Gotcha Gossatc!

[Essien Inemesit]

Part I:

Lorrd
::​

The refresher door breathed open, revealing a particularly miffed and practically naked Essien Inemesit clad in the chains of a slave and a large durasteel left pauldron. He sighed and stepped out into the yellow light of the hallway holding the last bit of his dignity in his hand, preparing to hand that over too.

"Must I dress this way? Do gladiators not wear any armor at all? Or is this what slave owners call sport?" He smacked his lips as he handed over his lightsaber. "You will not lose this."

The mission briefing scrolled in a loop on the screen opposite Essien next to the window of the Tarisian merchant ship, which shown the end to the streaking lines of space as they arrived over the planet. Soon, after confirming their appointment over the comms, the ship entered atmosphere and finally touched down in port.

The tight naval perimeter and landing protocols were just as stringent as reported, but on-ground security was much worse than expected. Private security was abundantly armed, from personal, illegal arms to large turrets that resembled multiple armies of various design and function. Gates upon gates blocked their path with guards and battle droids at every checkpoint. Fencing sectioned off landing pads like kill-zones with a large hammerhead command tower overseeing it all. And this was just the entrance to the massive operation. Other ships landed nearby, but many were already here. Down. Below.

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

Markus walked briskly down the long corridor of the Escapade , a somewhat small merchant ship. Markus was dressed in his standard Imperial Navy uniform. Accompanying him on this mission, would be his four guards, and his partner, who was a sith acolyte, but now dressed like a slave. Markus sat alongside Essien, and he pulled the ship down to the planet's surface. With confirmation of their appointment, Markus guided their ship down to one of the landing pads. Markus could see a large group of droids and a man in the middle approach them. Markus looked to his partner and smiled, "There shan't be any problems, in and out. Just remember your role, and we should be fine." Markus keyed the landing hatch, and Markus walked out, greeting the group, hands clasped tightly behind his back. His guards would escort the shackled Essien out of the ship.

@Styx

 

[Essien Inemesit]

"Don't die," Essien quipped back under his breath in reply. He squinted at Markus' uniform shortly, discretely eyeing the man whom held his life in his hands. He'd met him before and measured him a man of duty and no nonsense. It was difficult to foresee how this mission would go, as much of their path was clouded beyond distinction. Essien wondered if Markus disapproved of the plan, especially some of its more vague aspects; but Essien knew he could rely on the Force. He would find his target, face all challenges in the pits, and prove himself worthy to the Sith.

Essien stood at the hatch when suddenly the guards wrapped their hands around his elbows. His head snapped side to side in surprise. It took him a moment to realize what he had surrendered himself to. They followed behind Markus and Essien complied, acting the tamed slave; yet also giving slight tugs on the mens' grips just to remind them he was a proud warrior.

"Ah. You are a bold one, I'll give you that. Welcome, and welcome to my humble enterprise. Well, this is merely the doorstep, and these my welcome mats. But that, soon enough."

As the wine colored and greasy, black haired fellow greeted them his guards approached on either sides with scanners and guns drawn for an initial inspection. While Markus' guard was mostly ignored, Essien and Markus were searched for hidden weapons and mechanisms of sabotage. Essien scoured at the wands waved over his bantha-hide pouch, just about the only covering he had at the moment.

"We're careful here. I'm sure you understand," he threatened. Then he resumed his gleeful persona once more, "Well now that that's over with. I am Gleekan Yorif, your humble servant. My master awaits you with the others."

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

The welcome party approached the Imperials, and Markus looked to the man at the center of the mass. Markus and Essien were searched and Markus was forced to give up his blaster, but it shouldn't be needed if everything went well. The Imperials followed the guards towards a medium sized building. Already, cheering could be heard, possibly from the stands. "Nice to meet you Mr. Yorif, my name is Imperial Commander Varo, and this here is no-one. Lets go meet your master now." Markus said as they were ushered into the building. "Your slave will go to a separate room to be sorted into the fight and get prepared. You can follow me to my master, in the VIP room." Markus was separated from Essien as the now slave was taken away to some ready room. "Take good care of that one, he's the best i got." Markus said as he followed the servant into a turbolift that would go up to the VIP room.

