Cartridges As Cover

[The Twin Selena]

ORD MANTELL
~ @EmilyHuene ;; @Darasuum ~​

Smog, gas, and junk. That's what you expect to find when you come to Ord Mantell. The mountainous planet orbited by three moons in the Mid-rim was a place meant for not many things. Trading. Selling. Crime. That was about it. There were a lot of threes when it came to a planet like this. And today, three rather different parties would all come into a deadly clash.

The first party was a woman and her contact. She'd never met the man, least not this version of herself. The woman coming to make the deal today was a shapeshifter. The man was a Sith. Selena -the real Selena- met him when she was an Exile. Now there was an empire and with that came certain business opportunities. Why bother throwing yourself in front of guns when one could take down an entire corporation just by signing a few papers? That was Selena's goal now. Get rich quick. Today's contact would help with that. This man would not know of the shapeshifter's abilities nor that she normally liked to impersonate Selena. But meeting up with old contact's was dangerous. She could not pretend to be the Exile he once knew for he's see through the ruse with ease. Today, she would have to be someone else.

The face coming to meet him was one that would turn heads. She was a gorgeous thing with her bright pink hair and perfect slender figure. She wore a white skirt under a light pink corset making her look like she'd been trying to sport a birthday cake look. That was simply the best way to describe her. Over her head, pinned into her hair, was a teacup-hat -also white- with some lace and ribbon tied around it. She wore tall long boots -to no surprise, also white- that buckled up the sides and came up past her knees. Why a woman in any financial status would wear all white and pink on a planet such as this was beyond reason. It would take not even an hour for something in the air to stain her clothes or mud to get splashed on them. It was an outfit that was doomed for sure.

She had no weapons to be seen, for all she carried was a pink parasol she used to block out the sun. But she was not unguarded for a tall, dark, and pink-skinned Twi'lek woman walked beside her. She was decked out in all sorts of weapons that showed she was not afraid to lay down some lives if needed. It would also make any fool of a man think twice before approaching her and asking to buy her a drink. Her eyes were carefully scanning the streets they walked towards to make sure there were no threats out to get her employer.

As the two moved to their location, the woman was singing a song quietly to herself. They were not heading anywhere too crowded, for despite her appearance, they did not want any attention brought to themselves. This meeting would not take place in a bar, or some sleezy inn. It would happen out of sight and out of anyone's way for making sure they were not followed or accidentally stumbled upon. The woman and her escort were moving towards a broken down hanger that once supplied a railroad. But the tracks had broken on this particular line as a mountain collapsed some hundred miles away from the city and no one ever bothered to come back and reuse the track that was there.

"We scratch on the plains,
Up town they fluff the feathers,
Coachmen walk with canes,
And every collar is creased.
A Gentleman prefers to break from airs and fetters,
To roll off his sleeves, And liberate the Beast.

We gnaw on the bone,
Up town they sprinkle sweetener
Nectar for the cups,
And napkins for the chins,
A Gentleman prefers to dig in with his fingers,
Suck in through his teeth, And bare a hungry grin, "​

A few passing eyes looked at the woman as her song got louder and started to take more of a darker tone to it. But she continued on walking as nothing happened. When she got to the chorus of the song a few listening ears would begin moving away from her as it was clear she was not singing some campfire lullaby.

"Let us piss from the vine,
Let us claw in the mud,
Let us swing with both fists
As we writhe in the blood,
Let us walk on stained glass,
Sinners one, Sinners all,

It's always prettiest after the Fall."​

The Twi'lek woman laughed as she saw some of the pedestrians fleeing from this obviously lunatic woman she was escorting. They were now in the less crowded areas and heading into the more warehouse-type district buildings. The pink haired girl continued to sing her song and moved onto more verses. Her hands ran gently across the metal walls of the facility she passed by as if she was admiring the rust-covered frame. By the time she got around to the front she'd be at the chorus once again where her voice got louder and full of some sort of resentment toward someone.

"We board up the shed,
Up town they gild Cathedrals,
Choir boys for Hymns,
And candles for the Mass,
A Gentleman prefers to differ with his Steeple,
Salt his scripture well,
And show a little class.

