.

Variik turned back to the woman and nodded again. "Thanks for the help. I had almost lost hope of finding any Jedi. Especially after that disaster on Mustafar a few months ago."

 

[Darkwasp]

Terris looked down calmly at the mercenary leader, as gentle smile played across her face. There was a time when she would have acted more rash in response to the accusations that the young Jedi had placed upon the large man. She wasn’t sure whether it was the Jedi, Skhai, or motherhood which had forced her to be more responsible, but it didn’t matter; it was part of who she was now. The Echani pushed a stray lock of her ivory hair behind her ear and broadened her smile, when the young Force User apologized and deactivated his weapon.

”You see, Sidrick? Things can be very civil if you just…” *THWAP!* The large man’s head jerked back and his hands reached for his face. A couple of choice words escaped from his lips. Terris looked toward the fledgling Jedi in disbelief and shook her head.

Having lost her diplomatic advantage, she took a moment to survey the disaster of an apartment. There were a few things of note; an active computer terminal, as stack of papers on a rickety old desk, and a door that she assumed led to a closet space. But before she could investigate the area, she needed to secure the members of Sidrick’s little gang. She decided to subdue the Ithorian first. He was the one she was least confident was out of the fight.

The lithe, well toned Echani moved gracefully from the mercenary leader toward the prone Ithorian. His breath was labored, as his body continued to recover from the shocking blow of being crushed against the load-baring wall of the unit. Recalling her classes on species and anatomy from the academy, Terris quickly created a muzzle for the dazed sentient. If this particular mercenary gain cognizance, his bellow could cause far more damage than the heavy repeater that he had wielded earlier. With the muzzle secure, she moved to bind his ankles and wrists.

*THWAP!*

Terris glared between the members of the once captive group; almost daring anyone to make another move. She sighed heavily and then checked to make sure that the bindings of the Ithorian were snug. Seeing that the Wookiee still had everything in hand with the Zabrak, she moved to the Rodian twin who had attacked her with a vibro-knife. Her 3 inch heels clicked on the hardened floor, as she took long purposeful strides. Her argent eyes narrowed. Everyone in the Force User’s group had one thing in common… they wanted revenge. They couldn’t be trusted to show restraint when the Imperium liaison arrived. There was a high chance that this agent was extremely well trained, and possibly even Sith. If they reacted instead of using their best judgment, there was no way that she could guarantee their safety. The situation was just too volatile.

”Once we’ve secured all of these men, I need you to take the group to safety.” she suggested, speaking to the Force User. ”I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”

 

[Paradox]

"Variik. Variik Ak'Thaar," he said with a nod. His shaggy hair framing his dark eyes. He turned to the Twi'lekk man who just tapped him on the shoulder. Before he could say anything, Variik simply put both hands on the man's shoulders and looked into his weary eyes with a soft smile. "My friend. Our savior here may disagree, but I admire your restraint. I know how much you wanted to kill that man. In my mind you, and especially your wife, deserve more justice than a single punch can provide. But she is right; it is not our place to judge nor sentence. He will get his, I promise you. I would know your names. Your's as well my furry friend."

"I am Jolanar and this is Vivia." The Twi'lekks bowed.

"And I am Feroon," the Wookiee growled lowly.

"I wish to give you a gift Jolanar, Vivia." Variik offered a hand to each of them. They hesitated, but only a moment. The man closed his eyes and concentrated. He called upon memories of a happier time and lessons learned long ago. It was a simple thing, but it would help them. The couple opened their eyes looking confused, but then snapped back to reality. They hugged him for reasons they didn't understand; as if old friends. Which they knew they were from now on. "Go home. No one will follow. Take these; one thousand credits. It will buy you passage to out of Hutt space. Find a place free of affiliation and leave in peace, I'll contact you when it's safe."

They left, hand in hand, as he turned to the Wookiee. He raised an eyebrow, "Curious as to what I did? I simply hide a memory they did not need...they suffered enough. It was simply a bandage. But it will help them heal."

Feroon shook his head as if understanding the question hanging in the air. "I will carry my wounds. I am a warrior, but it is a kind thing you did for them. I owe you a life debt. But we can discuss that later as it seems the woman would like us to leave for now. I don't believe she trusts us around these men or the agent soon to arrive."

"I agree," Variik nodded. They went about securing these men and Feroon let himself out, stating he would be waiting somewhere close by. VAriik turned to the woman. "I don't believe I got your name."

 

[Darkwasp]

Terris’ well manicured eyebrow arched high on her forehead. Though it wasn’t necessarily on the list of things that were wholly un-Jedi-like, she wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with manipulating someone’s memories. Either way it was an impressive feat, for someone who hadn’t been trained as a Jedi.

After tying the first Rodian twin tightly, she moved to the second of the two. She paused momentarily from her duties to acknowledge Jolanar and Vivia’s depature.

