First Reply Trial and Error | Open | Tatooine

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Travelling with Matthias Colcrip ​

He had not taken her up on the offer to wear the googles. Fortunately, the wind shield had done its job well and, from what he could see, he remained relatively unphased by the sandy environment. The conclusions she drew from that were kept to herself.

A happy smile grew under the shawl covering her mouth upon seeing him enjoy the ride. The answer he offered had her nodding: It aligned well with what she had seen so far. While careful to maintain a light and youthful tone, the Agent went ahead and asked a to-the-point follow-up question "And what about impulse control?" From her tone of voice, it could be seen as a tease - but her eyes would continue to linger by his until she received an answer.

Once again, she followed his instructions without hesitation. Upon feeling the tap on the shoulder and seeing what he signalled, she slowed the vehicle down considerably. She offered a grateful nod upon passing the large dune and noticing that it would have been risky to keep driving at full speed and risking colliding with the hut.

Eventually, they slowed down to a halt. Before getting off, she once more extended a hand towards him but this time, she'd speak "The signet, please" She remained as soft spoken as ever but allowed a bit of determination and authority to seep through the cracks as she asked for the item back.

Once that part of their dealings were concluded, she hopped off of the speeder and removed to bags from the back. She opened the first package to reveal a probe droid. Without waiting any further, she sent it on its way down the path with the specific instruction to not self destruct for a day if captured. Second, she opened the long and narrow package to reveal a shock spear which could be associated with the shock sticks used to handle large animals and beasts.

Taking the weapon in hand and approaching the hut, the girl received a constant flow of information from the droid. It was all displayed on the datapad. Translating it into basic, she spoke "Three people are right by the entrance, they almost noticed the droid as it entered. Then, there's a long pathway leading into a larger complex - the ceiling of it might be a bit lower to the ground than you are at points. It is narrow too, a real death trap if someone decides to fire into it if we are stuck in there. That path exits into a larger chamber but the probe is standing by in the tunnel. Someone is watching the exit."

Ines removed her shades and took a firmer grip of the shock spear before looking up to the Sith "This is your operation, how do you want to play it? If we're too loud, the guys right down here might alert the others, and then we can forget about getting through that tunnel."

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

"And what about impulse control?"​

Matthias wasn’t completely caught off guard by her question. It was very likely she noticed the small ticks that he occasionally got as the voices spoke to him. He had never told anyone about his ticks let alone the voices in his head. Although he enjoyed their chat so far and indeed their brief time together was an unexpectedly pleasant surprise, he didn’t trust her. How could he? Sure she was an Imperial and an agent of the Dark Empire. But Matthias knew better, or at least he thought he did; he wasn’t going to just trust someone whose entire business was knowledge and then using said knowledge for leverage. “Childhood trauma.” A simple excuse, yet one most people would rarely press. He hoped, for now at least, it would provide sufficient cover.​

"The signet, please" She remained as soft spoken as ever but allowed a bit of determination and authority to seep through the cracks as she asked for the item back.​

Once more she demonstrated the experience of a well established spy. How deep into the Empire or their intelligence division, the name of which Matthias didn’t know, remained a mystery. He could tell that despite her soft spoken tone and calm demeanor, whoever this agent was she wasn’t afraid of the sith.

He handed the signet back with a nod and small smirk before proceeding forward with her. A shock spear seemed a unique weapon of choice though being of the more violent nature meant Matthias instead have a grin of approval upon seeing it. Likewise the probe droid proved most useful, giving them exactly the information they needed to plan accordingly.​

"This is your operation, how do you want to play it? If we're too loud, the guys right down here might alert the others, and then we can forget about getting through that tunnel."​

Matthias contemplated their next move for a moment, his hand rubbing his chin in excited anticipation. He slowly walked up the large dune of sand nearby and crouched as he approached the top. Peaking over the golden peak he could see the hut as well as three gunners outside.

The first two were standing at the sides of the door, each standing at attention and holding their standard issue blaster rifles firmly. In front of them walked the third, who sported a blaster pistol instead. All three were wearing leather armor minus the sleeves, likely to account for the sun and provide at least some level of comfort. Matthias assumed the third one pacing back and forth was a superior of some kind, likely the head of the security.

