[SITH MISSION]Thieves and Liars

[vamp]

THIEVES AND LIARS

Fiendish acts are taking place on the mining planet of Kessel, where two Sith have arrived to strike a deal with smuggler Marus Simms. The deal's success cannot be guaranteed, and the two Force users, Malek Maldor and Inquisitor Rex Hyporis (@Nor'baal) have come prepared for combat. They are not on friendly land, however, and the reach of the Empire can only extend so far...

The ship shuddered to a stop and landed a few feet away from the entrance of a shabby hangar. Malek was snapped out of his thoughts by the violent lurch that signaled their landing, and he stood up. He exited the ship with the Inquisitor, and as the craft flew away, he turned to the fellow Sith. No one paid them any attention.

The Imperial official who had assigned them the mission had made it clear they will not be receiving any help from the Empire, and certainly no aid from anyone on Kessel. Malek had been used to it, and having the Inquisitor along helped his confidence. Surely, it would be difficult to take down two Sith, one of them exceptionally skilled. As a breeze kicked up some dust, Malek spoke for the first time.

"Well, Inquisitor, it appears we have arrived. We should probably make haste to arrive at the location on time," he said, looking at a clock on the hangar wall. There was still a good deal of time for them to get to the smuggler's lair, but it was one of Malek's preferences that he arrive early for meetings.

TEMPLATE BY @Aberforth

 

[Nor'baal]

The jolt of the vessel set my bones on edge; to this day I have never enjoyed flying in a utilitarian vessel. Pushing aside the numerous thoughts of what may have caused the jolt - ranging from faulty engines to a sudden unexplained crash, I stood and took a couple of deep breaths; my mind far from what my associate would make of me should he see this apparent weakness. I was probably the only Sith Inquisitor who was absolutely petrified of flying in anything that had windows.

Better one is ignorant of impending disaster in a small metal box, than able to see it coming? I asked myself rhetorically, offering my comrade a weak smile as I debarked. I had come equipped for action, as was my brief - a lightsaber at my hip, opposite a Sunspear heavy pistol (something of a favorite of mine), a bandoleer of flash and frak grenades and my trusted MMCA armor. Normally, I would not have come along without one of my party, the Bounty Hunter; or perhaps the Nameless - however today I made an exception.

Dealing with Smugglers was something to be enjoyed in person, not left to a lackey after all. I was confident the deal would pass without a hitch, indeed it would be useful for us both to have Smugglers on the payroll - an Inquisitor such as myself had often the need to call on the skills of such individuals. Stepping off the landing ramp, I smile to the man I had spoken with briefly on the way here.

''Agreed - always best to get to such a meeting on time; wouldn't hurt to avoid offense,'' I stated, walking toward the docking droid ''anyway; look after this droid.'' I handed the Droid some Imperial Credits and moved on.

 

[vamp]

A bit perplexed, Malek followed the Inquisitor. The two "borrowed" two speeders from the hangar, and took to the road. As the wind whipped him in the face uncomfortably, Malek had some time to think. It was strange that the other Sith had given money to a droid, however he chose to keep quiet about it. It wasn't his place to question it.

The ride wasn't very long, since the smuggler's home (if you could call it that) was on the outskirts of a city, but the terrain made it feel longer than it was. The northern hemisphere of Kessal was uncomfortable to say the least, and littered with everything from craters, to abandoned mines, to broken-down ships. It wasn't a nice landscape, and looked rather polluted.

A few minutes later, Malek slowed down as a shabby building came into view. The smuggler didn't seem to live very stylishly, but looks can be deceiving. The two Sith stepped off, and Malek waited for the Inquisitor to enter first.

 

[Nor'baal]

I was silently worried; what if things went south to fast?

Regardless, I walked into the room, the brief trip in the speeder, and my frankly odd dealing with a droid, behind me. I kept my eyes open, force awareness showing little in the way of an immediate thread. It was a warehouse, little in the way of predominant features showing - a collection of humanoid aliens at the end. The walk was just a little to far, the smugglers clearly wanted to put us in the heart of the room, make us approach them rather than meet as equals.

It was not a good sign.

I approached, my colleague behind me and came to a halt. ''Inquisitor Hyporis. Pleasure.'' I said curtly, not willing to engage in pleasantries.

OOC - I have left it open for you to write their replies :)

 

[vamp]

''Inquisitor Hyporis. Pleasure.''

A disembodied voice spoke out from ahead of them. The owner of the voice was cloaked by dark shadows, but he soon stepped out, and the Sith could both see it was Marus, the smuggler. "Do sit down, Insquisitor," he said charmingly, as two droids brought them chairs. It was obvious that making them stand was deliberate.

"Marus Simms, at your service," he added, then turned to Malek. "And this is?"

"Malek Maldor," the Sith replied curtly, not wanting to speak more than needed. Hopefully the Inquisitor would finalize the deal without the need of combat, but Malek was there just in case.

The smuggler sat down on a chair in front of them. "Now that introductions are done, let's get down to business, shall we? What can you offer me that I cannot already get?"

 

[TheMorrigan]

Kessel is a strange place. An industrial maze. And certainly not one you would want to get lost in.

The two speeders at the entrance of the Smuggler's den revealed that those he was assigned to work with had already arrived. Not surprising, as he was not yet accustomed to navigating such a strange planet. Although he was well versed with knowledge, some things only experience may provide. It was odd to Vrist that the Legion would send a new member, even with one of his qualifications, to accompany two Sith in what would appear to be no easy mission. High Command either believed he was capable, or that he was expendable. Either way, a negotiation should be no issue. Under these circumstances, he had opted for his black shocktrooper armor, but left his helmet off as a sign of willingness. His electroblade was clearly clasped to his side, but his pistol was hidden from view beneath a cloak, used to disguise the armor's Insignia.

