Judge and Executioner

[Sergei Petrov]

overnor Rune was a fool. He was not the real source of power on Cato Neimoidia. He did not hold all the cards or strings. He was no puppet master. In fact, he was the puppet. Weak-willed and worthless as the governor was, he was still a threat to the Imperial Republica’s planetary operations. He may not have held the power, but he was a symbol to the colonists. A token figure that showed them they could be truly independent of the Empire. That was nothing more than a pack of lies. Treason. And what was the penalty for sedition? Death.

An assassination was needed. The governor had to die. Any hopes the Neimoidians hold for independence must be dashed away in one foul strike. Although the Empire suggested an invasion, capture followed by a very public execution, Sergei thought differently. He didn’t want the symbol of the colony to rise up as a martyr in death. He wanted him to die quietly, like the meaningless sack he was always meant to be.

Hope was a dangerous thing. It was the Empire’s greatest enemy, and a lie Sergei had grappled with for much of his life. But he learned how to control it, how to stamp it out. He knew enough that killing the token of Cato Neimoidia would ultimately smother that hope. Dissent would falter and the colony would fall limp into his hands.

“Acolyte Kru and Katress, your target is Governor Rune.” His voice was distant and ceremonial. Through the holographic message, he glanced between the unfamiliar man and his Twi’lek partner. Unlike his superiors, Sergei did not share his complete disgust for alien species. Not unless they had proven themselves worthy in service of the Empire, and from what he had heard of the Twi’lek Sith, he heard only good things.

“He is hosting a lavish gala at his personal estate. Many Neimoidian nobles and bureaucrats will be in attendance.” A thin smile tugged his lips, almost imperceptible through the hologram. “Give them a show.” Having gone straight to the point, Sergei closed the frequency. Apparently, the two were not new to that kind of work, and he had full faith in their success.

@Lazy Swordsman @Kayenta Moenkopi (DICE)

 

[Talik Kru]

After receiving the transmission, Allerius and Talik discussed the tactic they wished to employ. Truth seemed to be like a good idea, or at least a veiled version. They would simply arrive at this party unannounced as diplomatic liaisons from the Imperial Republic come to advise the Governor on the precarious situation he was placing himself by further subversive talk. No doubt approaching the man with entreaties would only serve to inflate his sense of self importance and that would only give him a false sense of security.

Naturally they would be traveling under assumed names, and concealing their status as Sith. Their credentials were impeccable because there was no need for forgeries. The intelligence service had made available to the duo a number of legitimate identities. They had only but to choose one. Turning to Allerius she said, ”Now who shall we be this time?”. Her hands were busy sifting through an assortment of covers stories that would be suited for such a mission.

And the beauty of it all? Once they were welcomed into Rune’s personal estate, and he realized at the end just what they were? Well, technically it was already too late and they hadn’t even left Alderaan.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

As soon as the transmission cut out Allerius yawned. He was too tired for this nonsense. Why did he never get the butchering missions? He could be one of those mindless rage filled Sith Warriors too. Sighing he shook his head, they’d been told that the mission would be a high society gala before the briefing had begun so he was already in the appropriate attire. Dressed in the robes he’d purchased on Coruscant not too long ago. It was a high quality outfit, and had cost more than a few credits, it was not only fashionable but loose enough as to hide a lightsaber under the velvet robes although it came with the disadvantage that the metal cuffs meant he could use his N.E.W.D.A but his clothing left plenty of room to hide the shoto on his belt anyway.

Glancing over at his companion he watched her go through their portfolio of identities all provided by Imperial Intelligence. “Don’t forget you have to return those once the mission is over.” he added with a smile. Operative of Imperial Intelligence or not they didn’t allow their agents to keep the credentials that where provided for assignments. “What about number 419?” he suggested. Not that there were anywhere near 419 different identities but they were numbered as per the original archives that Intelligence used. “Diplomat Finis Vorus. He’s a man about my age from Onderon, respectable enough world but also more accepting of aliens than much of the Inner Rim. It would be believable that he would consent to working with a Twi’lek attache.” he paused and smirked. “Or colleague if it helps your pride.”

Shrugging he looked unconcerned. “Either way we need to make a move if we’re to reach this party in time.”

