About The Base

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Well, at least she had more balls than the usual Padawan. A run-of-the-mill padawan would probably have whined the entire trip about how unfair it was and how he shouldn’t have been so fast with the ship all the way through.

Was that respect? Probably not, but maybe some lingering form of acknowledgement, who knew?

"Wait up." Locke said before she could step out. "Eat this, before we go, because otherwise your stomach is gonna turn on itself halfway through the trip."

Couple of dry crackers were passed on over. They wouldn't inspire the kind of nausea that other types of food did after twenty barrel rolls. That is what they were made for, after all, to get something in your system real quick, even though it was recoiling against that idea.

Once she was done, he'd step out. The cowl helped... marginally so, but the textile wasn’t gonna last long.

Already Elly could make out parts where the fabric was thinner than it had any right to be.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

She looked dully at the crackers, then back at him. It was the last thing she wanted but probably the first thing she needed. "Thanks," she whispered but couldn't quite do it. She compromised by taking a nibble of one and stuffing the rest in her pocket.

One good thing about the cloaks. Pockets.

The cloaked Mirialan walked with Mister Locke in relative silence. Acid dirt kicked up around her boots and every now and then a little sliver of exposed skin just above her ankles. It was getting her hands too, no matter how much she tried to ball them into tiny fists beneath the sleeves. Teeth grit and she continued to bare it.

Wasn't long before they ended up at the base of one of the jagged mountains. A trail well traveled lead up the winding path. Acid-burned hand pointed. "Up there. If we find the senator. How will we get him back to the ship?"

The thought just occurred to her. Most politicians weren't kmow for being hardy souls.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

The rain clattered against his robes, but the fabric couldn't be everywhere at once and soon enough his skin was starting to burn like it was out of style. He gritted his teeth and kept the hissing to a minimum, at the end of this he'd need a gorram spa date with a bacta tank, which he wasn't looking forward to.

His skin itched so much after a trip like that.

"Unsure yet." Locke admitted, while trying to make sure the drips of rain didn't get in his eyes. It was one thing if his skin was getting burn marks, but quite another to be karking blinded on this trip.

They should have gotten goggles.

"We should have gotten goggles." But there was little chance of that now. A wonder they didn't even consider it an option- wasn't their fault, he supposed.

This entire mission had been planned out on the fly.

"How you holding up? Stomach okay, acid rain not keeping you down?"

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

Hooded-head cocked a sideways glance at her partner. That's what they were, right? Mission partners. "I'm fine," teeth grit. She wasn't about to complain. The empath could pick up on little waves of pain from Mister Locke as well. They had to get up this path. Looked like the acid rain had lightened with elevation.

"Let's just," voice trailed off as the dust kicked up down the mountain.

A black speeder, clearly outfitted to last within the acid rain was speeding toward them. The cult symbol was painted on the side. Muscles tensed and she quickly changed her posture to something more...repentant.

Looks like they were getting a welcome party.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Locke's entire posture shifted from one second to the other.

It was surprising how fast it went. His shoulders slouched, head hung low as those blue eyes stared from beyond the strands of hair and cowl at the approaching speeder. His hands were now gone into the folds of his blackened sleeves, in a priest-like fashion. If Sollo was paying attention, she -- with her special empath skills -- would notice that even his emotional state shifted.

From wildly deviant and free, to... something entirely else.

This was what he did best. Few people knew how much issues Elly had with his own identity, after every infiltration he had to keep reminding himself of his name, look into the mirror and see himself. There were a couple of instances, where he simply didn't know who he was anymore.

But Elliot hadn't ever had the pleasure of dealing with an empath who could cut right through all that and see it working, had he?

"The story begins." Locke hissed through his teeth to her, even his voice sounded different. Creaking like old, shallow wood left outside in the rain too long.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

Two zabraks got out. Interesting to see so many aliens. But it made sense if it was a sith cult. Stereotypes. They weren't wearing skimpy robes, apparently those were just for the initiates, like them.

The black and red Zabrak approached first with a wicked grin on his face. He elbowed his buddy.

"Looke 'ere. Two new recruits. Perfect. Come one and let's get you lot out of this acid. Wouldn't want to ruin your skin too much if you become the temple servants."

Slave was implied.

