Ask Casany Praxor's Bounty Hunting for Beginners: Book 1 | Part 1 | Chapter 1

[Etr Wyara]

I had raised my hand to get Adenn's attention without interrupting.. Kind of a childish thing but it's not polite to interrupt an Alor while he's speaking. The table looked at me and I lowered my hand.
""What if we just brought some new merchandise.."
Adenn seemed to Cock his head at that thought;
"You mean.."
I began to roll up my right sleeve, showing the RFID bio-ink tattoo on my arm.
"I think this thing still works and Kabian was in the Five syndicates. We just waltz over, Say I'm a present from some local Mandalorian Covert looking to Make nice with the five and bam... auto-matic Opening straight inside. No blasting. No explosives. No slicer Droid. No sewers."

@Die Shize
@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia grinned at Cas after she saw the wink and smile from Adenn. Was there something going on there? On that note, she thought it better to not ask. When Cas pulled out her datapad to show them the bounty, she leaned over eagerly to see. Her friend had provided a description of the person, but she hadn’t yet seen a picture.

When she looked at the screen, she nearly spit out her coffee when she saw their supposed “bounty”. Cas seemed to realize that something was wrong upon seeing their reactions, and at her flustered reaction Zaia couldn’t even begin to try and wipe the smile off her face.

She tried to regain her composure when Cas began to explain the details of who the bounty was and their mission. The 5S backing his operations would complicate things a bit, but Zaia wasn’t expecting a whole army to be protecting him. From what she knew, this guy wasn’t a leading figure.

Adenn proposed getting a slicer droid to get through the sewers, or even a detonator. She was about to chime in and add something, but then she heard him trail off and saw Etr raising his hand.

After hearing his idea, Zaia smiled at the boy. That plan might just work, and would certainly require less blasting and exploding. “I like it. That way we’d be able to get past most of the security without drawing too much attention.”

@Die Shize @Timmen

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Cas nodded as Adenn spoke his piece, glad that the man was as handy as he looked. A slicer droid or slicing equipment period was certainly a resource. It just couldn't be her own droid on account of Rawl being a scout droid and an idiot.

Cas was no less attentive, rather more so, as Etr raised his hand and spoke his piece. ‘Merchandise’ appeared to refer to the very slicing equipment she was considering. We’re at the mall already after all.

What the sleeve revealed, what was hiding beneath it all this time, was something else. Oh…so there we have it.

Zaia spoke her piece which left Cas to complete the pie. It would pair with this cappuccino. She took a breath as though stifling a sigh, gazing into Etr’s eyes. His plan was good. She had played the part before. But there is nothing good about it.

“All right,” she settled, leaning back for a leisurely sip. “The kid has some strategy up his sleeve along with some secrets.” That gaze never wavered. “No blasting. No explosives. No slicer droid... I’m sold on no sewers.” She grinned.

“Well, I have the compound’s coordinates and we have the four of us and at least two of us each has a ship.” Smiling sweetly toward Zaia. “So without further ado!” Cas switched from Photos to Maps and showed the team the bounty's compound. “This is the way!"

@Sicadorito @Timmen

 

[Zaia Krodas]

When Cas brought up the ships and gave her that knowing smile, Zaia sent a glare in her direction. She chose not to respond this time for the sake of the mission, but next time she wouldn’t let it slide so easily.

She looked over at the map, picturing the route in her mind. It didn’t look to be too far from here.

“Alright, we have our plan. What are we waiting for?” she asked as she got up, clasping her hands together. “We’ll see you two when we get there,” she said to Adenn and Etr with a smile right before she put her helmet back on.

A short flight later, they landed just out of sight from a nice-looking inn just outside of the city. At least, it used to be one before Goran had bought it and turned it into his own personal quarters. There were just two guards outside the main entrance, armed with rifles. Nothing they couldn’t handle if the situation came to it, but then again Zaia had no idea how many were inside.

