First Reply Red Line or Red Balance

[Nykoria Tallis]

The Works, Coruscant
8:52 PM local time

"It's alright. You can do this, girl." Nykoria covered her face from the giant red setting sun with a wrist, as she checked the dials in front of her for Force-knows-how-many-th time. She was still not entirely accustomed to looking at them through the visor; but the Zeltron did need a helmet for what she was about to try. Not only for safety reasons, but also because it would conceal her face. "Get rrrrrrrr-ready for the rrr-race!" the Zygerrian announcer distracted Nykoria from her preparations. With a wide feline grin, the feline alien waved a handful of credit chips in the air. The chips that had just been the Zeltron's.... Until she made the reckless choice to wager her last savings. "Anyone wants to show the newcomer how we roll in the Works?! The bets are open too!"

Than evening, Nykoria was a racer; and a flashy one as that. She sported a red leather jacket to stand out against the black frame of the Flare-6 bike. The white full-face helmet also contrasted with the bike and had a one-way visor to conceal her face. Kori even opted for black gloves to hide her purple palms, and effectively her species. The curves and build gave away her gender, but not her identity. To most of people there, she was just "Shooting Star". As flashy of a nickname as the Zeltron's racing outfit.

Even though that outfit felt like a space suit (especially the helmet and the gloves), the Zeltron didn't lose sight of what was going on around her emotionally. Already did she hear some chuckles and whispers from the regulars. Some other newcomers were casting sideways glances at her and clearly were considering a race, should nobody else step up. And of course, there was the eager crowd, full of individuals of all species and origins. Some of them were already anticipating the thrill of a bet. Anxiety was setting in the Zeltron's mind; even the prospect of winning cash and respect, and making an acquaintance with a racer or someone from the local crowd didn't make up for the risk of losing a considerable chunk of her livelihood.

Glad that the crowd couldn't see her reddening face and a bead of sweat running down her forehead, the Zeltron got herself settled comfortably and put both hands on the handlebars. The empty abandoned factory ahead of her was equally alluring and terrifying. It wasn't too long before the swoops would have to scream through the Works...

 

[Relan Dredec]

The line outside the door was something to beat, and it required like most things that Relan did, a trade of a previously-held favor, or a greased palm. Once he was inside, he adjusted the blue-fur collared jacket he was wearing. Despite not having a firearm on him, Relan was definitely not coming here unarmed. Punch-knife, brass knuckles, the whole nine of things to poke, stab, or punch someone.

The life of a spy was a dangerous one, and Relan was constantly aware of his surroundings.

Save for the nights like these- his release. Staunchly a clean man, adrenaline was his choice of drug, after he abstained from drugs and alcohol in his personal life. Not that occasionally, he didn't need to do Dreamdust or Spice to gain favor or trust, but- on his own time, in his own right, colors, women, and fast things were enough.

He had a good feeling about a particular racer- a Flare-6 racer with a striking outfit. Unknown to who they really were, the contrasting colors dragged the agent's eyes.

And then a month's pay for them to win.

Relan took a seat by the screens, eagerly awaiting the start of the race. He had a good feeling about it.

Then again, he could lose a month's pay.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

It was happening. Before long, a pale moss Starhawk parked by Kori's black Flare-6. Her rival—an especially smug blue-skinned Rodian—kept its giant glittery eyes on the helmeted Zeltron. "Alquono t-ta noota, Schutta Sta," he remarked as he handed over a few credit chits towards the Zygerrian, without even looking at him. Nykoria didn't understand that the expression meant "Thanks for your money, insert-a-Twi'lek-insult-here", but the arrogant confidence was obvious to the Zeltron without any words. That guy wasn't used to losing.

"Aaaaand we have a race! Our rrrrrr-regular CRASSSSH verrrrsus the SSSSSHOOTING SSSSTAR!" the Zygerrian stepped in front of the two bikes, now standing between them and preparing to give the signal. "Shooting Star, ready?" his right hand pointed towards Nykoria. The reluctant racer nodded and leaned forward, her hands on the handlebars. "Crash, ready?" The Rodian replied to a similar gesture with nod and a snout smirk that didn't bode well to anyone going against him. "Set!" Nykoria was trembling as she revved up the engine, ready to blast off. So did the Rodian; his Starhawk definitely looked and sounded bigger and meaner. "GO!" And at the sound of that, Nykoria gunned it.

