Populate Smoke and Mirrors | The Tion Necessity | ISB & SCAR

[Hal Vaiken]

AN AGE OF STRIFE STORY
THE TION NECESSITY
SMOKE AND MIRRORS


With the Chiss Reclamation's momentum halted at Nirauan and pushed back towards the Redoubt, new threats arise against the Empire in its time of strife.

To the Galactic East, fledgling states of the Tion Cluster have united under a single banner: that of the Tion Republic, led by the charismatic Chancellor Irelyn Ducote. A stateswoman who finds much support in the Galactic Alliance.

The riches of the Tion Cluster are known to all and their abundance will serve best in the hands of the Emperor's peace and order.

However, as Imperial bureaucrats rub their hands in anticipation of newly acquired worlds, the ISB reports the existence of a Tionese weapon capable of deterring any Imperial advance into the Cluster.
​

IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA

Objectives:

• Meet with contact at Sana Arya
• To be revealed :handrub:
• To be revealed :handrub:

//..transmission #15-18 Designate: ZETA
//..TFZ team inserted in New Alderaan
//..Target: Irelyn Ducote
//..TZF meeting contact at Sana Arya

Sana Anya. A dingy town on New Alderaan, a few hundred miles off the capital. And it reeks. Cheap booze, cheap flesh, and cheap lives. Whatever idyllic image the ancient refugees from Alderaan wished to paint the planet with, their brush had clearly missed this wretched town.

You're here as part of the ISB team tasked with eliminating the charismatic Tionese stateswoman Irelyn Ducote. A rabid anti-Imperialist considered to be the heart of the Tion Republic that has been quite reluctant in welcoming the peace and order of the Emperor across the Tion Cluster. Such agents of chaos must always be exterminated.

Firstly, you are to meet with a trusted contact going by the code name of Flamingo. What's he got to offer? A safe passage to a residence in the capital where Irelyn Ducote is negotiating material and diplomatic support with the New Alderaani government against the Empire's expansion.

Your rendezvous point with Flamingo is at the town's bar. One step in and you're still in no shelter from the severe humidity thick the air. Not surprising -- all the windows have been bust down years ago. The only thing keeping the humidity from choking you are the numerous ceiling fans placed above cycling the air.

---

---

IMPERIAL SPECIAL FORCES
SCAR SQUADRON

​

Objectives:

• Infiltrate the military research facility
• To be revealed :handrub:
• To be revealed :handrub:

//...transmission #9-19. Designate: SCAR
//...Tion Republic Mil. Research facility in Cophrigin V
//...Site suspected of being Project Quasar development center
//...SCAR to infiltrate site for recon mission

Imperial High Command has authorized "Operation Red Stamp", a recon mission on a Tionese facility high in the Cophrigin mountains. The development site is believed to hold the details surrounding the enigmatic Project Quasar, a project rumored to be a deterrent force to any Imperial incursion into the Tion Cluster. You will infiltrate the facility and gather any information you can on the secretive program.

It's a bumpy ride to the research site. Can't be anything else with the anti-repulsor security field deployed in the vicinity. The road curves around forested ridges towards its destination which lies a mile away. Twenty minutes ago, SCAR ambushed a returning Tionese trooper patrol, acquired enemy uniforms, and headed towards the facility aboard the wheeled vehicle in the dark of night.
​

 

[Hal Vaiken]

S A R G E
501st LEGION
IMPERIAL SPECIAL FORCES
SCAR SQUADRON
Margo Liaeris Gavyn Berand Lily Stevens

The road may have been bumpy riding on a wheeled vehicle but the acquired armor was liberating. It was one of those older, cheap models that dust balls in the Outer Rim armed their militias with. An armored vest, combat helmet, camo, backpack, and a helluva lot of pockets. There was no visor, no HUD, only your face and your eyes to help you. The only external addition they had brought were night vision goggles.

The armor offered protection far inferior to a standard stormtrooper armor, let alone a SCAR one but it sure as hell was light. And light was key because there was no fighting a whole company stationed to guard a secretive doomsday facility. If things went sideways, there was only running, right?

Right?

You never know with SCAR.

Especially after succeeding in the suicidal operation Trident on Nirauan.

:: --psssshtt--... SCAR, this is Witness. You've got ten minutes to be inside Lair before we cut the power. :: overwatch's voice broke through the comms.

