Log:Taris - We just want the diamond...

We just want the diamond...

OOC Date: June 25 2020
Location: Taris
Participants: Aryn Cole, Mujiji, Mandl, Nerys Arda, Emma Starflare and Hadrix Kora(GM)

A mercenary team assembled for the purpose of retrieve a Yavin Diamond for the Aeyman's Scientific Studies group of the corp sector - a group of thugs and thieves under the command of an individual known by Jurokah intent on fencing the item for a considerable profit.

Operating on overwatch and info-dissemination, Hadrix's voice rumbles over comms for those who've come to retrieve the stolen goods. <<"Client understands things can get messy and has allowed for violent altercation if circumstances require. Local authorities would not provide constabulary aid and have not sanctioned para-military action. Be advised. If you require long assault support, contact and las target.">> a pause and then a clipped female voice with an upper crust Coruscant accent cuts in.

<<"The thieves are identified primarily non-humanoid. Duros, rodians, possibly a Toydarian. Be on the watch and inform control of your intended procedure and we shall follow appropriately.">> and then quiet, leaving the group where they've positioned themselves, together or individually.

Nerys Arda was not a bounty hunter, nor was she a mercenary. She was, at the end of all things, a scientist. And she just so happened to be doing this for science! She'd gotten the call, through the usual channels, and had been brought in to assist in retrieving the crystal and verifying its authenticity. These things she could do. And so, here she was, in her armor, with her Backpack of Holding, her sword over her shoulder, and her bowcaster in hand. Now was not the time to assume they could do this peacefully. "Systems online, HiBall?" The ID10 droid that perched on her shoulder chittered his readiness, red eye flashing as he scanned the area.

Dr. Cole was here on behalf of the science community. A rare gemstone stolen?! Inconceivable! Regardless, she answered the clarion's call despite the parameters of this mercenary cabal being slightly outside the norm for a Jedi Knight.

Furthermore, Aryn was noble. So the notion of being a mercenary felt taboo! Aryn is caped, wearing a fine tunic paired with protective armor that clearly emphasized mobility. She did not conceal what she was, be it doctor (by way of a medical satchel) or Jedi (by way of a curved lightsaber hilt fastened upon her hip.) She has bright blonde hair, and a distinctive scar over her left eye and partially angled down her cheek, giving her some distinction despite her youthful age.

<<"Understood, Commander Kora. Are there any holo-representations of this gemstone or traits we should be especially watchful for?">>

Mandl, too, heard of the theft via channels mineralogic and mining-centric, and whether at the behest of the company's promised reward or as simply a novel challenge, Dr. B'rot is also along facts-forward and science ho.

And someone brought a rabbit - sorry, a /mercenary/. <<"Roger that 'r whatever.">> Mujiji drawls into her comm, saluting a Hadrix that she cannot see. The kushiban, despite standing at about knee-level on most of those gathered, is armed just as much as the rest - mostly bombs, though a pistol is strapped to her back as well. She positions herself at the rear of them all, and idly scratches at a spot near her tail.

<<"Yes, sending information to datapads for display.">> Hadrix rumbles, For those able to display such, like and ID10 a holograph of a disc approximately an inch across, ground like a viewing lens is shown. the diamond itself crystal clear as it rotates, a number of karat and other weights and figures shown alongside. <<"These diamonds are formed when meteorites or asteroids managed to get through Yavin IV - they go opaque with a red-gold shine when exposed to UV.">>

The city center opens out before them all - crowds moving to and fro from sales kiosks, cafes, and other distractions meant to separate locals and tourists of their money - among them the nefarious ne'er do wells.

Nerys clicked on her coms, her helmet already on as she heard the parameters of the mission, and took the time to study the hologram that HiBall projected. <I'm ready.> HiBall, start a scan and let me know if you ping any potential targets." The droid twittered his assent, raising up a bit on Nerys' shoulder so that his head could swivel as needed. Nerys did the same, eyes narrowing as she looked out into the city proper.

Aryn turns at the sound of a voice behind her and doesn't see anyone. Not until she looks down to see the Kushiban. Her eyes go wide because she's suddenly distracted by how CUTE SHE IS! AHHHHHHHH! "H..hi--hello there.." She manages, not sure what to do when speaking with a critter.. sentient critter like Mujiji! The mission is forgotten for a moment as Aryn slows her steps to walk alongside the CUTE LONG EARED RABBIT WITH GUNS.

Mandl takes a long, slow recon of the city-vista. A measured pan. "Mandl has two suspicions," they report. "Three Rodians in a group ahead, escorting something that flutters." They *up-chin.* "Two Duros and a Human with concealed armor on the sky-walk." They *tappa-tappa-tappa* upload coordinates for each group to our heroes' armors and comlinks. "... how shall we proceed? Teams?"

