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[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael had been out of prison for a little bit now. He had heard that there was a new group of acolytes were making headways. Even Vossari had acquired an acolyte in his absence. He was falling behind further than he could've anticipated. His first order of business was reclaiming his lightsabers, it felt like everything began falling apart when he lost them.

He sat in a dive bar on Umbara. It was one that many Sith frequented so it was known amongst the acolytes. He scrolled through the students academy profile. Specialized in technomancy, 79 Average across the board, Multiple reported absences this week and its only Wednesday, Good enough. He sent a message to the acolyte telling him to meet him at the bar.

His plan was simple use the codes Azar had given him to waltz right through the security. Set up this technomancer on the mainframe and let him get to work. Then enter the vault and clean it out. He just needed to figure out one thing. What was the transportation that they would use? As he pondered he came up with a brilliant idea, there was a certain Sith Master that was smitten with Azar. If he said that Darth Arcanos had requested him to help Trael on a mission of grave importance he'd dive head first into the fire.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor had been in the middle of reading “Dreadful Abominations and How to Avoid Them.” For his Spawnology 304 class when his phone lit up. Wow, Connor’s name was really moving around now. Before he was hitting up other Acolytes to run jobs and scams. Now? He had his line hit by two different Champions. Oh how times were a changin!

He ready the message silently to himself before getting up and getting some clothes on. He knew the meet up spot, it was a dive bar he frequented. He’d brought in all kinds of scum to the place, the owner and bar staff liked him well enough now. It was home away from home when he was away from that home.

Connor got to the bar in about an hour. Plucked out a cigarra and lit it with his pointer finger. Arak teaching him that trick was so fucking cool. He slid onto a stool and looked around at the crowded place. “Aye yo, Kirsty!” Connor called as he flagged down the Umbaran bar waitress. “I’m supposed to be meeting someone for a job. Some dude named Trael, you seen him?” He asked. “Pour us a pair of shots for when he shows, gotta toast the job before we go.”

“You mean get sloppy before it starts, don’t you?” She replied as he rolled her eyes then turned to get the shots ready.

He shrugged in reply. “Maybe…”

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael sat at the bar for an hour. He had ordered a couple glasses of water just to pass the time. He even paid the bartender to let him be. If he didn’t understand that the classes were still going he’d be highly annoyed, luckily being a teacher at the academy once upon a time gave him this insight. He was freezing and unfreezing the water in his glass out of boredom.

As he was about to go find the acolyte he felt the Force answer someone’s call behind him. He didn’t budge and just defrosted the water and took a drink. He listened as the newcomer mentioned being here to meet him. He seemed close to the bartender which meant he must've been a regular.

He turned to look over the acolyte. A missing arm already? That's interesting. The metallic hand sticking out of the sleeve gave it away. "How do you know Champion Trael?" He asked his voice laced with false curiosity. He didn't care if the newer gen knew him from before he went to prison. But it wouldn't be a bad thing if they did.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor heard someone call out, asking how he knew Champion Trael. Honestly? He didn’t. The dude reached out to hire him for a job. Nash had brought him up a few times as one of the dudes who saved her. So he figured the dude had to be decent at least.

“Saved someone important to me when she was a kid.” He replied. “Gave her a piece of Kyber too.” He continued. “She looks up to him, so he has to be somewhat of a good guy.” Connor’s ears flicked. “Then again, if you’re hiring me…can’t be all good.” He gave a shrug.

“What’s it to ya?”

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael wasn’t sure what answer he expected when he asked the acolyte what he knew of him. The only thing that seemed odd about his story what the fact it was about a she. From what he could remember Azar and Trael had saved a Twi’lek boy. But the story was too similar to just be a coincidence. When he mentioned that she looked up to him it practically confirmed the story in his mind.

“From what I remember she was a he.” He mused aloud, a distant look as the trip played through his mind. “It seems that trip revealed something to both of us.” He said with the hint of a smile forming. The bartender set down the shots in front of Connor and Trael pulled one to him with the Force and downed it. “Alright Maser Dalon is waiting for us.” He said standing up and walking towards the exit.

