Transmission 34-B: Independent Contact (Masq, Loki, Lavi)

[Incubi Priest]

Yutaka Beesko stood in the dark alleyway with a scowl on his face. The sole survivor of the Hykat Raid, the raid that took the life of his friend Arrik Krishki, could never turn his back on this line of work. Criminality was a lifestyle that he was born into, and one that he would only be out of through death. Hell probably waited for him on the other end, but it was no matter. He would not reject it.

Formerly known as The Speaker, ally to the lethal hitman The Ghost, Yutaka was doing the same as before. He was an agent. He was a voice. He was the only direct link between the populace and the Devil. And at the moment, he was a recruiter. Contact to three indivuals had been made: Kaiden, Loki, and Rosemary. While he believed Loki and Rosemary would be well equipped for what the Devil had in store, he was oblivous as to why Kaiden was even in the picutre. However, the infernal king knew more than he, and he was loyal enough to carry out his orders without question.

Loki was the objective at the moment. He was the only one told to meet him in this alley. The other two were to be sought after and located. Loki seemed to hold enough pride to show up alone, while being very suspicious and heavily armed. Rosemary would probably take the Twi'lek out and in for questioning. Kaiden, however, would probably get lossed on the way and murdered. Yutaka had to admit that there was no basis for his assumptions against Kaiden and that it was based merely on reading her profile.

Now, leaning against the side of a building, Yutaka waited...

 

[Random Hero]

The man known as Loki crept through the darkened streets. The dim orange glow of his cigarra lit his face. Bloodshot and blackened eyes, a bruised lip, and a large gash across the right side of his face. Frankly, Loki looked like shit. With no jobs to occupy his time, he lowered himself to getting into bar fights night after night. Quite sad for an assassin of his caliber. Three weeks without shedding blood had nearly driven the assassin mad; but things were looking up. He had been contacted and told to meet a man in the alley. He was hoping it was a job; but it could be anything. Loki had made many enemies in his recent work for the Hutts. Perhaps this was someone getting revenge.

These though ran through his head as he ducked down an alleyway, putting out his cigarra in the process. He moved slowly, trying to keep his presence unnoticed for the time being. A dark alley... well if that doesn't say hit, I don't know what does. That must be the guy Loki thought as he peered around the corner. Just go for it you coward, so what if he kills you? You don’t have anything to live for. Loki turned the corner and leaned up against the opposite wall of the man. He lit another cigarra. The smoke exhaled shrouded his face from the light given off from his lighter. Loki did not utter a word; he would let the man open his mouth first.

 

[Incubi Priest]

Yutaka stared down the man opposite him. No strangers ever strolled up to Yutaka: they knew better. His face was still a sign of slavery and death on the streets, and everyone knew all too well that where he showed up, a pile of dead bodies were left when he departed.

With a blank, expressionless face, Yutaka spoke.

"I heard you're good, Loki. Your previous employers were reluctant to give me contact information. Can't say I blame them though," Yutaka continued, "Warlords don't usually rent out their secret weapon to their enemies."

 

[Random Hero]

"Huh, a comedian..." I really wouldn't call Hutts warlords they are more like fat, greedy slobs. Whoever this guy was, he thought very highly of himself. Loki could tell by his stance, and his face. Loki's eyes wandered around the alleyway, looking and hoping some shmuck was going to try to kill him, he was looking for a fight. "So what is this all about?" Loki flicked his cigarra to the ground and placed his gun in hand. "If you're going to kill me, I ain't going down without a fight."

 

[Incubi Priest]

"All of your previous employers, save Eul Tymn, are deceased. If I wanted you dead, you would die in your sleep. Now shutup and listen to what I have to say."

Yutaka put a cigarra to his own lips and lighted it, inhaling the smoke with a grin on his face. He was the broker's most important agent, and therefore had no protocol for formality.

"I need escorts for some very valuable cargo. You, a female named Rosemary, and an...it, i guess, have been chosen. You will all be paid handsomly. This mission is bigger than any hit you have ever been sent on, so choose quickly whether or not you are going to take it. Its not my job to convince you. Just to pay you."

 

[Random Hero]

Oh tough guy, gonna kill me in my sleep... teach him a lesson. Nah, it's not worth the hassle. Loki though about this and the offer. Sounds like an important job, not to mention the money sounds promising. What the hell, better than getting in bar fights. "Two things. First, if you tell me to shut up again, i'll put a bullet in your ****ing head." Loki smiled at the man and lit another cigarra. "Second, i'll do the job; but i'd like an idea of what kind of cargo it is."

 

[Incubi Priest]

Three red dots from laser sights immediately focused on Loki: one on his forehead, one on his throat, and one on his heart. With a face that was more annoyed than angry or proud, Yutaka tossed the cigarra.

