Session export: Bloody Masquerade
Aurelis sat in the small transport of more luxury than she would have ever considered acceptable, but she hadn’t really had a say in it. At least she had the power to shove several of the dresses Dex had sent her back into his face via droid. She sat on a very plush seat while a droid drove the small taxi sized ship. They were floating above a vast metropolis approaching a building that would rival any Hutt Casino on Nar Shaddaa. When the taxi pulled up to the platform a male Twi’lek whose skin was deep blue held a hand out. Aurelis accepted the assistance, hitching the hem of her dress up to make it over the lip of the taxi without tripping.The Twi’lek directed her after she presented her invitation, and she nodded her thanks and proceeded through the building to the main ballroom. She handed over her invitation to the doorman and stepped through, her shoulders square and chin level as if she was born into this world of high galactic glamour. Though her hair was already a deep red, the silk of her gown seemed an even deeper red bordering on black, with a low back that displayed her shoulderblades, baring the slightest of trains with delicate black lace along the bodice and the edges of her train. She nodded to a couple people as she passed, and plucked a glass of red wine from the tray of a passing waiter. Spotting someone she actually knew she approached them, giving the woman a polite nod, she joined the circle of conversation, talking about the security of the region and flowed into talks about the conflicts with the Children of Mortis recently.
Elsewhere in the same ballroom, Warlord Vincent Brujah stood doing his best to avoid mingling with any dignitaries. He was here for a purpose. Word had gotten to him via the ISB that a child trafficking ring had been discovered within the Caperion System. Unfortunately, details were slim. He could have let the ISB continue their business, but Vincent took the safety of children very seriously due to the trauma involved in his own childhood. The children were the future of Vincent’s peaceful, but tamed Galaxy. He wouldn’t allow any further trafficking within his system if he could stop it.
If he were to get his hands on more intelligence that would lead him to the guilty parties, he would have to bear with one of the things he hated almost as much as Jedi and slavers… socialization. So here he found himself in his custom tailored black and red suit among the masses for what felt like the fifteenth time since he had been named Hand of the Empress. His hair was pulled up into a bun. He drank a deep amber ale from a frosted mug, doing his best to keep a fake smile on his face as people passed by. His mind was ever on the mission, and he listened carefully for any clues that might lead him in the right direction.
While in conversation with her little circle she was able to keep a casual eye of observation with half of the room. A fleeting glance across the room of a white streak pulled back made her pause, one that her companion noticed,” You’re staring, see someone you find attractive?”
Aurelis rolled her eyes and turned back to the woman who contrary to 95% of the women in the room was wearing pants, granted it was because of the military jacket with Captain’s bars. “ More like someone I’d rather avoid.” The woman with dark sweeping short hair raised an eyebrow,” That’s pretty much everyone.” Aure gently elbowed her,” Aryn if you weren’t paying me I’d avoid you too.”
Aryn chuckled,” Come.” she said. As they passed a few people, a handful paused to give Aryn a respectful nod and a soft,” Captain Keller.” she responded as they walked. They approached the end of the ostentatious bar, and Aryn ordered them whiskey on the rocks. “ What are you really doing here.” Aryn asked as the bartender moved away. “ Remember that blonde man?” “That one that dragged you away?” “Yes, he is working a case and needed me to follow a lead.” “And that lead is in this room?” Aryn asked, Aurelis nodded. “ Have you spotted them?” “No, there are only a handful of Commanders in the room, and none of them are Rattataki.” “ Military hm? There were more in the adjacent room playing cards. I’ll take you in there.” Aurelis nodded,” While we’re here, I’m Aurora.” Aryn nodded, and accepted the two whiskeys from the bartender, handing one to Aure, they clinked their glasses,” To successful ventures. This way.”
Aryn led them across the room, making small talk, and they were headed straight towards Vincent. However, they passed behind him, the slightest waft of citrus and jasmine passing by, and a familiar sort of…void. A shiny cascade of curls draped in a somewhat narrow half-updo. A blood red and black gown that flowed around her like water. She turned her head to look past Aryn, and a partial glimpse of a tattoo on her back appeared. The tip of a leaf, and the ends of lavender shaded petals with a shadow of deep pink. Backed by the old Imperial symbol, and small dots that from this view didn’t seem to form anything. She looked forward again and the image disappeared under her hair again, she and the slightly shorter officer were heading for a door to Vincent’s right.
She’d completely ignored him.
The smell lingered in the brain of Vincent for a moment, but then he recognized her.
“Just karking great.” he thought to himself.
Aurelis Phaelor. He thought that he was on his way to earning her trust, but something had gone wrong the last time they had met. He still wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, but he held the image of her staring blankly at him with blood splotched over her face in his head. He had been so careful to only drop his act after she had left, and only in the company of Reiden, but somehow she knew all the same.
Then he saw it, the tattoo covering the back of her neck. It was the same flower that… no… it had to be a coincidence. Still, the words from his adolescence when a young girl approached him before one of his slave battles echoed through his brain.
“Can I support you?” he heard internally as the vision came back to him.
What the hells was she doing here, in his system, at the very event that he had stalked quietly? Why did their paths keep crossing? Why the vision of the girl now? He tried to push the thoughts out of his head, but then he felt something coming from the room she had just walked into. The Force was insisting that he follow her inside. Perhaps his lead was in there.
“Son of a druk…” he again thought to himself.
He turned on his heels and walked into the room a short moment after she had. He scanned the room with his eyes, doing his best to avoid eye contact with Aurelis, at least for now. Instead, he approached a card table where others were playing sabacc. Of course, the very game his father was addicted to. That addiction, in addition to the death of his mother, ended with him enslaved. He loathed the game, but tonight, he would make an exception. As he approached the table the dealer recognized him.
“Warlord Brujah, Hand of the Empress. How may we assist you, sir?”
Vincent stared at the man stoically as he took a seat at the table and dropped a credit chit on the felt.
