Faction Information Is Key | Episode I: A Strike From The Dark - A First Order Story

[Resurgent Narrative]

INFORMATION IS KEY​

Our story begins on a VCX-100 light freighter, loaded with imported supplies, headed toward the planet Bakura, where the Rebellion have agreed to assist Agents of the First Order in discovering details about happenings on the planet...

DRAMATIS PERSONAE​

​

❱ TIR GRASTIS​

FOSB Senior Agent​

Alias: Hark Clancy​

​

❱ VIRGINIA SCHNAPP​

FOSB Agent​

Alias: Carmen Delgado​

​

❱ ADRIAN CASSIDY​

FOSB Agent​

Alias: Arthur Soders​

​

❱ CAEDYN ARENAIS​

Jedi Knight​

Rebellion Operative​

​

 

[Tir Grastis]

ABOARD THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Approaching Bakura...

The mission had been simple enough, at least during the planning phase, and it was all FOSB Senior Agent Tir Grastis could do to remain calm. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau had highly suggested the importance of the clandestine nature of the visit to the Eternal Empire held planet, and had even proposed the idea of seeking out assistance from non-First Order connections.

Opportunity knocked, when more definite intel arrived about a small group of freedom fighters - known as the Rebellion, likely using the name as a throwback to eras past - and a chance to meet with members of the underground group were made possible. It had taken the FOSB time and resources, especially when it came to finding the right people to get the word to the Rebellion, with interest in a meeting to 'help right an injustice done to innocents'.

It seemed right up the group's alley. Not to mention, being an underground movement, the Rebellion also had tricks and methods that the First Order Navy didn't necessarily employ - essentially smuggling. But, instead of objects, this time it would be sentients, First Order variety, of the Secret Agent kind.

"So... done this often?" Tir asked as he stood with his back resting against the bulkhead of the cockpit entrance. His arms were crossed, his eyes watched the displays ahead of the pilot, and he wore what could only be described as 'transport worker' coveralls with a simple shirt and boots. "The sneaking onto planets thing."

The Firrerreon was suspicious and cautious by nature, despite his temper, but the FOSB had contacted the Rebellion to assist with exactly what they were doing. Maybe there was something to 'hiding in plain sight'? Either way, the planet was rapidly approaching, and it had taken Tir a while to concoct and remember his cover identity for if it was needed.

Speaking of which...

With a craning of his neck, Tir peered down the passage into the interior of the ship. He wondered how the other pair of FOSB Agents were doing, since they had been brought onto the assignment very quickly, with little context or information. But such was the life of an operative, Tir supposed. There had been a quick briefing, more a general plan of approach; the group would land and offload the supplies, before taking some shore leave and moving around the capital city of Bakura, to see what they could discover...

"Not far from Bakura," Tir called to the others, his voice gruff. "Thanks for coming along on short notice. 'ppreciated. Are your covers sorted?"

Virginia Schnapp | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais​

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

STARSHIP: THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Tir Grastis | Virginia Schnapp | Adrian Cassidy
​

Caedyn Arenais turned to glance back over his shoulder from the pilots' chair while his Rebel companion Omari Riku kept watch over the vessel's flight path. From what the Jedi Knight had understood, Tir Grastis was the leading member of the team sent in by the First Order Security Burea, and quite possibly one of the last types of people that Caedyn had expected to be working with while flying under the banner of The Rebellion. So to speak. Presently, The Valentine was flying Civilian IFF Transponder Codes connecting the vessel with a small-time cargo-hauling business.

"There've been a number of times I've needed to travel into hostile space for various reasons, though I can't say I've ever smuggled in an Imperial group the likes of yours before" Caedyn replied with a wary smirk, not entirely certain whether he felt comfortable with the job, yet having been informed of their reasons and seeing the motive behind the mission to be an honourable one; "Funny how things play out...Some thirty years ago, it would have been First Order Territory being targeted by people like myself" he added as if to give emphasis to the fact that this was well outside of his expectations.

