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Post by kharivestra on Feb 3, 2011 17:54:54 GMT -5
This was reassuring as it came, when she had initially learned that Klask had informed the Imperials of their difficulties here, her first reaction had been disbelief. What little she knew of the Colonel and his extended family, they didn't seem the type to betray on a whim, nor did they, in her opinion, have any links to suggest they might do so in the near or not so near future. So when he stated that he intended to remain loyal, this didn't surprise her in the slightest. It would go a small way to smoothing things over in terms of the act he did commit, something she would be sure to remind the Ten of, when next they all met.
"Your honesty is appreciated, and pertaining to the data mining, this does not surprise me." She sighed a little tiredly, smoothing back an errant strand of inky black hair away from her face, "During my meeting with the Regent, he let slip an interesting little fact that very much corroborates what you have just told me. He did not suggest, but confirm that he knew we were researching and developing our own techniques towards manufacturing and mass producing living ships akin to the one we have down in impound."
She needn't have said more than that, he would know exactly what that meant, and if he had been following the data mining, there was a chance he'd managed to unencrypt or capture some of the information taken. It would be curious to see if that information correlated with what she had been told.
"Though he was very quick to allude that this was a generalization...a little too quick. The meeting was recorded, I intend to have the correct people analyse it later, then we shall see just how general that comment really was."
A team?! - Khari's mind whirled, she had considered the possibility of one, perhaps a few slicers being in on this, providing they knew precisely where to hit in order to transmit what they had retrieved, but a team would be much more difficult to apprehend, once they began pointing the finger of suspicion at one or two key members, they could easily get word out and alert the others to the danger of discovery.
If they aren't parsecs away already...she thought bitterly. That was the thing with the empire, they looked after their own expediently well. For the time being, at least, they were counted among them. Perhaps that was why, then, the regent had been so forward?
Folding her hands flat on top of the table Khari turned her keen-eyed gaze upon the rather staunch man opposite, he was a no nonsense sort so he would get right to the crux of the matter, and he obviously knew what she was going to ask of him. This had now become something more than a simple 'do or die' offer, she mulled over, now it was so aparrently 'do' that she was going to have to really work and push for the Ten to go leniently on him in order to keep her own interests secure. People could always be replaced, and while that might have seemed prudent in this instance, Khari was very much aware that the term applied to herself also...with the inherritence excemption in tatters, all it would take would be for any middle aged member of any of the ruling families to make a decent bid for her position, which included digging up just how she had acquired it to begin with, and all would be lost to her.
And we can't let that happen.
"Before the republic, that could be for precisely the reasons you mention, or, we could have something of an old hand on our hands. It's no secret our competition is stiff, any number of organizations could seek to discover what we are developing, it's in their best interests but would violate more treaties and contracts than I care to remember. Which leaves us with the plethora of criminal organizations audacious enough to attempt such a thing...sloppily or not." She didn't want to consider Tress in this, the mere thought that he was capable of such a thing after everything he had said and done already made her feel sick to the frost lined pit of her stomach, no...if anyone was under suspicion it was those he had brought here. And they could really put her in a bind, so the fact that they had not suggested to her that the Zann consortium were not at fault here.
It appeared he had come to much the same conclusions as her then. And he was right, Tress was uniquely suited to the task, she would definitely speak with him later, far away from prying eyes and ears. That in it's self reminded her...
"I reached much the same conclusion myself, but with this little talk alone we have closed the net even marginally." Bringing one hand to her lips, she lightly drummed the pads of her fingertips against them, before then placing her hand back on the table and resuming the little beat there. "It may be totally unrelated, but a little while ago, prior to my excursion to Obroa-Skai, I had the head of security run a routine sweep of my personal quarters which yeilded some interesting results. Not only was my office being monitored without my knowing, but so too was my apartment. Not remarkable in it's self, I have that sweep done daily, but what was most interesting was the methods used. The devices were almost old enough to be considered antiquiated and therefore may have slipped under the modern day sweep had it not been for the security chief's keen eye."
Whoever had been keeping tabs on her, had known exactly what bugs would slip under the proverbial radar, they had known down to the last transistor that the security sweep would overlook them. It just happened to be that upon her appointment to CEO, she had taken on a new chief of security, one far more experienced, in her opinion, for the task. One who had very much been alive when such devices had been common place.
"I am not blind." Khari scoffed at no one in particular, "I know that there were many who opposed my appointment as CEO and I expected that others would try to debase me. But what, exactly, were they hoping to discover? Much of the discussion I had with the head of research and development would have occurred in those offices, communiques when I was in my appartment too, all be they via comm. In your opinion, do you believe that this runs deeper than first considered on initial inspection?"
If he knew more, or even if this was a revelation, she expected him to tell her. And he would, she knew, then she could lay everything on the table as plaintively as possible.
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 3, 2011 19:21:32 GMT -5
With Kaur leading the way, Arri was able to hang back with Zanear, who was keeping a very close eye on her for theatrical value. At least if Kaur attempted to pull something now, they would have the element of surprise, because Kaur was undoubtedly not going to be expecting her to have thrown in with the falleen. Conversation made the trip seem to go easier, but that didn't explain what was going to happen when they reached that junction in the corridors again, where security personnel waited, keeping an eye on everyone who entered and exited this section of the array. That, she hoped, would be just as much of a non issue as it had been last time, but with Kaur keeping them company, who truly knew?
"I am not well versed enough in the ways of the Jedi, grey or otherwise, to tell you wether or not what occurred with Dooku was as a direct result of his link with the ship." Kaur scoffed pretentiously, he might have to do this, but he wasn't going to be happy about it. "Where I come from, ships do precisely what their operators tell them, not the other way around. What use is a craft that will not do that which it is designed for?"
Arri almost rolled her eyes, she had heard the same near-dogmatic drawl for a lifetimes worth, from the second Khari Vestra had openly brought the idea to the table of the Ten, they had been split down the middle. Many called the idea of mass producing living ships foolhardy, others innovative. But what Arri had divined from the debate was simple, progress, especially in huge leaps and bounds, would mean making big waves in already choppy waters. Nothing short of a total success would change the minds of the naysayers.
Obviously, Kaur was never going to warn Zanear about the security check ahead, perhaps believing that he had dealt with the personnel there much the same way he had dealt with the door to Kaur's office. But knowing better, the blonde woman did speak up.
"What about security, isn't there a warrent out for you? Neither of us are any use to you dead." She was careful to keep that fearful inflection rooted deep in her tones, the subtle quaver that betrayed a more nervous mind. All part of the act, but she had spent her entire life acting, that much she could do well.
The Kuati man's posture stiffened noticably, and he halted dead in his tracks, craning his neck back to look at the two of them, telbun and falleen, weighing up just what Arri had said with a very real concern. He didn't want to be caught in the crossfire either, nor did he want to risk that heir of his yet again, so there was no contest really.
"She has a point, it won't matter what I say, if that warrent came from command it matters not who I am, they will try and stop you."
It was then that Arri watched the rather perculiar frown wrinkling Khulvult's brow very noticably. She followed his line of sight from his eyes right down the ground and along the plush carpeted floor to her still very bare feet. Ah yes....that.
"Khulvult Kaurtel...what happened to your shoes?"
In a flash of inspiration, the blonde motioned somewhere off to the side, catching his line of sight in the process and diverting Kaur's attention. "The service ducts, we can bypass security that way with the right access codes. The route will be more direct and minimal risk."
Again Kaur did not look impressed, but with all the impasivity afforded to her through her training, Arri ignored it completely. Let him be upset so long as he was cooperative.
