Angels We Have Heard On High

[Sterling Malory Archer]

As Caden got his partner’s telepathic message, he could not help but to sigh a little. Poisons and toxins were subtle, but he swore on the force if the idiot captain had an allergic reaction to it and died he would have her head. Thumbing his com and speaking into it through his mask, Caden continues to walk. “I am finishing up with the Troopers now. Ill be along shortly to brief you on our missions status. Try not to have too much fun without me.” Hoping his message was cryptic enough that she would understand whilst the captain remained clueless, the Hybrid stalked up towards the Bridge. As the Turbolift doors shut back closed behind him, Caden waved down the Executive Officer.

“Lieutenant, Status report. I take it we have changed course as I ordered?” The Lieutenant, a sharp featured man with a funny little mustache, turned and snapped to attention. “Yes My Lord. Although I was surprised when I was given the order by a member of my own Trooper corps. Tell me, why have we moved the ship into range of a sensor glitch.” The words sounded professionally accusing, almost as if the man were patronizing Caden due to his age. Caden, despite the urge to strangle the man out of principle, instead stifled his anger and approached the Holotable in the center of the command deck. “This, My good Lieutenant, is the point.”

The Hybrid waved his hands over the console, bringing it to life and zooming in on the sensor glitch. The press of a button replaced the digital overlay with live view feed from the outboard sensors. “Tell me. When is the last time sensor fog occupied a crater on an asteroid? Or perhaps you have never seen it before.” Zooming in on the image and smiling coldly, Caden simply gestured to the screen. “So tell me, does that appear to be Sensor Fog to you? Or perhaps we should just float on by.” In the center of the crater, colored the same steel grey of the asteroid, was a small base with a ship docked on it. “Those are your Pirates, Lieutenant. Ill stake my life on it. In fact, I will lead the boarding party myself. However, First I must speak with your captain.”

The sound of a turbolift opening trumpeted the arrival of Caden’s new favorite Trooper. “Ah, Sergeant Pitra. Impeccable timing. We have located the Pirate Base of Operations. I want you to send a squadron of fighters to disable their ship. However, that is it. Leave the rest of the base intact. I will be down to the Hanger bay soon enough, and I want a Squad of your finest Troopers ready aboard my shuttle. We will be boarding the Base and cleaning it out. Then, we will drain their databanks and destroy the base. Am I understood?” The Seargent gave a quick salute and an "Aye Aye, My lord" before spinning on his heel and entering the turbolift.

A few moments after the Sergeant left, Caden followed suite. Entering the Turbolift, he took the long route towards the Captain’s quarters. He did not need a guide for this trip, as he could feel the power of the force thrumming in his companion as easily as a nexu scented its prey. As he made his way, he could only hope she had not started the party without him.

 

[Mistress]

The Captain lead her to her quarters, stopping at his own along the way. He rose his left hand up to a scanner to unlock the door. This action aslo disarmed a security system, she came to this conclusion by the sounds that were emitted by the door itself and the many markings on the panel.

Once he stepped inside he offered her to follow him. She discretely took in every detail. "My, my. Isn't this luxurious!" she exclaimed, giving herself an acceptable excuse to gawk and be intrusive, as she diligently ran her fingers over his artifacts, feeling out for the ones that held his signature, ones which he would touch often. These might be things that were triggers to something hidden, like a safe, or a concealed door. And out of everything, there were a few. He pridefully watched her fascination over his extensive collection, blind to the trap she was setting. He lead her to a large sculpture; and she noticed that he did not lay a hand upon it. "It's my lady love, the Goddess of temptation." Xotomi let out a flirty gasp, "I see," she exclaimed. But there was something rather peculiar about it. It emitted a low frequency hum, however subtle, but she is certain it is there. "Now, this is quite something you have here!" His deception flowed through him like a cold shock wave. She concluded that this sculpture may very well be a turret, a coward's armory. Xotomi spear handed him in his esophagus...only in her mind! She can't wait until his dinner. She'll find much gratification in being his undoing.

Once the Captain had finally lead her to her quarters Xotomi requested to be left alone for only a short time claiming the desire for time to refresh. She could feel that Caden was on his way to speak to her.

