Star Wars Hourglass

Yuron Waviide
-FSS HQ

He'd said nothing the ride back to HQ. It could easily be mistaken that he was still pissed off with the outcome of the pursuit, which he was, though Yuron was already coming to terms with that. No, Yuron was looking out the window at the passing lights of nighttime Coruscant, thinking about his sister. It'd been two weeks since their grandfather had declined his request to see her, with no explanation. He knew not to poke too hard and he had been sufficiently busy enough with work and his own treatments that he'd neither the time nor the energy for said poking. Seeing Mercador's instability and ill treatment by Kalus had triggered him. He'd have to talk that out with his therapist later.

When they arrived back to HQ, Yuron's eyes wandered to the ceiling for some reason. The words in the room: Words from Natalia, words from the Chief; they seemed muffled by his own distraction.

FOCUS!

He blinked and looked down at the Chief and Nat looking over her computer. "Hourglass killer." Yuron read aloud after he made his way to view the screen as well.

"To come from the Commissioner...Means that someone, somewhere is taking this serious. What's got the Commissioner spooked enough to send a case to us?"

Tag: @greyjedi125 @galactic-vagabond422 @Sinrebirth

 

Navi Kendar
Coruscant, FSS 'Office'/ Level 1470

"Get out there, we have the location of the most recent crime scene." 'Chief' Kendar ordered, "Nat get the case file and start looking it over for any patterns."

The team got ready heading back out to their 'Squad Speeder' it was a long trip down to the crime scene. As the team got deeper and the moon got further and further away, the soft lights of the upper levels were replaced with the garish neons of green, pink, and red. Level 1500 was called the Neon Line, the point at which no natural light reached down and it was all artificial, and eye searing.

The team pulls up to the crime scene, a dingy alley in the middle of nowhere, a holo outline of the victim was on the ground, it showed what she was wearing the night she was killed. A simple set of sleeping clothes, soft cloth pants, and a loose fitting shirt with a pink love heart on it. She looked like she was heading to a sleepover though now she was sleeping with her ancestors, if one believed in an afterlife for the Non-Force Sensitive.

The scene around her was like every other place down here, dingy and strewn with trash. A malevolence hung over the place like the sweltering humidity that was trapped down here. The pain, anger and fear that permeated the very air that was felt in the force was clouding their senses. Korto particularly couldn't get a handle on the outright rage. The murderer was angry and vengful when he took the victim's life, she was still nameless to the detectives, Nat was still working on getting a hold of the case file. Even though they were made the lead on it, the wheels of bureaucracy were still slowly turning.

As Korto was getting their bearings, under a bit of discarded flimsi was a spray paint can, likely the one that was used to paint the hourglass on the wall.

At the other end of the alley Zardonyx unfazed by the disruption in the force noticed the tracks, or the lack there of in the grime on the metal plates. This wasn't heavily trafficked area but, there should be at least some footprints. But there was nothing, the killer covered their tracks literally. Though maybe that could give them away…

Yuron could sense the cloud of anger that followed the murderer heading down the alley the same way Zardonyx was heading.

Though all of them couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched, presently, that something was observing them as they did their work.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @The Jedi in the Pumas @T4M1-7

 

IC: Anya Nishani
Coruscant Level 1511 - the "Neon Line"

48 hours earlier...



Black rain cascaded in sheets between the buildings of Lower Concourse S-1511. The lower-level denizens called it “rain”, but it was nothing like the clean showers created by the carefully controlled hydroponic events of the surface levels. This was more like an afterthought; a resultant flashflood sluicing through the lowlevs, spreading its grease and dirt.

The jungle of neon signs blurred into ugly, deformed flowers. Faces of passing lowlevellers were hidden behind the wet curtains, hurrying to find cover.

A slight figure flitted from one alcove doorway to the next.

Anya Nishani peered into the sodden semi-darkness. Rivulets of dirty water slid down her neck. She was still dressed in her dancing clothes, revealing her olive Mirialan skin, but it was not cold. Steam was already rising from the vent ports. Somehow the rain always enhanced the aromas drifting from the street noodle bars.

“Come on Jina,” Anya whispered. “It just can’t be you!”

Anya still held a faint hope the rumour about the murder victim was just coincidence. But her Twi’lek best friend had not been back for two cycles now. Anya skipped across the street and spied the alleyway. The energy-wall placed by the security police was still there, flickering and sparking with the moisture. CRIME SCENE – DO NO ENTER, it shouted in bold, uncaring holo-letters.

But the Seccers were long gone, Anya decided. She peered up to the sides of the alleyway, wiping rain from her tattooed face. She soon identified suitable holds and then leapt. The agile Mirialan scampered vertically up the wall, then climbed across and over the energy barrier. In moments she was past it and fell into a crouch inside the crime scene.

Anya examined her surroundings. There was debris and industrial waste, all freshly dirtied by the rain, but nothing at all to give a clue to the recent events here. The Seccers no doubt would have removed any evidence. Then Anya saw it.

An outline, painted in temporary holo-stain, of where the victim had been found. A morbid humanoid figure sketched on the ground. The rain was washing it away.

Anya fell to her knees on the greasy metallic floorplates. Oh no, oh please no. She knew it was Jina.

Anya collapsed onto the floor, her body curling to fit into the holo-stain outline, the rain soaking her skin.