"Specially that one," he eyed Taheera's form beneath that robe. It was a wonder he could even tell she was a woman with how bulky those things were. Head twitched. It was hard for her not to shoot Locke a sideways glance.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

It was instinctive.

Locke didn't even know Sollo all that well, but there were two kinds of people who joined the military. Those who had an innate desire to dominate and those who had the urge to defend those who could not defend themselves. Surprisingly enough the Agent was in the latter group. That was the reason why he suddenly threw all the stories out of the window and assumed a different persona... with some little adjustments here and there.

His shoulders turned back, spine straightened out and a nasty grin spread tugging at his mouth.

The agent stepped in between Sollo and the black-red-zabrak.

"Appreciate it." A gruff voice, like old metal bend, but never broken. Rusted at points. Still sharp enough to cut your throat. "Wife and I heard about the movement back on 'Shaddaa."

Accent adopted from the old Corellian sector.

"Got enough cutting throats for pennies, figured we'd take a step up, right?" His voice rose as he called over his shoulder to Sollo.

Mossy eyes never left the Zabrak, though. They were the eyes of a killer sizing up its prey.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

If the Zabrak was surprised by Locke's sudden action, he didn't show it. "Oh. We've got some trained fighters, then 'eh? Hard to tell under all that rucksack. And just so you know, this is a group that shares," he gave one last lingering leer over Locke's shoulder before motioning to the back of the speeder.

"I wouldn't try it, and it's not my husband you have to worry about," she piped up, stepping to the side of her mission partner. Shoulders tried to square. Her size didn't help her look intimidating but maybe something in her tone did. The zabrak gave a low, throaty chuckle.

"Feisty, I like it. Come on." His partner was already starting the vehicle up. A silent look passed between her and Mister Locke, as she slipped into the vehicle. It would be a winding, ride to the top. Quick because they were no longer walking. Sitting in the back, sleeve slipped up along her wrist, exposing the raw and bubbled skin where the acid rain made contact.

She just hoped the senator was here and still alive.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

The only thing that was gonna be shared was the end of his knife down the seventh rib.

Elly nodded to Sollo, as she shared a look with him. He needed to get himself under control. Usually, very usually, he was alone on these missions. It meant that he could... let go, to a degree. Be the character he needed to be for the moment. But that wasn't an option right now.

Not with a Jedi breathing down his neck, even if this one was an alright one.

So, Locke had to play a murderous killer-for-hire without actually playing it too well... well, this was going to be a fun one, wasn't it? The SIS agent leaned against the vehicle's interior. Parts of the robe were burned through, red and red on white, it didn't hurt much, but that was because of the adrenaline rushing through his systems. It was gonna be a heavy comedown tomorrow.

Then he noticed the burns on Sollo's arm. He looked over to the zabraks, who were busy chatting loudly about some initiation fun they were gonna have. Elly scowled, but ignored it for now, just patted Taheera's knee for a brief second. Trying to keep her steady in the here and now.

Tough luck, kid, you are in the big leagues now.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

Myrtle-ellipses remained glued to their surroundings as they traveled. She barely noticed Mister Locke's reassuring touch at her knee. But she felt it in his emotions. The empath and healer spared him a glance. Lips momentarily turned upwards, as if to say 'I'm with you and we'll get through this.'

Even though he'd taken on the protective roll, she knew if it came down to it, she wouldn't let anything happen to him. It was her role as a protector and healer. As a force-user. Maybe she'd help quell some of the nasty stereotypes he had of jedi, or so she hoped.

It wasn't long before the speeder stopped under a hidden hangar bay built within the rocks. Would've been nice to know about....

They were ushered out and brought into another large, canyon-like room. There were other initiates there, as if waiting for some cue to begin. There were also other merc-type folks and others dressed in rags. Chestnut-haired head remained on a swivel, looking to see if any of those faces matched the senator's.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Archie, short for Archibald. He had always hated that name. Got a temper on him. Lad's got a demon in him, they often said on the streets, but that was just talk, right. He didn't do much as they stepped out of the vehicle and walked. His hand was itching, but it usually was right before a fight.

No.

Stay focused.

Fighting right now wouldn't help anyone, especially by the looks of the half a dozen other acolytes and the four who seemed more capable. Mercenaries who just wanted to get paid in more than just cash for their business? Possibly. There wasn't a sign of the senator, but Elly didn't expect to see him now. Guerriro was a bargaining chip for these guys. They had ambition, at least the ring leaders did.