Let us piss from the vine
Let us claw in the mud,
Let us swing with both fists
As we writhe in the blood,
Let us walk on stained glass, ​

​

Sinners one, Sinners ALL!!!"​

The woman took a breath and looked at the man she was supposed to meet and continued walking further into the opening as she repeated the chorus once more, only softer now and gentle again. Her escort waited by the doorway but kept her hands near her guns to draw them at a moments notice. She trusted her mistress' order to stay behind and knew that she was in no danger here, but being the prankster that this woman was, who knew how this other person would react? Especially seeing some stranger walk up to him singing about killing and blood and all that.

"Let us piss from the vine
Let us claw in the mud,
Let us swing with both fists
As we writhe in the blood,
Let us walk on stained glass,
Sinners one, Sinners all,

It's always prettiest after the Fall."​

The woman stopped as she came up to the man and as her last words rang out in song she walked her hands up his torso in a seductive manner and gave him a rather longing look in her eyes as if she was begging to be kissed by him. She'd then giggle and move away as her laugh turned into something manic and insane. The Twi'lek watched very carefully for what this man would do next....

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

THEME​

The Sith he had met once before was named Selene, or Selena, Celeste maybe. He could not completely remember but apparently something must have come up because she was nowhere to be found. He had been waiting a solid fifteen minutes and there had been no alert on his comm link to tell him she was going to be late or not making the trip. His paranoia perked up wondering if this was some sort of setup but then he wondered what would someone want with him being dead.

He was in the market for some upgraded weaponry and some specific materials he needed for a pet project. The black markets on Ord Mantell would suffice since he preferred to not delve into Hutt space too deeply, or any other faction's territory for that matter. As he continued to wait he heard the sound of melody though it had an eerie tone to it.

Looking over he saw a woman, flanked by a heavily armed twi'lek approach him. His eyes narrowed as his arms uncrossed. She definitely was not just passing through, she was looking for him. The woman was dressed like a burlesque strumpet when she reached out with a hand he would quickly grab her by the wrist firmly, with enough strength to only give a hint of pain and to indicate she would not be able to get out of it easily. He did not like being touched unless he willed it. No doubt this would earn some reaction from her muscle so he kept his peripheral vision in mind.

 

[The Twin Selena]

As he grabbed her hand the guard would no doubt flinch and reflexively hold her gun tighter, but she did not raise it. She was trained enough to know the difference in a threat and a warning. The girl likewise would also not react back, not physically at least. She pouted and gave him a rather seductive and helpless face.

"Owie mister" she'd reply as if she were nothing more than a child. "You're hurting little ol' me." She would then giggle and pull her arm back if he allowed her to free herself. Her voice/tone would then also change and become more grown up, if you will. "You've got a strong arm there. You always this rough with women? Some gals like a man who can take charge, ya know."

The Twi'Lek would relax a little as she saw her master not being in any danger yet, but she still kept a careful eye to make sure he wouldn't continue to act further. They didn't need to be enemies right from the start. That would surely be a sad story in itself. How foolish would Selena be to make foes out of friends?

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

Hakon's expression was not one of amusement. Still when the female tried retracting her appendage the man would grudgingly let go. Hakon was normally open to having a good time but that ceased when he felt he was being stood up by an associate and then coincidentally approached by a trollop with a heavily armed body guard. Most people disliked when one assumed they were a prostitute so the mandalorian decided to not outright state his perception of her. Instead he asked her a simple question.

"What do you want?"

He was well aware of the bodyguard's readiness to react. Either the woman that had tried to touch him was more than capable of protecting herself or was in fact just confident in her bodyguard's ability to protect her. That could all quickly change if the Sith wanted it. The man had an imagination, such was the reason why he had earned the nickname Demagol among his fellow mandalorians. It meant both flesh-sculptor as well as butcher.

@EmilyHuene ​

 

[The Twin Selena]

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?" the girl repeated as if she was confused. She looked around and then back to her bodyguard before turning her attention back to him. "Well, isn't it obvious? I'm here to find someone to plunder, pilage, and otherwise pilfer my weasley black heart out."