:: Copy all. :: Sarge replied as he pressed slightly more on the pedal, remaining wary of the sharp turns that shaped the road circling the ridge. "Check gear, we need to be green in thirty." he told his soldiers.

"Try not clipping a grenade by accident, Stalker." he jabbed at Liaeris reminding her of operation Trident, but the humor in his tone was as dry as plaster. Stevens' debrief report had been colorful.​

 

[Cromwell]

C R O M W E L L
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA

The fast-spinning ceiling fans could do nothing to liberate Hunter from the humidity as he unbuttoned one button of his tropical shirt. Soft, melodic music hummed in the air along with the chatter of patrons, and dancers swung across the establishment. The fading paint of murals on the walls indicated how little the bar was maintained and the chipped stone masonry, cracking at places, revealed the bar's age.

Sana Arya was the hive of scum and villainy on New Alderaan but Hunter could not recall the last time he'd witnessed such a jolly atmosphere. Maybe it was the intoxication served by the bartender or maybe it was the weather -- who knows -- but it seemed as if nothing could erase the locals' happy grins. It was contagious and for a moment the agent nearly forgot they were assassins in the clothes of tourists.

"Alright--" Hunter leaned on the bar and glanced at the rest of Task Force Zeta, "--who's the lucky guy buying the first round?" they had to meld in the environment and the Emperor's wallet was deep.​

 

[Sylus (Γ059)]

█████ - 'H A Z H A R'
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA
██, ████████ Blvd, Sana Arya, New Alderaan
TAGS: Hunter Stark , @█████████​

Too many eyes, too little protection.

Occasional glances at Zeta's chosen table. The patrons were too buzzed for it to mean anything, so Sylus pushed the worries down and kept his mind a blank, instinctually hiding his Force presence, like a bad habit. Sylus shifted in his rickety chair, trying to get a comfortable angle on the uneven ground. Someone once said something about rotating...

"Alright--" Hunter leaned on the bar and glanced at the rest of Task Force Zeta, "--who's the lucky guy buying the first round?"

"Snowcap for me. Need to cool off in this heat."

 

[Rika Hiro]

Rika Hiro|Imperial Security Bureau|Tion OP
Tags:// Sylus (Γ059) Jordi Massad Hunter Stark Don Belkora

Vibes
"Not... Me," The lone Atrisian of the group interjected, sauntering over in a dress that Hiro wouldn't have been caught dead in outside of the operation. It was too hot, too humid, and dressing in anything else would've been too gross and not fit the operation as it stood. But, on the other hand, looking like a dumb, pretty little thing had its benefits in this world, especially when the idiot men who were often her targets assumed her to be nothing more than a cute woman they could talk up to.

"Snowcap for me too; I left my card back home." She smirked and shrugged, taking a seat opposite of Hunter, with a look that beckoned Hunter to take up the tab. She looked around at everyone present, her curiosity piping up at the sight of Sylus.

"Heat too much? Thought you people were made of tougher stuff."​

 

[Margo Liaeris]

STALKER

Objective: Operation Red Stamp
Location: Cophrigin Mountains - Commandeered Patrol Craft
Tags: Hal Vaiken | Lily Stevens | Gavyn Berand

’Hmph.’ Margo couldn’t help but allow a slight chuckle to escape her lips at Vaiken’s remark. Her response was rather sheepish: ”No promises.” Her remark was punctuated with an equally coy smile, as well the resounding ‘click’ of her sliding a magazine into the receiver of the standard issue rifle she had taken from the unfortunate trooper, of whom she also wore his armor.

Vaiken did have a point though. Although they would obviously be armed going into this, it would be ill-advised to go into this op guns blazing. That didn’t stop her from having a bit of fun. ”In my defense, the hounds out front were barking rather loudly when we were walking up to the front door. It would have been rude to not throw them a bone.”

It felt good to have been so instrumental to the success of her first proper mission with SCAR, even if it had started rather rocky. With Vaiken rolling with them in the field, Margo was uncertain how Stephens would carry herself. She had deduced during their prior deployment that Reaper had likely felt as though she needed to babybit both Margo and Gavyn, since they both were fairly new additions to the team. With Vaiken running overwatch, it seemed obvious that Reaper felt as though she needed to compensate for his absence. It would be interesting to see exactly how she carried herself now. Gavyn - well, Margo wasn’t really sure how to take him at this stage either. One minute, he seemed rather impulsive and nonchalant with his approach. If he wasn’t so damn lucky, it would probably get him into trouble at some point.

