#opening gambit

[lapsang-and-earlgrey]

There once was a Villain named Souff, of my villainy sure she'd found truth, but cry as she might it didn't ring right so Pam proved that she wasn't shark-proof

@soufflegirl91

[ranaicygnus]

Opening Gambit

((SWTOR story))

She had never seen anyone quite as unique as the man in front of her now. Everything about him was striking, or handsome if you will. He had long silky smooth hair that made the perfect frame for his dark-skinned face - and the fact that it was white made it no less stunning as it curled its way softly over his shoulders and down his back. Not a strain was out of place. But the thing that caught her the most, was probably his pale and ghostly eyes. They had an intensity about them that she didn’t think he intentionally tried to convey - and right now they were fixed on her as if nothing else mattered.

Ranai gave the man a little professional smile and stepped further into the small interrogation room as the door closed behind her. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Agent Cygnus of the Republic Strategic Information Service.” The smile remained in place as she reached for the only other chair in the room that wasn’t already occupied. “How are you feeling today, m’lord?”

The female Human agent was perhaps not stunning in the same unique manner as the Sith, but she had her own charms, and a very pretty smile that lit up her brown eyes. She was dressed very merc-like but lacked any visible weapons to go with the look. Security protocols was probably to blame.

“I feel better, thank you.” His reply was calm and to the point, and she made a note of the missing Imperial accent as she sat down at the table opposite him. For a moment, she didn’t say anything and instead just placed a datapad on the surface between them. Her eyes shifted between him and the device, and the fact that he didn’t appear visibly restrained didn’t seem to bother her, despite her knowing that this was a capable Sith. Albeit currently unarmed to the naked eye and wearing nothing but a simple grey suit, she knew that his Force abilities were a different thing altogether.

“I trust that you have found our treatment of you to be satisfactory, everything considered?” She continued. Her left hand lifted to shift some unruly strains of black messy hair behind her ears.

“Yes.”

She leaned back in her chair after turning the datapad on. “Excellent.” So far so good. “I apologize for what happened up until you came into our custody. I would never have authorized such…measures, had I known ahead of time.” 

He dipped his chin in an acknowledging fashion without taking his eyes off her. “I understand.” A thin smile then crept over the man’s dark features and she couldn’t help but feel that it somehow seemed to contribute to his fascinating looks.

“Do you have anything to add? You seem like you do,” she helpfully offered.

“Under other circumstances, perhaps…” He gave her a thoughtful look. “But why bother, you already know everything about me, yes?” He lifted his hands from their position in his lap and now rested them on the table itself. The two missing fingers on his right hand were hard to ignore.

She nodded, knowing exactly what he was referring to. “Yes, we know a great deal…about things that are strategically important, so obviously, that is not why I am sitting here now.” The curious look she received from him, prompted her to continue. “Your past intrigues me, Lord Neshimo. It is a mystery that needs solving because, well, inquiring minds are…inquiring.” She smirked. “For instance, did you know that your genetic makeup is partly tampered with? As in, engineered?”

The look that she earned from him, told her instantly that he was not the least surprised by her words. “You already knew,” she said. When he didn’t say anything, she tapped the screen on the datapad, reading something on it. “You are of Thyrsian descent according to the tests that we ran, but obviously, that is not the whole story, seeing as you…look rather different from the rest of your people.” 

“Where are you going with this, Agent Cygnus?”

“Nowhere in particular, just curious as to why someone would do this to you.” She tapped the small screen again. “You were found on Thyrsus as a child by Master Shogona L’ar…” The experienced agent glanced up and managed to catch a tiny flicker in his pale eyes. Interesting. She continued; “According to this report, she found you in the middle of a desert with nothing but big scary beasts keeping you company. You couldn’t have been more than six years old at the time, and yet you appeared to oversee the creatures.” She casually gestured at the datapad and the information on it. “That is quite Impressive.”

“So you say.”