Matthias thought for a moment longer with the newly acquired information he had. He turned back and walked towards the agent, scratching the back of his head in thought. He glanced at her and shrugged, “Well it’s gonna be a fight regardless.”

He turned back up the dune and stopped near the top before nodding his head for the agent to follow. “I’m gonna go ahead and take care these guys,” he stated calmly, “If one of them gets inside or alerts the others, we move fast and hard.”

He paused a moment, glancing at the agent’s weapon once more, before turning his gaze back to her’s and continuing, “If you got a good throwing arm you could try that too.” He was joking though, once again with a calm and plain face, it was hard to tell if that were actually the case.

Raising his hand he counted down. 3. 2. 1. In an instant he force leapt forward and over the dune, doing a backflip and activating both lightsabers as he did. Landing, he looked up and at the three guards who now stood about fifteen feet away. Standing he threw his right arm forward and the purple saber began spinning through the air at a rapid speed.

The two guards at the door went wide eyed and quickly moved to fire, thought not fast enough. As the lightsaber made its way back into his hands, Matthias’ smirk vanished as the third guard had noticed the first two and quickly ducked away just in time. He immediately raised his blaster and fired before diving backwards into the hut’s doors, falling inside and out of sight.

The bolt was easily deflected into the sands before his feet but he was annoyed at the third getting away. “Guess we’re gonna go loud,” he said both to himself and the agent.​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Travelling with Matthias Colcrip ​

A childhood trauma. Ines looked to him for a time, her eyes understanding and a sympathetic smile lingering on her lips. It was all hidden behind the dark shades and the shawl covering her mouth - but it was likely the friendliest response he could hope to receive for the explanation for some time. At least if he intended to join the ranks of the Sith of the Dark Empire.

The subject was dropped for the time being and the duo moved on. Eventually, they crept up to the hut, allowing the two of them to see the three guards with their own eyes. The girl nodded along as he spoke and offered a focused and silent "I've got your back" as they prepared for a fight.

She allowed a chuckle to slip out upon hearing his thoughts on the use of a good throwing arm. She glanced down to her side: The large shawl hanging over her shoulders made it difficult to discern much on an ocular inspection. Despite being relatively fit and athletic, her overall musculature was on the lighter end of things, indicating that she relied more on weapons, precision and stamina than strength and toughness. Her eyes then wandered down to the blaster. It was a ranged option, sure, but it also made a rather distinct noise. For now, it would remain holstered.

It wouldn't be long until the Sith commenced the battle by leaping into the fray. The Agent waited for a few moments until they focused solely on him. Then, she made a run for it, dashing straight towards the abode with the ladder leading down to the tunnel. The third opponent seemed to have a similar idea as he soon took off to escape the Sith who had just slaughtered his friends.

The Agent didn't slow down for a second upon seeing their foe descend into the narrow hole with a ladder. Instead, she kept sprinting. Kalik had barely gotten through half of his sentence about going loud when she threw the spear into the hole. Immediately, she followed it up by throwing herself in and tried to go faster by sliding down the ladder rather than climbing it.

For the most part, her hastily produced plan had come together nicely. For at the bottom, the third goon could be found kneeling with her shock spear stuck by his neck giving him a constant string of shocks. What was not quite so good, however, was that he had just managed to bring an arm up to grab the handle of the weapon and then to pull it out. Angrily, he tossed it away with a clirr.

Ines quickly raised a hand to cover his mouth with whilst sending her free hand into his abdomen, causing him to grimace in pain and make a heavily muffled noise. Just as quickly as she had struck, however, his right hand shot up to grab her threat whilst the left one was sent into her abdomen. She managed to turn a pained scream into a small whimper as she felt oxygen running low and her feet briefly leave the ground from the powerful punch. He tried to speak again but she mustered all the strength she could do keep her hand by his mouth to muffle him. Anger flared in his eyes and the grip around her throat tightened as he pushed her against the hard sandrock wall next to the ladder. Another whimper escaped her before he pulled her back to smash her against the wall again.