A stray hair loosed itself from her tightly bound ponytail behind her head, of which she casually stroked it back just as she finished her cursory inspection of the firearm. Although they wouldn’t be looking to use these, at least she was able to affirm it was serviceable prior to the actual need arising. She locked eyes with Reaper, who sat across from her in the vehicle troop bay, and merely gave her a silent nod of acknowledgement before turning her attention to the front of the vehicle to peer through the windshield.

 

[Cromwell]

C R O M W E L L
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA
Sylus (Γ059) Rika Hiro

"Fine."Hunter sighed conceding the responsibility of paying to himself as he reluctantly produced a couple of credit chips on the table. The desk lady working his expenses was going to be throwing a fit. Again. The lady took their orders, swiftly returning after to clean the table and set their drinks on it. Rika's quip at forgetting her card briefly summoned a suggestive smirk her way before leaning back with a lit cigarette on his lips.

"Heat too much? Thought you people were made of tougher stuff."

The agent scoffed, "You want to talk about heat? Word around Harrsk is you barely made it out of the Redoubt." the agent remarked. Operation Damocles had been, according to the typical bureau gossip, a costly success. "Don't expect any honors about it though -- the Bureau's lit on fire for failing to predict the blues becoming a pain in the arse." he huffed a laugh, "Somehow neither of you seem to have been thrown under the speeder."​

 

[Kelinna Tryn]

R E A P E R
THE EMPIRE
RESEARCH FACILITY | COPHRIGIN
TAG: Hal Vaiken | Gavyn Berand | Margo Liaeris
GEAR: Itchy stolen armour | Sniper rifle | Pistol | Rifle | Vibroblade | Vibroknife | Grenade loadout

SO FAR FROM YOUR WEAPON​

Day by day.

One engagement to the next. It was good to play with Death like this, teasing it even. Lily was fighting just for the thrill of the fight nowadays - the actual reason long lost in the turmoil of war.

Nirauan had been a close call, but here they were again, bobbing around in a wheeled transport towards another high risk op. Another adrenaline rush. Another op that should, in theory, get done without a hitch.

Lily had served in the unit long enough to know that theory never held up.

"Check gear, we need to be green in thirty."

The Reaper had checked and rechecked her gear upon drop in, but she checked them again for good measure. She had smuggled in her own rifles, repainted and camouflaged to not reveal any Imperial ties. When looked at without a hawk's eye, one would never guess that the rifles were so well maintained that they would be able to win the crown from the previous Miss Ravelin's head.

Barely listening to the chatter in the vehicle, the Lorrdian adjusted the combat helmet on her head. She might end up yanking it from her head somewhere down the line during this op. The armour was fine, but the open helmet was more in the way than anything else.

But hopefully she wouldn't have to line up a shot this time around.

The winding road was a jarring ride in the badly maintained vehicle.
"Is it so hard to replace the suspension on something as elementary as this thing?" she asked rhetorically as her spine felt like it was shooting out of her neck for the umpteenth time as Sarge gunned the vehicle over a jarring bump. This was what happened if you gave a bunch of grunts, who couldn't tell a Loth-cat from a porg, a wheeled vehicle and said "go patrol". It annoyed the woman, who had grown up working with wheeled vehicles, just a little bit.

Her eyes caught Stalker's just as a strand escaped the woman's hairtie.
"Might want to pin that bang. If it sets off a sensor it's not supposed to, I won't stop a Tionese from clipping you." she told Margo, the slightest hint of a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. The younger woman sure had some hard luck.

At least Berand better fortune gunning for him during his few slip ups.

 

[Denniston Thrast II]

1st Post

SMOKE AND MIRRORS - THE TION NECESSITY
OBJECTIVE ONE

REIVER_ONE

Captain of 1st Scouts Company,"Raider Company"

Tags: Natalie Scott Hunter Stark Rika Hiro Sylus (Γ059)

THE FAR-TRAVELLED HIGHLANDER: A LITTLE JAUNT ON NEW-ALDERAAN - PART 1

Westquarter, Sana Anya,
New-Alderaan (Spring of 877 ABY)

Interesting wee chit-heap of a toun, so it is.​

Necessity demanded it as it always did, though Denniston no doubt wished Lord Michael had found better means of working more closely with the Empire's clandestine community, but like the Wanderer, the Hunter would also adhere to the,"Beggars can't be choosers", philosophy. If the Thrasts could pass on wisdom to the Barrans, then serving subordinate to one could easily throw him in range of a returned favour, and much to the Highlander's chagrin over the years, it had happened on more occasions than Denniston would ever be comfortable accepting.

