Where Sand Meets Skye

[Valae Heavenshield]

Agent Hyori Tal sat silently in the co-pilot’s chair of a First Order armored transport. Her dark eyes were staring down at the datapad in her hands, her gaze might have looked a bit blank, but she was actually quite focused. For the past several months, she had been studying Ankhypt, and had taken quite an interest in the desert planet and its inhabitants. Though she had not set foot upon the sandy terrain there yet, she knew much of the basic information about the world. Hyori also had information concerning the native Anubians, but had not seen one in person, but she had a feeling that was about to change.

Hyori had been monitoring activity around Ankhypt, making notes as ships entered and exited the planet’s orbit. So far, there had been nothing out of the ordinary, but she had noticed that few ships ever seemed to leave. She ventured to guess that the Anubians did not stray very far from Ankhypt, she was aware of their unique physiology that could hinder travel in a normal craft. So, when she finally happened to see an unidentified craft moving from Ankhypt into First Order space, she very intrigued.

Currently she was waiting in orbit over Skye, based on the craft’s current trajectory; she had a feeling it was headed for the mountain planet below. Of course, there were several military vessels in the area as well, and she knew that the ship would have little chance of reaching its destination if they became involved. There were few ships that risked coming into First Order space, but those that did, usually did not end up remaining there for very long...

Hyori’s slender finger found the comm, and she opened a channel to the ships in her vicinity.

“This is Agent Tal of First Order Intelligence,” Her voice was eerily calm, but seemingly void of any expression or personality. “I am in pursuit of an unidentified craft en route for Skye. Please do not engage this vessel, until further notice.”

It was rather strange for a member of Intelligence to go on a simple patrol mission, but if she was lucky... it would end up being much more than that.

“The ship is breaking atmosphere, Agent.” Her pilot informed her.

“Excellent. Please take us down.”

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

Sekhet-hotep-et had departed from Anubian space a little over a day ago, hoping to start anew elsewhere. Away from... home. She had been stuck in her heavily modified fighter ever since she first left Ankhypt, growing more uncomfortable and impatient with every passing hour. Even with no less than 10 hours spent napping with the help of sleeping medicine, she still hated the initial trip using her old, outdated hyperdrive. But now, she is looking over her scanner to gather what information she needs for this planet called Skye.

Once she had finished reading it over, she took her ship down to begin landing processes at the nearest spaceport, running a few orbits of the small "Outland Clan" city. It seemed as if the various warships in the area may move to stop her, before something seemingly told them to stop. She hadn't failed to notice more than a few turrets tracking multiple craft, including her own. Once she set down, she'd slowly slide the cockpit open and clamber out, quickly noticing the multitude of stares she got from the various humanoid natives. Some lesser species whose name she forgot, all insignificant to her.

She'd trade a few words in broken Basic with the nearest valet, and paying him in the credits needed for good service. With a huff, the Anubian woman began to stride to the exit of the spaceport, getting a feeling that her life would take a drastic turn for the best soon enough.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

The First Order transport set down just after the unidentified craft, and as Hyori came down the ramp she could already see the tall form of the Anubian... she certainly did stand apart from the crowd, quite literally. The agent’s quick and quiet footsteps brought her through the spaceport, she passed by the unidentified ship, and she noted how the technology was very outmoded. However, the important thing about this vessel was that it had no doubt been modified heavily. It would have been easy for her to demand access, but for the moment, she did not want to risk losing her current target.

She watched the Anubian from a distance for a moment, speaking low into a recording device.

“Subject is approximately 2.5 to 3 meters in height; weight approximately 135-150 kilograms. Female. Unable to reference age, but subject appears to be mature.”

Hyori noticed that the Anubian woman’s movements showed her strength, but there was grace there as well. The woman had attracted many stares, as it was likely the first time anyone had seen a being like her before. The agent moved swiftly in order to keep the Anubian in her line of sight at all times, she hugged the edge of the spaceport as she exited, following the alien woman, but keeping her distance.

For now she would continue to observe, she would not attempt to interfere unless it was needed. Hyori had left her ship with minimal weaponry, but she had the use of two blasters. The agent was no stranger to killing, and it was an action that did not bother her, but what she needed now was information. And a dead Anubian would not help her cause.

