May not have had fancy Force powers, Sinn thought, but she'd had a lot of practice chasing fleeing targets, or dodging shooting ones; being left in the dust wasn't something she was used to. Seeing Lord Kallig and Revel shoot off surprised her and she was having difficulty keeping up. Served her right for giving them the speeder with greater speed capability, she groaned. Her personal speeder was fast but she usually needed something with more shielding. From what she'd seen Lord Kallig's piloting skills were impressive if not a little reckless. That flying leap through the holo of Karagga the Hutt had elicited a low whistle from her and another grumble from Torian.
"Thought we were going to catch up," his low voice carried through the custom microphone installed in his helmet that was tuned to her earpiece frequency.
They're not carrying the extra kilos of beskar, Sinn thought with a wry smile.
"Be at the transport soon?" Torian asked. She didn't have her comm unit handy so she resorted to the basic tap system she and Torian had used when they first started together. One tap on his armored thigh to answer his question 'yes', two for 'no'. Of course, as their relationship had developed, more signals had gotten thrown in the mix. She answered his question with a single tap, yes.
"Think we can trust them?" He asked. One firm tap, definitely yes. She knew he thought she was too trusting, but he'd learned to rely on her instincts. He was also willing to fight her out of any trouble she caused, she reminded herself with a smile.
"Ready to get this over with." Firm tap and a stroke, wholehearted agreement.
"Get the holocube to Mako?" Firm tap, yes.
"No more causing trouble?" He had to throw that one in, she thought, but she could hear the smile in his voice. Her answering single tap was light, yes, but no promises. "Fair enough, I've got your six." She smiled at his sigh.
She was glad Torian was here to watch her back for this, he'd proven himself a reliable partner time and time again and since they'd gotten married he'd been even more protective of her. Thinking about their relationship made her wonder about the one between Kallig and her partner. You didn't see many high and mighty Sith running around with pirates, she thought, but she wasn't about to let her guard down around the woman even if she kept interesting company.
In the long run it's probably better to be allied with these two than on opposing sides, but at least the partnership wouldn't last much longer. Revel had handled the Republic soldiers on the speeder well and she hated to admit even she was impressed. That Sith though, she thought, the energy she emanated rose the hair on the back of Sinn's neck. She and Torian had seen several Sith skulking around Dromund Kaas but none of them rivaled the level of power that pulsed from Lord Kallig.
She knew Torian would be leery of working with the Sith,they'd learned the hard way there were usually strings attached when dealing with Sith. But she was curious what this pair's motives were for bounty hunting, and maybe with the help they'd be able to wrap this job up fast and get back to relaxing. As if privy to her thoughts Torian chose that moment to squeeze his arms tighter around her. She wiggled against him knowing that he wouldn't get the full effect with his armor on but would appreciate the gesture.
Pulling into the transport terminal Sinn looked around for their other speeder. Spotting it off to the side in a semi-shadowed area she saw the occupants deep in conversation. Years of getting the drop on targets had taught Sinn the advantage of holding back and observing. She watched the couple on Torian's speeder more closely. Their body language seemed familiar; the light touches and shared smiles.
When it finally clicked a knowing smile crept across her face. It was like watching herself and Torian, but with more subterfuge. Alright, she thought, so whatever was going on needed to be kept secret. Her natural curiosity kicked into high gear but she wasn't going to get more information by holding back, it was time to get moving. She revved the speeder as a consideration to the other couple, fair warning that they were no longer alone, before pulling her speeder alongside the Nexu.
"So," Sinn drew out the single syllable word, "What are we discussing so intently?" Revel looked slightly uncomfortable but Lord Kallig was regarding her with cool disdain.
"We were just discussing the wisdom of letting you two tag along," Lord Kallig's tone was smooth and icy, "Since you can't seem to keep up with us, maybe we should cut you loose." Sinn suppressed her laughter at Torian sputtering under his helmet. Even Mandalorian discipline had its limits and after that speeder chase he was reaching his. Sinn relaxed back against him, confident that she could play this just as cool.
