Open Operation Purple Porg

[Cipher 1]

1 was starting to get used to these smaller planets. For the bulk part of his life he had always lived in bigger and faster cities all around the Galaxy. Here lately, however, he found himself stationed on quieter worlds. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle though it did make it harder to blend in. Not impossible, just harder. The key to missions like this were to enter and exit without making a huge scene. Talk to only people they needed to talk to. Go to only places they needed to go. The more noise one made the easier it was to trace back to himself or his partner, and even worse, to the Empire. With this being a direct and organized plot against the ISC, they had to be extra careful. Their relationship was tedious enough, failure here could result in catastrophic events, events the Empire absolutely did not need. But success.... well success only helped them regain their foothold in the galaxy.

Their cover was simple. 1 wore a simple blue suit, cheap, they were salesmen but they weren't rich enough to be able to afford luxury. The difference between a perfectly tailored and expensive suit and one you just bought off the shelves was not a luxury that 1 ever believed he would be drawn too. But as he reached back to check on the Nightstinger blaster tucked into its holster behind his back he could not help but grumble at how tight his jacket was and how it was not to his exact specifications.

"So we have a meeting with someone named Raygar," As 8 and 1 walked through the town he only spoke about things related to their cover. Landspeeder Salesmen from off planet here to try and bring luxury speeders at affordable prices. Come in, have a meeting, complete mission, get off planet. People were here selling this and that all the time so two men who came from off planet to sell their wares and then leave was not uncommon. They had gone so far as to try and align it with other merchants who were landing the same day so that they were not the only ones coming and going. Plus, once they were offworld, no one would be able to trace them. Their covers were air tight. He had chosen the name Dave. A name so common that they would most likely find millions of Dave's who sold land speeders throughout the galaxy. "Just remember that we have to clear any discounts with corporate before we seal the deal. I can't get yelled at again."

@Altaris

 

[Cipher Eight]

Eight felt entirely at home on Argazda. Though heavily classified, his upbringing in Garqi had instilled an appreciation for the quiet and rural worlds across the Galaxy - and they would always feel more natural than the bustling centers of industry where the Cipher conducted most of his work. The lazy sounds of locals moving about, the scent of fresh air.. It was a welcome change of pace. It would’ve been nothing but pleasant, if not for the job at hand.

Assassination was certainly within the wheelhouse of any Cipher Agent - and that was precisely the method they would be employing that afternoon. Rather than his usual Nightstinger, Eight kept a roll or braided durasteel wire tucked into the inside of his suit jacket - functional as a garrote if the situation called for it. He finished with his typical load out of gadgets to compliment his suit, hair styled neatly into place.

“I’ll try to keep the boss off your ass,” He said with a smirk, casually chewing a piece of gum as he walked. The agent glanced down at his watch, knowing their meeting was scheduled for only a few minutes ahead.

“Any information we have on this Raygar?” He asked, glancing over. “Anything to sweeten the deal?” He was asking for actual information on their target, but carefully formulated his question in the event anyone was actually listening.

 

[Cipher 1]

"He is one of the best up and coming merchants on the planet. Well known and well liked." This was critical information because their mission involved sending a message. A message that the ISC was willing to assassinate anyone who might threaten their business. Taking out a high level person on the planet was not going to send the right message and it would bring too much heat. The assumption was that if you were well off around these parts it was because of direct ISC influence. However, a young up and comer getting taken out by the ISC? Well.... that might just incite the right amount of discourse and fear.

"The best part is he won't have anyone else around influencing his decision making," The next part was important but he kept his head straight as the two spoke to each other. They were not, by his guess, being followed or looked at in any sort of way. They both blended in well with the crowd. "It is just going to be me, you, and him. So its up to us to make sure he understands what we have to offer." They would be meeting him at his warehouse on the edge of the city. For them to look over his inventory. He did not want to meet at his headquarters in the middle of the city. They needed to be able to kill and move without much fuss. Based on the reports he had been given, no one else would be there, which was not exactly a deal breaker but would certainly make things easier.

