Stolen Memories: Path to Reconnection

Chapter Two: The Means-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Location: Metellos, Krashel.

The shuttle ride back to Krashel passed without incident. A leisurely fly back to the city Korrik currently called home. He stepped out into the hangar, on the back wall was the symbol of the Dust Angels. Two blaster pistols pointed downward, their handles were replaced with large flowing wings facing opposite each other.

Gatrim and Korrik made their way deeper into the city. Krashel might have been a beautiful city once if the Republic hadn’t abandoned all but the industrial centers. Now it had been broken down by years of shoddy maintenance and apathy. Whilst some buildings and utilities had fallen into disrepair, the Angels made up for it by focusing on defensive and offensive technology. Tall air defense towers with their cannons just breaking the cover of the urban canopy dotted the skyline of Krashel. Yet the city’s greatest defense did not lie with weaponry, but a large city engulfing deflector shield. The shield was projected in two layers, the outer layer being a ray shield to protect from blaster fire and other energy based attacks. The inner layer was a particle shield, in the event that the ray shields were brought down, the second shield would keep attacking ships out of range long enough to allow the city’s defenses to destroy them.

Korrik followed Gatrim into the city’s detention center where hopefully he could learn what had happened. The duo walked inside to just catch a trio of guards being scolded by Adanar’s second in command, Veeta, a Griffon.

“…diots can’t even handle a blue milk run like guarding the sewers then I will personally tear your throats out.” The anger in her eyes made it clear that it was these men who allowed the two intruders into the city.

“But Veeta! It’s not our fault! We were raised on my comlink by Operative Ra-” the man’s words were replaced by wet gurgling as Veeta sunk her talons into his neck. Veeta clamped her claw shut which was followed by a muffled popping sound before she pulled her arm back, tearing the man’s throat out and throwing it across the room. Blood flowed down from the sizable hole Veeta’s claw left in his neck. Within seconds he had toppled to the floor. His gasping and choking finally ended with one last bloody cough onto Veeta’s claws, his life extinguished.

“Now get to your posts!” she growled at the other two men.

“Yes Ma’am!” they responded in unison before scrambling away to their positions.

She stood over the corpse her back to Korrik and Gatrim. The silence was short lived before she spoke.

“Gatrim! Get this body out of my sight.” Gatrim grunted in acknowledgement before grabbing the body by the ankles and dragging it out of the building, smearing a sizable trail of blood in his wake.

“Korrik, I’m glad you’re here. No doubt Gatrim informed you of the two intruders we captured?” she inquired. Her eyes were facing downward, unmoving and uncaring as she wiped her bloody talons on her yellow armor.

“Vaguely yes, all I know is that the intruders are Equine.”

“Then you know about as much as we do. We don’t know who sent them or what their goal was, but we have one in interrogation now. In fact…Gatrim! Get your mudlicking carcass to the interrogation room! It’s about the only thing he’s good at.” Gatrim ran back in and took off down the back hallway to the interrogation room.

“In the meantime Adanar has something special for you. You should go see him. Now!” Korrik nodded, turned and walked out the door.

Veeta always was a mean schutta, but her brutal methods got results fast. Or maybe it was a race inclination. The Griffons of Equis have always been known as talented hunters and brutal fighters, much like the Mandalorians. However unlike the Mandalorians, their numbers are far greater and the amount of Griffon mercs and bounty hunters has gone up substantially.

Korrik made his way back to the shuttle and told the pilot to take him to Adanar’s palace or at least the building he made his palace. The sky view of the city was worse than from the ground. Now Korrik could see all the surrounding slums on the edges of the city. The now dark sky highlighted a multitude of dots of fires burning, illuminating the entire edge of the city.

As Korrik approached the palace, the scenes below got steadily better, instead of people huddled around fires; he saw servant droids no doubt shopping for their masters. Before long Korrik was met with a slight bump as the shuttle touched down on the palace’s landing pad high above the ground. Korrik disembarked and went straight inside, ignoring those who blocked his way, save for one just inside the ‘throne room’ of the palace.

“Greeting: It’s a pleasure to see you again Mr. Delwyn.” Adanar’s HK-50 protocol droid blocked Korrik’s path to meet with Adanar.

“Request: Please turn over any weapons you may be carrying before meeting with the Master.”

“Hello HK.” Korrik unfastened his blaster’s holsters and gave them to the no nonsense droid.

“Observation: All of your weapons Mr. Delwyn, remove the blade from your boot. Addendum: If you attempt to smuggle another weapon into the Master’s presence I will not hesitate to activate my bodyguard protocols.” Korrik did as requested and handed over the blade as well.

