A Dark Huntress on the Trail...

[Kayura]

It was a dishonor no matter which way she looked at it. It felt as if she had been directly betrayed when her first master left the fold and fell to the opposition. If it had been blackmail, or some other twist of the arm...madness maybe, she could have undersood. But now the fact her first master left the fold was a problem. Only the Force itself knew how many of thier secrets he could have betrayed. It was as much a blot on her honor as it was the honor of the Sith Order itself.

Now she was stalking about the galaxy, sent by her curent master to hunt him down. It made sense. It was the only way to undo a great shame like that. She had been give a ship on loan, and with stern warning of what would happen should it be damaged. Not that it mattered, a part of her liked being out amid the stars and piloting. Being in control of a ship was one of the few things that distracted her from the many, many voices which tried to speak to her. Many were whispers. others were less subtle, but all of them vied for her attention with zeal.

Her hunt took her to Tatooine. There was but one place where it was safe to walk about even in full garb and not fear complete reprisal by the Republic or the Jedi. That place was Mos Isley. It was perhaps the dingiest slum in all the galaxy and the perfect place to conduct covert business for the crime element there. However, the laws were the laws and it would be the mistake of an apprentice to break them. Stealth and Silence dictated that she do her best to blend in among the rest of the galaxy.

Aboard the ship, she changed clothes. Balck robes and a cloak were replaced by a red civilian flight suit and a black long coat over it. The cloak masterfully concealed the weapon just beneath: it was a scimitar sheathed and tucked away at her back. The overlong sleeves seemed to conceal a pair of gauntlets which were black with some silver detailing on them.

Before stepping off the ship, she did a weapons check. Methodical as always,she checked the sharpness of her sword. No light shone from the cutting edge of the blade, as well it souldn't. Such blades were unnaturally sharp and altered by the Force to remain that way. There was a sort of bloodlust that washed over her in a brief flas ahs she handled the weapon. Exhaling, she sheathed it and let the bloodlust pass. Now wasn't the time to give it further thought. Next were the gauntlets, which contained another deadly secret. She balled her fists and in a pair of metallic clanks, blades extended. She was satisfied that the tensor-plate trigger system was working as it should. All that was left was to cloak herself in the Force to throw off the suspiscion of what she really was.

Once off her ship, she made sure it was locked down, and along with it, any tale-tale traces of her true identity. At the moment, she was just Kayura. Her black eyes swept the streets for any shady characters looking too interested in either her or her ship. This was mos Isley and there were always shady characters. It seemed that at the moment, she was lucky. Where she was going, that was likely to change.

Her path took her to the canteen. It was always a good, if dangerous place to start looking for someone.

Just as she suspected, eyes fell on her from any number of people, many of them not human. No matter, this was business. She took an empty spot at the bar.
"What'll it be lady?"
"Corellian Ale."
It didn't take long for the exchange of alcohol for Republic credits to be worked out. If she hadn't been trying to keep so quiet about her abilities, she might have gotten that ale for free. A few sips later, she looked the barkeep in the eyes and asked, "Say, you wouldn't happen to have heard anything about a fellow named Sidrow Haanc, would you?"
He looked around and leaned forward, "Lady, I know that's the first ale I gave you today, I suggest that it be your last. Now as for that one, I've heard all kinds of wild stuff about him. If you want something other than a rumor, it will cost you."
Her black eyes bore into his, "Fine, what do you know?"
"I forget."
She whispered, "Fifty credits."
"Well, I think I'm starting to remember something a Rhodian said a few weeks ago..."

[Sidro Haanc]

Sidro haanc, a strange enigma by all standerds. He has traveled the solar system ten times over and seen all walks of life. But more than that, he was a Former Sith Lord, and now a Former Jedi Master. Many things he had done in his life he regreted, but none did he regret more than leaving his Sith Student to be completly curropted by the Sith. The Girl had amazing talent, but there was no time to explain or to convince her to abandon the sith with him. She had a ferce loyalty to the Sith.

Sidro had arrived on Tatooine about a month ago and immidiatly was attacked. But he killed his attackers, and began living on the planet. A week after he got there he helped some people when the sand people raided, and killed over a hundered of then single handedly. A Rhodian had asked and recieved his name, then he had settled in. Meditating and drinking at the Mos Isley Cantina. This went on for a while, but when she spoke his name, it all came rushing back to him. He was sitting behind her, with a hood that hid his face, his hand hovered over his saber, but he tried to act naturally.

