What's Mine is Mine

[Flamjetxx]

Participants: Corvo Vis, Ma'hal Vel, Jack Vakira @Phœnix ; @Sterling Malory Archer

All Credit for the Image goes to: QUaZ of DeviantArt.


What's Mine is Mine​

Sith Mission
Planet: Nam Chorios

- The planet itself, in all its rugged beauty was shrouded in almost constant darkness. The amount of daylight it received was from a dulling Red Dwarf, and all the massive chunks of rock, that at one time pelted the planet's surface, floating about the planet cloaked it from the majority of the light that would ordinarily shine down on it. Unfortunately, it left the planet cold and harsh to anyone used to brighter days. At night... it was almost impossibly dark. Even Vakira and his natural low light vision had significant troubles seeing at night, and during the day, anyone without the same low light vision would find it difficult to traverse its uneven surface. In perfect honesty, it was a miracle that plantlife such as grass even managed to grow on the surface, even if it was only barely.

The surface of the planet was mostly barren, making it extraordinarily easy to spot the mining facility upon descending the planet. Unfortunately, the darkness of the sky also made it beyond easy to spot the ship as we came in. It meant that if they wanted to stay out of sight for the most part, they could only do that by having someone act as the face of the ship... That is where Corvo's colleague came in. Ordinarily, Corvo would only bring Vakira on a Mission by himself. It meant less distractions and more focus on Vakira's training, but it was simply impossible this time.

The ship landed, and they al quickly got to work. The freighter had a trio of speeder bikes in the back of it, where at least two of them were unloaded. Vakira mounted his bike, and turned to Ma'hal Vel, "We'll keep in touch and act as the dagger underneath the cloak. If you are in any sort of trouble, we'll hear about it and will be able to back you up; But for now, there is on point in revealing all of our cards right away. We'll flank the facility while they lead you in. Your meeting with the Facility's Director is already set up, so they're expecting you... alone. See if you can find out anything that can help us or that can earn us a place in the facility. We'll snoop around, and see if we can dig up any dirt on them."

Vakira chuckled to himself as he only just realized the pun he'd made... 'dig up dirt.' But the chuckle quickly faded as the sight of headlights in the distance slowly grew as the approach of someone representing the facility was eminent. Realizing the necessity to get out of sight before being spotted, Vakira cranked the throttle, jetting himself well out of view of the lights that illuminated beneath the Bantha Class freighter that brought them there.

Vakira didn't bother to check whether Corvo was behind him or not, but rather simply assumed he was. Vakira was bold enough to know when to lead and let the Master lead, and this was one of the few moments that Vakira could take to lead, and he would enjoy it. On Vakira's back, was high powered blaster rifle with a long range scope, on his hip was a lightsaber, and there were a few semtex on his belt, just in case. However, Vakira doubted he'd need the last. The sniper, however, was likely going to be very useful if they needed to 'accidentally kill a few guards and start a slave uprising'; Or if they had to assassinate the Director or anyone threatening Ma'hal's life if negotiations go poorly.

Speaking into his earpiece, Vakira shifted the helmet on his head about to be more comfortable for his ears, "Can you hear me Master Corvo?... Ma'hal?"

It would be nice to know that your communications to your partners also worked. Vakira sighed as the crappy low light vision setting of the helmet only hindered his ability to see well in the dark, he switched it off, where his eyes readjusted, but picked up light naturally, where it didn't give him a headache to look out his visor.

 

[Phoenix]

Fump, fump, fump. The muffled sound of his pacing was the only thing that could be heard in the cargo bay apart from the muffled purring of the engine. He had lost himself in meditation, but the characteristic lurch of a drop out of hyperspace jerked his mind back to reality - and almost pulled him off his feet. He quickly grabbed his helmet off of a nearby crate and fixed it to his head as he walked toward the cockpit.

From the viewport, he could see the ship cut through the atmosphere, and he caught momentary glimpses of the world below. Mostly, the view - and light - was blocked by clouds, and little could be seen due to the planet's near perpetual twilight. Even so, as they approached the surface, he thought he saw the faintest of lights on the surface, and as they drew closer, it became apparent that those lights were emanating from their target.

With a gentle thunk sound the ship set down planet side, which meant that the insanity was about to begin. He moved swiftly to the cargo bay where their three speeders were stored, stopping along the way to grab his bow from its resting place. He'd sorted and checked the arrows on the trip, and now affixed the bow to the webbing on the backside of the speeder. Add to that his short sword, sabers, and throwing knives and he was ready to go to work.

In all actuality, he hoped that he didn't need them. If their mission could be accomplished without bloodshed that was actually better, but he put the likelihood of the miners complying without bloodshed to be at about 1%. So you're telling me there's a chance?

Their compatriot had gotten the short straw and had to be the one to go in and talk to the mine supervisor. Hopefully, he was diplomatic, but Corvo kind of doubted it. No, there were little odds that the miners would simply "hand everything over" willingly. He looked to both of the other two Sith. Signal if you need us. We won't be far away. While their little ruse likely wouldn't last long, at least it would get one of them inside where they could hold a hostage or the like. Indeed, Vel likely had the most important job of all.

He turned to Vakira, Let's go. It wasn't a moment too soon, given that headlights began to appear in the distance. Corvo and Vakira raced off, his apprentice taking the lead. Copy, I hear you. Vel, we'll be listening to everything you say. It was as close as any Sith would get to comfort. They were all adults and professional killers, none of them needed to be coddled.

As the two speeders grew closer, Corvo became impressed by just how massive the facility actually was. Even in their descent it had appeared large, but from a distance, the true scope didn't really sink in. While the surface of the planet was primarily dead and devoid of anything, the miners had managed to find the largest mountain in the region and had built their mine into the very side of it. Unmanned processors and pumps scattered the area in front of the facility, but the building itself was built onto and even into the mountain. It didn't look very nice, with scaffolding and ladders all along the outside, but it was about profit not presentation.

On the bright side for the Sith, it offered quite a number of ways to enter the facility, and the pumps would provide suitable cover for approaching. Particularly if they moved on foot.



@Sterling Malory Archer

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

As the shuttle touched down on the planet, Ma'hal Vel couldn't help but to sigh a little in satisfaction. Truth be told, this sort of mission was right up his proverbial alley. Be the public face of a covert mission to take control of a facility... An excuse to enjoy himself and get in the good books of his superiors and... Hey. If he played his cards right, maybe he would even come out of this better off. Be that with physical goods... Or just some new allies. Those was usually useful, right?

The Sith reached down and pulled his earpiece from his vest to nestle it firmly in his ear. No sense in his belt mounted comlink going off and making all manner of noise unless he wanted it too. This was quickly followed by what he called the Acolyte Pat down. Weapons? Check. Datapad? Check. Bribe? Ooooh yeah. The Vahla reached down and patted the bottle of wine He'd brought along from his personal stores. Because there wasn't a hard working sentient in the Galaxy who would turn down free booze. Or at least, so he thought. And Alcohol tended to make people talk, if put in the right hands.

While the other two were gearing up to head off, Ma'hal was rehearsing mentally. Adjusting his robes and preparing to play the part of the diplomat. They received only a terse nod as they sped off. He spoke, well aware that both of them would be listening in on his Coms. His voice carrying a sardonic Imperial lilt to them.

"Oh, I do love a good audience. I'll see what I can find out for us. I'd rather do this thing with as little blood as possible. Makes it less messy on the turnover. Com me if Im needed." He dusted himself off one last time as the Speeders approached his position, then cleared his throat and gave a hearty. "Showtime."

