Log:BHG - Of Swords and Stuns

Unbeknowst to her, Ulani has a bounty on her head. Payment upon delivery, alive, to Kuat. A pair of feasrsome Mandalorian bounty hunters arrive on New Alderaan to collect and are met with resistance by Bors and several New Alderaanian guards.

Bounty Hunters' Guild: Of Swords and Stuns

OOC Date: August 28, 2021
Location: Droalder Shoreline - Bastion, New Alderaan
Participants: Bounty Hunters' Guild, Ulani Kalgaav (GM), Bors Thul, Sumi Kora, Hahtavi Kora

Ulani Kalgaav. Female. Twenty-one. First Order defector. The listing had warned she is well-versed in demolitions, but all gathered information showed she never carried any explosives with her. Often unarmoured and unarmed. On her own, the target is an insultingly easy mark.

The trouble is that she's rarely alone. If she's not in the company of several individuals, many armed and capable, then she is milling about in the heavily populated areas of Chandrila filled with civilians and New Republic patrols. Not impossible hunting grounds but nevertheless tricky. Perhaps it is providence when a shuttle she is on is tracked jumping to New Alderaan. It could be the best opportunity that will open in a while.

It is early evening now. The tall lanterns that line the stone paths have only just came on and the nocturnal critters begin singing their songs. There is a light guard presence here, patrols who seem to be enjoying the night air along with another pair idly strolling.

Having spent a bulk of her day at the Thul family estate, Ulani is now walking along the path speaking to the man at her side. "I was thinking of finding an investor," she's in the middle of saying. "For a droid shop in Hanna City. It could be a good place to do my repair work and modifications. Then you can have the office all to yourself again."

"Only if thee were bent towards it fully, the office is most tended for simple reports and has seen more work with thy passage through it than mine own. But a workspace where thine craft can be more fully expressed could be of better suited to the works, I suppose." Some of his time while Ula had been at the family estate had been on more official work; and keeping in such he had yet to remove his flight suit - even with scant minutes before the waltzing stroll down the path.

And completely not because it was forgotten to be worn until the very last minute. Not at all.

"I'm fair certain there would be a number that would provide such as the needed vesting for a shop of your own though; what with the little concussion machine proving thy talent in micro-works; macro would be a given."

<<"Acquisition located; she is walking along the stone path parallel with the bay. There is a light guard presence, but it could still be a challenge.-- Lady Fae, prep Hahtavi's ship for hasty departure and track our IFF. This is going to go sideways, I can feel it. Hahtavi, I will take off and address them, you land behind them... be ready for violence. Just remember.. we're not here to kill, we're here to capture.">>

Sumi's visual enhancer raises back up from over the right eye-side of her helmet. She touches a hand to the wrist device on her arm, then adjusts before activating her jetpack.

At the moment, only one target is marked. Sumi was not able to make positive I.D. on the sister.

<<"I see them. Wilco, over.">> His rifle he has on his tactical sling, rigged and ready to use. Hahtavi toggles it for stun and fires off his jetpack when Sumi says it's GO time. With a thrust of his legs he leaps up into the air and the jetpack carries him upwards and into an arch following her lead and a bit off of her left side much like a wingman's position. Until it's time to descend.

This Mandalorian makes to position himself to land behind the couple walking on the beach as Sumi instructed. Hahtavi's boots touch down with a solid if muted thump, his jetpack cutting off as his knees flex to absorb the impact.

"I don't mind the office personally," Ulani soothes towards the bemonocled man with a gently touch of his arm. "Of course, I enjoy the company. Though it may be easier to bring clientele directly in from the streets rather than sixty stories up. Even with Kuhlai's help, it's quite a chore sometimes lugging the components up and down the turbolifts. Besides..."

Ulani's voice fades off a little and she stops walking, her head tilting just a little. Brows furrow a little then relax. She's still not used to all the different sounds New Alderaanian fauna make.

She continues. "...I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll have to find a patron first and go from there. "

Within the treeline and along the beach, the numerous patrols hold on to their paths; weapons pointed down towards the ground. They've not heard anything out of the ordinary. Those goober frogs can be pretty loud.

Sounds of jet thrusters and the impact with the ground - Bors's expression becomes a mixture of curiosity and concern as his hand goes to the simple, yet elegant, grip of the blade on his hip; rather than the carbine in the rifle sheath on his back. "By the Mother?" right brow pinching down tighter on his monocle and concern washing over his features.