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Post by Zanear the Edge on Feb 3, 2011 23:30:18 GMT -5
"I am not well versed enough in the ways of the Jedi, grey or otherwise, to tell you whether or not what occurred with Dooku was as a direct result of his link with the ship." Kaur scoffed pretentiously, he might have to do this, but he wasn't going to be happy about it. "Where I come from, ships do precisely what their operators tell them, not the other way around. What use is a craft that will not do that which it is designed for?" The last statement was spoken rather threateningly, as if searching for Kuar to give up more details. He wished Arri had told him about this before hand, but it was his own fault really. He'd been more interested in their lovemaking than he was about any information she should have told him. They continued down the hallways and he could feel Arri's irritation with the man through the Force, Zanear found it delightfully amusing. When he went on his little tirade she almost rolled her eyes, but he wasn't paying much attention at that point, caught up in his own indignation. But then they began to come to another of those corridors, he could feel Arri tense mentally, if not physically. "What about security, isn't there a warrant out for you? Neither of us are any use to you dead." She was careful to keep that fearful inflection rooted deep in her tones, the subtle quaver that betrayed a more nervous mind. The Kuati man's posture stiffened noticeably, and he halted dead in his tracks, craning his neck back to look at the two of them, telbun and falleen, weighing up just what Arri had said with a very real concern. He didn't want to be caught in the crossfire either, nor did he want to risk that heir of his yet again, so there was no contest really. "She has a point, it won't matter what I say, if that warrant came from command it matters not who I am, they will try and stop you." It was then that Arri watched the rather peculiar frown wrinkling Khulvult's brow very noticeably. She followed his line of sight from his eyes right down the ground and along the plush carpeted floor to her still very bare feet. Ah yes....that. Zanear openly snorted. Do you think I'm stupid, I mean really? He began to just wave them on and take care of it his own way when a subtle change in Kuar seemed to take place. For the first time since they entered his office, he looked down. Zanear didn't have to look to know what he just saw. Those damn bare feet. He cursed himself for that, why didn't he make her get shoes when they had the chance? He knew Chaos liked to play games, but he was always the winner. "Khulvult Kaurtel...what happened to your shoes?"In a flash of inspiration, the blonde motioned somewhere off to the side, catching his line of sight in the process and diverting Kaur's attention. "The service ducts, we can bypass security that way with the right access codes. The route will be more direct and minimal risk."Again Kaur did not look impressed, but with all the impassivity afforded to her through her training, Arri ignored it completely. Let him be upset so long as he was cooperative. Zanear grinned, and decided it was time to start mocking the older man. You don't like all this very much at all, do you? Does it bother you that this one here... and once again he pulled her close to him, running his left arm around her neck in a choking manner. ...she wants to live? She is a good little telbun, doing every little thing for her Master, even providing an heir. Even now she seeks to help you, to hide those naughty things I've already done to her. Funny that you just now realize she has no shoes. Look at her dress? Doesn't it look like it belongs to someone else? He frowned at him, making a nasty face. Your ego, your arrogance is your greatest downfall. She has done so much to shield you from making a huge mistake, but you don't deserve it. He let the moment build and began to move to the service ducts. Once there he waved his right arm at Kuar, motioning for him to open them. I'm starting to think that maybe you won't live up to our bargain. A bad set of thoughts for me to have, hmm? He left the implications unsaid, letting the Kuati noble figure it out in his mind, the worst case scenario. He wondered what that reaction might be, disgust, anger, or any other series of human emotion. He couldn't wait for the reaction, however. It should be well worth it. |
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 4, 2011 17:32:43 GMT -5
"I was assigned to assist Dooku with the contract he was taking up with KDY, he showed me around the ship. Told me how some of the controls worked, he did not seem at all mad then, nothing the likes of which he displayed in the spaceport." All this Kaur would not have known, but then so far he'd brought to light much that she had not known, perhaps together Zanear would be able to paint a clearer picture of just what they were running headlong into, as would Arri herself.
"When I attempted to meet with him later at Lady Vestra's request, he seemed fine one moment, then snapped the next, he was nowhere near the ship at that point."
If there was one scrap of information she could give Zanear, one small fraction of the equation that would give him a more definitive answer as to if this was as safe as it came, then she would try and find it for him. Everything rested on them being able to get this ship out of the docks and away from the array with as few incursions as possible. Kaur was canny enough to try and trip them up along the way, but unfortunately for him, she knew every little trick he had at his disposal. That was the problem with these nobles, they allowed their lessers to be included in much they would have kept hidden from their peers and relatives alike, seeing them as non threatening, inconsiquencial. That was never the case, as had been proven many times over, as she would prove here and now.
It was the admission from Kaur that had irked the falleen however, so convincingly, she had to ask herself if he was really putting that on at this point.
Arri's jade-green eyes fixed upon Kaur's own cobalt gaze, silently willing him not to let his ego get in the way of this one, outwardly appearing for all intents and purposes just to be the hostage who wanted little more than to live to see another day. Had her little diversion not been enough? That remained to be seen, because she could tell just by the way Kaur held himself that he was starting to chafe under the pressure being placed on him to do this. As long as he remained true to the agreement everything would go fine...for herself and Zanear, but Arri knew him too well, knew precisely what must have been going through his pretentious, narrow little mind and the manner in which Zanear had spoken to him, had treated him, would grate against all his sensibilities.
And when Kaur's mocking laughter split the air, Arri's heart sank...he was going to be difficult, he was going to get himself killed prematurely.
"That is precisely what I think!" The old man jabbed his index finger in the Falleen's direction, nearly poking him firmly in the chest, "You have to be insane to even entertain this foolish plan of yours, do you suppose that when you leave you will be safe? Preposterous, you would do us all a favour by giving yourself up here and now before you get us all killed!"
Arri visibly started when she felt Zanear's arm slip around her neck, his voice filtering into her ear a cold, calculated hiss. Words far more frostly than the hot breath gently teasing her earlobe, even now seeking to tempt her that little bit more. But it was what he said that was going to rile Kaur up more than he had been rankled already. True to form, the words had shocked even her, but she had guessed that was probably the idea, to have her display that profound sense of shock and make her former master believe that it was out of the fact she had striven to hide it from him. And it worked.
For a moment, barely a heartbeat, the Kuati aristocrat stilled completely, his features betraying none of his thoughts until that split second later when he looked at her, forcing Arri to look away, hide her gaze in shame that must, in his opinion, be eating away at her gut. She would try to hide that from him? As for why, oh he knew just why, the disgust in his demeanour was palpable, you could have carved it in the air filtering between them, that this Falleen, this alien, had defiled what was rightfully his. Kaur's lip curled in a half-snarl, his brow furrowed deeply and eyes as cold as the look Zanear had given him.
"You," He spat back, words all of a hiss, "are going to pay for what you have done here this day. Mark my words, it won't matter how far you run, how well you hide, I will find you and make you beg for death before the end!"
Arri felt a twinge of sadness coil around her still form, not because she was reconsidering her decision, but because it reaffirmed that Kaur was just like all the others, that he was so mired in the ways of tradition that he couldn't look past the pomp and ceremony to see her for what she really was, a human being. He wasn't going to make Zanear pay for having supposedly harmed her, he would do it for messing with his property. That was her life, no, existance, she was property, little more.
Well no more, she told herself, her anger flaring within, betraying it's self in the brief but noticable shudder that rolled through her slight frame, he could see that how he wanted to, but Arri found herself wishing they could just do away with Kaur right here and now and go the rest of the distance alone. That wasn't going to be possible, so she would need to belay that rage and quickly. But Kaur was not helping things by being infuriatingly obvious about his feelings.
"If anymore harm comes to either her, or that unborn child..." The kuati man advanced on the falleen, drawing himself up to look as imposing as he might have been able, all fury and indignation, wanting nothing more than to throttle the green miscreant for his deeds. But Arri wouldn't have allowed that to happen, thus she pressed herself back against him hard, simulating the motion as if he had pulled her that little bit tighter in warning, his arm slipping back against her neck almost naturally in faux constriction. Which gave her cause to let out some of that anger anyway.
"Oh do shut up Kaur! I just want to go home and forget this ever happened...I can't do that if you or I are dead!" Arri shouted back raggedly, her voice breaking under stress, a tremor of ire causing her to lean back more so for support. How Zanear had managed to keep his patience with the pathetic little man she would never know...and yet she did, she'd spent the past ten years putting up with it.
Caught between continuing on regardless of his telbun's outburst, and doing what the criminal wanted, the noble wavered slightly, motioning to move one way, then pausing as if to turn back towards the other two. In the end, it appeared as if his mind had settled on compremise rather than outright confrontation.
"What I said still stands, I won't let you get away with this..." He sneered at Zanear, but then his gaze dropped to Arri, "...and you and I shall have words."
Not if I have them first...Arri thought maliciously.
Turning sharply to face the access hatch to the service ducts, Kaur loosed a long, discontented sigh. With deft fingers he punched in the correct access codes and the lock cycled with a hiss, allowing him to pull the hatch open. Tossing a glance back over his shoulder towards Zanear, who was still holding Arri firmly in his grasp, he nodded, if not meekly, then at least not haughtily, turning to get a good foothold on the ladder that lead down to the first platform.
When he had disappeared from sight, Arri gently motioned to move forwards, urging Zanear to let go of his choke hold on her, but instead of slipping free of him completely, she turned round to face him, lingering there for a moment with a pensive look painting her fine features. The debate in her well and truly won, she took that brief and momentary risk, crushing her lips to his in a searing kiss that would have taken his breath away.
Only when she heard Kaur reach the bottom of the ladder and call up did she dare draw away, not saying a word, the look in her eyes would have said it all, she was with him to the end in this. Then she too turned on her tail and headed down the ladder after Kaur.
"The route is the same as the one you may have taken to get here, straight along to the first cross platforms, then the turbolifts can be taken down to the main deck of this section." He explained as he watched them both climb down. At least this way they could circumvent most of security, the real debacle would be getting through the secure area to Dooku's ship, that was when things would turn nasty and that was what Kaur had to really negotiate...he might well manage to salvage this after all.