The girl laughed and then twirled in place making it seem like she'd forgotten what was going on and just felt like spinning around playfully. Her demeanor then changed again as she turned back to him and for a second he'd see a strange green-ish tint scroll across her face as if the lighting in the room had changed. It was very brief, and he'd really only see it if he was watching her face at that exact moment.

"My name is Selena Nuhime. I've come to find a partner. I want money. I want fame. I need partners for this." She'd start trying to get close to him again, attempting for a second time to use her womanly charm to persuade him. "Surely a man like you desires a partner too?"

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

The man had his supicions the woman was not who she appeared but it had not been to the point that he had expected her to be a shape shifter. For all he knew she could be a he of one of the numerous changeling like species. When she tried getting close again he held up a hand to just motion her to stop. "First, I can certainly plunder, pilfer and pillage your heart, right out of your chest..." Hakon said to give the being an idea that he was perfectly comfortable performing an autopsy with the shape shifter still alive and without anesthesia.

"...second, you are not Selena. I know Selena and you just adopted her appearance and name. But there are some things you cannot fake." For the first time the man smiled, his white sclera turning black and his hazel eyes turned a gold yellow. black veins twisted down from his eyes cross his face. "Now why don't you show me your true face."

@EmilyHuene​

 

[The Twin Selena]

"First, I can certainly plunder, pilfer and pillage your heart, right out of your chest..."

"Oooohhh!" she almost moaned at the idea and continued to smile in her flirtatious ways.

"...second, you are not Selena. I know Selena and you just adopted her appearance and name. But there are some things you cannot fake. Now why don't you show me your true face."

Selena bit her lip looking at the man as he took on a more demonic looking face. She nearly swooned right there in front of him. But she then got serious and stood up straight. Even her tone of voice changed. "I'm afraid you won't like my true face. It's not something to call home to. But since I'm supposed to play nice with you I'll show you."

A green shimmer rippled across her face as her features changed. Her face caved in slightly around the sides and elongated around the nose to accept a more reptilian feature. Her skin turned a dark green but still kept a somewhat feminine-look. This was not even the slightest truth of her appearance but Hakon would not know this. The true Selena was actually male by sex. Only the real Selena knew this one truth about the shapeshifter and it would stay this way. The female reptile now in front of Hakon was just some random woman she had known back before she ever became the clone of Selena that she was today. Selena stayed in this form for only a moment before returning to the pink-haired version of herself she'd introduced herself as.

"Are you happy now?"

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

The female was either depraved or either a masochist if not both. Perhaps she was just pretending to be one since she seemed to Hakon as capable of acting like anyone she wanted. But her changed form revealed some information about her. He saw her to be a Clawdite and only murmured an curious tone that lacked any judgement.

"In a general sense, yes." He smiled facetiously. "Now with that matter dealt with you say you want a partner. Fame, fortune, company, all that? I may be able to help with one or two of those things depending on what you propose." He looked at her expectantly waiting for her to go into detail with some plan like she had a job or goal in mind.

@EmilyHuene​

 

[The Twin Selena]

"In a general sense, yes. Now with that matter dealt with you say you want a partner. Fame, fortune, company, all that? I may be able to help with one or two of those things depending on what you propose."

"It's actually quite simple," she would start as she began to walk around once more toe circle him. Reaching into her cleavage she pulled out a small data disk and opened the hologram to a map. "When we first contacted you we knew of a certain deal that was going down. Now we have more concrete information as to its whereabouts. A few clicks from here a rather loud-mouthed gang member is going to be selling some guns. I intend on showing up and.....removing some of his burdens you see. To do this, I was hoping for some help, as little ol' me can't do it by her lonesome."

Selena tossed him the device in case he wanted to take a better look at the map. There wasn't much to it, just directions and a general outline of the surrounding area they'd be hitting. "You help us out and we give you fifty percent of the stolen goods along with promise of further assistance in the future. No strings attached. Just a favor owed. How's that sound to you?"