"A sensation most poor I must declare at this point, Ula..." staring at the Mandalorian in the wake of their stroll. No words given yet, but a large man in red fez is at the side the pair in a trice, silent and staring between all visible parties now.

Sumi Kora arrives in front of the pair, landing with ease and transitioning from air to her feet in a fluid motion. It seems aggressive, but the short Mandalorian maintains enough space between herself and the pair to allow for close quarters should it degrade to that.

It is immediately clear what Sumi is: A Mandalorian. Furthermore, it's also immediately clear who she represents; a mark colored red and black that hung like a sash from her hip, its sigil belonging to the Bounty Hunters' Guild.

Sumi's voice modulator clicks over and the warrior upnods. <"Ulani Kalgaav? -- I have positive I.D. You're a wanted fugitive from the world Kuat. My role is to return you alive. I will ask once that you accompany me peacefully; or.. you may choose to resist. I do not recommend the last choice.">

Hahtavi is content to let Sumi do the talking. She is second in rank only behind the Guild Master himself of the Guild so there is no doubt things he may learn from taking her lead. His rifle is held ready in his gloved hands though not quite pointed at any particular person among the three as yet. He takes a couple of steps forward and slightly to the side to keep himself out of Sumi's direct line of fire, more to an angle behind the group.

It also incidentally puts him more towards Ulani's side than Bors or his valet's though at this angle he could have a clear shot at any of them. With the water to one side to restrict the movements of the party who lack jetpacks - it is slightly to the landward that Hahtavi's positioned himself while still behind the group.

The sound of something landing directly behind them turns Ulani's head and she sees a large, armoured man with a rifle standing rather menacingly. The hand on Bors' arm tightens to grasp the fine fabric of his tunic. "What?" She says uneasily. No sooner has the word come out before another is landing in front of them, drawing her attention forward.

Blue eyes narrow in confusion; as if she cannot really process what she is hearing. "Fugitive of Kuat? There must be some mistake." She does recognize the armour but not so much the sigil. None of it is really processing until the order to accompany them cuts in and she is shaking her head insistently. "No. No, I can't go back."

Dotted around the immediate area, some of the nearest guards have stopped their movements and are looking around. At this distance, none of them have spotted the small encounter transpiring, though a few are bringing their hands to their helmets. A telltale sign that they are at least communicating with each other.

The Valet who has come to Bors side blinks rapidly at the fact of a pair of Mandalorians now bracketing them and he clears his throat, nervously. No combatant he. A glorified butler, really, following around the Lord Thul when not in battlefields or in his fighter.

"Ere that I could not dare for Ulani to stand in against collection; Bors of Thul must, and will, stand fast. I cannot, in standing to my honor, abide this; bounty hunters." motioning and his valet brings around a thin sheath from his own back as Bors pulls durasteel. "I would offer resistance and give thee the matching to mine own for the purpose of the contest." an identical hilt to the blade in his hand now held out by Kuhlai - but to no specific Mandalorian as of yet.

<"You will go back."> Sumi says coldly, nodding her head to the female before looking to the Lord who puts himself between her and harm. At the offer of crossing blades, and doing his part, Sumi steps forward and claims the second weapon, revealing its blade with a loud rasp of steel and scabbard. Quietly, she steps back, brushing her cape back from the path of her swinging arm to test the weight.

It becomes clear that Sumi is much more than she appears. Her movements with the weapon, and subtle trade from hand to hand suggests she's an ambidextrous sword practitioner. <<"Hahtavi, claim the girl while I deal with this Lord.">> Sumi says over comms, her voice NOT announcing the tactic out loud. She salutes with the sword, displaying a measure of respect an honor as is custom with Alderaanians, but then she lowers the weapon to a guard and prepares to attack.

Aye, one swordsman to another, Hahtavi has seen how they /love/ to test their skills against one another. It is after all a more elegant martial art than many, and very old. Far more elegant than using a blaster rifle. Though he has to use what he knows.

<<Understood. I certainly won't allow her to flee.>> He eyes the valet but is also marking targets into his HUD, including any of the guards up nearer to the structures should he happen to see them. Possibly not yet. It's good to track enemy positions once things start moving fast.

Staying just out of quick lunging distance, Hahtavi doesn't telegraph his intention ahead of time.

