The First Clue

[Azreala]

Sitting just outside of Fresia, Azreala was trying to learn how to pilot her new ship. B2 was whirring in annoyance-it was clear she was not the best in the galaxy. A transmission came give them clearance to land near the Common Islands, and Azreala let B2 take back the controls.

She watched the planet grow in size around her. For a core world, it was rather small in populace, and nothing like Nal Hutta. The entire planet was one big ship factory for Incom Corporation.

The only clue she had to her past was within this company's records. Azreala would have to tread lightly, she knew that a respected Core World factory, would not like the news to spread that they once dealt with Hutts.

Azreala left the cockpit to get ready to walk a new planet's surface. She became more and more excited with the realization that she was finally seeing the galaxy like she had always dreamed about.

"The new master might find this helpful when dealing with the Incom Corporation. The new master wants to stay hidden, is this unit correct?" my-LOM handed her a mask that looked completely alien. When on her, it would not even give the viewer the same idea of face shape, easily concealing race.

"Thank you my-LOM, this will be most useful for me. I think it would be wise to also refer to me as Attus when the mask is on, to further protect my identity,"

"As you wish master."

[Azreala]

Stepping off of the ship Azreala looked above her a the bright sky, full of smog. She sighed in disappointment. She had always imagined the galaxy outside of Hutt Space to be beautiful and clean. Not so...similar to her home planet. But there were no Hutts here. At this thought she smiled and continued out of the docking bay.

my-LOM handled all of the docking fees and most of the communication. Azreala thought it would be best to hide the fact she knew basic until it was absolutely needed. Looking around her on the path she walked, she noticed on one side, the clear clean lines of the manufacturing corporation, and on the other, the slums and huts of the workers that take care of them. Questions ran through her mind like wildfire, but she had no time to spend on any of them. She had to get to the public relations office and see what she could find out about this company-and what a ship manufacturing company had to do with the kidnapping of an Angel child.

[Azreala]

Stepping into the shinning office of Public Relations, she first noticed how clean it was compared to the outside. It looked as if the room belonged on a picture she once saw of Coruscant, not this dirty rock. The receptionist-a Twi'lik noticed Azreala and welcomed her and her droid.

"Hello, and how may I be of service to you today?" The yellow hued girl looked at Azreala expectantly. my-LOM got right to work.

"My master is a trader in your companies parts in the Mid-Rim. She needs help finding some records of a purchase she made through your company some 20 standard years ago for a prestigious client. The master was in the core world's anyway picking up parts and thought it was best to come directly."

"And where was the shipment sent?"

"Around the Extrictarium Nebula."

The Twi'lik began to type on the datapad, and began searching for the request. She hummed energitically as if she had found what she was looking for.

"Just a moment..." The woman coughed and quickly turned off the datapad. "I'm sorry, but it seems what you are looking for doesn't exist. Our company has no presence in the Outer Rim. I am so sorry for the inconvenience. Our protocol droid will show you the way out, have a good day!"

Azreala and my-LOM were quickly escorted out of the room, but as she was leaving, she thought she saw some employees in much nicer clothes than that of the Twi'lik filing into the room. This was not going to be as simple as she thought.

[Azreala]

Azreala found her self in the docking bay market aimlessly walking about trying to think of some sort of solution. Pushing out the sounds of the greedy vendors, Azreala let my-LOM make sure she was not bothered as he made purchases for the 'Victory. She played in her head over again and again what had just transpired hours before.

After what seemed like an eternity of her thoughts circling, combined with the vendors loud pitches, Azreala felt like she couldn't breathe. She quickly ducked out of the main street and leaned against the wall behind her. Looking from side to side she saw that she was alone and tore off her mask. How am I gonna get my hands on that file? Rubbing the sweat off her brow she heard a crash as a small girl was pushed to the ground a few feet away.

