Above The Clouds

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Meeting Boon, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"I love you back, baby."

There were no better words to describe his feelings and whenever she asked how he felt then that's the answer that would meet her doubts, Tava was the only person in the galaxy that could tell how Ar'ekk really felt and what went through his mind even in the hardest of times.

Nothing really compared to what they've lived together, knowing each other like the palm of their hands since a very young age that nobody could ever even understand...

"Glad you like this ride. It's a very expensive one so... be careful, huh?" He mused with a grin, clearly being playful about the whole idea of wrecking the airspeeder. Tava had everything under control anyways. "Ready as ever."

Their trip was shorter than expected and he felt really surprised when they came to a sudden stop at their destination, Rena began to wriggle in his lap excitedly and as soon as the doors opened in an upwards motion she weazel'd out to find Boon. The canine was an energetic furball for sure and Ar'ekk loved that, she surely brought a lot of comfort to Tava during his absence and that gave him a peace of mind somehow.

"You think he wants me here?"

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[Tava Del Nove]

Be careful. Expensive. It wasn't so much the airspeeder and it's worth, but rather the cargo that was held in the confines. Tava had looked around then, deep amber eyes falling over the squat building and the neon signs. They watched the direction that Rena darted and followed until she could no longer see the hybrid. She could take care of herself, but a part of the slicer held her breath and would hold it until Boon notified her of the canine's appearance.

"It doesn't matter if he does," not really. Boon could make things difficult- that was a given. However, it was unlikely Del Nove's life in danger because of it. That man did not survive because of rash decisions; his feelings, if there were any, were not deciding factors in his choices. Boon was all business. This, however, did not mean nothing would be said or that she could not feel the heat of his glare from ten city blocks away.

Tava's deep caramel gaze slid to Ar'ekk's and held those hazel-blues. "I want you here. That's what matters, right [member="Arekk"] ...? And you want to be here, yes?" With that, the Coruscanti removed herself from the speeder. "There's a garage just a block up...but come back around from this way," her finger pointed. It would be best if they weren't seen together. At least, initially. A few taps of the whimsy appearing datapad and a wall of information was sent to him, outlining what she was looking for.

Shoulders squaring, the woman took a step back and mouthed be careful and I love you before turning away and heading into the direction of what seemed to be a factory of sorts.

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Meeting Boon, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"I'm not worried about him, believe me. And yes, I obviously want to be here."

At the end of the day, Ar'ekk was already there and nothing could be done about it. If Boon decided to bark at him for no reason whatsoever it really didn't matter because the fallen Jedi would remain either way to back up Tava in whatever she needed and accompany her to her assigned task, whatever that was, and make sure things go smoothly as they should. Hazel-blue eyes lit up as soon as they clashed with the Coruscanti's deep amber ones and a smile surfaced once more almost telling "We'll be alright" without saying anything.

"From over there. Got it." His cybernetic index finger pointed in that very same direction as instructed beforehand, nodding firmly. "Me too, myu vupee. Be careful."

With everything kicked in motion and making sure that Tava left first, the slicer was swallowed by the shadows and moved to the assigned position and waited for the girl to show up and give him the go ahead to finally show face. He would hate to startle someone up and make them have a mini heart attack of sorts, you just never know how someone will respond when scared or when not expecting things.

"Now, now... I hate waiting..."

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[Tava Del Nove]

"What do you mean, the shipment is behind schedule?" the shorter, bulkier of the three said as smoke made cat tails from his dry, chapped lips. "It was already pushed back two days. How behind is behind, Crane?" Because honestly, the boss had very little tolerance and a penchant for being quick to anger. That was where the scar that began just below his right brow and wrapped around his neck to end just at the base of his skull. Mok stuck out like a sore thumb, like a neon sign in gloom of the Underworld. Nothing good came from this particular man being involved. He was more an animal than the dogs he was purchasing and if he had any morals, the slicer had yet to see any.

It had been the first she looked into, given his ever growing rap sheet, when searching for leads on the elusive dog fighting ring. Mok was as dirty as dirty got and his pale icy stare only punctuated just what he was.