"You wanna take point on the negotiation?"

@Altaris

 

[Cipher Eight]

Eight kept a steady pace alongside his fellow Cipher - casually cutting their way through the crowds and across the busy city. He kept his hands hooked into the pockets of his dress pants, nodding along as further details about their target were revealed. Eight had a plethora of experience with covert assassination and blackmail, and there was nothing about the job that stood out as being particularly problematic.

On the surface, it would be a simple job. But those - of course - often ended up being anything but.

“I am sure that won’t be difficult,” He said with a neutral expression. Of course, the Cipher was already internally working several miles an hour - analyzing and considering the best way to conduct the assassination. The fact that the merchant was well-liked was a boon to them. His death would create a frenzy across the planet, and with any luck, point directly back to the ISC at the end of the day.

Eight continued to walk until they stepped out towards a less-populated section of their path, glancing over to his partner. “We’ll need to be sloppier than usual. Give them a trail to follow.” He said. Cipher agents were trained to conduct their missions clean and efficient. But this? This was meant to be the opposite. He wanted the authorities to have something to digest and ultimately lead them towards the Consortium.

As they began to approach the warehouse, Eight glanced back over to One. “Ready?” He smirked.

@Hairless Wookie

 

[Cipher 1]

He did not like the prospect of doing things sloppy, however, 8 was right. They could not make it look like the work of professionals because they had to follow the trail. If they operated as they normally did then everyone would just expect this was the work of highly trained professionals. That would be a case of suffering from too much success. While he did not mind killing he also liked for it to be over and done with as quickly as possible. He did took no pleasure in eliminating a life but it was a requirement of his job and he was good at it.

Nodding is head, he pushed open the door to the warehouse, and inside it was seemingly empty of other life. Step 1 of their mission was a success. With so much up in the air, the tiniest thing could completely derail a mission, and unexpected workers being in the warehouse was one he had been worried about. The warehouse was full of varying different things, the man they were meeting was certainly not a bad salesmen. He had made quite the name for himself in this area. As the two stepped in their presence was almost immediately noticed.

"I will be right with you!" They heard a voice shout from the back followed by the sounds of boxes being shuffled around.

1 began to look around the area to look for potential escapes. It was a standard warehouse with stock divided up into rows of shelves. Besides the entrance he spotted a back door which he casually pointed to with his finger. Also in the back was a set of stairs that went up to an office. He could not make out what was in the office from here, the lights were off inside, he assumed there was no one in there.

"We can either go now and make it look like he was attacked via break in or wait until we are in his office," 1 whispered to 9 as he continued to glance around. "Your call." 1 was fine with either. Neither offered any particular advantages. If they acted immediately it would look a lot less professional.

@Altaris

 

[Cipher Five]

Given the nature of being a Cipher, Five had seen almost everything that the galaxy could produce. Argazada, a mainly rural and natural world, was nothing special to him. In fact, having been raised on Coruscant, he actually hated the general peace and quiet that infected the planet. It felt stale and boring, or at least it felt like, to him, the notion of progress was halted on purpose, the inhabitants prioritizing comfort and peace over anything else. Places like Argazada were no different from quicksand traps, waiting for unsuspecting victims before trapping them forever.

One would hear a new pair of footsteps approaching from behind before Five took his place on the man's flank. Dressed in a similar fashion, he wore an ordinary business suit —nothing too fancy or too plain, but nonetheless in perfect condition given his obsessive habits. The disguises would be the sole opportunity anyone had to see him not dressed in complete black. "Excuse my late arrival, the boss did a checkup on us. I ensured him everything was going smoothly," he informed the other agent, still speaking in the coded language as a precaution.

Compared to one, Five stood completely at ease beside him, his hands hooked into his pants pockets as he waited for their target to reveal themselves. While every Cipher was flexible, the area of assassination was specifically his area of comfort and expertise. He'd been honed in the art ever since the ISB could place their gloved hands upon him and contort him into whatever they wished.

