--︱A Longing Chiss

3640 BBY (13 ATC)
Vonport
Vondarc

For all the splendor of its clustered cities and beautiful scenery, Vondarc was known more for its status as an endpoint trade world than tourism. A missed opportunity when the rocky archipelagos that scattered its surface were covered in a gorgeous tapestry of greens and offered plenty of beaches to enjoy.

As both the largest city and spaceport, the seaside capital of Volport was a bustling hub of towering buildings, whizzing aircars, and bulk freighters drifting through the sky. Most corporate and financial institutions kept their sector headquarters here, leading to buildings with a wide variety of architecture styles and material types shipped in from all over the Galaxy.

One of the daily rainstorms had dissipated an hour earlier, leaving the ground damp and the air a bit less humid. A blessing for anyone looking to avoid getting soaked while running errands - or exploring potentially hostile territory.

A shadowed distortion crept down one of the neglected side streets, where a couple restaurants were busy changing over between the lunch and dinner crowds. Climbing the narrow staircase ahead led up to a darkened office building. There was no one in sight and the locked main doors were simple to override before slipping inside.

Dust particles floated above the silent terminals, signs of ongoing renovation keeping the space abandoned. Still, the figure remained alert to any stray noises or signs of detection. Simply bending the light was not foolproof to a trained eye or thermal scan. The stealth field would have been more effective with a full body infiltration suit rather than a civilian outfit, but this suited his purposes for now. Saved him from needing to change clothes as well.

Light filtered through a doorway ahead, and he paused at the threshold, finding an unfinished space exposed to the elements. Bare metal columns and bundles of dangling wires framed the woman at the far end, intently studying something in the distance.

Short, fiery hair stood out against the shadows in contrast to the well-tailored charcoal bodysuit she wore that complimented her thin frame. It was inconspicuous enough to avoid drawing attention, yet sleek enough for infiltration. And if he knew anything about her, there would be a bright shirt visible underneath the half open top. A casual style that wasn’t quite regulations, but comfort was key.

Flipping a switch on his belt dropped the shimmering cloak to reveal himself. Dre’hen wore a fashionable outfit that was more suited to this section of the city, including a long jacket that concealed most of his gear. Chiss were a rare sight in most corners of the Galaxy, but especially so this close to Republic space. Hopefully anyone he crossed would assume he was a trader looking to sell trinkets from the Unknown Regions at vastly inflated prices.

Making no effort to hide his footsteps, he moved up to join his fellow operative gazing upon the target location. “I like what you’ve done with your hair.”

Nykett tensed at the sound of his voice, so brief that a less well-trained eye might have missed it. He watched her force herself to relax, she didn't look over when she finally spoke. "I hope there’s a good reason you’ve chosen to loom over my position," She spoke with clipped Imperial diction, at odds with the softness of her voice. “Or at least that Keeper offered you more than a bit of pocket change for babysitting duties.” Nykett adjusted a dial on her macrobinoculars.

A large villa stood across the way, backing to one of the steep mountains covered in lush forest. It would not have seemed out of place on any number of worlds, but the presence of rifle-toting guards patrolling and numerous holocameras made it more of a gilded fortress.

He couldn’t help but be amused. "Nothing devious, I assure you. Merely an extra set of hands, as I believe your idiom goes."

"Officially?" She asked, finally raising her head to look back at him.

She had an admirable mask, but she couldn’t hide the twinge of defensiveness in her voice. He could sympathize. There were those in the Empire who would question her competency because of her youth, her size, her gender. Just as there were those who would question him because he was Chiss. Imperials could prove painfully provincial at times. He would be lying if he said he didn’t miss the ease and efficiency of working within the Ascendency.

He softened his tone, letting a touch of formality seep back in, "This is your op, Agent Sparhawk. I'll follow your lead."

Nykett studied him for a long moment before relaxing, accepting the unspoken ka-olive branch. She returned her gaze to the binoculars. “If I’m leading, I need space to work. That said, I wouldn’t say no to cover.”

“As you wish.” He agreed, unslinging his charric. An example of superior Ascendancy technology, the rifle fired bright blue beams that combined kinetic and energy damage, which could even knock the lightsaber from the hands of a Force user.

It came with a few aftermarket enhancements, and was compact without sacrificing power. The only tradeoff was range, but he rarely needed such accuracy beyond a couple hundred meters. A quick inspection ensured there were no potential issues with the power pack or sights that might fail at a critical moment. He caught her glancing over and smiled. She preferred blaster pistols it seemed. At least it was all he ever saw her in the field with.

“I’ll be on comms. Feel free to pipe up if I’m walking into a trap.” The defensiveness had seeped out of her voice, replaced with her habitual dry confidence.

“Be cautious of Pazpo Taviv. The Exchange is not known for taking surprise visitors well.”