She could almost feel an echo of Jina. The bright spark of her friend’s soul was unmistakable, and here it had been extinguished, not long ago. Anya felt her friend’s moment of horror, almost heard the distant death-scream. Then she imagined the tramping of booted feet, the Seccers poking around half-heartedly, making their reports, hardly looking at Jina. As if she was nothing.

Anya sat up and blinked rain from her eyes. The shadow of the killer's presence was ominous and evil, and she shuddered. Only a monster could have done this.

“This area is restricted! State your purpose!” barked a robotic voice.

Anya jumped to her feet and whirled. A hovering patrol droid faced her, glaring with red-glowing optical orbs.

“I, oh…” Anya hesitated. The droid’s approach had been masked by the rain. She was not used to being caught unawares. She looked up and saw the walkways far above. “I was passing along S-fifteen-ten and dropped my credit chip. I think it has fallen down here.”

“No civilians allowed here!” yelled the automaton. “Move along immediately!”

“Alright,” said Anya. “Just give me a moment damn you! I lost something important here.”

She knew as soon as she said it that it was useless. One could not appeal to a programmed automaton. Anya hated droids. It whirred and a pair of stun blasters poked out, their barrels gaping at her.

“You are under arrest!” it screamed.

Anya moved in a blur. She pirouetted to one side. The blasters spat energy bolts, but missed. Anya leapt and with outstretched palms slammed the droid into a wall at the side of the alley. It gurgled and lurched in an uncanny resemblance of drunkenness.

Anya did not wait around for it to recover. She was up the wall as quick as an Akivan monkey-squirrel and disappeared into the jungle of the Coruscant low levels.

As she sprinted around a corner and raced down another alleyway, Anya made a vow to herself. The Seccers won’t give a damn about Jina – just one more lowlev streetgirl, just another report to file.

I am going to find this killer!

@galactic-vagabond422 @The Jedi in the Pumas @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Zardonyx
Neon Twilight

Chief Kendar all but chased them out of the office. The case of the ‘Hourglass Killer’ was poised to become one of the most critical cases to come through the FSS pipeline. The deeper question was, how to keep the CFS from stealing this case from them?

It was more than just a good question. It was imperative that they find an answer.

On the ride to the ‘Neon Line’, Zardonyx maintained a com-line between herself and Nat as she continued her inquiry on Mercador. There was a very high probability that these events were connected, she just had to find the ‘connecting dots’. As the well known adage said, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove’.

For starters, finding out Mercador’s whereabouts during the time he was missing might yield some leads, just as collecting sufficiently probing data on his last known assignment. As it stood, there was just too little intel to make any kind of connection.

In due time, the ‘Squad Speeder’ reached the target destination and Zardonyx compartmentalized her running file on Mercador. This was an official ‘crime scene’ associated with the Hourglass Killer. This would require a greater deal of her attention.

As usual, Zardonyx was the last one to get out of the squad car. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked and listened intently to their surroundings. Reconnoitering any and all areas she found herself in was a defaulted action for her. One could never be too careful. The amount of trash and dilapidation throughout these lower levels was so ubiquitous, she almost ignored it- almost.

There was something strange here, on many levels. The others seemed to be reacting to something unseen, likely what she classified as ‘force-phenomena’. True, she could not sense the force, but she had an extensive library as to how sentients reacted to its more passive effects. Korto made small facial expression which communicated to her like words. It was her way of interpreting things that remained unspoken. He was a sensitive person and was not afraid to let it show.

In that moment, Zardonyx took time to regard and study the holo outline of the victim. The way it was positioned, the expression of the victim, any markings on the victim and any probable interactions with the immediate surroundings.

She found it curious that Nat had not sent the case file yet, so an official cause of death was not readily available, assuming it was an accurate report.

But there was something else.

“I don’t see the killer’s tracks…” Zardonyx finally said, after surveying the area. “I can see some footprints consistent with the victim’s relative height and weight, coming from a specific direction. Yet, she seemed to have been alone.”

Zardonyx calmly raised her head and gazed upward and all around, attempting to construct and alternative pathway to the location. How else could someone reach this place?

“Of course, there are no cameras or eyewitnesses…” She lamented.

“At this point, it is hard to tell if she was followed, or if the killer was already waiting for her. Knowing her identity would greatly help our progress to say the least.”

Turning again, she moved closer to the victim's displayed holo.

“It’s possible that she could have been lured here." She reflected in contemplation. "Judging by the manner she’s dressed, I’d say she lives in the area, 'if' that is true, then someone knows who she is.”

Turning again, she gazed down the nearby alley, then slowly began to move in that direction. A faint sound had caught her attention.

Before taking a step, she looked over her shoulder.

“Korto. Don’t take any unnecessary chances with that spray can, okay?.”

Zardonyx had read some file cases on psychometry gone wrong and the terrible things it could do to a mind. She knew Korto would be careful under normal circumstances….

“I’ll be right back.”

As she moved past Yuron, Zardonyx gave him a light tap on the shoulder. She knew about his sister and how this might cause his mind to wander. He needed to be here, focused in the moment, making a difference not only for her, but for these victims being hunted down just because they were different.

Unless the truth was far more sinister.

“Nat, how’s that case file coming along…?”

The alley beckoned and she responded to its call.


Tag: @galactic-vagabond422, @Sinrebirth, @The Jedi in the Pumas, *( @T4M1-7 )

 

** GM approved/edited/improved! **
IC: Anya Nishani

“Sensations” club – Coruscant 1513/S
24 hours earlier

“I don’t know nuthin’ bout no-one for nuthin’!” said Ozzo. The obstinate Ugnaught resolutely continued wiping the grilled metal surface of the bar, with a rag that it seemed to just make it even greasier.

