Ask Coruscant One Hand Washes the Other

[Veles]

Coruscant, Huncho's Bar & Brothel
A few days after the assassination of Emil Ro

Liquids dripped off rafters and ledges and down onto the pavement below, illuminated by hundreds of neon lights placed haphazardly in every possible corner of every building, pole or bridge. Hooded and anonymous figures milled among the streets, passing each other but never mingling, the noise of landspeeders roaring by above and below them masking the sound of the few interactions on the platform.

Masked and armored differently than usual, Veles strode down the path with confidence. This was not his first time in the lower levels. He had spent some time here before finding the Empire, and knew the way things went down around here. It was precisely what made this place such a good meeting spot when one was up to no good and wanted to avoid prying eyes and curious ears. People down here knew better than to not mind their own business.

Today he was not Darth Veles. Today he was Lora Galvin, determined gun for hire and smuggler. His identity was carefully hidden, his lightsabers having been left behind on the ship and any other trace of his status as a Sith Lord invisible. He'd even gone through the trouble of masking his face with an illusion that hid the corrupted eyes and bruising from extensive use of magick. His presence here, if discovered, could lead to some very serious diplomatic repercussions, and he loathed to consider what the Empress might think of his involvement in anything that had to do with the assassination of the New Republic's Chancellor. In conclusion, Veles intended to keep his head firmly attached to his shoulders regardless of their success today.

He ducked into Huncho's Bar & Brothel, his head down until he reached the bartender who was polishing a glass.

"I'm here for the sabacc tournament," he muttered, and the Gamorrean nodded to his barback.

"Lead him there," he ordered, his voice gruff. The man motioned for Veles to follow, and he did. The two weaved through the small crowd of patrons on their feet, mingling with each other and spilling far too much alcohol on the sticky floor. They reached the back of the main room and the barback rapped on the door, a specific knock that was clearly a code. The door swung open and the man pointed inside, stopping there. Veles headed inside and a Twi'lek missing a lekku was there to greet him.

"Free rooms are lit up with green. Don't stay inside for more than an hour or we'll come and drag you out. No funny business."

Wordlessly, Veles chose a random available room and closed the door behind him, settling down on one of the several couches arranged around a large table. Thin light panels cast purple light down on him, and there was a lone ashtray sitting there. He pulled out his datapad and sent a message to his contact.

< Room 4. >

Setting it down on the table, he pulled out a pack of cigarras and lit one, blowing the smoke out toward the ceiling and watching as it was absorbed through the ventilation.

What the fuck am I doing?

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

Edin was slightly nervous, far more than he normally was after a job. This was the biggest job he had ever pulled by far, and it meant it would have more scrutiny than ever. He had gone on the DarkHolo to search for contacts generally engaged in illicit activities. Edin had used some of these channels for years, so in many ways he knew what to trust and what was being monitored. Being connected with Kara had countless benefits when it came to combing through holonet channels. If she hadn’t gone into hiding after the Zaa Fenn business, he would have tapped her for help.

Instead he found himself arranging a meeting with a potential contact that could help him tie up some loose ends. As usual, Edin was posing as his own agent. His armor gave him away instantly as the Basilisk, an assassin that was becoming slowly notorious. The Firrerreo looked down at his datapad when his contact messaged him, making his way to the appropriate room.

Edin’s anonymity actually came from his helmet being off. He was adorned in a black, leather jacket with a casual t-shirt and some jeans. He could pass for a regular civilian, but he carried himself with enough confidence to where no one gave him any suspicious looks.

As he stepped inside, he saw the man in the armor that vaguely resembled how his client Sett had looked. Edin couldn’t help but grin, wondering if this man had another kill job for him. The Firrerreo plopped down in the seat across from him, flashing the man a fanged smile.

“How’re you going to have a drink in that getup?” He said as he snapped his fingers to flag over a droid. Edin ordered himself his usual sugary and fruity drink, letting the edgy man order whatever he wanted.

