For Want of Fuel

[Talos Barrenfist]

Mayi Fuel Depot, Planet of Tepasi​

While waiting inside a shuttle, Talos Barrenfist made sure the buttons of dress uniform were on right before checking his pistol and holstering it. Inspecting facilities wasn’t exactly his favorite type of duty in the military but his orders were clear. There were reports of suspicious activities at one of the fuel centers for the navy at Tepasi, and the answers were needed. What this assignment more awkward for him was to partnered with a senator who sat the opposite end.

This must a punishment or something for what happen back on Manaan. He thought uncomfortably. Senators did not exactly inspire admiration within Barrenfist. However, he still left great deal of shame for failing to save that pen pusher from Fondor and for the Kolto becoming poisoned, killing comrades of his.

Cartel bastards, a sarleric pit is what they and their worm lords deserve.

His right hand squeezed in silent anger before calming down. Refusing to look Pax, the lieutenant hoped this mission will be done swifty and more successful.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Another day, another mission.

He didn't mind though - it made a change from being stuck in the capital doing paperwork and the like. This request for a little bit odd though. He was here to inspect the fuel depot and he had the Lieutenant Barrenfist along with him for the mission because he was the one who would actually be removing any sabotage that they actually found. Numenius was mainly here to make sure that the fuel depot staff didn't give him any hassle and that they were more vigilant in the future.

Naturally he was armed despite that because you could never be too careful in his opinion. As they approached, Numenius rolled his eyes a little bit as he spotted two managers and two guards waiting at the entrance, arms crossed over their chest.

This looked promising.

"They looked so happy to see us." he whispered to Talos, "Head on in and try and detect anything yourself - search where you would do it I suppose. I'll keep these guys distracted."

He smiled as he approached... it was not returned.

"Senator Pax."

Numenius' smile never wavered,

"Administrator... Hux is it?" He grinned and pointed to the other, "And that would make you, Administrator Tega, right?"

@Minuteman75

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

Well, this was unexpected for the lieutenant. A bureaucrat willing to help him get past other officials. Deciding it was best not to look at gift fathier in the mouth, Talos silently nodded in gratitude to Pax before leaving him to deal with the welcoming committee. Entering through the open door, Barrenfist quickly took note of how vast the complex truly. Large fuel tanks hung high above like giants with metal tubes shaped in a upside down l attached to each of them at the front.

So this what helps keep our ships running. Remembering his purpose, Talos slowly turned his head, to carefully examine the machinery. While he wasn’t an engineer by any means Barrenfist had enough experience with sabotage to know where to look. Within a minute the lieutenant did notice some damage to a deactivated fuel tank, specifically several small holes in its tube on the left side.

Curious, Talos was about approach for a closer look when he heard someone from behind shouted. “Hey buddy what you think you’re doing here.” Turning the lieutenant saw a fat middle aged Weequay male in a food tainted security uniform. While not unimpressed nor intimidated by the leater-faced being Talos calmly replied.

“Lieutenant Barrenfist of the Grand Army, I’m here with Senator Pax to inspect this facility.”

The other man sneered and asked. “Really? I wasn’t notified of any inspection.” This fat ass is going to be a problem. Talos concluded in the back of his mind.

 

[Numenius Pax]

Administrators were boring at the best of times but this one seemed to have taken it to an art-form he swore.

He had been in lectures at university that had lasted less time than this whole thing. He wanted desperately to just ignore the man and continue onwards but he was still engaging in active listening, nodding and making noises like he was listening when, in reality, he was paying attention to every other word at most.

"... and so soon after the last inspection as well...!"

Last inspection?

Theirs was the first inspection scheduled for months. He hummed and continued active listening with the administrator... while using his datapad to text the information over to Talos. Maybe they could play it off like they were here inspecting the work of the last inspection crew, get people to walk them around where the 'last team' had been?

