Kat Nargal Memorial Resort

[Cadio Sikaot]

Cadio stared down the corridor for a long time after Raven's small form had disappeared from view. Perhaps she was right. They had both consumed more than a healthy amount of alcohol in a relatively short time span, but he still couldn't get the idea of the two of them together out of his head. It was frightening, truth be told. She was barely of legal age and thoughts of his deceased wife and children still haunted his dreams. Defiling their memory with a one night stand, even with a friend such as Raven, was horrifying to the extreme.

 

But would it truly be defiling their memory? Or would it simply be doing what they would have wanted all along? His wife was not a petty woman, nor would she expect him to remain celibate for the rest of his life. If he were to find love, true love, then she would rest happily in her grave knowing that he was making the most of the precious little time he had in the galaxy.

 

He sighed before turning and closing his door. He stripped out of his uniform and slipped into the bed that had been provided for him. He quickly drifted from consciousness, visions of beauties past and present dancing before him.

[The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon]

The ever irascible Mouth of Ar-Pharazon had no problem strolling through the security scanners, having deposited all of his weapons, poisoned tools, tainted wands, and other cursed artifacts in the storage compartments on his ship. At least he did not have to disrobe like he did on Mustafar. Ever since his master's attack on Gala, in which Sith suicide bombers actually flew a spacecraft directly into the Jedi Temple, security around the galaxy had grown bothersome, if not downright intrusive. The Mouth often pondered limiting liberty for the sake of greater security. It was a hobby of sorts.

 

Finally having gotten through the security strip, the Mouth excitedly set his gift basket on a stainless steel table. He rooted through its contents, digging out a map of the entire KNM Resort. He was anxious to get to his room. A good nap on a comfortable bed, sounded like a great way to catch a second wind before really kicking off his vacation. Verifying his room's location and then checking to see where death sticks could be purchased, he made his way towards the main vestibule of the resort.

 

He was enamored. The resort was furnished as ornately as any royal palace the Mouth had ever seen, which said a lot, since he had practiced sorcery for wicked kings in many palaces over the preceding centuries. The Mouth was utterly content in where he had chosen to take his trip. ”œNow, 522a. Beta Wing. Where the Hell is that?”

[Raven Nasra]

Raven wandered the halls with the man of the Republic's army on her mind. He was nice, that was for sure, dreamy even. He had a good job, he was handsome, no doubt twice her age...but still that was somewhat acceptable in modern society, unless her parents pressed charges. Oh right, her parents were both dead, her mother dead by her father's hand, his father at Raven's brother's hands after her father had almost butchered Raven as well. Hell, she had lost her entire family that day, After killing her father and saving her life, he had fled for his life. And after she had recovered, she was totally alone.

 

And now she felt that way again. Lost and confused, her emotions running rampant. She almost turned around twice to go back to Cadio, when she ran smack into a different figure. A tall proud looking man, with a wicked grin. She was still quite tipsy, and she fell slightly against the wall.

 

"You look lost! Can I help you find something?" She had spent the last couple weeks here with the negotiations and she felt like she knew the place, plus, she needed to think of someone else than Cadio, her brother, her father, or her mother. Plus there was nothing quite like helping a man in need.

[Cadio Sikaot]

A ray of sunlight broke through the curtains that guarded Cadio's window. He cracked his eyes open and moaned, rolling over to avoid the harmful beams. He slipped rather ungraciously out of his bed and made his way to the bathroom to clean up before he needed to depart from the resort.

 

It was finally starting to sink in that he was no longer an officer of the Republic, but rather a civilian in a galaxy that was no longer at war. It was time to find a career that was better suited to his personal desires. Perhaps something in the new government would open up. For now, it was time to head back to Coruscant.

 

Cleaned and dressed, Cadio left his suite and headed for the hangar bay. When he checked out he received the blaster that he had turned in upon his arrival. A shuttle that would take him to the Galactic Capital was provided and soon he was boarded and blasting into hyperspace.

[The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon]

Instead of answering immediately, the Mouth frowned at the strange young girl, and merely paused. ”œThis is a large resort, girl,”

[Raven Nasra]

Raven grinned widely, "Well..." She considered the layout of where she had been all around this huge facility. Beta wing....5th floor.....that sounded familiar, the bar where her and cadio had been was in Beta wing. Section 3-491. So all they had to do is go up two levels.

 

"Let's head to the turbo lift then, we're at the end of Alpha wing, the next lift is at the beginning of beta."

 

She motioned to him and they made their way down the hall. Her still a bit drunk from her earlier illegal adventures, but who cared.

 

"Tell me sir, what brings you out this way?"

