Private Ultraviolence

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Objective: Investigate and dismantle the distribution of Ultraviolence (UV), an enhanced combat stimulant causing violent mutations and deaths among users.
Intel: UV is distributed via an underground network of dealers tied to an anonymous supplier.
Initial Lead: Kess Barlo, a known dealer operating in the lower parts of the Coruscant Underworld.
Secondary Objective: Confirm Sith involvement and identify production facilities for elimination.
Note: Exercise discretion. Coruscant's Underworld is volatile, and collateral damage may attract unwanted attention.

Attire
Equipment: Standard (In Bio)
​

The Coruscant Underworld was a chaotic labyrinth of crisscrossing lights, industrial grime, and shadows that seemed alive. Far above the din of the bustling streets below, on the rooftop of an old skyscraper, Drystan Creed stood at the edge, hair billowing in the cold wind. In his grip dangled a Rodian dealer, green skin with sweat glistening under the flickering neon of a distant holo-ad.

The Rodian, Kess Barlo, flailed helplessly, his hands clawing at the edge of his collar where Drystan's gloved fist held him firm, the Shadow able to hold the Rodian up with a single arm almost effortlessly, and this was without the use of the Force. Below them, the dizzying expanse of Coruscant stretched endlessly, the depths swallowing the faint hum of speeders and the peppering of holo-lights dotting the industrial caverns of the underworld.

The mission wasn't meant to be a solo operation. The Jedi Order, ever cautious about Drystan's unconventional methods, had assigned him a partner, a shadow to tail a shadow. Valery Noble .

The operation had officially begun a day earlier, with the pair working together to gather initial intelligence. But Drystan, true to form, had peeled off without notice, vanishing into the sprawling chaos of Coruscant's Underworld. Any possible inquiries or concerns sent by his partner over the radio would find silence in response, he was already pursuing his own leads.

"Tell me who makes UV," Drystan's voice was calm, yet carried a razor-sharp edge that cut through the roaring wind. He tilted his head slightly, his dark glare narrowing as he leaned forward. "My arm's getting tired."

Kess's bulbous eyes widened, breath hitching as his feet scrambled uselessly against the air beneath. "Wait! Wait! I'll talk! Just—please!"

Drystan didn't answer, his silence more menacing than any spoken threat.

"I have a guy! I-I call him when I need more merch. They—they give me the place. That's all I know!" The Rodian blurted, his words tumbling over themselves in desperation.

"Then you're going to make that call," Drystan's brows furrowed, his voice dropping into a dangerous promise. "Now."

The Rodian hesitated, his hands trembling as he reached for the communicator strapped to his belt. "I'll die! They'll kill me if—"

Drystan tilted him closer to the edge, the distant lights below becoming a blurred sea of neon. His voice remained cold and unyielding. "I'm not playing games. Make the call or my fingers start slipping."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery stood a short distance away, her arms loosely crossed as she kept watch, her sharp gaze scanning the surrounding area. The chaotic hum of the Coruscant Underworld was a constant backdrop, but her presence in the Force extended outward like a vigilant net, ensuring they wouldn't be caught off guard.

Her fiery eyes flicked toward Drystan as he held the Rodian aloft with one arm, effortlessly displaying a kind of raw strength that few could match. A faint smirk tugged at her lips — she couldn't deny there was something impressive about it, even if his methods bordered on aggressive.

When the Rodian hesitated, stammering about the dangers of making the call, Valery stepped forward, her boots clicking softly against the rooftop. Her voice was calm but firm, cutting through his frantic excuses with the precision of a blade.

"If you make the call, we'll make sure you stay alive," she said, her gaze locking onto the dealer's panicked eyes. "But if you don't, this is going to get a lot worse."

Her expression softened slightly, but the steel in her tone remained. "You're running out of time, Kess. Make the call. Now."

She glanced back toward Drystan, her smirk returning briefly. "We've got this, but we won't have long before others pick up on the disturbance. The sooner he talks, the sooner we get moving."