@Minuteman75

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

The security chief stared daggers at Talos while their standoff continued. Considering he had been raised in a fierce warrior culture Barrenfist wasn’t intimidated at all by the fat excuse for a guard. Before being able to retort at fatty’s remarks Talos received text message and he read.

Interesting, that’s something to start with. The marine thought before returning to lock eyes with his unexpected problem. The bearded soldier then asked. “Alright security chief was there earlier inspection team at your facility.” Caught off guard by the sudden question fatty replied. “Uh yea there was. That’s why I was about to ask you about. What’s the kark is going on?”

“Just a follow up, nothing more. Where did the last team go to when present?”

Looking up at the night sky in thought, the chief pointed at the fuel tank next to them which was damaged and added. “They also check out the tanks on the whole east section.” Nodding with acknowledgement Talos text message his small findings back to Pax.

 

[Numenius Pax]

Listening to the administrator was just... well there was torture? And then there was listening to this tepid man drone on and on about how they produced the best fuel that the Republic had access to. The stupidest thing about the conversation as far as Numenius was concerned? The man kept saying that they produced the best quality fuel.

They were a bloody depot! They didn't produce anything - they stored it.

Reading the text message back from Talos, Numenius was beginning to think he might very well be losing the will to live. He sent back a quick message to Talos, telling him to hurry up before he shot the administrator just to get him to stop talking.

Probably would have been a bit drastic since Numenius only carried a pistol with lethal rounds.

@Minuteman75

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

Reading the senator’s newest message, Barrenfist along with security chief made their way into the eastern section. During the walk the lieutenant asked his unexpected companion. “Tell me Chief about the first team. Was there any problems with the fuel tanks before their own inspection?”

Fatty shook his head in reply. “Actually no, we didn’t had any complications before they came it was only after. They were officers of your army, a human man with brown hair and one of those horned heads, a lady to be exact.”

Talos’ suspicions continued to rise but he kept quiet. Three minutes later the security head showed him another inactive tank, one more damaged than. Command never sent another team beforehand, they told me so. These early arrivals are likely imposters and this is their work.

More certain than before Talos message the senator the new evidence with a photo and the chief told him already and his own thoughts.

 

[Numenius Pax]

It seemed that the administrator was happy to lead Numenius away from the front gate for the first time all evening and Numenius declared his thanks - not to the administrator but to the Galaxy itself for finally letting the man see that there was no sense in standing outside in the cold and wet. As they came on inside, Numenius hummed along with the administrator, practising his active listening even more.

This was, he decided, torturous.

If he ever needed to get information from someone and interrogation was getting them nowhere, Numenius knew that he would just bring up memories of this and force the prisoner to undergo them as he had. It would be cruel, it would be unusual... but by the Force would it be effective.

In the end, he merely sighed and actually called Talos, ignoring the administrator's indignant spluttering.

"Please tell me you've found something. This windbag irritates me to the extreme."

@Minuteman75

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

Talos received the call and replied with his own sigh.

“Not a great deal I’m afraid. Found another damaged fuel tank and vague description of the so-called first inspection team. They were apparently wearing Grand Army uniforms, but I know for a fact command didn’t send anyone before us. The security chief also told me that thier troubles started after these inspectors left.”

Before he can add anything else Barrenfist noticed shadowy figures moving about yards away. Drawing his pistol Barrenfist signal the chief to stay down and call for backup who complied willingly out of fear of actual danger. Advancing low with gun in both hands, Talos soon enough spotted two people in black gear installed a bomb on one of the tank pipes.

Without warning, he aimed and squeezed the trigger. Two bolts cut through the figure on the left in the back and it was a man who cried upon being shot. His partner turned with a detonator in her left hand and Talos fired once more, straight through the woman’s head. She dropped the detoneator, failing to press its button in time. Checking his corners Talos drew and examined the bodies and when the security chief finally showed and saw the corpses as well.

“Kark that’s them! Those were the people from before that I mentioned. Guess they were trying to finish their job.”

With this news Talos called Numenius, letting him know of what happened and the bomb was disarmed soon after.

/end thread