“Come on, Ozzo, this is important. Jina’s dead!” said Anya, leaning over the bar.

The diminutive landlord had a step on his side that made him seem taller than he was.

“Better her than me!” he growled back.

Anya went on, undeterred. “Four nights ago, both Jina and I were dancing here for you, remember? Belta the Besalisk got handy with Jina and she kicked him. And Gronk did nothing about it.”

She pointed an accusing finger at the huge Gamorrean, who was still snoring, slumped in a booth on the other side of the currently deserted club. “So we had to calm things down. I had to go in the back room with Belta and the bachelor party, and you sent Jina home.”

Ozzo just kept on wiping.

“I know you remember. Anyway, Jina did not go home straight away; she told me she would do just a few more dances, she needed some tips for a carton of booze. It was her birthday. She was coming over to mine after work to celebrate. We were going to have a sleepover. But she never turned up!”

Ozzo folded his arms. “Nuthin’ to do with me!”

“I’m just after information, please Ozzo. After I went in the back room, please tell me, did anyone else come in? Not a regular punter, someone weird?”

Anya snorted at her own question. “I mean, you know, weirder than usual.”

Ozzo frowned. “Punters come here expect discretion, or I lose business.”

Anya sighed with frustration, but she got an idea. She knew the only thing Ozzo loved was credits.

“Okay, I’ll dance for free, for ten nights.”

“You make more in tips anyway!” snorted the Ugnaught.

“That’s because your pay is so lousy!” Anya blasted. She took a breath, tried to keep calm. “Okay, all my tips will go to the house, too.”

Ozzo harrumphed, but she could tell he was thinking about it. She had found his weak spot. She could almost see the image of someone forming in his mind, but he was holding back.

“Alright!” she said. “Twenty nights. You remember someone, don’t you? Please tell me…”

Ozzo dropped his cloth, leaned across, and lowered his voice. “Yeah there was someone. Someone I ain’t never seen before. All quiet, like. He was interested in Jina.”

“What did he look like?” breathed Anya, leaning in closer.

“Human, I reckon. Red hair, dark eyes. He must have left shortly after her last performance.”

Anya frowned. “Did he say anything, anything at all that you remember?”

Ozzo shook his head. But then she saw a spark in his mind. The Ugnaught looked her in the eye. “You sure you want to get involved in this, Anya? Could be dangerous.”

She nodded solemnly.

Ozzo sighed. “Okay, one thing I remember; when he first came in he ordered at the bar, here. Took out his credit chip, and there was a keycode cylinder – like for a hotel door. It had this fancy crest, a tree and a hill over a lake.”

Anya blinked. “The Grand Nubian?”

The Ugnaught shrugged. “Could be. I dunno. Nuthin’ to do with me.”

“Thanks Ozzo. I owe you, bigtime!” said Anya, turning to leave.

“You owe me twenty nights – starting with the founding day weekend!” he yelled after her as Anya exited the bar.

* * *​

Chastity Sector – south off the Neon Line
6 hours earlier

“You want to get into the Nubian?” said Corla, frowning. “That’s a respectable place. Classy, you know? None of us do work there.”

The hefty Askajian fidgeted with her costume then waved to a passing speeder that had slowed to gawp. It accelerated away. Corla looked back at Anya. “I can’t help you.”

Anya sighed. “Really? You don’t know any of the kitchen staff, or porters?”

Corla fixed Anya with a look. “Look, you get a nice dress and shoes, you can walk right in and go up to the skybar. You got the look, Anya. You don’t have to work streets like me.”

Anya had known Corla for years. Apart from an initial half-hearted attempt to recruit, the Askajian had never tried to pimp her out or join her into her profession. Anya was grateful for that courtesy and paid it back with respect.

Anya looked up and down the notorious avenue, only half-lit with neons. “Where is everyone?”

Corla frowned again. “Keeping safe. There’s some weirdo loose. A killer.”

Anya’s eyes widened. “You know about Jina?”

Corla sighed. “Oh no. He got Jina, too? She was a good girl. Wait, is that what you are getting involved in?”

Anya pushed aside the question. “Are you telling me this… killer… he got someone else too, apart from Jina?”

Corla nodded morbidly. “The holonet hasn’t picked it up yet, and the seccer’s are keeping a tight lid on it. They don’t want panic or vigilantes. They are calling him the Hourglass Killer, on account of this symbol he places at each scene.”

Anya rocked. Her mind rushed back to the moment in the alleyway, before the patrol droid had interrupted her. There it was, in her memory, painted on the wall. She had not paid it any thought at the time, but somehow it had embedded itself into her subconscious.

She swayed, the implications toppling onto her like grav beams. Jina is not alone, He has killed before. He will do it again. A serial killer. The seccer’s even have a name for him.

Anya looked at Corla. “How do you know this?”

The big lady shrugged. “Remember Officer Banos? Let you off that breaking-and-entering that empty bedsit? He’s a regular of mine. He likes to talk, gossip. Lonely, I guess. So I told the other girls to lay low for a while, and that’s why no-one’s working now.”

Anya nodded. “But you’re working?”

Corla sighed. “I got rent to pay, kids to feed.”

Anya shook her head. “Please stay safe.”

