First Reply [Bounty Hunter] An Old Friend

[Nyxira Valis]

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The storm over Dromund Kaas raged with a relentless fury, as if the very planet echoed the tempestuous will of the Sith who had claimed it. Crimson lightning split the sky, casting jagged shadows across the towering spires of Kaas City. The ever-present storm lent an oppressive weight to the air, but for Darth Nythera, it was invigorating. Her violet eyes glowed faintly as she gazed out from a high balcony of a Sith stronghold, her dark cloak rippling in the wind.

The message had been sent. A simple missive, circulated through the networks that only the most skilled bounty hunters would have access to. It spoke of a lucrative contract, a challenge worthy of only the most capable. No details of the target were provided in the message, only an address: a nondescript stronghold deep within Kaas City.

Nyxira turned from the balcony, stepping into the dimly lit interior of the chamber. It was sparse, functional — designed for precision rather than comfort. A single chair stood at the center, facing a wide desk that bore a map of the galaxy, faintly glowing with data readouts and marked locations. On the far wall, a faintly glowing holoprojector awaited activation, ready to display the bounty details when the right hunter arrived.

Her gaze settled on the holoprojector as she moved to stand beside the desk. There was a deliberate rhythm to her movements, a calculated elegance that concealed the storm of thoughts behind her sharp, angular features. This was no ordinary bounty she was offering, nor an ordinary target.

Kahlil Noble , or rather, Kahlil Zambrano as she once knew him. A Jedi now, but she could not look at him that way. He was a figure of intrigue from her past that she couldn't quite let go.

Her lips curved into a faint smirk, though her violet eyes remained cold, their glow flickering like distant embers. The storm outside roared, a fitting reflection of her mood. She had chosen this path with care, and now all that remained was to see which hunter would answer the call. A Jedi's trail was not easily followed, let alone captured, and for the challenge ahead, only the best would suffice.

She moved to stand by the chair, her hands clasped lightly behind her back. The holoprojector remained dormant for now, waiting. The storm raged on, and Nyxira's smirk returned, sharp as the crimson lightning outside.

She would find him, one way or another.

First reply.
Open to bounty hunters who work with Sith.​

 

[Eivii]

Outfit: Durasteel Armor
Weapons: Slugthrower Rifle | Blaster Pistol

Eivii had landed the Shadowkiss in the shadow of the stronghold as flashes of lightning illuminated the skyline of Kaas City. She emerged from the mundane appearing Light Freighter to the pitter-patter of rain against its hull and her durasteel armor. She wore it to the meeting more to safeguard anonymity for the sake of both herself and the client.

Sith could be. . .prickly, but the sum was right and, through the grapevine, it sounded like this client's bite matched her bark. Eivii caught only a silhouette on the balcony before they stepped into the stronghold.

Here's to a fruitful working relationship Eivii thought to herself as she stepped into the imposing structure.

The chiss bounty hunter walked worldessly and gracefully through the hall. She wouldn't let something as small as poor etiquette ruin this contract. Decorum seemed important, considering the environment. The holoprojector flicked on with the contract details just as she first saw it - and through the contract was the tempestuous silhouette of the client.

Nyxira Valis​

 

[Nyxira Valis]

​

The sound of armored boots against stone echoed faintly as Eivii was escorted through the stronghold by a pair of crimson-clad guards. Their presence was more ceremonial than threatening, a reminder of the authority held by the Sith Lord who awaited her. The winding halls of the fortress were stark, illuminated by faint crimson lighting that seemed to pulse in time with the storm outside.

The guards led Eivii to a wide, imposing door, its surface engraved with Sith runes that glimmered faintly in the dim light. One of the guards stepped forward, activating the control panel with a sharp motion. The door hissed open, revealing a dimly lit chamber that seemed to hum with restrained power.

At the center of the room stood Darth Nythera.

Her dark cloak framed her tall figure, the faint glow of her violet eyes cutting through the gloom like twin embers. She was an imposing presence, her sharp features illuminated by the soft light of the holoprojector at her side. As Eivii stepped into the room, the guards lingered at the threshold, leaving the two women alone.