She started inspecting the plant life, the bark, rosin, pollen, crinkling the leaves and taking in their scent. Her eyes lit with delight. 'Yes. They will do just fine.'

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Caden took a deep breath in as he walked the final distance to Xotomi’s quarters, savoring the metallic smell of the star destroyer around them. Most people preferred flowers, nature. Not Caden, give him cold filtered air any day of the week. The Acolyte didn’t even bother to announce himself as he entered his partner’s room, just quietly stepping inside and leaning against one of the walls. “Cozy. I hope you are enjoying your time with our gracious host…” The Hybrid smiled coldly under his mask, his emotions of quiet disdain for the man simmering near the surface. However, rather than dwell on the issue he simply waved his hand back and forth dismissively.

“In any case… We are on course for the Pirate Stronghold. We should be there within the hour. I do hope that will be enough time to break the Captain, as I made a promise to lead the boarding team by myself. “ Caden’s Sulfurous eyes wandered towards Xotomi, his face drawn into tight lines as though he were deep in thought.

 

[Mistress]

As her counterpart invited himself into her room, Xotomi was expecting him. She could sense him and his typical Sith gentlemanly persona upon his approach, but certainly she hadn't expected him to barge in as he had. Her eyes immediately narrowed at him with disdain as she raised a brow in chastisement. "Welcome," she said regardless.

She was on the other hand quick to toss back her head in laughter at his curious remark about her getting on with the Captain. "My. My. Do I see daggers?" She approached him, standing close. "My fun for the evening is already planned out. And I enjoy any man who hands me his own life, as did our new mutual friend. Why, I await his presentation of a Silver Platter." Xotomi raised up on her tiptoes to meet him. "But are you not jealous? Doing all this hard work..." She laughed again. "Pirates?! Why you ought just lead them to droid detail and detain them there. Confuse them with a spray of Hydrochloric Acid."

She studied his eyes, wondering though, again landing flat-footed. A curious look overcame her. "What are you hiding?"

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

As Xotomi entered his personal space, Caden simply continued to smile coldly and eye her. If it weren’t for the fact that the two of them were being forced to work together, they most likely would have gotten along swimmingly. “Interesting phrasing… What indeed might I be hiding… We all have secrets, partner… All have ambitions best left in the dark… As for mine…?” Stepping towards her and raising one finger to barely brush her chin Caden shifted past her. His mind began to lock down as he focused intently on the plants, blocking out all other conscious thought. However, a bemused smile tugged at the corners of his eyes. He was clearly enjoying the banter.

“My father taught me an important lesson about dealing with your subordinates… Let them believe you care for them personally and they will do things fear could never accomplish. A wiling meat shield is far more effective than one you must strong arm into position. Im merely covering my bases… Preparing for the worst.” Moving like a silent wraith, Caden once again turned to face her. His Sulfurous eyes remained enigmatic yellow pools, and his eyes smiled even as his mouth was hidden. “Try not to have too much fun… Comrade… And let me know when the fun starts. In the mean time, I shall stay in my quarters. That is… If you don’t mind being all alone with him?”

 

[Mistress]

Xotomi trained her eyes on him first, then turned her head to follow him as he passed. It was entirely difficult to decipher if Caden was warning her about the ship load of traitors on board, or himself. She would have loved to just climb up upon him and read his mind...but he'd most likely resist. That could be an entirely different party. But still, the challenge of him would have proved more entertaining than the actual job of poisoning an average, non-enlightened human being such as the Captain. 'Maybe... Oh yes...' There is a fallback plan, just now in the works, just in case. But certainly, she hopes she won't need to initiate it. Afterall, the challenging types are the most interesting individuals she would rather keep around. "I'm going to go out on a limb here, and just make the assumption that you weren't properly socialized throughout your youth."

But hopefully it was all in her mind, and he wouldn't dare be so deceptive while on a mission for a Darth, a Battlemaster and a Barabel at that! "Meat shield?" She walked towards him a few steps. "You are a Sith. There is no such thing as the need to prepare for the worst. If it gets hot, you raise hell." Xotomi didnt care if she could trust him or not, her guidance was a sincere one. "And I thought the fun has already started," she stated, her eyes piercing. "I have no insecurities about my intentions."

