Part of the Ship

[Harlan Banks]

​

Now this, this was more like it in Harlan's book. Lot a pretty people, plot of pretty drinks, lots of pretty music, lots of pretty money floating about.

Except the music was too loud. Always was at clubs, and Void-Droid was no different.

And he couldn't drink, because he was at work. And he was damn sure that going off to talk to a bunch of Vet's wasn't going to leave him much time to talk to the pretty people. Or get involved with the money. Nor did he think Vic was really going to be up for it. Though hey, who knows, if things went well maybe they could actually enjoy the night for a change. Claim it as a work expense.

But no, they were here today to schmooze a bunch of ex-military into hopping over to the Cartel's little gravy train. Not that he personally had ever gotten his hands on the gravy, but that was beside the point. One day he would, and he'd buy his way out of the damn business.

But for now, it was he and Vic, partners in crime. Though he'd never say that to her face.

They'd booked a private booth at the back on the second floor, and had just managed to get the 'clients' into the back, ready to get the negotiations underway. As he waved the last ones in he spoke on a comm-link to Vic,

"Alrighty, showtime" he said tapping his cane on the ground. He carried all his regular equipment, tri-blaster, armoured suit, vibro-blade hidden in his cane. He was still standing in front of the curtain to go in.


@Xorism @Minuteman75 @Insalius

Spoiler: OOC

Alrighty pals, beginning of the thread. No ppvp has begun yet so no timer in place, but if/once it starts, we'll throw it on. Let's make this a fun one :D

 

[Victoria Winterblaze]

Victoria was here to sweeten a deal that was to add some veteran muscle to the cartel if things went smoothly. Of course, nobody ever went along easily which is why she had come packing with her full combat loadout in case things went sideways. Her thunderbuss was slung under her elaborate fur coat which would fall off quickly if required revealing her other weapons and armor, naturally.

Credits were credits and these two were worth a decent chunk for her and Specs if they were successful. If they wouldn't take the deal or were a pain in the kriff, Vic would just blast them and move on but she hoped they would be able to pry 'em into the fold as she already begun to formulate how they could be used for the cartel's plans. "Lock the door Specs, we don't need company till the deal is done."

Vic didn't expect her looks to seal the deal, but it didn't hurt to try as she strode over inside the booth toward their prospective employees and poured the group some shots of whiskey to start the conversation. She stood behind the minibar looking out over the pair of veterans, taking a quick shot herself just because.

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

Among the vets entering inside the private room was Talos Barrenfist. Recently he had been a marine until earning a dishonorable discharge due to putting a superior officer in the hospital following a heated argument regarding pay. The trial had swift and firm, kicked out of the military with no pension. He did not stay in the brig for very long in light of his prior service to the Republic during combat. So the embittered Barrenfist found himself on Corellia, making friends with several disgruntled veterans there within a few days.

Earning their sentiment, they invited him to a meeting they’re having with cartel representatives to join their services. Pleased he had to accept the offer and accompanied them with a few other new additions. Of course that was the story Talos wanted people to believe for now. The truth of the matter is he was serving uncover as ordered by high command. They needed to prevent these sailors lining up with the Hutts and hopefully be recruited back into Republic’s fold.

Fortunately, the marine wasn’t alone, somewhere in the bar, was a hidden Jedi, waiting to intervene once the moment was right. Wearing his traditional Deucalian armor without the hood Talos made sure that everyone in this room would note he seemed to be geared with only a P-99 Blaster Pistol on one side of a belt and Elduröxi on the opposite. With a confident grin displayed on his beaded features with hands close fisted as Barrenfist approached the minibar and accepted a drink for himself from Victoria and a second later took another, covering it’s top with one hand and passing the glass over to the man beside him.

“Thanks, Talos. You’re a true mate.”

Iric Rozen, a baldish human of tannish features said with a beaming grin. Shrugging his shoulders Talos replied. “I’m just returning the favor brother. You got me here after I had lost everything it’s only fair I pass a beer for ya. Cheers!”

Saying so he and Iric down their drinks in a matter of seconds. Letting out a satisfied sigh, Talos winked at Victoria in a flirtatiously manner. He can hear the door being closed behind them. Guess the meeting was about to start. He hoped the Jedi was up to the task wherever he was because already Talos would see the cartel operatives appeared prepared for trouble if it comes their way.

