Log:Resistance: Beggars Can't Be Choosers
Beggars Can't Be Choosers
OOC Date: August 17, 2018
Location: Tion System
Participants: The Resistance, Devii, Ektor, Jessika Pava, Kaiden, Karas Darkwing, Kare Kun, Nova Korell, Poe Dameron
The mission brief is thus: the Resistance is looking to establish a hideout on the industrial moons of Tion, a remote Outer Rim system of minimal economic value, with a checkered history of rebellion and piracy. The team will pose as⦠heavily armed civilians looking for a discreet safe house where a Tionese loyalist (pirate) and a few friends with ships can lay low while quietly waiting for Mid-Rim heat to blow over. The operatives are tasked with determining the presence or absence of hostile intelligence in the Tion system, establishing a secure hangar if viable, and building native trust while laying the groundwork of a nascent Resistance cell if they are able.
As a native of the Tion System, Flight Officer Apollyon can provide local context and can help direct the inquiries and efforts of more capable operatives, but under no circumstances is he to be allowed any decision-making authority.
Operatives are to use civilian gear and vessels only: the Outrider has been approved as a transport, along with a quartet of mismatched civilian starfighters belonging to FO Apollyon: two Starchasers, an HLAF interceptor, and a Preybird. Once on the ground, operatives may proceed toward the objectives however they see fit.
The Tion system is centered around a binary set of brilliant cyan stars. The chief planet- named Tion Proper- is an uninhabited water world, while human life has colonized three of Tion Proper's moons, Tions 1, 2, and 3. "Listen, nobody ever accused my people of being overly creative, yeah?" Ektor drawls over comms from a Starchaser, as the handful of ships arrive. "Make for Tion One, yeah? That's got the only starport."
---
Kare relaxes on the flight. Not an overtly long one but catch it while you can, right? As they near she perks up and double checks her gear. "All set," she announces to any that may care.
---
"Shift from sublight engines to repulsorlifts," Jessika mentions sidelong to Leebo, the LE Series co-pilot of the Outrider as it settles down towards one of the landing pads of Stariot Staport. The bright flare of blue at the back of the disk-shaped saucer dims as the droid shifts power from one system to the next and Jessika, who is guiding the freighter via its flight controls, sets it down on its landing struts with a shifting of hydraulics that disperses the weight properly between the two so nothing fractures from the weight of the vessel. The interior of the freighter is filled with a dull, muffled whining as its systems begin powering down, and Jessika adjusts her pilot's chair to swing out and rise from her seated permission. "Make sure we're not robbed."
A few minutes later, after passing through the freighter's interior, the boarding ramp descends and Jessika waits for it to touch bottom before descending, hand braced against the blaster at her hip to keep it from jostling around in its holster. "Well, this looks like a nice vacation spot.." When she reaches the landing pad, she glances around for the man who knows the place best. She's got a bone to pick with him.
---
Karas was enjoying the flight himself, just for a change relaxing and allowing himself to do something he's not done in a very long time. Just relax. The dark skinned pilot looks out the view port as they arrive in system, and he smiles a bit, the planet looks incredible from space, but as they make thier way to the planet and to the landing pad, he too begins getting up. "May not be a bad place." he laughs.
---
Poe Dameron and BB-8 follow quietly after Jess. When she starts looking for Ektor, Poe pauses in place and lifts the dull grey colored poncho like top over his head to seat it firmly upon his torso. This conceals his civilian armor, but does nothing for his black trousers and the drop-leg holster strapped to his right thigh containing a custom DE-10 handcannon. Poe wears tall boots, beaten and faded from overuse, yet he still finds comfort in the 'lucky' things. With his hair left a mess, Poe turns to regard his droid companion a moment before looking toward Jess. He follows after her slowly, taking the time to put gloves on over his hands.
---
Devii sits in the Outrider with one of her droids you know the ones people talk about like she has a whole army of them. This one is a Hunter-Trainer, made by the rodians and is often a very successful hunter of bandits and outlaws, even famed Mandalorians. Raht is equiped with an array of weapons while she herself just has her jacket top button undone blouse and those coruscanti service striped breeches.
---
Being a gunner on a freighter definitely beats being squashed into a fighter's gunnery station. Nova Korell watches as they drop onto the landing pad, nodding in satisfaction at the landing. "Looks like a pretty nice spot to hide out," she observes. "Hopefully the locals are friendly." She extricates herself from the ventral turret's seat and is up the ladder shortly, pausing to catch up her rifle from a wall locker. She nods to Karas on the way out the ramp. "I hope we're still laughing when it's time to leave. That'll mean we've had a productive trip." She steps down the ramp in Poe's wake, her weapon held casually in one hand, looking the place over. She's careful not to step too close to BB-8, though she whistles a quick greeting in Binary.
---
Kaiden really excels at this sort of thing -at least, he thinks he does. The subterfuge, diplomacy, spying. Blending. Wearing civilian's attire, he is garbed in an attire of long cargo pants, utility boots, a tight short-sleeve shirt beneath a thin brown leather jacket. with a fanned collar. One hand is shoved into his pocket in a manner so that his fingers rest against his thigh and his thumb is hooked overtop and exposed. And on his face? A dazzling smile of pristine teeth, belying his scar that can be seen from beneath his shirt up to the bottom of his chin along his sternum in a discolored vertical line.
---
With the cannon strapped to her back over the vibroblade, Kare can't hide her armor like the others do. Tight black pants and a loose matching blouse along with rugged boots top her ensemble. She saunters off the Outrider. It would have been perfect except for when the barrel of her sniper rifle catches on the hatch and jerks her back. "Damnit," she mutters as she disentangles her self. Then with all the airs of she can muster she makes her way on down the ramp and to the deck. A brief smile and a wave is given to Ektor as she scans the others. Not really her element but she is doing it.
---
"Ektor, this isn't a beach." Her matter-of-fact statement isn't just meant as words, but as an accusation leveled at the one approaching those that disembarked the YT-2400 with his arms wide open. "You keep saying we're going to go to a beach, and we never go to a beach. And if this place has a beach, I'm pretty sure it would dissolve my toe off if I touched the water." She gestures out towards the buildings in the distance. "What's all over the buildings? It looks like some sort of sludge build up. Is there sludge in the air, Ektor? Am I breathing in sludge? Am I going to die from breathing here?" Jessika turns her gaze on the peaks of the junk piles in the savage yard. "I can taste the rust."
---
"You tell us, Ektor. You're the local national now." Poe says, chuckling. He stops walking once he's near Kare, but doesn't mention that he heard the sound of her rifle catching on the way out. He just looks her way and grins. When the rest of the gang is making their way out, he adopts a casual stance and for the first time, starts looking at all the sights. Jess is right, there is no beach and they might die here.
---
Nova nods casually to Devii, then to Kare, adding in a smile for the friendly pilot. "How old is this 'old city'?" she has to ask, looking to Ektor. "Nothing here looks older than a couple centuries, at least from the air." Count on the history buff to notice /that/. She casts her eyes over the surroundings. "There's got to be some land alongside a large body of water /somewhere/ on this world," she agrees, hearing Karas. "That just became Priority Target Number Two."
---
Devii comes down the ramp with Raht not far behind her. "If you want to go to a beach," The Mirialan says to Jess, "I'd be happy to take you." She gives the pilot wink before catching sight of Kare as she comes out, "Or you..." Then a look to Nova, "Of Course Moonbeam is invited too." SHe wait mainly here for back up so the smarter folks could get on with properly setting up a safehouse here. Though she had her own abilities incase they were having a hard time.
---
Ektor raises both brows and his smile deepens at Jess' complaints. Is she breathing in sludge? "Yeah, maybe a little. And don't be crazy, no First Worlders go swimming. But don't worry, yeah? I got your back... Tion Three? Tion Three got beaches. You all brought your suits, yeah? Yeah?" his inquiring look passes between the others. "Devii? Poe? Kare- Kare, with a tan like that I KNOW you brought a suit. Moonbeam?" Then Karas speaks and reminds him. "...Right, right, the thing we came for, first." Back on the subject. Poe and Nova get nods. "The Old City? Heh. Like.. a dozen millenia? Republic pressure bombed it all into dust a few hundred years back, hence the redecorating."
---
Kaiden breaths in through his nostrils, flaring them and pushing out his chest as his lungs fill with air. Upon the exhale, which is a gravelly and throated sound, he speaks, nothing melodic and actually the sound grating like a stalled engine, trying not to die. "Smell the fresh air," his rasp comes, "Place is beautiful."
---
An elbow goes for Poe's ribs "Shut up," she snarls. She knows what that grin was for. And her fight at the hatch ruined all her bad assery leaving her in a mood. Kare smiles, showing more teeth than normal "Deal, Devii," she calls out as she leans her head around Poe. Who gets a smug look in return "Notice you weren't invited." She taunts. "Ugh, this air though. Yea I ain't swimm'n in no water around here." Drinks! "Yea, count me in for the drinks."
---
"This isn't redecorating. This is.. moving dust from one space to the next. Like when you try to clean out your closet and move boxes from there to a different closet." Glancing around at the others as they start talking shop, Jessika gives herself a silent moment to come up with what sounds like it might be the best plan of action. Finding the local watering hole sounds like a good idea. "Before we start wandering around looking for the watering hole, let's get set up in some digs. Or are we, uh.. sleeping on the ship? I mean, I got cabins, but y'all gonna have to bunk up together or get some cots set up in the cargo hold. Some sheets to make bad privacy curtains." As far as Devii's invitation goes, Jessika shakes her head. "Sorry, my dream idea of a beach is me and no one else as far as the eye can see." At the varying ideas, she offers. "Split up?"
