Private Perfect Strangers

[Oksana]

Using paper and pencil to work wasn't very common these days. More often than not, people used datapads or computers. But working with paper was something that Oksana and her brother Cole had done all of their lives. Sure it was old fashioned, but it was how they communicated silently and discreatly. There was no hacking to worry about. And even if the pages were stolen or lost, they were written in code; a code that was entirely their own.

Cole's journal was written in such code. Or rather it was a code within a code. And ever since his disappearance, Oksana had been using her spare moments to work on deciphering it. One could almost suggest that it was his life's work detailing his hunt for rare artifacts that'll fetch a high price in any market. But Oksana knew better.

Not that she would ever share that information.

A few standard days ago she had reached out to a contact that she had come across on a job before. A man by the name of Kasir; if that even was his real name. In her line of work aliases were quite common. People were called by whatever they wanted, as opposed to a name that was given to them at birth. Her message to him was simple, just to meet her at the spaceport in three days time where they had met at before, right next to her ship. No other details were given. Oksana didn't trust electronic communications.

So it was at the Cole's Requiem that she waited. Oksana was seated on a crate. She spent her time working on deciphering Cole's coded journal while she waited. Her eyes would glare at anyone that stepped too close, giving others the sense that she wasn't to be approached. Or perhaps it was the double-bladed axe that gave more of a statement than her eyes could....

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

The Sith assassin hardly ever had the luxury of any kind of respite from his seemingly never-ending duties, ones that he never revealed to Oksanna. But the message received managed to catch his curiosity, perhaps due to its lack of details. He was constantly traveling from one spaceport to another, never staying in one place for long enough to form any meaningful connections. So when he received it, the name attached to a face was all he had to work with.

Kasir remembered a previous job they had worked on together, although it had been more than a year since then. The fact that she still remembered him was somewhat of a surprise.

He had arrived precisely on the third day, just as instructed. The 578-R transport glided towards the spaceport, and he looked down at her countless ships that filled the docking bays. Eventually, it settled into its designated bay with a gentle thud, and he could feel a slight vibration through the cabin. The engines quieted shortly after, and exited down the shuttle ramp.

A dark, weathered jacket hung loosely on his frame. Open in the front, it revealed a simple, faded shirt beneath. His pants were equally rugged, tucked into worn boots that appeared ready for any terrain. It was much different than the ebony armor that usually encased his body–one that often exuded an aura of power and intimidation.

Despite not having landed directly next to her ship, he could already spot the Class 720 Freighter. Kasir closed the gap between them, his footsteps echoing against the ground as he approached. Oksana seemed consumed by whatever object she was holding. Despite any malevolence in his demeanor, his stern expression could have suggested otherwise. A subtle frown was etched upon his lips. "Aren't you a bit old to still be carrying that around?” " he nonchalantly asked, gesturing towards the weapon at her side. Formalities and such were never his forte.

 

[Oksana]

She barely lifted her gaze as he approached. His words were met with a smirk and a shrug of her shoulders. "What can I say? I'm the type that clings to my youth." Oksana gathered her papers and journal, stuffing them into the small pouch at her belt.

Only then did she look up at him, taking hold of her axe while she stood up from the crate. She slung it over onto her back, hearing it clip into place on the small harness that she wore for it. Oksana held out her left hand for him to grasp for a shake. "Glad you could make it. Shall we head inside? I've got a proposition for you that I'm sure you'll find intriguing at the very least." Oksana wasn't fond of anyone eavesdropping. That was why she kept any electronic communications to a minumum. In her line of work, any opportunists would be bound to try to take advantage of her information and steal the glory for themselves.

And what better private and most trusted place was there than Cole's Requiem? It is her home and only constant companion. Her brother used to tease her about getting a Lothcat, but she refused. For no doubt someone would try to use the poor thing against her. Living solo guarantees there'd be less of a weakness to exploit.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

He glanced over her figure as she stood up, then his gaze dropped to her hand which reached out towards him. Kasir hesitated, questioning its purpose. But with a raised eyebrow, he finally extended his own hand and gave hers a modest shake.