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Caden simply continued to smile at her, hands tightly clasped behind his back as he watched her as one would watch a predator. “I think you forget that despite my appearance… I am not human. In my family, this is just prudent planning and socializing. Besides… Half the fun is getting my hands dirty... So yes, I plan on dealing with the pirate situation directly… And perhaps winning some allies in the process… Who knows? Were the Captain to try something untoward with our vessel… One of my new acquaintances may just speak up. “

Calmly walking past her and back into the ship at large, Caden simply smiled back at her. “Do give the Captain my regards… And let me know before the torture starts. I would very much like to see how you… Work.”

 

[Mistress]

Caden is an intriguing creature, she'll give him that. "What's the other half of the fun?" At least he isn't boring.

"I've pretty much uncovered something that requires further investigation. It may require a bit of time to evaluate. It's so poorly hidden as a matter of fact. He's so ignorant," she stated in reference to the Captain. "Now I'm envious of your freedom out there. Do enjoy yourself." Xotomi would rather be fighting, but Chemistry is quite satisfying regardless of its subtle implementation.

Xotomi is impatient when it comes to her rendering of justice. She has a hair trigger that once pressed, she will not be able to restrain; and she knows it. "I cannot guarantee that; sorry." She cannot promise that she will be physically able to take the time to call on Caden at all. "You'll have the audio of my work at least." Her eyes lit with delight. "But you are right. There is nothing more enjoyable than being present to partake in the fun; is there? Know that it won't be my intention to keep you from it however."

She has work to begin. Xotomi walked towards the basket of plantlife and reached for it. Some requirements were the leaves, hairs, petals, others seeds, pollen, fungus, the sap or juice alone, stalk pulp, the bark, or the roots, tiny mites. She had been a prudent study in Herbalism since her toddlerhood. Everything she chose, had a different requirement, and yet Xotomi drew a small pouch from her pocket, filled with a special concoction that would set the ultimate success of the deed, the Potion Base. All the smells right in front of her, she found them intoxicating, knowing what a powerful gem she had set out in front of her.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

The hybrid strolled out of the room humming softly to him self, one of the small joys he allowed himself. Music, in any form, was his vice. Caden thumbed his Comlink and altered the frequency to contact the bridge. “This is Sith Caden Hec… I am on my way to the bridge to observe the action. Have a terminal prepared for me to observe the battle as well as access to the ship’s work logs. I want to know the maintenance specs on every fighter and shuttle on board before I choose one to take me over to the pirate’s base. Caden out.” His good mood was betrayed by his patient and courteous manner as the hybrid boarded the turbolift which would take him to the Bridge. Sure enough, as he arrived the ship’s Executive Officer had a terminal cleared for him.

As he approached, the man gave a deep bow before leaving the area. At a gesture, the rest of the personnel around the terminal backed away as well. Good, the XO was starting to learn his place on the ship again. Sitting down and activating the terminal, Caden commed the leader of the fighter squadron heading out from the hanger. “Squadron, I want this done cleanly and efficiently. Disable their drives and weapons to leave them floating. They are no good to me dead. Am I understood?” A rousing “Yes Sir!” echoed out through the terminal’s speakers and Caden cut communication. Leaving the feed from the ships in the top right corner, the Sith Acolyte began to bring up the work orders from the timeframe Vereor’s ship was tampered with.

His Sulfuric eyes scanned the work orders and times the hanger was occupied by his ship. It took a while, but eventually Caden found what he had been looking for. A gap existed in the hanger’s security records. Whoever had done it had counted on it not being specifically looked for, as it looked more like a glitch in the system. However, when Caden cross referenced the timeframe of the glitch with the security cams in the Hanger he found… Nothing. The Camera feed was missing, as well as all Audio. While that alone was not incriminating, it was a start. “Bring me a fresh Datapad and prepare a fighter for my Departure. The Maintenance records seem up to date, so any will do. Have Sergeant Pitra’s men prepare the craft personally. I want noone else involved.”