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

The man caught the woman's item, keeping his eyes on her rather than the item for a moment before analyzing the iitem. "What about your..." He raised his gaze to the Twi'lek that he suspected was the clawdite's bodyguard. "... friend?" He then looked back at the datapad and looked it over. He suspected the Twi'lek was more for security rather than a combatant for stealing from criminals. Was it really a crime if they were taking what was already illegal? He thought to himself knowing full well the legal charges. But as a member of the Black Hand and general covert individual he could see the benefits of this action.

Eventually the man would give the item back to the clawdite. "Very well, I'll assist in this endeavor. But only on the condition I get first pick of the fifty percent." He held the data pad out with an expectant expression waiting to see what she thought of his condition.

@EmilyHuene​

 

[The Twin Selena]

"What about your... friend?"

"Hmm?" she asked and followed his gaze. "Oh! That's Sasha. She won't be joining us. She'll be...let's say covering our escape."

She took the data disk back from him as he handed it over and shoved it down her cleavage once more and then put her hands behind her back to give off a less-intimidating and more vulnerable kind of posture. She was very curious to see if he would assist them or not. It wasn't a bad plan. She'd just screwed it up by coming here herself rather than sending the real Selena. But that would not be possible. Not yet anyways.

"Very well, I'll assist in this endeavor. But only on the condition I get first pick of the fifty percent."

To Selena's knowledge the shipment of guns would all be the same, but sure. If he wanted to think he had the better deal she'd be willing to let him have it. There was a possibility there might be a crate or two of unmarked goods. Maybe some spices. Nothing was ever 100% certain until they saw it first hand.

Extending her hand to shake on it, "I agree to your condition."

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

While the man was not sure what type of equipment or weapons they were going to be re-appropriating he wanted to make sure that the Clawdite did not simply use him for muscle and then make off with the better equipment. He was fine not getting the anything more than that. Overstepping his bounds and tempting the ire of a stranger that usually led to a fool's quick end.

He would shake the person's hand, taking her eyes off of the clawdite to look at the twi'lek and giving her a slight smile. Hakon then gestured after the act for either of the two women to lead the way to the job. They had an idea where it was going down so he would follow them.

@EmilyHuene sorry for the late reply​

 

[The Twin Selena]

"Excellent! We will meet at my ship and we'll fly to the deal coordinates. I've got to stock up and make sure I'm armed. I'm sure you'll want to do the same?"

However Hakon wanted to handle getting prepared they would meet as requested in the hangar bay not far from there. Selena and her accomplice would come out of her ship looking more prepared for a battle. Sasha looked the same, but she had a helmet now over her head. Selena had taken the image of Selena herself and was dressed exactly as a Sith warrior would look, all including the lightsaber on her hip. But she also had blasters on her hips and a few grenades tucked behind her belt which were hidden by her long black cloak. Even though Hakon had been told Selena was not here, the twin version of her looked just like her to the point even he might have his doubts.

"Is everything ready, Master Hakon?" she asked in a serious tone.

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

The man did not like the idea of getting on a ship to an unknown location with the woman. He had his suspicions about others in general but he also just had a general feeling that the clawdite was the dishonest type even when it was not necessary. All the same he would oblige her and keep his guard up.

He was more or less ready for combat at all times. His blasters, grenades, sabers and vibro sword were usually plenty to deal with any threat. Part of this was due to his history as a Mandalorian. The rest was the Sith Empire having encouraged the violent nature within him and the regular necessity for violent responses. He simply nodded when the Clawdite asked him if he was ready.

@EmilyHuene sorry for the late reply​

 

[The Twin Selena]

"Shiny!" she'd reply in excitement to his nod of them both being ready to depart.

Parked just off to the side of her ship was a small speeder that the three of them packed into. Sasha took the driver's seat; a large box sat next to her. Both Selena and Hakon would have to squeeze into the seats behind them to which Selena's hand ever so gently rested on Hakon's hip. Unless he reacted she would leave it that way, but nothing more. They were practically shoulder to shoulder anyway so there wasn't much he could do about it.

