One Jump Ahead (Dutch)

[Neology]

Day One


“That is absurd! We have already done your people enough favors by letting you land!” The selkath Justice glared at her from across his desk, cephalic lobes quivering. Hroti Gunnar, like many of his species, had a long memory little love for the Sith. That he was willing to speak with her at all was mildly remarkable, though the two hour wait was less so.

Novus's smile faded as her earpiece chirped, translating Gunnar's words into Basic. “These sanctions are over three hundred years old!” Her tone dropped to low and precise, anger quickly reigned in. “I believe my offer is very reasonable. The Republic wont have you; they've made that clear. What we're offering - “ She stopped, interrupted by a loud 'harumph' from the selkath.

“Is nothing that we want, Sith!” Gunnar continued on, at length, though Novus had begun to tune him out.

She sat quietly, frowning to herself. Clearly this visit had been a miscalculation on her part, a costly diversion from the Empire's other needs. Still, she felt drawn to this place, her senses brushed by a certain violence in the Force that could not be explained by Hroti Gunnar's rage. She gazed over the selkath's shoulder, focusing on the vista of Ahto City behind him.

'Beautiful.' All that ocean and not a speck of sand – she could almost forgive the use of so much sterile white. 'Levin is down there.' The realization struck her slowly, a pins-and-needles feeling, like circulation returning to a limb.

“Are you listening to me, Sith?” Justice Gunnar demanded, inky black eyes narrowed in evident doubt.

“Oh, yes.” She responded automatically, a genial smile gracing her lips. “Of course. I want to thank you for ...” Novus trailed off, standing, brows furrowed. The Force became a breathless hush, a tingle in the backbrain that made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. “Something's wrong.”

Before she could draw another breath, the world shook with an immense sound that set her ears ringing. She grasped for the edge of the durasteel desk, watching the selkath go spilling out of his chair. The window shattered – a strange thing to see and not hear. A small object sailed by, whiting out her vision like a miniature sun. Disoriented, the sith dropped, taking cover on instinct alone.

Vision returned first, some five seconds later. Civil Authority officers flooded the office, assisting Justice Gunnar, surrounding her. She blinked up at one, reaching numbly for her translator as the creature screamed in it's native language. Nothing – it must have fallen off. The officer heaved her to her feet and slipped binder cuffs around her wrists.

[Dutch]

"That won't be necessary, Justice."

Levin's voice would ring calmly among the din of selkath shrieking and barked orders. He let the Force roll off his form in calming waves, subtle light visible in the Force framing his form. Where normally hung the robes typically seen on Jedi, Lev wore a simple pair of black slacks and a white short sleeved shirt. The only item giving away his ties to the Order being the silver hilt of a lightsaber that hung from a belt of woven leather. His eyes calmly moved from the enraged Justice to his Lidah, bound and confused looking.

As the Jedi moved into the chamber, the subduing effect of his presence would only strengthen. Even with his efforts the distrust of the natives was palpable even without the Force. Through their bond Levin would whisper for Novus to remain silent for the moment, a small nod given to her before returning his attention to the Justice. He approached Gunnar as the Force channeled into his palm, moving it to rest on the man's shoulder as Levin eased the suffering of the selkath's senses.

"This one was not responsible, but she can help find who was." Levin's words were bolstered by the Force, the selkath's eyes visibly clouding slightly. For a moment the natives whispered in their tongue confusedly, all sets of fish-blank eyes looking to the Justice. Gunnar inhaled wetly before sighing in what could almost be relaxation.

"This one was not responsible, but she can help us find who was."

The Justice rasped damply before letting his shoulders droop. The Civil Authority moved to take Gunnar from the room, though many of the selkath stayed to secure the area. Levin was wary of their preference for sonic weaponry, it was as much an advantage against selkath as it was Jedi. Lev moved from where the Justice had stood to where the Authorities had Novus face down on a table and bound. Gently the Jedi took her wrist to one of his hands, the other waving with a tug of the Force. The bindings clicked and fell to free the Sith. With his hand still holding hers, Levin helped Novus back to her feet. His thumb would idly play at the soft skin at her wrist as he let the Force flow through their bond to ease the effects of the grenade.

"I felt your presence the minute the High Charity dropped from hyperspace." Levin would start, eyes finding hers. "I'm sorry I couldn't arrive sooner, Lidah."

[Neology]

Novus allowed the A.C.C.A. Officer to restrain her, pressed uncomfortably against Justice Gunnar's desk. The durasteel surface felt cool against her flushed skin, plastic flimsies sticking to her cheek. Desk clutter poked painfully into her collarbone, though it was easy to ignore against the buzzing in her ears. She glared at the officer, a dark blotch in her peripheral. 'I should kill him for this.' The thought bubbled up and was gradually dismissed. Terrible idea: her ship would never make it off world. Among other reasons.

'Why only a flash canister?' The effects were still wearing off, leaving a piercing headache centered just behind her eyes.

She felt the Jedi's arrival in her captor's grip, loosening on her shoulder in response to the preternatural calm that swept the room. Emotional manipulation, and not a particularly subtle example of such. Still, it seemed to be enough – Levin freed her minutes later, helping her to her feet. His fingers lingered at her wrist until she withdrew her hand, brows arching in silent amusement.

“Master Jedi.” She noted his clothes, neutral like her own blouse and pant ensemble. A moment later she ventured on, unsure which title to use in absence of insignia. “General.” That made the most sense – the High Charity was a Republic vessel, meaning he was probably here as a representative of the Blades. Annoyingly, he seemed to have a better grasp of the situation than she did.

“Thank you for your assistance, but it is unnecessary. They couldn't have held me for long.” She watched Justice Gunnar depart, escorted out by most of his men. Slowly, she moved over behind his desk, peering out the window. What might she have seen from this vantage three, four minutes ago? Hard to say. The ringing in her ears had faded entirely, replaced by the whine of emergency sirens.