At his behest, the XO walked off to com the proper people to get the order out and another officer handed him a Datapad. Caden plugged the Datapad into his terminal and saved the security records before moving on to crew duties. The wonderful thing about the Empire, everything was kept on record. Sure enough, the Captain’s schedule showed that he was occupied on the bridge, running a training exercise. However… The XO was scheduled for command of the bridge as well. Caden pulled up those security records and found no trace of the Captain on the Bridge. His next step was to check holo records for the area just outside the Hanger. What he found did not surprise him in the slightest.

The Captain could be seen exiting the turbolift outside the hanger just before the security logs went dark. While it wasn’t incriminating… It was Justification enough. However, there was another being with the Captain. An older balding human man with commander insignia and an engineering stripe stood at the Captain’s side. “Ensign.” Caden flagged down a young man standing nearby. “Tell me who this man is.” The Ensign leaned over and eyeballed the screen. “Eh? That’s the Engineering Officer, Commander Kerr. Why do you ask?” Caden simply smiled. “Have him sent to my Quarters. I wish to speak with him right away…” Saving his information and tucking the Datapad into his cloak, Caden simply walked away from the terminal and let it shut down. Oh, this was going to be Delightful.

 

[Mistress]

Xotomi spent her alone time preparing a Veritas Serum. Her interpretation of the Master's orders, were to not attack the Captain through any means which might allude to suspicion and thus in turn alert the media, but to get to the truth and the Captain's personal Datapad. Poisoning has always been a fun means of accomplishing that goal. And yet, the Master also granted her freedom to maim, if deemed appropriate. 'Appropriate' is word peculiar to individual preference. She won't forget that freedom! The Captain already has torture coming to him, because -and no Sith truly requires an agreeable reason,- the Captain did have the gall to touch her hand when she entered onto the ship afterall! Xotomi will always find a loophole to give cause to fun! She found it highly offensive and utterly repulsive to be forced to sense the Captain's presence. It will require an extensive vacation to get his stink off of her! That is her justification!

Caden had stated they would arrive at the Pirate Stronghold within hour, that's all the time she has. Caden will start to head out to investigate, and her Potion will probably not take full effect until ten minutes after its induced. She needed to cast some pretty heavy Incantations without alerting any other Force sensitives around. Her backup plan is the same as it has always been if a Force sensitive becomes alerted to her, that is to tell them she is praying, and to leave her alone!

She withdrew a small pouch from her inner pocket. It held inside a switchblade, and a tiny retractable tripod clamp to hold the small vial of Base, a small burner which she lit with just a snap of her finger. She set the tripod upon the tabletop, uncapped the glass vial and set the Base into the tripod, directly over the flame.

As that warmed, Xotomi first set out to prepare the ingredients with great care; but she was so experienced in this Art, that she was in no way slow going about the task at hand. Everything after its initial prep was required to be ground into a fine paste. She leaned in, inhaled, and reveled in how it smelled just right. It gave her a nice little high, the anticipation. Xotomi eyed the burner, taking in the moment to allow the flames to mesmerize her, up until the point that the Base came to a boil. She animated directly and set the ingredients into the Base noting the time on the wall, which she didn't need to do actually, for her internal clock is finely tuned for this. She counted in the seconds and stirred the concoction with her knife a specific number of times then halted, and repeated the process again and again, careful not to miss a beat. And then it came time to focus her power to her Incantations. Xotomi raised a finger first, to secure the door locks to the room and hold off unexpected visitors. The first Incantation would be to raise a Veil; that should anyone force entrance into the room, they would see nothing at all upon the table. To follow, are those which focus on transforming this physical mixture into a magical tincture.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

As Caden sat in his Quarters, one leg crossed over the other nonchalantly, he did everything in his power not to pace in anticipation. Commander Kerr would be arriving any moment, and appearances were everything. Caden had to look in control in order to push the correct buttons in their conversation. No sooner did he calm his mind than the door suddenly slid open. Commander Kerr stepped into the room with the authority of an admiral. Something about that irritated Caden greatly; however he could not afford personal dislike of the man. Not yet, not until he had what he needed from the being. “Commander, please. Have a seat. I just wanted to address a small discrepancy in the security records with you.”