"Teaming with us was probably the best decision ya'll made since setting foot on Nar Shadda," she shot back, "Unless you have a slicer at your beck and call to decipher the encryption on that holocube." She shot Lord Kallig her own brand of scathing look. "That is, if you didn't fry it with that overblown light show back at the cantina." Revel's jaw dropped for a split second before he covered it quickly with his hand. Lord Kallig's eyes started glowing again and Sinn was wondering if she had pushed too far. A grin of pure malice was spread across the Sith's face.
"If you want a light show, I can give you one," she said as she slid from the speeder.
The voice from the cantina was back, ancient and hungry and watching her move was like watching a Tuskcat climb from a perch, slow and hypnotic with deadly possibilities. Oh yeah, Sinn thought, too far. She made sure her blasters were ready but left them holstered for now. Torian was a solid support behind her, unmoving but alert for her signal. Hold your ground, she told herself, her hunter's instincts were telling her that running would be the worst thing she could do. But the lightning licking up and down Lord Kallig's forearms, casting eerie shadows across the terminal, was making her question that decision. With her eyes focused on the Sith stalking back and forth across, she barely noticed Revel move carefully off of the speeder.
"That's enough," his low voice was stern. He came up behind Lord Kallig and placed his hand on her shoulder pulling her back and out of earshot.
She strained to hear what he was saying, but could only make out the sense of urgency in his tone. Lord Kallig's eyes still were consumed by a blank blue flame, then she looked at Revel and shook her head. Sinn could swear the woman looked surprised for an instant before her features settled into the look of cool reserve Sinn had begun to associate with her. The pair leaned in together for a moment sharing an intense look before Revel stormed over to Sinn and Torian. Torian had removed his helmet but still felt ready to jump and Sinn had adapted a relaxed pose. Revel glanced at her wrists and she wondered if he could see the tell-tale tension in her wrists and forearms as they rested on her blasters.
"You baited her," he said flatly, "Not a good idea with Sith." Sinn's shrug wasn't nearly as nonchalant as she wanted to look. As quick as a Sleen's tongue he whipped out one blaster and leveled at her. "The next time you have a death wish, woman, talk to me I'll gladly oblige." Torian tensed to leap off the speeder at Revel, until Sinn laid a reassuring hand on his leg.
"He's right Torian, I started it," she gave Revel a charming smile, "Bad habit, just like to see how far I can push. Truce?" She extended her hand towards him and he cocked his head at her, as if wondering what he was dealing with.
"Crazy as a monkey-lizard," he muttered under his breath about as he slowly holstered his blaster. He reluctantly shook her outstretched hand while keeping his eye on Torian who still felt ready to body check him. "You said you guys are staying at the Star Gazer?" Sinn nodded at Revel's question. "Good," he said, "I could use a drink." He walked over to Lord Kallig, giving her a light touch on the arm before the pair of them boarded the shuttle to the huge casino.
Torian dismounted from the speeder and looked at Sinn incredulously. "Why push so hard?" he asked, "Not like you to be reckless. That doesn't seem like a normal Sith, if you could call a Sith normal." Sinn nodded at his observation.
"Glad you picked up on that too Baby," she stated, "Just testing a theory. Didn't you notice they both gave those Republic soldiers a chance to run?" Torian's eyes grew speculative as he recalled. "Too many bodies draw attention, these two are keeping low profile. Might be fun to find out why. Anyways, wasn't the first time I've faced down a blaster and this time I might've deserved it." Sinn climbed off the speeder and gave Torian a firm kiss before he had a chance to argue. Reproach flashed in his eyes even as he kissed her back.
"Say what you want," his voice was disapproving, "He pulls a blaster on you again, he's dead." Sinn beamed up at her husband.
"He does that again and you can have him," she declared, "Let's get moving. We've got a holocube to decipher and a target to take down." She grabbed him by both hands and pulled him to the speeder where the other couple was waiting.
"Star Gazer Casino," Sinn addressed the droid piloting the shuttle as she and Torian settled in their seat then turned to Revel and Lord Kallig, flashing them another smile. "Sounds like I owe some people a couple of drinks." She laughed as she completely recognized the look they gave each other; her crew gave her the same look all the time. The one that asked, 'What have we gotten ourselves into?'