The Platinum Monkey-Lizard (Tank!)

[Zay]

-theme-
"Haste makes waste."​

Blaster fire erupted behind Damon Kross forcing the ex-pirate turned businessman to flinch involuntarily as he struggled for control of the helm to the sun yacht he was currently trying to protect. The flinch was just enough put the formidable human off balance allowing his opponent to land a solid elbow just below Kross' left eye. The attacker was a sturdy Trandoshan named Geoff. Geoff is the leader of a nefarious bandit crew who are currently attempting to steal a very valuable artifact that was discovered a week earlier. The only thing standing in their way was a posh pretty boy playing hero. The pretty boy of course was Damon.

Kross dropped to his right knee under the impact of the lizards blow. A grunt escaped his gritted teeth. Before the Trandoshan could land another hit Damon drove forward entangling the lizards legs and forcing him to the ground. In an instant, Kross had wrapped up the bandit leaders legs and was shimmying up his captive. Geoff attempted to free himself from the human's grasp, but his efforts were fruitless. Damon wrapped his legs around the Trandoshan's abdomen and squeezed with all his might. The lizard groaned as the air was forced from his lungs. Damon put the lizard into a head lock, cutting off Geoff's windpipe and applied pressure. Any noise the bandit leader wanted to make was impossible. The world began to tunnel. Darkness edged into his vision until his sight faded out.

Feeling his opponent got limp, Kross, held the choke a few more seconds and then released it. He pulled pushed the beast off of him and pulled his Mercy stun-gun from his back holster. Damon took aim and fired three shots back to back into the transohan. "Night, night, shab-head." Kross murmured as he brushed himself off and walked toward the helm. He lifted his wrist-comm to his mouth and hailed Lenix. "Hey kid, there's still a lot of smoke pouring out of the starboard vent-shafts. Everything alright?" he took the helm and righted the ships course while he waited for Lenix's response.

Another blaster shot slammed into the wooden paneling a meter from his right foot. The wood splintered and shot outward like shrapnel. A jagged shard embedded itself deeply into Kross' right calf. "SON OF A B-" the sound of the left stabilizer wing skidding across the ground cut him off. He looked back in the direction of the blaster shot. Two of the locally hired security crew were pinned down by one of the bandits. Damon sighed and muttered to himself, "This is the last time I hire locals..." the rest of his tirade was caught on the wind, as he righted the ships course again. Pulling his stun gun from it's holster Damon set the auto-pilot and spun on last remaining bandit.

Teeth gritted and a slight limp in his step Kross opened fire. The stun bolts flew from his weapon with reckless abandon splattering all around his intended target. The bandit panicked and stood to return fire. He never saw the blaster bolt hit him. The bandit dropped head wound still smoking. The security guys gave Damon a thumbs up, Kross returned the gesture with a single digit in the middle of his hand and a scowl. He turned his back on the two hired hands and hailed Lenix again, "If you're dead I'm going to be pissed. Lenix, get back to me or I'm coming down. Copy?" Returning to the helm, Damon gritted his teeth in pain and worry as he waited to hear back from his mechanic. "If she's dead, I'll kill'er." he said through clinched teeth. "She's got five minutes..." he grumbled as he took control of the ship.

♦♦♦​

"Hey kid, there's still a lot of smoke pouring out of the starboard vent-shafts. Everything alright?"

"Argh, shut up you freaking idiot!" Lenix yelled as she worked feverishly to stop the engine fire. She was almost out of extinguisher fluid and the sporadic shifts in the ship had slowed her down considerably. She mimicked Damon's message as she loosened then tightened various bolts allowing the system to purge. Bracing herself on the thin walkway's railing she made her way back to the main console, praying to any deity that would listen that there was some progress. Just before she got there the ship lurched to the left and weightlessness followed.

Lenix was thrown hard to the left and slammed her head on the same railing that she'd been holding onto for dear life. Her vision tunneled hard and stars burst forth across her vision. She could hear the terribly high-pitched screech of durasteel scraping against the hard packed sand. It took a second for her to regain her senses. Her head hurt really bad and she could feel something hot and wet leaking just above her left eye. He lifted her hand to check the wound. When she pulled her hand back it looked at it and immediately felt uneasy. Crimson blood coated her hand. Lenix felt dizzy and forced herself to look away from the gore on her hand. She wiped her hand on her pants and forced herself up. Her head really hurt, but she pushed through and made it to the terminal.