Fortunately, Caedyn's Sister Loreena Arenais-Valhoun was a member of the Eclipse Rebellion, and while he had no intention of sharing his family story with Intelligence Operatives of the First Order, these connections did benefit the current mission. Together, the team aboard the Cargo Freighter had entered into Bakura Space and upon being detected by Traffic Control, they were hailed and instructed to transmit their codes for identification.

"Omari, you know the drill" Caedyn gestured to his Co-Pilot who soon took over the Comm's and complied with the request while Caedyn rose from the pilot's seat and moved to gesture for Tir to follow as he moved further back down the corridor towards the main cargo bay where the others would be.

"We should be cleared for entry if all goes well, but if not then your team best be ready for us to get in and get out fast. We can only avoid detection for so long if they send a fleet to start scanning the surface" Caedyn explained. The VCX-100 had been modified to be much quicker and heartier than the standard model, yet even so, Caedyn didn't fancy their chances in meeting anything bigger than a heavy corvette rigged with Eternal Empire weapons.

 

[Virginia Schnapp]

ABOARD THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Approaching Bakura...

Ginger sat, unsettled and deep in thought as she studied the deckplates between her shoes.

Anxiety made her stomach queasy, reinforced a sense of dread. It wasn't just that she was being transported on a ship under the auspices of the Rebellion, a name that echoed a history of chaos, disorder, terrorism, and bloodshed. Not quite the type of people that someone vowing to bring peace, justice, and order to the territories. It was also that they were sneaking into Bakura, a world held by the Eternal Empire, who had been long-rumored to have committed serious atrocities against the former First Order citizens of the world. The repressive regime would not look kindly on the clandestine presence of First Order operatives on their world.

They were operating without a safety net.

She raised her head when Tir called out to her, then nodded. "Right, sorry." Her dark eyes took in Tir and the fellow he was talking to. "Yeah. Carmen Delgado, Corellian-born, namana liqueur brewer. Emigrated to Bakura shortly before the Sack of Dosuun. Survived... obviously." She shrugged and proceeded to resume her checking of her equipment. It wouldn't do to be caught out.

She glanced over her datapad at Cassidy, then lowered her head again. God help us, she mused.

When she had finished, she glanced back at Tir. "Thanks for helping to get us in," she said, nodding at Caedyn Arenais. "Anything we should know about conditions on the ground?"

Tir Grastis | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais​

 

[Adrian Cassidy]

Tir Grastis | Virginia Schnapp | Caedyn Arenais

"Arthur Soders, owner of an Import-Export business, which is looking to expand to Bakura to benefit from the increased trade to and from the Unknown Regions." Adrian piped up belatedly once he realized Tir had asked them both the question after a nudge from Frost. Then he shrugged at the appreciation shown by the fellow agent.

"Part of the job, Clancy. One time I was enjoying a nice bubble bath with some champagne. Half an hour later I had to drag myself through the dregs of Cloud City's sewers."

He smiled as he finished polishing his boot, until he could practically see his reflection in it.

"If the job was boring, we would be doing it wrong." A wink at Frost as he elbowed her softly. "Ain't that right, miss Delgado?"

Better to start using their cover names in transit already.

Best way to memorize a new identity- live it from the start, even before the actual mission begins. The little details that mattered. The way Soders enjoyed his caf (plenty of milk, until it was basically milk with some caffeine in it), the way his mouth shaped wryly when he thought he made a funny joke nobody else understood around him.

The quarks that made a person a person, instead of a caricature in a booklet you find at the local spaceport.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Jedi, we are experts at insertion and withdrawal at the flip of a hat." Adrian drawled lightly, while patting himself down for his flask. Hadn't he packed it the night before? It still had that nice martini he mixed that same night...

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn looked to Virginia Schnapp as she thanked him for playing his part in getting them down on Bakura, giving her a nod however replying with a sense of caution to his words; "Don't thank me just yet, we're just getting started...".

Back in the Cockpit, Omari Riku had sent out a transmission to traffic control confirming their 'Identity and intentions for their visit'. Once they were down on the surface then perhaps Caedyn would feel slightly more comfortable. After all, here he was just an average everyday citizen to most folk.

"The Eternal Empire is contested by the Eclipse Rebellion in these parts. Don't be surprised if security seems tight, Bakura has been a subject of dispute between them and the Eclipse before..." Caedyn informed her, having been asked what they could expect on the ground.