The response sends a chill down her spine and for a breath, she stares at the smaller Mandalorian. Back to Kuat. Every nightmare already coming to life in her head as she imagines what waits there. Who awaits there. An old, almost forgotten rush of fear paralyzes her. It's Bors' voice that brings her blinking back into moment and grounding her enough to realize what he is about to do.

"Bors, you--" Ah, but the swords are already out and she's learned enough by now that she can't and shouldn't interrupt a duel once it's been joined. Ulani squeezes his arm, touches her forehead to his shoulder, says something quietly, then reluctantly moves away to go stand next to Kuhlai.

By now, one of the nearest guards has made a visual of what is unfolding on the stone path of the beach. A glove hand raises to wave at a few of his nearest comrades who start rushing over. Their weapons remain pointed down as half a dozen (6) New Alderaanian Guards begin to converge. They're still several yards away but closing in to investigate what is going on.

Blade swept up, saluting in identical fashion to Sumi when she gives respects; Bors expression becomes grim and the foppish airs fall away like mist in sunlight. "Lady, I'd rather not that it come to this - success or fail. That she has escaped the dire life as she has done. But if they shan't relent than I will have at thee."

A tone of regret for having to come to violence, but some things must be done despite a love of peace.

With a look to Ulani and a nod, Bors steps forward in a whirl of steel. An expert in bladework, with decades of training behind him. For good or ill, a series of steps meant to keep his balance while putting weight and speed behind the high pointed jab and wheeling for a highside lunge and a low outside thrust again. All intended to disable rather than harm or even kill.

For ill or good.

Sumi offers nothing in return, just cold silence and efficiency as he commits to violence and she defends herself. CLANG!

CLANG---CLANG! --CLANG--!

The two trade swings, meeting offense with defense and generating small sparks with each connection. Sumi cannot contend with Bors' raw strength, but she mitigates his strength by moving quick. It's true, he is a very good swordsman, but Sumi outfoxes him with a parry and riposte, both scoring the pilot across his chest. Sumi intends him no actual harm, so she uses the flat side of the sword to bludgeon him and force the air from his lungs.

When it seemed the conflict was over, Sumi twisted the sword to plant it firmly into the ground beside Bors, a show of mercy and proof she did not intend to harm him more than necessary.

She looks to the guards then, and touches her wrist to project the bounty writ with Ulani's likeness.

<"This woman is a wanted fugitive. Our purpose is to apprehend and escort her safely back to Kuat. Please do not interfere."> To demonstrate why it would be a bad idea to interfere, Sumi extends her Sonn-Blas Z6 stun baton and twists it to charge up its electric functionality. The hungry hum and appearance of electrical current welcomes the opportunity for someone to step in the Mandalorians' way.

A breeze comes in from the water and over the beach. Such a pleasant location and a very fine evening for walking. Shame it has to be interrupted, isn't it?

Those with swords pair off and test their blades skill against one another, the first clangs of metal kissing metal. That is enough to trigger Hahtavi into action. The valet doesn't nobly step between Ulani and the second Mandalorian so Hahtavi has a very clear and easy shot at the young woman who isn't even wearing armor.

One stun round of faint blue rings leaps from the muzzle of his Galaar and strikes her, and as she doesn't at once flop into a heap - possibly too stunned to do so, he follows up with another shot while already moving. The second hit is more than enough to drop a small bantha, let alone poor Ulani.

No standing still to make a target of himself. Aware of the guards running in their direction, this Mandalorian moves towards their downed target.

Kuhlai isn't so much protection as he is a kindred spirit. Neither he nor Ulani are really made for this kind of stuff. Ulani stands next to the older, fez-wearing man with her hands clutching one another and wringing. The duel seemed to happen so quickly and yet it plays out to her in slow motion. Every scuff of boots on the stone. Every flash of a blade reflecting the lights of the lanterns around them.

They've shared the battlefield a number of times now and yet this is the first time Ulani has bore witness to Bors getting hurt. The first blow wrenches her chest; a grip on her lungs that robs her of breath. At the second blow milliseconds later, the grip releases and Ulani calls out, "Bors!" She gets two steps forward when a set of blue rings hit and every muscle in her body seizes up. There is no time to recuperate as the second comes soon after. All Ulani sees is a blur of Bors on the ground before she collapses unconscious.