She got off the ship after the ramp lowered, glancing back up to wait for Cas. Adenn and Etr would be here soon too— Goran wouldn’t be free for much longer.

@Timmen @Die Shize

 

[Etr Wyara]

My Armor was Green and white.. to duty and A new beginning. I walked from the armory to the Comunal area of the the Spooky Mistress. Adenn stood, offering a proud clap and nodding in Approval of the man before him.

"what a mandalorian. What a Rytt. There's only one problem."

His smile faded

"You're just a trophy"

Spoiler

He started laughing evilly and a great explosion seemed to tear The Spooky Mistress in half and sucked me out into the air of Ord mantell. I fell and saw Ships dog fighting. It was only a moment before I hit the ground with a great thud. My hands were slick and wet. I tried to climb, but slipped and rolled in the filth of the mud. A taste like iron seemed to fill my mouth. Suddenly the World opened and There was mud and Rain Like slugs… the twisted shriek of twisting metal an-and screams of both pain and loss. The Smell of ozone and Charred flesh like burnt pork filled my nose. I gave a gasp but felt mud wash into my mouth and throat, suffocating… I needed to spit and gasp. I opened my eyes through shells of clay to see it again. The Ship of our people, the Monolith, sat split in half by some terrible explosion which had thrown me from it. On the ground we- they still fought. The dead, Like sandbags, stacked up in a wall of Beskar to stop Blaster rounds that never stopped coming. Women in armor tried to pick up small children who had fallen like me, a little hand reached out in front of me, my own… then all at once the dark sky seemed shattered by a great burst of light which spit shrapnel everywhere. So many people Fell and my vision turned red and once again the top of my head stung, the large gash in it bleeding. Finally my Lungs spat out the mud and I screamed

"BUIR! BUIR!"
I called for my Mother, my small voice feeling trapped in a muzzle. It had been so long I could no longer even remember her face..A man stood over me now, Dressed in Armor, mouthless and with two narrow, green slits for eyes. He lifted me up by my Tunic like a stray dog.

"This one's gonna make a nice trophy for the boss."

He raised his fist and swung. A long and heavy gasp came out from me, and I sat in the dark of my room. The bunk a far cry from the straw or cement floor of cells I had slept in. I was back, in the Spooky Mistress. I rose and dressed myself, another Restless night, another nightmare… Adenn wa sin the armory, gearing up and I tried to gather myself for another day. I often swallowed the Exhaustion and tried to feel ok, mostly out of guilt to try and not drag down Adenn with me. It had been bad enough he lost everyone well before I did. I always thought it must be worse that he never saw them die. He came out with gear for me too,

"You ready for this assignment?"

I nodded weakly, putting on a smile.

"Yes sir."

Hours later I was on my way to be a slave again.. I was prepared for it. At least I told myself that.

"You chose this"

I thought and I did. I would do anything to lessen the threat to these people around me. I would serve. I would protect. Because I couldn't then

"Hesitation in the face of Duty is cowardice of the worst kind"

I remember the quote from Besk'in, it was my favorite and it fed my sense of Duty. I kept a brave face and swallowed hard as The Spooky met with the winged pike.

 

[Adenn Rytt]

I equipped Etr with a hold out blaster (taped to his chest) and vibro knife in the sole of his boot. The cuffs I put on him were Duds, only appearing active via some rewiring and some light adhesive, but the boy was utterly loose. I gave him a new Tunic and pair of trousers, White and Green, as he requested.
"You're our man on inside. If they bring you to him, Take him."
He nodded, I sensed fear in him.
"He's one more scum bag we are taking out."
He looked away towards the Compound
"I just... wish there were more-"
I placed a hand on his shoulder
"more we can do? One day ther-"
He interrupted me:
"More Rytts. We aren't going to make it like this. If I died or you did we'd be it."
I understood his fear now,, he was afraid of being alone again.. no. he was afraid He would leave me alone. I wanted to say he wouldn't die. But that'd be a terrible lie. He could, I could.
"There will be one day. For now there's us."
We walked down the Ramp to our waiting Companions.

