My Little Thief

[Darth Veles]

Usually a busy and crowded place, a silent square gaped at its own emptiness as dark shadows crept over the filthy ground, vanquished only by lamps that dotted the streets and large flashy signs trying to grab attention. Side entrances and alleyways usually found themselves permanently bathed in darkness and were often inhabited by questionable individuals with colourful past. Such was Coruscant Underworld, shielded by massive skyscrapers towering high into the sky, destined to never see the warm rays of sun. The only thing revealing the place slept was the lack of ordinary people, mostly replaced by more unsavoury sorts that rotated between noisy bars and raunchy brothels – in the better case. Smugglers, pirates, thieves, murderers, all called this place their home and all had little hesitation to put a blaster bolt into those who asked too many questions or simply looked weird. Luckily enough, one could find a guard or two here and there, patrolling the streets. These men have been hardened by the Underworld’s brutality and often shot first, asked questions later. In this place, it was the only way how to stay alive.

The square connected to a marketplace, but right now, neither saw customers of vendors. The place would have been completely silent if not for a fountain that must have seen better days and could barely spit out water – and yet one could hear someone arguing over the price of merchandise. Chirping excitedly, two men paid little attention to their surroundings – except for one guard that walked around and rumbled something to himself, there was nobody to be seen. Two pairs of eyes followed them though; not too far away, hidden by shadows, a Mon Calamari Sith leaned against the wall, observing the duo before shifting his attention to a young female standing right next to him. The woman’s hairstyle strangely fit into this kind of place, which would come in handy soon enough.

Normally, Avreet avoided the Underworld as much as he could. This time though, he spotted an opportunity for taking his student out of the Temple and finally allowing her to put her skills to test. The apprentice deserved that much – despite still being rebellious, the Sith Lord could see she was no longer that pickpocket he had met several levels above them. As a Sith Acolyte, Kendrix had endlessly trained and practiced arts of stealth and ways of Sith, growing in power and wisdom, albeit only slightly. Her stubborn nature often made the training difficult, yet the Acolyte had managed to learn all basic skills and powers usually found in any Force-user’s arsenal. Levitating objects with her mind, talking into mind of another, enhancing her speed and more, even learning absolute basics of Force stealth that allowed the girl to hide her signature and presence. Avreet strongly encouraged her to practice all of these skills – and to train her body alongside her mind, become stronger and reach perfection.

“Do you see those two, my apprentice?” Avreet asked in a whisper and nodded in direction of the two men who continued to argue yet, “The smaller one with bald head is most likely a buyer, possibly a fence. The hooded man he’s talking to is a leader of a local gang. Not too long ago, his men have stolen something from the Sith, a crate full of weapons. A very unwise choice, as they will know before morning. That is not the only reason I have chosen this task for you though.” A small smile curled the Mon Cal’s lips and the whiskers on his chin quivered as the large amphibian's mouth spoke even more.

“Their leader is rumoured to have acquired a lightsaber crystal in the past, which he sometimes shows to his… women. This is a great opportunity for you, apprentice. I don’t need to say what to do with the crystal once you find it…,” his large head turned to look back at her, keeping one eye on the men who had little idea of what's been set in motion after their decision to insult the One Sith military, “He and his friends probably have a hideout nearby where they stash their stolen goods.”

His webbed hand vanished under his tunic and when it appeared again, it held a small circular device, giving it to Kendrix.

“I want you to follow the two and let them lead into the gang’s hideout. Take whatever you want and plant this tracker in there. After that… get out as soon as you can, as they will be raided soon. I hope you have brought the computer spikes and security spikes as I told you.”

Veles felt no worry for his student. She knew how to hide in shadows, even without Force cloak. Plus this task was a test for her – if she died, Avreet could always choose from many other expendable Acolytes. This reminded him of one last thing and he frowned, giving the girl a hard stare to ensure she knew he meant his words seriously and wouldn't tolerate disobedience.

“Don’t kill anyone. This isn’t an assassination mission, understood?”