“I heard you’re great at making things…disappear,” He said as he eased into his seat, extending his arm across the spine of the couch he was on, “In this case, I need someone with extensive contacts in the district to help me make a few things…appear. Things in the form of evidence to lead the local Rangers to the wrong conclusion or to a cold trail.”

Edin had little desire to provide extensive details. He had to know he could believe this guy to some degree. He would share the location of the roof from where he shot and build a trail from there without ever revealing what had happened on that roof and to whom. He shot that fatal blast from far enough away to where it wouldn’t be easy to put two and two together.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

In response, he tapped a button and the mouthpiece of the helmet moved up slightly, giving him space to put the cigarra in his mouth or just a drink. He ordered a shot of Coruscanti cognac and the two were once again alone.

"Maybe I am," he nodded, not outright declaring anything. "That can be arranged. I can be very persuasive."

He still would do everything possible to hide his face, because unlike the assassin, he had everything to lose and a reputation to maintain. Word of a Sith Lord collaborating with a criminal wanted in the Core would cause a political uproar. It was better for him to remain as anonymous as possible.

"Now, I don't ask for money." He leaned forward. "I ask for favors. I help you out, then, when I call you, you help me. One hand washes the other."

He leaned back and finished the cigarra, snuffing it out into the ashtray just as the droid arrived with their drinks. If the man would agree to the terms, he'd lift the glass and toast, then drink it in one gulp. His mouthpiece slid back down.

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

Edin observed as the lower piece over the man’s mouth slid up to reveal chalk white skin and dark lips and mild bruises. The sight was a bit unsettling, but the Firrerreo didn’t judge. He quietly sipped his own drink,”Well you’re certainly spooky enough to be persuasive,” He said with a grin.

The exchange of favors instead of cash was curious to him. He was posing as a generic mercenary that needed help, so what could this man possibly need his help doing in turn? Nevertheless, Edin shrugged vaguely.

“All right then,” He agreed, raising his drink in toast to take a sip. He couldn’t help but chuckle as the man downed his own and obscured his face from view once more, “Mm now you have me more curious than ever about what’s hiding under there,” He quirked a brow before taking another sip.

“This job requires implicating someone,” Edin slid over a datapad with a few options, “We have Dorun Kar, a Czerka executive who lost out on a lot of credits due to the sanctions on the Sith. He would have cause to act against Republic figureheads,” He swiped the screen, “Milia Omerc, a board member of BlastTech who was the single voice that said no to the sanctions,” He swiped again, “Aros Quel, a diplomat with strong opinions against Jedi and who vocally despises the Republic support for the Order,” Edin glanced up at the man, “Each have their own risks and benefits. Any of these to your liking or perhaps you have a different idea altogether?”

@vamp

 

[Veles]

Honestly, he'd mostly been messing with the guy, because it wasn't always that he got to talk so differently. It was a bit liberating to play a role like this, as though he were disconnected from his other life and blissfully unaware of so many things.

"You want me to undress that fast?" he asked, grinning under the mask. "I didn't know this was that kind of job."

He looked down at the datapad as it was slid over to him, sliding through the different options, reading the briefings and looking through documents. Veles furrowed his brows a little, concentrating on weighing it out. He liked to say his gut feelings were usually accurate, so making a decision was not hard.

"Aros Quel." He leaned a little forward. "A Czerka businessman wouldn't be a bad idea, but he's less likely to lash out than an opposition politician, who would be easy to paint as radical."

Oh, he liked this job. He had not had any idea what he'd be asked to do today, but something like this was much better than anything he could have ever predicted.

It was much better to receive a favor instead of credits. Veles had all the wealth he could wish for, and he was in general naturally frugal. Living in a shack on Dathomir had raised him to not care much about material possessions, and a favor was so much more powerful.

"Now, what's the method? Do you have anything in mind?"

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

Edin chuckled at the response. So this guy wasn’t the overly serious stuck up type after all.

