Log:Rebellion: Digging Deeper

Rebels spies follow information to a set of datachips from their Verpine contact

OOC Date: March 18, 2023
Location: Taris
Participants: Nerys Greystorm, Rieve Selki, Nerys Greystorm and Reverberate as GM

The Security Safes of the Whirlrock Hotel.

That was their goal. To navigate past hotel security, to the Vaults of the high class hotel. They had a safe number. Codes for entry. But their faces, nor their block chains, would match the Verpine who provided them the details. Requiring they will need to manage getting to the safes themselves.

Maybe getting back out will be the easier part.

Clear of the 'party' where the blue-bloods of shipbuilding elite continue their soiree of bragging, griping, barbs and social jockeying. The long corridors of the hotel were before them, with word of another contact being in proximity. Pink and Black being the 'call words' help identify who it was they would be working with.

Security patrols were regular, pairs in smart suits that likely concealed blasters. Hotel staff taking dirty dishes and bringing fresh platters, only specially selected housekeeping services present, due to the paranoia of the people in the ballroom behind the gilded doors shutting behind operatives. The light music and mingled genuine and false laughter cut off by noise cancellation systems.

The vaults' location were a known quantity. Getting into them was unlikely to be an issue. Getting tot hem, though, might be. Nerys, having removed herself from the party, and settled into the room she had booked for herself, tapped away at the encrypted datapad she had brought with her. She had not changed out of the attire she had worn to the more general gathering, finger scrolling through the intelligence she had gathered about the exterior and interior layout of the place.

Rieve pinged Nerys, just a tiny little message, encrypted, regarding going for a walk. For Rieve sought to wander, to spy the halls of this great hotel. To roam the parts that a guest would have access to with no questions asked, those parts that lead to those more serrious parts. A glimpse here, a glimpse there. Why the formally attired Hapan was nothing if not dutiful in his walk away from the party, a dignitary clearing his mind somewhat of the bustle and hustle of the party within the hall. Finally though, he would pause and send a message to Nerys as he drifted back into the hustle of the hotel. The message simply read: We're guests, perhaps we can store our own goods within the vault. Our previous company secrets. It would only be right to accompany them to ensure they are as secure as they say? Oui?

Negotiating.... PPt#@g<r2$*3Ytd)6:6L$2U-?@4pZ]H'

• • • • PRIORITY: URGENT ****

Acquire lodging, Whirlrock Hotel, await rendezvous in south wing. Code phrase, 'MYNOCK.'

• • • END MESSAGE ***

And that was it. The whole thing. Aria wanted to turn the datapad over to see if there was anything written on the back, but that felt stupid.

Not even a FROM, but the encryption negotiated correctly with the last key she'd been given from her contact. What was she, a rebel stooge, now? When they said jump, she said how high?

Sigh. No. She was helping. That was the /point/ of all of this. And they knew that. If they needed her to help, she would help. Maybe she was just meeting a new contact. Surely they wouldn't just enlist her in some stupid plan that was outside of her skill set. It's not like she was a safe cracker.

And so, Aria does as she's asked. She books two rooms at the hotel, as usual, on the Voss Galactic Corporation account. One for her, and one for her security detail. No one would question it. Who would argue with the Vice President of External Affairs and heiress coming and blowing a bunch of credits on partying? Especially given her reputation for being generous with tips.

But waiting the rendezvous was the hard part. She had already wandered the corridor once, passed a couple of security guards and told them she'd gotten turned around. Just a confused rich girl. But, that's Aria Voss, and anyone that reads the tabloid understands she's an expected quantity.

Security in the halls, trying to direct the Corp-Daughter all seem to tend towards a universal expression of somehow benign derision for how she gets 'turned about' in such a place as this. But while body language may scream one thing, their tones and words are the pinnacle of polite assistance.

A similar circumstance for the slicer looking over her data. Floor layouts, once on the rising tower of guest floors, are universal if mirrored every few as though to be difficult. The main differences in the design being the top floors where the Executive Penthouses and the Ballroom are housed. Even security layouts having considerable lack of detail and mountains of encryption.