“You're sorry?” Novus repeated, turning to frown at the Jedi. “Why?” 'And what did you just volunteer me for?' She strode from the room, neglecting to wait on his answer.

The hall was busy, crowded with Civil Authority officers and milling employees. She pressed through, resisting the urge to augment her progress with the Force, and headed downstairs. Too late she remembered her lost translator, left behind on the floor of Gunnar's office.

At length, Novus made it to the atrium. The cheerful bank of front-facing windows had been blown out, much like the office upstairs. The cafe across the street had fared far worse. The interior was crumpled and black, burned up by some powerful chemical agent. Blue eyes scanned the street, searching for the distinctive black-and-gray of Imperial uniforms to no avail.

“My soldiers were in there. What's going on, Levin?”

[Dutch]

Levin stared placidly back as Novus' gaze met his. He momentarily turned to bow to the Justice as he departed, but quickly turned his attention back to the Sith. Her frame outlined by the shining sea vista, the Jedi couldn’t resist the feeling of general fondness settle into his chest. He kept his expression neutral, and did not remark on the sensation. It was not the Jedi way to let emotion guide their actions. His head would tilt slightly to the left as he felt a ripple of suspicion in the Force around Novus.

“You're sorry?”

“... Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I could h-”

He stopped mid-sentence as the woman’s long stride led her past the still talking Jedi. Lev watched her walk away for a moment, and blinked once before turning to follow. Through the Force he could feel her building anxieties as she pushed through the crowds around her. Levin already could guess what she was worried about, rushing to confirm what he already knew. Novus was currently the only living Imperial citizen in Ahto City.

The Jedi noticed her pace quicken even more, only then beginning to up his own. Novus was well out the door before him, searching for a sign of the soldiers she now realized were gone. Levin moved just behind Novus, and resisted the urge to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. He looked over to gaze at Novus’ profile, noting the mixture of confusion and woe over her gentle features. Levin knew none within the cafe had survived, but still reached out with the Force to see if he could discern if he had maybe just missed a single survivor. He felt none, but could also feel the tremble of those injured from the street outside.

“My soldiers were in there. What's going on, Levin?”

“Thirty hours ago there was an assassination attempt on a Chief Justice. Until now, you were the suspect.”

Levin replied bluntly. He stepped forward past the woman, a hand gently placed on the small of her back as he moved. The Force twisted around the Jedi to begin pouring through his presence, everything around him seemingly a bit brighter. A Bith lay shrieking and cradling its mangled arm, the closest victim to Levin. In calm movements he would kneel next to the wounded, a hand placed on the Bith’s shoulder as the Force roared within. With audible pops the bones repositioned, and flesh wove back together. In mere moments what had been a ruined appendage now was perfectly normal, much to the Bith’s shock and delight.

Without a word Levin moved from victim to victim, letting a calming presence radiate off his form. Even when more of the A.C.C.A arrived to render assistance, many could not resist stopping to watch the Jedi work. A reminder to the selkath people that their treasured kolto was nothing compared to the Force when it came to mending the injured.

[Neology]

“Was I? I suppose you were coming to arrest me?” She muttered, rolling to her toes to peer over the heads of first responders. Blue eyes combed the blackened ruin, senses grasping for a spark of familiar consciousness, finding nothing but twisted slag and the psychic distortion of a bystander's pain.

“No, perhaps not. 'Attempt' suggests failure and you know me better than that, Master Jedi.” It was better to keep talking, to stack up the anger and frustration for a worthy target. Unfortunately, she was finding herself at a loss. Jedi and Sith weren't supposed to have friendly conversations at crime scenes, after all. They were supposed to be enemies, a millennium and more of hatred between them and still one goes through the motions.

Levin stepped away. Novus watched him go, feeling the Force eddy and shift in his wake.

Survivors, of course, from the edge of the blast on out. There were not very many of them, she sensed. Military grade munitions, as she suspected had be used, had that effect. More likely useless than not as witnesses. She hated them for that, and for not counting Simonova among their number.

The Jedi would want to heal them all and she could not help even had she wanted to. Her talents, as always, lay elsewhere. Novus stuffed her hands into her coat pockets and melded into the crowd, a nudge against this mind or that clearing her path. Her thoughts picked up a dark tread, macabre abstraction. Those lives had been her's to spend, it rankled to have that ripped away.

It wasn't far to her hotel, though it felt like forever. All illusion of a peaceful visit to the ocean planet had been swept away, diplomacy traded for terroristic threats from an unknown enemy. She walked, vigilance on a hair trigger, too late. No attack came, to her slight disappointment.

The suite was richly appointed in that sterile, understated way that the selkath seemed so terribly fond of. Whites and blues, subtlety lit, all edges and cold. The door slid closed behind her and she stepped out of her heels. Postadrenaline fatigue made itself known, insidious thing, creeping up on her when she wasn't looking … Novus poured herself a drink and flicked on the holo. She could not understand the shimmering projection of the selkath reporter, but the text scroll in Basic was another matter.

Not one attack. Three.

[Dutch]

Day Two

The light from the yet risen sun over Ahto City painted a strangely even more mute tone on every structure. Everything bathed in the palest of blues, the neutral whites and silvers of selkath architecture took to mirroring the surrounding sea that spanned endlessly. At that time in the morning, the paths and walkways of the floating city were eerily empty. Compared to the past twenty hours or so of explosions, panic and accusational questioning, this was blissful serenity to Levin. Still dressed in yesterday’s civilian wear, the Jedi had chosen to find Lidah as soon as he was able and report his findings instead of returning to the High Charity.

