Ask Plot Beginnings [Taris]

[Talon Vizsla]

Talon landed the Reaper with ease; he'd had plenty of practice and was steadily growing in his flight skills. Still, he didn't really want to be here...of all the things he'd done, this'd be the most dangerous.

The other two should be there soon enough; he'd sent his coordinates out. Dol, well, Dol was Dol...they'd known each other for a while now. Preef? They'd met playing sabacc a while back and, well, he seemed like a good asset to the hunt.

Other than the fact he was hiding somewhere on the planet, the three had virtually no idea where Varan was, so this'd most likely take quite a while...but for the reputation it'd give? And the satisfaction? It'd be worth it.
@Kenico @Ecclessey @Dolworth @Preef Callo

 

[Preef Callo]

<<Sllluuurrrruuupp>>

The rodian gunslinger swallowed the last of his noodles and carelessly threw the packet towards the nearby bin. "Hmm," he wiped his mouth with his left sleeve, "I really thought it couldn't be worse than the ones on Shaddaa." But as usual the twenty-something rodian had been wrong and now a sour aftertaste preoccupied him as he watched for the other hunters to arrive.

The job seemed pretty straightforward to him; a Sector Ranger had gone rogue and now they needed hunters to bring him in. Worst part? It was on Taris. Preef hadn't been here since he ran with that posse six or so years ago and quite frankly he had hoped never to return to it either. He only hoped there wasn't anyone around who would recognize him as part of that train robbery... however unlikely that would be. They hadn't left any survivors..

Preef Callo was a name the Outer Rim was beginning to recognize and that was for about eighty percent due to the simple fact he was bloody quick on the draw. His fellow hunters were also not completely unknown for their skill and their membership of the Bounty Hunter's Guild. They weren't Marissa Hesse level smart, hardly anyone was, but Preef figured they'd at least be better with a blaster and as they were facing a gunslinging ranger that was the skill they were needing.

The rodian made sure he was comfortable as he leaned back against the durasteel wall of the spaceport's main arrival area. He held his datapad up and it displayed "BHG" big and bright enough for Talon Vizsla and Dolworth Solus to understand Preef was their third. They'd come to him.. he was sure..

@DarkSaber @Kenico

 

[Dolworth]

Dolworth appeared from the shadows behind Talon, armed to the proverbial teeth. You wouldn't have seen it with the pancho over his Beskar'gam, but Solus was packing everything he could humanely carry without being conspicuous. He had slapped on any grenades he could discreetly carry and packed both of his blaster pistols into their holsters. He also brought his AC280 along for good measure. He had read up on their bounty...he wasn't taking any chances.

"Talon." he said nodding to him, looking over to find anyone else, "Is Adenn jumping in on this job or did you get some other muscle?" he asked hoping it was the former. He didn't like dealing with amateurs and frankly he liked the rapport. But he had heard from Adenn that he had other business to attend to so he wouldn't push it. Still, having Rytt around would hopefully make this less tense then it already was...

@DarkSaber @Ecclessey

 

[Talon Vizsla]

Talon shrugged as Dol asked him the question. "Adenn needed a break; seemed like he had a lot of kriff going on; for this job? Yeah, I got someone else. I couldn't exactly say muscle...but he can shoot." Talon laughed.

He motioned for Dol to follow him as they left the hangar towards the entrance/exit. As they walked out, Talon noticed Preef against the wall with...Oh boy, this was going to be fun. He laughed and stuck out his hand in a greeting.

He'd kept his stealth beskar'gam for this bounty, but he'd left his chain whip. Only think he really had was his E-11s and his two WESTAR's, plus some flash grenades; then again, considering who they were up against? They most likely wouldn't be getting close enough for melee combat...

Most likely, the ranger would be hiding in a bad part of town, and the three would have to pose as...unsavory characters in order to get close enough to take him out.

@Kenico @Ecclessey

 

[Preef Callo]

The two guild initiates left no doubt about whether or not they were Preef's hunting partners and the rodian felt comfortable enough to lower the datapad and return it to his pocket before the first extended his hand. "You must be-" his eyes narrowed. He had met Mandalorians before, most notably during the train heist on Taris, but the lesson he'd got about their sigils and armor was almost thirteen years ago and well, it was a guess.. "You must be Dolworth Solus," Preef smiled at Talon Vizsla and nodded to show he was pretty sure of himself. Then, turning to Dolworth, he extended his hand towards the Mandalorian wearing the poncho, "Nice to meet you, mister Vizsla."

