Seek and ye shall find

[Kian Karr]

OSSUS, SHADOW ENCLAVE​

​

[member="Roshki Belawiiks"] was late, which, quiet frankly, wasn't much of a surprise to Kian Karr. Still, he had to admit that he had hopes for the young girl. Kian knew there was something she was hiding, something that she just didn't wish to reveal to him....at least not yet....but it was holding her back. But even with that, her training was progressing at a respectable rate. Enough so, that when [member="Kiskla Grayson"] sent an assignment the Shadows way, Kian decided it was time to introduce her to the more clandestine sect of the Jedi.

So Kian waited patiently, leaning against the wall of the Shadow Enclave on Ossus. It was a plan looking building. On paper it was a storage facility for the Agricorp.....but what most didn't know was that hidden within its deceptively well guarded walls was the safe-house of the Jedi Shadows. They were not a large sect within the Jedi, they didn't need to be. In fact, the larger they were the harder it would be to keep the secrecy and the integrity of the intelligence they gathered. But the Shadows were growing and Kian was pleased with the newest members that were entering the secretive order.

"She hasn't passed a single one of the background tests!" Argued Soli Baris from behind Kian. Kian turned and smiled at the young human girl. She was one of the Jedi padawans that Kian had enlisted into guard duty after taking over the Shadows and, while many of the padawans had come and gone, Soli was still around. She was a bright girl, and while she was only 13 years of age, she spoke like one much older. It was one of the things Kian found so humorous about the girl....that and her love of rules and tests. Soli was a very structured individual.

"For the type of work we do, that might be a good thing." Kian said laughing. It was true though. The background test had revealed some details of Roshki's past that alarmed Soli, but Kian hadn't allowed her to share that information with him. He had a cursory understanding of the girls life before coming to the Jedi and any more information he would get from her when she was ready. Soli, however, wasn't as patient.

"You really should have read the file..." Soli muttered under her breath as she walked back toward the entrance of the Enclave and her guard post.

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

I walked along leisurely, hands in my pockets and whistling. I was late for whatever Karr needed me for, and I knew it.

But for once, I hadn't planned it -- much to my eternal embarrassment, I'd gotten lost and pretty much wandered in a circle until I found the building I was supposed to go to. Of course, if I were to tell the Kel Dor I had gotten lost, I'd bet my life he'd tease me til no end. So, naturally, I had to act as if I'd totally planned on being fashionably late. Ah, well. I'll just tell him I was napping. The thought brought a faint smirk to my face. As if he'd believe me. So far, every one of my excuses and stories had been cut through like a lightsaber to a tauntaun, but to my constant bemusement, Karr rarely if ever pressed for the real reason. As much as it puzzled me, it also won the Jedi some of my admiration.

Besides, it had turned into a kind of game for me -- I enjoyed making stories that were right on the border of fiction and non-fiction.

Eventually, the building grew until I picked out the figures of Karr and some little squirt who was practically stomping her way to the entrance. I stopped in front of the Kel Dor, my eyes studying the squat, boring building. Really, I had seen better places in the slums of Corellia. "Morning, Double Kay." I jerked my chin at the younger human. "What's her deal? Did she not pass her Jedi stuffiness test or what?"

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian smiled and watched as [member="Roshki Belawiiks"] approached. Pushing off of the wall, Kian took a few steps forward to meet her. Clasping his hands behind his back, he gave her a stern look, though beneath the mask he was smiling.

"You're late." Kian said tilting his head. "I'd ask why.....but we both know I'd not get a straight answer!" He said, some of the amusement he was unable to hide from his voice.

"And that is Padawan Baris." Kian said turning slightly to indicate the girl standing guard by the door. "She is in charge of security for this building......and," Kian said leaning forward and speaking lowly, "she's always like that."

Turning around Kian walked toward the building, waving his hand to indicate that Roshki should follow. When they came to the door, Soli bowed her head respectfully to Roshki and entered the security codes for the doors to open. The door opened with a hiss and Kian and Roshki entered into the first security checkpoint of the facility. It was a small square room, sealed at the other end by a heavy door.