Two men followed the girl armed with large metal rods and began to beat her. The girl cried as the men hit her harder and harder. Azreala could stand it no longer as she pulled out her pistol.

"I think you are done here!"

The men turned at Azreala and looked a bit shocked at the sight of her. They quickly regained their compose and looked her up and down.

"She's company property, we can do with her what we please! So put your weapon down and vacate the area immediately!"

"And let you continue to beat this small child? No way."

She fired at the one closet to the girl and hit him right in the thigh. It wasn't where she was aiming but he was out for the count. The other man threw down his rod and began to reach for his blaster, but it was futile. Azreala had already fired, this time hitting his groin. He also fell to the ground.

She hurried up to them and tried to calm her breathing before she spoke. Killing was getting eaiser for her.

"At least my aim is getting better." She shot the first man in the groin.

"You should have never touched her." And with that she fired into the first man's head.

The second one began to cry out and plead for his life.

"Please, we- we were just doing our jobs! She's just property!"

"No woman is just property."

She fired into the second officials head.

[Azreala]

The small child cowered underneath Azreala's feet as she begged for mercy in almost inaudible cries.

"You are the angel of Death aren't you?"

Azreala's gaze softened when she looked at the girl's face, she knelt down and reached for her hand.

"I am. Sent to protect you from these evil men." Might as well play along with this girl's fantasies a bit to make her more comfortable.

The girl dove into Azreala's arms, knocking her back a bit as she tried to support the girl's weight.

"I always knew someday, someone would come and help us! My own angel of Death; here to destroy the bad guys and bring mother home!

Azreala was not really sure what to expect from the girl after brutally murdering two men in front of her, but that was not what she was expecting to hear by any means. Before Azreala had any time to respond, the girl was already pulling Azreala's hand further in to the slums.

"You better put your mask back on Angel so we don't get seen, more officers will be here soon. I will take you to daddy!"

Azreala silently complied. She had no other plan for the moment on getting in to the main offices, and she couldn't leave the girl alone to get in more trouble. Dusk began to set on the planet and Azreala looked at her exposed wrists that seemed brighter due to lack of light. She needed to get inside and fast, before she was discovered. Mental note to herself, buy better clothes; or at least ones that fit.

[Azreala]

After a dizzying maze through the getto, Azreala finally found herself in a quaint little hut of a home. Where the girl's father sat at a table preparing a small meal that could easily be for one. Although Azreala was once a slave herself, growing up in a harem you ate well. She knew, however, from wandering the palace, that she was lucky. She wished she had something on her to give to the man, or at least to feed herself so not to make him feel worse for his position.

The man jumped at the sight of an extremely tall stranger in a mask. The fact that she was holding his daughter's hand did not make him feel better about the situation. Before either the man or Azreala could speak, the girl again took charge of the situation.

"Hi, Daddy! This is my Angel she helped me escape the officials today! She said she is gonna bring Mommy home! Take off the mask Angel you are safe here!"

Azreala hesitantly slid her mask off of her face and let the man have his reaction. After he calmed down, Azreala sat at the table.

"My name is Azreala, you daughter was kind enough to give me shelter. I do not wish to intrude, I shall leave if you wish."

"No. That is, if you really did save my daughter from Incom Security?"

"Yes. But tell me, why did security want your daughter? How can a young girl be in that much trouble?"

"Because..of my wife."

[Azreala]

"My wife Talzin was found to be educating the indentured servants on the planet on regards of company policies. You see, while in the core world's slavery technically does not exist; a lot of companies compensate for this by indentured servant-hood. A person or family, sell themselves for a limited time for a company and in return they are ideally housed, fed, and then given a large stipend at the end and a free journey off-planet to whatever planet is available through our ports."

The man stared at Azreala with cold eyes.

"Incom is clever, they make fine print rules that basically make it so a person lives and dies on this planet serving the company and so does their family. We aren't paid, and are given little to no housing. We are made to fend for ourselves on a planet where that is impossible."

