Private Into the Rabbit's Hole

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous stayed up all night watching the window for any signs of Rakghoul activity. There was an orange light far ahead of the house, a fire of some sorts perhaps. The Sith Lord wondered why haven't the police force come in yet, maybe they were too busy evacuating the citizens. Their safety mattered first before going in and bombing whatever was left. In a way, the the shield dome was the very thing that prevented an orbital strike. Hopefully the people would be aware that there were survivors in the resort. Angonous thoughts then lingered on Rowena and how close they've become, he had to admit it was rather chilling but of course beneficial if he played his cards right. He did feel something for her and that's what made him pause, love could compromise his commitment to the Sith especially if his enemies find out about her. He'll need to be cautious.

As the Sun rose up, Angonous sighed relying on the force to give him energy. He approached Rowena's room and knocked on the door sighing. "It's time," he said his tone of voice weary. "Take as much time as you need."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena had slept eventually. And it was a lovely sleep, for the bed and down blankets were quite comfortable. Not quite as comfortable as what she had at home, but comfortable enough to sleep deep enough to dream.

But she wasn't about to share what those dreams were. Not in the slightest.

And when Darth Angonous knocked on her door, she was already halfway to waking. The man sounded tired. She nedded to fix that.

A while later when Rowena exited her room, she was already dressed and made up. Her hair was also pinned up as it was at the start of yesterday. And her smile betrayed no hint at the current predicament that they were in. "Good morning. Shall I make us some coffee? I know that I could use some." Of course she could use some breakfast as well, but it wasn't as though she was going to find anything useful for that here.

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angnonus didn't realize how tired he was, he let out a yawn and stretched out his massive arms as Rowena came out of her room looking exactly like she was yesterday. "Wow," Angnonous said looking at her. "I just woke you up and already you have your make up and your hair pinned up." The Sith Lord gave a smile something that was for him to give. "You look absolutely stunning," he said. "I suppose that I can use some Coffee considering I spent the entire night watching for potential danger."

Angonous went over to the black couch and collapsed against it. "You're going have to make sure you have everything you need my lady," he said. "The last thing we need is to lose something."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

"I've had lots of practice in getting myself presentable in a jiffy. And this is just casual wear. When I attend a gala however..." Rowena smiled in spite of herself. She knew how to doll herself up, and knew how to impress.

It was all a part of the political game when one was a woman.

Rowena started to prepare the coffee, seeing that Darth Angonous had already drank what she had made the night before. "My luggage is at the casino. Other than that, everything that I have is right here."

 

[Darth Angonous]

In the pit of Vipers one must always look as presentable as possible, while Angonous presented in a somewhat expensive yet albeit unremarkable look a person like Rowena would wow people with their clothing. Personally, the Sith Lord tried not to draw too much attention to himself even if he was built like an Imperial Walker. "I think you look your best in that white dress," Angonous said smiling. "Try not to mess it up this time."

As Rowena prepared the Coffee, Angonous wondered what was going on back at the Casino. Surely the personnel would've completed the evacuation by now. Now they have to take care of the Rakghoul problem. "First things first," Angonous said putting his chin over his hands. "Is to contact the Casino and let them know that there are survivors that need to be picked up."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena chuckled a little to herself at Darth Angonous ' little jest. She poured the coffee, keeping his black, while adding sugar and cream to her own.

Moments later she joined him at the couch, seating herself upright and poised, with her feet crossed at the ankles and tucked under a little. She handed him his coffee before sipping her own.

"And how are we to do that with no way to get a signal out? The shields need to go down first."

 

[Darth Angonous]

"The Signal Tower should have the entire communications network," Angonous explained sipping his own black coffee. "Considering that we found out last night that the resort has a landing pad that means there has to be a communication tower not too far behind." The Sith Lord leaned against the couch. "We've sent messages last night that there are survivors," he said. "We're going to need to coordinate with the rescue teams so they won't accidentally wipe us out. That may require us to get back onto the Holoterminal."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

"You mean to say that we're not heading to the security building anymore? That we have to go right to where those monsters are nesting?" She sipped her coffee, thinking of the ridiculousness of it all. But Darth Angonous could be meaning something entirely different. "Or are you suggesting that we communicate with them here?"