[member="Kendrix"]

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix eyes darted through the darkness. Her Theowei blood allowed her better vision in the darkness and even gave her eyes and eerie green glow. She then focused on the two men their attempts to make a silent deal almost thwarted by their frustration for each other. Kendrix glared her judgement on them. They were stupid to pick such a place for a meeting even if it was at night. Her ears twitched as her master spoke of the nature of the two men and her place in this plot. The words of the fish's tongue meant nothing to her until the mention of the crystal. A lightsword crystal... saber. Lightsaber crystal. He didn't need to tell her the nature of it. The crystal would have her as it's new owner as soon as she found it. She patted her person to double check for the security and computer spikes. Her ability to use them correctly was another question. She had some minor lessons. The gang leader seemed stupid in her eyes so she imagined she would have no problem, but then again... she could be wrong.

"Súrë túla cendeletyallo, Limbthír," Kendrix smirked as she finished the sentence and began to cloak her signature. Slowly but surely her force signature began to dissipate until it became a fraction of what it was before. "No one shall die... Is it time to begin?"

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

And again, this strange language of his apprentice made and appearance, another proof of her refusal to fully submit to the Sith. Veles still did not understand a word of her native tongue – and in the end, he enjoyed the thought of his apprentice possibly showering him with profanities and ancient curses of her people. It humoured him greatly to think of the young woman’s future, her belief she could stay independent and leave the Sith whenever she wished – but as their very first meeting gave away, the Sith disliked Force users who refused to accept the Order as their new family. The answer to whether [member="Kendrix"] chose the perfect Sith future or her independence remained in stars shining above their heads, the same answer subtly hinted in the girl’s eyes glowing in the ghostly colour of emerald.

The little rebel was no fool – she wanted power, fully realizing the achievements she could accomplish with the help of the Force, the training her mentor offered. This has been demonstrated by her eagerness to learn, the successful use of Force stealth that shrouded her presence in a heavy mist. With her presence mostly masked an image of a lightsaber crystal giving her the proper motivation to succeed, the little thief was, indeed, good to go.

No words left the Mon Cal’s mouth, his eyes blinking slowly when his apprentice addressed him before the large domed head turned to look at the two men. Veles’ cybernetically enhanced hearing picked up the voices suddenly stopped, the argument ended, and the shady duo started to move. Shifting his attention back towards the Sith Acolyte, Avreet gave a nod of approval and the mission was on. While the two targets passed through the empty market, not noticing anyone else, the Sith Lord turned his gaze towards the stars, his mind drifting into another place, another time.

Illuminated by nothing but lamplights, the moving figures cast grotesque shadows on the walls of tall buildings around them, giving off the illusion of monsters creeping in the dark. The two did their best to avoid completely dark, pitch black streets and alleys – and as such, instead of going through a short, menacing passage connecting the market with their desired street, the duo walked around the building separating them from the walkway they wanted to tread, passing through an alleyway on the other side that bathed in light.

In the end, they had gotten to the other end of the way they did not dare to go through in the first place; their fears have been proven unwarranted, as a guard wielding a small carbine just sank into the darkness, following his patrol route despite the lack of light in there. Still, despite having no idea of a young Sith Acolyte following them like a shadow, one of the men suddenly stopped, his paranoia giving him no other choice but to look around, fearful gaze hopelessly trying to see through any and all shadow before his partner noticed the man’s hesitation.

“Come on, this way!” he urged none too gently, the rough voice of a drunken brute absolutely unfitting to his image of a thief.

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix didn’t waste any time. She stepped forward hugging the walls as she creeped down the streets behind the two men. Her body ducking and hiding behind the convenient crates and stalls of the market place. Kendrix stayed close enough to keep her eyes on the men at all times. Their lack of concern made her job easier. They didn’t watch behind them. They worried about the path in front of them instead. Months of wandering this part of the city allowed her noticed that they took a longer path to get to their destination. Maybe they did expect to be followed?