@Insalius

 

[Albert Penumbris]

There weren't many Jedi Shadows left, and while Albert didn't count himself among their numbers anymore he still had all the skills from that time. He'd done a good job of making himself look like a common drunkard, raggedly clothing baggy enough to hold his vibroswords on his back under his coat yet still look natural. His lightsabers were up his sleeves and his blaster and grenades were hidden at his hip, his hunched over posture as he sat at the bar close to the private booth that the veterans and others were entering. When one came too close he would peer up at them, his usually straight and soft blond hair matted and dirty, a slight stubble on his face as he made a grunting noise and moved his drink away from the interloper. To the common eye he would just seem like an anti-social drunk upset at people coming to his part of the bar for the private room. He had been there since before anyone for the booth had even begun to arrive, wanting to completely act the part and just seem like a living fixture for the bar.

He would finish his drink and order another, using the Force to keep himself from becoming inebriated but acting like he was to play the part. The Force remained coiled around him, ready to be used for another task, though for now he was just listening to the meeting going on in the booth. There was just a curtain separating the booth from the rest of the bar, after all, so even a normal voice would be able to be heard from where he was. He would act uninterested, though, just like another drunk from the street. He saw his partner in this operation enter the booth with the others, giving the man a scowl as he passed by just like all the others. Now it was just time to wait for the signal. Then he'd show these gangsters what a Jedi could truly do.

@Nightfall096 @Xorism @Minuteman75

 

[Harlan Banks]

Harlan looked over the assmebled Vets, it was time to do some talking and get this thing done before anything crazy could happen. Hopefully.

He didn't exactly trust it to not and was on edge even now, standing here with a bunch of fellas who at one point would have been on his tail for the exact crimes he'd been running for the past thirty years. Running might be generous actually. Been involved in at a slow jog, probably more accurate for his own efforts most of the time. But, he shook that off, and offered a wide smile to the group with him as he locked the door to the room, and closed the curtain to the booth seats themselves. Most of the vets were seated and chatting, all with a drink in them from Vic. Should make the whole deal go down a little easier,

"Gentleman, Ladies, members of all species and fluid types. I'm speaking to you all for a very lucrative employer that... well, you've all been made aware of who me and my associate speak for. Now, we know the Republic doesn't exactly look after its veterans the best, low pensions, limited mental health care, the works. And, I know you've all seen more than your fair share of nastiness because of what you did for them" he opened with, trying to appeal to them. He wasn't even sure if it was true, but he had a feeling it was or else those present wouldn't have agreed to even come today,

"But, and my partner here" Harlan looked round and pulled the curtain slightly to take in Vic's position, as well as that of the two vets (@Minuteman75) who were still near her at the bar,

"are here to say, there is another way. A way that uses your particular skills, and keeps you and your families high and dry. Now, if there's questions, by all means, but if that sounds good we just need you to sign on this here datapad..." he gestured to a datapad in the middle of table, that showed a contract that would sign them away to a life alongside him and Vic in the Cartel. He almost felt bad making them sign up alongside him, he wasn't exactly the cartels biggest fan. But, sometimes you gotta be nasty to save your own skin,

"And we'll have associates pick you up and get ya ready and outfitted very soon. Now, whattaya say?" He finished triumphantly. Hopefully more than a few would be along for the ride,

"Anything to add there pal?" he asked Victoria, parting the curtain again slightly and calling out (@Xorism)


@Insalius

 

[Victoria Winterblaze]

Victoria finished her second shot quickly and set down the glass in time to catch one of the recruits winking at her. The trouble with recruitment was that there was always bad eggs that had to be separated from the good crop and they didn't exactly have much time to figure that out before they would need to scram.

Orders were to get signatures and get out of there but the Republic fellas always liked to drag the damn thing out beyond what was really necessary, Vic hoped a bit of booze would help that along just nicely.

"You got buddies still serving you don't want to mess with? alright the Cartel will keep you away from 'em. You got beef with someone in particular? the Cartel will get you both there and out with just enough time to blast the fool. We're a big family and if you join you'll be taken care of like family you hear?"