"Nove, it's been awhile, doll face."

Not long enough, but she smiled all the same and shrugged in her vest. "The shipment is late, Mok," Tava paused, deep amber gaze tossed from one person to the next and back to ol' blue eyes, "again." She didn't have that cold stare down pat, but the look she often wore shimmered of mystery. There were things she had done, things Mok witnessed and hadn't, but heard of. "What am I going to do with you boys?" With one booted foot in front of the other, her slight frame moved around the three. Del Nove pursed her pretty lips and sucked the air between her teeth. "Timing is what we rely on here, loves... and you know how the boss feels about schedules."

Mok gave no hint of fear, he didn't even smile. "The cargo ran into...some trouble. They lost the first drop, had to double back and wait to be replenished."

As if they were items. That is how he spoke of them and her blood boiled. The only hint of this was a slight flare to her nostrils, revealing her dissatisfaction. This was interesting news though. What could have happened? "How much longer?" both hands dipped into her pockets and she rocked back on her heels in the gravel.

"Estimated time of arrival is expected to be within the hour," the large, blond haired man replied while clasping his hands just in front to rest on his trousers.

With a curt nod, Tava benefited them with a half-cocked smile. "Then I am sure you don't mind a quick walk through and inspection of the holding area and a run through your system logs and checks. If you could lower your firewalls, Mok. Time is of the essence."

It was then, the man flashed just a shadow of some emotion or irritation, but he obliged. "Very well. Seeing as we're behind, we can at least get ahead of the game on this end. The end we can control."

Precisely.

One finger crooked, signaling [member="Arekk"] to reveal his position. Being the celebrity he was, Tava couldn't exactly give him a cover. The Coruscanti merely smirked and only moved forward once her other half was beside her.

Crane inched closer, "This way."

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Meeting Boon, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

Thankfully the meeting had gone without any hiccups and Ar'ekk appreciated the fact that everyone involved wasn't on edge given the circumstances sorrounding the chatter the slicer had been eavesdropping for a few minutes now. Lots of illegal talk that he really didn't care about, not even the slightest of details, only hoping that both himself and Tava could get out of there and wrap everything right away.

The moonlight casted its light against his face yet covering only one side while the remaining one was left in the darkness, a funny thing to witness if you take into account the constant struggle he's had over the past decade trying to regain control of his life and fighting against both dark and the light. Once the signal was given, Ar'ekk made his way over to his lover without muterring a single word or making any sort of movement except tucking on a cancer stick like it'd be the last one.

Meeting the Coruscanti girl's associates and having a glimpse into her less-than-legal life was interesting for a change but he had yet to see anything new from such, most criminals had a lot of things hidden under their sleeves and the ones she had been working with were very cautious in everything they said or did.

"All good?"

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[Tava Del Nove]

The rubble from the older building crunched beneath her rubber sole even though her footing was light and even. [member="Arekk"] and Tava moved through the soft haze of fog the ground area was usually always blessed with. It wasn't as bad as the lower levels- this, at least, you could see more than past your hand if you stuck it out in front of you. In many ways, it dictated the wealth of a being or to which class they belonged; the less fog meant the more money and the closer you were to what was considered corporate elite.

There were exceptions, however. These exceptions usually traversed all the levels of Coruscant, much like Tava Del Nove.

"All good," she replied, glancing from the side to him. What she didn't say, but was already in the information he received moments before, was that he was to do the checks and run through the system logs. Ar'ekk was also to copy every shred of information and finally lace it with a...procured code she had received days prior. Such a code that would not point in her direction or link her in any way, not even in the slightest. This was very important tidbit and would ensure other things move more smoothly.

Oddly enough, this was supposed to have already been done, but everyone seemed to be running behind...the code, the shipment. Tava supposed it was all for the better in that moment. She couldn't have found a better slicer if she'd tried.

Massive metal doors swung open with a cringe and offered the view of a rather large hallway with the bright lights often seen in hospitals. After a few moments and passing several offices, there came an intersection.This would be where they separated again. To say she didn't like the idea of being on opposite ends of the factory was a understatement, but Tava knew he could take care of himself.