He sat there and listened as he time spent here was recounted by the greedy Bartender.

[Kayura]

She listened carefully, reading the man's body language as carefully as she was listening. Right now, she was cloaked in the Force to throw off any among the opposition foolish enough to try to conduct surveillance. Some of his story about her former master seemed to be true, some of it complete Bantha poodu, and the rest as wild as she would have suspected, but not out of character completely.

"...Yeah, you wouldn't believe it, a hundred of those annoying buggers--by himself! I dunno how someone would do it, but that's what that Rhodian told me. Say, what's your business with him anyway? Surely a pretty thing like you has a better taste in guys."
She laughed and answered in a cool, velvet whisper which was barely heard over the noise of many conversations, "I'm with a collections agency. Apparently the guy owes someone some money and of course, they call me to find them out and get the dough."
"Lady, I dunno who you are, but you'd have to have the brass ones of a Mandolorian to come all this way out here to look for a debtor, even if he does owe someone money."
She laughed over her ale, it was a melodic laugh. Taking a sip and swallowing, she joked, "Who says I didn't leave the armor in my ship?"
The barkeep laughed aloud at the witty remark. "That's a good one!"
They shared the laugh and the mask didn't slip as she was slowly working on her ale. Knowing he was here on Tatooine made the scope of the hunt a far more dangerous one. For a moment as she took a long sip from the pint glass, she had the dark thought that she had been sent on a fool's errand. Perhaps because of that dishonor, she was also being discarded. She took another sip and shoved the thought aside. Suicide mission or not, she'd figure out where he was hiding.
Another swallow later, she asked in her velvet whisper, "Well, if he's here, you wouldn't have seen him come in would you?" She palmed a credit stick with a magician's grace.

There was a pause before the barkeep wrote something on napkin. "Here, try this. The guy on the morning shift says he has a habit of coming in here then."
She nodded, the look of professionalism on her face. "Right, and you wouldn't happen to know of a place of residence? It's part of the procedure."
Shaking his head, the barkeep answered, "Sorry Lady, I can't help you there. Nobody knows, we figure he's like a kind of nomad himself, that one."

[Leto]

Leto had spent months on the move accross the Galaxy. Even now the memory of events that lead to his departure from Courscant were very clear. Sidro Haanc has been a wise Master who sat upon the council for many years before leaving in a instant without casue or word. The council itself had been shocked by his departure, but the months after when the Sith reappeared had only strengthened there convictions to find much needed answers. The Sith had always been a troubling matter in the universe, and now word came that they were actively seeking Sidro Haanc. The council had at once voted to send those who track him down at once, and Leto had volunteered for the job. The Sith could not be allowed to get there hands on former Master Haanc, and at all cost he was to be sercured.

Leto had bought passage through the transport service in order not to bring fourth unwanted attention. The latest planet of search was Tatooine. Leto had already left the hanger, and headed for one of the many pubs that harbored some of the most deadly bounty hunters, and even more dangerous people. He entered the pub, and at once gained several stares, and not to mention several gasp. Even out here Jedi were not welcomed though few ever voiced there distaste. He had thought of changing out of his robes, but if the Sith were here then at least they would walk alittle less boastly while a Jedi was around. Leto moved to the bar itself, and sat at a near by stool motioning for the batender to come.

Bartender, " Aww.. Jedi... Haven't seen a Jedi here in many years... What can I do for you?"

Leto, " I am looking for information, and..."

Letos sentence trailed off as he caught the eye of a ever interesting sight, and disturbing...

[Kayura]

Whether it was the Force, women's intuition, or the myriad dead, her instincts told her things were getting ugly. That napkin had found its way into a pocket. The blades on the gauntlets were locked down to keep thier deadly secret. All it would have taken was to slide a specific flower-shaped silver button to unlock them. In spite of the way she casually "paid" for the ale and handled herself at the bar, her senses were on overdrive.

In spite of what many believed or even saw of the Sith, she stood there at her spot with steely control of herself. Adrenaline raced through her system as she saw a Jedi stroll in with what she could only assume was the overt pride of a peacock. It was all the more reason why she was glad at the moment that she had not only changed her clothes, but had made her presence in the force seem as close to a non-Force user as possible.