He lead him to the hangars where Dalon was waiting by his new and much nicer ship. Trael gave a respectful bow to the Sith Master, “Thank you for your assistance Master Dalon.” He stated bluntly. He motioned for Connor to go up the ramp as he just walked past Dalon and took a seat.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

”Yeaaaah, that’s a long story.” Connor replied when Trael mused about Nash being a dude. “But trust me…she’s a she.” He offered with a shrug.

When Trael tugged his shot over and took it Connor was right behind him. The burn of the cheap whiskey felt good. It put the fire back into his veins and made his mind feel less foggy. He knew the fact the drink made him feel that way was a problem. But it wasn’t a problem he’d have to deal with today.

Connor was about to start asking questions when Trael said the dreaded words. Master Dalon. “Woah woah woah woah woah!” Connor practically shouted. “Pump the breaks here.” He continued. “We can’t meet with him!” His voice was panicked. “That dude will kill me, I may have borrowed his ship without returning it…or permission.” Connor muttered the last pair of words as he followed Trael.

Connor would spend the trip trying to get Trael to stop. He gave explanations. He tried flattery. He offered him free spice. Even to go fetch him rare artifacts. Anything to not have to face Dalon and potentially get murked. But it didn’t work and they still arrived at the hangar.

Fuck.

“Afternoon Master Dalon…” Connor muttered. He knew Dalon likely knew who stole his ship by now. “I uh…gotta return some of your things here soon. You want the Master Karys voodoo doll back?” He asked sheepishly before scuttling by and into the new ship.

“Bro, he’s gonna fucking kill me.” He whispered to Trael shortly before Dalon followed them in. “What do I do?”

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael listened as he explained it was a long story and that he was actually a she and to trust him. His eyes narrowed slightly at the last bit. But instead of inquiring about something he didn’t quite want to figure out he just shrugged.

When Connor first started to panic telling him they couldn’t meet Dalon he ignored him. It wasn’t till he mentioned that Dalon would kill him he sighed, “I highly doubt that he would kill you.” He said unamused. “I heard of that from some acolytes. Luckily none of the acolytes respect or like Dalon. You’ll be fine.” He said as he continued on.

Connor desperately tried any and everything to stop Trael. Nothing was enticed Trael to stop or even consider doing so. He just simply kept walking as the acloyte pleaded him to stop.

Trael had made his introduction to Dalon when he heard the acolyte literally snitch on himself. Trael just blinked at him as he finished. Is this generation more hopeless than I was? He looked at Dalon to see the rage boiling in his eyes as he went to turn around and attack the acolyte. “Hey, Dalon.” He said getting the Zabraks attending before waving his hand infront of him, “He said nothing.” He sternly said as he mind tricked the mentally weak man. “He said nothing.” Dalon repeated as Trael let out a sigh.

When he caught up to Connor inside he glared down at him, “You should learn to let your opponents reveal what they know before you snitch on yourself.” He offered what should’ve been known to a Sith. “Simple you don’t give him a reason to kill you.” He said bluntly to Connor. He took a seat as Dalon went and got the ship taking off and into hyperspace.

“You specialize in technomancy I read. Is it something that comes naturally or did you practice it.” He asked the acolyte trying to get a feel for his proficiency. Dalon joined them shortly plopping down on the couch before looking to Trael, “I’ve mastered form V. Your advice about focusing djem so instead of hybridizing both versions of form V was right.” Dalon explained. Trael had been the saber instructor when Dalon was still an acolyte and was the one who suggested he focus on his physical strength for dueling.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor watched as Trael protected him. Why would he do that? Connor’s ears dipped and he took a steadying breath. He didn’t say anything even as Trael chastised him for outing himself like that. He was right, Connor fucked up. He’d been doing that a lot lately.

“Yeah…it won’t happen again.” He muttered as he plopped down next to Trael.

Connor listened as Trael asked about his technomancy. The answer to that was a mix of both. But Connor took a second to reply.

“It came naturally at first.” Connor started. “But I had to practice it to be able to slip in and out of machines as quick as I can.” He explained. “So a bit of both, I guess.” He shrugged.

Then Dalon came back and plopped down to talk to Trael. His dumb voice rumbled like a stupid avalanche down Idiot Mountain. He talked about how he’d mastered one part of Form V. That interested Connor.