“Deal me in…”
Several tables over Aurelis was being introduced to a rattataki in military dress, from Vincent’s viewpoint the woman with the short hair stood between them. And by her stance and expression, Aurelis was clearly flirting. Her hand lingering on his arm. The rattataki looked rather confident. She motioned to the table with an expression that looked contemplative, then confused. Then he said something and pulled out the chair he was sitting in and she elegantly sat down, he leaned over her and placed a chip on the table, then leaned closer placing a hand on her shoulder and motioning with his free hand. Apparently explaining how the game was played. The others at the table called him out and there was some discussion and laughing, Aurelis leaned over towards the female officer she’d been walking with, drained her glass and said something nobody at the table noticed. The short haired woman glanced towards Vincent then back at Aurelis and nodded. She took Aure’s empty glass and walked away, Aurelis pursed her lips as she looked back at her cards and wrinkled her nose, motioning to the hand she held.
A few minutes later and 2 hands played, a glass of whiskey, neat, appeared at Vincent’s elbow set down on the table. Beneath the glass visible through the clear liquid was a small folded napkin. The hand that dropped it off vanished behind him and the thunking of boots followed her to the other table, where another glass of whiskey neat was deposited in front of Aurelis.
The note written in High Galactic simply stated. ‘ If you choose to talk to me, address me as Aurora.’
Aurelis briefly made eye contact with Vincent flashing him a slight smile that did not reach her eyes before returning to the male she had been flirting with,asking him a question. At the table, Aurelis sighed inwardly as she dragged her eyes away from Vincent to the cards in her hand, she actually felt pathetic pretending that she didn’t know how to play. She had to hold back a growl every time Aryn dared to snicker or giggle from a few steps away,though now engaged by a male scholar and discussing some engineering developments. “ I’d tried to learn before, but I don’t think the man knew how to teach.” she said absently, plucking the card from the discard pile and placing another down. “ Let me think, I had accompanied my father to Hutt space we’d stopped at a station, the man seemed handsome enough, tried to teach me how to play, he flirted a bit, bought me a drink. In the end I lost, a lot. One would have thought I was 4 years old again trying to learn from my brother.” she gave an innocent exasperated sigh.” I am definitely out of your leagues gentlemen.”
The round was over, and she laid down her cards, a 0 and the winning hand. She blinked a few times,” oh, I won…” she added quietly. Pulling the micro pile of chips towards her, then looked at the rattataki,” Actually these really belong to you,” she said pushing them towards him. “ It was your winning hand Miss.” the officer said. “ She frowned,” no no Lieutenant I insist.” He looked like he wanted to protest,” Only, if you accept my getting you a drink.” She gave an exaggerated sigh,” Fine, can you please get me a Scarlet Lotus?” The lieutenant looked…confused, “ Never heard of it, I’ll see what they have.” The man 2 seats away in a suit that spoke of neither military, scholar or Sith slid her a sideways glance,” Haven’t heard that name in awhile, odd choice.” “ I have only had it a couple times, it has an interesting taste that’s not suited to everyone’s palate, but then, I am inclined towards more exotic tastes.” She said with a soft smile at the man, looking at her cards, and placing one of her own chips into the pot.
Vincent briefly returned Aure’s smile, just long enough for someone paying close attention to notice. He then lifted the glass of whiskey and took a whiff of it. He didn’t detect any poisons, so he took a small, measured drink and then placed it back on the table, using his other hand to grab the napkin and wad it up before placing it in the front pocket of his suit pants. The dealer looked at him and he uttered two simple words.
“I stand.”
The other players finished out the round until it was time to reveal the cards. Vincent turned his over to reveal a 3, 7, and 13.
“Pure Sabacc!” the dealer shouted as the other players groaned.
The dealer began to push both piles of chips towards him but he lifted a hand and dropped his credit chit back on the table.
“Cash me out. I have a feeling the luck at this table just ran out.” the Warlord said.
The dealer nodded and in just a moment the chit was returned. Vincent stood, grabbing his drink, and left the seat. He looked around the room at the other card tables before settling his eyes on the one Aurelis was sitting at. He refused to make direct eye contact with her, but he approached the table and sat directly opposite of her. He dropped his chit on the table and motioned for chips. A stack of them were pushed his way a second later and his chit returned to him. Finally, he looked up at Aure, his face serious.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I call that beginner’s luck. Let’s see how you do against some real competition.”
Aurelis stared as Vincent slid into the seat across from her, having no choice but to show deference in her stage-play. She bowed her head,” My Lord? I am honored that you would believe me skilled enough with my first table to challenge.”
A diplomatic way of stating that he, as a skilled individual, was taking advantage of a beginner. The round was finished with her having a losing hand, then he was dealt in. The game began, the man who’d questioned her glancing between the two. The Lieutenant had yet to return.
Behind Aurelis, Aryn was observing the table as a whole, having worked her way to a position that she could do this while in conversation. The Warlord was looking everywhere but at Aurelis, and the other man, directly on Vincent’s left seemed fascinated by this turn of events.
Vincent eyed the table and noticed a placard that read “Corellian Spike”. He nearly groaned out loud, but instead managed a sigh.
“Perhaps your luck will continue. I much prefer regular Sabaac to Corellian Spike. I suppose we will see.” the Sith said towards Aure as the first cards were dealt.
He lifted his cards from the table. 8 and -3. Not a great start, but he kept his face as cold as he could manage, not wanting to give a tell to anyone at the table.
She tilted her head a little, and picked up her cards a 6 and a 2, also not a great start. She wasn’t hiding tells and wrinkled her nose a little. She had to hide that she wasn’t a beginner, and would probably be losing a lot of credits to Vincent.
As all the players received and reviewed their first two cards, Vincent studied the draw pile carefully. Vincent then turned his attention to the other players, studying their faces. One of the players up before him cursed and junked his cards, showing a 10 and a 9 face up on the table. Vincent smirked. When it was his turn, he picked up a stack of chips and dropped them slowly, one by one onto the table while contemplating. After a moment he picked up three chips and tossed them into the pot.