Kendrix formed to the wall like a statue when the guard patrolling came her direction. Her hand covered her eyes just incase their reflective glow gave away her position. He looked directly at her then moved his eyes past her. Kendrix let a cocky smirk grace her mouth. When he was just far enough from her for her liking she ran at the other wall in front of her running up it before leaping off of it back to the wall she originally hid next to. A normal being would have fell here. Kendrix wasn’t normal however. The force helped her to make the leap upward toward the roof. Piping on the side of the building added support to her hands and feet. From there she stepped silently on the roof. Crouching she silently slipped across the roof. Her eyes finally finding the two men just as the one stops to look around. Kendrix stood up straight puffing out her chest and lifting her chin. She dared him to see her. She smirked when the man didn’t even bother to look up and instead just barking his order to the man he was leading.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Nobody spotted the little thief yet – their eyes focused on the normally travelled ways and roads that hosted nobody but creeping shadows. The target looking through the darkness and trying to spot anything unusual following them saw nothing, definitely not the moving shadow that hovered above them in great height. Shrugging, the man turned around and followed his companion, who had impatiently waited for him to move. Finally, their steps resonated through the night again, cutting through the silence, only occasionally broken by a yell or a scream coming from somewhere else.

The two grew more confident in their way of walking every time a guard moved past the shady duo, paying no attention to the two men that looked to be walking in the local pub’s direction. Kendrix would have no trouble stalking the two from a reasonable distance – a system of pipes ran along the roofs, occasionally letting the young thief cross to another top of a building without risking a jump. When traversing the solid metal, the Acolyte had to be careful though – the surface of both roofs and pipes proved to be quite slippery. Some of the pipes continued their way down, through the entire level, disappearing beneath the platforms, in darkness where the lowest of levels rested, forgotten by the majority.

The streets proved to be very straightforward, surrounded by buildings from both sides. While the two criminals somewhere below Kendrix continued to walk at their own pace, occasionally looking around and still failing to spot their follower, the young Acolyte would find her way less safe that she had originally thought. Some roofs happened to have a balcony as well, a fraction of them hosting a sentient or two who were silently spending the night with their own thoughts – often with lights on, casting away the shadows that used to protect all thieves picking this as their route. An old lady with white hair leaning against the railing, a bottle of cheap wine on a table behind her.

The only interesting thing about her was a shiny ring adoring her ring finger, way too fancy for someone living in the lower levels of Coruscant. The woman’s eyes silently stared at the dark street before she turned away, backing to the table and drinking more from the bottle. The way she moved indicated she had finished much of the bottle, now her uncoordinated steps hardly carried her to the door that led inside the building. Once, she stumbled, hitting the table and knocking the bottle off as her wrinkled hand gripped the table. Loudly, the bottle shattered, the old hag cursed, and unceremoniously repeated the attempt to get to the door – completely missing her ring had slipped off her finger, falling among the sharp shards.

The noise alerted the duo below Kendrix, their heads looking up in unison.

“Did you hear that?”

“Must have been an animal. Karking rats everywhere!”

It took a minute before their gazes parted with the world above them, continuing to focus on what lied in front of both; nothing but a well-lit, empty street except for a guard or two. Gusts of wind brought a sound of laughter and singing a drunken song from a pub at the end of the street, where it stood like a lighthouse. The due stopped in front of the door, not entering, and chatted about something, their voices a whisper.

[member="Kendrix"]

 

[Kendrix]

With the steps they began to take, Kendrix followed as well. Stalking her prey as they lead her back to their nest. Her thoughts went back to hunting with her father and how they would often follow creatures for hours trying to get that perfect shot. The perfect moment to strike. They didn’t mind the long hours spent in the forest but her mother did. She got fairly ticked at the both of them for staying out the day. Kendrix never cared however and at the end of it her father would add another vine or leaf to Kendrix’s tattoo to show just how proud he was.

