Ask Space Station 5-9

[Spectre]

Borgo Prime​

Borgo Prime, a shadowport in the Outer Rim. A lot of criminal, shady types goes through this station as much as credits do. Borgo Prime will prove to be a good asset under Imperial control. The new Emperor seems to have an affinity for shady type of people (as evidence with Imperial Czerka being a thing) so this will fit in perfectly.

Cipher Nine would be working with Cipher Five on this project, but not closely. It was late, most people would be sleeping. The first stage is to incite conflict into the trade guild members and the criminals. To do this, the Cipher Agents have arrived independently. They have different tasks to do. Five will be infiltrating in order to kill the unlucky port official who is targeted, while Nine will try infiltrating the security office. From there he will be able to provide support to Five and also plant evidence that will frame the rising criminal group the Ravagers.

Nine would check his chrono, the it's almost time to begin. Nine would dirty himself up, disguise himself and wearing a face-concealing helmet, Nine wouldn't be distinguishable from the other citizenry on the shadowport. Using his helmet's built-in comlink, he would then ask his partner. "Testing one, two, three..." he murmured would make sure that everything is in place before they both get started with their respective tasks.

He would then peak around the corner, he could see the security office. Light guard detail, one enforcer standing outside. They were none the wiser. If his test work, he would then ask his fellow Cipher. "I have sight of the security office. We about ready to commence?" he would whisper.

 

[Cipher Five]

Far from the actual port where Nine found himself, Five would be in the underbelly of Borgo Prime. His target, a dockmaster named Zubin Farr, frequently stopped by widely known gang-owned cantinas there after his hard shifts. Not only was the alcohol cheap, but a variety of spices could be purchased too, especially on a really difficult day. Unfortunately for Zubin, these visits would be the reason for his targeting and the agent's arrival. The routine would add another subtle layer of believability to the idea that he conducted constant business meetings to smuggle cargo.

Five found himself at one of those cantinas owned by the Ravagers, seated in a corner booth. It gave him a perfect view of the front door and the only other exit, but more importantly, Zubin at the bar. His outfit mimicked Nine's and made him blend in with the rest of the patrons. The hood was raised to protect his identity, but not the lower face mask, as the shadows compensated for that. He still wanted to be able to smoke as he did his recon.

Despite being in the recesses of the shadowport and surrounded by criminals, Five felt completely at ease in his environment. There was a sort of peace within the drunken chaos, one where people left each other alone until you gave them a reason not to. As he dragged on his cigarra, the exhaled smoke captured by his nose, memories of his previous assignments surfaced, as he had mostly spent his time in locations such as these before he became a Cipher.

As Five took another drag, Nine's voice would come through statically at first before clearing up, informing him he was in position. The agent would take a subtle glance toward Zubin, the man standing up from his seat as he made his goodbyes with his fellow dockworkers. "Affirm. He's about to head home now," he responded, as he had watched the man for a few days and knew his routine like the back of his hand.

This was Five's first time working with a fellow cipher, and the experience was a double-edged sword for him. At first, he loathed the idea as it included another variable he couldn't control. But, surprisingly, he found an eagerness within him too to see what two Ciphers could accomplish together. Speaking into his earpiece, his voice in a low but smooth timbre said, "It's a pleasure to finally work with you, Nine. I believe this could be quite a successful partnership." If there were any doubts, there was no way to tell.

 

[Spectre]

"Indeed" he replied with a smirk. With that, Cipher Nine would then start moving, sticking off center into the shadows. The security office was located away from the general public, although Nine was about being seen at this point even though there weren't onlookers. The security guard was none the wiser. "I'm moving in"

Now closer and obscured in darkness and there being no other way in that he can see, the security guard would have to be dealt with. Simply just attacking and everyone inside will be alerted. After taking a few minutesm, looking both ways to make sure there are on-lookers or witnesses. He would creep from the side and place a vibroblade in his hand.

Now having made the approach and now behind him, he would reach around to use his freehand to cover the guy's mouth and start pulling him back, at the same time, he would also use the vibroblade to slice him up the front. The bloodied body would be stashed in the dark. Although Cipher Nine would have liked a more cleaner approach, if they are framing a meer criminal group, he needs to act like a mere criminal. Mere criminals do surgical, clean work.