Two Speeders arrived, one right behind the other. Three guards in total, with an empty passenger seat he assumed must be meant for him. The Sith gave the guards a big, toothy smile and opened his arms in an expansive gesture. "Hello Boys. I hope Im not too terribly early." The Guards eyed him up, clearly casing him for weapons. However, aside from the Lightsaber he had carefully hidden inside his vest... He was very obviously unarmed. And hey, how could such a reasonable average guy be any kind of a threat. The Guards seemed to buy it, or they wanted him in the Facility for another reason, because not five minutes later he was climbing into the Speeder and riding off towards the... Well, not Sunset. Not on this planet.

"So. Anybody have any jokes for the trip?"

 

[Flamjetxx]

Vakira's speeder slowed down as they approached the side of the mountain on the flank of the base. It truly towered far above them, and there seemed to be sheer cliffs at the point the base was built into the side of. Giant, spot lights illuminated many of the pumps around the base; However, the light also revealed a lot more than equipment. They revealed encampments holding either slave housing, various alternate entrances to the main mine, or even prospecting units.

Regardless, it could be just about anything, because from the angle they were looking upwards from didn't give much on it. Unfortunately, it also meant it was as far as the speeder bikes were going to take them as well. Vakira shrugged, parking his bike and began to free climb the side of the small cliff up to the nearest encampment. The chord, wrapped around his shoulder would be used to repel down the side of the cliff if things required they needed to leave. However, the darkness made climbing the side of a sheer cliff with no vegetation to be used as handholds meant there was significant risk in it. It also meant that not many guards would expect it to be a viable path leading into any of the encampments. It should remain relatively unguarded.

Finally, upon reaching the top, a massive piece of machinery blocked a direct view from the encampment to the edge of the cliff side. The speeder had long passed to the base, and calling in, Vakira asked Ma'hal for a location. If he was going to answer in the presence of his present company though, it would be relatively clever of him to respond without provoking too much interest in the way he words things.

At the top of the cliff side, Vakira brought up the scope of his rifle, adjusting the lens to focus on the main base. It wasn't pretty, but at the top, Vakira could tell it was functional. At the top of the main tower, it seemed like there was a 360 degree view room, allowing a visual of all the surrounding encampments, and in all likelihood, it allowed a massive range of view of say, any incoming ships. They had to have seen them long before they even landed on the surface. Looking through the scope, Vakira got a visual into the viewing room, determining that it was an office of sorts. And not too long after, several men entered the office room. Vakira waited for Corvo to also determine what to do next. Obviously they were present to do some snooping, and keeping support for Ma'hal was only as much important as it was for Ma'hal to support them, by keeping an ear to the ground for them. In fact, the more intelligence he could gather, the better. If he could give them an inside view on their weakest points, they might be able to actually work something out.

----------​

The pair of Speeders finally reached the landed ship. It was far outside the outskirts of the mining colony, just as was requested. Incidentally, the Director was not with the three guards that came to pick up their passenger. Their job was simple, bring them to the Director.

According to the intel they'd gotten in the briefing, the Director goes by 'The Warden', and he uses slaves to work the machinery in the harsh conditions of the Mine. He staff consists of a large source of guards that keep the slave population in check, and he runs a tight ship. Even with the dangerous outcropping, the lack of anywhere to run to, and due to a well trained staff, there hasn't been a slave uprising in the past two decades, which coincidentally marked the start of his reign at the facility. He is careful and skeptical. It was hard even to get his attention to make a deal in the first place. This will likely be their only chance at speaking to him outright.

The guards were silent on the way back, completely ignoring his comment regarding a joke. Due to the complete lack of reliable sunlight on the planet, sleep cycles likely didn't make anything easier for them, and for all Ma'hal knew, they were cranky to be getting up early or staying up late... who could tell anyway. the trip was short up until a small garage opened up to reveal a small array f speeders parked. They seemed to be quite dusty, judging by the light that shined down outside of the entrance, but it wasn't like appearances where none could often be seen mattered much anyway.

Brining Ma'hal in through a side door, the guards said only one thing, "The Warden will be with you shortly," before they took their leave to the outskirts of the room. And sure enough, before Ma'hal knew it, the Warden showed up in a repulsor lift that likely lead to his office. Without leaving, he nodded from across the lobby as if to beckon him foreword. Assuming that Ma'hal obliged, upon stepping into the elevator, the lift would power down instantaneously.

Looking over, The Warden reached out a single hand as the few guards that followed stood outside the elevator, "I'm afraid, for security reasons, we must ask you to remove any metallic items you have on your person. You can leave it at the entrance of the elevator, but so long as you are inside the elevator, it will be unable to work. We do this more for the purpose of the slaves getting their hands on possible weapons, but it works just as well for anyone else. I assure you that anything metallic that you have won't be taken, but must be left here if we are to continue. My name is Wallace Rivers, but I prefer you call me, Warden."

From Ma'hal's earpiece he could vaguely make out Vakira's voice, "I don't think the... ugh... ear pieces have any metal in them, do they? Ugh..."

The Warden wouldn't say a would until the elevator was in motion with the two guards that followed on either side of the pair. He began to explain some of the various statistics of the facility, such as incomes, numbers of slaves, the expenses of the various ores mined, etc. but by the time they reached their destination, nearly 13 floors up, he quickly made himself comfortable in what seemed to be a 360 degree office.

"So, I understand there is some sort of interest in my Facility. I must ask you though, I've been dying to know precisely what interest this is. I've heard there can be a lot of Credits to be made here?" The Warden asked, motioning for his guards to move out of sight into what would appear to be a separate room attacked just few steps over and below the main viewing deck.

From the viewing deck, one could look out the opposite direction of the Mountain into what seemed to be an endless plane of darkness. One could barely make out the horizon as what seemed to be a faded light from behind the Force only knows what attempted to peer inwards. It must have been their daytime... how unfortunate. From each side, however, one could see how large encampments were built into the various different heights of the mountain as many even wrapped around the bend out of sight, but the spotlights that illuminated them could indicate they hid behind the rocks. Even more interesting was the massive glowing red that came from what seemed to be a lounge, where the guards were sent to at the back of the base. The vast majority of the base was back in that direction, and one could look out the backmost window to see the black side of the mountain and the back portions of a rather large-looking base, but there was something inside the base, as if the whole base was a giant castle wall protecting whatever was glowing beneath. However, the Warden seemed very content with keeping Ma'hal busy in the main deck, and that the lounge seemed to be guarded by the guards within it. Any curiosity would have to wait for now.

 

[Phoenix]

Corvo had to give a little smirk at the other Sith's lighthearted attitude. To each his own, but Corvo would as soon kill these guys as diplomatize
with them. But that's why they'd brought along someone a bit more... experienced in that regard. Indeed, their Sith compatriot seemed right at home, despite the fact that the guards didn't seem to be having any of it.

Concealing the speeders (more or less) by some of the pumps, Corvo slung his bow across his back as the two infiltrators made their way to the nearby mountain face. Free climbing. Lovely. It was something he had done plenty of, as it went right along with the Art of Movement practice he'd grown so accustomed to training in, but it was still dangerous, particularly in this light level. Nevertheless, they needed the visual advantage and it provided the most adequate path of supplemental entrance should they need to take that route.

As they crested the cliff, the first thought he had was to keep his silhouette to a minimum against the cliff face when he remembered - silhouettes are negligible on a world without light. Old habits die hard. Their position gave them a relatively decent view of the facility and Corvo pulled a small pair of macros out to look for a path in. It didn't take long before he found one.

To their left and just below the cliff face they were standing on, there was a catwalk running into the mountain. It was about a twenty foot drop to the walkway below, which wouldn't be a problem for him, but his apprentice may need a few pointers on the topic. If push came to shove, they'd need to be able to move and quickly over there and there wouldn't be time to explain.