She turned to leave. Corla clasped her arm. “If you’re after this hourglass whacko, you should know; he just killed again. Frat sector, 1512, just up on the next level. Banos told me.”

Anya nodded her thanks. “Go home, Corla. This isn’t worth it. I’ll get some credits somehow, I’ll spot you as soon as I can.”

“You just take care of yourself, kid!” Corla called to Anya’s back, as the svelte Mirialan disappeared into the maze of lowlev alleys.

* * *​

Crime Scene #2: Neon Line
Now

Anya halted and dived into a door alcove. Crap. The seccers are still here!

Her impression from Corla’s report was that, like at Jina’s place of death, they would make their report, put up the holo-barriers, then just move on to more important things.

But there was a squad actually in the alleyway now, their speeder waiting nearby.

Anya was quite sure she was concealed from them, but tried to breathe quietly, remaining hidden behind the lip of the doorway.

She peeked out.

Hmmm, not the usual blackmacs. Anya felt like there was something different about this squad. Emotions warred within. She knew she should move on, check out her lead at the Grand Nubian. But she wanted to know about the other victim, see the holo-outline. She wanted to get into that alleyway and see if she could feel the same vibes from that other place, where she had found Jina.

She was also interested in what this squad were doing. They did not look like regular seccers.

Anya kept watching...

@galactic-vagabond422 @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

Natalia
FSS Headquarters

Korto looked hard at the spray can leaning in a little closer they could feel the connection, though tenuous to the killer. Prints were useful but their ability to see where this object came from, it's history, it could lead to something important. Though the prints could link other crimes that haven't been linked to the Hourglass killer. There was a lot to weigh before going forward, looking up at the hourglass on the wall, time was of the essence.

Following the tracks, or the lack of them, Zardonyx turned down another alley. It was a network of pathways and steel that crisscrossed between the main streets of the forever city. The footprints of the victim slowly disappeared as well were they carried? Or did the grime in this section not hold the prints as well? It was a conundrum.

"Still waiting on getting the file from Special Crimes Unit." Nat explained, "They're of course dragging their feet on this." There was a bit of a grumble on her side, "I could slice into their network and find the file myself but Boss says that would be 'Illegal', and 'A blow to our credibility.'" She replied with apparent scare quotes around the phrases. "Though their network is a little more locked down than others so it would take some groundwork first…though if they drag much longer…" There was a bit of a pause, an unsaid understanding that somethings might have to be done, that some rules need to be broken.

As Zardonyx wandered the alley she found a slightly wider path that lead to a sidestreet big enough for air speeders. Focusing a little more she could see a mark on the wall, just a slight blue scrape, it could be paint, from a speederbike, or speeder. Interesting, could they had been driven here? Why?

At the end of the alley Anya looked on her own investigation having brought her here, looking over the most recent death in the Hourglass Case. She had another lead but maybe something could be gleaned here, if no one noticed her…hopefully.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @The Jedi in the Pumas @T4M1-7

 

IC: Zardonyx
Investigation, continued….

Upon hearing from Nat that they were still waiting on pertinent data from S.C.U., Zardonyx remembered to roll her eyes as an appropriate imitation of humanoid expression. She knew no one could see her, for such expressions were non-verbal communications, but building a controlled ‘habit’ to continue to appear as ‘normal’ as possible was still a priority.

Although it was true that S.C.U. (Special Crimes Unit ) could be encountering legitimate delays, it was highly unlikely that this was the case. Their unwillingness to share necessary data was tantamount to an obstruction, as far as she was concerned. Of course, proving such a thing was easier said than done.

For now, focusing on the few leads they had was all that could be done. The SCU well understood that any information could lead to discovery, therefore an excusable ‘black-out’ was their response. Zardonyx was ‘tempted’ to encourage Nat to hack the needed information, but that was not necessary. In time, she knew, Nat would get them the info. She just needed to make sure her hack remained untraceable.

With that settled in her mind, Zardonyx allowed herself to focus on studying her surroundings.

Questions just seemed to multiply as she surveyed all about her, not to mention how all traces of footprints seemed to simply disappear. Had the victim jumped, or was lifted up? If so, by what or whom and where?

A scrape on the wall drew her attention just then. She approached it an examined it visually. It certainly seemed recent.Vehicular paint from the looks of it. From a speeder or bike perhaps?

“Sorry to trouble you Nat…” Zardonyx began as she spoke into her com, her voice was calm and collected, as always. “Using the time stamp of the crime in this area, could you cross reference any blue colored vehicles that may have been in the area against available security footage? Let me know if you find anything interesting.”

It was a long shot, but that was all they had to work with at the moment.

Turning while curiously surveying the area she was standing in, her eyes came to rest on Korto for a moment.

“Korto, what color is that spray paint?”

Her gaze then fell to Yuron, as she needed to be certain he was indeed, doing Ok.


Tag: @galactic-vagabond422, @Sinrebirth, @The Jedi in the Pumas, @T4M1-7

 

IC: Anya Nishani
The Watcher



"What the kriff are they doing?" Anya bit her lip.

It felt like weeks had passed, waiting in this alley. On the one hand she was glad whoever these weird seccers were, they were doing a proper job. On the other, she was impatient to get on and explore her own lead.

Anya had only come here to see if it was indeed the same killer, to check for that hourglass symbol. And, perhaps, to pick up any other feelings that may lead to the mysterious red-haired human.

But now she was interested in the unusual squad. She felt like there was something... unique about them.