His boots thudded lightly as their steps lead him closer and closer to where he felt the Sith’s presence. He kept his gaze straight forward, not giving the various A.C.C.A security droids and probes that lined the street reason to intercept the Jedi. Levin was sure by now that the local’s law enforcement were tracking him, with him showing up to every explosion site so far to heal any wounded and investigate the attack. He wouldn’t have put it past the selkath to suspect him in being involved by this point. In a way they were right, now he was involved with one of the explosions having targeted a Republic diplomat.

Over and over again Levin had seen the same pattern. The bombings in very public locations, always placed unnervingly close to their targets. Always there were civilian injuries, but in all three bombings what were thought to be the targeted parties were wiped out. Not a single survivor, and so far absolutely no one to blame the attacks on. No galactic terror networks had taken responsibility, and no trace or clue had been left behind. Thus far the only thing both the A.C.C.A and himself had agreed on, was that these saboteurs were professionals. And more than likely still not done with Ahto City.

Before Lev realized it, the ritzy hotel within one of the city’s more decadent districts loomed before him. No shadow was truly cast by the building, and the grid of windows were all tinted dark as most of their occupants slept. With tired eyes slightly narrowed Levin reached out with the Force, the bright beacon of Novus’ presence quickly leading his gaze higher and higher. Once certain of her location, the Jedi set his jaw and strode towards the hotel.

The lobby was filled with the constant sound of running water as many fountains gurgled. Accompanying that was wet sound of of a selkath snoring from behind the lobby counter. Levin could not help but notice how similar the two sounds were, blinking once before turning to move past the desk and into the lobby. There were perhaps a few others in the lobby, none turning their attentions to the newcomer who headed directly for the lift at the very back of the large chamber. Once within the Jedi let the Force lead his finger to press the button for the second to highest floor. Of course she would have chosen a penthouse for herself.

Levin strode down the empty hall, with less doors lining it than any hotel he had ever stayed in. There were perhaps six of them total, and from one at the very end of the hall he could feel Lidah’s aura. Quietly he moved down the hall, the padded carpet absorbing any sounds the Jedi made. On the wall at the end, a grand mirror created the illusion of the hall continuing further. Lev glanced at his own reflection for a brief moment, noting the dark bags under his eyes and the scruffy stubble that had grown since he had last looked in a mirror. Without hesitating further the Jedi turned to Lidah’s door and pressed the buzzer panel. After a moment he pressed it again. From the window at the other end of the hall, Manaan’s sun finally peaked up over the sea. A single ray of gilded light cast upon the ceiling above.

And Levin pressed the buzzer one more time.

[Neology]

Bzzzzz. Her dreaming mind picked up on the noise, invented a flying insect. She rolled over, burrowing into the pillows.

Bzzzzz. It was like an itch she could not scratch or source. She grimaced, mumbled unintelligibly. Disoriented consciousness began to spill back in, slow, scattered moments. It was like bleeding to death in reverse. Novus blinked in the dark, tangled up in the crisp white sheets, surrounded by the smell of fabric softener and air conditioning, edges of alcohol and sweat.

BzzzzzBzzzzzBzzzzz. The noise resolved itself. Doorbell. She remembered where she was. Manaan. This space that she'd rented, a expensive hotel with a name she could not pronounce. Money trickling out of some distant Imperial account. Less now that her honor guard had been wiped out, men and women no longer in need of their rooms.

Novus climbed out of bed, tried twice for the light switch before finding it. No windows in this room, only mirrors and abstract prints. She hated places like this, their cold passivity. These walls would not remember her (not unless she broke them down...), would welcome the next masturbating businessman or adulterous couple with the exact same manufactured illusion of home. A foolish, contradictory flow of thought. She hadn't had a home in years and years and years. Catching sight of her reflection, a pale specter in a misbuttoned silk pajama top, she decided it didn't matter.

Bzzzzz.

The door was easier to find than the light switch. Her hand disengaged the lock, a faint mechanical click, and the door slid open.

“Come in.” Novus moved to let the Jedi pass, then locked the door behind him. She'd known without seeing, without having to. Only Levin would ring a doorbell six times before dawn. Regret and alarm mingled, were pushed to the back of her mind. 'What if he'd been seen...'

Now she looked, allowing herself the luxury. Scruffy and tired. He hadn't slept, of course. Too much to do. Her arm rose to his shoulder, pinning him briefly against the wall of the entryway. She kissed him, and then, just as abruptly, stopped.

“Sorry.” Her gaze flickered away, then back, a modest approximation of not-quite eye contact. “I've got to take a shower. Order us some breakfast?”

[Dutch]

Levin entered timidly at first, body almost rigid as he walked into the unfamiliar setting. His eyes drifted down to Lidah, blinking once at the barely clad arkanian. With her blue eyes slightly bleary and hair disheveled, it only occurred then to him that she had only just woken. That he had woken her. A flush of guilt crept into his gut, and prepared an apology that was quickly snuffed by the Sith as she kissed him. His hand would find the arm that pinned him with a wry strength that surprised him for her size. Levin oft forgot the sheer advances in genetic engineering her race could accomplish, coiled death in a lithe form. He did not fight Lidah's lips as they melded with his own, eyes drifted closed for the duration of the kiss. A small nod was given in response to her request for something to eat. Before she could step away though, a light tug was given where his hand rested at her elbow to bring her back for one more brief kiss.His tired, cool gaze would meet Novus' after. A light flush over pallid sleep deprived skin touched his cheeks and Levin almost half-smiled at her.

At a loss for any reason for doing that, the Jedi did not say anything else. He moved deeper into the room and looked around. Far nicer than anything he had ever stayed in, he noted the distinctive lack of offending scents. No old vomit stains, no questionable bed dampness, no sickly drug residues. Just a lingering smells of drink and habitation mixed with chemical clean. Levin felt as much as he heard Lidah move to the fresher, her presence tingled in the back of his mind as he continued to look around. The furniture seemed quite modern, not the decades old decor of some rooms he had rented. As the Jedi found himself at the communications panel, his thumb found the lobby key and was shocked when the flickering holo of a smooth selkath instantly popped up. Normally those panels seemed to take moments before making the connection. Though the beings words were a sloshed slur at first, his linguistics package earpiece translated in a gravelly voice.

