1 Hat, 2 Hat, Black Hat, White Hat (Hacker, that is...)

[Jarven Zexxel]

Jarven found himself, once again, in the Computer Lab in the Dragon Palace Casino. He had an assortment of tech, in case [member="Zenva Vrotoa"]'s niece, Ren, wanted to practice across a range of devices and tech. He was skimming the Holonet for as much info on today's topic of interest as possible. He had set his other projects on the back burner because today was about family.

Since the Vrotoa clan had recent business on Antecedent, they were still in the neighborhood. He waited patiently for Ren to show up.

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

-Renesri Aylia

Little Ren, as her family so often called her, stomped her way up the front stairs of the Dragon Palace Casino. She was dressed up today. Gone was her ripped leggings and skirts. Today was special and there for merited special attire. Proper attire? Perhaps not, but then what do you wear to a meeting such as this? Her new outfit had been a gift from her aunt Zenva, and Renesri was thoroughly enjoying parading about in it. Two inch black pumps brought the young woman's height to a staggering five foot three. Black pinstripe dress pants, perfectly tailored. A crimson blouse with extravagant gold embroidery. The trinity colors of Vrotoa clan's standard. So special a day in fact she had even seen fit to have her mop of black curls straightened and cut.

Behind her, moving like the military professionals they were, came her older brother Orluk and a half dozen clan warriors. Honor gaurd, or so lady Zenva had called them. Renesri didn't mind really. He brother Big O, so called for his monstrous proportions of six foot five inches and over two hundred and fifty pounds, provided a very good reason for most people to clear a path for the group.

In time the group reached their destination, a computer lab hidden deep in the casino. Orluk was the first inside, breaching the doorway as though an army of rebels was waiting inside. The brute took several large strides into the room, his hand resting on the grip of his sidearm. His eyes scanning for threats before settling on the Gank within. For several long moments big Orluk simply stared at [member="Jarven Zexxel"]. Finally calling over his shoulder, "Clear."

Renesri flowed into the room, a veritable vision of young Zabrak beauty. She wasted no time looking about, but moved straight for Jarven. She stopped a few feet before the man and bowed at the waist, "Good day uncle. I hope I haven't kept you waiting long."

She straightened and flashed a brilliant smile. All pearly white serrated teeth.

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

Jarven had heard the heavy footsteps. As the doors burst open, he already had his Outlaw Shotgun drawn, cocked, and pointed at the intruder. "Not toda..." His voice petered out as he turned and saw it was just a loud Zabrak warrior from Clan Vrotoa. The Zabrak immediately had his hand on his sidearm, but didn't want to pull it since he could tell Jarven was a friendly and he didn't want to startle him. Jarven lowered his shotgun and they both stared awkwardly at each other for a few long seconds. The man then gave the all clear and Renesri flowed into the room.

"You look beautiful, Ren...and your outfit is also very splendid." He cracked a wide grin at this comment. Somewhere out in the galaxy, Jarven had a feeling that Ren was going to make someone's life very, very happy. Until then, she would grow and blossom into the wonderful woman she was destined to be. He bowed in return and the her teeth made him smile once more. So beautiful and brutal at the same time.

"...Did these boys want to learn too, or are they just an...honor guard?...Anyway, what do you want to start learning about today first, Ren!?" He smiled and leaned against the desk.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Ren's crimson skin darkened around her cheeks when Jarven complimented her appearance. She gestured behind her absent mindedly, "This is my brother, Orluk. He is just here to escort me."

She turned to scowl at the large Zabrak, "And can stop acting like there is someone here to shoot at. So take the goons and go now. You got me here. Bye."

Big Orluk didn't move at first. His gaze moved from Jarven to his sister and back, "Lady Zenva trusts you, Gank. Ren comes to harm while in your care, I'll personal make sure that your death lasts weeks."

The large Zabrak turned away, not really caring if he was answered. When he left the other warriors joined him. As for Renesri, she turned back to Jarven looking nervous and guilty.

"Sorry about him," She offered. "After getting hurt on Makeb, he has been really annoying about keeping an eye on me."

She moved up to the equipment Jarven had laid out for their lessons. Most of the things here she knew how to take apart and reassemble. That was pretty standard teachings for young Zabrak. The actual operation of much of the technology here however, eluded her to some degree.

"I don't know where to start. Where did you start, uncle?"

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

"Ha ha ha...That's great, Orluk. I'll be sure to keep her safe in the middle of the Red Ravens center of power." He said as he watched Orluk leave. That was awkward...and sudden. He turned back to Ren.

