The Show Must Go On

Posted on Sun Jun 13th, 2021 @ 1:17am by Lieutenant Kor' de'leia & Lieutenant Melvyn Kosta & Flight Officer Onyesonwu Zyd

Mission: Scoundrels, Cuttthroats and Rogues
Location: Nar Shaddaa - Rebel cell, Fake Interrogation Room
Timeline: Day 2 at 1915

OOC: takes place after Songbird's confessions and the Tawshii/Melvyn JP

Michael Rapp followed the fuzzy-haired girl wearing that ridiculous pocket-covered jumpsuit down the corridor. If asked – not that anyone would - he'd describe her style as vintage motivator grunge. Practically shapeless except for the toolbelt.

"I was a professional, you know, before the Imperials took possession of my patron's mining operation," said Michael to his escort. "An actor in the purest sense. I landed the most sought-after roles and performed for royalty and members of the Senate. Now I am reduced to displaying my admittedly perfect body for the crude admiration of audiences incapable of appreciating my considerable skill."

Onye regarded the man currently doing the accounting for Keskis' operation. Mid-thirties, almost two meters tall, broad shoulders, a trim waist. Symmetric, handsome features, and a physique that implied targeted muscle training. Not her type, though she'd never really given much thought to what her type might be. And the way he moved proclaimed he enjoyed his side-hustle, despite his protests. "That Imperial officer uniform looks official. Where did you get it?"

"I made it myself, copied from one I, uh… procured under rather devious circumstances." Michael sniffed, maintaining his dignified tone. "Costume design has become a lost art. There are tailor programs for droids, of course. But this required non-standard modification. The side-seams are held together with Velcro, to break-away during my act. This particular attire has been particularly popular of late."

Onye came to a halt outside the door to the place Keskis and Kor'de'leia had prepared for the fake interrogation. "This is it," she said, and opened the door.

Keskis looked up when the door opened and Michael came in. He looked perfect for the part - tall, handsome, and he could probably fake a decent sneer. Most importantly he was human - an imperial officer could not be anything else. Yes, he would do nicely. Keskis didn't imagine he could pull a convincing act for a very long time, but she wasn't planning on stretching this out more than absolutely necessary. The look on the prisoner's face when he was confronted with his interrogator - relief or dread - would tell her everything she needed to know about his true loyalties.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," she said. "We find ourselves in need of your acting skills. I see you brought your costume," she waved at his outfit, which did appear convincing if you didn't look too closely. "How's your Imperial interrogator act ?"

Kor was finishing bolting the restraints onto the office chair they had repurposed for their little deception. She looked over at the new arrival. He looked slick. The costume looked tight but in good places. She preferred her Imperial officers dead, but this one seemed passable, especially if the Wookie roughed Melvyn up real good. In the deranged dark corners of her mind she considered the strong hands of an Imperial Squadron commander inspecting her body, right before she plunged her dagger into his throat. She flashed their player a wicked smile.

"My act is impeccable, of course. Imperial interrogator is one of my most popular personas." Michael answered the Mon Calamari commander, but his attention was on the lovely twi'lek woman, whom he addressed with one of his customers' favorite lines. "You must have your blaster set to stun my dear, because you are stunning."

Keskis tried hard not to roll her eyes. It was a little bit too obvious on a MonCal's face. I think that's the cheesiest line I've ever heard in my life.

"I think Onye told you roughly what the deal is," she said neutrally. "Our... guest has told us a nice story about where his true loyalties lie. So far it adds up, but I want to be sure. The goal of this little charade is to check if his story and behaviour are consistent when he thinks he is in the hands of the Empire. Tawshii has..." she coughed delicately, "...regretfully had to knock him out a little bit violently, but he should be coming round soon. When he does, I want you to grill him on what happened over the last twenty-four hours. No unnecessary violence, but make sure your act is believable. Questions ? Kor, anything to add ?"

Kor finished tightening the last screw on the restraints and looked back at the surprisingly appealing "Fake" imperial officer. "Believable is crucial. If he asks, tell him you extracted him from a Rebel hideout and everyone was killed during the raid or executed afterwards, including the Wookie."

Michael reluctantly turned away from the twi-lek – whose name was apparently Kor – toward the commander. A little bit violent? Yes, from what he'd heard, that described most wookiees. "The young lady said you wish to make him think he has been captured by Imperials. I shall be playing an Imperial officer, interrogating him for information about the Rebellion. I was given to understand there would be an interrogation droid prop. Besides the probable concussion, will the subject be under the influence of chemical mind-alteration?" Michael's audience usually was. "What about music? I usually perform to music."

The word music made Kor whip her head up to look at Michael so fast her lekku swung. "Wait, what kind of music are you wanting to play for this?" It certainly was an unusual request for an interrogation. Maybe it created some type of environment that opened the subject to suggestion. This was apparently going to be educational.

"I'm thinking something in G minor, like The Imperial March. Sinister and intimidating, but with a slow sensual beat. You know," Michael leered at Kor and lowered his voice, "to set the mood for dark confessions."

Keskis tried not to sigh too loudly. Maybe this was a mistake after all. What had she been thinking, when she had picked Michael for this little charade ?

It's only for a few minutes. He can pull it off. Probably.

"Let's be serious," she said out loud. "No music. No mind-altering drug, I want the prisoner clear-headed enough to answer questions. Michael, I expect your clothes to stay on/ for the duration of your act. Get naked on your own time. Now is there anything else, or can we proceed ?"

"Naked?" Kor's lekku curled up with a concerned look on her face. "I thought we were doing a fake imperial interrogation." She looked at Michael raising en eyebrow. "Have you done this kind of thing before?"

"I didn't say anything about getting naked. I'm an experienced actor playing the part of an Imperial officer, interrogating a prisoner." Michael sniffed, hand on his hip. Under his break-away costume he wore thick briefs with a contoured pouch. He only went full Monty in special circumstances. "But Commander, you little minx, if you and the lady Kor here want me to get naked afterwards, I'd be happy to oblige." He winked at the twi'lek.

From there onwards the situation could only degenerate, so Keskis did not give the twi'lek time to respond.

"Our prisoner ought to be waking up shortly. I'll leave you to it, Michael. We'll be watching through the security cameras, and we'll step in if it seems necessary. Kor, I'll show you the way."

"Looking forward to the show." Kor exclaimed as she followed the Mon Calimari to where they would observe their little spectacle. "Do we have snacks? I haven't eaten anything in a while."