As the pair waited, they'd eventually be able to hear a set, or maybe more, of footsteps head towards them. Before they dove into the conversation, he rumbled softly, "You may lead this dance." While he may have desired control of the operation, One had been here first and most likely had preparations in place.

@Hairless Wookie

 

[Cipher 7]

Seven turned to face Five as the man stepped up to his flank.

“Nice to know the Boss cares,” replied Seven with a smirk. The Cipher’s hands were clasped in front of him as he awaited Raygar. Honestly, he was relieved his back up was Five on this. Their last job had been a success and he had a pretty good feeling that wasn’t a fluke.

“How’s that old hutt ball injury,” Seven asked, patting his shoulder. Five had taken a pretty bad hit the last time they’d worked together. Hopefully, Five had received the bottle of whisky Seven had sent following the run in at the Ceremony. Seven seriously doubted Five would waste time carrying a grudge over something so miniscule.

Before he could hear and answer their quarry approached. Raygar rounded a corner, two other suits were in tow and their mark didn’t look happy. Perfect.

“Don’t mind if I do,” said Seven, slipping behind the mask of the ever charismatic Sven Drassk.

“Mr. Raygar Deuvo, ready for our meeting?” asked Seven with a little bow. Cipher Seven’s strongest skill was acting. He was a natural empath and specialized in exploiting the small details people let slip.

Raygar was Epicanthix. He wore an expensive suit and athletic shoes, while moving with purpose, clearly uninterested in whatever the two guys behind him were selling.

Raygar’s tawny eyes flicked irritably, to Sven, “I hope you’re better at your job than these incompetent morons.” he said, continuing forward. The two flanking him slowed looking back and forth in shock and confusion as the Merchant left them behind.

He jutted with his chin down the hallway, “Walk and talk fellas, I need to get my steps in today.”

Sven flashed an apologetic smile at the two guys being left behind before following Deuvo away. He sidled up to the guy matching his pace, “Why don’t we drop the boring platitudes and get after it, huh?”

Raygar cocked an eyebrow looking in Sven’s direction, “Strong opening, I like someone who can get to the point.”

“Great, then I’ll tell you up front,, I don’t give a fuck if you buy from us or not,” Sven stated.
Raygar stopped, “What?”
“Ah, there’s your attention,” he said with a charming smile, “Look, I’m being honest with you. I don’t give a shit if you buy from us or not. The fact of the matter is, we have twenty five thousand units to move and at the price we are pushing, if you don’t take them, someone else will.”
Raygar frowned, “Is that so?”
Sven nodded, “When you're pushing coaxium for 14.5 per unit, it tends to catch people’s attention,” said Sven with a shrug.

Raygar took the bait, his right eyebrow twitched involuntarily, before he managed to lock it down. Fucking country bumpkin.

“14.5 is unheard of, where the hell is this coming from?” he asked.
“Quaint little mine on a planet at the edge of the Redhurne system.”
“Redhurne?” asked Deuvo
“Little sector tucked away in the mid rim territories,” replied Sven nonchalantly.
Raygar chewed on that a moment, “14.5 per unit.”

Sven nodded.

“Tell you what, give me the afternoon to run this by my team.”
“Do you really need someone else to tell you this is a great opportunity?” pressed Sven.
Raygar let loose a bark of laughter, “I like you, no, I don’t, but on principle I don’t pull my own paperwork,” he seemed to consider something for a moment, “Okay, counter offer, why don’t you two attend a party I’m having this eve?”
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” smiled Sven.
Raygar nodded “Good it’s settled then, we’ll sign the documents this eve.”

Raygar shook each of their hands, before walking them to the exit.

They said their goodbyes and as the door closed, Seven pulled out a cigarra and lit up. He’d offer one to Five, before saying, “That could have gone worse.”

@Orbit

 

[Cipher Five]

The sight of Seven brought on a culmination of feelings for him. The last time they had seen each other, Five had been the beneficiary who received a metal shard through his shoulder, nearly severing his arm. A reminder of this permanently etched into his body—a clump of silvery scar tissue where he had been injured.