"Room service, will this order be for now or later?"

"Now."

"What would you like sir?"

"Breakfast for two."

"...Yes sir, what would you like?"

"You have options? That is... unfamiliar."

Minutes later the meal was ordered and Levin strangely pleased with the choice of getting to choose his food. He had expected the usual universal nutrition bars common across the rims. From the fresher he could hear Lidah still in the shower. Levin stood awkwardly in the room, entirely unsure what to do with himself as he waited. In the middle of the room sat the holo table, a new model he didn't even recongize. The sunken floor was rimmed by a couch with a rather cushy appearance. An empty liquor bottle sat on the floor in front of the round couch, Novus' company from the earlier night. Wondering if perhaps she had fallen back asleep in the shower he turned to step towards the fresher.

As he neared the Sith, he could feel her presence through their bond grow clearer and clearer. The door to the sleeping chamber was slightly open, Levin's hand moving it fully aside before he stepped in. The bedroom was fashioned like the living area, the mussed bed and yesterday's outfit strewn over a chair the only sign that someone occupied it. From the nook next to the bed Levin heard the water for the fresher turn off. He wasn't sure if it was steam of Novus' presence that wafted from the nook, her aura often appearing to Levin as a soft and velvety dark silver. He moved through the small room towards Lidah, letting the steam envelope him as he entered. The Jedi could only make out her lithe form at first, pausing at the doorway in momentary silence.

"... I ordered two Senatorial Sunrise Specials. It was the most expensive meal they had. I wanted to guarantee you received proper amounts of sustenance."

[Neology]

Novus rinsed the last of the floral scented conditioner out of her hair, enjoying the feel of warm water on her scalp and shoulders. Footsteps dragged on carpet, faintly, at the edge of her hearing. The corner of her mouth pulled up in a brief smile and she reached to turn the water off.

She stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a large, fluffy towel. The water had introduced new colors to her palate; silvered her hair, flushed her pale skin rosy with warmth. Joining Levin in the doorway, her hands set about unbuttoning his collar.

“Sounds good.” An idle question fell away with the Jedi's third button: Why do they call it that?... As far as she knew, the Selkath had no senate. “It'll probably still be a while …” She trailed off, tone inviting, and slipped past him into the bedroom. Her mind was somewhat slower to catch up, trailing by moments. 'Two' and 'most expensive' caught in her head, demanded explanation. Accounting would notice. It was exactly the sort of odd behavior she wanted to be notified of when it concerned her peers. No reason to think they weren't watching her, too.

“Hold that thought.” She swore softly, changing her towel for a white bathrobe. The Sith stalked to the living room and sat down in front of the commconsole. A few minutes of browsing had her picking through the catalog of an escort agency. The holo dutifully projected each professional in all their finery, ranging from skimpy to costumed. Novus suppressed a giggle.

Moments later, she fed the console her credstick, purchasing several hours of a human billed as Devron Hardcastle's time. Hopefully, when the escort arrived at an empty room (Simonova's – still paid up till noon) he'd take the afternoon off along with the money. Novus leaned back, quite pleased with herself.

“There, although it's almost too bad. I kind of want to see that 'spicy space pirate' outfit in person.”

[Dutch]

Levin caught a glimpse of the pale silhouette that was Lidah. Only for her to emerge from the hazy steam a moment later, skin flushed from the heat of the water. For the briefest moment Levin almost stepped back from the Sith's advance, but was held where he stood by the gleam in the woman's eye. Stiff as a board he stood, cool eyes peering down to the hoary Darth as precise fingers undid his shirt. He could feel a flush of his own begin to creep over his skin as Novus's sultry tone purred an invitation. The Jedi was still rooted as the Sith smoothly stepped around him, though he did turn to watch her as she moved into the bedroom. Not entirely sure what he should do next, he merely watched Novus for the moments that passed.

When she suddenly hushed a few curses and threw off her towel, the Jedi blinked once in surprise at the sudden nudity. He half expected her to turn and tackle him. Instead the towel was replaced by a robe and Novus was already half out the bedroom door. Levin blinked again, expression touched by confusion as he slowly followed her out into the main chamber. She was already perched down at the holotable, the comm panel open and the woman thumbing through holosites. It took the Jedi longer than he was proud to admit to notice exactly what sorts of pages Lidah had opened. An uncomfortable light cough given as Levin averted his gaze. For what felt like entirely too long he stared at a plant perched in an glass vase.

“There, although it's almost too bad. I kind of want to see that 'spicy space pirate' outfit in person.”

He turned at her words, certain she was done with whatever it was that needed her urgent attention. Levin watched Lidah as she leaned back into the cushions, elegant even when not trying to be. Despite every warning in the back of his mind telling him not to look at the holo before Novus, he looked anyway. Slowly the Jedi stepped to where the Sith reclined. He would sit directly next to her, the perfumes from the shower wafting off her as he stared at 'Devron Hardcastle'. Levin would cast a sideways glance at Lidah, brow slightly furrowed.

"I've never encountered a space pirate dressed that way. There are gaping holes in his armor that wouldn't provide any protection from blaster nor blade..."

[Neology]

“No, I guess you wouldn't have. Mr. Hardcastle's armor is purely decorative, I'm afraid.” Novus suppressed a laugh behind curled fingers, shaking her head. A flick of her wrist switched the holo off, Devron dissolving into a shimmery curtain of blue light. She studied the Jedi, a sidelong glance, humor flagging at his obvious discomfort.