“Statement: I’m glad we understand each other, it would have saddened the Master greatly to lose one of his most useful organics.” the durasteel colored droid added before turning it’s attention back the entrance.

As Korrik entered the large open room, to his right on the wall hung an intricate tapestry depicting some kind of sea creature breaching the surface of the water. To his left, a small armament of weapons on display, as well as a beautifully crafted chest with a very Intricate lock. Korrik was greeted by Adanar’s back as he watched an assortment of screens and terminals on the wall that helped monitor and regulate security for the city.

Out of all the screens, the one on the far left drew Korrik’s attention. It was not the image that intrigued him, for the image was from the camera just outside the interrogation room showing only the door. But rather what was being heard that had grasped his interest. A low, almost gravelly voice began protesting about something.

“…ut I don’t underst…id exactly what you tol…e to.” A second voice, which Korrik recognized as Veeta’s replaced the first.

“I know but the pa…wo months have prov…the proble…ngels as a whole.” Adanar’s equipment must have needed maintenance badly as the audio feed for the interrogation room was transmitting with erratic intervals of static. Then the first voice returned.

“But I…pt her off the trail…ong as I could…born she is…what I had…throw the BIC off?” Then Gatrim’s voice breached the static.

“And we…lly appreciate what you…ow you’re a liabil…re to close to her…”

“No! I- AAAHHHHH!” a horrifying scream flooded the audio and was shortly followed by the loud snap of a breaking bone. For a moment all was eerily silent, no one spoke, there were no ambient noises save for the ones that originated from the monitors that Korrik was watching. Then both Veeta and Gatrim exited the room. Gatrim held something in his left hand, Korrik barely had time to identify it, but it looked to be a dark blue Unicorn’s horn.

Korrik was no expert on magic, but from what he had learned over the years was that when a Unicorn Pony’s horn is broken off or destroyed, they lose the ability to use magic, their horns being the conduits from which it flowed. It was a cruel thing to do to such a being, like a Jedi being cut off from the force, a fate worse than death. In the end, with Veeta in the room, death certainly followed anyway for the hapless Unicorn.

“Ahhh Korrik, glad you could make it.” Adanar spoke, his chair rotating around to face forward. Adanar was a tall, thin faced man his hair was black and slicked back, a stark contrast to his pale skin, which made him look like a legitimate businessman. As did the rest of his clothing, but what made him stand out was that his left eye had been replaced with a cybernetic replacement that glowed a low red.

“What was that about? Was that one of the intruders?” Korrik asked, his growing curiosity quickly absorbing any trepidations.

“HK!” Adanar leaned forward in his seat and shouted, and HK-50 walked in.

“Statement: Yes Master what can this unit do to serve?”

“Explain to Mr. Delwyn the situation concerning operative Ratchet.” He said calmly. Something wasn’t right, Adanar was far too composed for having his city infiltrated. There had to be something else, something he was withholding from the people, withholding from the Angels. But why tell me then? Korrik thought. He ranked higher than most, but he was evenly ranked with Gatrim and several others but still a leap away from Veeta or even his lieutenants. What about Korrik made him a person worth telling the truth? In order to know the reality he simply had to sit back and listen for now.

“Statement: Very well, master.” HK turned his attention to Korrik and began.

“Recitation: Approximately two standard hours ago, the intruders gained access to the city from the underside of the floating structure, they entered one of the many drainage pipes that spew the city’s waste to the surface below. After perhaps fifteen minutes the two reached the inner blast doors to the water treatment facility. From there operative Ratchet got on his comm and had the guards at the door open it for him and allow him and the other intruder access. Operative Ratchet worked for the Dust Angels as a mole, as we had successfully planted him in the BIC almost four standard months ago. From here he distracted the guards to allow the second intruder to enter undetected. Nearly one hour had passed before their location was discovered again in the maintenance room of the palace. When discovered, security apprehended the two for questioning. Operative Ratchet was sent to interrogation and the orange mare has been put into isolation.”

“Wait, one of the intruders is one of us?”

“Answer: Yes, operative Ratchet has helped in keeping tabs on the activities of the BIC as well as helped master Adanar to acquire a priceless Equine artifact.” Korrik found his vision falling on the intricate chest he noticed earlier.

“Why did we ‘capture’ him if he’s with us?”

“Answer: Operative Ratchet has been playing companion to the owner of the stolen artifact and has earned the attraction of the BIC by using what sway he had to delay investigations when we attacked one of their transport ships on Mygeeto. Now the operative is in too deep and we need to assess the potential threat the BIC may pose if they can link the attack to us.”