Absolute stank to top it all aff an'aw, man.​

With orders to meet with the other operatives within the Westquarter in civilian attire, the Highlander had been told to find the right faces on the ground floor of the Harpy's Corner, and within the first hour of wandering around and taking in the sights and sounds, the ugly mystic hag printed on the door-sign had shown Thrast where he needed to be. It was clear to all involved that Operation: Tion Stiletto was to be quiet, surreptitious and as streamlined as possible for the duration, but in light of the discovery of the superweapon-boasts, it was obvious that further intel would be needed to diminish the risks that went with proceeding into and beyond the Tion cluster under Imperial ensigns. Fortunately for the likes of COMPNOR and ISB, an enemy's belief that the Empire's lines were stretched too thin would cost them every time, a small blessing in consideration of the way things were going in the Galaxy, but regardless a blessing that gladdened the Lord-Regent's nephew all the same.

<"QM Actual to Reiver One.... Thats the armoury set up by the way, wasn't easy sneakin' this lot underground, but the contacts are good.">

<"Reiver One to QM Actual. Good work, but don't be pausin' like that mid-transmission. Could be taken as all sorts of fethery in this line o' work, but I'll keep ye posted in any case. Take a breather an' pay oor contacts well for their assistance.">

<"Copy that. QM Actual out!">​

Stepping inside, the stench would fortunately stay at the door as Denniston closed the entryway off behind him and looked around the crowd to find those who looked more out-of-place than the others, muttering drinks orders to the barkeep as he sat down after a poor first effort to seek out the other Imperials. Thrast was never one for making a grand, loud entrance, and in sticking with his habits, the joys of the bar's strongest nectars would take precedence for a while, looking up to the Holoscreen and seeing headlines on the Tarkinist administration before seeing his uncle's eyes in a state that troubled him deeply. It was enough to turn his back on the sight, rotating on his barstool and looking out over the drunken throng once more in the hopes more luck could be found in identifying the others this time, but this time, Denniston would remain quiet and observant after finally seeing the other operatives, sitting quite happily at the same table near the door as the Highlander kept drinking.

'Barkeep, I'll have another one o' these.... An' throw in a couple cigarras while you're at it.'

 

[Sera Rosh]

V O R N S K R
THE EMPIRE
SANA ARYA | NEW ALDERAAN
TAG: Denniston Thrast II | Hunter Stark | Rika Hiro | Sylus (Γ059)

BLACK TAR AND NICOTINE

Long legs were crossed over one another as the Vornskr leaned against the bar.

Steel-blue eyes casually swept over the watering hole every now and then as Nat sipped on the Frosty Sulphate in her hand. Thrast must have gotten lost on the way again. Her fellow countryman had the coordination of a concussed chicken at times, but the Highlander finally sauntered his way into the bar.

The Scott let him twirl around on his barstool for a heartbeat or two, before nonchalantly sidling over to her fellow Raider.

'Barkeep, I'll have another one o' these.... An' throw in a couple cigarras while you're at it.'

"I hope thoos cigarras are a'least of th'good kind." she remarked without looking at him as she leaned against the bar again. "Barkeep, ye got any peanuts?" she then asked over her shoulder.
"Aye." the keep said before sliding a bowl over to her.

Pecking a few peanuts from the bowl, her steely gaze finally landed on Thrast.
"Smokin's bad fo' ye, hooever, Cap'n." she observed before taking another sip of her drink. "Noo, if yer done broodin, we should prolly git a bit closer t' the p'nut gallery." She motioned slightly with her chin towards the table of ISBs.

Not that she particularly felt like sharing a job with some spooks.

 

[Hal Vaiken]

S A R G E
501st LEGION
IMPERIAL SPECIAL FORCES
SCAR SQUADRON
Margo Liaeris Gavyn Berand Lily Stevens

"Might want to pin that bang. If it sets off a sensor it's not supposed to, I won't stop a Tionese from clipping you."

"Tsk-- talk about gratitude..." he grumbled jokingly, then glanced at Reaper, "That how you repay Stalker for saving your ass on Trident, Stevens?"

"I'd watch your six if I were you." Sarge quipped at Margo, one hand on the foreign gun in his lap checking its state.

