Ask Felucia The Researcher and his Wife

[Kalique Baize]

Felucia - Imperial territory - 1423 hours

The damp, warm climate of Felucia would surely not comply with her thick and striking red Knight armor that would have only made her sweat and stick out, so Kalique was actually happy that for this risky mission, she could at least swap her armor with a wide, soft, silken dress in a calming rosé shade.

However, and this bothered her a little, was that the fake third trimester baby bump that had been masterfully sculptured onto her toned belly didn't allow for much movement and the agility and flexibility she was used to. The maternity dress was comparatively comfortable, but she actively had to keep herself from shifting around uncomfortably in her seat every now and then in order to keep up the appearance that she had gotten used to the additional bump in front of her body throughout the last few months.

The ISB had set up everything: their cover, including her 'husband's fake job opportunity as he was a renowned researcher, here to test his newest genetical engineering on the Nysillin crops; their IDs; her costume and obviously the arrangements with the officials that were supposed to sign their documents so that they'd officially immigrate to the planet for as long as he'd work here.

Their actual purpose was to infiltrate the tall white townhall where the current Moff, Jasky Mrenow, a known force-sensitive, was still residing in, to investigate what exactly about the rumors involving him and a potential affiliation towards a cultist movement was true. As a known force user, the ISB had surely put a close eye on him, yet it sounded like he was beginning to become an actual thorn in their side. If Mrenow was actually working with the Sith, providing safety for the agent was a top priority and the reason why the Captain had been called to help. Their fake appointment would be their first step to enter the building, however they had to stay flexible about how to continue, she assumed, depending on what would happen on the inside and how many guards were around.

That were the details Kalique had recieved and the reason why she was a pregnant woman today. She didn't know much about her fake husband for the day either, apart from the story of the mission's brief she had memorized, so for as long as they weren't involved in the rather perilous part of their mission, she intended to change that.

Aboard their transport they still had a little time for some last minute discussions as they had the whole passenger compartment for themselves and it didn't seem like there were any cameras or microphones around at all - it was just the big window across from them that allowed others to see, but not hear them.

Approaching the planet's surface quickly, she edged closer, tenderly placing her head on his shoulder and gently interlocking her fingers with his and using the rather close position to start a conversation that was only meant for his ears. "I hope you have memorized all this botanical knowledge so that you can quickly bore people who start asking questions".

With a warm smile on her lips she glanced up at him, rather playfully adding, "Once this is over, I hope I won't have to refer to you as 'eight' anymore...you agents are always so mysterious, even you're pretending to be their wife". From the outside, it would look like the perfectly sweet conversation between the married couple enroute to their temporary home.

@Altaris

 

[Cipher Eight]

In truth, Cipher Eight wasn’t entirely sold on the idea of working with an Imperial Knight. Even though the newly-formed Order had sworn allegiance to the Empire, there was a sense of paranoia and scrutiny that was bred into all ISB agents from the moment they stepped foot in the Academy. For years, Eight had seen Sith abuse their authority and walk over their Imperial counterparts, convinced by their own sense of superiority. He wasn’t convinced that the Knights - so long as their ranks were comprised of former Sith Acolytes and Champions - would actually be any different.

Nevertheless, the presence of some ‘Force User activity’ and suspected cult on Felucia was enough to warrant her being assigned to the mission. It provided cover to what ISB was actually planning with Moff Mrenow, the details of which Kalique didn’t have the proper clearance to be informed of. Eight had done the due-diligence to review everything that was on Demici’s ISB file, refusing to walk onto Felucia without a full understanding of the woman he was going to be dealing with for the next several hours.

He kept any initial opinions to himself and said little - tilting his head back as their transport began to approach the ‘capital’ of Felucia. The agent had plenty of experience operating under a variety of different cover-stories, considering their current persona nothing but business. He was dressed in a pair of slacks and well-fitting blue shirt, complete with a simple chrono on his wrist. His expression was fixed into a tired and somewhat exacerbated deadpan - unsurprising for someone who’d spend the past several hours traveling to the middle of nowhere with a very pregnant wife.

Eight’s gaze flicked down when Kalique took hold of his hand, leaning her head against his shoulder. It wasn’t hard to decipher that the attraction went deeper than their business personas, and he silently filed that fact away as just one way to manipulate the woman if necessary. He was silent for a moment, considering her words before speaking himself. “Anything less would make you a liability, ma’am.” He said as little more than a whisper only she would hear. He opted to leave out the level of secrecy and security that went behind Cipher identities, and the fact that most people who knew too much happened to vanish without a trace.

“You’re overselling,” He continued, pulling his hand away from hers. He casually reaching down with the same hand into the bag tucked at his feet, pulling out a small, cylindrical pillow - gesturing for Kalique to lean forward so he could place it between her lower back and the rigid transport seat. “We’re a married couple expecting our second child. Not primary-school sweethearts.” He said everything while maintaining a faint - albeit tired - smile. To anyone onlooking, the entire sweet exchange would appear as nothing more than Kalique requesting the pillow to make the journey more comfortable. “Crabby would be far more realistic in your condition,” He muttered before leaning back into his seat.

“Attention all passengers. We are now approaching Imperial Station. Please stow away all electronic devices and luggage, and prepare for landing on Hangar Bay 16B.”

 

[Kalique Baize]

Witnessing how the other passengers in the next compartment were already getting a little agitated, Kalique could already tell that their journey was about to come to an end. There were mostly Felucians around, which did not really come as a surprise to her as Felucia was definitely not a touristy target and only few had actual business to attend to.

When he replied all coldly and flatly, she wasn't surprised either as he need no initial reason to trust her, but maybe that was also something that was about to change once this day was over. Still, she noticed how he apparently wasn't susceptible to her obviously changed and deliberately playful tone at all, making her realize that he was probably one of those who literally didn't share a single detail about their actual persona.

Kalique naturally knew about the importance of them keeping most of their secrets to themselves, yet she was used to working with agents that were slightly more approachable. Not having any issues with adapting quickly though, she took a mental note as she respected her work partner's mode of operation.

Where she did disagree was when it came to the appearance they were keeping up though. "Overselling? I'd call it quick mood changes. Immigrating is exciting and ending this tiresome journey might raise the spirits. But you're the expert in this. I can adapt". Her speciality wasn't switching personas as she was usually the one in the open, but obviously discretion was required here and despite her higher position, she was obviously willing to respond to his input.

Despite her tone shifting into soberness, the perfectly faked grateful smile rounded up their tender exchange as he gently placed the pillow between the seat and the small of her back, allowing for a more comfortable landing approach. She then leaned back herself, her gaze scanning the plant covered surface that was growing closer before the shuttle began to rock a little as it approaching the station.

Their IDs rested readily in her handbag, but she wasn't expecting any fuss at the checkpoint as they had already been controlled once upon boarding the transport. Only after the announcement continued by informing them about having reached the parking position, she slowly unbuckled herself and waited for him to lend her a hand for getting up, adding "I'll leave the talking to you then for now". This was his forte and terrain until they'd be inside and trying to figure out whether he was actually dangerous.

@Altaris