---
Poe weathers the elbow well, chuckling and stepping outside Kare's immediate range to avoid further abuse. "Let's look into the corporate dealings. Our best chance of digging up any dirt will be there. Like my Uncle always said, credits talk." Poe glances toward Jess and nods. "I like it, but we've only got one guide." Nodding to Ektor. "If you want to lead a group to the bar for some drinks, BB-8 and I can go try to find something out about Corporate. If anyone has skills with slicing, you're welcome to come along." Looking back to Ektor, "Unless you suggest otherwise, pal. You know these streets better than us."
---
Devii smiles back towards Kare, shaking her head and chuckling towards Jess. "Fair enough." Then orange eyes find Kare once more, "I call bunk with Kare." There is a wink for the Mirialan but she then adds, "Jess is right we should find some digs and then we can go see the sights. Spliting up might not be a bad idea but we need a place we an all meet back up and at a certain time." She nods to Poe.
---
"Why not just rendezvous here once we all get done? One or two of us could go look for a place to stay," Nova suggests. "That might be the longest job, if I'm reading this place right."
---
Ektor snickers at continued beach talk. Jess asking after accommodations gets the answer, "They ain't got Public Houses where you come from, yeah? Rooms for rent there, if anybody don't wanna sleep on the ships." Poe's suggestion gets a nod. "Easy, yeah?" He points east. "That's the Old Square. That's where the good stuff is. Drinks, digs, food, bombs, you name it. I'll point you at the Factory District from there."
---
Kaiden pulls his hands out of his pockets in order to shove them into the pockets of his half-zipped jacket, and he's already heading away from the group, "I'm going to find a party," he says, already headed east toward drinks, digs, food, bombs, and you-name-its. "Meet you all back here..."
---
Looking over to Poe, "I'm good with slicing." he says simply. "I've been doing quite a bit of computer work over the years, might as well start putting it to use." he says as he walks over to where Poe is. He does glance over to where Jess is and he nods in agreement, "How active is the Factory District Ektor?" he asks and grins at Kare after she elbowed him.
---
Ektor looks south east when Karas asks after the factory district's activity. "Smokestacks are still going. Looks pretty active from here." Looking back, he adds, "Not for nothing, though? Probably pretty quiet right about now. Night shift for the live ones. During the day? Pretty active. Arright, let's move into the square, we can split up there, then meet up back here, yeah?"
---
"Okay... this is weird," Nova says, frowning as she looks around the starport again. "There are a lot of damaged ships here. I'm seeing a lot of carbon scoring around the main drive sections... on /all/ of them. Pirates?"
---
The Zeltron is getting stares. Even more than usual. But he's vain, and chalks it up to his Zeltron-ness and pheromones. A dazzling grin crosses his face as he pushes into the tavern/motel/dump and forays into the party, going right to the tender in pursuit of some drinks. He's hoping brandy. Hoping.
---
"No, they don't." Poe brings up a good point about having only one guide for the whole thing, and Jessika once again shifts her gaze among the gathered as everyone pitches in with their own ideas. At least, mostly, until Kaiden decides that he's going to take off and looking for some kind of party. Her brows hike as he retreats, and with a slight shake of her head, she turns her attention towards Ektor. "Look, whatever the central hub is, we should set a couple of people up there. We'll start listening. The others can organize and head for the factory district, that way we have a centralized location to come back to. If that centralized location has to change, we have comlinks and can easily communicate. If anything goes wrong, there's the obvious fallback." At that, her thumb hikes in a gesture over her shoulder at the Outrider.
In the process of looking back, Jessika's gaze sweeps over the many freighters on the landing pad, and it's after looking over a few of them that her eyes finally come to stop to really look at one. That leads to looking at others. "Hold on.." Jessika steps away from the group to face a freighter that isn't her own, and is one of the ones covered with carbon scoring. "This freighter's been attacked. And that one. And that one." Jessika says it as much to herself as to the group. "These look like turret clusters. Turrets like the Outrider has. Maybe quad. It's hard to tell."
---
Kare turns to look at the ships herself "A lot in for a lot of damage," she agrees with Nova. Though from the angle she is at the scoring isn't readily visible. A glance over to Jess "Wonder what we plopped our selves in the middle of, huh?"
---
"Huh?" Ektor grunts quizzically at Nova's observation, turning around for a second look. Pirates? "Maybe. This far out on the Rim it happens. And the Hutt-suckers in Lianna damn sure ain't gonna do nothing about it." He spits on the ground reflexively.
---
Devii nods to Nova, Jess and Ektor as they walk along. Her HTRC droid following along obediantly on overwatch. "Yeah I see it too. Has to be. There's been a huge increase in Pirate activities sience Hosnian was taken out, the republic shattered. Just look at Blackrock for an example..." She shrugs. "Maybe it's the same group."
---
"I could ask around, see about it," Nova suggests. "Jess is right about that damage, and if there /are/ pirates in this area, we might run into them ourselves when we leave. These folks might know the force disposition of the ones who attacked them. No point in leaving unprepared."
---
The red skinned Zeltron gets a long look from the barkeep, who sends a droid to take Kade's order. "This establishment does not carry brandy, my red sir: would you perhaps prefer an Aldebaran wine, or a Death's Head Rye?"
---
Poe notices what the others voice, but he doesn't add his conjecture to the masses. It capitalizes the importance of subtlety and vigilance if they intend to leave. "Alright, let's move to the central hub and split up from there." Poe gestures to Ektor to lead them on.
---
At first, Kaiden is liking it. The clashing vivid colors of automated holo displays further accentuating his red skin, his violet hair, further making him appear all the more exotic and unfamiliar. Music's loud, his grin is apparent, and he's picking up the vibes of a few women interested. But they're quickly drowned out by the paranoia and sense of fear, uncertaint. THey don't know who he is. They don't know -what- he is. He even can feel the hate in a few hearts. His hands grip the edge of the bar. He was feeling kind of surrounded.
---
"Either ran ino pirates or they them selves are," Kare mutters mostly to her self as a hand falls down to the blaster pistol at her thigh. "The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. I ain't liking this none to much," she says as she looks about her.
---
Ektor looks around, pointing Poe south, "Factory district is that way. Nice wide street, you can't miss it. Lemme know over the comlink before you climb any fences, yeah?" he grins, before noticing with a frown, "Hey, where's Jazz Hands?"
---
Devii shakes her head to Kare, "No. The blaster scarring is too close and focused to the engines. They were trying to be disabled and boarded aparently with someone without Ion weapons." She walks along towardsthe back with Raht, keeping an eye out. "He went to find a party... go figure. I'll reprimand him later but if I was to do it now it would draw attention to us."
---
Ektor turns his crooked grin at Kare, "Come on, ain't we all a little bit of pirate at heart?" Devii's answer gets an, "Oh. Uh.. I probably better go find him. Tion One sees more than the others, but still.. Not a lot of aliens round here."
---
Taking direction from Ektor, Poe turns to follow his gesture and narrow his gaze on the street he points out. "Alright, thanks Ektor. Everyone, bring it in briefly." Poe motions for them to step closer to he and Ektor.
---
Nova shrugs as her suggestion is ignored, and huddles up as ordered.
---
Kare just nods as she scans the area. She settles on a building with an outside fire escape ladder. "I'm on comms, going up," she points to said building "to get a better view. I got top cover as well." She looks to each, making sure they know what she is doing before jogging off and beginning her long climb.
---
For the most part, Jessika remains quiet. The chatting is idle speculation at this point, and she steps in close, hands set on her hips, as Poe calls for everyone to step in closer. She glances between the gathered, minus the one who went solo flying, and waits to hear what he has to say.
---
Karas moves in closer as Poe calls a huddle. Listening to whats going to be said, though he quickly flicks Ektors ear than looks over to Jess and Kare, than the others as he just takes in faces.
---
Ektor notes aside to Nova, "Asking around is good, yeah? I'ma do the same and let's compare after, yeah?" In conversing, he manages to be the last one paying attention to a huddle he was already apart of. Talent. "Right, right, I'm listening boss."
---
Devii watches Kare climb, getting a look at that -- "I'll walk around with you and Moonbeam, ask question you don't thinkg and keep a look out." The Mirialan says to Ektor, sticking her hands into her pockets and moving along.
---
The Zeltron keeps glancing about, watching all sides in order to try to watch for anyone with those feelings of hate seeded into the crowd that just radiates paranoia. Or at least, what he suspects, as his own emotions start to adopt the paranoia that he feels from the others, that fear of the unknown. "Brandy?" He calls for the tender, loud to cut over the even louder music.
---
Once everyone was close enough to hear him, Poe looks between them. He initiates his secure comm so both Kaiden, and Kare who has moved off, can hear. "We're adopting a vigilant stance here. But we can't lose sight of why we're here. We must ascertain the threat presence here. That means asking around, like Nova suggested, to see what happened to those freighters. We're also getting a lay of the land. We need a safe house and a place to store our ships, and we need to know if this is the place for that. Lastly, we need to be somewhat organized. That being said, Karas, BB-8 and I will make up team 1. We're heading into the factory district to see what we can dig up. Team 2 is being led by Jess. Your purpose is the same as ours, but engaging people. See who is willing to talk but be mindful of what you reveal. If there comes a point where action must be taken, our first rally point is here. Team leaders will dessiminate what is to follow over comms, so pay attention. In this scenario, we want who, whats, when, where, and hows answered." Poe turns to Jess and nods. "Kare has eyes and may be able to give us a heads up if something seems threatening." Poe shifts his stance. "Questions?"