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Post by Zanear the Edge on Feb 5, 2011 2:26:41 GMT -5
For a moment, barely a heartbeat, the Kuati aristocrat stilled completely, his features betraying none of his thoughts until that split second later when he looked at her, forcing Arri to look away, hide her gaze in shame that must, in his opinion, be eating away at her gut. She would try to hide that from him? As for why, oh he knew just why, the disgust in his demeanor was palpable, you could have carved it in the air filtering between them, that this Falleen, this alien, had defiled what was rightfully his. Kaur's lip curled in a half-snarl, his brow furrowed deeply and eyes as cold as the look Zanear had given him. "You," He spat back, words all of a hiss, "are going to pay for what you have done here this day. Mark my words, it won't matter how far you run, how well you hide, I will find you and make you beg for death before the end!"The man's contemptible attitude of superiority was pushed out of him by that realization, and inside the Falleen smiled. Oh how the mighty have fallen! And soon, he'll be debased, pure groveling, and then true realization, and then death. All very well deserved! Those thoughts comforted him as the Kuati began his rampage, his temper tantrum. Zanear could have understood if this was a man who had loved his woman, but she was nothing more than property to him, a means to an end. Arrogant fool! He'll learn soon enough. Zanear was ready to fire off another quip, when his lovely Arri let loose her own outrage. Zanear relished this, he wished he could give her a blaster and do him in herself, but they need this fool for just a little longer. And plus Zanear was going to make him suffer a little before the end. Arri felt a twinge of sadness coil around her still form, not because she was reconsidering her decision, but because it reaffirmed that Kaur was just like all the others, that he was so mired in the ways of tradition that he couldn't look past the pomp and ceremony to see her for what she really was, a human being. He wasn't going to make Zanear pay for having supposedly harmed her, he would do it for messing with his property. Well no more, she told herself, her anger flaring within, betraying it's self in the brief but noticeable shudder that rolled through her slight frame, but Arri found herself wishing they could just do away with Kaur right here and now and go the rest of the distance alone. "If anymore harm comes to either her, or that unborn child..." The kuati man advanced on the falleen, drawing himself up to look as imposing as he might have been able, all fury and indignation, wanting nothing more than to throttle the green miscreant for his deeds. But Arri wouldn't have allowed that to happen, thus she pressed herself back against him hard, simulating the motion as if he had pulled her that little bit tighter in warning, his arm slipping back against her neck almost naturally in faux constriction. Which gave her cause to let out some of that anger anyway. "Oh do shut up Kaur! I just want to go home and forget this ever happened...I can't do that if you or I are dead!" Arri shouted back raggedly, her voice breaking under stress, a tremor of ire causing her to lean back more so for support. How Zanear had managed to keep his patience with the pathetic little man she would never know...and yet she did, she'd spent the past ten years putting up with it. Caught between continuing on regardless of his telbun's outburst, and doing what the criminal wanted, the noble wavered slightly, motioning to move one way, then pausing as if to turn back towards the other two. In the end, it appeared as if his mind had settled on compromise rather than outright confrontation. "What I said still stands, I won't let you get away with this..." He sneered at Zanear, but then his gaze dropped to Arri, "...and you and I shall have words."Not if I have them first...Arri thought maliciously. he practically laughed in the man's face. That's how the mighty Kuar of Whatever deals with such hoodlums and miscreants like me,eh? The only extra harm has been from your outbursts. Such a beautiful, delicate thing.. his right hand gently stroked her hair, claws gently dragging along her skin as he did so, as loving a touch as he'd given her since they had been dressed. And I promise you, I shall 'get away with it', as you so perfectly phrased it. Because if I don't, people will die. That comment was spoken flatly, with zero emotion. The very deadness in his voice would have sent shivers down a Hutt's spine. Turning sharply to face the access hatch to the service ducts, Kaur loosed a long, discontented sigh. With deft fingers he punched in the correct access codes and the lock cycled with a hiss, allowing him to pull the hatch open. Tossing a glance back over his shoulder towards Zanear, who was still holding Arri firmly in his grasp, he nodded, if not meekly, then at least not haughtily, turning to get a good foothold on the ladder that lead down to the first platform. As soon as the man disappeared she moved to be loose, he let her go and then instead of moving away she spun on him and kissed him so fiercely, it took his breath away. Reacting purely on instinct, his hands moved into her hair, and he returned the passion in the kiss tenfold. When she slowly pulled away he mouthed three simple words to her, then let her go. Only when she heard Kaur reach the bottom of the ladder and call up did she dare draw away, not saying a word, the look in her eyes would have said it all, she was with him to the end in this. Then she too turned on her tail and headed down the ladder after Kaur. "The route is the same as the one you may have taken to get here, straight along to the first cross platforms, then the turbolifts can be taken down to the main deck of this section." He explained as he watched them both climb down. At least this way they could circumvent most of security, the real debacle would be getting through the secure area to Dooku's ship, that was when things would turn nasty and that was what Kaur had to really negotiate...he might well manage to salvage this after all. Slowly he went back down into the shaft. Didn't we just leave this party? he thought to himself. But soon enough he reached the platform and waved the Kuati along, he kept them both in front of him as they moved, keeping a watchful eye. Moving forward he felt like they were actually making good time. He'd expected Kuar to be stuttering and tripping every few minutes, trying to delay them while he thought of some nefarious plan. But instead the man seemed to be seething within, his thoughts and emotions almost coming to a boiling point. He was going to be trouble, but Zanear was ready. He'd been ready since Arri had suggested the idea, but still, she had mentioned something about getting into his accounts. She'd have to do it quick, before the man was dead. That way any family that would stand to take his place would be unaware. Once they got to the ship, they could do all of that then. Zanear wasn't sure how the ship was supposed to work, that was the tricky part. Can't make a quick getaway if the engine won't start. He shook those thoughts away as they came to the turbolifts. Now was the time to get this show on the road. Nudging the Kuati forward, he waited for him to open the lift, and when they all piled in, he motioned for him to operate it. Careful now, no funny stuff or she dies first, then you. he said pointedly, making sure Kuar got the point. |
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Post by Heg'zi A Klask on Feb 5, 2011 10:43:59 GMT -5
The Colonel nods and listens silently, though not with the same detachment he had previously. She had lowered a decent amount of her facade, the turbines of her mind were running now; that has always been the weak point to the Kuati mask, get them thinking hard enough; and he was no exception either.
As he follows her along the path her mind takes through this nightmare, he makes a mental note about the Regent's comments in the meeting.
As she continues on, and begins to respond to his comment about Tress, with her mind fully engaged, there is a slight pause as she considers her recent choice of "friends" and that micro second she looks as if she swallowed a cryoban pellet. Klask notes it, and gives a half hearted nod, a gesture of understanding. He does not interrupt, for she continues speaking on what she found with people digging into her own recent past, and continues hinting at some elements, nothing specific but noting she has seen the writing on the wall so to speak.
As she concludes, he takes a moment thinking on it and the speaks softly, without his usual bearing and tone.
"If I am understanding Blinski correctly, not only does this run deeply, but is well entrenched. Shutting any of it down will alert whoever is doing it, and how they react may be much worse."
He sighs, the stresses of the last several days and the weight of what she had hanging over his head had obviously caught up with him.
"I admit, I don't see how you arrived at your position on your own. Please do not take that as an insult, you have already proven you are more than capable, it should have been Kuar, your elevation was quite the surprise.
I can see how many are probably utilizing whatever resources they have to try and determine how you did it, and how to topple you. I myself have been curious enough to make a casual search, but what I did find was more interesting by far, people are going to serious lengths to figure it out.
The death of Adal Kholis your predecessor, was a bit mysterious. As you well know there are several theorys going around, and a few of them suggest you were involved, I suppose that is understandable since you were the one to benefit in the end.
He leans back in his chair, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts.
"When I first found out about the infiltration of our networks, I half suspected it was you. Though seeing your reactions, I do not think it is the case.
There are too many things going on, and not enough information yet. Even if my personal feelings for you were negative, it would still not be in the best interests of KDY to let the machinations of your jilted rivals topple you. Kuar is a gifted man in some regards, but he would do little to restore KDY in comparison to you. I will not sit idly by while someone seeks to undermine what you have done, I would be negligent in my duty to KDY to do so.
What direction then do you think best to proceed?
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 5, 2011 17:04:52 GMT -5
Kaur wouldn't suffer that lightly, the falleen's mockery was one thing but to add inflection via having effectively defiled what was his, quite another. He didn't care what the obnoxious male thought of him if simply because he was above such things, his end would come, it was just a matter of when. The fact he had destroyed the opening mechanism to his offices would have triggered a silent alarm that went straight to the security center, by now there would be personnel following up that lead and it wouldn't take them long to work out there was only one way out of that corridor without passing the security check at the far end. Help was on it's way, it was just a matter of keeping both he and Arri alive that long. Being helpful to the disgusting excuse for a being would keep him somewhat happy, the rest would be put down to suspicion.
"How do you propose we get past security to the restricted area?" Arri's quiet tones broke the silence amid the soft hum of the turbolift with surprising prominence. Kaur couldn't begin to imagine what was going through her mind right now, being in such close quarters with this fiend of a person, nor would it have been like him to care, but she was carrying something that was undeniably his, now and that had given him cause for concern.
The Kuati noble turned slowly, carefully so as not to prompt Zanear into acting rashly, and waved off that question with the shake of his head, his eyes dropping noticably to where the falleen still had his grip fastned on Arri's upper arms, keeping her against him almost possessively. "Were it just you and I, my dear, there would be no problem. With our friend here, whom I am assuming has a warrent out for his arrest at present, insurmountably difficult." He frowned disdainfully at Zanear, a slight snarl creeping into his expression again, "So, I can only assume our fearless captor here has some form of plan...and take your hands of her, she isn't going anywhere."