 

[Darth Angonous]

"That's the best place where we can talk to the rescue team," Angonous said taking another sip of black coffee. "That or we try to access the Holoterminal again." he tried contacting the security team last night while Rowena was asleep but all he got was static. "Attempted to send out an S.O.S last night," he said. "Couldn't anything, I'm going to try to work on the strengthening the signal. Maybe you should come with me might need a woman's touch."

Angonous definitely did want to go to the communications network tower, hopefully they could communicate through here.

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena pursed her lips. She didn't like the idea of heading out into the middle of those monsters. What if they were caught? Or eaten? Or worse? What if her dress got dirty again?

"Whatever you think is best...." Darth Angonous knew more about these kinds of situations than she did. But that didn't mean that she had to be happy about it. Yet she kept up her front of being calm and composed, despite how she really felt.

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous got up heading for the Holoterminal. "Going back to the communications tower while the Rakghouls are building their nest is tantamount to suicide." he said. "We're not going there either way but we need to let the rescue team that we are okay." Approaching the Holoterminal, Angonous craned his head to see black smoke coming from afar. They might not need to go there considering that Rakghouls likely messed up the place while they were building last night. According to some Sith Sorcerers in their experiments, some Rakghouls communicated telepathically. It was easier for them to coordinate attacks or raids.

This was bad news for people who wanted to exterminate these creatures since they could usually do an organized retreat. "It does explain why they were quiet," he said. "These Rakghouls were too busy working and were communicating telepathically." Motioning Rowena to come over, Angonous accessed the signal mainframe. "Right," he said. "I'm trying to boost the signal but I'm having trouble doing so. Might need your help for this Rowena."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Well at least Darth Angonous was speaking common sense. They weren't going towards the nest. Oh thank heavens!

"Well at least they aren't reading my mind..." Rowena sipped her coffee and got up from the couch. She was lucky that Angonous didn't read her mind either. That would be too embarrassing.

She approached the holoterminal and set her cup down before reaching over him to the keyboard. Her fingers flew across the keys as she put all of her focus on the task at hand. She adjusted the power networks, depleting it in some sub systems and redirecting it towards the signal array. Fortunately it appeared to work. She just hoped that it was enough.

"Give that a try."

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous smiled seeing the boost in the signal array. "Good work," he smiled placing his large hand against her small, slender one. "Are you sure you're not a secret expert on Holoterminals?" Rowena may think of herself as just a lady but she was more intelligent than she let's on. "I knew having a woman's touch would make things better." Angonous said accessing the communications network and attempt to contact the casino.

"Hello," Angnous said adjusting the signal, there were garbled sounds coming from the other side, there was still interference but at least there was a connection squeezing on Rowena's hand, Angonous continued to speake. "We are trapped in the Fun in Sun Resort surrounded by Rakghouls. Can any one hear me. We need extraction immediately."

The radio remained silent before a voice was heard. "This is Captain Corren Marr of the Confederate of Independent Systems who am I speaking to?"

Angonous fought off the urge to smile, he had to use his real name only as a cover. Things were still tense between the CIS and the The Sith Empire. "My name is Cal," Angonous replied feeling rather numb to the fact that he said his original name. Cal died in the jungles of Dromond Kaas consumed by the darkness that leaked from it. He evolved into a Sith Lord one that has his chains broken, Angnonous was his new identity and something that he was comfortable with. "With me is Rowena Arenais: A woman of great importance we ask that you hold off any assault that you have planned. We are survivors."

"Are there more of you?" Captain Marr asked his voice cool and precise. "No sir there isn't." Angonous said. "As far as I know there's only the two of us. We are going to lift the barrier that was unlocked as soon as we entered yesterday. As soon as it's done I'll send in a beacon so you can extract us."

The radio went silent for a moment before Marr spoke again. "Roger that," he said. "Make it quick or we are sending in the Droids and their orders will be shoot to kill. Can't guarantee your safety then, carpet bombing these Rakghoul to the Hyperspace Age will be more efficient. Go in, disable that shield and then signal for extraction. We will take care of you. Over and out."

The radio went silent as Angonous leaned against his chair. There was a disturbance in the force it was probably coming from the Rakghouls but either way they need to get out of here. "Time to go," Agnonous said to Rowena. "If you don't want your dress dirty I suppose I can carry you there." The Sith Lord winked. There he goes again with the flirting, it felt rather awkward.