[The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon]

”œWell,”

[Raven Nasra]

Raven giggled slightly, "That really sucks! We all need a break now and again, even tyrants!" She looked at him with her purple eyes as they tred the long hallways, "I have been partying hard yes, you see I was a part of the peace summit." She stuck out her black gloved hand, "Captain Raven of Zinthos Sir, it is a pleasure to meet you." She was a bit embarrassed of course, she didn't think she smelled to badly of alcohol, that was going to be a killer hangover, since she hadn't had one before in her life.

 

She gestured to the door 3 on the right of the centre, "I think this is the way, gosh this place is huge!" She stumbled down the corridor with the man, sure that when she woke tomorrow everything would be just fine and dandy.

[Brina Thalin]

It had been a long day, and Brina was exhausted. In fact, it had been a long few weeks. But she couldn't complain. The peace summit had gone well, the launch of this new resort had been met with enthusiasm, stocks were up, and business was booming in the new era of peace that the galaxy was ushering in.

 

All in all, she thought, it was a good time to be alive, and a good time to be a businesswoman. The Link would no longer have to work so hard to stay neutral. All factions were now more or less united under the GA, and the only ones they really had to be concerned about now were Black Sun and the Hutts. She decided to pull up their old treaty with the Hutts and make sure that it was still valid; it would be worthwhile to considering renewing it if not. And even Black Sun had thankfully been quite quiet recently.

 

As "evening" fell on the space station, she found herself eating a quiet meal in her quarters. Zara and the girls had long since returned to the Casino, and it left the place a bit lonely. She smiled as her whisperkit jumped up onto her lap. She stroked the kit as she thought. "I'm feeling good today," she said aloud. "That Jedi sure worked some magic." It was so wonderfully nice to be healthy again.

 

She decided to work out after dinner. She had gotten really thin during her sickness, and was working on rebuilding some of her muscle tone. When she could go no more, she headed to the hanger. The Mynock had been quite neglected recently, and a little TLC was just what the ship--and pilot--needed.

 

Finally, as midnight approached, the redhead returned to her cabin in the heart of the station, sleepily planning on returning soon to the Casino, but for now, focusing on getting a good night's rest.

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust lands the Bhelliom at the Resort, his eyes... thoughtful. He'd witnessed events on Naboo playing out on Holonet and gave an almost whistful sigh, wishing he could join in on the revelry, but also knew it was best to keep up his pardon as long as possible. To that end, being seen in a rather public place while events were ongoing was helpful.

 

A comm arriving piques his interest, offering a most fortunate correspondance of cause. Smiling, he mentally weighs the best way to proceed, and ultimately decides directness and expediency would be the best way to go forward.

 

Strolling up to security, he opens his trenchcoat and begins offering them his visible weapons in a show of good faith, making a simple declaration, though flashing an all too wolfish grin as he speaks.

 

"I need to speak privately with Brina over a business matter. It's a matter of some urgency and one I think she'd like to hear."

[Cyrus Knight]

At one moment there was empty space, and in the next there was a ship. Its transponder identified it as the Protector, and it was registered under the name Cyrus Knight. He hadn't shown his face around the Link for quite some time, but he'd been busy over the years, and now he had access to the right information to bring him back here with an urgent message. One thing that was a hallmark of his career was that once he'd worked for an employer, he maintained his loyalty to them.

 

He requested a landing berth at the resort, received it, and was soon on his way toward security, wearing his custom black stormtrooper armor, cloak, and a helmet that was both protective and functional when it came to things such as enhancing his perception. He checked his weapons at security, leaving some of them at his ship but handing over his double-bladed, spring-loaded sword and blaster carbine. It didn't take him long to notice that none other than Vladimir Faust was checking in not far away, and he cursed under his breath. That was going to make this so much more complicated.

 

Cyrus approached the security man that looked like he was in charge and said, quietly so that Faust wouldn't overhear him, "My name is Cyrus Knight. I used to work security here a few years ago. I have it on good word that that man--Vladimir Faust--is here to capture Brina Thalin. I request an immediate audience with Thalin concerning her safety, and I recommend that you immediately move against Faust to keep him from succeeding."

 

And that was it. Cyrus didn't forget his old contracts to old employers. He had served as Brina's protector and escort in the past, and he was doing it again now.

[Brina Thalin]

She had just fallen asleep when her comm buzzed. Cursing, she answered it. "What is it?"

 

"Sorry to disturb you, Director." It was her chief of security. "Vladimir Faust is here, requesting to see you privately on a matter of business."

 

That woke her up. She cursed again, but this time to herself. "I'll be there in a few minutes." She got dressed in her favorite jumpsuit, knowing that it would be too casual for a standard business meeting, but would do fine for meeting with the infamous hunter. With a whistle, she called her two personal Lyger security droids to her side and headed down towards the hanger.