​

 

[Sylus (Γ059)]

█████ - 'H A Z H A R'
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA
██, ████████ Blvd, Sana Arya, New Alderaan
TAGS: Hunter Stark , Rika Hiro ,@██████
​

"Heat too much? Thought you people were made of tougher stuff."

The agent scoffed, "You want to talk about heat? Word around Harrsk is you barely made it out of the Redoubt." the agent remarked. Operation Damocles had been, according to the typical bureau gossip, a costly success. "Don't expect any honors about it though -- the Bureau's lit on fire for failing to predict the blues becoming a pain in the arse." he huffed a laugh, "Somehow neither of you seem to have been thrown under the speeder."

Sylus ignored the pointed jab from the double agent, only theatrically rolling his eyes in response (because, in all honesty, the heat was not the worst he'd experienced), focussing instead on Hunter's comments.

"I think we performed about on par as expected with the intel provided, and performed satisfactorily against our objective. Not my place to say it but... if anyone messed up, well, I can think of better candidates, like those in charge of reading the Chiss."

 

[Gavyn Berand]

SERGEANT GAVYN BERAND
IMPERIAL SPECIAL FORCES
501st LEGION, SCAR SQUADRON
OPERATION: RED STAMP
COPHRIGIN​

Location: Stolen vehicle, Cophrigin
Tags: Hal Vaiken | Lily Stevens | Margo Liaeris

Gavyn jostled back and forth as the wheeled ride they'd liberated from local forces bounced along the bumpy, winding road to their objective. He checked his newly-acquired gear once more. Vest, helmet, belt, pockets, magazines, all of it secure and in place. The comparatively simple armor and weaponry was in some ways quite liberating. It was light, and allowed for a great deal of freedom of movement. The helmet was simple, with none of the extra frills he'd gotten used to. He could breathe freely, his face unobscured. At the same time, it was all the sort of equipment that the more remote local militias on Garqi might have used. It did not inspire the same confidence that Imperial gear did.

The young man was currently putting extra effort into fine-tuning the stolen weapon he was now using. Whatever idiot it had belong to previously could probably point and shoot just fine, but it took an extra touch to really make it work at peak efficiency. That was what Gavyn focused on: fine-tuning and calibration. There wasn't the time or tools to bring it up special forces standards, but he could still improve it in the time they had. He felt exposed without the service rifle that had been with him through thick and thin, but such were the little sacrifices SCAR made in service to the Empire.

"Tsk-- talk about gratitude..." he grumbled jokingly, then glanced at Reaper, "That how you repay Stalker for saving your ass on Trident, Stevens?"

Gavyn chuckled as he continued to fiddle with the rifle. "I don't know, Sarge," he interjected. "You sure that ain't just her trying to be friendly?"

 

[Denniston Thrast II]

2nd Post

SMOKE AND MIRRORS - THE TION NECESSITY
OBJECTIVE ONE

REIVER_ONE

Lord-Captain of 1st Scouts Company,"Raider Company"

Tags: Natalie Scott Hunter Stark Rika Hiro Sylus (Γ059)

THE FAR-TRAVELLED HIGHLANDER: A LITTLE JAUNT ON NEW-ALDERAAN - PART 2

Westquarter, Sana Anya,
New-Alderaan (Spring of 877 ABY)

'I hope thoos cigarras are a'least of th'good kind.'​

Sniggering at the joke, but also at the possibility that the funny sort would also be sold in such an establishment, Denniston looked over his shoulder to find his squad-subordinate had found a seat on the next barstool along, deployed in civilian garb as he was for that occasion. And with his right side assured safe from unseen attack, Thrast's attention would return to the ISB agents as Scott turned her attention to the barkeep and asked,'Barkeep, ye got any peanuts?', in her usual, endearingly mild Western-Goidelic brogue.

'Aye.'

Did it really need t'be Scott this time, Michael?
Barrans an' their damned accords, man.
​

It was never about the fact a female was on the squad, nor was it ever about the fact a woman was outperforming a vast majority of the male operators within Raider Company, there were other women standing out as better-than-competent subordinates, and Denniston was always tickled by the fact a fair few of the men couldn't understand how Natalie was capable of achieving it. The only matter that would yield such apprehension was the fact that (out of all the Raiders he worked closely with) Scott seemed to be the only one who knew how to irritate Thrast with such ease, a rare feat for anyone to achieve with a man as patient as Denniston in particular, and Natalie's knack for it was becoming defter in her jibes with every passing day. One of the many aspects to the job that the Hunter would need to acclimate to, but still no doubt the most difficult at that point in time, and yet, much to Denniston's relief, it was beginning to look like he would be spared the worst of it on this occasion.