"I spent my time on a hutt planet once, I know the pain you and your people must feel." Azreala never imagined that a place located in the core worlds could be this corrupt. When she was little she thought of the core as the image of happiness and justice that she had never known living on Nal Hutta.

"Talzin was fortunate in her job assignment and was given more power than most. She found loop holes in the contracts that allowed people to leave, taking company assets with them. Incom was not pleased. They came in the night and took her! Demanding that she tells them all that she knows, so they could fix their mistakes!"

"How long ago was this?"

"Three months ago. My daughter and I went into hiding soon after, trying to find some way to free Talzin, but I had all but given up hope till you came through our door a short while ago."

"I promise you this: I will find Talzin and reunite your family, and promises are things I always keep." Azreala winked at the young girl and feigned hope. This whole mission got a whole lot bigger and her time was short on this planet. She knew Hurri had to have sent a bounty hunter to look for her, and it probably wouldn't take him long to figure out where she was.

[Azreala]

She was in the sky. The stars shone brightly against the black curtain of night, and she felt a freedom that she had never known before. She laughed wildly as she dove and twisted through the sky and up out of the atmosphere. She looked at her wings and saw no holes, just solid beauty. She grinned and flew even higher to deep space. She saw a mother and father, her own kind, open their arms to her begging her to come closer. She flew as fast as she could into their bright embrace, and Azreala felt whole.

Azreala opened her eyes to a bright light from the window above her. 'A dream,' she thought.

She pushed all of her feelings aside and began to shake out her robe that she had used as a pillow on the bench of the kitchen table. The young girl, who's name Azreala, now knew to be Talia, slightly tugged at one of Azreala's tattered wings.

"Wow, you really are an angel. You're so beautiful. When I get older I want to be as pretty as you."

This struck a chord with Azreala, as her wings had always been a point of same for her, an ugly mark, and reminder of the emptiness she constantly felt. Azreala said nothing and just smiled at the girl as she slipped her robe back on, and picked up her mask off of the table.

"Talia, let the nice lady alone."

The father entered from the bedroom and scooped up his daughter into his arms.

"I apologize, she can be a bit nosey, but she's a good kid."[/color

"It's alright, I don't mind. Now, do you where I should start looking for Talzin?"

"I would start at security offices. They have holding cells there, and although I doubt she is in one of them, I'm sure one of the higher-ups would know where to find her.

"Then I'll start there." Azreala looked at the child and softly put her hand on the child's face. "Until we meet again little one. Mee jewz ku."

Azreala slipped on her mask and was out the door, headed back to the ship yards, where she could find my-Lom and hopefully the security offices.

[Azreala]

After an exhausting search, Azreala finally found her way back to her ship and found both of her droids waiting.

"Hello master, your presence is much welcome. I took the liberty to procure some new clothes, that might fit your rather tall frame; you are much taller than the previous master. They are in your quarters."

"Thanks LOM."

She made her way over to her bunk and found a simple, blue linen shirt and some brown pants laying on her bed, with a new black robe with a hood. As she was changing, she noticed that slits had already been cut into her shirt for her by one of the droids. The pants hugged to her legs all the way to the ankles but were flexible so she would be able to move quickly. She threw on her blaster belt and grabbed the robe and her mask, and headed back into the lounge.

"You did good, these clothes will work perfectly! You seem to have thought of everything"

"It is in my programming."

Azreala began to put on her robe and her mask.

"Unfortunatly it's time to be Attus again. LOM, can you take me to the security offices for Incom?"

"Of course master."

They began to head out of the ship and Az slipped her hands into her pockets of the robe to conceal her hands. She felt something and pulled out some thin black gloves. my-LOM really did think of everything.