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

Kalik had barely gotten through half of his sentence about going loud when she threw the spear into the hole. Immediately, she followed it up by throwing herself in and tried to go faster by sliding down the ladder rather than climbing it.​

Matthias was taken aback momentarily. He knew she had at least some combat experience, what spy didn't? After all they may be focused on intelligence gathering they still needed a way to get out of more intense situations. He gripped his lightsabers and took a breath before sprinting towards the entrance to the small desert home.​

the grip around her throat tightened as he pushed her against the hard sandrock wall next to the ladder. Another whimper escaped her before he pulled her back to smash her against the wall again.​

As he landed on the sandy ground beneath the ladder he was greeted by the rather grim sight of the agent in a losing fight. Just out of arms reach of him, Matthias extended his right hand forward as if to grab the man. His grip on the agent loosened slightly and he began grasping for air. Before he could fully release her, however, Matthias had once again sprinted forward and lunged his red blade through the guard, the tip of the blade inches from the agent's own chest. He withdrew the blade and watched as the body slumped to the ground while the agent fell forward gasping for air.

Matthias caught her and gently helped her against the wall, letting her catch her breath. He placed a hand on her shoulder and glanced at her, "You okay agent?" As the words left his lips his head grew heavy for a moment, causing him to stumble and catch himself on the wall just beside the agent. "Don't stop," the voices began speaking, though in more than a whisper for once, "keep going."

As he regained his balance and stood upright, his naturally yellow eye began to pulse with an almost unnatural energy. Before the agent could respond to his initial question regarding well-being, Matthias activated both lightsabers and ducked his head to enter the tunnel. He raised both sabers into an 'x' before him and began forward.

As he reached the end of the tunnel he saw the small probe droid the agent had sent in. But his vision was still blurred and the only thing on his mind was the fight. Exiting the tunnel revealed a circular control room of sorts; various terminals lined the walls and in the center was a large pillar with more terminals around it. There were six of them, plus Voggro, in this central chamber: two on the right side operating some terminals, one on the left doing the same, and the last four were at the center of the room. Voggro, who was standing facing the three men, could see the exit to the tunnel and immediately noticed the sith.

"Sith!" the gang lord yelled in a panic, the five other men quickly turning and drawing their weapons just as quickly. Matthias quickly darted to the right side where the single guard waited. Bringing his sabers down in a fast and hard motion was a quick enough way to dispatch the guard. Though as he turned to assess his next target, a massive force of energy blasted his shoulder and launched him forward. Catching himself he went to stand but the pain was sudden and made it difficult. Looking up while on his fours he saw the attacker; Voggro had a bolt-caster primed and ready to do more damage. As he fired his next shot, however, Matthias summoned the energy to dive out of the way and behind some of the terminals for cover. He began to meditate on his anger and pain to regain some strength, hoping the agent would recover soon to proofide further support.
​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Rescued by Matthias Colcrip ​

Relief washed over her as she heard the thud of her ally entering the cramped area. While obviously still struggling, she managed to take a breath as the grip loosened a little. Then, she felt how the hand seemed to clench down a little harder momentarily before freezing up. Her eyes were still fixed on his as she saw his life slip away.

A deep inelegant breath was taken as she fell forth into the warrior's arms. He would likely feel her form relax as he caught her and helped her up against the wall. Behind the sunglasses, her eyes had watered up.

Ines was going to respond to his question when Kalik suddenly stumbled himself. A weak arm shot up but he managed to stabilise himself before she needed to try to intervene. Seemingly genuine surprise and fear marked her eyes as she let out a small gasp upon seeing his demeanour change completely.

"Kalik" she called for him with a low hollow voice, obviously still recovering from the beating she had received. It did not seem to have much of an effect - for the man kept pushing. After letting out a determined breath, the Agent followed. But in her current state, still recovering and with a hand grasping the impact site on her core, her arrival through the tunnel would be much later than his.

Upon arriving, the battle had already commenced. While weakened, the Agent's mental capacities still remained. Quickly, her eyes swept across the room as she assessed the situation. Then, she raised her blaster over her head and tried to holler "Sabers off" before firing off five precise shots to disable the lamps and a particularly bright view screen, bringing the round chamber into darkness.