@Kayenta Moenkopi

 

[Talik Kru]

Attired already for the private affair as well, her blue gown was plain enough for such an evening. It’s skirt was loose enough to allow for freedom of motion and even contained secret access to an inner pocket in which her lightsaber would fit. Allerius’ words about keeping the extra credentials truly made her laugh. Sometimes his sense of humor was actually enjoyable. But then he reverted back to form and took a dig at her and she was reminding her of her place. She frowned setting the portfolios back on the table as each one was rejected. At last she drew forth a likely persona and slipped them into a matching bag she would carry for the occasion. ”Dru’selane” she replied while gathering up the others and replacing them in the lock box in the wall next to the book they had recovered on Prakith. ”Attache in service to the Diplomat Vorus will do nicely.” Since Eddard’s death she had been a bit lacking on the usual level of spite between them.

She slid the concealing panel back into place once she was done, her thoughts weighing heavily over the incident. It was not so much that she had any particular attachment to the man. Such a thought was laughable given her feelings about the nobility. But it had made her nervous about the future. It wasn’t like he was a nobody; his death had been investigated. Naturally his involvement with the two of them was known and she had been taken to a private meeting with the Empress over the matter. The whole thing had her decidedly unsettled as her lack of venom showed.

Looking to Allerius she said, ”I am ready whenever you are.”

Later when they arrived at their ship and had made the jump to hyperspace, she tried to put thoughts of fear away and focus upon the mission at hand. At least for one more night the arrest order would not come, though she expected there were bigger things on the mind of the Empress than a Twi’lek and how she may or may not be valuable. It wasn’t until they had come out of hyperspace that she spoke, ”How do you want to handle this? Landing at the private estate or a further distance away?”

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

He smirked at Talik as he felt a burst of annoyance from the woman at his jibes. She needed to learn to accept such with more grace and to care less. Allerius’ verbal jab had been gentle and there had been no real spite behind it. Meanwhile there would be many others, especially within the Sith Order itself, who would mock her Xeno nature and origins far more viciously to the point that she’d likely be stamped down for any position of power that she ever tried to achieve. Although Allerius believed such limitations where coming to an end, the revolt by the Old Empire was proof that Imperial Reform was needed. Perhaps their new Empress would be the key to such changes.

Speaking of the Empress he wondered if it was worth bringing up Talik’s meeting with the new leader of the Empire but she hadn’t brought it up herself which annoyed him. Despite his partner’s obvious hatred towards him he thought she’d more respect for him by now, didn’t he deserve that after everything he give her? Of course he hadn’t told her about his meeting but that was completely different of course.

Her response lack its usual spite and he sighed softly. He couldn’t blame her. All the changes lately in their lives had left him feeling drained. Allerius had gone from a life of relative freedom to always feeling like he was busy, on the move, doing something or the other. “Attache then.”

Double checking that he had everything he’d need the assassin nodded. “Let’s go.” he simply said letting the droid pilot the craft “Oh and I must say you look quite dazzling tonight my dear.” he added. Allerius suppressed a grimace, he definitely was tired, and the lack of mockery in his voice had left the comment sounding completely genuine. It bothered him. Of course Allerius usually meant his compliments towards his partner but the without that biting tone it came off as a little too pleasant.

“Hmm? Oh I ordered us a private car already from the local Embassy. It will pick us up.” he give her a small smile. His words clearly revealed he had planned their identities in advance… so had he only give Talik the illusion of choice? Well he’d leave that up to her.

As the craft completed it’s gentle landing at the spaceport Allerius simply stood and nodded to Talik before departing down the ramp. It didn’t take long before the pair had reached the private car outside the front of the Spaceport, the driver even called him Envoy Finis Vorus.

The car swiftly took off towards the estate which was their destination. “Oh when we get there make sure you remember to show my credentials as well and announce me to the door guard, it will be expected, Envoy Vorus will do.” as he spoke he nodded to the driver, a human man in his mid-twenties with short brown hair. “Don’t worry about him. He works for our agency not the Diplomatic Corp despite what type of speeder he drives.”

 

[Talik Kru]

Her thoughts were increasingly troubled of late, the Empress’ questioning having caused conflicting emotions to rise within her usual level of certainty. It had raised several questions in her mind and self-examination of her own motives and prejudices; most specifically her loyalty to Acolyte Katress.

