Bridge, Corra IV
These Severian Principate fools just wouldn’t quit. So Kalen got the call, as a newer members of Brotherhood who literally had no record of his existence anywhere in the galaxy prior to 9 months ago, he was the perfect asset to use for an undercover operation. He had been secured and invite to the Tem Gala but Inquesitores agents and specialist had been assigned to accompany him on the mission.
“So uh. What do you specialize in again?” Kalen asked.
DarkHawk leaned back in his seat, the soft hum of the Corra IV’s engines filling the brief silence between them. Kalen Joss swung his pilot seat around and had that look about him, half amusement, half suspicion. A familiar look to the Elder, Kalen was definitely wanting answers to questions.
“Let’s just say,” DarkHawk began, his voice low and measured, “I’m the one they call when diplomacy dies and answers come slow…the kind that ends with no one left to talk.”
He reached into his inside pocket and withdrew a slim datapad, the reflected blue light filled the flight deck with more ambient light. “My specialization,” he said as he handed the datapad over, “is turning silence into an art form and making sure those who break it vanish into it.”
Kalen sat silent for a moment taking that in. “This is going to be a good night…”
The corner of his mouth twitched, the closest thing to a smile he ever offered on assignment. “You want to handle the social circles, the handshakes, the charm? I’ll be able to handle the shadows and keep eyes off our backs. By the end of the night, we’ll know exactly which Principate authority is selling out their own and who’s pulling the strings.”
“I can be charming, when needed,” Kalen replied.
DarkHawk turned toward the viewport, watching the streaks of hyperspace light ripple by. “Just make sure your tux fits and your weapons are at the ready. Tonight we play nice and easy…until it’s time to stop pretending.”
“Understood. Formal attire, weapons ready” Kalen turned back to console.
A few hours later
The ship dropped out of hyperspace at their destination, and after landing and quickly getting dressed, they made their way out of the ship an into the Gala.
Kalen, for his part spent most of the next hour and half saying such poinient catch phrases as: Indeed, You dont say, oh really, how interesting, tell me more, and the ubiquitous “ha, the Brotherhood, don’t me started with those jokers, bunch of silly space wizards if you ask me.”
He was gently force sensing those around him as he went. Not invasively, but just to make sure no one was copping on to his act. Though playing a naive bumpkin turned diplomat was something that came by naturally.
The Tem Gala was hosted within one of the Principate’s most prestigious museums. The grand halls shimmered with luxury, filled not only with the system’s elite but also with priceless artifacts and exquisite works of art collected from across the galaxy.
High above the glittering crowd, DarkHawk moved unseen among the shadows of the catwalks and lighting trusses, his presence masked by the rhythmic hum of the building’s power systems. Below, Kalen mingled effortlessly with the upper echelons of Principate society, his charm serving as both weapon and disguise.
“This is getting boring, DarkHawk,” Kalen muttered quietly through the comm. “You see anything?”
“Negative,” came the whispered reply. “Nothing yet.”
Moments later, the HUD of DarkHawk’s helm picked up subtle motion a group of Sovereign Principate officials slipping through a concealed doorway on the northwestern wall, descending to the main floor.
“Kalen,” DarkHawk whispered into the commlink, “We’ve got movement…northwest corner. Hidden door. I’m going in for a closer look. Stay sharp.”
“Just say the word,” Kalen answered, his tone sharpening.
DarkHawk shifted his stance and began descending from the rafters. Each step across the metal catwalk was a silent blur, his descent smooth and calculated. Reaching the floor, he slipped to the shadowed wall where the group had emerged. Running a gloved hand along the durasteel surface, he felt a faint seam, then a hidden switch. With a soft click, the panel slid open, revealing a dim corridor beyond.
Inside, two guards patrolled the narrow hallway. A flick of his wrist, and a small blade floated into his palm. One silent throw, one precise strike. The first guard fell without a sound, the blade buried deep in his neck.
“Entry secured,” DarkHawk said calmly. “Two guards…make that one. Going for the second.”
Kalen’s voice crackled back through the comm, a grin audible in his tone. “Copy that. On my way to you…save some for me.”
