A New Kind of Recruiting (Invitation)

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*She had just landed the ship upon one of the platforms of Utapau. For centuries, the primative civilations had delved a little into interstellular trading. Usually jobs like this Radmila passed up. However, this one scientist offered her an amount of money she couldn't refuse. His request seemed strange but simple enough. She was to bring back several samples of the water held within the sinkholes and bring it back to him. Evidently, they believed they had stumbled upon some strange fountain of youth or cure all. It was bogus to her, but the money wasn't anything to stick her nose up to. Shutting down the engines, she moved through the ship gathering her pack already assembled and went to check on Vassur.*

"You know you really don't have to come if you don't want to. I'll be in and out quickly."

*The way she said it seemed to hint at some sense of uncomfortableness about him being alone in her ship.*

[Triune]

"What and miss a change to touch ground and breath real air?" he grinned at her "I have to get out and walk around for a while. stretch my legs as it were. Let me know when you are ready to depart on the communicator." He gestured to the one he has strapped at his wrist as he put on his long coat. "If you are in need otherwise I will know." He smiled and walked down the ramp. He needed to stretch that was true, he did not like being cooped up, an old trait from home. This place looked interesting enough to him and those walls looked they almost called to be climbed.

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*She mumbled something beneath her breath but didn't take it further. At least he wasn't speaking of the Force and seeking out the Jedi any longer. She moved towards the cargo door and waited for the ramp to descend. Already there were some people there to meet with her. Stepping down the ramp, the natives bowed before her slightly and she returned the gesture. Now getting them to let her take samples without asking too many questions would be difficult.*

*High above from a different level, a dark cloaked person stood watching the ship arrive. With disinterests, she watched the twi'lek walk down the ramp, but her eyes immediately went back to the ramp. Where was this person she had heard so much about from spies on Nar Shaddaa?*

[Triune]

*Vassur left by the passenger hatch, even as he walked he looked up at the vast expanse of cliff-face smiling. It reminded him of the dire cliffs of home. He had clambered all over them as both child and boy before leaving the world behind. He had a knack for just being unnoticed and he used it now to avoid those interested in the water. 'Mila could handle them well enough. He put up his coat's hood and walked towards the caverns that seemed to serve as hangar and city for this place.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*Radmila had convinced them to let her take some samples but not easily. She would have to pay for these samples....dearly. If she hadn't been offered so much and given some leway money for just this scenario, she would have turned around just there and left. Obviously her client knew these people very well. Before she could ask for a guide, they all turned around and left her to her own devices.*

"Great hospitality here."

*She shook her head and entered the complex heading towards one of the ramps that led down into the sinkhole.*

*Seeing the man leave of his own accord, she disappeared again into the darkness. It was now like a cat in pursuit of her prey.*

[Triune]

*Vassur found himself in a stables of sorts. Beasts native to this world stood in stalls. Smiling, He again thought of home. His hand caressed the crest of a reptilian mount as he thought, the beast rumbled out a hissing purr as he did so*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*The deeper she went into the shaft, the more uneasy she began to feel. It was like there were eyes upon her back and the goosebumps forming on her flesh were evidence of that. Her hand moved towards the blaster for reasurrance as she slowed down and turned around to look behind her. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary though. Wishing now she had asked for a mount, she turned back around walking further downward. Her senses were alert and listening for any trace of footsteps behind her.*

*Rajani kept to the shadows behind the woman. Here was her lure to getting the altered man to her. She could sense the link between them as the woman's thoughts seemed to wander before sensing her nearby. Obviously she was a good bounty hunter to have picked up on her following so soon. Yet, Rajani wasn't about to make herself known just yet. Letting the woman get a bit of a lead again before following her, she had the exact attack planned out. Soon she would strike.*

[Triune]

There was a naturalness, a primordial essense here that soothed Vassur. So many worlds where dead to him, dead husks on which humanity built their precious cities, like insects leeching off a corpse until the next one comes along. True Vassur had a dim view of humans but he at least tried to dwell among them, the rest of his people weren't so open. He chuckled as the beast nudged his hand when he let up on the scratching.*

"Alright alright, we'll continue. Mayhap afterwards you can show me around your home?" His comment to what was a domesticated mount brought a raised eyeybrow from the stablehand but Vassur paid him no mind. The animal understood. After a time the beast was content and Vassur took it out of the stable, setting to ride around this strange but soothing planet.