[Rogue]

An AIAT/i entered the atmosphere of Fresia, searching for a specific YT-1250--the Starstruck Victory. The pilot was a...colleague, and occasional collaborator with Attus, who was last seen with Hurri's slave girl that the pilot was seeking. The pilot was unsure why Attus would choose to travel to this reach of space, and this factory planet, but it wasn't the pilot's job to question Attus' business--all that was needed was information on the Angel.

The pilot was also surprised at how easy Attus had let himself be tracked, eschewing all of his normal precautions against trailing feet, but that was no matter--it just made the job easier. A message sent-- and the pilot reclined, awaiting a response.

Attus, come in, do you read? This is Hydra Vaardo. We need to talk.

[Azreala]

"What do you mean you have no detainment cells, you're a security office!"

Whoops, there goes the secret that Attus knows basic. Even though my-LOM was a robot, it still felt like he was some how glaring her down. Azreala couldn't help it though, she just needed to find this karking lady Talzin so she can move off of this crummy planet that reminds her more of Hutta by the minute.

"What my master means is to say is that she is in dire need of assistance from you and would love to give you credit for her success."

The security guards eyes flashed in recognition at the proposition and nodded his head. Quietly he leaned over the desk and whispered, handing them some data.

"Main administration building, basement level 5, you will find what you are looking for."

Azreala nodded and turned out the door and let my-LOM take care of her business. She really needs to start learning the tricks of the trade better. my-LOM suggested that they go back to the ship to download the scematics of the administration building and formalize a game plan; it was when she got back and saw the message when she began to panic.

"my-LOM, who is Hydra Vaardo?"

[Rogue]

"Hydra Vaardo is a Mirialan that would work some jobs with Attus and on occasion visit him alone in his quarters. To be frank master, I was not aware that Hydra Vaardo would be contacting Attus at any point in the near future. It's as much a mystery o you as it is to me."

------------

Hydra Vaardo tapped impatiently against the dashboard of the AIAT/i control panel. Attus was usually more prompt than this.

[Azreala]

Azreala sent the message to Hydra and slumped into her chair. She still had no real game plan yet and the fear of her guest's arrival was not helping in her attempt to formulate her thoughts. She headed to her chamber's and tried to prepare herself as best she could, putting on her Attus disquise and moved to the cargo bay. Looking around, she decided this was the best place for things to go down, it was open, and it only had one entry-way.

Now all she had to do was the one thing she hated most. Wait.

[Rogue]

Hydra Vaardo got the invitation to come aboard the Starstruck Victory and stood up from the command chair, eyes rolling at the name. Hydra had always hated it, but Attus for some reason loved the corny and almost cynical sense of optimism it inspired in onlookers.
A long stay wasn't planned--as much as it would be enjoyed, Hydra had a mission to go on, one that couldn't wait for any unnecessary delays.
Landing the AIAT/i, Hydra exited its doors and entered those of the YT-1250. That insufferable protocol droid my-LOM welcomed the Mirialan. "Hello, Hydra Vaardo, it is so good to see you again."
Hydra stood and surveyed the interior of the ship. She cut a sophisticated yet dangerous figure. She was tall for a woman, athletic strength rippling through every lithe muscle. Underneath her flight helmet was a close-cropped haircut outlining sharp features and huge eyelashes that nearly obscured her already almost-pitch-black eyes.
"Attus, are you around? I am here."
"Attus is in the cargo bay miss."
"Thank you," she said, rolling her eyes. "And he couldn't even be bothered to come up and say hello." She walked over to the ladder and descended.
"Attus?"

[Azreala]

Azreala was shocked at the sight of her.Her! Azreala certainly did not expect to see a woman, and she began to panic a bit. As Hydra decended, Azreala gained her composure, again thankful for her mask. Azreala pulled her blaster and pointed it straight at the Mirilalan. Before she even turned around Az spoke loudly, clearly, and hopefully calmly.

"Put your hands where I can see them, mesh'la."