"Welcome," Nyxira said, her voice smooth and low, carrying the weight of authority. She gestured faintly to a nearby chair positioned opposite the wide desk, its surface bearing the flickering image of a galactic map. "Please, sit."

Her movements were deliberate, graceful as she crossed to a small side table where a decanter and two glasses sat waiting. She poured a dark, amber liquid into both glasses, the faint scent of spice and warmth filling the air. Picking up the glasses, she moved to the desk and placed one before the chair offered to Eivii.

"Something to take the edge off," Nyxira said, the faintest hint of a smirk curving her lips. She moved to her own seat, settling into it with a fluid motion and placing her glass before her. "The storm on Kaas has a way of fraying nerves — though I suspect you're no stranger to these conditions."

Eivii​

 

[Eivii]

Outfit: Durasteel Armor
Weapons: Slugthrower Rifle | Blaster Pistol

The bounty hunter nodded to return the greeting. She removed her durasteel helmet, revealing a tightly wound, high bun that held her hair in place underneath. She hung her helmet on her belt and scanned the client up and down with her fully scarlet eyes, now clear of the visor.

The Sith Lord motioned for Eivii to sit; Eivii did so with no reservations and accepted the spiced wine without any reservations.

A slight smirk, Eivii noted. The client was confident, comfortable. A good start - none of the typical red flags from jumpy clients and the environment showed the Sith Lord could afford the contract payment - or at least put up enough creds for a facade of wealth.

"Why, thank you - a client with a sense of hospitality, how refreshing."

Eivii lifted the glass from the table to her lips, tasting the red liquid at her lips but sipping immediately. A few minutes would prove if any burning or numbing sensation revealed any poison, though Eivii heavily doubted it. She needed a clear head to review the contract anyway, she could indulge later.

"While the storms here are singularly unique, frayed nerves are no excuse in this line of work,"

Eivii returned with a professional smile. In truth, there was a healthy caution when meeting any client, especially force users. Besides, even if the client wanted her dead for any reason, a sith lord had six ways from Skywalker to make it happen. Poisoned wine was the least of her concerns.

Not that Eivii needed any coercion. The pay was certainly right, though - but one thing did itch at the back of her mind.

Why all the foreplay?

A remote contract would suffice if this was a simple quiet kill, and the client was certainly equipped to wipe clean any nuisance - with her guards if not herself directly.

Eivii's gut told her she was being schmoozed - buttered up because the job will be a tall order. It certainly explained the lack of details up front. Perhaps this was a test - which meant Eivii had to present herself as both confident and reliable.

Eivii folded one leg over the other, meeting Darth Nythera's gaze over the rim of her glass.

"Regardless, your measure was right - I'm no stranger to stormy skies and tricky situations."

Nyxira Valis​

 

[Nyxira Valis]

​

Nyxira's faint smirk deepened as she observed Eivii's measured confidence. The Chiss bounty hunter presented herself well — professional, composed, and perceptive. Exactly the sort of individual Nyxira needed for this delicate undertaking. She leaned forward slightly, her violet eyes glowing faintly as they locked onto Eivii's scarlet gaze.


She gestured toward the holoprojector, and with a flick of her fingers, it activated. A faint image flickered into view, slowly resolving into the figure of a man: tall, composed, draped in the robes of a Jedi Master. His expression was one of calm determination, his presence unmistakable even in holographic form.

"This," Nyxira said, her voice hardening slightly, "is your target. Jedi Master Kahlil Noble ." Her tone carried a faint, almost imperceptible edge of something personal, though she masked it well.

She let the image linger for a moment before continuing. "This is not an assassination contract. I am not seeking his death. What I require is information. I want his location, his patterns, and his allies. I want to know where he goes, who he meets, and how he operates. Where he lives. Your job is to find him and report his movements to me."

Nyxira leaned back in her chair, her smirk softening into a more contemplative expression. "However, should you find an opportunity to capture him — intact — I will pay you handsomely for your efforts. Jedi Masters are notoriously slippery, and I would not ask such a feat of anyone but the most skilled. But if you succeed, the reward will more than compensate for the challenge."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, her tone taking on a note of quiet intensity. "Be warned: this task is not for the faint of heart. Kahlil Noble is no ordinary Jedi. He is among the most powerful of his kind."