Lenix breathed a sigh of relief. The alerts were starting to subside and correct themselves. Her hands flitted across the console effortlessly as she entered various commands. The internal recovery systems were beginning to hold. In a few minutes the ship would fix itself. She leaned back on the railing and sighed, "That was close..." As she relaxed her wrist-comm buzzed and chortled. "What do you want now? she grumbled.

"If you're dead I'm going to be pissed. Lenix, get back to me or I'm coming down. Copy?"

Lenix rolled her eyes and replied, "Everything's good down here. Maybe work on your piloting..." she chuckled as she headed back up to the deck. As she reached the main level of the ship she cocked an eyebrow at the carnage. Looking to the local hires she chuckled and said, "Looks like you're earning your keep today." They chuckled and shrugged shyly. Even with blood smeared across her face Lenix was attractive and she knew it. She turned her gaze on the ships current captain and made her way to his side.

"The ship'll make it to the rendezvous point." Damon nodded without taking his eyes from the horizon. His right hand was on the helm and his left was holding his datapad. Curious Lenix asked, "What, not enough excitement for the infamous pirate, Damon Kross?" Her tone was flippant as usual. Damon chuckled and said, "No, I'm firing the help. They can't hack it. We need professionals. He handed her the datapad. It was open to a confirmation screen. Damon had hired six freelancers and they were schedule to meet at the rendezvous point in three days.

Lenix frowned at the data pad. Then looked to Damon. His expression was hard. It was clear the gears in his mind were turning. Lenix wanted him to let her in. To share his burden, but he'd never let that happen. She'd learned very early in their friendship that if Damon set his mind to something he'd never relent. Instead she said, "You think we'll need them? Damon was silent for a moment. Just as she assumed he wasn't going to answer he said, "Yeah. Too many people know about this payday." His words unsettled her. Unconsciously, Lenix gripped the stock of her blaster and stared out over the sand undulating sand dunes. She just hoped the freelancers that were sent were worth a damn.
@Minuteman75

 

[Minuteman75]

Rens Ahim sweated heavily under the blistering two suns, while sitting on a massive rock at a canyon's entrance, bored to death. Close by were five others, gathered under the shade of another giant boulder. Like him they were all hired for a high risk job but other than that Rens felt noting in common with these other rogues... Being more young and inexperienced than them, the five others(three humans, one Weequay, and one female Twi'lek) never cease to tease Rens about it and his fish-like appearance for the past few hours. Their insults were lame and not original but still stung nonetheless, so the Mon Cala opted to suffer sunburn than stay in close quarters with the scum.

While cradling his blaster rifle, Rens Ahim looked out at the horizon in front of him, to see when Kross's sun yacht arrives. He can heard some of the snicker by his supposed partners at his misfortune under Tatooine's heat. That wasn't all he caught attention however...

"Sounds like that bastard Kross score big this time." One of them, a woman with pink buzz cut hair noted. Her Weequay associate on the left added.

"Yep can't wait to see that beauty for myself. Then take it-

The merc was kicked in the boot to shut up by a grizzled white bearded human, their leader. For a second, Rens tense up for a moment at what discussion could mean, but kept his eyes on the dunes , pretending that he haven't hear any of it. Rens Ahim didn't have to be a wise Jedi to guess that they maybe will try to steal the loot they're supposed to help protect. If that happen then no credits for him and possibly an early grave as well. He actually smiled at the challenge, creds were all and good but the thrill of adventure was his true idol.

Rens, narrowing his eyes, spotted something in the distance, pushing up great clouds of dust. Bringing out a set holobinoculars, the aquatic Aline got a better look of the approaching object. It was the yacht! Standing straight up, Rens got the attention of his fellow smugglers who noticed and prepare themselves. Sliding down the boulder, Rens Ahim, rechecked his gear, waiting alongside the others for Kross to pick them up.

 

[Zay]

Damon took a long drag off a cigara as he watched the Freelancers unload and begin preparing for the mission. Five of the six mercs had either taken a liking to one another or worked together regularly. The odd man out was a young Mon Cal. His eyes never left his surroundings he was alert and didn't waste his time lollygagging like the others. Kross liked this one. The others could go jump in a sarlacc pit for all he cared. As a matter of fact that would be the financially safer outcome. If they turned on him or anything went awry he'd be able to get some of his money back. The thought brought a slight sneer to his lip which in turn forced him to flinch with pain. He carefully ran a hand over the swollen black and blue contusion under his eye. It would heal fine, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little self conscious about the black eye.

