Running Down A Smuggling Operation

[Clovis Torcularis]

I stood on a balcony watching the waves below smash against the cliff side, feeling somewhat mesmerized by the whole scene. I had been sent to the nearby planet of Verkuyl to hunt down a smuggling operation where several shadowy figures had begun plundering alazhi, a main component in bacta. My contact, only known as XR-13, was to meet me at this exact location to personally give me the details of this operation. I didn't need to trust this contact, the First Order higher-ups had vouched for him and that was good enough for me. The planet was not under the direct rule of the First Order, but it was close enough to our backyard for us to take notice.

I felt an incoming presence drawing closer to me, and after stretching out my senses the best I could, I knew at once that what was approaching was half man and half machine; a cyborg. I turned around just as the doors slid apart and watched while a cyborg indeed stepped outside to join me. "Disciple Torcularis I presume," the machine-like man said. I nodded as I replied, "XR-13."

The cyborg handed me a small datapad while he added, "You will find everything you need on that device. I'm not sure if you are aware of how important this assignment is, or the First Order as well since they sent me a Disciple and not a Knight or Master." In another life I might have been offended by his words, but I could understand his concerns. This alazhi was important to the financial structure of this planet, and without it and the credits it brought this planet could suffer greatly. "Have faith, pup. If my superiors didn't have confidence in me they would have sent another. Now, what can you personally tell me about this smuggling operation?"

I listened intently as he broke it down for me. Not only where these smugglers stealing, but they had committed acts of murder, forced bribery, oppression of citizens, and other injustices upon the planet and it's people. "I urge great caution, Disciple. These men do not hold any value of life for others," he concluded.

If it wasn't for my mask covering my lower portion of my face, XR-13 would have seen me smile. "Rest assured, XR-13. These men do not know the meaning of true horror, yet. But I aim to rectify that for them."

 

[Clovis Torcularis]

I departed from the meeting with my contact, aligning myself with Leena, who stood at the ready. "And you're sure this how you want to play this out," my assassin lover prodded when I graced her with my presence. Taking her killer hands in mine, I said, "Weak minded fools impregnate themselves with beauty." The beautiful specimen of a woman only smiled, knowing that she would be tested from this day onto the next life.

"And my role?"

"Your role, be yourself."

Leena, aka Poison Black, shook her in doubt. "My desecrated keepsake, why would they accept me into their ranks?" I loved her lack of seeing the big picture. "Because you will openly challenge their second in charge, and kill him."

"And you have that much faith in me to accomplish that?"

"No," I said trying to be tough, "I have faith in males."

"Males?"

I tried to suppress my sexual desire, failing miserably, gripping her perfect ass as I commented, "Because you have this." Leena took my hands removing them from her backside, gently placing my scarred hands on her treasure trove as she said, "You have much to learn about women my love." Leena began to walk away toward her role in this plot when she remarked over her shoulder, "For the record, my special place is for you and for you alone. As for your special place, well, I'll kill anything that remotely whispers at it."

"What about talking loud to it?"

"Hmm, perhaps I'll send the thief back home in pieces? You know, for sentimental reasons."

I watched her walk away toward her objective, knowing that anyone foolish to think she could ever be theirs was systematically sending me their death wish.

Jealous? Damn skippy I am!

 

[Clovis Torcularis]

With Leena out doing her objective, it freed me up to indulge in some investigation work. The Force, in all it's glory, was side-kicked by my twin blades. I'm no push over when it comes to physical confrontation, but my exotic tastes dealt with the mental capacity of my enemies, or as I should point out, looking to be a Ren of the inquisitive type. Hence, my strong affinity to the Force over violence, not that I oppose violence.

My contact, XR-13, had generously comprised a list of names that would appeal to me, which meant he done most of my work, yet feeling a little more confined in morals to conduct what was absolutely required to produce results.

Now I should point out, shaking down potential witnesses makes my heart quiver. Yes, I'm a monster but I'm a monster that feels empathy; mostly. I didn't expect direct answers to my questions, because there is a fear factor involved when it comes to people to seeing mischief and speaking openly about what it is that they actually saw. As part of my job, I needed to sort fact from fiction. Granted, I could walk into one of those elaborate smuggling camps and drop-kick them all to death, but the First Order have some camps in their back pocket, and even with the hard work of XR-13, I needed to find which was friend and which was foe. Despite his calculated details, he managed to comprise a list of ALL smuggling operations, leaving both Leena and I to ferret out the bad ones.

With my hood draped across my head, and the wind gently blowing my robes, I entered the first camp on the list expecting zero results. A mouse of a man rushed out to me, his left hand deciding to unequip his side blaster, when I merely reached out through the force gripping his mind tightly, deciding if I should drop fear or persuasion into it, when he instead produced from his right hand the symbol of the First Order. Upon seeing it, I knew that my first visit was a wasted moment of my precious time.

I nodded my head, pulling my robes closer, and departed from whence I came.

 

[Clovis Torcularis]

I know in the pecking order of things where I stand, justice first and blah, blah, blah next. My actions, justified or otherwise reflect upon my order, but I know there will come a time that this cylinder resting on my hip will become useless. Those of my order seek the quick path, where as I seek the whole picture. I'm a fighter, but I'm a mental destroyer first.

The Master of Ren, who sought to control me, once said that true power comes through understanding. My time with the Sith taught me that true power comes through complete domination, He also once questioned my loyalty to the cherished First Order, a facade in his thinking that I never would share. I'm no mindless killer, like the Sith, but make no mistake; I am a product of my environment. I'm a survivor first and a solider second. This lightsaber that dangles on my waist is nothing but a prop, because in complete truth the only true weapon I possess is the Force; until I find a way to eradicate that.

Speaking of my Order, I've noticed that many seek to master that metal cylinder, where as I merely wish to master them; mentally. The Sith had taught me that putting stock into a weapon that could be used against you was a defining moment; it was surviving such a tragedy that defined you. Hence, I began to view this weapon of choice by Force wielders as a sign of weakness. Make no mistake, push come to shove and I would cut an enemy in two; but the Sith had taught me other means to justify an end.

So when I strolled into another camp that harbored unsavory characters, it would be my will that slayed the uneducated.

I chose to play the role of observer, knowing Leena was riding the pole of killer, when I made the call to invade the camp of unsavory characters. His feebled idea of security was moot, especially when I took mental control of his first-in-charge; turning him to my cause. It was not an easy task to accomplish,but somehow I managed to make an unwilling participant into an ally.

I may wear the pride of First Order, but my body pumped the life of a Sith; and such was the case; a Sith I would be.