Ask Coruscant Speaking with the Manager

[Thalia Windraider]

She was glad to be finished with training, she felt entirely too cut off from the rest of the galaxy while she completed the requirements to become a member of the Sector Rangers. However, it was in this time that she finally felt she found her niche, a place where she could rely on and others would be loyal to a cause and help her when she needed it. Unlike the criminal underworld, where loyalties got one killed and trust was essentially non-existent. Prior to the completion of her training, Thalia was offered to pick places she would prefer to be stationed and managed to gain her first pick along with her badge. It would be a few days before she officially started, but she was already on Coruscant, not even bothering with other worlds in the core as she was eager to just meet with one person: Nick Shaw.

It may have been one of the reasons she picked Coruscant, in fact it was her main reason, offering a piece of familiarity in a field she was still entirely green. It was about mid morning when Thalia made her way to headquarters, trying not to let the massive city world distract her so much she would find herself in another accident. Her senses have not been a bother ever since she taught some control by the Jedi Knight, Max Tionson, giving her some refinery to these gifts; and she for once was not worried about some thieving thug trying to kill her. Thalia felt great, even more so as she climbed the stairs and entered the building, stepping up to the droid receptionist and was greeted promptly.

"Um, yes, I would like to speak with Ranger Nick Shaw," she suddenly felt a little awkward, her stomach turning from nerves, an odd sensation as though something could go wrong, "I have some concerns I need to discuss with him." Thalia explained, her fingers fiddling with one of the buttons on her jacket; she was dressed like an official, she hoped it carried some merit that she was legit and not some ragamuffin from the streets. The droid starred expressionless and was silent; Thalia tilted her head in confusion.

"Ma'am, I have contacted his office, please wait here. Agnes Bactonlow will be down shortly." The droid spoke and Thalia was even now more confused.

"I asked for Nick Shaw, not an Agnes..." Thalia clarified.

"No, Anges Bactonlow is Mr. Shaw's supervisor." the droid explained and Thalia sighed and gave an uncertain nod.

She stepped back from the desk and idled while this Agnes person arrived, wondering if she should start regretting now or when Agnes arrived.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

Sergeant Agnes Bactonlow was an intimidating woman. She wore a permanent scowl and seemed to look through people not at them. The angry woman came through the door a few moments later and looked Thalia up and down. She could sense the insecurity in her.

"What did he do now?" she asked Thalia, pulling out a datapad to add to the Sector Rangers listed of complaints. Before Thalia could answer, Agnes spoke again "Well, spit it out. I ain't got all day." she said unpleasantly as she plopped down in the chair behind the desk.

----​

Nick sat at his desk, writing up a backlog of reports. He always wondered how he was supposed to do anything with all these damn reports. His Sergeant had almost beat him to death with his own arms when she found out the paperwork hadn't been filed yet for his last case.

One of the other officers came by the desk. "Another one of your crazy ex's come up here?" he asked pointing a thumb at the door that led to the main lobby. "What do you mean?" he said looking somewhat agitated. He didn't have great luck with women, and one or two had shown up at the department and shown out. "Sarge is out talking to her now, has been for a couple of minutes". he said, almost laughing.

"Oh shit." Nick responded as he jumped out and practically ran out of the room. A few seconds later he slid out into the main lobby, searching to see who had shown up to cause trouble. He wasn't expecting who was actually out there waiting.

"Thalia?!" he asked, interrupting the sergeant which earned him an even deeper scowl. "Its been awhile!" he said moving towards her.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

When Agnes Bactonlow arrived, Thalia suddenly had a bad feeling. If looks could kill, this woman could stab anyone to death with just the glare. Thalia did not say a word as she was looked up and down and the blonde rested her hands on her waist, trying to figure out what exactly did she saw or do that warranted such a visit from his Sergeant. Agnes voice could curd nerf milk as she demanded what Nick Shaw had done now. Thalia was stunned by this turn of events she began to wonder if Nick was still here.

Agnes spoke again and sat down behind the desk and Thalia seemed to be at a loss for words but the Sergeant was not impressed. She shook her head, "Well, I meant to speak with Ranger Shaw, this is not something he did wrong...per say..." she glanced down and then looked back at Agnes, "I was juuuust hoping to see if he was here....so....I can..."

