Arena Acier, are you okay? Are you okay? Are you OK, Acier??!

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Black Sun Space

Equipment:
Field Gear | Cybernetic Arm

Ace caught the keycard without even looking at it, just a clean upward snatch of his hand. He didn't praise him He was, however, visibly impressed. His brows lifted a fraction. That was basically thunderous applause by Ace standards.

Blaster fire screamed across the chamber. Ace jerked his head toward the sound to see a second Besalisk, thundering in through the rear corridor, all four arms raised, all armed. Great. Another one.

Drifter's shout cut through the chaos. Ace didn't waste the breath it would take to argue. He sprinted immediately toward the lockers, only for a blaster bolt to slam into the floor inches from his foot.

He slid the card through the slot with a smooth, practiced motion. The panel chimed, lights shifting from red to green. Tic sat on the shelf, powered down but intact. Ace's chest went tight for half a second. Relief. He reached in, retrieving the BD-unit first, then his lightsaber.

Behind him, blaster fire kept escalating, Drifter trading bolts with that second Besalisk like it was a competitive sport he'd trained for his whole life. A crate disintegrated next to Drifter's head.

Ace clipped his lightsaber to his belt, fingers precise, shoulders settling into alignment.

"Don't lose!" He called back, flat as stone.

Then he said it louder, over the roar of the Gundark, the Besalisk, and Drifter's increasingly unhinged commentary:

"Because if you lose, I'm not carrying you."

Ace didn't wait for Drifter's inevitable comeback, he was already turning back toward the remaining lockers, sparks and blaster fire throwing stuttering shadows across the chamber.

Ace grabbed the next locker panel, the keycard scraping through the slot in one precise motion. Another chime, another green light. Inside: Drifter's gear. But... no Farrus Sphere.

Ace stared at the absence for half a second. He didn't sigh, but the silence around him somehow conveyed the emotional equivalent of course it wouldn't be this easy.

He nudged Drifter's weapons out of the locker with his prosthetic, sliding them across the floor and right into Drifter's reach without even looking. Then he stepped to the next locker.

"Please." He muttered under his breath, not pleading, just… bargaining with probability. "If that sphere's is actually real, now would be the time."

He slid the card into the slot. And Ace froze, waiting to see what fate, or the Force, had decided to put inside.

Drifter​

 

[Drifter]

​

Somewhere in Black Sun Territory
Interacting With: Acier Moonbound

Blaster fire peppered the crate Drifter was hiding behind, scattering sparks across his visor like angry fireflies. He sprang up anyway, returning fire with the flair of someone who absolutely believed style points mattered in a gunfight.

A bolt scorched the wall an inch from his head.

He gasped dramatically.

[ I won't lose! Of course I won't lose! ]

Another bolt zipped past his ear.

Drifter ducked so fast his helmet clonked the crate.

[ I'm too pretty to lose! ]

And it was there in that moment, when the 'verse made sense again -- because across the floor sliding with the perfection of a holovid close-up was his gear.

And Drifter's whole body went electric.

[ Oh come to papa! ]

He snagged one of the blasters mid-slide, whipped it back toward Ace with a flick, and summoned the Force into his free hand. His saber leapt cleanly into his palm like it was returning home.

Then joy, just pure and unhindered joy bloomed under the polarized helm as he activated his blade with a snap hiss, the citrine blade sizzling into existence. Without further ado, Drifter hit the locking toggle and threw the entire saber ritght at the Besalisk

The Besalisk saw it coming and crossed two of its beefy arms to try to block it -- bad idea.

The saber sliced through one limb like it was cutting muja fruit. The scent of burnt flesh filled the air as the brute howled, clutching the cauterized stump.

But Drifter was already firing. Bolt after bolt slammed into the Besalisk's torso, jerking its body like a puppet having the world's worst dance lesson. It toppled with a seismic thud.

The saber arced back toward Drifter's outstretched hand and pull of the Force. He caught it without looking, deactivating it with the smug satisfaction of a man in a holo-serial who absolutely rehearsed that move alone in his ship.

Which he had totally done -- so many times.

And with that, the Hunter sheathed it and turned to Ace with a pleased hum.

[ Great job kid… now where is my… wait. Is that my Farrus Sphere? ]

Drifter practically dove onto the fallen Besalisk, spotting the familiar metallic orb clipped to its belt.

[ Thief! That's mine! ]

He yanked it free and immediately inspected its casing for scratches like a worried parent checking a toddler for bruises.

[ Rude! ]

Then his visor snapped toward Ace, energy buzzing through him like he'd been plugged into a generator.

[ Alright kid, I don't know about you, but let's get out of this place! ]

But he wasn't done.

Oh, no.

A Hunter always finishes what he starts.

Drifter turned toward the Gundark, writhing, snarling, thrashing against its chain, with the absolute delight of someone who should never be left unsupervised, the hunter tossing the Farrus Sphere once in his palm.