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

Sekhet had slowly began to grow increasingly annoyed by the staring winged humanoids, as they seemed to have no form of manners. A few of them even began to let their gaze venture, but a sharp and deadly glare would quickly force them to look away. When she came to a stop a few steps later at a customs line, she simply began to look around while she took in the different sounds of the port. With some minor satisfaction, she could note that at least some humans could be seen (even if they weren't enslaved as she was used to). Her ears swiveled about, trying to catch some form of... whispering?

Simply a power generator, or something.

She shrugged off the sound, turning her black eyes back to the rather heavily-guarded customs area. She could see multiple scanners and what looked to be a form of Imperial Stormtroopers. A few civilians would occasionally be beaten and taken to be arrested, or worse. She'd take a single stride forward, giving any protesters a single glare to shut them up.

If this line continues to be this slow...

Sekhet let out a huff, slowly shaking her head while crossing her long arms below her partially-exposed (not in any lewd way) chest.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Hyori paused when the Anubian entered the line at the customs check point; this presented a favorable opportunity. She moved to the side of the customs facility, and after presenting her credentials, she was allowed entrance. While she did not have much influence over the military chain of command, her fellow members of the First Order were obliged to cooperate with the efforts of Intelligence. The commanding officer was made aware of her presence and subsequently made his way over to the agent. Hyori could immediately see that there was obvious confusion written on his face, but he was trying to mask it with a polite smile.

“To what do we owe the pleasure, Agent Tal?” He asked, inclining his head.

Hyori stood with posture that was straight, almost ridged, and clasped her hands behind her back.

“There is an Anubian woman in line at this checkpoint. Please have her detained for questioning.”

“...Anubian?” His brows rose, the state of bewilderment plain on his face now.

Agent Tal walked with him to the screens that displayed the live security feed, and she pointed to the being that stood heads taller than everyone else.

“Oh, right, yes.” The officer nodded to her.

“Standard questioning, if you please,” She said calmly, “I will be watching remotely. I will step in if it becomes necessary. However, I would advise your men not to agitate this woman. As you can see, her size and strength would make her a difficult adversary.”

Agent Tal turned her gaze back to the security feed, and she watched as three troopers went forth to do their commanding officer’s bidding. She did not wish to reveal her presence to the Anubian just yet, she would let the Stormtroopers make the first move, and she would also let them take the brunt of the alien’s wrath, should it come to that. Soon, the three troopers converged on the Anubian, their weapons were in plain sight, but not pointing at her in a threatening manner.

“You, there.” One said, craning his head upwards. “Step out of line and follow me.”

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

There was a togruta child that continued to cry about her "baby dolly" just at the front of the line, despite the mother explaining why they had to check it for anything dangerous. The brat refused to quiet down, continuing to throw his fit. The guards were seemingly emotionless, and it seemed that it was a common occurrence from what she could tell by the reactions- or lack thereof -of the other immigrants and tourists.

Sekhet, however, was much more used to the discipline of Ankhypt, and was dangerously close to losing her patience and forcing the mother to properly discipline the child. Fortunately, just as she curled her hands to fists while glaring at the alien mothers, her frustration was interrupted by a voice calling out to her. She'd slowly turn about, almost fluid when compared to a human, and lay her gaze upon the one calling out to her.

...Then her glare intensified as she saw no less than three Stormtroopers making their way to her, with the supposed leader ordering her to step out of line. She thought about simply refusing, and using her own abilities in the magic her gods had granted her people to defeat them, but thought better of it when she remembered the fact that almost an entire battalion of soldiers populated this spaceport alone, let alone the entire city. So, she'd mutter under her breath in Annekh (also called Ankhyptian by some) while she easily shoved her way out of the line, her own thoughts of superiority quite obvious as she stopped before the fireteam, her deep glare never once leaving the three of them.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Hyori’s brow rose just slightly upon seeing the way the Anubian woman stood defiantly before the three Stormtroopers. Even on the monitor, she could see a very dangerous glint in those dark eyes. However, it stood to reason that the alien understood her place here, and while she may be quite strong, it would not beneficial to act out here. While the Anubian moved out of line, the Stormtroopers lead her into a room for questioning. The agent’s eyes shifted to each monitor as the group moved, watching them leave one frame and enter the next.

Now the Stormtroopers were showing her into a plain, white room with a table and chairs. The lead man motioned for her to take a seat across the table from him, probably not realizing that the chair would be uncomfortably small for his ‘guest’.

