[center][h3]Stryker, Tib, and Matija's mission - Assassinating Ha'rek[/h3](feat Garde, [@iTem], and [@Crossfire])[/center]

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[color=orange]“Yes, of course dear”[/color] ‘Marcus’ said as he slid out of the shuttle and held out his hand for Tib to take. Stryker had adopted a rougher edge to his voice, just a slight rumble that would help him emulate Stormare’s speech pattern. As he waited for Tib to step out, he reached a hand inside his breast pocket to retrieve the formal invitation to the gala that he’d have to present at the door.

[color=ed145b]”I wonder if we can get a nice vixen to join us later for some fun? Not that you’re not spicy enough, honey.”[/color] Tib giggled as she wrapped her arm around Stryker’s to continue the ruse of them being a couple, even if she really didn’t want to. It was too weird to her, maybe she could just run away and not have to do this mission…

… no, she still had to. If anything, she was getting paid to do this in one way or another.

[color=orange]“Heh, it’s quite the idea Jen, but remember, we’ve got a job to do. Mr. Ha’rek only works with consummate professionals, and business comes before pleasure”[/color]

[color=ed145b]”Aww, boo.”[/color]

As they arrived at the door, Stryker presented the small holo-chip that served as the Stormare’s invitation. After alerting the guards on the door to the fact that he was carrying a pistol in a shoulder holster on his left side (the real Marcus never went anywhere without it) and surrendered it over to them, they were permitted to pass through to the gala hall.

Tib’s purse was searched, but nothing in particular was taken from it. Her stungun was almost taken, but a quick bit of lying to tell the guard it wasn’t hers and she had no psionic potential was just enough to get her in (and maybe a bit of bribery.) 

The interior of the gala hall was…. extravagant to say the least. An immense chamber with a vaulted ceiling that had to be 100 feet high. A circle of marble columns ran around the room, and dead center were several square feet of sheer white tiles signifying a dance floor that stood out against the deep purple and red flooring of the rest of the room. At least a hundred beings milled around or stood in small groupings. Not another human in sight.

“Champagne sir? Ma’am?” A waiter carrying a tray of drinks said as he approached them.

[color=orange]“Babe?”[/color] Stryker looked over at Tib.

Tib raised her eyebrow at the drinks before nodding at the waiter and gently lifting one off the tray before taking a small sip of it. Quickly afterwards, she let out a small giggle. [color=ed145b]”Thank you very much, sir.”[/color] After the waiter was gone, Tib stretched up to Stryker’s ear. [color=f6989d]”Are you on edge too? I’m a bit uncomfortable with all these people around us...”[/color]

[color=orange]“Yeah…. Just keep your cool. We’re invited after all. You see Ha’rek anywhere?”[/color]

Stryker lightly tapped one finger on the side of his glass as he glanced around the room. He couldn’t see the target anywhere from where they were standing so he lightly nudged Tib’s shoulder and motioned for her to walk with him.

Tib’s arm locked with his as she walked beside him, putting her facade back on to continue her disguise. She took a quick pause to wink over at a certain waitress before looking up at Stryker with a bit of a flushed face. [color=f6989d]”S-should I do something a bit risque to help make the act convincing…?”[/color]

[color=orange]“Just do whatever Jen would do. Whatever feels right. You are her. Own the identity.”[/color] Stryker said lowly so they wouldn’t be overheard.

Within an instant, Tib planted a kiss right on Stryker’s cheek, holding there for a moment before pulling away and giggling. [color=ed145b]”Heheh… maybe you’ll get a real thing later, Marcus.”[/color] Tib, meanwhile, was in a flurry of mixed emotions. She didn’t know whether that was a real kiss or just her contributing to the act. In any case, her cheeks filled with a red pigment.

Stryker blushed at the unexpected show of affection. It caught him entirely off guard and he even stumbled half a step.

[color=orange]“I.. er, I’m sure I’ll earn it dear.”[/color] he said gruffly, slipping back into his imitation of Marcus’ voice.

A few heads turned to face the duo before Tib pushed Stryker in a direction, ushering him to move towards the bar where less chaos was going on. [color=ed145b]”Let’s get away from all the discord. All these faces are making my head spin.”[/color]

[color=orange]“Yeah ok”[/color] Stryker followed her lead over to the bar and ordered them both a whiskey on the rocks. He specified a brand that looked rich, but in actuality, was barely passable as alcohol because the casks were watered down. It would help them keep up appearances at the very least.

[color=orange]“Can’t get drunk off this stuff”[/color] he whispered as he slid the glass across to her and turned to look out into the crowd. Finally, he spotted a familiar profile, surrounded by a throng of admirers. Zala Ha’rek, in the flesh. He nudged Tib’s side with his elbow and nodded pointedly. He brought an arm up over his mouth and feigned coughing to update Matija via the comms.