"I said, shut the hell up. Now, if you so much as make a move, you'll be riddled with toxic automatic fire with more precision than Umbarran politics. You're going to have to learn that you're not the biggest Rancor in the galaxy. Now," the Twi'lek rolled his eyes, "I apologize for sounding rude but I am a very busy person. One on one, you could kill me, but you would not survive much long afterward, and lets admit it, I haven't done anything important enough to earn a bullet from you."

One thing was for sure, Yutaka was beginning to like this man already. He was all to ready to end someone's life, and to Yutaka that was a good thing. Of course he'd have to work on his people skills in the following days, but regardless, this man was right for the job.

"How bout some drinks, Loki? My treat of course. I'll go into more detail there. We're, uh, going to have to find two other people."

 

[Random Hero]

"Sniper cover... how original." Loki wasn't a fan of the man in front of him; but he seemed well connected. Maybe this guy's boss would give him more work in the future. Not to mention he said Loki's favorite word... drink. "Alright lead the wa... hold on one second." Loki extended the gun toward the sky and fired two rounds. He closed his eyes bracing for the gunfire.

 

[Incubi Priest]

"Stand down!" Yutaka shouted simultaneous with the shots. He didn't come half way across the Galaxy just to have his new recruit turned into a human replica of a slice of swiss cheese.

The shots were fired, and one of the red dots began to move all over the place without an apparent cause. Without one, of course, until the corpse of one of the snipers fell.

"Hostility confirmed. Sir, permission to take the shot."

"You take that shot and when we get aboard you're getting two shots in the face so you can't have an open casket funeral! Now provide cover for us, we're going to a bar. Sorry about that, my men take their job very seriously. So, what's a good cantina around here?"

 

[Random Hero]

Loki heard gunfire; but didn't feel lead rip through his skin. He heard the man shouting commands; and he openned his eyes dawning an ever cocky smirk. Rule number one of the game, don't make a threat if you don't got the stones to follow through on it. He holstered the gun and began walking toward the street. "I know a little place... follow me."

----------

The Insomniac... paradise to Loki; but a complete shithole to the general public. The bouncer outside took a look at Loki and quickly pulled the door open. The assassin entered being greeted by a handful of regulars. The bartender took notice to Loki's entrance and placed a pack of cigarras and glass of a blue liquid on the counter. "Thank you Horace, i'm taking a table tonight." The bartender nodded to Loki, who picked up the two items. He walked to a booth at the far corner of the bar, lighting up a cigarra as he sat down.

 

[Incubi Priest]

Yutaka wasn't familiar with the bar, though he was familiar with the atmosphere. While the aura of the high class cantinas in the upper levels were far more suitable for classier business contacts, ones of this ilk were always more convenient for illicit contacts. Following the man to the table, the Twi'lek was greatly distracted by a young and beautiful Twi'lek female waitress. Or, she would be beautiful if she hadn't appeared so abused.

He beckoned her over and her face turned white when she saw him. It had been several years, yet his former slaves never forgot his face. Wearing an abjectly malicious grin, Yutaka introduced the waitress to Loki.

"Loki, this is a certain Ms. Ewana. Well, you probably already know her. She's a beautiful specimen, no?"

She looked down at the ground. They always did. They never fixed themselves after he had broken them. They never could. Smacking her in the behind, he waved her off after offering Loki her body as a little treat for accepting the job.

"Just let me know if you're interested," he said, "now, to business. What questions do you have?"

 

[Random Hero]

Loki looked at the waitress who gave him a bleak smile, before she scurried off. Slave trading wasn't something Loki took part in, even he thought it was inhummane. He had become somewhat hated in the place for that belief. Thugs that wanted to have a little fun with the waitresses usually were greeted with Loki's fist. He took a large swig of his drink and spoke quietly to the man. "I wanna know about the people i'm working with. You read my file, so I assume you know I prefer to work alone." The assassin's eyes darted around the bar, making sure no ones ears were perked toward their direction. "I also want to know about the cargo."

 

[Regret]

The corner of the cantina had been so far unoccupied, save for itself, and that was just the way Kaiden liked it. Of course to any normal person, the corner would look completely vacant, another way Kaiden liked it. Using the force to conceal his presence in the open was one of its specialties. Scanning the cantina for any sign of malevolent behavior, Kaiden's eyes fell on a table where two men sat. One of the men, a Twilek from the looks of it, had inappropriately touched one of the waitresses. No, no that wouldn't do at all. Not while Kaiden was there. Sliding out from behind his table, Kaiden accidentally bumped into another patron who liked severely startled by the invisible force that had caused him to spill his drink. Making its way over to the table where the Twiliek and the other man sat, Kaiden released the Force concealment he had placed over himself. The image of a being in all black robes, its face covered by a stark white mask shimmered into view.