A flurry of shots were fired towards the agent's position. If Matthias could somehow see or sense her, he would realise that she managed to fall into cover as soon as her own shots had been fired. After a few more moments, the probe droid would float higher into the air and turn on a torchlight, pointing it to two of the enemies in the centre of the room.

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

"Sabers off" before firing off five precise shots to disable the lamps and a particularly bright view screen, bringing the round chamber into darkness.​

Matthias laid behind the terminal catching his breath when he heard the agent's words bounce around the circular chamber. He quickly responded by deactivating them as requested only for there to be a quick flash of light followed by darkness. The sith warrior smirked to himself. The room was shrouded in darkness though for a hunter such as himself this would prove a useful aid rather than tactical hinderance.​

After a few more moments, the probe droid would float higher into the air and turn on a torchlight, pointing it to two of the enemies in the centre of the room.​

As the light shone down upon two of the guards, Matthias stayed low and quickly moved from cover to cover, slowly closing the distance between him and the targets. As he moved the guards frantically attempted to turn on their own lights, which were attached to their belts. Just as one had finally got his on, the sith warrior reignited his purple lightsaber and quickly slashed it down onto the guard. As his body fell before him, the second began falling backwards and firing blindly. Initially blocking the first two shots, Matthias slashed at the end of the blaster and cut it half. The guard couldn't even let out a whimper before the sith had finished him off.

Looking at the probe droid he gave a small affirmative nod, though he doubt the droid had the intelligence to understand him. He quickly activated his second saber and brought them both in front of him to use as a light source. He scanned the room for Voggro and the final guard though neither could be seen. Cautiously the sith walked around the various terminals spread about the room, glancing behind each set of cover as he did so. "Agent," he calmly said to the dark room, his voice reverberating off the walls from the eerie silence. "Agent, you good?" he asked once more.

He froze as a familiar chill crept into his mind, "Leave..." it commanded, "...leave her..."

Matthias was at an impossible crossroads, one he didn't expect to find himself at, frankly, ever. He had spent his life listening to the voices and abiding by their will. All the actions and choices he made were made by the voices and he greatly feared turning his back on them. Yet they were now asking him to leave behind someone he was now allied with.

After a beat he swallowed hard and shook himself to reality, “Agent?” he called out once more. He had a new ally, he wasn’t going to throw it away now.
​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Rescued by Matthias Colcrip ​

The tension laid thick across the round chamber. After the initial volley directed towards the Sith, then the Agent, things had fallen silent. At least until the probe droid turned its flashlight on. Shots were fired in the small floating droid's direction before the Warrior revealed himself once more. Ines had taken her sunglasses off by now and watched the purple and reds illuminate a small area around them whilst skillfully being brought to slash foes and block their shots.

Meanwhile, the Agent noticed footsteps coming in her direction. Before she had the chance to move away, she felt fingers brushing up against her upper arm. Quickly, she brought her head low and tried to create some distance between herself and the person who had arrived just next to her. Unfortunately, his hand had been close enough to get a grip around her arm. While ducking had saved her from getting hit in the head, she now found herself in a precarious situation. Acting fast, she smacked the assailant in the upper regions with her blaster causing a pained grunt. Simultaneously, she tried to pull her arm away. Unsurprisingly, he did not let go but, together, the two reactions allowed her to asses the positioning of his body and his height. Continuing her assault, she moved in close and kneed him where it would hurt the most. A series of curses ensued as the Agent slipped back into the darkness.

By now, the droid had almost been hit a few times. Considering its size and build, it was highly unlikely to survive a direct blaster bolt. Thus, it had turned its flashlight off and awaited further instructions.

After having escaped the grip of one of the two remaining foes, the girl desperately tried to navigate her way through the room to the warrior. The one she had escaped from walked with steps that were loud enough for her to hear but the other one's whereabouts were still unknown to her. It was a game of cat and mouse - and it seemed as if the Agent had decided not to make a squeak.

Each step was measured and taken with great care not to make any noise. Ines was heading towards Kalik's voice and his sabres and was approaching from the side. The one who had been following her was still relatively close but had a slightly different direction than her - had the room been larger and their paths of travel longer, they'd soon be a good distance away from each other. Unfortunately, the room was relatively small and the second foe's location was still unknown.