What happened next was a blur of swoops, smokes, old abandoned buildings, and debris. With the cameras set throughout the one-lap circle, the viewers would get to see every little detail. Two swoops darting away from the red line; the cheering crowd immediately occupying the starting line to watch them go. Both vehicles flying lightning fast at the initial straight, but one of them steadily getting ahead... The mossy-green swoop. It may have taken the Rodian longer to accelerate, but once both vehicles hit their max speeds, Crash easily caught up and was gaining a steady lead. However, the track wasn't all a straight line, and the Shooting Star wasn't done for just yet...

"Kriff, I'm smoked!" Without the people around her, and even without feeling the wind in her hair and skin, all that Kori had was the sight of a Starhawk getting away. That was a thing she hadn't accounted for: a Starhawk was simply faster than a Flare-6 in the long run. However, Nykoria wasn't going to yield just yet. Besides... "Kark, sharp right!" She hadn't initially noticed, but the Rodian was slowing down before the turn. Suddenly, both of them were riding side-by-side... Then Kori gained the lead, only to be forced into a sharp break, almost skidding the ground with her right knee.

Through some miracle, she was ahead and speeding up towards another turn. But the Rodian and his Starhawk was always one step behind, threatening to overtake the more agile Flare-6 at any moment. That was looking up to be a close race...

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

Rush, violence, lights, sound. A symphony.

Relan's company had grown, they were all intent on watching him lose- after all, their money was on the line. Everyone had bet on the Rodion, apparently a local favorite. As a former swoop gang member, Relan knew how dangerous the betting game could be.

The Rodion was in the lead, the Flare-6 bike barely able to keep up with the Rodion's tuned up shooting star of a bike. Even with all the fancy add-ons, a better rider could out-perform a faster bike. He watched with fervent interest, eager to keep his hard-earned pay. The gamble was the rush- drugs and alcohol could give him a buzz, but a true rush?

That came from the heightened sense of loss and gain- a true rush, came from the sensation to Relan that he might lose.

Whoever the rider on the Flare was, they were red-lining Relan's credits, and carrying all of his prayers and hopes.

He let out an audible sigh, eagerly watching the screen.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The race was on, and it wasn't as stacked against the newcomer as everyone seemed to believe. Although nose-to-nose moments were rare, the racers kept trading places: Crash got ahead during straights, while Shooting Star would nail the turns and overtake the opponent at hairpins more often than not. One time, the Rodian broke that pattern by ramming the Flare-6 aside with his heavier bike. However, a similar attempt at the next turn would result in him ramming air—the Star had anticipated the move and hit the brakes to swiftly sped up again. The Rodian had speed, but the Star had agility and acceleration.

Nykoria could sense the frustration of the Rodian growing stronger as he saw the swoop overtaking him every turn. Arrogance made way for anger, but the Zeltron was too focused on her own game to pay it any mind. She was finally in the zone—almost becoming one with the bike. Kori had even found her own way of taking turns. She'd let the turbothrusters send her swoop drifting into a turn, before darting off ahead.

She'd even try to stop the Starhawk from overtaking her after a turn—whenever the Rodian would try to overtake her, the black Flare-6 would somehow end up ahead and blocking the way. It wasn't an intentional move, but something that came to the Zeltron naturally, on the spur of the moment. The finish line and the excited crowds were getting closer, the rival was getting more desperate and prone to making mistakes... Not to mention that teaching the Rodian a lesson felt good. Nykoria grinned under her white helmet: only one straight line remained, and then there were a few turns right up to the finish. Even the Starhawk overtaking her didn't seem as much of a problem—there'd always be the next turn.

It all proceeded as usual: Crash slowed down before a turn that would take them into an abandoned production line. The fireworks and spotlights inside kicked in, signifying that the end was near. With a practiced move, Nykoria sent her swoop drifting sideways towards the corner, ready to hit the pedal. Her foot was already gunning it when a brief flash of blue light jerked Kori's swoop to a halt, almost throwing the Zeltron off it. The tractor beam from Crash's swoop was just a momentary hindrance, but in a fast-pace race even that was enough.