“Cautious? And here I thought I would just stroll in and ask him for his secrets and a glass of Commonor brandy.” Nykett arched an eyebrow at him, walking backwards to make sure she had his gaze, “Remember, Dre’hen. Cover only.” Reaching the nearby ledge, she turned and lowered herself out of sight.

Striding across the thick support between buildings, Dre’hen angled for a cluster of generators and the small maintenance ladder bolted into the duracrete. Hoisting himself up, he paused just before the top to shimmer back into stealth. This cloistered area had a direct sight line to the villa and there was little chance of drawing attention unless he needed to start firing.

Tucked away on the upper floor was a terrace area surrounded by walls. Flat stones were arranged in idyllic pathways that wound between the trees of various colors. Dominating the center was a pergola covered in flowering vines above chairs, loungers, and a low table for entertaining.

Through the gaps in the trellis, Taviv was easy enough to recognize by his indigo skin, large lethorns, and unusually portly frame. Wrapped in a loose and flowy robe suitable for the climate, he reclined while focusing on something unseen.

“In position.”

Although this was not their first pairing, Dre’hen still found some of Nykett’s behaviors hard to read. Compartmentalization was a given on any operation, yet this somehow felt deeper. She was candid and direct in a way that he had never seen at the Citadel on Dromund Kaas, while adding in notes of teasing and playfulness. Their banter sometimes felt almost like flirting.

Not that he would protest any deeper feelings that might exist. He had even leaned into her quips a bit a few times to test the waters, but pulled back for the sake of professionalism. If he overstepped and had misread how she felt, the consequences could be both professionally and platonically dire. For now, it was reasonable to keep analyzing the situation for any other indicators.

Nykett was crossing the street below, bending slightly as she rolled a metal orb on a wide path away. After a couple small bounces, the cheap toy began strobing in a rainbow of colors, and immediately drawing the full attention of the holocamera motion sensors for a few precious seconds.

Reaching the base of the villa’s walls, the agent fished out a cylindrical object. The spear-like grapple launched up and over before catching on a piece of the decorative stonework at the top. Snapping the cylinder to her belt, Nykett placed one foot on the wall and let the auto-retractor pull her into a horizontal jog up the sheer surface, vaulting over the lip.

Moments later, the operative reappeared inside the walls in plain view. Heading confidently for their target, Taviv’s eyes widened in panic.

The half-constructed model of a small speeder the Chagrian had been working on fell from his hand with a clatter. “How did you get in here?”

“There’s been some nasty rumors flying around about your organization.” Nykett took a few slow steps forward to slide into the open seat across from him. “Slanderous claims that you’ve been supplying pro-Republic militias throughout the Var Hagen Sector with small arms and detonite.”

Armed enforcers moved from their posts amongst the trees with their weapons raised as Taviv pointed an accusatory finger. “If you’re here to threaten me, assassin, prepare to be disappointed. I made the deals and built this organization into what it is today, and I have no issues removing anything that might try to damage my interests.”

Dre’hen sprung into action as well, shouldering his rifle while shifting to triage the most imminent threat. Picking the one with a scattergun nearest to his partner, he took a calming breath. Too late to warn her of a trap that she had walked into willingly. He trusted her judgement and held his fire - for now.

“Not a threat. An opportunity.” Nykett countered as she leaned back. “There’s no question that you have impressive strength and influence on Vondarc, and my superiors recognize that as well. It’s why I had to meet you face-to-face.”

A bold opening play and she was already fully committed. How she kept such an ardent and cordial tone while in a potential kill zone baffled him. One of many questions, it seemed, that he would love to discuss if she survived this.

Tension hung quietly in the air for too long before Taviv put up a halting hand that made his guards disengage. “I’m listening.”

“You’re a smart man and clearly well informed. You know it’s only a matter of time before the Empire takes this sector, and we’re always looking to reward those that can support our war effort.” She spread her hands. “All I need is to know where your recent shipments were delivered. Too bad all that merchandise had already been paid for, and unfortunate to hear that the Harido Wald were supplying these insurgents.”

The name of his Rodian rivals earned a raised eyebrow. “Unfortunate indeed.”

“Perhaps you’ve heard where this band of violent criminals may be organizing?”

“Grab us some refreshments,” Taviv ordered, “and the rest of you can return to your duties.”

Lowering the muzzle, Dre’hen felt the corner of his mouth curl into a smirk. Despite his momentary deep concern, she had pulled it off. He told himself that his doubt came not from her skills, rather the poor weapons handling by too eager thugs. Criminals were unpredictable and often prone to violence for show. Not unlike some powerful elements of the Empire’s hierarchy.

Slipping back into a relaxed posture allowed his mind to wander while Nykett worked out the details. Watching how she interacted under pressure, a drink and coordinates in hand, he wondered if he still didn’t fully understand human mannerisms. Perhaps she really was just being kind to him. And that was enough. He would happily take the status quo and their quality time over plenty of alternatives.

Yet imagining the possibilities of something a bit more sordid was quite enticing…