After a bit of moving, she finally arrived, diagonally behind the Warrior. With a silent and nervous breath, the Agent brought a hand up high to reach for his lips, allowing him to feel her fingers and their distinct difference from those of Voggro or his thug. The second hand was brought to his elbow, a few brief moments after: If he turned to slash at her, she'd either be able to hold him down, or to use his momentum to shoot herself away. The second option was more realistic than the first. But then, her first touch indicated that she hoped for neither of those two options.

If he did not accidentally try to kill her, she'd tug at his arm towards the direction of her former assailant and then keep one hand on his person whilst trying to stay by his back to protect against nasty flanking attacks.

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

With the droid’s light extinguished the room fell nearly completely dark once more, the only light illuminating from the two lightsabers Matthias held up in front of him.

As he slowly moved about the room he could sense something approaching from behind. Before he could react he felt the nimble fingers of the woman cross his lips, his lightsabers barely illuminating her for Matthias to see. It was moments like this he was truly grateful for his connection to the force: had he not sensed her moments prior he likely would’ve launched a defensive strike.

For a moment he looked down into her gray eyes; the touch was unexpected and truthfully the first real contact he had with anybody. Contact usually meant getting hit by a blaster bolt or some other injury, either received or given, but this touch was one of concern and caution.

Before he could react he could sense another, a figure not far behind the young woman. Matthias knew he wouldn’t have much time otherwise he, or very likely her, could get hurt. He had to act fast. Deactivating one of his sabers, he took his now free hand and placed it atop the agent’s head. Pressing down he indicated for her to take cover; as she did so he extended his other arm in a large sweeping motion. The thug was just within reach for the saber to get a clean sweep.

Matthias stood up with the agent and let out a small relieved sigh. At this point it was just them and their target: Voggro. The gangster was still missing in the dark room, though for a moment Matthias couldn’t sense anyone else. Taking it as a chance to breath, he glanced around the area that was illuminated by his one saber.

Not far from them was a wall with an emergency switch; Matthias made his way over, his body facing diagonally as to keep the agent in view. As he slammed the switch down in a hard motion a series of red emergency lights, built under the floor and into the ceiling, came on. The room was now a bright and glaring red, allowing Matthias to temporarily disable his saber while the two regrouped.

Walking back over to the agent he continued sweeping the room, his eyes darting back and forth in a vain attempt to find Voggro. As he returned to the agent’s side he glanced at her curiously, “We don’t make too bad a team,” he stated plainly, once again masking whether what he spoke was truth or playful banter. “Your probe good enough to do some deep scans for our friend?” He wasn’t sure where he could’ve gone but he doubted Voggro got far, if anywhere at all. If anything he hoped it would be a safe room or escape hatch that would take them to their prize, he’d wait patiently for the agent to make her own assessment.
​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Rescued by Matthias Colcrip ​

For a time, it seemed as if the duo worked in perfect unison. From first contact, the Warrior had been quick to identify her and to let her in. With a hand on his lower back, she could feel his every step and every time he twisted his torso to look in either direction. Thus, she could quickly respond accordingly, making sure to cover the opposite side while never losing him in the darkness. Her lips formed a seemingly happy line in the darkness as the duo moved on.

Suddenly, the sound of a blade being extinguished could be heard. She could then quickly feel the weight of a comparatively heavy arm on top of her head. Following the prompt that was given, Ines swiftly went low, allowing for Kalik's swift attack to go by unhindered. Her eyes lingered on the smoldering wound for a few moments before rising back up to her feet to assume her previous position by his side.

It would not be long before the Warrior managed to find a way to turn emergency lighting on. It did not take much time for her eyes to get used to the dimmed red emergency lighting. After scanning the room with a quick glance and then doing it again for safety, she looked up at him. While not actively smiling, her eyes glimmered happily and she offered a single nod in agreement "Yes. Yes we do." Her gaze lingered for a few brief moments before she turned to the center console and allowed her hand to leave his back.

"I'm afraid it's not that kind of droid" she spoke, still with a subtle Balmorran accent colouring her speech. Accessing the console, she immediately got to work. Methodically and with a bit of trial and error, she worked to bypass Voggro's security systems. Scanning the information available, the girl eventually turned to the warrior "Judging by the environmental controlls, I'd say that there is no secret entrance that he could've escaped through."