[color=orange]“Tia, we’ve got eyes on Ha’rek, gonna try and approach him.”[/color]

A crackle in the comms came in response carrying Matija’s voice. [color=DEB887]“Yeah, sure. I’m just tryin’a get some drinks ta roam.”[/color]

[color=f6989d]”Uh… w-what should we say when we get there…?”[/color] Tib whispered to Stryker carefully. [color=f6989d]”Do you wanna open and I follow your lead, or should I try and make stuff up on the fly?”[/color] She backed off for a second to let Stryker decide, sipping at her trash whiskey in the meantime.

[color=orange]“Just follow my lead”[/color]

They waited a few moments for Ha’rek to dislodge himself from the bulk of the crowd. Stryker strategically led Tib over, so it’d look as though their paths would cross purely by chance.

[color=orange]“Sorry about that mate”[/color] he said as his shoulder brushed roughly against Zala’s arm. He turned to face the target and feigned surprise.

[color=orange]“The man of the hour. It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”[/color]

“Likewise, you must be the mercenary. Not many of your kind here, so it’s a safe assumption”

[color=orange]“Correct sir, Marcus Stormare, of the Black Sun. My wife, Jennifer.”[/color]

Ha’rek nodded politely at her as he brought his hands together.

“Did you enjoy the sights of Valencia?”

The sentence triggered something in Stryker’s memory.. The drive!

[color=orange]“Yes sir, we did. Beautiful sunset. Brought you a souvenir as well.”[/color]
He withdrew a small data drive from his pants pocket and handed it over. The real Marcus had it on him when Voss and his thugs had caught up to them. Presumably, they’d stripped it clean and re-filled it with junk data. Not that Ha’rek would ever know.

“Excellent, I’ll inform my accountant to authorize the transfer, and I’ll be in contact very soon with more work, but for now, enjoy your evening. The ceremony will begin shortly.”

He headed off without another word, pocketing the drive. Stryker whispered to Tib.

[color=orange]“Too many eyes on him. Let’s take the long way around, hope that whatever this ceremony is, it’s enough of a distraction to draw everyone’s attention, give us or Tia the chance to slip him the poison.”[/color]

[color=f6989d]”Oh yeah, definitely.”[/color] Tib looked at him. [color=f6989d]”Surprised nobody here has commented on my tattoos yet…”[/color] She turned her gaze to the chandelier in the room and tilted her head. [color=f6989d]”What’re you thinking the ceremony is gonna be?”[/color]

[color=orange]“I honestly have no idea, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the dance floor is completely empty.”[/color]

As if on cue, a female voice filled the room.
[b][i]“Attention please. We’re about to begin this evening’s festivities with the ceremonial opening dance. The lucky guests have already been chosen, so everybody give a warm welcome to Marcus and Jen Stormare.”[/i][/b]

Applause thundered around the room as the color drained from Stryker’s face. Silently he mouthed ‘what the fuck’ and shook his head in disbelief.

Matija felt a small pang of panic upon hearing the unexpected announcement. Wanting to keep an eye on the target and her two companions, she strategically weaved through the crowd as she offered and provided drinks to the guests.

[color=ed145b]”... well… let’s go, shall we?”[/color] Tib grabbed hold of Stryker’s hand as she led through the crowd, making her way to the dance floor with a soft smile. She was panicking inside, but it wasn’t a bad panic. It was more like butterflies were in her stomach instead of a blackened void spilling out into her. She was… excited.

All sound had drained from Stryker’s ears but the loud thump of his heartbeat as he felt himself being dragged to the center of the room by Tib. He swallowed a few times and tried to focus as the first few notes began to play. A slow, Classical-sounding song began to filter into the room. Stryker cleared his throat and dutifully wheeled on his heels to face Tib at the center of the dance floor. He took up the position, and with a curt nod, started to lead.

Tib followed along, a most-likely strained smile plastered on her face as she stepped to the rhythm. Without much hesitation, the girl lowered her hand to Stryker as the song flowed into the melody, waiting for her “prince” to take it and guide the duo through this act of disguise and trickery.

He grasped her hand and slowly started to sway, taking a moment to get the beat of the song in his head before taking a first cautious step into a very traditional waltz.

[i]’What the fuck am I doing?’[/i] Stryker thought as he glanced down nervously, making sure his feet weren’t in a position to accidentally crush Tib’s.

