Take Off The Mask

[Alric Kuhn]

For a brief moment he considered telling her that there was no chasing them. Whoever they were the hangar they were at was well over a fifteen minute run away, even if they decided to check over all of their equipment, have a smoke, and maybe chat for a bit it was unlikely that Danger and Alric would be able to catch up with them before they left.

Instead of saying this however, Alric simply nodded.

He turned, his heel twisting around and his body shifting with it.

In an instant he was sprinting again. His body weighed down heavily on him, the backpack smacked against him, and his entire consciousness seemed to scream against him continuing to exercise. A shower might have done him good, but days in the desert were still wearing on him.

“Come on!” Alric yelled to her as he dashed through the Star Destroyer, it would be bad if she lost him now.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Well, maybe this would have bode a bit more thought. However, Danger was every bit of her namesake. At her core, she was apt to dive right into it.

Granted, usually that meant that she wasn't wearing a heavy backpack at the time. Adrenaline would pump through her veins, and whatever ails cast to oblivion. She would rush behind Alric, boots pounding on the metal deck. A few shafts of pain would jolt up her legs, but Danger would push through it.

Her chest would fall and rise in quickening breaths, but there was a dire pressing need that would push her forward. It took a bit as he had longer legs, but if there was one thing Danger learned in this hive of scum and villainy real early --

Was how to run.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

They ran.

They were tired, exhausted, rundown, and in clear need of more rest than they had received. That didn't seem to matter though, Danger and Alric ran as fast as they possibly could. Their steps clattered throughout the Star Destroyer, their backpacks bounced and their tired bodies seemed to moved lethargically even as they rushed.

Every twist and turned was met with a slide, every door was quickly opened until they finally reached the Hangar bay.

It was a secondary bay, located on the side of the Star Destroyer instead of the top. How they had gotten the massive doors open when there was no power Alric couldn't have guesses, but as they stepped into the light of the desert sun again his eyes opened wide. There was no sign of whoever had taken the alpha red, but half of the massive hangar bay door was completely gone.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

A wince came at the sudden brightness of the Twin Suns through that hanger bay. Coils of sand and dust would drift along the shafts of light rays that came pouring down, and in the distance one could hear the rumble of engines as whoever was at the root of it flew off.

"Goram it!" came her curse, coming down to a stop. Her head went tilting back as she narrowed her attention at that open bay. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and there was a distinct feeling of approaching horror and forebearing.

Feth. This was bad. This was very bad!

The worst.

Her lips drew thin. Mind would race, and thoughts came to the fore.

"I need to get to Arceaneau's Headquarters." she suddenly said, whipping her head over towards the out of breath Alric.

"Ain't no one come i'nout of Tatooine I ain't got a way to know. " there was an assurity in her voice on that. "Not if they had something to do with that damn storm."

Her jaw set, the freckles on her face stark and bright against her tanned skin. It was clear that just like how Alric had set himself in that line of determination hours ago, so had she.

"You know this ship inside out, Kuhn... tell me you can at least get some kind of startin' point on who the kark ran off with that pathogen."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric pulled out a small datacard from his pocket.

“Surveillance logs.” He told her with a slight nod. There was no way of identifying the men that had taken the Alpha Red. They had worn masks and has no obvious symbols, but their style of dress and the equipment they carried would be enough to identify them when Danger and him got out of the desert, or hopefully it would be.

“No idea who they were.” He nearly bit his tongue off saying that, it was hard to admit. “But more than a few good looks were had by the cameras. They wore...well honestly its nothing like I've ever seen before. Titan doesn't even make anything like it.”

The Slip of his tongue went unnoticed by him, if Danger was paying attention she would have just caught a clue of his double life.

His head began to sift through mountains of information. Dozens of different memories and thoughts, half a dozen ideas of who might have gone after the Alpha Red, of who had motive. Unfortunately his mind really only settled on one primary enemy, only one group that would want Alpha Red.