---
Nova nods to Ektor and Devii, quietly glad of the acknowledgement and support. "Thanks... I have a bad feeling about this, seeing so many ships in such a state." She tunes into the huddle's conference, frowning thoughtfully as Poe goes over the teams. "Should Team 2 look into lodgings while we're at it? We have bunks and all, but /Outrider/ is awfully crowded, with so many of us. And we might need a command post in town, if something happens to the starport. These pirates seem awfully aggressive..."
---
Ektor shakes his head to Poe. "Nah, no questions- wait," as a question occurs to him. "Anyone want me to pick them up some bombs while we're here?" He seems serious. As much as Ektor typically does, anyway. That said, he'll move off where Jess indicates. A nod and lopsided smile to Nova. "Probably aliens. Apart from humans, alien pirates are just the worst, yeah?" he looks at Devii for support on that one.
---
Karas nods his head, "This is good to me." he says as he looks at the others as he double checks his communicator and he reaches around to a pouch he has with two data pads, both are old but with new stuff and blank except for the standard OS that all Datapads have and honestly have what he needs to get work done.
---
At the bar, the serving droid clicks and reinitiates. "Oh my. This establishment does not serve brandy, my red sir. Would you perhaps prefer an Aldebaran wine, or a Death's Head Rye?" Droids and their programming...
---
Devii clicks her comm, "Understood..." She says and starts to move along with the others. "Yeah, Lodgings are a smart idea too. Suppose we do all the stuff team one dosn't do." She chuckles and then gives Ektor a flat stare, "All non-humanoid pirates sure." She was teqnically and Alien.
---
Kare follows suit with her comms "Gotcha," she gets out from between breaths. "Damn, gotta start working out again," she says to herself as she readies her little nest, all the while checking out the empty warehouse below her. After a few deep breaths she squats down and begins to search the area "In position," she comms out. "Call me if you run into any trouble." Is quickly added.
---
Ektor cackles to Devii's rebuttal, and clicks on his comlink. <Hey, Jazz Hands. Where you at? You're good, yeah?> Giving a long exhale and letting his lips flap, he gestures with a thumb toward the Public House. "Drinks and digs?"
---
"Death's Head Rye?" The Zeltron asks with a quirk of the brow, "I'll give it a shot." The comms come through into his earpiece, causing him to glance around again. "I don't know, man. Everyone is staring at me. Lot of fear here, a bit of hate." His voice is hushed, coming through in that graveled sound.
---
"This is why you don't split off from the group, Private..." Devii says in a hushed whisper over the comm, rolling her eyes. As Ektor nods towards the Public house she nods back, glancing to Nova, before moving that way. "Let's hope the fool is in there and we don't have to fight anyone."
---
With the directions handed out and Ektor pointing the way towards the Public House, Jessika gives a nod of acknowledgment and turns that way. She begins that way, but her head stays on the swivel. "How much do places usually run around here, Ektor? Do you know?" She's already thinking about billing someone for expenses when they get back. "My guess is we'll find most of who we want to talk to in there. The pilots of those freighters, probably."
---
"Did the music skip when you walked in?" Ektor grins back to Kaiden over the comlink. "If anybody asks what you're doing there before we catch up with you, tell 'em your boss is a Third Worlder, yeah?" He nods aside to Jess, "Not much. Maybe a hundred credits. Not many spacers wanna stay in system for long, except natives, yeah?" A shrug. "No idea why."
---
Nova falls in with the rest of the group, looking in the direction of the Public House. "Strange custom," she opines simply. "Now I wonder if any other lodging places have opened onworld. This seems rather small for a place that sees so much traffic."
---
As Poe, Karas, and BB-8 walk through the factory district, they see the details of their business world. Quick research reveals that the most prominent buildings and factories are foreign companies. Poe copies the names of each down. He intends to research those separately when he's got the time and holonet access to do so. As they continue to walk and make toward the struggling side of the factory district, they see native names and the poor state with which their businesses are. Struggling to maintain operations, much needed repair to facilities gone unseen. "I think I can see why our party-goer is sensing discontent. Foreign companies dominate the factory district. You can tell by just observing the state of things whose businesses are killing it. I wonder if it's these same companies contracting outsiders to put pressure on local freighters hauling goods. Maybe look into hauls and native contracts. I'd bet they're putting the natives out of business and work through force.." Poe's voice over comms trails off as he stops to point at some of the derelict structures down one alleyway. "What do you think, Karas?" He looks at the Coruscanti pilot for a moment.
---
Attention is split between the bar and the factory district as Kare keeps overwatch on the two groups. The big cannon she lugged up there has been set up and ready to go if needed but for now, she watches over her chicks, protectively.
---
"Good find, Karas. Yeah, let's take a look, buddy." Poe follows the veteran officer toward it, making sure they walked casually to take a look at the terminal. He gestured for Karas to try his luck at it, but stood behind him a bit and looked over his shoulder to see what was being streamed across the screen. "Bounties of some kind..."
---
"This is usually my element, ma'am" the Zeltron hushedly rasps into his comlink in reply to Devii, a twisted grin crossing his face, "They really don't see Zeltron often, do they?" "Death's head rye, boss?"
---
Devii listens to the comm and isn't sure what to make of it. "Right... well. Maybe Ektor's got a few of those bounties the major is talking about and that's the Local Law comming to get his smart ass." She dosn't look overy concerned. "I can go check it out with Raht." She asks Jess.
---
"Be careful. If they've got a couple of people there, there might be more around. Keep your eyes open." Jessika acknowledges Devii, and glances to Ektor to see what his own reaction is in regards to people checking out his fighter. "You think it's the law types? What kind of law types are around here? The bought-off type?"
---
"From someone who used to work as an LEO, That's exactly true everywhere you go." Devii responds before making her way with Raht back towards the starport.
---
Kare listens the the comm, even while keeping an eye on the two and now and then scanning for any others that might have been on the receiving end of the comm call. "They don't look like law man to me," Kare says over the comm "Wearing light armor. Fiber jumpsuits and one has a jacket. Still standing there. A bit strange that they are not moving on, maybe waiting on others, a guess there." She finishes up with a click.
---
Karas nods his head and begins walking over to the terminal and he quickly begins typing in, acting as casual as possible. He is cracking jokes with Poe and making fun of the terminal but his hands fly along the keys with practiced ease. Quirking a brow and giving a quick nod about the bounties on individuals. "Anything you want to see?" he asks Poe.
---
Devii has made her way back towards the port after asking a few people a couple questions. It comes pretty easy. She notices the lack of suveillance other than the upscale factory district where they are using drones. As do some of the others of course. She grimaces at this, "There's some serious class divison issues here. To think this is a republic allied world." Over the comms. Raht and her, raht being taller than the already male human height female Mirialan who's as stacked as Kate Upton, approach them men waiting at the Starfight. SHe puts on an air of importance, "Excuse me, sir. Is there something I can help you with?" SHe does the best impression of her sister as she can. A stuck up entitled noble.
---
"Well, that was a lot of time spent with not much to show," Nova says, moving to rejoin the team. "I didn't find out anything from the crews. If I hadn't noticed how sparse the surveillance tech at the landing field was, it would've been a completely wasted trip. Strange that they aren't more concerned about it."
---
Poe points at one of the bounties. "Pull it up, let's take a look at what they're wanting." Poe's ear is filled with transmissions from a few of the others, but he is no longer transmitting, just talking to Karas. He's remaining mindful of the whole situation, but team 1 still has a mission too. Poe takes note of the program the terminal is using. Santhe/Sienar. He takes note of it on his datapad and locks the screen. Poe realizes the bounties aren't government sanctioned, but based solely from a corporate constituent.
---
Of the two humans near the fighters- both wearing black hair long and in short beards short beards, one stocky and broad, the other athletic and thin- Devii's approach draws both to face her. The thin one not-so-discreetly has a look around to see if she came with friends, the stocky one affecting a cocky smile and answering the Mirialan, "I don't know, maybe you can, yeah? We're looking for the owner of these four war birds here- is that you?"
Ektor wades through the Public House, before meeting back up with Nova on her way out. "Did you get a drink, at least? Here, I got an extra Death's Head if you want it." Leaning nearer he mutters discreetly, "You ever hear of the First Order working with any Weequay?"
---
As Kare sees Devii approaching the two men she puts her scope on there. Just looking for any false move. Her trigger finger is laid along side the weapon as she slows her breath. Ready to shoot at the slightest wrong doing by either of the two "Got your back, Devii," she comms.
---
Poe's datapad vibrates and he unlocks the screen to look at a mail he's received. Devii has requested that they cross reference for a Weequay gang of pirates, a name Dev Giray. Poe shares this information with Karas to see if that aids with his search.
---
Devii pulls out her Datapad and starts to scroll through it and type into it without much though, kind of dismissivly of the two goons looking over the Starfighters. "Yeah... what of it? You think in this galaxy a girl can't own a few ships in her day." SHe tsks, attempting a feign at disgust, maybe over selling it just a bit. "Typical men... listen. If they're parked wrong or I've got a fee to pay just let me know. I'd rather just pay it and get it over with." SHe scrolls through her datapad some more.