”Someone should have gone with them. The Undercity is a dangerous place, and those two have been through enough already.” Terris said, looking between Varik and Feroon. The Echani would have escorted them to safety herself, but there was too much work to do within the unit. ”And I merely suggested that Variik lead you all to safety. I never uttered the words ‘I don’t trust you’.”

Though it was true that Terris didn’t trust the group, it seemed rather counterproductive to the Jedi cause to present that message to anyone willing to rebel against the Imperium’s tyranny. She and the other two finished securing the prisoners. This time it was Feroon who left the slummy apartment. Though she felt more confident in the Wookiee’s ability to handle himself, she was still visibly concerned that he had left without a friend with him.

"I don't believe I got your name. Variik urged, as the Wookiee exited.

Terris smiled at the young man, as she slunk over to the ratty desk that looked as though it would fall apart any second. She began rummaging through s stack of papers; most of which were junk, but one thing in particular caught her eye. Holding a small flyer in her hand, she moved to the active computer terminal.

”Would you mind checking that door for me?” she asked, as her fingers began flitting about the terminal’s keyboard. ”That’s no small thing in their culture; a life debt.” she continued, with a crooked smile on her face.

Her platinum eyes darted toward the man she now knew was Agar, based on the papers that were stacked on his desk. The mercenary leader’s head tracked back and forth between them, as he tried to gather as much information as possible. Perhaps the man was planning to make a bargain with the Hutts; possibly selling her and Variik out in exchange for his freedom.

”My name’s Sarianna Ro.” she said, smiling knowingly to Agar. ”And this is a particularly bad time to be looking for the Jedi. While I can take you to where they were, that won’t do you any good.”

The Echani focused on the monitor in front of her as she spoke. She let out a small huff of air through her nose, as if she was unimpressed by something she had seen on the display. Leaning back from the terminal, she looked to Variik, as she tapped absentmindedly on her forearm.

”I tell you what. I have a ship…” she grabbed one of the useless pieces of junkmail and a pen from the rickety desk and began scribbling down the name and the docking information. ”I’ll meet you there when I am done here, and I’ll see what I can’t do to get you to those Jedi that you need.” she offered, handing the paper to the young man.

 

[Paradox]

"I know you would like to hustle me away before the agent arrives," said Variik. "But there is a very real chance my brother is with him. It wasn't fate that brought me here, but choice. This was the last place my brother was seen. It's...important I find him. Before a mistake turns into chains. But I will consent. I'll go find Feroon. I'll admit I'm a bit ignorant of other species' customs, so I'm not sure what a life debt is. But I'll take him to the dock and talk to him."

"As for finding the Jedi," Variik walked over to the woman and looked at her for a few moments. His dark eyes searched hers and narrowed slightly as he whispered. "I believe I've already found one, though there's something different about you than the others I've met."

He bowed his head and then walked over to the door, stopping only to look around one last time. He had no doubts that she would be able to handle them if anything happened. He left the door, closing it quietly as he made his way to the dock where she asked him to wait. He kept his senses aware...just in case his wayward brother did reveal himself.

 

[Darkwasp]

"I know you would like to hustle me away before the agent arrives, but there is a very real chance my brother is with him. It wasn't fate that brought me here, but choice. This was the last place my brother was seen. It's...important I find him. Before a mistake turns into chains. But I will consent. I'll go find Feroon. I'll admit I'm a bit ignorant of other species' customs, so I'm not sure what a life debt is. But I'll take him to the dock and talk to him." Variik began.

Teris’ platinum eyes continued to scan the flyer that she held tightly in her right hand. Her face softened, allowing her normally pleasant smile to fade. Her already alabaster skin did the nearly impossible; it turned paler, as a stark realization set in. She shook her head clear and acknowledged Variik once more. She tried to store the information for a later time, but curiosity got the better of her.

”Your brother?” the Echani queried, cocking her head slightly to one side.

"As for finding the Jedi… I believe I've already found one, though there's something different about you than the others I've met." The young Jedi stated, staring deeply into her eyes.

She merely responded with a sly smile, as she sat in the shabby chair that rested in front of the unstable table. Her leather clad leg crossed effortlessly over the other and bounced a few times. She looked the young man up and down, making her final assessment before returning her attention back to their captives.

 

[Paradox]

"Disgusting! We should hurry and wipe this planet out, filthy. So are all of it's inhabitants." Imperial Liaison Officer Moril complained as he made his way through the streets of Nar Shaddaa. He hated this planet, but the mercenaries he met were making him look good and if they had really captured a Jedi....well, he might never have need to come here again. He would no doubt get promoted. He hoped it was on some cushy world where there was civilized company. All of these shitty worlds were filled with scum, rebels, and worse. They needed to be eradicated so men like himself could rule in peace.