As her axe seamlessly returned to its rightful spot, a sudden realization dawned upon him. Without his saberstaff by his side, he had entered the scene completely unarmed and partially vulnerable. He wasn't accustomed to carrying a blaster, a fact that now weighed heavily on him. Despite his initial plan to remain concealed, he knew he would need to up his game if he wanted to maintain his facade.

His hand slowly descended, landing at his side as his gaze flickered to the bustling activity of the spaceport. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from his face and turned towards her starship. Admittedly, it was far superior to his own vessel, a common occurrence in these trying days.

Kasir shifted back to Oksana once more. "I do appreciate the invitation," he said, taking a moment to gather his words. He was already aware that there was something he could gain from this, otherwise he would not have bothered to attend. Even before he was a Sith, he was greatly skilled in manipulating others for his own benefit. “Do tell me more," he urged, gesturing toward Cole’s Requiem with a sweeping motion of his hand. "I can only imagine the events that have transpired since our last encounter."

 

[Oksana]

Her handshake was firm, showcasing the strength in her grip brought on by years of wielding her axe and not being a stranger to hard work. His hesitation and raised brow gave her all the clues that she needed. He was about as used to being around others as she was. No doubt he kept to himself like she did.

But it wasn't as though she was looking for commonalities between them. Oksana was more interested in his skills.

She gave him a curt nod as she led the way into her ship, closing the door behind them so that they would have the utmost in privacy. There was no need for him to worry about them taking off for there was no one in the cockpit to start up the engines.

Oksana led him towards the cargohold and drew out her brother's journal from the pouch on her belt. "Cole was onto something. Before he disappeared, he left me his journal. It's double-encrypted and from what I've managed to decipher, he seems to have been on the trail for an ancient artifact that held powerful secrets. You have a way of getting into places without needing to break in. I'd like you to come with me to find it. I'll cut you in on any price we get for it after we learn it's secrets." Kasir was very easy on the eyes and Oksana was quite certain that that was what helped him get into some locations without a fuss.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

He trailed behind her in silence, carefully observing the details of her ship as they navigated towards the cargo hold. It was impossible to miss the notebook’s importance in the woman's life, as it seemed to travel with her everywhere. The same could be said for the brother, a figure he knew little about. Oksana had even honored him by naming her ship after him. As she spoke, he could feel the gears turning in his mind, trying to piece together the puzzle of her past and her present.

The talk of an artifact piqued his curiosity. He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this ancient object than just monetary value for her. Unlike so many others, Kasir was not easily influenced by the allure of credits. His desires had been fulfilled on Faldos, with a simplistic approach to his way of living. The mere concept of adventure was not enough to sway him either, for he frequently found himself journeying through countless planets on various missions.

"I do believe there is information that you are purposely withholding from me," he said calmly, his voice both gentle and firm. His piercing orbs met her gaze, searching for any hint of deception. "Tell me, what is the reason your brother was seeking it?"

A moment of silence filled the room as his fingers intertwined, forming a bond between his hands. He raised them in front of his chest, looking down in contemplation. "Perhaps it would be beneficial if you were to provide me with a specific starting point for such a..hunt.“

 

[Oksana]

Her smirk is well evident while he brought up the fact that she was withholding details. There is always going to be cards that she'd hold close to her chest. No evidence of deception, however, for withholding some of the information is not the same as lying. At least in her opinion.

She was safeguarding her brother's work. Protecting his memory if indeed he was killed for searching for this artifact.

Oksana held his gaze and held her ground. She isn't a meek one, and certainly doesn't cower over a weighted gaze. Not even his. "There are things that I cannot tell you as I don't know all of the details myself. I'm working on it. This artifact is but a stepping stone, a map, if you will towards something even greater. He used to tell me stories of ancient artifacts designed to give one special powers." Her fingers traced the leather-bound cover of the journal. "I think that others are after it too. That could be why he's disappeared. He must have been close! I think he's made it to the first marker. But his code's not so easy to decipher this time as it's layered in such a way that I hadn't seen before." Part of a passage that she was able to decipher involved a conversation that the two had years ago involving him trying to encourage Oksana to get a Loth-cat.