'Smokin's bad fo' ye, hooever, Cap'n.'

Could've been much, much worse though.
Could've been Johnston,"The Bore", here in Scott's stead.

Feth that for a laugh, man.​

'Noo, if yer done broodin, we should prolly git a bit closer t' the p'nut gallery.'

Glad they were on the same wavelength, and especially so in noting she had also spotted the ISB agents drinking together at the other end of the room, Thrast looked over to Scott with an endearing nod before noting the mild disdain on her face, clearly unimpressed at the fact she would need to share the operation with actual spies from COMPNOR. The Highlander understood it, as they were as far removed from the tenets and actions of Tarkinism as a whole as they could've possibly hopes, and in Raider Company's staunch adherence to Pellaeonism's easier-going ideological leanings, there could never be a concrete accord between them. But in situations like this, where many and more Imperial lives were at risk of being shot out of orbit by the planet's superweapon, any and all intel would be gladly received - even if they needed to be civil with their political counterparts for leads to follow.

'At least they're Imperial.... An' besides, our Quartermaster's set up as I'm sure you'll know by now. We can literally ditch this lot as soon as they give us leads to chase down - easy start to the shift.'

A small sacrifice, especially with the thought of the Imperial eastern frontier considered.

Expansion wasn't easy for the Imperials any more, especially not with so many resources and troops stretched out along the Empire's borders already, but with there being Barrans on both sides of the Empire's political divide, it would be somewhat easier for both organisations to work in tandem with each other for a time. The Age of Strife was only just beginning, and though the two Goidels didn't know it at the time, those political divides and personal grudges would slowly but surely become irrelevant issues in the face of greater threats to Imperial dominance and order alike.

'Alright then, sociable approach for this one.... Lets move.'

 

[Sylus (Γ059)]

█████ - 'H A Z H A R'
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA
██, ████████ Blvd, Sana Arya, New Alderaan
TAGS: Hunter Stark , Rika Hiro , Denniston Thrast II , Natalie Scott ,@██████​

'Alright then, sociable approach for this one.... Lets move.'

"Heads up, two inbound. I think it's the Raiders."

The man was fashionably casual, while the lady exuded confidence. They certainly blended in with this crowd a bit better than the jumpy trio at this table, Sylus idly wondered.

The drinks arrived before them, and Sylus got to work scooping up the melting ice into his mouth. Nice.

"Think we should've gotten something for them?"

 

[Rika Hiro]

Rika Hiro|Imperial Security Buereau|Tion OP
Tags:// Sylus (Γ059) Jordi Massad Hunter Stark Don Belkora Denniston Thrast II Natalie Scott

Rika could only stick her tongue out in response to Hunter, shrugging dismissively at his comment as she took a sip of her drink and awkwardly looked at everyone else present to gauge whatever reaction or lack of reaction there was with the other agents. She shot Hunter a look that reeked of venom; after all, she didn't need to be reminded about that whole fiasco. Better to blame Sylus and the others.

"Haaaa.... whatever happened there."

She quipped ever so awkwardly, side-eyeing Sylus before putting her focus back on Hunter and the rest of the agents present. Rika's attire made her feel like more of a pet peacock than an actual functioning agent, but sacrifices had to be made for the task at hand, and it was a sacrifice she'd learned to make working in the core worlds.

"No, the budget doesn't cover outside contractors."

That was a lie, but a convenient one at that.​

 

[Cromwell]

C R O M W E L L
IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU
TASK FORCE ZETA
Sylus (Γ059) Rika Hiro Denniston Thrast II Natalie Scott

While Sylus and Rika quipped at the arrival of the Raiders, Hunter's features faintly soured into a frown. He recognized the two Highlanders from the days of the Galidraani Troubles. But today had nothing to do with Galidraan and questions streamed into the agent's mind. Troubling questions whose answers only pointed to a compromised mission. He gave a fleeting nod at the two Galidraanis at the bar then turned to the two ISB agents on his table.