Valery turned her attention back to the cityscape, her senses still on high alert. While Drystan applied the pressure, she ensured they wouldn't be interrupted — a perfect balance of intimidation and preparation.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Attire

Equipment: Standard (In Bio)​

Drystan's sharp senses picked up the faint shuffle of boots behind him, even before Valery's calm and measured voice cut through the tension. He didn't flinch, his grip on Kess's collar unwavering as he listened to the Jedi Master's words. Without looking back, he gave a slight nod, happy to have someone playing along instead of the usual reprimand he would get from other jedi.

Kess's orb-like eyes darted between Drystan and Valery, his breathing now calming with her words. Finally, he croaked out, "Alright! Alright! I'll make the call! Just—just put me down. Please!"

Drystan's gaze flicked to his partner for a moment, then back to Kess. Slowly, he pulled the Rodian back from the edge and set him down onto the rooftop. Kess collapsed onto his knees, clutching at his collar with panicked heaves, body full of fearful tremors.

The Rodian scrambled to comply, fumbling for his communicator. Kess's trembling fingers finally activated the communicator, dialing a sequence with a speed born of terror. The device crackled to life, a distorted voice cutting through the static.

"You're early, Kess," the voice said, mechanical and flat. "What's up?"

Kess licked his lips, forcing his voice steady. "Ran out quicker than expected. Need a resupply. Where can we meet?"

A tense pause hung in the air, palpable. Then, the voice replied, "My barge. Sending the coordinates. 1 Hour. Don't be late."

Blindingly fast, Drystan swiped the communicator as the channel closed, noting the coordinates to memory before crushing it in his gloved hand.

He crouched down, a smouldering gaze meeting Kess's wide, frightened stare. "You're done here," he said, his voice low but final. "Consider this your last sale. I see you out on the street dealing, you'd wish the defense force found you first."

With that, Drystan stood and turning towards Valery. The wind carried the faint rustle of his clothing, leaving Kess scrambling onto his feet and down a long flight of stairs from the top of their skyscraper, no doubt taking Drystan's threat to heart. They were at an abandoned skyscraper, one of many dotting the underworld and there wouldn't be anyone gunning for them at this moment. At least to Drystan's knowledge.

"Good cop, bad cop. Appreciate the assist and sparing the lecture." He gave her a nod. "Looks like its by an abandoned docking port. Five klicks from our location. The dealer's ship should be the only one there. I'd say we go on foot, keep it discreet til we're ready to buy."

Drystan glanced towards their route, more megabuildings, rooftops and structures, with the thinnest of roads cutting through each of them. Drystan figured that was the best way to get to their destination discreetly, and shouldn't be a problem for the two of them given their skills as shadows.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery's fiery gaze remained fixed on the retreating form of Kess as he scrambled down the stairs, the sound of his frantic footsteps echoing in the relative quiet of the rooftop. Her arms relaxed at her sides, and she exhaled a slow breath, releasing some of the tension that had built during the encounter. It wasn't the cleanest way to get information, but it was effective, and sometimes that was what mattered most.

She turned her attention to Drystan, a faint smirk playing at her lips as he spoke.

"Good cop, bad cop?" she echoed, her tone light but teasing. "I wasn't aware I signed up for that, but hey, if it works..." She tilted her head slightly, her expression softening as she nodded in approval. "You handled that well. Let's hope the intel checks out."

Her gaze shifted to the distant skyline as Drystan outlined the next steps. The coordinates he mentioned were close enough to reach on foot without drawing too much attention, but the labyrinth of rooftops and narrow roads would make it a challenge to stay fully concealed. Still, it was nothing the two of them couldn't handle.

"Five klicks," she mused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she calculated the route in her mind. "On foot sounds good. Last thing we need is to draw attention by using speeders or triggering proximity alerts."

Valery stepped to the edge of the rooftop, the neon glow of the Underworld reflecting off her features as she scanned the path ahead. She adjusted the belt around her jumpsuit, ensuring her lightsabers were securely attached, and turned back to Drystan with a faint smile.

"Let's move quickly. The sooner we get there, the better chance we have of catching them off guard. I'm not in the mood to let them slip away."