---
"Thanks anyway, Ek, but I'm still on the job," Nova replies, bowing her head gratefully all the same. She looks quickly around for Jess and Devii, frowning at the place's lack if either one. But at the question, she frowns and lowers her voice. "If they are, it's something new. They weren't when I left. But it just doesn't seem like their style, somehow."
---
In the Public House with the rest of their compatriots, Jessika doesn't head for the bar so much as she lingers near the front with her back to the wall, allowing her to look out over the crowd and also to keep an ear cocked for anyone talking about damaged ships or recent trouble. There's plenty of key words to keep a look out for, especially given what they'd found at the starport.
---
Kaiden has been in this particular dance before - verbally trying to coax as much information as he can out of someone while trying not to give up any information himself. It's a fun game, in the mind of the Zeltron. And it's exactly what he would do for Devii's sister, whom the MIrialan is doing a rather good impression of at the moment unbeknownst to the former Aide. So he's in that dump of a dive party, chatting up a woman that seems pretty into him, and then she's posing the question about a rented room in the basement. A glance toward the outside, he can't exactly call in on comms where he's going, right? Seems like a trap.
---
"Listen, Greenie, you can own whatever kinda ships you want, yeah?" the smiler returns to Devii, "But see, here's the thing: the owner of these four? Is a loser. And you?" He eyes her up and down. "You don't look like a loser." The thin one leans closer and mutters something discreetly to his bigger partner. Devii can pick out, "Listen, I... feeling we ain't alone. ...get out.. here, yeah?"
Ektor shrugs at Nova's declined drink, "I hear you. Lived on this stuff for awhile, m'self. Save it for later." Her answer gets a short bullish exhale through the nose, and nod. "Right? Like you said, not their style. They ever call in privateers that you heard of? Mercenaries, or was they all 'us and only us, blah blah stormtroopers'?"
At the bar, the human spacer with a shaved head who is chatting up Kaiden has a comlink chirp, which she promptly silences. But not before Kaiden hears, "Eerie? I got a feeling we ain't alone-" She apologizes to Kade with a knowing smile. "Sorry about that. Some people just can't stop worrying, yeah?"
---
Karas quirks a brow, "These are all low level guys, I don't see anything regarding pirates." he says keeping his voice low and he looks to BB-8 for a moment then back up to the listing. He would continue to move through the more valuable bounties now as well just to see who may be at the top of the list.
---
"Most of the time, we were enough," Nova replies, meaning her own former branch of service. "But I wouldn't put it past them to hook up with mercs, if only to keep their own hands clean. They did work with the Hutts for a while on Nar Shaddaa." She frowns. "Is Devii still at the starport? I would've thought she'd be back by now."
---
Devii eyes the smiler right back. She understands how males work and is not afriad to send that uncomfortable bit of machismo right back at them. Raht stands up a bit, like a good dog protecting it's master. Making himself a presence. "Listen here you two bit scoundrel... If you don't believe these ships are mine, then fine. Though, I'm so inclinded to ask who it is you think owns them." She needs to know.
---
Kare still has the two centered up in her scope. Slight shifts as she focuses on one then the next. She stays quiet on the comms, Devii knows not to get between her and those two. Hopefully.
---
"There's not a single bounty here for piracy. It's all sector customs. Imposed by the corporate business, not by a local government. It seems like people are being kept out of the air and targetted." Poe says, sharing what they found on the terminal. A deeper look into the more valuable bounties read like: 10,000,000 for the assassin known as Rey, 250,000 for a slicer called Indrexu, 100,000 for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the abduction of Viscount Valin Santhe, 50,000 for a noted weapons dealer, and 25,000 for any confirmed HRD in operational condition. Poe took over the terminal from Karas and pressed the bounty for the Viscount.
---
Kaiden comes in toward the the spacer with a grin as she silences the chirp of her comlink, "Yeah. Sounds like a headache, I got a friend like that. What're your bitching about?"
---
Ektor winces and makes a distasteful, "Blech," when Nova mentions Hutts. "Is there any drek those slugs won't wallow in? For real though, if they in bed with Hutts.. Yanno, maybe we ought to pack up the gang and go find Devii, yeah? We can stay on Tion Three, tonight."
At the Landing zone, the thin one is visibly nervous. "She cut me off. She cut me off, man. Let's get out of here. He thinks he's being subtle. He isn't. The smiler's smile slips, as he visibly weighs how much to say. He settles on, "Do you even know what a Janissar is, Greenie?"
At the bar, the slim spacer leans on the bar, sips her Death's Head, and grins at Kade. "Oh, probably some... bounty or something. Your freinds worry about that kind of thing?"
---
"I don't know if they are anymore. There's still an operating base on Nar Shadda, but that might just be because the Hutts know better than to object," Nova says, frowning as she thinks that over. "It's happened over and over in history, where some faction hired strongarms to help them expand, then couldn't get rid of them once they were done with them."
---
Jessika draws her commlink. "I've been listening to a few of the pilots at the Public House talk. These pirates aren't bothering the coporate, intersystem shipping. They're hitting local trafic between the three moons. There's talk about light freighters with turrets. They call them gunships. If they're hitting local traffic, seems like two possibilities. Either it's a local job and they know their own or they've got someone on the inside feeding them the info. Or.." Jessika comes up with another possibility as she's talking quietly into the commlink, using the guard of her hand lifted up towards her mouth to stifle the carrying the sound. "Or someone from the corporate side is sending information on all the ships to avoid and they just hit everything else." Pause.
Jessika picks the thread of thought up. "If there's one thing our.. friends.. are good at, it's throwing money around. This could be a very elaborate setup." Jessika glances around her immediate vicinity, looking to see if anyone is watching her.
---
"Listen to this, there's a bounty out for a team of unknown /pirates/ who have absconded with Lord Cornelius Santhe's private yacht and son. The Lord is the Prime Director of Sienar Fleet Systems, the same company whose program I'm looking at now. I wonder if there's a connection between that, the animosity of the natives, and his means of trying to track down his son?" Poe says.
---
Devii stares at smiling man and steps a bit closer to him. She seems to think a moment, looking down with her hands on her hips. She seems to drop the act a bit. "Tell you what... Give me a name..." She says, "Normally I would have stabbed you by now, yeah? And from listening to your buddy there I don't think you want to make a scene. So here's a thought. After you give me that name which, if you really want, I'll just rip right out of your throat. Get the fuck out of this space sport before I break every fucking bone in your pathetic body then leave you to rot on the beach, yeah?" That shit just got dark.
---
Kaiden grins now, and leans in even closer to the spacer, "Every once in awhile, I guess. They're credit chasers. Me? I like booze and fine company," the Zeltron's gravelly voice croons. "My boss is.a Third Worlder. What're you doing out here?"
---
The relayed information from Poe doesn't cause a visible reaction, but it gets Jessika's mind running. "Sienar Fleet Systems is the main producer of certain starfighters." Her emphasis on certain is meant to help clue the others in to what she's talking about without having to say it out loud. "That's a blatant, huge connection. Why would law enforcement be putting out bounties on this guy's behalf otherwise?" A picture is slowly being pieced together here, and it may be too soon to truly say, but Jessika thinks this counts as at least some sort of connection. One definitely worthy looking into, at the very least. "We've got something to pursue if nothing else." Jessika lowers the commlink and slips it back onto her belt.
---
Ektor's smile fades altogether at something Nova says and he rolls his eyes with a groan of realization. "Kriffing drek. Order uses the Hutts, Hutts use their pet mercs. I dunno whether they working with Sienar, or just carving up their own piece of the chaos, but there is TOO damned much going on here. Moonbeam, does this feel rotten to you?" With a short exhale, he clicks his comlink on. "Hey, errybody.. How's about we all meet up back at the ships, and take a jaunt to Tion Three, yeah? It's quiet there, we can brainstorm on a beach or something, and figure alla this drek out, yeah? Kare, what's going on outside?"
Devii, when she flips that switch, visibly shakes the smiler. His mouth works for a moment, silently, before he manages to state, "..Xer."
At the bar, Kaiden's grin and gravelly crooning are winning a warm smile, which abruptly drops in surprise when Kaiden says he works with a Third Worlder. "What? You ain't with Lianna? Oh, drek-" She grabs her comlink, and switches it back on, speaking hastily, "Guys, guys- I don't think they're who we thought they were, yeah? Back off!"
The no-longer-smiler may have just pissed himself.
---
"Ektor, does the Lianna Hyperspace Corridor mean anything to you? That's where this abduction took place." Poe says.
---
Devii's stomach falls as she hears that name. Like a pit of betrayal comming from the deapest reaches of her psyche. She looks angrily towards the two in front of her, she seeths. "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" SHe roars, angry, commanding. She pulls out her Datapad and starts to frantically type.
---
Ektor raises the comlink back up to his mouth to answer Poe. "...Maybe. Yes. A bit. Why?"
At the Landing zone, the two take Devii's roared command, and promptly oblige, the thin one hollering into his comlink, "We are backing off, very, very much!"
---
"Lianna? No, wait- what?" Kaiden is thrown off by this sudden change, taking a step back, "Who did you-"
---
Kade's partner at the bar abruptly gets up, muttering, "Those dumbasses gonna get themselves killed-" and runs for the front door, leaving a trail of colorful profanity as she pushes through the press of humanity en route to the larger city, outside.