"What in the galaxy are they doing here?!?" Hunter whispered, tone sharp as a knife, "We don't need any more heat than we already have." COMPNOR briefs lately had been lacking. Dangerously so. "Feth -- if anyone's watching, this looks all so sketchy; and where the hell is that bastard Flamingo?!?" His eyes rapidly scanned the area as patterns of movements began to form across the establishment.

Something reeked. ​

 

[Denniston Thrast II]

3rd Post

SMOKE AND MIRRORS - THE TION NECESSITY
OBJECTIVE ONE

REIVER_ONE

Lord-Captain of 1st Scouts Company,"Raider Company"

Tags: Natalie Scott Hunter Stark Rika Hiro Sylus (Γ059)

THE FAR-TRAVELLED HIGHLANDER: A LITTLE JAUNT ON NEW-ALDERAAN - PART 3

Westquarter, Sana Anya,
New-Alderaan (Spring of 877 ABY)

'Feth -- if anyone's watching, this looks all so sketchy; and where the hell is that bastard Flamingo?!?'​

Unable to catch the majority of what was being said on their way over, it was still supremely easy for the Goidels to get the gist of what their Free-State compatriot was saying to the others at his table, as the latter part certainly revealing the fact their presence was unexpected. The Southern-Galidraani's reaction, reserved though the facial-expression was, would be enough to prompt a brow-furrowed handwave as if to tell him to relax silently, seeing that the situation was tense enough to warrant worries aplenty without the reaction, mild and mostly well-conceived though it was.

'Relax.... Highland Brotherhood, here to help.', Denniston began with a heavily code-switched mutter, pulling out one of the unoccupied seats for Natalie as the other was pulled out to one side to block the main entrance from the inside. Only then did Thrast sit down, pointing to his eyes in confirming the detected movement before he continued,'I'm sure I know you from somewhere, but we'll get to that I'm sure. First ones to act up over there will likely know the most, and those come with us.... We have something of a Blacksite set up for the purpose if you need it.', with a cheeky grin offered to suggest there was more to say on their contributions beyond that point. Then with one last look to where the sudden patterns of movement were springing up, Denniston audibly sniggered, then calmly slid his Durasteel knuckledusters into place before making one last glance in Stark's direction.

Only this time, the Highlander's humour was nowhere to be seen. This time, Thrast was ready to aid Stark and his associates in whatever was on the verge of transpiring, and with his hand hovering close to the hip, Denny was warily gesturing deference of the judgment calls to Hunter. Not the Highlander's op, not their place to make the calls, and certainly not on a COMPNOR-coordinated action, time had proven already that muddied waters would lead to failed operations - failures of which Thrast knew his uncle's Tarkinist peers would not allow to stand.

 

[Kelinna Tryn]

R E A P E R
THE EMPIRE
RESEARCH FACILITY | COPHRIGIN
TAG: Hal Vaiken | Gavyn Berand | Margo Liaeris
GEAR: Itchy stolen armour | Sniper rifle | Pistol | Rifle | Vibroblade | Vibroknife | Grenade loadout

SO FAR FROM YOUR WEAPON​

"Tsk-- talk about gratitude...that how you repay Stalker for saving your ass on Trident, Stevens?"

"I don't know, Sarge. You sure that ain't just her trying to be friendly?"

Boys will be boys.

The Reaper smiled sweetly at the two of them, which in itself, would be unsettling to have a sharpshooter smile at you like that.
"I don't remember seeing you on the ground, Sarge." she said innocently. "Did you get lost on your way to the dropship?" Keep your nose out of the Trident, boy.

Blue eyes glanced back at Stalker.
"Rook can be your six. My rifle needs zeroing on a rearview mirror." she said with an equally sweet smile.

 

[Rika Hiro]

Rika Hiro|Imperial Security Buereau|Tion OP
Tags:// Sylus (Γ059) Hunter Stark Natalie Scott Denniston Thrast II

Highland brotherhood? What the hell was that. To Rika, it might've sounded like another one of the Galidraani dictator's many paramilitaries and militant fronts, which he had conveniently used to kill dissident Galidraanis both on the homeworld and outside of the Empires borders. The old warlord had as many paramilitaries that allegedly were not in his control as he had enemies, proving a constant headache to the efforts of the ISB to monitor Tal lest he went rogue. They didn't need any more of Galidraans goons ruining efforts.

"Who even let you two out of the pig sty," Rika asked accusingly at the male of the two, almost dismissive and mocking in her tone as she looked to Hunter for some validation in her mistrust and hostility toward the two of them.

If anything it was a breach of protocol.​