 

***

 

The security guard that Cyrus had spoken to was immediately alarmed. He turned away and pressed his ear comm, requesting that the security guards at Faust's station keep him there until they received further word. The captain then accessed the Link's database and began a search for Cyrus Knight. The computer beeped an affirmative after a short minute, and the guard read that the man had indeed been employed for the Link in the past. He strode back over to the armored man.

 

"It appears you did indeed work for the Link as you claim. Welcome back. We will inform Director Thalin of your return and verify your accusations against Mr. Faust." He ushered Cyrus over to the security station. "If you'll just come over here, we will need a fingerprint check to make sure you are indeed Mr. Knight." He smiled apologetically. "Standard procedure. But then, you know that from your time with us before. Then we can get you set back up working for us. That is why you are here, is it not?"

 

***

 

Meanwhile, the security guards near Faust had been alerted. They still had all of his weapons, and thankfully there was still a blast door between them and the rest of the Resort. One approached the infamous bounty hunter. "I'm sorry, but there has been a complication. We've just been informed by a reliable source that you are a liar, and are really here to capture the director." Several blasters appeared, pointing in Faust's general direction. "What assurances do you have to offer that you are here in good faith?"

 

They were clearly suspicious of him, and given his track record, it was not surprising that they would not hesitate to believe the word of the their captain. It was just as logical that the captain himself would believe the word of Knight, who according to the database had proven himself by defending Thalin and several other Link employees on a dangerous mission to Myrkr.

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust almost gives a grimmace, wondering how word got out that quickly of the bounty being sponsored and his sudden appearance. No matter, he hoped to give this proposition directly to Brina herself for expediency's sake, but if he had to do it thru an intermediary, so be it.

 

"Your sources are indeed correct, though I have not lied once yet. There is a sizeable bounty on Ms. Thalin, and this is why I am here. The terms are to bring her, alive and unharmed to a specific locale on Coruscant, the Last Call. The conditions of this hunt have been offered to numerous other hunters in this galaxy. My business proposal is this: she voluntarily comes with me. No fights, no mess, no hassle, and no one gets hurt and I can guarantee her safe release after all is said and done. It avoids turning the resort into a battleground while several other jackals attempt to converge on it. I doubt she would get this offer from too many others."

 

Faust would have, in most other circumstances, have found a way to sneak in for the bounty or tried matters guns'a'blazing. However, given the circumstances, he relied on a few key points- Brina's reasonableness, as well as the simple and given fact that any opposition he met with would be overcome with extreme prejudice. Every so often, Faust knew, letting others know you were after them helped avoid unnecessary messes and even compelled bounties to give themselves up peacefully.

 

He glances over, catching sight at the man who informed on him, thanking his enhanced hearing courtesy of Lord Xy'nil Reign's aid. He cybermentally gives an order to his ship to power up the sensors, suspecting there was already another guest looking to crash this party.

 

"I trust she will give my offer consideration, though she should not hesitate too long before things get... complicated. The bounty was sent out discretely, and I do wonder how your friend over there was able to ah.... know about it so quickly."

[Cyrus Knight]

Cyrus Knight simply shook his head. "I never submitted to fingerprinting when I worked here before, so you can't possibly have them on file," he answered. There was a lot going on behind the statement, but none of it mattered right now. Characters such as Cyrus Knight wore helmets not just because of their functionality, but because of their identity. Particularly as a security agent who worked for multiple organizations over time, he made a lot of enemies who were quite willing to carry grudges. Being able to lose himself in the galaxy seemed like a great idea.

 

As a matter of fact, Cyrus didn't even have fingerprints these days, having had them removed, though he wasn't sure if that had been the case back when he'd worked here the first time. Thankfully, it was moot.

 

"Look. You scanned me, I'm unarmed, and it's only loyalty that brought me back here. Please--let me see Ms. Thalin instead of trusting the word of Faust."

[Brina Thalin]

The captain frowned at Knight. "If you were here before the fingerprinting protocols, then we should have a retinal scanner brought down. Give us a minute."

 

But when Cyrus continued to pressure him, he scratched his chin. "Wait, you don't want to reinstate your employment? If you wanted to warn Director Thalin, then your job is complete. We are aware of the situation and are taking steps to secure the area. Director Thalin will be safe. If you have no other business here, then you are free to leave." It was clear that the man had suddenly grown suspicious. Why was he insisting on seeing Ms. Thalin, when it was only very few who ever got to see her in person anyway? If he had only come to warn her about Faust, as he had said, then why was he still insisting when his message had been relayed?