---
"What the kriff..?" Jessika sees the woman stand abruptly and bolt for the door. Something about getting killed. Still, there's been a call to head back to the ships, and Jessika steps out of the door not long after to wait for those in the Public House to gather up so they can travel back to the Outrider together.
---
Poe takes down what notes he can and leaves the terminal back at its home screen. He has what he needs, and judging from what Jess said, he felt like they were both onto something. He, Karas, and BB-8 return to the rally point with the rest of the group. Their next stop being the Outrider. Poe remains quiet during this entire trip, thinking silently to himself as they prepare to depart.
---
<Sienar? A former comrade of mine had family there! And you know what /they/ produce,> Nova coms in. <Something tells me this place isn't off the First Order's radar after all.> But things are already moving in the bar. "Huh?" The trooper watches the woman bolt out the door, trying to sort out several seconds worth of comm chatter. "Frell... I'd better make sure our ships are all right," she mutters, heading for the door. "This would be a wonderful place to get stuck on."
---
"I know, yeah? Ain't even got a decent beach!" Ektor agrees with Nova on their way out the door. "Look, we oughta get off this moon. Back to the ships, and meet up again on Tion Three, yeah? I still ain't sure what you all found-" Off comms, he calls back toward Kaiden at the bar, "Jazz Hands! pick it up, yeah?" No soldier left behind, after all.
There is good news and bad news. The good news is that outside of Stariot spaceport on Tion 1, there is no Santhe/Sienar presence to be found in the system, and land/accommodations are had easily and inexpensively. Discontent is palpable. The bad news is that Tion 2 and 3 have been heavily victimized by piracy, have no spaceports, and had their only fighting ships stripped after the prior year's revolt. The strongest and most active of the predatory gangs are known to be three Weequay ships of the Den Giray.
After several hours of chatter with the locals, Ektor brings an offer to the assembled wiser operatives: âArright, so.. Den Giray's got a couple armed freighters and a boarding shuttle. They been hitting something pretty much every day. Now, if we can take them out- like, make REAL sure they ain't coming back? Publicly? We got an offer of a base on Tion Three, and free drinks for life.â This is what happens when Ektor does diplomacy. Have you ever wanted to be the hero of a crappy planet? Because this is how you become the hero of a crappy planet.
---
Devii has been weary of Ektor seince the other day, keeping an eye on him though from a distance. She was definatly putting on an offputting kind of vibe about this whole thing. "I'm assuming..." Shee starts, "That this big corperation is paying these gangs to attack the Two and THreers to prove they need protection and increase their monopoly. Like any govenrment or crime syndicate. I've dealt with this before. Show the locals they can fight back and we get an in. Standard." She pauses, "Howabout we bate ourselves in the outrider or something else. They come in, we take 'em out or capture them, get to the bottom of this all. They appear to be lead by some sort of female, I'm guessing? At least one of the two who came by to look at your fighters was speaking of a female..." Another pause, she was good at pausing aparently. "And what exactly where you thinking bringing fighters here that would draw attention to you, herm?"
---
"There's something greater at work here, Ektor." Jessika offers in the face of the information the Tionese pilot brings to the table. "Sienar Fleet Systems, piracy not hitting valuable corporate shipping vessels, and all this focus on this corporate guy's son? This has gotta be connected to that. We're scratching the surface of a much bigger problem. I mean," she trails off for a second, to allow her thoughts to formulate in the right order. "We're talking about an entranced fight against one of the most valuable ship production conglomerates in the galaxy. This seems like it'll be a little more than running off a few pirate ships. I'm all for it, I'm just saying." Jessika's not a big fan of pirates, in general, though few know why.
"We can kill some pirates, but we can hardly call the job done at that point. This could be a bigger operation more deeply connected to certain powers that we don't like." Her arms have been crossed this whole time, but she slips them away from each other for the sake of setting her hands on her hips. The cool durasteel of her blaster in its holster on her right hip is rested against her knuckles in the process. "I wish we had more intel on what kind of freighters we're talking about."
---
Ektor gives Devii a lazy smile. "What was I thinking? Uh.. that a handful of fighters might be enough to keep some piece a drek pirates from wrecking the whole system. Like-" he nods to Devii. "I hear you, Stariot is too hot. Sienar has too many eyes in the city. But everybody hates them. Like, on a 'Devii hates high necklines' and 'Jess hates breathing sludge' kinda level, yeah? I ain't saying it's done or nothing, but we can tick off objectives two and three by taking Giray out, yeah?" As for Intel, he oohs, "I got that! Hang on... ships, ships... Okay, so the big one is a Xiytiar freighter, slow as frozen drek rolling uphill, but with a handful of turrets. Then a.. Ghtroc Seven-twenty, two turrets, and some kinda boarding shuttle. Nobody knew what class, but it ain't the Imperial three-wing kind."
---
Devii looksto Jess and nods in agreement but then gives a nod to Ektor too. "Well it's the only lead wegot and it could lead us to solving the rest of these issues or at least getting the right kind of intel in the hands of people better suitedto deal with the issues."
---
"Okay, well, the seven-twenty is comparable to the Outrider in size, but the Xiytiar is slow and meant to carry a lot of cargo. It's not structurally meant for aggressive combat maneuvers, from what I remember. But if both the Xiytiar and the Ghtroc are packing a bunch of turrets.." Jessika shrugs. "Things could get real nasty out there. We'll definitely need people in those fighters, because the Outrider wouldn't be able to take that kind of heat alone. I mean, maybe, if their gunners are bad shots, but I don't like relying on maybe or guess work when it comes to flying around in a fancy coffin." Jessika's right hand lifts from its bracing spot, and her fingers graze against the side of her neck near her jaw in a light up and down-graze, and she looks studious.
"The Outrider could technically dock with the Ghtroc, but that landing shuttle and the Xiytiar aren't really built for that kind of thing. So what's the plan as far as kill or capture?"
---
Ektor nods twice to Devii, and a third time to Jess. "Yeah, I can probably get a couple old friends to fly for us. I ain't the only one here who was part of the Revolt, yeah? I mean, they was TECHNICALLY Resistance, once? For like.. a few days." As for capture/kill, "I was just gonna say 'throw missiles at em til they blow up'. But yanno, that's kinda my answer to everything, yeah? I'd really rather have Kar, Kare, and Poe in them flight seats, those Hutt-sucking Weequay wouldn't stand a CHANCE," he cackles.
---
Devii crosse her arms just under her bust, "Well... I can't shoot a target worth a damn from a turret. I can board a ship but I was thinking having them come take us and when they board, we capture and repell. Raht's got a G1 stun rifle. That thing is crazy powerful..." She shutters like she knows what it feels like to get shot by one. "Could spin up Oswyn too." She nods to Ektor, "But you folks can do that and I'll stay here and dig in a bit more if thats the way you want to go about it."
---
"Whoa, whoa," Jessika interjects. "Not only will I not let anyone just board the Outrider so we have a shot at turning the tables, but Leebo will kill us all in our sleep for a plan like that. We have ion cannons on the fighters. We can eliminate the Ghtroc's shields, disable it with ion cannons, and then dock the Outrider and board them, but I'm not gonna use her as bait. Or me. I'm not letting a pirate step foot onto that ship." Jessika's head is shaking for emphasis. "It's not even really MY ship. Do you know who I have to answer to if something happens to it? I'd rather fight a Star Desrtroyer head to head. I don't know if any of you have ever seen her when she's angry, but you really don't wanna see her when she's angry. Y'know?"
---
"If you're talking about who I think you're talking about? She was mad at me once, a little bit, but not really," Ektor notes to Jess with a grin. Devii's suggestion gets a thoughtful grunt. "That could work.. or like Jess says, knock out their Ghtroc and let you and the battle droids play.. If you do? Use the flamethrower and record it, yeah?" He smiles with enthusiasm to the Mirialan. "I GOTTA see war droids and a flamethrower, yeah? Please?" A cackle follows. "So.. if I'm hearing right, we're on board with kriffing up some pirates, yeah?"
---
Devii looks to Jess, "That's fine then." She says with a shrug and the Mirialan seems entirely indifferant. "I'm just thinking of a plan that plays to my strengths. I don't really know how to operate a turret. Sure, Raht and Oswyn can take a few pirates if you want to try a boarding. You and the others will just have to get me there." SHe pauses, "No this is not a situation in which I'd use my flame thrower... or explosive grenades... The boys and I can go in with stun setting. We're going to want to question these pirates. Then I'm going to walk into the Corperate building and try something else when this blows over a bit, depending on what we find out."
---
Poe finally makes his appearence carrying a few cups of steaming caf and sets it on a nearby table. It's clear by the look on his face and the way his hair is, that he'd fallen asleep and slept /hard./ "Anyone want a cup?" He asked, his voice sounding medieval. BB-8 warbled a reply, rolling into view and Poe laughed. "You don't drink caf, buddy."
---
"I don't mind killing p--," Jessika is interrupted by Poe's arrival. After waiting for him to ask anyone if they wanted a cup of caf, she continues. "I don't mind killing pirates, and boarding, and finding people to question. Long as we don't try to use me or my ship for bait. Either way, this is a much better approach than our initial wandering around. Like I said the other day, I heard a few of the spacers talking about where they were getting hit, and it was always the lanes between the three planets, not any running out of system. So, if we're gonna go pick a fight, that seems like the likeliest place to do that kind of thing. Dunno if we need to pick up a cargo contract, or what, to make ourself a tempting target to risk attacking, but, we might just have to go flying around until we find them, too."