“Nonsense,” He said, “I’d at least buy you another cognac first,” Edin flashed the man a fanged grin as he jutted a chin towards the man's empty glass.

He looked down at the datapad as he kept sipping from his drink, finishing the glass. Edin had no qualms with ordering another, and just for humor, another one for his shady business partner. This job was going to be a pain in the ass, and he knew there was no relaxing when they got on with it. The man’s line of thinking made sense, but Edin’s face clearly suggested he didn’t like that option even if it was the best option.

“He’s the one that will be tough to get easy access to,” The Firrerreo pondered on it, “There will be a party at his manor, a masquerade or something like that. That’s the only thing I can think of to get access to any items belonging to him to incriminate him,” Edin’s eyebrows rose, “Where I may need your help is to get a local contact that can get us on the invitation list.”

He took a sip from his drink, eyeing the man quietly, “Feel like playing dress up and waltzing into the lion’s den?”

@vamp

 

[Veles]

He chuckled as the stranger ordered him a drink, the droid dutifully wheeling itself away and closing the door behind it. Veles narrowed his eyes as the man made a face, about to ask why he didn't like the option.

"Ah," he replied, thinking. "No, I think it's achievable. I love casting a little mirage once in a while." Oh, and how he did. This was his time to shine. He had already come up with an identity in his head, and was actively planning it out. "I know just the strategy."

It was a good thing they were on Coruscant. This was his land. This was where his connections were strongest, where people still remembered him. Veles already had a few contacts in mind, people he'd met among the lower levels who had managed to climb up since then, much like he had. It wouldn't be hard to call in a favor.

The door slid open and the droid once again rolled in, a tray held in one of its long arms. It set the tray with the two drinks down and disappeared behind the door. Veles looked down at the table and saw another Coruscanti cognac in front of him. His helmet lifted a little, his face pointing toward the man, the Sith rolling his eyes behind it.

"Haven't done a job in a good few years," he noted, taking a sip. "But this is damn well worth coming out of retirement for."

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

---​

It was the evening of the event and Edin actually procured an outfit. The vest tastefully hugged his slim figure and his hair was neatly done. He didn’t wear his silver mask just yet, waiting to meet up with Veles before they made their way in. For now, he was staring at the datapad with his new alias, a single brow raised as he looked over it. This was one of those jobs where he didn’t have any weapons on him, and that alone made him nervous. He was all guns at all times, and to not even have a pistol made him feel naked.

Edin checked his chrono before he went back to studying up on Quel. He knew they would have to time themselves appropriately. Everyone would need to be nice and inebriated before they could sneak away to comb through potential evidence.

Once Veles arrived, he didn’t look up immediately from the datapad, “You really couldn’t think of a name other than Oswald Percival Montague for me?” He said as he stared at it, “I sound like some villain from an Old Basic fiction,” Edin remarked with a grin before finally glancing up towards him.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

Veles approached, trenchcoat flopping at his feet as he strode over to the man and beamed with pride at the name he'd chosen. "You'll fit right in then!" Veles knew that he personally would. He'd cast a very specific illusion with very specific intentions.

It was not hard for the Sith Lord, particularly a sorcerer, to make himself look like a completely different person for a few hours, and he'd had time to prepare anyway. So today he looked different. His hair was still somewhat long because it wasn't worth the effort to make it look shorter, and the rest hadn't been hard to either improvise using practical effects or the Force. He was dressed in a traditional brown suit, a clothing item that is both unassuming and vague. "Oswald--"

He extended his hand for a shake. "I am Doris Kelan, Chairman of the CCCP's Senate Level Branch." Outspoken and radical politician that some deemed a terrorist for his revolutionary ideas. New blood on the Coruscanti scene, but resilient. This would take him down, hard. Veles didn't particularly care, noble as their cause may be. While it sounded nice, ideas like those go in complete anti-thesis with the rule of the strong. That didn't mean he couldn't play the part spectacularly.