Kendrix watched her footing immensely despite not even realizing she was she trained with her father to stalk and hunt. This required her to go through dense forest, swamps, rivers, all sorts of terrain found on Retalik. Her feet weren’t use to the pipes and the occasional slanted roofs but Kendrix adapted turning her feet to where they would have a better grip and would be less likely to slip. Her eyes stayed on the men but they also checked the path in front of her. What good was it hid on the roofs when she would eventually run out of roof? She made sure not to let herself run into a dead end.

Her body droped silently to the side of the roof when she noticed two being on a balcony near her. The looked human except they had large pointed craniums. Neither noticed Kendrix thankfully. They were too busy… tongue wrestling? Kendrix cocked her head to the side as she watched the two being hold each other and then proceeded to rub their tongues together. Wait was this suppose to be kissing? Her face scrunched as she watch the odd display of affection. Kendrix gagged then quickly stood back up to leave before it escalates. They were too busy to notice that either.

Her eyes fixed on the men as she continued across the roofs. Her eyes darting to count the balconies and how many were lit. She would need to get off the roofs soon before getting into the thick of it. A loud shatter forced her to drop to the side of the roof again. The surprise startling her slightly as she noticed the balcony and the old woman clinging to the table cursing at a broken bottle on her balcony before entering her home. Kendrix looked down as the two men’s eyes found the balcony as well. They eventually turned their eyes and continued. Kendrix moved over to the woman’s balcony. She focused on the light in the lamp that illuminated the balcony and then with a well placed grasp in the force she shattered the bulb and turned off the light. The illumination around her still allowed her Theowei eyes to see although any others would only be able to see an out line on the balcony and mistake it for the older woman.

For reason unknown to her, Kendrix glanced over the shards of glass. her eyes taking a second look as she noticed the ring. Careful not to cut herself she lifted it from it’s place among the shards. It had a simple design but it still had to cost a bit. It looked like a marital band. On Retalik the marital band was very important to two that were betrothed. Although it was too small. For the Theowei, a marital band was worn on the upper arm and made ornately out of wood or bone. She took too long looking at it and hear the woman’s foot steps behind her. Kendrix placed the ring on the table for the woman to reclaim then leaped over the side swinging her body back around to cling to the edge. She leapt backwards to the other wall using a pipe to slide the rest of the way down to the ground.

Her eyes went back to the men. She almost lost them. The men stood in a doorway and spoke whispering to each other. What they said was probably crucial but there was no way for Kendrix to get close without revealing herself.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

The muffled chatter of @Kendrix’ targets did not penetrate the wall of noise originating from within the pub. Their voices blended in so well it made any attempt to distinguish actual words in this sea of sounds virtually impossible. It mattered little for the stalking predator hidden within shadows though – her prey soon started to move again, slowly pacing through the darkened streets and surprisingly moving away from the seediest places, although to say this part of Coruscant Underworld looked better would be a lie. A group of homeless sentients lied tucked in a corner of one of the alleyways, covered by rags and anything else that could be used as a partial cover in sleep, completely ignored by the patrolling guards and an occasional bystander here and there.

Nobody cared much about another in these streets illuminated by nothing but lamps, yet the duo paid attention to the beggars. While the fence looked around, searching through the darkness behind them again, his thieving companion crouched and searched whatever belonged to the beggars on the ground. His hands swiftly explored the bulges on their cloth and with a skill worthy of a leader of a group of thieves, several credits soon vanished from the homeless and appeared in his palm. A guard approached, suddenly emerging from shadows, but neither of the two seemed to pay him any mind; indeed, the armoured man marched right past the men, unwilling to get into any trouble.

With the deed done, the duo turned and continued on their way, pace growing faster. Another few meters of brisk walk and a set of metal stairs appeared, leading to the apartment buildings of the richer part of the Underworld. This transition to a safer place guarded by many guards was usually guarded by a sturdy metal gate and a guard- but this night the gate half-open, the guard vomiting by a wall after drinking way too much. The duo Kendrix was supposed to follow slipped in unnoticed, their footsteps resonating on the metal stairs until they reached a much cleaner part of the Underworld, surrounded by buildings, clean lights, and ever-present guards. Given nobody gave a chase, it strongly indicated the two men belonged in this area, as they did not mind the tight pattern of all patrols, walking straight through the square; the middle was dominated by a large, dry piece of wood that used to be a tree adorning the entire area when someone cared and could afford to maintain it. Surprisingly enough, the music from clubs and yells common in the Underworld did not reach this uncommon oasis of peace and quiet.

