Interview with a View

[Michal Straden]

Michal couldn't believe the oppurtunity that was at grasp here, a chance to work with a mysterious shadow organization known as the Dark Hand. The organization had contacted him earlier this week, with an interview and coordinates to meet, The honest job offers that were coming Michal's way were few and far between, so this was his best shot at good, steady pay. the coordinates he believed were their base were actually, just a place for Dark Hand agents to pick-up Michal. Michal was then knocked out from behind after waiting at the designated coordinates and walking back towards the exit.

"Karking hell..." Michal muttered as he regained consciousness. He was feeling slightly concussed. He's not mad at their methods of transportation. It makes sense that such a secretive organization would want to keep their secret base secret. But what if the Dark Hand isn't real? What if these were slavers trying to trick easy prey? the options of what was happening raced through his mind. He looked around the room and there wasn't much a table 2 chairs (one of which was already occupied by himself and a datapad laying on the table facing towards the chair opposite to his. The concrete wall.

"Hello? Is someone going to tell me if this is legitimate or not? Cause if I'm being duped, there's going to be hell to pay." Michal said, his tone becoming angrier with each word.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

The methods used to take in Michal weren't the best, but they could certainly have been worse. In hindsight, Ra would have gone about it in a different manner and he wouldn't be waking up with a headache. It wasn't so much this base was secret, but she was. Only those people already with the Hand knew the part Ra played here. To the outside galaxy, she was a simple businesswoman. Inside these walls, she lead from the shadows and her people were the face of her movement.

Now needing to fill out roles, offers were sent out to prospects and if they were followed up on, they were brought here. Deciding at the last minute to have the meeting not in the library, it would be done in one of unfurnished rooms.

Once Michal started waking up, an old man would enter the room behind him with a drink and a pain reliever. Setting them both on the table, he turned to leave. As he walked out of the room, he announced that Ra would meet with him.

As Vincent left, she entered and went to the other side of the table.

"I apologize for the way they brought you here. My name is Riamah Numare, but please call me Ra. Easier to pronounce and remember."

Holding a hand out to shake if he wanted, she took a seat across from him. Her hair was down and she wore what might be thought of as something a peasant would wear for a top with loose sleeves. There was a reason for it though. Hidden up her sleeves were two short saber hilts, but Ra didn't think they would be needed in this meeting. The pants she wore were form fitting and dark.

"This it totally legitimate."

[member="Michal Straden"]

 

[Michal Straden]

Michal was stunned when the old man came in. He dropped off some water and a pain reliever and then announced that Ra would be arriving soon.

"What the kark is a Ra?" Michal thought to himself. he took the pill and downed the water and was almost immediately feeling better, after all it's hard to do an interview with a head ache.

a few seconds after he left a beautiful, yet fiery redhead entered the room. Michal observed the woman as she walked past him. He noticed something in the left sleeve of the woman. too thin to be a blaster, could it be a Vibroblade? Doesn't matter, he knows well enough that most people in the business keep at least one concealed weapon on them at a time. If he's gonna be a bodyguard he better get used to being able to catch stuff like this. He decided against saying anything.

She sat down and apologized about the way he was brought in. Michal wasn't worried about it but graciously accepted the apology. She went on to introduce him and confirm this was the real deal. he looked into her golden eyes. Her face was stone cold but her eyes had a warmth about them. He immediately trusted the woman.

"Charmed." Michal said with a slightly coy grin. "Considering I'm here, I'm sure I don't have to worry about boring you with the Details, but just in case you forgot the name's Michal Straden... Don't wear it out." He chuckled at first genuinely but then nervously realizing how idiotic it was to say at a professional meeting, he cleared his throat. "Anyways, I've heard many myths, legends, and guesses made about your organization. The Dark Hand. what a genuinely terrifying name. I mean it makes sense that there's a lot of rumors about you guys, but not one of those rumors mention that they're lead by an angel." Michal said, ever the charmer. He knew he had to play it cool, but he couldn't help it.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

There was a measuring to her gaze as she listened to what he had to say. As far as introductions went, this one could certainly have gone better. However, she took his reaction as a good thing. He provided his name with a small grin. Even though Ra already knew his name, she nodded when he provided it. Taking his humor in stride, she decided he would be a good asset to her movement.

This was before he ever stated he had heard of the what was shortened to The Hand more these days. When he ended his statement with a compliment, there was maybe a slight breaking in her facade.

"What have you heard about us, Mister Straden?"

As he mentioned he had not heard of her, she also thought this was a good thing. Ra lead from the shadows and did not show her position in public. It was how she wanted it kept.

"And how did you figure out I am the leader? Because that is accurate."

Leaning forward to indicate her interest in his answers, the door opened again and Vincent brought in something stronger for them to drink.

[member="Michal Straden"]

 

[Michal Straden]

Michal was right to be questioned by Ra, about how he knew she was the leader. He didn't know.

"Well, I know now, Ms. Ra." He grinned as raised his glass and sipped on the beverage he was served. "To be fair, you're looking for the best of the best. I don't mean to toot my own horn but I am in that category. So it would make sense for me to be protecting someone of a high position of power. You obviously hold a position of high power, most likely even without the dark hand. It would make sense that you'd hire someone on the outside. And I know very little of the dark hand, besides the myths and the legends that I've heard. I heard you fought evil within the galaxy, I know nobody knows if they exist or not. That's about all."

Michal took another sip of his drink. He was always good at interviews, but this interview, this was something completely different. Every time he had an interview it never really lasted long. The employer would talk about past jobs, Michal would tell him that's true, the Employer would ask Michal if he can do something, Michal would say yes, and that was his whole process.

"But tell me why does someone as obviously capable as you are in need of a bodyguard?" Michal asks as he looks at her right sleeve. "If I had to guess... vibroblade?" Michal took another sip of the beverage as he waited for her response.

[member="Riamah"]

 

[Riamah]

Michal openly admitted he hadn't know for sure she was the leader until she admitted it a moment ago. Something Ra made not of to not do again so quickly next time. If he had ulterior motives behind seeking employment and was here to assassinate whoever was in charge, she would be dead now. He went to say how good he was at certain things. Protecting those in high positions was one of them and commented on her weapons up her sleeve.

With a simple flick of her wrists, the hilts appeared in her hands and she set them on the table between them.

"Lightsabers actually. Shoto length rather than a longer one. Dual wield instead of a single blade. When I need more, I also have double-bladed saber I carry, but I use that one even less than these."

All her other weapons were more mundane and were two boot knives, blaster and a spiked ball at the end of her hair when it was braided. It was down today though since she didn't expect to fight with Michal. When he asked why she needed a guard, she gave him half a smile. Her answer might make some sense, but it might also lead to more questions.

"If my weapons of choice are any indication, then you will have figured out I can use the Force. That does not make invincible though, far from it. That aspect of my life I have decided to keep secret from some people. So these is the need of a guard to indicate I am not as powerful as I really am."

Her answer did not lead to point him in any direction of her personal alignment within the Force, but attitude spoke volumes.

"There was also a time in my life I had a bounty on my head. As I stated I am not all powerful alone, however, my friends are. We are a united force and I am looking for others that are like minded. I do feel you would work well with us. As a guard, you get your foot in the door and soon you will gain power in your right and not have to rely on others."

Power was usually a great motivator and almost everybody wanted it. Ra never had wanted power to just have it. What she did have, she had started at the bottom and earned on her own. Time and knowledge had given her this and now it was her turn to share.

[member="Michal Straden"]