Likewise the Lobby Floor, housing the entries, the main restaurant, boutique and salon can be found... and the pair of turbolifts that purport to be the means of travel to the Security Levels. Those seem, generally absent. As if built using the more clandestine preference of an establishment built and funded by the Corporate Sector.

A veritable Corusca Mine of valuables and valuable data. If one can get in, and get away with something worthwhile.

The message from Rieve had been received, and a secure packet has been sent to the burner datapad that had been squirrelled away on his person. While this meeting was of starship designers, no one was carrying an actual starship in their back pocket. One would hope. But plans, details, designs? Certainly. And what could be more secure than that? Knowing that there was another operative on the playing field, a coded message was returned, "It might be wise to store our designs in the vaults. Perhaps some company might not be amiss to see you down there. I will meet you there." The datapad was cleared, before Nerys rose from her seat, eyes considering the ventilation system in the room, before she would move to make her way back into the hotel proper.

Rieve haunts the passageways of the hotel, and indeed is that a familiar face? Well no. But the description yielded a few days ago sure seems appropriate. On his way to the main desk, a small folder filled with 'state secrets' that may or may not be various menus and brochures from the lobby is pulled from his jacket and cradled neatly within the crook of his arm. A pace away and Rieve smiles. "Lurking like a 'Mynock' in the halls of this great hotel, yet I've rarely seen one lurk so elegantly!" His voice flows easily, the warm hapan accent drifting and flowing and liliting in its own way.

"I'm on my way to the desk, I've a need of the vaults..." Even as he speaks, a room-card is slipped to Aria, and the Hapan seeks to drift towards the main desk. "Security you see! Much needed. Company secrets and all that, oui? If you have valuables of your own..." A smile, a wink, and Rieve seeks to ensure that Aria isn't caught alongside him lest it lead her to being associated with him. Either way, he is soon at the main desk. His 'secrets' in hand. Smiling, offering such warm words to the assistant there. "I have a need of your vault, I cannot leave these documents unattended in the hands of another. I need to place them there myself, you know how it is in this business? This ariag'nee? As they say? I need your help. Truly... you are all that remains between me and the safety of these company secrets my dear friend." Rieve's warm Hapan charm is on full show, his secrets clutched to his chest.

Footsteps. Oh, Force... Not another patrol. No. It's another guest. And that smile -- that familiar, "I know who you are," smile. Aria returns it with forced pleasantness, a thin, barely-there curl of her lips. Yes, she was Lady Aria Voss. Yes, she was probably going to get drunk later. No, she /probably/ wasn't going to sleep with you, despite what people think of Zeltrons. Although, frankly, damn...

Her eyes slide up and down Rieve, appraising. Then he speaks, and violet eyes snap up to his.

Oh, thank the maker. This is it.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," she answers as he passes, a playful grin tugging at her lips. But, of course, she's a spy, now. And she couldn't very well have expected him to just stop and brief her in the hallway, could she? Frankly, she didn't know /what/ to expect, but having a room key suddenly pressed into her palm by a complete stranger wasn't it. That much is made obvious by the way the room key tumbles onto the floor at her feet.

"Butter-fingers," she curses softly under her breath, shaking her head and kneeling to pick it up. "Sorry. I could really use a drink." To steady her nerves. Because what the hell? She was some sort of operative, now? And then the card gets tucked into her bra for safe keeping. Nothing to see here. Just more of Aria being an easily lost klutz.

But then there's the mention of the vault, and the pink-skinned heiress trots to catch up to the Hapan and security, a warm smile offered to the group. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude. Did you say you're going to the vault? I need to store my jewelry." A pause. A sideways glance at security and a little grin. "The last time I lost a necklace my father gave me is was /livid/. Of course.." A soft sigh, a roll of her eyes. "It's not like he couldn't afford to buy another one." A pause, then, as if she'd forgotten Rieve was there, clutching his pearls.. er.. documents. She blinks. "You don't mind, do you? If we go together? I assure you, unless you're hiding a bottle of Corellian Brandy in there, I could care less about your.. company secrets." Yes, it's smug and condescending coming from a girl that was supposedly just lost, but she's rich. And any company secrets that aren't hers can't be worth much.

