Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 1, 2021 2:05:54 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq & NPC - Major Chromar - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] Chromar's eyes moved to Charlie, narrowing slightly at her words. He wasn't sure which was more contemptible: if that was supposed to be some sort of accusation, or if she actually expected a confession. "Oddly enough, Miss Fox, what you said may actually be correct," Chromar replied. "But that doesn't mean that I was responsible for Xyla's death. In fact, I wanted to take her away from all of this. She would not have wanted for anything. We could have found some place such as this." He gestured at the their surroundings, hinting at the spa itself rather than the sauna. "That's not what she wanted though," said Kova. Her words were spoken with conviction rather than seeking confirmation. "No, she was always more concerned with the welfare of others," Chromar said. "So concerned, it became a detriment to herself."Kova leaned forward. "So, you two fought about this? Didn't you?" she asked. "Yes, we did," Chromar answered. "It had just before Colonel Vasser's recruitment at the Blue Beta. We hadn't planned to attend together, but she made a point of showing up there. Xyla was always too classy to cause a scene, but she did make certain that I saw her there."Kova thought back to that night. She'd certainly been there. "If you are attempting to assuage your appearance of guilt, I suggest you try harder," Kova proclaimed. "You clearly suspect me," Chromar said. "I wonder if there's anything I could say that would change either of your minds about that." Chromar took a deep breath before continuing. "Believe it or not, I want to see Xyla's killer brought to justice.""You could always confess," the Andorian said cooly. Chromar smirked slightly. "I do hope you paid your former cellmate, Mr. Th'zhaar, this much scrutiny. After all, he did leave the Blue Beta that night with Xyla.""And she was alive when they parted ways," Kova said. "For someone interested in helping, you certainly seem inclined to point the finger in any direction that isn't your own.""Only to make a single point," he said. "Don't assume the obvious. Whoever killed Xyla has gotten away with it for this long, because as far as suspects go, they're anything but obvious."
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 1, 2021 21:55:55 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II]Sweat had begun to roll down Charlie's spine. The more the tiny, fine hairs at the back of her neck clung to her skin, the more her patience wore. It was the classic tale: Man pays for beautiful woman's services. Man decides he should be the only one receiving those services. Man makes promises, beautiful woman does not want to trade one life of subservience for another... Fast forward. Beautiful woman is dead, and supposed grieving former suitor tries to melt away suspicion with a sauna and words. Far too many words. "You protest way, way too much, Major."Charlie sucked in a horrible, humid breath, leaned back and folded her legs at the knee. Her skin was slick, but she clenched her thighs and held the position. "Xyla's killer has gotten away with it for so long simply because neither Kova nor I were in a position to go after them, and you obviously didn't care enough to try very hard. Cut the crap." Patience were no longer thin, more bordering on snapped. "If you're so set on convincing us that you didn't kill her, then you can help us find out who did. We'll take everything you have on these "anything but obvious" suspects."
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 2, 2021 3:33:32 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq & NPC - Major Chromar - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] It was becoming obvious that both these women were becoming agitated. They wanted the answers to questions they didn't even know that they had. Charlie had criticized his protests, but given the fact that both she and Kova kept pushing him for answers, suggested that perhaps they believed him more than they cared to admit. The Romulan nodded at Charlie's request, or perhaps she considered it to be an ultimatum. "Alvien Daie," said the Romulan uttering only a single name. He paused to see if either of them recognized it. "The assassin?" Kova asked. "Former assassin," Chromar corrected her. "Early retirement." He didn't elaborate, but was certain that the women could read between the lines. "Daie was responsible for ending Xyla's life, but he's only the weapon. The timeliness of his confession didn't allow him to reveal the identity of the contractor." Chromar hung his head slightly. "You will find a copy of his records waiting for you in your cottage," Chromar said. "Ms. Fox... Ms. Sh'qaleq. I'm under the impression that we have... conflicting ideas of what justice for Xyla looks like. If you figure out how hired Daie first, share that information with the authorities. Because if I learn who's responsible first, I implore you... don't stand between me and my justice for Xyla."There was something in his eyes that the Andorian saw, and did not like. She had heard humans preface that there was a difference between a threat and a promise. In Chromar's eyes she could finally tell the difference. "Are we done?" Kova asked quietly, more of Charlie than Chromar. It was obvious where he stood.