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC

So many cups of cappuccino later and Casany Praxor was back in her ship with her good friend Zaia Krodas. She traded poncho for cuirass, caffeine for alcohol, just a bit of the latter before descending the ladder in full armor.

Go On Inn, that was a terrible name for an inn owned by one Goran. Yet, the Mandalorians had not come here today to judge the inn but its owner. Two walked from the Winged Pike, two from the Spooky Mistress, and then there were four.

“There he is,” Cas regarded Etr as the team reunited. Her helm at hip, he could read her smile. “A brave and brilliant Mandalorian to be executing a plan like this.”

She had been briefed on Etr’s insurance policies taped to his chest and then some, nodding in guaranteed approval toward his ward. “You walk into that inn hands bound, more or less, but will leave it hands free, Etr. I will execute anyone who disagrees. Adenn will surely flay them.”

That said, the boy did not seem to need reassuring. This was his idea, he wore its inception on his face, and that face was unbowed, unbent, unbroken.

With that, Casany checked holstered pistol, sheathed sword behind back and slung rifle beside it. At last she traded her fleshly head for a red gold skull, face hidden behind a black visor. “I am Anvil hereon out,” she informed the group. “Casany is sleeping.”

The sons and daughters of Mandalore arrived at the Go On Inn to be received by a pair of Trandoshan and Bothan bouncers. Anvil spotted a couple of guard towers doubling as decorative spires. Or spikes depending on how you look at it.

"Do you have..." Trandoshan grinned at the three bucketheads and their adolescent package. "...Invitation?"

@Sicadorito @Timmen

 

[Zaia Krodas]

As the team met once more, Zaia had to admire the kid’s courage for coming up with and going ahead with the plan. She couldn’t agree more with both parts of what Cas had said.

“That’s right. Anyone who tries to stop you leaving with us will live to regret it. Or maybe just the latter,” she said, giving Etr a nod. She turned back to Adenn and Casany, or Anvil, as she would now be called, and followed the group as they made their way to the inn.

Soon enough they’d arrived, and the Trandoshan was asking them for an invitation.

“Ah, about that,” Zaia said, briefly glancing over at Adenn and Cas— no, Anvil for some help. If anything, she was a horrible liar, and she’d probably need some backup. “We don’t have one.” The Trandoshan stepped forward with his rifle, about to say something, but Zaia held up a hand. By Kad, she hoped she was being convincing enough.

“BUT we do have a gift for your boss. This young boy here,” she said, stepping aside and gesturing towards Etr. “We’re from a covert nearby, and we’d like to offer this merchandise as a token of our good will.” Please please please believe me.

@Timmen @Die Shize

 

[Adenn Rytt]

I stepped ahead of the group, save for Etr, to elaborate on Zaia's words
"Clan Krevaus, Seryago and Anuli Send their Humble and sincere regards to your Auspicious daimyo. We came to make his Aquaintance and offer our services to him personally as we will be on this planet for some time."
I Said to the trando. Etr Gave a repulsed and fearful expression, recoiling at the Creatures gaze. I gave a Kick to the Hind quarters, sending him forward somewhat. He bowed his head to the guard.
"We hope to gift him this Slave, a well broken item, trained for protocol, cooking, he'll even fighting. Or perhaps he'd like to feed it to his menagerie. Whatever the daimyo wishes. We only wish to present this gift to him personally."
The guard looked down at Etr, Then at his companion
"I suppose we could find an invitation for you..."
He made the universal symbol for
"Grease mine palm"
One which I had grown all too familiar with. I pulled Credits out and slid enough to both to make them happy. He smiled and began to move towards the door, opening it for us and ushering us inside.
"Looks like I just found your invitation."
He laughed in a raspy, hissing sound. With a nod I pushed Etr inside after the lizard
"Move you."
I said. The boy remained silent, shuffling through the hallway.