Twice.

[ Come to daddy. ] he uttered out in a low growl, hurling the sphere right at the Gundark.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Black Sun Space

Equipment:
Field Gear | Lightsaber | Tic | Cybernetic Arm

Ace didn't shout. He didn't even bother with a "don't." He just… closed his eyes for half a second. A full-body, silent I knew this would happen exhale.

Because that sphere Drifter was on about earlier? He'd had just absolutely thrown it with no warning. When Ace opened his eyes, the metal orb was already mid-air. Heading toward the Gundark.

When Ace opened his eyes again, the orb was mid-air, pulsing with a wound in the Force. The Farrus Sphere hit the ground beside the Gundark, and Ace felt the Force twist. Inward.

A vacuum-pull of warped gravity latched onto the Gundark like a hook. The beast screamed, claws digging trenches in the floor as it tried to resist, but space itself betrayed it. Ace's eyes widened a fraction. The Gundark's body distorted, pulled into a funnel of collapsing light, and then it was gone.

Ace stared at the only thing left behind, the sphere.

"…That was not a grenade."

He'd ask Drifter more later, but for now? He needed to wake Tic back up. He pressed the power node and the BD-unit chirped to life with a shaky, confused trill.

"Hey, buddy. Missed you." Ace murmured.

Tic crambled up Ace's arm, anchoring himself against his shoulder. After a moment, Ace looked at Drifter - brow raised.

"What did you just do to that Gundark?" Then he glanced over to the sphere "And what is... that?"

After that, Ace started moving, Drifter could explain while they got the hell out of dodge.

Drifter ​

 

[Drifter]

​

Somewhere in Black Sun Territory
Interacting With: Acier Moonbound

The Ferrus sphere clattered to the floor and pulsed like a pet that just ate something it shouldn't have.

Of course, Drifter strutted over to it with the swagger of someone who absolutely planned that. He scooped up the sphere with a reverent little hum, turning just in time to hear Ace mutter that it definitely was not a grenade.

[ Oh, Inari the Reviver, no no no. Not a grenade. ]

The Hunter waved the sphere lightly as Ace went to retrieve Tic. Drifter tossed the droid a two-finger salute, visor tilted in a wink.

[ Hey buddy. Looking good. ]

Ace asked the inevitable question... and Drifter answered like a man showing off a new speeder.

Without further ado, he popped the sphere up and down between his hands, very clearly moments away from juggling with it.

[ This is a Ferrus Sphere, kid. Lets you stash a Sithspawn or some wild critter in a teeeennnny tiny little space. Think of it like a pocket dimension baggie for dangerous things you want to smuggle past customs. You just gotta get him out before he gets cranky. Then you toss him in a proper cage... ]

He paused with smug satisfaction, thinking to himself, and then made some credits. A lot of credits.

Behind them, the Reek and Nydak screamed again in that kinda bone-rattle roar and screams of other individuals that said round three was getting spicy.

[ Okay, time to move. Let's get out of— ]

A crackle burst through his helmet's comm. Drifter froze. Alex's voice filled his ears in that furious sensual, but terrifying tone.

[ Just where have you been?! I have been trying to reach you for HOURS and you have not responded. I cannot even locate you, where are you?! ]

Drifter winced under the helm. Ace probably saw the whole body flinch. Only Drifter heard her but the reaction was universal language.

[ Whoa whoa whoa. Chill, Alex. I can hear you just fine without you vaporizing my ears. Must finally be in a spot where the signal's working. How about you give me directions on how you can pluck us off this rock, eh? ]

Another furious burst of sound blasted through the comm. Drifter jerked like he touched a power coupling, giving Ace a sheepish, exaggerated grimace. After a second, he thumbed his comm off before she could scorch his soul again, then pointed ahead.

[ Okay kid, just follow me. Got someone who can pull off a pick up. We just gotta get above ground. Looks like we landed ourselves in some kinda underground fight ring. ]

He tossed the Farrus Sphere once more, caught it, then attached it to his hip and strode forward with the confidence of a man who absolutely had no idea where he was going but would pretend otherwise until the galaxy cooperated.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Black Sun Space

Equipment:
Field Gear | Lightsaber | Tic | Cybernetic Arm

Ace watched Drifter juggle the Farrus Sphere. The explanation didn't make it better. Not even a little. A pocket dimension. For creatures. That he… smuggled?

Ace blinked once. "That can't be ethical." He said flatly. "Or stable."

He exhaled through his nose and kept moving. Tic chittered uneasily on his shoulder, photoreceptor flicking toward the sphere like it personally offended him. Ace couldn't blame him.

Then Drifter froze. A burst of angry comm static crackled through the air, loud enough that even Ace winced second hand. He didn't hear the words, but he didn't need to. Drifter's whole body reacted like he'd been struck by lightning and guilt at the same time.