She looked from the angry player to Vincent who smirked and dropped some chips on the table, Aure reached for the draw pile, and deposited the 6, adding the same amount of chips as Vincent. Then angled her cars down so she could observe the rest of the table as they each took their own turns and it spun back around to the dealer for turn 2
The dealer passed a third card to each of the players. Vincent picked his card up and added it to his hand before looking at it. -2 the card read, bringing his total down to 3. Probably not a good enough hand to win, but maybe he could bluff them, and still the spike dice had not been rolled. This could play out in many ways. A man in front of him dropped two more chips into the pile. Vincent followed up in kind.
Aure picked up her card a 1, she dropped another 3 chips into the pot and settled back, running her fingers along the top edges of her cards.
Another man dropped his cards onto the table. -4, -6, 4. Vincent raised his glass of whiskey with a smile, toasting it in the direction of Aure before taking a sip. He then matched her extra chip and threw in an additional two to buy a card. The dealer passed him a new card and he pulled it to his hand revealing a -5. He suppressed a smile and discarded the -2, bringing him clean to 0. He watched to see how the remaining players finished the round. The spike dice would be rolled next.
Aure took her next card from the dealer, 4, she quirked up a half smile, and took Vincent’s -2 from the discard, and tossed 2 more chips into the pot. Leaving her with a 2, -4, 4 and a -2, also landing at 0. Now it was up to the spike dice.
The dealer rolled the dice, one circle and one diamond. No changes of cards would occur. Two more players junked their cards. The only remaining players were Vincent, Aure, and the rattataki. The Warlord grabbed a stack of six chips and tossed them into the pot. The rattataki junked his cards rather than match him. Then there were two.
Aure heaved a sigh, eyed Vincent, and matched, her gaze never leaving him.
Vincent smirked again and dropped his cards onto the table revealing his zero total.
Simultaneously Aure placed her cards, also a zero total. She leaned forward on an elbow and looked across at his cards then her’s, and actually chuckled without the act. Genuinely amused.
“So your beginner’s luck continues.” the Warlord said, returning a light chuckle at the sheer odds of both players ending up with perfect hands.
“Sudden demise!” the dealer shouted, garnering attention from what seemed like the whole room. He passed a card to each of them.
Aure flipped her card over, a 4
Vincent turned over his card revealing a 6. The room cheered as the game came to a conclusion and “Aurora” managed to beat the well known Sith. Vincent turned his head at the room, squinting at the patrons before smiling.
“Perhaps, I underestimated you. Well played.” he said as he lifted his glass of whiskey and finished it with a gulp.
“ Can’t say that last card was skill, now THAT was entirely luck.” she said, draining her own whiskey, pulling the chips towards herself,” But on that note, I think my own luck has run out for the night.” she set her chit down and asked to be cashed out. The gentleman that had been on Vincent’s right chuckled,” damn girl.” leaning away from the table,” Made out well for your first time.” ‘Aurora’ grinned,” Luck has definitely been on my side tonight.”
“ In a toast to your remarkable victory, may I request a dance, and we can discuss your interests in exotic drinks.” he said, rising as her winnings were cashed to her chit. “ Of course.” she nodded. She subtly raised an eyebrow at Vincent, as her chit was returned to her, and she rose stepping around to table to accept the Noble’s hand. She’d found him, her lead on this case.
Vincent tossed his chit back onto the table.
“Gentlemen, I’m afraid I must step away from the table. The Empress may not like it if I lose all of our Imperial research funds in a single night.” he joked as the men around him chuckled.
The dealer cashed him out and Vincent turned walking to the bar and ordered a fresh ale. When the bartender returned with a new mug, he walked to a corner of the room and took a seat by himself at a table. During the whole game with Aurelis, the Force had been warning him of something. As she walked away with the Noble, the warnings lessened. It would seem that they were here on similar business.
The Noble led her out to the dance floor, and they spoke casually as they moved, the man treating her with respect. He invited her up to a VIP area where the Scarlet Lotus drink was actually served which she graciously accepted. He took her on one more turn on the floor, and something pinged in the back of her mind, her eyes snapped up and she scanned the faces in the crowd, even as the Noble settled her hand in the crook of his arm, she was scanning the crowd. Something was wrong, someone was…wrong, hostile. Her gaze landed on Vincent in the corner, and felt some relief that it wasn’t him. Which meant the threat was elsewhere.
Vincent saw her gaze and noticed a slight look of alarm as if she was searching for some kind of threat. He could feel her confusion and then relief as her eyes met him. He couldn’t tell exactly what the issue was, but knowing Aure from past experience, he felt confident that if something came to violence, she could handle herself. Still, he would be ready. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a datapad. He lifted it up to face level as if he were reading a message. As Aure and the Noble danced, they spun. Just as the two turned and the Noble faced Vincent’s direction, he snapped an image of him and began processing it through the Imperial databanks.
Aure frowned as she continued searching the crowd ‘ where are you….’ she thought to herself. Looking…looking….her gaze drifted over 3 people towards the door, just barely visible from her viewpoint through 20 feet of people. One, an older male in his late 60s with black hair and green eyes, she locked onto. ‘Oh no…no no no.’ she repeated in her head, she looked back at the Noble she was dancing with, “I don’t mean to cut this dance short, but I find myself heated, and thirsty.” “Of course.” he said and expertly changed their direction towards a bar seated at the base of a stairway. When they stopped, his hand caught on her hair a little dragging her curls over her shoulder, and now, clear as day the tattoo between her shoulderblades. A purple petaled flower backed by the Imperial Cog, and the mysterious sequence of star-like spots.
Brujah watched as Aurelis abruptly ended the dance. His senses were nearly screaming at him now. Then the man brushed her hair aside and revealed her full tattoo. A familiar voice rang out through his head once again.
“Can I support you?”
He shook it off as best he could, but then he noticed more than he had seen before. The Imperial logo… and… something familiar. A star system? An ancient logo. He couldn’t place it in the moment with the Force screaming into his ears to pay attention, but he knew enough to know that it was something important. He turned nonchalantly as if stretching his arms and with a click he had an image of the tattoo saved to his datapad.
What had spooked her? What was setting off the alarm beacons in his head? He scanned the room, but no one else looked familiar. Then his eyes caught a glimpse of a man and the Force screamed at him to stop. An older man with black hair and green eyes. He didn’t know him, but he knew enough to know that this was what he was being pointed to. He watched him carefully, but not obviously. He was too obscured by the crowd to get a good picture. He’d have to be patient and bide his time until he could get closer to the man without raising suspicions.