[color=f6989d]”Hey, hey, look at me.”[/color] Tib snapped softly at Stryker. [color=bc9dbf]”Don’t watch your toes, watch my eyes. It’s more convincing as an act.”[/color] She smiled at him. [color=f6989d]”And… I’m confused, too.”[/color]
[color=orange]“Right.. Right, sorry. It’s just…. I don’t know. Strange. Everything’s been off for the last few days, and I think I’m finally understanding why.”[/color]

He made a couple of swift moves, not too fast for the song, but just enough so it didn’t look like they were standing still.

[color=orange]“I think I know a way to really sell them on this, might give Tia the opportunity to move in”[/color] he could hear the song rising to a crescendo [color=orange]“Do you trust me?”[/color]

Tib nodded. [color=f6989d]“Of course. I’d have left long ago if I didn’t trust you.”[/color] Oh god, that came out bad. Came out too… emotionally. Ugh, what was she thinking?! Her body was in twists and turns from more than just the dancing. What did she drink a few seconds ago...? Was the shitty whiskey spiked? Shit, it was too late now if it was. She took a breath to calm down before looking at Stryker, gazing into his eyes. [color=f6989d]“I’m ready.”[/color]

He nodded back solemnly. Her words and the look on her face said it all. She was feeling the same way, she had to be. Deftly, he took a single step back and lifted one arm up, twisting his wrist slightly to spin her in place, when she was facing him again, he stepped back in, getting closer than before, their bodies were pressed together as he clasped his free arm around her waist and turned his head ever so slightly as he leaned in to kiss her.

Oh God, this was happening. Tib saw the moment in her face and all she could think about was how it felt right. The setting, the air, the lights, it was almost like she found someone at a high school’s prom night. Even with the rough start and everything that had happened on this weird intergalactic mission, she felt like she could forget it all right here. Tib saw the lean, and quickly found herself leaning into the kiss as well.

Their lips met and in that moment, everything vanished from Stryker’s head. The mission, the distraction, the dancing. There was only him, her, and the moment.

Matija kept moving amongst the crowd, saving but one glass for their VIP as she saw the... man? Woman? She doesn’t know with these aliens. All that she knew was that it was about to finish its drink and she has to be there to give him a “special” one. When she found a break in the crowd, she did her best to casually pull out the container where the vial was stored so she could open it, take the vial, and pocket the container for later disposal.

It took some self control for the Mecorian to stop herself from glancing at the two lovebirds in center stage while she was but a few feet away from their target. With a deft hand, she opened the vial and poured into the glass. It thankfully diffused fast inside the beverage and Matija was able to get next to Zala just as it was able to finish their drink. 

There was a moment of palpable silence when the two kissed. Though it was already expected, it seemed that the crowd breathed in as one for a moment before their lips made contact. Matija offered Zala a new drink when she found the moment and the alien [i]smiled[/i] and thanked her as he took the last glass.

The crowd poured in to join the dance at that moment, leaving Tib and Stryker kissing amongst the bustling arrangement of couples and partners. A few more moments passed before Tib broke away from the event, looking at Stryker with a flushed face and an embarrassed smile. [color=f6989d]”Oh… u-uh…”[/color]

[color=orange]“Uhh… yeah. Let’s uh, let’s just go”[/color] He pointed and waggled a finger noncommittally [color=orange]“Over there.”[/color]

He took her hand and led the way over to one of the bars. He was shaking slightly as he ordered them a drink each, the strong stuff.

Tib took the drink silently and stared at it, alternating her gaze between the alcohol and Stryker’s face. She couldn’t even bring herself to drink it at all, but she also couldn’t bring herself to wipe the dumb smile off her face. They both knew what was going on, there wasn’t any use hiding it, but she still felt like she should be silent.

Finally, she broke the tension and spoke. [color=f6989d]”So… I’m guessing that wasn’t an act?”[/color]

Stryker downed half his drink instantly, not able to look with focus at Tib until she broke the silence. [color=orange]“No..... no it wasn’t”[/color]

[color=f6989d]"... good."[/color] She calmly said before taking a swig of her drink and leaning against his shoulder. [color=f6989d]"I'd probably leave this place in a storm if it was, heh."[/color]

[color=orange]“Heh... yeah, well. It’s been brewing for a while”[/color] He turned in his seat and started scanning the crowds, looking for Matija.[color=orange] “You think she did it?”[/color] He dropped his voice to barely more than a whisper.

[color=f6989d]"Yeah, probably."[/color] Tib took another swig, realizing half the drink was gone afterwards. [color=f6989d]"How long have the emotions been brewing in you?"[/color]

[color=orange]“It was 2 days or so after..... this.”[/color] he made a quick gesture up and down in front of her.