For a moment there is a look given by the security agent when the Hapan begins talking of his secrets. His precious. A growing line of pressed lips that becomes a scrutinizing frown for the winking man. Another at the desk shares a glance with the first and there are volumes shared in the glance before another is motioned for.

A bald headed human woman approaches with an AJ^6 construct mounted to her head. Covering her ears and wrapping around the back of her head, red lights on the sides lighting up in sequences. Eyes tracing the paths of hands, facial ticks and vocalizations simultaneously. Gray gaze locking onto Aria with a downtick at the corners of her mouth.

"Miss Voss."

The curt tone mingled with the already 'robotic' inflection from the mind-altering cybernetics worn, "Mister Chavenesse..." one dark brow arching and the two desk agents that flank her growing more attentive. The byplay between the heiress and the hapan studied. The span of a single breath cast across an eternity.

The movement of the dropped card and it's ultimate destination had been registered but at long last the cyborg nods to the desk agents - the security member motions. "Follow me. This way and have your room keys present for synchronizing with lock system IDs."

Nerys, who trusted Rieve and the unknown operative should they be located, to do what needed to be done, began the process of moving her way through the hotel. While she went out of her way, as was usual, to use her humanoid traits to her advantage, as she moved, she shut down as many systems as possible, calming her breath, the beating of her heart, making it, she hoped, as difficult as possible for sensors to note her. The suit, of course, was also helpful, as she stole down to one of the staff entry points, not far from the laundry. A quick change into one of the staff uniforms, before she moved back out, following the maps in her head as she made her way towards what she hoped would be a useful entry point into the vaults. A tap on the comm unit imbedded in the suit, allowing the two buzzes that would notify Rieve that she was on her way

"I fear I shall require my card Madelle... Voss?" The question asked as if indeed he had never met the socialite before. "I fear drinks and discussions shall have to wait until after, their security is certainly better than I anticipated." A hand is held out for the card he had slipped the heiress but moments before. "Your Zeltron charm shall I promise ensure that we have drinks and dinner later, that can be arranged mes oui?" He asks of human so adorned with such intrusive cybernetics. His 'secrets' are clutched to his chest a little tighter, his eyes drifting from Aria to the assistant, clearly hopeful in regards to both security and drinks. A mere moment later, he is following. Card in hand no doubt. Secrets clutched. His eyes drinking in all that surrounds them, intrigued indeed as he ensures a pace slower than those so guiding them. "What is your security? Are you sure it's safe? No insult intended of course. But these are proprietary secrets... to lose them would ensure terrible consequences for my company and indeed myself."

'Miss Voss' smiles. Why was it always the most fun when the dour ones treated her with respect? It had always been that way -- ever since the first time she was taken home by a security patrol, when the officers called her, 'Lady Aria,' and then returned her to her parents. Because that's what they had been paid to do. Because credits could fix anything. That is, at least, the lesson her parents had instilled in her.

In any case, if there was a hint of anything on her face, it was satisfaction.

That is, until the pretty one asks for his card back. She sighs, disappointed. "Just Aria, to you," she responds with a warm smile, though she does as he asks. Two fingers slip inside the plunging neckline of her blouse and withdraw the keycard, holding it back out to its rightful owner. "I hope you don't blame me. It's rare that I'm compelled to be the aggressor. Drinks, dinner. And dessert, perhaps, if things go well." There's a mischievous glint in her violet eyes.

But then it's back to business, and once more she sighs. Young. Impatient. She was ready to move past this part of the evening for /so many/ reasons. But she falls into step, one hand reaching up to touch the pendant dangling against her chest, and then she fishes another card out of the other side of her bra. This time, her own.