Aurelis shut out the now blazing sense of familiarity from the older man, and allowed the noble to lead her up the stairs, she turned her head back towards Vincent, looking down from halfway up and mouthed ‘follow’. She waited a beat, and added, ‘please.’
Vincent noticed the signal and nodded just enough for Aure to notice. He stuffed the datapad back into his pocket and then stood, making his way to the stairwell to the VIP area. As he reached the stairs, he was stopped by an overzealous guard.
“VIPs only.” he stated matter of factly.
Vincent’s eyes lit up red as he stared at the man. He wanted to grab him with the Force and choke the life out of him, but that wouldn’t do at the moment. A senior guard noticed the commotion as Vincent prepared to give the man an earful and stepped in.
“Step aside, this man is the Hand of the Empress, and you’re lucky that he hasn’t dispatched of you for your foolishness.”
Taking in a deep breath, Vincent’s eyes returned to their grey state. He walked past the two men, intentionally shoulder checking the younger guard as he made his way up the stairs.
Aurelis was led up and down a hall, passing one room where several of the higher nobles were gathered discussing politics, boring. The noble on her arm steered her to another room farther down, briefly opening to the room below. Aure looked down and her gaze crashed into the man in his 60s. He froze, his fists clenching at his side, but loosened them, his shoulders slumping a little. The older man turned and stepped away through the crowd. Aure turned her attention back to the noble. He pulled her through a doorway where a smaller group was gathered by the bar, “ The young lady wants a Scarlet Lotus.”
The bartender, eyed her up and down, and she smiled innocently. He shifted his jaw, but reached under the bartop and there was a soft click. The noble drew her towards a curtain, drew it back, and with a hand on her lower back ushered her through a hidden door.
Brujah kept a safe enough distance so as not to raise suspicions, but still close enough to keep the pair within view. As they entered the secret door he cursed under his breath. He had a lot of pull as the Hand of the Empress, but this might be a step beyond even his own pull. There were other ways to get what he wanted, however. He approached the same bartender that they did.
“What can I get you, sir?”
Vincent gazed deeply into the man’s eyes, waving a hand ever so slightly at his side.
“You want to open the door for me.”
The man’s expression went blank.
“I want to open the door for you.” he returned back before pressing the same button he had before.
Vincent dipped behind the curtain and walked through the secret door.
While Vincent took the time to use the Force on the bartender, the Noble walked Aurelis only 10 feet and turned left through another door letting it shut behind them. He settled her in the lone chair, and walked to the wall where he punched in a code, in a hidden panel, another door on the far end of the medium
sized room slid open and a human male pushed a red skinned Twi’lek into the room, he couldn’t be older than 8. She stood, and the noble waved the man away, Aurelis approached the boy, despite his situation he still held defiance in his eyes, she tucked her fingers under his chin and tilted his face up, amber eyes with flecks of green. “ My how beautiful, I’ve read that the markings darken with age?” “ You are well informed Miss, indeed.” “How much?” “ 500,000” “A lucrative business you have.” she said, letting go of the boy’s chin,” Very well.” she pulled her credit chit out,” Ryloth isn’t easy to get to these days, how did you manage to obtain such a beautiful specimen?”
Vincent entered the hallway and heard the click of a door closing just in front of him and to the left. He didn’t sense any danger, but he could feel the presence of the Noble, Aure, and then a third person. The third person was younger, scared. Vincent’s eyes flashed red. He closed his eyes and reached out to Aure.
“We seem to be here on the same business. I don’t want to blow your cover, but this doesn’t end well for those responsible. I’m just outside. When you’re ready for me to crash the party, give me a sign.”
“I don’t know how many kids are present, an open attack will likely cause a lockdown. And get them all killed. Not acceptable.” She answered back as long as his communication was open.
The noble stared at her, “I couldn’t say, I’m only a broker. I did hear word that…by invitation only, an auction for the rarer drinks would be held.”
“Oh? How does one procure an invitation?” She asked, settling a calm but firm hand on the boy’s shoulder. The noble rubbed his fingers together,” and connections.” “I see.” She said and handed her chit over, there went her savings. “Sounds like quite the effort.” “Mixing drinks is quite lucrative with the right tools.” He finished running her chit.
She attempted to prod Vincent to see if his mind was still open. “Where is your ship.”
“Is there a way to contact you? Should my tastes…change?” She asked with a sardonic grin. He gave her a long once over. And handed her chit back, layered with a card.
Vincent sat in her mind while taking a few steps further into the hall in case anyone made a quick exit from the room. He toyed with the idea of bursting in and taking the man’s head before ripping the locked door open and going after the other kids, if there even were any, but as he listened to the discussion they were having he took a few deep breaths to calm himself. This wouldn’t end here. He’d have to be more patient, at least for now, but soon he’d make everyone involved burn.
“My ship is a few kilometers away, but there’s a limousine speeder just outside waiting for my return. It can hold as many as needed, and my ship can hold even more.”
“If I had the resources I’d send in a quiet strike team, but let this one go, one of us needs entry into that auction. And he’s for now our only solid lead.”
“There is a limousine parked outside, the driver will be made aware of his new passenger.”
“You’d better move back to the main area we’re coming out.”
She looked down at the boy,” You my dear will be quite entertaining.” She looked back at the man with a smile.” Shall we? I really am thirsty this time around.”
Vincent moved with an unnatural quickness. Back out the secret door he went. He carefully slid out from behind the curtain, trying his best not to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. He looked around, and those present in the VIP area seemed oblivious to him. Good. He made his way back down the staircase, pulling a comlink from his pocket.
“You’re going to have company. A child. Play it cool, give the child whatever they need. Do not raise any suspicions with whomever drops him off.”
“As you wish, sir.” the communication device responded.
With a push of a button the call ended. The Warlord walked to the far side of the bar, taking a seat where he could keep an eye on the stairwell. He ordered another ale and waited for it to be brought to him.