"How attached to Katress are you?"

Lyanna’s words had virtually opened up a pit of Hssiss beneath her forcing her to step outside herself and examine many truths she had refused to see in the days that followed. The largest and most devastating admission among them had been that her former master was a traitor deserving of death. Allerius should have killed her on the spot and erased whatever infection Sobrosh Res had imbued upon his apprentice. But he hadn’t; instead he did everything in his power to see to her training and acquisition of control over the force.

Allerius words concerning her attire drew her eyes to him momentarily interrupting her thoughts. ”Thank you”, she replied though her tone lacked it’s signature venom. Her fingers clutched lightly at her accessorizing hand bag in which both of their credentials were stowed as her eyes drifted downward to stare at the back of her hands.

While he went on to speak about the plans he already had in place, she nodded her head slightly realizing that he had already chosen their identities. Such a concern seemed to be petty to her now when before she would have given him a biting remark or perhaps plotted some minor annoyance to inflict upon the insufferable oaf. Fortunately the trip to the spaceport on Cato Neimoidia was short.

Exiting the ship, she wasted no time in climbing into the back of the private car noting the chauffeur called him by his false identity. As Allerius explained about the driver and what protocol to use once they arrived, she reviewed the import of her audience with the Empress once more. She planned on splitting them up, each to serve the Republica in different aspects. It made tactical sense, but at the same time it set off alarms within the Lethan she could scarcely silence. True, it was wise to use your resources as efficiently as possible but Talik was also aware that should an order be given for their deaths having them alone without backup would only make the task easier.

Upon arriving at Governor Rune’s private estate, she hesitated before exiting the vehicle to lay her fingertips upon his knee. ”Be careful Envoy Vorus; low or high born, no one in this life is worthy of your trust.” Climbing out of the transport, she smoothed her long robes and carried her clutch in her left hand. Upon Allerius’ exit she would accompany him to the entrance where she did indeed present their credentials. Extracting the documents from her handbag she presented them to the security detail announcing, ”Envoy Vorus of Onderon”. She did not give her own name though she had provided a set for ‘Dru’selane’ as well.

It was only a moment before they were shown into the foyer where they were informed by a servant in the brightest orange livery she had ever seen, that their arrival was quite timely as Lord Rune had as yet to make his grande entrance leaving his mistress to greet their guests. Talik had to wonder at the intellect of the man in making such a move before his esteemed guests. Was it arrogance to risk such effrontery or was he that secure in the loyalty of those gathered here tonight? Perhaps none of those in attendance had brought their wives to the private affair.

There was but a short line, however as the bulk of those who were invited had already passed beyond the woman and been ushered on through to a busy ballroom beyond. Admittedly the woman was ravishing, her green gown out rivaled by none, yet she had seen none of those in attendance give any outward signs of insult. Her eyes went to Allerius after putting their returned credentials back into her clutch awaiting his cues.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

The assassin raised an eyebrow in confusion when Talik spoke to him. Who was she talking about? Was it a veiled threat? Allerius was all rather confusing and instead simply exited the transport and stepped beside his partner. Walking towards the entrance with his ornate robes fluttering around him as he did so. Striding alongside his “attaché” he kept silent as the Twi’lek introduced him. After a few moments they were escorted into the foyer.

The first thing that struck Allerius was just how atrocious the decor was. “Did they hire a Miraluka as the interior decorator?” he muttered to his partner under his voice. As they milled around they were more or less left alone. Imperial Envoys might be given a certain degree of protection thanks to their Imperial allegiance but they were also low ranked enough to not be worth sucking up to.

Casting a glance around he saw that the vast majority of the inhabitants where Neimoidian, which made sense, although a number of upper-class Humans made up the colonies inhabitants. The Imperial Governor was a fool. He allowed these aliens the belief that they could be independent, free, from Imperial rule. A treasonous belief. But why punish a planet when you can simply remove the weak link. Rune would die within the next hour.

Glancing around Allerius leant over to whisper in his partner’s ear. “I’m going to make a… diversion. Get close to Rune whether he comes out or not. I will join you soon.” he whispered.