Suddenly Thalia heard her name and she turned to see Nick approaching and now ignoring his Sergeant. "Nick! You're here!" part of her wanted to yell out thanking the Force for saving her to converse with the Sergeant, "It has felt too long, but!" she paused and took out her new Ranger badge, "I officially start in a few days, I've been assigned here." she explained and glanced at Agnes whose scowl seemed to deepen and Thalia's cheeks reddened before looking at Nick.

"I was hoping to meet Sergeant Redd, but I was told he was out until next week when I start, so I thought I would come to see how you were doing."

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

"I had no idea you had even applied! You should of let me know, I could have given you some pointers." he said. Agnes scoffed behind them. "Pointers? Shaw almost flunked out of the Academy twice." she mumbled loud enough for the entire department to hear.

Nick sighed. "Hey Sarge, I uhh need to go do a follow-up investigation so I can finish those reports you need." he said, starting to pull Thalia away. "Oh, I bet. If they aren't done by the end of the day you're suspended!" she threatened before getting up to leave. Deciding to get out while he was still somewhat ahead. "Hey, come on. Let's go get a drink to celebrate." he said quietly.

They stepped out into the streets. "You lucked out with Redd." he said as the door closed behind him. "I...wasn't so lucky." he said looking back towards the department building before turning down the street.

He led them to a bar about a block down. It was frequented by the Rangers. A round of beers was ordered and Nick shook his head. "So did you choose Coruscant or was it chosen for you?" he said as the beers were brought out.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia's smile widened as he suggested he could have given her some pointers about the Academy, though Agnes seemed to suck out any happiness that surrounded her when she spoke. Thalia pursed her lips together and her brow furrowed as Agnes seemed to ruin the moment by announcing Nick's failures. He seemed to take it well from what Thalia could tell, as though this reminder was something she did constantly. However, he decided to take their reunion elsewhere, passing it off as additional work he needed to complete in order to finish his paperwork.

It wasn't necessarily him asking for permission, it was more like him giving a suggestion and already having his mind made up as Agnes warned about his paperwork getting done. He suggested drinks to celebrate and Thalia could not say no as she let Nick lead the way. "You know, you're not the first who told me I lucked out. There are a lot of cadets who will avoid Coruscant because they fear a specific Sergeant." Thalia smirked.

When they arrived to the bar, Nick ordered a round of beers and asked about her sector placement.

"Well, I couldn't remember where, but I had remembered it was a 'c'." she grinned and took a sip of her beer, "I was fairly positive it was Coruscant, but I also wrote down Corellia and Chandrila too. When I found out I was coming here, I was able to see if you were here also, and to be honest, it is a relief to have a familiar face."

Thalia leaned back comfortably in her seat, "How have you been? Any more trouble from the centipede we captured?" she asked.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

He waved a hand dismissively "Bactonlow isn't so bad once you learn to operate around her. She's more bark than bite..." he said pausing briefly before finishing "...most of the time."

He listened as she explained how she got her placement. "Well, it will be nice to have you around. With so many people on this planet, there is never enough law enforcement. You will stay plenty busy." he said taking a sip of beer.

Nick chuckled when she asked about the crime lord they had put away together on Corellia. "Oh, she is safe and sound in prison. Followers usually fall away pretty quickly once they found their boss out of their reach. Unfortunately, they never seem to run out of replacements. Guess its job security." he said taking another drink.

"You find a place here on Coruscant yet?" he asked. During their brief time on Corelia, she didn't seem like the person who would settle down in one place though Rangers moved around so much that wouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia took another drink from her beer, listening to Nick explain his opinion of his Sergeant, resulting in a quirked eyebrow that she was mostly bark and not bite, deterring some confidence and backpeddled in that statement. She glanced around the room noting all the others who were in attendance, most of them looked as though they did work in the law enforcement field; some dressed as officers, others in more formal attire, and it was certainly a difference from what she was used to on places like Nar Shaddaa.

Knowing that Roz was still in prison was a good thing; it turned out that signing up to retrieve some goods from her and instead helping the cops put her away in jail gets one placed on a bad list of clients that the criminal world would want to talk with. She nodded to his story, "Good, glad she's there still." she said letting him continue about finding a place.