“I needed an alibi.” She shrugged one shoulder, frowning at her feet; pale pink toes idle against thick white carpet. “They watch me, right? I can usually ditch most of it – tracking devices on my ship or in my things, or a profoundly stupid apprentice once or twice.” A smile, a brief flash of sharp white teeth, then gone again. “Bills can be tricky. The money will always tell.” She echoed, having forgotten where she'd heard that before. A vision of a harried clerk, balding and red faced, seemed to come to mind, was banished as irrelevant.

“A lavish breakfast for two, just for me? Strange. Someone would look and maybe they'd find you.” Novus rested her chin on his shoulder, blue eyes following the line of his jaw, falling to the mussed collar, the disorganized buttons. Smudged stark white and the mingled stink of sweat and smoke. Beard stubble and the sooty, oily residue you only really got when fire met fatty tissue and then it was everywhere. All a touch blurry at this distance. She closed her eyes.

“I could deal with that. Lie maybe, or kill if I had to, but I would rather not. Hiring Mr. Hardcastle provides a easy explanation. A bit of comfort after a tragedy. Base and simple, but it fits on a spreadsheet. You don't.” She fell silent for a moment, then sat up, blue eyes easing open.

“We need to find who did this. Or I do, at least. Before I can leave Manaan.” Novus leaned over, fiddling with the holo until it brought up it's default broadcast – a bright projection of Ahto city, likely meant to entice tourists. For her, a visual aid to deconstructing yesterday's attacks.

“All of the victims have been recently arrived foreign visitors. This suggests isolationist extremists to me, but these are not their weapons. Incendiary explosives of sufficient quality are rare on Manaan – maybe someone's missing a shipment, somewhere. I'd check if I still had my team.” She blew out a breath of air, scattering a few strands of rapidly drying white hair. “I miss them already. One gets used to delegation, after awhile.”

[Dutch]

Levin peered down as Lidah rested upon his mantle. Though he did not turn to look, his cool eyes watched her unblinking as she shared her thoughts. A clever approach, the Jedi approved of her choice to not go down a path that would lead to violence. Her plan was remarkably well thought out, for being so spontaneous. No Jedi was completely dim, and he was considered one of the more knowledgeable in the Order. Yet the sheer wit and speed to create then follow up with a plan just showed the Sith's Arkanian lineage. Her superior lineage. It was no wonder the Imperials had such a well organized spy web.

In the momentary reverie of Novus closing her eyes, Levin's gaze would move lower. Even as exhausted as he was, he could feel a warmth begin to spread from his chest. For that moment he simply appreciated the lithe shape of Lidah, swallowing the growing lump in his throat and flush at his neck. The sudden feel of Novus shifting her weight caused the Jedi to stiffen his posture, gaze quickly flicked away to not reveal his action. Though they would return to the hoary woman soon after as she leaned forward to fiddle with the holo. He did not register the images of Ahto City as they flickered to life. His attention was on the way Novus' robe clung to her back, following the feline curve of the Sith with curiosity.

He listened as she spoke her thoughts on the bombings, confirming her intel was of similar mind to the Republic's. Levin did not respond right away, more engrossed in his examination of the Sith's curves. Almost cautiously at first his hand would move towards her. It would pause just above her lower back for the briefest moment. As his fingers spread over the expensive fabric Levin could feel the warmth of the Darth's skin, still flush from the steaming shower. Slowly he let his hand slide over, fingers lightly curled around her waist before they rose carefully. It was as his grip began to slide back down when the cheerful din of bells rang from an unknown source. Seemed their breakfast had arrived sooner than Levin expected. His eyes found Novus', a flush of mixed embarrassment and surprise colored his cheeks before a sheepish smile tugged the corner of his lips.

"... I should probably not be seen."

A quick clearing of his throat would lead to the Jedi tiredly getting to his feet. His lingering fingers would be the last thing to leave the Sith before Levin turned to step away from the common area. Using this opportunity, he moved through the sleeping chamber directly to the adjoining fresher. The mirror was still steamed from the previous use, the lingering scent of soap and heat wafted in the air. With a single hand Levin wiped across the mirror to reveal himself. Haggard, pale and coated in various residues, a sight the Jedi had come all too accustomed to since the war had truly broken out. It didn't take long for the Jedi to unbutton and remove his shirt, placing it next to the sink before turning the faucet with a twist of the Force.

After a few moments of washing and scrubbing, Levin was able to remove the majority of the soot and gunk that had collected. By then the smell of the recently arrived meal had made it to him, the scent making his stomach rumble audibly. His hand would moved to his bare abdomen, wondering when was the last he ate as it pressed onto his cool flesh. A quick wipe down of his arms and torso from the last clean towel would lead to him strolling back to the living area. Certain any potential witnesses had left, Levin stepped calmly back to where Novus was. Distracted by the prospect of food, he didn't even realize that his shirt remained forgotten back in the fresher. Instead he looked down at the cart, lids already removed by the Sith and revealing an array of fancy dishes. Garnishes of some vibrant herbs, succulent cuts of meats were paired with hearty looking vegetables and dishes of juicy assorted fruits.

"This looks appetizing." Levin stated bluntly, attention fully on the meal as a hand moved to a chunk of fruit. He ignored the juices that dripped from his hand as the Jedi bit into some sort of lush nectarine. The bite lit up his taste buds, causing a small involuntary sigh to escape him in approval.

[Neology]

Fingers splayed against the small of her back, warm against the white silk. Novus glanced aside, briefly curious, before returning her attention to the map. Valiantly, she resisted the urge to lean into the touch.

“Your people aren't missing anything, are they? No, I suppose you wouldn't say. Doesn't matter.” I'll just buy the information I need, she thought, moving on. After all, why pay an infamous information broker gobs of money and then not utilize their skills?

The doorbell again. Terrible thing; she wondered what the hotel would charge if she disconnected it. Her brows drew down in irritation, though she nodded vaguely as the Jedi excused himself.

