One of the many benefits of a convenient arm-mounted computer is the ease in which its operations may be carried out while amidst some other task, such as eating. She had to admit, the food here was great. It was all [i]sea[/i]food, but it was still of good quality and taste. Well, trust the critter who thinks only in terms of common sense. You go where you like the things you’ll be served. That said, Singe would’ve preferred he ate with the utensils… In any case, her browsing of the local Hutt-Net - Yes, they called it that. Shut up. - did turn up some of the things she found necessary to her work. Singe’s programs were complex, created to make sure she would never have to worry about any traces back to her hideout. The false-identifier masks that let her delvings seem like ordinary everyday information packets, the rotating false-origin markers that redirected security inquiries to different locations, the forged independent and Imperial investigator ident keys, the history eraser button, the logic bomb, and so on - these were the tools of a career Slicer, except she didn’t do it for the money because she regularly used somebody else’s accounts for money. That was why mercenaries loved her work. If nothing else, she makes good with the payment, hands down. All that said… [color=f7941d][i]What’s this?[/i][/color] Someone was using a forged account themselves, letting the system tracers look it over and not find anything because they have no reason to be looking hard. It seemed like there was a bit of a search going on. That was interesting...or trouble. Singe stood up from her meal and told Goggles that she was heading off to the restroom. The Tynnan thought nothing of it, but then...he didn’t see her raised eyebrow through the pixel-face. She headed off to go find a stall and keep an eye on activities, both on the net and in the general camera-observed vicinity. [color=92278f]“She’s still at that diner then?” [/color] Alena had just finished returning the bail jumper to the guild and had received her reward. At the moment, she was on her speeder, riding through the cities. [color=0054a6]“Yes, from what I've seen she hasn’t moved ye- scratch that, she just got up to go somewhere. Her friend is still there, however.” [/color] As she thought. Cameras in the Taste of Mon-Cal and a possible observer of her activities in the system. Sitting in the stall, Singe was no-longer pixel-faced and sitting down with her feet against the door, working her way through the local system and deciding to play a few cards. [color=f7941d][i]Let’s see how intelligent we are...[/i][/color] A nip and tuck, a false timestamp, and [i]voila![/i] She had isolated her prior image - her and her alone - superimposed it on the current activities of the diner, showing her pixel-face self sitting down and fussing with her machines. Smirking at this, she waited to see if somebody busted on in, looking all confused, or indeed if the bandwidth of the security network around here would increase with possible secure chatter. The best part of this was that even if they realize what happened, they might assume ANY part of her being here was a fake. Parking the speeder, Umbral casually heads toward the diner. [color=0054a6]“She apparently came back boss, she’s still sitting down at the booth, this should be easy.”[/color] Kina reports through the commlink, Alena taking the information in stride as she enters the restaurant, quickly surveying the inside. Odd. The woman is not where she ought to be, yet the alien remains, eating his meal. Taking this news in stride, Umbral walks toward a booth and sits down, making sure she faces the Tynnan and the booth he was sitting in. She removes her helmet and places it on the table, smiling at the waitress when she arrives, ordering a local fruit juice as well as a small meal. She was more than willing to wait this out, she’s already seen the Tynnan speak in the video, which led her to believe that the girl [i]was[/i] here. She was due to return eventually and if she didn’t, she had a little friend here that would be happy to introduce her. [color=f7941d][i]Hmmm...[/i][/color] So, they were playing this patiently, were they. It wasn’t an Imperial strike team, but it could still be a bounty hunter. Tapping her knee for a second, Singe thought about what to do next. Well, the first thing that was obvious was that Goggles was under observation, and he would hate to be left oblivious to the whole situation. So, she called him via comlink. They would see him look at the thing on his arm irritably and he’d hit the button. That was when he got… [color=f7941d]”Talk to me like I’m your Nemoidian contact.”[/color] [b]”You?! When the hell did you get this number?!”[/b] The Tynnan understood he was to be acting almost immediately. [color=f7941d]”React as though I’m about to torch your vessel.”[/color] [b]”You even TRY IT and I’ll turn your innards into [i]outtards![/i]”[/b] [color=f7941d]”Now, head off like your ship’s on fire.”