Breathing Underwater

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Amidst endless water and rock there a large facility, built into the wall of one side of what was a long, deep valley. It was a research facility. One of many on Glee Anselm. It wasn't the private facility of the planet's ruler, which was much more secretive and humble in size. This was one of the larger ones, not far away from the planet's underwater capital Pieralos. It received funding from the One Sith as well as creating a good number of jobs for the Nautolan population.

The scientists and engineers of the facility worked on various projects, some more secretive in nature than others. Currently its top priority was a new starfighter. The prototype was being developed here. It was built to be especially efficient on ocean worlds, but be able to hold its own in space combat against other ships. Plans had already been made for bomber-class starfighters, as well as larger cruisers and corvettes. The advantage of the ship was that it was equally functional under water as it was in atmosphere and space. It valued speed and manoeuvrability. While it might not be the best armoured or shielded thing it did pack a heavy punch.

Today was special because Darth Pyrrhus himself was coming to inspect the progress on the prototype. There were other projects of interest as well, but that was the priority. Even so, he had chosen to take a trip to the facility's gene splicing lab first. It was becoming something of a favourite pastime for him. While any research and experiments of value were conducted by himself at his own private facility, he was not gifted with unlimited time. Some minor pet project he would assign the researchers here. What they could map of genetical structure, compatibility, and how certain combinations manifested themselves physically in beings both sentient or otherwise, simply meant less work for him and he would be able to get to the more interesting stuff quicker. And so the tall, broad-shouldered Togruta dressed in the black robes of the Sith walked amongst floating orbs containing various beasts experimented on, while a Nautolan scientist offered commentary. He'd get to the prototype later. Besides, the ship wasn't going anywhere.

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

There were missions that Allyson knew that Kaili wouldn't want her to participate in. This was one of them, so no to worry Kaili Talith - Allyson fully didn't fully disclose the nature of the mission she was going to embark on. Sitting in the small pod she was using to float towards the location, she sighed as she knew that Kaili would feel something through their connection. Nerves and excitement would flow through it which would tip off the Talith to what sort of things Allyson was getting into. That was the trouble with the Force, when you connected to someone they knew every intimate detail of your life despite your attempt to keep them from it - for their own safety.

<Arrival in 2 minutes>

The image flashed on the HUD of the small visor that covered Allyson's left eye. It was a simple navigation support and would eventually get discarded. Pulling the breathing device from her pouch, Allyson did a quick final check with that done, the device found its way into her mouth. Small ear buds glowed and the rhythm of her current favorite song echoed against her ear drums.

A little less conversation, a little more touch my body...

Allyson mused at the lyrics and she instantly wished she would have seen Kaili right before she left. Shrugging off the thought she adjusted the slim fitting body suit and jumped into the water. She swam as quickly as she could, mostly so she wouldn't be detected by any security. Her research and surveillance proved correct - the facility was in the middle of guard changing which left a window of 4 1/2 minutes of unguarded doors. As she arrived to one of the service doors, she pressed her palm against the panel and quickly used mechu-deru to override the codes that were usually needed. Getting into the facility was easy, but the hard part was to stay in long enough to get the plans for these super secret starship and then get out of the facility before someone realized that a pilot from the Alliance was onboard. Quickly discarding her wet suit, she pulled out the folded clothing she had in the waterproof pouch she had brought along.

Replica Sith Acolyte robes adored her slender frame. She continued along the corridors till she caught a glance of herself in the glass windows. Allyson stopped and blinked a few times and then smiled slightly. "Eh not bad." After the quick look she did her best to blend in till she could make it to where they would most likely keep the plans. Unknown to her, she didn't realize the big boss was arriving - a part of the plan that wasn't thought of.

Oops.

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

[member="Allyson Locke"]

"Very good doctor" the Togruta Lord said with a slow nod. Praise did not come easily from him. He was pleased to see the way they had managed to merge the genetic structure of two of Glee Anselm's predatory species. One was one of the few that lived on land, but there it reigned supreme. Would it be possible to combine it with a beast of the seas, and get one that could survive in both environments and be just as effective? It had seemed impossible at a time, but to the Force, to the Sith, nothing was impossible.

"What is its current life expectancy?" Pyrrhus asked casually as he walked nearer to the elevated orb to examine it properly. Both claw and fang looked perfectly capable of tearing through flesh. With that kind of equipment provided by the land animal combined with the strength of the sea beast's jaw, it truly would become a terrifying thing. Yet looking upon it now, he imagined it could survive well enough underwater, but it did not look like it would have any significant speed. That had been lost in accomodating the different physique of the land creature.

"Two weeks, my Lord" the Nautolan scientist replied. It pulled Pyrrhus straight out of his musing, turning to stare directly at him in disbelief. A moment passed in silence. Nope, this was not some sorry attempt at Nautolan humour. The doctor was being serious. "Unbelievable" Pyrrhus muttered to himself. Absolutely useless.

Allyson's entry into the facility had gone by smoothly. There weren't many Sith Acolytes here, but there were few who had the confidence to walk up to someone dressed like a Sith and tell them to beat it. The general way of thinking was that if they were here, they had reason to be here. Perhaps a part of study from the Academy. Today, of course, they were expecting Sith. Perhaps Pyrrhus had brought with him a promising student or two, apprentice even, to get a close-up look at their facility. And so anyone save for those with the highest security clearance would avert their eyes and walk quickly by.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson continued as she nodded her head as people nodded at her. It seemed the Sith were totally into nodding and being strong silent folk. The Sith were weird, she officially decided that as she passed another corridor. A hand trailed against the facility’s wall as she did her best to use the circuitry of the building against itself. If she could find her way to the control room, she’d be able to slice into it and then find these plans for said starships. Dangerous missions were dangerous and she knew Kaili would be having a conniption fit right now.

Knowing that, Allyson inhaled deeply and did her best to keep her nerves calmed. If she got excited or nervous Kaili would be able to feel it light years away. The joys of a Force bond, something that ALlyson didn’t know how was formed but it was probably because she gave the girl the time of her life eh eh? A sly smirk spread across the Corellian’s face as she pinpointed a hub location. If she could just mentally download the layout of the facility - this little mission would be a million times easier.

She rounded the corner and once again nodded at another group of people. Frowning, she wondered if she was going to get a neck ache if she kept nodding the way she did. Why didn’t the Sith wave? Were they against it or something? Shaking her head, she found the little control panel and began to pull away at the screws using the Force. Once things were out in the open for her, she hovered her hand slightly and began trying to slice into it. ‘As long as no one comes around the corner I’m good, come on…” [member="Darth Pyrrhus"][SIZE=13.333333333333332px] [/SIZE]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

As often was the case, the one thing that couldn't happen happened precisely when it wasn't supposed to happen. While Allyson was working her slicing skills, the sound of footsteps could be heard just as they were rounding the corner. There were two of them, all armoured up in Sith trooper armour. They were carrying a blaster rifle each. Both had their eyes peeled forwards, although all she would see was the general direction their helmets were pointing in. These were just two guys on a regular patrol.

Seeing the girl in the Sith robes, one of them gave a nod. His neck maintained its pose excellently while his head tilted slightly, dipping just the right amount. He had done this before. The other trooper slowly lifted his right arm. The wrist of his right hand moved back and forwards, going sideways. He waved at her. Not a moment later he got the other trooper's elbow hard into his side. "Gorram it, man! We don't wave, we nod" his voice hissed through the helmet. The waving soldier had since retracted his hand, now stroking over the part of his armour that had just tasted trooper elbow.

They had stopped at this point. The one who had followed proper greeting protocol walked over towards Allyson. "I'm sorry, miss. He's new here" he tried to hide his embarrassment but it was clearly showing. "Hey, uh... What is she doing?" the voice from behind him questioned. Snapping his neck backwards, the first trooper shouted "Being appalled by your lack of manners, Gary, that's what she's doing! Force I can't take you anywhere" he exclaimed in loud frustration.

"No, really, what is she doing?" Gary persisted. The other trooper sighed deeply, shaking his head. He just wanted this little incident to be over. Why was it always he who had to show the new recruits around the place? "Ugh... I'm really sorry, we'll just... Huh." his head tilted slightly, looking over the panel on the wall. "Actually... What are you doing?"

 

[Allyson Locke]

[SIZE=10pt]Cursing under her breath she noticed the two troopers that decided to try and be cordial with her. Why were they always in the worst places? Allyson pulled her hand away from the console as fast as she could and did her best to try and think of a story that would make these two bucket heads walk away. It wasn’t like she could use the force to mind trick them or to make them fly down the hallway. Times like this she wished she had a pocket [member="Kaili Talith"] to throw at them. The two men stared at her and she stared back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]“Uh nothing, the place seemed a bit stuffy so I was looking for the air conditioner or something. Seems I might have the wrong panel excuse me gents” With a nod of her head she tried to slip by them. Hopefully they were two dimwitted to realize that an air conditioner wouldn’t be handled by a panel like the one she was trying to slice into. For the most part, she hoped they were like what the stories told her about troopers. Intelligence wasn’t something that was bred into them and they would miss the side of a moisture farm if they tried to shoot at it. Shaking her head, she walked passed them and kept her hood drawn. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]It was time to find another secluded part and this time remain undetected. Also, she prayed to the Force that the two bimbos wouldn’t try and further investigate her. A fight was something she seriously wanted to avoid. [/SIZE][member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

"Oh, I see" the first trooper said, nodding slowly as he processed the information she just gave him. "I don't think that's..." Gary started, but the other held up his hand and shushed. He clearly wasn't too keen interruptions. Thinking in silence always worked so much better. Meanwhile Allyson walked past the two. They turned, a hand going out as if to restrain her, but with minds that could not come up with an excuse to do so. After all, she was a Sith. One best be pretty damned sure one was in the right before acting against one of them. Lightning to the face was something neither soldier had on their bucket list.

As she walked towards and around the corner, she could hear muffled and almost angry-sounding whispers, of two men discussing the air conditioners around the facility, one pointing out that she looked like she was tinkering, the other reminding his partner once more that she was Sith. After that came a few rounds of curses. They might be doing a huge mistake by letting her go, they might be doing a huge one by apprehending her. Despite the trooper each advocating their own side, they could at least agree to that the repercussions would likely be much harsher if she was doing something wrong and they let her go, than if she was just lurking and they caught her without just reason.

With that in mind, the two troopers started into a jog, coming around the corner. Both had blaster rifles in hand, but neither held them pointed towards the girl. For now they seemed content to just carry them in a normal fashion. "Excuse us, miss. Hold up!" Gary said, looking sideways over to his comrade with hints of regret after he did so. Was it alright to call a Sith 'miss'? "Who is your master?" the other asked. It was another way of asking who will be zapping my butt with Sith lightning if I get this wrong. If she couldn't produce any name or reason, she could of course be another student from the Academy, but at least no one specific would get upset with them for picking on his or her apprentice.

[member="Allyson Locke"]