The drive was short, luckily enough for him. Sasha dropped them off on a nearby street and Selena picked up the box with some effort. What was inside appeared heavy. A gentleman might offer to carry it for her, but she'd decline if he did. What was inside was too valuable. Though, she wouldn't explain the nature of the box if he asked; she'd only smirk and stay silent. Once they were clear of the speeder Sasha would leave them and go to her next location to wait for them should they need a get-a-way vehicle.

"Come, it's not far" she'd say to him.

The walk as promised was only a block or so away, they just had to cut across several streets and corners to get out of sight. When they did, they came out beside a factory shed which was used for maintenance on larger machines used in said factory. It was empty currently, proving someone had the knowledge or ability to make sure they wouldn't be disturbed. Selena entered into the warehouse of sorts like she was strutting to her place of business and had every right to be there; she didn't want to seem like she was sneaking around in the dark. She didn't need anything thinking they were there to cause trouble.

Inside would be a total of five men. One of which was rather bulky; the others more skinny and less-intimidating. Two of them carried rifles which seemed to be the biggest threat. Worst off they all seemed armed with at least a blaster. That would be their biggest challenge if something went down. The two with the rifles would tense up upon seeing Selena and the man with her. Selena didn't let it bother her. They were just pawns in this mind game. She was here to talk to the leader alone.

Strutting up to the man she gingerly set the box down before rubbing her hands as if to dust them off, "You have what we agreed upon?"

The main man who was dressed with several dangling necklaces eyed the girl for a moment before looking at her crate and then his own, "Sure. That box of yours looks a little light. You sure you brought yours?"

Selena rolled her eyes and knelt down to the box before opening it. Inside were a stack of credits each lined up perfectly flat. "I assure you, they're all there. You can count it if you'd like but I don't have the time for that. Do you have what we agreed upon or not?" As she spoke, she closed the box and stood up. Her cape swished to the side as she put her hands on her hip right next to her saber; she made sure they all noticed that weapon.

For a second the man didn't respond. He silently judged her, not sure what was going on. No where in his deal did he believe he was dealing with a Sith...or Jedi potentially. Had she not been wearing all black he might have considered that option, however unlikely it was. He finally then nodded to his guy who pulled over an extra large crate with the guns they came for. He opened it up showing all the rifles inside just the same as the two grunts who had their own. Like Selena, he left it open only for a short time before closing it back up.

Clapping her hands together she'd exclaim, "Shiny! Then our deal is done."

The contact would nod and then say to his other man, "Load the box into the truck. We're leaving."

Selena put her hands behind her back and watched as the smaller of the two heaviest guys came and retrieved her box from her. She said nothing as he did so and then waited until he was far behind the others before motioning for Hakon to help her with their crate. The other members all started to retreat and every set of eyes were watching them. The boss included. What she honor their deal? She couldn't hope to take on all of them by just herself. But that saber on her belt....he knew better than to cross that. Little did they all know that a third party was only a minute or so away....

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

The mandalorian got into the tight fighting car. His gaze looked over at the clawdite letting her know her hand was not welcome. However he would not move it by force. He did have the urge to overdo a response and stab her or cause some bodily harm. She needed to know that he did not like being touched without consent. The Sith kept his violent nature in check for the time being.

As they arrived he saw the group of low lives that they were apparently meeting with. Hakon was not impressed with their armaments. He had taken down fully kitted out military personnel in close quarters alone and come out on top. These seemed like common thugs that looked capable enough to probably knock over a small refueling depot without getting caught but that was being generous.

He watched behind his mask at the events that unfolded. He was just muscle at this point as far as the meat-head was concerned. Hakon had three light sabers, one of which he had killed a jedi for. The bounty had been removed on jedi light sabers so he kept the weapon as a memento. Still, there had been a decent bounty on jedi in general at the time. The Twi'lek he had killed had put up a fight. Hakon would be surprised if any of these men could manage the same. The man assisted the Clawdite in carrying the crate back. Hopefully there was enough room in the trunk because he did not want to have to put it on his lap as they drove back to where ever they were going.