He'd left his lightsaber stashed in the speeder just in case, and was a bit consoled by the idea that if he needed to, he could simply dash over to it and take it out. He had the Force, but it would be difficult to use on this mission--not because of bystanders, but because of his partner. He couldn't divulge his identity, hence the illusion. He would be playing by the rules today, just like the average citizen of the Galaxy.

He patted his suit jacket in place and then turned to his companion. "Shall we?"

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

Edin stared at the man for a moment, tilting his head to eye him quietly.

“Hm,” He mused, “I think I prefer no beard,” He said with a grin. He extended his hand to shake the man’s, “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kelan, I’m Oswald Percival Montague, but please call me Ozzy,” Edin rattled off fluidly, following up with a flashy grin. He drew back and glanced towards the manor.

The ballroom was immaculate and massive, and it was clear that Quel rubbed elbows with a lot of high society people. Edin had his mask on, and he blended easily into the crowd. There was food and drinks spread out to the side and droids wandered around with serving trays. His accomplice’s connections came through and they breezed past the entrance. Edin took in sight of the manor, glancing towards possible exits and ways up towards the personal chambers. Already he could spot some droids on the upper levels. What Edin couldn’t sense, however, was subtle Force use. There were Sith in the vicinity, contacts of Quel to ensure Jedi stayed well away from him. Veles would pick up on it.

Music was playing all around and Edin kept scanning every detail in the room. However, they couldn’t strike just yet without their cover being blown. For now, the assassin looked over at his accomplice, giving him a fanged grin, “I don’t suppose you partake in dancing?” He didn’t seem the type, but maybe he would be pleasantly surprised.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

As they approached the entrance, he reached into his jacket and slid out a mask from the inner pocket, sliding it smoothly over his face. It was similar to Edin's, but black and he pointed to his companion as they walked. "I think one of us needs to go home and change."

They passed through the massive gate and then into the foyer of the mansion, and Veles silently thanked his contact for actually coming through. It would have been not only embarrassing but a downright mission failure right from the start. He would have not been able to show his face in the lower levels for the rest of his life.

As they walked in, he scanned the ballroom much as his companion was doing, eyes darting over the droids and at the different masked faces. He had not yet seen the host, but that was not a problem. Truth be told, he was fairly sure they did not even need him to be present to plant some evidence on him. Time was of the essence regardless, and they could not spend the entire night searching for the man.

His mind was snapped back to reality as he felt the telltale sign of subtle Force use throughout the building, which perked his interest. The man was very unfriendly toward the Jedi, so it had not taken much brainpower to deduce that he likely had Sith ties, so the presence of dark siders here was no surprise. It was, however, interesting. His brain considered the possibilities and his possible choices should they run into one of them. He could always put them at ease by making it known that he was not their enemy, but he would rather avoid leaving any identifiable information behind. It would help his accomplice, sure, but Veles valued himself more than the man. No offense, of course.

"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm afraid I never learned to dance. But the ability somehow possesses me when I get drunk." He subtly took a glass of the tray from a droid and ducked his head back, gulping half a glass of Twi'lek liquor like water. He set it back down onto the tray before the droid could even skitter away, then turned to Edin. "I don't think that was the right choice to down so fast," he noted quietly, already feeling the blood rising to his face. Veles had heavy tolerance to alcohol, but some alien booze just had its way around his defenses. He hadn't tried Twi'lek liquor in a while, so he'd see how it affects him as the night went by.

The two headed deeper down into the ballroom, sticking close to one another. As they walked, he could feel the alcohol bubbling in his chest, his inhibitions and barriers lowering ever so slightly. "Okay, fine," he conceded, offering the man his hand.

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

Edin took a drink from the same tray, sipping a little bit right as he watched Veles toss back the whole thing. The Firrerreo quirked a brow, shrugging before he opted to do the same before setting the glass back down. He focused back on the crowds, observing the different types of people that showed up. With everyone in a mask, Edin had to rely on other signs to identify anyone. He could tell who was from Naboo, spotting someone else from Fondor. There were a few shady looking individuals in the corner that he wouldn’t know were Sith.

