To Trap A Battering Ram (Siobhan)

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
One could argue that in her aristo moments, Siobhan qualified for sloth as well!
Meanwhile, Tempest shrugged. "Whatever you say, boss lady."

The results came back a day or so later from the analysis of the Phrik. Tempest collected the results and brought them to Siobhan. "Looks like a 95% chance it's from Gromas originally. You know, former Sith world. No one has claimed it now, but most of the stuff was mined out years ago. Not sure that helps us much until we find Gaiseric and confirm where he got it from."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Envy sort of fit Siobhan as well when she was being whiny, which also happened a lot. Perfect materiel to become a decadent aristocrat with an astronomical sense of entitlement. Of course, pride comes before the fall.


Regardless on the next day they got the metallurgical results. In itself Gromas was not a big surprise. The world was unclaimed, though rumours said most of the metal had been mined out long ago. Still, someone enterprising could have easily found something. By all reason it should have been dismissed as the work of raiders and opportunists, yet somehow she could not accept that conclusion.


"True, but good work. I'm going to have a chat with Heli," Siobhan said and made the call, unknowingly taking the next step into the web that would ensnare her.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
"Master, we've received word from your Agent, they have Gaiseric's name and have identified Gromas as the origin," one of the Apprentices told the Sith Lord.
"Excellent. Inform Gaiseric that he is to initiate his part of the plan. Predictable as always, Siobhan Kerrigan. Apprentice, put me in contact with the Cathar."

The call was put through, and Shadow was left alone. He eyed the Cathar on the other end of the transmission.
"Ah, Heli. So good of you to see me. I trust you are well? Your litter mates send their warm regards and hope to see you soon. I trust you will do everything you can to prevent any...issues in facilitating this? Siobhan Kerrigan is going to contact you for information on some Phrik. Do your diligence, and point her to a man named Gaiseric on Corellia, I will give you the information you need. When matters have resolved themselves satisfactorily I will see your family reunion is happy. I'm a man of my word...."

 

[Moira Skaldi]

The Shadow was not the only one watching. The Metal Queen was doing so as well. From her office on Corellia. Unlike the one on the Liberator this one was designed to receive visitors and as such designed to impress, though not ostentatiously so. Archangel stood for enterprise, hard work, growth and an infinite desire to test and transcend the boundaries of science, not for needless displays of luxury.


Through the transparisteel windows she had a brilliant view of Coronet City, which as usual was a hive of activity, though she remained indifferent to it. Rather what occupied her attention were reports of phrik shipments appearing on several worlds of the Protectorate, chief among them Dahomey and Kaeshana, both within Firemane's SOI.


In fact, Gaiseric was under Archangel surveillance. The Shadow had not fully divulged his plan to her, but she could see his handiwork over it all. After all, she knew all about Gromas. Speaking of which, Firemane's heavy-handed confiscation of the phrik shipments was bound to cause some discontent amongst the nobility of Kaeshana. Not because the high-born Ladies had a problem with arrest without warrant, confiscation of private property and impediment of the free market. After all, they were the corrupt aristocracy of a theocratic absolute monarchy. No, they would just want their share of the cut and a human-led corporation enjoying a monopoly was anathema. The elves, backward and ignorant as they were, detested machines, but nonetheless Archangel had forged some discreet contacts, obviously obfuscating its true identity and leanings.


A communication was sent regarding a dealer called Vitellius, one of Gaiseric's underlings, to an HRD who was embedded in the underworld scene. Acquiring a shipment of phrik would be...useful.


"Director Alderana, the Secretary-General of the Loronar Shipyard Workers' Union is here to see you," a message from her secretary at the reception took her away from her musings. Archangel was in the processs of taking over the shipyards on Loronar after the destruction of Loronar Corporation. It did well to pretend to be open and interested in workers' rights.


Oh, yes, Archangel would protect their rights, guarantee them full employment and complete protection against being sacked to offset costs. Not a single worker of Archangel had ever been cast out into the streets. Truly proof that capital and labour could not only coexist, but work towards a common goal if they were of one mind.


"Thank you, Claudia. Please send him to meeting room eight and provide refreshments," she said politely and got up, pressing a button on the keypad to switch off the holographic report. Her elegant suit was impeccable as was her entire grooming, not a hair out of place. Her high heels clacked on the impeccable floor as she walked out of her office and down the corridor.


Archangel had provided the tools and machinery of war for the Shadow. Having them face Kerrigan, one of the most powerful force-based soldiers in the Galaxy, would be an adequate test. If she died, good. If she survived against all odds, the destructive rampage she would go on would be both a beauty to behold, especially if she wrecked her position in Firemane, and useful. After all, there were a number of Sith Moira could dispense with...