After a few moments Aurelis and the nobleman reappeared descending the stairs. She blended in just about perfectly, held herself high, but gentle. He steered her towards the bar, settled her on a stool and was called away by someone. Aurelis asked for a glass of red and let the tension drop from her shoulders a bit. Step 1? Check.
Her gaze trailed down the bar, to where instinct put Vincent, gave him a nod and a genuinely grateful smile.
Vincent rose from his barstool and walked around the bar taking an empty stool next to Aurelis.
“There you are. I was wondering where you had gotten off to. You know, you’re going to have to give me a chance to win those credits back sometime.” he said to her, returning her earlier smile with one of his own.
“I’m not much for subterfuge unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’m a killer, it’s what I do. These men will pay, but I will restrain myself for now, for the good of the children. I do hope you have some kind of plan.” he said in her mind.
“Oh I’m sure you have easy methods of recovering from such a loss My Lord. But I suppose you can start by allowing me the privilege of recouping your substantial loss by buying you a drink?”
“You are not a killer Vincent Brujah, you are a fighter. Big big difference. You fought to survive, fought for vengeance, fight for freedom, fight for your Empress and your galaxy. Do not mistake yourself for a criminal, you are far greater than that.”
Her expression when she looked at him, was quite serious, and sincere. “ I knew when I was 7, 17, 20, 26, 29 and 30, and still now, you will make waves. I want you…to trust me, honestly trust me. That’s all.”
Vincent paused for what felt like a long time. The numbers took him off guard. He had suspected based on the tattoo and the message that kept playing in his head that Aure was the girl that approached him in the pits, but even with that accounting for the youngest age she noted, there were more instances there than he could place. He realized that he didn’t even know Aurelis’ age to line the numbers up with when he knew they had encountered each other. His face grew as serious as hers.
“So, it was you all those years ago in the Pits. I had my suspicions.”
He took a drink from his ale, contemplating his next words.
“I need you to understand that trust does not come easily to me. It is something that is earned, and you have done well in approaching that point, but I can’t help but notice that the amount of times you seem to have encountered me in your life doesn’t match with what I remember. There were the Pits when you were a child. There was the mission to gather info for me. There was the time we ran into each other while I was hunting a relic, and recently, the party for the Grand Master. So, if you want my trust, tell me, Aure, what gives? Have you been watching me from afar?”
“7 was the pits, 17 the first information gathering job,” she was ticking off with her fingers,” 20, that station near the core worlds, you stopped someone from nabbing a child. Just before I turned 27, Tatooine, you almost stopped me from supposedly kidnapping a child around 13 years old but backed off when the person I handed her to was from a force Academy. You may have overheard me promise the kid to come back and help her ‘take care’ of her slavers…at 29, you hired an Intelligence body that went by Aura about Chiss activities.” she pointed at herself,” My business pseudonym, and 30, you received updated movement of Chiss registered ships from the same Aura. I was there, just, invisible. Not watching over you, or observing, I suppose it was more coincidence than anything.” she said and sipped her drink,” Maybe except that last one 2 years ago, I chose to send you that update of my own accord.”
Vincent thought it over for a moment. He didn’t detect any dishonesty from her. Still, the sheer coincidence of it all seemed strange to him. If she was telling the truth, which he had no reason to believe she wasn’t, then it would seem that some power had been pulling them towards each other over the years.
“I find that explanation acceptable. Maybe a bit coincidental, but acceptable. I don’t know why the Force has chosen to bring us together so often, but clearly there is something that keeps causing our paths to cross.”
He downed the rest of his ale and put the empty mug back on the bar.
“I can’t promise my full trust… not right away. It is not in my nature, and trust has often resulted in nothing but more pain for me. What I can promise is that I will try and that so long as our goals remain aligned, you have nothing to fear from me.”
“ I can’t exactly argue with that, I had a dream many many years ago, I may have been 19 maybe early in my 20th year, it was a chaotic couple years. I saw the flower, the Empire, and flashes of starlike spots, immediately when I woke up I drew them. That drawing stayed on me and in my mind for months, and months. Then I saw you on that station, what you did for that child, and remembered the drawing. The next time I was on Nar Shaddaa, well.” she turned away and drew her hair over her shoulder, baring the tattoo that sat centered between her shoulderblades. “ I don’t know why the universe has deemed to intertwine our lives like this, but it has, and Force mumbo-jumbo or not,” My instincts scream at me to go along with what the universe wants.”
Vincent studied the tattoo closer than he had been able to before. He still couldn’t quite place the pattern, though he knew that it was something that was important to his life and his mission. He had already snapped an image of it before while she wasn’t looking, and he dare not do that again now.
“There is something familiar to that pattern… I just can’t figure out what it is. I will meditate on it and look for answers, but they are not likely to come today.”
The commlink in his pocket buzzed. He quickly lifted it up and spoke.
“Yes?”
“The passenger has arrived, sir.”
“Very well. See to it that they are well taken care of.”
“Yes sir.”
With the push of a button the call ended. He turned back to Aure, speaking into her mind once again.
“Like I said before; I hope you have a better plan than mine, because if it were up to me, I’d leave everybody involved in this ring that is in this building in a pile of limbs and blood. Where do we go from here?”
Aure had turned back around and settled her curls down her back again, “I have about 60% of a plan, and unless you want to pretend to be my date, I doubt I could get both of us into that auction.” She smiled mischievously. “In about….” she paused and looked a bit towards the side towards the back of the bar. “…43 minutes a few agents from ISB is going to infiltrate backstage, giving our bloated host a chance to leave before they replace the perpetrators upstairs. Since I haven’t received information about the location of the auction I still remain the primary infiltrator.”
Vincent smirked, suddenly remembering that he had signed off on an ISB mission for the evening, though the details were scarce at the time.
“So long as this auction is somewhere other than the system I help run, going undercover as a date shouldn’t be an issue. If the auction is here on the Caperion system, I would be noticed far too quickly. My reputation precedes me. It sounds like you have the better part of a plan in place for the evening. What about the old man with the green eyes? I’ve been getting uneasy feelings from him ever since my eyes first caught him.”
She had been lifting her wine glass up and paused, downed the rest like she was working up the courage. She set the glass down and stared at it, using her fingers to slowly spin it at the base.