Breaking away from his fellow assassin he walked to a side door and snuck out of the party. Striding down the hallway he removed a small datapad, borrowed from Intelligence, which had the schematics of the Governor’s Palace. Finding his way towards the basement entrance he was about to enter the room when a voice spoke behind him.

“Excuse me sir what are you doing here?”

Turning he saw a guard with a rifle looking at him suspiciously. Allerius smiled “I appear to be lost. Can you tell me the way to the bathroom?” he asked politely.

The security guard appeared unconvinced and nodded down the hall. “There is one near the party sir. I will show you the way.”

Allerius made a gesture with his hand as he reached out with the Force, forcing the dark power into the man’s dull mind. “That is unnecessary. You appear ill, you should go home and forget that you saw me.” he said in a voice rich with the power of the Dark Side.

The guard’s eyes glazed over and he nodded. “I should go home.” he replied dully before walking off. ♦

The Assassin let out a relieved sigh as he pressed the button which opened the door and walked down the steps into the basement. It took him a further five minutes of going through the dark room to find what he was seeking for. The power breaker and nearby was the backup generator. Allerius smiled. Personally he would not have put them so close together but then the Governor’s architect probably hadn’t planned for assassination when planning the layout.
Igniting his lightsaber he slashed the power cables to the generator first before walking up to the power breaker. Tapping his comms sending a short burst of clicks only to alert Talik that he was about to work. Flicking the breaker he turned the power of to the building before slashing his lightsaber across the box so that it couldn’t be undone.

Walking out of the basement he would lock the door behind him before slashing the controls so that it would be difficult to gain entrance. Walking down the corridor he activated his comm-link once more. “We must move quickly, send me your location.”

It was time to get moving. Sergei had asked for the duo to give a show and Allerius looked forward to doing so.

 

[Talik Kru]

His remark about the decor was spot on and it made her laugh for how near it mirrored her own thoughts. Turning to give him a huge grin, she replied in a conspiratorial tone, “That might actually be an improvement.” The ball room, she supposed it was called, was flooded with draperies and stone columns; she squinted peering to the far side of the chamber at an actual tapestry of a hunt that encompassed the entire wall. The place looked more like a back stage storage room where old sets were thrown together than a room with any one theme in mind.

Allerius leaned in, informing her of his intentions and she nodded her head before moving along the edges of the various groups of people conversing. Her eye immediately located another of the orange clad servants, this time moving through the crowd carrying a tray full of fluted glasses. Their host was certainly not stinting on the libations, many of the guests already beginning to lose their inhibitions had taken to the dance floor despite the absence of their host.

And just where was the good Governor hiding, she pondered as she snagged a glass of the wine for herself in passing. Thinking where she would make a grand entrance if she were a puffed up self important…her eyes fell upon an archway that was now open to her view from having crossed further into the room. Bringing her glass to her lips in order to cover her smile, she worked her way past the tapestry noting the archway was bordered by huge draperies.

A trio of steps lead up to a small dais containing an actual throne back dropped by more of the gaudy draperies of purples and greens tied with gold rope whose ends were capped by brass bobs the size of her fist.

Taking advantage of the cover provided by the dancing couples, she slipped behind the draperies and found herself looking down a long hallway seeking a place to lie in wait for the Governor. About halfway down she located a door by a crease in the wall paper and a cut in the wainscoting. A push at the panel and the door swung open onto what had the appearance of a servant’s passage. Her discovery came none too fast for she could hear footsteps and the voice’s of people growing near.

Talik hid in the servant’s passage, shutting the door behind her until she heard the entourage pass by. Her hand moved to the latch and pulled the door open to see three people heading for the drapery, two children attired in even more ornately ridiculous livery with gold wigs upon their heads. She shook her head at ‘this guy’ and his pretensions of freedom for the masses when something began to feel off about the man other than his fashion sense.

His attire was the anomaly being plain by comparison to that of his staff and mistress, and he cut a visage with which she was more than familiar. A glint of metal beneath his billowing robe only served to cement her perceptions. Once the trio had disappeared behind the curtain, the noise level increased for the musicians took their cue to make a grand flourish that set the crowd applauding. Soon enough the Governor began speaking and she moved from her place of concealment into the hallway.