 

***

 

Brina arrived at the security area just in time to hear Faust's proposal. Her eyes darkened when he said that he was here to collect a bounty on her. She stepped into view, her guard droids flanking her.

 

"Who has placed this bounty on me, and why?" she asked Faust directly, mistrust clear in her green eyes. "And how large a bounty are we talking about here?" Brina wondered if it could be Black Sun acting up again, but they had always been more interested in targeting Zara. The thought caused her to tap a message to her friend on her wrist comm, sending her a warning just in case.

 

She had no intention of going with Faust, but she still believed that there was a diplomatic solution to this mess. Something that preferably didn't end up with the destruction of this entire resort.

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust shrugs. "I'm not a hundred percent sure who organized it, though preportedly there's something of a prize for the winner. The prize offered is two-fold, a fancy ship I don't really need." With the Bhelliom sitting in the hangar for support and unready to unleash a small holocaust if anything really unpleasant happened, he really doubted he would need any other ship as long as he lived. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that since he really wanted to keep the pardon he earned, though it was limiting.

 

"But, the chief reason is pride my dear child, a declaration reaffirming my status as the galaxy's greatest hunter." At that, his eyes glitter, his tone becoming hard and firm. "I imagine given your reclusivity and defenses made you a challenging target which will bring others to your door, like I believe Mr. Knight over there... if that really is his name." Faust gives his competitor a thin smile, his eyes narrowing coldly. "I'm not going to rush this matter, though if you do run, a hunt will commence. I can't promise I won't pursue, but you have my word for what it's worth you won't come to harm because of my direct actions. In the mean time, I'm going to step inside and have a drink. I'll be by the bar if you give this some thought about complying... I can make it worth you while at a future date."

 

With that, he gives another grin to Cyrus and heads past Brina, shuffling up against her, then heading inside the resort proper, intent on having his drink. He kept a couple small blades for throwing concealed on his person, plus the weaponry in his left arm having learned a few tricks from his last visit- though honestly, he had no intent to use them unless attacked by another hunter. While threats and bribes were not often a good tool for a bounty hunter on their main quarry, the truth and some enticement seemed appropriate in this circumstance. In Brina's hand, he'd quietly left a small commlink when he shuffled past- the implication of that offer crystal clear and hopefully discreet.

 

Faust vaguely remembered a bounty bringing in a marked man wanted by both the law and his former gang- the target took his chance with Faust over a guarantee of safety to be delivered to the system's police to testify against the gang- not the smartest move since Faust was naturually treacherous, but it kept him alive when the skills of any lesser of a hunter would not have sufficed. It also didn't hurt that once the gang was behind bars, some Black Sun agents were able to fill said vacuum.

 

Indeed, the thought of trying to complete this bounty without force amused him and would, he concluded, but a real test.

 

In the mean time, he was thirsty, and a solid shot of whisky sounded good.

[Cyrus Knight]

Knight immediately recognized Brina Thalin when she came into the area. It seemed that his business with the tiresome security officer was now superfluous, and he couldn't be more glad. For the sake of closure, he looked at the man and sighed. "I didn't provide that, either, but it doesn't matter. As far as you're concerned, I'm here as a guest." He pushed past the man, heading for Brina even as Faust finished speaking to her and apparently headed for the bar.

 

He drew near and spoke directly to her--what he'd been trying to get all along. His voice was filtered through his helmet as he said, "Ms. Thalin. Perhaps you remember me--I'm Cyrus Knight. Though I haven't worked here for a while, my loyalty to the Link has never wavered."

 

Knight knew he'd have to choose his next words carefully, as they would shape for many people how the rest of the bounty hunt would go. "There's a sizable bounty on your head, and a lot of dangerous people know about it. Everyone knows you're here, so if you stay, more and more will arrive, and some of them will go in with blasters instead of words like Faust. Though this place might seem safe, it's not.

 

"Security is something I do particularly well, Director," he said. "I can take you somewhere where they'll never find you, just to lay low for a few days until it all blows over. Although the bounty states that you're to be alive, it says nothing about what the man who placed it will do to you." In his experience, that was usually the point of someone being taken alive--so that the bounty could be tortured for information or killed later, so that the man who placed it could do it personally.

[saberforce]

.:Incoming Comm From the Senate Office Building for Raven Zinthos:.

 

"The Galactic Senate would like to remind you that the Advisory Council will be meeting shortly. If you wish your presence and voice to be heard, make sure the be there."

 

.:Incoming Comm From the Senate Office Building for Raven Zinthos:.

[Raven Nasra]

Raven wlked with the man until they were completely lost. She had failed completely. Totally. She was still a bit drunk so that did not help one bit, blasted choices with Cadio. She missed him a bit, and she could feel her heart twinge a bit in remorse. And then boom, there was the man's room. Right in front of them. She giggled a bit, ”œWell here we are I guess! It was a pleasure to meet you sir!”