---
Ektor snaps his fingers when Devii nixes the flamethrower. Her talk of visiting the corporate building later, information pending earns a curious grin. "I am intrigued and would like to know more.." Jess recounting what had been learned from the spacers regarding pirate activities get a couple nods. "That's even better. I was gonna say wait in atmosphere until a distress call came in, but that's better. Hey, boss-" to Poe. "Kriff yeah I'll take a cup- oh, it's just kaf. Still, I guess.. thanks."
---
"So what have you guys put together?" Poe turned and took a lean against one of the bulkheads, making room for BB-8 to go do what he typically did. Meanwhile Poe cradled a cup with his hands and took measured drinks from it, watching the others. He'd been listening to what they said, but had not drawn any lines to the dots of thought it could bring.
---
Devii sits back into the chair of the Outrider's lounge a bit more, crossing one leg over the other. "Basically. Go looking for a fight with pirates. Take out the fighters and board the freighter. Take some prisoners, kill, or ask questions. I guess Ektors ear to the ground says if we take this group of pirates out we've a safehouse and free drink on Tion Three."
---
"What she said. The second we take out those pirates, though, is when the real fight is going to start. They'll know someone's onto them. Not how much, but enough that they'll know someone's onto them, and that's when it gets dangerous." Jessika's arms drop and she rises from her seat in the crew lounge. "I'm gonna goa make some food. It's gonna be a short trip towards Tion Three, anyway, and who knows how long it'll take before we get wind of some of those pirates. There's a lot of space between here and then. I'll have Leebo pull up the charts and we'll take a look and see if there's anyhting nearby that would serve as a pirate base. If they're operating from the ground, they'll be hard to pinpoint, because we're talking about three planet's worth of searching. If they've got a base out here in the void, that's a little less complicated. I think. They'll need something vaguely structural." Jessika shrugs, and steps away towards the galley. It's not exactly a distance, though, and with the door open, she'll still be able to hear the conversation going on.
---
"Free drinks FOR LIFE," Ektor emphasises. He seems very proud of his diplomatic efforts. "Weequay dreks got an armed Xiytiar, a Ghtroc Seven-twenty, and some kinda boarding shuttle. They been feeding on shipping between the moons, yeah? Like she said," he motions toward Jess.
---
"Alright, sounds like a plan. I think finding a place to set up shop will be key. There's some other things I want to research about this system and what's going on. I found some stuff on the terminal that might prove useful. But I want to make sure I have all my research in order before making any conclusions." Poe sips from his drink and watches Jess move into the galley.
---
Devii nods to Jess, "You're probably right, of course. There's certainly more to this whole grand scheme but why not open up that can of worms. See what it's all about." She shrugs and waits.
---
"Alright, sounds like a plan. I think finding a place to set up shop will be key. There's some other things I want to research about this system and what's going on. I found some stuff on the terminal that might prove useful. But I want to make sure I have all my research in order before making any conclusions." Poe sips from his drink and watches Jess move into the galley.
---
Ektor nods along, taking a swig of kaf, his face twisting up with the taste. Despite that he follows it with a second swallow. "Whatcha want to research?" the perpetually disheveled Ektor wonders of Poe. A short, lip flapping exhale as he drums on the table while ordering his thoughts. "Right. So we find them, kill half, question the rest, and set up shop of the Third World. You all gonna love it, it's almost as fancy as Tion One, but the sky's still mostly blue."
---
"I want to look into the disappearence of the Lord Santhe's son and any connection with Pirates in the system. I have a hunch it has more to do with the company's presence and how they're squeezing the life out of native trade. It seems as if they're escalating things, putting bounties on suspected vessels and disabling them to search and seize. Additionally, Nova said it earlier, these guys manufacture vessels for the First Order. If these pirates are trying to kick this company's teeth in, maybe that's someone we need to look at."
---
Devii nods to Poe, "Well they know Ektor is back in town. They don't like him. I sent them packing saying the ships were mine so they know either someone is here with Xer or that someone else is after him. Was thinking maybe I could walk into corperate as a bounty hunter for the First Order or some such." SHe shrugs, "See what happens. Maybe they'll give us access to some records."
---
Ektor drums his fingers on the table as talk goes to Santhe and Sienar. "Well.. first of all, you got it backwards, yeah? Sienar has been grinding us down since before the Empire was still a thing. As for this Santhe kid? That... was.. kinda me." He clears his throat. "I mean, not JUST me, obviously. And I had permission!" he insists. "But yeah, used the fancy yacht to sell a bunch of Nar pirates on raiding private Santhe property. That's what scored us the lead that led to the secret TIE factory on Corulag, remember?" he glances to Jess with that.
---
"I see. Well, perhaps we can use the pirates we capture as a scapegoat for the kidnapping then. Collect those funds and see about expanding our operations here. Do you have any friends around that would be willing to help us out. I know it was said that we could wait for a distress beacon, but it might be better if we come in packing. Build up some relationships in the local area so we have more eyes and ears helping us. It might also establish a foundation on an intel grid, something we'll need if we /are/ setting up something here."
---
Devii nods, "I think Ektor said something about friends who would be willing to help." She keeps her seats just listening in until it's time to move.
---
Ektor nods along with Poe. "Sure, I got some friends left around here. Like Dev said, while I would laugh my ASS off to see you, me, Kar, and Kare in those four fighters? If we need, I can get some capable butts in them seats. Not as good, obviously, but good enough to jack up a couple Weequay tubs, yeah?"
---
"Let's just take stock of who and what we have before we jump into it. If we need to pilot those crafts, we can. I just want to make sure we have a good plan with the means to have a backup if something does go sideways." Poe finished his kaf and sighed. "So next step is finding your people, planning an attack, and standing by for the pieces we need to fall into place. If everything goes well, we can look at collecting the bounty, turning over the pirates for certain death, and see about our expansion operation. That's just an overall view plan, but it's something to work with. Is everyone good on it?"
---
Devii nods to Poe, "No problems here Major..." the Mirialan says nonchalantly as she laizes on the chair she's occupied for that round rump of hers.
---
Ektor peers back at Devii, with a curious eye. "Not for nothing, but did I say something stupider than usual, Guns? Cause either you finally fell in love with me and hate yourself for it, or I pissed you off, yeah? And I ain't thinking it was the first one," he quips, with another crooked grin. Back to Poe. "Yeah, one problem: what if Moonbeam was right and the Weequay are working.. indirect-like, but what if they're working for Sienar? That's less 'certain death' and more 'rearm and return'."
---
Ektor peers back at Devii, with a curious eye. "Not for nothing, but did I say something stupider than usual, Guns? Cause either you finally fell in love with me and hate yourself for it, or I pissed you off, yeah? And I ain't thinking it was the first one," he quips, with another crooked grin. Back to Poe. "Yeah, one problem: what if Moonbeam was right and the Weequay are working.. indirect-like, but what if they're working for Sienar? That's less 'certain death' and more 'rearm and return'."
---
Devii waves her hand, now that some things were explained she was less suspicius and back to her normal self. "Who says I didn't fall in love with you?" Brows waggle a bit and a wink is given. "Those guys that came by looking for you and Jess saying over the comms that this was some sort of set up worried me some and the old investigatorial cogs started moving. Maybe I was good at my job because of my trust issues."
---
"There's two ways we can go about this. If during your interrogations you discover they are working for the FO, then we can space them and come up with a new plan. I'm not a fan of touching the same things more than once when it comes to work or fighting. If it's a possibility of rearm and return, we handle it on the front end."
---
Ektor barks a sharp laugh at Devii's retort and explanation. The Miralian gets a snicker and a blown kiss. Poe pulls his eye promptly back. "Right. Learn what we can, decide from there, bing bang boom, safehouse and free drinks for life. I see no flaws with this."
---
"Then we're ready for business. We're doing this." Poe grins.
---
Devii nods to Poe and Ektor, "Let's get dangerous."
A few holonet contacts and two hours later, and all four starfighters have pilots. The chatter between Janissar craft is.. like listening to Ektor arguing with himself in four different voices. Given long enough, the Resistance operatives might even be able to tell the difference between First, Second, and Third Worlders. After a few minutes, the Tionese start to shut up, as the vessels launch.
For both good and ill, after launching the pilots aren't waiting long. The high-end sensors on the Outrider read a small automated buoy near the midpoint of space between Tions 2 and 3. It hasn't registered on the sensors before, perhaps not having been powered up at the time. To all scans, it seems like a normal- if out of place- navigational buoy.
---
"It's a proximity buoy according to these scans. BB-8 agrees too. This is how they're targeting ships, they wait for one of a particular size to trigger it and either microjump in or ambush it later down the way. I think this is where we're going to see action." Poe stands up from the pilot's cabin of the Outrider and pats Jess on the shoulder. "I'm going to go man a turret. Good luck!" Poe leaves the pilot's cabin walking to the main area of the Outrider and through the gunnery well, moving up to the top gun. He turns on all the neccessary tracking computers but does not arm the weapon yet.
---
Piloting the HLAF, Karas can't believe that Ektor is speaking in multiple voices, that is starting to explain a few things about his brother and s smirk plays along his lips. Still As they are in formation near the Outrider, he understands what they have to do, he keeps his sensors scanning. As Poe speaks about this is where they will get some action, Karas reaches over to the arming the weapon controls. "Alright, I'm ready." he says.