She leaned her head from side to side as if weighing her options before seeming to decide on something. Typing in a few commands, she commenced a data transfer to her own datapad whilst much of the machinery inside started working at an intense pace, upping the noise volume considerably. She then stepped aside to give him easier access "If you press that button, these terminals will start to overheat. A fire would be inevitable. I don't think he'd be able to stop it once it's started." She smiled once more "This is your operations, if you approve, the honour is yours"

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

Matthias eyed the terminal gleefully. As his hand pressed down on the button the room suddenly fell dark again. This lasted only a few moments as the red lights would now begin flashing on and off every two seconds just as an small alarm began to sound. The central pillar they stood before began to vibrate as the power core within it began to overheat. The screens on the terminals attached to said pillar began to crack, the heat beginning to exhume beyond the stone walls around the core.

He stepped back from the console with a satisfied grin, “We should probably make our exit now,” he said glancing down at the agent. He swiftly turned and headed back towards the tunnel that brought the pair here. Just as quickly as he peaked in he was jumped back out, as a shot from the boltcaster whizzed by and exploded one of the terminals behind the duo.

The explosion might’ve been minor had the entire system not been critically overheating. The central pillar began to explode outwards, sending chunks of rock and dust all around the room. With only one way out they were limited on options but Matthias knew they’d have to think quick otherwise they’d be buried beneath the sands of Tatooine.

With fires now staring around the room as the various terminals followed the example set by the central pillar, Matthias glanced at the tunnel and then back at the agent. “Count to three and follow me!”

He didn’t have time to explain himself; Matthias turned and crouched to enter the tunnel, activating both sabers as he did so. They of course cut clean through the ceiling of the small tunnel, causing metal to burn and fall behind him. It was this reason he told the agent to wait three seconds, he didn’t wanna unintentionally burn her. With both sabers before him, the few boltcaster shots that were launched their way were absorbed.

As they neared the end, Matthias could see their target, Voggro, turn heel and begin up the ladder. Matthias cursed under his breath but kept pushing forward, the explosions behind them getting louder and the vent began shaking violently. As he excited the tunnel he quickly turned and brought his hand down to help the agent, “Ladies first,” he jokingly said, glaring at the ladder. It was going to be close, but they just might make it.
​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Cheating death with Matthias Colcrip ​

Once more, she followed his instructions without question. The temperature was quickly reaching uncomfortable heights, Where view screens and terminal consoles exploded, fires lingered and grew. With small steps, the Agent followed the Warrior through the tunnel, staying as close to him as she could without getting burned whilst constantly throwing concerned glances behind them.

When they finally arrived, she eyed him as he extended a hand to her and offered to let her go first. Seeing that, she speeded up, quickly picking the spear back up with one hand whilst placing the other in his. First pulling as she approached and the pushing as she left, the Agent made sure to start the climb with a burst of speed.

As the Agent climbed, the probe floated up along with her. Fortunately, it arrived at the top before its owner did. Up top, Voggro stood with his weapon at the ready. Not to let the probe distract him from shooting the people as they came up, he offered a sneer upon seeing it before slowly moving closer to the ladder.

Ines could see the shadow of their foe creeping closer and pushed herself closer to the ladder to delay before he could see her, allowing her to creep up a little further. Then, she hollered "Now!"

The probe rammed Voggro's head, disrupting his aim for long enough for Ines to climb up and thrust her spear at him. Voggro jerked involuntarily upon being poked by the shock stick. Pushing her advantage, Ines kept moving forward aggressively to interrupt him before he could steady his aim again. In response to the Imperial's strategy, Voggro let go of the barrel of his weapon with one hand and quickly tried to snatch the shaft of the spear as she produced another thrust.

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

As the gangster grabbed the spear with a bloodthirsty grin, he just as quickly lost it; instead he was thrown back several feet and out the door of the small desert hut. Matthias was standing behind the agent, the two having a moment to catch their breaths. Before long however the ground began to shake as the facility beneath them was finally reaching critical mass.