The modified blaster pistol holstered at her back exclaimed she could do the same. "Keep me updated, Ar'ekk. We'll meet back here in about twenty."

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Meeting Boon, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"See you soon."

The humidity made things a little more uneasy than he ever hoped they'd ever be and combined with the constant creaking of the old building they had been walking through just didn't help things.

Bright lights were seen not too far away from where they stood but that didn't help with the crappy visibility at the factory though that wouldn't deter the slicer himself to do the job that was asked of him.

Shortly after going in the opposite direction, Ar'ekk moved at a steady pace to find the computer terminal that would give him complete access to the system logs to eventually analyze every bit of data and copy it as instructed by Tava, using the code handed by girl prior to coming here. Connecting was as easy as any other task and transfering the information to a little stick was just a walk in the park too, he would be finished in a few minutes if no red flags popped up.

"Alright, let's see what we have here."

 

[Tava Del Nove]

There was an underlying smell just under the sterile antibacterial notes that clung to the air. It was soft, but metallic. Blood didn't have a smell, not a potent one and not in small amounts. Not to humanoids. The fact that the scent wafted up her nose... even though her senses were more amplified than your average Jane because of her species meant that there had been no small amount not so long ago. The slicer wasn't about to give herself away by questioning the cleanliness though. Instead, she would just observe. For now.

Bright amber eyes moved over the kennels that gleamed in that pristine metal manner as if polished. There were rows of them, stacked two high and twenty long. Eighty per row. Seven rows. Five hundred and sixty cages. Tava was aghast, her bird-like nose flaring, but she continued walking down each row. Surely they didn't fill this room... but why have so many? The numbers were astounding.

The only way to keep these numbers up... a puppy mill. As if the fighting wasn't bad enough. However, that still didn't explain the amount of blood.

Del Nove made a mental note to have [member="Arekk"] look into the security footage once they were tapped in. There may not be.... Her head swung around casually, pools flickering around for cameras.

"It is remarkably clean, boys. I might just have your people contact my people..." she laughed whimsically, even though bile threatened to climb her throat and make an appearance on their very clean floor. "We can head back now." With a waving motion of her hand, Tava moved towards the doors leading back out to the hallway.

"You almost done, Ar'ekk? We're ready." All that was left was the shipment to arrive.

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, Meeting Boon, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

"We're all set."

Every little piece of information was retrieved and encrypted just like Tava had instructed him, throwing a little security measures of his own like adding icing on the cake just for good measure. You just never know if the stick could fall in the wrong hands in the near future and if that happened you wouldn't want to smash your head against a concrete wall because you didn't secure it enough, Ar'ekk learned that the wrong way a few jobs back. Long story...

When it came to security cameras, there were a few of them scattered throughout the place pointing at very specific directions yet nothing noteworthy was being broadcast at the moment but that didn't mean they wouldn't pick something up eventually. Plugging another cable from the terminal into the ports by his neck, Ar'ekk made sure the feed was transferred to the databank which would allow him to get access to the cameras at all times by using the small datapad concealed within his leather jacket.

"If somebody makes a move, we'll know one step ahead."

With that said and done, everything was ready and Tava could proceed as expected though Ar'ekk was still a little on edge. Something didn't feel right to him and usually following that instinct meant that it saved his life countless of times.

Maybe it was nothing...

 

[Tava Del Nove]

"Del Nove, I don't think I have ever had the pleasure..." The voice, like a sweet and thick molasses found her. It was the kind that was rich with poison. With power. Tava fought not to react, but the hairs at the nape of her neck stood and her skin appeared as a freshly plucked bird. In that moment, she was oh so thankful of her leather jacket.

As if on cue, the slicer pivoted in the direction of the voice. Fear echoed in the way her gems flickered when they found no one. Hokey religions... Still, she kept her panic within the fluttering of her heart and out of the words that soon left her mouth, "How very disappointing..." Amber met the scarred man's own and his lips were turned enough to reveal satisfaction. But why? It seemed very few were happy in this moment.