"We're being scanned for listening devices." Kian said over his shoulder. Kian hadn't told Roshki why he had brought her here and while he had told her that the building was Agricorp, it was probably clear to her at this point that it was not a typical storage building. "This is the first of two checkpoints we're being going through....so do try to behave!" Kian said smiling again.

Soon a buzzer sounded, indicating that they were clean and the heavy doors opened. As soon as they entered further into the complex, both sets of doors behind them shut and sealed. Before them was a long corridor that went down at an angle, clearing going under the ground beneath the outside building. When they reached the bottom of the ramp there was a containment field and four heavy security droids were waiting.

Clearance codes? The first droid said while the other three trained their guns on the two of them.

"P-K-5-6-3-J-8." Kian said slowly so that the droids processor could run the codes but also pick up his voice verification.

Greetings Master Karr, you are cleared for entry. Clearance codes? The droid then asked of Roshki.

"She is an initiate, her name is Roshki Belawiiks. You should have her voice verfication in your system." Kian said turning to Roshki. "You're going to need to say something." Kian said smiling to the girl and wondering what she was thinking about all this.

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

I smirked, arms crossed, as Karr greeted me. "You sure, Double Kay? I've got a pretty epic excuse this time. You don't know what you're missing."

Of course, my arrogance briefly turned into disbelief as he went on to tell me that this kid was in charge of the security. "You're kidding!" I exclaimed. "She's what, nine? Ten? Are you sure she's qualified for security? I mean, even if it's for some dumb agriculture building, shouldn't an adult do that?"

I was still shaking my head as I followed Karr into the building, giving the other Padawan an acknowledgement via a jerk of my chin. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the small room. I was about to pass a quip on the exciting nature of this square room when the Jedi explained that they were scanning for listening devices. So, instead, I remained silent, deciding to just follow the Kel Dor. For now, anyway.

Even so, I couldn't help but wonder what could be so important here that they would require multiple security checkpoints, one of which included armed droids. I mean, I'd already deduced that this building was a mask for something more important ever since we stepped into the square room, but seriously? What do they have here, the Sith Emperor?!

"You're going to need to say something," Karr told me. Voice verification, eh? My smirk from earlier reappeared. I had the perfect phrase for the process.

Clearing my throat slightly, I said, "The Grandmaster Jedi smells like a Neimoidian." Was this true? No clue. Did Neimoidians actually smell bad? Again, no clue. But hey, the Jedi couldn't arrest me for saying that -- for all I knew, the Grandmaster really did smell like a Neimoidian.

 

[Kian Karr]

​

Kian turned his head to the side and smiled at the statement from [member="Roshki Belawiiks"]. To his recollection, he couldn't think of what a Neimoidian smelt like, nor could he say that the Grandmaster smelt like one or didn't.

"Cute." Kian said as the droid confirmed her voice recognition. Shaking his head, Kian lead Roshki through the corridor toward the main chamber. When they entered the main hall, Kian stepped aside allowing Roshki to see the chamber. It really was one of the most beautiful rooms on Ossus. Kian's favorite meditation room was at the Ossus Academy. It was a small meditation room with moss floors and a beautiful waterfall feeding into a gentle pond. However, Kian had to admit that this room was close to taking that distinction from the meditation room at the Academy.

The room was round with three corridors leading away from the main chamber. At the center of the room was a large platform holding several large, flowered trees, each of which had small waterfalls running from the base into a pond that ran below the platform and was visible along the sides. The ceiling of the room was transparent allowing natural light in. When the Shadow Enclave had been designed, this room had been built keeping in mind the duties of the Shadows. Very often their work took them into dangerous places, alone. They were trained to be paranoid, to seek out darkness and destroy it. As such, their work was both dangerous to their bodies and to their souls. This room was meant to help them find peace among the darkness.

"As I hope you've guessed already, this is not an Agricorp facility." Kian said turning toward Roshki.