Her smirk widened slightly, the playful edge in her voice returning as she gestured toward the rooftops ahead. "Lead the way, bad cop. I'll keep up."

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Attire

Equipment: Standard (In Bio)​

"It's usually just me—bad cop. That works alright but that interrogation would've taken a bit longer. Hate to use the force for stuff like that when I can help it." Drystan nodded.

Without waiting for a response, he tapped a few keys into his datapad, sending the newly discovered coordinates to Valery's device. "I've got a better idea, though," he said, tone shifting into something lighter, almost playful, contrasting his almost-always serious demeanor. "I usually hunt alone, so consider yourself my guest. How about we make this interesting?" He gave a faint smirk. "I'll race you there, good cop."

Drystan stepped toward the edge of the skyscraper, the glow of Coruscant's neon sprawl reflecting faintly in his eyes. He turned to his fellow Shadow, offering a lazy salute, and without another word, he let himself fall backward off the edge.

The wind whipped past him as he slid along the angled slope of the skyscraper, timing his movements with precision. As the slope ended, he kicked off with a well-practiced leap, vaulting high into the air. His body spun a graceful full rotation before landing with cat-like precision onto a lower rooftop.

He turned briefly, waiting for his partner to meet him at the same rooftop. The moment she landed, he shot forward, a blur of dark motion against the vibrant glow of the Underworld. The rooftops and neon signs of Coruscant became his playground, the varied terrain and heights offering him ample opportunity to showcase his agility.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery blinked as Drystan casually stepped off the edge of the skyscraper, her fiery gaze tracking his descent with equal parts surprise and amusement. His challenge hung in the air, and for a split second, she considered taking a dignified approach — walking, keeping things professional, maybe even pretending she was above such antics.

But then again, where was the fun in that?

A grin spread across her face, her competitive spirit flaring to life. "Oh, you're on," she muttered to herself. Adjusting the straps on her jumpsuit and making sure her lightsabers were secure, she moved to the edge of the rooftop. She glanced down, spotting Drystan's figure vaulting and twisting through the neon-lit terrain like a shadow come to life.

"Alright, bad cop, let's see what you've got," she said, her tone playful as she crouched low and leapt forward without hesitation.

The wind roared past her ears as she dove, her body angled perfectly to match the slope of the building. She hit the angled surface with precision, sliding effortlessly down the shimmering duracrete. Sparks kicked up from the soles of her boots as she used the Force to steady her descent, guiding her with a fluidity born of years of experience.

When the slope ended, she leapt with a burst of Force-enhanced strength, twisting in the air with a smirk before landing gracefully on the same rooftop Drystan had paused on earlier. She didn't stop to greet him, though — no, that would be giving him an advantage. Instead, she flashed him a teasing grin and shot past him with a burst of speed.

"Catch me if you can!" she called over her shoulder, her voice carrying a light, playful taunt.

The neon glow of Coruscant painted streaks of color across her path as she navigated the uneven rooftops with practiced ease. She leapt over air vents, vaulted across gaps, and even slid beneath a low-hanging pipe, her every movement precise and efficient. But there was more to it than just showing off her skill — Valery was having fun, the kind of pure, unrestrained joy she rarely let herself indulge in.

As she approached a particularly wide gap between buildings, Valery gathered the Force and launched herself into a high arc. For a brief moment, she soared through the air, silhouetted against the vibrant skyline of the Underworld. Landing smoothly on the other side, she turned her head just enough to catch a glimpse of Drystan's progress.

Without missing a beat, she pushed forward, her laughter echoing faintly as the race continued. She wasn't just trying to win — she wanted to see how far they could push each other.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Attire
Equipment: Standard (In Bio)​

Drystan glanced over his shoulder, catching Valery as she moved sleek through the rooftop maze, matching his pace with an elegance only a seasoned Shadow could muster. He couldn't help but grin. This was his favorite part of any mission or patrol.

The thrill of running across the rooftops, dodging ventilation shafts, leaping balconies, and scaling fences—it brought him back to a time before the Order. Before he left behind the life of a petty thief. There was an unmatched exhilaration in being so high up, the wind in his face, the distant hum of the city below, and knowing that a single misstep could mean a long fall, or worse.