“He’s not dangerous, just didn’t expect him to be out here, back before the Deathstar fell he was a Captain, newly appointed….” she paused and took a slow inhale. “ My father.”
Vincent nodded, at least the man wasn’t a threat.
“So what do we do now? Sit here and wait for the agents to show up? Do you want me to get the child somewhere safer? What can I do to help with what needs to happen here tonight?”
“Our roles are done, so unless you are comfortable enough to stay and share a couple more drinks, you are free to leave. Not that I could stop you Mr. Hand.” She grinned at him. “So what you do for the rest of the evening is entirely up to you.”
“Comfort isn’t an issue. My concern lies with the child and getting them some place far away from here. I will take my leave for the evening. Hopefully you still have my card. Reach out to me when you have the details on the auction, and I’ll help you see to it that no one but the children walk away from it.”
With that, Vincent stood and pushed his empty mug to the edge of the bar. He turned to Aure one last time and gave her a smile and a nod. He then made his way out the door to deliver the child to the safety of Seraph.
Just over 2 weeks later…
Aure sat on a sofa with her tactically clad legs crossed, ignoring the discomfort of the knife handle digging into her back. What Odan-Urr considered a ‘solarium’ was more like an aquarium. Deep underwater soft yellow lighting illuminated what the sun, filtered through 300 feet of water could not. Fish swimming idly by the tempered domed windows. This room offered her unique tranquility, quite a difference compared to above water. She was smiling, not quite a genuine one, more like the grin of a nexu sinking into the grass preparing to pounce on it’s prey.
In her hand, was a thin piece of plastid, engraved and glowing deep violet, an invitation to an auction, barely into the region the Hutts claimed. A wild space between regions and kingdoms, she pulled out her comm unit and powered it up, calling a field agent, she didn’t let him talk simply said,” Have ISB contact the Hand. Phase 3’s invitation has been received, 3 days, I’ll send coordinates. Inform him to bring a mask, and something more….noble than the Gala, his clothing pretty much gave away his identity.” abruptly cutting Dex off by hanging up
16 days since the gala, and the purchase of the twi’lek boy, and now, 3 days until they get a chance to free possibly dozens more. She rested the invitation on her lap for the time being, and leaned her head back to look up into the stillness of the blue seemingly endless water,” Mmm, hm…definitely the black one…” she mused to herself.
Within his office in the Monolith of Seraph, Warlord Vincent Brujah excused an ISB agent. His eyes rolled and a small sneer crossed his face as he looked to his Mandalorian friend, Jaz Holden. After a moment, he spoke.
“What does she mean ‘more noble’?” he asked. “Do you have any idea how much that suit cost?”
Jaz lifted his arms and shrugged, not sure quite how to respond, but certain that he didn’t want to further agitate the Hand. Vincent sighed. He turned a dial on the commlink on his desk and then pressed a button to begin a call. After a moment a deep green colored Sakiyan showed up on the projector.
“Warlord Brujah, how may I be of service?” he asked.
“I need a new suit. Something noble, and a mask to match.” the Warlord answered.
The Sakiyan put his hand on his chin and thought for a moment.
“I know just the thing! Meet me in my office for measurements in two hours. The full suit will be ready in a day.”
“Very well.”
Vincent ended the call. He turned back to Jaz who gave him a big thumbs up. Brujah rolled his eyes and placed a couple of fingers on his temple, rubbing lightly in circles to fight off a small headache.
“This had better be worth it…”
==========
The day of the auction Aure sat in the back of a high end bar on the Fleet, her hair straightened and up in an elegant chignon, drawn away from her face. In a simple black floor length dress, the tattoo on her back was covered up by a high collar. Black heels on, she looked totally different than the last several times he’d seen her. In battle, in goth clubbing, and the more revealing flirty dress from the Gala. She looked elegant, noble, mature. A simple gold chain with a single small red drop crystal hung around her neck. She sat with her back straight, her fingers slowly spinning the base of the full martini glass on the table in front of her.
A black mask sat on the table next to the glass, with gold filigree and blood red accents, very much matching her outfit.
As Aurelis sat at the bar, Vincent approached from behind. He pulled out a seat next to her and sat down with a smile. He was wearing a custom tailored corduroy suit. The jacket, vest, and pants were all a dark crimson red, whereas the shirt was white and the tie was black. His long black hair was pulled up into a high and tight bun. As he sat at the bar he placed a mask down on the bar. It was nearly a full face mask that would cover everything but his mouth and chin. It was crimson in color, matching his suit. From the forehead of the mask extended long, black curled and pointed horns. As he sat a bartender approached and bowed to him.
“Warlord Brujah, how may I be of service?” she asked.
“A Corellian whiskey, please. Neat.” the Warlord responded.
The bartender nodded at Vincent and walked away to pour the drink. As she did, Vincent turned to Aurelis. He smiled.
“So, is this noble enough?” he asked.
She turned to look at him, up and down, her eyes were accented by deep grey and black smokey eye make-up, making the green pop brightly.” Well you look less like the Hand, Mr. Brujah.” she smiled. She set a small black bag on the counter and drew out a folded square of black cloth, twisting and tucking it into his breast pocket neatly. “ It has a voice recorder and a tracker, for evidence and in case we get separated.”
She turned back to the bar top, “ The plan, we play ‘innocent’, so to speak, look around, check out the wares and non-slaves. Maybe bid on something, track down the organizer and our connection, convince them for a backstage tour. Secure the kids, detain the organizer and that fop and then signal for ISB to raid it.” she listed off, getting straight to the point.
The Sith considered the plan for a moment. As he did, the bartender returned with his whiskey and sat it at the bar in front of him. He grabbed the glass and took a large drink. He let out a satisfied sigh as the whiskey rolled down his throat.
“I like it, for the most part… but I didn’t come all this way to let the ISB have all the fun. Someone will die tonight by my hand.”
He turned to stare her in the eyes, showing just how serious he was. He could tolerate a lot, but growing up a slave in the Pits had exhausted any sympathy or tolerance that he had for slavers and traffickers. He wasn’t bluffing.