Kendy’s targets wasted no more time walking around, headed straight to the most run-down building in the entire square. All windows boarded up, shutters down, no light coming in or out. It might have looked to be out of order, but a series of knocks on the wall revealed a large brute in the door. Recognizing the boss, the man let the thief and his companion inside, shutting the door behind them.

 

[Kendrix]

They didn’t break long. Kendrix slipped along the side of the buildings walking as if that was where she was supposed to be. The men didn’t seem to care anymore. She stayed out of their peripheral however. She watched sicked as the men stopped to steal from beggars that had so little. Now they had even less Kendrix shook her head. There was nothing she could do at the moment. So she simply followed them. As they ascended the noisy metal stairs she slink along just out of sight keeping her head down and her steps light. She waited a moment then slipped through the gate behind the men. Her body quickly slipping back into a shadow. The light made this part harder. When she had to she used the force to turn a few of the bulbs in the lamps. She made sure no one watched. the movement minuet. She was sure that a guard would just assume the bulb no longer worked. When she reached the square she pressed herself against one of the walls watching as the men wasted no time getting across the square. Kendrix watched the building they went too from across the square then watched them disappear inside.

She waited patiently finding a hole in the patrol and then rushed for the tree slipping up next to it. Embracing it as a guard made a pass by. She shimmied around it staying out of his sight before silently running the rest of the way. She didn’t head for the door but instead followed around the walls looking for another entrance. She paused planning her movements around the patrol. When she got another opening she used the force to leap to a balcony. Slipping her legs over the rail she slid slowly silently to her feet. Conveniently a door stood in front of her. She pulled a security spike out of her coat and entered it into the panel. Trial and error. After a few well placed pecks the door opened for her. she took the security stick back as she entered.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

[member="Kendrix"] ’ sight that allowed her to cut through darkness and see all immediately came in handy; the moment the door automatically shut closed behind her, the young woman was swallowed by darkness. No light illuminated her surroundings except for rays of yellow coming from the floor below, light warping around the stairs at the end of the hallway and casting golden ornaments on the ceiling, occasionally interrupted by a shadow as someone down there walked by, almost like danding ghosts.

Once the Theowei’s eyes adjusted, she’d be able to see two doors on her right, the wall on her left void of anything of interest – unless the redhead found decorative plants catching her eye and sparking curiosity – yet everything looked clean, maintained, no cobwebs or mould in the corners as one might expect after seeing the structure from the outside. Two lamps on the ceiling, off, one switch right next to the door, another by the staircase. Someone obviously lived in this building, and the place was quite lively. The Acolyte’s nose and ears quickly picked something coming from below – the aroma of freshly cooked food, most likely beef and some carrots judging by the scent, and many voices of at least a dozen of men and women chatting with unintelligible words. The sounds were strangely reminiscent of the ones coming from the pub –words of people intoxicated by alcohol.

The lights coming from below through the staircase suddenly flickered and long shadows have been cast on the ceiling as two presences familiar to the thief neared the stairs. The duo she had followed was strangely silent as they walked through the brightly lit main hall below, paying little attention to the rest of thieves who were too busy enjoying life to notice them as well. Alcohol seemed to pour like a river, yet the duo headed to the kitchen which was connected with the upper floor by the stairs. Rich sauces continued to cook in pots as the two passed by, ignoring the stairs leading further down into darkness and walking up the steps that took the two right into the hallway with Kendrix. Their heads appeared first as they ascended, not even a little surprised by the darkness that surrounded them. Their eyes stood no chance at spotting anything in such pitch black night though, so before proceeding further down the hallway, the guild leader’s hand ran over the wall, searching for a switch, unable to find it for a moment, cursing under his breath.