Eivii​

 

[Eivii]

Outfit: Durasteel Armor
Weapons: Slugthrower Rifle | Blaster Pistol

So there's the catch.

The need for privacy and a third party became clear - Intel on a Jedi and potentially a kidnapping, but certainly no killing. Measured as the Nyxira may be, the job details alone belied the personal nature of the request. What the Sith intended to do with the Jedi Eivii did not need or care to know, probing such details are how you cut your life short as a Merc.

The target was high profile. The Shield of the New Jedi Order, husband of the Grandmaster. Surface level details Eivii could recall - her experience operating in Alliance Space wasn't that distant of a memory.

"I'm familiar with the name. A tall order - but no taller than the price. I'll get enough to monitor him, but it could take some time."

Eivii pondered which connections she could still rely on, hashing out a beginnings behind her vibrant eyes.

"Absolutely no killing of the target, kidnapping only if a clean opportunity arrives - he is to be intact and, I assume, unharmed. Any other operational conditions I should account for?"

Eivii leaned back, growing more relaxed as she plotted, engaged moreso with the scheme than analyzing the client now that the request was known.

"Friends, family, loved ones - are they fair game to 'leverage'? Tends to be the most common soft spot for Jedi"

The easiest way to get a Master - level Jedi to comply was with hostages they were attached to, but that was dangerous - they were just as likely to turn rabid the moment they thought they thought they were fully cornered.

It was a hell of a catch, to be certain.

Nyxira Valis​

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk softened slightly as she considered Eivii's questions, her violet eyes glinting with a mix of approval and sharp calculation. The bounty hunter's instincts were sound, her grasp of the situation promising. Nyxira appreciated competence, especially when it came with the discretion and flexibility she required for such a delicate task.

"You are correct," Nyxira began, her tone measured and deliberate. "Kahlil Noble is to be unharmed. I want his mind intact, his body largely unscathed. Anything less would jeopardize my plans. As for leverage..." She let the word hang in the air for a moment, her smirk returning but tinged with something darker.

"His children are off-limits. Entirely." Her voice hardened, an almost imperceptible edge of protectiveness slipping through. "I know too well what would happen if you so much as threatened them." she added, her tone softening again. It would also ruin any chance Nyxira had of making her plans work.

She leaned back slightly, one hand tracing a faint arc in the air as if to dismiss the notion entirely. "His wife, however..." The faintest flicker of something — jealousy? — crossed her expression, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her usual calculating demeanor. "Valery Noble is indeed fair game, but she is a legendary opponent in her own right. If you choose to engage her, tread carefully. She is not only powerful but fiercely protective of her family. Underestimating her would be a grave mistake."

Not that she expected Eivii to target her. The Jedi Grandmaster wasn't exactly an easier catch than the Shield of the Jedi.

Nyxira paused, her gaze narrowing slightly as she watched Eivii for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, she continued, her tone shifting to one of calculated encouragement. "Beyond those constraints, your methods are your own. Spy on him, charm him, infiltrate his life if you must. Jedi often underestimate those who approach them without overt hostility. Use that arrogance to your advantage."

Her smirk widened, her voice taking on an almost playful lilt. "Befriend him, if that fits your methods. I've heard Kahlil Noble has a penchant for seeing the good in people. Exploit it. Whatever it takes to uncover his movements, his routines, his weaknesses — so long as you remember the terms we've discussed."

Leaning forward slightly, Nyxira locked her glowing eyes onto Eivii's. "If you succeed, the reward will be considerable." She straightened, the faint crackle of lightning from the storm outside punctuating her final words. "Do we have an agreement?"

Eivii​

 

[Eivii]

Outfit: Durasteel Armor
Weapons: Slugthrower Rifle | Blaster Pistol

A brief flash of confusion swept behind Eivii's eyes at Nyxira's exclusion of the children - quickly dismissed.

Kahlil noble, mind intact, children unharmed, but not his wife. Pondering the implication of the request was a dangerous train of thought - one that Eivii knew better than to fixate on, much less ask about.

What she did glean from the unspoken context was that the ideal would be Kahlil willingly being taken, uncoerced - a task as difficult as forcefully taking him from the grandmaster.

Information first, regardless. Opportunity might present itself, but the risk of failure outweighed the reward of betting everything on capture.