Sounds of merriment and boasting turned to alarm when the lights went out and she heard Allerius contacting her on the comm link. Immediately she responded, ”Behind his dais. He’s Sith. Proceed with caution.”

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Allerius heard the transmission from his partner and responded in a hushed voice. “It’ll take me a few more minutes to get to you. Take him out immediately, the distraction won’t last long.” he hissed over the communicator. He’d managed to take out the main power and the backup generator but he didn’t know if any contingencies existed beyond those in the basic plans that the Sith pair had been provided with. They needed to act as swiftly as possible. It didn’t help that Allerius had heard that the Governor, for all his weakness of will and mind was supposedly a skilled duellist. It had been a rumour until now but Talik’s words made it real enough to assume it was true.

“I will join you when I can, be q-.” he cut off hearing a sound.

Alerrius slowed his pace and began to move carefully as he approached a corridor tunnel. He turned just as a guard, who had been moving equally cautiously, rounded the corner himself. The human guard, a private mercenary security force by the look of his uniform. Allerius ignited his lightsaber and slashed at the guard but the man ducked swiftly under the blow with all the quickness of a veteran warrior. He threw an Echani style kick into the Assassin’s stomach knocking the wind out of him with such vigour that Allerius didn’t even have time to lift his shoto up after igniting it as well.

Hitting the ground the Alderaanian groaned as he heard the security guard alert his colleagues of Sith Assassins on the premises. Luckily he had no way to know if they were from the Imperial Republica or Old Empire branch of the Order. “I’ve been made. Move quickly.”

Jumping to his feet Allerius spun his lightsabers, to his surprise the guard didn’t bother to lift his rifle but instead withdrew a long, slightly curved, sword from his waist and took up a practiced stance which the Assassin recognised as being Echani as well. It was a popular style with the Intelligence Agency but many mercenaries seemed drawn to it as well.

Leaping in Allerius lightsaber met the sword and when his shoto darted out it too was battered away. The Assassin’s foot flew out to check a kick from the guard before he danced away. The Sith had to admit surprise, the guard was clearly well experienced and moved with obvious ease however there was a slight lag to his movements. The man, from his face, was probably approaching his fifties and past his prime which explained why such a skilled fighter would be working for a nobody, but wealthy, Governor on a backwater world such as this.

Drawing on the Force to speed up his movements Allerius leapt into range again, his shoto knocked the vibroblade down and to the side as his long blade came down diagonally onto the guard’s shoulder. It seared through to his chest and killed him immediately however even as he died the mercenary managed to slash the Assassin across his thigh with his vibrosword.

Hissing in pain Allerius stumbled away. It wasn’t a deep wound and it only ached. Luckily the draping robes where undamaged and covered the bleeding leg and cut on his trousers.

Forgoing stealth he took off down the corridor as quick as possible. With the delay he had no doubt that Talik would already be in for the fight of her live and they had to act quickly before more guards found them. It would take another two minutes before he reached his friend.

‘Hold on Talik, I’m on my way.’

 

[Talik Kru]

As soon as Allerius told her to take out the governor that is exactly what she did. His cut off transmission only spurred her toward haste. Had he been discovered? Was he in trouble? She would have to worry about that later. Oddly enough the thought of him lying dead or injured somewhere was more disturbing to her than it should have been, and not because someone would have stolen her revenge. It seemed the goal of a child to her now…

It was his fault that she could now mask her emotions, stop transmitting her every waking thought and feeling to every force sensitive within range; she was built for stealth. Sith the man might be but it was his arrogance that would be his undoing. The fool should have sensed something, would have sensed something but his traitorous nature had blinded him to his danger. Stupid people in places of power. The Republica was plagued with the sickness, but she had the cure.

Before the governor knew it she was out from behind the curtain and driving her light saber through the air toward his chest only to be met by the blocking arc of his own crimson saber. The children screamed and dove into the darkened crowd. The panic of the blackout turning into an all out rout of people rushing toward the exits. One of the orange liveried servants was trying to calm the crowd but was shoved to the ground for his pains.