"If the life doesn't suit you well make your money then go find somewhere that does otherwise just sign here and we'll get you a nice payout real quick."

Naturally, the recruits would probably all be dead within months if they were sent up against the Republic in this little war that was just getting started, but they didn't have to know that. If Vic could get this sorted without having to brandish her weapon then she was all for it.

@Insalius @Minuteman75 @Nightfall096

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

They know how to make a tempting offer even though it is full of bathna shit. Talos looked around and saw how desperately a number of them wanted to believe it. In honesty, it is a terrible shame in how warriors who defended their nation and people were rewarded with not much but a pat on the back. Nevertheless in Talos’ mind joining the Cartel wasn’t the solution. It’s ruled by a bunch of giant slugs who use people then discarded them like utter trash, in a way far more worse than any uncaring pen-loving official can manage.

Of course Talos realized saying such things out loud here would only paint a target on himself and get killed. Which is why he took mother measure to sabotage this meeting. Next to him Iric Rozen nodded at the gangsters before commenting. “Sounds very rewarding to me. I haven’t made any steady pay in years, this wil-

Iric froze before his eyes closing and muttering to himself and collapsed off from the seat into the floor. Captured by confusion the other vets looked on with concern. Talos sprang to his side while others followed, trying to wake up Iric but couldn’t, he remained unconscious. “What’s wrong with Iric? Not one shot of beer can do this to him.” Remarked a Rodian female in a flight jacket.

Talos already knew the truth. He had drugged Iric’s glass with a sleeping pill while holding minutes earlier. It will keep the veteran out for several hours. Acting like the suspicious friend he went over to the minibar and smelled Rozen’s glass before a expression of horror surfaced on his face.

“It’s drugged!” He loudly announced, before drawing an accusing finger toward the gangsters. “They did it and probably all of our drinks too. They’re going to enslave us all. Run for it!”

While the patrons was taken aback by the accusation Talos ran to a large table meters away in front of two cartel members and overturned it. With new cover he drew his pistol and fired up into the ceiling two laser shots. Whether the veterans believed Barrenfist’s story or not, they would have now reason to flee with the threat of violence and many of them bolted for the locked door. Little did any of them or the gangsters realize Talos had just sent a signal to the hidden Jedi outside to make his own entrance.

 

[Albert Penumbris]

Albert had signaled for another drink from the bartender as the door was closed and locked, before the man's speech began. Having already gathered the Force to use, it was easy to manipulate the man's mind as he came over. "You know, there's quite a few people in that room. If there's a fire, that locked door is going to be a problem. Why don't you give me the key, I'll make sure there aren't any problems for you. In fact, why don't you take your lunch break? I'm sure I can handle things from here." The bartender's eyes glazed over as he nodded, slipping the master key that employees of the establishment would have for safety procedures. It would be bad for business if a whole room of VIPs were killed in a blaze if the door couldn't be unlocked in an emergency.

It was when he heard the commotion start inside that he made his was over to the door, which was close by from where he was sitting, and used the key to unlock it. Now the fleeing Veterans would be able to pour out of the room, the bar now empty thanks to the bartender leaving due to the mental suggestion, and Albert kept the Force gathered to use as needed. He stayed behind the door until the veterans left or in case someone moved to attack him. Once the vets were gone, that would leave only his Republic ally, whom he already knew who they were, and the enemy from the Cartel. Without the veterans in the way, the chance for collateral damage lessened. He didn't want to kill these men if he didn't have to, but for now all cards were on the table. His right hand, hidden by the door, was under his raggedy coat and on the hilt of his vibrosword, ready to draw in his defense. His left hand was empty, which was what was shown to anyone entering the room from the private booth. Just a harmless drunk turned bystander.

@Minuteman75 @Nightfall096 @Xorism

 

[Harlan Banks]

What in the kriffing...

Harlan's mind spun as one of the Vets collapsed onto the floor, slipping into unconsciousness. A quick glance at Vic and back, he doubted she'd done anything that dumb to one of their targets today. It wouldn't have served any purpose, and from what he knew of Vic so far she wasn't exactly the type to do anything like that. And he sure as hell hadn't done anything.