"We have an agreement." Eivii replied donning her helmet once more. Her voice carryied the understanding of the delicate and high-risk nature of this job.

The contract was sealed accompanied by a flash of lightning outside the stronghold.

Nyxira Valis​

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's smirk deepened as Eivii donned her helmet and confirmed their agreement. The faint glow of her violet eyes brightened momentarily, reflecting the satisfaction she felt at securing the services of a competent bounty hunter. The flash of lightning outside seemed almost synchronized with the silent crescendo of her anticipation.

"Good," Nyxira said, her tone smooth and carrying a trace of approval. "You've made a wise decision. This task is not without its dangers, but I suspect you wouldn't have it any other way."

She rose from her seat with a fluid motion, her cloak flowing behind her as she stepped toward the desk. Her gaze lingered on Eivii for a moment, assessing her with the sharp precision of someone accustomed to commanding power and loyalty. Her voice softened slightly, though it retained its edge of authority.

"This is important to me," Nyxira admitted, her words carrying a rare hint of vulnerability buried beneath layers of calculated resolve. "I'm willing to ensure you have everything you need to succeed. Equipment, intelligence, personnel — name it, and it's yours."

Her hand gestured to the holoprojector, where Kahlil Noble's image still flickered faintly in the dim light. "Tracking a Jedi Master is no small feat, even for someone of your caliber. If there are resources you require, now is the time to ask. I do not believe in sending my assets into a task unprepared."

Eivii​

 

[Eivii]

Outfit: Durasteel Armor
Weapons: Slugthrower Rifle | Blaster Pistol

Eivii considered the support from Nyxira Valis - a much better offer than she would get with any normal contract. She would certainly would need some aces up her sleeve to dampen force users - drugs, poisons, restraints if necessary. Saber resistant shielding. Intel, of course, though she hasn't yet had time to read the full contract with all appendices, so that may already be included.

Most importantly, Eivii would need a few forged documents and bribes to reach the right people to get involved in the heart of Alliance Space. She had already arranged for such, but getting a few others favors to assist in clearing her from the criminal system would prove helpful.

All of that could be requisitioned after a thorough review of the contract docket and preliminary research on Kahlil Noble through her usual channels.

For now, she had some due diligence to perform. As much as she didn't want to admit it, the storms here did fray at her nerves - while the Sith's goals and hers aligned well with this job, clients scarcely appreciated any display of vulnerability - seen or psychic.

"I'll need time to review the materials more thoroughly with some preliminary investigation - I'll follow up with a material and services requisition alongside an operational proposal for your approval."

Eivii thumbed an authorization on her communicator, providing Nyxira Valis with contact information for encrypted direct comms - a 'clients - only' line she kept, cleared, and re-encrypted for each job.

"If anything changes between now and operation completion, contact me via these channels. It may be slower than usual, but the extra steps to prevent a small complications from compromising the whole operation will be well worth it."

Eivii stood and replaced her chair back under the table, preparing to head back to the Shadowkiss

"Any final concerns or details? If not, I'll be in touch in a few days"

Nyxira Valis​

 

[Nyxira Valis]

Nyxira's faint smirk remained as she observed Eivii's meticulous professionalism. The bounty hunter's thoroughness and foresight only cemented the Sith Lord's confidence in her choice. Nyxira inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the encrypted contact information Eivii had provided.

"No further concerns," Nyxira said smoothly, her voice low and resolute. "You've demonstrated that you are more than capable of handling this with the precision it demands. I trust you will keep me updated as the operation progresses."

She stepped forward, her violet gaze meeting Eivii's helmeted one with an intensity that conveyed the weight of her expectations. "Luck may be an illusion, but I'll wish it to you nonetheless," Nyxira added, her smirk curving slightly wider.

Nyxira watched as Eivii turned and made her way toward the exit. The storm outside roared once more, crimson lightning painting jagged streaks across the sky, a fitting backdrop to the task now set in motion. As the sound of the bounty hunter's footsteps faded, Nyxira moved back to the desk, her hands clasping behind her as she stared at the flickering image of Kahlil Noble.

The pieces were in place. Now, all that remained was to see how the game unfolded.

Eivii​