[Brina Thalin]

Faust did not give her very helpful information. She had hoped to be able to buy him off. That was the best thing about bounty hunters--they had no loyalty towards their employers. They were only out for money. And Brina was quite wealthy. Although she didn't live the lifestyle of the rich, being one of the owners and CEO's of the galaxy's biggest transportation and entertainment corporation meant that she had access to vast resources.

 

As Faust brushed past, her fingers closed on the commlink he had slipped into her hand. She pursed her lips. She wanted to trust him, but given his history, she knew he had a streak of madness in him. Who else would do the things he had done?

 

As Cyrus approached her, she folded her arms across her chest. "Yes, I remember you," she replied. She remembered a mission to Myrkr where Knight's assistance had been very welcome. He continued to speak, telling her things that she already knew now, but his suggestion was interesting. She frowned. "Do you really think hiding is the best thing I could do? Hiding won't make the bounty disappear. And if it's already drawn the likes of Vladimir Faust, I have to assume that it will draw others as well." She was well aware of Faust's implication that Knight might be looking to cash on the bounty as well. Frankly, she decided she didn't trust either of them.

 

This was one of the most secure places in the galaxy--Brina had seen to that personally. But Knight was right in that every bounty hunter in the galaxy that cared to go after her would know exactly where to find her. She glanced up at Knight. "Thank you for your warning and your suggestion, but I've made up my mind. If you wish to stay here, then I hope you'll enjoy yourself. It was good seeing you again, Mr. Knight. Speak with Captain Zan and he'll see to it that you receive a small sum for your assistance here."

 

She turned and walked away, her bodyguard droids a few steps behind her, their sensors alert for any threat. She might have told Knight that she had made up her mind what to do, but it had been a lie. As she headed into the Resort's restricted zone, she weighed her options. One, she could go with Faust and hope that he remained true to his word. But she didn't know if she could count on that. He had an honor code of some sort--or so she had heard--but he was also a mass murderer. Something little like going against his word meant nothing when compared with that. But if she didn't go with him, she'd be risking the Resort and many others if he decided to pursue her with violence.

 

Cyrus Knight's suggestion was another alternative. She could find someplace to lay low for a while, to try to throw the bounty hunters off her trail. But if they were really determined to get at her, would she ever truly lose them? Would she simply be signing herself up for months on the run?

 

And what if they did catch her? Faust and Knight had both said that the bounty specified she be taken alive. She dreaded what that meant, but it was still good to know that the bounty hunters that followed her wouldn't be out to kill her, just capture her. And in Brina's experience, it was better to be alive than dead. But if that was the case, wouldn't it be better to just turn herself in? Heh, maybe then I could get the prize, she thought with a touch of amusement.

 

Suddenly she thought of Zara and the girls. The bounty would put them in danger. The hunters wouldn't care if they hurt others to get at Brina. And Zara would vehemently oppose her surrendering. She could see her friend's shocked face if Brina told her that. With that thought came clarity. She couldn't stay here.

 

Her footsteps carried her to her private apartment. There, she began to pack, taking only essentials. She didn't know how long she'd have to be on the run, but it was the only way to protect Zara. At least that would draw the bounty hunters away from the Link. Once everything she thought she might need was ready to go, she sent a message to Zara, informing her of everything that was going on and Brina's decision. "Hopefully this will all blow over soon and I'll be back before you know it," she finished, trying to end the message on a positive note.

 

She looked around her apartments one last time. They hadn't even begun to feel like home since she had only been there for a few weeks. She wished for a moment that she was back on the Casino, where her real home was, but she shook her head. It was a silly sentimental thought. Gathering her luggage, she headed down towards her private hanger.

[The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon]

The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon wondered what sort of business young Raven had with the Galactic Alliance. It was surprising, if not downright startling to see someone so young affiliated with such slow-moving, tired bureaucracy. Either way, he was on his overdue vacation. It was time to relax, cut loose, and not worry about complicated crap in the galaxy. He had earned it.

 

Finally making his way into his room, he dropped his death-stick scented leather baggage onto the floor. The decorations were top-notch. The resort was as advertised, and chock full of fine amenities, good food, and overly luxurious accommodations. Jumping hurriedly onto his bed, the Mouth somersaulted across a large, cushy bed. There were probably at least a dozen pillows of all shapes and sizes. He came to rest on his back, so he spread out and made himself as comfortable as possible, while just wading his arms across the covers. It was a genuine upgrade from the bed Ar-Pharazon given him. The Link's beds did not contain protruding sharp springs, and they had sheets. Several sheets. Warm ones too. The Mouth had no qualms accepting the change. He remained spread out on the bed for several minutes, just savoring the comfort, while breathing gently.