"Not yet, I'll probably just stay on my ship until I get enough credits saved from pay. Though, I was warned about being transferred a lot, just depends on the assignments I will be doing. So I'm not sure if I want to get a place here..." Thalia shrugged and took a drink, she had honestly not thought about getting a place just yet. "[color=coralI have my ship, and that seems to be sufficient in what I need right now.[/color]" Thalia smiled. "Any places I should avoid if I do though?" she asked.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

Thalia seemed a little nervous about Roz. That feeling would be something she would have to come to peace with if she was going to make it. She would put criminals away, some far worse the Roz. It wouldn't be hard for someone to become dangerously paranoid if it wasn't something she could deal with.

"My landlord loves renting out to Rangers. I am sure there would be a place for you if you wanted. He gives a pretty steep discount if you agree to handle tenant issues every once in a while. Usually pretty easy stuff." he said with a shrug. "Beats sleeping on a ship's cot." he finished.

His radio squawked to life before he could continue his conversation. "All Units. Bank Robbery with Hostages. Subjects heavily armed." before giving the location which was in Nick's normal district.

"We gotta go." he said throwing some credits to cover the drinks. "They give you a blaster yet?" he said as he started to jog outside. If she didn't he would loan her one when they got to his speeder. "Looks like you get to start today." he said.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Nick explained the situation with his landlord, giving Thalia an idea of at least one possibility to where she could find a permanent or at least semi-permanent home to settle down in if she chose to stay on Coruscant. She never seemed to mind the cots of ships, it was certainly a step up from what she grew up with, but then again, there was a comfort to a real bed. It was then their conversation was interrupted and their meeting cut short due an all call on robbery and hostages. Thalia jumped to her feet and followed Nick as he urgently directed them it was time to go.

He asked if she had been issued her blaster, "A badge without my weapons, tsk." she said patting the weapon underneath her jacket as she followed him out of the bar and too his speeder. This time, she knew she couldn't be the driver, not that she would know where she is going. Coruscant was even less familiar than Corellia, she guessed she could just comment on how his driving is once it was all said and done. Thalia got inside as Nick took off, mentioning how she was going to start today.

She glanced over to him and grinned, "I wouldn't know what I would have done with myself until then." she said as they zipped off to where the robbery was unfolding. Thalia pulled out her blaster, checking it over before holstering it under the cover of her jacket. All her training now ran through her mind, but instead she took a deep breath, calming not only her mind, but her senses, ready to feel and to move as commanded. Luckily the robbery wasn't too far off as Nick joined the others who have swarmed the building.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

Nick weaved in and out of traffic, siren blaring as outside lights flashed on top of the speeder. He nodded as she made sure his weapon.

"We are going to beat any other special response time." he said confidently. He knew how things worked on Coruscant. Resources were always stretched thin. "If we get the chance to, I'd like ot try and talk them down. You'll need to be in a position to end things quickly if that goes south." he said. Thalia had earned his trust back on Corellia, she had already shown she had better sense than the average rookie ever before she started the Academy.

They arrived a moment later and only two CSF units had arrived. They held a perimeter outside the bank. Nick parked the speaker and they made their way from cover to cover until they reached the Officers. "Any idea what's going on?" he asked the officer as they took cover behind his vehicle. "Looks like 3-5 suspects. All carrying blaster rifles." he said. "I am guessing around 15 civilians in there as well."

"Alright." Nick said. "We are going to go in, have others block off all the entrances and hold their position." The CSF Office nodded and Nick turned to Thalia. "We should go in through the second-floor balcony. There should be plenty of cover on the west side." he said.

"You ready?"

 

[Thalia Windraider]

When they arrived, Nick was right as they beat the other Sector Ranger units to the scene and it was disappointing to see only two CSF units trying to diffuse the situation. Thalia looked around as they approached the leading officer, her own senses reaching out as she had learned to do from Max, it was difficult to filter out all the other noise that resonated in the Force. As they described the suspects and what they were carrying, it sounded now a hostage situation. The officers had arrived before the thieves could leave. They were fearful and Thalia could feel the fear, no maliciousness, not yet, only if they pushed them.