The Republic.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Well that was one matter that held hope hanging on a string of thread. Surveillance -- A pause came to her train of thoughts. Had she heard right?

Truth be told, one couldn't really discern much from that sort of passing comment. Ain't no one who hadn't heard of Titan Industries, them being one of the leading military industrial companies focusing on that blasted Vong-tech and modern technology. You'd have to be a fool to not know about them and the span of product lines they done have.

And Danger was no fool.

To some, that would have likely been a commentary that even the largest military producer did not have that product line. But a keen mind would latch onto the assurance in that claim.

The finality of it.

How would Alric Kuhn be so aware about the breadth of Titan Industries product catalogue? Therein also came the spark of a clue at just how well Kuhn was keen on the design and schematics of this ISD. Just how many others would he know?

It was a nagging voice. A maggot crawling in her brain. An inkling.

Sabaac face in hand, she'd continue seemingly nonplussed. " Reckon the Protectorate?" she'd ask; she was well aware that the former Lord Protector Cater had his own few tricks and toys up his sleeve. She was also well aware of his former connections with the Syndicate.

"Or the Sith?" that last was a test, a query. One she would carefully watch his reaction for.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric shook his head.

“The Protectorate maintains a certain style in their armor, even in their stealth troops. It wasn't them.” He pondered for a moment. He knew that the Protectorate under Cayter maintained a certain aesthetic likeness, though he wasn't sure if that had now changed, he was fairly confident that these troopers weren't part of the Protectorate, the style just didn't seem to fit with the over armored meatheads.

“The Sith....Well I wouldn't it past them to develop chemical weapons, but not Alpha Red.” That wouldn't make any sense. “There's easier toxins for them to use, ones that don't effect what makes up about forty percent of their Military. Blue Shadow, Octuptarra, half a dozen other pathogens that would be better for them.”

He frowned slightly. “No. If I had to guess I would say Republic.”

There was a slight scowl there. He didn't have any issue with the Republic, that was why he had founded Astraeus. He did however have issues with chemical and biological weapons. Thats why Titan never made anything of the sort even though they easily could.

“The Republic can't make up its mind on what armor it wants to field for its troops...” He frowned slightly again. “...And I wouldn't put it past their leadership.”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Now that was enough to prompt the blood from draining from her face.

The Republic? Well, to be frank, that was a circular peg that was all too easy to fit in a hole. Her teeth would start to nibble at the fullness of her lower lip, mind racing.

That made sense. A bit too much sense.. The kind of sense that spoke of history repeating itself.

"No..." came her murmur, shaking her head. Yet there in lay the maggot crawling in her brain that said that this could very well be that.

"They couldn't possibly-- " Or could they? They had before. And with the war with the One Sith, it was enough to make even the most staunch of politicals desperate for a way to end it.

But at what price?

Nostrils would flare, and her head would cant back towards the opening of the hanger. She needed to get back to Headquarters.

Fast.

"Reckon we better find out."

Panning her attention back to Alric, she began to talk in a frenzy. " Ain't no way any kind of comm is gonna get out of the Waste, the ore round here prevents any sort of communication from making it to the closest outpost." that was a grim reality.

"Flynn and my folk would be out searching the desert by now; been more than three days and he'll be fretting for sure." Flynn being her go to man on Tatooine meant that Arceneau men and resources were out searching for her.

"This thing is a bright red flag to anyone... and if they already got here, means others would too." here is that hope, "Gonna need to head on top side to make some kind of sign that I'm here." Her mind would dart from thought to thought.

That's when it hit her.

The satellites.

There were dozens of satellites that would orbit Tatooine to take snapshots and surveillance of her world. And they maintained a steady orbit.

If she could figure out what time it was...

She could damn well paint her S.O.S on the ground with fire to get the satellite to notice it.

"I need fuel. Lots of fuel." she'd say, determination igniting her green eyes into a blaze. Green would lock onto blue.