“Go ahead.” She stood as he left the room, vented a sigh, and paused to straighten the folds of her robe. Crossing to the door, she stepped out of the way as a cheery young woman brought in their breakfast on a heavily laden cart. Novus tipped well, seeing the girl back out as quickly as she could.

Privacy restored, the Sith settled down at the table, datapad balanced in her lap. Carefully, she made a few private inquiries into the previous day's events. Unfortunately, once one took communications lag into account, it'd be several hours before she heard anything back. Not that she'd be able to get much done during the day, what with A.C.C.A. poking about. She was certain that she was still on their list of suspects, no matter the attack on her men, or Levin's mind tricks with Justice Gunnar.

Footsteps on the carpet. She glanced up as Levin returned, quirking a brow at his state of undress. Not that she was complaining about the view, but the Jedi's table manners seemed to be somewhere between terrible and entirely nonexistent.

“I'm glad you approve.” Novus turned the datapad off and reached to pour herself a fresh cup of coffee. “You've been quiet. How would you suggest we approach this? It's not as if the Empire's been their only target.”

[Dutch]

“You've been quiet. How would you suggest we approach this? It's not as if the Empire's been their only target.”

Levin brought the nectarine down slowly. It rolled wetly onto the silver platter where it had arrived on. The Jedi pulled one of the fabric napkins from a neat pile on the cart, using the expensive cloth to dry the fruit's juices from his hand and fingers. He had largely been silent out of loyalty to the Republic. Lev may be bonded to Novus, and with it the emotions and desires seemingly tied to their woven destinies. But ultimately he was a servant of the Jedi, thus sworn to protect it and it's interests. Including their intelligence, and with the Darth most infamously known for her spy network sitting before him it would be wisest to not speak on matters of subterfuge.

"No. They have not." He confirmed neutrally. Levin was sure Lidah was already aware the Republic too had been hit on Manaan, actions such as those were likely to pop up on the Sith's radar. After a moment the Jedi stepped from the cart towards Novus. A single hand moved to pull the empty seat next to the woman away from the table. Another gentle push would move it closer to her before Levin stepped around to sit in it. He knew what his next move would be, though at first did not start into it. Many saw Levin as a paragon of the Jedi Order, he knew to most he was just another zealot who would sooner fling himself headlong into danger than risk others' suffering. Fewer realized the more pragmatic approach he more often favored.

"If Ahto City were my patient, and these attacks an unknown ailment..." The Jedi began, eyes not meeting hers as he sighed slowly. Levin carefully would reach forward, fingers slipped under the datapad on Lidah's lap before lifting it away to rest on the table next to them. "Without a diagnosis, I cannot treat the ailment." Levin's eyes would darken as they continued to not meet the Sith's. Not for a long moment before his cool gaze would lift to hers.

"I would wait to see how it progressed in order to get a more accurate diagnosis." His tone would leave little room for interpretation. Until the attackers got bold enough to risk exposure, he would never know who they were. Nor how to end them. Currently they were a nameless, faceless set of ghosts who clearly had no allegiance to the Republic nor the Sith. Which only left countless dozens other private military, splinter organizations and criminal cartels with the funds and desires to make such attacks.

Levin would tilt his head idly to the side as he let his words sink in, eyes lowering slowly over Novus' form. Unconsciously his hand rested at her exposed knee, her skin warm silk beneath his fingertips. Levin would swallow the lump that began to form in his throat, eyes no following the line of the robe's edge up her pale thigh. Almost with an innocent curiosity his middle finger would slowly push said edge to the side, exposing more of the Sith's toned leg. He risked a look to Novus' face, her comely features giving him a look Levin had come to know. The Jedi would gently slide from the seat to his knees, the shaggy rug beneath them itchy on his skin. Now with both hands planted gently on both of Lidah's knees, he leaned forward to press a careful kiss to her lips.

[Neology]

Day Seven


The Sith crouched on the roof of an empty warehouse, peering through pair of electrobinoculars at the walled compound across the thoroughfare. Built for the packing and transport of Manaan's only notable export, the hanger and it's attending grounds had been empty for months, a casualty to the growing bacta industry. It was empty no longer. Discreet patrols. Activity in the hanger. Curious.

Atho City was not so large. This had to be the place. She'd looked under all the other metaphorical rocks and found nothing, but she always came back here. It was too perfect, and the guards were competent and heavily armed. She'd kept her distance.

The night air smelled of the tang of electricity. Thunder rumbled, a distant growl. The periphery of the sky lit every few seconds, truant angels playing with matches. Novus slipped off one of her gloves, holding her bare hand palm up. No drops, but she was running out of time. The rain would interfere with her stealth field, send her back to the hotel with nothing new.

No. The lockdown had to end soon. She would not tolerate any further delay to her plans, no matter how pleasantly diverting.

Novus pulled the glove back on, flexing her fingers beneath the tight leather sheath. The binoculars she carefully stowed away, making them disappear into a pocket. It was time. The guard would be coming back around soon. She backed away from the edge of the roof, pulling on the Force to strengthen her arms and legs, to augment her natural grace. With a running start, she leaped, clearing more than twenty feet to land atop the wall.

The guard appeared shortly after, exactly on time, a large man draped in a weather resistant cape. The glowing tip of his cigarette cast strange shadows, outlining an aquiline nose. Novus walked along the top of the wall, matching his route unnoticed, knife in hand. Finally, he came up alongside the wall of nearby building, offering some measure of seclusion.

She dropped down upon him, a quick fumble of contact. The jarring impact to her arm as the stiletto bit home, piercing downward through base of his neck. Wrenched against collarbone, the thin blade shattered, the grip coming free in Novus's hand. The guard wheezed and began to fall, struggling to point his heavy blaster. His finger spasmed on the against the trigger. Swearing, the Sith ducked out of the way, narrowly avoiding a blaster bolt to the face.