No answer was given regarding dinner from the cyborg, but the desk agent comments, "You can make such arrangements once finished in the Vaults. Sir." an abbreviated nod given in passing.

Passage moves without the normal parade of opulence for the hotel, instead now a matter of very serious business. Moving down corridors from the main lobby and past a single intersecting hall where the security agent points to a red haired woman in hotel staff attire in markedly darker shades than 'front staff'.

The turbolift humms and the sensations of scanners recording can near be felt physically and leave a notable absence when they stop.

More narrow corridors, deep in the belly of the hotel, where the only lighting is artificial - a great blast door is approached and the security agent motions to each. "Insert your keys and press your palm to the scanner. You will be assigned a safe number and you will be escorted to the retrieval chamber." a glance at Nerys from the tall man.

Moving into position to provide a suitable escort for the pair, the red-headed security guard lifted a hand, indicating the direction in which the two hotel guests should go. They had already been given their instructions, and so she did not repeat them. She did, however, make certain that they moved easily through the space, not allowing much time to be taken to peek at anything to which they should not have access. She would simply trust that people who had secrets to preserve, would respect the secrets of others. Right?

Rieve smiles at Aria. "Dessert here is something else altogether, I have heard good things Madelle." The warm lilt of his words drifting easily as he followed as instructed. His palm was placed against the scanner as instructed, likewise his card inserted as demanded of the system. A nod is offered Nerys, the nod one would offer a stranger, someone sent to assist. Indeed, Rieve offered a smile to those security personnel that was both warm and inviting. "I cannot thank you both enough for your troubles. I understand that this would mean the utmost security and I am so far impressed. My family will be relieved I am sure once I relay the securing of these documents." There is little to say, little to do but comply.

The vaults. Something this guy needed was in the vault, and that is the /extent/ of what Aria had been able to piece together about her involvement. That, and she was quite certain she had actually /told someone/ somewhere along the way that she wasn't a safe-cracker. Literally those words. Next time, she's going to say them without laughing. Droids weren't great with sarcasm.

"Oh." Aria blinks at Rieve's reaction to her offer of dessert, her smile growing so amused that her eyes seem to sparkle. "It's... something else, alright." She bites her lip, trying to stifle a laugh even as Nerys joins them. She's barely acknowledged, though, along with the rest of the security. That's how it was with he rich. A uniform was a uniform. The help was the help.

"You're so... friendly." This time, Aria's laugh does bubble up, her tone back to being vaguely condescending. She watches Rieve and then follows suit as instructed, inserting her key and placing her palm on the pad with a sort of practiced, lazy efficiency that suggested she was used to going through security systems. At home. At work. At her charity. And pretty much everywhere else she went.

At last in the retrieval room, the Security Officer nods to the general guard whom isn't really one of theirs.

"You're stow boxes will be provided as will privacy rooms. Once you have what you need secured, your passcodes will be provided by the box and our staff will take care of the rest." the room in question a large, spherical room, where droid arms moving on recessed tracks between panels of structure that appear designed to shift and rotate as needed. Hundreds of panels, if not thousands. Two of which are drawn out by the automated limbs and placed on the table in the center of the chamber.

The officer departs, moving stiffly away and out. Leaving the infiltrators alone for now.

Alone with information pertaining to what the Verpine provided and how to retrieve it.

The red-headed security guard, because clearly, using a disguise that made sense, like changing your hair colour had not occurred (where would she have hidden the wig?), waited until the rest of the team had departed, and the door cycled locked for privacy reasons, before she signaled to the Hapan. She did not speak, gesturing they should not speak to her, as she got to work. A flimsi was retrieved from a sleeve, before she got to work, moving easily into the computer system, and the droid was soon retrieving the box she had ordered. Opening it? Would not be a problem. She had the codes fort that. She did indicate that they should do what they came here to do. Now, she do speak, voice as professional as it should be, "The room is yours, sir, ma'am."