“Like mastered-mastered? Or just mastered?” Connor asked looking to Dalon.

Once Dalon had answered his questions, Connor would look to Trael. “So what’s the plan? What’re we hunting?”

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael looked over to Connor as he plopped down talking about it won’t happen again. He shook his head at him, “That’s a lie even you don’t mean it to be.” He stated, “You’re going to make mistakes until you learn from them.” He shrugged, “Everyone does.” He said partially trailing off.

Trael nodded along to Connor’s explanation taking in his words. Though his idea was slightly flawed, “Honing your natural talents doesn’t mean you got them through practice.” He bluntly stated, “For instance I’ve become a rather decent duelist from training with my sabers extensively.” He explained, “But when I started I could barely hold one. On the opposite end I’ve always been able to manipulate fire without needing training really, but through training I’ve gotten said natural talent to a higher degree.” He stated, hoping he was able to be followed.

When Connor began to ask his questions about Dalon’s saber mastery Trael just stayed quiet. “I’ve mastered it to a higher degree than anyone else.” Dalon blundered out.

Trael looked over to Connor as he asked the plan. He thought for a second what to tell the acolyte, “Me and Dalon will stay on the ship while you go in a steal a vault in the Crimson Dawn space station.” He said his face emotionless. “You’re going to be grabbing any artifacts, lightsabers, kyber crystals that you can find.” He continued, “Unless you have a better plan?” This wasn’t even remotely the actual plan. Trael was just curious of how the acolyte would react and if he’d have the gut to tell both a champion and master they were wrong a counter proposal.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor’s brows furrowed as he thought about what Trael had said. He hadn’t been learning from his mistakes at all. Was that why he was in his current position? Was that why outside his one trick he was the weakest of his squad? He swallowed hard. His friends were leaving him behind and he was realizing it was his fault. He did this to himself.

When Trael corrected him on natural talent v practiced skill, Connor nodded along. This guy clearly knew what he was talking about. There was a confidence and assurance about him that drew Connor in. “Then my Technomancy is natural talent.” Connor corrected. “I can use it but even I don’t really understand how it works.” He explained. “I just…can.” He offered with a shrug.

Then Dalon addressed his question. He was the master of that form? The best in the whole order? If a single cell organism like Dalon could achieve that, then surely he could too, right?

“Cool.” Connor replied to Dalon.

However, when Trael told Connor his plan, Connor’s ears pinned back in disbelief. “You’re fucking kidding me right?” He replied. “You just said you can heat shit up like that.” Connor spat, snapping his fingers for effect. His emotions ran high and a spark of flame jumped briefly to life in response to what Connor felt. “And he’s the master of Form V.” Connor nodded towards Dalon. “But you send the guy in who when he uses his shit goes blind and deaf, alone?” He asked. “Well, good luck on the mission. Because I’m fucking dead in that case.” Connor was fuming and he look a second to look between the pair of them.

His mind started assessing the situation. It ran through what they needed to do and how. His emotions were high and he was still raw and untrained. The chances of an emotional flare up and outburst was real and Connor was struggling to calm himself.

“If that’s your plan it’s trash and trashed, here’s what we’re doing instead.” Connor stated still irritated. “Big man here is taking point and pasting anything that looks at us the wrong way.” He said pointing to Dalon. “You take this.” Connor tossed his carbine and a few reloads to Trael. “You pop anything that comes in from the rear.” He continued. “And I’ll slice or slip into anything we need to get by, plus I have my pistol, so I can help cover our rear.” He said with a huff. “Better than your Akk shit plan.” Connor muttered as he shook his head.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael nodded along as Connor seemed to piece together his explanation. He gave him a curious look as he mentioned not knowing how he did his technomancy stuff. “You’ve become know as one of the only specialized users of it and don’t understand how it works?” He said with a light chuckle as he couldn’t keep his emotionless look after that revelation. “Maybe with some training in the Force and how to sense and use it you’ll piece that together.” He offered with a shrug, unsure if that was at all true or not.

He watched as Connor started to get upset over his ‘plan’ and began to go off on a tantrum. The only thing that was useful in it was the knowledge that when he used his abilities he became practically a potato. That was something Trael would keep in mind. Like he assumed the acolyte would give Trael useful information without even needing to be asked or even realizing it just by his emotions being goaded. The plan was intentionally awful, he wanted to see how Connor would react, and Connor showed that he didn’t have his emotions under control.