Suddenly it dawned on her; a possible starting point in the right direction. Kasir could probably easily read such an epiphany on her face. "I think that we need to start at Lothal. Are you in?"

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

From a young age, Kasir had learned to be wary of those around him, a trait that came naturally to him on his home planet of Dromund Kaas. He carried that skepticism even with others in the Sith Order, as well as the Order of Wonosa in his home world.

His eyes scanned over the arch of her lips as she wore a smirk, possibly displaying that she was confident and even self-assured. His own expression remained stoic as his mind absorbed her words, not feeling the slightest hint of emotion within himself; there was often a numbness that even he didn't fully understand.

Despite the lack of specific information, she extended an invitation for him to participate anyway. The prospect of it still intrigued him. The aspect that truly caught his attention was the hidden power she spoke of. Though not one to speak on it, or openly show it, his ambition could surely rival others within the Order.

While he had already made his decision, Kasir would allow another pause. "If I had to make a prediction, Lothal would definitely not be my first choice," he stated, his body firm and his hands still crossed over each other. "However, I am willing to accompany you," he said. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the thought of another unnecessary handshake. It was enough to make him unconsciously take a small step back, as if trying to distance himself.

Kasir’s mind calculated different possibilities. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was a chance of it being some kind of scheme. It felt illogical, yet he entertained the thought all the same. His brow furrowed and his expression became more stern. There would be a shift in his tone. "I am not one for surprises. I hope that is understood between us.”

 

[Oksana]

"Lothal wouldn't of been my first choice either, but the clues are here." Oksana tapped her finger on Cole's journal. At least Kasir was agreeing to accompany her on this venture.

Seeing him step back slightly, she wondered what he was expecting of her. Instead of moving towards him or extending anything towards him, Oksana merely slipped her brother's journal back into her pouch.

And then there it was; a slight warning to her was given. Oksana tilted her head ever so slightly to the side while she looked up at him. She crossed her own arms in front of her chest. It was not a sign of mockery at all, but one showcasing her stubborness that he probably could recall from their last job together. "I'm not fan of surprises either. I hope that that is also understood between us." Gotta have it both ways, is what she thinks.

Oksana then gestures to her cockpit, as well as to the cargobay door while she speaks, "Question now is are you coming along for the ride, or travelling as escort in your own ship?" Either way would work for her. Of course there's always the possibility that he'd offer up another suggestion entirely, such as riding togetherin his ship. Oksana believes in give-and-take with any job, and this one was no exception.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

Kasir followed the woman's finger as she tapped on the journal, but it revealed little to him. He took in a deep breath and nonchalantly shrugged, knowing that Lothal was a distant destination from where they currently stood. The planet was situated in the Outer Rim, under the control of the Empire, with whom his fellow Sith had been entangled with recently.

The memory of her stubbornness lingered in his mind, a slight recollection of her determination in their lost shared job. As she spoke, he chose to remain silent, not wanting to waste any effort on it. Her next question would be effortless, yet he hoped he wouldn't have to provide any additional details. "I will go with you," he confirmed in a nonchalant tone.

With the many variables at play, there was the possibility that his 578-R could be stuck in docking for an extended period of time. Adding to the uncertainty of it all were the different taxes that would be tacked on, obviously resulting in a hefty sum upon his return. In the worst case scenario, he would likely be forced to negotiate and bargain with the authorities.

“Is there any other information that you think I should be aware of?" he inquired, his voice appearing unchanged. "And I trust that you have gathered all the necessary provisions and essential items to guarantee a successful hunt,” he inquired, studying her once more with a keen eye

 

[Oksana]

A curt nod was given as he informed her that he was travelling within the Cole's Requiem. Oksana was grateful for that.