"This is the Enclave of the Jedi Shadows."

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

I grinned widely at Karr's response. "Forever and always, Double Kay. It's all part of the package." Even so, I felt slightly disappointed that I hadn't evoked a bigger response. Just gotta keep trying, I thought.

As we walked, I began to whistle the tune of a particularly raunchy drinking song that was popular with the lower levels of Commenor. The thought that Karr would have no idea what it was from was amusing; the thought that he would know was hilarious. Nonetheless, I kept it up.

As soon as we entered the room, though, my song dwindled out fast.

Now, I'm a city girl. I love the urban jungle, with all its noises and swearing and durasteel. But this room was incredible. The flowering trees released a perfume in the air that made it smell sweet, yet it was faint enough to not be overpowering. The little waterfalls, too, were lovely. It took every ounce of free will to not let my jaw drop.

I coughed to cover my awe as Karr began to speak to me. "Well, duh. I figured that out the moment we stepped into that little room. My advice? Put an actual Agricorp office." I paused for a moment, and added, "Who're the Shadows?"

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian chuckled casually and walked [member="Roshki Belawiiks"] up onto the platform so that they were standing between the trees and the waterfalls. From this place she could see all four corridors that left the area, one of which they had come down. Roshki could hide it all she wanted, but Kian knew that the place had effected her. It was a magnificent room and it was hard to ignore.

"If they've made it past the front door, then we've already failed." Kian said turning around to face Roshki.

"The Jedi Shadows are a secretive sect within the Order. We are tasked with hunting down and destroying darkside relics, darkside cults, and bringing Sith to justice." Kian said giving her the rundown of the Shadows. "We work in secrecy and we often work alone or in small groups."

Kian stepped closer and leaned down, putting seriousness in his voice.

"I think you have what it takes to be a Shadow." Kian said matter-of-factly. "I'm bringing you in as an initiate. I'm putting trust in you and I expect you to respect that fact." Kian knew Roshki was a joker and sarcastic, but he also believed there was a side to her that would excel at this and that could be trusted. It was that side he was talking to now. "This place is open to you now. You have access to the living quarters," Kian said pointing down one corridor, "as well as access to the training rooms," Kian said pointing down the opposite corridor.

Then Kian turned and began to lead Roshki towards the corridor directly behind him. "This corridor you won't have access to. And if you try to enter the lift without me or another Shadow present, the robots will shoot you." Kian said approaching a final checkpoint.

Access granted. The security droids said upon seeing Kian and they stepped aside. Kian stopped at the edge of the lift and turned back toward Roshki.

"At the bottom of this lift is an assignment, your first Shadow assignment if you so chose it." Kian said, knowing that this path was one that she would have to pick herself. He couldn't force her into the role of a Shadow, or else she wouldn't be any good at it. The duties of a Shadow were hard and dedication was needed.

"Do you wish to join the Shadows?" Kian asked crossing his hands behind his back and giving her time to answer.

[member="Roshki Belawiiks"]

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

There it was again. Karr's annoyingly unshakable belief in me. First, he and I had struck a deal over his belief in me having the ability to be a Jedi, and now this. I honestly had no idea where he was getting this "so-called" potential he claimed to see in me. Though, i had to admit, being a spy -- because that's exactly what it sounded like -- appealed to my natural skulking nature.

Of course, I didn't have a chance to burst his bubble of faith before he began to give something that I guess was supposed to resemble a tour. As we neared the droids, though, his comment about them shooting me provoked an automatic comment. And even if I had time to think about it, I would've made it. "So, go one way and everything's hunky-dory. Go this way, and I get to see that Creator fella droids always talk about. Got it, Double Kay. Sounds homey." Eh...alright. I could have done better.

But honestly, I was too busy thinking about what he said. That stupid faith thing again.

Truth be told, no one had ever said they'd trusted me. At least, not like this. Back on Commenor, everyone in the gang was family, but I guess there was this underlying understanding that, if a better offer came along, they'd take it. Not that I begrudged them -- survival of the fittest, you know?