@Styx

 

[Essien Inemesit]

Markus' guards allowed Yorif's mercenaries to take hold of Essien and tug his arm, but giving a nod to Markus' last request and unhanding him as a show of good faith. Essien eyed Markus one last time before being escorted toward one of the caged lifts, more gently now. Two entered first, he followed, turned and was joined by one more. The cage shut with a rickety clanging and the steel platform began to sink. Essien swallowed.

They descended into darkness and all he had with him was smooth metal chilling his wrists. Suddenly a rifle stock smacked into his back and a boot buckled his knee. He collapsed to echos of laugher and snide remarks, wincing to the sudden and unexpected pain. But the pain wasn't what stung the most. The pain was familiar. It was the feeling of weakness, embracing bondage and inferiority, that dug the deepest pit. He grimaced, and held back the anger beginning to rise in him. It was only temporary, he told himself.

Lights flashed up as they slowed their descent, until finally reaching the undercroft. The one mercenary opened the cage and another pulled Essien to his feet, shoving him out into the dusty hallway. More bars lined the walls, and Essien began to suspect he might get a glimpse of their target already. They passed cell after cell but no sign of the physicist and nanotechnologist Ernerod Gossatc. Just dozens of emaciated old men in rags, desperation in some eyes, emptiness in others.

Essien was shoved again and he bit his lip. He shuffled along in chains, looking around the slave pens for clues until he came to another gate. The mercenary palmed the gate lock and it lit green to his print, the latch clicking and the gate swinging open. They pushed him in and locked him inside, removing his shackles with the wave of a device through the bars and barking at him to grab a weapon from the rack to his left. He turned to find a healthy stock of melee items, but then reeled to the roar of a small crowd behind him. Through the gate behind him there fought two slaves, in the middle of their bloody bout, with a raised viewing suite behind them.

Essien immediately felt the rush in his chest. He was on standby, next to fight already. Would he have to win multiple times, he wondered. The Argazdans be damned. Essien knelt before the half finished arena, drew ten lines in the dirt, and bowed. "A man carries a burden, he knows not for how long. Long he labors, cleaning the skulls of his enemies and hanging them from the pikestaffs. More staffs are needed. More work to be done. Do not falter. Do not falter."

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

The turbolift doors opened, and Markus heard loud noises that appeared to be laughter coming from short, fat, rich men, most slavers. Markus walked into the room, his guards on either side of him, shoving drunk people out of the way. Markus wasn't the only patron that had guards. It appeared as if everyone in the room had their own set of entourage. The place was packed with many different species accompanied by their guards with weapons. This place is more guarded then the imperial palace. Markus thought, there wouldn't be any fights going on here, the place was heavily fortified. Markus accepted some expensive looking drink, and walked over to the glass wall that overlooked the arena. Markus could see tiny figures with weapons fighting each other on the sandy floor. Already there were a few bodies that littered the floor. Markus frowned in disgust, but quickly changed it into a smile. He was here to supposedly support the fight. Markus hated slavery. Once the battle had ended, with the victor being escorted off through an exit, someone came over the loud speakers. "HELLLLLLO!!!! LEt me HEAR you SCREAM!!!!! UP NEXT WE HAVE-" The speaker most likely was looking at the list of slaves, "WE HAVE A HOLDEN GRANGER FROM MASTER FLAVES, and WE HAVE A ESSIEN INEMESIT FROM a COMMANDER VARO!!!! LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE IMPERIAL VISITORS! LET THE FIGHTERS OUT, AND BEGIN THE FIGHT!!!!!!" Everyone cheered, and Markus hoped that everything would go as planned. Essien was a force sensitive, so hopefully that would be an advantage. Markus had to squint to see two figures appear from opposite sides of the arena. Markus clasped his hands infront of him and smiled thinly. Lets the games begin.