When Connor began explaining his plan to the two Sith, Trael sat there quietly taking in the plan and using it to assess his thought process. Dalon was simply nodding along dumbly his face bright and lit up at the idea of pasting people, he knew Trael had a plan but his didn’t allow him to paste people freely.

When Connor finished laying out his plan Trael simply cleared his throat, “If this was three years ago, I’d say your plan was perfect.” He said bluntly remembering how he himself went for the more direct approach more likely than not, “First question, how are we getting on the station?” He asked, “Secondly, what’s the plan on the Force Users that are employed by Crimson Dawn?” He followed up, “Thirdly, what if the security protocols are too heavy for you to breach? This is their main headquarters.” He said lastly, he could’ve grilled his plan but he’d rather see if the acolyte could make a proper one first. Though Connor did fail to ask any questions or try to gather more information from him or Dalon who had set up the mission.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

”Yeah and maybe if the Academy Instructors weren’t so fucking bad at their jobs I’d get it by now.” Connor huffed in reply.

After his tirade, Connor tried to settle back down. Doubly so when he saw Dalon’s stupid smile and excited expression. Trael didn’t need to tell him he was wrong, Dopey’s agreement was all he needed to see to know that. Connor leaned back in his seat and tried his best to listen to Trael, he chewed the inside of his lip and reevaluated.

Why was he like this now? Why was he overlooking stuff he normally would have caught? He was better than this and he knew it. He took a calming breath and his ears unpinned themselves, Connor tried his best to relax.

“Do you have landing codes?” Connor asked. “If not, I can create some false codes that might be good for a few hours. Long enough for an in and out job.” He offered, his green eyes flicking back and forth as his mind went into overdrive. “When it comes to Force Users, we need a way to either smother our presences or overwhelm their senses.” Connor continued remembering a lesson from one of the few classes he didn’t skip. “Finally, if security is heavy we alter the plan. We get me into a security mainframe and I’ll flip the measures onto them while you nab the loot.” He stated as his final answer.

Connor knew they weren’t perfect but it was better than his initial plan. There were holes that needed to be filled but those could be done on the fly. Right now, Connor just didn’t want to die.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael waited after giving his three counter points to Connor’s masterful plan. He was curious how he would reply to each one and how he could alter his plans to integrate new information. “We have landing codes.” He replied, “Although if we used a dummy code it could prevent the one we have from being potentially recognized or found out.” He mused as Connor mentioned making a code. He simply took in his mention of trying to throw off the force users. Good he paid attention to some classes at least. He then mentioned how he could adjust for heavy security, by linking into the mainframe. “Well it seems you can think of a proper plan when allowed time to think.” He said casually before stretching his back.

He looked over Dalon and nodded as he stood up, “Your plan isn’t too dissimilar from the actual plan so kudos.” He said, “Either using a fake code or the one we have we’re going to land in the hangar bay.” He explained, “Our cover..” He said handing Connor a datapad, “Is an operative and his partner. I’ll be known as a Force user and you are simply a slicer.” He continued, “We are doing a routine check on the security system due to a previous incident that caused the vault to be broken into. Once we are at the mainframe you’ll lock in and completely take over or shut down the security systems unlocking the vault.” He stated, “Once you do that we’ll go in grab what we came for and leave. If anything goes wrong we’ll have Dalon to clear the way back to the ship.” He finished.

He walked over and got a beer from Dalon’s fridge, “Any objections or requested modifications to the plan?” He asked as he walked back handing Connor a beer. Dalon headed into the cockpit checking the route and their eta.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor listened to Trael, he could draw up dummy codes using the actual code as a baseline. It would take some time but he could get it done, he was confident in that. He listened to Trael’s plan and then steadily rise his hand.

“Yeah, outright calling me a slicer is gonna draw heat once I’m in.” He said. “Saying I’m a systems security expert or something is better.” He continued. “If someone comes in and spots me, I can always fall back on that cover and say I’m trying to recover control of the systems.” Connor offered with a shrug.