That really had irked him, Arri thought, and Zanear was playing up to it beautifully, he could read the other man like a book, which was good for them both, it saved her having to risk breaking cover and explaining him. Kaur was as transparrent as the air they breathed, it was probably why Vestra had succeeded him as CEO, the ruling families could see right through his intentions, to their own detriment. Truly, the Kuhlvults had been using her to gather information on Vestra's ascent to power, turning up some interesting facts that she had considered keeping to herself, but ultimately her duty had overuled her personal debts.
For all his haughty defiance, Kaur did do as he was told this time, sending the lift down to the public levels where they could disembark a short time later. The doors swooshed open soundlessly, the sudden exchange of the temperate air within the lift and outside in the service ducts a welcome relief to all no doubt. Things had been a little too close for comfort in there.
Pausing to get his bearings, the Kuati male turned his head this way, then that. The duct it's self was alive with the sound of electricity and power conduits, various pieces of machinery, but no signs of anyone, droid or flesh and blood. This worked out for the betterment of them all, no interference meant there was less chance of being inadvertantly shot at by the over keen security staff. But eventually, Kaur feared, it would come to that, he only hoped that when that time did come, he would be out of the line of fire.
"When we exit this tunnel it will open out onto the main concourse, from there we can make it to the cordoned off spaceport. There should be no one save for construction and repair crews around. And the usual security of course..." Arri whispered back to Zanear, whatever Kaur did from here on out would be problematic, people were bound to start asking questions, they needed some sort of an excuse to go into the restricted area, and the falleen needed to keep his head down and profile low.
"Your necessity to procure a ship tells me enough about your situation that the authorities must be after you. I cannot ensure there will be few entanglements when we pass through that hatch, I have no way of telling who or what is on the other side." Kaur blathered imperiously, "The ducts through the spaceport will be shut off due to damage, there was a breach...several breaches, in the airlocks there, it's off limits..." Now he was stalling.
Braving a few steps towards the hatch anyway, he stopped to cast a look back at Arri, having forgotten himself for a moment, he detested this enough for one liftime, if he could just procure himself a weapon, perhaps he could shoot the blasted falleen and be done with this?
Arri was more on the ball.
"A small transport, the high speed shuttle has been reopened for the sake of navigating the space between the sections, saves them going the long way around to reach the other side, we could head to the pick up point, slip onto the shuttle and approach from the other side. Or simply secrete ourselves on one of those light transports taking repair crews to and from the spaceport?" Her suggestion had obviously coloured Kaur awry, no doubt he was cursing just how resourceful she was at present, instead of looking for a way out. Or was she? Those repair crews would have something he could use as a weapon, surely? Be it a zero g spot welder or whatever.
"Resourceful as ever, now I am starting to see why I chose you." Kaur enthused at Arri even as the other two were moving towards him, shifting his gaze to Zanear again " What say you, scum? Is this to your liking?"
There would be little courtesy from him.
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Post by Zanear the Edge on Feb 6, 2011 3:45:46 GMT -5
"How do you propose we get past security to the restricted area?" Arri's quiet tones broke the silence amid the soft hum of the turbolift with surprising prominence. The Kuati noble turned slowly, carefully so as not to prompt Zanear into acting rashly, and waved off that question with the shake of his head, his eyes dropping noticeably to where the falleen still had his grip fastened on Arri's upper arms, keeping her against him almost possessively. "Were it just you and I, my dear, there would be no problem. With our friend here, whom I am assuming has a warrant out for his arrest at present, insurmountably difficult." He frowned disdainfully at Zanear, a slight snarl creeping into his expression again, "So, I can only assume our fearless captor here has some form of plan...and take your hands of her, she isn't going anywhere." Zanear sighed theatrically. I may, I may not. To be honest, I'd rather not find out. he spoke in conversational tones, letting all threats and bad vibes out of his voice. They were just three chums, having a chat now, at least to any listening ears. Certainly I've thought about security, and I do have a plan. But I can already tell you won't like it much. And just like that, he let the issue drop. He'd truly nothing more to say at the moment. Although he looked at Arri closely for a moment, then let her arms go. There, I can be reasonable, he quipped, as if doing everyone a favor. Soon enough the lift ride ended and Kuar got out, looking to and fro before moving on, the hum of machinery thick in th eair, but the hallways empty. Nodding to move forward, he let the group get in front of him, with Kuar in the lead, Arri in the middle. Her kiss still left him with a burning desire, and he tried not to dwell on it. It would make him lose his focus, and that was needed now more than ever. "When we exit this tunnel it will open out onto the main concourse, from there we can make it to the cordoned off spaceport. There should be no one save for construction and repair crews around. And the usual security of course..." Arri whispered back to Zanear, whatever Kaur did from here on out would be problematic, people were bound to start asking questions, they needed some sort of an excuse to go into the restricted area, and the falleen needed to keep his head down and profile low. "Your necessity to procure a ship tells me enough about your situation that the authorities must be after you. I cannot ensure there will be few entanglements when we pass through that hatch, I have no way of telling who or what is on the other side." Kaur blathered imperiously, "The ducts through the spaceport will be shut off due to damage, there was a breach...several breaches, in the airlocks there, it's off limits..." Now he was stalling. He mused on that for a minute, and came to a conclusion. But before he could speak, Arri made another suggestion. Braving a few steps towards the hatch anyway, he stopped to cast a look back at Arri, having forgotten himself for a moment, he detested this enough for one lifetime, if he could just procure himself a weapon, perhaps he could shoot the blasted falleen and be done with this? "A small transport, the high speed shuttle has been reopened for the sake of navigating the space between the sections, saves them going the long way around to reach the other side, we could head to the pick up point, slip onto the shuttle and approach from the other side. Or simply secrete ourselves on one of those light transports taking repair crews to and from the spaceport?" Her suggestion had obviously colored Kaur awry, no doubt he was cursing just how resourceful she was at present, instead of looking for a way out. Or was she? Those repair crews would have something he could use as a weapon, surely? Be it a zero g spot welder or whatever. "Resourceful as ever, now I am starting to see why I chose you." Kaur enthused at Arri even as the other two were moving towards him, shifting his gaze to Zanear again " What say you, scum? Is this to your liking?"
Listening to them talk, he watched the interplay. Kuar was both an ass and at the same moment taking credit for her own intelligence. He knew slaves that had been treated better then this, even without whatever facade they used to cover it. It made him ill enough to have no regrets what-so ever. Excellent idea indeed, but I had already thought about that already. We will acquire work crew uniforms, all three of us, and take a shuttle to where we are going. That way we can be anonymous will you use your codes and ID to get us through Kuar. All they needed to do was find a locker room, and then it was just a matter of patience. He wondered when Kuar would make his move, he knew it was a matter of when and not if by now. So Zanear was alert, wary, on the lookout for that next move he'd make, wondering if he should do something to make him rethink of acting hasty. Use these ducts to get us to a crew locker room. There we shall change clothes. Oh and Kuar? Zanear got his attention, calling his name somewhat friendly. At the same instant the Falleen took two steps forward to cover the gap between the two men, putting Arri behind him. When Kuar turned to look, expecting Zanear to be farther back then he was, the Falleen lashed out with a brutal right handed backhand, bitch-slapping the man hard across his face with enough force to knock the older man to his backside. Leaning down and pointed a clawed finger directly into his face, Zanear spoke softly, in perfectly friendly tones, but the words themselves were nasty. If you even kriffing think about trying to get us caught, I'll krilling gut you and watch you bleed to death slowly, while I ravage your woman in front of your dying eyes. Understand?Stepping back and standing up, he turned fast and grabbed Arri's arm once again. His next words were spoken in a light melody, almost a playful sing song. Let's step lively my krilling piece of Hutt slime, we've got to get a move on! |
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 6, 2011 14:08:21 GMT -5
khari nodded plaintively, "Of course, it goes without saying that extreme subterfuge should be exercised here. But if the level of infiltration is to the degree you suggest, then it must have been occurring for some time now. They will have become confident in their methods, no? And confidence leads many to make foolish mistakes. We need only present them with the opportunity to do so."
The problem therin was indeed if one were caught the rest would scarper. Then they would be in exactly the same position as they were now. New infiltration would begin, far more advanced than that which they faced now. This was one weed that wasn't going to die unless they tore it out by the roots.
Industrial espionage was something anyone involved with KDY would be familiar with. Just as they did certain things elsewhere, others did so here. It went without saying that everything should be done to avoid it, especially on their home territory, but that wasn't always a viable options. Your competitors evolved, so too, must you.
Her unsettled nature only worstened when he mentioned her ascent to power. Shifting stiffly in her seat, Khari kept her steely gaze even, unwavering for those few moments, lips pressed into a thin stoic line that almost mirrored the expression of the Colonel himself. So they had been digging, had they?
"That is neither your nor their concern. I had little say in the matter, save to put myself forward as a candidate, though you are correct. I did not do this alone...but you already knew that" Khari smiled thinly, sensing he had somewhere else that he was going with this.
She had spoken the truth there too, if Klask had done enough digging he would have seen the multiple recommendations from Adal Kholis himself, recommendations she had known little about until after the old man was dead. A sharp pang of guilt resonated in the darkened recesses of her mind, giving her pause for thought. It was that feeling she had tried to avoid all this time, and it ate away at her day by day. But what was done, was now done.