He made his way into the dilapidated apartment complex, quickly finding the door. He was almost giddy with excitement at the potential and also quite ready to leave this world. He knocked and then barged in, they would have left the door unlocked. It opened easily and he stepped into the dimly lit apartment and saw a figure standing above several in binds. "Agar? Those are the rebels? Well done as usual, but where's the Jedi? That's my main concern at the moment."

 

[Darkwasp]

Terris folded the flyer, so that it was a quarter of its size, and shoved it into the tight space between her tight leather pants and her thick belt. She moved quickly through the room, continuously checking to make sure everyone remained securely fastened. She didn’t want any surprises. Several minutes after Variik left, Terris had decided to gag Agar. His monotonous pleading and bargaining was beginning to annoy her, and preventing her from contemplating about what she had seen on the leaflet. There was a quick knock on the door, before it slid to one side. Terris jumped slightly at the knock. She had been so used to suppressing her powers; she had forgotten to feel for the liaison’s arrival.

"Agar? Those are the rebels? Well done as usual, but where's the Jedi? That's my main concern at the moment." a man called out in a sharp aggressive tone.

Terris made two quick and minute motions. The first was to use the Force to pull the Officer further into the room. With the second; the Force flowed through her hand, slamming into the doors controls and forcing it to close. The motions were nearly simultaneous thus if the Imperial resisted, he would be caught on the other side of the closed door.

”Right here, Officer Moril.” Terris replied, stepping into a well light area of the room.

It was the name that she had pulled up on computer terminal earlier. They had made quite a few of these swaps, according to Agar’s records. And while the man was well trained, he didn’t have much combat experience. Not nearly as dangerous as a Sith or a Special Tactics member, but knowledgeable. The Echani warrior began to call on the Force. It poured through her body, fueling her muscles, as she prepared for the inevitable.

 

[Paradox]

Moril was suddenly pulled further inside the room as if a ghost had grabbed his shoulders. He heard the door slam behind him as he barely kept from fall face first. The figure stepped into the light, confirming his fear; the Jedi had escaped captivity. She smiled as if she had already won. He wasn't a combatant, he knew this but neither was he defenseless. "Right here, Officer Moril."

"Smug bitch," he muttered under his breath. His body was tense. He wasn't going down without a fight, but first he needed time to think and analyze the situation. He wouldn't resort to either of those unless the situation was dire. "So you know my name, am I supposed to be impressed that you can read degenerate? I am an official liaison of the Imperium, surrender peacefully and I may try to convince the Inquisitors to have mercy. Maybe."

 

[Darkwasp]

"Smug bitch," the man snapped.

Terris smacked her lips and her face held a unique combination of hurt and disappointment. With an unparalleled grace, the Echani began to slowly circle in towards the Officer. Her silver eyes skillfully scanning the man’s body for any types of weaponry (blasters, grenades, blades, lightsaber, etc…). She didn’t want any surprises.

”That wasn’t very nice.” she responded.

"So you know my name, am I supposed to be impressed that you can read degenerate? I am an official liaison of the Imperium, surrender peacefully and I may try to convince the Inquisitors to have mercy. Maybe." the Officer continued.

”Hmm… I wonder how many times I’ve heard that throughout my career?” the Echani remarked with a sly smile. ”The way I see it, Moril; you are currently an Imperial Agent operating in Hutt territory. In a few moments Cartel members will be rushing through that door, and they won’t be happy seeing an Imperial sneaking around and operating so close to their base of operations. You’ve made a few bad calls, Moril. Agar here has been keeping rather thorough notes, in various location, about your little operation her.” she responded.

Agar’s eyes grew wide, and he shook his head rapidly in the Imperial’s direction. Concerned for the Mercenary’s safety, Terris called on the Force to move the bound man closer to her. She didn’t want Officer Moril to have an easy shot, on a prone target.

”It’s over, Moril.” Terris concluded.

 

[Paradox]

"Not hardly." He stopped his 'combat' stance and stood up straight, dusting the shoulders of his suit. This should have all been so simple. "You were clever to move him, but ultimately it doesn't matter. We both know I wouldn't stand a chance in a fight with you. I'm just not a violent person. Well, at least not when it involves me. And as for 'it's over?' I wonder how many times I've heard that. You really think you've won? I always knew I would eventually have to end this little side business of mine and I'm prepared."

He took a few steps back to maintain the distance between them. He touched the cuff link on his wrist and a soft beep could be heard within the small apartment. Now it was his turn to be smug. He wasn't a fighter, but he always had plans. "You see I never planned on letting this rabble live after this was done. They knew too much and like you said, Agar has been keeping thorough notes; without my knowledge. Don't even think about moving. There happens to be about twenty-five pounds of Thermite beneath your feet. This entire building is going to be leveled...unless we can come to an agreement that doesn't end with all of our deaths."