But this was different. This was...bigger. Bigger than being trusted with lookout, bigger than being trusted to watch over the goodies. Hell, this was even bigger than being asked to become a Jedi -- I'd be a special Jedi.

A special Jedi...Hmm... That gave me an idea. I could tell Karr wanted me to join with the Order, realise my "potential". I could use this to my advantage -- The higher up I go, the more of a chance I had to escape and get back to my old life. I'd even have a few more tricks under my belt.

Besides, I was kinda irked that the Kel Dor had already assumed I would say yes, what with an assignment already for me. Talk about a lack of manners.

Ignoring the little voice that kept telling me I wouldn't stay the way I was, that my logic was skewed horribly, I rubbed my chin and looked at the Jedi. I had already made up my mind, but I wasn't going to make it seem easy for him. "Fine, I'll join. But don't blame me if this blows up in your face, Double Kay. Just saying." Jerking my chin towards the lift, I asked, "What's the assignment?"

 

[Kian Karr]

"Fair enough." Kian said nodding along in agreement with [member="Roshki Belawiiks"] and then indicated that she should follow him down the northern corridor.....the one leading toward the well guarded turbolift. As they approached the turbolift, several more of the heavy security droids stepped forward to bar the way. Scanning Kian for a moment, the droids stepped aside granting passage to the turbolift. Stepping onto the lift, the two began the journey down into the lowest level of the Shadow Enclave.

"We're investigating Caid Centurion....the Supreme Commander of the Galactic Republic." Kian said as the lift touched down at the bottom and the doors before them slid open, revealing a large command room. At the center of the room was a round holoterminal and scurrying around it were a number of droids going about their tasks.

"Evening sir." Said the robotic response of CG-50, Kian's protocol droid gifted to him by a talented Jedi padawan.

"Good evening CG-50. This is Roshki Belawiiks, my apprentice."

"Good evening Padawan Belawiiks. It is a pleasure to meet you." The droid responded and stepped aside to make room for the two of them to walk further into the room. Kian walked to where the table was and pressed a series of buttons, bringing up a photo of Caid Centurion.

"Are you familiar with the Supreme Commander?" Kian said over his shoulder to Roshki.

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

[SIZE=medium]I stared blankly at the Kel Dor, giving a muttered greeting to the droid. The way he said “Supreme Commander” and “Caid Centurion” made it seem like he was trying to impress me. If he was, the expected response might’ve been a gasp of disbelief, maybe raising my hand to my mouth in shock. Eyes wide, and an exclamation somewhere along the lines of “What? No way!” As if the name was an important one, something which would never be associated with “investigating” unless it was he who did the investigating.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Unfortunately for Karr, this Caid Centurion fellow was about as familiar as the muck found in a disreputable cantina on the dark underbelly of Nar Shaddaa. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I leaned forward slightly, rubbing my chin as I studied the picture. “Hmm…maybe…Let me think. One of my past teachers might’ve mentioned him.” I snapped my fingers together. “Oh! That’s it! He’s the head chef, isn’t he? No? What about the gardener for the Galactic Republic? Nope?” Alright, alright, I was being a tad snarky, but it was so much fun to press Karr’s buttons, mainly because unlike the other Jedi who either ignored me or chastised me, he actually played along. Sometimes. I actually never really knew what to expect from him. [/SIZE]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian smiled beneath his mask as Roshki's attempt at humor. He had to give the girl credit, she never did tire of her games. But then again.....neither did Kian.

"That's it!" Kian said, "he is the head gardener. And guess who is going to be going undercover in the Agricorp for a couple decades to find some dirt on him." Kian said tilting his head to the side and pointing at Roshki. If he could wink he would have. Of course it was a veiled, and somewhat ridiculous, threat. Roshki showed too much promise to be delegated to the Agricorp, not that it wasn't an important branch of the Jedi. Although, a decade or so among plants might help with the girls personality, Kian thought with a chuckle.

"CG-50." Kian said waving his hand as if to say 'go ahead' and the droid turned toward Roshki.