Emotions warred within. If I just wander by, casually, I might see something useful, get a good look at those seccers, then I can be on my way.

It was a terrible risk. What if they came after her? An entanglement with the authorities was the last thing Anya needed right now. She wondered if that patrol droid had got any clear holorecoding of her before she had smashed it.

She waited a little longer, fidgeting. It would be a shame to miss the chance to check out that squad. Just a walk by... I would be a normal citizen, just on my way somewhere... they have no way of knowing who I am or what I'm thinking...

Anya made the decision. She left the hidden position and scampered toward the alley where the seccers had erected the holobarriers.

She sashayed past, surreptitiously scoping the whole scene...

@galactic-vagabond422 @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

Natalia
Overwatch

Korto stayed crouched down looking at the spray can, the neon lights dancing off the metal. It tempted them, protocol said to snag it, bag it, and tag it, hand it off to the lab to get analyzed. That was the training they received at the academy, the proper handling of evidence. But by that point, would the connection to the killer be lost, hidden under all the gloved hands that would touch it, poke it, and scan it. There was a moment, while Zardonyx was down the alley and Yuron was looking at the other wall, they wouldn't notice a little touch. They could explain it, moving some trash without a glove and brushed across it, sloppy yes but not a complete violation, though could the FSS really take being 'sloppy'? The time for a decision was now, while no one was looking.

"I'll do what I can Z." Nat replied, her fingers flying over the keys of her setup. The dark, cold Squad HQ was a light with screens flickering and flashing as the young tech wizard bounced from camera to camera trying and struggling to make anything out of the grainy and unclear picture. It was a long shot, but sometimes you had to take them. "Nope, nope, nothing, better off watching static…" she remarked going through the footage sensor by sensor. "That one's off, that one's damaged, and…really nothing on that corner." More and more screens flashed in front of her eyes, until she'd exhausted all options.

"Sorry Z, there's nothing on that alley, not that coverage is all that good all the way down there…sadly this guy didn't muder someone in the senate…I'd have coverage then. What makes you think it was blue?" She asked following up.

At the mouth of the alley a woman walked, as if it was a high up street on a beautiful summer's eve, not a sweltering trash strewn alley in the undercity. Protocol was once again very clear, no civilians beyond the crime scene barrier. Looking around Anya, had a moment to take in the scene. A body, well a holo of it underneath an Hourglass, twi'lek like Jina, her eyes looking off into eternity. The pain and anger surrounded the scene, that sick feeling in the back of her throat rose up. It was the same killer, or someone with astonishingly similar methods.

It was enough to confirm at least one suspicion, though now it was up to the detectives what they would do. Follow protocol and question the interloper or try something else. It was up to them…

TAG: @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @T4M1-7 @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

IC: Zardonyx
Expanding the dragnet

The probability matrix was still running, but the lack of additional corroborating data was making nearly impossible to draw any probable conclusions. Nat had nothing new to offer at the moment, but she was certain that would change in time. However, Nat’s query meant she likely had some kind of lead or theory in the works.

“What makes me think it was blue?” She whispered aloud, as she determined the best possible way to answer her colleague.

“I’ll send you the images I found via secure channel.” Zardonyx informed in her cool collected manner.

“I’ve applied encrypted watermarks for authentication.”

A hint of a practiced smile came to her face. Zardonyx appreciated Nat’s efficiency and attention to detail. If a ghost slicer was attempting to undermine their investigation, it was probably a good idea to give them something to trip over.

Hopefully, her smile find would lead to something…bigger, despite not receiving any intell whatsoever from SCU.

In that moment, peripheral movement caught Zardonyx ’s attention, her head turned automatically to track it, since she knew exactly where the rest of her team was positioned.

A curious sight came into view.

A woman walked nonchalantly at the mouth pf the alley. During any other circumstance, Zardonyx would have given this a ‘low priority’, but the woman was within the crime scene barrier, which was literally impossible to miss by accident, which meant she had crossed it deliberately, which meant this was no longer a ‘low priority’ incident.

However, an opportunity had presented itself. One that would need her to move closer to the female.

Zardonyx adopted a casual gait as she began to walk towards the female, there was no hurry in her steps whatsoever. She would send a silent ‘amber’ text alert to her partners’ comms.

[We have a visitor.]

“Am I glad to see you….” Zardonyx intoned in happy relief as she approached the woman, a warm smile on her face.

“....Please, pardon me for being so forward, but....”

With her right hand, she deftly produced a cig from one of her pockets.

“May I trouble you for a light?”

Zardonyx tilted her head to the side, as she continued to smile welcomingly, fully expecting to be assisted. Her eyes were on the woman, which meant, she was transmitting the woman’s image to Nat for immediate investigation.

"Please?"


Tag: @galactic-vagabond422, @T4M1-7, @Sinrebirth, @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

IC: Anya Nishani
Noticed

Anya felt a thrill shiver down her spine. The hourglass! There it is! But any spark of joy was immediately doused by the holo of the Twi'lek below it. Anya closed her eyes for a moment, took a breath to ease out the pain from her chest. Just like Jina.

She felt a renewed sense of duty to track down this red-haired killer. She opened her eyes and thought about observing the unusual seccers - especially that one near the holo, grasping that cylinder and concentrating. What was he doing? How long would it be safe to linger?

Anya's question was immediately answered when a very tall one approached her.

Anya froze like a jakrab in speeder lights. Kriff, they made me! Time to leave...