[/color] He paid first. Easiest way to get out was slamming down cred chips and bolting, so there won’t be a pair of angry Mon-Calamari trying to hold him up. From there, the furry little critter would head out on all-fours. Would they follow [i]him[/i] on a wild Ton-Ton chase? Or would they stick around and see what [i]else[/i] happened? Alena only frowned as the critter threw money on the table and sprinted out of the diner, her gaze following him until her view was obstructed. That was the last thing she expected was going to happen and it would make a scene if she got up and followed the rodent, especially one that was undoubtedly faster than her. But, on the bright side… it did confirm two things to the Bounty Hunter. One, she was being watched. It was all too convenient that her quarry’s friend would dash not long after she entered. Especially with her friend missing. And two, that her quarry was most likely still in the building. Alena had seen diversion tactics and wild goose chases many times before in her line of work. As such, she remained firmly stuck in her booth, thanking the waitress when she brought her food, then began eating her meal. Yes...it would appear that the focus was definitely on her, as nobody seemed interested in Goggles at all. At least, that was what the cameras told her. She didn’t see where he went after leaving the range of the restaurant security grid. It was also difficult to tell who, besides the woman that had entered, was apparently tailing her. Had to assume there were ‘friends’ of hers waiting outside, if she wasn’t a solo bounty hunter. Seemed unlikely, though, unless she was also accomplished at Slicing. See, Singe was fairly sure she could take down the odd tough with a good blaster bolt between the eyes and call that job done, but it would seriously cut into what she was good at, and to that effect, a mercenary - battle-hardened and ready to make alot of people die would find Slicing to be best delegated to a Slicer or an accomplished droid. This was the hunter, the soldier, the fighter. Someone [i]else[/i] had tapped into the cameras. Ergo, someone else was lying in wait, and perhaps not alone. Now, Singe had not seen any of the [i]usual[/i] signs of a bounty hunter team. No group of thugs waiting in ambush outside, no quiet insertion of people in the room itself like Kiara preferred to do. No, this was just one person, for now. Likely, the situation would be that if she was spotted, a quick signal would be given to tell her friends to pay attention and watch her, follow her as long as necessary, and then a big confrontation or alot of gunfire would follow. There had to be a way to avoid this, because while she had escape measures, they were strictly last resort. There had to be...ummm....heh heh...heh heh heh heh heh heh… That was a [i]brilliant[/i] idea. She called Goggles. [b]“Hey there! So, you out yet?[/b] [color=f7941d]”No, still in, but I’ve got an idea… You told me you’ve got a friend on this planet who’d shoot anyone for a bit of cred, right?”[/color] [b]”Oh yeah! My buddy, Morgas, and I go shoot up thugs and infestations for a laugh! Gets a bit of money on the table too.”[/b] [color=f7941d]”Call ‘im. I’ll leave this channel so you know what’s going on, but in short...I’m pulling a quick reversal.”[/color] She gave the Tynnan long enough to send out [i]his[/i] message before calling back and letting him hear everything that happened. Singe hit a button to turn off the cameras, stepped out of the restroom, and calmly walked over to the woman (Alena)...before pointing her gun at her. [color=f7941d]“It’s been a long chase, but it’s over now. The Grant Hutt Council is waiting. Don’t try anything foolish. My friends are waiting outside and we have your Slicer friend targeted. I suggest you and I walk out of here peacefully, so that these people can resume their meals and nobody gets shot.”[/color] Her plan...was to act like a bounty hunter with a strike team for the Hutts. No one would interfere with serious Hutt business, so that kept most of the riff-raff out, even if the woman herself didn’t buy it, and she wouldn’t. Even still, there was a definite element of risk here that would depend on what happened in the next few seconds. If [i]only[/i] Goggles wasn’t ruining the moment with his chuckling in the earpiece of her comlink… Alena nonchalantly looked up to the girl that was now pointing a gun at her, not betraying her emotions as she continued to chew her food. With a swallow, she continued in silence for a few moments longer before opening her mouth. [color=662d91]“You know, it’s quite rude to point a gun at someone you’ve just met.”[/color] Though not unexpected, to say in the least. She takes her napkin and lightly dabs her mouth with it, her face now revealing a grin. [color=662d91]“If you fully intend to interrupt my meal, by all means let’s go.”