@Styx

 

[Essien Inemesit]

Before he knew it the fight was already over and the loud voice echoed against the steel walls behind Essien, shaking him from his moment of preparation. He looked up and saw one fighter being dragged off by his heels, leaving a streak of crimson in the sand. And it hit him, he would have to kill these slaves. The conflict within him didn't last however as he had killed without hesitation before, but this felt different somehow. But the feeling that replaced it was even stronger. For the Empire!

He stood and outstretched an arm to the weapons on the wall, but stopped himself from using the Force to summon his choice upon realizing he must keep appearances. So instead he scurried over to the rack and hurriedly decided on the metal spear, lifting it from the rack and shuffling back to the cage entrance before the announcer could finish.

The bars shook and the gate rattled into motion, sliding open, and he walked out into the open. The crowd seemed to be entranced by the announcer, but swooned with their own voice. They cheered for the first name, Holden Granger, and even for the master, Flaves. But when Essien's name was given, the crowd seemed hushed, and a commotion stirred to Commander Varo's title, even some boos to the mention of Imperials.

It came as a shock to him to hear this reaction, peering out over the crowd, from the half finished stands to the bare-boned beams sticking out with cloth draped over the gaping holes to the structure, and finally to the viewing suit. Markus must be there, he reasoned, but could only see unidentified figures through the glass.

Holden roared across from him, a massive mound of muscle seizing Essien's attention suddenly. He held a large shield and chain-ball. Essien felt nervous. Holden began swinging the spiked ball around and charged with another roar. There was no time to waste on the mission. The challenger could be anyone, from anywhere, with any skillset and experience. Now was the time to survive.

Holden swung the ball down, sinking into dirt with a thud after Essien had rolled right, arose into a wide stance and thrust his spear tip into Holden's shield with a clang. Holden ripped the ball loose, crossing it left through the air as Essien stumbled backwards. Holden shuffled forward, relentlessly continuing by propelling the ball with his shield back out rightward at Essien's continued retreat, Holden spinning powerfully around and shield-bashing Essien across the chest and face, flipping Essien away from his spear.

Holden roared again, arms out in celebration, then pointed his weapon at the viewing suite, presumably at the representative of the Imperium. This was his arena. Imperials were outsiders here.

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

Markus watched the fight in curiosity. The man that faced Essien was bigger and meaner, but slow and clumsy. As the fight began, several of the VIPers came to the window and watched in interest. Already, betting had started in the stands and in the lounge room. As soon as the two fighters had entered the stadium, the gate slammed down into the ground, ensuring that no one attempt to escape. The crowds cheered, and a chant was forming, "TWO IN, ONE OUT! TWO IN, ONE OUT." Everyone was laughing, and having a good time. Holden appeared to have the upper hand as he used his ball to swing into Essien's shield. Eissien flew backwards, and the spear flew forwards. "Damn." Markus said as Holden roared and flung his hands up, his back towards Essien. This was the time for Essien to get up, and grab his spear, ramming it up Holden's head.

@Styx

 

[Essien Inemesit]

Seizing opportunity, Essien dove left, recovered his spear and hurled it at Holden. Holden caught a glimpse of it, however, and simply angled his head out of the way. The spear harmlessly soared by and clamored to the ground. Holden laughed. The crowd erupted. Holden turned toward Essien, striding closer until swinging his chain-ball back and around over-head. Essien stumbled back, raising hands before his face, and with a subtle angle of his palms the metal ball arced just outside Essien's face and rounded under Holden's leg, smashing into his groin. Holden screamed bloody murder.

Essien looked around, hands still out after having manipulated the ball's trajectory, hoping it looked like Holden just missed when Essien angled back. Surprise seemed to have gripped the crowd.

Essien started, leaping into action. He arose, gripped Holden's shield and snapped the arm backwards at the elbow, trapped in the shield's wraps. Bone crunched. Holden screamed. Then Essien twisted an elbow to the throat followed by a fisted pound to the temple, gripped the shield with both hands, side-kicked Holden's ribs and tore the shield loose. Holden collapsed backward, and Essien followed through with the shield's sharp end multiple times to the face and throat; blood spattering across the sand to Essien's primal screams of triumph until the end.

The shield dropped with a thud and a wobble. Essien threw his fists into the air.