@EmilyHuene ​

 

[The Twin Selena]

Now that the deal was done it seemed that they too should start making their way out. Only, as they did, another group began to walk in from the door they had come through. These men were far more armed, and looked like they could form their own militia. Selena stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the men and gulped. Well, they weren't supposed to be there. Was this a trap? No. The thugs they'd just dealt with were simple punks. This new faction of mercenaries seemed more likely to start a fight and actually win it. Well, maybe against anyone but a Sith. Except Selena was no fighter.

With no warning whatsoever Selena pressed a button on a small device she'd been holding behind her back. The truck behind them, coming from the crate she'd just given, exploded and burst into flames. Selena grabbed her blasters and tore off to the side of the warehouse and began firing at the new group of men who'd showed up. They quickly broke formation and began firing right back at her, and Hakon likewise. At the same time, the thugs who'd Selena just betrayed quickly pulled out their own weapons and began firing into the mess.

Selena ducked behind a metal pole holding the building up. She kept herself in cover only to come out and return fire with her guns. The armored group of mercenaries were smart with how they divided up and took cover themselves behind a large crate on one end, and then a few machines on the other. The thugs they'd first met weren't too smart with their hiding places but they'd managed to stay back behind the doors so at least they could escape if things got too tough.

 

[Hakon Tenau]

__________

Hakon was not fond of too many surprises and he had a feeling that the clawdite he was accompanying was going to put him at risk in some way, shape, or form. So when the threat of the mercenaries came in he knew something was about to go down. The moment he felt the explosion go off his body started to react. Bolting to the oposite direction that Selena had he drew his thunder slug pulse pistol. Firing six shots, four hit mercenaries taking their lives in a moment.

Arriving behind cover he used his free hand to toss a fragmentation grenade into an area that he could not directly see but knew the mercenaries were. numerous screams echoed and seven mercenaries were killed in the blast. By the time the fragmentation grenade had exploded he was already reaching for a HH-69 huehue grenade. This would be tossed farther since all the mercenaries near him were dead. But the adhesive grenade would root nine mercenaries to the spot.

The man peaked out of cover and emptied his thunderslug pulse wave pistol into those that were stuck. He needed to reload before he could kill them all though. In a moment the Mandalorian sith had kill eighteen enemies. But the Nightbringer was on his into his last magazine of his Thunderslug pulse wave pistol at this point. He would have to either start using his blaster rifle or get into some melee.

@EmilyHuene​

 

[The Twin Selena]

Wow! Hakon was good! Selena marveled at the way the man was taking out the mercenaries. She was so stunned she nearly got her head blown off as one of the thugs from behind them started firing at her. Selena gasped in surprise, a shimmer of green rippled across her face and for a moment she was back to looking like a Clawdite. Selena lifted her guns and repelled the two remaining thugs behind them who'd moved out of cover to try and get to her. She then turned back around and fixed the glamour over her face.

Turning to see what Hakon had not yet taken care of she watched him pick off the remaining dozen as they were glued in place. She would let Hakon finish them and ran toward the opening away from the mercenaries toward where the truck had exploded. She quickly came about another member of their gang who was crawling away from the truck and trying to pat out the flames on his pants. Selena quickly put the man out of his misery and shot him with her blaster.

Moving forward she inspected the damage of the truck and saw most everything inside was burning. It wasn't ideal, but she'd hoped at least one or two other crates would have made it. And that's when she noticed there was a second cargo truck behind the other. What luck! Those idiots brought their supply with them! Selena quickly grabbed her communicator and sent a message to Sasha.

"Come to my location! Quickly! You were right!"

Now everything was falling into place. Sasha would fly down and ditch the speeder, taking their truck for her own until they could stash it away on their personal shuttle. She then clicked off the device and ran back into the warehouse to see where Hakon had ended up. She ran over to the crate that had been left untouched and smirked to Hakon when he'd join her next.

"Sasha's intel paid off. There's a whole shuttle behind the barn. She's going to bring it back to base. Say, think those mercs over there came in their own shuttles....Bet we could make a penny or two off of those as well...."

~END THREAD~
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