Win-either-way scenarios were the best.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


It was a classic Catch-22. That would have struck her as comical if it was not so brutally serious, if lives close to her were not at stake. If she disobeyed the Shadow would murder her and her family. Actually deep down she believed he would do that anyway. Only a fool would trust his word.


If she did as he told her and Sio found out...she'd kill her. As a matter of fact that was not true, for Siobhan simply killing her would be too merciful for her friend. Heli liked to think that she could read people well and as much as she liked her, when it came to Siobhan she was not blinded by love or affection.


She had anticipated this call for several days, actually rehearsed it several times. Now she faced the Shadow, trying to keep the anxiety from her tone and features. Likewise the fact that she had spent several sleepless nights. Well, she was not a wet hen and would not come across as one now!


She took a deep breath. "Everyone says that...but I got no choice. I'll direct her to this Gaiseric. I'll make sure she swallows it wholesale. What information do you want me to give her?" she spoke, tone as professional as she could make it. Sorry, Sio. Family came first. Deep down she knew there was no way this could end well. Maybe, just maybe, she could subtly get out a warning.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Shadow steepled his figures and looked evenly at the hologram recording. “Give her Gaiseric’s location and also bring up that you have heard rumours of a Phrik stockpile on a station orbiting Gromas. Do not tell her of my involvement. If she comes to me forewarned I will be most displeased. When Siobhan Kerrigan is dead your kin shall be returned unharmed to you. Until then they remain my guests….”

He cut the connection and gave orders for the required data to be sent through. Heli’s information would tally with Gaiseric’s; that there was an orbital station above Gromas with a stack of Phrik just waiting to be ‘liberated’. An irresistible bait, especially when combined with hints that a Sith was in charge. Greed would prevent Siobhan blowing the station out of orbit…if she had the firepower to do it at least…and then the true game would begin.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


Theoretically Siobhan would be able to bring a station down by tearing enough of it apart through telekinesis. Contrary to popular belief, she would be unable to throw a space station without being ridiculously super-empowered by external sources but she could turn it into a coffin for whoever was on it.


It all depended upon whether hatred or greed would win out. Both were powerful motivators.


No matter Heli took a deep breath and then poised herself, as a call that came on the heels of Shadow. The glowing red light informed her that Siobhan was calling. She checked her face in a small, compact mirror and managed to curve her lips into her trademark, irreverent smirk before putting the mirror down and answering the call.


"Hi, Heli. It's Siobhan. How are you?"
"Sibby, how nice of you call to me! If I was a wet hen I'd be having abandonment issues. Nice new look. You...actually look like a lady. You must be Tempest. Sibby has told me sooo much about you."
"Don't call me that," Sio interjected with an air of annoyance. She obviously did not like 'Sibby'!
"Oh, c'mon on, lighten up a bit, Kerri-goo."
"Don't call me that...again! How do you even...only Tegs call me that! You haven't been..."
"I'd never spy on a good friend. Granted, I'd make millions by selling the vids to the fangirls, but I reckon vengeance would be swift. Anyhow, as charming as it is for you to call, I take you didn't just do that to bask in my incredibleness. Something to do with all the phrik being spread across your corner of space perchance? Heard it's got many knickers in a twist."
"No, just to make you bask in mine. You're right about the phrik though. We caught a dealer on Dahomey and confiscated a lot of it. Named a guy called Gaiseric as the man behind it. Name ring any bells? Phrik is supposed to have come from Gromas."
"Information brokering is a very complex, time-intense business, Sibby. With that in mind, the name's crossed my desk. Got a bit of a chequered past. Let my check my data..." there was a brief pause as she made a show out of fishing the data out of a folder, which was right next to one that contained Sio/ [member="Delila Castillon"] fanfiction from morethanbarbuddies.net. "He's in Coronet City, downtown. Transmitting the location. Done well for himself with smuggling. Here's the kicker though, unconfirmed rumours state he used to have Imperial Intelligence contacts. Funnelled resources for them. Wisely went private after the Empire went bust."
"Would've done well to stay off our radar," Siobhan muttered darkly. "Gromas was identified as the source of the phrik. Been unclaimed so far. You got anything on players there?"
"I was just getting to that. Don't go off charging just now, but there's been rumours about a phrik stockpile orbiting a station above it. Supposedly one of the big Sith cleared out the planetary stockpile way back, but that's the rumour. Can't pinpoint the player running it, but I would speculate on Sith involvement."
"Sith. Whole pile of phrik...on a space station. Why would they be selling it off like that? All these deals are small fry. And they weren't exactly covert on Kaeshana and Dahomey." Siobhan spoke. Both greed and suspicion were written across her features. "Anyway, thanks. You've been a big help. Usual fee will be transmitted to your account. We'll deal with it."
"Oh, that's nice of you. So, when are you going to invite me to your place. I knew it's quite nice and it's been so long since I saw your lovely wife!"
"You two will just gang up to troll me. Would not say to that three-way though. You're welcome to come. Any special wishes?"
"Cake. The cake better not be a lie."
For just a moment Siobhan gave her a look. It seemed something was being said, but then the moment passed as swiftly as it had come. "Sure. Just for you there'll be plume cake. Anyway, thanks. Take care." With that Siobhan cut the connection and turned to look at Tempest. Hopefully she would not say anything about Kerri-goo! Sio's tone was serious though when she spoke. "Something's not right. I think she's in trouble."

