Private A Killer Bureaucracy

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

A Killer Bureaucracy
Aftermath of the Assault on Kampe and fight with Darth Defias ​

The light freighter drifted towards The Solidarity - a space station set up above KIffu to offer logistical support in the relief efforts following the Mandalorian attack. A few grievous scorch marks digging deep into the hull plates could be found by its rear and the long range communications were damaged beyond repair. Two individuals laid unconscious in the cockpit, one bashed up against the back wall with a blaster in hand, the other - armed with a knife - in a puddle of rosé and shattered glass. The peaceful hum of an exhausted hyperdrive was disrupted by the persistent buzz of the short range comms. Eventually, emergency protocols kicked in and allowed for an override

"Eniala DS 3644-8164, come in. This is Captain Kromb of the Kiffu Planetary Defence Force, please respond."

Equipment malfunctions distorted the woman's voice heavily

"Eniala DS 3644-8164, come in." she continued, hailing the ship as her corvette kept creeping closer.

"Eniala, please stand by" she spoke with a sigh "I am sending a team over for a welfare check. It should just be a moment, keep the airlock clear and stow any and all weapons. We apologise for the inconvenience."

Inside the light freighter, time seemed to be standing still as everything laid dormant and silence had returned after the final message from Captain Kromb. It was not until the other ship arrived that things started to happen. The tip of the other freighter could be seen through the viewport and a docking bridge was extended to connect the two ships with a series of eight powerful thuds as the coupling was secured. A puff of smoke was ejected from the docking bridge before green lights lit up along its inside. Soon after, the doors of the boarding ship opened with four unmasked troopers stepped through, professional and with holstered weapons.

Three powerful fisted knocks could be heard from the airlock along with a muffled "Hey, we're here for the welfare check. Your ship looks pretty well beat up. Can you get the airlock opened for us?" No response from the Eniala would be offered. A few more knocks and patient requests would follow until "Alright, we'll make a forced entry under the Security for Space Travel Act, 5:14. Just stay calm and we'll be with you in a moment."

It would not be long until the airlock was breached by a methodical disassembly from the outside. The four marines stepped in while an engineer was summoned to reassemble the airlock. The careful search that followed would soon end: Most rooms were cleared and two individuals could be found in the cockpit. In teams of two, the officers rushed up to the ship's inhabitants and tossed the weapons away. As his colleagues checked for life signs the first radioed back "Captain, we've got two humans or near-humans unconscious but alive in the cockpit. Please send a medical team."

He then crouched down by the male and injected him with a small dose of bacta before tapping his face a few times with a gloved hand "Sir, can you hear me? Are you injured? Can you tell me your name?"

As the questions were asked, Ines was given the same dose of bacta to wake her up. Presumably, they would be giving her the same questions - but for now, the officer's attention was focused on Defias.

 

[Darth Defias]

A large bear-like paw pounced the lieutenant's wrist, the grip unyielding as that of a shark's jaw threatening to crack the man's vambrace. With a startled gasp, the marine recoiled but tumbled flat on his face, unable to liberate his seized hand.

"Hey! Let him go!" another marine called out, instinct made him take a step back and aim his rifle at Defias. The Sith's delirious mind refused to obey but his body relented, releasing the lieutenant's hand. The initial galvanizing jolt of the bacta evaporated as it spread evenly across his body's bloodstream. Exhaustion took a hold his body, its weight unbudging to Defias' stubborn commands. With a groan, he pulled his back up against the wall. Bloodshot eyes glanced at the four marines looming over him and... the agent--alive! He scoured his surroundings for his vibroblade but it was gone, as was his sword. Most likely captured by the soldiers.

The sound of footsteps from the other side of the freighter heralded the arrival of a medical team composed of two. Their hurried stride was cut short by the lieutenant's raised fist, his vexed gaze lingering on Defias. Suspicion, fear even, rolled in waves from the officer's form; waves Defias dove into, feeding the dark side's hunger and slowly restoring his sapped strength.