The tractor beam let go of the Flare-6 as quickly as it grabbed it. But the Shooting Star's delayed speeder was already on a collision course with a wall. With a yell, the Zeltron made one last attempt to save herself and the bike. But the turn required to avoid the collision was too sharp. In a mere moment, the back of the swoop hit the wall, sending the pilot off to the ground, away from the bent frame of the bike that screeched to a halt against the wall.

All that Crash had to do was get to the finish line and claim his reward. For all intents and purposes, the Shooting Star was knocked out of the competition...

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

Relan turned and watched the crowd gather around the screen, hushed voices eagerly watching the screens. For some, it was about the money- riding on the bets, for him, it was the rush. That being said- a month's pay, meager as it was and financially secure as he was, he wouldn't want to lose that. Or maybe he would- the anticipation of losing it was nearly as good as losing it, anyways.

Relan's tattooed fingers gripped his chair intently, watching the Rodion activate a tractor beam.

Cheating son of a queen.

He leaned forward after a moment, fingers folded together under his nose.

He prayed for a miracle from the white and red rider.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The very fact that Kori was still alive was a miracle. Even more so that the bike hadn't exploded. Although that last statement was still up for debate. Kori's vision was blurry; all she could hear through the helmet and see through the cracked visor was a wall of fire and sparkles. The Zeltron tried to roll over and get a better look.... Bad idea. Pain shot through her chest, torso, and left arm, forcing Kori to groan and fall on her back. She needed a few moments to process the fact that she had lost the race... And nearly lost her life too. It is hadn't been for extreme driving training at the police academy, she would've gone splat against the wall.

After a while, the Zeltron would roll onto the stomach and get on her fours—teeth clenched, muffled groans trying to escape her mouth. Step by step, she limped towards a black hulk of twisted metal that had her bike mere moments before. Despondent, the helmeted racer fell on her knees by the vehicle. Kori was far from a gearhead, but even she could see that the rear repulsor was busted. Not to mention the front fork bent at least 10 degrees to the side. The swoop was in no condition to ride... Nykoria leaned forward—barely suppressing another painful moan—and struggled to lift her poor bike upwards. The rear side was lying idle on the ground; but at least the front repulsor was still working. Out of options, the Zeltron pushed the vehicle forward. The front was easy to move, and the rear would just just have to drag behind, grinding against the floor and with metallic scrapes. Kori had a long way to go...

...​

At the finish line, the crowd had already thinned off, Crash's brief celebration nearly over. No doubt the Zygerrian had already given the Rodian Kori's bet. Everyone who placed the bet on Crash would probably have received their winnings by then. But even walking through the few people that remained felt like a shame trip. Even those who weren't gloating cast sideways glances at the "Shooting Star" and her half-broken bike. Their pity wasn't much better to the Zeltron than outright and open humiliation. "Looks like the Star has burned out sooner than expected!" the Zygerrian grinned, evoking laughter from some of the remaining viewers and the Rodian. The Rodian.

Right there and then, Kori wanted nothing more than to destroy the cheat. Her hand darted towards the holster on her hip... Only to find nothing. "Of-karkin'-course." The training had ingrained the presence of a weapon, but Kori no longer had the right to carry it. Her hand stopped on the hip; to anyone else, it would seem like the helmeted woman was just holding on to a spot that gave her pain.

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

Crash cheated.

Son of a queen cheated-

The rush was in the competition, the movement of the engine, the skill of the rider. But this wasn't Swoop Racing, this was something else. Swoop gangs didn't run the show. Light-hearted tom foolery was one thing, but the fact that Crash almost murdered his rider, bet or not, didn't go unnoticed by Relan, even after he won.

--​

Tattooed fingers gripped the drink they held tightly- a water with a lemon. He made his way to the finish line, watching his rider make a movement towards a weapon. Relan almost reacted as quickly as she did, but stopped when the Rider failed to produce a weapon.

Relan was there at the finish line, one hand in his jacket pocket, waiting for the Rider as she came to it, smoking heap of a bike coming with her.

"Forget it at home or just didn't feel like running from CorSec?"

He asked inquisitively, pointing to her hip. Only now, close up, did he realize that she was a woman. He was handsome- in a way. Despite his large forehead and crooked nose, he still had a handsome appearance, in the snakeish bad-boy type of way. Maybe it was the tattoos, maybe it wasn't.