"I think you owe that waitress an apology, sir." Kaiden said, his voice taking on an inhuman tone as it echoed out of its mask. "And I think you should do so promptly. It would be in your best interest not to dawdle." Despite the monotonic sound of Kaiden's voice, there was no mistaking the seriousness of his tone.

 

[Lavi]

It is rare for her to come out into the open. Someone managed to track her down for a message: something almost unheard of. Now, she had to utilize tactics outside her usual realm of techniques. Though she read the note, it was not usually a client who comes to her for a job: it's one of her lackeys who sends her the details through encrypted communication.

Now, she, who opted to go by the codename Rosemary, will be operating like her contact, to see what is happening herself. Even so, she still armed herself with her usual array of weaponry: her dart gun and a vibrowhip. Sitting in a booth, accompanied by a drink that she didn't particularly like (though cheap), Rosemary discreetly waited for those whom she was supposed to contact. Dressed moderately elegant for the occasion (paid for, thanks to her gathered wealth), she recognized two people, one a twi'lek and the other human. The twi'lek bothered one of the waitresses, but that didn't bother her the least. What did bother her was the thing with a person seemingly appearing out of nowhere, obscuring her view. Her drink was caught in her throat, and Rosemary stiffled a burst of coughs. That wasn't natural: stealth generators are not exactly personnel equipment yet.

And the openly disguised assassin-for-hire knew who that twi'lek was, from gossip on the streets. They called him the Speaker: one not to be trifled with without very good reason. But she did not rise, to act as the observer. If she was approached for one reason or another, she does have an excuse for herself.

 

[Incubi Priest]

"Loki, if you'll so kindly greet Kaiden. What this insufferable wretch is doing I have no clue, but the Shadow Broker wanted her aid. And as for you," Yutaka said to it with an obvious disdain, "I do not apologize to what I own. If you do not approve than do what you must, but I assure you, taking my life is ensuring the end of your own. Now sit, cretin, your presence is required."

Yutaka had no fear of this thing or its threats. Death was not something he feared. In fact it would be something he welcomed. After Arrik died, there was no use in living. His days of glory were over and all else was meaningless.

"Loki, this is one person you'll be working with. As well as a Mr. Eul Tymn, a few Jedi, a few fallen jedi, some archaeologists, another assassin, and two engineers. A motley crew, I know. Well what is keeping you?!" Yutaka asked Kaiden angrily, "You have business that needs addressing, so sit! Threats only work on those who fear death and pain. I am already broken."

 

[Random Hero]

Loki exhaled a large cloud of smoke toward the individual that appeared there. He did not aknowledge the person. To him the rest of the people participating in this job were just bodies. Loki just hoped the weaker ones would be killed off early so they would not hold him back. His gaze stayed on the Twi'let sitting opposite of him, and he asked his question a second time. "What is the cargo?"

 

[Lavi]

"... another assassin..."

Her keen ears perked up at that mentioning of a "motley crew," and the mysterious assassin concluded that the Speaker was referring to herself. Draining the bland drink at her booth, Rosemary left a couple credits for the waitress to take and made her way over to the threesome. Now to play the contact.

"Excuse me, but are these gentlemen whom I have a business meeting with?" she asked in a polite manner, though the word gentlemen was slightly emphasized. They looked anything but true gentlemen, from Rosemary's own opinion, but that hardly mattered. Look the part, play the part.

 

[Incubi Priest]

Yutaka looked up and grinned. He planned on answering Loki's question soon enough, and hoped that the gender confused thing would leave him alone and not accept the deal. However, Rosemary was of primary importance.

"You have a meeting with me, not them."

 

[Lavi]

"I see," she answered, nonchalantly sliding into the booth next to Loki. She placed both hands on the table, held together, and looked straight at Yutaka. "Let's hear it. My contact doesn't like wasting time."

 

[Incubi Priest]

"The cargo isn't one that needs constant protection. Some force users and two businessmen will be fully capable of taking care of themselves, but there are two engineers and two archaeologists that will need protection. This is the bulk of your mission: do not let them come to harm. Also, this mission is an ever morphing one. My employer might make several requests, and those on board his fleet will have to follow them. You two will paid extra, should you choose to follow a request that is not part of your job description. Any more questions? We are on a tight schedule after all."

Yutaka waved Kaiden off impatiently. While the Shadow Broker requested it for some reason, the Twi'lek believed that he could replace it with ease. There were a few reliable people he knew that could carry out the tasks efficiently.