The cipher agent would take the guy's blaster rifle though and then hit the button to move through the entrance, but not before "I'm in now" Cipher Nine would now be inside with the stolen blaster rifle at the ready. Now he has get his way to security control where the cameras are, plant evidence of Ravager involvement in both the attacks on the port official and what happened here. Then the fire works will really commence

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

Five's lips would also form a smirk, unsurprised by his fellow agent's short response. He assumed Nine's feelings were identical to his when it came to working with a fellow Cipher. Even if there were concerns they shared, both of them could trust and rely on each other's professionalism, if nothing else. Not just anyone could join one of their ranks, and that eliminated the threat of incompetence.

Zubin made his way to the exit, and his shadow would follow after him a few moments later to not draw suspicion. Five would pull up his facemask before leaving the booth, not risking any chances when they were this close. As he stepped outside, he tossed his cigarra into a nearby trashcan, inhaling the stale air at the same time. Memories once more threatened to claw to the surface, and he quickly flung his gaze down the street, finding the back of his target. Spinning on his heel, he would begin to tail after him, his movements feline-like as his footsteps barely made any noise.

Five caught Nine's updates but offered no reply; his attention was fixated on Zubin the entire trek back to his residence. The two would eventually leave the underlevels and return to the commercial sector, specifically the port. Because of the frequent conflicts and backhanded deals that take place on the planet, one of the countermeasures was having the workers actively live at the dock. Zubin, being the dockmaster, had managed to acquire his own little box he could call home, neatly placed near the water and "tucked" away from the general quarters.

While Zubin entered the dock, Five split off, knowing where his target would be. He would take the alley across the street and lean against the corner there, able to see the house through the chain-link fence. A few droids patrolled the inside as cameras mounted the light poles, providing constant 24-hour surveillance. Five took a glance back down the path from which he came, recounting the cameras the two had passed already—a trail that showed Zubin being followed by a Ravager. Unfortunately, if anyone delved deeper, they would find themselves unlucky in that the tail always seemed to have his head turned or covered from the cameras.

When Nine informed him that he was in, Five would just reply, "Let me know when you're in the system."

 

[Spectre]

Cipher Nine had the stolen blaster rifle at the ready when he went in, so far so good, and until a guard rounding the corner. "Hey, drop the weapon" the guard said, reaching for his own blaster pistol. Too bad C9 already had his weapon up, he would fire, a blaster bolt connecting to the guy's chest. And just in case, a double tap. The guy is dead.

With, that, C9 would proceed onwards, and then one more, clearly alerted by the previous gunfire would then come. Cipher Nine would fire one blaster shot off, hitting one before getting behind a door way. He would look around and didn't see any more people. so he proceeded with a ready stance.

"Copy that" the Corellian said. After proceeding onwards, he would come into a room with a bunch of monitors and terminals, and then there would be a protocal droid model inside, it looked like a 3P0 model. The protocol droid was clearly startled "Please don't shoot. Please don't shoot I beg of you. I just hav..." the droid that was already proving to be annoying. The conversation ended right there as the droid now had a gaping hole inside of it's torso, curtsy of a blaster shot. The droid would keep talking until power faded from the droid.

Now nothing was stopping the cipher agent from accessing the terminal. The droid was already using it, so he didn't need to try bypassing it. With that, he would discard his blaster rifle, take off his helmet, and then set his blaster pistol on the table for easy access. "Alright, now in the system, now trying to find the section you are at. Stand by" he would crack his fingers and he would get to work, putting the fingers to work as he would switch between all the different cameras. There quite a lot of them to go to. "Did you see what sub-area you are at?" that would make things go a bit quicker.

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

Until Nine broke into the system, Five would have a few precious moments to himself. He inspected his weapons, an ultimately pointless task. They had been checked and cleaned to perfection before he began tailing after Zubin, a near-obsessive habit of his that took control whenever he was about to go and "perform." With the amount of masks that he wore and switched out of, the only true and consistent a relationship he thought he had was with his equipment.

In the final handful of moments, Five leaned his head back and shut his eyes, welcomed by the wall of darkness while honing his mind for what came next. Shortly after he did that, Nine would check back in again to inform about his progress. The quick manner this was being done impressed him, glad the efficency of the Ciphers living up to its storied reputation. As he had predicted earlier when they first spoke to each other, this did turn out to be an adaquate partnership so far.

When asked what section of the dock he was in, Five's eyes would remain shut as he recounted it from memory, "E-45." Once the answer had left his lips, he knew it would only be a few minutes or less until it was his turn to act. Everyone always mentioned the quiet before the storm, the eerie silence that penetrated people's bones and sent chills down their neck. But he felt none of that, in fact there was nothing, similar to the darkness he stared into. He lived in that silence, found a ghostly comfort in it because it was all he known his entire life.