Clicking his back teeth to cut his transmission through comms, he turned to his apprentice and spoke quickly, still listening with one part of his mind to what was happening inside the facility in case they'd need to get inside. See that catwalk over there, he motioned to the bridge of interest, that's our way in.

From some of the recent training that he and Vakira had done together, Corvo knew that the man was a very quick study, and he'd have to be on this one. But that was the Sith way. Only the strong made it. Adapt to survive. It was how he'd been trained and he was all the stronger because of it. I know it's a long drop, but the Force is your buffer. While we don't have repelling gear, the Force can fill that role for you. As you descend, reach out to it. Let it fill your legs and strengthen your muscles and tendons. Let it grip your body and slow your descent... his discourse was cut short as a guard appeared on the same catwalk he was observing.

Wonderful. It was just one signal lizard face - err - Trandoshan, and could be easily dispatched with his bow if need be. Pulling an arrow from the rack, he nocked it. Just in case. He didn't need it yet, but you never knew. As he did so, he moved slightly closer, so as to be in range if the time came. The lesson might have to be even more "on the fly" than it already was.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Oddly enough the Vahla didnt seem the least bit worried about the lack of response from the guards as they chauffeured him across the desolate wastes towards the facility. Rather, he seemed quite at home. Kicking his feet up on the console and folding his arms across his chest. He even whistled all the way to the facility. However, his mind was far from idle. Constantly probing the minds of those around him. Testing the waters of their temperament and motives. More specifically... He needed to identify the ones who cared about money more than their boss. An easy enough thing. Greed was one hell of a powerful motivator. As the Speeder ground to a halt, Ma'hal popped out of the seat and landed with a thud. Following the guards into the facility and brushing some dust from his robes.

"Pity. I just had these cleaned."

The Comment was more to himself than anything else, but he watched the guards reactions. Mostly boredom and annoyance. Figured he'd have a room full of team players for his performance. The Guards went about their business and the Warden arrived, all according to plan. However, the Lift powering down was most definitely not a part of his plan. He really did not wish to part with his weapon, but in the long run? The loss of a Lightsaber was hardly something that could slow down a sentient of his talents. So he gave the blade over willingly, offering the guard a toothy smile.

"I'll be wanting that back. Right, Shall we... Warden?"

The use of the Man's preferred title. No harm in starting out humoring the poor sap. After all, by the end of this he would be a figurehead at best. Why not give him something to hold on to. The lift began moving once again and Ma'hal listened carefully to the information the Warden presented him, actually taking time to hear the man through. Memorizing every last thing and filing it away for later use. One never knew where there would be a useful gem of information tucked away... As they arrived, he followed close behind the warden. Black robes swishing just above the floor.

"Straight to Business... Good, I like that Warden. We can make with the pleasantries after we understand each other. So I wont beat around the bush. Look out that window, Warden. Tell me what you see."

The Sith stood with his hands clasped behind his back, moving right up to the window to peer out over the valley. His grey eyes scanned the horizon and he asked himself the same question. Taking it all in.

"Sure there are the camps... And the Mines... And the Base Proper... But what else? Because Myself, Warden? I see Credits... A great many Credits. What would you say if I could offer you A once in a lifetime deal... One where you Walk away from this all someday fabulously wealthy? Well, even more so than you already would anyways." As he spoke, his voice became softer and softer. His hands moving to pull the bottle of wine free from his belt to set it on the Man's desk with a gentle clink. And all the while, he exerted a gentle mental pressure. Exuding flattery and greed. It was a subtle touch, much more gentle than most Sith or even Jedi would use in their usual mind games... Just the slightest suggestion.

Oh, How he loved his job.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Vakira was disturbed from his scope to find Corvo trying to teach him a quick lesson. Looking over the edge a few feet over, it was borugh tot Vakira's attention a catwalk a bit below that wsa only previously hidden from view upon their ascent, seeing it was built into the Cliffside. From above though, it was clearly visible. Unfortunately though, this manner of being hidden also meant that redirecting the lines they'd brought for repelling downt eh cliff the way they'd come weren't going to be easily redirected, that and it would easily compromise their escape routes if otherwise necessary to make a grand escape. However, simply leping down, on its own, was foolish as it was a leap enough to injure an ankle if they took the landing wrong, let alone whether or not they even had enough room to effectively roll out of it. For a free runner like himself and his master, it was certainly not worth the risk of losing their mobility to take the fall, especially if only just to get into a facility there were other options to getting into. However, for a tool to teach Vakira a skill he didn't think he already knew... That was a whole other view to consider, especially since it wasn't likely a place anyone would expect to have a visitor find.

The smell of a death stick wafted up into Vakira's nose, causing him to snarl upon reaction, "Ugh, take him out Master. He's making me sick."

If there was anything Vakira believed, it was that the body was a temple. That meant no booze and no drugs, particularly no death sticks. Unfortunately, it wasn't like Vakira was in perfect physical shape already, but he was certainly training for it every damn day he could. All he had to do was to wait for his Master to put an Arrow between his eyes, and he'd be sacred again.

In the meantime, focusing as much as he could, Vakira concentrated on the Force, as his Master had instructed him on the few occasions before the mIssion he'd been told to Meditate. Meditation was relaxing, inactive, and all in all, it lacked was Vakira craved in every way possible. Perhaps this was th ereason Vakira didn't delve very deep into the Force during his former training? It required patience, focus, and concentration. It required him to feel and be felt by some existence that simply didn't add up to making sense to him in full. Vakira, if he weren't concentrating so much on the Force, could have smirked at the beginner attitude he was unintentionally showing towards this ability to feel and utilize the Force. The Force was an asset, and a powerful one at that too. To neglect its mere potential could be a huge loss to anyone, and that was the reason why Vakira was given the opportunity.

The moment the man would drop, Vakira would leap from his perch above him, dropping far below, knowing that failing this would hurt like hell. So, as he fell, he didn't forget that the Force was strengthening, and that it would resist the power of gravity, and that it would create resistance. And almost as if a parachute deployed on him, the Force burst at his feet, almost as if a wave, and he felt it wash over him. In fact, if he had to describe it, it felt too much like jumping into water, and it slowed his fall well more than enough to land on the walkway without injuring himself. However, it wasn't quite light enough to not make any sound at all.

Landing on the walkway, Vakira didn't wait up for Master, knowing he was behind him... always behind him watching. Instead, Vakira's mind went somewhere else completely. He wasn't on a world of pure darkness, but at this point, he was in a desert. His eyes fought what he was seeing, but the vision was very powerful. It enveloped his eyes, causing him to blur reality and his imagination... no, not imagination, but memory. The boundaries of the catwalk still existed, but they were in another form. In front of him, he crouched, remembering precisely how it felt to land like a cat, silently and without a noise. The Force of impact with the ground was nothing underneath his feet, and his leaping point was well above. Vakira, and the door was locked ahead of him. He could smell his quarry, where he hunted it, and how it fled him. It was a mission, but certainly not the one he remembered. It was new, and it made him feel less like himself, but like someone he'd only be able to dream of. Was this who he once was?

The three bodies on the ground below him bore the marks of a trained killer, their vitals horribly exposed in pools of blood, and that very same blood on his paws as he reached for the door before him. Backing away, Vakira snapped back upon the sound of Corvo behind him, and all Vakira could do was look at his hands to still remember exactly how the blood had stained his paws. Of 'course, there was nothing there, but in Vakira's mind, there was blood. In his heart though, he knew he enjoyed the feeling of standing above the mangled corpses. Even during meeting Corvo for the first time, Vakira avoided taking lives if he didn't have to. One could say that the taking of a life still had a negative effect on him, but as he could peer back into that fateful memory, vakira could taske something that he never thought he'd feel, enjoyment for the taking of a life.