"Where's the armory?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric watched Danger for a moment, clearly she had an idea on how they could continue.

He shifted slightly. The armory? Star Destroyers had several armories, but if she needed fuel then it wasn't the armory that she would want, it was the hangar bay. Alric shifted slightly again, the balls of his feet beginning to hurt. He could still feel the weariness over himself, the tiredness. It was different than a lack of sleep, different than even exercising or how he felt after a fight.

This tiredness had set into him, eating away at him slowly.

He couldn't explain it, couldn't explain what the feeling actually was besides a sense of just wanting to lay down and do nothing. Alric looked towards Danger.

“Fuel?” He said. “Fuel you'll find here.”

There was always a hook up to the fuel depot within the Hangar Bay. Long hoses that would connect to starfighters, vehicles, pretty much anything. It was part of a standard outfit in the Star Destroyer, though he wasn't sure if that fuel was still good for anything, after all most of the time that stuff had expiration dates.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Danger would pan her attention over to the hanger.

She only needed enough to do what she needed to get done. "I'm heading up," her mind was made up. Set. She began to move, calling over her shoulder. "Get as much information as you can off the security... or whatever you need."

She was already heading down towards a ladder well, the sound of metal creaking under her rushed steps echoing. Breathing would come in small pants, her red hair bouncing with every step she took.

Feet would pound on the ground, and she would rush to the closest vehicle. One can. Maybe two.

The sound of her moving items and going through various fuel cans could be heard. She would jiggle a few, listen and shake her head. No.

Not -- another can. This time the weight and the sound confirmed liquid. A quick break of the cap and the smell was enough to seal the deal.

Fuel.

Her eyes would dart up towards the open bay.

Now to climb.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

While Danger worked on her little project Alric simply nodded.

Okay. She's being helpful. He thought to himself, his tone sounding oddly genuine even in his own head. What can you do?

For a moment he simply stood there, then he realized where they were. The aft Hangar bay would be near three things of importance. A data terminal, the small armory that would be found here, and the Archives, or at least what passed for archives on such a ship. For a brief moment Alric simply thought, then shouted to Danger. “I'll be back in fifteen. Stay safe.”

He didn't even realize the last part of what he said.

Without further waiting Alric turned and began to jog down the halls of the Star Destroyer, pausing every once in a while and holding steady before turning and moving down another hallway. Eventually he reached a small dusty room lined with shelves.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

The waning light and heat of the Twin Suns would make her feel as if she were baking in her clothes, but she had a task she had to complete.

And if her calculations were correct... she had only a small approaching window of opportunity to do this. The suns were already starting to set, the sky streaking in hues of indigo, corseca, and citrine. Climbing on out to the desert once more, Danger would set the two cans of fuel beside her.

Her lips would thin.

She'd need a flat area.... and the flatest area right now was the hull of the ancient relic itself.

Well... Her head would dart up to the sky, there beyond is where she knew the Arceneau Trade Satellites would be, moving at a set orbit.

With a grunt she picked up a can, popping the lid off.

Without further ado she began to write. The liquid gas her ink, the ISD's hull her filmsiplast.

Aurabesh sigils. Each would represent a code word that would identify her to whoever would review the security scans. They would be out looking for her. She knew that.

Flynn wouldn't stop until they found her cold corpse.

The air would reek of fuel, fumes rising to make her eyes water. But she didn't care. There came the flash of her lighter, a small glow bathing her face with the light.

Bending down, she ignited the trail.

The length of the hull went bursting into flame as the letters were set ablaze. They would sweep like a wave, until finally all the letters were lit.

Up in the heavens, beyond the ether, a satellite would slowly move in a clockwise formation. It's high definition camera taking holopictures of the terrain.

Searching.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

While Danger did something productive, so did Alric.

They both knew from the previous day or so that this ship was special. It wasn't just an Imperial Star Destroyer, it was one designed to carry one of the deadliest and most well protected vessels in the galaxy...a hundred or so years ago at least.