The half dozen guards have encircled the group and skid to a stop. It takes just a moment for them to process what they are seeing. Ulani stunned to the ground is one thing, but there is an Alderaanian Lord under attack! "You are under arrest!" And by 'arrest' they mean 'going to be subdued then arrested.' Blue energy donuts abound!

Winded would be the most polite terms of it when he hears ribs creak and then the flat of a blade across his solar plexus. If he weren't in a position wherein he was trying to figure out while his mouth was full of dirt and if it was because he was face-down, or because of a slide after the fall he might have actually thanked Sumi for not going for his right leg. His poor. Poor. Abused, battered, mangled and utterly inelegant right leg.

He carries so many scars there and it's just improper to give them any sort of time of display at court to develop intrigue. Really. What is he going to do? Show up to court in short-shorts or a thigh cut bathing suit?

Well I suppose if distracting the ever living hell out of everyone was the game. That might be a really ingenious idea actually, at least as long as the Princess were not holding court. She might frown on such behavior that he might be able to get away with in lower court.

"Write that down."

Did he say that out loud?

"What??!" Kuhlai pipes in as he is on all fours, shifting - go to Ulani? Go to Bors? Like a hound who keeps jumping at the ball that the sonovamonkeylizard won't space-damned throw. Where does he go?! WHAT DOES HE DO!?!

Falling over on his side, Bors realizes he folded in half. At least if he went out he wouldn't swallow his tongue, that's good. But where is Ulani? Is she ok? How badly did he fail her this day? "Zounds..." Language, Bors.

But he's delirious. He's getting only tiny breaths while he recovers.

That's not an excuse to be improper!

You're really getting carried away here, you know.

Maybe, but it's fun.

The stun setting is absorbed by Sumi's armor and its concussive properties take her off her feet. Rising back up is done in the heat of the conflict as four converge on Sumi to stop her. She has no words, just action. One man is struck hard in the leg and disabled for the time being; a second is hit dead center torso and sent flying away from the altercation to land nearby completely unconscious. Sumi attempts to pursue a third, but they've wise up and back track, avoiding the hungry sound of the baton as it passes inches from their face.

The guards have made a ring around them. Hahtavi has come to stand over Ulani's prone body, she lying unconscious like a sprawled rag doll some child dropped and forgotten at his boots. When they refuse to accept Sumi's terms and she leaps forth to bash them and show them the error of their choice, Hahtavi raises his rifle and fires more stun rounds in turn.

No fracking way they are going to arrest him and strip him of his gear. Bring him up on some trumped up New Alderaan charges. His shots drop one and miss another. If no more guards coming rushing to the beach, they can take the remaining four easily.

On the other hand, a dozen more may be getting called up and be on them shortly. <<"I'll take her and get her away. Careful, lest they are calling for backup, Sumi.">>

The circle of guards are well-trained, dedicated service men and women to protecting New Alderaan. Taking up arms and defending their home and their people. Doing what must be done. 'Never again.'

But it is safe to say none of these fine men and women have ever come across a Mandalorian on the field before. Let alone two of them. Yet they rise to the occasion. One even gets a hit in though, oddly, it deflects off of Sumi's chestplate and dissipates. It can do that?!

"We have a situation here!" One is heard saying into his helmet. "Requesting immediate back---" And that is cut off as Sumi's hit sends him flying backwards and disappearing into the nearby treeline.

A second guard, staggered by a hit, tries to make her way towards Bors who appears to be barely coherent. She doesn't get far when Hahtavi's strike knocks her unconscious, face-down in the sand. The four remaining guards hold their ground. They have to! For Alderaan!

Company!

Oh they're unconscious.

Oh that's right. Bors blinks, or tries too. One eye is faster than the other. But he does reach out to pat her on the shoulder, thusly. She's trying to do her job. Not her fault. Another lopsided blink and the Noble coughs, eyes slipping shut. A half breath. Finally. More than a little whistle gasp. That's fantaszzzz.

Sumi ducks another shot and strikes at another pair of guards. Her intent is not to brutally maim them, but disable so she and Hahtavi can get away. Sumi is not in the frame of mind to radio to Fae and tell her to arrive at a low altitude so they can board; she's two busy interacting with the remaining guards and missing a hungry swing with her weapon.

