Public A Band of (Bad) Brothers

[Utankan Medajo]

Dantum Kryszar​

Some Cantina in Rodia, early in the Night...

Damn planet. It was the thought that was running through his head at that moment, and it wasn't even because he really hated Rodia. But because it is in the same system as his home planet, of which he only has vague memories. None of them worth mentioning even. But the last job he'd done had had an unpredictable ending that had caused an impromptu escape. They managed to get away, but the ship was badly damaged. That planet was the closest solution, even if the mechanics there weren't the best, the amount of repairs needed far exceeded the amount of repairs Beexco could do alone in a timely manner, so they had no choice. They would need a team if they wanted it fixed ASAP.

To avoid further headaches, Utankan decided that he would wait in the Cantina. He asked the mechanic to let him know via Holocom when everything was ready. But now that they were there, he didn't know if it had been a good idea. He was no longer an Imperial, but the insignia on his armour - which was the only thing left from his time as an Imperial Soldier - even if smudged and faded by time, was still distinguishable enough to make people walk away from him when passed. Not only that, he himself was a bit of an intimidating guy: tall, unfriendly, and riding along with a BX series commando droid. Which caused him to end up on a table alone, next to his droid. He drank something alcoholic while eating some snacks. And he had an expression of someone who couldn't bear to listen to the litany of his metallic companion anymore, who, prolixly talked about his frustrations with the last mission they had done.​

 

[Dantum Kryszar]

Tags: Utankan Medajo

Location: Rodia

Objective: Find the contact

Dantum "Dan" Kryszar gently guided his souped-up A-Wing towards a landing platform. The ship's stabilizers groaned audibly as they touched down on the sturdy metal surface. Dan wasn't sure how much longer he could fly with his ship in this bad of a condition- hopefully Rodia has some good mechanics.

The bounty hunter pressed a button, and the windshield slid back, allowing him to hop out. He grabbed some gear from a hidden compartment in the hull, and was just about to set off for the cantina that his contact had told him about when he was stopped by a Rodian.

"Hello sir, your ship seems to be in need of some repairs. Gorko's Repair Service is a low-cost, high quality-"

"Just fix it up. But don't get into any of the compartments- I'll know if anything's missing." Dan tossed the Rodian a few credits. Hopefully Gorko's would live up to their high quality statements.

After interacting with the Rodian, Dan headed off through the winding streets of the small, domed town. The bounty hunter expected the cantina to be harder to find, but after a few minutes of searching, there it was: an average-sized building, which had seemingly already far surpassed its maximum capacity. As he walked inside, Dan bumped shoulders with a Rodian, who proceeded to stagger drunkenly out into the street. Looks like he had come to the right place.

It wasn't hard to find the man he was looking for either. A tough-looking individual with long, black dreadlocks and muscular arms sat with a Separatist commando droid at a table. Everyone else in the cantina was giving the intimidating pair space. As the bar patrons looked on, Dan walked right up to the man and nodded his acknowledgement.

"Utankan. It's been a while."

 

[Utankan Medajo]

Being at a Cantina was never a 100% pleasant experience, but sometimes could surprise you. And he surely felt like that, when he saw Dan in front of him. Which made the tension in the air feel even more vile. Dantum was a defector like him, and they had worked together in the past. More than once. Contrary to Utankan, he didn't see much problem in keep running around in his old trooper suit. That probably worked both ways to him: kept the annoying ones away because nobody wants to mess with stormtroopers and intimidate the civilians, at the same time that set a huge target on his back for any Imperial Trooper in the vicinity that want to rank up by capturing a traitor. Either way it seems that he always get the right kind of attention: criminals afraid of him, and maybe other Imperials making themselves being noticed by charging against him.

Beexco: Now look what do we have here. Master Kryszar.