"Not bad, Master Sword," he watched as Valery executed her Force-imbued jump that arced her high into the air. She landed ahead of him, taking the lead in their impromptu race.

Drystan's grin widened, the thrill of the chase flaring. "But you haven't seen anything yet," he muttered to himself.

From his belt, he produced a sleek, gun-like device fitted with a claw at its tip and a coiled durasteel line. Without breaking stride, he aimed at a towering construction crane well ahead of them and fired. The claw shot forward, t magnetic grip latching onto the metal with a sturdy clink.

The line tightened, and the device's accelerator surged him forward. Drystan soared high, the wind whipping around him as he zipped toward the crane. He released the claw mid-swing, catapulting himself through one of the grated openings of the crane's boom, twisting his body to avoid any contact.

Landing lightly on a building just ahead of Valery, he rolled smoothly into his stride and continued his pace as they neared closer to their mark.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery's eyes widened slightly as she caught sight of Drystan's stunt. The sleek grappling device, the zip through the air, and the expertly timed release — it was undeniably impressive. She couldn't help but grin as she picked up her pace, the thrill of the chase driving her forward.

"Nice trick, bad cop," she called out, her voice carrying over the rush of wind as she bounded across a narrow gap. "But using gadgets? Tsk, tsk. That's cheating, and you know it~"

Her tone was teasing, laced with playful competitiveness. She wasn't really upset, but she wasn't about to let him get away with that kind of advantage without upping her own game.

"Alright, Drystan, let me show you why nobody is faster than the Sword of the Jedi," she said, a smirk tugging at her lips.

As she approached a tangled network of pipes and barriers that would slow any runner down, Valery reached out to the Force, letting it flow through her like a river of light. Her body shimmered faintly, and with a subtle shift in her stance, she began to phase. The metallic barriers seemed to ripple as she moved through them effortlessly, her form passing through solid obstacles as if they were nothing more than an illusion.

Pipes? Gone.

Barriers? Nonexistent.

The obstacles that should have slowed her only fueled her momentum as she seamlessly emerged on the other side, her stride never faltering. Each step carried her further ahead, her speed relentless, her movements graceful and precise.

She glanced over her shoulder, catching sight of Drystan still maneuvering through the rooftops. A glint of mischief sparkled in her fiery gaze.

"Looks like the cheater is falling behind!" she called back, her voice filled with laughter as she pushed herself harder.

With the finish line — their destination — drawing closer, Valery surged forward, her connection to the Force blazing as she tapped into her mastery of speed. She wasn't just running now; she was a streak of light cutting through the neon glow of Coruscant's underworld, every movement a testament to her years of training and experience.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Attire

Equipment: Standard (In Bio)​

"It's not cheating when you've got someone in the other lane who can do that," Drystan muttered, watching as Valery phased effortlessly through every obstacle in her path. Her movements turned the intricate navigation of the rooftop terrain into little more than a casual run.

Drystan could only shake his head and laugh along in resignation. There wasn't much he could do to level the playing field—barring hijacking a speeder, of course. Still, he pushed himself harder, his agile movements flowing him through the maze of rooftops and obstacles.

Finally, as they neared their target, he managed to catch up, trailing just a few paces behind her. They came to a halt at the edge of a building, overlooking the mark below. Across the way, a massive barge hovered silently above a vacant street, just as predicted.

The ship-like structure was well guarded. At the entrance, a ramp extended down to the street, flanked by thugs armed with blasters. It didn't take long to notice a steady stream of visitors coming and going. Empty-handed customers entered, emerging moments later carrying unassuming crates.

Drystan took it all in, scanning the scene with precision. "Hitting the front and going through the entrance is the fastest option," he said, tapping a few commands into his datapad as he reviewed schematics for barge's model. "But it'll alert the supplier, and he could make a run for it. If we're fast enough, it won't matter."