Okay, so he got the armors wrong. It would've been easier if they would just show their faces! You don't really see Mandalorians in the Five Syndicates anymore, something to do with some honor code or something that they either lived by or didn't. The only thing Preef knew to be a certainty looking at them and knowing the reputations of Mandalorians in general was that they were trigger happy.

Pushing himself off the wall, the rodian, who looked less impressive then his two hunting partners on account of him wearing no armor at all, motioned for them to follow. "I arrived this morning and did some asking 'round-" he began as he turned away from them and started walking, "-and apparently there's a ranger on planet today. Figured we could try and pick his brain. He might know Varan Antur, right?" It was worth a shot, Preef supposed, for Taris had once been a city-world that rivaled Coruscant until a virus destroyed communication infrastructures and then the poor parts of the planet. Finding a single person here would be impossible without at least a single lead.

@DarkSaber @Kenico

 

[Dolworth]

Dolworth halted for a moment, staring at the Rodian as he spoke his name. He looked at Talon for a moment, his head indicating and non verbally asking Talon did he mention his name to the guy. Whether Talon answered or not was irrelevant, Dolworth just followed behind Talon and the Rodian, "I am." he responded for a moment as they began to walk. He heard the Rodian out and had mixed messages about his suggestion, "It's a good idea. Finding someone who knew Antur well would give us insight to the man and therefore give us an edge in capturing him." he stated, already impressed by the guy's professionalism, "Did you pick up where this Ranger was located?" he asked, "The faster we talk to him, the closer we'll get to capturing our acquisition." he noted as he did his best to keep his weapons well hidden under his poncho...

@DarkSaber @Ecclessey

 

[Talon Vizsla]

Talon nodded. "Nice to see you have a plan; we came in here with basically nothing." He laughed. "It usually works for us, but I doubt it will in this case."

He turned to Dol. "I agree, it's a great idea. Not to mention, his defection wasn't that long ago. He most likely still has a lot of friends within the Rangers..."

He fingered a WESTAR in anticipation, hoping this'd be an in and out ordeal.

@Kenico @Ecclessey

 

[Preef Callo]

Neither of the two Mandalorians corrected him, or at least he didn't think so, which filled the rodian with modest pride. He had successfully deduced their identities by their suits of armor and this, without a doubt, meant he was almost a Mandalorian himself. He didn't fancy wearing armor, though, and that is the only thing that held him back from proclaiming the Callo Clan.. because that's how that worked, right? In Preef's mind they were just gang with a metal dresscode.

Anyway, it wasn't long before he had to confess something. "I eh-" he said as he scratched his head, "-hadn't realized they dont really have an office or anything." In other words: No, he didn't have a kriffing clue as to the whereabouts of the Sector Ranger.

He did notice some peculiarities with the Mandalorians. One hid his weapons behind a poncho on a world where everyone was pretty much used to open carry and Mandalorians were known for packing the most firearms of them all. The other, well the other was so eager that while he admittedly had no clue on how to find Varan Antur, the excitement of possible finding him at some point in the future was enough for him to finger one of his pistols. They said these guys were initiated members of the guild...

Deciding to see if they were all they were rumored to be, Preef stopped and looked at them. It was clear he was waiting for one of them to take the lead as he wasn't planning on simply carrying them towards the prize. "Any ideas?"

@DarkSaber @Kenico

 

[Dolworth]

Dolworth stared at the rodian for a moment before he looked to Talon, "I think i've got an idea. If the SecRan were looking for is as vet as I think he is he'll either be in one of two places: His main Office or the local bar checking on the drunks" he said, "Basically he'll be patrolling the route between those two points." he pointed out as he looked back to Preef, "You and Talon will head to the bar and look around. I'll try and find the office. Whoever finds him first radio the other and well rendezvous at that point? Any objections, questions, comments...concerns?" he asked as he kept looking round, seeing if any were spying on them....

@DarkSaber @Ecclessey

 

[Talon Vizsla]

Talon joined Dol in a lengthy awkward stare at the Rodian. He'd never been in clan Solus, but hey, there was a first to everything. If not for his brains, this guy should be helpful in more ways than one. He wouldn't regret including the Rodian.

"Sounds good to me, Dol; good thinking with sending the person alone to the station. Shouldn't be getting shot at over there..." He trailed off. "Doubt we'll find him with the drunks; maybe some information on where he could hide here anyways."