The Mirialan dancer backed away from the speaker and shook her head quickly.

"Sorry, I don't smoke..." she said truthfully, trying to keep the panic from her voice. There was something very odd about the person approaching her - different to the other seccers. Anya dared not delay any further to satisfy that little curiosity.

"I think I took a wrong turn. I shouldn't be here. Sorry!" she turned and strode away as swiftly as could be deemed walking, rather than running, away.

@galactic-vagabond422 @The Jedi in the Pumas @greyjedi125 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Zardonyx
Something about this one…

She studied he woman as she answered, but was not surprised at all by her words.

"Sorry, I don't smoke..."

[ Facial image and voice print successfully captured ] Zardonyx silently informed Nat as she transmitted the new data. Her gaze never left the woman. Judging by the tone of her voice, the woman was telling the truth, but there seemed to be something else, something…elusive.

"I think I took a wrong turn. I shouldn't be here. Sorry!"

“Well, at least allow us to escort you to a safe place. The perpetrator might still be around, watching. He might even decide to follow you back if you leave alone….”

Zardonyx spoke so the retreating woman could hear, still studying her as she walked away.

“You must have had a lot on your mind not to notice the barricade, then make that much of a 'wrong turn'." She pointed out candidly. "I strongly suggest not to make a second.”

Her tone was light and casual, but laced with a detectable hint of concern. Even so, Zardonyx made no move to go after the woman, though she’d do her best to appeal to her senses, given the late hour.

“My name is Zardonyx by the way, what’s yours?”

Incidentally, the cig she'd had now disappeared back to where it had come from.

Peripherally, ‘Zee’ also noticed that Korto had finally decided to investigate the spray can he had been holding. Internally, she was ready, just incase he went in ‘too deeply’ and found himself in need of some assistance.

Tag: @T4M1-7, @galactic-vagabond422, @Sinrebirth, @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

IC: Anya Nishani
This one just doesn't take a hint...

Anya could hear the words of the other, carefully modulated to be unthreatening, yet... cautioning. She took another step away, then another. Then... dammit!

To keep on running would look rude, and guilty. She had to at least acknowledge the person that was calling to her. Summoning all her will, Anya turned back to the being.

"I'll be fine, thanks. I look after myself, you know?"

Anya could not get any sense at all of what the other being - Zardonyx - was thinking or feeling. It was quite disconcerting. Her eyes flicked past to the other seccer, who was grasping the cylinder and concentrating, and a terrible possibility flickered across the Mirialan's mind.

"I've really got to go. I have to work. Sorry to disturb you again."

She turned and renewed her fast-walk bid to disengage...

@galactic-vagabond422 @Sinrebirth @The Jedi in the Pumas @greyjedi125

 

IC: Zardonyx
A lead for later

“Just….be careful, ok.”

Zardonyx laced her statement with ‘genuine sympathy’. Because, in her own way, she understood.

Extrapolating data by her body language, Zee could tell the other woman was doing her best to ‘disengage’ politely, at least that was smart. It prevented her from being marked as a ‘suspect’ on the spot. However, Zee already had her likeness and voice print on record. Depending on what Nat found out, she might get a visit in the near future. For now, there was no reason to detain someone who had simply gotten ‘lost’. That in itself was not a crime.

Thus, Zardonyx watched her go. Of course, she hadn’t missed how the other woman had glanced over to Korto, interest crossing her features ever so briefly. The fact that she hadn’t given her name in return was completely expected and understandable. Standard Neon Line behavior, really. Names were a precious currency in these parts.

Zee resolved to let the woman rabbit away. If given enough reason, they would be speaking again. Maybe she'd go visit her at 'work', once she figured out where that was exactly.

For now, she needed to keep an eye on Korto and Yuron. She meant what she had said to the woman. The Hourglass killer might still be around, observing, plotting a sinister fate for his next victim.

They needed to figure out who he was to stop that from happening.

She had to be ready for him.

They all had to be.

Tag: @galactic-vagabond422, @T4M1-7, @Sinrebirth, @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

IC: Anya Nishani
Too close

"Yes... sure..."

Anya sped away. A clean getaway? It seemed she had fulfilled her short-term mission. She had confirmed the murderer was the same man, the Hourglass Killer, and she had the bonus intel that there was an unusual seccer team on the case.

Making her way around a corner then striding away at pace, Anya considered the odd sights that she had witnessed. The one grasping the object really did look like he was... well, it couldn't be, could it? And the one that called itself Zardonyx... Yeah... Anya had a feeling she knew what was going on there. She definitely did not want to tangle with that squad.

But it was good to know there were other movers in this game.

She thought about the hotel, and what Corla had told her. Anya had one very important asset in her wardrobe at home. The Little Black Dress. It was her secret weapon.

Next stop, the Grand Nubian...

@galactic-vagabond422 @Sinrebirth @The Jedi in the Pumas @greyjedi125

 

Nat
FSS Office

As Korto just touched then wrapped his hand around the cylinder their mind rushed. A wave of emotions crashed over him. Anger, rage, betrayal, power, their vision became a blur the spray can being carried moved from one place to another. The face couldn't be seen but there was a feeling of malice that surrounded the being. Another blur and the ringing of a bell, a door opening. A hiss as the black paint was spread across the wall in the distinctive hourglass shape. Three letters appear Osk.Aurek.Trill lit up in bright neon. Their mind recalled, Open All Time, little stores below the neon line, one of the few grocery/goods stores that stayed open all night. Why this one had spray cans, was anyone guess, the appearance of graffiti on several walls spoke to at least some demand. The implications were, puzzling. Did the killer not bring the spray can with them? Was this not planned, or was it the plan all along? The bell rings again, footsteps followed, walking distance, the shop couldn't be too far away, a quick message to Nat and she could surely find the place where the can was purchased. The rattling echo of the can being dropped on the ground, it's purpose fulfilled.