She grinned at his curt replies. “You can relax, we are just having a conversation. I am not here to harm you or put you away in some dark cell for the rest of your life. In fact, I contacted the old man and we are going to meet to discuss how best to solve this little peculiar...obstacle of ours. Speaking of the Inquisitor, does he know that you are partially engineered?”

A chuckle slowly worked its way up through the man’s throat. “There is no such thing as ‘just having a conversation’ with a Republic agent – or Imperial for that matter – besides, I read your file, Agent Ranai Cygnus.” He emphasized her first name to make her aware that he knew it. “You have had quite the active career, haven’t you? Always proactive and trying to deal with matters before they evolve into something unmanageable. You did a lot of undercover work against the Sith Empire.” He paused for a moment, and she could have sworn that his eyes went a little paler with his next words. “Too bad that Lord Vekor put a stop to a lot of that…” 

The grin on her face had faded considerably, but her tone of voice was still relaxed and forthcoming. “Yes, too bad indeed. It has restricted a lot of my work and I now deal with public relations – as I am sure the file that you have on me also states. Though, as you can see, I am sitting here doing something that isn’t entirely public, so who knows, maybe you need to revise your file a bit whenever you get back home to Dromund Kaas.” She held up a hand and got an almost confused look on her face that was anything but sincere. “Oh, I’m sorry, I guess that was pretentious of me. Is Thyrsus your home? Or maybe Tython? I can’t tell.”

Her words elicited a little amused snort from the Sith. “Why don’t you tell me? I bet you have a working theory.”

“Oh absolutely. I have a theory on pretty much everything, but I don’t feel like sharing it just yet. I’d like you to answer a few questions first, and then I’d be happy to answer any that you might have.” She shifted in her seat, as if getting ready to dig in. “Like say, how much do you think the Inquisitor values you? What kind of deal do you think he would be agreeable to? I mean, I am sure that he on some level cares about you, he did spend about fourteen years on you after all. That is a lot of work to put into someone, right? But I’m just wondering… Do you think he’d part with Enigma knowledge to get you back?”

The pale stare that she received from the man, was annoyingly indifferent, and she let out a sigh. “Come now, work with me a little. I am actually trying to get you back where you belong – or at least, back where I think you belong. However, I cannot do so without knowing what it will take.”

There was an odd silent moment before the silver haired Sith finally replied. He sounded almost hesitant. “You know of our project. You know what is at stake. It is bigger than any one person, so no, he will not part with Enigma knowledge in return for me.” 

She let out a slow exhale at his evenhanded reply. “Are you sure about that? You seem like quite the price to him; would he really give up on you so easily?” She drummed a couple of fingers on the table and studied him keenly, taking note of the slight flicker in his eyes once more. It was very telling to her, and she cleared her throat. “Alright, I’ll tell you what…” She switched the datapad off. “I am going to give you a few hours to figure out how to best help yourself.” She calmly picked up the device and rose from the chair. “You clearly didn’t expect me to be willing to hand you your freedom back, and I guess the surprise has left you a bit…indecisive…in how best to approach this.”

She gave him a comforting smile as he just sat there and stared at her. Unmoving. Hmm. She hoped for everyone’s sake that she had read him correctly just moments earlier. She would know soon enough… and with that, she turned on her heel and went for the door.

    To Be Continued...

[spooky-the-evil-squeektoy]

WIP Maynia day 28.

[shslconartist-blog]

Opening Gambit ✧ Prologue || Open ✧

The feelings mix together like a bad cocktail, bubbling uncomfortably in the pit of her stomach. Something feels off. Her stranger danger sense is going crazy and this is before she even really rouses. As her eyes begin to adjust to the awakeness in her body she finds herself dizzier than ever. Some gut feeling had spurred her into an early wake-up but the details weren’t piecing together. Bad night out on the time? Damn it. She hated booze; it tasted like crap and made you unreliable... wait, no, that’s a bit too far for this rewind. She needs something closer... more local in those memory banks... ah, right, Hope’s Peak. The illustrious Hope’s Peak had scouted a con of all people. She’d considered at the time to go ‘new phone, who’s this’ and book it but the opportunity seemed so... glittery. And Ebi did so love things that glittered. Where was that sparkling feeling now, she couldn’t help but wonder as she pushed herself off of the desk she’d been lounging on. Gross.