Lenix entered the room. Her head still wrapped up just above her left eye where she'd fallen and hit her head. She'd suffered a minor concussion, but with a little rest and some kelto she was right as rain. "Have you had a chance to check out the fresh meat?" Lenix asked.

Damon nodded and replied, "I was just taking stock. Did you hide the artifact where I asked?"

She nodded and then said, "I have a bad feeling about this group..." she allowed her reservations to trail off as she fiddled nervously with the hydrospanner in her tool belt.

Damon chuckled and said, "They aren't all bad. The Mon Cal seems to be on his own. I'm gonna put my bets on him." he took another pull from his hand rolled cigara and then put it out in the ash tray by the windowsill.

"Let's go meet the crew shall we?" Damon said turning from the window and flashing Lenix his patented shab-eating grin. Lenis didn't look as confident as Damon did. She was nervous and she didn't want to be in danger the entire trip. Damon however seemed to be perfectly fine with allowing a bunch of shady killers for heir into his ship. Damon picked up on her unease and said, "Take a breath, kid. I used to live on a pirate ship. I know a thing or two about low-lives."

With that he stepped through the door and into the burning rays of Tatooine's duel suns. He crossed the parking lot where the six freelancers were standing and called them to attention. "Good afternoon. I'm your employer Damon Kross. As you can see from myself and my associate," he gestured to Lenix as he spoke, "...we've had quite a bit of trouble on this run." His eyes watched the figures before him studying any minute reaction they my have to his little speech.

The group was rag-tag at best. The two that seemed to have the most control was a punk rock wannabe human with pink buzzed hair and an average sized weequay with no real distinguishing features aside from his race. The other three members of the posse were remarkably unremarkable. A rodian, a twi'lek, and human male. Each could have been interchangeable with any of their race. The only thing that stood out to Damon was a skull and cross-bone tattoo on the twi'lek's wrist. Alarms went off in Damon's mind, but he couldn't justify the fears without hard evidence. It was important for him to appear in control right now and any sign of that wavering needed to be squashed. He made a quick mental note to look into the tattoo once they departed this hell hole.

"Our job is simple. Transport our cargo which has already been loaded into my ship," he gestured to the Action I Transport. "You make sure we get there in one piece, you get paid. If you fail... well, then we're all dead." Damon's foreboding words were delivered with a smile as he promptly turned on his heel and started walking toward his ship. Over his shoulder he said, "Lenix, Mon Cal. You're with me. Pink hair, you're in charge of the rest. We take off in an hour. Don't make me give you a bad rating on Freelancer."

Lenix looked to the Mon Cal and then to the rest of the crew. Sneers and high fives were being passed around as if the five morons had just accomplished something. She frowned wondering what they could possibly be celebrating. The pink haired woman quickly took command and began doling out orders to her companions. If Lenix was uneasy before, she was down right scared now. The five freelancers weren't even trying to hide their relationship. Maybe she was overthinking it. She'd have to talk to Kross about it soon. She looked to the Mon Cal and then gestured toward Kross with her head.

In a kind voice she said, "Better not keep the boss waiting." and then she jogged off to catch up with Kross.
@Minuteman75

 

[Minuteman75]

Dameon Kross and his lady friend seem to have been through hell and back for their newly acquired treasure. Rens heard a story or two about Kross being a ex pirate and such, pretty vague stuff in his opinion. The young freelancer had come to prefer to see the evidence of such tales for himself rather take word for it. It's a lot more interesting to meet the subject in question than hear about it secondhand...except for the Sith of course. As for Kross, he seemed very sure of himself and his companion more guarded, like they're balancing each other out or something.

If the five scumbags really do try something, Rens hoped their employer is as capable as some folks claim, because it's highly doubtful they will share the score with him. When addressed to Rens Ahim nodded in eager nervousness, making his youth pretty clear

Kinda wished the sun yacht was still being used, I always wanted to ride...no pilot one. Oh well beggars can't be choosers.

Rens thought with a shrug then joined Lenix. He nodded some more when she spoke, trying to look professional before he ran alongside her toward their common employer, especially to get away from the murderous heatwave and get things going. Once he was sure the others couldn't hear him, he whispered to Lenix.