She heard Nick redirect her attention, he was already forming a plan explaining what he wanted everyone to do. Thalia frowned as he asked if they were ready, the officers already making their move to the building, she would go with Nick through the second floor. "Yeah, lets go, quicker we get this done, the better off everyone will be inside." she said, turning to follow other officers to the side of the building. Thalia slowed her pace, looking at the windows, recalling techniques she had used to break into places prior to joining the Rangers.

First she needed a step off point, finding herself in a running start, jumping onto and off of a hallowed container to give her enough height and momentum to reached the edge of the second story window. She pulled herself up, finding an awkward seat on the ledge as she knocked her elbow through the window and kicked out the rest, pausing to see if anyone was alerted, her senses calm, no pull of urgency and so she waited for Nick to join her inside.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

He pulled himself up next, albeit a bit slower. As he regained his footing, Thalia sent her elbow through the window. He cringed slightly, the noise was a lot more than he would have liked to make but the style seemed to have fit her just fine on Corellia. "Easy there, cowgirl." he whispered as climbed into the broken window.

The upper floor was mostly officers for the bank's management. They would need to clear this floor quickly, letting someone get behind them could be a fatal mistake.

Nick moved forward slowly, checking each of the rooms. He was about to check one of the last offices when the door started to slide open. He quickly backed up and ducked behind cover as the heavily armed man stepped out in the hallway. He hadn't seen them and apparently hadn't noticed any of the noise they had made

He turned away from them before he looked over at Thalia and mouthed "Quietly"

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Nick was a bit less graceful, but Thalia was glad he was able to slip through the window also, the glass shatter did not seem to alert anyone to their presence as they paused at the door before opening it and going into the hall. Thalia pulled out her blaster, double checking the stun setting as they exited into the hall as they begun to check for any sign of robbers that had overtaken the bank. Thalia stood by the door, listening, but also feeling as Nick opened each of the doors. She was ready to stop him if she felt something off and it came when they reached the last of the offices.

Nick ducked behind cover, as did Thalia, peaking cautiously around the corner to watch the armed man make his way back down the hall. He didn't seem to suspect anything unusual; Nick mouthed to her, reminding her to be quiet. She guessed there would be no more glass breaking. However, she nodded in response, knowing how critical this would be. Thalia raised a finger and silently stepped behind the thug, blaster aimed, her free hand extended and then she fired two stun bolts.

The robber gasped and Thalia grasped a handful of his vest, gritting her teeth as she allowed the body fall with a softer landing. As the body touched down, she gasped, finding the dead weight of the thug a lot tougher than she had imagined.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

He kept lookout while Thalia took out the criminal. He moved towards her and zip-tied the man's wrists before removing his radio and weapons. "Not bad, rookie." he said with a silent chuckle.

They finished clearing the second floor and peered over the ledge that overlooked the first floor. There were two more suspects holding the first floor, one waved a blaster around, pointing at anyone who dared to make eye contact. The second was a woman who barked orders. There was likely one or two more while these two held the hostages.

"Our first priority is the get the hostages out." he whispered backing away from the edge. "You stay here and I'll go down. When I am in position, I'll take whoever is closer and you can take out the second one. You'll be able to cover the hostages as they leave then. " he said, nodding slightly

He made his way downstairs and dodge between cover in he was in a good position. He signaled to Thalia and they took their shots. He had taken aim at the woman who seemed to be leading the whole thing. The stun bolt hit her and she was out cold.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia grinned to his comment, "I have my moments." she whispered as he took the radio and weapons from the thug, leaving him to sleep hopefully long enough for CSF to come in and clear out the place. The rest of the second floor was empty and keeping low, they made it to the ledge that overlooked the first floor. Nick peeked over the ledge, noting who was present and Thalia would do the same after he took a look, hearing one shout her orders to the hostages. Nick explained the plan and Thalia nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her rookie nerves.