It wasn't much, but they could maybe get something, and at this point, something was more than they had now, which was nothing.

"This is big Z." Nat said back, her voice still very quiet. "If you can collect that sample we can run an analysis on and maybe figure out what speeder the killer was driving…" A clue was a clue, no matter how small. "I'm not finding much on the holo you sent through. At least on a surface scan of the holo net. I'll have to go deeper, that's going to take some time. If they're still there maybe ask if they saw anything?"

At the end of the alley, Anya had a plan, a little black dress and a location where her friend was invited…a slim thread to be sure, but anything for her friend. With a final look to the team investigating, maybe it wouldn't be too bad to have backup, it was cold all alone, and this criminal was dangerous, willing and wanting to kill, could she do this all on her own?

TAG: @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @The Jedi in the Pumas @T4M1-7

 

IC: Zardonyx
Gathering pieces

She had been watching Korto while listening to Nat. A side glance at least confirmed that Yuron was still with them, still getting himself together.

“I’ll get you that sample Nat.”

Zardonyx moved carefully now, not wanting to disturb Korto who had ‘gone in’.

"Give me whatever turns up with that holo, when you find something. There are no real 'ghosts' if you know where to look."

It wasn't like the locals were celebrities, and not all had a criminal file, so not finding a quick match was certainly not out of the ordinary.

Still, it was best to investigate every lead they had so far.

“Open All the Time.” Zardonyx heard Korto say aloud quite suddenly from his nearby position.

“What’s ‘open all the time’?” Zardonyx inquired smoothly. “What exactly did you see?”

Having Korto verbalize his experience often helped with retention, as far as she understood. Additionally, she only needed to hear it once and could utilize the information to further their investigation.

“Take your time.” She said to him, not wishing to rush him.

In that span of time, Zardonyx availed herself of a compact forensic kit and began to collect samples to bring back to Nat. Any lead they could get from the scene would advance their search, seeing how they were alone in their investigation.

Alone.

That stirred a particular string of thought.

“Nat, is there anyway I could get some time alone with Mercador? I would really like a one-on-one with him, if at all possible.”

She hadn't forgotten how this whole case had begun.

By now it was clear that they needed more pieces to their puzzle; it would be up to them to collect them and gather them together. Doing so would be to their benefit, to have a better idea of what they were dealing with, before the Hourglass Killer struck again and left them with a new victim.

As always, the chrono was ticking.



Tag: @galactic-vagabond422, @Sinrebirth, @T4M1-7, @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

Yuron Waviide
-Lost in Thought...

His silence was as Zardonyx had expected: Yuron was not present. However, he was not distracted.

The anger...

The rage...

The anticipation and excitement that the aggression had revealed within the murderer; it left a stain on the very walls of the alley.

Overwhelming, sure, but intoxicating to Yuron. It could've been anger towards the victim. It could've been personal. But Yuron knew there was an alternative:

It was just the way the killer killed.

The summoning of such dark feelings to accomplish tasks. It was a dark twist to how Force users could use their powers out of desperation or a sense to protect themselves or people they loved. If they were dealing with the latter, and Yuron was trying his best to decipher from the residual feelings left in the alley if they were, then this killer was incredibly dangerous. More so than just someone killing out of passion. It meant that they knew how to manipulate their feelings to accomplish what they wanted.

Feelings...He also felt the feelings coming from the woman that had stopped by the crime scene. Now that was personal. Easily decipherable. Yuron folded his arms and shifted in his boots, seemingly a bit impatient all of a sudden.

"That woman...She knows something. Nat, can you get us an address on her?"

Tag: @galactic-vagabond422 @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125

 

Nat
FSS Office

"Great, once we get that sample, I'm sure the lab will turn something up." The excitement was apparent in her voice, a break in the case. Her fingers moved over the keys taking in the particulars of the image, Miralan, early to mid twenties, thankfully the tattoos were one of a kind, the mysterious woman should be easy to find. Though it wasn't like there was a registry of Mirialan tattoos she could look up. The facial recognition software she'd written was scrowering the holonet, and any databases she had access to. It was ticking away in the background maybe they would get a hit sooner, or later.

"I don't know Z, that's someone else's case…we can't just interfere. Unless we want a turf war…a war we will lose. Is it really that important Z? I can ask boss if you want me to run it up the chain." The FSS was always on the bottom of the food chain, an underdog in any fight they dared to fight. It would cost the little team a lot to try and snag an interview with the freshly caught deserter.

"Wait Open All Time…" Nat whispered back. "Yes there's a shop around the corner. Not sure why our killer would go there…or maybe our victim? Anyway it's something."

There was a slight sigh to Nat's voice hearing Yuon again.

"Working on it. I'll have something once I find her, You'll be the first to know anything when I find it alright?"

TAG: @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

*** GM APPROVED ***

IC: Anya
Into the arena...