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 2, 2021 22:21:54 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II]At the mention of the assassin's name, Charlie's body leaned backward. Her eyes widened for a moment, and she turned to look at Kova, who obviously knew exactly who Chromar was talking about. She supposed Daie would be an easy target for the Major's accusing finger, but she had not expected it. Who could Xyla have possibly angered, or been a threat to, that was more likely to use a contract killer to off her than either Morii or Chromar? Charlie stifled a sigh; she had a feeling they might be back to Square 1. That place looked an awful lot like a certain Saurian. "Yes," Charlie answered Kova's question, not needing to hear any more from Chromar to excuse herself. This man and his apparent own special brand of justice was part of the problem, not the solution. It might make someone feel less guilty, it might soothe a bruised ego or buoy you during a lonely night, but it did nothing for Xyla, or for people like her. It was an empty gesture by an empty person. "Next time, let's make this an e-mail."Charlie gathered her loosened towel around her, pressing it against her chest, rose, and then left the sauna without another word. The cool air that hit her when she stepped outside almost took her breath away. She glanced at her Andorian companion, then back at the steaming room they'd just left. "Think it locks from the outside?" She asked, ever so casually, like she wasn't suggesting they trap him within. Then, with continued grumbles, she set off back toward their cottage.
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 4, 2021 2:59:14 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] Charlie seemed to be in agreement that they had heard enough from the likes of Chromar. The Andorian wasn't certain how much, if any, help he had been. At this point, that would likely be dependent upon what was on the information he'd left in their cottage. This was nothing more than more head games from Chromar. He dragged them halfway across the galaxy, and told them nothing other than eluding the involvement of an assassin in Xyla's death. One that was now conveniently expired. And to top things off, he left them some recovered data in their cottage. At every point it was nothing more than manipulation. Charlie didn't conceal her agitation, suggesting that next time this all be conducted in an email. It certainly would have saved both Charlie and herself a lot of money. Rising to leave, she gave a parting glare to the Romulan. She didn't know if his words had been true, but she certainly understood seeking vengeance. The Ushaan[fn]Andorian tradition demanding a duel to the death to avenge a personal loss[/fn] would demand it, and wouldn't be denied. Once they were outside, Charlie seemed to have a parting thought as to whether the the sauna could be locked from the outside. A slight smirk came across Kova's lips. "He'd probably slither right under it anyway," she commented. As they began their way back to the cottage, Kova wasn't certain that there was much more to say. "As much as I hate to say it, I don't believe the Romulan is directly responsible," Kova said. "I also don't see him hiring an assassin. So far, this feels like a complete waste of time and money."
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 6, 2021 21:22:58 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Sauna, Elycar Spa -> Cottage, Moon of Sinon II]Charlie let out a quick bark of laughter when Kova suggested that Chromar would slither out from beneath the door. The amusement was a welcome reprieve from the irritation and frustration she'd been feeling since stepping on to this moon. Then she sighed, knowing she agreed with Kova regarding the man's innocence - or rather, innocence in this case - but wishing she didn't. As it stood, she had no argument to make to the contrary. "I'm going to raid the bar," she confessed as they walked back the way they came, toward their very expensive cottage. "And read those records. Because aside from the time and the money, he managed to pull a promise of a favour out of us, and that's definitely worse than us coming all the way and paying a small fortune to lose all of my precious bodily fluids in a sauna with a Romulan prune."When she reached the door it subtly scanned them, and then slid open to allow entry. Sure enough, the records awaited them.
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 7, 2021 7:43:20 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] Kova couldn't argue with Charlie's plan. More fluids was certainly something that they needed. The Andorian just wasn't certain that they should replenish themselves entirely with alcohol. Perhaps they could chase those shots with water. Kova would find a way of convincing the human of that later. She did have another point, being that they had spent a small fortune in coming to this moon at Chromar's request. "Chromar may prove to be more generous than he intended," Kova remarked. "In her own way, Chel-E is working on retroactively compensating us for our journey here... courtesy of Chromar."As they reentered their college, Chromar had made it obvious that he'd left the records. "It shouldn't take long, but I'd like to make certain he did not leave any additional gifts," Kova said. She began to look around to see if any bugs had been planted. Likewise, she thought it would be wise to make certain that those records Chromar had arranged to be left didn't contain any malware or surveillance software. Some would say it was paranoia, but Kova thought it to be common sense: she just didn't trust Chromar. Once Kova confirmed that there was no malware included in the files, her eyes lit up with what she did discover. "Charlie... there were some files that were deleted," the Andorian announced. Her fingers danced nimbly at the portable console. "I think I can restore some of it. There's evidence of corruption on the file." There were a few moments, and finally a chime. The computer continued to work on the other files, but Kova shifted the screen slightly so that Charlie could get a look as well. "It looks like commentary files to her calendar."CALENDAR 16:30 - CISKILL: "Ciskill made aware that the transaction with Marvin Io was cancelled. Contract negotiations were postponed and expansion plans are now in jeopardy. Promised to reschedule and find new client."
