Water Dousing 2 - Water Retention

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Eddard and Larisa had gotten the information out of the man in the end and they had managed to get the location of the warehouse where the Coaxium Infusers were hidden before they were shipped off to be sold. They didn't know they were coming so they had the advantage of surprise with them and that was a-okay with Eddard.

It also meant that when Larisa was called away for another mission, he didn't have to try very hard to find a replacement. With them not expecting Sith, it made sense to bring in someone like him so here he was with Allerius Katress.

Two assassins like them should have little issue getting into the warehouse.

Standing atop a roof not far from the warehouse in question, Eddard glanced to his ally for this mission.

"Thoughts on entry?" he asked in his customary blunt manner, "I think an entry through the roof may be in order."

Rooftop entries were always a good option in his opinion.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Allerius liked Corellia, it was so different from Alderaan, a world that one could very easily get lost in. Its people reminded him of the students he’d attended the Umbaran Academy alongside, far superior in every way to the mindless fools at Ossus.

As far Allerius knew they had come here for a little bit of thieving, something different from the usual sorts of things he participated in. There was more to it than that but the details didn’t matter to much to him, Eddard had asked for help and he’d been more than happy to help the other man out. He was one of the first Sith, and perhaps the only Alderaanian, that he’d met in years that he found at all interesting.

“I prefer a good maintenance tunnel myself but we don’t escape have time to scope the place out, mores the pity.” he said as casually as one might discuss the weather. “Sure the roof will do fine. People do so rarely think to look up.”

They were both Sith, more than that they were Sith Assassins, and in service to Imperial Intelligence. A bit of breaking and entering should be a cakewalk. That being said Allerius had learnt long ago not to take anything for granted.

“Come on, lets see if we can find easy access up there.”

It was time to get the ball rolling.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

The warehouse that they would be aiming for wasn't too far removed from the rest of the local area so there shouldn't be any issues with making the jumps to the warehouse and then to the warehouse itself. He gestured for Allerius to follow him as he started the trek - leaping over short distances and building up to a brisk running pace as he kept the warehouse in his sights and the main focus of his run.

"Along the rooftops is always a good bet."

Well... usually a good bet.

As he was going to make the last jump something happened that Eddard wasn't entirely certain about the cause - his right foot, the mechanical one, twitched just before he made the jump. This disturbed his footing and meant that his launch towards the warehouse was not as powerful as it should have been. Instead of soaring across the divide and landing on his feet, Eddard fell short and had to grab hold of the edge of the roof to avoid sliding down the side.

One hand was dislodged by the impact against the wall but Eddard persisted, using the Force to assist himself as he pulled himself up and onto the roof.

There were no immediate alarms but already he could feel the bruising forming across his torso - something that would likely slow his reaction times somewhat. He pulled himself up to his feet regardless.

This was no time to beat himself up over his mistakes.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Following the other man Allerius deftly followed his leap, relying on simply physical training at first to build up speed as needed and leap the relatively small distances that were the beginning of their progress towards the warehouse. Even as they moved he was careful to keep his footfalls light and his eyes peeled for any observers, it wouldn’t do to be caught out this early in the adventure. It wasn’t much of a challenge, a simply warehouse in an industrial area such as this. It was hardly the Senate Towers.

As they picked up speed, coming to the last and largest jump before reaching the roof of the warehouse. “Here we go.” murmured Allerius. Filling himself with the Force he turned some of that power into physical strength so that when he jumped his movement carried him effortlessly through the air, landing next to Eddard with only the faintest clink of his soft boots hitting the roof. Or at least landing beside where Eddard should have been. Glancing around for a moment of panic he saw the man’s fingers coming over the lip of the roof edge. He watched in stunned disbelief as Eddard pulled himself up onto the roof, apparently he’d fudged the jump altogether. Crouched next he offered his hand to help his partner up, whether or not he took it didn’t matter.

Allerius was suddenly quite happy to be wearing his assassin’s armour, his expression hidden with only the dull red lens of his mask staring back at Eddard.