The wide, curved, transparent doors of the Grand Nubian swooshed open and Anya prowled through. She took a moment to drink in the splendour of the lobby; the plush carpets of real organic fibres, the pleasant tinkle of the Naboo-style stone fountain, the great Christophsis-crystal chandelier above that gave the illusion of summer sunlight. Even the air was a delight to inhale, so clean and pure and fragrant compared the rot she had to breathe down on the lowlevs.

So this is how the other half lives. She felt giddy for a moment.

A gleaming silver protocol droid approached. “May I help you, Miss? Do you have baggage?”

Anya shrank instinctively away from the automaton. “I’m not staying, just visiting, for…” she searched around for inspiration. Sentients, she could handle. Droids, on the other hand…

“Oh, the Industrial Conference?” said the droid, helpfully. “I believe early guests are already gathering at the skyview bar.”

“Right,” Anya exhaled. “Great…”

She began to rush away, but the droid trotted after her. “The turbolifts are at the end on the left. Top floor!”

“Got it, thanks,” Anya called over her shoulder and increased speed.

The expansive lobby was filled with lounges, inhabited by all sorts of species and their entourages. All expensively clothed and attended to by uniformed hotel staff. She felt eyes following her. But the tiny black mini-dress (a classic Sleedaran silk she had got for a bargain, as it was several sizes too small for most sentients that could afford it) and the tall stiletto heels seemed to work perfectly. She reached the turbolifts without being halted and pressed for the summit.

The lift doors opened and Anya gasped. She had never been this high on Coruscant before. The magnificence of the global city stretched out beyond the full-wall windows that lined one side of the corridor. Monolithic skyscrapers marched away into the distance, now so small from this vantage point. Streams of air traffic flitted in between the gleaming towers, like little swarms of fairies collecting their magic dust. Anya had never, ever considered Coruscant beautiful before.

Another turbolift chimed behind and she turned. Three men; a Twi’lek and two humans, disembarked, chattering about something involving percentages and prospects in the Outer Rim. She ducked to one side then followed them along the corridor to the skyview bar.

Inside, the dark blue ambience was as luxurious as she would have expected; soft furnishings in expensive fabrics, artfully half-lit by subtle globes on silent repulsorlifts. The maitre d was stern, but he was human. She beamed a smile at him after he had checked the passes of the three men.

“I’m with the conference but left my pass in my room…” she said. “Oh, there’s my boss now!”

She waved at someone inside. The maitre d gestured her in, bored.

Anya checked out her surroundings. There were a few groups of business-people, but the space was so expansive it still felt empty. She surveyed the conference people: they would be no good, they had just arrived and would have no idea about the previous guests.

She planted herself on a tall stool at one end of the long bar. Maybe one of the waiters would like the look of her? Unfortunately, she attracted the attention of one of the humans from the turbolift.

“So, you part of the, err, entertainment laid on for the conference guests?” he grinned lasciviously after offering to buy her a drink.

Anya returned a sour look. “Yes, I am the keynote speaker tomorrow on Outer Rim prospects.”

“Oh, I see. Umm… Sorry.” he beat a hasty retreat and Anya smiled, inwardly pleased with her own initiative.

But deflecting horny businessmen was getting her nowhere. She swept her gaze around the room, searching for some way into the kitchens or other place where she might be able to “get lost” and bump into some staff.

The opening came in unexpected form.

“You want a Nubian Tall?” said a voice. Anya looked up. The person behind the bar was a female Rodian in immaculate tuxedo and suit trousers, shaking a silver flask ready. “They’ll just keep coming and bothering you unless you already have a drink in your hand. Trust me.”

Anya smiled in relief. “That would be great, thanks…?” she left the end of the sentence a question.

The Rodian pointed to her golden name badge. “I’m Greeda.” Then leaned forward and lowered her voice, "The best thing to tell them is that you are meeting someone."

“Greeda,” Anya repeated with relish. She formed the impression Greeda was no stranger to adversity. There was a faint trace of a lowlev twang in her accent. Maybe she might help out a local girl? Greeda handed over the drink and Anya took a long draw. It was exquisite.

Greeda waited, hands on hips. Anya realised she was expecting more. She took her time, trying to judge the right angle to use. Finally she took a deep breath and went for it, leaning forward and whispering conspiratorially.

“Actually, I am meeting someone. I... don't usually do this, but he was so... persuasive. He said he was staying here. You might know him… human, red hair, brown eyes, and…” She took another long sip, then continued. “He has this... I don't know... charisma? He just kind of bewitched me...”

Anya feigned a sudden feeling of fear. "You haven't seen him in here, before, with... other girls, have you?"

@galactic-vagabond422 @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @The Jedi in the Pumas

 

Greeda
Grand Nubian

Greeda thought for a moment shaking up a drink. She gave the new client another look, the dark eyes not giving anything away. "Red hair huh, human..." She finished shaking and expertly poured the cocktail from between the two halves of the shaker. "I might remember something." There was something close to a smile on the bartender's lips, though it was hard to tell with Rodian physiology. "I don't know about charisma but he did have a look about him, something that said I've got money, and I'm willing to spend." A patron at the bar interrupted her ordering another drink. With a simple nod Greeda grabbed down a bottle or two continuing the conversation without missing a beat. "And I don't recall him being with other girls." Another smile possibly reassuring the younger woman. "Though he was in here a few nights ago, agitated, like something didn't go his way. You stand him up girly?" The question was asked so innocently a playful laugh at the end of her sentence showed she meant nothing by it. "Playing hard to get huh?"

TAG: @T4M1-7