I can see how many are probably utilizing whatever resources they have to try and determine how you did it, and how to topple you. I myself have been curious enough to make a casual search, but what I did find was more interesting by far, people are going to serious lengths to figure it out.
As well as if he were reading your mind. Khari thought, watching the other man recount the facts. If he supposed she had something to do with that, he didn't say so, not directly, nor was she going to rise to any proverbial bait if that were a probe in that direction. She merely sat there, pensive for a few seconds, then drummed her fingers again lightly on the table top, pausing when she had done with deliberation.
"Ah. Yes, well there will always be speculation, with the inherritance excemption thrown into such chaos, it is to be expected. I would think less of them if they didn't try and implicate me."
Now it all came out, she thought, though she had suspected for some time the stuffy, staunch old man had disliked her, that bothered her little. What her concerns were was if he was likely to become unloyal, particularly now that she had handed him, in part, some very sensitive information. Better for him to do his job, risky for her that he was poking around in her past whilst trying to do it. Her nerves were far from being shot, though. One didn't go through the rigmaroll that went with her lifestyle and come out of things a nervous wreck when situations suddenly took a dangerous turn for the worse. But what Klask wanted here was an answer, a means to digging out this problem without alerting those involved to their suspicions.
Letting her dark eyed gaze wander, she found little solace in the still statically hissing security feeds or viewscreens. Idly, she wondered if Tress had had any luck in contacting Urai, before Kommisar and his Yuuzhan Vong emmisary got too far away to trace. She would worry about that later, as for now...
"What I said before, about putting in place measures that could be tempting enough for the infiltrators to take a chance on, though not so good that it appears to be too good to be true...I wonder if there would be some means of seeding misinformation through various ports of call, concentrated enough we could begin to narrow down the points at which it that information was retransmitted? We merely state that it is classified. It would be no different to those protocols that are already in place."
With a worn and weary sigh, Khari's expression grew grim at the other alternative.
"I am adverse to isolating the entire research team, particularly when it comes to dealing with them as we had to say, one such design team all those years ago. That idea displeases me." With a shake of her head and a dismissive wave of one hand, she shot down that idea almost instantly.
"It begs the question as to wether Kaur, himself, had something to do with this, it is little secret he was seething at my appointment as CEO. A tactic as the latter mentioned would reflect very bad on me if publicised and I dare say if that were the case, he would have done so to force my hand in this matter. No, when we take action, it will be done as humanely as possible. Your suggestions, of course, are welcome, you would know better than I how best to close the net, so to speak." Perhaps it was morbid interest, but she wanted to see what direction he would take on this, given the chance. The final say was her's of course, that went without saying, but she was no security officer. Her strengths lay elsewhere, her methods would be far more underhanded.
And speaking of underhanded, the small matter of Kaur of Kuhlvult had reminded her. A brightness returning to her keen eyes, she turned them on Klask once again.
"By the way, did you ascertain just who had managed to break into my personal quarters? I assume they have been detained?"
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 6, 2011 16:43:50 GMT -5
The more Zanear spoke, the more Kaur appeared to bristle beneath this subjection, though the sudden change of attitude had him more on edge than not. How this being could go from abhorrently angry to this calm and reasonable sounding in the blink of an eye bespoke a certain instability, he didn't want to find out what his breaking point would be. Come to think of it, the falleen was right, he probably wasn't going to like that plan of his, but no surprises there.
What he did do, was let go of that vice-like hold on Arri he'd been keeping this entire time, but she was hardly a risk so much as at risk. In those spare few moments, he beckonned her to him in what might have looked like concern. What he did when she stepped forth was proceed to look her over and inspect her like someone had just picked up a priceless vase to check for any signs of wear or damage, encouraging her to tilt her head this way or that, inspecting her in a way that had Arri cringing with every fiber of her being.
"...I'm fine" the woman informed him, voice almost a whisper, the words spoken through what might have been gritted teeth, disguising the fact it took every bit of control she had not to have simply slapped his hand away. In the end, she didn't know where to look but down.
To the relief of Arri, Kaur forgot what he was doing in favour of considering that rather slap dash plan. It was better than the one he could have come up with and that was the problem. The one he'd been considering would have seen Zanear in custody, or better yet, dead.
"Wonderful," He commented dryly, his own ideas thoroughly botched, "It's a wonder I didn't consider it, and it just might work too."
The force behind that backhanded swipe had Kaur pitching backwards without so much as a stagger to catch himself before the fall. He hit the deck with a resounding clang that had Arri's eyes widening, holding her hands up to her face with a wince at the unexpected turn of events. She couldn't say Kaur hadn't deserved that, he deserved that and a whole lot more in her opinion, but to see it carried out before her eyes, when she hadn't expected it was something of a wake up call. That would add more credence to her pretense of not being a willing participant, especially when she whirled round to face Zanear, utterly incredulous, just in time for him to snag ahold of her arm again, pulling her gently but firmly down the tunnel ahead of them.
From his floor-bound position, Kaur of Kuhlvult couldn't have looked more surprised and outraged, the colour rising to his cheeks where that strike had caught him a treat, snapping his head round so fast he had lost his bearings. Bereft of any words, he was left to watch as the other two waited on him.
Kaur glared at him defiantly, his expression saying everything his mouth couldn't right now. When this was at it's send, he would see this one as humiliated as he had just been, and then he would see him dead for that little speech.
Awkwardly he picked himself up, brushing out the creases from his clothes, and gently probing the sore cheekbone with his fingertips for a second or two, it wouldn't bruise, it had just been enough to put him off balance, little more, he told himself.
Still with that imperious air about him, he gestured forth down the tunnel ahead of them, lit at regular intervals by a incandescent light inset into the walls.
"If we are on level B, then the work crew's facilities are in that direction, seven access points down." He furnished, about to start off ahead of them, the earlier incident giving him pause for thought, eventually deciding that it would be better if he did go ahead, at least the falleen wasn't going to be killing him anytime soon, not while he needed his cooperation. Therefore, he decied he was safe for the duration of that trip at least.
Arri let Kaur get several paces infront of them, then turned to look at Zanear again and nodded, a silent confirmation that what Kaur had just told them was true so far as she knew it. He wasn't leading them into a trap. But playing on her mind, were the words Zanear had mouthed at her earlier, had she really seen that? When they survived this, she resolved to ask.
The rest of the trip was conducted in complete silence, with only the steady hum of the various pieces of equipment running all around them behind the scenes. Occasionally they would pass another hatch and even a maintenance droid, the latter paid them no mind, nor did it even attempt to swivel it's photoreceptors in their direction, as if people passing it by here was all part of a daily routine and they were just another obstruction to circumvent. When at last Kaur halted outside another, identical hatch, he waited for the others to catch up before punching in the code required to open it, pausing before hitting enter,
"Perhaps I should go first?" He suggested stiffly, "One look at you and anyone who might be in there is going to be highly suspicious. At least I have an excuse for being here, the concourse is shut."
He didn't wait for the falleen to answer him, stepping through into the room beyond and closing the hatch behind him. Zanear needn't have worried, as long as he had Arri with him, he had something Kaur wanted, and therefore he would return as per their 'arrangement'.
On the other side of the hatchway, Arri let out a long tense breath, leaning back against Zanear slightly, one hand reaching up to massage her temple gently, this was more stressful than it should be.
"He'll come back," she tried to reassure herself more than anything, "he's not that stupid."
And then she looked at him, the faintest hint of something new glimmering in her eyes, "I have been meaning to ask, what you said to Kaur back there, was that a threat....or a promise?" Spoken with all the plaintiveness of a telbun, the small hint of a smirk would have been all he need pay attention to to understand the slight jest in her words. There would be no love lost between her and Kaur, simply because there had never been any there to begin with.
That was when the hatch opened again, and the fool in question stuck his head around the frame.
"All clear, the place is empty....lucky you."