Tava was no Force user- however, she was confident that anyone would be able to feel the darkness that dwarfed the factory that day. Especially [member="Arekk"] .

The whirring sounds of engines revealed the shipment had arrived. A part of her was comforted by the purrs of a metal beast. The other part curious...scared as to what it housed, what it propelled across the Galaxy. "The only pleasure sought is in the knowing of your name."

What she had invited....

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Shipment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

Tick tock.

The security feed's data and live footage was moved to a small datapad of Arekk's choice for easy access in case things took a drastic turn aka a bloodshed occurred, to which the fallen Jedi would definitely want to be closer to Tava if that happened. His K-16 Blaster pistol stirred nervously underneath his leather jacket as he took an advantageous position above their heads, hiding in the shadows ready to exterminate any threats if necessary.

Nothing seemed out of the usual to him as the footage was constantly reviewed, each angle scrutinized heavily to make sure nobody pulled any trickers from under their sleeve. Arekk knew very well that meetings like these could take an ugly turn at any given minute due to the other person's greed or ambition, simply to make a fast credit or two by trying to rob the other party involved.

"Come on, deliver the shipment already. Feth."

He hated when people took too long to deliver or even show the goods, meetings like these should be short and straight to the point but some people liked to do their own little power-tripped monologues to demonstrate who has the bigger cojones 'in the game' or to get you to pay an even more exaggerated price.

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[Tava Del Nove]

A dull thud began, just inside the corners of her eyes that hinted at a headache. The whirring became a ringing in her ears and even though the factory was expansive, covering many meters, Tava somehow felt trapped. As if the very walls were closing in. She swallowed, struggling to regain her composure. In that moment, lit brown eyes searched for A'rekk.

Jaw clenched, the slicer forced a breath and managed a single word, "Enough."

This was some kind of test; one in which she was failing. Or so the raven haired lass thought just before the air seemed to pop. No longer did the area surrounding her feel like a cage. Instead, it felt more akin to an open field. Not a factory, but wind, grass, and wild flowers. It was enough for a sensory overload, never mind that she could breath easily. Del Nove was dizzy with the suddenness of it.

While obviously attempting to regain her bearing, the petite woman wore annoyance well on her heart-shaped face.

"With enough practice, I assure you that our next meeting will meet expectations," The man's voice was confident. Just as confident as the strides he took to finally meet Tava face-to-face. "The shipment is ready to be transferred."

The young woman met his unwavering gaze, "I could have done without the theatrics, Mister...?"

"Loren. Call me Loren."

"Yes, well, Loren, you're late. Exceptionally so. That's twenty-five percent off the agreed amount as per our contract."

The guest moved so close so quickly that she could probably count the hairs of his 5 o'clock shadow. It took quite a bit of nerve for Tava to hold her ground and decidedly just to blink at him, then shift her brow in exclamation. "Is there a problem?"

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Shipment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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[member="Tava Del Nove"] ​

The man that presented himself afore Tava held an abundance of power on his hands just by canvassing him and by the manner he carried himself akin to people that know they're greatly powerful, fingers snapping in a second and Loren could make whoever he wanted to bend a knee except for the woman herself and her beloved that was obnubilating in the dark ready to strike with consummate stealth.

Arekk felt a shiver going down his spine once his hazel-blue pools settled on the hotshot, his robotic hand already reaching into the depths of his leather jacket to grab a 10-inch silver-plated blade from within. A smile formed on his face as his lover defied this mysterious figure by determining the options this arrangement had and the consequences that could be faced by not meeting the previously agreed requirements, bold indeed as she had always been.

Complete silence followed the slicer girl's inquiry to this person, an exchange of wary daggers were shared between the people present at the meeting stop as if the intention was to tense things up and whoever spoke first would "lose" . Exactly what, though? It remained unknown.

Perhaps Loren's intentions weren't as crazy or twisted as Ar'ekk thought? Nobody could be that predictable but yet again this was Coruscant, home to the lowest of the low. The bile of the of the galaxy. Whatever it was, he was ready to spill blood if necessary to get Tava out of there safely.