He looked back over when ‘Doris’ changed his mind. Edin flashed him a smile, his eyes lighting up, “I thought you’d never ask, Doris,” He said before grasping his hand and tugging him closer. Unlike his companion, Edin actually knew some basic principles of dancing. He had to play many identities to get into various situations to set up assassination jobs.

Though the other man was taller than him, Edin had no qualms with leading. He grasped one of Doris’ hands and slid another one of his along his upper back. With that, he swept into the dancefloor, taking the taller man with him into an elongated box step. He moved to the beat, feeling the effects of the alcohol. It only energized him as he easily moved around the dance floor.

“Perhaps that drink wasn’t such a bad idea,” He said with an amused grin moments before he casually leaned Doris back into a dip. The Firrerreo smiled down at him for a moment before bringing him back up to continue the dance.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

It didn't take long for him to realize that this had been a terrible idea, despite the alcohol that had settled in. His rationality rushed back fast, but it was too late. He had dug his hole, now he would lie in it. The moment the man grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, it was over.

So he went along with it. He almost stumbled a few times, catching himself at the last moment. Veles felt like he looked stupid, but a large part of him seemed to simply not care. His eyes darted from his companion to the crowd or the rest of the building every once in a while, scanning quickly for any changes. Veles saw a few robed figures standing off to the side, and was forced to glance away immediately as the man leaned him back into a dip. When he came back up, they were gone.

"I think you actually just wanted to take me out and needed a pretext," the Sith Lord retorted after a moment, grinning from ear to ear. His hand left the man's waist for a moment and returned with a glass, which Veles sipped from as they moved. It tasted strange, but he usually didn't care about substances tasting strange.

He thought of his lightsaber, for a moment regretting not bringing it. If they were ambushed, he would be left to defend himself with his bare hands--or a blaster. Though he could kind of shoot a blaster, he was sorely out of practice after spending a few years exclusively using the Force. To remove it from the equation was to handicap himself, but the mission had required it.

His eyes darted onto the figures as they emerged again on another side of the room. He furrowed his brows under the mask, analyzing them and letting the waves within the Force flow through him. Yes, they were definitely Sith. There was no questioning that. No normal person would come to a ball dressed in black robes, hood down or otherwise.

Veles leaned forward, his face inches away from Edin's, head craned a few degrees to the side to face Edin. Though the man might get the wrong impression, the Sith was simply trying to find a way to communicate something to him covertly. "I think our man has more connections than we thought," he murmured. And then he pulled back and smirked.

The Dathomirian took another drink, his mind racing. If Sith were present, and they framed him, would that mean there was a chance of accidentally framing an Imperial operative? What repercussions would that lead to? How would it change the relations between the New Republic and the Empire? For a second, his face was blank, gaze set off into space.

He laughed. His drunk brain said that accidental accelerationism that heated up the war further would be hilarious.

@Sreeya

 

[Edin Frost]

Edin chuckled at Doris’ playful accusations, “Would you have said yes if I did only want to take you out?” He also paused to toss back another drink, knowing he would probably regret that later. These things were strong even for his Firrerreo biology. However, he couldn’t deny he was having a good time. He effortlessly led the other man through the dance, hardly noticing the few times the man almost stumbled over.

As Doris leaned his face in, Edin didn’t back away, staying put right where he was. At his words, he flashed the other man a fanged grin, “Indeed,” He said simply, though his gaze never left Doris’, “Two people that have ties to the Naboo special forces. At least one man brought in his pistol. And then two very shady looking men in the corner that have been tracking your moves,” Edin rattled all this off without taking his eyes off Doris.

Edin drew back and took another drink himself, his mind buzzing and his entire body flushed and warm. The music began to get more upbeat, and others around them began to loosen up and move on the dance floor. It was easier to blend in now, but Edin was finding his groove. The Firrerreo wasn’t shy about being bold with his movements, commanding the dance floor as he guided Doris along.