 

After some time, he disrobed entirely. He even removed his helmet, which he had not done in a great long time. Activating the hot tub was something he had dreamed about for days. Ar-Pharazon had never let him use a hot tub before.

 

As he dropped his body into the steamy, watery vat, he was more comfortable than he had been in years. He allowed his face to sink into the water, just up to his nose. It was amazing.

[Gren Sairdonga]

A highly encrypted, tightband comm comes in encoded to Brina's personal comm device. How the owner knew what number is a mystery best left well alone.

 

On a side note a modified E-Wing and a CC freighter appear from hyperspace a micro-jump from the resort. Out of range of most conventional scanners.

[The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon]

The Mouth of Ar-Pharazon was so utterly content on soaking his ruined body in the warmth of his room's hot tub. He hadn't enjoyed a good soak in many years, so his experience was akin to savoring the exciting passing of a well-known comet, first as a child, and again decades later as an old man, forlorn and approaching the twilight of the later, restless years. But now two experiences, linked together as one, gave him one hell of a memory worth having forever. As he sat there, sitting on the plastic rim of the hot tub, with the jets shooting hot water on and around his body, the Mouth just wanted to extend the moment forever.

 

He occasionally plugged the jets with his finger, only for a few seconds each time, just to see what would happen. Though, as he continued to try it, it never actually changed anything. But that was part of the awesomeness that was sitting in the hot tub. That's what mattered. No one was there telling him not to plug the jets. So, even in vain, he tried to plug the jets.

[Quintus Song]

Like an alcoholic's first morning regurgitation, the Crapula Aeterna was vomited back into realspace and across the starscape.

 

Quintus checked his sensors, requested landing permission, and guided the vessel down to the surface in a really undescriptive manner, probably in an attempt to keep the pacing going.

[Cyrus Knight]

Cyrus continued to watch Brina carefully as she turned and left. She seemed pretty unconcerned about the bounty and confident in the Link's security to keep her safe, but if he knew her type well, it was just a show. She realized that what he'd said made sense, and that she was putting her people needlessly at risk by staying in a place where every bounty hunter in the galaxy knew to find her. That meant that she was probably going to be leaving, but she was going to do it on her own or with a small group of trusted security men. Cyrus had been hoping to be one of those men, but clearly her trust for him had dimmed over the years he'd been away.

 

Oh, well, he thought. It just made all of this more difficult. Cyrus checked himself back out through security, reclaiming the weapons he'd brought with him, and made his way back to the Protector. Soon later, he had lifted off and left the Resort. It was time to start again, almost from scratch.

[Brina Thalin]

Quintus was greeted by the standard security teams and ushered towards the security station, where he would be required to turn over any weapons before passing through the scanners and being allowed to enter the Resort proper.

 

***

 

As she entered the hanger, Brina's comm buzzed. She frowned and checked it. The message was extremely interesting, another wrinkle in this plot. To think he was a friend of Durose... She ignored the reference to her working for Durose. The man obviously didn't know too much about the situation. And he certainly didn't know the thin ice that her and Durose had tread together. She hesitated only a moment before sending a reply on the same frequency, letting the man know an affirmative to his proposal.

 

She hit the button and lowered the ramp to the Mynock. On her way down she had debated taking one of the company ships, but in the end, it felt wrong to not take the Mynock. It was an excellent ship, fast and maneuverable, hardy and dependable. If she was going on the run, it would be the perfect ship for her. Besides, it had a few leftover relics from her smuggling days that could come in handy.

 

She plopped her things down in her on-board quarters. "Well, baby, looks like we'll be spending some serious time together," she said, talking aloud to her ship like it was the old friend that she considered it to be. "You'll take good care of me, I'm sure." She headed to the cockpit. She knew from the tight beam of the transmission that Sairdonga had to be ready to go, so she wasted no time. A few minutes later the ship was warm and ready to go; she could practically feel the eagerness of the ship to get off the ground.

 

Her green eyes swept the hanger. She didn't know when she'd be coming back again, but she swore that she would. When it was safe, she'd be back. She lifted her chin, set her jaw, and lifted the ship off the decking. As she left the station, she saw another ship come in. Part of her wondered idly if it was another bounty hunter come looking for her.

 

After a moment's thought, she punched in the coordinates for the destination she had decided on. As tempted as she was to jump into dark space and just sit there for a few days, she knew it would probably be best to jump from port to port, never lingering longer than a day or two.

 

Before letting the Mynock jump, however, she waited for confirmation from Sairdonga to ensure that he had gotten her return message.