The droid liked him, and he don't like most people. Maybe was because Dan, like Utankan, share similar origins. Which in turn, meant that both probably shared values and codes of honour as well. Utankan turned his head to see Dan, and slightly nodded his head. It was his way to say "Hello". Then he invited the friend to join them at the table, and Beexco spoke to one of the waitresses of the Cantina to bring three more rodian beers. It wasn't the best of beers, for sure, but it was their only choice.​

​

"Uughghhhgh huuguughghg raaaaaahhgh huurh huurh uughguughhhghghghhhgh aarrragghuuhw aarrragghuuhw huuguughghg huuguughghg uughghhhgh"
(So, my friend, what brings you to my table in a day like this?)​

Dan was already used to the fact that Utankan only speaks in wookiee, and in case he couldn't understand Beexco would probably translate it anyway.
​

Dantum Kryszar ​

 

[Dantum Kryszar]

Tags: Utankan Medajo

Location: Cantina on Rodia

"Now, look what we have here. Master Kryszar," said Beexco, Utankan's Separatist Commando droid. Beexco had always been friendly and cordial towards him, and Dan rather liked the droid too. Beexco didn't take insults from anybody, just like him.

"Hello, Beexco. I'm surprised you're still functioning- oh, it was a joke! Calm your circuits."

Beexco ordered the waitress to bring some more drinks as Dan sat down. While Dan was making himself comfortable, Utankan began speaking in Wookie. The man was pretty much unable to speak in any other language, since he was missing his tongue. Dan, who had known Utankan for some time now, was easily able to translate. The mercenary was saying: "So, my friend, what brings you to my table on a day like this?"

Dan sighed. He wished that he had just come for a beer, but the situation was in fact very different. This would take some explaining.

"Well, there's no easy way to put this, but- Captain Brondul is getting closer. He's been obsessed with finding you lately, and his scouts must have seen you or your ship, because he's in this system right now with a light cruiser and a full battalion of eight hundred stormtroopers. I came to warn you, because he's hot on your trail. He's going to catch up with you sooner or later, and you need to get out of here as soon as possible. He might even have some troopers here on Rodia right now, looking for signs that you're here. You really should leave as soon as you can. I can help you."

Dan leaned back in his chair, waiting for Utankan's response.

 

[Utankan Medajo]

Beexco was already acquainted to Dan's sense of humour, so he did know better not to take that comment so seriously. And also helped the fact that the droid appreciated his company. So by the time he was sitting down, the beers had arrived. Beexco obviously wouldn't, couldn't, drink but he liked to hold Utankan's empty glass, as if pretending he had drank with his master and his friend - like it was important to him feeling like he was part of that.

Utankan hoped that reunion the be more light mooded, but circumstances wouldn't permit. The matter was very serious. Captain Brondul was an old rival from Imperial times. When he was leading his squad, back then, it was Bordul's nephew who supervised him and his crew. When the entire squad was allegedly K.I.A. and later Utankan resurfaced as defector, it made his nephew look bad. And one doesn't disappoint the Sith and just gets out with a warning, or a pat on shoulders. It was his doom. The Sith killed his nephew for his incompetence of not seeing Utankan's betrayal. So revenge of his nephew's death was the reason Brondul hated him so much, and was making so much effort to hunt him down.

Utankan took a long sip of beer, and made an expression that indicated he was thoroughly thinking in what Dan had just told him. He then looked to Beexco, and then tapped two times on the table with his index finger before taking another sip of beer.

Beexco: My Master appreciates your warning, and friendship. He doesn't want to involve you in his mess, but if you willing to help, he can reward you later. That way your involvement would be strictly professional, and you can deny anything that you think might compromising. Dealing with Sith Empire is no easy task, not should be taken lightly.

After Beexco have spoken, Utankan got his datapad to show Dan some coordinates.