If the man was nervous, he was doing an amazing job of not showing it. Even in the force, the only thing Caden could gleam from him was stoic resolve. While his instincts said to push, Caden knew this would only cause the man to get desperate and cease talking, and he needed confessions. “Of course My lord. What may I help you with?” The My lord seemed more than a little condescending, and Caden simply smiled in response through the mask. “You see, I have been checking the Holo records for the hanger bay, to insure that maintenance has been properly done on all outgoing craft. However… I have noticed a gap in security records for these dates.” Thumbing the Datapad into life and turning the screen to face Kerr, Caden simply tilted his head quizzically. Oh, what he would give to bottle the man’s expression. For on the datapad was the still image of himself and the Captain entering the Hanger.

“Im sure by now you realize the severity of your Transgressions, and the fact that I already possess the datalogs. However… Doctoring security logs is a much lesser crime than many I can think of. Chief among them Treason… So tell me, Commander. Do you have anything you would Like to tell me?” To his credit, the man remained silent. Even as Caden stood and raised a hand to lock the door to the room. “If I admit to anything, I will be killed.” The man stated flatly, and Caden could not help but to agree with him internally. After all, Lord Vereor’s people weren’t known to be forgiving, and that was by his own Arkanian standards of forgiveness. “If you admitted to treason, yes you would be. However, as I previously stated, doctoring holo logs is a much lesser crime. Especially if it was done under orders.”

As the words finally seemed to dawn on the man, Caden paced around the room like a predator. Now was the time to seem anxious, as the man mulled it over. Through the force, Caden began to sew the seeds of fear in the man’s mind. Fear of death and a thousand worse fates at the hands of the Sith. Turning off the Datapad and tucking it into his belt, he sat down across from the being. “Take your time, Commander. I have a whole Ten Minutes to decide your fate.”

 

[Mistress]

As time progressed the Potion became more and more potent. Xotomi reveled in the power transfer from her words and become instilled into it, transforming the physical into metaphysical. "Splendid." Any of the numerous things that could have gone wrong, had not; and that was superb.

There was a knock at her door. She rose to answer it. "Greetings," offered the crewman, "The Captain will address the media regarding his latest discovery of the Pirate's Hideout." She raised a brow, "Really?" She knew that Caden will have no qualms should she decide to mutilate the scum now; and she does plan on it. She wouldn't be a Sith if she didn't entertain premeditated acts. The crewman who delivered the message, went up onto his toes for a second, fidgeting, and highly amused by what he was charged to say following, "He should like you to meet with him directly afterwards." She nodded, "I'm joyous." Then he abruptly turned in military fashion and left her.

Returning to her Potion, she withdrew a powder from a bag in her cloak pocket and tossed a pinch upon the table. She took a single drop from the Potion and let it drip over the powder, and she studied its Chemical Reaction. It is stable. The timing is going to coincide perfectly with the timeframe which she anticipated before she had even begun. She set the vials aside to cool and within minutes capped them and stashed away the supplies.

She would wait to see how Caden reacts to learning that the Captain is stealing his glory.

 

[Mistress]

Xotomi awaited the return of the Captain from his most recent interview. The last thing she wants is for her face to become publicized, or to appear as his arm candy in any way. In fact it seems a rare phenomenon to the publicity crew, but every time they attempt to draw near her, their cameras grow staticky.

At this time Caden was no doubt finishing up with whatever he had intended, or the Captain would not have returned.

The man's idea of holding a celebratory dinner, was in his private quarters just the two of them. Of course Xotomi had no intention of wasting time with him outside of her business for the Imperium. She permitted him to lead her inside, then as soon as he closed his door behind her, she raised her hand palm up, to his face and blew her potion now in the form of a fine mist, directly into his face. "I think you and I need to have a little talk," she stated with a sneer and a cynical chuckle. "First off," she continued in a tone of much authority, while the Captain's face grimaced as he began to cough wildly, "show me what that thing does." Xotomi lead him over to the strange statue he showed her earlier.

"Wait! You're a Sith?" he asked with an air of shock, once he could finally catch his breath. "But I thought not, because you're so..."

Xotomi merely raised a brow in return. "You were going to finish with pretty; right?" She laughed. "I know!"