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Tempest listened to the conversation with amusement. She was especially interested in ‘Kerri-goo’. She was definitely going to have to use that one soon!
However, thoughts of trolling Siobhan faded at her last words. “What do you mean? She sounded perfectly fine? I guess you two know each other well...so was that last thing she said a code or something?”
Siobhan’s words had put her on edge somewhat. It wasn’t a nice feeling.
“So what should we do?”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


"It is. Don't ask how we came up with that. I suspect it's a trap and whoever's behind it is coercing her," Siobhan said thoughtfully. She would suspect Sith involvement, but the thought of Shadow being behind it would not enter her mind.


He was supposed to have been dragged back into the netherworld by the unknown entity that had saved her during the struggle in the fade, but she doubted he was truly gone. And yet, nothing had been heard of him. Moreover, she had a massive invincibility complex. If this was a trap and Heli was truly in danger then not taking the bait at all would alert whoever was pulling the strings.


"Can't tip off whoever's responsible either. We'll check on this Gaiseric and see whether his info confirms what she's given us. I'll send a transmission to Tegs about what we've found out...and for her to be on her guard."

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
And so a ship was readied for the expedition to Corellia.

Along the way, since she apparently had nothing else to do, Eyrecae Alzari decided to drop by and check on preparations. Hefting her hammer in a rather disconcerting way she approached the ship.
“Kerri!” she called. Some of the dock workers looked around but she didn’t care. “What’s this about you going after Sith, and why’ve I not been invited?” she demanded when the other half of their dynamic duo appeared.
“I’ve not been hammering anything for day…even the rebels gave up when I gave them a pounding! And none of the weaklings here want to fight me. Even your minion, oh there she is! So why’s she better than me when it comes to clubbing Sith suddenly?”

Tempest looked down on her with loathing. Perhaps this writer’s characters all mostly disliked each other, with a few exceptions.
“Because I know there is occiasionally more to life than hitting things and acting like a queen,” Tempest growled.
“You got a smart mouth, girl. Care to put it to the test?”
Amazingly it seemed like Siobhan was suddenly going to be the voice of reason here! Who knew?

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"]

If Siobhan had been the type for introspection and self-reflection she might have reflected upon the fact that in Eyrecae Firemane had found someone who might be even more bloodthirsty than she was, as surprising as that would seem. Ironically enough Sio had been doing little fighting recently and instead busied herself with making money for the firm. This had required being nice to people, a shocking concept, though apparently it had worked.


Goddess, is it too much to ask for my girls to get along and not want to fight each other twice a day? Siobhan thought, demonstrating that she might be a bit too idealistic. One might also note the 'her' girls part. She was not self-centred and possessive at all! Harems were serious business! Apparently [member="Delila Castillon"] had been right with her comments.


Regardless, it was time for an interrupt! Unfortunately Siobhan was out of paragon points.


"Both of you stop your bitching right now. I am in charge here and I can kick both of your arses if needed! Eyrecae, control yourself, you're not a child. Tempest's my friend and apprentice, if you want to bash Sith skulls, remember that and show her the respect she deserves. And Tempest, Eyrecae's my friend and an Order member, stop antagonising her. Clear? Good. Now let's go. If needed I'll give you a call, Eyrecae. In the meantime...I think Mistress Steel is in town again, why don't you check up on her? Come on, Tempest."


Renegade points! This inspiring speech out of the way she gestured to Tempest and boarded their ship.

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Eyrecae growled, a low, animal sound.
“You’re one to talk about acting mature!” she said petulantly. “But fine, when you end up getting vaped because I wasn’t there, I’ll say I told you so!” The realisation that telling someone ‘I told you so’ when they were already dead was pointless, had not trickled through to Eyrecae yet. Either way, she stomped off.

Tempest smirked. “Alright, boss lady, on to Corellia!” Tempest said, loud enough for Eyrecae to hear. The other gave an obscene gesture and kept walking.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Eyrecae was probably right about Siobhan not being a bastion of maturity! But anyhow, our somewhat morally ambiguous but fun heroines were off on another quest.



She tried to look stern and serious in response to Tempest, but failed at that. "You're enjoying this way too much," she stated, sliding her hand down to rest upon Tempest's arse, roaming over it before giving one cheek a firm a squeeze and then slapping it. "Come on, hun. Let's go. Eyrecae isn't that bad you know."