That was where their missions were separate.

Sollo was here to save the senator and that was a side-objective for Locke. For him? Command needed him to take out the ring leaders, before they grew into something more than just a little enclave on an acid-raining planet. The SIS was a force that tried to do good, but sometimes... when you wanted to do some good, you needed to do some bad. Like assassinating an inner-circle of cultists on foreign soil without an official mandate.

Silvers would probably be pissed if they found out or Mandalorians, that was gonna be fun.

"Let us begin." The voice cut through his thoughts and Elliot looked up, there was a Rodian now on the elevation near a chair and hooded. He seemed more serious than the jokers who brought them in.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

The Zabrak kneeled before the rodian and when bidded, he stood, bowed, and whispered something in his ear. He quickly stepped away as the rodian waved his hand. Fingers clasped beneath the long sleeves of the cloak.

"You are all here because you were called. By the force." The rodians hood rested on Taheera and Elliot for a beat longer than the others. "But whether you remain will be up to you. Not all who come to serve...survive. Are you prepared to give your life for the cause?"

Immediately, the other recruits bowed and chanted a 'yes.' Her own knees bent. Couldn't break character now. She just hoped Mister Locke would do the same.

"Let your initiation begin."

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Archibald did not bow easily.

Knees buckled, rain on the mossy tiles of the alleyway, there was blood on the wall. A knife glittered in the moonshine as it lay discarded from the scene. He hadn't been expecting the left fist coming up and knocking him down. Only one request, bow and profess your loyalty, then you are in.

Archie knelt.

But this was a different situation. Locke blinked and found himself bowing, whispering the words alongside the other recruits, while taking little peeks from protection of strands of hairs hanging in front of his eyes. Two acolytes -- he assumed they were acolytes -- entered the hall from one of the side entrances. They were carrying an ornate bowl between them. Big, unwieldy and the markings seemed to glow lightly in the darkness.

Elliot suppressed the need to exchange a look with the Jedi next to him, but he hoped she was seeing what he was seeing. As it was placed in the center of the room... he could clearly see red shining within the bowl.

Blood?

That did not bode well.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

Chestnut-brows lofted and even though the robe was scratchy, and well, the worst, she was thankful for that one particular feature. It hid her facial expression when she saw the bowl of blood. One by one, they were given the command to rise. The man to her right, was ushered up first. He approached the rodian and held out his wrist, willingly.

The rodian, who seemed to be running this crack-show, took out a blade of steel.

Where the frex had that come from?!

There was a warning in the force. And for a moment, she saw the rodian's eyes flash yellow. The darkside oozed from him as the knife came down and slit the man's wrist. He yelped but didn't cringe away as blood seeped from his gaping wound and into the bowl.

As a healer, she cringed.

A hot, iron rod was brought forth and the man was ushered to the side, blood leaving a trail behind him. A door opened and he disappeared with the goon that was carrying that rod. Then there was his scream. And just as quickly, she found herself being ushered forward.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

He kept the peace.

What was Locke gonna do? There were about ten score acolytes lining the walls and about the same number of hopefuls who wanted to be here. These people weren't abducted and held here against their will, not like the senator. They wanted to be part of this shindig. Meant that if he stepped in now, they'd have to fight through about a score of bodies.

In the meantime the leader would escape, probably with the senator in tow.

Stay the course, Locke, see it through. Girl's a big girl, Jedi to boot. She will probably cry less than you will, by the look of that gorram knife.

"I hope they sanitized it." Elly glibbed softly to his right side, where a big-eyed Cathar was just staring back at him, before looking back at the girl being led to the bowl. Tough crowd.

Then the SIS agent noticed that the cultist guiding the previous acolyte-to-be to the other room had not actually returned. Then, he noticed that there were about the same amount of would-be-acolytes as actual acolytes. This presented opportunities, depending on how the other room would look like. If they were gonna be led into a different room once they got there and their wounds were burned out...

I have no idea how this Jedi-crap works, but if you can hear this. Locke tried to think very hard at the back of Sollo. I am reasonably sure every acolyte-to-be is assigned one cultist. If so, things got a bit easier now.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

She didn't know how it worked. She felt that nudge in the force and it was like her ears popped. Inner ear? She could hear Mister Locke's voice inside her head. She was just glad he hadn't charged forward.