Either way, this vessel had advanced systems, systems that Alric could use, develop, or study.

The Archives were luckily entirely unlocked by the keycard he had earlier stolen. He was beginning to love that thing. With a smile he scanned through the archives. Each line, each notation until he finally found what he wanted, schematics. Quickly he downloaded them, using a strange interface system that would see them put into a safe place.

Then, he began to delete the archives.

He knew that there would be scavengers, he knew that there would be people looking at this vessel. It was better that it remain in his hands. He moved quickly after that, rushing back to the hangar. Oddly enough...he began to feel heat.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Orange and bright crimson flames would flicker across the hull of the ship. Flames licking the fuel residue as it would slowly burn off.

A method to the madness, it was a massive signal to the eyes in the sky -- but also a high risk to those who could very well possibly put them at risk.

However, there was very little she could do about it. Time was of the essence. This planet was her home and she’d made it her own the past ten years. There may be wild elements to it, but it was her defense fleet up in orbit. Her satellites orbiting the word. Her company that would lock this planet down as a neutral area for the Business Bazaar.

She’ll be damned if she let some gorram fools take what wasn’t theirs without a by your leave. Folk would pay.

Her eyes would narrow.

And Danger wasn’t known to let go of grudges all too easily. It was as if a switch had been toggled, one of her greatest strengths was also her greatest weakness.

Tunnel vision. Ambition. Drive.

She was like a kathhound with a locked jaw. And now, she was on the hunt.

It would be hours before they would be found, but she had every surety in her bones that Flynn would get her message.

Loud and clear -- and likely bring the cavalry while he’s at it.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric appeared behind Danger just as the fickle flames died on.

The bag that had been sitting on his back was tossed aside, the small officers jacket that he had been wearing was thrown to the side. He watched her for a few moments, some aching in his muscles from having climbed up the side of the Star Destroyer. His eyes simply glided down her form, watching every bend, every curve.

There was so much else on his mind, so many different thoughts, who where those men? Why had they taken the Alpha red? What was it going to be used for? Could they escape in time to stop them?

Yet out of all of them, there was another thought that stood out.

It came to him as he watched her, silhouetted against the two setting suns of Tatooine. He smiled at her, though she wouldn't notice him yet. There was some level of determination to her feature, to her stance. She looked like it was her against the galaxy. Slowly he stepped up the side of the Destroyer, careful almost ghostly steps.

Then he reached out to her, grabbing that familiar spot on her hip even so gently to get her attention.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Fingers would creep and sink over the curve of Danger's hip. He caught her attention; along with the click of the safety of her blaster. She would move so fast, turning round as cold steel draw up and ready to protect herself. Can't stop muscle memory or the awareness of one raised to shoot first and ask questions later.

Alric was just lucky that she didn't pull the trigger.

Just as quick as it came up, she'd draw it back. "Gorram it." came her soft curse, but soothing over it was an apologetic look. Though who could blame her for the reaction? Out here in the Wastes after having to deal with Tusken Raiders and now a mysterious group who clearly came to grab the Alpha Red with it as their objective.

Alric was still barely known to her, still getting used to what and who he was. It would be months from now that would change, to where his very presence would thrum with an uncanny foreknowledge of his proximity. It would have nothing to do with the hoodoo of the Force, but a hyper awareness that would come to her as natural as it was breathing.

But that time wasn't here now. That would come in time through the rise and fall of a hundred Tatooine Sunsets. For the now, however, Danger would holster her blaster.

She stood silhouetted by the dying flames, green eyes flashing as she'd say,"I swear you've a death wish, Kuhn," came her muttered exasperation, pushing the length of her long bangs away from her face.

That smile would not face from the man. Perhaps due to whatever cocksure assurance must have been bred into him. Or more aptly, trained into him by his sisters. Whatever it was, she felt a measure scrutiny.