“Alright?.” he breathed the question, barely perceivable over the night’s wind. There was no judgement; things went wrong on missions all the time. It was one’s ability to adapt that made you a successful agent.

Turning he moved silently across the rooftop, staying low, until he came to a skylight. Raising a hand he gestured for the other man to approach, they’d found at least one way in.

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Eddard hadn't often actually had reason to hate his mechanical foot but today was one of those reasons. It was only by luck that he hadn't blown their cover and he HATED that with a passion. He sighed as he finished pulling himself up onto the roof. He sat himself down and held up a hand for Allerius to hold for a moment as he pulled off his right boot, exposing the bare metal cybernetic replacement.

He manipulated the mechanical parts with the Force expertly from a lot of experience and found that the foot was suddenly responding good as new. Pulling his boot back up, he glanced at Allerius before tapping his mask.

"The droid this is from took my foot."

There was no need for explanation - the Sith tormented themselves emotionally because when they were emotionally tormented they were at their most powerful, their most connected to the Dark Side. Moving over to the skylight himself, Eddard began by trying to open the skylight via picking the lock before he realised that it was seconds away from triggering an alarm. At that stage he ignited his lightsaber and cut through the lock and the wiring, stopping the alarm from sounding.

He shared a long suffering look with Allerius over his half-mask.

Sometimes there was just no easy way.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Glancing at the man’s foot Allerius simply nodded. He’d been wondering why Eddard, coming from two insanely wealthy and prestigious dynasties, didn’t have a more advanced prosthetic. He’d sensed the flicker of hatred rippling through the force as his partner spoke. No doubt he kept the mechanical limb to remind himself of the enemy which had maimed him. It was a good way to recall the fury he felt towards that defeated foe.

Turning his attention towards the skylight he watched as Eddard tried to pick the lock before swiftly stopping and igniting his lightsaber which he drove straight into the mechanism. Smirking as Eddard looking at him the Assassin shook his head slightly, there must have been an unseen alarm of some sort which the other man had luckily sensed before it went off.

‘The Force is not with us today.’ he thought to himself with silent amusement.

Allerius moved first as he pulled open the skylight. Closing his eyes the Sith reached out with the Force, sensing a series of minds moving around beneath them. Waiting for the whispered sign from the Force Allerius dropped down into the building. His feet struck the upper-level walkway just as a guard turned the corner in front of him. ‘Perfect timing.’ he thought to himself with a mixture of pride and relief.♦

Huddling down low he called the lightsaber from his belt into his hand and knelt quietly waiting for Eddard to join him. Luckily due to the impeccable timing he’d just missed the last patrol so they likely had a few minutes until the next goon came by this way.

‘All clear partner, come on in.’ he murmured over the private comm-link channel.

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

The Force wasn't with them today but that was fine - sometimes it was about the Force being with you and other times it was about making it work regardless.

Dropping down into the warehouse behind Allerius, Eddard kept his eyes open for any trouble, any sign that they were spotted, before nodding to Allerius. The man had more luck than him today and there was absolutely no shame in admitting that as far as Eddard was concerned. But now that they were in, it was time to actually look for what they needed.

What they needed wasn't exactly huge but it was also rather distinctive. The coaxium infusers glowed for Gods' sake so it wasn't like they could justr be tucked away in a corner and forgotten. Not to mention they were delicate pieces of equipment it had to be said. He tapped his com.

"Find the objective - do not engage hostiles."

On the plus side of searching for them - Eddard was able to confirm that there were Ten hostiles present within the warehouse.

On the negative side, although he found the infusers without being spotted, Seven of the Ten damned hostiles were guarding the infusers. They were right on top of them.

"Allerius..." he commed his ally near silently, "Cause a distraction."

It would help.

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Allerius nodded to himself as the message came through the comms. Sneaking around the corner he glanced out at the wider open space of the warehouse around which various cargo containers, crates and other containers where stored. Seeing a bunch of rusty old barrels that looked like they’d held some sort of liquid at one point he decided on his chance. Using the force the Assassin’s mind stretched out towards the metal storage objects and with a swift movement of his hand he sent a stacked pyramid of around a dozen barrels crashing to the ground. The sound of metal smashing against concrete and other pieces of metal rang out throughout the warehouse.