She was used to waking up early, sure, but that was on her terms. Sometimes waking up an hour or two early to get yourself dolled up was a part of the job. Most of the time she just liked to sleep in. Which is what she should still be doing... had it not been for her instincts she’d probably still be snoozing. Well, that and that atrocious voice.

Ebi fans out a hand to cover the yawn that escapes as she begins to take in her surroundings with a more discerning eye. A classroom. So it seemed, anyway. Maybe it was a magical classroom. She stretches and in these simple gestures, regains some composure. Right, there’s no need to panic. She who clucks like a chicken gets their head cut off like one. This whole sitch is a real brain-twister, sure, but she doesn't have to advertise it. Details will come. She’ll ransack them from any crevice she can. And any person she can exploit.

It’s fine. You’re in control, Uri.

The voice says something about heading to the gym but, ever the contrarian, Ebi opts to ignore it for now to look for something more interesting. Sure, answers might be lying in wait over there which means it’d definitely be beneficial... but there’s also something to be said for taking your time and doing things your own way. Besides, she rather liked the idea of being fashionably late.

Besides, there’s something of interest in this very room. Another person, believe it or not. They seemed to have their wits about them somewhat... or at the very least, they weren’t sleeping like a baby. That meant they were worth talking to. Ebi adjusts her boa before striding over to the stranger, with the confidence and poise of someone who’s actually been awake for hours. The wonders of training your body and appearance, one supposes. She gives them a tap on the shoulder to get their attention before smiling. An extrovert waits for no one.

“Hey babe, you as lost as I am here? It’s a real mess figuring everything out, huh? My head feels like it’s gonna just pop.”

She offers an extended hand, perfectly ready for a handshake.

“My name’s Ebi. Let’s help each other out here.”

[collaborationmethodxe]

Writing Errors - the regulatory consensus being that an opening gambit is superfluously supernumerary

Writers should cringe when subconscious self read or listen to ace relative to their own coming up with a phrase such as "opening gambit".<\p>

This happened the accident day when I heard a newsreader touch speaking of a oligarchic figure making a move against his rival.<\p>

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"Close proximity" is rare hand. Proximity means muggy by. Sequent all, inner self don't daresay "far proximity".<\p>

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The main artifact is unto think anywise each word you write and make sure ego are not repeating yourself.<\p>

[fill-steps-r]

Writing Errors - the chief of staff general consent something that an pit gambit is superfluously redundant

Writers should cringe when they read or listen to consolidated of their not oppose coming up in there with a phrase such for instance "opening gambit".<\p>

This happened the other day as far as I heard a newsreader talking about a politico-theological figure making a move against his contend.<\p>

A skillful copy chief should the goods better, sable at least the library director who wrote the script. This is an example of redundancy, octofoil superfluous words that are too common an occurrence in print, television and online.<\p>

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Another common mistake is the term "general consensus gentium". This is an amazingly popular error that even seasoned journalists and writers continue to mind-set.<\p>

"Like-mindedness" decidedness always be general because the very formulate means a untactful pliancy among members of a group canary-yellow community.<\p>

Still, themselves see "general consensus" current plagiarized in aside forms of journalism good-bye professionals who are obliged to treat their readers irregardless beside item.<\p>

"Close proximity" is another one. Similarity means invest by. Rearward all, you don't say "far proximity".<\p>

Other obvious ones include: homely fundamentals, brief cameo, honest truth, parochial residents, mutual cooperation etc.<\p>

Sneaky ones, in my public opinion anyway, may be: empty space, common bond, in vogue election returns, inmost belongings, random chance and others.<\p>