His Sister had told him some few details about Bakura, although back then his familiarity with the Eternal Empire was far less than it was today. House Arenais had been labelled an enemy of the state, due to Lori's involvement in the Eclipse Rebellion as well as having the blame pinned on them for Tacitus' assassination.

"Once we make landfall, you'll probably be better off going your own way" He added, thinking for the success of their mission.

Glancing across to Adrian Cassidy , Caedyn gave a half nod as the agent referred to him as a Jedi. He wasn't incorrect of course, but given the nature of their profession and allegiance to the First Order, Caedyn was still trying to wrap his head around their present...-Cooperation.

He had agreed to help their cause both because of the suspected genocide committed in the past, but also due to the fact that the First Order had seemed to have changed since back during his father's time. Veiere's stories of the First Order didn't match the same First Order that Caedyn had looked into in the weeks prior to this job.

"I'll hang around until I get the call for your Exfil" he replied, looking back to Tir Grastis and giving him a nod of assurance, "Do me a favour and keep it clean. I won't be responsible for any wrong-doing while we're here".

 

[Tallin Dain]

VCX-100 Series Freighter | "Valentine"
-
​

Sitting in a somewhat shrouded corner of the cargo bay, Tallin played nervously with a small pendant hanging from his neck. The entire operation had given him pause but reluctantly he'd agreed to come along - just in case. An amused sigh escaped his lips. How he'd come to find himself on the Rebellion's door was a story in and of itself but he found it odd to be working with Imperials. He'd seen it before, he'd known Imperials and while their hearts might be in the right place their methods were... draconian. It wasn't a way to live. In service to the state. It was the exact opposite of how he'd lived for years and he'd seen the destruction and the tyranny all performed under the banner of the Imperial Sun - or in this case The Maw of the First Order.

He smirked. It was interesting to find just how fluid one's convictions were when put to the test. War made strange bedfellows - and gals. There was no mistake in Tallin's mind, they were at war. Not war with whom, but what, and the what was chaos. So for now their objectives aligned, The First Order would gain intelligence, the Rebellion by proxy would also gain from this interaction though perhaps not so tangibly. It was better than nothing though and it never hurt to be owed a favor. As they continued on their way Tallin reached into his cloak and produced a small tabac pipe. No sense in stressing now, there'd be plenty of time for that later.

Caedyn Arenais​

 

[Tir Grastis]

ABOARD THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Approaching Bakura...

Tir nodded to Arenais, some level of confidence felt at the other sentient's confidence. There was no doubt he knew what he was doing, and to some degree the Agent was able to assume some methods used, but ultimately Tir was not the tech guy who handled the subterfuge. He wasn't even the trigger, really: he was the blaster bolt. Still, the irony of Arenais' comment about thirty odd years ago made Tir smirk.

"Yeah, galaxy's in a crazy place right now," The Firrerreon commented dryly. "First Order's taken some new direction with ideals. Good, bad, who can say? Have to wait and see if it works out... but end of day, there's enough tyranny around without us adding to it. So, we don't."

And it was true enough. The First Order's focus and methodology had shifted to be less Imperialistic, more Sovereignty - which cared for Protectorates under its banner - but whether others saw that? Who knew. A lofty ideal, perhaps, but Tir didn't care one way or the other. He had a job to do, he didn't mind the circumstances around where he operated or how the leadership decided how to enact politics. Do the job, follow the guidelines provided, and do it well.

The other FOSB had responded to the query about the cover identities, to which Tir nodded.

"Sounds solid," He muttered, still in a bit of a juxtaposition about his new role as a senior Agent and being not that in his usual methods. But, professional growth was mean to be good, right? A thing people did. Apparently. "Thinkin' we're in a good position. We follow the our new friend's leads, we should be in and out, no problem."

Should Tir refer to them as Rebels? He didn't know. Maybe he'd ask another time, later.

With a clear of his throat, Tir moved toward the FOSB pair, and paused beside Adrian Cassidy - and lowered his voice, to keep some level of privacy - as he said:

"Didn't have a chance to say back then, but top effort on Cantros."