"Caid Centurion is the Supreme Commander of the Republic Military. He a 36 year old Dathomiri male. His rise to power in the military came off a number of successes and his political guile." The droid said giving a very basic description of the man.

"The Grandmaster is concerned about rumors that have reached her. We are to investigate them and report back to her." Kian added. "Our first point of business is to take a trip to Anaxes." Kian said smiling.

"Where your going to break into his office....."

[member="Roshki Belawiiks"]

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]


[SIZE=medium]My grin when Karr decided to play along wavered slightly at his mention of going undercover with Agricorp. I didn’t have much of a knowledge of the group, but it didn’t take a dummy to figure out that “Agri” was for farming…which meant animal dung and plants. Boring, boring plants. Eyes narrowed, I studied the Kel Dor. He wouldn’t dare! At least, I hoped. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]When the droid began to rattle off facts about this Centurion fellow, my eyes nearly crossed from boredom. So what if he was old as dirt? That didn’t make much of a difference, did it? And being a military man, well, unless I was to trade punches with him I didn’t really need to know about that. Though, I curled my upper lip a bit when the droid also mentioned political guile. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I hated politicians. Every time an election came around on Commenor, it never failed: The whole herd of politicians would make special trips through the slums, promising to fix this or build that or make this better or make that gone. But when the time came for them to hold up their promises? “Oh, sorry, Mr. So-and-so is unavailable at this moment.” Unavailable my left foot. So, suffice to say, this fellow already wasn’t looking too good in my eyes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]It was the mention of breaking-and-entering that broke me out of my grumblings. “What the kark?!” I exclaimed, not caring about the fact that I used foul language in front of the Jedi. He wanted me to break into some politician’s office?! “Oh, I see how it is, Double Kay.” My eyes narrowed in disgust. “The Jedi don’t want one of their pristine members getting caught committing a dirty deed, so why not send in a street rat?” To be fair, it wasn’t the breaking-and-entering part that bothered me; I’d done plenty of smalltime stuff like that. No, it was the fact that they were probably sending me because of my background. It was a smart plan, albeit a little unfair – if someone with my history was caught, it’d be easy to let me take the fall. But if a Master was caught doing something like that? Well, it wasn’t hard to figure that the Order would have a hard time explaining that away. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I crossed my arms, thoroughly riled, as I waited for the Kel Dor’s response.[/SIZE]

 

[Kian Karr]

"I'm not sending in a street rat." Kian said stepping so that he was standing directly in front of her. "I'm sending in a Jedi."

"Who you were, or what you might have done is no longer of any importance here." Kian said crossing his arms across his chest and leaning forward. "You are not a street rat, your a Jedi. You are not a young woman, you are a Jedi. Your not a criminal, your a Jedi."

"You are not [member="Roshki Belawiiks"], you are Jedi Roshki Belawiiks." Kian said putting emphasis on the words and waiting a moment for her to reflect on it. He wanted her to understand that no treatment she faced would be based on who she was but rather on her abilities and her actions while a Jedi.

"As a Jedi Shadow you will get your hands dirty. I've gotten mine dirty plenty of times." Kian said straightening back up, "Tonight we leave for the Capital and tomorrow you will break into his office while I run cause a distraction."

"That is unless you've changed your mind?" Kian asked, not wanting to force Roshki into this role. Being a Shadow was hard.....if she was too succeed she needed to want to be there.

