Ask Veer'ing Into Trouble

[Trina Kalist]

“Senator you really don’t need to-”

Trina glanced over at the aide with a stern look. It was all that was needed for the man to sigh with a defeated look as he rubbed his temples, “As you wish, Senator..” He muttered quietly.

The Cathar Senator, elected to her position not even two weeks prior, was in her office in the state building getting ready for her appearance in a particularly impoverished district in the city. Truthfully, no diplomat prior to this had bothered to venture into that area or attempted to appeal to the citizens that lived there. It was overrun with gang activity and most of the local authorities were on a mobster’s payroll. However, Trina didn’t sign up for the job for only the easy paths - she wanted to differentiate herself from the others and push the envelope.

“Where is that bodyguard?”

“I believe he just arrived at the lobby,” The aide said as he looked down at his datapad.

“Good, send him in,” Trina said as she gathered up her things. She glanced down at her datapad to do one last check over her speech. The Cathar was dressed elegantly with a simple bracelet on her left wrist. Trina was leaned against the edge of her desk reading her speech by the time the bodyguard would be led in. Her tail curled at the very end and swayed just a bit to betray the mild anxiety she felt about venturing into this particular district.

@Altaris

 

[Veer Altaris]

In truth, Veer was exceptionally pleased with himself at having scored this bodyguard assignment on Anaxes. Operating almost entirely out of the Mid and Outer Rim’s, it was a significantly more high-profile job than what the Axxilan was accustomed to - and it thus came with an equally lofty paycheck at the end. After all, while the Axxilan had thrown his allegiance behind the cause of the Resistance, Veer certainly hadn’t abandoned his primary method of making a living for himself. The promise of credits and establishing connections with an important Republic Senator was simply too tempting to pass up on.

The more he went over the briefing, however, Veer couldn’t deny his interest in the woman he was assigned to be security for. Though one would never have guessed it from his current occupation, the Axxilan had grown up amongst the peak of luxury - surrounded by individuals who were unwilling to leave their own penthouses, let alone venture into the impoverished districts of the city. The fact that the newly-elected Senator was willing to do just that - especially so soon after gaining office - garnered no small measure of Veer’s respect and genuine curiosity.

Upon arriving on Anaxes, the Axxilan was rapidly guided towards the State Building at the heart of the city - landing within a private spaceport reserved for government officials and their staff. It didn’t take him long to be ushered into the spacious lobby - waved through the standard weapons-checks by security on account of, well, being the hired security. He was adorned in his signature

custom armor - equipped with a pair of blaster pistols holstered on his hip, alongside a DLT-20A rifle slung across his back. The Axxilan was no stranger to exactly the type of crime-infested neighborhoods that Trina intended to visit, and he cut no corners when it came to his arsenal.

While Veer almost exclusively interacted with his clients with his face covered, the Axxilan opted to remove the additional piece of armor for the time being - deciding to meet the Senator face-to-face with the helmet tucked under his arm. The air around him was lightly sented with his cologne, while the Axxilan’s black hair was combed neatly into place.

Minutes passed before Veer was finally flagged into the Senator’s office - pushing himself from the section of the lobby wall where he’d been leaning. The Axxilan ran a few fingers through his hair before stepping into the office - mahogany eyes flicking towards the center of the room to linger on the elegantly-dressed Cathar woman. His lips curled upwards and into a charming smile at once.

“Senator Kalist,” Veer began, his deep voice tinged with a noticeable Axxilan accent. He stepped forward into the room, extending a hand her own. “Veer Altaris. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

@Sreeya

 

[Trina Kalist]

Trina was more than a little surprised when she spotted her bodyguard. Normally they were quite rough on the eyes and had the personality of a rock. She also didn’t miss the pleasant scent of his cologne. So he took care of himself as well. The Cathar set her datapad aside and offered him a smile before stepping forth to shake his hand, “Great to meet you,” She said, “Hopefully your services won’t be too needed,” Trina chuckled softly.

She grabbed her things and motioned for them to leave right away. Heels clicked along the marble floors as she walked, “Are you familiar with Anaxes, Mr. Altaris?” She asked, her voice always carrying the bearing of breezy windchimes. Perhaps it was who she was, or perhaps it was only the way she presented herself as a lighthearted individual, “I’m to head down to the Southpoint District near the Blue Quarters. It’s… a rough part of town.”

They arrived outside and she called a speeder to take them there. Trina wasted no time getting in, having no issues with her bodyguard actually sitting next to her instead of up front - it wasn’t as if she knew these protocols. She pulled out her datapad again to review the speech. While most diplomats didn’t engage with their bodyguards, Veer didn’t give off the unsocial vibe so she figured she could engage in some small talk.

“So what made you sign up for this job?” She asked as she glanced over at him, “Says you have a military background. Are you still active duty or are you out now?”