"I overheard them talking earlier, they're really interested in the cargo like, really, really. Hope y'all got a plan for this problem."

 

[Zay]

"I overheard them talking earlier, they're really interested in the cargo like, really, really. Hope y'all got a plan for this problem."

The words hit Lenix like a fist to the gut. Panic began to bubble up, but she stowed it and nodded appreciatively to Rens. Damon had backed the right horse in this race. Now, she just hoped the young merc would be able to hold his own. It wasn't long before the trio was aboard the 'Lucky Shot'. As they entered the ship Damon made a B-line for the cockpit and Lenix followed. She beckoned for Rens to follow and hoped he would be quick enough to keep up. Damon was moving with a purpose that indicated a plan was already in motion.

Kross waited until Lenix, and Rens were in the cockpit before he closed and then locked the door. Kross pulled a small metallic box from his jacket pocket and then pulled a thin hand rolled cigara from it. He offered the case to Lenix who took a cigara and then to Rens. Damon would linger long enough for Rens to make a decision then return the case to his jacket pocket. In a single practiced motion, he pulled a metallic lighter from his pants pocket, ignited it and lit his cigara in the same motion. Before extinguishing the light he offered it to Lenix allowing her to light her cigara. He'd offer the same courtesy to Res provided the Mon Cal chose to take a cigara.

He flicked the lighter closed and then promptly returned it to his pocket. Before he could speak Lenix blurted out, "He over heard the others talking about the cargo!" she was shaken. That was expected. This was her first real smuggling operation and so far, it'd been one huge pile of steaming bantha dung.

Damon took a long draw on his cigara. His gaze was aimed toward the ceiling of the cockpit as he allowed the new information to register. Damon walked over to his captain's chair and took a seat. He kicked his feet up and a smile began to spread across his face. "Is that so." he said aloud as he took another draw on the cigara. He chuckled softly as his plan started to form.

Lenix failed to see the humor in the situation and cut off his revelry with a sharp quip, "What's so funny!? We're in real danger here!"

Damon remained calm and allowed her question to hang in the air momentarily before he turned to Rens, "What's your name, kid?" Damon nodded as Rens introduced himself. "Pleasure to meet ya. I'm Damon Kross, this little spitfire is my second in command and current head technician, Lenix Oleir. Don't let her pretty face fool you. She's good. Real good." Damon took one final draw on his cigara and then said, "Why don't you tell me what you heard."

Lenix tsked and crossed her arms clearly upset with being ignored. However, she was clearly interested in hearing more of what the Mon Cal had to say. Lenix was rattled, but not dumb. She'd survived far worse situations than this one in her short life and even though she was irritated with Damon's lack of concern regarding the possible mutiny on his hands, she wouldn't allow it to interfere with her job. That sense of duty didn't stop the tirade of insults she was mentally hurling at Kross now though. Their time was running out. The other members of the squad would be on ship any minute.

@Minuteman75

 

[Minuteman75]

Rens couldn't help but noticed the state of this ship in the interior while following Lenix's lead to the cockpit. A bit of wear and tear he thought, then again his own freighter wouldn't be winning any design awards either. Smuggling wasn't all glamorous and riches as some big budget holo films would have audiences believe. Still the jazz or thrill of this lifestyle was worth all of the crap he had to put with on often daily basis, at least in Rens' case. Once they were inside with Kross and the door locked, he watched the confidant human pull out some criagra for them all from a little metal case. For a moment Rens Ahim hesitated, having not smoked before but wanting to prove himself as a man, made the Mon Cal quickly accept the gift.

Once Kross lighted it up, Rens inhale, and instantly began to cough up a storm for a few seconds. Feeling embarrassed, the young alien put the cigra in his mouth again, to save face while the two humans dicuss what he revealed. The former pirate didn't appeared faze at all by the danger, heck he seemed to welcome it. Lennix on the other hand didn't seem to share the same feeling and let him know it loud and clear. Stang this is an interesting situation if noting else.

Pulling the steaming crigra out of his mouth, Rens sheepishly replied to Kross.

"Rens...Rens Ahim. Pleased to meet ya both."

Once his employer asked for more details, Rens began to feel slightly more confident as he explained.

"Well those drumasses were chatting about your prize, we all heard about. The Weequay said he can't wait to see the thing then taking it before one of his pals shut him up. So boss...do ya have a plan?"