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

[SIZE=medium]“Ah, poodoo,” I muttered under my breath.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Karr’s speech was swell and all, but he was wrong. People didn’t just abandon their identities on the drop of a hat. I was a street rat. I was a criminal. I was all those things. That was how I grew up, and how I’d lived for the longest time. I couldn’t just jump on some bandwagon and declare my slate clean. And I certainly wasn’t a Jedi. But did I have a burning desire to be one? I didn’t know.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Besides, it sounded an awful lot like brainwashing. Sorry, but no. Not that the Jedi were one of those creepy cult things, but hey, one could never be too careful. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]In any case, I felt some of my anger release when the Jedi confessed that he’d done some dirty deeds of his own. Was he lying to me just to get me on his side? No karking clue. But the finality with which he spoke, along with the fact that he already had plans made was rather convincing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]“Ah, poodoo!”I said again, a little louder. I kept my arms crossed, still a bit grouchy. After all that’d just happened, there was no way I could just up and leave. Even if I wanted to leave, my ego and pride wouldn’t let me; to do so would be absolutely cowardly. “No, I’m coming with. It’ll take more than breaking into a higher-up’s office to scare me off, Double Kay.” I didn’t even dare to dwell on the thought that there was now a “new” and “old” me, and the “old” me might’ve walked right out the door. I didn’t dare to dwell on the thought that the Jedi were beginning to rub off on me, despite my best attempts to rebel. I didn’t dare to dwell on the thought that Commenor’s lower levels may not recognize me, if I were to return. I didn’t dwell on any of that. There would have been too many headaches to go with it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]And, I didn’t want to dwell on what it all meant. [/SIZE]

 

[Kian Karr]

There seemed to be some sort of internal conflict occurring and Kian decided it best to keep quiet while [member="Roshki Belawiiks"] worked through it. When she finally said that she was still in, Kian breathed an internal sigh of relief. He hadn't wanted to scare Roshki away this early in her Shadow training....especially when this was far from the worst situation the Shadows would be putting her into.

"Good. Get a good nights rest tonight." Kian said nodding goodbye to CG-50 and leading Roshki towards the door. "We leave before dawn tomorrow." Kian said stepping onto the turbolift with Roshki.

"Don't be late." Kian said smiling and knowing that that warning was likely falling on deaf ears.

​

​

Kian was settled into the pilots seat of The Dorin Run as he went through his pre-flight checklist and waited for Roshki to arrive. He had gone about setting up their departure and arrival on Anaxes. On paper, Kian was going to the Capital to request funding for a series of operations....but in truth they were going there to break Republic law. Kian wasn't particularly worried. Even if they were caught, he would be able to get them out of it, but it would look bad for the Jedi and he certainly couldn't allow that to happen.

CG-50 walked into the cockpit and declared, rather annoyed sounding, that "Miss Belawiiks hasn't arrived yet." Kian chuckled under his mask and turned to the droid.

"Don't worry, she will be." Kian said turning back to the viewport. "Besides, we don't actually have to leave this early, I just told her dawn with the anticipation that she would be late." Kian confessed to the droid, who seemed to be even more annoyed by that notion as he turned and stomped out of the room. Kian laughed and wondered just where that attitude had come from in its programming.