“Please state your name, species, and planet of origin.”

He had a datapad in hand to record her responses, and the blank stare of his helmet was focused forward on the dark figure across from him. These were three simple questions with three equally simple answers. This was just business to him, and it was quite apparent when he moved on to the next set of questions as soon as answers had been provided.

“What is your purpose for visiting Skye, and how long do you plan to stay?”

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

The agent was partially right to assume she knew her place. Her place, in Sekhet's eyes, was potentially hostile territory. When the lead trooper gestured to the seat, she glanced at the pathetically small piece of furniture, and snorted at it. If this man had no common sense or intelligence, how did he become a soldier? Did the local government always make use of such simpletons? Her musing was broken as the trooper quickly issued some questions to answer on a datapad.

...And it was in Basic, a language she barely spoke, and could not read in. It seemed the idiot did not think of this, as he quickly began speaking more words. "Your purpose Skye, how long stay" was what she could understand from the odd language humans tend to speak. She'd glance back down to the geometric text- So different from Annekh hieroglyphics -with a blank face, and slowly began to pronounce what words she knew for a... basic sentence.

"Me... I no read Basic. I Anubian, from Ankhypt. Name, Sekhet-hotep-et." A small, frustrated frown grew on her face as she tried to think of how to answer his second question, while also handing the datapad back to him. "I... stay few days. No long time."

If I have to continue speaking this tongue, I swear by the gods I will scream...

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

It was easy to see that there was something of a language barrier, and Hyori could tell that the Anubian was growing frustrated. Continuing on this road would surely lead to disaster. It would mean revealing her presence a great deal sooner than she would have liked, but sometimes sacrifice was necessary. The agent pulled out her datapad and pulled up a program that she had been working on, it was far from ready to debut to her fellow Intelligence members, but it was worth a try. The written language of Ankhyptian was very different than basic, and relied upon the use of images to get ones point across. Hyori had been studying the language in preparation, and could now understand basic greetings, but was nowhere ready to speak.

Without another word to the commanding officer, Agent Tal moved towards the room and entered quietly. Hyori motioned for the Stormtrooper to stand, and once he had moved aside, she assumed position across the table from Sekhet-hotep-et. She slid her data pad onto the table so that it sat between both of them, and she pointed to the screen.

Hyori spoke, and the screen began to light up in the Anubian’s native tongue. The translation was not perfect, but it would get the point across. “You are coming from Ankhypt? Your purpose for leaving is?”

And when Sekhet-hotep-et would reply, it would display the basic translation for the agent.

“My name is Hyori, of the First Order. You are within our territory now.” Displayed on the screen.

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

Continued to glare across the table at the officer, letting her displeasure at her visit being disturbed by them remain visible to the man. Said man just... continued to stare at her. Not with any lustful hunger, or any hate, just staring expectantly for her answer. He was quite stupid, and it looked like she would seize him by his throat at any moment for it, until her attention was broken by the entering agent. Her glare lessened just a bit when her gaze shifted to Tal.

She'd glance down to the pad, and her frustration slowly shrunk to a mere annoyance when the Anekh hieroglyphics began appearing on it. The human agent, this Hyori Tal of the First Order, was obviously smarter than the others. Perhaps they were simple grunts or cannon fodder.

With a huff, she'd snap out a curt response to her, which the datapad was barely able to keep up with thanks to how fast she spoke her tongue. Fortunately, the machine did not make any mistakes in the translation that were not normal with basic translation softwares, but she did notice that it took a bit longer to process her words.

"Of course I come Ankhypt. Any other place we come?"

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Hyori watched the hieroglyphics cycle through rapidly on her screen before the answer was displayed. She had asked a very obvious question, and had received a fitting answer, Sekhet-hotep-et’s annoyance made apparent by her tone of exasperation. Ever observant, she had noticed upon her entrance that the Anubian’s sharp gaze had lost some of its edge, but she had decided that she would not test the other woman’s patience.

At least she could see that her translator was functioning satisfactorily, it was far from perfect, but it would do for now. This chance encounter would surely increase the efficiency of her application, and next time it would operate far faster than it did now. She placed both hands upon the table and interlaced her fingers in a composed manner, the agent’s demeanor deadly calm. And now, she ran through a list of questions in her mind, and would choose her queries carefully.