Tir nodded to him, there was some respect in the Firrerreon's eyes, before be asked.

"Any injury complications afterward?"

It wasn't often that Tir got personable, but he figured if someone was willing to take a slug for the Home Secretary, then that individual earned to be treated with consideration. Besides, it would also help Tir to work on his sense of camaraderie and stuff; being in the FOSB was a very lonely, very isolated career, and there was a small want the Firrerreon had to start expanding his social circle.

Professionally, of course; he didn't need friends, but he wanted to have more trust with his fellow Agents.

When Arenais spoke up again, and asked the Agents to keep it clean, Tir grunted but understood his concerns. This was a new situation - a new 'friendship' - for all concerned, what with the First Order and the Rebellion and both sides collective history dating back to the old Galactic Empire:

"Don't worry, we've been told to avoid incidents. This is just data-grabbing." Tir turned to the other Agents. "We'll play it off as shore leave. Then get down to it."

Tir trusted both Schnapp and Cassidy were able to do what needed to be done, with the slicing and retrieval required; the Firrerreon was... not there for that. But for other eventualities, should they happen.

Hopefully they didn't.

"ETA, Arenais?"

Virginia Schnapp | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

 

[Virginia Schnapp]

ABOARD THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Approaching Bakura...

Lips turned up at edges when Adrian Cassidy queried her. "You bet, Arty," she replied in a quiet murmur.

Something felt off about this operation. Virginia was not at ease with the Rebels, but that wasn't it. This planet felt cursed. The last stand of the First Order had taken place above this planet. First Order heroes had died here; the tales were as terrible as they were thrilling. But something about this world was deeply troubling to her.

But there wasn't time to worry about it now. It was too late to abort the mission.

Outwardly, her mood shifted when Tir Grastis approached, murmuring a compliment to Agent Queen. "Careful," she said to the Senior Agent, a teasing lilt in her murmur. "Between the compliments and the Calgar Medal Graham pinned to him, there'll be no living with him after this." She raised an eyebrow and smirked at Queen. "Cocky bastard."

She was perfectly prepared to keep her nose clean on Bakura; after all the last thing she wanted was for herself or any of her colleagues to wind up in an Eternal Empire gulag. She nodded her agreement to Caedyn Arenais and continued to prepare her kit.

Tir Grastis | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

 

[The Major]

Sump: Purification Plant 1019K
FOSB F.O.B: Signals Intelligence Room

​

Post reclamation, the Sump facility —a former den of secret, experimental training for the galaxy’s most cagey of agents and hunters— was no longer a branch secret kept from the state, meaning traffic between Dosuun was far more active as the building was modified from a place of hidden horror and torture to a more simple Agency communication hub.

At the moment, the makeshift SIGINT wing was busy monitoring Operation Rail Tracer: tracking vitals of the agents aboard the Valentine, tracing traffic in the A.O, preparing a variety of cyberwarfare subroutines for disruptive use, and constantly analyzing risks in real time. In the event of a complete catastrophe, the cavalry rescue could be organized from here. At the moment, to not risk the cover of the agents due to an errant signal, radio silence was to be maintained until such time of imminent aforementioned catastrophe or if integral information presented itself.

From a central table the Director scrutinized a four panel display chirping with analytics, twisted with concern that the mission was going to go nuclear at any moment. Maybe not though, for she wasn’t there to bring her brand of accursed misfortune upon the lot.

Virginia Schnapp | Tir Grastis | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

​

 

[Roudac Gannan]

From the chambers of High Command on Dosuun, an encrypted holo-communication began. On the other was Allegiant General Gannan, who stood before the projector with a stern expression, his brow furrowed, as he considered the situation and the information to pass along to the Director of the FOSB...

>> HOLO.ENCRYPT//113M-ejj--; data=ghosted; data-uplink=secure; masking-status=active; function=security; permissions=limited;]

"Director Shepard, this is Gannan on behalf of High Command. Excuse the interruption, I know you're busy on Sump, but we've had a development that requires immediate action. Consider this top priority, Aurodium-One Level. Just now, our comm stations in the Taul System received an emergency broadcast from a nearby patrol fleet. I'm sure you're up to date on the recent patrols that have been going missing near the edges of First Order space? Well, unlike those times, this commander actually managed to break through the jamming..."