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Post by Zanear the Edge on Feb 7, 2011 0:48:00 GMT -5
From his floor-bound position, Kaur of Kuhlvult couldn't have looked more surprised and outraged, the color rising to his cheeks where that strike had caught him a treat, snapping his head round so fast he had lost his bearings. Bereft of any words, he was left to watch as the other two waited on him. Kaur glared at him defiantly, his expression saying everything his mouth couldn't right now. When this was at it's send, he would see this one as humiliated as he had just been, and then he would see him dead for that little speech. Awkwardly he picked himself up, brushing out the creases from his clothes, and gently probing the sore cheekbone with his fingertips for a second or two, it wouldn't bruise, it had just been enough to put him off balance, little more, he told himself. Still with that imperious air about him, he gestured forth down the tunnel ahead of them, lit at regular intervals by a incandescent light inset into the walls. "If we are on level B, then the work crew's facilities are in that direction, seven access points down." He furnished, about to start off ahead of them, the earlier incident giving him pause for thought, eventually deciding that it would be better if he did go ahead, at least the falleen wasn't going to be killing him anytime soon, not while he needed his cooperation. Arri let Kaur get several paces in front of them, then turned to look at Zanear again and nodded, a silent confirmation that what Kaur had just told them was true so far as she knew it. The rest of the trip was conducted in complete silence, with only the steady hum of the various pieces of equipment running all around them behind the scenes. When at last Kaur halted outside another, identical hatch, he waited for the others to catch up before punching in the code required to open it, pausing before hitting enter, "Perhaps I should go first?" He suggested stiffly, "One look at you and anyone who might be in there is going to be highly suspicious. At least I have an excuse for being here, the concourse is shut."He didn't wait for the falleen to answer him, stepping through into the room beyond and closing the hatch behind him. On the other side of the hatchway, Arri let out a long tense breath, leaning back against Zanear slightly, one hand reaching up to massage her temple gently, this was more stressful than it should be. Gently his own hands let her arm go and he brushed away the hair from her face, his touch as light as a feather, however he stepped up and into her, his own body pressed hard against hers. Keeping ever the watchful eye on the hatch, he began to kiss at her neck, his hands moving all along her sides, his touch gentle and light, loving in all it's caresses. "He'll come back," she tried to reassure herself more than anything, "he's not that stupid." he answered her quietly. His hands had now began to caress her face once again, longing to touch her, to feel her, to love her. And then she looked at him, the faintest hint of something new glimmering in her eyes, "I have been meaning to ask, what you said to Kaur back there, was that a threat....or a promise?" Spoken with all the plaintiveness of a telbun, the small hint of a smirk would have been all he need pay attention to to understand the slight jest in her words. There would be no love lost between her and Kaur, simply because there had never been any there to begin with. That was when the hatch opened again, and the fool in question stuck his head around the frame. "All clear, the place is empty....lucky you."He was about to answer when he saw the hatch begin to turn, and his hands dropped back down and away from her, he also took a small step back. It was as if they hadn't touched or spoken the entire time he was gone. He ached to tell her what he wanted to but here was that obstacle once again. Oh well, soldier on, he thought, waving his arm for Arri to go first, and then he followed. They had entered the crew lockers, a rather spartan area with little to no decoration except for the flat dull grey of the walls and the dingy brown of the lockers. Peg hooks held coats and jackets, hard hats and bright colored vests, all in the name of safety. Going to the dirty clothes hamper, he waved for Kuar to go through it and find something that would fit. He motioned for Arri to go into the female side and get something, pointing at her feet for extra emphasis, all while Kuar was busy in the hamper. He himself saw a clean hamper, somewhat newly arrived, and went through it until he found something that was loose enough for his tastes, and began to dress. Finding a beat up old welding backpack with full helmet, he donned it and sealed the helmet, bringing the HUD up as the visor darkened. He then donned the heavy work gloves, and was completely anonymous. Waiting for Arri to finish, Kuar did nothing but grumble, having to draw from the dirty section. Zanear laughed to himself, finding the whole thing funny. Once they had finished, he motioned for them to exit and move toward the nearest shuttle station. Kuar would put in whatever codes they needed, and soon enough they began their trek aboard a tightly filled shuttle. Few workers paid them any mind, they mingled easily, as most had been at it for days now, and the mix wasn't unusual. Almost right away the shuttle took off, and they were on their way. |
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 7, 2011 11:46:19 GMT -5
Arri didn't say anything to that, far too distracted, pleasurably so, by his touch to be concerned with what Kaur was or was not. She knew what he was thinking, it was much the same as her, but Kaur would get what was coming to him eventually. Zanear's ministrations were soothing and intoxicating all at once, already getting a reaction from her, but she tried not to let herself slip beneath the surface of her resolve too far, it would only take one, small slip up to bring this plan crashing down around their ears.
And just like that the hatch was opened again, and they were stepping through the boundary into the locker room beyond. It was, for all intents and purposes, very functional if dark, dingy and generally strange smelling went down as functional. But there would be no complaint from her, especially since Kaur seemed to be complaining enough for all three of them. Even after that brief brush with Zanear's darker side, the Kuati aristocrat didn't seem to be taking many hints to mind. But that was his problem.
Slipping into the female changing area, Arri ditched the far too formal dress she had hastily appropriated from Khari's wardrobe, donning the overalls and headgear of one of the bog standard repair crew, taking extra care to tuck her long blonde hair beneath the safety hat to make her just that bit more anonymous. Leaning back against the changing room wall, she pulled the boots - that Zanear had taken great care and emphasis to point out to her - on, feet rather grateful for that particular luxury in general.
When she was done, she stepped into the main area again, finding the other two waiting for her. Kaur looking easily the worst out of the three of them. Arri suspected that Zanear had done that on purpose, allowing him to appropriate dirty laundry as opposed to something that was clean. It took a great deal of restraint to hold back the small smirk that wanted to break free on her lips, much more to belay the giggle she felt bubbling up from her throat.
"To the shuttle then...I suppose." Was all she said, still in that subdued tone she had used whenever Kaur was present.
The next few moments were best left forgotten, boarding a cramped and crowded shuttle with as many repair crew as the transport could take was not Arri's idea of fun, and Kaur seemed even less enamoured with the ordeal than she was. She, at least, understood the necessity of this plan, he was just...well he was himself and that was enough to make her take some solace from the fact he wasn't enjoying this one little bit. Thankfully, due to their close proximity to the affected area, the trip was not a long one, and before they knew it, they were disembarking with the rest of the crew, filtering out into the damaged subsection of the spaceport, going about setting up in their various details for the day. It must have felt like deja vu to the falleen, but this was the first time Arri had seen the damage in the 'flesh' so to speak. It was on a far grander scale than had been apparent on the viewscreens in Klask's security headquarters.
"No wonder the Colonel was so up tight..." She murmured as her eyes took in all around them, there wasn't a strut or power conduit not touched by scorch marks akin to carbon scoring. Many of the floor's reinforced plating was dented, or torn away completely to reveal the wirework beneath. "...sane people don't destroy their surroundings on a whim."
It was finally hitting her, just how much of a lucky escape she might have had, the way Corey had flipped in the blink of an eye, Arri could have well found herself in the crossfire.
"The secure hangar is at the other end of the star port, set away from the main intake zone." Kaur explained gruffly, ignoring Arri's moment of wonderment as they walked as casually as if they were out for an afternoon stroll. "But even if we do use the service hatches again, all points of entry are covered by security, you cannot hope to-"
"We will find a way, Kaur, you might be willing to risk everything, but I am through with taking chances." Arri butted in stiffly, something changing in her demeanour, birthed by stress or simply anger alone, that was all speculation, but one thing was clear, she wasn't going to let him be awkward and botch this up...she just had to make it believable. Conscious of the fact they were not alone here, she didn't change her pace, nor stance, nor did she even look at the man when she bit out those highly terse words, everything would have appeared perfectly normal from the outside looking in. Just as it should be. "Now you purchased me for a purpose, and if I am not mistaken one such condition of that purpose is that I become that child's guardian. I don't intend to neglect that duty, Kaur, not at all, ever. I don't plan on dying today. We are doing what the falleen wants."
Kaur did little more than produce an oily smirk, "Then I would be interested to know how he intends to get through without causing a scuffle."
Arri raised her gaze as far as she considered safe, up ahead the heavily surveiled entrance to that hangar loomed up from across the way as imposing as it was inviting. Several armed security operatives patrolled the perimeter, and no doubt there were security measures via maintenance too. Slipping in unseen or undeterred was going to be next to impossible. So close, and yet so far, perhaps it had become time to finally part ways with her beloved master here?
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Post by tress on Feb 8, 2011 19:30:00 GMT -5
Having made his call and come back he found himself sitting in the waiting room for Khari and the Colonel to finish. It appeared things were still being discussed. He would wait, no need to let others know he was being singled out for special treatment or anything. To be able to see him waiting outside like everyone else would give him a better image.
As of now only two people knew, wait three people, knew his family connection- Khari, Arri and now the Colonel. It wasn't as if they were hiding the fact, but things would be better until others found out from Khari first. He was going to be the official liaison either way like it or not, so even if he wasn't accepted he would be tolerated.
The problem was in keeping their relationship secret, professional or otherwise from everyone. The more he looked like just another diplomat the better things would seem...at least in public.
Wasnt long before he was snoring away while other people shook their heads at him.....
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Post by Heg'zi A Klask on Feb 9, 2011 0:41:09 GMT -5
Klask sits quietly, listening to Khari chase down the threads of this challenge before them.
"That was along my thoughts. Seed it with false leads. I would imagine if there is such a electronic operation in place, there would have to be a flesh and blood component to it here as well. I would think that their efforts will be redoubled once the general word gets out the Regent of the RGE was here. That may be just the opening, possibly start false chains of pre-build correspondence, false order for supplies and materials, and maybe a new generation of Hyperdrive, of a better class... Nothing too far-fetched, just a slight progression...
Partially admitting that KDY and the Empire will be entering into development of a new series of ships, just not along the truth of it. Then releasing some mis-truth regarding that, and I am quite sure whoever it is will reach to take the bait.
Of course I only offer that as a suggestion, you and your staff would more than likely be able to identify much better details than myself."
"Kuar is untouchable, even if he was criminally negligent and caused the same damage as the Kage did by crashing a ship into the side of the Array, the most KDF could do is document it so he gets the repair bill. For me to take any action officially would require him being effectively branded a traitor to Kuat. I also do not have the right personnel that I could fully trust with conducting a "investigation" either. Nearly everyone has loyalties to one of the Ten, and it is not advertised or spoken of. The very person I feel would be most helpful to you, may be one of the people deep in his pockets. I think we may have to find an outside recruiting resource that you could trust."