After the meeting came to a close Connor would actually ask Dalon to use his data terminal. And then he told Dalon that he’d need to come up with a better password than 1111. He’d suggest asking Trael to help him with it, at least then slicing his accounts would be a little more sporting!

Once he was on Dalon’s terminal he’d pop his EarPods in, cut on a song, and began designing a dummy code. Connor used the actual landing code’s baseline for his new code, it gave it a safety net and cut down on the time he’d need to draw it up. He ended up breezing through the landing code and checked his chrono. He still had time to work on access codes as well. So Connor used the rest of the trip to draw up a pair of access codes that could bypass security checks. It’d make life a little easier for Dalon and Trael if things went tits up.

Once the claxxons telling the trio that they were leaving hyperspace went off, Connor gathered up his creations and moved to the cockpit. He took the copilot seat and tossed Trael the dummy landing code to send through.

“It’ll work, trust me.” He told him. “I got you two a present too, I’ll explain once we touch down.” He continued, his ears peeking with pride. For now he focused on helping Trael settle the ship in.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael shrugged at Connor’s disapproval of the slicer part, “Probably so, I figured a criminal organization wouldn’t care as much on specifics.” He stated as he took the datapad and did some quick editing of the covers information. He handed it back to Connor, “Alright Systems Security Expert, welcome aboard the fuck up crew.” He said before finishing the meeting.

As Connor went to work on the code Trael and Dalon spared. For the most part the two Sith were relatively evenly matched. Traels form X being a dueling centric hybrid form aided in keeping up with the unending onslaught of Dalons master form V. Though Dalon won out in the end it was through an error on Traels part, he overextended a block on a feint leaving him open to the true attack from Dalon.

Trael was already in the cockpit when the ship lurched out of hyperspace. Connor shortly joined him and handed him the dummy code. Trael implanted the code into the computer and made his way into the hangar. Once they landed he got up and went into the main room where Dalon was waiting, when Connor joined them he lowered the ramp and lead the way to the welcoming party. “Your landing code hasn’t been used at this facility. State your business quickly.” The leader of the party said with a domineering tone. The two guards that flanked him, tightened their grip on their weapons. Trael pulled out the datapad handing it to the leader, “Impromptu security inspection. It would be too noticeable if we used a known code.” Trael stated in a professional no nonsense tone, “You will escort my associate here to your security mainframe. While me and my other associate will be taken to the vault.” He explained slowly, “We will be inspecting your sensors to see if they are all working and how easy it is to get in and out.” He stated as he watched the other trios reactions.

The leader held a snobby look the whole time, while the other two were practically shitting their pants. After his explanation the leader sneered at Trael, “And what gives you that authority?” Trael’s yellow cracks began to flow as his anger boiled over. The trio all began to choke as the leader slid to Trael, “The briefing on the datapad you’re holding, unless you want me to find another to show help me with my task.” He hissed at the leader. He released them shortly and the trio quickly went about their tasks that Trael had requested, one of the guards escorting Connor to the security room, while the other two escorted Trael and Dalon to the vault.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor felt himself relax a little when Trael handed him his altered identity. If there was one thing Connor knew, it was crime and the gangs that ran it, titles mattered. A slicer could be a threat. A security expert? That was an ally.

As Dalon and Connor followed Trael out into the station, Connor glanced to the massive Zabrak. He pulled a cigarra out of his pack and tapped his arm before gesturing for a lighter. Dalon gazed at him for a moment, blinked stupidly, then seemed to catch on. The Zabrak leaned over and ignited Connor’s cigarette with the end of his finger. It wasn’t what he meant, but it got the job done.

“Neat trick. You’ll have to teach me that.” Connor told Dalon, acting like he’d never seen Pyrokinesis before.

Connor smoked quietly while Trael dealt with the security expert. He didn’t interrupt or try to help out, that wasn’t his deal as the slicer. He was there to ensure they got in and got out smoothly, that’s it.

When the security forces while caved and led Connor to the security room, he got to work. He accessed cameras and security systems, including the repurposed battle droids. He’d have them on standby to open fire on targets he’d marked as hostile. Hopefully, they wouldn’t need it though.

It was really up to Trael and Dalon now though.

@Javier esschoolbus