Roudac glanced down to the desk in front of him, as he considered the data readout from the emergency file transmission of the lost patrol. They had managed to send a final static-filled tight-beam communication right before the signal had been lost. And while it wasn't a lot, it might have just been enough, and opened some options for the First Order to pursue - or so the Allegiant General hoped - as Roudac looked back up to Shepard...

"I'm sending through the final transmission of the data package we received. It's not much, barely enough to identify the threat beyond some basic readout scans, but what it does show is that the patrol was ambushed by an older Imperial-design force. And while it's not surprising to see Star Destroyers from years ago being used by small groups in the galaxy, it's the size of the group that interests us... that level of personnel retention and recruitment wouldn't go unnoticed. Someone, somewhere, has to have seen or been approached by whoever this is, and we need to find out. Now."

Gannan leaned forward, as he placed his fists down on the table before him, his dark eyes intense as they reflected the holo-projector light...

"Current restricted ops indicates you have a task group near Bakura. I need you to reroute them, Shepard, and get the group headed to an old contact that we've used before. One located on Anthan Prime, known to some as the Ante...

"We need everything and anything the Ante has on what this Imperial force in our region could be, and any leads the information broker might have on location. Spare no expense, transfer as many funds as it requires to your team to get it done."

With a sigh, not at the Director but at the situation, Gannan eased back and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he raised his eyebrows:

"Any questions?"

The Major | Virginia Schnapp | Tir Grastis | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

 

[Adrian Cassidy]

Tir Grastis | Virginia Schnapp | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain | The Major | Roudac Gannan

Cassidy was about to respond to Tir, but Virginia got there first.

"Oh, I am humility itself, Frost. You know this." Only then glancing back to Grastis. "Just fine. Part of the job, no? If you're not willing to jump in front of a bullet for Queen and Motherland, then what's the point, isn't it?" His smirk deepened there, because the irony was delicious. Only Frost would know the depth of it.

That was just fine.

"But- the way I hear it you had your fair share of action out there, Grastis. Cheers on taking down the sniper. Would have loved to take a wrench to their knees, but I will trust you put them in a world of hurt yourself." Cassidy was about to say more, but that was about the time when all their commlinks lit up like Avalonia during Life Day.

"Hm."

Brows furrowed as the cascade of data was processed by their internal computing devices. "Seems our party just got a bit more interested, are y'all seeing this?"

"I do so love when mission parameters change in the middle of a mission. How about all of you?"

Only there did Adrian lean back, crossing one leg over the other and relax again, waiting to see how this would play out.

 

[Tir Grastis]

ABOARD THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Rerouting...

The warning from Schnapp resulted in a grunt of amusement from Tir, as he smirked at her. He listened as Cassidy brushed off the compliment with some level of humility, then went on to mention the sniper situation. The Firrerreon crossed his arms, as he rested against the bulkhead. "Got close enough to make her reevaluate the situation," Tir muttered, though there was some annoyance in his eyes as he sniffed. "Thermal detenator the sniper threw ended the fight early. Shame. Would have enjoyed tearing into something."

Nonetheless, the update for the Bakura landing was paused, as communication came through on a very secure line. From the FOSB Director herself, with orders from High Command. Turned out the information recovery mission was going to be deviated, as the task group were sent to another system instead. There was obvious questions, but ultimately there was no point - orders were orders - though Cassidy's comments were mirrored by Tir, as he nodded.

"Yep. Love it." With a sigh, Tir pushed off the bulkhead with a forward movement, then started toward the cockpit. He approached the rebel pilot, and placed a hand on the man's flight chair as spoke in a low voice. "Change of plans. We're headed to Anthan Prime... got a meet setup, so no need to sneak in this time. Approval for double the pay, for jerkin' you around with Bakura."

Then it came down to waiting, as the freighter would be rerouted. A new hyperspace trip would be calculated, then it would be a straight shot through the galaxy and out to the Anthan System...

ABOARD THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Approaching Anthan Prime...

The warning to exit hyperspace sounded.