He glanced at Valery, gesturing toward the barge. "Alternatively, we go in quietly. There's a maintenance hatch underneath the hull. Less direct, but less noise Your call, Master."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery stood at the edge of the rooftop, her breath steady despite the grueling pace she'd set. A satisfied grin spread across her lips as she glanced over at Drystan, who had just caught up.

"Not bad," she teased, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But I believe that makes me the winner~ Guess those fancy gadgets of yours couldn't keep up with the real deal, huh?" Her tone was light, playful, but the glimmer of triumph in her fiery eyes made it clear she was savoring her victory.

Classic Noble.

Before he could retort, she turned her gaze back to the scene below, her expression shifting into something far more focused. The massive barge, the armed thugs, the steady stream of traffic — it all painted a clear picture of the operation they were about to dismantle.

She listened carefully as Drystan outlined their options, her arms folding across her chest. Her sharp eyes tracked the movements of the guards and the visitors, analyzing their patterns. The ramp was heavily guarded, and while a direct approach would save time, it also came with the risk of losing their target in the chaos.

Her lips pressed into a thoughtful line before she finally nodded, her decision made.

"We go in quietly," she said, her voice low but firm. "The maintenance hatch gives us the element of surprise, and that supplier won't see us coming. If we can cut the head off this operation before they even know we're here, it'll be far more effective."

She glanced at Drystan, her smirk returning briefly, "Have you learned how to Force Cloak already?" A crucial skills for Shadows, but a very complex one that took time to master.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"Yeah, yeah. Next time, I'll be the one laughing." Drystan shook his head, the gesture contrasting the faint amusement that lingered. At her question, he paused, scratching the back of his head as he considered how best to answer. "Learned it? Sure. Mastered it? Not quite. But I did pick up something else."

He knelt down, placing his hand against the cool concrete of the rooftop.

Drystan closed his eyes, a faint ripple of shadow began to form beneath his palm. Tendrils of darkness slithered up his arm, twisting, curling like smoky wisps come alive. Bit by bit, the inky blackness spread, cloaking his body in an ephemeral shroud of midnight. The shadows wrapped around him completely, his form blending into the backdrop of the night. It wasn't true invisibility, but under the cover of darkness, it was more than enough.

"I do my best work in the dark," he said, his voice deeper now, distorted as though filtered through the very shadows that surrounded him. His glowing eyes, twin orbs of faint light, helping draw a vague outline of his form. "And it adds a certain fear factor. Useful in my line of work."

The faint glow of his gaze lingered on her, the blackened shroud pulsing faintly as if alive.

Drystan, now shrouded in dark, took initiative and jumped, landing on his feet as he sped through the darkest parts of the night-lit street, curving to avoid the heavy populace of the entrance and taking the sides toward the hatch underneath.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery arched a brow as the shadows slithered around Drystan, cloaking him in an inky shroud that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Her lips quirked into an amused smirk, but there was a glimmer of approval in her fiery eyes. "Impressive," she said quietly, the playful edge in her voice softening.

She closed her eyes briefly, her breathing slowing as she centered herself in the Force. A faint shimmer surrounded her, almost imperceptible at first, as the Force bent light and sound around her. Within moments, Valery's form disappeared entirely, the only sign of her presence a subtle ripple in the Force she allowed him to feel. Even the faint sound of her footsteps was silenced, her mastery of the technique turning her into a phantom in the night.

Valery moved to the edge of the rooftop and leaped down gracefully, landing without so much as a whisper of noise. Her senses stretched outward, tracking Drystan's movement through the alley below. The shroud of shadows he wore made him easy to follow for her trained eyes, and she kept pace effortlessly, her Force Cloak ensuring she remained unseen and unheard.

The streets were alive with the faint hum of neon lights and the distant murmur of nightlife, but Valery and Drystan moved like shadows through the chaos. She followed as he curved around the edges of the crowd, skirting the populated entrance to the barge and slipping into the darker, quieter side streets that led toward the maintenance hatch.