Withouth realizing it, Vakira muttered to himself, but perhaps a bit too loudly, "I liked it," But catching himself before Corvo could draw any conclusions, Vakira shook himself out of it, "Death Stick box."

Vakira pointed to the half empty pack wedged into the door that would ordinarily be locked. It seemed that he probably wasn't allowed to be out on the catwalk, and that his daily smoke was his undoing. It also meant that he likely came up with an excuse to not be missed while he attempted to get the smoky treat in.

Sliding the door open, Vakira peered in, allowing only a sliver to be exposed as the door opened, allowing Vakira to do a perimeter sweep of the inside before completely entering the place. Looking in, it seemed to be a viewing deck, where standing back far enough, they were hidden from anyone looking up into the window from below, but from where they stood at the door's entrance, they could see enough. Large machinery went to work, where chained men worked in red jumpsuits. The occasional guard in black kept eyes on their slavers, being sure to zap one or stun another in order to keep work going Lines fed countless tons of rock up to another location, and from the viewing deck, it looked as thogh the mine would go down forever. Thankfully though, they were't yet at an angle to get the full magnitude of what they were looking at. Vakira shrugged at Corvo, "What now Master?"

-----​

The Warden seemed to have a skeptical look on his face as the Sith, unbeknownst to him, attempted to answer him in the most round about way, but he neglected to yet give an answer, or at last one he didn't hear every time someone visited his facility. Slightly offended, he let out an inaudible sigh as he ignored the bottle of wine set on his personal bar, "Come with me," he waved Ma'hal over before he could do any pouring of any drinks.

He lead the way to the lower level, where the guards parted ways for them to pass through. Going deeper, it gave a closer look out the mysterious window at the back of the already spectacular lounge-like office. He walked right up to the edge of the window, looking down into a glowing light. Peering downward, a massive oval hole dug down so deep that it actually glowed red coming upwards out of the black pit that was the mine. Of 'course, hundreds of tiny spotlights lit up various machineries or groups of slaves up the way, allowing everything to be well lit for them to see.

"When I inherited this facility, I found out during an uproar. I was notified that my father had been killed by a group of slaves that took this very office over," he began, waiting for Ma'hal to come up next to him at the window before continuing, "They threw him off into the pit out of this window after being denied transport off world."

"Of 'course, at the time, the pit wasn't quite deep enough to have lost his body forever. In fact, I can remember seeing the body, not even knowing what it was yet, flying to his doom to the floor of the mine. At that time, the mine was failing, our staff was severely limited, and I was brand new to the title of Director. But eventually, I was able to overcome the threat of uprisings and actually make profits from the mine. It wasn't very long before we struck it good, and began making serious Credits," he explained, "Point is that I've lost everything here, built it essentially from my father's corpse, and became successful. Perhaps I wasn't as successful as I would have like to be, but it is a legacy I intend to live to see the end of."

Turning from the window to look Ma'hal directly in the eyes, he once again asks, but this time firmly, "What, exactly, are you here for?"

 

[Phoenix]

Corvo kept a wary ear on the conversation happening up in that office. To be perfectly honest, the Warden sounded like quite an effective... what would it be? Slave driver? Probably. Alright then, he was an effective slave driver and not the kind of man that he thought would take kindly to the Sith telling him how to run his business. No, this wasn't going to end with him complying.

Time to get inside then. Unfortunately, the lizard's fate was sealed before he even knew anyone was there. At range, hitting a man sized target anywhere on the body was good enough. It was part of the reason that he made sure his arrow/bow combination had the grains and draw weight to take down large game. That and you never knew when you might need to impale an angry Wookiee. But at this distance, hitting the man with much more accuracy wouldn't be a problem.

His heart was pounding hard as the adrenaline before the first kill began to kick in, but he made a point of steadying his breathing. Shaky hands weren't an acceptable problem. Raising the bow and drawing all in one fluid motion, he let the sight fall on the back of the man's head. The initial weight of the bow was tremendous, but in an instant, at full draw weight, he felt it give way slightly and settle back into its normal groove.

Thump, thump, thump. His heart continued to beat louder and a growing anxiety rose in his chest. A moment later, his fingers uncocked and the bow string flew forward. Releasing from the string, the arrow sliced through the air directly for the guard's head. Even with his scaly skin, the arrows momentum was almost undiminished as it tore through scales, flesh, and even bone before exploding out the other side, tearing flesh as it went.

Done.

An instant later, Vakira was on the catwalk and Corvo was close at his heels. It seemed like he was a quick study indeed. Good. Planting one hand on the cliff side and holding the bow in his other, he did a slight vault downward seizing his own legs with the Force as he fell and landed with a light thump on the catwalk below. He considered for a moment moving the body, but quickly realized there was unlikely to be anyone checking here and nowhere to put it anyway.

Instead, he moved forward coming up behind his apprentice who seemed to be looking strangely at his own hands as if entranced. While his facial expressions were hidden, Corvo tilted his head slightly in puzzlement. Whatever, now wasn't the time. It never seemed to be. He always had thoughts and puzzlements while he was on missions with never enough time to ponder them.

We need to get inside the main facility, but we can't really work on the main factory floor. There're too many guards. He pondered for a moment their options, his eyes scanning over the scenery, looking for anything to their advantage. There, he said quietly, gesturing to their right. Just below and to the right was a platform leading into a tunnel in the wall. It was about 15 feet above the main factory floor, but still below them. That'll keep us off the factory floor and get us to the guard tower, he gestured once more to an overwatch guard tower, much like might be found at a prison world, and near the base of the tower was another tunnel at about the same height as the one below them.

It was a choice of taking the path through the tunnel where they didn't know who they'd run into or take their chances with the relatively open space of the main floor. Corvo preferred the former.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Well this wasn't exactly going to plan. At least, not the way Ma'hal had originally wanted it to go. Truth be told, he didn't revel in killing like some of his brothers and sisters. He craved a baser domination. The domination of will. Making people bend to his was a favorite hobby of his. And this man simply wouldn't bow. A Shame, he mused. Because the alternative was to grant the man's wish and end him. Replacing him with someone more sympathetic to the cause. Still, for the moment Ma'hal would follow the man and humor him. Listening to his little speech and carrying the bottle of wine with him. Tucking it into his belt once more. No sense in letting expensive drink go to waste. And perhaps it would find its use elsewhere.

"You have, Admittedly, done quite well for yourself Director. Its admirable, rising from the ashes and becoming something new. It's almost Sith. So I will tell you what you wish to know."

"I am here, Dear Director... Because this place could be so much more. Untapped potential... Thousands of prisoners languishing in other penal colonies who could be put to work for you here. I am here because, Unlike some of my brothers and sisters... I am not a cold blooded killer. I am a businessman. And while they would no doubt rather take what they want by force, I see the benefit of doing things the old fashioned way. Everyone wants something, Director. Everyone. If you tell me what it is you want, I will happily arrange for my shuttle to return and take me away from this place. If that is your wish. I have no wish for... hard feelings between us. Ideally, I would like to secure a deal which increases the production of this facility for the interests of my people... While allowing you to remain in control here. I believe that's known as a Win Win."

The Vahla stepped back then, opening his arms in an expansive gesture.

"So. Tell me. Can we make a deal?"

 

[Flamjetxx]

Vakira looked down to the tunnel. It was clearly not used recently, and the cart rails were in very poor condition. Cob webs littered the entrance, leading Vakira to believe that they'd be lathered wall to wall with spiders. Vakira seemed to be growing less and less afraid of quite a few things these days, but spiders and other possibly venomous unknowns sent a tingle down his finger tips. He wasn't one to gamble often, and not knowing what kind of spiders were in there didn't make him feel any better. Regardless though, he needed stealth on his side, and he needed to trust in the fact that the VAST majority of spiders in the Galaxy were non-venomous, those that were venomous, the majority weren't lethal enough to kill someone his size, and of those venomous enough to kill him, an extraordinarily small percentage of them were non-aggressive. Chances are that this 1 in a billion shot wasn't going to be the one. But he couldn't help but to still feel afraid.

They headed down to the old tunnel, Vakira behind Corvo, and quickly disappeared into the lightless hole in the ground. The entrance was quite steep to begin with, and Vakira looked around, knowing that the cob webs, despite being less visible, even with his low-light vision capabilities, were crawling with the creepy crawlies. Even knowing the chances were well in his favor, Vakira couldn't help but to feel them crawling all over him, whether they were or not though was another thing all together. Vakira was getting impatient, and wanted out. He'd even been as distraught enough to realize that he was tripping over himself, and even bumping into Corvo's back in the process. The wooden ties that made up the rail system were snapped all over, rotting as they simply lay there, and it made for an excellent device for landing Vakira's feet entangled into one another. Needless to say, Vakira's little fear was hindering their safe process of traversing the tunnel. He could sense that Corvo was beginning to become irritated by Vakira's apparent inability to walk, and so Vakira slowed his pace a bit, separating himself from his Master.

It wasn't far in though until Vakira started to notice something he really didn't want to see. At the sides of the tunnel laid bones. Many of the bones were simply propped up against the edges of the wall. Partial skeletons gazed at them with empty eyes as they passed, and Vakira couldn't help but to feel their cold vision on his back. It wasn't long until he began to hear things... clanking of bones, creeks on the wooden ties, a light buzzing reminiscent of insects. He felt everything. The webs parting onto his muzzle, the spiders that dropped onto his back and began to crawl around in his fur. He could almost see the skulls of the deceased turn as he walked past. He'd try to avoid them by walking to the other end of the tunnel, but he'd walk into fresh, thick webbing that would land more spiders onto him, and he'd then panic silently waving his arms into the propped skeletons on the walls. Finally, one of the skeletons grabbed his arm, or so Vakira had thought, and ripping his arm away, Vakira yipped and leapt away a few ties, and he began to pant heavily, finding himself staring into Corvo's back. He seemed to have frozen in front of something. Vakira too froze.

Had he been bitten? Was he paralyzed form some venomous spiders? He was dying, and Vakira hadn't the slightest clue of how to revive him, nor did he have a clue of how the millions of spiders on him hadn't bitten him too yet. The tunnel was next to pitch black at this point inside, and despite the cool breeze that drafted through the tunnel, his fur was damp with sweat. Was he terrified? What caused him to be so afraid in the first place?

It was likely a childhood memory of spiders or something, and it caused him to become terrified now. How foolish...

Vakira's frozen body felt every twitching leg of the spiders in his fur, and yet there were one set of legs that kept him frozen in place unable to move his body, no less breathe. Down his forehead and onto his nose, the arachnid paused on his nose, wiggled his abdomen in his face and Vakira could have sworn it was about to bite him. The many eyes on its face seemed to twinkle, and its mandibles wiggled, and Vakira's face melted in the moment he knew that the spider was about to bite him. And suddenly, it hit him like a brick in the face. It wasn't the bite, but it was rather a feeling. Deja Vous... He'd felt this before. Terror.

Some dangerous animal in his face, prepared to dig their lethality into him, and yet his body was already numbed. Vakira was relaxed, capable of just about anything as he stared death in the face. His eyes focused onto him, and his eyebrows fell, finally understanding it. It crawled down from Vakira's nose, swinging in the breeze by the thread it used to create the webbing. Vakira tenderly caught it in his hands, cradling it, knowing that it wasn't going to do him any harm. It was, after all, a symbol of his fear, and he can remember now that fear didn't serve him any good. The sider attempted to crawl away, but Vakira laid hand over hand, allowing it to crawl in an endless path of his palm. And frustrated, the spider could tell it was being toyed with. It paused a moment on Vakira's hand, and in the moment, Vakria crushed it. With it, his fear, the pain of the moment where he thought he was soon to die, it all faded away. And like a soft raid washing over him, the tingling of the millions of spider legs that walked over him disappeared. It was all a figment of his imagination... It was all the work of fear.

Noticing that his fear of Vakira having been bit was also one of his imagination, he walked up next to Vakira, a completely new creature, "What is... Oh," Vakira said noticing the massive hole in the tunnel. They found out why it hadn't been used for so long.

Intersecting their tunnel, a perfect tube, likely drilled by some massive piece of machinery, came from the ceiling and through to the bottom of the tunnel they treat through. Looking up, it was pitch black, meaning something was blocking it from the surface, and looking down, likewise, indicating that it was likely next to endless. The drilled tunnel that stood vertically in the middle of the path through their hidden tunnel was a more than wide enough to make it impossible to walk across the edges of the tunnel, and it was too far for any ordinary an to jump it. kicking a rock into the tunnel, it clanked and clanked, bouncing off side to side until it was too far down to be heard.

Vakira sighed.

----------​

It was all on the line now... The Sith wanted to make some sort of mutual partnership... And they haven't even gotten to the good part yet.

He coudlnt' help but to let out a surprised chuckle, "I erected an empire from the ashes, and I grew this facility to the point that I'm one of the Richest men in the system, and you want to what? Go in fifty-fifty with me?"

Shaking his head, he walked away to take a seat in his favorite lunge chair, "Even if the Sith weren't the Galaxy's most wanted," he began with a slightly more reasonable tone, "Getting into bed with the Sith would force me to drop all of my other clientele, because no one wants to be associated with the group of people that got their *sses handed to them not so long ago. That's just bad for business."

"But even if the Sith could handle all of my production, I know how the Sith operate. It would be, take all, and leave nothing for the rest, and I'm not going to simply hand over my brainchild to someone else... not anyone else. I've spent my entire life here, and I've worked harder than any slave ever has down there to rise to the top," He began saying, allowing his tone to rise again, "And I refuse to leave this place to be stripped bare by a failing Sith Empire."

The concept of gaining new slaves however hung on the back of his mind, and he attempted to figure out some way to take advantage of it, because if there was anything the Sith could do for him, it could very well indeed be bringing him slaves, "The best I could do for the Sith is a partner ship. 80-20. The Sith provide the slaves and get the slightly discounted price on everything I dig up, and I run the place as I always have. The Sith can even send someone to make sure they are getting what they are promised, but that is the best I can do for the Sith."

 

[Phoenix]

The faintest of light cut through the darkness as they continued forward deeper into the tunnel before them. From above he hadn't been able to tell how long it had been abandoned for, but now that he was here, it was clear that this was an unused area, which begged the question: why? He crept forward at a slow but sure pace, careful to keep himself from tripping; the last thing they needed was a twisted ankle. In his right hand, he held his short sword and used it to cut through the thick webs that coated the inner layers of the tunnel.

Even without effort, he could sense great anxiety coming from his partner, in fact, it seemed to be bordering on panic. A quick glance back revealed that Vakira was indeed still behind him, but was walking almost like a man in a stupor, none of the grace or agility Corvo would expect from an assassin let alone a Sith. Hopefully taking him on as an apprentice wouldn't turn out to be a mistake.

The tunnel was silent except for the sound of machinery in the distance and the blackness was nearly all consuming. Then he noticed something strange. His eyes could barely sense it in the darkness, but there was something below. Something unnatural. No, there wasn't something below, that was the problem. Above and below where he stood there was nothing but a hole as if drilled by some massive excavation drill. He breathed out a sigh of frustration and relief as he stooped down to the side of circle.

Options, option, option, he thought as he surveyed the inky blackness in front of him. The hole was probably 4-5 meters across with no real way to skirt the edge, which was completely sheered against the wall. Repelling line might work. There was always the option of a Force boosted jump, but he wasn't sure if Vakira was ready for that yet.