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[Tava Del Nove]

"Would you be opposed to..." the clicks of his dress shoes were a soft thunder on the dwelling's duracrete floor as he circled wider, albeit granting her some personal space. Space that she hadn't requested verbally, but demanded by her bold stance. "...a 15% decrease in our agreed price today and as an apology...offer ten exclusive hybrids on the next drop?"

Loren clasped his hands behind his back and cast his gaze over his shoulder. Those were the eyes of a predator; bright emeralds surrounded by long, dark lashes that any woman would kill for. They appeared brighter by his deep olive complexion, compelling an audience. In what seemed to be far too many minutes, Tava moved her arm and tapped her cheek as if in thought. How did he know? How would he?

"Exclusive hybrids?" She echoed and dropped her leather sleeved arm to her side. The slicer very well knew their worth and not just in credits. It was a dream deal for her...not for him though. Their monetary worth far exceeded the ten percent. So, why? What was really in it for him? Instead of answering, he strolled to her side while procuring a data pad from the confines of his suit jacket. Stopping a couple steps from her person, he offered Del Nove in real time, video of an enclosed area of woodlands and the very animals he spoke of.

He was probably looking for a reaction and Tava didn't disappoint. Glittered gems flickered up to him while she stepped away, the live feed tugging on her heart strings, taking her attention. Not all of it though and she stole a glance to Arekk. He would know her answer before she said a thing. It appeared Loren did as well. "Seems a lucrative apology."

Both large hands of the man opened and his arms opened to give the appearance of generosity. "I prefer smooth business transactions and I appreciate your care in anonymity." It would have been a great answer had it not been a lie. She could feel it in her bones.

What was she getting herself into? Even as she handed him the pad- a simple exchange, heat ran up her arm. The kind of heat reserved for intimacy. Images flickered across the screen and Tava used that to shake the feeling, zeroing in on the pack's cubs. She fought for her eyes not to widen and instead gave a curt nod. "In the event that you do not produce these exclusive hybrids on the aforementioned date, ZENA corp. will be forced to drop your services and cut investments. Should you agree to these terms, we have a deal."

If there had been any surprise, he didn't reveal it. "Where do I sign?"

"The required documents are being sent to you as we speak. We also require a blood deposit." To that, a hint of curiosity worked his dark brows.

"Now, the current shipment. I expect your team is in the process of bringing them in the warehouse? I would hope so. Enough time has been wasted and we've dawdled enough, Loren." As if on cue, massive crates dropped with thuds and the man moved to watch the transaction come to an end.

"Pleasure doing business, Tava."

Man. She was missing something. Something big.

For now though, home sounded best.

[member="Arekk"]​

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant, The Shipment, The Core Worlds​

"Sometimes, something good comes out of it. Something you know you wouldn't deserve in a million years. Something that gives you a reason to go on."
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​

"Hybrids?"

Nothing but a whisper emanated from the slicer's mouth as he laid his cybernetically enhanced eyes on the datapad, catching all the footage of the enclosed animals with the utmost detail. Arekk did not know how to feel about the deal brought on the table by the mysterious figure that waltzed around his beloved with a chilling confidence, the fact that animals were brought into the mix made him feel reluctant enough; Jyn had requested his assistance all those years ago to liberate some exotic creatures from the claws of a Lithios salesman.

Deep inside, the fallen Jedi turned slicer knew that Tava's intentions were totally different unlike the vendor he had to face to liberate those poor tortured animals. Something felt wrong as if she was getting herself deep into the Krayt Dragon's cave without actually wanting to, as if Loren had played out the winning cards before they were even played. Men like him, mysterious and secretive, had a sole idea in their minds and that was to always become the winners.

Did he want to lead Tava and her men into a trap? To lead her to an unavoidable death but what for, at what extent, what price or why? The underworld worked in many ways the common mind would never be able to understand. Arekk only then decided to evoke his presence from the shadows, his bassy voice echoing on her right side.

"Why these animals in particular, Tava?" He inquired while he watched Loren and the rest of his men leave, eyes calculating every step and movement with perfect precision. "Why more than usual?"

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[member="Tava Del Nove"]​