Ah, one of the original purposes here, and one I am further dreading discussion on.Klask thinks to himself.
"Yes, we have verified it was your assistant Arri and her new "friend" the Falleen. I would defiantly recommend
He slides his hand forward to pick up the device, and looks up at her questioningly before deactivating it.
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Post by Zanear the Edge on Feb 9, 2011 14:01:26 GMT -5
Zanear stood closer to the pair as they spoke, Arri chaffing under his thumb more now then ever. He waved his hand in a 'follow me' motion, and began to head towards a open damaged area, one where work crews had recently left. Pointing at Arri and a computer module that was damaged, and then pointing at Kuar then a broom and waste disposal for the surrounding debris, he made to look at some superstructure that needed welding. However, that was simply and act, and instead he spoke to them calmly and quietly. Kuar, your a very important person, your whole attitude just radiates it. So that means your bound to have connections all over. The Kuati are infamous for there back stabbing and infighting, and already you and the lady here have confirmed that she was spying on Vestra. He let the accusation lie out there as a group of workers passed by them. That means you've got people in your pocket, especially security. He nodded his head pointedly, towards the main command area, indicating all the guards and the checkpoints therein. It's time for you to use your contacts to get us through, so you can look at this ship up close, and have your 'team' he waved a hand at Arri and himself, to take a closer inspection. Pretending to do a bit of prep work, he glanced around once again. Still the area they were in was all clear, and he smiled inside his helmet. This might actually work! he thought to himself, amazed at his own genius at the moment. Turning once more to face Kuar fully, he nodded at him. Go ahead, make that call... he then pulled out the comm on his workman's belt, handing it to the older man. The sooner this is done, the better it is for everybody.
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 10, 2011 11:10:15 GMT -5
She nodded sagely, that had been her line of persuit, first they needed to pin down the leak to a few choice locations. This change in tides, as it were, would provide them with a unique opportunity to do so.
"That it will, that it will. I shall see what we can fabricate, though I must confess I am torn when it comes to informing the ten of everything. As you, yourself admitted, there are several who would go to great lengths to oust me from this position, I shouldn't overlook that possibility. Best we keep this one as quiet as possible until we uncover some concrete evidence with which to present to them." Who really knew just how far Kaur and his sycophants were prepared to go in order to see that they got their own way? He was becoming a growing problem, a true headache and thorn in her side, a pity then, that it was high treason just to have him removed. He was head of the ruling household of Kuhlvult, and his murder would be a capital crime punishable only by death. She had no desire to end up like her predecessor.
However, this lead was sounding more positive by the second, they were being proactive about this and things would get done, it would all unravel in due course, Khari was sure of it. So it was with a slightly more relaxed air about her that she confirmed that idea, nodding simply plaintively before speaking.
"I will get you the information to distribute, if you compile a small taskforce to deal with this...unsightly issue. There is much I will need to discuss with others prior to getting you that faux intel." And by others she meant Tress, she would never have overlooked the chance to get unique insight into just how these people might be operating. He would know better than she about these things. But she knew well how to deal with them. Nip it in the bud now and spare yourself a lifetimes worth of failure.
She slowly arched a manicured brow, vaguely marring her smooth, blemish-free forehead with a furrow. "Right again...you've done this before." Khari jested, though her smile was nearly devoid of any mirth.
Back to seriousness, she continued without preamable, "I know well what the situation is concerning whos loyalty to whom. Ultimately their oathes to the Kuhlvults will be next to useless when it comes to acting on the orders of a superior. Naturally certain tasks can be circumvented, I do not doubt that, but there are ways to passively force the cooperation of others, the brand of a traitor is committing vocational suicide when it means crossing those who keep you fed." She shook her head lightly, loose tendrils of hair falling about her shoulders like liquid shadow. "Just as I have enemies, I also have supporters, however dire the situation might seem. But I am going slightly off track, an outside source...you wish to make a suggestion?"
The kuati aristocrat leaned in, placing her chin gently against the back of her interlaced fingers, her words were tinged with double intent. "The imperials perhaps?"
She let that one hang in the air, the atmosphere taking on a rather icy undertone. As if the poor man hadn't suffered enough, his kind were used to working under pressure, but she had to wonder just how much he really was under. It seemed traitors were everywhere, perhaps not in this room, but who could be certain these days?
"Owe it to planning ahead that they are not in here right now, but yes, perhaps you should."
This was not encouraging, and the fact that one of those closest to her had potentially been passing on information about her to Kaur Kuhlvult had her inwardly seething with rage. Out of everyone in her employ she had always thought Arri could be trusted, if just because of their shared friendship. There had to be some other explaination, what had she ever done that would force her hand like this, even if Kaur had demanded it of her, Khari knew deep down there was no chance Arri would do so without giving her some kind of warning.
Her stomach continued to knot, painfully so. If this was true, then there was every chance Kaur also knew exactly what she had been doing all these weeks, he knew about the family cover up, he knew about Tress and he would know what happened to Taru.
The falleen though, what did he have to do with all this? Urai and Siara hadn't known what his involvement had been, only that he seemed keen to perpetuate the fight in the hangar. He was an antagonist then? He could have been hired by anyone, doubtful Kaur would have utilized him, but perhaps that was his plan.
"I truly hope you are correct, Colonel, that they are in custody. It would be better for everyone if they are. I believe they might hold some of the answers I am looking for."
The cold still clinging to the air, be it overactive airscrubbers or not, had begun to cloy at her skin, but she wasn't about to lose her nerve, she was too well mired in their ways for that.
"I think we might have reached a conclusion, would you be so kind as to inform the Captain in charge of the arrests that I will speak with him soon regarding those statements he undoubtedly needs to make?" The dark haired woman made as if to rise, getting halfway out of her articulated seat before settling herself down again, catching herself as if just remembering something. Yet another deliberate facade.
"Oh...and one more thing. I trust your wife is enjoying her vacation, Colonel? A little unorthodox neglecting to take you with her but I suppose you know all too well how we women can be...as do I. A pity, I imagine you could have used the break." An alluringly feral smile beset her lips then, but she said nothing further, standing this time in one fluid moment.
"I thank you for your insight. You will have the information shortly."
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Post by kharivestra on Feb 10, 2011 20:15:53 GMT -5
Arri did the best she could to look the part, she'd passed work crews before now, she vaguely knew what they did when they had to, and if anyone asked any questions, she would say she was a junior member of the team taking instruction from Zanear, who would, no doubt, be able to convince them of that fact. Kaur, too, seemed to be willing to step up to the mark and actually bring this whole ensemble together for once, though that did make her slightly nervous on a number of key levels. Either he had a plan, or he'd just resigned himself to his fate in the false belief that he was going to come out on top.
Not this time, old man.
With Zanear explaining to them what was going to happen, in pointed, but nevertheless clear instructions, Kaur was going to have to pay close attention to how this was going to play out, since everything now rode on him complying with Zanear's wishes as hostage taker. And oh how he played that part exquisitely well, there were a few times back there he even had her doubting wether or not he was being serious, it had been in those scant moment Kaur's gaze had been elsewhere that she had known for certain he wasn't. Save for one thing - Kaur would outlive his usefulness sooner or later.
"What I did was investigate Vestra, a perfectly natural reaction for one who should have been in line for the position she usurped out from under me! I don't expect you to understand that in all it's complexities, you seem a man of simple tastes and exceedingly bad manner. I want you to know indefiniantly that everything I do today I do not because I wish to help you, feel any sort of sympathy for you or your piteous plight, I do it for reasons I don't imagine you could ever begin to understand." Kaur hissed, chafing under the strain yet again, it was a wonder Zanear didn't strike the bumbling fool all over again.
Kaur was angry alright, literally quaking again with the stress and the bitterness he felt for his own impossible situation. A hot head under these conditions wasn't good, they couldn't afford for the aristocrat to lose his nerve under pressure, warn one of those allied with him in some inadvertant way.
Tentatively, Arri reached out to him, doing so in a way it appeared she was simply reaching for something he might have had that she required for her fake task of repair, instead placing a hand delicately on his forearm, a silent reminder of what he stood to lose here, that his stress would more than likely get them all killed if he didn't cool it.
When he met her gaze, she did her best to hazard an attempted smile, little more than a flicker of those she would have given in genuine happy moments, wistful, and fading fast. "We have survived this far, do this and it will be over. You have an heir to live for now and they will need you when the time comes." She spoke gently, keeping her voice down to a soft whisper. It seemed as though her tones had been specifically tailored for that moment, knowing exactly what would still that rage in him. What kind of a telbun would she have been if she couldn't read body language?
And sure enough, Kaur closed his eyes for a few moments, took a deep breath, then exhaled long and slow. When next he drew breath, he inclined his head in acknowledgement, gesturing Zanear to continue. He was now on board.
"Your definition of better differs to mine." Kaur said dryly, swallowing hard, but he did take the comlink from Zanear's hands. With any luck, the communications were being monitored and constantly scanned. Someone must have noticed his absence by now, have taken the time to check in and have seen the damage to his office doors.
Keying in the right frequency, he waited for the answer with baited breath.