 

[Spectre]

E-45 it is. That would be enough for C9 to be able to go to sector and pull up a wide range of security cameras in there. Borgo Prime is quite big, so having the specific subsector definitely helped narrow it down. Now that he got to looking through the footage, the lot of the cameras focus on this one larger house that stands out from the other dock structures. "This large building with the fence?" he asked just to make sure. But affirmed he's now on the same page as Five now. It seems about right, this is the docks, the official is a dockmaster, that's most likely it. If that's the subsection C5 has given, that must be where the target is at. It looks well guarded too, the fence, some droids.

C9 will also need to make sure to go back through the footage following the target's trail and see what can be used and doctored to suit their needs.

"Looking to get in?" If so, C9 would type on the terminal, getting various different angles of the residence. Those droids would pose a bit of a problem getting inside undetected. "Front is well guarded.." he would press on with the terminal. "The rear entrance has a droid guarding it" He's not seeing any other entrances. "One droid is patrol the sides" The Corellian-born would look for avenues to get inside, seeing some things. "The windows on either sides could be access points" he would relay.

"What would be your next course of action?" he would ask in any event. Whatever Cipher Five does, Nine will support as best as he can.

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

As he waited, Five barely moved an inch and if it wasn't for him answering Nine with a "Yes," he would have resembled a statue more than a human being. When the building was finally located, a rundown of the defences and perimeter were given, allowing a mental image to form of where the droids were. After a tally of possible entries were made, the list was capped off by another question of how he planned on getting inside. It appeared Nine was full of questions.

He was honestly surprised too as the answer was obvious. There was really only course of action because he had to mimic the work of the Ravagers. Unfortunately, iit was loud and it would be a grizzly fate for Zubin but the galaxy was unfair and one just had to accept that fact. "I go to the back and make entry. All hell will break loose once I'm inside. I need you to keep me informed of what's happening outside," Five answered nonchalantly, his mind locked in on what he needed to do, his blaster and knife pulled out and pressed against his sides.

Five slowly edged to the corner of the alley to take a peek at the cameras that covered the street. Slipping on his hood and mask fully, he murmured to Nine, "Turn off cameras watching the street." When that was done, he would press on and make his way to the dock. As Nine watched the screens, he would shortly find Five navigating his way around the house and to the back, slipping in and out of cover easily past the droids. He moved with practiced and graceful ease, barely making any sound despite his equipment. Where splicing and hacking was Nine's domain, this was his.

When Five eventually reached the back, crouched next to some vehicles for cover, he took stock of his surroundings and took note of a small pile of crates and containers against the fence. Reaching out to Nine, he murmured, "This will be loud. Delay whatever alarms or security you can." He waited a second for his words to sink in before he added, "I'm moving in." In a surprising burst of speed, barreling straight toward the containers with weapons in hand.

 

[Spectre]

Cipher Nine would acknowledge "Will do" he said. And as for turning the cameras off on the street. "Done" he said, after turning them off. Now that left Cipher Five to to continue on his path. Cipher Nine would use this chance quickly look at the terminal and familiarize himself with the controls. Quite an old machine it is. . Really quick too, he would physically backtrack a bit and loot a commlink off of one of the dead officers with his gloved hands. He would then equip it on the opposite ear as the other one. That way he can listen in on what any other security officers and reply to them to stall them.

Now back to the console, C9 would keep watch again, the situation hasn't changed from the outside. Now then, the last page, he's moving in. "Acknowledged. All quiet on the outside". he did follow up on how the outside perimeter is going as well. When Cipher Five does the deed, he will be able to do it without worry of outside threats. Cipher Nine prepared himself for what is to come. 'This will be loud', things will stop being pretty real quick

Cipher Nine had and idea, on the other comlink, the one for security he would hold a button, and on another terminal screen he could see a map of the sector. Some time after Five said they were moving in, he said"Attention all units, there are calls about blaster shots being fired in subsector E-49. Security on nearby subsectors are needed to investigate" and then a gathering of voices acknowledged on the commlink.

That will mean that once things go down, there will be reduced security on the level where Five is at. The bulk of them will be somewhere else, making it easier for Five to slip out.

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

Each step Five took pushed any alternative thoughts out of his skull. His sole focus became the lone objective he had been tasked with on this port, his Cipher training and instinct beginning to take over. With his long stride, he quickly approached the stack of crates before leaping from one to the next. His speed was hindered slightly, but his movements were still filled with grace as he reached the top and hurdled over the fence easily.