So far, she had enough to go on. Business completed, it was a waiting game. Her eyes casually swept the cantina and briefly cuaght a glance from the Jedi, her black eyes kept going. There was a crowd there. Some more vibrant than others. Not more than a few feet away was some fellow, obviously one of many here with something to hide. A hood obscured his face and it seemed that he was reaching for something. In either case, this was too public a place for a fight. Stealth and Silence dictated that she wait for an opportune moment to arise. Somewhere between her former master and this new treat, her current objective was to make as uneventful an exit as she had made her entrance.

Cold logic, the operating system that ran the war computer between her ears was fully booted. Automatically, there were two threats, massive ones. Her tactical logic was now banging away at a means of exit that wasn't going to viloate the laws. This was far too public and crowded a place to engage either threat. And right now, there was what she believed to be her mark just feet away. There was also a Jedi between her and the door. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place and had to wait for the right time to move out. Perhaps a mission like this was best handled someplace else--some place like a back alley or out in open desert where her cover couldn't be so easily blown.

In the meantime, she simply assumed the persona of a collections agent. Okay, so I'm close, but no residence. This on'es going to take some overtime. I just hope those credit-pinchers back at the home office aren't going to give me grief over it.

[Sidro Haanc]

Sidro nearly fainted as the Leto, the brass Jedi master, and current learder of the council if sources could be trusted, walked through the door into the pub. Sidro had known Leto personally, and had felt the Jedi might have hope for them yet. But he couldnt waite for that day, and he had left with many unanswered questions still there. Sidro relaxed, and stood up, looking to the younge Sith and walked over to the counter, puting himself between Leto and kayura, hoping that the arrival of the Jedi would stay kayura's hand.

"Hey," He spoke to the bartender "What did you tell her?" Nodding towards kayura.

"I didnt say anything sir, Just helpin a pretty lady." He responded quickly, sweat running down his back. He didnt want a fight in his pub, but he could feel one reaching a boiling point. "Just dont fight in here ok?" He pleaded.

"I dont intend to, and I am sorry if i am forced to." Sidro put simply, a plan already forming in his head. He paid for a drink and sat there sipping it, letting the moment sink in.

I never thought they would both find me here. I was hoping to talk to her alone, she needs to understand my reasons.... He let the thought drift away as he focused on her movements. He didnt know how much more she had learned. But he did know not to underestimate her.

[Leto]

Leto was sure that they woman he had spotted was of the Sith. The Darkside of the force was terribly strong around her. He looked at the bartender again, and waved hi away.

" So it seems the Sith have caught up to Sidro at last. Better for me though.. They can draw Sidro out..."

Even as his train of thought was going through a man came,and moved to the bar in between his view of the woman. It hit him like lightning in his head, but already he knew what was happening.

" Interesting"

Leto moved his hand into his pocket to pull out a com. He quickly pressed the button and spoke into it quitely.

" R-6 monitor all tranmissions to and from the planet. We may have found what we are looking for. Leto out..."

Leto just had to wait patiently now and see what would happen next.

[Kayura]

((OOC: Out of courtesy to any younger readers, I'm ptting up a PG-13 warning for language and viloence.))

Though all outward appearances would have indicated a woman simply taking in her surroundings. It belied the war computer running at a pace that would have left the best navcompuer in the digital dust. Still cloaking herself in the Force to hide the true extent of her abilities, she drained the last of her ale and didn't bother to ask for another.

In her mind, the situation had gone from bad to worse. Now it wasn't her objective to fight. It wasn't the right place or the right time...not with the true opposition standing a meter away. There had to be a way out of this, there needed to be a distraction, something. The war computer banged away at the tactical situation: it scanned for the best outcome on the most likely scenario. It was all a matter of waiting for the right distraction at the right time. The objective at the moment still remained: it was wise to make that quiet exit while she could do so in one piece.

She didn't have much longer to wait before some other debtor, apparently owing some Hutt some incredible sum of money, was found out by a bounty hunter. It was almost the perfect excuse to leave. Her eyes scanned, now her face taking on a tactical coldness as she saw a blaster come out of a concealed pocket. She overheard the scuffle as clearly as ever now that she, the huntress, was now essentially the hunted. Her full mortal senses on overdrive, she couldn't help but overhear.
"Look, they said you owe, so you owe. They paid me to bring your lazy hide in. So whine all you want, they put the call on your loan."
"Look, I have someone coming in in the next hour and they're going to have the money, just put that damn thing away before you hurt someone...namely me."
"No, they were pretty clear. Now get your mits where I can see 'em and don't even think about a double-cross. You can't move faster than I can pull this trigger."