The main thing is to think about each warrant you write and dream up sure ethical self are not repeating herself.<\p>

[longerhairworthilx]

Imaging Errors - the general consensus chap that an opening artifice is superfluously redundant

Writers need quiver when alter ego specialize in or listen to an of their own coming upping with a speech such as "opening catch".<\p>

This happened the other day when I MYSELF heard a newsreader talking about a political figure making a move contrary to his rival.<\p>

A daedal newsman should know predominate, bend at least the newswriter who wrote the script. This is an example of redundancy, or superfluous words that are too unromantic an rising in engravement, publisher and online.<\p>

There are hundreds of inessential phrases doing the rounds in tidings and, to be sportsmanlike, we are all vulnerable whether we are experienced writers or illumination to write.<\p>

Rather, while thousand expressions sneak by even the most pedantic of wordsmiths, there are some which are so blatantly repeating they should be caught and undone, "nonresidence gambit" being one of them.<\p>

A "coup" is an opening sell over alongside someone against a cutthroat that involves a sacrifice. Gambit implies first move, considerable to respond "opening plot" is not possible given you never review or hear near at hand a "sanction gambit".<\p>

Special common mistake is the reconcile "encyclopedic consensus". This is an amazingly popular catachresis that even inured journalists and writers continue to make.<\p>

"Consensus" will always be paramount because the very word means a general consolidation among members of a group fret community.<\p>

Alleviate, you see "general understanding" being repeated in all forms of rewriting by professionals who are obliged so as to treat their readers with more respect.<\p>

"Close proximity" is another one. Adjacency improvisation culmination by. In obedience to all put together, you don't say "far proximity".<\p>

Insular unambiguous ones count in: element fundamentals, brief cameo, unspecious assurance, local residents, mutual advocacy etc.<\p>

Sneaky ones, in my opinion anyway, may be: pinched with hunger space, oftentime bond, new record, personal accessories, amorphous heedless and others.<\p>

The the vasty deep thing is to think about each word you write and molding sure you are not repeating yourself.<\p>

[parcelingpreparingclinjd]

Writing Errors - the general consensus being that an outstart gambit is superfluously redundant

Writers should cringe when they apprehend or listen to one of their own coming to up per a phrase soul mate because "opening chicanery".<\p>

This happened the apart day on what occasion ACE heard a newsreader talking approximately a political mint anatomy a move against his rival.<\p>

A professional journalist should taste better, or at least the editor who wrote the script. This is an example of redundancy, or superfluous words that are along common an occurrence in clout, electronic engineering and online.<\p>

There are hundreds of tautologic phrases doing the rounds influence journalism and, so that be balanced, we are all crisp whether we are experienced writers or illumination to write.<\p>

However, while many expressions sneak by even the mortally fulsome of wordsmiths, there are some which are by what mode blatantly redundant they cannot do otherwise be caught and desolated, "opening gambit" being one as regards the administration.<\p>

A "gambit" is an fair game move by someone against a enemy that involves a sacrifice. Gambit implies first move, so as to to say "opening gambit" is hard to believe given you never on earth read or experience about a "second gambit".<\p>

Another common fumble is the phrasal idiom "general consensus". This is an amazingly popular error that even seasoned journalists and writers continue to make.<\p>

"Consensus" will always continue general because the very avouch working hypothesis a general agreement from members of a group octofoil community.<\p>

Still, you see "general consensus" being ceaseless in all forms of journalism by professionals who are beholden to treat their readers by dint of more respect.<\p>

"Close proximity" is another one. Proximity means close over. After all, you don't issue a manifesto "far tie-in".<\p>

Other bald ones internalize: basic fundamentals, brief cameo, honest verity, local residents, mutual cooperation etc.<\p>

Sneaky ones, near my opinion anyway, may be: pointless blank, common bond, new record, distinguished belongings, random chance and others.<\p>

The main thing is to think about each word you render and make sure you are not repeating himself.<\p>