Matthias reached both hands out towards the agent and then towards the door, launching her to safety, the gangster making a nice cushion for her fall. A second after an explosion was heard and hot smoke began rushing from the small underground facility and up the shaft towards the sith. He quickly ran towards the door and jumped at its threshold, just beating the rush of air out the door.

Landing a few feet to the left of both the agent and unconscious gangster, Matthias slowly sat up. Letting out an exasperated breath he began to chuckle. He might not admit it out loud but it truly had been a day. On any other day, with any other job, he would’ve just gone in and done things as straight forward as possible. He never would’ve considered the opportunity or advantages having an ally might provide. Not only that, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy nearly dying in a fiery death; a more negative side effect of his adrenaline high.

He finally stood and walked over to the agent. Offering her a hand up he gave, for the first time not only today but in possibly since he was a young boy, a smile. “You okay, agent?” He asked as he helped her up.

After a moment of catching their breaths Matthias looked down at the body of the man that started today’s adventure. “You helped me take him down,” he announced, with a rather chipper tone, “how do you want us to deal with him?” Typically he’d just finish him off and leave him for the sands of time. But today was different and Matthias, though still taunted
by the voices, felt it warranted a different approach. Whatever she decided, he was going to, for once, trust the judgement of another living being rather than that of the voices within.​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Concluding business with Matthias Colcrip ​

Ines had been sure to roll off of Voggro as quickly as she could with a bothered grimace. Her gaze then drifted over to the hut. A concerned frown appeared as she saw the Warrior just barely escaping the dangerous situation. For a time, she followed him with her eyes and scanned him for injuries. Only after that did she fully lean back, letting her head brush up against the wall whilst an exhausted arm went to clutch her abdomen.

The two of them remained seated for a bit before the man rose to his feet and offered her a hand. Ines looked at it for a few brief moments before accepting his help by placing her much smaller hand in his.

She matched his smile and removed the cloth covering her mouth with her free hand. Despite not at all trying to hide the immense pain and likely injuries sustained during the fight, the girl nodded "Yeah, I'm alright." She gave him a look over "You got out fine too, right?"

Both of them soon turned their attention to the aspiring crime lord. Slowly, she pulled her hand from his to check on Voggro's pulse. "I think he might've heard when you called me agent." She spoke in a matter-of-factly tone. "Once you are done with him, we should kill him. There's nothing to be gained from keeping him alive." With the last part, she subtly reminded him of the data transfer she had commenced before bring the facility to ruin.

Giving him a nod to convey that he should go about his business, the Agent turned and walked a few steps to the east. Once out of earshot of both the Sith and the criminal, she gave the droid instructions to conduct the scans and surveillance work she had come to the planet for. Before long, it continued heading east while she moved back to the Warrior. A thud could be heard as the blunt end was planted into the sands, allowing the injured girl to support herself against it.

"You should probably leave Tattooine for a while. Before word spreads and people come hunting for a bounty to collect." A smirk appeared on her lips "Want a ride?"

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

A grin fell upon his face as he kneeled down to the unconscious man. He gently slapped his face a few times and before long the man’s eyes slowly started to open. Matthias greeted his gaze with the now fully formed smile on his face. “Too bad,” he stated calmly and coldly, “I thought today I’d let someone live for a change.” He sighed and with a shrug he quickly activated one of his lightsabers, which he had pressed against the man’s chest since he kneeled down.

Deactivating it he wasted no time quickly searching the pockets and utility belt the man wore. The pouch on the back of his belt produced Matthias’ prize: a credit chit with a couple thousand tied to it. Standing he placed the chip in his own utility belt before turning to face the east, noticing the young woman walking away momentarily with her droid before returning a minute later. She was right and it was likely other hunters or even local scavengers would be along to investigate the now ruined hut. Matthias wasn’t particularly worried though even he had gotten his fill of his old home after today’s affairs.

He gave the young woman an affirmative nod and the two started back to the speeder. As they approach Matthias stopped briefly and eyed her once more. “Name’s Matthias Colcrip,” he introduced himself proudly, “Jedi hunter.” For the first time he felt comfortable enough to trust someone. He hoped that defying the voices and rescuing the agent would yield positive results.