He rose back to his feet once more and was about to turn when he heard rustling of movement and a yip sound come from his partner. He spun quickly and faced behind them, prepared for conflict. Letting the Force channel through his optic nerves, he searched for the source of the threat, sword ready. There was nothing. Nothing but Vakira. This was the second time the man had done something strange. Was he on some kind of hallucinogen? Spice? Or a toxic byproduct of the mine? What's wrong with you? he asked, a bit of frustration seeping into his voice as the adrenaline that had spiked through his veins in response to a perceived threat subsided once more.

We need to get across this opening. Repelling gear might work, but with no ceiling to affix it to, it wouldn't be my first choice. Do you think you could jump it? The implication was clear: could he figure out how to harness the Force and get across the gap? Because if he couldn't they'd have to find another way, which likely entailed more risk.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

While he didnt react to the man's offer outwardly, seeming to brood like any other sith, however internally he was giddy with anticipation. So the cat and mouse games had finally drawn to a close... And they were down to the meat of their dealings. The man was open to negotiation. That was the first battle won, and now that Ma'hal knew what he wanted, he could begin the process of warping the man to his own ends. At least, to the ends that he could be used.

"Certainly not the worst offer I've ever been given, granted not the best either. Hmm..." Ma'hal turned and began to pace back and forth, thinking of the best way to turn this to their advantage. "The Sith will provide a steady supply of Slaves and Prisoners... Political and Prisoners of War. What we can spare, that is. And In return, You will provide us with A Percentage off all purchases, along with a percentage of the total profits. Although Im unsure my superiors will go for twenty percent. It may very well insult them... Ah, But that's my problem at the moment. Not yours. I will contact them with the offer. I dont suppose you have a room that I can use to do so? Preferably in private. You know how it is..."

Even as he spoke, he pushed out with his mind. Trying to plant the idea to send a guard with Ma'hal. Someone to watch him and make sure he stayed out of trouble. He needed an opportunity to contact his partners, to coordinate the next step. After all, getting messy was not his usual forte... It was theirs.

"I'd like to get things arranged and be out of your hair as soon as possible."

 

[Flamjetxx]

Emotionlessly, Vakira responded without even a blink into his Master's direction. it was as if his little episode had never happened. For Vakira, it wa a part of him that had died upon the re-birth of an old part of him the body though had died a long time ago. In his hands, the remains of the spider, crushed in its innocence, was rubbed about between the fingers, where Vakira contemplated his own abilities. the careful calcuations were placed. He knew precisely what his Master would want of him, and it must have already crossed Vakira's mind, judging by the haste in which he responded.

"It is imply the opposite. To absorb the energy is to disperse it, but to concentrate it and to use the energy would be to use it to leap," vakira spoke, almost not even realizing what he said. The Vakira a few weeks ago would have never the slightest clue what was just said there... a moron by his own standards. But today, he seemed to be changing in the every second he breathed. It must have been rather confusing for Corvo to watch it as it unfolded. It was even odd for Vakira simply to experience it. And just like that, a little piece of himself died to be revealed a tiny sliver of a man... or creature, completely unrecognizable to himself.

Without waiting for his Master, he once again led the way, leaping across the gap. The energy in his legs bound up as tight as a coil. He was no stranger to jumping in the first place, and it was simply the nature of his way. However, it was the energy afforded to him through concentrating on the Force itself. It was pure, overpowering, energy that propelled him as if he was stronger, faster, and more precise that he'd ever been before in his entire life. It was a surreal experience, because he knew there was no physical way it was possible, and yet somehow he'd done it. Like a machine, his legs moved in perfect method, his body perfectly molded to adjust to the powerful jump. A simple moment in time, and he'd managed the jump, and yet he'd underestimated the jump entirely.

Not realizing the power the jump would behold, Vakira aimed high and the ceiling of the cavern closed in quickly, halting his ascension, where the bisecting tunnels acted as a partial barrier, flipping Vakira onto his back, but safely on the other side of the tunnel. Gasping for air, he failed to do so, panicking, grasping his chest, and crawling to his hands and Knees. No matter how often it happened to you, you knew it was torture, and to not be able to get any air, suffocating, it was a mental pain along with physical. Finally, the stale, moist, air of the tunnel burst into his mouth as if the only place left. Deep breaths were attempted to be silenced though, because at the top of the end of the tunnel, Vakira could see a light in which a pair of figures could be made out passing by it. Thank the Force they didn't have to turn back, and that the tunnel actually led somewhere.

Wrenching himself off the ground, Corvo would be able to tell there was something amiss, but what could he expect after seeing Vakira take a fall like that? What Vakira was most concerned about was fighting the dire need for his body to gasp for air so desperately, and at the same time trying not to face Corvo at nearly any cost, and that meant focusing, or pretending to anyway, on the task ahead... dealing with whatever was at the end of the tunnel. And, finally, after a few awkward moments of re-controlling his breathing, Vakira was almost completely back to normal apart from what was bound to be a giant bruise on his chest from hitting the wall.

The climb up was almost unbearably quick up until the last few yards, in which Vakira and Corvo would stick almost entirely to the shadows, silently creeping closer to the entrance. The two figures Vakira had initially seen must have been long gone, but it certainly didn't discount the fact that there were people there, which meant that an extra sense of caution was bound to effect their advancement.

Peering from the edges and shadows of the tunnel, it indeed led out to a guard tower that seemed to be built into the wall not too far away from the entrance of the tunnel. It would be an easy walk out to it if it weren't for the 4 visible guards in the middle of the path to the entrance of the tower. However, they seemed to be preoccupied with a pair of slaves that seemed to be in need of punishment. Even at their apparent distance, Vakira could easily hear the shouting of the guards, as if drill instructors. One of the guards motioned to someone out of view behind the corner of the guard tower, where a fifth guard brought something too small to make out to the rest of the guards. No doubt, it would be something to aid in their means to a punishment.

There was no way of telling how many other guards were present without getting a closer look around that corner, but it was becoming apparent that making a full on assault in front of a guard tower was certainly not the best way to go, even if they already knew how many guards were present. Thankfully though, they already had an in. The guards weren't facing the guard tower, but rather they were all preoccupied with the slaves at their feet, mocking, screaming at, and preparing their devious deeds towards them. The slaves were a perfect distraction to get past them, but the only problem with it was that the slaves were facing the tower, where Vakira and Corvo were meant to pass by, if they ever intended to sneak by.

"Isn't it possibly to plant thoughts into the minds of others with the Force?" Vakira asked Corvo, likely revealing the idea that was already forming in his head. At least this Force power Vakira had a slight edge in remembering, as he'd already had the opportunity to explore someone's mind via interrogation, despite not actually planting any ideas in their minds in the first place; After all, they had to have attained the intel on this place from someone.

Suddenly though, a massive shrieking entered the earpiece, causing Vakira's sensitive eras to fold back in the pain. Digging out the earpiece, Vakira took it out just in time to find it short out. Inspecting the tiny device, it seemed like it was temporary, but a massive inconvenience none the less. Without ears on what was going on inside the office with their partner, there was no way of determining whether he was in trouble or whether or not they were in trouble themselves.

-----​

The Sith's response was dismaying to the Director, and in all honesty, it deeply confused him, "Are you telling me that you were given the authority to represent the Sith in negotiations, but you weren't given the power to negotiate?"

It was honestly insulting to the Dirctor, and he was losing his patience, "I'm afraid that if the Sith aren't even going to take this seriously, I'm not compelled to do any dealings" he was on the edge for their meetings in the first place, but there was no good news coming from the supposed representative.

Furthermore, he felt the compulsion to make certain his guest left with the escort of his guards, "My guards will show you out."