[Rogue]

Hydra froze, and quietly chuckled to herself, slowly placing her hands atop her helmeted head. "Of course. Of course you're not Attus. That would be foolish." It certainly explained why he had seemingly acted so strangely. Hydra silently scolded herself for not noticing sooner.

Her eyes darted back and forth, scanning the area for cover, or a distraction, or something. The circuit breakers--they were a meter or so behind her, in the direction of the Attus-imposter, but if she could disrupt those and shut off all the lighting, her escape would be trivial. "So tell me... what did you do with the real Attus?"

[Azreala]

"What does it matter to you, that sleemo is gone! You should be thanking me! Now move slowly away from the stair and keep your hands where I can see them."

Azreala motioned her gun in the direction of where she wanted the Mirilalan to go, in the opposite corner of room, equally away from her and the exit. So far things were working in her favor.

Azreala yelled without taking her eyes off of the girl for my-LOM, she would need his help so she could safely pat for a blaster. She knew she wouldn't have much time before Hydra made her first move.

"Now, before I decide to blast your head clean off, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

[Rogue]

As Hydra turned to follow the orders of the business end of the blaster--a most compelling commander--she nearly jumped in surprise. Whoever this was who had apparently murdered Attus and taken his identity was quite larger than she had expected, judging by the sound of the imposter's voice--a woman's voice. Hydra was tall for the average humanoid female, but this impostor must have been two meters tall, at least.
It was a shame that Attus had been gotten rid of, though; Hydra had some fond memories of him. True, they had tried to kill each other at some points, but that had always been mere business.
"Calm your jets, I'm not here to hurt you or get in your hair at all. I just wanted to talk to the real Attus about some information he had known."
As Hydra slid into where the impostor was pointing, she had to fight to hold in a grin. Right in front of the circuit breaker. Well, if anything, this impostor was greener than Hydra's own Mirialan skin. Her hands twitched towards the circuit breaker, but she held them back--she wasn't ready to end this conversation quite yet.
"But I don't gather you can help me out that much in that respect. Unless Attus bequeathed upon you his vast reserves of knowledge and gossip." She allowed her mouth to crack into a wry smile.

[Azreala]

Azreala was confused by the confidence of her captive, what was Azreala missing? Maybe the girl was just crazy. Whatever it was, Azreala knew that Hydra wanted as much answers as Azreala, but Azreala had the blaster. Well, the only blaster drawn that is. What is taking my-LOM so long?

"Well he left me this dyst and his wanga so that's something. You say your not here to hurt me but unfortunatly, I don't have the pleasure of leaving my guard down, to anyone so the blaster stays drawn. Tell me what you know, and what you want to know and maybe I'll be kind enough to help you." Azreala let out a cheap, fake smile, one that she had practiced time and time again admist the scum of Nal Hutta; but soon remembered she was wearing a mask. Well, 'A' for effort.

[Rogue]

It was right as Hydra was about to put her goal into words when she finally pieced two and two together. Of course! Attus was close to Azreala, and helped her escape. He must have done something to tick her off, or she was just a cold, thankless sleemo that murdered him at first opportunity. But given the description of the Diathim, and the way this impostor was acting, it was almost too obvious that this person calling herself Attus was in fact Azreala. She was lucky she ran far away from Hutt space. Attus did take a good effort to hide his identity, but there were just enough of a handful of people who knew him to not be fooled by his sudden increase in height--if that's what Azreala's ultimate goal was, for whatever reason.

"I just wanted to talk to him about helping me out with a job. We've collaborated in the past before..."
She glanced at the ladder as my-LOM climbed down, pointing a rifle in her direction. Well there went her chances of potentially overpowering her. She decided to hold off on grabbing the circuit breaker, and could maybe trick Azreala into turning herself in.
"It's just a simple job for a no-name Hutt about a wannabe-bigshot Mandalorian who's encroaching on some spice mining space."
She smiled slyly, "But seeing as Attus is no longer available, would you like to help a poor Mirialan out?