Landing on the other side with a roll, Five ended up in a crouched position, his gaze already scanning around him. The droid stationed in the back came over to inspect, but three bolts struck from the shadows, two in the chest and one in the head. Stepping out, he walked over the body and to the rear door, able to hear people screaming and running inside. Without hesitation, he lifted the blaster before firing multiple shots right where the lock was, the successive bolts finally piercing through and destroying the mechanism. Five took a step back before launching his right foot at the door, kicking it open and practically off the hinges.

Entering through the back, the first room he walked into was a kitchen, with utensils and food strewn about everywhere. The table in the center was converted to a poker table, with one man collecting what chips he could. When the worker saw Five, he immediately dropped everything and put his hands up, the chips clattering onto the floor.

Five lifted the blaster toward the man and asked him a simple question: "Zubin?" The worker just pointed to the floor above as he closed his eyes in fear. If these were any other circumstances, he would have moved on, but he wasn't a Cipher here; he was a Ravager. There could be no room for mistakes or hesitation, it's what they were trained for. The moment he received an answer, three shots were released from the blaster once again, each one finding purchase in the dockworker's chest before he collapsed onto a chair behind him.

The agent pressed on further without a second glance at the body.

 

[Spectre]

Cipher Nine would continue monitoring the situation, keeping overwatch on the outside, he would also be keeping an eye on another monitor on the goose chase he has lead the other security forces.

While nothing is going on at the moment, Cipher Nine would take a datapad on his person and then 'accidentally' drop it. It was not Cipher Nine personal datapad, it was another datapad that contains orders coming from the leader of the Ravagers, one nagai Vinis Bite to hijack it's monitoring equipment so they can send a Ravager marauder to kill the target, and kill everyone that stands in their way to show the security who runs the shadowport. Cipher Nine was careful not to leave any evidence to him on it, not even prints.

And then suddenly he would hear from the comlink that there were reports of blaster fire coming from inside the target's house. He would frantically get to work, he would suppress the alarm. He would also get communications from other security "There is a report of blaster fire coming from Zubin's estate. I'm sending some officers to check out." To which Nine would change his voice and then reply back "No need, we have just received confirmation it was false alarm." Cipher Nine would switch comms to his partner. "V. No change of movements on the outside. I'm supressing alarms and keeping other officers away" he said.

Cipher Nine has full confidence Five would get the job done. A mission like this takes time, but it would be nice if Cipher Nine can get off this shadowport the sooner the better.

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

Despite the loud entrance that Five had made, he moved through the halls like a phantom. When he came across a closed door, he made use of the universal key he had, which was his foot to kick them open. A quick scan would be given before he proceeded on, determined to not let the target slip through his grasp.

When he reached the front area, he found it empty like the other rooms but before he could continue, the front door would slam open. One of the droids from the front perimeter entered but Five's training took over, his blaster instinctinly raised toward the threat and bolts loosened upon it. The droid was struck in the chest and hip and crumpled to the ground, acting as an obstacle for the second one to get through. Not wanting to wait, the Cipher pushed on, firing as he moved upstairs, striking the second droid in the shoulder and knocking it back outside but not out of the fight.

At the top of the stairs, Five coldly asked Nine, "No outside movements?" While he shouldn't be reliant on another agent, he had taken his observation as reliable but it nearly got him shot. Before he could add anything else, he heard movement ahead of him and in one of the bedrooms. Once again using his key, the door would spark as a couple of bolts went through the lock before it was kicked up. Stepping through, Five found his lucky man, Zubin and one of his unfortunate acquantainces, a woman half-dressed and screaming upon his entrance.

The woman halted Five for a moment but only for a brief one. He wasn't himself or an agent, he was a Ravager, that idea repeatedly pummeled into his mind. To stop the screaming, Five without looking, turned his blaster upon the woman and fired two shots. The thud of her body echoed in the room slightly. Zubin turned toward the woman before he shouted in shock and terror, "My god!"

Five glanced outside the room and down the hall, checking to see if the droids had come up yet. Zubin stared at him, petrified and legs shaking, rightly so. The next part of this would be unpleasent, for both of them. Five drew out his knife, activing the vibro function before he asked Nine monotone, "How much time do I have?"

 

[Spectre]

Nine widened his eyebrow when he questioned no outside movements. "Oh, bugger" he when he realized what happened.

On another the other front, he's trying to keep other security from getting in there, Nine can't keep them away forever but he's trying to give Five a comfortable amount of time to do what he needs to do. But then on the other coms, there would be another comms messages, a reply back. "This is district precinct E-4. There have been more reports of blaster fire. A squad is on route. Per procedure. " authoritative voice said.