Alright. Basics it is, then thought Jarven. "Well, we should probably start with the basis of hacking. Hacking is the illegal entry into someone else's technology. Now, here's the kicker when it comes to all technology...to be able to diagnose and access technology, there has to be a legitimate way into the system. When there is a legitimate way into the system, there is an illegitimate way into that system."

"The basic building blocks of data is code. When it comes to coding or programming, all it really takes is knowing what specifi lines of code mean...and copying and pasting it. When it comes to a network or a firewall, that network/firewall is simply made of code. There's a lot of code involved, whether it focuses on function or security. When it comes to security, there is code put in place to block most outside, unwelcome access. If you can find the right code, you can slip past those blocks...and you have access."

"Applications on your datapad, such as the weather app, GPS, online games, etc., give out so much information. Once you have access, you have it all..."

Jarven turned to the array of technology. A thought came to his mind and he went to get comfortable chairs for the two of them. He then turned back to the tech and started giving her examples. He didn't know whether she was an auditory, visual, or a hands-on learner, so he tried not to talk her ear off so much and he tried to show her examples before he gave her a chance to try it out.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Renesri listened without actually looking at Jarven. Instead she was rolling up her sleeves and picking up gear. If Jarven wasn't paying close attention he might mistake Ren for not listening at all. Already she was finding access ports and panels that could be removed.

Jarven kept talking and Renesri kept moving. Datapads, computer screens, communications gear. Every piece of tech was picked up and tumbled through Ren's nimble little hands. Somewhere during his discussion about different applications that can be added and used, Ren started humming. At last she set down the last piece of equipment, opening a panel as she did.

"Right. So as long as I can get into it physically than I can access it's network, right? I mean as long as I can hock up my own gear to it, right?"

Renesri pulled a datapad from the table. Beyond it's normal jump drive access, the entire back panel had been removed. Renesri showed the back to Jarven, "So all I need to do is plug my network into the technician port here and I can use their back door right? If I can figure out the coding. I guess that's the hard part for me. I've never really written code. I've stolen some."

Her gaze jumped up from the datapad, finding Jarven's, "I mean, borrowed. Totally didn't steal it. Borrowed it, since no one was using it."

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

"Yes, a direct access will give you the best chance of hacking. However, it is possible, albeit much more difficult, to hack wirelessly. That route requires a bit more inventiveness and ingenuity. The problem with the direct physical hack is that you have to get into the right spot to do so, and that usually requires an infiltration. The success of said infiltration depends on their physical security and your skill. If you were to hook up your gear to a computer that's not logged in, you'd have to run an algorithm, such as the Pendleton Starsky algorithm, which will diagnose the key traffic, look for the most typed keys after a long period of inactiviy and before a long period of activity, and keep trying different combinations until it gets a match."

"Once you have access to the desktop, it's a simple matter of downloading your virus, programs, or what-have-yous onto the computer." He stopped talking to walk over to another table, picked up a flash drive and a card, and walked back to her. He presented her with the two presents, saying, "You've come far in such a short time. I'd like to present you a copy of Blue Phoenix (http://starwarsrp.net/topic/49726-blue-phoenix/) and this card. This card contains the contact info and a copy of my personal Ident-Signet for one of the business contacts that I've made here on Antecedent. With this card, you can go to this store and order a mimetic suit (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mimetic_suit) tailored to your dimensions. You don't have to worry about cost. I'll pick up the bill."

He raised the card, "For getting in...". He raised the flash drive, "...For getting it done. There's an instruction and info file inside the flash drive next to the Blue Phoenix program."

"What do you think?"

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Ren took the flash drive and business card, one in each hand. For a moment she simply stared at them her mouth agape. With a shrill cry she threw her arms around Jarven's waist, hugging him with surprising strength, "Thank you! Ahh your the best uncle Jarven!"

She pulled away once more, hopping and spinning in place. "Blue Phoenix is like the best program around. How did you even get it?"

She came to a halt, looking up at the large Gank, "I thought this thing was Cryax Bane's personal program. Isn't it dangerous to use?"

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

(Sorry life got in the way for a minute.)

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

"Yes, it IS dangerous. If I was some kind of Republican saint, I'd probably go on some "Uncle Xen" monologue trip about great responsibility...However, I've seen the size of your sniper rifle, so I think you've got the idea down well enough."