And then he kept pressing for more information. She couldn't pick out what exact information he was after. Oksana didn't have all of the details deciphered yet, but she was working on it! During all of her spare moments. And one could bet that she'll be doing so on their hyperspace journey as well. "Cole disappeared looking for this artifact. So either some accident happened or the more likely option is that others are looking for it too."

Oksana dropped her arms and moved towards a hidden access panel in the wall. She pressed her fingers against it, pushing it in before sliding it across. Inside was a safe, which she opened with a retinal scan. Fishing out a handful of credit chips, she closed the safe and secured it. The access panel was returned to it's position. Turning about, she offered them up to him. "Here. You can use this portion to pay the port authority for the storage of your vessel. I've got plenty of supplies on hand as well." Oksana was a decent cook. Not the best, but at least she didn't burn her meals. "If there's anything else you need, now's the time to get it before we leave."

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

As he stood there in silence, his mind swirled with thoughts about her words. It was difficult to decipher the truth behind her brother's sudden disappearance, yet he couldn't help but ponder over it. Despite the potential danger it held for him, he was drawn to the idea of the latter suggestion. The thought of Cole's downfall had a way of increasing his fascination with this entire gig; it added a hint of danger to the mix. "It appears that we will have the answer sooner rather than later,” he suggested.

As Oksana extended the credit chips towards him, he accepted them with a simple nod. With ease, they slipped into the inner pocket of his jacket. Some might have expected a more chivalrous gesture of offering to pay for the docking himself, but such actions were not in Kasir's nature after she made the initial offer. He saw the chips not as an act of kindness, but as a payment for his protection on the journey to come. "You seem to be in quite a hurry," he remarked, taking the chance to study the inside of her vessel, which would now serve as his living quarters for a while.

In the midst of recent Occult happenings and the move to a new homeworld, the sense of security here was becoming clearer by the minute. The distance from prying eyes offered sanctuary, but he knew it wouldn't be long before his absence was noticed. "I have all that I require,” he said with a small shake of his head. His arrogance would surely be felt through the words.

It felt odd for him to be without his usual robes that often draped over his lean physique, and the absence of his saberstaff was strange. It caused him to eagerly embrace the idea of relying on his own physical prowess in a raw combat that may present itself.

“I am prepared for departure whenever you're ready, Oksana,” he said with confidence and a more commanding tone, as though he were the owner of Cole's Requiem now.

 

[Oksana]

In a hurry indeed. Oksana was eager to find this artifact and hopefully to find Cole as well. But there was a large part of her that didn't want to find him if he happened to have been killed during his pursuit. Although deep down she knew it'd be the case. There was just a small belief that she held onto where he was instead held captive or in jail. Afterall it wasn't as though their methods of finding artifacts was entirely lawful.

Another curt nod was given to him as he let her know that there was nothing more that he needed, and that they could leave at any time. Well the time that she chose was now. "Alright then. No time like the present." Oksana left the cargohold and headed to the cockpit. She moved along the ship with ease, having lived on it for many years, she felt as though she could navigate it while blinded in darkness. That in and of itself was a good trick to learn in case of a power failure.

Once at the cockpit, she took her seat in the pilots chair and started the preflight procedure. Oksana was very OCD about the entire thing, not wanting to have anything missed and to ensure that all of the buttons, levers and switches were hit in the proper order before the engines were fired up. Whether Kasir decided to join her there or find his own place within her ship, it didn't matter to her. Small talk wasn't something that she was known for. And with what she knew of him; it was a sentiment that Kasir shared in.

With the engines warming up, she plugged their destination co-ordinates into the navi-computer, allowing it to plot out a few courses that they could take. Oksana loved having more than one option for should one fail, there'd be another to rely on.

The engines were soon warmed up. Easing the repulsors, Oksana lifted the Cole's Requiem from the landing platform. The ship rose smoothly and effortlessly into the air and accelerated out of the atmosphere.