Nodding at the guards, he waves his hand to the elevator door, allowing his four guards to come between the two negotiators, two coming almost right up behind him as if to show him out by force if he resisted without having anything attractive to say, but hesitating for him, just in case he indeed had something to say. And while that happened, the Director checked his wrist watch, noticing that it was nearly time, and he went over to a control panel at the edge of the room, where a few switches and a key caused a massive humming sound that would send a very strong signal throughout the complex and partially into the more exposed sections of the mine. At that point, the Sith negotiator's ear piece would also violently erupt in noise.

 

[Phoenix]

Corvo's face crinkled slightly at the sudden outburst of knowledge from his pupil. Wha... ? but then his apprentice was running away and leaping the gap only to be knocked down and breathless after a slight mishap.

He paused a moment, not saying anything, but not moving to help either. This day just seemed to be getting stranger and stranger. What in the galaxy is wrong with him? A moment later, he moved backward, away from the edge, and sprinted back once more, letting the Force boost his muscles and strengthen him through the leap. His feet drove into the hard packed dirt on the other side and pushing off slightly with his legs as they struck ground, he rolled forward over his shoulder and came to a stop in an upright crouch on the other side.

Well his apprentice was certainly very preoccupied with the tunnel ahead and the men in it. No doubt an attempt to cover up the... issues he was having. The man's gasping for air activated some unnatural drive-reduction urge within him and he took a deep breath of his own, perhaps just to reassure himself that he could.

Yes, the mind is always in a fragile and dare I say volatile state. It is easily subject to suggestion. Not a moment later, a near deafening sound exploded in his ear followed by silence. Nothing from the office. Nothing from their partner. Nothing at all. Crap.

They were the backup and they'd just lost their connection to their partner. They needed to move and they needed to do it now. He turned back to Vakira and spoke quickly, the urgency that he now felt to get inside coming through in his voice. Even more than simple suggestion, it's possible to actually create stimuli that your enemy will respond to. Meaning you can actually make them feel or hear things that aren't there.

That was what he had in mind for these ones. Cause them to hear things that weren't there, thus drawing their attention - and perhaps even their physical presence - away. But influencing this many people at once wasn't something he could do himself, but perhaps the two of them together could. Focus on the people down there. Reach out and sense their presence, their thoughts and states of being. He did so himself, even as he spoke. He felt fear in the slaves and thrill in the guards. A sick pleasure brought on by being drunk on their own power.

Perhaps it would be the slave's lucky day then. Envision their nerves, their states of being. What might they fear? What are they afraid of? Malfunction. Error in their processes. Let them hear the sounds of grating machinery and the sheering of their metallic devices He let the senses within the ears manufacture stimuli that weren't there and as he did, heads shot around to look in the direction of the "breaking machinery." Of course, what they would find was that there was nothing wrong, but with the guards so preoccupied and the slaves wondering what the guards were doing, there would be far fewer eyes looking to the pair of Sith.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Well if this trip didnt just continue to slog through poodoo creek at an alarming rate. In all honesty, it was a miracle that an asteroid hadnt fallen through the roof and brained him then and there. Now his Earpiece was making horrible loud noises and he was shut off from his backup. Ah well... Time to go to plan B. Not that he particularly liked Plan B... As it was far messier than he would hope, but it seemed his hands were being forced on the matter. Yknow. Considering that the loud noise would have no doubt been noticed by the guards nearest to him.

"Well then, Seems its time to take my leave"

As he spoke, Ma'hal began to analyze his options. Counting the guards around him and reaching out to feel their mental states. Which would be the most vulnerable to suggestion. Which were honorable men. Which were loyal to their warden. Four Men. Unfortunately for him, three of them were already moving to seize him. One was unsure... All he needed was the one. Time seemed to slow then, his mind processing things and lining up exactly what he had to do. It was just a matter of finding the strength to do it. Fortunately for him, He was good and mad.

The Vahla reached out with his left hand and thrust it, palm outwards, towards the Warden. Intending to slam him backwards head first against the nearest window. He only needed to stun the man, not kill him. In truth, his focus was on the three guards moving to seize him. The Sith whirled around and, with all the authority of an angry god, thrust his hands out in a sorcerers stance. Blue Lightning crackling from his fingertips and slamming into the three like a Physical force. He needed them incapacitated and in excruciating pain. Not that he wasnt feeling it himself. He despised Lightning. It always singed his fingers when he used it. However this prize was worth a trip to the medics.

It all hinged on the last guard then. The one who had hesitated and, by Ma'hal's estimation... The only guard with any sense. And how that made the man's mind an open book for the sith to write in. Ma'hal stared into his eyes and locked down his will through the force. Unlike the other two sith, Command of others through the force was his trade. And he exerted his power in the form of a command. "Lock the Doors, Let Noone Enter."

It was then that he turned on the Warden, his voice biting and mocking as the rage he called on to use the force clouded his mind. Always work work work.

"Shall we continue our Negotiations now that I am taking this a bit more seriously, Warden?"

 

[Flamjetxx]

Observing the guards, Vakira was certain that influencing a single guard would be a task enough, but for Corvo to expect him to influence two guards at once on his first try... Well, it didn't set well with him. However, giving that the guards were facing away from the tower, towards the two slaves, it would mean that sneaking behind the guards would only allow the two slaves to see them, and that was, it. And furthermore, it were two less minds to influence, and likely far weaker ones at that. Who even knows what mental defense training the guards even had.

Vakira wasn't certain whether or not the guards would have turned to the guard tower in order to determine anything wrong in the mines, after all, it would have been Vakira's first move, would be to head to a vantage point, or a point of control, in order to assess the true nature of the damages. Vakira couldn't pretend like he knew how the guards would react to a disaster of sorts, but he wasn't about to bet on them acting one way either.

Either way, it seemed like the safer bet than assuming that Vakira could manage to persuade 2 minds simultaneously, "Actually Master," Vakira began while beginning to point out the guards' backs turned and the two slaves, "I feel like focusing on the slaves would be safer and more effective. It would be focusing on half the targets, and all we'd need to do is make the slaves think they are covering for us, or make them think we are here to help them or something of the sort."

Unfortunately, that meant getting the slaves' hopes up and letting them down. Hell, they might even gain the courage to do something dangerous, where they get themselves killed for their influences. however, that would only create an even bigger distraction ultimately. Deep down inside, Vakira felt like their innocence wasn't worth their mission... After all, were they going to release all these slaves upon taking the mine? Almost certainly not... In fact, it was almost a down hill battle for morality, and yet Vakira knew that he really had no choice. The only thing he could do to console himself is to pretend that killing them now would save them the long death of a slave later on... out them out of their misery.

Regardless of what they tried, Vakira would do as his Master said. After all, he was the one most experienced in the Force, and if he said that Vakira was capable, then Vakira was almost certainly capable of it. It was rather amazing the level of faith Vakira had in Corvo's ability to determine what was necessary and what wasn't; what he was capable of and what he had yet to learn. In fact, it was a rather tremendous level of faith he had in Vakira already in being able to pick up as many Force abilities and training as he already has. Perhaps, Vakria would tell him of his time training... but today would certainly not be that day.

What ever decision they made in mental manipulations, Vakira would focus from afar. he'd envision his mind entering the mind of the other, and he'd feel their thoughts. they almost didn't even seem to notice he was there... All in all, the mental manipulations weren't quite what he'd anticipated them being. Regardless of what he thought they'd be, they seemed to be effective. Following Corvo's lead, Vakria would sneak toe to toe behind his master, staying out of the light. The guards, the slaves... they didn't have much of a chance of spotting them, even if they hadn't concealed their presence with trickery.

Unfortunately, their cover was blown, and half way through their sneaking around too. The moment they were most exposed, the moment they could have afforded failure less, and the moment that escape or fighting would be most difficult, they were found.