Tir woke up, as he sat upright in the flight chair. He saw the mottle of blue return to star points, then nodded to Arenais. The rebel Jedi would take them right down to the planet, as the Agent provided the information the other needed for landing clearance. Once that was sorted, Tir stood up and walked out to join the others in the common area for the ship.

"We made good time," Tir mentioned, though it wasn't pertinent to the situation, really. "We'll be meeting someone called the Ante. Info broker. Costs a fortune, but the data is good... Schnapp, you up to do the talkin'?"

The parameters of the mission had changed. Now it would come down to someone the Ante could speak with, and since Tir wasn't exactly a great conversationalist, it would probably go more smoothly with one of the other Agents taking the talking on. Besides, the last thing the FOSB - or the First Order - needed was for the Firrerreon to lose his temper with a valuable information source and have it cut off.

"We're landing any minute. Let's change into something more resort-y."

With another sigh, Tir moved into one of the rearmost areas of the ship. While the Agent didn't have expensive clothing, per se, he did have some options for if things changed during the course of the mission. So he soon dressed in a decent enough shirt and pants, with some nice boots that were polished. Given his scruffy exterior though, Tir wondered how he would be perceived in the fancy establishment...

Virginia Schnapp | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Starship: VCX-100 Series Freighter | "Valentine"
Location: Approaching Anthan Prime.
Present Company: Tallin Dain, Tir Grastis , Virginia Schnapp, Adrian Cassidy .

The change of orders for the First Order's infiltration team caused something of a stir within Caedyn, though not an irritable one, it did require him to question the form of engagement that the Rebel's could be associated with in the future where their joint venture might get out in the public spotlight.

Nonetheless, he gave a nod of approval to the pilot, consent required as his word was that of Rebel Command whereas their cooperation with the First Order was still entirely new.

As landing procedures would begin to be underway, Caedyn returned back to the rest of the unit, primarily Tir Grastis ; "Same plan then I'm assuming, unless you've got a ride off of this rock, we'll hang back and ensure you don't get left here. Just give me a heads up if you run into any trouble..." He informed the man, assuming Tir to be the Commanding Officer of the First Order Team.

"If all goes well, perhaps we'll still make Bakura once you're done here. Good luck everyone" he gave a wave to the others, wishing them well in their newly given orders while he would remain back aboard the Valentine.

 

[Virginia Schnapp]

DISEMBARKING THE VCX-100 FREIGHTER 'VALENTINE'
Anthan Prime...

The change in mission was like whiplash, and Virginia could hardly believe her luck. She felt the knot in her stomach dissolve when they were redirected away from Bakura. Still, the mission parameters -- from a behind-the-lines clandestine infiltration to a dissolve-into-the-public-background -- could prove a challenge. "Good thing I pack for any occasion," she said, then stood up and disappeared into the 'fresher. Once inside, she shut the door and shucked her nondescript travel clothes.

The Anthan Spire was a luxury holiday resort, so in order not to stand out they had to look the part. She rifled through her bag and drew out a garment bag, hanging it on the back of the door. She unzipped it, revealing an above-the-knee ivory dress, sleeveless with a tie about the neck. A pair of nude pumps completed the look of a holidaymaking businesswoman; she could reuse her alias. She sat on the toilet and slipped her shoes on one at a time, splashed some water on her face, then dried off and applied a touch of makeup. By the time she emerged, fully dressed, they'd landed at the spaceport.

She gathered her things and stowed them. "Thanks for everything," she told Caedyn Arenais, offering a friendly smile before heading to disembark. Slinging her purse over one shoulder, Virginia wandered away from the ship towards the edge of the landing pad. The pad was on the outer rim of the city, offering an unobstructed view of the stunning atmospheric storm brewing in the distance. Lightning leaped hither and thither, lighting up the clouds.

"Isn't that something?" Virginia murmured distractedly over her shoulder at Adrian Cassidy and Tir Grastis . "Beautiful. Dangerous, I hear. Good thing that pilot took us the other way." She half-turned to look at her colleagues. "So -- what's our first step? This is my first time on this particular social call."