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*She was almost to the bottom and had fallen easily into thinking she was just imagining things. This whole mission seemed a bit odd, but perhaps she was just too paranoid. Lately alot of bad things had been happening to her and it was hard to relax. Hearing the tinkling of water, she slowed her progress and pulled her backpack off her shoulders. Leaning down to get the collection devices out, she couldn't hear the approach over the water.*

*Rajani watched her prey carefully and made sure she approached her from behind keeping out of her paripherial vision. It was then the dagger came out and she put her hand over the woman's mouth. She held her tight and pressed the knife so close to her throat that any small move would slice it neatly. Yet, the woman was a fighter. Jabs were sent towards Rajani's stomach until her grip on the twi'lek was lessened. Her blade sank into the flesh of the blue skinned twi'lek as she tried to pull away. Reaching out her hand, Rajani called the force to constrict around the twi'lek as she had begun pulling back and reaching for her blaster. Her actions seemed to slow until they came to an abrupt stop and a smile came to the face of Rajani. Seeing the panic in the woman's eye, she stepped closer to her.*

"Now now. I can't have you escape before the trap is sprung, Radmila. Oh yes I know your name. Relax, my child. You aren't the one I'm here for. It's your companion."

*The black gloved hand moved up towards the woman's utility belt and pulled off a comlink activating the panic button. If her suspicions were right, Vassur would come rescue his lady friend. Until he arrived though, she would have fun with the woman. The blade ran across the woman's form as she was frozen in place. Rajani could tell she was struggling against it as her breathing had increased.*

"You don't know who you're dealing with, witch. You've just marked your own deathbed."

*Rajani pulled the blade up towards the mouth of the woman and sneered at her.*

"If I were you, I would keep quiet. I wouldn't want my hand to slip and cut that tongue out of your mouth. You wouldn't be able to sweet talk your patrons later would you. Yet, perhaps I should do it anyway. Most men like a woman that doesn't speak....can keep secrets."

*Rajani let her blade dig into the woman's cheek.*

"Go on, please. I beg of you."

*She chuckled as the woman's eyes showed hatred within their depths. Rajani let her blade slide down lower until it rested against the inside of her thigh.*

*Radmila closed her eyes trying to shut out this night. It reminded her of some of the torture she had faced at the hand of the Hutt and his men. Quietly in her mind, she called out to Vassur.*

[Triune]

*Rajani''s first use of the Force brought a wash like cold water to Vassur's sense. Here in this quiet world he had no difficulty sensing it. The vibration from the communicator seemed more like confirmation then anything but when he felt 'Mila 'call' to him that brought that cold icy clarity he found when about to enter battle. Someone threatened her, someone who could use this Force. He brought the lizard around and set heels to haunches, pushing the beast to its fullest speed. It mounted the side of the cliff-face easily and at other moments Vassur would have been amazed but now he felt it achingly slow. Reaching the top brought Vassur to vault from the saddle and set off at a pace even his mount could not match. Each footstep sent ripples through his minds eye but he did not care, stealth was not a factor here. He felt the link to 'Mila grow and he knew he was getting close. Someone would pay for ruining the moment.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*Sensing the trap was sprung, her hand went to the utlity belt and unlatched it letting it fall to her feet. Her hand reached around Radmila's throat as the woman was released from the stasis and began to flounder.*

*Her hands moved towards Rajani's hands as she beat against them struggling to remain concious. Just when everything was about to go dark, inhuman strength flung her into the cavern wall and she remembered the sick cracking sound befpre all was silent and darkness took over her. A dark line of blood slimed the wall as the twi'lek slid to the floor and collapsed upon it. Quickly a dark pool of blood formed around where her head lay. Yet, she was oblivious to this as the darkness consumed her mind and her calling out to Vassur stopped.*

*Rajani moved over towards the woman to check to make sure she was still alive. The knock had injured her badly but still kept her from running away and out of interferance. Now it was just time to wait. Looking around the area, she found a dark corner and sought refuge there for a time. It was time to watch her prey before striking.*

[Triune]

*Vassur arrived not long after, sliding across the floor to stop before the fallen Radmilla. His eyes narrowed and looked around but he could not truly devote his best efforts. Not after he saw the blood coming from her wounds. He knelt, drawing her closer to him, his hands gentle as possible. He closed his eyes and bent his will to ease her pain, to mend as much of her wounds as he dared. He knew this was what the attacker wanted, he felt it in his bones but he could not not tend to her, it would go against everything he'd ever stood for. He would make himself vulnerable to see her well. A choice few of his people would ever make. but then again Vassur was not like the rest of his kin...*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*"Mila's form was light and almost lifeless in his hands. Were it not for her shallow breathing and the soft rise of her chest, he would have thought her dead. Blood trickled down his arm as her breathing started to become less rattled as he focused upon her trying to mend her wounds. Rajani watched him for a moment and then stepped out of the darkness.*

"Vassur...so we meet at last."

[Triune]

*He kept his focus there, on 'Mila, ensuring the worst of her wounds were tended to. Only then did he pull his hands from her and stand though he did not turn around*

"If you wanted me you should not have harmed her. Such a deed is not one that will endear you to me." his voice was hard, stonelike and cold.

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

"If I hadn't known better, I would almost think that you've come to care for this woman. Here I thought your kind were above that sort of thing."

*A deep chuckled echoed from her lips as she stepped closer to him. Her footsteps stopped and her voice lowered menacingly.*

"Turn around and face me. It's rude to turn your back on someone when they have a proposition for you..."