Ace watched the flinch, the panic, Drifter thumbing the comm off like extinguishing a small house fire.

"So there is someone that can keep you in line."

He promptly followed close behind Drifter. The corridor rumbled faintly as the Reek and Nydak roared through another collision behind them. Dust drifted from the ceiling. Pipes creaked. Something structural groaned in a way Ace did not appreciate.

"Underground fighting ring. I could've told you that." He said dryly, laced with sarcasm. "Do you even know how get above ground?"

Tic chirped sharply, claws tightening on Ace's shoulder. He halted mid-stride, hearing footsteps above. Then, metal on metal. Someone was sealing exits. Of course. But it meant they were getting close at least.

A blast shutter clamped somewhere deeper in the complex, followed by the whine of a lift mechanism powering up.

Ace's hand went to his lightsaber. Eyes narrowing at the corridor ahead as the lift doors began to grind open through dust and failing lights.

"Incoming."

Drifter​

 

[Drifter]

​

Somewhere in Black Sun Territory
Interacting With: Acier Moonbound

[ Ehh… stable as it can be. Ethics, well, depends on perspective. Is it ethical to leave this big guy down here snatching people like appetizers? Or is it better to take him with me and give him a fresh new purpose in life? ]

Drifter started gesturing with both hands like he was giving a very heartfelt, very important lecture on moral philosophy.

Totally not because he was imagining the credit payout.

One Gundark. Fifty thousand credits.

Fifty. Thousand.

Sweet, stable, ethically questionable credits.

He nodded sagely to himself -- very ethical. Totally.

Unfortunately, morality class was interrupted by blaster fire screaming past his head.

[ What in the Nine Hells, why is everyone trying to shoot us?! ]

He threw his arms out dramatically like he was being personally wronged by the entire planet. Though now that he had his gear again, he recovered quickly from the theatrics, that dusty polaized helm tilting toward the lift opening.

[ Guess that's our exit to the top, kid. ]

Drifter practically vibrated as he cracked his neck.

[ Let's go with style. ]

The Hunter palmed his saber, and the citrine blade snapped to life with an eager hum. In the next instant, Drifter darted forward like a man launching into his favorite episode of his own chaotic life.

The lift door slid open, revealing three guards. Two had heavy blasters and one had an electro staff. Didn't take long for a storm of bolts exploding their way.

Drifter grinned like a lunatic under the visor and spun his saber up with theatrical flair, deflecting bolts back in brilliant arcs of sizzling light.

One guard took a rebounded shot straight to the side and dropped with a howl. The other two panicked, plastering themselves against whatever cover they could find and firing pot shots.

There was no missing the rather giddy, if slightly unhinged cackle from Drifter.

[ Ohhhh you made a mistake. I got my mojo back. ]

The Bounty Hunter advanced through the blaster storm with the confidence of a man who absolutely believed he was invincible now that he had his toys again.

Which was, frankly, a problem for everyone else in the room.

Now if they could only nab those guys and get to the lift.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Black Sun Space

Equipment:
Field Gear | Lightsaber | Tic | Cybernetic Arm

Ace didn't dignify the ethics lecture with a response, he knew Drifter was full of it. He was already moving as the blaster fire lit the corridor, sliding in behind cover as Drifter surged forward like a man freshly reunited with his bad habits.

The lift doors were open. Guards entrenched. Drifter was… thriving.

Ace ignited his own lightsaber and stepped out just in time to deflect a bolt that would've taken Drifter in the side, then another that screamed toward the lift's control panel.

"Focus." Ace called flatly, not raising his voice. "They're stalling."

One of the remaining blaster guards broke cover. Not smart. Panicked. Ace saw the shift before the man fully committed and moved into it.

His lightsaber snapped up in a sharp, angled deflection that sent the bolt screaming into the wall. The guard tried to recover, stepping in too close, blaster swinging up like a club.

Ace was already there inside the man's reach. One short strike to the wrist severed the guard's hand. The follow-up was immediate, a clean diagonal strike across the sternum and he folded to the floor instantly.

Ace didn't look down. He turned instead, toward Drifter, assuming he took out the remaining guard.

He advanced a step, eyes flicking to the lift, then to the ceiling supports above them. Too narrow for comfort. Too many angles. Reinforcements would come fast once alarms finished cycling. Tic chirped sharply, projecting a flickering scan over Ace's shoulder, incoming movement deeper in the complex.

Ace backed into the lift without taking his eyes off the corridor, blade still humming as Tic's projection flickered warnings across his shoulder. He reached out with his free hand and palmed the control panel, the lift doors starting to slide shut with a protesting whine.

Ace finally glanced toward Drifter, expression flat but expectant.

"Let's go."

The doors closed the rest of the way as the lift lurched upward, alarms echoing faintly through the shaft. Ace deactivated his lightsaber but stayed planted at the front, ready for whatever waited when they reached the top.

Drifter​