Shadows

[Davin Jusik]

Tatooine
Dune Sea

Max sat next to a rented landspeeder on one of the galaxies premium shit holes planets in one of the worst locations on said planet. The system's twin suns loomed overhead like ancient fiery gods, casting their gaze on everything. In the distance a group of Jawas were scavenging a starfighter crash that had been long forgotten by anyone who might have cared. Max gave a sigh as he wiped sweat from his brow and frowned when he scratched his chin. This was the first time in his adult life when he hadn't been clean shaven. That simple task that was so pressed into his daily routine that it felt extremely unnatural not to. After years of active duty in the Imperial Military this would be the longest stretch he'd ever been through without wearing some sort of uniform. The former Stormtrooper pulled his hat down slightly as the suns loomed further, taking a squint eyed glance at them from behind his sunglasses.

After the death of his platoon the Empire's ISB Director had contacted him with an offer, a chance to continue his service, where the Corp was nearly about to find him psychologically unfit for duty. He'd seen too much in his time. Done things that weighed on his soul, watched friends die. It was also a notable gain for the ISB, given that they wouldn't have to run him through all of the normal loyalty tests and PT that most cadets required. Besides pretty much everyone who he'd known being dead.

The Director had conducted his own evaluation and found him fit.

They'd been cut from the same cloth.

All in all it'd taken him about a month of training in certain aspects of espionage to get him to an operating status. Dead drops. Code reading. Etc. Etc.

Which had all led to this moment, sitting alone in the desert, waiting for some slicer that went by the alias of [member="Mouse"] and seemed to have interests that lined up with the Company's. If they'd correctly decoded the holo message that the Empire had sent them. If they decided to show up. When Max had commented on the "if" status of the whole scenario his handler had told him to get used to it.

Max continued to muse as he watched the Jawas work away.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

While [member="Maximilian Vinticus"] sat awaiting the arrival of Mouse, his contact, a droid had begun walking towards him. It was a simple protocol droid, hald dusty and rusted with the small showing of the original black color here and there in places. This droid had been through a lot, it seemed, and yet was an incredible feat to still be able to function as well as it did. As it apporched, it's feet shuffling in the sand, it acted normal and seemed normal enough. However, there was more to this simple protocol droid than what was assumed.

Upon reaching him it spoke in an oddly augmented voice that was hard to tell if it was male or female programmed. But the way it spoke stuck out more, as it was not all prim proper or "hoity toity" as the usual protcol droids were. {You must be Mr. Vinticus, right?} it asked, it's body and arms moving exagerated as droids tended to. Once it was confirmed the droid said {I think you're looking for me. Mouse, at your service. Sorry I couldn't be there in person but part of why no one's ever caught me is because I tend to keep a low profile.]

 

[Davin Jusik]

"I'd hope." Max replied to [member="Mouse"] with a chuckle. If the slicer was willing the agent would be working with this person presumably until the assignment ended, which was still undetermined. He stood and brushed some of the sand off himself as he did.

"My employer's interests appear to line up with your own, and given your skillset they want to extend a hand. It's a chance to strike at those you despise and earn a sizable check at the same time, you'll also has certain..... assets available to you that you wouldn't normally. In exchange you'd work directly with myself in information gathering and possible operations against the Ravens. They've seen your work and they like it. A win win really."

He was unsure about making deals with someone he wasn't able to see, but given the slicer's reputation something like this had been expected. Max hadn't bothered being cryptic in his description because he'd read the reports on the being already and figured even if they declined he doubted they'd leak anything. It would be against both their interests.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

The droid only stood still as [member="Maximilian Vinticus"] poured out his proposition to it, and by extention Mouse. Obiously it showed no real reaction to each point he brought up, from the payment to the fact they'd be working direclty with him and his company in order to deal with the Ravens; and possibly other gangs of the sort around the galaxy. And of course they liked thier work. Mouse was a notorious vigilante in the underworld, often being considered a criminal herself.

Finally the droid said {You expect me to roll over for you just because you promise me a check and the chance to fight off the Ravens? Mr. Vinticus you should be ashamed of yourself. I'd have done it for nothing.} There was a moment of silence to hear his reaction before Mouse added {But I do have my own condition. I still get to do my usual work while helping you all. The Ravens aren't the only threat out there and I need as many eyes and ears reached out to deal with the little guys you tend to over look. And second, I'm still working incognito. Any payments you ahve for me I'll send a drop point message so they can be delievered where someone will pick them up. Otherwise, I think we have a deal.}

 

[Davin Jusik]

"Good and deal. But." Max said before he gleefully prep'd his speeder to leave the gods forsaken desert.

"We're going after the shark first. Their founder. I've got an in."

Max let the implications sink in, this op would be one for the books.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

The droid seemed to react as well when Mouse had asked {What?} only for [member="Maximilian Vinticus"] to speed away. The droid watched as he did before he was out of eye sight. After that it seemed to shut down altogether, only to reboot and awaken a moment later. When it did the droid, a male, had looked around confused and asked what he was doing out here, speaking in a regular protcol voice.

And from the hidden little apartment she called home Mallory "Mouse" Gugina leaned back in her chair and sighed at the fact she'd been told they were going after the head of the Ravens first. Such a tall order on the first day and yet she felt like she'd been kicked in the gut. She sat in her wheelchair, the monitor she'd been watching the meeting from now disconnected while a number of others with different images still played around her; some of different places and planets while one actually had dancing twi'lek girls in skimpy clothing. She took a moment to let it all sink in before, finally, Mouse smirked and laughed at what was in store for her and her new partner.