@Altaris

 

[Veer Altaris]

Veer’s lips tugged ever-so-slightly wider as he stepped forward, reaching forth to give the Cathar Senator’s hand a solid shake. Standing just a step or two ahead, the Axxilan tilted his chin down slightly to compensate for their natural height difference - allowing his eyes to linger on her brilliant, emerald gaze. All of the politicians that he had met over his life, the vast majority of them radiated a persistent aura of snooty arrogance and superiority - something that he didn’t detect fromTrina in the slightest.

He exhaled a small chuckle through his nostrils in response to her comment, “However I can be of assistance, ma'am." He said smoothly. "But with any luck, this will merely be a precautionary measure.” The Axxilan had his doubts about traveling deep into such a neighborhood and things going entirely smoothly, but that certainly would’ve been ideal.

The Axxilan gave a small nod and turned on a heel, following into step alongside Trina as the Cathar began to exit the office. He walked ever-so-slightly in front of her to the right - though allowed the Cathar to guide them towards hanger where the private speeder was waiting for them. Veer glanced back towards Trina when the Cathar spoke, “Only vaguely,” He replied honestly. The Axxilan had made few trips to the Core prior to that point - and Anaxes simply hadn’t been on his itinerary for any reason in the past. “I believe I will be relying on your expertise in this arena,” He smiled down toward her.

“It is beautiful, from what I’ve seen of it.” He said, jutting his chin out towards the mountainous, tropical horizon. A lifetime spent on ecumenopolis worlds like Axxila and Nar Shaddaa meant that Veer was far more familiar with cramped, urban environments - and it meant that he was able to appreciate the natural beauty found on worlds unlike his own. As the topic shifted to their destination, Veer gave a small nod - a more serious edge carving across his expression. “So I have learned,” While he wasn’t familiar with the entire planet, the Axxilan had done his due diligence to research and familiarize himself with what kind of situation they would be walking into.

“I can assure that you will have nothing to fear once we arrive,” He gave the woman a nod at that. He had enough riding on the success of this job that Veer took his role entirely seriously.

The Axxilan was prepared to take a seat at the front of the speeder when Trina slipped into the passenger compartment - leaving the seat just opposite open. He couldn’t help but blink a few times in response - once again ever-so-slightly caught off guard by the diplomat’s down to earth and non-snooty demeanor. Without a word, Veer stepped inside the speeder and took his seat - positioned the rifle across his stomach and lap so that he could recline properly against the seat. The speeder wasted no time in pulling out of the hanger - gently hovering through the skyline in route to the Southpoint District. In stark contrast to the busy skies of planets like Coruscant or Axxila, Anaxes’ highways were serene and slow - owing to the fact that the majority of traffic moved through underground tunnels beneath the city.

“I do,” He nodded in response to her comment about his military background. “Planetary Defense Force - though I am out now. Have transitioned to private security ever since.” The Axxilan opted not to elaborate on the precise reasons why he’d left the Axxilan military and his disdain towards the Empire - though he certainly wouldn’t lie if pressed on it. “You come from a family of military service yourself, no?” He asked conversationally, arching a brow in her direction. Veer tilted his head back a bit when she questioned his reasons for taking the job.

“More then the pay, I was curious with the assignment itself. It.. Isn’t often that politicians made a point to visit places like Southpoint. Frankly, most do their best to ignore them and cover up how bad things really are.” He eyed her curiously. “What made you decide to give this speech?”

@Sreeya

 

[Trina Kalist]

Beautiful was not a word Trina heard often when describing Anaxes. However, that was likely because she saw it as exceptionally militarized. The entire planet was centered around the war college and shipyards so she seldom focused on the natural beauty. Trina followed Veer’s line of sight to gaze out towards the horizon, a brief smile appearing on her face, “You’re right… I never really make it out of the city. I think the last time I went out to the countryside was when I was just a little cub,” She remarked as she recalled a picnic with her family.

Trina glanced back at Veer when he posed his question, nodding in turn, “Yes, my father is a veteran and teaches at the academy. My brother is a Naval Captain. That path didn’t really interest me though…even though my family pushed me towards it endlessly,” She managed a sheepish smile, “But thank you for what you do. In these times with threats like the Sith looming, it takes a whole new level of bravery to stay in this line of work,” Trina’s gaze lingered on his briefly, her tone genuine.

“I believe you answered your question there, Mr. Altaris,” She said with a smile, “It’s because no one else wants to help the people in those districts. While there is a lot of gang activity, there are residents there as well that constantly have to deal with being caught in the crossfire of turf wars. I want to make a speech to let them know there is someone looking out for them. I’d like to be a woman of the people… I suppose it’s me taking a leaf out of Emryc Thorne’s book,” She chuckled to herself.