Once his fingers touched the familiar shape, a slight movement flicked it on in expectations of bringing the entire room to the light.

 

[Kendrix]

His hand frantically pressed at the switch in frustration when the lights didn’t come on. Kendrix smiled lightly at her same tactic working again. The men assumed something was wrong with the wiring then continued through the dark hugging the wall until they found the first automatic door opening it and then finally getting light. The fence glanced over making eye contact with Kendrix. As he did a double take she closed her reflective eyes.

“What’s that?” The fence asked frantically.

“What’s what?” The boss barked back at him.

“...Nothing,” he finally entered the room. “Where are the goods?”

“You’ll see them after we make a deal,” the boss shut the door behind them, but not before kendrix got a glance at what appeared to be an office, bleak except for a desk and a book case. The sounds of their voices turned into whispered muffles as they begin to discuss the price of the stolen goods. Kendrix went to the door nearest her and opened it. It wasn’t locked thankfully so she didn’t need to use another security spike. This time the room was a bedroom. Kendrix searched it thoroughly going through drawers as she tried to find anything substantial. She did manage to find a small bag however inside it being the crystal Limbthír spoke of the man having. Or was it even a crystal? Finding it was easier than she thought. The crystal being a Rainbow Gem despite Kendrix having no idea it is. It multi-color catching her eye for a second before she shoved it into her coat. Part of her wanted to think it might actually be alive.

If there were only the two rooms up stairs then there should be more in other parts of the building. Kendrix slipped slightly down the stairs glancing at the group and their merriment. This would be her next challenge she surveyed the room noticing most too busy with a drinking song to notice her. She decided to chance it putting her hood up over her head and hair and descending the staircase along the wall. She picked up a pint as she reached the large area. The stench of what was in the glass almost made her sick. She slinked along however clinking glasses with one man who was too drunk to see straight. She peaked around before finding another set of stairs leading deeper. she placed the pint down on the other side of the room and then descended into what she believed to be the basement and a bunk for the members of the gang.

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

One step followed another, leading the young sneak deeper into the den of thieves. The originally warm temperature rapidly decreased between these cold walls, enough to stab one with icy shivers unless they wore suitable clothes. Even the air was different – thicker with moisture, carrying a frowsty scent with an eerie silence that not even the laughter from above could not penetrate. A different set of sounds reached the young Theowei’s ears though; a very slow, but loud dripping of water somewhere, and a rhythmical drumming of machinery.

The stairs started to get slippery, but before long the Acolyte reached the last step that signed her arrival to the bottom. The basement was much darker than the rooms above – even though all lights seemed to be turned on to make the long hallway in front of [member="Kendrix"] at least a bit operable. While the dim flicker did its best to illuminate as much as it could, the sparse placement of lamps on the ceiling created long gaps of shadow. Almost as if making the thief’s job even easier, the hallway possessed an alcove here and there where water rushed through rusty pipes and provided an excellent place to hide. No footsteps could be heard either, no matter how hard the Theowei tried to distinguish that sort of noise.

While bad, the lights promised the thief her journey through this basement would be fairly straightforward; the wall on her left had nothing but the few alcoves and a door at the very end, a door that looked sturdier and more reinforced. The amount of security strongly pointed towards the door guarding the vault filled with stolen goods. Directly opposite of this door a short tunnel grimaced, very dark, no sound but loud snoring coming from within. Two sentient signatures could be sensed within if the Acolyte reached out with through the Force. But what about other places in the basement?

The wall to Kendy’s right had a well-illuminated door close to the thief, secured by a fancy mechanical lock that put all of Kendy's 'working tools' to shame, closed shut safe for a small window that allowed one to peek in, only to reveal a tiny, dark room with nothing but a chair, and a bed covered by dirty bedlinen – and atop of it a humanoid figure concealed by darkness as the only light came through the small window in the door, slow, heavy breaths leaving their mouth. Stench of blood and dirt alike reigned supreme within the room, enough to make one’s stomach turn.