Because of the delay in meeting with him, the Potion was much more potent than she originally anticipated. His mental will was rapidly altered by it. She preferred this method over that of tapping into his mind. Some people make her stomach turn so. He would be one of them, so snobbish and flamboyant. And the use of the Potion will assure her success in adding to his confusion and guarantee the inability for the Captain to ever fully comprehend what Xotomi chooses to render upon him next. On top of it, she can thoroughly make him believe what she wants him to believe. And the inherent fool he is, his own traitorous pride will be used against him. 'Traitor,' thought Xotomi. She will remember to use his own guilty actions against him.

In all of a matter of a few seconds, the Captain was victim to her suggestion. He walked over to the Statue. His steps reflected that of a zombie, in her opinion. His face went suddenly void. Boy, does she ever love the old Dark Magic so! He gripped the statue's appendages and contorted it into a vulgar form. A series of beeps began, which she immediately recognized as a countdown. Xotomi withdrew her Lightsaber, ready to defend herself.

Once the Captain completed the particular memorized series of twists, he then turned the statue upon its base and it clicked into place. Xotomi's eyes widened as she watched lasers emit from the holes she noticed earlier. They fed directly into an area across the way, into a panel of the wall. She hadn't noticed it before, but it is a wall safe. The lasers were used to unlock the wall safe. She shook her head at the oddity. "It appears that you are a very nervous fellow. But to learn of your reasoning as to why, -no doubt your guilt is extensive,- I know of some who would prove quite curious."

It was so much easier than she had imagined. Three Data-pads were inside this safe. They had to be something! "Close this up again," she commanded. Upon opening the data pads, she saw that they held encrypted information. She had no idea what they would foretell. "Tell me, did you screw over Darth Vereor?" The Captain started to tremble as he moved. It seemed his will was quite exemplary. "The Dark Lord of the Sith? And you just flew away? The Barabel can probably read your mind halfway across the galaxy! You know, you really aren't very smart at all. You do know that?" She watched as he began sweating profusely. Xotomi bit her bottom lip for a moment, in thought. He could be having a negative reaction to the Potion. She stood close to him as he moved to erect the statue once more. "Say it aloud just once, the truth!" she hissed. And he confessed, her own Datapad picked up on it for sure. The man confessed to alot, more than even mattered to anyone no doubt. He even remembered something he did when he was twelve, and he confessed that too. But his lack of remorse is disturbing. Regardless, he should be made to suffer. Xotomi is not the compassionate type in the least. This truly was a chore for her.

Xotomi wore a crooked smile as she broke him from his bluddering. "As I suspected." Xotomi lead the Captain to his couch and tossed him back upon it. "I'm done with diplomacy. You do seem thrilled by your own volition. That's very good. It whole restraint thing was making me rather ill afterall. You are hereby declared guilty of treason to the Sith Imperium. I will leave you with my parting gift, for I don't want to steal the pleasure away from He who will most delight in your demise." The Captain began to shudder, but still suffered under her Spell. "Now I almost feel sorry for you. You see, you had touched my hand before when I got off the ship. That is sexual harassment. I received explicit freedom to act on that." Xotomi took a pillow and pressed it to his face and lying him back upon the couch, she rolled him over upon his stomach. She stood over him and pressed one foot to the back of his neck and the other in the small of his back, with her lightsaber ignited, she carved the word TRAITOR largely into the flesh of his back, stretching from shoulder to shoulder!

When she rolled him over again, she kneeled upon his chest and pinned his arms down. She leaned forward, to peer him in his eyes, where she delved through his recent memory of her assault. His fear was so intoxicating. It gave her strength to press on, despite her intense repulsion of him. Xotomi completed her intent as she performed a Memory Wipe upon him. "There is nothing there to see. There is nothing there at all. You can't see it. Let no one see you." He would never see what she had done to him, at least not unless Darth Vereor should release him.

"Now, Captain, lets stop this fooling around, you cad! There are pirates to deal with for you. Terrible, detestable beings!" Xotomi decided to add, "Don't forget to return to the Imperium as soon as you can to get your reward," she suggested, smiling broadly. "I would love to know that you receive the recognition that is coming to you!" He had no hope to avoid her.

As for Xotomi, she left the Captain to sleep it off. He looked so oblivious, almost what might be called peaceful; she wouldn't actually know. She erased all trace of her presence and boarded her shuttle unnoticed, prepared to to meet Caden to disembark once more to Lord Weiss.