Though he wasn’t the greatest conversationalist, Matthias still knew that even a sith needed allies. He relaxed his stance after introducing himself and gave her a small and playful nod, “So… Agent…?” It was time to call her out on the fake persona and, to Matthias, find out if his trust was well placed. The second he learned her true intentions it was even more clear she had given him a fake name. He had done the same for his own reasons, sure. Now, however, he’d wait and see if the agent was willing to return that trust.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Trial and Error
Concluding business with Matthias Colcrip ​

When Matthias stopped before mounting the speeder, Ines threw a glance back at him but didn't stop herself. At least not initially. Her eyes lingered on his, reading his expression carefully before fully coming to a stop with a turn. First she tried to place her hands behind her back whilst listening but soon regretted the spontaneous decision as a painful sting shot through her core. The pained grimace lasted for a brief moment and was soon replaced by curios eyes, brightly raise brows and a weak smile.

"Matthias, huh?" Her expression was difficult to read, for it shifted between slight surprise, amusement and interest. Moreso than was shown for the title of Jedi hunter. Her light blue eyes glimmered in the twin suns of Tattooine as she looked to the warrior with fondness. "Kalik was a good name, it suits you. It could come in handy in the future"

The fond glimmer disappeared as soon as she realised where she was going with the playful nod and the smile on her lips dampened ever so slightly. To most, the shift wouldn't be hard to notice - but to most, it would be hard to notice the subtle details that caused the overall atmosphere she exuded to shift from a warm and happy one to a - perhaps - sad and somber one. A slight shiver could be seen in her eyes for the briefest of moments before she turned away. Letting her back face him as she gazed out over the vast dunes and her probe shrinking as it kept hovering farther away.

"I can't" she spoke, her voice was controlled and her Imperial accent on full display. The Agent swallowed hard and took a deep breath. It was likely the most honest answer she could offer. "I can't, I'm sorry."

Letting the breath out, she nodded towards the vehicle "Let's be off. Before the locals come looking for you. Once we're in hyperspace, I've got a few articles you might like, and I've got a few reports to write." With weak steps, she moved up to the vehicle and climbed into it with some difficulty.

For the most part of the trip back, she would be silent, but perhaps after reaching the halfway point to the spaceport, she spoke. "Matthias" The girl waited for him to respond in some way before continuing "You should probably stop calling me agent." A pause followed as she worked up a smile when looking over to him. "So, what do you want to call me?" Her smile grew brighter as the dark hurdle was being pushed aside "Every agent gets a cool codename, right? Hornet? Ghost? Hellion" she chuckled "What do I feel like?"

 

[Matthias Colcrip]

It didn’t come as a surprise when she hesitated upon Matthias’ request. After all one mission and near death experience doesn’t automatically equate to trust. Matthias made sure to give a conformational nod showing that he understood even if he didn’t quite approve.

While the trip back was silent, Matthias’ mind was racing ever onward. It wasn’t a typical job or a typical fight, even. No today had been a revelation for the sith. He defied the voices once to rescue this agent and it had paid off seemingly. He started to question himself. He had of course wondered what the voices were and where they came from though after today the questions only burned with greater intensity.

He returned from his own inner-thoughts when the agent had asked him what nickname he’d like to call her. He didn’t answer right away, indeed he waited the rest of the trip back to the spaceport, not speaking a word and instead sat in quiet meditation. Upon reaching the spaceport the acolyte assisted the agent with preparing her ship, a brief moment to demonstrate his own knowledge of space flight.

After a few minutes the two were nearly ready to part ways, standing just outside the entrance to one of the many hanger bays in Mos Eisley. As the the two stood facing each other Matthias gave glanced at her eyes once more. The piercing blue ocean was unlike any other blue the sith had encountered in his journeys. With a warm and almost cocky smile he began to turn, “See you around Blue.” He tossed her a commlink, a way for them to contact one another in the future. With that the sith fully turned and was on his way leaving the agent and today’s adventure behind.

As he walked through the crowded spaceport to the hanger where his own ship waited, he felt the cold whispers once again cross his spine, “Regret.” Matthias pressed on, this time ignoring the voices. Today had changed him and perhaps his course. Wherever it lead today had taught him one valuable lesson: he needed allies if he was to survive the chaos.

End of Thread​

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan