Log:First Order: Sniffing Out Rats
Sniffing Out Rats
OOC Date: March 5, 2018
Location: Bespin
Participants: Grayson Oakfell, Lioria Thrace, Rhona Darrett, Asiir Cuul, First Order
The sun is falling on Cloud City, turning the pillowy clouds surrounding the floating city into a beautiful array of orange and pink rippling "hills" as far as the eye can see. The city itself is a dull grayish white structure, completely innocent to the casual observer as the transport slices through the clouds on approach for landing. The First Order soldiers belonging to the Vanguard have received a short briefing relaying suspicions of Resistance agent activity in the mining facility, a threat that the First Order chain of command is not willing to overlook given the principal export of Tibanna Gas.
Gaining clearance to land on pad 101A, the shuttle slows, repulsors firing as they steady the craft and slowly lower it down upon it's landing gear. "Alright, troops," a naval officer standing at the forefront of the shuttle says. "You all know that Tibanna gas has many uses, including the powering of blaster weaponry. We cannot allow the Resistance scum to gain a foothold on Bespin and have an inroad to arming themselves. You know your job. Get out there and find out what you can. Do not come back empty handed." As soon as the officer is finished speaking, the boarding ramp at the rear of the ship lowers to touch down gently, allowing the brisk wind of the Bespin Atmosphere to be felt inside the vessel.
Rhona's been watching the approach via the shuttle's camera feed since the five-minute landing warning was given. As always, the strawberry-blonde trooper is enjoying the chance to see someplace new. Databooks can only tell you so much, after all, especially when it comes to exotic places like Cloud City. The size and beauty of the city is impressive in and of itself, and it's only enhanced by the unusual atmosphere.
It's only when the navy man reminds her of the mission that her smile vanishes, though mostly because she's pulled on her helmet. The hatch falls, and she steps out onto the landing pad, taking a good look around this part of what's likely to be home for at least the next several hours.
Even the voice masking can't entirely hide her good cheer as she mutters, "Give us the easy jobs, why don't you?"
One Dr. Oakfell is along for the ride, having been asked, and having acquiesced, to providing medical support. She is outfitted in a TIE Pilot Suit, the clothing not offering much in the way of protection, but allowing her to look unified with the others. She sits, working on a datapad, her helmet hooked to her belt on her right hip, legs neatly crossed, right over left, her heeled boot gently bouncing in time to whatever tune is playing in her head. Once the shuttle has landed,the breeze sweeping in will pull tendrils of hair away from her carefully formed bun. Thumbing the datapad off, Graysons attention shifts to the man speaking, her hip lifting a little so she can slide her datapad away. Her ox-blood red lips will purse slightly, a faint smile playing over her features as she turns to look to the others who are also on this mission. Rising up after legs are uncrossed, she will untuck the helmet from her hip, glancing to Rhona as she speaks, "Well, I hope it is not too easy. Because then I am not needed." Her accent is heavy, pleasant, in the alto range, and soon is filtered as she leans forwards to pull on that helmet, trying not to mess up her hair. Priorities. With a twist she secures it, and reaching down the strapped medical kit she brought with her is slung over her head, worn cross-body style, the kit itself swung behind her to rest against the lower back more to the left side, all while she strides off the shuttle.
There's a hooded figure on the ship in all black, underneath is Lioria, but given that she's intent on NOT having her face plastered everywhere should things go badly, she's decided to dress differently for this mission. Mostly she's sat quietly with her black and silver BB unit at her side. It had been quietly dooting at her on the flight to their destination as she'd been working with her datapad. When they arrive though the hooded head turns to listen to the officer that speaks and there's a nod to them. With orders given again, she stands and follows the troopers off the ships, with R0-LY on her heels. "Commander Oakfell, it's good to see you again." she states quietly as she catches up to her. Yes, that's Lieutenant Thrace's voice in that darkness.
Another hooded figure is situated at the rear of the vessel, clad in robes of midnight black. A large voluminous hood is drawn up over his head, hiding the features of the Cathar from view. He stands as the others make their way toward the ramp and extends a gloved hand to each as they pass. "This is a computer spike. If you find a lead on suspects, jack this into a nearby computer terminal and it will allow me to remotely access outbound communications. We will examine them here, and then advise on further action. Be mindful, we only have three of these. If you should select your suspect wrongly, after three attempts we will be out of chances," Asiir says with a deep voice that carries the hint of a growl. He gives a dip of the head to each as they pass, and then begins moving for the front of the transport.
As the three First Order officers step off of the boarding ramp, an obviously flustered diplomat hurries forward. A few fine droplets of sweat are noticeable on his forehead, despite the chill wind, and his hands wring together nervously as he says in a faltering voice, "Hello! Allow me to welcome you to Cloud City! M-my name is Berrle Vargen. I have been asked to personally give you a tour of the city and to put myself at your disposal. If there is anything that I can do to make your stay here more enjoyable, you have but to ask!"
Not knowing the two women, Rhona merely nods politely to each as they come down the ramp. And to the minder with his computer spikes, accepting one as she passes.
The arrival of the man triggers every instinct any honest trooper could develop about cringing civilians with shaky voices and insincere smiles. She leans close to the hooded woman and whispers, "He's jittery. I think he's worried we'll be flying in and occupying this place, like on the news." Even the whisper holds traces of disgust, though whether for the man or the aforementioned occupiers' atrocity-committing habits is unclear.
Grayson Oakfell seems pleasantly surprised, not because she received a data spike which she eyes with some derision, but not having realized that Thrace was hidden in that cloak. Of course any surprise is hidden by her helmet, but the slight cant of her head may display her delight, "Lieutenant, my but aren't you stylish." Said in an aside to Lioria, Graysons right hand holding the strap of her medical kit, the other swinging at her side, the data spike slid into the chest pocket of her flight suit.
The man who greets them is greeted with an impassive helmeted look, black visor reflecting the mans face back to him. She's silent. Rhona's observation isn't heard, given that Rhona whispers to Lioria, Grayson hanging back as the medic, "Let's go, before we waste any more time idling here." That is all Grayson contributes for the time being.
"Thank you." Lioria states as she takes the data spike from Asiir and there's a nod of her head to one of her partners in crime as of late. Then she's caught up to Grayson and Rhona and the bright violet eyes are the only thing that can be seen from that hood. And there's a bit of a confused look for a moment, "Go about your business, Berrle Vargen, we can see ourselves around. This is not an occupation." the woman states in a cold tone. Damn. With that she motions the other two along as well. "We have things to tend to." she states in a warmer tone to Grayson and Rhona. R0-LY doots as he rolls along with them.
"B-but ma'am!" Berrle says in shock as Lioria seems to dismiss him. "Do you know your way around Cloud City? I do not wish to be remiss in my duties to you and the organization that you represent!" he says, the seeming dismissal seeming to worry the man a good deal. He starts off at a brisk pace as he tries to keep pace with the trio as they head inside and into one portion of a semicircular hallway that heads both left and right. Pristine white hallways gleam with a cleanliness that is surprising for a mining colony, though mining gas is no doubt different than mining ore. Foot traffic is steady in this portion, restaurants and lounges able to be seen on down the corridor in either direction, security detail standing a staggered intervals and watching those coming and going quietly.
Well, they're the officers... Rhona shrugs at Vargen and moves to follow the two. Personally, she can see some advantages in having a local guide, especially in such a huge place.
Peering around the tall doctor, she tries to get a good look at where they're going. This is a seriously nice place; maybe she should book a vacation here soon.
But she's not so distracted by the decor that she fails to see something else. Tapping Grayson's shoulder, then Lioria's, she nods towards the man trying to lose them in the crowds. "Suggest someone peel off to cut him off, while I play the obvious armored thug," she whispers, pretending not to see the man.
Grayson Oakfell's shoulder is tapped, and she'll pause in her steps, reaching up to twist and unhook the helmet from atop her head, pulling it off. Her cheeks are flushed from the heat within, and an inward breath is sucked in and exhaled out, having heard Rhona's words, "Berrle Vargen .." Began warmly, her chocolate brown eyes alighting upon the man as she holds the helmet under her arm, the other arm lifting up to guide him to the side, giving Lioria and Rhona a chance to do as they will with whatever they spotted, "I am rather parched, would you guide me personally to grab a cool drink so that I may not be so thirsty?" Her phrasing is awkward, but genuine, "I will put in a /very/ good word with your superiors, and tell them of how you took such good care of me, and in extension, my cohorts." All said in a very sweet, and beseeching tone, Grayson looking hopefully down to the man's face, soft smile playing over her lips.
"I saw him to." Lioria states quietly as she brings her datapad up. She looks to it and there's a nod, "Doctor, if you'll stay with our companion here. I'll take the other way around." she states to the two of them. "Or that." she gives a chuckle when Grayson starts after Vargen. She'll part ways with Rhona, her and R0-LY will head after the man that's pretty interested in staying away from them from a different direction.
Berrle opens his mouth, his eyes looking from one to the other until Grayson makes her request. Something in her tone seems to make the man relax a little and he nods his head. "O-of course," he says in a voice that is a tiny bit happier that he is being of some use to the group. He points toward a food station a small bit down the corridor in the opposite direction of where the man that Rhona and Lioria spotted is heading, saying, "Right this way, miss. This place will have whatever you like, and of course it is complimentary. We want to make you as happy as possible."
As Lioria begins making her way through the crowd, she is hindered some by the crowd that is flowing in the opposite direction. She can see the figure trying to outpace her around thirty feet ahead of her, but it is almost as if a few of the crowd moving in the opposite direction are trying to hinder her progress by not moving out of the way quick enough. Up ahead the man, a human, turns and looks over his shoulder. Spotting the hooded Lioria, the man's eyes widen and he begins to run, turning abruptly down a side hallway to the right.
Rhona nods simply, moving to stay with Grayson. She does glance over Lioria's way as they follow the nervous Vargen, trying to see how she's doing.
Not too well, it seems; the man's got sharp eyes. "Runner," she hisses, moving to join the chase, breaking into a run.
And there goes Rhona, Grayson watches as the woman breaks off into a sprint as the doctor was about to go into that cafe. Why is it everyone always runs when she's on a mission with them. A delicate grimace forms on her face, and with a look of apology Grayson will reach out to Vargens arm, touching fingertips to his forearm lightly, "I think you will give me a tour now, and you will cooperate with me, yes? You are, afterall, to make us happy, so let us go." While Lioria and Rhona go after their suspect, Grayson will take the diplomat with her to search for others.
"He's running from me, someone head him off if they can." Lioria states over the comms when she sees the man start to run. "Get him, R0." she tells the black and silver BB unit. The round droid doots angrily and then zips off after their target and she as well starts to break into a run. Her being the focus of attention means someone else can go around.
Grayson Oakfell takes the mans arm, a brow lifting gently, "Truly? Why would any wish to cause trouble here." Her hand encapsulates his forearm gently, Grayson walking along in a stately manner with the man, seeing his response to the running man and capitalizing on it, "That breaks my heart, seeing someone as much of a flea as that man, riding on the back of this beautiful facility and causing much trouble." Frowning then, but not enough to cause her forehead to wrinkle, just squish those brows of hers together a tiny bit, "Whom else is causing trouble for you? Our goal is to ensure that facilities such as these flourish, and we /are/ here to help you in any way we can. If I can aid in having individuals who cause trouble plucked, I am more than happy to do so." Graysons strength is not running, but diplomacy, tact. She can work with thos, "We are your partners afterall, and your happiness is just as important to /me/ as ours is to /you/."
R0 rolls around the corner on the man fast. Before he can blink, one of the ports on the BB unit opens up and a small arm extends with a spark at the end and the droid starts shocking the man mercilessly. Over and over again. Was he anything like his owner? Perhaps.
"The electric current flowing through his body will slow him down." Lioria states in a cheerful tone as she approaches the corner and grips it to swing herself around it to try to get the distance crossed faster. She was hoping that the electrocution would slow him up, or stop him completely. For his sake.
Vargen hesitates for a moment, turning his eyes around to view Grayson directly, hesitance evident on his features. Something about her seems to charm the man, however, and he says, "Well.... I suppose that if we are to be friends, then I should be willing to extend some trust toward you and yours. That man is a problem, as are three of his friends. They are all nosy and constantly having to be run away from the secure areas of the facility. They all stay in the same residence. An apartment down toward the poorer levels of Cloud City. They are small living quarters, but the four of them seem to not mind the close confinement. Can you imagine? Living down in the Arktol Sector? Cloud City is a wonderful place, but I wouldn't even want to walk through there!"
The fleeing man lets out a cry of pain as R0 shocks him with that prod arm. His muscles seize in the shocked leg and he stumbles, then falls flat to his face on the floor. He whimpers and cries out as the droid continues to shock him, just managing to roll over to his back and look the way he came to see Lioria and Rhona quickly catching up. In a last ditch effort, he seems to chew something in his mouth, eyes immediately beginning to bug and turn bloodshot before his entire body seems to seize and jerk on the floor. The movements are rapid, and his mouth begins to foam, before finally going still, a death rattle slowly working it's way from his chest.
"Good thinking!" Rhona says, her approval of Lioria's use of the droid obvious enough. "Looks like it's working..."
At which point she catches up and sees the man convulsing in a most un-electric-shock way. Her breath hisses out in a frustrated, disgusted sigh. <We've got a problem,> she says over the comm. <We did catch our runner, but he's evidently swallowed a poison capsule. Does our guide know anything about him? Residence, occupation, anything?>
"Disgusting. Let me tell my companions so that we can rid you of such bottom dwellers." Grayson says ever so gently, patting the mans arm, "Ladies, this is Doctor Oakfell--" She looks to the man she's with, smiling ever so reassuringly to him, as she speaks over the comms, "The gentleman you are chasing has three companions, down in the Arktol Sector in an apartment." Speaking without rush, her brown eyes scouring the mans face, "My dear, do you happen to know which apartment, and the names of the men? I do not wish for those who do not deserve it to find their freedom taken by accident." So full of caring and concern, Grayson tries to project that she only has his best interest in mind, "That is not how we operate." From the chest pocket of her uniform she draws that dataspike, using the hand that was patting his arm to do so, while her other arm remains in his, "Tell me, Vargen, have you ever had the opportunity to attend any galas on Coruscant? There is a lovely event happening in a few weeks and I do not have a companion to escort me ..." She keeps the comms open so the women can hear what is being told to her while she speaks to the man.
"R0 enough." Lioria snaps and the droid stops immediately and rolls back to the hooded woman’s side. There's a nod to Rhona before she looks to the downed man. When the man seems to be in the throws of death there's a growl from her and she reaches up to rub her face. "Doctor Oakfell, the man is dead." she states. Then she takes a knee as she listens to Doctor Oakfell's conversation with the man and starts to check him over for anything of use. She's guessing she's not going to find much!
As Lioria begins to search the now dead man's pockets, she will not find much of use other than a card used to bypass electronic security features standard with all living quarters in Cloud City. There is no identification, nor so much as a comm unit on his person. In the left front pocket of his pants, she finds a small bottle of white pills. Cleverly designed, they are molded in a way that they can be fitted overtop of a rear molar, easily crushed by pressing hard with one's teeth.
Vargen seems surprised as Grayson invites him to go on a date with her to one of those snooty falooty art galas on Coruscant. "I have not," he admits with a small smile, taking a moment to lift his free arm to use a forefinger and thumb to smooth out his mustache. "I would be delighted to go with you, though, if that is the lady's desire." He seems to really be thinking now, trying to recall any names that might have been mentioned, "No... No, I do not know their names. But I know that two of the others are Zabrak, a male and female, and the other is a Rodian. A blue Rodian! And their apartment.... I believe it is on the G level? One of the last living quarters on the left."
[I suggest that that be our next stop,] Rhona says, watching Lioria's back as the woman searches the dead man. <We'd better make sure his friends don't get the same chance to silence themselves before we can capture them.>
A raid? This could be turning into more her kind of mission.
"How else can I repay you for being so gracious to myself and my companions since we arrived?" Grayson asks with some surprise, "Of course I would like you to join me, we reward those who honor us." To the ladies on the comms, "Ladies, I have heard your words, and I am sorry. But, if you heard, there is an apartment on G level. I suggest gasing the room first, or going in with your weapons on stun to catch them off guard." All said in a very normal, unrushed manner, Grayson speaking to Rhona and Lioria as if she were talking about buying shoes, "My handsome friend Vargen here has been the most delightful creature in his assistance to us. Move quickly."
"Let's hope that no one set any alarms off and that Asiir can get some information when we get down there." Lioria offers as she stands up from the dead body with the access card and the small bottle. "Doctor Oakfell, if you'll have Mister Vargen send someone to tend to the body. We'll head to the G Level. We'll try to get the spike in before anyone enages though, so everything won't be for naught." she explains to them. Then she's heading off, her BB unit following in her wake.
The going is easy for Lioria and Rhona, a lift quickly found that carries them down the many levels to the lower floors of Cloud City. When they step out, they will both notice that the air is not near as high of a quality down in the belly of Cloud City, having been circulated and recirculated enough times that it is pretty stuffy. The air is still, causing it to feel warmer than it really is. When they emerge, they find themselves at a T intersection of hallways, though the directions Grayson managed to get from their guide suggests that they go straight across from the elevator. There are very few people in this level of the city, and those who are present and spy Rhona's armor quickly make themselves scarce, backing back into their homes.
Up on the higher levels, Vargen seems quite pleased with himself. For all of his nervousness earlier, it seems as though he may be taking this friendly First Order officer home in the near future. Everyone was so wrong about this lot, this woman is a doll!
Arriving at the proper apartment, Rhona stacks up beside the door, making sure her blaster is set for stun. Sure, she's got confidence in this stranger, but if something goes wrong, she's going with what works.
That done, she glances at the computer terminal by the door. "We just need a few minutes worth of sleepy gas," she suggests. "Makes me wish I'd brought grenades for this sort of thing..." Trying to help, she calls up the proper screen for the job they have in mind.
Grayson Oakfell keeps Vargen company, though she will lean in to murmur in his ear, her chin lightly brushing his shoulder as she speaks, "I am afraid there is a body that requires tending to, dear man. Would you dispatch someone to gather it, or would you prefer to take on the task yourself?" Sounding contrite she draws back, giving his arm a gentle squeeze as she disengages from him. The reality is that the man will not bed Grayson, ever, though she will follow through on her promise to bring him to the art gala in a few weeks. There he will be wined, dined, and she will flirt relentlessly with him if only to aid in spreading the word that the First Order is not as bad as people seem to think they are. And then, with deep regret, when and if he suggests retiring to her room for a 'drink' she'll waylay his plans by letting him know she's saving herself for marriage and is an incredibly chaste woman, who couldn't possibly soil the vows she took before such ceremony occured. But, she would introduce him to a lovely Zeltron woman who wasn't at all paid to be there for this exact purpose. Grayson has her strengths.
Lioria steps off the lift with Rhona and there's a look to the people as they back into their homes. Probably the wisest decision they've made today. She walks with the Stormtrooper down to where they need to be and there's a nod to her as they work, "Thank you." she tells her. "And yeah, sadly it's days like these where I'd love to blow something up...but we need stealth." she murmurs. Then her brain manages to get her fingers to call up the right mixture of atmosphere to knock those inside out. "Shhh. No sleep, just dreams." she whispers. "If any of them move, shock them, R0." she tells him as she heads for the door.
Vargen considers Grayson for a moment before he puffs his chest up and says that he'll take care of the body himself, clearly trying to impress the First Order officer that is so taken with him. After informing Grayson that he'll be right back as soon as he is finished, he moves from the food stand and begins to head off through the crowd, leaving the officer alone.