"We are going to need some explanation from you. Who are you? And what the hell happened here?" the officer commanded, but all he received in return was Defias' slow rise back to his feet. The Sith remained silent. A calculative shade over his weary gaze. Could he take them on? Finish it quick, kill the agent, then depart with the data?

While he mused over the smaller picture, the agent had stirred to life. One of the marines had remained kneeling by her as the rest of his comrades fixated on the large, dark-robed threat.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

A Killer Bureaucracy
Aftermath of the Assault on Kampe and fight with Darth Defias ​

Small signs of the woman waking up could be seen. Eye movement of increasing intensity could be seen behind the closed lids, her brows furrowed and small groans could be heard. The Marine by her side - seemingly professional enough and with good enough discipline to focus on her and ignore the disruptive man - put a hand on her shoulder to shake her lightly "Ma'am? Ma'am, are you alright?"

Ines started to process the information she received whilst making sure to offer signs of regaining consciousness at a slower pace. It was not until after she heard the marine in lead ask for an explanation that her eyes slowly opened, making a quick scan for body cams. Fortunately, there were none. She proceeded to let out a small grunt as seemingly dazed eyes looked around the room. With a slight movement of the arm, she dipped her fingers in the puddle of rosé on the floor. Upon trying to sit up more upright, she suddenly stopped as she stopped herself from wincing in pain and instead tried to seem to weak to do it instead. Her eyes momentarily shot down to where the stun bolt had hit. She then braced herself to look unphased as she gave it another try.

The marine who knelt by her put his hands on her sides and helped her get seated up right with a light lift. With a subtle wiggle, the tank-top which had previously been tucked in came loose. "Ma'am, are you okay? I with the KPDF. You were unconscious when we arrived."

Ines nodded and brushed her hand through her hair to turn the tight ponytail into a looser and more casual one with a few strands of hair falling out of it. Meanwhile, the rosé would alter its texture a little. What followed was a nasal, feminine and obnoxiously posh Coruscant accent "I'm good, thanks"

After first offering the marine laze smile and a grateful look, her eyes shot to the drawn weapon and the Sith and exclaimed "For goodness sake, no" as she started to shuffle back up to her feet, soldiering through the pain and making sure it wouldn't show to the marines.

"Please, stay wh-" the Marine in charge of caring for her tried to keep the two separated but the girl didn't let herself be stopped and skillfully managed to slip through his grip and get to the sith.

As if trying to protect a pet, she swept right in between him and the pointed rifle. She put her back close to him whilst letting her arms shoot straight out to make herself larger. However much larger the arms made her wouldn't matter too much however, for her frame was dwarfed in front of his. "Don't hurt him" she pleaded, eyes looking to the weapon with fear.

Instead of showing signs of aggression, the marine's expression remained relatively still whilst his weapon lowered slightly. It seemed to bolster the seemingly rich kid who's fear turned into a simmering righteous outrage. The subtle shift could be seen in her eyes and her emboldened words"Just don't. I don't want your gun in my face, okay?"

A flash of annoyance could be seen in the main Marine's face before he turned on his professional demeanour like flipping a switch. "Apologies, we did not mean to threaten anyone, but we will act to ensure the safety of every officer. For a moment, it looked like your friend was making a move."

The posh girl rolled her eyes and let out an outraged breath. "Look..." the combative way in which the word was uttered was unmistakeable. From the way the Marine's reacted, it was clear that this was not quite the right way to go. Ines could obviously see it - and so could the Coruscanti girl. She took a deep breath and raised her chin high and tried again: The nasal poshness remained, but much of the attitude was pushed aside "Look, Remal's a refugee, he's been through hell. He's just a bit on edge, okay? I'm sorry if I was rude, I just want to feel safe on my own ship, okay?"

Her eyes caught the Marine's skeptical but softening glance as the weapon kept being lowered slowly. She turned around and looked up to the SIth's eyes hovering high above her and put one hand on his chest and the other by his elbow "Remal, see? We've reached The Solidarity, by Kiffu, just like we talked about. You're safe now. These people, they won't hurt you, okay?"