A minute later
Kalen quicky realized how wouldn’t be able to get to the hidden alcove and hallway without being spotted. So he decided go swap roles with Hawk become the active agent, and Kalen switching to the passive role. He would watch and cover Hawk and warn him anyone moved towards the hidden corridor.
“I…i mean it might blocked, don’t worry though. I have your back on that deal with the Trandoshans next week, dont worry.” Kalen said into his comm as some Gala goers passed within earshot.
“But you go ahead, I’ll give you a call if I hear or see anything coming from corporate headquarters.” He continued as if having a casual convo with a business associate, hoping DarkHawk would get the hint.
After a moment of comms silence DarkHawk replied “Understood, nearly the target now.” The blood gurgling sounds of a man choking to death on his own blood was clearly audible in Kalens earpiece.
“Well, time ti say ny goodbyes I guess, business calls.” He said for the benefit of the glamourously dressed couple at the table across from him.
He keyed his comm. “Hey D, can you get the ship ready to launch, I’ve got some errands to run. I’ll be out shortly.”
“Oh yes sir, it would be myl pleasure sir. Its just that…some security officials are performing a aecurity sweep of the Corra IV and have removed me from the ship, quite rudely to if I might add Master.” D said in his earpiece.
Kalen faking casualness lifted his comm to his lips.
“Oh thats no problem at all D, I’ll see you shortly.” He closed the comm and slowly made his way for the door. Smiling and waving to some of those he had talked to. In reality, most of the people he had been chatting with had actually thought he was his doppelganger Jalen Koss, the GNN news reporter. Though Kalen thought the man looked nothing like him, in reality he was a dead ringer for the minor celebrity. This added to his cover in ways that Kalen never even realized ir admitted to himself.
As he got into the large corridor leading to the exit Kalen pulled out his comm again.
“You on your way out yet.” He said.
DarkHawk walked out of a side corridor 10 metres to Kalens front.
“Roger that. Lets get out of here.” Dark said using his voice instead of the comm.
“Security crews are sweeping my ship apparently.” Kalen said as they walked out the door of the museum and towards the ship park.
“Oh are they now?”
“I guess the fun may not have ended for us just yet,” DarkHawk replied.
As they made their way toward the docking bay, Kalen’s curiosity finally got the better of him.
“So before we start knocking heads with whoever’s on my ship, what exactly are we taking back with us?”
DarkHawk walked a few more paces before reaching into one of his pouches. He produced three small data disks and held them up. Kalen frowned, clearly disappointed they weren’t some rare relic worth a fortune.
“Disks? That’s it? The DC isn’t going to be thrilled about this haul.”
“Oh, they’ll be interested,” DarkHawk said, smirking. “Each one of these contains detailed shipping manifests. Principate and Brotherhood assets that were quietly diverted to other buyers.”
Kalen blinked. “Wait…someone’s been diverting Brotherhood shipments and reselling them?”
“Exactly. Looks like they’re staging fake hijackings to cover their tracks. The DC’s techs can pull the data and, with any luck, give us a name to hunt down.”
Kalen chuckled. “Well… this just got a lot more interesting, wouldn’t you say?”
“Most definatley,” DarkHawk replied. “But first, we’ve got to deal with that lot crawling all over your ship.”
“Those lousy dirt merchants are going to trash my ship!” Kalen growled.
“Then let’s clean house and get the hell out of here.”
“Indeed. I’ll take the ones at the fore, you handle the aft.”
“With pleasure,” DarkHawk said, his tone sharp with anticipation.
D-3PO saw his Master approaching and turned to face him. The 2 force users made quick work of the security and inspection crews. Kalen ignited he lightsaber and quickly decapitated one and was able to force choked and snapped the neck of a second one, leaving his body to slumber lifelessly to deck plating.
In reality Kalen actually got an adrenalin rush and a sense of odd enjoyment out of killing the second man that way he did.
After DarkHawk dispatched the other 2 members of the security team, Kalen hollered to D “Hey, D, you waiting for a written invitation? Lets go, time to get out of here.”