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[SIZE=medium][member="Kian Karr"][/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]" 'We leave before dawn', he said. 'Don't be late', he said." This was muttered into my elbow, though with very little actual resentment. “Poor Double Kay, I’m going to be late. I’m late, late, late,” I giggled. The notion of being late struck me as being funny. Humorous, even. “Everybody always rushing around, afraid to be late. Silly people. Silly, silly si-- Pffffftpshsfhshe bleh!” My nose was wrinkled and my tongue was stuck out as I picked off the fabric fuzz that’d gotten from my sleeve into my mouth. Why did it have to do that? I wasn’t hurting it, and it wasn’t hurting me. Why couldn’t we just be friends?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]My hand shot up as a yawn escaped away from me. I had gotten up extra early for…something. I scrunched my face up but couldn’t remember what it was I had gotten up early for. Obviously it wasn’t important, right? Not if my brain decided it was unimportant. I giggled again, stifling it with my mouth so no one outside my dorm could hear it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Wait, why didn’t I want them to hear it? Laughter was the beauty of life! It made the sun shine and people happy! I should be sharing the laughter, not hiding it! I opened my mouth up to begin great, wonderful, whooping guffaws, and paused. Now I remembered why I didn’t want to share it – they would take away the laughter-maker from me, and then I wouldn’t be happy again. “Who would do such a thing?” I whispered to myself, arms now crossed over my knees. I turned my head to the side, intent to just wallow in my own happy, bubbly, euphoric feeling before it was gone. As I did, though, my eyes caught sight of a flash of metal, and I looked again. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]It was a needle. No, wait, it was my needle. For what, though? I picked it up, suddenly remembering. Heh, I guess my brain thought it was important, after all.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I had gotten up three hours before dawn so I could get my dose of AV in before leaving for who knew how long. At dawn, I was supposed to meet with Karr so we could go galvanizing off in search of dirt on the dear Supreme Commander of the Republic. Talk about loyalty. My cynicism also cleared the happy fog away enough for me to recall who “they” were and why they’d take away my happiness. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Suffice to say, the thought itself was enough to shatter the rest of my high. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Sighing, I wiped the drool off my face and began to pack away the kit, hiding it all the way under my mattress. I didn’t even bother to make up my bed – most of the Jedi around here had already surmised I was a slob, so why disappoint?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Since I’d already changed into new clothes, I grabbed one of the rolls I’d stolen from the kitchen a few days ago and munched on that as I walked to the hangar. I wasn’t really surprised at the fatigue I was beginning to feel – that was just one of the side effects of AV. Besides, if asked I’d just chalk it up to a restless night spent contemplating my first mission. That ought to tickle that Kel Dor’s feathers….or….whatever his equivalent would be. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Finally reaching my destination, I shoved the last bite of the roll into my mouth and bounded up the ramp of what I assumed was Karr’s ship. I hoped it was Karr’s ship. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]As I walked down the hallway towards the cockpit, a droid I recognized from earlier confronted me rather huffily. “Miss Belawiiks,” CG-50 said. “You are late.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I affected a look of sheer horror, my mouth dropping open to reveal a partially-chewed bread piece and my eyes becoming as wide as saucer plates. “What?!” I exclaimed. “I’m late?! Oh dear, the world is going to end now! I have failed in my most sacred tasks of servitude – I mean, Jedi-ness. Oh, please, glorious droid, spare me some mercy! Spare me—“[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Clearly, not even my sarcasm was lost on the droid, and with another humanlike huff, CG-50 sped off mid-rant, muttering quietly. Smirking, I swallowed the food in my mouth and sauntered into the cockpit, definitely sure I was on the right ship. Plopping down in the seat behind Karr, I yawned again. “Mornin’ Double Kay. Got any food? I’m starving.”[/SIZE]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian was punching in the last of the destination coordinates and launch codes when Roshki dropped into the seat behind him and asked for food. Without answering, Kian pointed to storage bin on the wall that contained a number of energy bars and MREs. Punching in the last of the codes, he brought the ship off the ground and into the air, positioning it so that they would blend in behind several other freighters leaving Ossus. Finally turning toward Roshki, Kian smiled.

"Your late.....but I'm sure CG-50 was sure to remind you of the fact." Kian handed a datafile and a package over to Roshki. "This is your alias for the mission. When we get to Anaxes you'll be entering the military academy under the guise of a new member of the janitorial staff." Kian said, leaning back and eyeing the girl. "Janitors are often overlooked and they have access to a large number of areas."

"You'll find that the keycard will get you access to a number of floors, but you'll have to improvise your way into the Chiefs office."

Kian hit a button and the ship entered hyperspace enroute to Anaxes.

"Any questions?"