No, something was up. Something was kriffing up.

And so, as the very concerned, bearded veteran (@Minuteman75) began to walk over to the bar and some of the Vets became a little jumpy, he had to act. Drawing his tri-blaster from his belt, he held it at hip level aimed at the man's chest as he moved to the bar where Vic stood. He didn't know how she was going to react to all this, but he damned sure wasn't going to let all this commotion just slide by in silence,

"Hey you buddy, back in kriffin' seat alright!" he said to the man before quickly turning his head at the ret of the vets

"Guy can't hold his liquor, and now this, ugh" he said with a shake of his head, playing it as a joke for now as he turned back to the bearded Vet, blaster still trained on him

"We got a contract to sign" he got out as the man went and sniffed the drink, beginning to call out. Harlan would talk right over the top him,

"Hey you're being more trouble than you're worth buddy boy, sit the kriff down! Okay? Okay?!" Harlan called over any actions the soldier would continue to do, while raising the gun and aiming it at the mans chest. The dude didn't have to die, but he was making it very hard for Specs to not pull the trigger and end this.


@Xorism @Minuteman75 @Insalius

 

[Victoria Winterblaze]

Victoria was not expecting to see one of the potential recruits collapse dead on the table or at least it looked that way. Surprise turned to reflex as the bearded former marine walked over to the minibar, stood threateningly and began yelling accusations.

Victoria acted upon instinct as she stepped back from the minibar while watching him and lifted the hidden thunderbluss from under her light fur coat which fell to the ground. The heavy weapon was quickly aimed at the instigator's chest before he could finish speaking, Vic fired once to interrupt him completely.

If hit at this close range the heavy damage taken on his armor would likely bleed through and cause minor injury but it would not kill him with just one shot. Vic didn't intend to kill the man but rather shut him up, and perhaps scare the others into staying in the room. She had no time to kriff about and would enforce her authority the only way she knew how, at the barrel of a gun.

While just out of eyesight, Vic heard the door to her left open.

@Insalius @Minuteman75 @Nightfall096

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

Talos felt Harlan’s gun pointed at his chest and saw Victoria step away from the bar. Reacting on hard earned instinct Talos rolled to the left-hand side, just as Victoria interrupted him a moment later. The blast would instead strike a veteran behind Talos, squarely in the chest. Since the man wore regular clothes instead of armor and was at very close range, the shot was fatal. With a cry of the damned the blond haired human flew back by the force of impact, crashing into a table behind him lifelessly.

If the would-be recruits didn’t any reason to flee before they did now. Springing forth from their seats in terror, they ran for the newly opened door. Nearly twelve feet later Talos rolled up, with his pistol in hand he rose up and aimed for Victoria. At that point he attempted fired two stun bolts toward the woman’s upper body, specifically the neck and face.

Regardless of whether it works or not the Jedi should have enough of an opening to move in.

 

[Albert Penumbris]

If having one of their fellow veterans yell for them to leave, whom they would listen to before most others even with guns, hadn't been enough to make them run for the door, having one of their own be shot definitely would have stirred them to do so. With the door open they were able to make a clean exit, and a quick one. Taking his vibroblade from it's sheath on his back, Albert used the mirror-like blade to peer around the open door, holding the knife up above where the veterans would be running so as to not impede their exit, and look at the room inside without making any vital or large part of his body become exposed. Taking into account the reverse nature of a mirror's image, he was able to gather the situation clearly between the fleeing bodies. As Talos fired his stun rounds, Albert used his empty hand to command the Force he had built up to throw Harlan as hard as he could through the air at Victoria, aiming to clear the bar separating the two.

Despite only being a Knight, Albert had the strength in the Force of a Jedi Master and had been working with the Grandmaster recently to increase his skills in the mystical power. He would put as much strength into the throw as he could, The force of which could usually crack a wall under the impact of what he was doing. Coming from behind and with no warning there would be a Jedi or any Force User present, the move should have been a complete surprise to the Cartel members. With one of their number suddenly vaulting over as an improvised missile at the other, it should give Talos some time to get to a better position as the last of the veterans made their way from the room. The fleeing men were concerned only for their own safety, so since Albert wasn't being threatening to them they just passed him by as they made their way out.