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

Apparently, Essien could read minds from such a far away distance, because Essien did exactly what Markus thought, but to a different outcome than expected. Several people in the crowd attempted to warn Holden that Essien was back up and about to surprise him. Holden somehow saw Essien possible out of the corner of his eye, or heard him, and nudged out of the spear's way. Holden just chuckled and swung his ball at Essien, missing his face by several inches, and wrapping around Holden's leg and smashing his balls with the ball. Everyone roared, either in excitement, or disappointment. The stadium rocked with the roar of Holden's pain. What happened next occurred very quickly. In less than five minutes later, the battle was over and Holden lay dead on the floor, blood gushing out of every hole in his body. Markus laughed and patted one of his soldiers on the back. The crowd roared, and chanted Essien's name "LOOOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A WINNNNER!!!!! ESSIEN INEMESIT WINNNNNS!!!! WHAT AN UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS!" The gate opened, and guards rushed out to retrieve the dead body of Holden, and bring and clean up Essien to prepare for celebration in the VIP room.

@Styx

 

[Essien Inemesit]

Essien surveyed the panorama, enamored by all as much as all was by events lying at his feet, blood spotting his forehead and nose. Then he jerked to the business of the guards around him, hurrying to pick up Holden, to seize any loose weaponry, and grabbing at Essien's elbows and pulling him back to the gate he'd come from.

They wasted no time leading him back to the connecting cell, latching on his restraints, returning the spear, and opening the door, Essien's eyes still sideways to the scene he'd left behind. They shoved at his back, yanked his arm in, and he tried to follow without complaint even as they made it difficult to comply with every overzealous prodding. But from here they took him along a different route, deeper through the complex. His thoughts began to return to him as he realized he was passing different cells with new faces casting longing gazes of varying abandon. Essien blinked, snapping stills of each person flashing by, too fast to get good looks at every one of them. He could hear the announcer prattle on out there somewhere, muffled and unable to penetrate the thick corridors. They turned left down the fork. Different sorts of rooms lined this direction; could just as easily be holding cells in their own right for all he could tell. But then the walls started looking less and less concrete and steeled against the elements, sand thinly kicked along the path, and soon entire walls were missing. Construction was still ongoing. He could see outside. Workers were carrying, dragging, slopping grey mush onto slabs, and dragging lined chains at their ankles with guards poking their shoulders with batons and pointing rifles menacingly. He mostly heard groans and threats from the guards, but thought he heard idle chatter before he was shoved through another door.

He knew he had to get back there. That was the place to start looking.

Before he knew it, he was being sprayed with stinging water from a hose in a plastic tent and then brought up another lift somewhere. The doors slid open and he could smell it all instantly, wealth.

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

Markus watched as Essien was taken away. Everyone congratulated Markus, patting him on the back and laughing. Markus wondered if Essien was being cheered on, or if all the credit and achievement went to the master. Several wealthy patrons offered to buy Essien, offering a huge amount of money. Markus obviously declined, but he had to admit it was tempting, but he was a man of higher status. He was an Imperial Commander in the Imperial Navy. He couldn't do this, especially since they were on a mission, and Essien wasn't even a slave, but a worthy Sith acolyte. Markus was invited over to the an even more VIP room, containing the boss of the whole operation. Markus was told that his slave would come soon after being "prepared". Markus didn't care, as long as the job was done quicker, the faster he would get away from these unhealthy fat slobs, and back to his ship.

@Styx

 

[Essien Inemesit]

Essien stepped into the overcrowded room, before stalling to gasps and turning shoulders, colorful patrons fearfully stepping back away from him as their guards held their weapons just a little bit tighter. Faces upon faces, turning pink, turning white, grinning and gawking, burdening the room as though sinking under water as whispers giggled and carped multifariously. Peering past their sweaty faces and sloshing drinks, Essien couldn't find Markus Varo.

The guard escort at his back barked for him to move with a more subdued nudge, and Essien obeyed. The room resumed its cheer with an uproar in all of a moment, this slave forgotten as fast as he was introduced. The guards steered Essien's shoulders from behind like a ship's rudder, veering left past a stocked bar and toward a door. Muffled voices within seemed of a more serious nature. One sounded familiar.