Down on the lower level of Cloud City, outside of a certain apartment, Rhona and Lioria will not be able to see what's going on, but they will soon hear the coughing and slurred sound of muffled voices overheard through the doorway. A dull thud smacking into the door, the crash of a body falling through what sounds to be a table, and the soft thump of a body simply falling to the door, alerts the two First Order soldiers of their target's collapse and a trap well sprung. A quick reversal of the atmospheric controls pushes oxygen back to acceptable levels before the door opens and the two can find all three people unconscious on the floor.
Rhona toggles the door open once the air clears enough, smiling at the sight before them. "I love it when a plan comes together," she says, moving to bind the wrists of the unconscious persons. <We've got his friends. Taking them into custody now. With luck, they'll have a lot to say about our friends in the Resistance.>
Grayson Oakfell eases her way to the cafe that Vargen indicated earlier, quite intent on getting herself a glass of wine, "Ladies, I suggest that you check their teeth, cheeks and beneath their tongues for any further capsules while they're out. Once we have them aboard the shuttle I can keep them sedated so I can conduct a more thorough search, but I would hate for all your hard work to go to waste if one of them rouses." She'll enter the cafe, asking for a wine list, content on perusing the vintages as she waits to hear updates from Lioria and Rhona. Led to a table near the entrance of the cafe, per her request, she will order a glass of wine, surprised by the availability of decent vintages, "Let us hope they do have a lot to say. I have to use a ticket I was hoping to use for another as a means to keep this small worm content." Muttered under her breath, Grayson keeping a pleasant smile on her face just in case Vargen comes back to tell her his deed is done. But wine. Oh. This is what Grayson lives for. Leaning back in her chair she will take the wine as it's served by a bot, and listens to the updates, sipping on the wine as she watches the crowds go by.
"We need to find their datapads as well and take them with us." Lioria states as she steps in and looks around. Maybe she was just focused on trying not to get another person to chew on a cyanide capsule tonight? Maybe. She moves to the nearest person and starts to check their mouth and then their pockets, "Alright Commander. We'll get them back to the ship in one piece." she grins to that.
Rhona checks the two Zabraks for datapads and weapons, going as far as to pull open shirts and jackets and pull down pants to make sure no small, hidden item escapes her notice. She's not as versed in finding poisons, though, that being a matter that grunts don't normally deal with. What she does find goes to Lioria. "Not a bad haul for less than an hour's work. And we'd only just gotten here!"
Grayson Oakfell sips her wine, smiling to herself as Lioria speaks, "Wonderful. I will start back to the ship in a moment and meet you there. If you need assistance with hauling them, I can have that man Vargen come assist you." Grayson will savor the wine but a moment more, leaving the glass half full, her tab already paid per Vargens words. But she does leave a tip. Again, the First Order must be represented properly. Out of the chair she rises, hands smoothing down her hips, a purposeful, but calm, walk taken back to the shuttle area.
Apparently Lioria's eyes start working again and she rounds up the Rodian's data pad after a few moments of searching through things. "Alright. We've got everything. Let's get moving back to ship and get back to the Finalizer." she states to Rhona with warm tone. While her face can't be seen, she's happy that it's at least turned out better. "Commander Oakfell, prisoners and data is returning back to the ship with us." she states as she gets the Rodian up and starts to drag them unceremoniously through the door and back towards the lift.
Prisoners and data pads rounded up and delivered back to the shuttle, the three are commended on a job well done. It does not take long for Asiir to crack through the security measures on the data pads and to isolate communications that have been relayed to a small resistance cell hidden away on Bespin. It seems as though the four agents were working with a high clearance mining executive to have tibanna cartridges ferried out for storage and transportation off world. As soon as the information was verified, a unit of Stormtroopers was sent back to Cloud City to apprehend and execute the executive for treason, and a squadron of TIE fighters scrambled to destroy the Resistance cell. Upon arrival back aboard the Finalizer, all three were commended for their performance, marks added to their service records to denote their daringness under pressure and service to the First Order.