Allerius drew back around the corner as he heard voices of unseen guards shouting and feet cracking across the ground as the investigated. As he waited one man, armed with a rifle, came up the steps towards him. Allerius fell back behind a crate, waiting for the man to pass so he could take him out but instead the man stood at the top of the stairs without moving further down the corridor.

The guard swung his rifle in Allerius’ direction, a torch on his weapon shining in his direction as the Sith tried to hug type to the crate he was behind. Allerius didn’t just hide physically, he drew on the force and made himself small, closed of his mind instinctively as he’d been trained to do. Either due to skill or fortune he remained undetected.

Whispering into his comm-link he messaged his partner. “That should be some of them drawn off, do you need me to start picking them off?”

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Well then.

It looked like it was time to get to the bloody business of the day and make sure that it was bloody indeed. He drew his blaster pistol, the Imperial one, in his left hand and his lightsaber in his right. For a moment more he didn't move as he sighted down the six remaining men in front of the shipment.

"You stay hidden Allerius - pick them off from the shadows. I'm going to draw attention to myself."

He looked them over for a moment before deciding he was going to be merciful.

Then he thought better of it, took aim with his blaster pistol, and fired three times, exploding the heads of three of them and splattering the others in their viscera.

He stood there and ignited his lightsaber in his right hand.

"You can run if you want."

So they did.

The three remaining men guarding the shipment literally dropped their guns and ran for it. Eddard stared for a moment before touching his com link.

"... I think my luck is changing."

@Lazy Swordsman

 

[Allerius Katress]

Aurelian heard his colleague’s response and grinned. Permission was all he needed to start spilling a bit of blood. However he had a more… enjoyable idea in mind for his next move. As the nearby guard looked around once more to try and find the source of his suspicions he began rubbing at his eyes, his arm with the rifle in it hanging loosely from his grasp. Aurelian reached out with the force and pulled the weapon from his hand causing it to clatter loudly as it crashed into the ground.

Whoops. That might draw some attention, time to move quickly.

Aurelian stepped over to the guard and he smiled. “Name. Now.” he demanded as he ignited his two lightsabers.

The guard licked his lips. “K-Korsik.”

Allerius grinned beneath his mask, he knew how terrifying a presence he must appear. He didn’t have time to enjoy this however, the sound of the falling weapon could draw others. “How would you like to make some money friend?” he asked, as soon as Korsik nodded he continued. “Good. Take your rifle and start shouting for back up, lead them over there…” he commanded pointing down the corridor to the next corner. “I’ll be watching.” he added as he deactivated his weapons and slipped away. ♦

The Sith Assassin hid around the corner he had earlier indicated. He was taking a gamble and hoped the guard fulfilled his promise.

A few moments later he heard Korsik yelling for support and the pounding of three sets of boots as they tore towards him. Korsik passed first, he was either a good actor or didn’t even see the assassin. Either way once he passed the next two guards soon followed. Red Blades exploded into action as Allerius cut down the next two guards before they could even react. ♦

Turning he saw Korsik staring in a mixture of horror and… awe? Now that was surprising. Allerius grinned. “Good job Mr. Korsik. My name is Allerius, take it to the local Imperial Centre and they will pay you. Or, if you want a bonus, help me get rid of the rest of these men. Unless you’re too attached to them?”

The guard began to nod, slowly a smile touching his lips and Allerius noticed a pale white filament that seemed to cover his eyes and cloud his gaze… apparently he was half-blind. “I’m just a hired gun. I work for whomever pays Sith.” he responded with a hint of courage coming into his voice as he overcame the initial fear Allerius had infected him with. ♦

“Good enough.” Allerius stated happily keeping his lightsabers powered up. “Imperial Service is rewarded and Service to me is rewarded very well.”

Walking down the corridor, humming as he did so, Allerius activated his communicator. “Two down and one has… remembered his loyalty to the Empire. Coming your way.”

With that Allerius and Korsik set off towards Eddard’s location.

@Nefieslab