Vrist entered the warehouse calmly, taking care to observe every detail. Any exits, sniper positions, vantage points. Ahead he noticed the Smuggler from his briefing, and what he presumed to be the Sith he was tasked to aide. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked forward until reaching the chairs set out for the Sith, and remained standing respectfully, reserving his speech for when he was spoken to.

 

[Nor'baal]

Your worthless lives, I thought; deciding rapidly that erring on the side of diplomacy was probably the wiser course of action to pursue. ''The Imperial Treasury is deep, but my research informs me that your other clients ensure you are not....'' I paused, in part for effect, but mostly to find the correct words ''...left out of pocket.''

Short of threatening them, there was little we could offer bar money or favors, and in many ways entering into that discussion would only lead to a lot of needless tit for tat negotiation. Part of me hoped that one of my comrades would step in with something witty, or wise....I fell silent, ready to speak if that silence stretched out for to long....

 

[vamp]

.

"Hello, there!" he said to the newcomer. "We were just beginning! Anyhow, Inquisitor, you can tell I'm certainly not lacking financially. What I would benefit from, that you can offer, would be protection. I've made quite a nice menagerie of enemies in my time, and I would need to ensure my time continues."

He gave a silent nod to the new Sith in acknowledgement, and when Marus stopped talking, he thought. Calculatingly, Malek estimated what the smuggler needed protection from, and realized what the man's intent was.

Projecting his will through the Force, he sent out a message to the two Sith with him, telepathically. "He wants to take over the Southern hemisphere," Malek speculated. "That may be beneficial, but if he turns on us, the planet will be under his control. Too risky."

Air buzzing with tension, he turned to the Inquisitor for a response, and Marus eyed them petulantly. Two blaster-clad guards stood at his side, although it was hard to tell what lurked in the darkness ahead. Outside, a bird was chirping and a speeder started off in the distance.

 

[TheMorrigan]

Vrist felt the telepathic message, holding back a scoff. He agreed with Malek. This smuggler, no matter how skilled, no matter how good at deceiving, could not be trusted to uphold any bargain that gave him an edge over his enemies. The best policy for these negotiations where to limit what deals he thinks he has available to him. As smugglers do, he will push for as much as he can, and if what you offer is but a crumb in comparison to what you have available, he will feel as though he has won. A difficult deception, but one that could be pulled off with quick wording.

"Understandable, Sir. A man of your profession will make no end of enemies, a trait we share in common. But I see here, and as my intel suggests, you have quite a few guards yourself. The better part of a small army, if I am not mistaken. Protection from your enemies could easily be achieved by assigning members of my corps to defend you at all times..."

Vrist paused momentarily, allowing the Smuggler to contemplate his words, before gently lowering his voice, adopting a tone of eloquence. He reached within himself, and using the Force, subtly sent waves of fear throughout the warehouse. Any within it would feel the subconcious effect of worry and stress that accompanied it.

"Although I do not speak for the Sith Brotherhood, I am certain they would have little issue with sending a Sith Warrior as well. As you are aware, the Sith are legendary combatants, perfectly suitable for the protection of someone like yourself."

 

[Nor'baal]

I was not overwhelmed with the man's offer, cheeky though it was. Smugglers, and the world in which they operated, could often be more dangerous than the arena in which I operated, and it was understandable that this man would seek to advantage himself from any such arrangement; indeed, where we not doing the same?


Unlike some Sith I was not against helping to strengthen certain groups, despite the risk that one day they could turn on us. Indeed, my philosophy always has been better the enemy you know. Certainly, there are flaws in this logic, but it is logic by which I stand. I received the mental note from my Sith associate, and did not respond, replying vocally to address the issue at hand instead.


”Certainly, protection from future Sith entanglements would go without saying. By collaborating with the Inquisition, I am’’ I paused, happy seemed like the incorrect word here, but I could think of nothing better ”,happy for you to operate under my agency, within reason, whilst you provide me with information and services.”


I moved to address the final point, the man's need for our help to secure the hemisphere. This was a prime opportunity to plant our own operatives within the man's organisation, and thus to keep tabs on it lest it grow too quickly. ”A Sith Warrior would certainly advance your cause, as would any other help my agency can provide. You help me, I can send people to help you.’’

 

[vamp]

.

"In that case, Inquisitor, I believe we have ourselves a deal. Now if you'll be so kind as to follow me," replied the smuggler, as two assassin droids drew around him and pointed their blasters towards the Sith. "I believe we will find a deal that would be even more beneficial to me!"

The greed of criminals knows no limits, Malek thought as he stood. He gripped his lightsaber hilt, and as soon as his arm moved, the smuggler shot. The plasma careened next to his head, and he could hear the buzz and feel the heat of the shot as it flew past.

"Allow me to repeat myself: follow me, and no one gets hurt. After all, what else do you have to lose but the Kessel run?"

Awaiting orders from the Inquisitor, Malek chose to wait standing, hand still on the lightsaber.

 

[TheMorrigan]

"Respectfully, Marus, I advise against such rash actions..."

As he spoke, Vrist moved the blaster beneath his cloak, aiming it at Marus. The concealed weapon proved useful, and only came into view as he allowed his hand to gently push away the black cloak. With the blaster in the open and clearly aimed at Marus' head, Vrist continued his sentence.

"...I know smugglers are gamblers. But I don't think you feel like playing Rodian Roulette with your life, do you?"

As he finished the sentence, he primed the blaster audibly. It was already prepped to fire, but the priming would make it SOUND ready, thus increasing the seriousness of his threat.

Make no mistake, smuggler. I will end you...