"Unless Preef's got something to say....Ready? Break."

 

[Preef Callo]

The rodian's eyes narrowed as he realized that Talon Vizsla addressed the other Mandalorian as Talon and the latter called Talon "Dol". Kriff, Preef thought, messed up those clan symbols after all... could've told him, though, kriffing anti-social mandalorian bastards. Their discussion confused the kark out of him as well, because he had clearly heard himself say that the ranger wouldn't have an office on planet and yet both seemed convinced of the opposite. What weren't they telling Preef? What did the rodian miss?

"Kriff," he sighed after Talon said Break, "I could sure use a drink about now." He hadn't been able to follow their line of thought at all and felt dumber than a frog that shat on bricks. Maybe some shine or corellian whiskey would unclog his mind and allow him to focus on catching Varan Antur. He had no doubt that if by pure chance the former ranger would be looking at the trio right now he'd have a hard time holding in his laughter.

Walking towards the bar with Talon, Preef mostly kept to himself and took his time to take in his surroundings. This part of Taris was clean, commercialized and seemingly exploited heavily by syndicates on both sides of intergalactic trade laws. There was obviously money thrown around at the spaceport and if anything that meant it was a piss-poor place to hide for an infamous former Sector Ranger. As they reached the bar the potential patronage of ranger Antur became even less likely as the patrons wore high-end clothing and the prices for a drink were exorbitant for anyone who made below a six figure salary. Preef stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing the human guards, their fine uniforms and the chrome blaster pistols in their neat shoulder holsters. "I don't think this is the place," the rodian told Talon, "maybe we should try the lower levels instead?"

@DarkSaber @Kenico

 

[Dolworth]

Dolworth gave a nod to both Talon and the Rodian before splitting off from them to search for the Ranger Station...if there was one on this planet that is. He kept his hands close to himself, and his head almost as if it were on a swivel, scanning for any sign of a symbol of authority. Sadly on a planet like Taris, composed of shipping containers and downed starships, any semblance of authority was difficult to discern. He gave a sigh and shook his head as he continued to look, no assuming that the Rangers would either have established a small outpost of their own amidst the ruins or at least sat up shop in an office in the local law enforcement's establishment. Dolworth continued to question any random people he came across, bribing them with a small amount of cash to get them to at least point him in the right direction. It was heads or tails, with people either pointing in a direction that worked, or those who wanted him to leave them alone. This was going to be a long day...

 

[Talon Vizsla]

Talon glanced at the Rodian warily; why the hell would he care if there were a few guards or something? Nevertheless, he was right. There wasn't any way a fugitive would be in this place, given their...interesting surroundings. "Lower levels it is." He followed the Rodian who seemed to know where he was going; in a place like Taris, navigating for Talon was a hopeless mess.

Taris already seemed like the picture of hypocrisy; one part of it was beautiful and wealthy, while the rest of it rotted in misery, lowlifes ruling the low levels and shift characters scaring the kriff out of whoever they passed by. Where they were headed next was not to be a fun house...but they had to do it.

He turned to Preef, wanting to get away from the awkward trend their conversations had carried so far. "Just so you know, I'm a Vizsla. He's a Solus, Dol Solus. I can't blame you for not knowing the clan symbols perfectly, but kriff, most aren't even willing to give it a try." He glanced around him, his helmet shading a good portion of his view. He'd gotten used to it over the years...but as tension and fear of what was coming prickled up his spine, now he wished he could take it off.

@Kenico @Ecclessey OOC: Sorry for the late response; shit happens.

 

[Preef Callo]

As Preef and Talon made their way to the elevators and subsequently down almost ten dozen levels, the former was relieved to hear the Mandalorian finally setting him straight on the clan symbols. So maybe they weren't all kriffing bastards. Preef didn't mind blasterwielding thugs, kriff he was one himself, so if Talon and Dolworth were upfront with him they'd probably get along just fine from now on out.

And in the lower levels of Taris it sure didn't hurt to have a Mandalorian with you. Up there near the spaceport it had been clean and heavily patrolled by (mostly private) security forces, but down here, the infamous lower levels, it was the complete opposite. The 'street', which at some points more resembled a dry sewer where you couldn't avoid getting muck on your shoes even if you walked on the ceiling, was patrolled by scoundrels who didn't ensure your safety from crime, but actually committed it. Shakedowns on the street were common. If you looked like you had credits you were a natural target, so naturally both Preef and Talon would've been targets as well... weren't it for the fact that Talon was wearing full Mandalorian armor.