Emma herself -was- a mercenary, bounty hunter and...well, she'd certainly been worse. As likely to have been part of the team to take the diamond as retrieve it, but here she was.

The blonde woman was wrapped in her figure-hugging armor, her sniper rifle currently folded and stashed but easily assembled as she keys her comlink and leans against a nearby railing. Eyes sweep from team member to team member before she speaks up in her accented tones.

"Subterfuge I can attempt, unless one of you wish to try your hand," a pause, she shrugs lightly. "Otherwise, I will watch your backs if violence occurs."

"Seems simple enough." Mujiji decides, nodding slowly and doing a short circle around the projected image. Pulling her datapadd free, she sets off with the group, flipping through information and - her hackles raise. Something is wrong - amiss... Someone is watching her. "Somethin' wrong with yer face?" She snarls, eyes narrowing up at Aryn. "Or is there somethin' on mine?"

Adorable furry thing! ADORABLE FURRY THING!!! A child suddenly squeaks and begins racing towards Mujiji - breaking away from her parents, "MOMMY MOMMY! OH! LOOK AT HER PET! IT'S AMAZING! CAN WE GET ONE?! I WANT TO GET ONE!" the shrieking child squeals in delight as she dares to reach, with slow trembling hand and sparkling eyes, for the ears of Mujiji. So adorable. So. Adorable.

Of the Rodians walking with the fluttering thing mentioned, one pops his head up and begins tootling and hooting - Something about spending some time in the local 'lek house later when he gets his cut which gets a small blue hand thwapped against his head - drawing looks from other crowd members.

Nerys fell into line with the group, keeping her weapon at low ready. Not enough to raise suspicions, she hoped. She slotted herself in beside Aryn, offering the Alderaan noblewoman a friendly, "Doctor." She was just the security. Rich types always needed security, right? Just doing her job, nothing to see here. Her eyes moved to the locations Mandl highlighted on their readouts, eyes narrowing as she studied each of the groups being outlined. <I would follow the rodians. But I'm not going to discount any of the other possibilities.>

Aryn flinches when Mujiji snarls at her, clearly not expecting such HATE and DISCONTENT from such a CUTE and CUDDLY THING. AHH! Regardless, she dips her head in apologies. "Forgive me, I forget myself, madam. You're the first of your kind I've seen. Truly remarkable." Insert spoiled kid screaming!

Nerys' friendly Doctor greeting draws Aryn out of her moment, prompting her to blink before glancing toward her. She smiles, and stays close to her, walking timidly to her side and slightly behind.

Even though Nerys does not go after the Rodians, Aryn does! "Gentlemen.." She calls out brazenly, smiling a beautiful, yet rehearsed, smile. A subtle wave of her hand appears nothing more than a gesture indicating the long line of stores. "I want to find diamonds, big diamonds for sale. You want to tell me where I might buy the biggest you've ever seen."

Aryn calls upon her command of the Force, its power emitting from her hand to invade their mind through the pores of their skin, to coax the inhibitions away, and reveal.. or bring to the surface, the very thing this young blonde wished to hear.

Mandl marches after Aryn, but not before asking: "A-team, on the Jedi. Rodians are primary," they announce, conclusive. "B-team, don't let the spotters on the causeway get word they've been made."

"Yeah, well, my kind don't get out much." The ill-tempered logomorph huffs in response to Aryn... But has she planned to say anything further, it is forgotten with the screeching of abhorrent, nasty, youth. "/GET ONE/?!" Mujiji roars, any pretense of stealth forgotten as she rounds on the child, buck-teeth bared, her fur rippling to a deep black color. "Y'ever wondered what yer insides look like on yer outsides, sonny?" She snarls, taking one step forward and flicking out one miniscule claw. Leaning closer, her voice dropping - "'cause yer about t'find out."

Turning slowly back to her compatriots, the Kushiban has the good sense to look sheepish. "Um." She clears her throat. "Aye, I'll take out th'spotters." Since she's probably just made a good show of tipping them off. Oops.

Muji's little outburst? It just earns some soft laughter from Emma's lips, but the call from the team to the lurking heavily armed woman in the form-fitting armor earns a reach for the shorter carbine at her thigh.

<<"I'll start gently,">> she muses before adjusting the weapon to stun. <<"But if things get lethal, I will bring out my rifle.">>

A pair of shots streak to the spotters....and miss, widening the sniper's eyes in shock. Hopefully she'd given them bigger concerns than calling in the 'A-team' at least.