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

"You just have to be gentle with them." She knew her way around some holoprograms as she's had to dig up information on people before. One can't go into politics blindly, of course.

Rowena listened to the conversation between Darth Angonous and Captain Marr with great interest. However hearing about the droids and carpet bombing gave her very little comfort and assurances. Just how much time did they have?

She finished her coffee as it was noted that they had to leave. Rowena gave Angonous a playful smile as he joked with her. "I think that I can manage. But just be there to catch me if I stumble..." She stepped aside and let him lead the way. He was her only weapon against the monsters. Her only hope.

 

[Darth Angonous]

It was tough being gentle with people when you know that they have ulterior motives, the way that Corren Marr sounded didn't fill Angonous with confidence. Rowena was more experienced or better yet more suited for talking than Angonous was. "Good," Angonous said looking at Rowena as he instinctively cupped her cheek. "I want you looking pristine once we get out of here it is my job to protect you after all. Stay close to me and run when I say so okay?"

Approaching the door, Angonous slowly opened it greeted by the artificial sounds of the forest playing. Thankfully, the yellow mist didn't spread while they were resting at the house. "The tower is a few miles ahead," Angonous said. "Let's not waste any time."

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena blinked in surprise as Darth Angonous cupped her cheek, however she chuckled a little at his comment. "And looking pristine is my job. But don't worry. I'll be okay."

She cleared her throat again as she flattened out her dress a bit while Angonous moved to the door. "After you..." Rowena waited until he left the doorway before she followed, close enough to grab hold of him if she had to, yet not too close to get in the way should he have to fight. She kept silent as she walked, not wanting to attract attention. It was more than enough that she had already attracted his...

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous smiled as went past Rowena, they were almost out of here and he was pretty sure that Rowena would want to take another bath after what she experienced yesterday. The trek through the forest was surprisingly quiet which made Angonous even more cautious, there was an ancient saying: The Calm before the storm. Angonous and Rowena managed to escape the brunt of Rakghoul attack last night and the creatures left them alone and started to build. As they trekked through the forest, Angonous and Rowena reached the outskirts of the security building where there was yellow mist permeating the air. Frowning, Angonous motioned Rowena to stay close as he began walking through the thick yellow fog. "It looks like the Rakghouls were expanding," he said as they got closer to the building. When the fog cleared up, Angonous eyebrows raised up in anger at what he just saw.

The security building was there, but it was surrounding living flesh and tendrils. It was as if the building was in the process of being consumed. "Damn," Angonous muttered staring at Rowena. "The Rakghouls construction expanded to the security building. Let's just hope we can still shut down shield." Or perhaps the Rakghouls themselves were looking for a way to get out as well? It would do Angonous and Rowena a favor but they need to let command know their location. Hearing a roar in the distance, Angonous turned to Rowena. "Let's go," he muttered as he began to run towards the door.

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena didn't like the look of the yellow mist, let alone the smell of it. It was musty and rotten smelling. She could feel her hair falling flat because of it.

The sight of the fleshy tendrils around the security building did little to raise her hopes. She took hold of Darth Angonous ' arm, her eyes scanning the area for movement. She kept silent, not wanting her voice to alert the monsters to their presence.

When Angonous told her to go, she did just that. Letting go of him so that they'd both have more freedom of movement. But she remained very close, ever vigilant, listening and almost waiting to be pounced on.

 

[Darth Angonous]

As soon as they reached the door, Angonous offered his arm for Rowena to hold on to. Given how thick this mist is, they could easily be separated. "How are you holding up?" The Sith Lord whispered to Rowena. "Your hair is starting to flatten a bit." Angonous took out a straw hat similar to the one that Rowena wore yesterday. "Found this last night figured it might give comfort and more importantly protect your hair from the unusual elements."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

She took the offered arm, if only by instinct. In this scary situation, she needed the comfort. And having Darth Angonous was extremely comforting. "I'm still alive, so that's good," she whispered back.

A look of shock was seen on her face as Angonous produced the straw hat from....well, she didn't know where. Rowena let go of him, pausing for a moment in her steps so that she could place it properly on her head and tuck her hair inside. "Thank you Ang. Heaven knows that I'll need a good spa treatment after this. And pampering...so much pampering. Starting with a good foot rub." At least she was giving herself something to look forward to.