Mandalorians were a rare sight in the galaxy and spotting them in places like this meant only two things; either it was an enforcer of one of the more powerful criminal syndicates or an exceptionally skilled bounty hunter. Needless to say that none of the scoundrels patrolling that sewer-like street were itching to try their luck against them. "That's it-" Preef pointed towards a sign that said "Shipwreck Cantina" and lead the Mandalorian into the side street that eventually opened up to a neon-lighted valley that showed the outline of an ancient Hammerhead Corvette, crashed millennia ago and occupied by brothels and cantina's for the better part of five centuries. "-every shady offworlder starts at the Shipwreck Cantina." and it was a safe bet they would have at least heard something about the infamous Varan Antur.

The cantina's bar was inside what had once been the ship's bridge, with the bar following the inner ring of command consoles with the bartender in the middle. A lot of heads looked their way as they entered, well, they mostly looked at the Mandalorian, as another trigger-happy Rodian was almost as common as a human with a spice addiction. "Two Rhakgoul Curses-" Preef ordered. It was a traditional local drink which was a mix of every alcoholic drink in the system mixed with Bantha Milk to give it an eerie cyan color. Taste was good, though, and Preef suspected there was some glitterdust in there as well...

Taking his drink from the bar, Preef first took a sip and then turned to Talon, "Now we just ask around."

@DarkSaber @Kenico

 

[Dolworth]

Dolworth kept walking, keeping watch of his surroundings while he searched for the Sector Rangers office. No matter how small they had to have something here. He got a whiff when pointed towards an office for what amounted to law enforcement here. He made his way there, keeping himself as non threatening as possible and entered the establishment. He gave a nod as he entered and interviewed a bit, asking he was told to find the local Sector Ranger. For what business he said it was to report something to him as a favor, or whatever banthadung story he could concoct at a short notice...

It took him a few minutes and some teethpulling-figuratively speaking-but all it did was make Dolworth exit the "sherrif's" station with a frown under his helmet. With what he found he clicked on his comms...

"Talon? Preef? It's Dol. Looks like i owe you guys drinks, they don't have a SecRan Station here. At least in official capacity" he grunted begrudgingly, "Where are you guys? I'll come to you and we'll settle up there..."

@DarkSaber @Ecclessey

(OOC So sorry for not getting to this soon i just went through my watched thread backlock! hoping this makes up for it XD)

 

[Talon Vizsla]

Talon followed Preef down the levels; the guy definitely knew where he was going more than he himself did. He glanced uneasily out the mask at every shady character they passed buy; Who knew, Preef could be one of 'em. Hell, that'd come in handy more than harm.

He didn't fail to notice a few looking uneasily at him as Preef led the way; he was an odd one out, a Mandalorian in full armor, tall and black. He never thought it intimidating, but the rarity of his kind was more--noticeable? strange? Nevertheless, they had little problem getting to where they were going.

Talon neglected getting a drink; wasn't any way in kriff he'd be taking it off in that place. "Sounds good," he nodded to Preef, standing up and walking over to a small-ish crowd that that had gathered around one of the tables. "No one else?" a young humanoid was asking. "Only three people in this hellhole are willing to take me on? I thought gambling was an expertise around here," he grinned.

Talon stared down the figure, immediately thinking he had found his man, and that easily. However, further looking showed it was certainly not his target. He ached to join the game, but couldn't see how it'd help his case. He shrugged and moved on. Another human brushed past him in a rush, profusely apologizing before rushing towards the door. Talon shook his head and went to rest his hands on his WESTAR's, his E11s strapped to his back. Only then did he realize a pistol was gone. He rushed out of the building, glancing at Preef, and spotted the figure walking calmly to the right.

Talon cut around the cantina, going behind back as quickly as possible. He then peered around the corner and saw the man still walking his way, almost to his hiding spot. He pulled out his other WESTAR and activated his cloaking device, counting away the seconds. The man was about 15 meters away, and Talon stepped out slowly. As he came within range, the cloaking device lost its effectiveness enough for him to see a Mandalorian pointing a blaster at his head, his image flickering with his device.

"Kriff," the character said. "You got me,"

@Kenico @Ecclessey