---
"So it's a buoy that only triggers when something bigger than a starfighter gets near it? Even light freighters can haul an okay amount of cargo." It's a question she keeps inside the cockpit of the Outrider, but it goes unanswered, because Poe strides out before she finishes. Setting an intercept course for the buoy, Jessika reaches over to pull the small headset from it's place on a little hook on a wall of mostly switches and dons it, so that when he does get to the turret, they'll have ship communications. "Alright, Leebo, adjust speed and keep our sensors wide open. Shields up." This is a statement more than a request of her co-pilot, as her finger brushes across a switch that powers up the craft's deflectors.
---
The Zeltron settles into the familiar seat of a turret gunner, his red skin pink from the neon blue glow of the interface and console. The Outrider, he did like this ship, and his face lights up proverbially first in conveyance of his almost child-like delight. "Functional."
---
"Arright, Last Janissar here.. hey, Jess: where you want us? We wanna trip this rat-trap ourselves, or wait for someone else to happen along?" Ektor wonders on comms.
"I vote we trip it!" the Preybird chimes in, before Ektor scolds, "No one knows who you are, you stupid Hutt-sucker. You gotta say what ship you're on, yeah?"
"Uh, Janissar Three? I still vote we trip it quick. And kriff you, Ektor-Xer. Your droid has a bigger price on its head than you do." Ektor's Starchaser falls into a pair with Karas' HLAF, and the remaining two fighters manage a decent imitation of formation on the other wing of the Outrider.
---
"My vote is to trip it also. Ultimately, it's Jess' call." Poe says after sliding the headset on and strapping into his gunner seat. He flexes his hands and turns his head slightly to pop his neck.
---
Karas clicks his comms in agreement with tripping the trap, "Might as well, we would only endanger ourselves and not have to worry about others getting caught up in the crossfire." he says as he looks out the transparisteel canopy of the HLAF. He does drop below the Outrider but still keeping in formation waiting to see what Jess thinks.
---
The furcated viewports of the light freighter affords plenty of visual freedom despite the struts, and Jessika has no issue seeing out into the dark of space. She can't see well enough to spot the navigational buoy, though, and that has more to do with the distance and size of it against the backdrop of space than it does her acuity. ""Why don't we just trigger it by blowing it up? I imagine that'll get their attention, and I'd hate to do all the work of attracting them out here some other way, then forget to disable the thing once we were done. They might not send out their full force for just one freighter, and I don't know if we'll even set it off. Besides, fifty credits says Poe can hit the thing." A bet on the Major's skills? Easy.
She's not stupid enough to offer her whole paycheck, though. She's heard stories and knows better than to underestimate people she's never met. Some of those farmboys out in the galaxy know how to fly and shoot. The mere thought has her gaze straying to the accessory hanging down from the consoles above her. It sways lightly as the ships interial dampeners treat it to a false sense of gravitational force.
---
And the turret controller named Kaiden is already bored of their conversation. The flyboys (and girls) had their own jargon and despite how hard the male tried, it's one that simply could not hold his attention enough to learn. Even with phrases like 'blowing it up' and 'hit'. He holds his head up by the column of his forearm, cheek cupped by the palm of his hand.
---
Ektor mutters over the comms, << I hear you, Outrider and you are ON for fifty credits at long range. Arright, Jannisars: hang back at missile lock range, and let's see how this goes. No pressure, Outrider!>>
The other Starchaser is apparently being flown by a woman, who voices, "Wait, wait.. is that THE Outrider??"
---
"Sorry to let you guys down. I just shot at the general direction. It's a pretty small target. Happy to try again." He says, chuckling. To shoot at the buoy, Poe had to bring the weapon system online and aim. The buoy wasn't something the sensors could immediately pick up on, so it was Poe's attempt at some good ol' Tatooine windage.
---
Karas gets comfortable and watches what will happen, though as Poe takes his shot and misses, he shakes his head. "Guess someone can't shoot." he laughs as he adjusts to the controls and the HLAF tries to get a good bead on the bouy and he fires, missing the shot wide too. "Ok......" he laughs.
---
"You just cost me fifty credits to a vagrant who can't even FIND ME A BEACH!" The last part is less frustration with Poe costing her fifty credits and more with mentioned vagrant who keeps letting her down when it comes to sand, sun, and water on a paradise world where she doesn't have to worry about pollution or any other foreign concept of what a beach should constitute. There's a deep, long sigh that follows into the headset, and it's punctuated by a final, non-committal, "Whatever. You did that on purpose." There's no proof of that whatsoever, but it removes the sting of losing fifty credits to Ektor, because Jessika doesn't like losing. At all. "Don't. Say a word."" This is spoken to the greater frequency, as if Ektor uttering anything would summon upon him two different kinds of laser beams lancing across space to destroy him.
"You got one more shot before I full throttle it past this thing." As far as the lingering question as to whether or not her Outrider is THE Outrider, Jessika doesn't provide an answer.
---
The Zeltron snickers as he watches the shots go wide after all the talk, his lips curved upward at the corners of his mouth in delight. A twist of his hand and his fingers dance along the console surface, causing his face to light up a lot.
---
Ektor really shouldn't gloat. He knows this. And yet: "No way, boss, you did great, I'll give you your cut back on the ground," Ektor cackles to Poe in triumph. As if fifty credits was a bet he could cheat to win. Then Karas fires and the floodgates are opened, the fighters all opening up in a bid to land a lucky hit. That lucky hit comes from Janissar 1, the non-Ektor encumbered Starchaser, and again the female voice comes over the comms, "Got it! Thank you, thank you, hold the applause, just throw credits." A few groans are given in answer as the short lived explosion dissipates. There is barely enough time for Janissar 3 to wonder, "So, now what?" before targeting computers light up with three new signals emerging from a microjump: the nearest is the engine array of a Xiytiar medium freighter, the Vontoor 3. More distant are the Ghtroc 720 Nogai, and the unfamiliar lumpy profile of a shuttle displaying as the Scimitar.
---
"We have our targets, let's engage! Everyone keep your heads and cover each other, this is where the fun begins." Poe adjusts the aim of his weapon platform and immediately gets a locking tone. He opens fire just as it begins to move, but manages to score a hit on the shield. "Engaging the odd looking one. Let's light 'em up!"
---
Running his sensors after the destruction of the buoy. They are still further out, Karas doesn't try to do anything just yet, he begins using his sensors to try and pick up any other bogeys if there are any.
---
"I'm gonna put caf in his fighter's tank." Jessika says over the headset, and then double checks that her hand wasn't anywhere near the switch that would broadcast that message to the other fighters. It isn't, thankfully, which means that her plan goes under the radar. At least, as under the radar as it can be when she's just announced it to two other individuals. "Alright, wake up! Three craft on sensors. Two freighters and some kind of shuttle I'm not getting positive identification from. They might have a transponder scrambler. These look like our targets, but let's--." The viewport before her lights up as the bright bolts from one of the Outrider's turrets zip across space and connect with the landing shuttle. "Or let's just shoot them now."
Moving her hands over the controls, Jessika ensures the concussion missile launcher tubes are loaded and ready to go. "Get me firing solutions on those freighters, Leebo. Let's hope these three are the same ones we're looking for." It's not likely going to be anyone else, but positive ID has always been a thing in her head.
---
Kaiden sits up now, his fingers dance along the targetting console in order to turn the turret toward his target. It swivels, but Kaiden is antsy, and fires too quickly, his shot almost comically off-target.
---
Ektor drawls with an audible smile, "Janissars, Switch to missiles and lock on- we're gonna blow up the big one!"
With it's aft arc facing the Outrider and its flanking fighters, only two of the big Xiytiar's turrets can fire in response, a double laser cannon turret impacting the Outrider's forward shields.
---
The Scimitar veers wildly away from the incoming fire, as the ponderous Xiytiar slowly begins pivoting in space in a sluggish effort to bring its forward batteries to bear. The Ghtroc surges forward, looking to close the distance and join the unexpected fight.
---
"Another hit there, I know they're /not/ feeling good after that!" Poe shakes as the Outrider is struck across its forward shields. He holds true to firing though, keeping his solution as the initial tilt is under way. "Come on guys, hammer them!" Poe's watching the other ships begin to move, and he can still hear the others over comms. He expects a light show once they all open up!
---
Pushing the throttle to full flying cover for the Outrider as it's laser turrets are already belting laser fire. "Moving to lock on with torps." he says as he looks at his targeting data. Though as he Karas manipulates the controls, having flown A-Wings for a good while the HLAF doesn't give him too much trouble, his sensors focusing on one of the lead freighters coming in towards them.
---
The hit from the single turret that impacts them sends warning lights flaring in the Outrider's cockpit. "Drek, that was a hard hit. We can't take a lot of those. Leebo, focus on shield maintenance. Poe and Kaiden, you REALLY might want to focus on that heavier freighter. I'm going to try to stay out of its forward firing arc." Not before she looses a pair of concussion missiles, though, that launch from beneath the Outrider's cockpit with bright flares of light at their aft sections. "The Vontoor is packing some heavy weapons, fighters, he might be our priority target." The LE Series co-pilot is already setting to work on feeding power into the shields to keep them balanced by drawing power from the deflector sections of the freighter not being used.
"Missiles away! Going evasive." It's a delayed call out for the missiles, but a prompt notification for her turret gunners. Jessika guides the Outrider with it's contoured flight grips, and attempts to keep them out of the heavier line of fire as the Vontoor 3 tries to turn on them to unleash a real salvo of weapon fire. She doesn't see the missile impact against the hull, but she does know she's not getting out of its firing line fast enough. "Brace yourselves. This might hurt a little."