“Your world, Ankhypt, neighbors our territory; do you have an opinion of the First Order?”

It was true that Sekhet-hotep-et was only one woman, and it was probable that the people of her home had views that varied greatly from one to the next. But she felt it would be beneficial to know what people had to say, as a day may come for them to join the fold of the glorious First Order themselves.

“If you have questions, please ask.” She added, figuring that it may be better to let the flow of conversation move both ways. Agent Tal did not usually go out of her way to assist, unless she had been ordered to do so, but this meeting could prove beneficial and so she decided that she would help Sekhet-hotep-et if she had the ability.

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

Personally, she had only heard vague references to the First Order. It happened to be some kind of galactic, Imperialist organization bent on total galactic domination. They were highly militaristic, and had no tolerance for any form of resistance, and commonly carried out genocides against rebelling words. They were cruel, brutal, and effective.

She admired them. What little tales she heard of them, she grew to slowly admire, and she made sure the agent knew this. While she did not like how the individual soldier seemed of lesser intelligence, she quickly caught on that this woman was cunning. She could sense she had ulterior plans regarding her people, plans that would possibly help strengthen the First Order.

"I have also heard that our Pharaoh has pledged himself with the First Order... I may be wrong, as I am unfamiliar with the interactions of the greater galaxy." Sekhet gave her a curt nod after her answer was finished.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

It seemed that the rumors were true; there was much talk within the ranks of the First Order that spoke of a possible allegiance with the Pharaoh. Now it was only a matter of time before a swift wind of change came to the desert world. Hyori noticed the proud voice Sekhet-hotep-et spoke with, and she noted that her view of the First Order seemed quite favorable. That was good information to have on hand.

“I have not seen any others leaving Ankhypt.” Hyori said with a slight nod, silently hoping that Sekhet-hotep-et would see fit to expand upon this.

Perhaps Sekhet-hotep-et was different than the others that inhabited her world, or perhaps the Anubians were only now seeking to expand their knowledge of the galaxy. In any case, she was curious.

But for now she turned her attention back to the matter before her. She had heard the Anubian tell the Stormtrooper that she would not be ok Skye for very long. Would Sekhet-hotep-et go on to explore other First Order worlds, or was she planning to venture further into the open space of the galaxy. Was she prepared for such a voyage?

“Where will you go after leaving Skye?” Hyori asked, her tone interested, but restrained.

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]

 

[Sekhet-hotep-et]

[member="Hyori Tal"]

Her canine-like head tipped to the side as she considered the woman's question. The spoken one, of course. Whether she noticed the hidden hope of Hyori, or was just ignoring it... That was a coin toss. But what she asked was a question. The Anubian knew where her next destination was, of course, but it was a good question to ask nonetheless.

"I mean to return to Ankhypt after... two months of exploration on this world." She could not say anymore, and would not. Her own agendas, while not conflicting with the First Order in any way, may still bring suspicion and trouble she could not afford to have in such an Imperialist state. Well... perhaps her ideals may clash with the rest of the galaxy, in due time.

Essentially, she wished to expand Anubian power and dominance by building up their military and technology over time, until they were ready to make their move and become a dominant power. She could already imagine it... Warships only imagined of in legends raining hell upon their foes, while their warriors slaughtered the armies of the lesser races with state-of-the-art weapons, armor, vehicles, and their gods-given magic would allow them to contend with even the Jedi and Sith she has heard of. Of course, she could not utter a word of this, and her face would remain neutral as she spoke with the First Order agent.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

The agent nodded slowly when Seket informed her that she did intend to return to her home world after a time. She saw no reason to hinder the Anubian’s exploration of this world, for she did recognize that it was vastly different from Ankhypt. Hyori knew that she stood to benefit from getting into Seket’s good graces. Especially since this presented an opportunity that she did not want to risk losing. She had been planning a covert operation to Ankhypt for some time now, but if she could visit Seket when she returned, she would be able to move around the planet without the cover of darkness.

“When you return home, may I pay you a visit?” She asked, her tone did not betray her motives.

Hyori reached into her pocket and produced a small datachip, it contained contact information for her personal comm frequency. She set the chip on the table in front of Seket and then pointed towards the datapad.

“Do you have one of your own? If not, I will provide you with one.” She would also ensure that the datapad had her translating application, as it could serve the Anubian woman well during her travels.

[member="Sekhet-hotep-et"]