Why was he smiling?!

If'n he be curious for an explanation, she'd point up to the sky. "Satellites. " a note came after, "Mine. ATC's to be precise. Ain't no way they gonna miss this." she'd gesture behind her.

A grimace came to her then. "Or likely anyone else within twenty klicks..."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

He nodded.

For a brief moment there had been panic when she pointed the gun at him, but he quickly realized he had probably just startled her. That was to be expected, they were both more than a little on edge. Those men, the pat few days, the tuskens. A shiver went down his spine, and even though he should not have been able to feel it a spike of cold emanated through his back.

The whipping was still fresh in his memory.

He wasn't sure if he would ever get over that, if he could ever forget.

For a moment he shook his head, trying to shake the thought of that. His head swiveled to the side, and he began to walk further up the Star Destroyer. Then He motioned to Danger. “Come on.”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Her pace would catch up to his.

The glow of the withering flames would begin to fade the further they would walk. With the push of adrenaline starting to decrease in her system, the various aches and pains would start to slowly rear their heads again.

It was in her calves, her thighs, her back and shoulders. While normally the reminder would bring a certain sense of satisfaction, in this case, there was none. No, both of their minds were too busy considering the dire situation they were in.

A vial of Alpha Red was out there, and whoever held it in their custody could very well do a number of things with it. It made her sick. However, she knew that they could only do what they could in the now.

What they had in hand. It would take a few hours before any of her boys would cross that horizon, but in the meantime...

Her head would swivel off towards the vast canyons and the Western Dune sea.

"We won't be alone for long." came her grim statement. In there was the meaning that they would have to be ready for anything.

Turning back to Alric, she made quick work at asking him. "Just how well can you shoot, Kuhn?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric shifted, walking until they reached the spine of there Star Destroyer.

There he simply sat himself down, watching the twin suns of Tatooine as they slowly crept towards the horizon. He knew what she was getting at, but he also knew that the endeavor would be useless. “Well enough.”

That was a lie, but he didn't particularly care.

If anyone or anything came at them it would be better to have the reserve powerpacks than waste them on trying to teach him to be a better shot. A few hours of practicing how to shoot would be nothing compared to what a full powerpack could do, at least in Dangers hand. No, Alric decided to take the more intelligent route.

On the spine of the ship he made himself comfortable, with little to no regard for Danger.

He realized that it might have seemed lazy, but quite honestly here was possibly the best place to do it. They had a view for miles so they would see anyone coming, they had warmth in the form of new clothes and the blanket he had earlier taken, and they had a comfortable place to sit.

Alric was going to relax.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Well enough?

To a degree, she wasn't quite sure if his 'well enough' held any sort of merit. But she had to ask. She had to know if she would have to worry about not only watching her back but his as well.

Either way, she'll take him at his word. He hadn't done anything in so far to seem as if he was lying. Granted, if he was, then both were going to be in for a sore awakening if anyone were to come and stumble across them.

She came to a stop as Danger would watch him make himself comfortable. On the hull of the ship no less. But it was there in the lines of his body, the weariness that he felt straight to the bone. Truth be told, she could understand that kind of weight and a dire need to simply sit.

"Move over," came her soft call, dropping the backpack alongside as a makeshift pillow of sorts. With a sigh, she too set herself down next to him. Aches and pains all came back, and with a run of her hands through her hair, she settled down.

Hunger would coil deep in her belly, another necessity that would require filling. An absentminded tug and pull of strings on her backpack would result in the procurement of a ration bar.

Peeling back the copper foil, she cut it in half. Not the best tasting, but it would do. A hand would offer Alric his piece, with a gesture towards the water skin to keep himself hydrated.

All the while, her mind was still racing, wondering. Even though the beauty of the suns setting was rather breathtaking, Danger's mind were on other things.

All culminating towards the thought of how she came about to get here in the first place.

BlastTech.