At some point he reached over to hook a finger around Doris’ pants beltloop, tugging the other man abruptly close. Edin flashed him a grin before gently nudging him back again by placing a hand against his chest. This was followed by him catching his other hand, pulling him into a spin and guiding him into a box all over again.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

"I guess we'll never know," he retorted with a smirk. He downed the rest of the glass and set it on a tray, the droid jolted by some sudden movement from a disgruntled couple.

"I can't believe you! Our five year anniversary and all you take about is my sister!" A woman shoved her date and broke free from his grasp, yelling just loud enough for the two to listen in.

"No, baby, you know it's not like that! I was just saying her Huttball stroke is very impressive! Because it is!" The man followed, trailing her as she made a mad dash to flee from the dancefloor, tears already collecting in her eyes. Veles looked at the two and then back to Oswald.

The man grabbed him by the belt and pulled him closer, and he felt his heart rise up in his chest. The adrenaline may have been from the alcohol or from the interaction, but it was there nevertheless.

"I'm surprised Coruscant scum like you knows how to dance ballroom-style. Force knows I never learned," he remarked with a grin. There was obviously more to this Oswald than met the eye. That had been a given.

"But yes, the shady-looking dudes don't seem too average."

As the crowd thickened, their window slowly opened, and they would be able to sneak through unnoticed. But they would need to hurry. He was keen on letting this moment play out for a little bit more, but it was cut short as it appeared the host had arrived, and all attention was diverted to the man. It was the perfect opening.

Veles grabbed Oswald by the hand and lead him through the crowd smoothly, the two exiting on the side of a pillar and rounding it to the staircase. "Do you know where his room is?"

 

[Edin Frost]

“It’s upstairs,” Edin remarked as he looked around at the crowds that stumbled up to congregate there. He glanced back over to where the two shady men were. One of them was still there, but the other was nowhere to be seen. The Firrerreo cursed internally, knowing he was a bit slow on the reflexes with all those drinks. He found a small gap and nodded at Doris to keep walking. They had to look casual, and he stopped every now and then to wave and introduce himself before they kept going.

“Should be the last room at the end of the hall, left side,” He whispered to Doris, “You go first and I’ll follow. We’ll look sketch if we go together,” Edin explained quickly. The Firrerreo looked around and waited for a moment to give the other man a chance to find the room. Edin looked over the partygoers, eyeing anyone else that may have been tracking them.

Meanwhile, right before Veles entered the office, he would be intercepted by one of the robed individuals. They stepped in front of him, scowling.

“Who are you?” He asked curtly, glaring at Veles. The Force pulsed through him, and it was clear he was preparing to attack. It would only be a matter of moments before Edin walked over.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

They clambered their way up the stairs, surprisingly able to avoid all sorts of guards and authority figures. They were home-free, just about to enter their intended destination, before they were cut short by a Sith. Well, Veles was the one who was stopped. Oswald had not yet reached him. He looked at the Sith up and down, sizing him up with a single glance. In his drunken state, he was forced to make this decision that could potentially alter the state of modern politics. Ah, fuck it.

He reached out through the Force and directly into the man's mind, his dark presence communicating for a brief second before retracting. "Official Imperial business. Let the others know we may not be bothered by anyone," he projected into the Sith's mind, instantly proving his point was true without having to lift a finger. Oswald turned the corner just after he'd pulled back and the robed figure stepped back once.

"Oh, my apologies," he nodded his head and disappeared into the shadows just as Oswald approached. Indubitably, he'd ask Veles what he did.

"Told them we're here to fix the faucets," he chuckled, then strode down the hallway toward what he assumed was the door to their target's bedroom as it seemed to be surrounded by works of art on the walls and other decorations.

Veles turned to his companion. "I don't know how to pick a lock," he confessed. "So if you do, please work your magic so I don't have to break the door."

@Sreeya