Aedon Gavin Montrose likes this
Jul 8, 2019 3:37:19 GMT
Markus arched an eye brow at her, then let out a chuckle. "I am surprised you would let that go so easily. But not complaining."
The music played on, nearly deafening most of the chatter - but that didn't stop Markus from focusing on the environment. He scanned for potential entrance and exit points, as well as groups that would be potential threats in case things went sideways. Old habits die hard after all, and he was a soldier before all else. In a bar like this, everything was a potential threat, but fortunately, that meant that in order to stay and play, you had to play nice...well, nice-ish, as there were credits flowing everywhere.
Four bouncers marked the main doors, two more on VIP, six on the floor, and none at the bar which meant the barman was probably carrying. The club had a multitude of clustered individuals, some, if not all were in some rough line of work. The ones that weren't dressed the part had their own protection do it for them to make the statement. That was one of the tactical disadvantages of this meeting- Too many bodies. The counter-advantage to that was in a tight spot they could use that to their advantage by disrupting the room into chaos and slipping out before they could be made. Markus had read the dossier on his informant on his way here. Some low level Trandosian splicer named S'haar was his point of contact. So far, none of the clusters had any apart from the ones acting as muscle. After a few minutes, he turned to Jaydani.
"So tell me, what do you see? What kind of scenario's are you ready to handle?" It wasn't small talk. They had been working together for years and seen their fair share of rough places, but he still wanted her to master situational assessments. And if she slipped up on the slightest detail, he would let her know. Not to berate her, but to broaden her perspective, and teach her things that aren't in the training manuals. Markus noticed that he was drawing some eyes from bouncers- the cloak was probably not a good look in this kind of locale, but it was staying on. He ordered two drinks and a water for Jaydani. A paying customer is less likely to be a threat- or so most bouncers and guards thought. They had to look like they were here for the bar, not for something else.
After the drinks arrived, Markus pulled one to his lips, feinting a sip, before setting it down. He glanced over his shoulder to see if the bouncers were still looking, but their attention turned to a rather rowdy Sabaac game. Good, even better. He scanned the room once more, still no Trandosian. Something was going on, most guys would jump at the chance to leach a client for chems and spices as extra butter for their deal. He turned in his seat, having his back to the bar, and adopted a casual stance, as though he was admiring the view.
"Something's up - the contact is not here. Stay here, and keep sharp."
And with that, he stood up and made his way across the dance floor towards the alcove. He was glad that the cloak covered his armor efficiently, and the sound drowned out the shifting of his plates. If this was going to end in a fight, he had the upper hand - this goon didn't know him, or what he had on him. As he neared the alcove, one of the body guards stood and approached. Markus smirked, then shook his head, before offering his glass towards the man that called him over, lifting his index and middle finger off of the glass in a subtle gesture.
"Clearly he wanted to see me, so spare me the grope and grab. I come in peace." He said it with such confidence that most would never have known those words to be suggested by the force. The guard gave Markus a nod, before stepping aside, allowing him to take a seat. Grabbing the seat directly across from his potential contact, that way his back would not be against the wall. While still susceptible to an attack from behind, he had Jaydani watching him- all the warning he would need could come from her. He set the glass down on the table and gave the man a polite smile.
"I already have a drink, friend...what do you want?" This time the question was genuine, and not a mind trick.
The music played on, nearly deafening most of the chatter - but that didn't stop Markus from focusing on the environment. He scanned for potential entrance and exit points, as well as groups that would be potential threats in case things went sideways. Old habits die hard after all, and he was a soldier before all else. In a bar like this, everything was a potential threat, but fortunately, that meant that in order to stay and play, you had to play nice...well, nice-ish, as there were credits flowing everywhere.
Four bouncers marked the main doors, two more on VIP, six on the floor, and none at the bar which meant the barman was probably carrying. The club had a multitude of clustered individuals, some, if not all were in some rough line of work. The ones that weren't dressed the part had their own protection do it for them to make the statement. That was one of the tactical disadvantages of this meeting- Too many bodies. The counter-advantage to that was in a tight spot they could use that to their advantage by disrupting the room into chaos and slipping out before they could be made. Markus had read the dossier on his informant on his way here. Some low level Trandosian splicer named S'haar was his point of contact. So far, none of the clusters had any apart from the ones acting as muscle. After a few minutes, he turned to Jaydani.
"So tell me, what do you see? What kind of scenario's are you ready to handle?" It wasn't small talk. They had been working together for years and seen their fair share of rough places, but he still wanted her to master situational assessments. And if she slipped up on the slightest detail, he would let her know. Not to berate her, but to broaden her perspective, and teach her things that aren't in the training manuals. Markus noticed that he was drawing some eyes from bouncers- the cloak was probably not a good look in this kind of locale, but it was staying on. He ordered two drinks and a water for Jaydani. A paying customer is less likely to be a threat- or so most bouncers and guards thought. They had to look like they were here for the bar, not for something else.
After the drinks arrived, Markus pulled one to his lips, feinting a sip, before setting it down. He glanced over his shoulder to see if the bouncers were still looking, but their attention turned to a rather rowdy Sabaac game. Good, even better. He scanned the room once more, still no Trandosian. Something was going on, most guys would jump at the chance to leach a client for chems and spices as extra butter for their deal. He turned in his seat, having his back to the bar, and adopted a casual stance, as though he was admiring the view.
What doesn't add up? The bouncers moved on, but still no S'haar. No gun men have kicked down any doors, so what could have spooked the contact? And then he saw it, someone looking at him, directly. Markus locked eyes with the man, arching a brow. It wasn't S'haar, but someone from one of the alcoves- and he wasn't alone. He was human, and relatively well dressed- nothing that would get you mugged, but definitely something that suggested that he wasn't some low level splicer friend. So why was he down here, and not in VIP where most upstarts go? Markus counted 5 guards, 4 in the booth, and one standing near by who gave himself away by constantly staring at the booth, then the floor, then back.
The men stared for what felt like ages, neither of them blinked. Finally, the man in the alcove gestured for him to approach. Markus took pause, then turned back to face the bar, grabbing his drink. As he did so, he spoke out in a low voice to Jaydani.
"Something's up - the contact is not here. Stay here, and keep sharp."
And with that, he stood up and made his way across the dance floor towards the alcove. He was glad that the cloak covered his armor efficiently, and the sound drowned out the shifting of his plates. If this was going to end in a fight, he had the upper hand - this goon didn't know him, or what he had on him. As he neared the alcove, one of the body guards stood and approached. Markus smirked, then shook his head, before offering his glass towards the man that called him over, lifting his index and middle finger off of the glass in a subtle gesture.
"Clearly he wanted to see me, so spare me the grope and grab. I come in peace." He said it with such confidence that most would never have known those words to be suggested by the force. The guard gave Markus a nod, before stepping aside, allowing him to take a seat. Grabbing the seat directly across from his potential contact, that way his back would not be against the wall. While still susceptible to an attack from behind, he had Jaydani watching him- all the warning he would need could come from her. He set the glass down on the table and gave the man a polite smile.
"I already have a drink, friend...what do you want?" This time the question was genuine, and not a mind trick.