 

[Etr Wyara]

We walked through tiled halls with rooms on every side, this was an "inn", whorehouse more probably. This place reeked of perfume and sweat. Regardless of how many Curtains you put up or how many fancy paintings there were, A crime den still stunk.
"I wonder which the Master might do.. feed you to his Massiffs for a bit of sport or Feed you to his guests. I hear some of the more eccentric and wealthy the patron, the more Eccentric the Appetite. Regardless of the race. The boss had a Twi'lek not long ago... it was an aweful mess by the time he was done with her. Shame too with such a rare color... though I hear the pelt was sent to make a lovely coat."
The trandoshan hissed giving a bit of a laugh. I remained silent and kept my head down and would speak when spoken to.The lessons of my youth still close to my heart. We were soon brought to a Sitting lounge which smelled of Spilled booze, burnt cigarettes and too much perfume. I was made to kneel as the guards brought the master.

@Die Shize @Sicadorito

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Anvil couldn’t have approached the situation any better than Zaia had. There they were, three bucketheads and a boy, and their ruse was as basic as it needed to be. It paid off because none of them were alone in the charade as Adenn expertly demonstrated.

At the kick, Anvil had to refrain from tensing up, having not expected it. Just an act. Let it go. Move along. Dare she think it, the boy must have been used to getting beaten up but never from his ward. Right?

She didn’t know either of them enough but she trusted her gut. Right now that’s all any of them could do. Allowing Rytt to do the talking, Anvil did the nodding, wondering what the bouncers might think of a Mandalorian’s helmet just nodding away like this was a sunny day and fair weather friend.

In the inn, Anvil focused less on the slaves and other vices, instead scoping out the guards and cameras and everything in between. Secure enough compound but not as much as a high roller. At the Trandoshan’s crude comments, the red gold Mandalorian chuckled. “Probably a prettier pelt than this di’kut’s would make. Boy’s as pale as his mommy and daddy sleeping in the ground.”

Goran Vell might not have been a high roller but he strutted into the scene like one. The Besalisk wore obnoxiously large rings on his great fingers and donned a rich red gold robe to rival Anvil’s armor. Only mine can carpet bomb and yours looks like a carpet.

“I don’t like unexpected visitors at this hour,” Goran complained in between a pair of scantily clad Human women and Wookiee guards without much more clothing. “But…oh my…” He approached the boy. “This one will make a fine addition to my collection…” He held up a hologif of overdressed jesters dancing on stage.

@Sicadorito @Timmen

 

[Etr Wyara]

“Probably a prettier pelt than this di’kut’s would make. Boy’s as pale as his mommy and daddy sleeping in the ground.”
I began to weep at that. It seemed like it welled up from deep down. Whether built up emotion or acting so good even I forgot it was acting.Adenn laughed
"I'm sure the Daimyo will be pleased to know we named him wyara. It's mando'a for puddle."
The besalisk smiled widely at this.
"Rise up, boy"
I rose up and looked at him, My Eyes welled with tears. His smile grew wider.
"Wyara, I think I have just the act for you."

 

[Zaia Krodas]

With Adenn’s help, the guards let them in. And by Kad, the instant she walked in, Zaia was eager to get out of there as soon as it was possible. Everything about the place made her skin crawl, and the Trandoshan’s comment about the twi-lek nearly caused her to vomit. Fortunately, she was able to somewhat distract herself by looking out for any guards. If she were being honest, half of them looked as distracted as she would expect.

Soon they’d found Goran Vell in the sitting lounge, and Zaia was all but ready to put a blaster bolt in his head and be done with it. When Etr began to cry, it took everything she had to not reach for her blaster. When Vell stood up and suggested that he had an act in mind for Etr though, she’d seen enough. Whether or not it was the time or place for this, she couldn’t stand by and watch this kind of thing any longer, even if it was only an act.

She aimed a solid kick behind the knees of one wookie guard, knocking him to the ground. When the other roared and came at her with a punch, she managed to step aside just as it was about to land and used the momentum to push him into a nearby table.