[member="Roshki Belawiiks"]​

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

[SIZE=12pt]Flashing him a cheesy smile, I got up from my seat and waltzed over to where he pointed…only to be disappointed by the selection. As I browsed through it, I realized I really was limited to either bland dirt or dry wood. Yummy. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Letting out a loud sigh, I grabbed two of the energy bars and plopped back into my seat, gnawing noisily on the food. Finishing the food in record time, I stretched and gave my almost-undivided attention to the Kel Dor. Waving away his first statement, I grabbed the stuff from him. “Yeah…that droid bears a striking attitude resemblance to that one girl we met.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]While he gave me a (better) rundown of what we were doing, I looked through the data, taking special note to my alias. “Kilaroh Beswiks… Gods, that sucks. Couldn’t your people have come up with something better?” Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to Karr.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“So, let me get this straight. I’m going to be masquerading as a janitor in a military academy, with this crappy name and a key card that only gives me access to some levels and rooms – none of which include the Supreme guy’s office – and you are expecting this mission to be successful.” I grinned broadly at him. “Sounds easy enough. Though, I do have a couple questions. And yes, they are serious. Well, sort of.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I held up my index finger. “Question number one. While I’m out doing all of this, what are you doing? As in, what’s that big ol’ distraction you were going to do?” My middle finger joined my index. “Question number two. How long until we get to…” I glanced down at the file. “Anaxes? Can I sleep during the duration, since someone decided it would be a good idea to leave at the crack of dawn?”[/SIZE]

 

[Kian Karr]

"It is often best to stick close to the real thing.....makes it easier for newer assets and agents to remember the alias." Kian said smiling beneath his mask.....even he had to admit that the name wasn't great, but it didn't need to be.

"As for being a janitor." Kian said turning to face Roshki fully. "It is actually a pretty ideal position to have. As I've stated, they have access to a large number of rooms and no one ever pays them any mind." Kian said and then tilted his head to examine Roshki for a moment. "And besides, what do you think you'd be better at, flying under the radar or saluting and following orders?" Kian asked. "If we put you in a military outfit, you'd have to play the part perfectly, because you'd be scrutinized."

Kian didn't doubt that Roshki might have been able to pull that off....but it wasn't worth the risk. Kian liked his operations to go smoothly. Then Kian listened to Roshki's questions and he smiled.

"To answer your second first. You've got time to rest up, but be sure you prepare for the assignment." Kian warned...she sure liked to sleep. "As for the first question. First I'll be infiltrating the security room, accessing the main terminal, and setting off a series of false alarms that will put the facility on a lockdown." Kian said turning back to check the consoles in front of him. "When the building goes on lockdown, all floors are cut off and security teams begin systematic sweeps. It takes time and will give us a window of about 20 minutes for you to get in and make a copy of his itinerary."

"Once that is done, you won't be able to go back out the way you came, so you'll need to use the ventilation system," Kian said pointing at the folder in front of her, "the schematics for which are in there, to get to the roof, where I'll be waiting with our transport out." Kian said.

"All in all, I'd say we'll have about 30-35 minutes from the time I set the security alarms off to the time we'll be able to evacuate relatively unnoticed." Kian said, eyeing Roshki to see her response.

[member="Roshki Belawiiks"]​

 

[Roshki Belawiiks]

[member="Kian Karr"]

[SIZE=12pt]I rolled my eyes. “Even so, you should consult me next time – let me pick the names, Double Kay.” He did have a point, though, about being a janitor versus being fresh meat. I could probably pull off the whole modern maid thing – provided I kept my runaway mouth from running away. That in of itself was going to be a challenge. But, oh well. All part of the adventure, right?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I perked up when the Kel Dor mentioned I’d be able to sleep on the way, his warning about preparation going completely over my head. Besides, gals like me didn’t need to prepare; improvise was our bestest friend in the entire galaxy. Right now, though, visions of pillows and catching some Z’s danced in my head, and I nearly missed the rest of what the Jedi was saying. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A tingle of anticipation travelled up my spine. When he put it like that, it sounded like the two of us were going to be breaking hundreds of laws, few of which were minor. And all in thirty minutes or less. That has to be some kind of record. The time worried me a bit, though. Oh, sure, I’d broken locks on doors, windows, and even a few safes in under a minute, but this was different: we were robbing this head honcho guy. And his security was probably better than the targets my friends and I picked. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Karr was watching me, though, so I simply sat back and laced my fingers behind my head. “Sounds easy enough. I’ll take a peek at the schematics before I nap.” Standing up, I grabbed my things and brushed crumbs off of my pants. “Wake me when we arrive, Double Kay.” [/SIZE]