She caught up to him just as he paused near the maintenance hatch, her cloaked form slipping to his side like a ghost. A faint shimmer marked her presence, her fiery eyes locking onto him. "Let's keep this quiet and efficient. I'll cover your back while you handle the hatch." She told him telepathically.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Drystan nodded, fully trusting Valery to handle any approaching threats as he turned his back away from the hatch. He tapped his wrist-mounted datapad, bringing up an interface with the barge's computer system. The faint blue glow of the screen cast his features into sharp relief as he bypassed layers of security protocols, working to unlock the maintenance hatch.

The shuffle of footsteps echoed faintly, growing louder with every second. Two guards ambled down the ramp and towards the pair's location, their voices carrying through the dimly lit space. They were clad in full-body armor, blaster rifles slung casually across their shoulders, but their posture and tone betrayed a complete lack of urgency. Drystan continued his work, fingers deftly manipulating the datapad, trusting Valery to remain unseen in the shadows.

"Alright, check this out," one of the guards said.

The other guard sighed. "What now? If this is another dead tweaker, I swear—"

"No, no, this one's really special. Look," the first guard said, crouching near the hatch. He reached into one of the nearby rocks and produced a small flask, holding it up like unearthed treasure. "Vintage Corellian brandy. Found it stashed in one of the supply crates the other day."

"You risked smuggling that out of the supply room? You're insane. You know what the boss would do if he found out, right?"

"Kark the boss. As long as you don't touch his UV supply, he could care less. You want a drink, admit it. No way we'd be able to buy a sip of this with the scratch we get."

The guards continued meandering, narrowing the proximity between them and Valery and Drystan. While they didn't notice now, they would move close enough to watch the hatch eventually open if they continued further.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery remained utterly still, her cloaked form blending seamlessly with the shadows as the guards moved closer. Their idle chatter drifted through the air, but her focus stayed sharp, her fiery eyes narrowing as she calculated the best course of action. Drystan was fully immersed in unlocking the hatch, and the last thing they needed was for these two to notice what was happening.

Her lips curved into a faint smirk as an idea formed, her mind already reaching out through the Force.

Farther down the alley, near a stack of crates and discarded supply boxes, Valery extended her hand ever so slightly. With a subtle flick of her wrist, the Force nudged a loose piece of metal, sending it clattering loudly to the ground. The sharp sound echoed off the alley walls, bouncing through the dimly lit space like a sudden alarm.

Both guards froze mid-step, their heads snapping toward the source of the noise.

"What the kark was that?" one of them muttered, his hand tightening on the grip of his blaster rifle.

"Probably another damn strill knocking over junk," the other replied, though his tone was less confident. "Still… let's check it out."

They hesitated for a moment, scanning the darkness with narrowed eyes before turning toward the noise. Their steps quickened, boots crunching softly against the ground as they moved further away from Valery and Drystan.

Valery allowed herself a brief moment of satisfaction before her attention snapped back to the task at hand. She shifted slightly to glance at Drystan, her telepathic voice calm but firm. You're clear for now, but work fast. We don't have much time before they come back.

Her gaze flicked back to the guards, tracking their movements as they neared the stack of crates she had targeted. Her body remained coiled, ready to act again if necessary, but she trusted Drystan to get the job done quickly. They couldn't afford to waste this opening.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

With a few more keystrokes, a metallic clank echoed from the hatch, followed by the hiss of hydraulics as the door slid open. The narrow entryway loomed before them, its tight quarters forcing them to crouch as they stepped inside.

"Appreciate it. Now get in so I can close the hatch."

Although the tunnel appeared clear, Drystan remained shrouded in his shadow-formed cloak. The dimly lit passage provided adequate cover, making it practical to keep the cloak active. Still, he knew the concealment wouldn't serve as well in a brightly lit room, and he was prepared to dismiss it the moment they entered more illuminated surroundings.

"We'll be en route to the cargo hold," Drystan said as he studied the schematics displayed on his datapad. "Three things: secure a pure sample of UV, take it back for analysis, destroy the rest of the supply, and, if possible, get intel from the supplier—preferably with him alive for questioning."

As they moved through the confined tunnel, it eventually opened into a wider area, the space filled with an assortment of boxes and containers. Some were open, revealing scrap parts and other mundane paraphernalia, while others were sealed tight with electronic locks that hinted at more valuable contents. It looked like it was just the two of them for the moment.

