"There is a remedy for everything; it is called Death." -- Italian Proverb

The Misadventures of Hrrsk and Minn

"You shouldn't have done that."
(Hrrsk, Minn, Etzio)

     The Helios Rain had no sooner touched down on Sarapin before its crew split up, each group running off to complete part of the plan. Minn, "posing" as the daughter of an Imperial Senator (And Hrrsk as her bodyguard), managed to convince a security agent of her pressing need to be transported to the Zubaestra Estate--to which he immediately complied. After Hrrsk scared away the nosy agent, Minn began slicing into the pyramid.

     Minn was spotted slicing into the pyramid.

     Hrrsk positioned himself such that any security running towards the girl would enter his kill-zone. Complications were met, ensued, and overcome. Bloody and smiling, Hrrsk entered the pyramid with Minn--the wrong part, they found out later. After failing to enter without tripping the security, the guards rushed the two trespassers, destroying Minn's computer with a lucky hit. Unfazed that her computer had just taken what might have been a fatal blow for her, she was furious and where killing people who were only doing their job made her pause, she was left with no such compunctions over this. Hrrsk unloaded his massive blaster into the crowd, mutilating and scarring the walls and the bodies. Running further into the building while Hrrsk covered the doorway, Minn found a security terminal--but before she could commandeer it to her cause, the miracle-techie was faced with two guards that had rounded the corner. She fed their preconceptions, faking tears and warning them of a monster at the entrance, following silently behind them and assisting The Trandoshan's bloodfrenzy. Once the coast was relatively clear, she made her way back to the terminal, discovering they were in the wrong section of the pyramid.

In that moment, her comm buzzed to life, Etzio whispering, asking for assistance in hacking a computer system. Put-out and in no mood, Minn helped as best she could, trying to talk Etzio through triggering the emergency protocol's of the ISB ship he was making his escape from--which was no small task, since Hrrsk's terrifyingly joyous shouts made her strain to hear the ex-Imperial. With no way to directly help the rest of the crew, Hrrsk and Minn resolved to try and draw the guards away from the main building, making it easier for the rest of the crew to finish the job. If complications were met, they would ensue and be overcome.

     There was nothing left for it but to wait and see how just sideways this whole job could go.

Mission: Implausible

"I'm something you don't understand. . . and should fear."

(Etzio, Ae, Minn, Ruby and Trance)

     The Helios Rain had no sooner touched down on Sarapin before its crew split up, each group running off to complete part of the plan. Etzio, having falsely warned his former comrades of an attempt on the Emperor's life (by himself) sought a means of tying up the planet's security forces with the Emperor's protection rather than that of the Imperial Senators. After allowing himself to be captured he found himself face-to-face with his protege, Baris Quorr, who proved to be a formidable adversary. After intense and bloody torture Etzio broke--if only a little. He pulled on the Darkside, causing the seed of fear and paranoia omnipresent in an Imperial Agent to blossom in Baris--Baris, who experienced a lack of power he'd never known before. Etzio admitted out loud(more to himself than anyone else) what he was, and Baris was stunned. The Officer drew his sidearm and leveled it at the nascent Force-User, stammering about his reports, telling himself that Etzio fought back and would have to be put down.

      Etzio's voice was The Force, and when he spoke Baris obeyed. Baris dropped his weapon and switched places with Etzio, allowing the ex-ISB officer to make his escape--but not before donning his ISB disguise and attempting to contact Minn for help activating emergency protocols on the ship that would mask his escape (failing, ultimately, and moving on.)

     Etzio made his way past the guards flooding towards the Senatorial Estate, hiding in the expensive underbrush just outside the security perimeter when he spotted Trance wandering nearby. The scoundrel was sneaking around, looking for a way inside as well--but being a non-human, wasn't exactly blending in. The long-suffering Imperial yanked him into the hiding spot, and after a spot of bickering and ruminating on a plan found new resolve. He apologized to Trance before shoving him out of hiding, shouting about finding a trespasser and restraining the half-Mirialan on ground; leaning on the hope Trance would figure out the play and follow along. He immensely enjoyed pulling rank again brusquely pushed pass the perimeter guards, pulling rank and his prisoner as he went. One of the guards insisted on escorting the officer and prisoner, Etzio bit back on the acidic diatribe already forming in his mouth and grudgingly decided not to push his luck.

     They entered an artificial forest, bestrewn with expensive ferns, trees, bushes and plants--just one of which could feed the whole lower district of the city sector. The structure in the center of the dense not-wood was crystalline, and shapes could be made out through the not-quite-opaque walls. Ae and the Captain strode out of the room with calm purpose, confidence. The Ex-Officer, the escort and his 'prisoner' exchanged surprised looks and with  practiced, fluid motions Trance ducked while Etzio pistol-whipped the unfortunate guard.

Chitty-Chitty-Death-Bang

"I wanted it to be just like last time, so I brought you a friend!"

(Ae, Ruby, Trance)

      The Helios Rain had no sooner touched down on Sarapin before its crew split up, each group running off to complete part of the plan. Captain Ruby Altair of the Helios-Rain found herself helping load supplies into a lift with Ae and Trance for two reasons: First and foremost, she was concerned for Ae's well-being; This wasn't a normal job, they were going to help her kill her parents. Secondly, She didn't trust Trance--which it turns out was a good call. When the lift began to go higher and higher into the docking rigs, Trance admitted he'd been less than genuine when he said he'd help, as he had a plan of his own--you see, a former client of his was a security director for the sector and Trance MIGHT have said he was going to stop by, and he might have POSSIBLY implied he'd be bringing friends of his. 