[Gren Sairdonga]

As the return signal came in Gren nodded. Good, maybe, just maybe she'd get out of this alive. Signalling Mother he set the trip up. Now everything was set. Any bad guys would have a helluva time. Powering up all his combat systems he checked the board. Green across. Looks like he was ready to fight. Sending out a signal he waited a second before an acknowledgment came in.

 

"Alright Clinga. Get us in right close."

 

He said to his astromech who whistled a reply before, with a flicker of pseudo-motion his customized E-Wing made a micro-jump from its present location to right on top of the resort. Scanning his sensors he spotted two other ships in his immediate vicinity. One a Corellian freighter. YT-2400 if he wasn't mistaken. The other some kind of ugly. A very beaten up ugly. The YT was his target anyway but he'd keep an eye on the ugly and anything else that came into the vicinity. Checking to ensure the trip was still in place he sent a twinge up it. An acknowledgement came back almost immediately. Good. All set. Let em come now. Looping around he came up and started a small patrol around the YT. According to his telemetry the ship was designated Mynock. Alright time to get her out.

 

"Mynock this is Sentinel One make your run when you're ready. I'll cover your exit and keep anyone from following from here for a while. Give you a good start. I hope you have a good idea on how to stay low. I'm not sure why you're wanted but its a helluva reward they're offering."

 

Arcing around again he checked his systems. Lasers on full and ready to rock. Shields up and countermeasures both electronic and physical in play. Checking his signals he ensured all his elements were ready to roll. Just as he finished Clinga squealed at him. Looking up another E-Wing was in the System. Colan had joined the party. With a grin he took counterpoint to his old wingman.

 

"Two, one. Good to have you onboard. Lets show any followers why the Sentinel's were the best pilots in the Alliance.

[Slicer]

This was the last known location of the target and so it was good as any for a place to start. Like jet black ink under a deep blue sea under a moonless sky at the heart of midnight the Hashasheen emissary glided through space. Nigh undetectable it allowed Slicer to formulate his plan of action with out interference from air traffic control.

 

Hmmm I seem to spot twin turbolasers on each pod. Looks like it could stave off a direct assault from any convention ship to be sure. Hm whats this.

 

The bounty hunter's eyes played upon an e-wing patrolling a YT-2400. He gave a rather loud and audible sigh. A second E-wing had show up in system. These were not the type of ships one would expect to see at a lavish resort. They were clearly military, and the other ship in system wasn't passing inspection either.

 

He focused his attention on the Yt-2400. Telling his AI to try and nudge the ship as close as they could to the YT-2400 as possible so that a homing beacon could be fired upon it. With so much clear interest in the ship, it could be a worthy lead down the line.

 

As the ship moved into position to do just that, full autonomous. Slicer began to work on a different project. He began to set up the remote hack of the YT-2400's navigation console. If he knew where that ship was heading before it got there it would be far easier to track later. If his actual investigation of the station didn't pan out, then who knows he might even be fast enough to beat the ship to its destination.

 

A slight shutter was the only indication he knew of, that the two homing beacons had been dispatched. Instead he was focused on attempting to crack the navigational computer. When he had ran the simulations, this was only suppose to take a matter of seconds. Yet it seemed he was dealing with some top notch quality security. He would clearly need to gain more time, and he could only think of one way to do so.

 

Placing the slicing task as a duty for one of his AI, he retreated to a position of strength and began to focus. He needed to stall long enough to keep every ship in system until he could finish his investigation. Though the YT-2400 was marked, he wanted that nav data of it, and then later of the E-wings in system.

 

Still his ship rather dark had yet to be detected, as it would have taken a feat akin to magic to have singled him out in this setting. It was built solely for this kind of work, and until he kicked it into full drive, would be fine in doing such work. With no distractions his focus began to take form.

 

He was a master of the Force, and had long since brought the Dark side as a tool in his work. However, even he knew that he could not simply 'suggest' to all the beings in the airspace that they should not leave. He however did know a thing or two in terms of illusions. He would simply use the mechanics of the mind and the power of the Force to stall for the time he required.

 

He was aware that for most living beings in the galaxy magic tricks could still awe them. This was because their brain had certain thins in place to keep them from going insane. After all it would drive most being insane to have to process everything that appeared in their visual spectrum. So their mind picks and chooses what to focus on and everything else is lost to inattention blindness.

 

Then there was the fact that they all where for the most part blind. Sure their eyes were wide open, yet every single time they moved their eyes consciously as well as the three to five times per second their eyes move via the brain with out knowing, they were blind. Otherwise they would find their world to be similar to a bad holodrama was shaky camera work that makes people sick from time to time.