Jarven crossed his arms and leaned against the table as he remembered the traitorous Chiss. "Blue Phoenix was made for use by Red Ravens only when it first came out. I don't know if you knew Cryax Bane all that well, but he was foolish enough to not keep every copy of it under wraps. He might have gotten away with a pretty sum of money and his life, but he made many mistakes during his time here, let alone the night that he made a break for it..."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Ren folded her arms across her modest breast and fixed Jarven with a sarcastic little scowl, "Oh don't feed me that if I was a saint chit, uncle. Lady Zenva might buy that line and not think twice about it, but I know you better than that. Your far to pleased with having clan not to be protective. You drop kicked that Mando jerk before you even knew me so you can't tell me I'm wrong."

She made a face, sticking her tongue out at the Gank before she moved back to the table. She picked up a datapad again, fiddling with the interface. She listened in silence as Jarven spoke of the traitor Cryax.

"I never really knew the guy. Only saw him once or twice. Lady Zenva had respect for him once. She said he is one of the best slicers in history. Of course she doesn't really hang around slicer bars or even use a datapad very often, so I wouldn't put much stock in her opinion on the topic."

Renesri stood the datapad up on the table, "Here check this, make sure I separated it from the casino's network. You are going to show me how to use Phoenix, right?"

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

Jarven had a quiet introspective moment as he stared blankly at the wall and told her, "...I don't know what I am, Ren...Man or monster...bad or good...."

He moved on to more important matters before his introspection became a conversation. Blue Phoenix was simple enough to use, being a program and all, but one could always do with a crash course when using something for the first time.

"Hmmm. We need a target..." Jarven tried to figure out what their target should be...but then thought of something kind of clever and...teacher-ish. "...How about you decide what/who the target should be, Ren? If you're going to get good at this, you're going to have to get used to making the best calls, no matter the situation."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Ren frowned slightly as Jarven all but insulted himself. She threw her little fist against the man's arm, trying her best smile on him.

"I know what you are. Oh yeah. I know exactly what you are. Your way to hard on yourself. Your far to serious sometimes. Your really hairy. Is that like, normal for your kind? Zabrak aren't hairy so it's kinda weird. I mean how does your wife make out with you and not get a mouth full of Gank hair? If it's normal, cool. I'm just trying to figure out if I should make fun of you for it or not."

By now the young woman was grinning like a fool. "Oh and the worst thing you are. Like the absolute worst! I mean makes me gag it's so bad."

She made a few mock vomiting noises. "Your family. Gross. You have a niece like me. Oh gods. So horrible. I would just kill myself before putting up with me."

The youth laughed heartily as she grabbed her new toys. Flash drive and business card both vanished into the top of her blouse, where she would notice well before someone managed to steal them from her. She took one of the datapads from the table and handed it to Jarven before taking another for herself.

"Well then let's go." Ren turned away and started toward the computer lab's exit. "If I'm picking the target than I'm not slicing into Raven's stuff. Way to easy to piss someone off doing that. Let's go find a nice bar and find a better target."

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

Jarven couldn't help but have his spirits lifted. He was grinning foolishly himself when he bantered back at her. "Hairy?!?...I shave...sometimes...."

When she was done fake-gagging, he said, "Oh, I don't know if you'll be singing that same tune when you meet that special someone. But, that won't be for a LONG while, I think..."

When she started packing off and walking away, he grabbed a pair of keys from the nearby wall and said, "Alright, but I'm driving while you pick out a bar."

They walked outside to find a parked Guardian 5E Personal Defense Speeder. Jarven unlocked and keyed for the cockpit to open up. It was kind of small, but not claustrophobically so. It was only meant to seat two people, albeit comfortably. There was some room to stand and crawl around in the cockpit and enough room to easily crawl over and get onto the Guardian E2 Escape Speeder Bike that was berthed in between and behind the two seats.

With a sly smile, he knowingly looked at Renesri and said, "We'll try that out, sooner or later...All depends on when you're ready to learn about infiltration..."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Ren throw her uncle a skeptical look, "Yeah. You shave and I'm the queen of Naboo."

The young woman couldn't help but laugh at Jarven's thoughts about her eventual marriage. "I take it no one has told you. Unless lady Zenva marries and has a suitable daughter, I'm in line to be matron. My husband will be Zabrak so he can shave or not as much as he wants, I still won't be coughing up a beard hairball."

As the pair moved through the casino, Ren became quiet. She kept her head down and tossed covert glances around as they moved.

When they arrived at Jarven's speeder Ren let out a low whistle. "Wow. Nice ride."

She slipped into the passenger seat and scanned the interior. His smart arse comment earned him a scowl. "I know how to infiltrate! That droid on Makeb got the drop on me. I had that Mandalorian dead to rights for a solid two minutes before chit hit the fan."