He smiled all the same.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Nykoria had heard it all that evening. "Bus stop's that way, champ", "Thanks for the credits!", "Why bring this broken pile of scrap with you? Just leave it." More importantly, she also felt it all. The anger and disappointment of those few who had bet on her. The smugness of those who won the money. Some undertones of pity and resentment from those hated Crash's dirty play. But something else stood out in that bog that tried to suck the Zeltron into it... Shrewdness.

The incognito racer shivered as she heard the source of that shrewdness address her. Of all people, that stranger was the only one to notice her movement towards the missing holster. The white helmet turned towards the man, but the racer remained silent. Cracked opaque visor concealed her eyes and expression, making the woman's reaction a mystery... Or not too explicit at least. The stare was a long one, and so was the silence.

It almost seemed like a reproach for stepping over the bounds. Or maybe it was something else. Perhaps the racer simply wondered what the stranger would do if he didn't get a reply to a provocative question?

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

His demeanor wasn't as so much pitiful, just slightly amused- the Zeltron could probably sense that he seemed to have a measure of control about him, as if he was planning something. Helmet trained on him while everyone was fixated elsewhere or making snide comments, he stood in such a way that showed confidence, if not control.

"Relax. Nobody saw it but me. I would've hit him, personally. Guess you're quicker on the draw than I am."

His hand in his pocket was a clear sign that he was still dangerous- one hand relaxed, the other ready to strike out at any given moment. But he wasn't extruding violence through the force, only preparedness. As if every movement he made was calculated, planned. It started turning when he saw Crash cheat- that part of Relan that he kept locked away except while on-duty.

The Agent took over the man.

"I'm Relan."

Billions upon billions of people in the galaxy, too many Relans to count. Plus it was easier to be Relan some days. Sometimes he had to be Relan, and he felt- right or wrong, that he could make a positive influence here, or at least, a new friend, and a new contact- or something else, but those thoughts were usually suppressed with the goal of mission accomplishment.

"I saw him cheat on the screens."

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The stranger's second remark finally evoked a reaction from the racer. Even if that reaction was a mute shrug. Thanks to attitude, or the words, or something else, the Zeltron no longer radiated suspicion. So when the man introduced himself, so did the racer. A simple "Kori" was said through the helmet. It would probably be as difficult to track down as "Relan". Maybe more so, because it wasn't a full name, and the helmet still concealed the woman's species.

A scoff followed as the man shared his observation. The racer's remark had a somewhat sarcastic wording, but sounded tired more than anything else: "Yeah. And I saw him cheat up close. I bet you weren't the only one. And yet you see who's been declared winner." The woman shrugged again and and waved off in resignation. After all, the race was only semi-legal. The rules and conventions were way more lax, and those who betted on the Shooting Star were far and few between. Most of the people might not even have noticed the tractor beam in the confusion.

Truth to be told, Nykoria simply didn't know what she could do about it, if anything at all.

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

"Well. Just because he took all that money..."

Relan took a long look around.

"Doesn't exactly mean he gets to keep it, hm?"

Relan's smile was wolfish, malicious and mischievous all in the same instance.

"I think I want my money back just as much as you want your rightful money earned, hm?"

He cocked his head, raising both of his eyebrows. He was offering something without explicitly saying it. Spies were good at that- saying lots of things without saying much at all, meaning three different things with one sentence. He was like the Devil almost- temptation was the name of the game, and he was offering her a deal, not for her soul exactly, but it would cost something all the same.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The opaque visor stared at Relan a while longer, as if trying to pierce through him, and into his intentions. Despite losing the money, the man didn't seem too upset about it. Even more so, he didn't seem to share in Kori's feeling of hopelessness. Instead, there was shrewdness and confidence, much more appropriate for those who had things in control. The woman's scoff could barely be heard through the helmet, but a tilted head was a clear indicator that something changed.

"It sounds like you already have a plan," Kori worded it as a statement and took a step towards the man, lowering her voice. "Care to share it, or are we just playing around?" The cracked visor briefly turned towards the broken swoop bike half-floating behind. Nobody would bother taking it in that condition, but the woman still cared about the wreck.

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

"I take it you're not above doing something nasty to get your money back- after all, you almost clipped him."

Relan walked naer her broken bike, tsking as he went. He was genuine in his disappointment, and a slight tinge of anger from being crossed.

"So you have to tell me you're in or you're out now. And then we can talk."

