Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Delaney kept his eyes on his plate. The agent’s relatively mild warning reminded him of a Colonel in the academy. She had dressed him down on several occasions. Never raised her voice, but always left him feeling insignificant.

He risked a glance up at Omar's expression. He was doing his best to look amused by it all, but Delaney knew him well enough to see the hesitation. There were probably two factors there: that the operative could well be senior to them, and that there was this history between her and Asmus. It did seem at times that Omar had much in common with Janes, but Delaney had once watched the ex-rogue lose his temper with Omar. They all knew Janes had left his family young to become a criminal, but that hard edge only came out occasionally.

“Reckon that's a fair appraisal,” Wilson replied.

“Sorry,” Delaney mumbled into his spoon. There was a pause. Wilson ended it by quite obviously kicking Omar in the shin.

“Sorry,” he added, even if his pheromones remained at a low level.

“So...are you with us long? Kaylee is it?” Wilson asked, there was a tentative note to the second question as if he expected a rank and surname instead.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

So they know my name? That meant that either Asmus had given that information or they managed to find it out by themselves somehow. Either was likely, but as for the latter… just how much? Even with the Zeltron giving a low dose of pheromones, the agent was still able to read their expressions. Pick up the subtle nuances of hesitation along with curiosity. The youngest, Delaney, seemed to feel a bit chagrined by the entire affair. His shoulders had dipped, and when Wilson kicked Omar, the corner of Kaile’s lips gave a distinct twitch.

“Apology accepted,” she said plainly, bringing her hand up to lightly brush the dark fringe of her bangs away from her eyes. Crossing her arms under the fullness of her breasts, amusement glimmered across her face as she added with a slight gesture of her hand, “ What? You didn’t get rank from your little chats?”

“I’d have thought you boys would have already managed to find out all you can about the new girl on board,” she added, reading their expressions and just what they would know by way of banter. Rhyme and reason. By all intents and purposes, she was giving them the appearance that Kaile was rather laid back. In actually, she was testing for knowledge and also… well, if they told her more about Lucy, the better.
 
“No,” Delaney said with a newfound confidence now that she seemed to be acting more friendly. He didn't see the trap. “Asmus only told us that ow!”

Wilson smiled sweetly at both the youngest pilot and the agent. “He only mentioned your first name when he talked about that pickup, apologies ma’am. But I've known Agent Boar a while now.”

“He was rather proud of skimming that TIE!” Omar added.

“And glad to see you again,” Delaney tacked on, thinking he was doing right by Asmus. Wilson didn't even kick him this time, he just shook his head incredulously.

“Well what a shame that the mynock is out of the bag,” Omar said. It was clear this wasn't a shame. “What is it that happened that has Janes lamenting like a Bith every time he drinks too much whiskey”
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

The smile may have lingered, but the question certainly affected her. At least enough for her emotions to rise in a slight flare of heightened awareness and sudden apprehension. None the less, Kaile kept that seemingly light-hearted expression on her face.

Well,” the brunette seemed to give a slight shrug of her shoulder, then leaned against the table to move a bit closer to Omar. “I reckon every man has a story to tell when they are deep in their cups.” Kaile’s eyes narrowed, searching Omar’s gaze to read what he had in mind. The intent was all in a body language. Odds were he was also doing his own probing to test the waters so to speak.

“Tell me, Omar right?” a rather coy smile grew over her lips. “...Don’t you have one to tell?”
 
Omar held her gaze with that not-quite-polite smile still on his lips. Several instincts were at war now. The usual heady cocktail of hormones that drove zeltrons were there, but just like any bipedal species there was also a strong flight or fight instinct. Right now there was a tingling at the back of his mind. A warning that he was being cornered.

But he wouldn't mind being held down a ravaged by this one. Delaney wouldn't know what to do with a woman like this. Big eyes, soft curves in all the right places. Damn that Asmus. He could play, but he couldn't really undermine the SL. Not the way he looked at her. There was something deep and complex there. It wasn't like that marine, sharing wouldn't be on the cards this time. That didn't prevent his mind from wondering.

“Plenty of stories. Many that feature Captain Janes. None for polite conversation over lunch I'm afraid.”

Delaney snorted.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

Zeltrons were always a curious bunch. To a point and degree, it was game. A game that ultimately ended in some manner of pleasure. Zeltrons were a passionate species, be it as lovers or fighters. Not to mention the sort of devil may care attitude that could give a Corellian a run for their money. They had a tendency to seek pleasure and avoid any negativity that could put a damper on their fun, and Kaile knew enough to read that Omar was vacillating in between piqued amorous interest and covering his ass.

Catching Delaney’s snort, the espion turned her attention to the Flight Officer. The sunny smile she shone him was enough to make his Adam's apple bob.

“Something tells me you know more than that Flight Officer Delaney.” she sang.

Delaney had that wide-eyed expression return to his face. The questioning look was shot over to the Lt Commander. With what Asmus had told them, they were all somewhat walking on eggshells. However, with the manner “Kaylee” was acting -- just what were they supposed to do?

“However,” the right corner of Kaile’s lip quirked ever higher. Hazel eyes seemed to dance in humor. “If it is about calling out red, blue, green and yellow and not playing by the rules -- I already know that one.” a reference to good old Twister.

Did Janes ever tell them that story? Or did he reenact it throughout the years?
 
Wilson chuckled. Both Omar and Delaney looked to him curiously. Looking to the youngest pilot, he offered some sage advice.

“Never play 'never have I ever’ with Janes. Trust me.”

“Oh that story!” Omar said loudly, realisation dawning on his face. He turned back to the agent with a grin. “It's a good point. I thought I had an interesting past, but the truth is most pilots are middle-class graduates with a nerdy side to them. That's kind of true for Asmus, but the rest of us didn't skip university to go exploring the Galaxy's criminal underworld for five years.”

Omar wondered if that was what she saw in Asmus. Something a little rough around the edges and interesting. Of course he hadn't been there to see the way Asmus was viewed by hardened members of the criminal fraternity. A dainty, pampered fop of a boy. Standing with a foot in both worlds could leave both sides looking at you as an outsider. Something Kairon had learned long before Asmus.

So, she did know some of his background. “Alright, I'll give you a story, or answer any question you want. You must have known the Captain back before his military days. Answer a question about him honestly on return.” Omar grinned. Wilson was starting to look a little panicked by the zeltron’s behaviour.

Chad meanwhile had been brushed off by Lucy and was returning to get some dessert from the canteen.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

Oh, he was good. Kaile knew that this was to be expected of a Zeltron; a Zeltron male pilot at that. With that rakish half-cocked smile, the espion knew she was walking a precarious edge when it came to what she’d say next. The Lorrdian quickly weighed her options, knowing that the time it took for her to answer was going to be made in interest. If she hesitated, then the Lieutenant would jump at the sign to perhaps probe more. If she simply agreed to it with usual banter, then he could very well be thrown off guard.

However, what sort of question would he actually want me to answer? Zeltrons were tricky. They could be all winning smiles and bold glances, but they had a way of manipulation that could very well become overwhelming. With their pheromones and their emotive telepathy, it meant that Kaile would have to be at the top of her game to ensure that her body language and her emotions didn’t give her away.

“Alright,” she agreed, bending over closer. There was a seemingly provocative arch of her brow in a challenge, and it didn’t help that those trousers of hers seemed to hug every curve the more she leaned upon the table. Jacket parted, and Omar would be able to see just the tiniest hint of cleavage above the second button of that entirely innocent and simple blouse she wore.

“But your story better be a good one.”
 
Omar narrowed his eyes. She was fun. Too much fun for the Squadron Commander in his hastily-formed opinion. Without pause he started to respond.

“Interesting. Of course if the story isn’t good enough I’ll have given it up for nothing. So… narrow it down for me. What kind of thing would you like to know about our fair squadron leader?”

Delaney and Wilson sat stock still, watching the exchange with interest. Wilson was growing concerned that Omar was messing with Asmus’ business for his own amusement. He was watching Chad make his way down the canteen with tray in hand. Backup might be required. Delaney, whilst focussed on what was being said. Was mostly hoping she was stay leaned over the table.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

Right. Narrowing it down. There were a few questions Kaile could ask. The Lorrdian was already a very inquisitive woman, and Asmus was a subject she could ask questions about all day. Whether it be what he’d been up to, what his relationship with Lucy really was, and just what has he actually been telling them about her?

As if her mind had already made its decision, those large tawny eyes fell upon Delaney. He’d been about to say something earlier before Wilson had managed to quiet him down. Whatever Asmus has been telling them about her tickled her something fierce. Then again, so did the fiery redhead by the name of Lucy…

Tilting her head to the side, the seemingly coquettish woman gave a slight cock of her hip, resting more of her weight on her right foot so as to allow her to slowly sway from side to side. Body language was all coy, the woman giving just enough of a bite of her lower lip just before saying, "Well... a girl always does want to know what the word on a boat is about her."

A slight wink shot over to the Flight Officer, watching him redden as he attempted to try not to be too obvious his eyes were drifting down.

Back to Omar and Kaile could already sense the slight hitch of an increase in pheromones. The Zeltron couldn’t help it. There it was a bit headier. Sunshine and mimosas. It was getting harder to not admire the line of Omar’s jaw and how pleasing to the eyes he was.

"What's your Squadron Leader have to say about little ol' me?"
 
Omar ran the tip of his tongue across the front of his teeth. “Straight to that one?” he asked rhetorically. He turned to Wilson who gave a meek shrug. He was staying out of this now.

“Have a seat,” he purred, waving towards the vacant chair opposite him. “It’ll take me a moment to cast my mind back and try to translate. You see when I heard this no one said the name ‘Kaylee’, but I’ve realised what all the fuss is about.

“Now this only comes out under very specific circumstances. Asmus has to be drunk, but just the right amount. And for some reason it’s only ever when he’s drinking whiskey and in a somber mood. But after... what would you say Wilson? Five or six?”

“Be fair now. It’s always in doubles and it’s magic number seven. Like clockwork,” Wilson replied. He was getting dragged along in Omar’s game and was liable to regret it.

“When he gets there he’ll pipe up about the one he lost. He’ll start whispering out the story and you have to get right close to hear it. A passenger on his smuggling freighter. Rodian standoffs and gunslinging and space battles and smuggling. And the girl.” He had been looking down, but eyes came up to watch her very carefully now. “A girl he fell in love with, the first, the only. Beautiful eyes and a secret smile. But he dropped her off and that was that, never a word again. Seven whiskeys, no less, no more. Not a story given up easily and he veers away from any specifics about the girl in question. A mechanic I thought she was.”

Omar had been about to ask if that was her. However, that might have counted as his question and it wasn’t the question he wanted to ask. Omar had implied that he was going to ask about Asmus during his younger years. Implied. The only specific was that it was a question about it.

“Now then,” he said suddenly, dispelling his little story. “About Asmus. He’s got himself all coiled in knots, tighter than I’ve ever seen him. Does he really have a chance with you or is he wasting his time?”

For Asmus, but mostly for Omar, the question was vital.



Omar is chatting to your Agent friend

Asmus looked down at the datapad after the beep.

“Fuck,” he whispered, looking to the chrono. No point going back to the canteen, Kaile would have to leave it almost as soon as he got there. Vo was particular in his punctuality. If he was giving a briefing he would be here exactly four minutes before the scheduled time. Enough to lay out his terminal, connect it up and arrange his paperwork and laser pen on the desk. Asmus felt a flash of annoyance and a surge of jealousy. He knew he had no right to that last emotion, none at all. Didn’t change the reality of it.

Did he go over to her table?

No she’s with Wilson, Delaney and Omar.

Asmus wasn’t certain if that was better or worse.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

Kaile didn’t take the offered seat. Instead, she had given Omar a slight shake of her head and a twitch of her nose, indicating for him to continue. A part of her regretted that later, once the Zeltron Lieutenant regaled her with the tale. The story of the Whiskey Girl who had got away.

It was more than Kaile expected. The more that Omar would reveal about what Asmus had said about her, the more she felt her belly sink. So while the smile lingered, it was in her eyes that would express a particular sorrow at hearing what Asmus went through to even bring her up in conversation. Their story. The Quin. His description of her and how he somberly detailed her to be the one that got away. The one he fell in love with and never heard from again.

It took all the Lorrdian had to not have her cheerful smile fade. Even more to managed to straighten with a seemingly collected pose. On the inside, she was shaking. Trembling like a leaf at the thought of Asmus in that kind of state. It was an entirely different image of the smiling and jovial Asmus in that cantina where she’d first met him at the Quarantine zone.

Then to top it off, Omar went straight for the jugular to ask her that particular question. Emotionally compromised, the espion had to do her best to keep the bulk of how much Omar’s story and question affected her.

Standard protocol would demand to answer the question with a question. Omar’s intent due to his interest underlies the truth on why he inquired that, to begin with.

“Are you askin’ so you don’t have to waste your time, Lieutenant?” Kaile shot back, her chrono giving a small beep in an alert. It was time to meet up with Lieutenant Vo at the briefing room --- where Asmus would be sitting. Kaile’s belly seemed to feel as if it was tying itself in more knots in suspense and anticipation. It was all just another example, another layer of proof that tiny voice in her head that said it had meant something more. Kaile knew it. Had known it for a while now. Even when she was swollen with child, his child, Kaile knew.

It just wasn’t an easy thing to admit to herself. Even harder after she lost their baby.

“Times up. I’ve a briefin’ to go to gentlemen.” only the faintest of trembles could be picked up with her fingers if one looked close enough. Otherwise, she’d seem relatively unphased to the casual observer, a might bit friendly if a bit flirty. Mysteriously tantalizing in her manner of way and banter.
 
Well this was a good game. But then, why did Omar feel just a little bit wretched as she announced she was going to leave. He was empathetic, just as much as the next Zeltron. But Omar had never really trained the ability, it was just something there. He used his powers for evil, not the good of the people.

“Of course I am,” he replied. His grin was less assured than it had been just seconds ago. “Wouldn't want either of us wasting our time now would we? Oh come on quick before you go: yes or no?”

There was a loud squeal. A chair being dragged across the mess floor. The chair next to the one Kaile hadd been offered. Chad offered her a friendly smile, placed his dessert on the table and looked to Omar. Side on to the espion, he gave Omar a glare full of daggers.

As soon as Kaile started to leave the Zeltron was getting a slap upside the head.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]


Soft brown hair swayed along the delicate profile of her cheeks as the the Lorrdian gave one last glance at the Zeltron. The smile lingered, but this time, it was genuine.

“He doesn’t need one,” she replied simply. For the crowd that may have been a vague answer, but it was truth in a sense. Asmus didn’t need a chance to have her; he already had her. It didn’t matter where they were or the complex medley that they partook in. He already had her heart. The real question was if Kaile could let herself move forward with that? One could love deeply but believe that for the best of the other would be to be apart. In her mind, Kaile had convinced herself of that years ago.

“Enjoy your desserts, gentlemen,” a parting sunny smile and Kaile was off with a turn of her heel. Four pairs of eyes saw the agent depart, a few of them with appreciative glances. The owner of one pair receiving a loud smack upside the head with a loud thwack!


Outside the mess, Kaile felt her heart thunder right at her throat. Quick steps hurried her down towards the lift. Part of her was now uncertain how she’d be able to face Asmus in the briefing room, much the less maintain her professionalism. A quick glance at her chrono and Kaile gave a wince.

She had less than five minutes to grab her files and head to the briefing room.
 
“What was that about?” Chad demanded.

“You tell me why I'm getting hit!” Omar responded sharply.

“Did you call her over to flirt whilst Asmus wasn't here?”

“A vile accusation!” Omar retorted.

“She came over because he was oogling her,” Delaney cut in. The Zeltron looked at his as if it was the greatest betrayal since Anakin Skywalker.

Chad merely shook his head at the pilot, who at least had the self awareness to look a touch sheepish. In truth Omar couldn't shake the feeling he'd done something wrong. And not just because Chad had slapped him.



Asmus meanwhile was unable to sit still. Kaile was clearly an independent agent who could make her way in the galaxy with no help from others. She'd made the decision to leave and not come back so he had absolutely no right to feel like he should be shielding her from Omar. None at all.

She could handle Omar's type easily enough. Feth, she could even spend the night in his cabin and Asmus had no right to interfere at all.

The knowing didn't change the way he felt.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

“I didn’t actually expect to see you here on time Captain Janes.” Lieutenant Vo’s amused chortle would echo from the entrance, the Sullustan grinning wide as he stepped inside.

“Much the less early for one of my mission briefings,” he added with a hint of piqued interest. “Normally I’d have to wait for you to join in or have someone search for you.” it was light banter, the intelligence officer rounding past the Wraith to set down his data terminal upon the conference table. He was a rather smart individual, enjoyed making sure that everything was in its place. It was what made Vo excellent at his job, that attention to detail.

“One would wonder what was the occasion for such a rarity?” Captain Amadgener would join them in the next minute or so. Now he would be taken aback as well at seeing Janes seated at his seat before Senior Special Agent Vera.



Kaile lightly jogged from her room and back down to the lift. She had about three minutes or so. Feth. Rushing into the lift, her hand went reaching out to press for Deck C. Hopefully the briefing wouldn’t require much out of her beyond listening in to Vo and presenting her suggestions. Asmus had his own too from what they’d discussed earlier. Swallowing hard the espion bit her lower lip.

Damnit, I shouldn’t have done that, she chided herself. A whoosh of air fell from her lips and Kaile fell back against the cool metal of the lift. Tipping her head back she stared up at the bulkhead, mind going fourteen parsecs a second.

They were bound to tell him that I went over to talk to him. He’ll have more questions to ask. More that she couldn’t answer. Well she could, but they would lead to even more questions that she didn’t feel ready at all to answer him.

Things likely got even more complicated now…
 
“Hah, special occasion. My squadron is getting a little restless and managed to drive me out of the mess,” Asmus said.

“They do seem worse than usual,” Vo commented. As far as he was concerned it was almost preferable to have a complement of marines aboard. They tended to keep the pilots from strutting around too much. This was about the longest the ship had ‘gone dark’ for. They were close to First Order patrols and had to take the slow way out of their space. Now they were turning back on themselves, threading the needle through the hyperspace buoys that could spot them. Vo was in no way responsible for the pastoral care of Asmus’ pilots, but it did seem that they needed to blow off some steam.

“How long will the boring bit take?” Asmus asked. This seemed to reassure the pair that he wasn’t acting too far outside of the norm.

“The induction will take around forty five minutes,” Vo said. “Then we can start talking about the mission itself.”

Asmus pretended this irked him, but in reality he just allowed a little bit of frustration to slip through the mask. Was she still down there talking to Omar? No time to talk to her soon either. Vo would have to go through the very dry induction to the security group for the mission which would include all the usual reminders. Eugh.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

Captain Amadgener caught sight of the agent just as she turned the corridor. Slowing down her step, she offered a small smile of greeting, a mite bit breathless with the nod of, “ Captain.”

“Vera.” he replied, motioning for her to enter before him.