Yorif paced from couch to desk to the sides of Varo and the large figure sunken into his squishy chair with glass window at his back. They spoke of plans for the future, difficulties with the slaves as much as with the patrons and their demands, and something about too many hands in the kitchen. Even Yorif chimed in without regard to the boss' authority, an occasional threatening glance connecting with Yorif's surprise.

The door opened. Essien stood still as a picture, framed by the doorway. The guards' intense aggravation burned behind Essien, the loud noise of the crowd behind him spilling into the quiet office lounge, but no shoving came at his back. Instead, more faces just stared at him, and Yorif beckoned Essien inside. Yorif seemed a speedy man, even speaking faster than some could follow. Essien frowned to the room, trophies and collections all around. But he warmed to the sight of Varo.

Essien's calming mien soon quickened to dismay, wide-eyed in telegraphing his failure to Markus to as of yet confirm the location of their target. Essien subtly shook his head to relay his, so far, failure. Kobdary Pinbur, as the large man had been introduced as, bald headed and gold-ringed, folded his thick fingers together and squished his fat lips into a smile. The guards followed Essien in and the door closed at their backs.

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

Markus watched as yorkif approached him, bouncing with joy. He babbled to Markus about how great it was that he won, and how great the games were, and how great both of them were going to be. Markus was about to puke. Thankfully, Essien was brought in, and Yorkif became even more joyful, beckoning for Essien to come forward, and patting him on the back. Markus looked at Essien and saw the message clear as day, he hadn't found the target yet. Markus didn't know where else to look, if the sixth couldn't sense him or find him, who could? He figured the secret lied with Yorkif.

 

[Essien Inemesit]

"There he is," Pinbur started. "The man of the hour." There was a certain disgust in his eye; coupled with his grumbly voice, he seemed to hold Essien in contempt.

Yorif, on the other hand, wouldn't let go of Essien, one arm draped heavily over Essien's shoulders while the other gesticulated wildly. "You dodged that ruffian Holden's ball and chain like a true wizard. Magical! I couldn't believe it! And then the way you dispatched of him, all those years we put into his training, like watching your own baby boy torn limb from limb before your eyes."

Essien's bare skin prickled to Yorif's touch, but also to the cold air. He shut his eyes in a long blink, concentrating on ignoring Yorif's invading breath and loud yapping to enhance his body temperature what little he could manage. Then he refocused on Yorif's mouth, so close to his.

"Indeed. Oh didn't he mention to you, we offer a rigorous training program for our patrons, should they wish it," Pinbur grinned.

"For a modest price," Yorif added. "But it looks like Master Flaves will be needing to purchase another slave for the pits. Fortunately we can provide. And, of course, he'll be needing training as well. Master Flaves has much of his inheritance to spend. Each death in the pits, a new program to fund."

"But we can't let our proficiency be called into question," Pinbur turned his attention to Markus with a long discriminating pause. "Just what is it that has brought you here, Imperial Commander Varo?"

Essien yearned for his lightsaber, just to have it hidden away somewhere close would put his mind at ease. He hoped the one he'd given it to had brought it with them, that it was in this very room right now.

@Brick

 

[Markus Varo]

.

Markus watched as Yorkif and Pinbur focused on Essien, that was good. It gave him some time to look around see if there were any clues. Markus sprung out of thought when Pinbur mentioned him. Markus smiled, "I'm here for what mostly everyone else came of course! Money!!! And information. I've come to offer you and your organization, a place in the empire. I have intel that some of your men and slaves are going to revolt sometime in the week, if you pledge loyalty to the emperor, I can help you." Markus said. Pinbur was intrigued and frightened, "Are you sure of this Commander? If this is true we must prepare. I had noticed an increase in slave activity, meaning that they have acted a bit strange. You have my word commander, me and my men swear allegiance to the Empire." Markus looked at Essien, who was still being touched by Yorkif. "That is good, very good. I will have my men help yours in deciphering exactly when the slaves will revolt."

/END THREAD