“I know Vincent. You will have free reign of blood spillage, but we secure the children’s safety first, let ISB make their arrests. Then you can slaughter as you like.”she gave him a wicked grin,” Job first, fun after.”
He wanted to argue, but she made a good point. He nodded understandingly.
“Fair enough. So long as someone pays for trafficking children in my system. A message must be sent to those who would follow in their footsteps.”
He took another drink of his whiskey.
“So, it sounds like we have the basics of the plan. Anything I need to know beforehand? People to avoid? Anything like that?”
Aurelis shook her head,” No, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get angry with ME afterwards if I have to snap you out of anger or influence.” she gave him an apologetic smile,” Just don’t kill me for what I may have to do.”
She patted his arm a couple times then retracted it to lift the drink to her lips,” We are masquerading as a date.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow at her. He took another small sip from his drink as he let the words register.
“I will do my best to direct my anger at the slavers. I’d say you’re pretty safe tonight, but we’ll see what tricks they may have in store for us. Once things start to get ugly, try to stay out of swing range.” he said with a light laugh.
“That may be a little difficult if I plan on having your six and am best with knives.” she said with a grin,” But I’ll try to stay out of reach, not knowing your fighting style will test my reflexes.” “And what I do to distract you I would hope wouldn’t anger you, I’m not going to punch you or anything.” she chuckles,” You might end up with a lipstick mark on your mask though.”
Vincent returned her chuckle with one of his own.
“Well, as long as it washes off. You have no idea how expensive it is to have a guy that makes these things custom designed and fit on a day’s notice.”
His face got a bit more serious, but a small, sly smirk remained..
“Watching my back is a good idea. Staying behind me keeps you out of strike range, though it does take spinning out of the question, and that’s a good trick.”
“You can give me a code word so I can duck in time, also if that’s the case I’ll just preempt my threat.” She suddenly leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving a lipstick mark. She grinned, “Now you can bring that to mind and the threat of my doing that again on your hard to clean mask should you feel inclined to give into your anger and blow our cover before it’s time.”
Vincent stared at Aure blankly for a few seconds, only blinking.
“I suppose I may have deserved that…” he said before changing the subject. “Let’s say that the code word is ‘floor’. If you hear me say floor in the middle of the battle, get down.”
He finished his whiskey, and considered having the bartender bring him another, but he wanted to be as close to a solid mind as he could be for the evening’s events.
“How long until we arrive?” he asked.
She just grinned at him,” I was waiting on you.” she said and rose from her stool and picked up her mask from the table,” Our ride has been here for almost 40 minutes. Location is only 20 minutes away by hyperspace.” she slid a credit chit across the counter,” tack his on too.” she waiting until the chit was returned, “ you coming?” she teased Vincent as she headed for the elevator, looking way too pleased with herself.
“Oh right, before I forget…what name should I call you, can’t exactly use ‘My Dear’ exclusively.”
Vincent stood from his barstool and followed behind Aure. He looked to be putting an abnormal amount of thought into a fake name. He had never used an alias before. If someone wanted reprisal for an act that he committed, he welcomed the challenge. After staring and thinking for a moment, words finally left his mouth.
“There are some who call me… Tim.”
“Tim?” She asked incredulously. She looked him over at the dark outfit and mask.” I don’t think I can actually use Tim….I guess I can use Timothy. I’ll go by the same name I used at the Gala, Aura.”
She swiped a card inside the elevator, the door shut and started to move down. It passed the normal hangar level and down into a classified level. They went to a hangar towards a ship that looked quite luxurious, a droid waited at the ramp. Aurelis flashed it an ID and it nodded heading up the ramp. She followed it into the ship. “ 20 minutes until we have to assume facades, how would you like to spend it?”
Vincent took a seat on the ship. He began to control his breathing, slowing down his entire body and relaxing. He gazed up at Aure.
“There aren’t many answers out there as to what exactly we’re walking into. I will spend these twenty minutes reflecting in the Force, looking for answers and guidance to help us accomplish this mission with minimal catastrophes… other than the ones I intend to inflict.”
He closed his eyes and went deep into thought.
She nodded in response to his declaration, and sat back in a cushioned seat, observing him for a few moments. She turned her own breathing into her work, stealth mode, barely audible. She picked up a datapad on the seat next to her and scrolled, looking through a dossier of people to look for in the crowd of auctionees. Leaving Vincent to his meditation.
The twenty minutes passed quickly. Vincent received blurred visions from the Force of things to come. Battle. Children. Bodies on the floor. Nothing overly unexpected. The jump out of hyperspace brought him out of his meditation. He was ready. He looked over to Aure as the ship landed.
“Lead the way.”
He pulled his mask over his face and stood, waiting for the show to begin.
Aurelis stood, smoothing out her dress and picked up her mask, tying it behind her head, and pinned the small bow into her chignon. She shifted the mask to clear her eyes and stepped up towards Vincent, settling her arm around his. “Show time.”
She led him off the ship, across the floor of the long balcony, as they got halfway down the dock the ship took off. Within 2 minutes another ship landed. Two guards stood on either side of an open door, she reached into her bag, and produced the glowing plastic card, handing it to one of the guards, he took the card and motioned them forward without a word.
The hall was lavishly decorated, deep blue and gold, calm noise came from the end of the hallway. As they stepped through, small groups of people were gathered, talking quietly amongst themselves. Someone in a plain flat black mask offered Vincent a pamphlet.
Vincent was doing his best to put on a calm, festive demeanor, though inside he was already seething. Through his many roles as the Hand of the Empress, he had learned how to better control the outward appearance of his emotions. He smiled politely at the person in the black mask and nodded as he reached out and grabbed the pamphlet.
The Sith looked over the pamphlet, noting several of the items up for auction tonight. Artifacts, precious gems and jewelry, paintings, technology, and of course slaves. He again suppressed his hatred for this place and these people. He tucked the pamphlet into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and continued walking with Aure. He turned his head inconspicuously, taking in the full of his surroundings. He noted exits, people of interest, where he could find a drink and anything else that he thought might be useful later. For now he was happy to let Aure lead the way.