Kayura marveled at the bounty hunter's expert use of force. Something of it smacked of former military. In any case, she was on a mission of her own and needed to use this distraction to its fullest. She had one other thought in her assumed persona to try to throw off the scent a little. Oh-kay...Yes, let's not get shot at today. Those bastards back at HQ don't cover medical expenses, and I've got work to do. Not wanting to have a blaster bolt fired at her by accident, she simply left the spot at the bar and tried to slip out as silently as moonlight.

She was outmatched between her former master and the peackock of a Jedi and knew it. The question was, was she able to make that escape, or was she Nerf-bait?

[Sidro Haanc]

Sidro watched as his former student tried to leave. He decided to not let this happen, Sidro thought it best to discuss this matter in a place where she wouldnt attack. That way she would listen to him, and even maybe believe him. He moved in between her and the door, with speed of someone 20 years younger, and stood there looking at her. "We need to talk, younge student, I mean kayura. We will speak here and now, and take care of the fighting later if needed."

The bounty Hunter looked at Sidro, and Sidro knew it could get complicated with him in the mix. "We have nothing to do with you go about your buissness." Sidro said in a soft, calming voice. Leto and kayura would be able to tell that this was mind controll, but that was unimportant.

Then Sidro turned to Leto and spoke loud enough for him to hear. "You and I will speak as well my old friend, but not here,and not now." Sidro told him forcefully. "I have a important talk that can not be put off any longer." He then motioned for kayura to sit down as he turned back towards her, waiting for a reaction.

[Leto]

Leto smiled slightly at his friend as he spoke. He did not come all this way to be put off, but his business was not involving open conflict.


" Then you must talk. You know how to find me when the time comes."

Leto quickly moved from the bar passing them both as he left the building showing no emotion at towards them. Upon reaching the outside he found R-6 behind a large barrel... Upon seeing Leto he starting beeping wildly.

" Yes I know. We will not be here much longer."

[Kayura]

Even if they either knew or suspected, the fact that the opposition was there, still standing at the bar, dictated that she remain cloaked. It was better to be merely suspected of being a Sith, than to drop the disguised aura and remove all doubt. If that Jedi did suspect, perhaps it was the energy in the blade she carried that he sensed. Something in that blade, its signature in the Force was screaming for his blood. She had to stay her hand for now and wait.

If there was one lesson this former master of hers had taught her and she studied thoroughly, it was to never display weapons in view of the public. Clearly, to do so would have viloated the Laws.

She had long mastered the ancient Sith language, the very one the runes were meant for. It was for this reason of being in so percarious a position that she mentally swore, Whalla nas bukyarsa! She continued the guise of being a collections agent for the benefit of the public. Afterall, such stealth and silence was the product of this man's teaching. He should have been proud.

She took a seat, if it seemed a temporary one. Now she was still struggling for that one weak point in the opposition, perhaps she could sneak by...maybe the bar could have provided ample excuse. The war computer between her ears would have to crunch the data further. In the meantime, that sword at her back and concealed by that long black coat had twisted neatly to hide just along the back and length of the booth, making it impossible to force her in further than she was. It was all by design, of course. At no point was she going to completely lose control. Still in her persona, she exuded a professional air and said, "So, you're Sidro Haanc. I don't know who you think I am, but this is a very big galaxy full of people who may look like other people. I'm no one's student: I am a collections agent with Prospectus Collections, and we were contacted by another comapny that you owed money and were delinquent on bills. However," she looked around, "this is hardly the most appropriate place to be discussing your financial matters, Mr. Haanc. Perhaps you would like to discuss them in a more private setting?" Her velvet voice was soft, very soft and to some perhaps as seductive as her diction was polished. Other Sith joked that such a voice was enough to make a Jedi kick a hole in a wall for thier apparent prohibition on the pleasures of the flesh.

Her black eyes may have been set on him, but other voices constantly reported the position of the Jedi and issued commands to strike. They were commands that for the moment, went ignored. She was far too close to her objective to fail. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she had already succeded in one aspect: she was simply the hound sent to flush out the game. Others weren't too far behind.

[Sidro Haanc]

Sidro laughed at his students stupidity, or maybe it was underestimitation of his prowess. Whatever it was he played with it. "No one can hear what we are disscussing, I thought I trained you well enough to notice a containment field" Sidro motioned as he showed her the flows of the force that alowed him to keep secrets, secrets. But he wasnt sure she had paid attention to anything but him since he shown himself. "but if it is your wish I will follow you anywhere you choose. Your friends cant stop me." Sidro was bluffing, using his knowlage of the Sith and guessing that she was not the only one. "But we will talk about what happened. No matter who is waiting for us. Even the Dark Lord himself could not stop me from telling you about what happened." He hinted towards what he wanted to tell her.