Chaos occurs, suddenly. A child is shrieking and running while parents are caught. Go after the now black furred snuggapuff that has threatened the death of their child. Chase after their child who has torn off into the crowds of Night City? They run, shoving people out of the way causing others to suddenly take notice, watching the trio barreling along as the loud mouth rodian looks to Aryn,

"Oh. We know the kind of diamond you're looking for - it's not good for jewelry though - it's a focusi-" "SHUT'A UPPAH!" a blue bodied pot-bellied with a trunk nose shoots up, her teeth bared as she slaps the Rodian. "Keep'a yourself a'quiet!" snarling as another Rodian looks to Aryn,

"Best you move on ma'am. We're not the type your looking for." "Aren't we?" the third chimes in.

On the causeway the quartet watching all focus on the kushiban, hands moving inside of coats as they look between one another... until stun bolts go whizzing past like ring-pastry of misery and then the local area goes ballistic. People start running, rodians pull guns, a Beselisk rushes for a side cafe away from the tapcaf to flip a table for cover and his spike headed goons pull blasters as well.

The Sniper at the back said everyone attack, and it turned into a market square blitz.

Blaster bolts begin raining around the blonde assassin's position, both rodians, the duros, and the big bulky one with them drawing pistols and doing an amazing job of wrecking the aesthetic designs.

<<"Finesse...">> Hadrix's voice rumbles over comms.

"I don't think this is how you want this to go down, is it?" Nerys, who had not left Aryn's side, raised her weapon, finger on the trigger the golden glow of her bowcaster's cable glittering in her eyes. "I mean, I suppose you could want this to go down the hard way, but nobody's spending credits when they're a corpse. You don't want to be corpses, do you?" Her voice was cool and entirely dispassionate.

Aryn was searching for an answer, but it prompted the boss to come to the forefront. Normally, the timid girl would have backed away from the Toydarian female and hid behind Nerys, but Aryn was brave. Braver than usual. Having a sharp intellect and enhanced senses led her to tip her eyes away from the eccentric flapping trunk monster to its gross, suction feet hanging limply in the air, unused. It's there she spotted the carefully wrapped package in cloth. Clever.

Her arms go wide, crossing her companions Mandl and Nerys simultaneously to guide them backward a few steps before Aryn took a Mando'ade fighting stance and cast her hand outward.

An astonishing thing happened following that gesture, because the flapping Toydarian began to cartwheel mid-air, end over end, and the very thing she clasped tight with her foot suction sailed right into Aryn's gloved hand, then was pushed to Mandl.. because HE was the mineral specialist afterall, and two.. business was about to go down.

Preparing for violence, Aryn cast back her cape and unhooked the lightsaber hilt, powering it on with a sudden SNAP-HISS. The blue blade appeared vertically, dividing Aryn's face by the hue of blue, before a stylish flurry guided the blade to her side, and her offhand went wide in a master's duelist stance. A defiant humming noise cut through the chaos with every subtle motion of the sapphire energy blade. "Stay your weapons, and keep your lives. Please. This need not escalate any further!"

Mandl eyes the prize with all their decades in the Bithness-- a breathless moment-- for gemologists, at any rate. Everyone else is not required to tighten their... apertures. They tuck it safely into their satchel. *tappa-tappa,* Hadrix's comm frequency. "... objective secured. We need extraction."

Oh, they're shooting now - great! Mujiji isn't the best at subtlety, so when things dissolve to the simplicity of violence, she feels almost at home... But they do need information. They need a diamond. Can't get a diamond if she's dead! So the Kushiban scrambles for cover as shooting erupt, yanking her blaster free of the holster at her back. The pistol is clutched in both hands, her small size means holding it like a rifle. "Listen to th'wizard!" She hollers over the din.

Emma's tracker is discarded in disgust, at the weapon or herself is anyone's guess. With blaster bolts raining around her she smoothly pulls her rifle free, assembling the lethal weapon as others negotiate. <<"Apologies,">> she speaks into the comlink, <<"It seems I was off my g-">> her voice cuts out as a bolt catches her shoulder, earning a curse under her breath before she brings her blaster around.

The rodians stare, tube faces big weird looking Os of surprise. The Toydarian flops to the ground, coughing and retching while she tries to get her bearings, her spongy gas chamber filled body squeezing and florping with the results of her rude de-gemming.

The lightsabers stop everyone in proximity in their tracks - even the Beselisk and his cronies are staring. Many eyes on Aryn, on the Bith, the armed and armored weapon near them.

People are, at least, not staring at Jiji. So no more wishes to pet, squeeze, or moosh moosh face to worry about. But blaster fire continues to rain down on Emma's position, exploding masonry and melting durasteel spraying all around her.

<<"News feeds showing a lot of plasma fire... Ship will be coming hard with the bomb-bay doors open for a hover-exfil.">> Hadrix's voice is on the comms again, mild despite the rumble.