Arri watched, feeling as though hear heart was beating loud enough it sounded like it would burst out of her chest. For several tense seconds that passed like an eternity, they were left hanging, until the comm crackled to life...
"Mox here - "
Happy that this was the person he wanted to get through to, Kaur butted in without further preamable. "Captain, I need you to listen carefully, I need you to get me clearence to secure hangarbay Zero Twelve Seven Gee immediately, as I am sure you are aware of what is being held there at present, I will spare you the details. I need to take a look at that ship with my own eyes as quietly as possible if you catch my drift. I have brought two of my chief technicians along for advisement, they will accompany me."
"Certainly Sir...I can get you clearence within the day..."
Kaur ground his teeth together impatiently, his tones becoming decidedly more pointed. "Better for us all that it is within the next few moment, hmm? Or need I remind you of your tenuous position with a certain trandoshan debt collector?" Oh how he was burning bridges today, the falleen would pay dearly for this.
There was a small pause, thankfully, this time, small really was small.
"Acquiring it for you now sir, i'll let the men down at the gateway know you're on your way. All three of you."
Clicking off the comlink, he passed it back to Zanear with a fiery glare, teeth still gritted in irritation, his thoughts awash with the blood of the object of his ire. "You heard the man, we have an appointment to keep."
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Post by Zanear the Edge on Feb 12, 2011 14:05:11 GMT -5
When he met her gaze, she did her best to hazard an attempted smile, little more than a flicker of those she would have given in genuine happy moments, wistful, and fading fast. "We have survived this far, do this and it will be over. You have an heir to live for now and they will need you when the time comes." She spoke gently, keeping her voice down to a soft whisper. And sure enough, Kaur closed his eyes for a few moments, took a deep breath, then exhaled long and slow. When next he drew breath, he inclined his head in acknowledgment, gesturing Zanear to continue. He was now on board. "Your definition of better differs to mine." Kaur said dryly, swallowing hard, but he did take the comlink from Zanear's hands. With any luck, the communications were being monitored and constantly scanned. Someone must have noticed his absence by now, have taken the time to check in and have seen the damage to his office doors. Keying in the right frequency, he waited for the answer with baited breath. "Mox here - "Happy that this was the person he wanted to get through to, Kaur butted in without further preamble. "Captain, I need you to listen carefully, I need you to get me clearance to secure hangar bay Zero Twelve Seven Gee immediately, as I am sure you are aware of what is being held there at present, I will spare you the details. I need to take a look at that ship with my own eyes as quietly as possible if you catch my drift. I have brought two of my chief technicians along for advisement, they will accompany me.""Certainly Sir...I can get you clearance within the day..."Kaur ground his teeth together impatiently, his tones becoming decidedly more pointed. "Better for us all that it is within the next few moment, hmm? Or need I remind you of your tenuous position with a certain trandoshan debt collector?" Oh how he was burning bridges today, the falleen would pay dearly for this. There was a small pause, thankfully, this time, small really was small. "Acquiring it for you now sir, I'll let the men down at the gateway know you're on your way. All three of you."Clicking off the comlink, he passed it back to Zanear with a fiery glare, teeth still gritted in irritation, his thoughts awash with the blood of the object of his ire. "You heard the man, we have an appointment to keep."He grinned, even though his face was unseeable behind the helmet. Well then, lead on! he exclaimed, a humor filled voice filtered through the helmet. Waving his hand towards the checkpoint, he lets Kuar take the lead walking once again next to Arri closely. And before time had even seemed to pass, they reached the first checkpoint. Kuar moved to the front, drawing up self importantly as he could in his filthy garb. He spoke to security in hushed tones, and soon enough the Captain was called over. A brief discussion ensued, and then Kuar was given the nod to move forward. Zanear and Arri moved forward as one, and within minutes they were past the first checkpoint and alone down a walkway. this area had little damage, just a handful of random blaster bolts along the walls. Zanear grinned, remembering the battle here. Oh the irony! he thought to himself. Corey had lost his mind over someone touching his ship, and look where it had gotten him. And now the man who had angered him the most was about to steal said ship. Life surely is stranger than fiction sometimes... |
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Post by Heg'zi A Klask on Feb 12, 2011 14:36:50 GMT -5
Banner stands there fingering the burn wreckage of the locking mechanism.
"Interesting... it is starting to make a bit more sense now."
Another one of his men pipes up.
"Got it Captain, you were right, Kuar did have this place wired. Probably caught lots of dirt on people here."
With a gleeful smile, he leans over and looks into the suite.
"Excellent. Pull the entire memory core and give it to me. I want you three to stay here and toss the place, bring me anything that looks suspicious. Then plant a series of entry charges around this door and "re-open" it. We had to get in here somehow. Oh, Lieutenant?"
Banner turns to the security officer tasked to these suites.
"This really was not your day."
It does not register with the Lieutenant fast enough, who stands there looking slightly confused before he even attempts to go for his gun. The shot from Banner's blaster catches him square in the jaw, nearly obliterating half of his head. The other two of the local detachment make for their weapons and are similarly gunned down by Banner's team.
Their bodies are secured by the men as Banner goes and frags the security feed for this section of the floor.
"Oh this is too rich... The CEO's assistant, a Telbun for Kuar no less, winds up mixed up with some Falleen... Likely a Black Sun agent... Kuar's Security lets them by without a single mixup, and then they need to break into his quarters... and now all of them have dissapeared..."
He hefts the memory cores in his hand before packing them away in a pouch as he thinks to himself.
"Best these get into the CEO's care... wouldn't want their contents just floating around for anyone to nab"
As he goes about directing his team he comlink goes off.
"Banner... No, I have not been able to reach the Colonel myself... What?! When?! ... Do not alert them, yes go ahead and let them proceed into the section. I will relay the information to Klask immediately... Banner out."
So Kuar and his misguided misfits were poking around bay 0127G... Himself, and two technicians.. one a female and the other masked... an unidentified non-human if the passive sensors are to be believed.
"You, and your two... continue to secure this place as I directed, if anyone other than the CEO, Klask or myself tries to put a foot inside... and I mean ANYONE. turn them into a lingering red mist. Oh, If Kuar himself does manage to show back up here, take him into protective custody.
He signals the remainder of his men to move out, in minutes they are en-route to 0127G.
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Post by Heg'zi A Klask on Feb 12, 2011 16:30:14 GMT -5
"I will get you the information to distribute, if you compile a small taskforce to deal with this...unsightly issue. There is much I will need to discuss with others prior to getting you that faux intel." "I know well what the situation is concerning whos loyalty to whom. Ultimately their oathes to the Kuhlvults will be next to useless when it comes to acting on the orders of a superior. Naturally certain tasks can be circumvented, I do not doubt that, but there are ways to passively force the cooperation of others, the brand of a traitor is committing vocational suicide when it means crossing those who keep you fed." She shook her head lightly, loose tendrils of hair falling about her shoulders like liquid shadow. "Just as I have enemies, I also have supporters, however dire the situation might seem. But I am going slightly off track, an outside source...you wish to make a suggestion?"The kuati aristocrat leaned in, placing her chin gently against the back of her interlaced fingers, her words were tinged with double intent. "The imperials perhaps?" Either her pointed comment went completely over his head, or he was doing a simply astounding job of not rising to the occasion. "No, the New Imperials are quite unsuited to the task, and quite frankly anyone of merit from the old Imperium would have like many here would have already become quite set in their adopted services. I was thinking farther afield; Your shadow of late might be a very valuable resource to you. However there is someone I would get in touch with, with your permission of course. The Old Empire utilized him years ago to conduct some snatch and grab for interrogation in the Outer Rim. Very methodical, and his ethics about his jobs is unmatched. Though we may be too far into the Core for him... I will inquire if you wish.The dark haired woman made as if to rise, getting halfway out of her articulated seat before settling herself down again, catching herself as if just remembering something. Yet another deliberate facade. "Oh...and one more thing. I trust your wife is enjoying her vacation, Colonel? A little unorthodox neglecting to take you with her but I suppose you know all too well how we women can be...as do I. A pity, I imagine you could have used the break." An alluringly feral smile beset her lips then, but she said nothing further, standing this time in one fluid moment. "I thank you for your insight. You will have the information shortly."He pales for a moment as the words cross her lips, as pointed as any dagger. He had not expected them to figure it out so quickly, so they had been watching and had been ready to take steps if he had truly held alterior motives... He makes a mental note that when he has an opportunity to thank his friend Admiral Tuulk, he will be sure to point out Tuulks ledgendary sense of overkill. He had expected a much less weighty response the the Atrocity. He catches himself and lets slide out a wolfish grin of his own, this young slip of a girl is growing on him, he is slightly consoled that he backed the right pod in this race... Even if she is as dangerous as a thermal detonator with a sketchy timer. "Oh I am sure she is quite happy to be away from me, can you believe it, she claims I drive her insane around the house."He snaps off the scrambler, and within a moment the normal functions of the devices in the room return to normal. Almost immediately, his com goes off, he looks at the register and guestures to Khari as he sets it on the desk for her to hear as well as he plays the message from Banner. "Our quarry is under survelance, they are accompanied by Kuar himself and are tryign to sneak into the hanger. Banner out."The Colonel looks over to Khari... "Now that is unexpected" |
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