They were on their way, and once they were clear of the planet's orbit, Oksana pushed the hyperspace lever which changed the dots of the stars into thin lines cutting through the darkness of space.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

He shifted his gaze to a different direction as she strode off to make the arrangements for their departure. Inhaling a small breath, he began to move around with a mix of curiosity, his boots thudding softly against the metallic floor. He made no attempt to hide his presence or a single movement. Soon he paused to examine the hull, its surface marked by different streaks and scarred paint. It hinted at the countless adventures it had partook in the galaxy. His fingers traced the grooves of the plating before circling back to the cargo hold. The faint hum of the engines enveloped him.

Before long he decided to make his way across the ship. The cockpit appeared to be a symphony of lights and sounds; the beeping of the systems readying for departure. Taking a seat just in time, he leaned back into it comfortably and watched as she navigated the ship out of the bay with ease, as if simply taking a leisurely drive rather than the journey they were about to begin.

He watched as the world outside of the viewport seemed to transform; the previous industrial landscape had been replaced by the vastness of space. For a time, he simply absorbed the beauty of the cosmos unfolding before his eyes. There was even a sense of freedom to be felt from it all. Before he could blink, the stars outside the ship's windows blurred and began to fade as they were thrust into hyperspace. The sudden rush of acceleration pressed him further into his seat.

The 720 freighter's engines provided a background noise as he sat in silence, soaking in everything around him. He was content being alone with his thoughts, savoring the stillness and solitude of the current moment.

 

[Oksana]

Silence was golden. And in this case they both remained quiet without it feeling uncomfortable. Oksana was deep in her own thoughts, plotting out the different scenarios upon their arrival at Lothal. That part of their journey could either be really difficult or really easy.

After a while she took out Cole's journal, setting it open on the console, as well as some papers and a pencil. Like a student studying for an exam, Oksana began making her notes and cross checking certain words and phrases. Then more notes were written in between the previous ones, followed by more cross-checking.

There were a few archeological points of interest available that they could go to. They looked the same, but were in different locations around Lothal's continents. They were the Stone circles whose purpose is all but lost to history. Now it was all a matter of figuring out which ones Cole would have explored. Which brought about a question for Kasir. "Have you been to Lothal before?" This was more than just idle chit chat for his answer held relevent information.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

He was completely lost in time, his mind consumed by a deep state of meditation. But within that stillness was an array of emotions, a storm which was raging with anger, desire, and power. As the ship drew closer to their destination, Kasir was reminded of the need to control these intense feelings and keep them hidden from those around him. With their destination being unfamiliar territory, he would also need to be cautious of the energy he channeled and how much of himself he revealed.

He couldn't see her directly, but the reflection on the cockpit window gave him a slight glimpse of her figure. He felt a sense of calm wash over him as he heard her voice. His response was short and simple. "No."

A surge of memories flooded his mind at the mention of Lothal, a small planet in the Outer Rim, only a few light years away from his former home on Formos. Concealing the truth of his presence, he found himself carefully choosing every single word that left his mouth. Not once had his duties tempted him to journey to this particular planet. "I guess the thought of visiting Lothal never excited me,” he lied.

As he peered deeper into the window, his eyes were drawn to the journal cradled in her hands again. It seemed to be a constant presence. With a slight shake of his head, he couldn't help but ask the only question that was currently on his mind. "Anything new to report from your journal?"

 

[Oksana]

It didn't surprise her at all that Kasir hadn't been to Lothal. In truth neither had she even entertain the idea. Afterall it wasn't exactly a popular destination for people in their line of work. But perhaps therein lies the reason why it is a perfect location for the first marker. Cole's journal hints at that very idea.

Oksana glances at Kasir briefly as he inquires about her brother's journal. "So far there's just mentions of circles of rock. Tablets are noted too. The holonet might have some answers, but I'll not be looking at that until we arrive at a public terminal." Oksana didn't carry around a datapad. She didn't trust it not being compromised. It was the same with how she felt about any electronic communications. There is just not a lot of trust in it from her. Too many hackers had caused her and Cole problems. The best way to avoid them was to avoid their tech!