Drystan's sharp eyes scanned the room as he spoke. "We should check around to see if what we're looking for is here. Couldn't hurt to be thorough." He adjusted his stance, positioning himself near the entrance. "I'll keep lookout this time around."

The faint hum of the barge's systems filled the air as they began their search, it was the only source of sound there for a moment.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery stepped into the tunnel as the hatch sealed behind her, the faint hiss of hydraulics fading into the background hum of the barge's systems. The dimly lit corridor stretched out before them, the close quarters amplifying every sound. Her fiery eyes adjusted quickly to the gloom, and she pressed forward with quiet determination.

As they moved deeper, a new sound reached her ears — faint voices, distorted slightly as they echoed through the confined space. Valery slowed her pace, holding up a hand to signal Drystan to pause. Her senses expanded outward through the Force, brushing against the unseen presences ahead.

It wasn't just a pair of guards this time. It was a group — their energy unmistakable in the Force, sharp with focus and laced with tension.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned slightly toward Drystan, her voice low and deliberate. "We've got a group ahead," she murmured. "Could be guards, workers, or worse. I can feel them."

She paused, her gaze flicking down the tunnel toward the faint sound of movement. The voices grew clearer as they approached the source, though the words were still too muddled to understand. Whoever they were, they were stationed somewhere beyond the tunnel's end.

Valery tilted her head slightly, her fiery gaze locking onto Drystan. "What's the plan?" she asked, her tone calm but edged with a readiness for action. "Do we try to slip past them, or do we go in swinging?"

Her stance shifted slightly, her hand hovering near her lightsaber. Whether the choice was stealth or confrontation, she was ready. All that mattered was ensuring they completed the mission and got out with what they needed — and if necessary, leaving a message behind.

Drystan Creed ​

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"We engage, but fast and silent. Nothing that can make a lot of noise." Drystan muttered, his voice low. "Can't risk alerting our VIP. He could get tipped off and bail, or worse, bail and blow this entire barge up. Never leave out the possibility of a self-destruct sequence."

His sharp gaze shifted between Valery and the approaching group, quickly assessing the situation and weighing their options.

"Damn," he murmured, narrowing his eyes as he honed in on the group's presence. "They've got numbers. Avoiding noise won't be easy, no matter how quiet we are. The math isn't in our favor. However…"

Dropping into a sprinter's stance, Drystan took a steady breath, his body beginning to hum faintly with the Force coursing through him, tensing in anticipation like a coiled spring prepared to strike.

"We have to be really fast, but we can keep it dead silent if we play our cards right."

The plan was simple: a lightning-fast ambush. Stealth might falter, but Drystan had learned that speed could compensate for it when executed with precision. Moving with enough speed before the enemy could react was a lesson he learned as a Shadow.

"Ready?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery gave Drystan a sharp nod, her fiery eyes narrowing as her hand moved instinctively to her lightsaber. She didn't ignite the blade — not yet. If this was going to be done silently, it would take precision, speed, and the element of surprise. The Force hummed around her, her connection deepening as she prepared for the ambush.

"Ready," she murmured, her voice calm but edged with the promise of action.

The faint voices ahead grew clearer as they approached the source. Valery and Drystan moved like shadows, their steps silent against the metallic floor of the tunnel. The dim lighting cloaked their approach, and the echoes of the voices masked any trace of their movement.

As they rounded the corner, the group came into view — six guards, casually clustered near a control panel. Their postures were relaxed, their attention focused on their conversation rather than their surroundings. It was a mistake they wouldn't have the chance to correct.

Valery struck first.

She surged forward, the Force propelling her into action with blinding speed. Her movements were fluid, each step precise as she closed the distance to the first guard. With a swift, controlled motion, she struck him at the base of the neck with the hilt of her lightsaber, dropping him before he could even gasp.

The second guard turned, his eyes widening in shock, but Valery was already there. She twisted, using the momentum of her motion to deliver a perfectly placed strike to his temple. He crumpled silently to the floor.

This would be over in seconds.

Drystan Creed ​