“Thank you,” her voice would indicate to Vo and Janes that the agent had arrived.

“Lieutenant Vo…” a greeting to the Sullustan came first as Kaile entered, long legs bringing her close to the conference table. Soon enough, those brown eyes would pan over to Asmus. “Captain Janes,” she added quietly, another nod of greeting as the Lorrdian felt her heart jackknife through her chest.

“Sorry for the delay.” she apologized, taking a seat along the same side that Asmus sat in. That would prevent from having to continually catch his eyes and, well hopefully prevent her from accidentally staring at him too much.

‘Asmus has to be drunk, but just the right amount. And for some reason, it’s only ever when he’s drinking whiskey and in a somber mood…’

Omar’s voice resonated in her mind at the mental retelling of the revelation. Her cheeks flushed, and she busied herself by setting down her datapad and her files in front of her, keeping her profile to the Wraith so as to not have to look at him directly.

Amadgener sat directly across the pair, his large burly form sinking into his seat.

“Alright, “ a nod to Vo. “Let’s get started….”
 
Asmus could see it, the little note of amusement behind the Captain’s eyes. It seemed the man felt he had found a little victory to claim. The pilot waited for the inevitable.

“Don’t look so bored Janes. You wouldn’t have to do these inductions so often if you…”

“Hadn’t been a criminal?” Asmus asked off-handedly. He didn’t even look at Kaile, knowing that’s what Amadgener was hoping to get out of this little exchange. To put the cocksure ace on the backfoot by putting out the little revelation in front of the agent. The blunt response seemed to annoy Amadgener. Janes wasn’t sure if this tactic meant he’d worked out that Kaile was the reason for his little detours through deck B or not. Possibly it was a way to try and find out.

“Quite, anyway, please continue Vo.”

The sullustan plugged a red data disk into his terminal. That meant need-to-know information.

“Captain Janes, due to the conditions on your clearance you need to be briefed on Operation Cadence. Agent Vera this is for your information only. Janes, if you fall asleep this time I’m going to take it from the start, is that clear?”

“Entirely,” Asmus said. He pointed to the mug of caf next to his datapad.

“Very well, this information is not to leave these walls. If there is a need for anyone else on the ship to know details of the operation, please come to me first. If you’ll have a look at the screen behind me, you’ll see the instructions on how to look after any information on…”

It was four slides in before Asmus started to feel his lids falling. He kept his shoulders back, opened his eyes wide and took a long swig of caf. He risked a sideways glance at Kaile. Later. Later he would get to pull her tight again and pretend it was so they could watch the screen together comfortably.
 
[member="Asmus Janes"]

Why did the Captain bring that up?

Kaile had mulled over that question throughout the induction. Truth be told, she had been quite surprised that Amadgener had even brought it up. At the time the Lorrdian had even turned to study the Captain curiously. The Resistance did not recruit from the cream of the crop. The majority were more often than not prior military yes, but some of them were also smugglers or privateers in their past. The Galactic Alliance itself had been created from many of these groups; be it the merchant fleet, Omega Pyre, the Sullustan military, or local citizens looking to make a difference and stand for what was right.

No one had squeaky clean history, and more often than naught, that life experience translated correctly into working within the Resistance. Be it for keeping a particular cover or due to connections in the Underworld that would grant them the edge with the First Order.

A part of her was a bit indignant for Asmus. What did it matter if he’d been a smuggler in the past?! His uncle and he along with the rest of the crew of the Quintessence had made a crucial contribution at the start of the Galactic Alliance. Who was Amadgener to toss stones when he had some questionable phases in his life?

It really annoyed her. Four slides in and she still was irritated, curling and rolling her stylus in between the fingers of her right hand. Part of her had wanted to say something earlier. Another told her she was an idiot. However, that didn’t stop the defensive surge of emotion that flared within her.

Brows drew in, Kaile didn’t notice Asmus’ sideways glance. If he had an eye to studying her further, he’d easily be able to read that she was upset.
 

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