[color=f6989d]"I'm surprised you can remember. I don't remember when I started fawning over you, except that it was after... this,"[/color] She gestured up and down as well.

[color=orange]“Yeah..... So, what now?”[/color] He finished the drink and ordered another.

[color=f6989d]"I don't know, actually."[/color] Tib finished her drink off and placed it on the bar, leaning right back into Stryker's shoulder. [color=f6989d]"I'm kind of relieved, honestly."[/color]

[color=orange]“Yeah, me too.”[/color]

[color=f6989d]"I think, uh, we just hold out for a little longer,"[/color] She looked out into the crowd. [color=f6989d]"Wait for the main event. Either that, or we could get 'Tija and just scoot."[/color]

[color=orange]“Yeah, of course we have to wait for her.... but I was thinking more along the lines of... later”[/color]

[color=f6989d]"... shit, I dunno."[/color] Tib shrugged. [color=f6989d]"I've never been in this position before."[/color]

Meanwhile, amongst the crowd, Matija instinctively used routes where she would float mostly unnoticed. If some called out to her for a drink, she would apologise and show that she no longer has any on her and simply offered to get them a new one, something that the aliens seem to appreciate as she got back to the kitchen to get more refreshments before weaving through the thinning crowd as the more brazen guests now preferred the dance floor to the sides.

[color=DEB887]“Ma’am, sir?”[/color] She moved behind Stryker and Tibulass, then on their front right like most servers seem to be doing. [color=DEB887]“Your drink,”[/color] she said as she placed a new glass down the table and swept her hand past the edge to drop the poison vial at Tibulass’ lap. [color=DEB887]“Please don’t enjoy the party,”[/color] she added with a forced smile on her face and a bow to dismiss herself when she heard more people asking her for a drink.

Stryker nodded in acknowledgment, noticing the subtle drop of the vial. He hoped Matija had her comms still on as he whispered.
[color=orange]“As soon as the show starts, get out of here through the way you came in. We’ll pick you up in a few minutes”[/color]

He looked across at Tib and smiled slyly.
[color=orange]“Dearest… you don’t look too well, are you feeling alright?”[/color]

Tibulass tilted her head at first before placing a hand on her head and standing up, her other hand planted firmly on the bar counter for support. [color=ed145b]”Oh, dear… I’m feeling a little dizzy from the dancing…”[/color] she remarked, winking at Stryker. [color=ed145b]”I-it’s that damn condition again. I think I forgot my meds earlier.”[/color]

A scream cut through the din of the crowd and all at once, everything went silent. A glass or two shattered and Stryker quickly looked over to see a throng of people clustered near where Ha’rek had been standing and talking just minutes before. The job was done. He threw a concerned look on his face and grabbed up Tib’s drink, he sniffed it and tossed it aside, letting it shatter against the wall.

[color=orange]“Jen, Jen! It’s gonna be ok, you’re gonna be ok…. Help! Someone help!”[/color] he shouted as he scooped her up in his arms [color=orange]“My wife’s been poisoned!”[/color]

He did his damndest to keep a grin off his face as he started for the exit, a few faces turned in their direction, but by and large, all attention was directed over to the center of the room, where Zala Ha’rek was choking on his final breaths.

[color=ed145b]”H-honey… is everything gonna be okay?”[/color] Tib asked with a softer voice before she coughed herself. It was a weaker cough, but it still sold the performance beautifully, not that anyone was really paying attention to the two running out of the event, other than Matija who was running out of the location while nearly doubling over from wrapping one arm over her stomach and another on her mouth.

They slipped away without incident and picked up Matija before zipping off to the rendezvous point where the Revenant was due to pick them up upon completion of the job. Eventually the ship arrived and Stryker flew the shuttle into the cargo bay.

[color=orange]“We must be the first ones back”[/color] Stryker said as he noticed that the other shuttles were still absent. Matija wandered off and Stryker called after her to quickly congratulate her on a job well done. When he turned, Tib was standing there waiting for him. God, she was beautiful, and he felt no embarrassment finally admitting that to himself.

[color=orange]”So…… drink to a job well done? In my cabin?”[/color] he felt his face go red as he realized what that idea probably sounded like.

[color=f6989d]”... y’know what? Lemme change first, maybe wash the shit out of my hair, then I’ll take you up on that offer.”[/color]

[color=orange]”Alright yeah. I could use a shower myself. The door will be open whenever you’re ready.”[/color]

[color=f6989d]”I know. It was picked open like a week ago.”[/color]
[color=orange]”Oh…. Uh, ok. Well, anyway, see you in a bit?”[/color]

Stryker smiled and nodded as he headed off to his room to prepare for her arrival.
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