The poison did for him then, a scarce breath later. Oily blood pooled from the foul-smelling wound, rapid necrosis turning the flesh green and black. Novus dropped the useless handle, staring at the corpse.

“Who are you?” She muttered, quite rhetorically, putting out the dropped cigarette with the heel of her boot. There simply wasn't time to search him. A flick of her wrist reactivated her stealth field generator.

[Dutch]

Levin always enjoyed the smell of the sea. The tepid, humid air gently pressed over his skin with assistance from the slowly increasing winds. The endless ocean was strangely calm, perhaps a normality for Manaan before one of its thunderstorms. His hands would grip the damp railing before him, nothing but a meter of gentle white tiling stood between the Jedi and the endless blue. He would peer over his shoulder as a more powerful gust of wind blew to ruffle the length of his favorite tan coat.

The streets of this quarter were completely empty with the exception a pair of maintenance droids. The same two that had rolled and flitted about for the past hour. One would idly sweep the walkways, another would float to replace a lighting fixture that had dimmed. Ahto City was not known for its vibrant nightlife, the closest thing to excitement being the cantina not far from Levin. Across the waters in the distance he could make out the sounds of swoops shifting and accelerating, paired by cheers and jeers from the cantina from fans and hustlers alike. And behind the cantina loomed the compound. Even through their bond Levin could only just make out the silvery threads of Lidah’s presence.

A thick veil of the Force blanketed around a large part of the compound, the scent of Novus’ molding of energies still lingered within the chain despite the utter lack of a direct presence. Levin suspected that were they not linked, he would be completely unable to sense the hoary woman with the Force. The thought impressed and worried the Jedi in equal parts, a common blend when it came to the Darth and him. He pulled the pocket chronometer borrowed from Novus from one of his coat pockets, a thumb used to light the device backlight to check the time. It was returned soon after with a small sigh from the Jedi. Thunder rumbled, a distant growl.

Lev turned his gaze upwards as the clouds above laced with lightning, bolts obscured by dark skies. For a moment he simply stood there, alone in the middle of an Ahto City thoroughfare as he stared at the shiting cloud cover. A light series of beeps would sound from Levin’s pocket. The timer Novus had set finally going off from the chronometer. Casting one more cautionary glance at the idly working droids, Levin stepped around a corner to one of Ahto’s walls. Just as Novus’ report detailed the corner was an exploitable blind spot. A convenient one too. Levin’s lightsaber slid from his sleeve into an awaiting palm, the shoto-length silver blade flashing to life.

”Ash’amur, etyc jetii!”

The next moment was a blur of a screaming jump pack, the snap of Levin’s jaw under an armored boot and the feel of wind leaving his lungs as the ground rushed to meet him. The distinct hiss! of his lightsaber shutting off was heard worryingly close to his ear, but the sight of red splashed over the ground was more worring. Levin’s head spun as he reoriented himself, rapidly searching visually and through the Force for his attacker. He staggered to his feet, the lower half of his head numb and heavy feeling as it throbbed.

The Jedi reached up with a hand to feel the scruff of his beard sickeningly lower on his head than it should have been felt. Gathering himself Levin pulled his senses closer into his body. A brief exam in the Force mapped out the broken parts of his jaw before Levin used the same hand as before to help guide the slowly mending bone into place with a wet crunching sound.

Slowly the Jedi looked around, his hand still exploring his face to check for any missed injuries. The taste of coppery blood still lingered, Lev paused to spit some out before a tug of the Force flipped the saber to his other hand. Moments passed, and no sign of his attacker remained. Levin blinked once before his lightsaber ignited once again to stab through the wall to his left. The conduit box hidden behind that particular panel sparked, and the lights of the distant compound flickered off.

Levin retrieved the chronometer one last time to switch tabs to a new alarm, this one set for 31 minutes and activated it. Exactly how long he had to get to the rendezvous point Novus had previously selected.The Jedi just hoped he would find the Sith before his mystery attacker found either of them. Whoever that was, knew how to kill. Any other man, and most other Jedi would have been instantly killed by the attack. He did not want to think of what could happen to Lidah were she to come across a similar assault.

[Neology]

Novus ducked from shadow to shadow, avoiding the yellow glare of the compound's lights and the lethal path of the guards. They were very well organized, she was forced admit, crouched low in the dark behind a small garage. The gap created by their deceased comrade would not last long. Even as she listened, raised voices sounded near the wall; her handiwork discovered.

It was time. She had to trust that the Jedi would hold up his end of the plan – much to her irritation. On one hand, the man was as stubborn and single-minded as they came. Yet on the other, he'd been withholding information for days. She had not pressed him on the matter, unsure that the layered mire of the Jedi's morals could bare the issue's weight. Had he the guile to lead her into a trap?

Not this time, it seemed. A sympathetic bloom of pain came to life in her jar, stealing her breath until she regained focus, blocking the sensation out. As she stood panting, the compound's lights winked out around her. Progress, with complications. Well, the healer was well suited for dealing with such. Novus left the safety of her hiding spot to cross the open pavement, slinking toward the main hanger.

Cutting the power neatly defeated the challenge of electronic locks. The Sith slipped inside the hanger through one of the side doors, blinking at the enormous space within. An acrid, chemical smell pervaded. A bulky light freighter took up one corner, footlockers and cots another. Dusty equipment, presumably related to the hanger's original purpose, crowded the floor near the Sith. She slipped in among it, freezing as a tight knot of armored individuals exited an upstairs office. Novus listened to the sound of heavy boots on steel scaffolding and accented voices raised in argument, the speakers swapping easily between Basic and a language Nouvs was unfamiliar with. Unable to make sense of their dialogue, the Sith crept further away, intent on the cargo containers near the ship. Crouched among them, she opened one up.

Rows of plastic wrapped rectangles, demolition charges of an unfamiliar make, each individually stamped with a lot number and a tiny Republic insignia.