20:00 - CISKILL: "Arrangements made last minute with new client, Davin Dai Lee. Said to be major player. Usual venues unavailable. Meeting must happen tonight to ensure expansion plans. Time - 20:30"
20:30 - MR. ROACH: "Mr. Roach scheduled an emergency reconciliation. Another proposal expected. Conditions may be ideal to accept. Time - 01:30"
22:30 - DAVIN DAI LEE: " .... "
01:30 - MR. ROACH: " .... "
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 10, 2021 20:37:54 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Cottage, Moon of Sinon II]"Smart," Charlie observed of the Andorian's plans to make sure there were no other little surprises waiting for them from the slippery Romulan. She did enjoy having resourceful, clever friends. While Kova did her thing, she made good on her threat to raid the bar. She opened a small refrigeration unit and looked inside, thinking something very cold or chilled would be preferable to both. She pulled a bottle from the ice-box and held it up. Inside was the palest blue liquid, almost clear with just the hint of arctic blue. It glittered in the light, and the bottle was so cold it hurt her fingers. It would do, she thought, as she activated the replicator and input a request for two long, slim glasses filled with ice chips. She poured two generous helpings then, and moved toward the table, where Kova had already made short work of the files. Charlie handed a glass to her, while simultaneously leaned in over the other woman's shoulder, eyes narrowed as she began to speed read through the calendar notations. "Expansion plans?" She asked aloud, having no clue of any such notion involving Xyla previously, and wondering if Kova did. She took a sip of the drink, which was smooth, and very cold, but her attention was back on the words before her face. From a child Charlie had the ability to read backwards, upside down, mirrored text; it was as though letters and symbols could rearrange themselves at her whim. It was just how her brain worked. "Davin Dae Lee is an imperfect anagram of Alvien Daie. CISKILL is obviously Slilick. Who is Mr. Roach?" Then Charlie actually smiled as it dawned on her. "Apt."
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 12, 2021 21:57:06 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] Charlie Fox was impressive... for a human. Kova nodded with a hint of admiration of how the woman had deciphered Xyla's code, identifying the players in the game. She had identified Slilick's involvement, and it appeared that he was the one that arranged the rendezvous with Daie. "So, this must be what you saw," Kova said while pointing at the first entry. "Marvin Io... the appointment with Van Morii falling through. It must have pissed Slilick off ending some sort of arrangement that he and Xyla had made prior." "And it looks like Slilick was the one that set the meeting up Daie," the Andorian mused aloud. "So, he set her up with the assassin... why? Xyla made him a small fortune. Why would he kill her rather than extort her even more? It's not like she was done in the game." Kova read through one of the last entries. "Or was she? Look. Conditions may be ideal to accept Mr. Roach's proposal." Kova knew all too well who the last anagram belonged to, but as Charlie said... it was quite apt. "We need to learn more about these expansion plans," Kova said. "And there may be only one person left that can tell us what those plans were."
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 16, 2021 14:35:16 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Cottage, Moon of Sinon II]As certain things began to unfold before her, Charlie took a deep drink from the glass. It stung her throat, but she barely noticed it. "Could it be that Slilick discovered she'd been talking to me?" She pondered aloud, her face carefully blank, but inside a panic was rising. "Like you said, she made him a fortune. But what if she was planning on striking out on her own, and she could get rid of him as competition in the meantime?" Charlie had painted a picture for Xyla; one that involved her taking control of her own business, and exposing the Saurian pimp. But then there was her sudden interest in accepting Chromar's proposal. Perhaps she knew that she was in trouble, and was looking for the security the sneaky Nybbie could offer. She sighed, then drank again. "Time to go home, then," she agreed when Kova pointed out they'd only one more person left to shake.
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 17, 2021 21:31:33 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] For only a moment, Kova suspected she heard a tinge of guilt in Charlie's voice as she wondered if Slilick had possibly learned about Xyla acting as a source for Charlie. She took the glass the human reporter had brought to her and raised it to her lips taking a long sip. When she pulled the glass down from her lips, she simply spoke still staring at the screen in front of them. "What happened to Xyla is not your fault," Kova recited. It was probably something Charlie had told herself a thousand times already, but perhaps it was warranted to be heard yet again. "If Slilick did arrange her murder, he will pay for that."Charlie's statement that it was time to head home were accurate. They could learn nothing else here. The answers to the question that remained were back on the station. "Agreed. But what about Slilick? I doubt confronting him will yield anything fruitful. In fact, he may push back. Is that something you're prepared to face?"