@Minuteman75 @Nightfall096 @Xorism

 

[Harlan Banks]

The moment the soldier started to move from Vic's blast, Harlan knew this was never going to go the way he had planned. Happily, with his finger on the trigger already tracking that kriffing suspicious vet, as the soldiers body fell into a roll across from Harlan, he pulled the trigger on his tri-blaster, sending a trio of bolts flying into the mans, apparently unarmoured, shoulder.

With the soldier already committed to the roll and being so close to Harlan that the bolts would hit almost instantly, there would be little, if anything, they could do to avoid the fire.

And with the shots heading into their shoulder, the strength of three bolts would tear into the mans flesh, not killing him, but certainly giving a grievous injury that would hamper and interrupt any further actions he would have had planned, and causing a great deal of pain that would hamper the rest of the fight.

With the bolts fired, immediately Harlan whipped round as the last of the vets fled the scene, quickly taking in the door. He nearly went to call out after them, but he knew it would be too late. The Hutt's certainly weren't going to be pleased at he and Vic. But h'ed rather be alive.

And then it hit him. Or, something did at least that lifted him into the air with a punch of force. In the moment he was hit he fired a bolt toward source, and sailed over bar with a cry,

"Whaaaaa...?!"

He damn well hoped Vic would move out of the way. But it was clear now a soldier wasn't the only problem they'd have.


@Xorism @Minuteman75 @Insalius

 

[Talos Barrenfist]

Talos swore loudly as he fell to the ground with a now burning wound in one of the shoulders. For a moment the soldier thought he was done for when Harlan was tossed like a doll by an invisible power and crashed into Victoria. In spite of the searing pain Talos grinned, knowing Jedi backup was here at last. It was fortunate Harlan had not struck his lefthand side which happens to be his gun wielding one. Seeing the two cartel operatives on the floor due to the Jedi’s power some distance away Talos did not hesitate.

Aiming at their general direction, he would fire seven stun bolts as they would be trying to recover, four bolts toward Harlen’s center mass and three at Victoria’s body on her side.

Spoiler: OOC

I only replied back in this turn since the forty eight hour time limit is up by now.

 

[Albert Penumbris]

By the time Albert made his way into the room, the fight was over. The woman must have been caught completely off guard by the sudden Force Push of her comrade into her, the two collapsing into a mess of tangled limbs. This left Talos the opening he needed to stun them both into unconsciousness. That was when the Jedi saw the slain veteran, a small grimace appearing on his face. He didn't know what happened, yet he hoped it wouldn't hurt the mission. Using some of the Force to heal Talos' wound, he bade the man gather the fleeing Veterans and convince them to join the Republic. Thankfully, as it was one of the Cartel members who had shot first, they were more inclined to side with their saviors. That just left the matter of the two prisoners.

These two weren't any members of note of the Cartel and would end up just wasting resources from the Republic to try them and jail them. Albert wouldn't kill them either, that was just wrong on a variety of levels. There was an opportunity here, perhaps not for something large, but a longshot to something useful. Taking a couple spare commlinks, Albert turned them on to record and send information to his own commlink. He hid them as best he could on the clothing of the two Cartel members, not impossible to find but definitely not easy to do so. Taking some paper and a pen, he wrote a message to put in the pockets of each of them to use as a distraction. "We can't allow you to win this war. When your Cartel falls, everything you were will be ours. Better than any flimsy alliance." It was a poor attempt at sowing discord between the Sith and the Cartel, yet even if it caused just a small amount of doubt, it would be worth it. He didn't know if the Sith really were going to take the Cartel space after they were defeated, but knowing for sure wasn't really the point of this gambit. It was to distract them from looking for the commlinks, so they could be tracked hopefully to whatever local safehouse or base they operated out of. Once that was done, he took them both to an alleyway to wake up from their stuns. With Talos sealing the deal and the Cartel members hopefully being used to track their fellows, the mission would be complete. With the least amount of bloodshed.

((OOC: As agreed per all parties, the Republic completes their objective and the defeated Cartel members are let go, hopefully to track down their base or cause confusion in the ranks.))

/Endthread

@Minuteman75 @Xorism @Nightfall096