Beexco: We are going to set a trap in this coordinates. My Master will willingly make himself noticed in this place, and await for Brondul's arrival. Knowing the Captain very well, my Master is certain that he probably won't go himself right away. He will probably send over scouts to look out and capture him, rendering the Captain more vunerable in his ship. It would be a personal ship, not too big, small crew. If you agree, as my Master and I let ourselves be captured, you will infiltrate the Captain's personal ship, take down his personal guard and take him hostage. After that, you just send us a signal, we kill our captures and phase two can begin.

Utankan then rises his arm ordering two more beers, after Beexco finishes his explanation.​

 

[Dantum Kryszar]

Tags: Utankan Medajo

Location: Cantina on Rodia

Dan watched as Utankan took a sip of beer and tapped his fingers on the table. On cue, Beexco spoke, and explained his companion's feelings, and the plan. Being a bit of a tactician himself, Dan didn't think it was a bad plan. Pretty good, in fact. Brondul would most likely arrive in a small ship with only a few squads as protection. He would send out scouts to scan the area, which would make him more vulnerable. That would be when they would strike.

Taking Captain Brondul hostage would solve many of Utankan's problems, mainly with the Sith Empire. Once Brondul realized that his quarry was a force to be reckoned with, he, along with his Empire, might just leave the man alone. Then Utankan could go places in Sith-controlled space without having to constantly watch his back.

Dan's part of the plan consisted of sneaking into Brondul's ship, killing the guards, and taking the captain hostage while Utankan and Beexco drew attention to themselves. Then, when he had captured Brondul, he would give them the signal to take care of their captors. It seemed straightforward for someone with Dan's range of talents.

"I'm happy to help out, Utankan. Anything for a friend. This bounty hunter is ready when you are."

 

[Utankan Medajo]

Dan could probably find very strange, and convenient, that he was that much prepared about Captain Brondul. The bounty hunter only had to mention him being around, and Utankan already laid a full-scale plan, with steps and phases. That much detail implies that one was either already expecting something like that would happen, or he already knew it would happen and just didn't know when. Utankan wasn't the paranoid kind, but he hated to be taken by surprise - that is why he always tried to be prepared in advance for everything. Either way, maybe that much preparedness was a little weird, even he knew that.

He nodded his head in agreement with Dan, as he was thanking him for all the help. It wouldn't be a easy task. Dan's part in the whole plane had been originally designed to Beexco - since the Captain never knew him - and knowing how much his droid friend can take, kinda led to "leaving all the hard stuff on his end".

"Uuh aarrragghuuhw wrrhwrwwhw awwgggghhh uugggh uughghhhgh aarrragghuuhw huurh aarrragghuuhw huurh uughguughhhghghghhhgh aaaaahnr aaaaahnr huuguughghg uughghhhgh uggguh aguhwwgggghhh huurh aaahnruh"​

(The Droid is going with you. Brondul doesn't know him, it will make things more easy on your end)​

Said him in a determined way, as if it was not open for discussion. Beexco seemed to be okay with that, after all he did enjoyed Dan's company.

Beexco: What is the ETA for the Captain's arrival?

Maybe if the Captain Brondul's ship was coming to Rodia, they could plant the bait as a bounty hunter selling information about a traitor to the Empire. It would raise little suspicious about they being working together that way...​

Dantum Kryszar ​

 

[Dantum Kryszar]

Tags: Utankan Medajo

Location: Cantina on Rodia

So, the droid was coming with him. Not exactly what Dan had expected, but it wouldn't be a problem. Commando droids were skilled fighters in the Clone Wars, and Beexco was no exception. Plus, like Utankan had stated, Brondul wasn't familiar with Beexco. That meant that Dan would have extra help without having to worry about keeping an enemy known to the Captain hidded.

Speaking of the Captain, Beexco was wondering when the man would arrive on Rodia.

"Well," Dan began, "His scouts would have to spot us first, which they may have done already. They would have seen our ships first, so I'll see if that has happened."

Dan pulled out a datapad and used it to check a camera on his ship. "Yep, stormtroopers already. They're getting close. So, I'd say Brondul won't be to far behind..."