Cipher Nine would try to delay them once more "It must be another false alarm... -"Who is this? Negative, a squad is bent sent" the same voice interrupted and shut Nine's attempt to delay down. muted his comlink and then sighed. Then Cipher Five would then ask how much time he has left shortly after.

And just in time, Five came back on, asking how much time does he have "District security is now sending a squad. About... eighteen minutes, maybe less. I can't delay them anymore." Luckily Nine's earlier move sending chase would buy time after all, but at this point he can't keep them anymore. "Your status?" he would ask.

Nine doesn't know what's going on in the end. But hopefully by now he killed his target is closing in on it. Some time will be needed for the frame-up. Cipher Nine would look on the terminal and see if he has any other options he could use to delay the security force, if needed. Even if any time bought is seconds, it could make a difference.

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

Five shook his head at Nine's retort, simply letting it pass so that he could proceed without interupption. Instead of taking a step forward, he took one back, taking cover right beside the door as he waited paitently. A few moments later, the third droid from downstairs would barge in, only spotting Zubin before a bolt pierced through the back of its head. The droid let out a mechanical squeal before collapsing, the agent stepping out from the shadows afterward as he closed the door with his foot.

Eighteen minutes was more then enough time to complete his objective. Before Five started, he spoke up to Zubin, "This wasn't personal. That's all I can offer you." Nine would be able to hear a click in his ear-piece as it would be muted from the opposite end, sparing him the grizzly sounds of his work.

A few minutes later, the screams having died out from shock before Five had simply shot him, he stepped back from what would be left of Zubin. Mimicing the Ravager's style, both of the dockmaster's hands would be cut off and shoved into his mouth, his severed feet as well resting upon his lap as he sat in the char. The message was simple, you can't steal or run from the Ravagers and it was their trademark kill when someone had pissed them off.

Five wiped specks of blood from the top of his cheek with a gloved finger before re-opening his comm, voice void of any emotion as he said, "Find me an exit Nine. It's done. Clear any evidence of us after." He stared at his handiwork for a few moments, the words and personal thoughts he had compartmentalized into the labrinyth that was his mind. It was for the Empire, that's all that mattered. Holstering his blaster and knife, he'd head for the exit, ready to follow Nine's instructions to avoid the patrols.

 

[Spectre]

It's done he said. That's all he would need to hear. Now an exit. "The rear where you came in would be the best exit." as far as he can see. "And deleting evidence" he said. Now he would go back in the footage, delete and doctoring as needed any offending footage and images regarding the dockmaster's place. He would also go back through to the footage on the security station he's at.

After he would get done with that, there isn't much else besides clean up any involvement Nine himself, leaving no trace of himself being there.. "Evidence cleaned up" Cipher Nine would put his helmet back on and take the pistol he had left lying and holstering it. As soon as he recieves confirmation that Five has managed to exfiltrate, Nine himself woulld leave.

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

The deed was done; all that was left was a clean exit. Conducting one more sweep of the house, Five cleared it of any potential witnesses to ensure there was nothing incriminating. There would be no hairs, fibers, or DNA, as his methodical nature ensured that. With Nine taking care of the technical side, all of their bases would be covered, and all the blame would shift onto the Ravagers.

Still having a healthy eight minutes, if Nine's count was correct, Five took the opportunity to snag a few pieces of clothing from the man's closet. The droids had most likely caught a blurred image of his disguised form, which was being replayed through the security patrols that were closing in on the location.

Five left from the way he came in, checking to make sure the coast was clear before fully stepping out and then into the shadows once more. As natural as swimming through water, he used the darkness like it was a natural extension of him and remained out of sight as he escaped from the compound. He exited the same way that he had entered, the trail of cameras having already been deactivated, and once he reached the alley, he began to peel off his disguise.

There had already been clothes underneath his outfit—a quick ensemble that fit ordinarily that he completed with a hat and jacket he took from the closet. As he left the vicinity of the dock and made his way back to one of the safehouses, using alleys he had memorized that had no cameras or other security, he'd be able to hear the sirens in the distance and nowhere near him. His Ravager disguise would be thrown into a dumpster he passed, one most likely to be emptied in the coming days.

Even though the operation hadn't been entirely smooth, they had completed the objective in the end and overall without much difficulty. The two complimented each other well, and he was glad his prediction had come true. "Good work. We lit the fuse," he replied, as it was just time for them to watch the fireworks unfold. "Going dark," Five rumbled, his confirmation that he had gotten out and that it was time for them to split.