Taking note that Kasir was taking more of an interest in Cole's journal than she'd like, Oksana slipped it back into her pouch. Her notes were gathered, folded and secured with the journal. Afterwards she removed her axe from her back and rested it onto her lap before leaning back in her chair and propping her feet up onto the console. Her eyes slowly closed. Sometimes taking a break helped to clear her mind and give her new insight into the cyphers she had been puzzling over. Oksana hated being stumped and this was the best way to help ease any frustration that she felt. Hyperspace travel had a way of keeping one calm.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

He remained firmly rooted in his seat, a manifestation of stillness as Oksana responded. His appearance was rigid, as though his body were carved from stone, with every muscle tense and unmoving. The faintest flicker of emotion was hidden behind his gaze, which bore into her in a manner that could have been seen as unsettling. "Perhaps, to put it more simply, nothing of much significance," he suggested in an indifferent manner.

His lips tugged at the corners, a subtle sign of amusement, as he watched her place the journal back in her bag. He couldn't help but be surprised, not expecting her to part with it until they reached their destination on Lothal, for she treated it as some kind of treasure.

With each passing moment, his attention slowly drifted away from the sight of her in the cockpit window and became completely absorbed by his own reflection. Kasir fixated on every detail. The way raw emotions transformed his features, and the touch of determination in his eyes. All else within the 720-freighter faded into a blur, leaving only his own reflection and the memories it held. He was now lost in introspection, his mind navigating through the depths of his thoughts while his gaze remained transfixed on himself. The Sith's thirst for understanding felt never-ending, pursuing knowledge that he couldn't even put into words.

Kasir was faced with a sense of liberation that he couldn't quite wrap his head around. It was an interesting feeling–not quite overwhelming, but thought-provoking. He was caught between a sense of freedom and the unknown before him. It caused him to further contemplate the endless possibilities that lay ahead; he couldn’t help but question the path he should take next.

 

[Oksana]

Nothing of much significance, indeed. But this is probably how Cole planned it. Afterall, if someone had gotten hold of his journal other than Oksana, the lack of definitive information might have the thief think of the journal as nothing special.

The cyphers were handled that way. They weren't a bunch of letters and symbols mixed up in some random order. Instead it was words and phrases with certain parts of them holding meaning, while others meant nothing. It was a system that Cole had crafted years ago. He could write anything down in his cypher easily, while Oksana needed to take a bit more time. Afterall she didn't write the cyphers down in any length longer than a page at a time, while Cole had written an entire journal. By journey's end she hoped to be as great as he was with his cypher.

Oksana noted the joined silence and she very much appreciated it. No doubt the venture would be far more cumbersome if she had to spend her time with smalltalk. She wasn't exactly a chatty Cathy.

But she was hungry.

Opening her eyes, she slowly moved, so as to not startle Kasir in case he was dozing. She took hold of her axe as she sat up, dropping her feet onto the durasteel floor. In a swift motion she was standing up and moving out of the cockpit. "Just grabbing a bite to eat." Thankfully there wasn't just rations on board, but flavorful meals to warm up. Although right now she was just looking for a snack.

Tag: Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Tag: Oksana

As she announced her temporary departure and exited the cockpit, Kasir simply offered a small nod in response. He didn’t mind being alone; in fact, he relished the quiet moments that allowed him to think and reflect. The endless expanse of hyperspace space had a way of captivating him, giving way to moments of deep contemplation. With each passing moment, he felt his mind begin to drift further away into a state of reflection.

He felt a bit unsure if he had made the right choice in agreeing to join Oksana on this adventure. On one hand, it held the potential for something greater, but on the other, it felt like a wild goose chase, blindly following the breadcrumbs her brother had left behind in some journal. Despite the odd allure of a potential prize at the end of it all, he couldn't shake the slight doubt in his mind, which was due to the of solid evidence. Only time would tell.

In a single motion, he kicked off his boots, the sound echoing against the floor. He stretched out his feet, the soles resting on the ledge next to the cockpit window. Reclining far back in the chair, he sunk into the
seat