---
Kaiden continues to tap and dance his fingers along the control panel of the targetting console, further enthused by his miss and resolved to hit the other blasted ship. A bit (quite a bit) of recalibration of his aiming, made evident by the swivel of the turret, and he fires again. "Got a hit."
---
"Like I said, Jess: we gonna blow up the big one. Missiles away!" Ektor returns, as the first of the starfighters looses a concussion missile followed by another from Janissar 1, and a pair from Janissar 3. The quartet of streaking red missiles slam one at a time into the oversized aft of the Xiytiar, smashing through the remaining shields, impacting, detonating, and inflicting heavy damage on the medium freighter. "Third Vontoor my Third World ASS," Ektor snickers before abruptly cursing and firing up the engines to avoid a volley of turret fire from the charging Nogai. "Keep hitting the big one!"
The Vontoor 3's aft turrets have less success, firing but finding only void.
---
Poe shifts his targetting at Jess' request and attempts to get a lock onto the heavy freighter. Unfortunately, his shots go feral and miss by favoring a wide angle. Poe doesn't say anything about that, and instead focuses on getting a better angle. "Roger, Jess. I'll work on them some!" At this point, it's about getting a good angle and putting in as much damage as possible.
---
"Alright, my turn." Karas says as he finally sees the targeting reticle locks onto the large freighter. He grins and lets loose two torps, watching them fire, keeping out of the firing arc of the turrets from the Outrider, though as he fires he saw the many torps racing towards the bigger freighter as well.
---
A quick bank towards the Vontoor has the Outrider facing towards it. Leveling off, Jessika maintains one hand on the flight controls while the other darts to the console to her immediate right. She sets the firing computer to configure more solutions for the concussion missiles, and then it's both hands back in the game. "Bringing us in closer to this thing. Hopefully that'll limit it's arc even more. Going for another lock with missiles to try to give you as stable a firing platform as I can. Leebo, keep me updated on the shields." Jessika glances towards her sensors to see whether or not they still have their fighter compliment. She wasn't sure if they'd lost someone in the interim or not. "Doesn't look like that thing is disabled yet, Ektor! But it doesn't look like it has any shields. Maybe you should pour some ion cannon fire into that one?" Jessika murmurs silently to herself afterwards.
---
The firing of the Outrider's turret is a miss yet again, causing the Zeltron to cuss a string of obscenities. It doesn't keep him from beginning to try to recalibrate his target of the opponent, though.
---
"I hear you, Jess- hey, anybody wanna shoot at this stupid-ass space turtle that's chasing me, yeah?" Ektor drawls, veering the Starchaser in a deft spiral as he switches fire to ion cannons, avoiding the Ghtroc's pursuit adeptly. The light ion cannons spit at the stricken Xiytiar. That the thin little blue bolts have any effect is a sign of how catastrophic the damage already dealt has been.
The Scimitar banks for distance, making to escape firing range. The Vontoor 3's turrets fall silent, as the crackle of sparking power couplings are the only signs of power on the big vessel.
---
Poe adjusts targets as he sees that the heavy freighter has been crippled. Looking for his original target, he attempts to get a lock and fires, but the vessel is fleeing. Poe sighs when he witnesses his shots missing again. Keeping his cool though, he readjusts the weapon and tries to get a lock on it this time for a better angle.
---
"I hear ya, coming to clear your tail." he calls into the comms to Ektor. Karas pushes the throttle forward as he races to help his friend. The freighter is proving to be a major asshole right now, though he admits the freighter is pretty damn fast. He tries to gain a lock on the freighter and thinking that he was able to get a shot off, but it's wide, "No joy, I will keep on him, get that shot."
---
"Big freighter's disabled! That'll be the one we decide to get friendly with. Maneuvering on other targets." Jessika guides the Outrider in a quick, vertical u-turn. The targeting computer quickly reads that it is unable to gain any kind of lock, and she curses under her breath. "Alright, here we go. Gotta eyeball it." As much as anything can be eyeballed in the void of space. What she means is she has no solid tone, which means the missiles might not hit at all. Another pair fire away as the tubes remain in linked mode, and they race through space. One goes wide. The other? It connects, and in a powerful shimmer of shields, her target is left without them. "Solid hit! Shields are down on the Nogai. Now's the time to hit it!"
---
"On it." The Zeltron says, manipulating his controls in order to recalibrate his turret aiming, using his fingertips to swerve both barrels. In this way, he manually follows the light freighter and leads it, almost as if he is aiming at Ektor himself. A button is hit, both barrels fire, sailing away to both impact the light freighter simultaneously, "Shit, it's still chasing."
---
Ektor's Starchaser stays a step ahead of the spewing turrets of the Ghtroc. "So far so good, yeah? Hey, Devii- can she hear us? Hey Devii, if you can hear us, we got a landing pad served up for you."
Janissar One elects to rocket after the fleeing Scimitar, with Janissar 3 following suit, but while they keep the shuttle in range, no shots come close to the badly wounded Weequay shuttle.
---
Poe gets a good lock on the Nogai and squeezes the firing mechanism, leading the shot. He watches as both cannon shots sink into the ship causing a significant amount of damage. It becomes apparent that the pirates in that ship are hating life as Poe watches gas from what looks to be a good hull breech is venting everything into the void of space. He can't tell from where he is, but their life support is damaged and no longer functioning. If they're going to finish this craft off, now's the time. "Solid hit on that one!" Poe announces.
---
Seeing laser fire from the Outrider being fired at the freighter. Still Karas moves his controls fo the HLAF, the speedy fighter is meeting it's match. "Damn, he or she is krifing good." he says as he tries to work his fighter and push it, he wasn't going to let this asshole get away.
---
With the Nogai's shields down, Jessika turns her attention to the one running. They don't want anyone to escape. "Missiles away after fleeing target!" Watching them as little blips on the sensor suite shows that they don't have a chance of reaching the fleeing craft. They explode after so far, with the timers worn out after their arming distance was reached. "No joy, and I'm out of ordinance." Jessika reaches forward and adjusts the Outrider's throttle to full, making the blue engines flare their brightest as she attempts to close the distance. "Gonna try to give you the easiest shot I can, guys. We can only hope he's stuck in one of the gravity wells at this distance from the planets. And if not.." Well. It'll escape soon, and they really don't want it to.
---
Space is pretty big, and Kaiden makes everyone aware of that with just how off he misses the freighter tailing Ektor.
---
The Scimitar has won enough survival time, with cannon blasts sizzling past it, to calculate an escape route, and before Janissars 1 and 3 can land the killing blow, the unfamiliar, lumpy boarding craft streaks off into the safety of hyperspace.
There is no such escape at hand for the Nogai, as the Ghtroc is being picked to pieces by the pirate hunters. In adition to the more telling blows landed by the heavier cannons, Ektor is finally able to give the light frieghter the slip, and brings his Starchaser around for a pass that lands a light laser blast which further cripples the craft's integrity, more oxygen blasting into the vaccuum. A first escape pod launches from the badly stricken Nogai.
---
Jess was pursuing the fleeing Scimitar, but Poe rotated the cannon to face their stern, obtained a lock on the Nogai, and fired off another shot ending its life, the lives of what crew remained, and its existence in space. Debris was pushed outward in every direction as a massive explosion erupted along its hull bending the frame into an irreparable state. The flames were gone a moment later, leaving only the flash cooled debris that spiraled into the void without a definite path. Poe rotated the cannon back to the front just in time to see the last of the posse jump to safety. "Damn shame. I wish we hadn't lost them. Regardless, good flying everyone." Then in his headset for the internal VOIP, he spoke to Jess. "Good flying, Jess."
---
Coming around, Karas sees the flicker of laser fire and the explosion of the Nogai, and the heavy freighter is being taken down as well. The HLAF pulls up, "Flying cover." he says as he looks to the sensors. Moving along keeping pace with the others, Karas is just sitting and waiting.
---
"Good shooting," Jessika replies in turn. "Nothing we can do about the one that got away except to pull the rest of this off quick. Why don't you put a few more ion rounds into the Vontoor, and we'll get in there." The Outrider swings wide towards the freighter that's floating in space. "Poe, Kaiden, it's clear to get off those guns for now. Link up with the rest of the crew and prep for docking and boarding procedures with the Xiyitar. Remember, we wanna go in there with weapons on stun. We're trying to get intel, not turn that place into a graveyard." Jessika adjusts the speed of her freighter and sets an intercept course. "Get the port docking seal ready for use, Leebo, and then prepare to take over to seal the link between the two."
---
"So punch 'em in the face. Got it." The Zeltron replies, as he powers down his particular targetting console and eases out of the seat set at an incline. He's moving quickly through the Outrider, toward that docking port.
---
"Hey, they coulda quit before blowing up," Ektor considers lightly in answer to Poe. "Come on, nobody cries over a pirate, yeah?" without a trace of irony. The foremost R-41 banks to come around again on Karas' wing as the HLAF takes up a patrol around the immobilized and slowly spinning bulk of the Vontoor 3. At Jessika's suggesstion, the sound of the beach-less vagrant chuckling can be heard as he pours another stream of ion cannon fire along the spine and forward module of the Xiytiar. "Good idea."
The woman in Janissar 1 adds over the comms, "So... too bad the shuttle got away? But if it helps, I got a deep scan before they went. Had five life signs inside, and a transponder out of Sriluur. Not sure if that helps. On our way back to the rest of you."