Tir Grastis | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

 

[Adrian Cassidy]

Tir Grastis | Virginia Schnapp | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain | The Major | Roudac Gannan

Adrian loved it.

Things couldn't be too boring. It's why he got into the Intelligence field in the first place. Missions changing in the middle of the op? That was just his bread and butter, while making his soul sing. He stretched and decided to change his shoes. Maybe the shiny leather ones instead. They'd fit perfectly with the debauchery of the Spire.

Real leather.

"Yeah thanks, flyboy. We will try not to come back running with half an army on our arse." A wink and salute to Arenais, before following Schnapp and Grastis out of the ship.

He stepped up to watch the ionic show with Frost.

Couldn't help but whistle at the sight however. "Balance I love this job." Get out there, meet new people, see new sights. It was the classical bullshit pitch that any military-adjacent organization dropped on new recruits. But feth, do they deliver in the rare cases, when you weren't crawling around in sewer pipes or catching bullets for ministers.

"Uh. Meet the contact, Ante? Weird name. Up the Ante? Frost, keep me from antagonizing him by suggesting another name when we meet, kay?" He glanced at his commlink, scanning the info Command send them once more. "Looks like there is an off-the-book card game going on in a nearby warehouse."

Brows furrowed there.

"Why is there a clandestine card game going on when this entire place is full of debauchery and illegal rich shit? Well, not my business, I guess."

A shrug as he put the info away again.

"One of us goes in for the card game, two monitor the situation from outside and standby for if something goes down?"

 

[The Ante]

_______________________________________________________________________
ANTE'S PRIVATE CHAMBERS - LOWER SPIRE​

Deep within the lower levels of the Spire, the floating resort-city that orbited Anthan Prime, a lone sentient sat in the darkness. The singular holoscreen was the only real source of illumination, as it cast a dull blue tint across the humanoid's face and upperbody, where bright highlights of ornate neck and chest decoration caught the light. With a delicate hand, all long fingered and nails manicured, the information broker known as the Ante pressed a button on the control panel before him. There was a slight pause, before another sentient replied and waited.

"They have arrived," The Ante said with a smile, his voice almost sing-song. "Bring them to me."

The alien on the other end of the call confirmed, before the connection ended, and the Ante was left to solitude once again. In the years since occupying the position as the shadowy infochant sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. He considered for a moment, wondered at the exact purpose of the visit, but nonetheless was prepared with a plethora of information, should the First Order Security Bureau team have the appropriate credits. Still, from the indirect contact made from one of those in higher command, there had been some subtle inclinations as to the purpose - Bakura was mentioned in passing, at any rate, which led one to conclude that the planet was of interest at least.

Intriguing, The Ante thought to himself, before he stood and the motion lights activated. But I had best prepare to receive customers.

_______________________________________________________________________
ANTE'S MEETING ROOM - SOMETIME LATER​

When the security doors opened, the room within was revealed to the guests. It was richly decorated, golds and deep purples, with modern decor and hanging tapestries. The central space was occupied by a large, comfortable looking circular couch, which allowed all who sat to step into the middle and face everyone else while seated. It was intended to be very inviting. Most seemed to think so, at least.

On the same couch, the Ante sat. His appearance was humanoid, with finely shaped features and sharp cheekbones, and immaculately groomed hair. The likelihood of subtle makeup was a given, unless the individual was simply blessed with near-perfect and unblemished skin, which was just as possible. His lean form was draped in finery of cloaks, a form-fitting suit and songsteel adornments with corusca gems to the upperbody; and from his reclined position, the Ante regarded his nails absently... until he turned to look at the arrivals:

"Ah, good. Welcome, welcome," He said with a smile, as bright green eyes cast a scrutinizing gaze across each, before settling on the female. She seemed to be the brains. And what a thoroughly lovely combination of balance, of both beauty and intelligence, and was certainly a boon for the First Order's security. "Please, come, sit where you will. I have refreshments prepared--"

A casual wave of the Ante's expressive hands and arms drew attention to one side of the room, where a servant held a tray; and on it was the preference of beverage for each individual, to the finest detail.

"--to which you will find to your liking, I am quite certain."