As Nick made his way down the stairs, Thalia followed, watching Nick as he moved to his points of cover behind several desks. The moment opened and Nick made his move, however, as Thalia stood to take out the other thug, a door opened from behind, the other robbers returning from another room. They let out a yell of surprise, Thalia could feel their surprise in the Force as she turned to fire her weapon, the stun bolts missing their mark as one of the smaller thugs knocked her weapon back and tackled her with his shoulder into her gut. She landed backwards with a hard Oof and lost her weapon in the fall.

Nick now had bigger troubles as Thalia worked to overwhelm the thug, the other went after Nick as well as the one that was guarding the hostages.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

Just as things were tipping in their favor, two others entered the fray and took them by surprise. One started to grapple with Thalia, but Nick had no way of getting to her as he was rushed by the second newcomer.

The man went to raise his blaster at Nick but as the shot went off, Nick pushed the blaster aside and stepped into the man and too close for the man to use his rifle effectively. They struggled for a brief second before Nick held the blaster up the man's stomach and pulled the trigger. The man dropped instantly.

He turned to the criminal who had moved towards the hostage. "Drop your weapon!" Nick shouted at the woman, but she quickly grabbed a trembling man. He started to cry as she pressed the blaster towards the man's head. "P..Pl..Please...I can use my manager's codes to get you into the safe downstairs. Please don't kill me!" he said.

Nick kept his aim on the woman. "Don't do anything to make it worse on yourself!" he said.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

The thug was so much larger and heavier than her, pinning an arm across her chest to hold her down, keeping her from rising up and helping Nick who was now in a worse situation as one of the hostages were placed in danger. She then felt something cold pressed against her temple, and she stopped struggling. The criminal still kept his weight on his forearm, keeping her still until he got to his feet, his blaster still pointed at her. "Get up, now." he growled and grabbed a handful of shirt and jerked forward.

Thalia stood, her armed twisted and pulled behind her as the blaster was held to her temple also. She looked from Nick, a bit surprised and worried, and then back at the banker who was now in the least ideal situation. There was uncertainty and Thalia needed a plan fast that will have the least casualties. Thalia inhaled, reaching for the calm to quickly assess and her eyes fell on Nick, he needed to keep calm and the criminals too, the opportunity would come.

She tested the thug hold her, but he twisted harder, causing her to stop, but as she did, her eyes fell on the fire alarm. Thalia's eyes widened and she took a deep breath in, knowing what to do next. Her senses reached out to grasp the lever with the invisible threads of the Force. It felt as though she were grasping it physically with her hand and as she closed her free hand into a fist, the lever pulled down.

The klaxons and flashing lights sounded, startling the criminals, giving Thalia and Nick the opportunity they needed.

@Raydo

 

[Nick Shaw]

He looked to Thalia as she was taken hostage herself. Nick let out a slow breath. "Let her go." he said speaking calmly. "You hurt a cop and there won't be a safe place for you in this Galaxy." he said.

The moment was tense as the stalemate continued. Shouts going back and forth between the Ranger and the robbers. His eyes met Thalia's and he could tell she was about to try something. He wanted to urge her not to, these criminals were growing desperate and one wrong move would set them off.

Before he knew what was happening, the alarm system in the building started going off. At the same time, the sprinkler system started pouring water into the building. It took them all a second to recover, which gave Thalia her opening. The alarm had spooked the leader who took aim at Nick.

Nick spun and shot at the woman at the same she shot at him. Her shot was a little wide but Nick struck her in the arm. She wasn't down, but she dropped her gun with a painful yell.

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia grasped her fist and shoved her elbow sharply into the criminal's center. He let out a loud Oof only to be cut short as she took her fist up and underneath his jaw. There was the distinct sound of bone cracking, she was certain a tooth or several teeth were removed and he most likely bit his tongue. The other woman had taken her shot at Nick who reacted on his own instinct, disarming her and Thalia scooped up fallen blaster. With a flick of her thumb, she switched the blaster lethality to stun, shooting the woman first and then the thug who was coughing blood and teeth.

He slumped over and Thalia looked around at her situation before lowering the weapon.

The doors opened on either side of them, the CSF had made their move inside as back up had arrived. Thalia set down the weapon on a desk near her and pulled out her badge to reflect away the officers as they attended to the hostages. She looked at Nick, nodding to the exit, she wanted to get out of the sirens and sprinklers.

@Raydo