They were close- his voice, his accent was fleeting, hanging on some words. He could mask it as easily as he could speak it. His eyes, trained killers, lying at every moment, looked at hers, even through the visors.

The air grew still. Like she was about to make a deal with the devil. He outstretched his hand, a shake indicating that their deal, their contract would be complete.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The racer took a moment to process that thought. There was something about it that didn't quite click with her. Yet it was close enough. "It's not about the creds. It's about doing what's right," Kori shrugged, as her visor followed Relan towards the bike. "My blaster would've been set to stun." As the man approached for a handshake, the Zeltron hesitated. A part of her felt that something was off.

Kori's hand—still gloved—extended to shake Relan's. She might regret it in the long run, but for the moment it seemed like the best choice. "Shall we now?" the woman continued quietly; her voice a mixture of anxiety from what was to come, and irritation at being coerced into "sealing the deal" before knowing the full specs.

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

"Everyone else's wouldn't be."

He said, referring to the stun comment. No amount of mercy would get you any. "Right and wrong goes out the window when you're in it for yourself." He had a wolfish grin after he was done talking. Like he knew something, knew things, knew many, or nothing. He was hard to read, even through the force.

"Crash is like most guys- what's the first thing a scumbag does when he gets lots of money?"

Relan's eyes widened, and his eyebrows went up. He knew the answer, he just wanted to see how she thought.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Anxiety washed over the Zeltron as she realized that Relan was right. The locals wouldn't be as scrupulous as Kori if things came to blows. For a moment, the woman remained silent, as if trying to find a witty reply. But even the thought she came up with—but didn't voice—didn't feel as comforting as it would sound: "Stun or kill won't matter if I shoot first."

But the tattooed man asked a question. Frankly, Nykoria's guess was as good as anyone else's. But with her face concealed by the helmet, all she had to do was shrug and fake a semi-confident tone: "He flaunts it. Then spends most of it on booze and entertainment. What's your point?" They've been dancing around the issue long enough. It was time to see if the stranger could offer more than street smarts and hints.

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

"He spends it all. But guys like him- they go after something big, something flashy."

Relan was walking, and Kori would be smart to follow. He turned his head halfway to make sure she was. If Kori paid attention, Relan was dodging, shifting his head. Constantly avoiding something. Closer inspection would see that Relan was constantly avoiding security cameras, or at least, his face on them.

"But from what I know about this Racer in particular. He owes a lot of money to a lot of people, on account of that fancy bike of his. They want a return of their investments."

He turned, grinning as he paused, pivoted, and stepped into a shadowy alley. He disappeared, in a flume of steam emitting from the labyrinth of buildings. Kori would have to choose to follow him, the Devil she made a deal with- or escape while she could, and just cut her losses and run.

Nykoria Tallis

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The woman followed her newfound accomplice. Although she didn't notice the extra effort he took to remain unseen on cameras, there was something off about him. Yet even that didn't tip the Zeltron off; probably because for Relan it was second nature, and not something extraordinary. For Kori, her outfit and the helmet were doing the whole concealing act.

At least she nailed it when it came to figuring out what a guy like Crash would do. Or so it seemed. For all the suspicion Kori had about the stranger, she also had some faith in people. That is until the man with the plan got ahead and disappeared into the alley and steam. What followed was a momentary delay.

"Relan?" the voice from under the helmet came hushed and worried. What was she getting into? Would stealing from a cheat make it the right thing to do? If that Rodian had almost killed her was it ok to...? Nykoria didn't want to think about it. The line would have to be crossed later. But leaving Crash unpunished and gloating would be worse.

With that, the racer took a step to follow Relan into the alley. Another step followed. And the next. But it remained to be seen whether or not Kori's hesitation had missed her the opportunity.

Relan Dredec

 

[Relan Dredec]

He was in the middle of the smoke, peering over to one of the platforms below at the end of the alley, where the buildings ended.

He pointed downwards, where two were meeting about thirty feet below them on another platform.

Crash and another, who exchanged hands happily. Crash walked away filled with relief by his body language, and the person below them was busy counting credits.

"If I had to guess, that's Crash's debtor. Who he just paid off. Or a drug dealer. Either way, we either go after Crash himself.... or we go after him. Your call."

Relan seemed to be hiding a smirk the whole time.

Nykoria Tallis