[Dutch]

From behind Novus a shadow would stir. With no sound it shifted swiftly from crate to crate, slunk low and silent. It would draw closer and closer to the hoary woman, the glint off an edge of a drawn matte-black blade the only light in the gloom. The pointed eared intruder opened a case, revealing contraband in the form of explosives. The shadow would ooze closer, loomed above the intruder with blade held ready to plunge into her neck.

The being in matte-black armor behind Novus would suddenly gasp as a shining silver blade plunged through the wall behind it. It would jut angled upwards from the attacker’s neck. Just as soon as the blade appeared it disappeared with a hiss!. The armored being fell, helm rolled to reveal a Falleen woman with now dead eyes.

***

Levin sprinted around the hangar, lightsaber stilled clutched in hand. He doubted his attack that saved Novus wouldn’t go unnoticed, and had to bring attention from her as soon as possible. He felt her presence many meters away, and deemed it time to bring the distraction. Lev channeled the Force into his free hand to push the door at his side to send it off hinges. It tumbled end over end to collide loudly into the armored group that had reached the ground floor of the hangar now.

”Tsikador, jetiise! Ram’or!”

The armored beings charged, and Levin ignited his saber with a snap-hiss before meeting the charge. His lightsaber snapped and crackled against blades seemingly resistant to the energy weapon, their owners showing great skill in frontal assault. The fight was fast, and brutal. Fists and boots alike would smack into the Jedi, choosing to block the flashing blades instead. His eyes moved to find Novus’ in the gloom, the smallest nod given before a fist collided with his face.

Your assistance is required, Lidah... Levin would whisper through their bond as pain bloomed from his now broken nose.

[Neology]

There was beauty in doing harm, Novus thought, empty hand twitching toward the second knife in her belt. The way the self and time both seemed to vanish, every concern shrinking until she couldn't even see it … It was peaceful, in a way. Dangerous to get used to that.

She could feel something else at her back, the whispered presence of a lesser hunter. Skilled, surely, but that only went so far – at this range, life where there should be concrete and steel was a beacon in the Force. A backdoor for anyone with the talent too look.

And how, exactly, is it following me? Some malfunction with her stealth field? She pushed that thought out of mind, anticipation an acrid taste on the back of her tongue. Novus whirled away from a strike that never came, her own blade coming free and up, ready to be thrown. A flash of silver left violent afterimages on her retinas, a moment of unwelcome blindness. The heavy thud of an armored body, now quite graceless, reached her ears from somewhere near her feet.

Levin's doing, obviously – save her from one tiny assassin while tipping their hand to a greater threat. So much for staying hidden. She sheathed her knife and dove behind one of the ship's landing struts, narrowly avoiding a barrage of blaster fire. Cursing, she tucked the explosive charge into one of her pockets, head swiveling to track the Jedi as he appeared to loop around to the main door.

The charges were equipped with simple electric detonators. In theory, Force lightning could be used to set them off ...

The door, little more than a heavy chunk of durasteel, blew free from it's hinges, colliding with the armored individuals. They collected themselves with alacrity, turning their attentions upon the more immediate threat. Levin's thought was a buzzing demand in the back of her skull. She pulled another charge to her hand and threw it, aiming deliberately short of the melee. With any luck the edge of the blast would be enough, the armored bodies between Levin and the explosive destined to take the brunt.

An arc of lightning flew from her outstretched hand, leaving bluish tracers in her vision. The charge erupted into heat and rubble.

[Dutch]

Levin saw Novus toss the charge, and went to boot the man with a horned helm before him towards it. The same which had just broken the Jedi's nose. His eyes darted down in surprise as the man dropped his sword and suddenly gripped Lev's boot in both hands. In the Force he could see the next few seconds in a flash, grimacing at what was about to come. With a great bellow the horned man twisted to toss Levin clear off his feet towards the charge just as Novus' lightning left her hand. In slow motion to the Jedi, Lev curled himself into a ball and pulled the Force to him. A quick barrier crystallized, just in time for the charge to explode.

His burning form was tossed by the kinetics, a burst in the Force betraying the broken barrier as Levin was thrown into a large stack of crates. They fell with a thunder, giant plasteel boxes tumbling and rolling from the collapsing stack. Levin wasn't alone, the horned man was blasted back to collide into the wall behind with a thud. He didn't get up afterwards. The other armored beings lay thrown from the blast as well, some clutching their helms as they rolled on the ground as others simply didn't move. For moments the only sound was the alternating groans of those injured in the blast. The Force around would twist, great rapids of it pouring forth into the now pile of crates.

A grunt of annoyance was given, the sound muffled by the plasteel mountain. A couple boxes would shift before Levin would burst forth from them, teeth surprisingly white compared to the blackened flesh across half of his body. Anything the Jedi had worn on his torso before was gone, the scraps of burned cloth that hung from his shoulders the only evidence. Grey eyes stern and focused, Levin would pant in agony at the burns that had taken to his left side. With a great groan he would pull the Force further into his presence, letting restorative energies begin to cascade aggressively over him. Slowly but surely the burns would begin to recede, as if time itself was being turned back to reveal healthy skin. As the last burn was swept away, Levin's posture would straighten. Still breathing hard, the sweat of effort from the heal shone over his skin in the dim hangar lights. Levin would turn towards the pile, a hand held out as a tug yanked his lightsaber to the awaiting palm.

With a snap-hiss the saber would ignite, Levin's exhausted expression leaving little to interpretation as he stepped to the first of the armored figures. With a swipe the tip of his lightsaber would slice its throat below the helm. One by one he stumbled to each of the disabled warriors, repeating the same motion to end the threat before they could rise again. With the last attacker slain, Levin turned his gaze to Novus. Breath a little less labored, he coughed dryly before looking her up and down.

"Are you injured?" He would ask bluntly, lightsaber hanging loosely in his hand and his shoulders slightly slumped from the previous effort.