Shadows of the Past (Part 1 of 3)

The recent assassination attempt against Jarik had been bothering him for weeks. Who was responsible? Why did they want him dead? More importantly, how can he keep it from happening again?

He had already taken care of the first part; he had the name of the broker the assassins were hired from. Aradath Fortuni, Ethnic Amarrian, height 5"11, weight: 240 lbs Location: Jita V - Moon 17 - Caldari Constructions Production Plant. Aradath operated his "Business" out of an old storefront in the lowest levels of the station.

Jarik surveyed the security from a distance utilizing the scope of his high powered anti-material rifle making notes on the back of his hand. The matte grey corridors of the Caldari built station were going to make it impossible to approach on foot. He would have to use stealth and utilize the training recieved at the RMS. He reached into his pocket, clutching the cool and familiar shape of his lighter. "Just like old times" he whispered to himself.

Jarik hoisted himself into the rafters above the station floor and slowly made his way towards the entrance of Aradath's brothel. He pulled the detonator off of his belt and flipped open the cap. Jarik smiled as he remembered something his Mentor, Yitri Ole, used to say; "Plan B is always C4."

Jarik Pressed the detonator, in an instant the building to the opposite of Aradath's was gutted, the explosion instantly killed the two guards nearest and all but the two guards at the Brothel door ran over to investigate. Yitri ole's saying came to mind again as Jarik flipped the detonator over to reveal another button. "Time for plan B" he whispered as he pressed it. The second explosion tore apart the investigating mercs leaving only the two at the door frantically sweeping the room for something to shoot at. Jarik waited until one was directly below him before executing him with a kick to the neck. Then he quickly disarmed and subdued the remaining Merc. "How many mercs remain?" he asked, "Or do you wish to join your friend here?" The merc's eyes grew wide "Three more inside plus two unarmed bouncers." his eyes pleaded for mercy. "Where is Aradath? I need to have a word with him." Jarik waved his revolver in the man's face. "In the private room!" He squeaked. Jarik smiled, "Thank you." and knocked him out with the butt of the revolver.

The Main dance floor was sparsely lit; a ritzy Galliente holoreel was playing abandoned during the rush to get out. A fist materialized from the shadows, nailing Jarik directly in the jaw. Even in his dazed state Jarik was able to instinctively block and counter the next punch with a shoulder dislocating strike that sent the bouncer, screaming in agony, to the floor. The other bouncer had opted for the slower but more painful chair to the face. The blow sent Jarik tumbling through a glass display case containing various narcotic substances, grabbing a handful of vials he waited for the bouncer to investigate and smashed the vials in his face the man went down screaming and clutching his face having gotten a concentrated dose of over a dozen illegal drugs. Jarik wiped the blood from his face, three more armed guards.

He made his way to the thick wooden door behind the bar; "Hello?" he said to the door "Who are you and what do you want?" came the gruff response "Do you happen to be Amarrian" Jarik asked, "No..."Good" Jarik said and unloaded his revolver into the center of the door. He opened the door and stepped over the body and took a peek around the corner. Nice of them to bunch up like that he thought as he cooked a grenade and tossed it behind the fortifications. The resulting explosion blew off the door and the unmistakable twang of Amarrian cursing could be heard coming from inside. "Come and get me you son of a slave whore, come and get what's coming to you!!!" Jarik chuckled as he primed the flash grenade and tossed it through the hole. More cursing followed by screams as Jarik kneecapped him and smashed his face into a desk. "You hired assassins to kill me, WHY?" The Amarrian grimaced in pain "It was a job for a regular client, he offered ISK to kill you and make it look like some political bullshit." "I need a name." Aradath managed a grin, "Names are an expensive commodity." Jarik smashed Aradath's grin with his fist "So is your life it seems, speak quickly or die slowly." Aradath lost it "You want a name you cock-sucking heathen, how's this; I was hired by an old friend of yours, I think you might remember his name, Celt Nurvalkin." Jarik's eyes widened. "Yea," Aradath continued, "I see you remember him, classmate for years always second best after you, he has money now, Jarik, and sway here, and you would be wise to..." Jarik put a round in Aradath's head, the blood and gore painting the walls of the office.

Celt Nurvalkin, back at the RMS they were rivals, the only thing Celt could do better than Jarik was diplomacy, and he did that with bribes and promises he was planning on breaking. It didn't surprise him that Celt was a criminal now, what did surprise him was that he would come over 20 jumps into Caldari space to try and kill him. Looks like it was time to take down Celt, and to take down Celt he needed information. Information was the bread and butter of one man in particular; Yitri Ole, professor of covert operations at the Republic Military School deep in Minmatar space.