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 18, 2021 19:26:11 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Cottage, Moon of Sinon II]Intellectually, Charlie knew that Kova was right, but that didn't stop her from pointing several fingers of blame back toward herself. Much like she had when she first heard of Xyla's death, she couldn't help but embrace that self-doubt. She hadn't done the act itself, but it was likely that her involvement with the dead Deltan had impacted on her safety. She'd just have to live with that. Helping to catch the killer might help. "Chromar worries me more than Slilick ever could." Perhaps she had it wrong, perhaps she was confusing a willingness to attack head on as something to be feared less. "I just have to consider what kind of approach would be best. We could pull him out... we could have one or two contacts let slip that I've been asking questions, that I'm planning on coming after What Lies Beneath." There was every possibility that the Saurian already knew that, so she'd just be fanning the flames. "What about financial records? Is there any way for us to sneak a peak at those?"
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 20, 2021 21:40:12 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] Kova wasn't sure she disagreed. Chromar could be intense, and certainly not one to be underestimated. Had he been responsible for Xyla's death? It was probably one crime out of a thousand that he hadn't committed. Charlie seemed committed to setting things right. Kova wasn't sure she agreed with the idea of making herself a target, just in case Slilick was more dangerous than she believed. "Do you have any plans that don't involve you becoming target practice?" Kova asked. Charlie then mentioned the financial records. Kova was almost offended when Charlie asked if they could sneak a peak at those. "Are you forgetting who you're talking to?" the Andorian asked. She proceeded to work what magic she could as her fingers moved about the panel. "This is... interesting." Kova continued to study the screen to make sense of the numbers on the screen. "There's enough money changing hands to buy a moon," Kova said. "But Slilick clearly has debts: The Orion Syndicate, government officials on Cait, Arkaria..." there was a long pause and then Kova uttered what was clearly a surprise. "... contacts in the FNN." Her eyes turned to look at Charlie, wondering just how much the reporter knew about that. There was also one other silent partner who appeared to have invested very heavily in Slilick lately, though Kova's attention was on the the previous tidbit.
Tag: Charlie Fox
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Charlie Fox
Civilian
FOX NEWS
Posts: 730 Likes: 81
Position: Journalist
Species: A human of some kind
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Post by Charlie Fox on Jul 30, 2021 19:14:05 GMT
[Charlie Fox - Cottage, Moon of Sinon II]"Not really," Charlie answered Kova's question about her plan honestly, and then despite herself and her formerly sombre thoughts, started giggling. Either the drink was as strong as expected, or something had tickled her. "Now that you mention it, all of my plans invariably involve other people wanting to kill me." She almost sounded proud of herself; it was a badge of honour. The grin stayed in place as the Andorian took the question as a challenge, and as seemingly easily as breathing, provided Slilick's financials. Charlie had sat down and was pulling the chair closer so as to get a better look at the screen. The amounts of money didn't surprise her, nor the ties to the Orion Syndicate, but the others... And then she was all frowns at the mention of the FNN. "Our branch?" She asked, still processing the information and working through it. "Terry Bennett is a prick, but he's as dogged as I am about work," she mused aloud, running through her colleagues in her mind in order of likelihood to be involved with a sleazeball Saurian. She knew though that just because her nemesis Terry Benny had a boner for the truth of a story, didn't mean he didn't have a boner for other things, too. "And Spil, y'know - my editor. He shot down the story as soon as I brought it to him. Twice, actually. The first time was before I'd even spoken to Xyla, and the second time when I was planning the meeting with Van Morii. I just stopped asking after that."
Tag: Kova Sh'qaleq
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Aug 1, 2021 23:01:42 GMT
[ Kova Sh'qaleq - Sauna, Elycar Spa, Moon of Sinon II] As Kova listened to Charlie prattle on, whether it was ravings or an explanation, for a moment she began to wonder if she could still trust the human. Yet, as quickly as the doubt tried to settle in, it was dismissed. Charlie had proven many times over just how committed she was to getting justice for Xyla. More than that, there was Caldonia as well. Kova sighed, accepted the reporters words as credible. "If things are as you describe them, we have to convince the authorities to make an actual arrest before publishing the story."Kova knew that justice was always the endgame of their union, but in some ways, it may have been easier to trigger an arrest once the story was out in public. However, if FNN was compromised, they'd have to think of something else. "As dangerous as your plan sounds... perhaps its the right approach. We need to figure out a way of getting Slilick to confess. He'll only share that with us if he knows that he doesn't have to worry about us afterwards." Now, exactly how they could pull that off was enter question entirely. Slilick wasn't going to just sit down to an interview.
Tag: Charlie Fox
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