Nerys' shoulder felt suddenly lighter, as HiBall lifted from her shoulder and descended on the Toydarian, his saw arm flicking out of his arm socket, sizzling with suppressed energy, "Like I said, corpses can't spend credits. So I suggested that you pick up your friend and go, before we all get to see what the inside of a Toydarian looks like." She looked down at the Toydarian still wiggling on the ground like a turtle on its back, "You. Call them off. ALL of them." HiBall remained hovering where he was, red eye glittering with suppressed d-roid-rage, if you will, but leaving room for the trio of Rodians holstering their weapons, leaving their hands free to rush forward and move to pick up their fallen leader. He didn't back up, and neither did Nerys. Into her comms, almost soto voce, <I have been hanging out with bounty hunters way too much.>

Aryn makes the slow, elegant transition to a defensive cross with her lightsaber; a velocity she trained with often for the purpose of being capable of redirecting blaster fire. The hum of the blue hued weapon was closer to her torso and held in an orientation that was diagonal, the tip of the blue toward the night sky. Aryn, mindful of their rodent companion, used her free hand to motion for her. "Come, my friend. We make our exit!" Said cheerfully, and a little too calm.." Side eye.. step back.

Aryn made no threats, but the sapphire blade was threatening enough.

Mandl, assessing the situation on the ground 'in-hand,' merely chucks a ticking glop-grenade onto the skywalk, spinning dramatically on their heel post-hurl. The situation plays out like you'd expect when you're dealing with the baddest Bith in the Bithness-- on the greatest geological caper of. our. time.

"Okay, we're out!" Mujiji grumbles, but does rush Aryn at the Jedi's urging, scrambling up her pant leg and digging her claws in for purchase at the shoulder. "I'll cover y'from behind, Wizard." Bracing her pistol against one shoulder, she reaches for one of the grenades at her belt - but it would seem that she isn't the only one that came to p-a-r-t-y. "...Oh, that's probably a better idea. I was goin' for a frag." Jiji is okay with war crimes. Guilty shrug. "Les get th'kriff out of here."

Perhaps it was bad luck, or a little pride, or simply reassuring herself after some abysmal marksmanship earlier. Emma moves, but she turns on her heel, lifting her rifle and firing off a single shot...right in time for goopy grenades to make avoidance impossible.

A heavy impact between her target's eyes, Emma moves to the ship, a soft tsk of disappointment at herself and her wound...

Any one you walk away from, right?

The Woor'tra hurtles through the city, twisting on axis to get between narrows and causing people to spread out further in panic as the massive cargo cruiser roars down with far more agility that the stock unit.

<<"Ride is here. Mount up and I'll boost.">> keeping repulsors and directional thrusters on, the ships bomb bay doors are open, elevator slamming into the ground to allow for them to gather and mount up.

The local officers are making their way onto the scene as well, shouting for people to freeze, trying to decide if they are going to aim at the ship, or start yelling at people to freeze.

<<"Don't dally, I hear the local force managed to upgrade from cloakshapes to Z-95s and I don't feel like watching them slowly erode my shields until we get to the jump point.">> Hadrix continues while the ship holds point.

The Besilisk and his crew? Disappearing into the dark. The Toydarian and her rodians are trying to do likewise, while the remaining three on the catwalk try to shake free, eyes turning to the half-headed duros that Emma has de-lifed.

<HiBall, cover us.> Nerys, now that it looked as though they were moving out for extraction, began to move back towards the pickup point, which, she was sure they would find soon as the ship dropped down for exfil. She moved to follow in Aryn's wake, HiBall hovering backwards and joining the kushiban in defending the retreat while Nerys swept her weapon from side to side to cover as many angles as she could. The closer the ship came, the faster she ran, more than ready to cut bait and get the heck out of dodge. Or off Taris. She fairly leapt into the ship, HiBall whizzing in after her. Once they were both inside, he lifted his vibrosaw to where his lips would be. You know, if he had lips, his vocorder making a sound that was almost like blowing a breath across the barrel of a pistol.

Aryn deactivates her lightsaber as the Kushiban makes a quick climb to her shoulder. It's an odd feeling to have something small like Mujiji perch there, but Aryn made no comment to that element because escaping was higher on her priority list. A fluttering cape betrayed the fact that Aryn had begun to run away. Mid-stride, she hooked her weapon back to her belt, and followed Nerys onto the vessel without another word. Aryn pauses for a look back, then climbs further into the ship to find a place to sit and strap in. "I'm relieved we can set our differences aside, furry friend. May I ask your name? I know you called me wizard, but I much prefer Aryn. That's my name." Aryn had a genuine enthusiasm about being close to Mujiji, and learning more about her.

And Mujiji? She's clinging to the back of the Jedi's clothes, pistol raised high above her head like she's charging into battle atop a mighty, noble steed - rather than running away from one in which she didn't loose a single shot. "S'Mujiji. Short fer Mujiji. You cin call me Mujiji. When we gettin' paid?"