“It was the Angels who attacked the transport ship on Mygeeto? But why?”

“Answer: Perhaps you recall the artifact I mentioned before, Master Adanar desired to possess it with incredible determination. Whatever his reasons were he denied this unit that knowledge.”

Korrik’s mind was in a frenzy of thought. If what Velvet told him was true, then that would mean Adanar had stolen an Element of Harmony. The question was, why? Velvet had said that only the bearers of the Elements can use them. Does that mean simply having ownership of one means you can use it? No, she said the bearer had to embody the Element, whatever that meant. His reasons must have been great if he was willing to outright attack the BIC.

“Adanar are you crazy? The BIC operates independently from the gov-”

“Silence! I know that Korrik, I am not stupid.”

“Evidence suggests that you might be! if they realize what happened then we’re-”

“Enough! It’s been taken care of, our loose end was just tied up.” Adanar motioned to the monitors on the wall behind him. So they did kill him…had to be done I suppose Korrik relented.

“Now we need to deal with the other Pony, that’s why I called you here. I want you to find out how much she knows and see what you can get out of her as well.”

“You want me to? What about Gatrim?”

“Gatrim isn’t firing on all thrusters and was better suited to what I had him do, but you…your style of approach is what I need here and…there’s another reason I called you here. Its time you stopped with the petty enforcing and took a more active role here. I’m making you my newest lieutenant, congratulations.”

Korrik was unsure how to react to this news. He never intended to stay with the Angels for long, as working planet side for so long had begun to bore him, but now? Now he was a lieutenant, and with the role came more duties…and hopefully more excitement. But…

“Why?”

“Because you get results. That idiot Gatrim only works to satisfy his own sadistic pleasures. But you Korrik, you work for more than yourself. It’s an admirable trait to be sure and that’s why I want you as one of my lieutenants.” That much was true about Korrik. The rest of the Angels were not exactly the kind to be counted on for much more than a raid or looking tough.

“I’ll get you all the clearances that being my lieutenant grants. Now get back down to the detention center and see what you can get out of her…and remember the ends justify the means, just don’t kill her…until we have what we want.” Korrik nodded and stepped out the door, leaving Adanar at his desk.

Adanar sat alone in the office before a familiar feeling that someone or something was watching him washed over his senses.

“…Now what do you want?”

“…”

“Yes, I still have it and you will soon.”

“…”

“I would like to know what you plan to do with them, can you even-” Adanar cut his sentence short as twin lines of blood began dripping down his neck from his ears.

“…” a low rumbling sound like that of wind filled the office as Adanar gripped his head covering his ears as if to keep something out.

“Yes! Yes! I understand!” Adanar shouted through gritted teeth.

“…”

“Korrik? He won’t be a problem. He’s a unique one for sure and his loyalty to me is questionable but he won’t try anything.”

“…”

“What? How could you-” HK-50s white visual receptors were suddenly switched off and then immediately replaced with ones glowing a deep crimson.

“Statement: I believe a more direct approach is necessary, don’t you? Master.”

Korrik made the short fly back to the detention center, the time going almost unnoticed as he thought to himself. If he wanted me to do the interrogation then why did he even call me there? I guess promotions are best done face to face, but still what a pain. I suppose this lieutenant thing could be interesting…maybe now I- Korrik’s thoughts vanished as the swoosh of a door opening caught his attention and Gatrim stepped out.

“Ah Korrik there you are, boss called ahead and said you’d be the one to break this filly.” he said handing him the control for the prisoners stun cuffs.

“Good luck and I already warmed her up for ya heh heh.” Gatrim stepped around continued down the hallway. Korrik noticed that he was wearing a brown hat and still held the Unicorn’s horn, only now it was covered in blood. He said ‘I warmed her up for ya’ didn’t take much to know what that meant.

Korrik entered the room; there wasn’t much around, a few bits of equipment here and there with stairs in the center of the room that led down to the containment cell. At the bottom of the stairs was a single durasteel door with a one way viewing window near the top. Korrik looked in and inside there was a lone table anchored to the floor with two chairs and the prisoner leaning on the wall with cuffs around her fore and hind legs. Her blonde mane was a tangled mess of filth, presumably from the sewers she entered from. Her body was a little scuffed up as if she had been lightly beaten. With that in mind, Korrik realized that she wasn’t wearing any clothing. Her cutie mark was that of three apples in a triangle formation of sorts. Korrik looked hard and saw something that bothered him, from what Gatrim had said, Korrik assumed he had tortured her in some way using her companion’s horn. But the presence of fresh blood running down her inner thighs suggested something else.