[/color] She stands up from the booth, leaving a rather large tip on the table, then lets the small girl lead her out of the diner. Her reaction was...not the best. She knew this was all a load of Krait droppings, but Singe decided to just be patient with this and let it flow the way it was. She merely said [color=f7941d]“Rude, but not uncommon.”[/color] as she patiently waited for the other woman to do her thing. Her delaying may have made this all feel a little silly, but the fact is that it actually [i]helped[/i] in a way. In any case, Alena would find that her quarry wasn’t making any rookie mistakes, at least. She stepped out of arm’s reach, no nervous twitch or exaggerated motions, and she didn’t waggle the gun to indicate which direction to move, but used her free hand to indicate that she was heading to the main entrance first. It was only after they were in motion that the Sephi would ask [color=f7941d]“So, who sent you?”[/color] in a delightful voice. [color=662d91]“No one, but myself.”[/color] She responds simply. [color=662d91]“You have a very long list of accomplishments, many more I'm sure aren’t even on your record. You were just too interesting to pass up and such a difficult but rewarding catch. I thought I'd have to go through some dastardly chase, but here you are, walking in stride to meet me.”[/color] [color=f7941d]“I [i]could have[/i] done, but in all honesty, I just don’t have the patience for it, right now.”[/color] She was trying to be conversational, but it was clear that she had twelve things on her mind, four of which were probably on the here-and-now. As they made it to the door, Singe continued on by saying… [color=f7941d]“Of course, if this is about the Imperial Contract, I’d advise against trying to collect. For one, I’d have to kill you, but if that’s not enough, I should point out there’s a virus in the galactic banking network that will empty any Imperial account that I managed to flag straight into a few [i]hundred[/i] different charities and organizations. You’d probably never see the money.”[/color] Now, if anyone was paying much attention to the area [i]around[/i] The Taste of Mon-Cal, they’d know that when Goggles left, he did so on an FC-20 compact speeder bike. And if anyone was paying attention [i]now[/i], they might notice him quietly returning soon...with a [i]second[/i] FC-20...occupied by a grinning, gun-toting Dug. The Dug wasn’t being quite as subtle here as the Tynnan, but then he was promised a good time shooting things. [color=662d91]“The Imperial Contract is just what I used to track you down, I'm not too interested in that. I’m more interested in you and what you can do. You see, Slicers are a dime a dozen, it’s hard to find one that’s committed to something other than money. Which is exactly why you got my attention. I have something that I want to do and I think you’re a good way to help me get it."[/color] Alena stopped walking as she reached the door, pushing it open. [color=662d91]“Now, would you like to sit down and discuss things or would you rather get into a firefight. And you can trust me when I say that you will not get unscathed even with a blaster at my back.”[/color] Alena would hear a quick snort of amusement from behind her, then the telltale sign of a blaster being replaced on one’s belt. Now that they were outside and there was some assurance of not having to deal with someone wanting her in pieces, Singe felt a little more comfortable. [color=f7941d]“I wouldn’t get very far, shooting up my clients, now would I?”[/color] If the other woman turned, she’d be able to take her in properly without the low lights of the diner. She didn’t have so much a cocky swagger or a confident stride in her approach as...a willingness to believe in her own methodical nature to bear fruit. You see it all the time in people who are just more practical by habit. The slight motions of her uncovered right eye - which was amber or orange, very unusual for a Sephi - suggested that the left eye was working a tactical device under the eyepatch, probably making sure she couldn’t be snuck up on, all while coordinating her friends. She crossed her arms now. [color=f7941d]“You pick the bar, and be prepared to feed the Dug. He sounds unhappy there won’t be any shooting tonight.”[/color] [color=662d91]“I’m sure I can find some place with decent enough food and grog. Let me find my friend and tell her everything’s okay, so she doesn’t worry. I’ll send the location later, does that sound good?” [/color] The Sephi just went [color=f7941d]“Sure, sure.”[/color], as though it were decided already, letting the other woman get on with it. Kina was frantically typing away at her computer, trying to figure out what was happening. Everything was going fine and all of a sudden her employer was being led out of the diner by gunpoint. She was nearly about to run out of the cafe to try and find her when someone sat at her table, from behind the computer. [color=662d91]“Hey, do you mind looking up some nice bars?”[/color] Alena calmly asks with a shit eating grin on her face.