They had to follow this through.

She shouldn't have been worried, though. He was a professional. Maybe the Alliance did know something when they'd matched the two together for this mission. She gave him a subtle nod.

Sleeve went back. Hood fell off her chestnut haired-head. The knife glinted and slashed down her exposed green wrist. She winced but didn't cry out. The girl could take pain.

Like the other, she was quickly lead away as Locke was lead forward. Blood dripped down her arm, and she now knew why the robes were black. She gave Mister Locke one last glance over her shoulder before a door closed between them.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Didn't take too long for his turn to come.

Locke didn't wait for him to be pushed so he'd stumble into the center. That wasn't his role here. Archie didn't stumble, Archie strut, walking with a peacock's swagger onto the metaphorical podium wherever he went. It was part of his appeal. Part of why people looked up to him, even when he was a cut-throat arse who drank too much for his own good and then some.

Something about uncaring confidence and all that.

"Alright, let's get this over with." The Rodian twitched and cocked his head in curiosity, but then just beckoned for his arm. Elly pulled up the sleeve of his robe and for a moment the cultist paused.

That were a lot of scars, white against the tanned hide of his skin, jagged and ugly at portions.

There was simple silence. Locke wasn't gonna push his luck too much. A beat and then the uglier knife came out again, its edge passing over the skin and making it bleed and bleed some more. The SIS agent didn't even blink, frowning slightly, before following one of the acolytes into the side-room without sparing a second glance at the Rodian.

There was work to be done.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

The empath felt Locke's pain for a moment. She wasn't worried and the side door of the room she shared with the follower opened to admit him and his 'escort.' One on one. Not bad odds.

A heated iron was brought forward. It was pressed to her green skin where that cut had been and made a sickening hiss. Concentration lapsed for less than a half of a half of a second. She didn't yelp in pain but her hidden force signature flared to life before she could quickly bottle it up again.

FREX.

Worried eyes caught Locke's gaze then traveled to the door. 'I'm in trouble,' she silently mouthed. But so far, nothing happened. Not yet.

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

Locke was as force sensitive as a dead mudlark.

That was to say, not force sensitive at all, so he didn't catch Sollo's signature flashing. But that wasn't necessary this time around. Mostly because those eyes screaming out at him and her word-mouthing was all he had to know. The jig was up. It helped that his acolyte had taken the door first, his hand was already on his saber. Maybe he was force sensitive himself and had felt Sollo's indiscretion.

Didn't matter much to Archie who had just been waiting on being released.

He stepped up, as gentle and silent as a sweet whisper. It was natural. No thoughts were spared on it, as Archie's arm locked itself around the acolyte's neck and twisted just right.

Cruel snap sounded, but Archibald wasn't done. His hand found the saber as the acolyte started his collapse -- it wasn't his weapon, he doubted he could do anything with it, but hopefully Sollo could.

"Hero." The saber was thrown, hopefully the other cultist would be completely perplexed, giving her an opportunity to snatch it.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Elliot Locke"]

Myrtle-ellipses widened slightly as Mister Locke moved. Really moved. He wasn't force sensitive, at least, what she could tell but he moved with the speed and precision of a force user. It was clear he didn't need a weapon. He was a weapon himself. She grimaced. Reminded her a little of Val.

The other acolyte guide was already coming toward her, or maybe going to stop Locke. Hand gripped a blaster from beneath the folds of his robe. Fingers enclosed around the cylindrical hilt that Locke threw. The acolyte's finger pressed down on the trigger as an orange blade erupted to life in her hands.

A look of surprise flashed on the acolyte's face as the kill bolt rebounded back and buried itself into his shoulder. He went down. The healer's teeth grit. She scooped up the blaster and lobbed it to her mission partner.

"Can you block the door somehow?"

She could just picture the look on the Rodian's face now. He'd come for her soon. She knew he could sense her. Thumbing the blade off, she knelt by the acolyte's injured body - the one she'd kinda just shot. Sorta.

"Tell me where the senator is. Tell me and I can take some of your pain away." Hand hovered over his wound as she let a smidge of healing energy be released. Probably not the same type of interrogation tactics Mister Locke was used to seeing.