Korrik steeled himself, opened the door and took a seat across the table from the orange coated Pony. She didn’t even acknowledge his presence, she just stared silently at the floor. Her mind swirled like a storm trying to gauge just how deep a hole she had dug herself into. Ratchet was dead, the horn proved that much and she was alone in a gang controlled city and the only person or Pony who knew where she was had just been killed and the Devaronian used his severed horn to… he hadn’t even asked me any questions she thought.

Korrik saw a lone tear streak down her face and struggled to break the silence.

“…umm so… what’s your name?” she suddenly looked angry.

“After what that backrocket soldier did t’ me that’s all y’all have t’ say!? Muh name is Applejack, ya stupid mouthbreather.” She turned away and continued to stare at the floor.

“…Why did you come here?”

“Ah came t’ get back what’s mine” It was her, she was the Element’s bearer! Korrik thought that the bearers were important figures for the Equine race. He didn’t expect that she’d try to retrieve it herself.

“What do you know of our organization?”

“Ah reckon I’d remember more if y’all took these here cuffs off, they’re a might bit tight.” She held up her forelegs and shook them slightly making the chains rattle. He was unsure about that but if he wanted her cooperation this seemed the fastest way to get it.

“Very well but if I do this you will tell me what I need to know.” Korrik got out of his chair, unlocked them, and released the pair on her forelegs where they hit the floor with the rattling of chains. She immediately stretched herself out as far as she could with one pair of cuffs still restraining her.

“Now Applejack, tell me wh-” Korrik didn’t have time to react as Applejack pivoted on her front hooves and bucked Korrik in the face.

He flew backwards landing on his back as blood bubbled forth from his surely broken nose. A ringing noise flooded his hearing as the massive trauma her kick delivered to his head rattled his brain.

“If y’all try and touch me again, I’ll do more n’ just kick ya!” With a loud bang the door burst open, someone must have been watching the whole ordeal. Korrik watched Applejack drop into an aggressive stance and he shouted.

“No! No… I had that coming, just restrain her and help me up.” The beautiful sound of her cuffs being locked was the last thing he heard from her before he was lifted up and helped out of the room, up the stairs and laid down against the wall near the exit.

“You know, you used to have a pretty face.” Korrik opened his eyes and as the fuzz began to dissipate, the curvaceous form of his companion Areuli Bedi started to appear crouched over him.

“Where would you be without me? I shoulda burned sky away from you a long time ago.” She smirked, drawing attention to some of her facial tattoos.

“Yet here you are still helping me out.” Korrik smiled, the blood running down his face turning his smile into a horrid display of crimson and teeth.

“…She really got you good didn’t she?” That was an understatement if there ever was one. Her hind legs were still bound together when she kicked him putting her hooves close together driving all that force into a smaller area.

“A fair reaction after what Gatrim did.” Korrik needed to talk with everyone’s favorite spike headed crink.

“Why? What did he do?” Korrik didn’t answer right away… or at all, he just stared at the stairs contemplatively.

“Well… let’s get you down to the infirmary and try not to pass out, I’m not gonna carry your damn body all the way there.” Areuli slung one of Korriks arms up around her shoulders and proceeded out into the hallway.

Areuli was a Zabrak and one of Korrik’s closest friends and came with him to work for the Dust Angels. Her forte in stealth and hacking made her a valuable asset to any team. Although not particularly skills, she was a proficient gambler and she had no reservations about using her good looks to get what she wanted. Her four horns grew from the edges of her forehead in pairs, two small one inch horns on the inside with two larger three inch horns on the outside.

Her facial tattoos adorned her tan skin on her cheeks, forehead and around her mouth. The pattern around her mouth had two lines that arced out diagonally from each edge and then turned back inwards, ending at her chin with a third stripe that went down the center below her lips. From under her eyes swooped two pairs of lines that turned and went under her cheekbones. Lastly she had two straight lines on her forehead just above the bridge of her nose the top of each line ending in a semi point, like an up pointing arrow divided in half. Her hair was a deep brown in color and tied in a tight ponytail. She wore a red vest over a dark midriff-revealing undershirt with matching dark pants that clung enticingly to her legs and around her waist was her utility belt.

“Guess I’ll have to try a different approach tomorrow.” Korrik laughed.

“You are so unprofessional. “She laughed back. He had some ideas; after all, the ends justify the means…right?