A hovercraft, soemthing that seemed to fly out of no where. It was a simply speeder, a mode of transportation modified to hold a small contingency of guards, flew into view above them, shining a spotlight onto them. Looking directly at the speeder, hovering above them, Vakira could tell there were at least a few blaster rifles pointed at them, but there was no way they could effectively count how many exactly. And from the tower, around the corner where there door was hidden, several more guards popped into view. Rifles trained on them, Vakira could easily tell they'd been screwed, perhaps even ambushed, and they were wildly outnumbered. Would it even be worth reaching for is lightsaber with as many blasters trained on them? Even the four guards that were only previously preoccupied had turned around with stun guns trained on them, the two slaves at their feet paralyzed from the shocks of the stuns.

"It was a trap," Vakira said to Corvo, only just barely audibly to him. And what was worse was that they had no way to warn Ma'hal Vel.

----------​

Inside the Warden's office, the Warden easily noticed the earpiece audibly shriek and spark inside of the Sith's ear. And yet there wasn't the slightest show of surprise from him. It was almost as if he'd expected it... was looking for it. And, it was the only thing he expected to truly take a toll on him was the Force push that sent him flying across the room into the far window. It was a long ways to go, and the crash hurt like hell, but he'd best have been certain that he made the glass next to impenetrable after his father's fall so many years ago. However, that act was essentially signing Ma'hal's death wish.

The four guards around him jumped into action immediately, the two far guards (at one time) at the Warden's side drew blaster pistols previously concealed in their jackets. They were the two guards that were in the office before hand, and it seemed they'd been expecting trouble, being able to bring blasters up to the tower before hand. In a quick one two, they fired off shots to the assaulter's legs, piercing one, but missing the other leg. Ma'hal's fingertips would singe at the slight cackling of the lightning only just beginning to form just before the blasters shot into his legs, but with the searing pain of the blasters in his leg, all concentration in being able to conjure such a thing was broken, leaving him to fall into the arms of the two guards that were only just escorting him out of the tower, and now making sure he didn't fight back.

The two far guards still had their blasters trained on him, though they switched their blasters to stun this time around, which would undoubtedly be more frightening than a blaster set to lethal. It meant the Warden had thing planned for him. A ransom to the Jedi, seeking information, making a FAR less favorable deal with the Sith in his own favor? Either way, it meant nothing good for Ma'hal apart from the fact that he got to enjoy the pain of a blaster bolt in his knee cap a bit longer.

The Warden, picking himself off of the ground with a streak of blood flowing from his forehead groaned, "I really wish you hadn't done that, but then again, I should expect that from a Sith shouldn't I? If you move, we shoot, so behave while we get into this."

Bringing himself over to the bar, he knocks Ma'hal's bottle onto the ground to let it shatter, and instead grabs a rag and a cheap whisky to apply it to his wound, "Aaah. I really thought there would be no trouble when you were leaving, but I suppose that running a facility of devious scoundrel slaves has shown me the true nature of someone that doesn't get what they want."

Reaching behind the bar, he picks out a blaster pistol of his own waving for his guards to hold him tighter if they weren't already forced to do so via struggling. Moving out to the window, he waved his gun towards the vast black plains that extended in the pitch black shadow of the mountain, "I run a slaving facility. In order to prevent them from running away in the pitch black, we use long range scanners. Did you really think you could bring two others and tat I wouldn't notice when they went about snooping around my mine without my permission? You've got some real gall coming into My Home and expecting me to sit about as your colleagues do the Force only knows what in my base and let You throw my around like a rag doll?! I have half a mind to kill you right now, but I think you can come up with a way to make yourself useful to me. And you better make it good too, because as we speak my guards are picking up your fellow Sith from the E-12 Sector of the Mine," the Warden had become increasingly angry, and the sting of the whisky soaked rage probably didn't do anything to help that.

Spoiler

OOC: You guys didn't see that coming, did you?! Sorry Ma'hal for God Moding up there, but it makes it more interesting for you to be a damsel and to overcome the odds, so don't worry, because you will have your chance.

 

[Phoenix]

He looked to his apprentice. The ability he was proposing wasn't true mental manipulation so much as it was physical manipulation, which was a bit easier in this case. At least in some forms. It was the only reason that he thought it possible to manipulate multiple people himself. But then, if his apprentice didn't think he was ready, Corvo wasn't prepared to risk the whole mission's success by overconfidence in the man.

Fine, the slaves then. Sometimes he forgot not everyone grew up using the Force day in and out. Focus on their minds. Unlike what I just said a moment ago, this is more than simple receptor and nerve stimulation, this is perception. Cognitive thought. The decision to influence someone's very thought process. Less scientific, more psychological. All their fears, desires, deepest thoughts. That's what you're reaching for. Release their terror. Let them fear the repercussions we might inflict if they speak, or the repercussions from their slave-drivers of speaking out when already under punishment. Keep them silent through fear. It is one of the most powerful motivators.

He looked to see if his apprentice understood then set about his work. He reached into the man's mind. Stimulating the actions of the sympathetic nervous system, adrenaline flooding the body following the fear. Think of what they'll do to me. They'll beat me, hurt me, kill me. He put the very thought like a whisper in the mind as if it was his own. Inception.

He crept quickly, low and quiet along the ground toward the stairs. Sword in hand and prepared for the appearance of enemies. Then, as if all of a sudden, the room seemed to fill as guards materialized from nowhere. His first instinct was to attack, but after a second it was clear that that wasn't going to be an option. Raising his hand, he stopped moving in the most non-confrontational manner possible.

Fighting wouldn't work, time to think. His eyes flashed around his surroundings, suddenly taking in so much more. Watching as the guards closed in.

 

[Ma'hal Vel]

Just when the Sith thought nothing else could go awry, he was once again proven wrong in a most painful manner. In this case, by the sharp and recognizeable pain of a blaster scorching through the skin and sinew of his left leg. If it werent for his own moving state, the shot may very well have pierced his cartilogenous skeletal structure. And that would have been unpleasent indeed... However, as it stood he merely remained in an excruciating amount of pain. Oh, and good and pissed off. Lets not forget that bit.

He merely knelt there as the Warden gave his little monologue, shrugging off the initial shock from the pain and beginning the age old sith process of feeding on his pain... And turning it into a well of power he could draw from. The warden had just injured and cornered a man who, despite his businesslike exterior, was little more than a feral tukata in a golden cage. And oh how easily gold could be torn or bent. Still, he had to be cautious. Thoughtful. He needed a way to insure the Warden would keep him alive. He still had one ace in the Hole. And, Even if he was injured and seemingly unable to fight himself, he could very well turn the tide of things if he were only in the right position.

"I can think of a Half Dozen ways... I could be useful... Warden..." The Vahla panted, very clearly in pain and having difficulty focusing. "The Most... Lucrative... Would probably be selling me... Preferably to the Jedi... The Sith dont look too kindly on those who fail them... Or Perhaps... To Pirates... Or Slavers... Then theres the Obvious option... To Put me to work here... Until Im No longer of use... To you... I have no desire to die... Not yet... I can break Prisoners... Its my Job... And I'll do it for you, if I get to live..."

As he spoke, everything about his words and body language screamed his desperation to survive. His fear of death. However, buried deep down, he was already scheming his vengeance.

Spoiler

On an OOC note, while I dont mind progressing the story. I dont appreciate being god modded and made the damsel in distress out of nowhere. If You'd said something to me ahead of time, I would have probably just gone with it. But its kind of screwed up to just spring that on someone and decide they become the Damsel. Sorry for how long it took to post. Was dealing with IRL stuff and trying to get my head right so that I wasnt passive aggressive in this one.