While that left a sour taste in his mouth, on the other hand, the injury hadn't been personally caused by Seven; his general presence there just associated him with the injury. More importantly, the two had completed the mission rather smoothly, given the circumstances they were presented. Plus, the whiskey had been quite an effective bribe against him to soothe any rumbles he would have made.

Despite the small details, Five felt no apprehension of working with him like last time, and that was the biggest silent compliment one could get from him. When the injury was remarked on by Seven, he would have received an answer in jest but that was before he touched him. When his hand landed on the agent's shoulder, he'd immediately feel the hard muscles underneath the clothing tense up in response. Without saying a word, his green and almost blazing gaze would snap onto the younger man, the silent message undoubtedly clear, Get your hand off me.

Unfortunately, given the stoic mask he constantly presented, Seven would be able to have no idea whether it was personal against him or not but truthfully, it wasn't. While he had no problem making contact with other people, he hated being touched himself, especially without initiation from him. By the time Raygar came around the corner however, Five's attention would be fixated on him with a fake smile plastered on his face, his true feelings disappearing as if a gust of wind.

After the two parties made introductions, Five kept true to his word and let Seven take the lead. In the beginning, the other agent would be able to hear him make a sharp inhale, the brazen approach being one that had to be pulled off perfectly. But clearly, Raygar loved it and the agent was actually quite impressed with his partner's skills, understanding quickly what his forte was and why he was recruited.

The two realizing the opportunity through the conversation, they agreed to attend to the party later that night before parting ways with the man. Seven offered him a cig before commenting that it could have gone worse, which earned a slight shrug from Five before he accepted the cig. "The night is still young," he replied nonchalantly as he lit the cig, a cloud of smoke pushed out from between his lips.

---​

Later that night, the pair rode in the same limo, one that had been offered by Raygar to pick them up in. Five would be seated in the seat opposite from Seven, peering out of the tinted windows to watch the passing houses. If there was any disturbance of being touched earlier, nothing was shown, the hard lines of his face ultimately under his control.

Halfway through the ride, he rested his gaze onto Seven before commenting, "Tonight should be relatively easy for you. Think of it as your day off and enjoy the party." The first half had been handled, now it was time for his performance.

 

[Cipher 7]

Seven chuckled derisively, “Can’t wait.”

Later that night…

The limo that arrived was nice. An obvious bribe, a little flash of cash to woo them in so Raygar could posture for a better deal, no doubt. Why were corpo types so predictable, it was like they all read the same three books and just accepted what they learned as their personality. It was sad really, but not as sad as the landscape that drifted by outside the tinted window.

Poverty was apparent. The class divide they existed in was so immense that Seven doubted they had an adequate school system. Absently he wondered what kind of nightmares the Orphanages were made of.

Seven cocked an eyebrow at Five as he gave him the rest of the night off, “Sounds good,” he replied with a shrug. They’d transitioned from his area of expertise to Five’s, and Seven was happy to let the man work.

Raygar’s estate was substantial. The contrast to it’s humble surroundings was so stark that Seven wondered what the other locals thought of the gross hubris of the merchant’s compound. Then as he saw the literal procession of servants opening doors and welcoming guests, he wondered how many were on Raygar’s payroll.

The door to the limo was opened by a gracious looking host, and Seven stepped out first.

“Welcome to Chateau Deuvo,” said the being as Seven adjusted his jacket buttoning his top button in the process.

“Thank you, this place is amazing,” he said with all the wonder of a tourist.

They were shown inside and the space’s interior was just as regal as it’s exterior. A myriad of well off sycophants adorned the compound’s interior. The hierarchy was immediately identifiable, and at it’s center was the man of the hour, Raygar Deuvo.

“Good luck, I’m headed to the bar.” he said, taking note from Five’s reaction earlier and not touching the man. In stead he gave him a little two finger salute and sidled over to the bartender.

Seven’s eyes scanned to offerings and he smiled when he spotted a familiar bottle of amber liquid. A smile spread across his face, “I’ll take a pour of the Nabooian single-malt on a rock, please.”

@Orbit