With his back to Aria, Rieve sets about taking advantage of Nerys' actions and makes use of the illegally derailed box, taking the chips within and tucking them into his suit, before scattering similar unused and fingerprint swiped replacements into the tray and stepping back with a flourish. Without even skipping a beat, his own secrets are then placed into his own box and the box is sealed. Stepping back with barely a glance at those present, Rieve exhales a singular breath and clasps his hands before him. The deed is done. Only time will tell if this was indeed a success. There's no recognition of the act completed or committed, just the confident gait of a Hapan who has fulfilled what he came to do. Put his secrets away safely.

Aria waits for her empty lockbox to be delivered, and when it is, she removes the pendant from around her neck, placing it inside. Regardless of her cavalier attitude towards the whole process, once the security systems had been set in motion, she allowed the man his privacy. She didn't try to peak or pester. She finished her business and moved aside, waiting for him to be done so that they could leave the vault as they arrived -- together.

"Well, you certainly seem like a man with a weight off of his chest," she points out once he's moving back towards her, a smile touching her lips. "That folder must have weighed a metric ton."

Chips are swiped. Replaced. Necklace stowed.

It's all a manner of giving over the boxes to the droid limbs to stow once their sealed. One of those rare instances where a little luck, a little distraction and a fair amount of misdirection can provide the openings needed to make something like this work. Many people who read the holonovels or pour their credits into vids of 'spy stories' expect everything to go sideways at the pinnacle moment.

The truth is that if people work intelligently. Carefully. It's as climatic, most often, as pouring out a glass of water.

Rieve had the chips and with Nerys's work as well as Arias providing a more notable public figure to the mix, fortune was rolling in the budding rebellion's favor now. Whatever information the chips hold. Was it something designed by the Verpine? Was it something else? Was it, ultimately, worthless?

Either way, they were leaving without alarms. Being met at the turbolift without guns being pointed at them.

Had the Rebellion finally caught its first break?

Whatever the other two were doing, most of the red-head's focus was on the work //she// was doing, which was both accessing the system, and making certain that no trace of that access was discovered. The three boxes were soon stowed away and records doctored, before the guard, such as she was, stepped back, "If Sir and Madam are finished." Because it was polite to ask. Before she moved to cycle the door open to allow them to leave. The guard, of course, went about their own duties, disappearing back into the inner workings of the hotel. When Nerys Greystorm, nee Arda would reappear was anyone's guess. Likely only once she was certain the two operatives had been cleared from the hotel and possibly the system. Star System, that is.

On the way back to the elevator, Rieve didn't speak. He expected blaster fire. He expected the worst, and as a soldier of sorts, the knives concealed within his suit would at least buy those who sought to escape the time needed. Or perhaps they wouldn't. When such an assault didn't occur, Rieve exhales for what seemed like the first time in a good while. Nerys was thanked for her service as escort and security, as was right, a little thankful nod for service rendered in their stowing of goods. And once Nerys was away, Rieve felt even safer knowing that she'd vanish as easily as she'd arrived. Aria too was finally answered. "It pays to be friendly Madelle, in these trying times." The smile offered the fellow guest as he walked alongside her. "We'll have to make new arrangements for dinner, I fear I'm needed across the city... but another time? I do hope." The smile offered so delightfully gap-toothed at the fore, and with all that said and done, it was likely they'd leave Taris separately, vanishing off into the galaxy in different directions, until the next time.

Aria nodded at Nerys's question, walking along with Rieve towards the lift with a casual, graceful sway each step and an amused look up at him through dark lashes.

"Trying for whom?" she asks, her eyes glinting with mirth. "I'm about to drink myself into oblivion at one of the premier resorts in the system and, with any luck at all, trade an evening of bliss for a sizable donation to my new charity. You see? I'm doing what I can for those suffering. It's not /my/ fault that I'm not suffering, too."

There's a roll of one shoulder, then. Was this an act for the sake of the cameras? Or was this really who Lady Aria Voss was?

"Another time," she agrees, a pleasant little smile on her lips