Aurelis led him towards a bar towards the far end of the room, offering smile smiles and tilts of her head towards the masked people they passed. She murmured names to herself and added ‘marked’ as her gaze scanned the crowd. She stopped a few steps from the bar, far enough that they could turn and casually observe the room. “ Order what you’d like, I do not know how long before the auction itself starts. I figure in a couple moments we could wander over to the other room, I caught a glimpse through the doorway and they have the items up for display.”
Vincent nodded to Aurelis and stepped up to the bar. After a moment a scantily clad, blue skinned Twi’lek who was wearing a small mask covering only her eyes approached him. She gave him a look and nodded at him, seemingly approvingly.
“What can I get for you, sir?” the Twi’lek asked.
“I’ll have a Corellian whiskey, neat.” the Warlord responded. The Twi’lek turned to get the drink, but then Vincent spoke again. “Actually, make that two.”
The Twi’lek smiled and nodded at Vincent. She turned back and grabbed two small glasses and then poured generous amounts of brown liquor into each of them. She returned and slid the glasses across the bar and into the waiting hands of Vincent. The Sith bowed at her with a smile and then turned back to Aurelis.
“Here you go.” he said as he handed her one of the glasses.
Aurelis accepted the drink, and looked at the amount of amber liquid,“ Generous arn’t they…” she stared at the tumbler filled,“ That’s a lot of whiskey…” she chuckled and took a sip, lowering the glass and resting the bottom on her palm. “Let’s check out the wares.”
She did not hook her arm through his this time, just tilted her head and started walking towards the next room. Cases on pedestals protected through several layers of security wound through a clear box stood every 3 meters or so. Paintings roped off to discourage people from approaching too close. Jewelry, Sith and Jedi artifacts, famous paintings of artists from the last 500 years, a few stone statues. On the far end a holodeck sat on it’s own pedestal, attached to a datapad. someone was scrolling through it. Holo pictures hard to see from this distance danced in front of the person.
Vincent followed closely behind Aure, taking note of some of the more interesting items up for auction. Anyone that knew him well knew that he had a great fascination with Sith artifacts. He’d have to consider grabbing a few on the way out. On the other hand, he couldn’t care less about the art, jewelry, or statues. He walked past them and towards the flicker of the holo-projector in front of them. He pointed to the projections, though he still couldn’t make out what exactly was being shown as the person standing in front of it was blocking his view. Regardless, he had a good idea of what was there. As he pointed he spoke.
“Look Aura, I believe that’s the display for the items we’ve come to bid on.”
“ I believe Tim, that you are correct, though it appears that we will have to wait our turn for a chance to view the wares.” she muttered back. She paused at a painting, a landscape done from an apartment on Dromund Kaas, the ancient Sith temple peeking out above the trees, a deep transparent maroon hovering around the towers. “ This one is awe inspiring and simultaneously creepy.”
For Vincent’s part, he stood behind the man at the projector. Not close enough to seem as though he was intentionally crowding him, but close enough to make it clear that he was “in line”. He even considered sending tiny waves of fear through the man to get him to move along, but he didn’t want to take the risk and blow the mission. Still, his impatience was growing, and with it came frustration and the beginnings of anger. He took another big, loud sip from his whiskey. The man in front of him flinched at the sound and turned around, facing the much larger man in Vincent.
“Oh, am I holding you up, friend?” the man said to Vincent.
“Not at all. Please, take your time.”
Vincent studied every component of the man that he could. He’d remember this one for later. A black mask with blue spirals covered his face. His suit was a standard black with a white shirt and black tie. He had a bald spot on the back of his head of short brown hair. After a few more moments of Vincent staring holes in the back of the man’s head, he turned, bowed to Vincent with a smile and moved along.
“Oh Aura? Would you like to come check out the wares?” Vincent asked.
Aure walked over closer, and planted a second kiss to the cheek,“ Breathe, I know you are eager love, but your impatience is leaking out.”
She settled her hand on his arm, her viewpoint made it easier to see what the man in front of them was looking at. He kept pausing for a split second on specific pictures, that caused Aure’s fingers to squeeze on Vincent’s arm tensely.
Vincent was mildly annoyed at the kiss, but played it off well, smiling at Aurelis as she placed her hand on his arm. Then he felt her tense up. His eyes shot to the projection in front of them, but the man had switched again before he could get a glimpse at what made her so fidgety.
“What is it, dear? Get a glimpse of something that interests you?” he asked in as relaxed of a tone as he could produce.
“Just some cuties who would make some good playmates for your sister’s kids.” Aure said, calming her voice.
“Excellent.” Vincent responded. “Her kids get so lonely. It would be good for them to have some new friends.”
The man in front of them finally stepped fully away from the projector. Vincent waved Aure forward.
“Have a look. See if you can find some other suitable playmates.”
She stepped foward, sliding it back to the start, and slowly went through the catalogue, mentally counting how many. Then stopped on one specifically, her starting bid was far higher than the others,“ Tim, look, there must be something quite special about this one.” she said pointing at the bidding price.
Vincent turned to look at the projector and saw something he almost couldn’t believe. It was the missing daughter of a high ranking Imperial officer. He could feel the anger within him growing, but he suppressed it once more. He turned to Aure and forced a smile.
“Oh, how impressive! She looks like she would make a perfect playmate for little Helene!”
He reached into her mind with his thoughts.
”It’s the daughter of one of my Commanders. She went missing three weeks ago. She must be saved.”
“ They all will.” she said through the link, dark determination in her voice.
She continued scrolling through the pictures,“ Looks like we have our eye on quite the handful, hope you’re ready to spend some credits.” she said teasingly. “Shall we head back to the main room? I expect the first auction will start soon.”
Vincent smiled down at Aurelis, extending his arm to hook around hers.
“Oh dear, you know that credits are no object when it comes to helping family.”
As they locked arms and began to step away from the projector, Vincent took a drink of his whiskey. He had seen enough. He was ready to go feral and kill anything in this place that moved, but through years and years of dealing with hatred and anger at the Galaxy, he had learned how to hide it very well.
“Yes, let’s get there before all the good seats are taken.”