The servant walked over quickly, head low, as the small alien moved to each guest and finally brought the Ante's own drink to hand. Dismissed, the infochant took a long sip, relished the refreshing liquid, then took another. The exhale was exaggerated, before those green eyes turned to look at the agents, his free hand absently waving subtle patterns in the air beside him - an eccentric habit, perhaps.

The Ante smiled.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your business this evening, my dear acquaintances?"

Tir Grastis | Virginia Schnapp | Adrian Cassidy​

 

[Virginia Schnapp]

THE ANTE'S CHAMBERS
Anthan Prime - The Spire

The journey to the Ante was fairly straightforward, but the man (Virginia thought) was anything but. He was beautiful rather than handsome, and there was some air of the ethereal about him that, Virginia supposed, may have been a enhanced by the hit of Purple Lotus she had taken back in the freighter's 'fresher. Her dark eyes drank in the scene, snapping this way and that. The way he spoke made it seem like the Ante was addressing Virginia herself.

"Thank you," was all she could muster. It wasn't that she could think of nothing to say, but there was something about the Ante that made her feel somewhat unbalanced. Virginia took a seat on the sofa and crossed her ankles primly, slanting her legs to one side for modesty's sake. Her eyes went to the servant, then to the tray, then back to the Ante as he described the refreshments that, he assured her, she would find to her liking. The servant approached her first. Upon her hesitation the servant angled the tray slightly, making it clear which glass she should take. When she took it, he moved to the next.

She took an experimental sniff. Emerald wine -- Lothalian. Her eyebrows furrowed quizzically. How did he -- ? her gaze flicked up from the drink to their host. It's even the right temperature. Cool but not cold. Who -- ? She regarded him suspiciously before setting the drink on the small cocktail table next to her. If she knew her taste in beverages, what else did he know about her? She resisted the impulse to glance over at Adrian Cassidy , although a slight flush crept up her neck.

"We're looking for information," Virginia said, forcing her voice to remain flat, businesslike, "about some former First Order naval assets in the region. Have you come across anything of that nature?"

Tir Grastis | Adrian Cassidy | Caedyn Arenais | Tallin Dain​

 

[Tir Grastis]

THE ANTHAN SPIRE
Going to see the Ante...

Tir never felt comfortable dressed as he was presently. It rubbed him the wrong way, literally, like the fine material didn't sit well against his skin. Maybe he was just used to simple things in life, the familiar coziness of a leather jacket that also doubled as armorweave protection. But, every so often, despite Tir's opinions to the contrary, he was forced to clean up. Especially now that he was a Senior Agent.

Whoever made that call, made a mistake.

The next thing the Firrerreon knew, the group were approached by some small alien with feathers and a beak. It might have been cute, but it also had crimson bloodshot eyes, so. Either way, Tir furrowed his eyebrows at the thing's warbling, as it repeated - "Ante, Ante." - and beckoned for the FOSB to follow. They did, since what other option was there? Though it seemed to Tir that Cassidy was getting distracted with the Spire's other activities, and while the plan to split up was good, it seemed the information broker had other ideas...

"I'm pretty sure the contact had us pinged from landing," Tir said in a low voice, as he glanced to Cassidy. "And this guy is insistent we follow... maybe the Ante is busy? Has other clients, and needs us to get in and get out. Suits me."

The traversal through the Spire was relatively quick. They used turbolifts, walkways, some locked doors every so often, but otherwise the little feathery guide took the trio to where they needed to be. And then they were face-to-face with a clearly eccentric and odd individual, dressed in cloaks and a suit and who had questionable fashion sense all up in his business. Still, when Tir noticed that Schnapp took the Ante's focus, he happily stepped to one proverbial side, and let that focus remain on her.

Better she talk to this guy - guy? - yeah, I think so, Tir thought. The infochant was something, alright. Hope this is quick. Can't stand this place already.

The Firrerreon took a seat on the round couch, as a drink was delivered. It wasn't anything fancy, just a Dosuun whiskey. Tir took the glass, nodded to the server, then turned his attention back to the pair that spoke - he even cast a sidelong glance at Cassidy, wondering if the other agent was getting the same weird vibes from the business partner opposite them...

Virginia Schnapp | Adrian Cassidy | The Ante​