Then he stood up, attentions still all on her. "You have improved a lot my student, but remember you are still a long ways away from my level." He reminded her, in a way to tell her not to try anything. He just wanted to get this over with. Then maybe he could get some sleep.

[Kayura]

"No one can hear what we are disscussing, I thought I trained you well enough to notice a containment field, but if it is your wish I will follow you anywhere you choose. Your friends cant stop me. But we will talk about what happened. No matter who is waiting for us. Even the Dark Lord himself could not stop me from telling you about what happened."

She was now handling this matter with all the skill, bravado and precision of a spy. One thing she knew at the moment that kept her temper in check was that in spite of being underestimated, she was still the product of more than two decades of Sith training, a lifetime of training and that meant she had the ability to maneuver even in a tight spot like this. If he was able to see through the training bond, her current master would have been greatly pleased: it was a lesson he had yet to teach.

Now fully aware of the apparent cocoon of Force energy woven by the leader of the Gray Jedi faction, she could speak plainly. However, she was no one's fool. There was a time and a place to speak plainly. It was yet one of those times.

Her head quickly tilted to the Jedi standing but two meters away and remarked, "Even so, I still have better sense than to discuss internal or sensitive matters in front of the opposition. You and I both know this is for the benefit of the mundane population. If he really wanted to hear, he could. You and I both know that is a problem."

He stood up, her black eyes followed. "You have improved a lot my student, but remember you are still a long ways away from my level."

It took some nerve for him to still refer to her that way, especially after such bitter betrayal. Obviously, he was trying to get a rise out of her, trying to get her to blow her cover in front of the Jedi. With all the skill of one that would come in the future, one who would perhaps take the Senate and the galaxy with it, she remained calm and decided to be more patient.

A plan was forming in her mind, one that was far too sensitive to let rise to the surface. The war computer was still running at a pace that would have made the best-programmed droid cry with envy. Now it was a cold, rational hate that allowed her to carry on, one that still remained safely cloaked with her own illusion of being a mundane herself. She had improved by many accounts since he had seen her last.

Now smiling a politician's smile, she gestured for the door as she rose. "However, in spite of current circumstances, we may as well catch up with one another. It has been quite some time," now it was her turn to add the twist of the dagger, "Master." Still wearing that politician's smile, she added simply, "Why don't we simply go for a walk, we can catch up then and you can speak your piece...without the opposition able to listen in."

[Leto]

Leto moved down the crowed street, while R-6 moved quickly behind him. He had not like leaving the cantina knowing full and well that a Sith was right in front of him. It though was not his choice in the matter, for conflict in such a area would only incite a riot.

" Beep..Boop..Beep...eeett. beep..."

Leto slighty turned his head to look back at his now not stopping talking droid. He smiled slightly thoug not sure why...

" I know my friend, but only fools start fights were they are needed. This Sith shall reveal themselves in good time... They always do.... We shall only go a little further. As much as my old friend Sidro thinks he can handle himself, I think his past has finally caught up to him... Let us watch this unfold..."

Leto moved to a shaded corner of the street, and shrouded himself with his hood. R-6 moved in behind a massive size barrel, and produced a small dish that would pick up any transmission leaving the area... Leto keep his now hidden gaze on the two targets. Patients..

[Kayura]

The sudden absence of the Jedi didn't go unnoticed, either by her, or the myriad dead. They whispered thier reconnaisance to her while she awaited her former master's response.

Her black eyes wore a knowing expression as the plan was still taking shape. Her mind raced at the strategy, still keeping it below the surface. She was now a known Sith, her anonymity was no longer a saving grace.

The war computer spat out the assumptions necesary. It went like some digital readout:
1.) The opposition's man on the ground had already made a report, possibly covered himself and called for back up.
2.) Her former master would attempt to betray her again and lead her into a potential trap.
3.) Perhaps the others wouldn't arrive quite soon enough.

Somewhere, that closely-held strategy was forming. Slowly but surely, all signs were pointing to the fact she'd have to drop that already-failed disguise.

In the meantime, the next move was her former master's. The next few moments woud dictate her course of action.