It was certainly a different staged exhibition than their host had planned, but the combined glow of the light sabers at last painted the room in one color pallet of crimson. Allerius’ voice spoke to her once more letting her know two things simultaneously: he was alive and he had been found out. Rune heard the message too and took it for good news taunting her, ”Your back up isn’t coming. You should give up child. Don’t you know the Republica is dead? The tide of rebellion can never be ….” Her saber cut off his head having found an opening in his defenses while he monologued giving her blessed silence from further discourse. It was a boring conversation anyway.

Running for doorway through which Allerius had exited she hit the comm link and told their driver to get ready for a fast exit. Then she let her hold upon the force expand, her sense reaching out in search of her partner. Signaling to Allerius on the comm she said,”He’s dead. I’m headed your way.”

She couldn’t sense him anywhere and cursed his ability to mask himself until the barest hint came to her. That in itself was cause for even more alarm but she didn’t falter in her steps to wonder at the cause. She saw the glow of his saber from round the corner before she actually saw him, no doubt he experienced a similar effect though he may well have sensed her seeking touch within the force. When she did see him the first thing she noticed was the change in his gait. Moving swiftly to his side she blurted out the obvious, ”You’re hurt!”, as though she had never considered such a possibility till then.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Allerius blinked in surprise, nearly crashing into Talik as she appeared before him. He guessed he wasn’t paying attention then again it wasn’t like he had the time to be constantly reaching out to look for her with the Force when another one of those damned guards could be around the corner. The assassin was still wearing a frown from her earlier communication. “So he’s really dead already? Guess the rumours where just talk.” he said absently. It wasn’t that his Twi’lek friend was a poor fighter, far from it, but she lacked the experience and skill to match an expert duellist even with luck and surprise on her side. He guessed that the Governor had been an amateur in the Sith arts after all. He was surprised but at least it was done.

“Hmm? Oh yeah I got nicked...” he said without really paying much attention to her. “A guard surprised me, seemed to have some experience against our people and knew better than to try using a blaster against a Sith. He managed to get a lucky blow on me when I killed him but it’s shallow, hardly even bleeding.”

He hadn’t stopped moving the entire time he spoke but he did deactivate his sabers and stash them back beneath the flowing robes of his attire. It took no time at all for the pair to rejoin the party. The first guard hadn’t managed to share his attackers’ description and with their employers death, not to mention the power loss, the guards would be in disarray. Re-joining the panicking crowds that where exiting the building Allerius leant over to his partner. “Well that was a lot shorter than I thought it’d be.” he admitted. He assumed it’d take longer to find the Governor and a far lengthier engagement which, in turn, would mean more guard involvement. It seemed things had been over before they really began.

As they reached the door with the rest of the fleeing guests Allerius tapped his communicator and messaged the driver. “Ready for pickup.”

 

[Talik Kru]

Talik was quite relieved to find Allerius and accepted his assessment of his injury at face value. Despite all his personality flaws, he was not one to jeopardize a mission through falsely reporting his condition. His ego was considerable and more than likely he may have done so during a sparring match, but never in the field where it could mean life or death. She sighed and walked with him letting her saber go out but holding it tucked in her hand within the sleeve of her gown. It was unlikely anyone would see it in the darkness and since the back up generators had not kicked on nor any emergency lighting systems, she assumed that either the Governor’s private estate needed a serious upgrade or her partner had disable those systems as well.

”This is good, I am in no mood to carry you out of here.”, she quipped falling back easily into their usual animosity rather than reveal to him her concern. That she had concern was troubling enough to handle for the moment, meaning that she was just going to ignore it and think about it later when she had time to meditate upon the matter. He certainly was not pulling any punches, his total lack of disdain for her skills obviously meant the governor was a shit fighter. While it was true he had been, it didn’t mean that she was. She just chuckled and shook her head realizing she didn’t really care what he thought. This of course was yet another troubling thought and she pushed it aside as well.

Chaos was wonderful, especially when it covered your tracks and just let you walk out the front door like it was the most natural thing imaginable. Standing outside with Katress she didn’t have to wait long before the driver pulled up. Once they were both inside and making their grand escape into the night, she broke the silence to discuss something of immediate import she had been putting off since its occurence.

”Allerius. I need to talk to you about my meeting with the Empress.”

@Lazy Swordsman

//thread end