      Despite his insistence that killing this man would help slow response times for the district--especially since these parties of his were private and no one would know where he was once he'd been missed--Ae and Ruby were of course none-too-pleased with this turn of events. Before Ae's threats could be realized, the lift opened up and the group found themselves in a glided luxury vessel. The concierge, recognizing Trance by his description, ushered the group into a room where they were welcomed by Dono Varsin, the marked man. The guests surrounded the group and admired the 'stock' Dono had secured. While the Security Director took Trance in arm and walked him over to the far end of the hall--Trance having attempted to get the man alone so he could finish his task--the floor was taken out from under him.

      A year ago he promised he'd free his friend Mazon from bondage but he'd never been able to--he couldn't leave the crew, he told himself. They needed him--HE needed them. They'd find Mazon again some day and he'd make good on all his promises--all these things were air. They were the wasted words of a child at prayer. He failed, again; the one thing he seemed to be good at. Mazon lay on the bed, drugged to the gills with Glitterstim.

     It was at this moment that Ae grew tired of the charade and snapped the arm reaching for her hood, throwing the man against a far wall and running him through. The Captain drew her sword and snapped down into a defensive position, forcing half of the room to go through her to get to Ae. Their blades both danced through the crimson ribbons and gleamed in the pale light as they found purchase in the fleshy bodies of the revelers. It was fluid; art in motion--Each slash a brushstroke and each scream a song.

     Trance's mind was racing; he was thousands of miles away from this bloodbath, in some place filled with memories full of tears and sighs. The screams brought him back. He dove across the bed and pulled Mazon down on the other side, stowing him safely from the chaos that had erupted. He stood and drew before Dono had the sense to turn around--and when he saw the Director's face vacillating between horror and shock, the scoundrel smiled(the real smile, the small one).Trance never had an easier time pulling the trigger. 

     The group split up, Ae and Ruby glaring daggers at Trance as they went their separate ways--He couldn't leave Mazon, not yet. But he knew how to make it right. Calling on all his ability he bobbed and weaved through the city streets, cringing at shadows and panicked like he'd not been in a long time. He reached the Black Sun front disguised as a restaurant (blessedly empty) and caught the Mistress' attention--no names were exchanged, names were dangerous. He shoved the datapad with access to all his accounts into the woman's hand and pleaded with her to see Mazon safely to Corso--there was no safer place in the Galaxy for a slave than under Corso's protection.

The Rest is Silence

"Just do what you always did, Father. Nothing."

(Ae, Ruby)

     To say Ae strode into the Zubaestra family manse would be an understatement: she waltzed. Guards parted for her upon recognition--even years away from them all, the fear she burned into their minds proved potent. She and Ruby marched to her destiny with confidence, entering the Not-Wood (just as expensive and cold as she remembered) to find her mother, Senator Zubaestra, waiting for her. They exchanged "pleasantries"--cold, calculated words in jagged cut-glass tones meant to lacerate just under the surface of their civility. Ruby was taken aback by the combined sickening opulence of their surroundings and what she was overhearing from where she stood, respectfully behind Ae but close enough that she was an undeniable presence. That a family like this could exist was sickening. The Senator motioned for them to follow, if she knew why they'd come she'd risen marvelously above it. 

    They found themselves in a crystalline room , replete with sound dampeners and the odd light-bending effect that permeated the manse. The Senator played the disappointed parent, mocking Ae for what she perceived as failures--failing to succeed her as Senator, failing to have the ambition to take over the family's buisness holdings, but most of all, for failing to kill one simple school-teacher--and that ran through previously unshakable Ae. Failing to kill the mark that was sent to her--and to compound her shame, falling in love with him? Producing some common child? No, the Senator saw Ae as beyond redemption--which was just as well, since Ae didn't want or need it. The woman was unrepentant, so she would die. Ae pulled her slug-thrower from its holster and without ceremony struck her mother down, a crack of thunder and a soft thud. She didn't blink.

     She walked over to where her father sat, tubes running in and out of his fetid body, dead but for the medical marvels grafted onto him. She murmured something to herself, softly, switched off the power and walked out of the room, Ruby in tow. She didn't blink.

Exerunt

". . . Is that an order?"

"When I was nineteen I watched my whole crew--my FAMILY--die around me. It won't happen to another girl."

     They almost didn't make it out of orbit.

     Captain Ruby Altair of the Helios-Rain and her First-Mate understand the fatal flaw of the Imperial Navy is its lack of imagination, which is why very often it seems the most suicidal course of action is the best one. The legions and fleets were forming up, and using it as cover, the ship piloted and pivoted, bobbed and weaved through the gaps, masking their heat signature by cutting as close as possible next to their pursuers--who, thankfully, didn't no what they were pursuing yet. By the time the radar station onboard The Desecrator noticed a ship breaking formation, The Helios-Rain was entering the hyperspace lane. The day was won.

      Later on, Captain Ruby found Ae alone and broached the subject of Ae's daughter still being aboard the ship. The newly unburden bodyguard expressed disinterest at the idea of being without her daughter--just because her mother was dead didn't mean her daughter was no longer hunted. The ship was the safest place in the galaxy for her. Ruby offered her home on Corellia, her parents would look after the child--They could return whenever Ae needed to see the girl again. The other girl was incredulous at that prospect, pointing out just how ridiculous and exhausting that would be. The Captain fixed Ae with a hard look and confessed the truth of her feelings on the matter, that she watched her family die around her--she watched a 15 year old girl die for HER.

She wouldn't allow it something like that to happen to another person. Though the situation was tabled for now, it would prove to be a point of friction in the future.