 

[Zay]

Lenix was getting fed up with Damon's lackadaisical attitude. She lit her cigarra and took a deep drag as she attempted to calm her nerves; however, in her stressed out state she misjudged the force in wich she pulled on the cigarra and was sent into a coughing fit. Damon chucked and received a death glare from the younger woman. To her credit she managed a choked out, "You fraking shab head"

Her face was red from a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Once she regained her composure she turned her attention to Rens. The Mon Cal relayed her worst fears. The freelancers they'd hired to protect them were only there to steal the statue. Panic gnawed at her insides and made her stomach hurt. She took a measured pull on the cigarra and then ashed it in a nearby tray. Lenix and Rens were both looking to Damon for some sort of answer and all he was doing was lounging with a stupid shab eating grin on his face. Finally, the smuggler seemed ready to share his thoughts.

"I appreciate your candor, Rens." He took another puff and then said, "You two let me handle the morons loading up. I'm going to need the two of you to man the guns." He allowed that to sink in. Battle was eminent and if either of them couldn't handle it they'd be in trouble. Damon was confident Lenix would be able to preform, but he wasn't to sure about the mon cal.

The cynical smuggler hoped Rens would prove to be someone he could depend on. It was clear to Kross that the alien had honor, most his species did but would he follow in their footsteps? It was too late to worry about anything like that. Right now he needed finish his prep for take off and to distribute his orders.

Looking to Lenix and Rens he said, "I need you two to very carefully and quietly power up the guns. I fully expect resistance when we try to make a jump." he let that sink in for a moment and then finished with, "I want you both to man a turret. be sure to shut and lock the door behind you." He could see confusion and a little fear cross Lenix's face. He knew she wouldn't like what he was going to do, but the life of a smuggler required you to things you didn't like. He leveled his gaze on her as he said, "Once the guns are up and operational. Do not come out until I call for you."

He swiveled in his captain's chair and flicked on the intercom. "Look alive kids, this is your captain, Damon Kross."

His voice carried throughout the ship and snapped the five "freelancers" to attention. "We'll be taking off in 10 minutes then adjusting our trajectory to meet with the corellian run and then we'll be taking a hard right toward Nar Shadda."

He knew Lenix was about to object and without looking back he held up a finger to silence her.

"This trip won't be much fun, there's only one rule. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT open the cargo hold." Lenix gasped, a horrified look coming over her face. Damon rolled his eyes then covered the com.

"You're not going to do what I think you are...are you?" she asked.

"I am." he replied.

"If they don't open the cargo hold they'll be fine." an edge of humor creeping into his tone. Returning his attention to the com he said, "Patrols of the ship aren't necessary, I only hired you for the extra security. So, kick back relax and enjoy the easy job." Damon allowed the crew to relax a bit and then added, "However, if there's trouble I fully expect you to hop to. I'd better get my credits worth..." he abruptly switched off the com and then turned back to Lenix and Rens.

"Alright, lets get this show on the road kids." he hit a switch and the door behind Lenix and Rens slid open.

"They won't make a move until their back up is ready to assist. You guys are free until then." A smile spread across his face and he added, "Oh, and don't for get to warm up the guns." he gave them a reassuring wink and then returned to his console and began the final diagnostic tests.

Lenix shook her head took one more pull on the cigarra and then put it out. "We're dead..." she said as she turned toward the opening and then looked over to Rens, "C'mon Rens, I'll show you around the ship while we wait to meet our maker. Ya, know it doesn't look like much, but it's actually pretty nice." with that she made her way out of the cockpit.
@Minuteman75

 

[Minuteman75]

Wow I would hate to be those guys.

Rens silently said to himself in youthful awe, watching how Damon handle the situation. In all honesty Rens knew he wasn't a great planner, being more of going with the flow type of guy. Still he can already see how someone like his current employer made a great splash in the underworld. He nodded eagerly when Kross told him and Lenix to warm up the guns. Putting out the cigara, Rens Ahim followed Lenix once again.

Unlike Kross, she didn't seem as confident in the plan and open about it, which confused the twenty one year old alien. When Lenix talked about touring the ship while they wait he replied with a no problem shrug. "Fine by me." Looking around with great curiously he added with a whistle that basically said he was impressed.

"A lot bigger than I used to. More into light freighter myself. So..."

He paused speaking while staying pace with her before awkwardly asking.

"So uh Lenix are you related to the boss or something?"