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

He laughed. Not in a demeaning way, but because she held a different interpretation of infiltrate. "I'm sure that you can crawl through the grass, but I'm talking about going in fast and hard with a small margin of error and sticking a safe landing. You try airdropping onto a ship without setting off it's auto defenses and then you'll get an idea of infiltration..."

As he talked, he kept his hands folded across his chest as he used his piloting implant to wirelessly start up pre-flight checks. The speeder sprung to life, seemingly by itself.

"So, Ren? What skills do you have, exactly? And, besides this hacking business, what else are you going to want to learn?"

When the pre-flight checks showed green across the board, he would lean back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head, and guide the speeder up and away to Synergy Pub, where they had a both fruit and alcohol drinks. The speeder could only manage a moderate amount of speed, but it was always a good idea to try and put her through the paces.

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Renesri jerked back in her seat as though she had been slapped, "Airdrop! Are you nuts? Lady Zenva would kill me before I managed to jump. Aside from that, kark no! I'm not jumping out of a perfectly good shuttle for any reason. Solid ground is just fine with me Uncle."

The speeder thumbed to life and Ren looked around in awe. "Now that's cool. What can't you do with that thing?" She said tapping the side of her head, implying to Jarven's implant.

It only took her a moment to think over his last question. "I don't know. I mean, I've had a rifle in my hands since I was old enough to shoulder fire one. All we did on Iridonia was hunt. You know, stalk pray and such. I mean I went through basic but I focused stealth and marksmanship. Lady Zenva does drills with me sometimes but she says I'm to small to be effective at hand to hand."

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

"Well, this thing is cool and all, but my implant can't interface with a ship design that doesn't have an advanced enough computer system. This speeder is upgraded, so it can interface. Take a starfighter, though, and it likely doesn't have the necessary tech. Oh, and I can't make a good sandwich with this implant." He said that last part with a straight face to see what her reaction would be.

"Well, she may think that you beating your fists against a wooden post over and over will help you learn hand to hand, and she may be right. However, I'd have to say that, because of your stature, you're going to have to learn how to fight dirty. There's plenty of hand to hand weapons that you could learn to fight with. In fact, if you want to get better at infiltration, you might try learning how to use one of these..."

He showed his wrist to her and then quickly flicked one of his fingers in a weird motion. A vamblade quickly extended from his gauntlet, the blade reaching past his fingers. He flicked his finger again and the blade quickly retracted.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Ren let out a snorting little laugh. "I can't make a good sandwich either. Probably because of that whole, it's not meat can't eat it, thing."

Her tone took on an edge of irritation. "I do more then punch a post! We train, like actually train. Practice grappling and locks and such. I keep telling her I need to fight someone less experienced, but..."

Her voice trailed off as Jarven popped his wrist blade out. It flashed about for a moment and was gone again.

"Gods above," the young woman exclaimed, "what the kark was that thing?"

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]

 

[Jarven Zexxel]

"A vamblade. The underworld is constantly thinking up nasty things. All you'd have to do is pop the blade, stab 'em in the gut, pop the blade back in, and pop your hood up, like Zenva, as you walk away from a dying body...Ha! I wonder how you'd react if I showed you blast knuckles."

He took the speeder down and landed on a public landing garage. As he exited, he went around to help Renesri get down from the cockpit. He locked and shut the cockpit as he walked by the parking meter, ignoring it. If he found a ticket on his speeder, he would kick the officer in the shebs and throw him in his own prison. Logic.

"I hope you don't mind some walking." he said to Ren. "It's only a block or so away from here."

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

~Renesri Aylia

Renesri sat for a time trying to recreate the proper roll of the wrist she had seen Jarven use to spring the vamblade. After a few different attempts she turned back to her uncle.

"Ok your not cheating and using your implant for that thing are you? Is it a trigger stud?"

She flicked her wrist again.

"What's blast knuckles? Is that like vibro knuckles, cause Foehammer has those and I wouldn't want to get caught by them. Just sayin."

When the speeder landed, Ren waited for Jarven. Letting him help her down as though she were a proper lady, not a trained killer with a thousand yard reach. She straightened her blouse and brushed nonexistent dust from her pants. She flushed at the whole ordeal but didn't argue against her uncle's chivalry.

"I don't mind walking. These heels will but it's no big."

Ren simply kicked her shoes off and scooped them up. She flashed a quick smile, "Lead on."

[member="Jarven Zexxel"]