It was probably rather idealistic of Siobhan to hope that maybe one day 'her' girls would get on! In any case their ship took into the sky and soon left the hothouse that was Dahomey behind it, accelerating as it broke through the atmosphere and into space before vanishing in a flash as it jumped to hyperspace.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
For a moment the ominous black curtain seemed ready to descend over the scene to protect the eyes of the innocent. However, when nothing more came of it, the shroud withdrew, content that no kiddies would be permanently scarred by the activities of consenting adults.
Naturally the curtain would not be called upon is mere murder, assault and arson was involved!

Tempest gave Siobhan a look. “Anything you say, Kerri-goo,” she said innocently. Oh ho, let the trolling begin!

And so off to Corellia they went!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Siobhan glared at her minion with evident annoyance. Tempest was lucky she had her good looks! "Insubordinate. All my minions are insubordinate. You're so getting disciplined for this," she grumbled, Mistress Thuella would have to lay down the law!


Anyhow, off to Corellia they went. Who knows what transpired during the trip towards this lovely planet. Presumably Siobhan did not try her hand at crochet. Regardless give or take a few hours their mighty chariot dropped out of hyperspace and took the plunge towards the planet that has given us the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo and countless individuals who think they are him! They passed the massive shipyard stations that dominated the orbit and were the Corellians' pride and joy. For a change Sith terrorists had not tried to hijack one in a terribly obvious plot to drop one on the planet. Presumably random terrorists had also not spawned in Coronet City to randomly detonate bombs.



They received the usual clearance to land - former Exarch and now noblewoman did not have to wait in a queue, that was for plebs - and had soon touched down in the hangar of one of the many spaceports of the magnicient city of Coronet, known as the Jewel of Corellia. The planet had always struck Siobhan as terribly overrated.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“And you think that will make me more subordinate?” Tempest asked, eyebrow raised. She grinned and sauntered off to the passenger areas of the ship.
What indeed transpired in this time is unknown. Perhaps Tempest composed a lyric poem in iambic pentameter, perhaps Siobhan invented a new kind of Ropo trap. Or perhaps the terrible curtain of PG-13 morality descended. Whatever happened, this one notes that by the time they landed, Tempest seemed to be rather more sore in her hindquarters than before departure!

As they landed in Coronet City they were quickly passed through security and out onto the streets of the city. Their destination was the address given to them by Heli and other sources, the lair of a certain Gaiseric.
Hopefully no cities would be sacked in this encounter.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


And so our intrepid heroines were back and could now experience the beautiful city of Coronet. There were so many architectural marvels to behold and sights to see. Given that both belonged to an Order that saw it as its mission to spread education and learning this was an important opportunity!


Unfortunately, they had business to attend to. For undoubtedly this Gaiseric was in need of education. Their speeder touched down a bit further and Siobhan observed the house through binoculars before she put them away. Judging by his lodgings he seemed to have done well for himself, though it was still located in the notably less classy part of town. Thus meaning that Cor-Sec would not come dashing in heroically if there was a disturbance of the peace. "Seems clean on the outside, suspect a few goons inside. I'll take the front, you come in from the back and intercept him if he manages to bolt. Remember we need him alive."

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Tempest nodded, headed towards the back alley. There was nothing there except some empty crates and boxes. Taking up a position, she waited in the shadows.

Inside the office a large bouncer was standing by a reception desk waiting for Siobhan. Contrary to normal customer service protocols he didn't seem that welcoming.
"Mr G doesn't have an appointment with you. You will leave now," he said, looming over Siobhan.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tempest"]


Siobhan looked unimpressed, then simply gripped the bouncer tight with a mental gesture, lifting him into the air as if he weighed nothing and shoved him against the desk like a ragdoll. The desk crumbled under the force. As a certain gremlin had once said, size matters not. He would not be getting up for a while.



"Now I have one," she said dryly and probably rather cornily. Her lightsabre flew into her hand and the brilliant blue blade ignited with a snap-hiss as she advanced into the office. A silent ping was sent to Tempest, informing her Sio was in.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
The receptionist let out a little scream as the man smashed into her desk and almost demolished it. She took one look at Siobhan’s lightsabre and fled.
Alarms started blaring. The battering ram had entered the building! The problem was, of course, that she wouldn’t necessarily know where Gaiseric was.

However, that’s what Tempest was for, and predictably enough a moment or so later their target exited the back with two security guards and hustled towards a waiting speeder.

They never got there.

Tempest stepped out, her kick folding up one man, whilst a burst of telekinetic energy smacked the other back. She drew her blaster and aimed it at Gaiseric’s head.
“Siobhan, he’s out here,” she contacted her boss. “We have some questions for you…” she told the angry merchant.