 

Saccadic masking and change blindness were the traits he would make use of here. That along with the power of the Force to make the E-wing pilots, the being in the YT-2400, and the ship a bit further down the line all suffer from a very serious case of space spiders.((Gren,Brina, Cyrus(If he is still here)))

 

If he were to be successful he would have to touch the mind of each of them. Some would be stronger than others. Yet he would succeed if it seemed as though a few hundred spiders had seemingly appeared from every knock and cranny on these ships, to nestle on the various controls. Spider's were just alien enough to most species that the desire to touch the control and even the floor would be for the most part negated.

 

Yet he would have to focus to maintain the image and simply hope his AI were up to the task of getting through to that YT's navigation console, remotely. He doubted the E-wing pilots would be deterred for long but, perhaps they would damage their hands bashing at their controls. He focused and concentrated, attempting to bring the illusion to life for all in attendance. After all stealth and subterfuge was always better than going in guns blazing and potentially getting killed.

[Gren Sairdonga]

Gren felt the presence in the force as soon as it entered the system. Their were already significant beings present in the system but this one was close. Somewhere nearby in space. Looking to his sensors he couldn't find anything. With a frown the pilot swore. He really was sick of these stealth vessels. If he found this one he'd do the same thing as he did to the last. Arcing around he started visual scanning and got on the comm to the rest.

 

"Mynock we have company. A force user. Strong one. I recommend you get the hell out of here now. Let us handle this."

 

Even as he said that Clinga squealed. Checking his readout he swore again. Something had just fired two shots of an unknown nature. Stealth ship or not it couldn't hide shots fired. Flipping immediately into a barrel roll in case one of them was aimed at him he warned Colan and Brina.

 

"Shots fired. Two flip around and start visual scanning. Send the first warning to the Sentinels"

 

Just then Mother piped in. The AI had some interesting news.

 

"Old bean be advised someone is attempting to hack the systems of the Mynock and I detect two new signal sources. I believe they are tracking devices. I am currently imposing restrictions on the hack, it started as a being conducting it but now its simply an AI... A lesser AI by appearances. But their isn't much I can do about the tracking signals from here. Recommended course of action is a blind jump a cleanse of all surfaces then a second blind jump a second cleanse then continue on."

 

Sending an acknowledgement Gren moved around in a wide arc even as he moved around to cover the Mynock he felt something begin to play on his mind. As Colan started swearing Gren watched as spiders began to crawl, from every conceivable nook and cranny. With a start Gren's first impulse was to begin crushing them with his hands and feet but he quashed it. Soldier's were trained to ignore reactions and focus, as a padawan he had been too. Closing his eyes he focused on clearing his mind of foreign intrusion. Letting himself feel the force and its cleansing guidance. Opening them he checked again. Gone. Good. This mysterious force user, be he Jedi, Sith or in-between would have to do better than that. But now he had to deal with Colan. Colan's E-Wing was flaying a rather erratic path and jumping on occasion.

 

"Two, One. They're illusions. The spiders they are illusions! Ignore them. Just close your eyes and go fly brother. Trust me Col."

 

As he spoke he kept a close watch on Colan's fighter waiting for it to level off. A few seconds later it did just that.

 

"Alright I got my head around it. These things are creepy one. I'm really starting to hate the force. All people seem to do with it is attack you."

 

With a grim smile Gren couldn't help but agree with his wingman. But now. He would use it to find someone. Closing his eyes again he focused his breathing. Focused his mind. Letting his hands do the flying guided by the force. And even as he brought his fighter around again his finger squeezed on the trigger. Sending a trio of brilliant scarlet beams out into space. Opening his eyes even as they fired he noticed an oddity. For the most part the beams were all but alone in space. to be expected. But then two clicks from his position. Something. They reflected light onto something. Something with a strong force presence inside. With a savage grin he fired two more shots, slightly adjusted trajectory. Triangulating the exact location. Suddenly he saw it, though it tried very hard not to be seen.

 

"Target found. Definitely stealth orientated. Two, present for you. Move up and bracket him."

 

Sending his telemetry to Colan he kept his distance even as Colan moved up forming the long line of an L-shaped bracket on the target. Within seconds both fighters opened fire on the ship lasers only.

 

(Modded Duel it out?)

[Vladimir Faust]

Finishing his drink, Faust heads back to his ship. Hoping aboard, he fires it up and barrels out of the Link, sensing some great relief from the security staff on hand, already knowing his next destination while things played out here.

 

He senses and altercation in the works even as he clears the hangar and momentarily weighs on the merits of getting involved, feeling the annoying brush of some idiot trying to spread his mind tricks too thin over too many targets over too vast a distance. He doesn't give the matter any further thought as the Bhelliom vanishes into hyperspace.