They arrived at last and it was obvious this entire area was completely rundown and far poorer than where they came from. Trina stepped out of the speeder and had to bite back the urge to grimace. The drains running along the sides of the streets didn’t even have covers so sewage was flowing through right in the open. Every bit of the infrastructure was nowhere near healthy or up to code and flies buzzed all over the place. Even though it was daytime, she could already spot drunkards stumbling about and people randomly yelling and shouting in the streets.

Trina exhaled and looked over at Veer, “Welcome to Southpoint I guess..”

@Altaris

 

[Veer Altaris]

Veer allowed his mahogany gaze to linger on the horizon for a few moments more - drinking in every snow-capped peak and rolling valley. “Where I’m from, there is nothing but city.” He said with a half-grin. He never failed to marvel at even the modest natural beauty, his tone entirely genuine as he spoke. “Never realized it all before I left,”

Seated within the speeder, Veer nodded along as Trina spoke - fixing his almost undivided attention on the Senator. Every so often, the Cathar would clearly see the Axxilan flick his gaze beyond the windows of their vehicle - lingering on the route ahead and the rooftops that passed underneath. Perhaps he was being overly cautious, but that was ultimately what he was being paid for. He glanced back to Trina then, his gaze lingering when she thanked him for what he did. “Happy to be of service,” He said smoothly, “After all, the work has its perks. Making your acquaintance certainly tops the list,” The Axxilan smiled a bit wider at that.

What she said next certainly surprised him. The Axxilan tilted his head ever-so-slightly when the Cathar referred to the Sith as a threat - sentiments that he wholeheartedly agreed with. All the same - he was shocked to hear such coming from a Republic representative. “It’s a great deal of why I do what I do,” He said, honest while not quite elaborating on his own ties to the Resistance. “It is refreshing, coming from a Republic Senator,” He said genuinely. The Axxilan had spent no small amount of time listening to Galactic Senate Sessions, and had largely written her colleagues off after agreeing to admit the Empire into their ranks.

His lips tugged a bit wider when Trina proclaimed wanting to be a woman of the people. It was rare to find Senator’s who were readily willing to stand for the lowest of their planets, and it certainly garnered her a deal of respect from Veer. A part of the Axxilan instinctively wondered if it was all for show - a publicity stunt by a newly-elected Senator promising change from the old regime. At least on the surface, the Axxilan didn’t believe it to be the case. “The people of Anaxes have a great deal to be thankful for with you as their Senator, then.” He said genuinely. The Axxilan chuckled a bit when she mentioned Emryc Thorne, “It’s a shame few do.” He never did understand the disdain that some people felt for the ISC President. From his political views to the fitness routine Veer himself has adopted, the half- Sephi had done little that wasn’t beneficial for the larger Galaxy.

As the speeder pulled to a stop, Veer snapped his attention back to their surroundings - doing a once-over of the impoverished district before stepping out of their transport. It was only then that he placed the helmet back over his head - switching on his Vision HUD while grasping the rifle with both hands. It was certainly a far cry from the pristine upper districts they had come from, and reminded the Axxilan remarkably of some Outer Rim planets he’d visited in the past. For just a moment, Veer found it difficult to believe they were still in the Core.

“I’m sure nothing we can’t handle,” He said with a grin towards Trina, giving the Cathar a firm nod as he moved into position at her flank and just ahead. At once, people in the street began to stop and stare as the Senator and her entourage began to make their way towards the square where Trina was set to make her speech. It had been quite a while since many of the people there had seen anyone from the Government - let alone an elected-official - and it was reflected on the mixture of surprise and bitterness in the faces of many.

The square had already been pre-checked by local law enforcement ahead of the Senator’s arrival, but their overall presence has been kept to a minimum to allow Trina direct access to the people - relying largely on Veer to act as her security. It wasn’t a long walk - but it took the pair through the poorest parts of the district and where the smells were often worse than what was visible. “I imagine it is the first time anyone here has seen their Senator not behind a HoloScreen.” He remarked as they walked, fingers idly resting just above the trigger of his rifle.

—​

Unknown to either of them, the Senator and her entourage were being closely watched by far more than the average citizen. Perched within a curtained window of a run down motel, a local gang-member tracked the pair with his rangefinder - watching as they moved towards the square.

“I’ve got my sights on her,” He said into a comm device, speaking to his superiors positioned elsewhere. “Only half-a-hundred or so meters from the strike zone.”

“Civilian density? Draw any crowds yet?”

“Starting to. Nothing that will get in our way. Should thicken up once Kalist starts blabbing.” He said, zooming in ever-so-slightly on the Cathar Senator.

“Good.” The baritone drew out on the other side of the comm device. “That is when we move. Enough collateral and witnesses to send a clear message.”

@Sreeya