Sumi's having fun, totally in her element bashing people senseless. Hahtavi on the other hand puts words into action. The rifle is let go to hang on the tactical rig so he can lay both hands to the unconscious young woman. He's careful with her but efficient in picking her up and hefting her up onto his shoulder plate - but not so far that her hands might hang down too far and get burned.

While the guards are busy shooting stun arounds at them, the male bounty hunter ignites his jet pack and Hahtavi uses his legs to help thrust himself up from the stone path. Up h e soars, carrying away their prize unless one or more of the guards can land a shot on him ere he's out of range.

T-visor tipped down to keep an eye on the events below, Hahtavi then sets his sights on heading for their ship. <<"Hahtavi to Lady Fae. I am imbound with our aquisition. Sumi is still playing, over.">>

Two guards are taking the most uncomfortable naps of their lives. Two more have found themselves on their hands and knees conscious but barely able to breath in the aftershocks of the stun bolts. The remaining two guards look up to see Hahtavi making off with a captive and both draw their attention onto him; firing in the hopes of hitting him before he gets to high up or too far away. Two circular echos of blue fly up into the night sky and disappear like the most disappointing send off.

One of the still-conscious guards, his weapon lost in the haze that is his peripheral vision, drags himself over towards Bors and tries to do... something. Very difficult to be at all helpful when he can't feel his hands. "Lord Bors, are you okay?" Slurred but clear enough.

From the south, in the direction of the town, the hum of motors are fast approaching. A cluster of swoop bikes are quickly making their way through the streets and towards the beach each housing a rider fully armed and armoured. More company; the cavalry that will likely arrive too late.

We're sorry but the Lord of Thul you're attempting to contact is not, mentally, present right now. We do so very much appreciate your time and interest but we are not sure when we will be back to take your contact.

As we lack any sort of audio-visual recording equipment right now, due to a lack of cybernetics, we are unable to take a message at this time either.

Thank you for attempting to contact Lord Bors and you have a FANTASTIC day.

Bors sleeps, sort of. Mostly oxygen deprivation. He'll be around with a headache later.

Also chest bruises.

And some rib bruising.

As they open fire on Hahtavi, Sumi arrives to cover the Mandalorian's return to the ship by smacking their weapons down and hurting both of them. When the final guard is sent skipping across the sand, Sumi pivots in place at the sound of incoming vehicles and authorities, likely backup. <"...Rekk."> Is all she has to say before activating her rocketpack to follow after Hahtavi, leaving an interesting scene behind. When she landed in the back of the hunter ship, Sumi deactivated her weapon and pulled her helmet off. She had a grin on her face.

Nope, Hahtavi doesn't see or hear the swoop bikes incoming. Once he's dodged any last shots fired at him he's jetpacking upwards into the night sky, a lot more watchful lest aircraft might be getting deployed. He plans to get either get to his ship before then, or drop low and dodge through the city to evade them if any show up.

Sumi is more than able to take care of herself on the beach. Even so, Hahtavi looks back to make sure she's fine before he's going to get out of visual range of her. No bounty or any amount is worth risking his Alor for. It is therefore relief to see her firing off her own jetpack to rise up to follow him.

Aye, very good. In a few moments he's arriving back to where both Death Toll and Kyber Heart are parked. Boots hit the duracrete and he's moving towards the ramp, <<"Lady Fae, I'm boarding. Sumi's right behind me. Let's fire it up and get out of here.">>

Let's hope the authorities don't alert ships in orbit. That would be a bit much. And there's Sumi, grinning like a kid on her first heist. Hahtavi pulls off his helmet and gives her a grin back, Ulani's butt up in the air, "Shereshoy! Oya!"

The two Mandalorians disappear into the darkness of night carrying with them a prize worth a bit of scratch. Enough for some nice munitions, at the very least. The aftermath isn't so much a bloodbath -- though Bors likely coughed up a bit of it in his stupor -- as it is a scattering of bodies in various phases of repose. Only half of them are able to speak as the swoop bikes arrive on the scene and only one of them can speak clearly enough to explain what happened... but very slowly.

Thankfully, Kuhlai is there unharmed to give a more detailed accounting while medics are called to the scene. Bors in particular is quickly seen to, given field treatment to stabilize him while they await for further backup. Within minutes of the Bounty Hunters exit, the beach is filled with the flashing lights of New Alderaan authorities and investigations begin.

It all took a matter of minutes. In. Out. Done. The target acquired and missions successful. Next stop: Kuat to cash in.