“Whatever you had in mind, you can keep it to yourself,” Zaia snarled at Vell as the women beside him fled. It felt wonderful to be pointing a blaster at his face.

@Timmen @Die Shize

 

[Etr Wyara]

I was ready to draw my Blaster, this guy was creepy... Zaia Moved first, kicking one of the wookies and clearly doming his kneecap one wookiee gaurd and the other Growled..
“Whatever you had in mind, you can keep it to yourself,”
Zaia snarled at Vell as she threw the Besalisk
Onto the table. I quit sobbing, though tears seemed to come a couple seconds more and gave my wrists a twist. the shackles fell to the floor with a fantastic clatter. I finally Drew the hold out Blaster and was ready for the first guard to make a move. our transoshan Escort acted first, trying to use his scatter gun. Before He could, however, a flash of steel like grey lightning swiped across him. His head rolled off his body and onto the floor and the body collapsed into a twitching Pile. The other wookie got his hands on Zaia as his friend started getting back up. I aimed the Blaster but before I could the wookiee seemed to take notice at what Adenn had in his hand

 

[Adenn Rytt]

No guard seemed to take notice at my Right hand shifting to my Beskad, I was ready for this Game to be over. Etr had volunteered for this but he was still a child and this creature was someone Adenn would hang from a lamppost for the simple pleasure of it. Zaia acted before I could Draw on the besalisk. At her Action I drew and gave the trandoshan a haircut.
"Get Your hands off the woman. Now."
I growled at the walking carpet. He seemed to take notice at the flashing, beeping ball of durasteel and High power explosive I held. My thumb was placed on the dead man switch and I showed it clearly to everyone including vell. His eyes grew wider now.
"You-youre all insane! There's no way y-"
I loosened My grip a bit on the button and he nearly squealed at the sight
"Try me you sick fucker. I came here to take out a scugg. I could use a vacation after."
The wookiee released zaia and backed away. I kept my gaze at our "host"
"If you want to get out of this without being a red stain on your fucking wall Then you're coming with us. And we are walking out of here."
I tossed Zaia a real pair of Magcuffs. Etr moved over to the pair to give Zaia a hand.
"You alright, son?"
I asked Etr, he gave me a solid nod.
"I'm okay. It was an act. It was so natural I wasn't even sure"
He smiled.

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC

While her companions busied themselves wiping the floor with blood, Anvil spun to deal with the guards rushing in toward the lounge. A flurry of bolts from her rifle denied them entry. Guarding the entrance, she turned to make sure the others were doing fine.

A bolt smacked into her back. The beskar didn’t care. Its wearer took care of that di’kut too. Repositioning, she found a corner to cover both the room and the entrance, stealing a look at the fool who thought Zaia was prisoner material.

“Uh-uh,” Anvil shook her helm at an enthusiastic grunt trying to sneak toward a fallen blaster. “You want that lovely lekku attached, I’m guessing.” Then to Goran. “You allowed three Mandos into your home, friendo. Should have expected some insanity to ensue.”

While Zaia went about securing shackles, Anvil gave Etr a look behind her visor. She had taken no pleasure in her comment about his parents, it was part of the act, but just as much wanted to see if he was damaged or broken. Not broken. This one is beskar.

“Goran Vell is a wanted bounty,” she raised her voice to the hall. “He'll pay us well enough but none of you will. I doubt he pays you enough to die for him. Let us waltz out of here and you won’t have to.”

There wasn’t much contest against three armored Mandalorians. If this was a 5S fortress then different story but it wasn’t. Then again, people do like to die. “Or come at us and watch your hive crumble all around you. We’re taking this bastard Besalisk with us either way.”

@Sicadorito @Timmen

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia tilted her head at the wookie who thought it was a good idea to grab her arm. Before she could sock him in the face with her free hand though, Adenn had taken out a bomb. Seeing the room’s reaction and feeling the wookie let her go, Zaia put it on her mental bucket list to get herself some of those.

Anvil had taken care of the guards outside, and those remaining in the room no longer seemed to be in the mood to fight. Except for one, but they were discouraged quickly enough. All that remained was putting Goran in custody, Zaia thought with a satisfied smirk as she caught the cuffs Adenn had thrown her. Heading over to the Besalisk, she saw that he was about to press a button on some kind of remote. Probably trying to call for backup.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she said, knocking it out of his hand and then crushing the device with her boot. Shoving him onto his back, she attached the cuffs and turned back to the others. Anvil had taken the liberty of informing whoever had decided to stay that they would be walking out with Vell no matter what, and when no one seemed to respond Zaia tugged him out of his seat and into the hallway, her other hand holding one of her blasters.

As they made their way towards the entrance, no one seemed to move. She didn’t need to be a Jedi to sense the fear in the room. Just as they were about to exit the building, five bulky men appeared in front of the doorway holding electric staffs.

“Kill them! Kill them now!” Goran screamed from behind her, and Zaia gave him a hard punch on the head. He crumpled to the floor, good as dead. For now. She turned back to the men blocking the doorway as they lunged towards the group, blocking an attack with her gauntlets.

@Timmen @Die Shize

 

[Adenn Rytt]

I wasn't quick enough to react to the Staff Flying at my head. My helmet Rung like a bell and I Stumbled backwater, My hand loosened on the Detonator and it fell from my hand. I jumped away from it, Hitting the dirt as did the guard who hit me. The detonator spun around and stopped beeping. it's light glowed and then it went silent.
"It's a fucking training dud?!"
I yelled in surprise at the useless object. I Drew My DL-18 and Blasted the Man in his face. Another seemed to bring his Down on me. I fired into his right foot, causing him to jump in pain. I used the moment to hoist myself up though I wasn't ready for what I saw next.

 

[Etr Wyara]

"Quick get the Besalisk! We need to go now!"

I hadn't felt the Hairy hands grip around my Arms but before I could React I was in the air, Mt arms being given a quick tug. The Crushing Pressure seemed to Squeeze until Bones cracked and broke and Joints stretched and popped. I wasn't in the act anymore, I was I the hurt locker... I screamed as I felt tendon Tear and my Arms stretched well beyond their length. What pressure, what Immense pain. It was like someone had taken my arms and turned them into sleeve of Stinging insects. I couldn't even pull my arms away. It was like I was caught in some great machjne. Just when it seemed like the pressure had built up to the point of popping seemed there was a Tearing like someone tore my clothing only it felt wetness run down the left side of My new Tunic. The Beast gave me a toss towards the wall and I could have sworn I saw part of my Lower arm in its hand. A red trail followed behind me and the world seemed to fade as I passed out from the pain.

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

At the sight of five bulky men appearing in front of the doorway holding electric staffs, Anvil could only roll her eyes. Always some last minute di’kuts ready to fight the good fight. Never fails…

These idiots would though. Unfortunately for them, Anvil was not some old burnt up Mandalorian who needed a bacta tank to sleep in. She was a hammer unto herself and knew how to use it.

A staff slammed into Zaia’s gauntlet, another stabbed toward Anvil’s helmet. She tilted her head to dodge, snatched the haft and swung her sword down. It cleaved an arm in two. The man howled. He wasn’t alone.

She heard Adenn yell about the dud detonator. That deserved some laughter over a round of drinks later. Distracted, a staff whacked the back of Anvil's leg, bringing her to a knee. The staff came back for her chest but she rolled beneath it.

Coming up, her sword found a heart and the blood that went with it. This man did not scream. Someone else did. “ETR!!” Anvil called his name as though his mother, horrified at the boy’s mangled socket where an arm used to be.

Instinct drove her. The Mandalorian ripped her blade from its corpse and darted toward Etr's attacker. The boy would have to be seen to by at least Adenn, by his ward. Right now Anvil waged war with a Wookiee who had an arm that was not his. Armed with a sword, in her rage, she could have used her bare hands to rip that Wookiee apart.

@Sicadorito @Timmen