Aid and Beskar (PM for invite)

[James Justice]

Location: Orbit of Echoy'la
Time: evening

The Drunken Angel gracefully began to flow down to the surface of the small planet. The rings around it were dazzling enough to make even James, a veteran freighter feel a murmur of awe. Reed, his faithful companion took the controls for a moment so that he could marvel in them.

The Angel bucked slightly as they began re-entry, James winced. He only hoped [member="Growl"] was already buckled down with the other mercenaries his chief of security had picked out. He pressed his comm on his ear open, "Crescent, are ye with us mate? We are coming in close, be ready for some resistance."

The pirates around the area had been terrible lately and the desperate citizens had called the best there was at breaking pirates and blockades. We don't stop till the job is done. And we do what we have to do. A wicked turn around of four ships came around from behind one of the rings. James couldn't see their make and model just yet but he was willing to bet they were not friendly. "Look alive, we got company!"

He rolled the Angel around in a tallon maneuver and warmed the lasers up, "Reed, take Turrets one and two."

The astromech warbled in protest.

"I know they aint ready yet but ye need to be when they are!"

[member="Azda"] [member="Ruby Rose"]

 

[Azda]

The air tasted hot on the drunken angel. Eventually the heat went up to the forehead. However it was easy to take the heat out, reaching down to the utility belt, then grabbing his water, then taking a large sip, it slid down the throat, and cooled down our body. Man, that tasted good, but I've got to save the rest for later.
"Arrive, will we?" Standing up, and exclaiming.
Then pressing back into the chair, waiting for a response.

 

[Ruby Rose]

*I drop out of hyperspace slightly after you, just above you on your tail, keeping an eye open for the relentless pirates that have been ransacking other merchants in t the area lately as I reply over comms <Yeah, yeah, i'm here, I told you at the party i'd have your back didn't I? Keep your eyes peeled, those rings are the perfect place for an ambu....damnit X4 warm up the weapons we have company!>

The Crescent Rolls off and guns the engines, taking point as the more heavily armed of the two ships, its red accents like trails of blood as it passes over your starboard turret towards the pirates. <You want to head for the planet while i keep them distracted or do you want to take them out as a team Angel?> *I get a lock on one of the ships, merely waiting for it to get into range of the Heavy Railcannon underslung in the nose of the craft

 

[James Justice]

With one hand James made sure his tiny green passenger wouldn't fall out and with the other he spun the Angel around in a tight turn, "It wouldn't be a party without fireworks now woulds it?"

Reed warbled a protest about how he thought it would be safe to go ahead and make the supplies reach their destination, "But ye are not accounting for the possibility of a secondary ambush. Or that tis might be their plans to break us off from the escort." James shook his head, "We stay together, mates. Best shot of getting out of here alive."

Reed murmered an agreement about how his Captain must know best.

"Ye just get those guns online, Reed." James slowed the engines slightly, diverting power to the lasers, "Ye tell me what ye can find, Crescent. Try to leave a few for me while I get the weapons online. Play it safe, no need to be a hero here."

Part of him wished he had given a safer run for the first time working with Ruby, so they could get their teamwork down pact. However, he was also aware that trial by fire was the best way to go with most anything.

[member="Ruby Rose"] [member="Azda"]

 

[Azda]

[member="James Justice"]
Climbing onto Reed, Azda glared out at the vast galaxy. Examining the vast galaxy.
"Dangerous, they are." Azda stated, "They carry a large evil, yes."
Cautiously waiting for the boom of the guns, he held on tight to the service droid, as he knew this ship was about to go for a wild ride.

 

[Ruby Rose]

I let out a groan of frustration in the cockpit as I listen to him speak. Did he REALLY come into this dangerous territory without having online weapons?!?! Whatever, four meager pirate ships, shouldn't be anything TOO tricky now I can't handle... I get into range of the Rail Cannon and fire two shots at the bridge of the front ship, the distinctive Thwack of the rail cannon firing bringing a smile to my lips, the first shell impacting and deteriorating the shields, the second ripping through the durasteel and armourglas of the bridge. I spin behind an asteroid as laser batteries from the next two craft open up on me.

<I could use some help up here whenever those come online! I'm starting to see why she's called the Drunken Angel!> *I growl in frustration as I come around the asteroid, their laser batteries playing across my shield as reply with a wide arc of plasma missiles, some going wide but others impacting on the third ships shields, two getting through taking out its laser battery and ripping a hole in the armor, the unfortunate pirates manning that particular section ripped out into space, their bodies freezing in the absolute vacuum of space.
[member="James Justice"][member="Azda"]

 

[James Justice]

Reed gave a massive warble of protest. James gripped the yoke with both hands and furrowed his brows. "Aye working on it. She's not a new ship, mind ye."

He made a mental note to replace the power couplings liking up to the lasers and perhaps even rework the power grid itself. When he had the cash of course. One of the ships caught the Angel in their sites and began a soft volley of blaster and laser fire. That was when James noticed the make of the ships; Pursuer class enforcers.

The spacer did a double take, almost steering right into a barrage of blaster fire. Reed protested angrily. James shook himself out of it. "Cressent, be advised, thar be MandalMotors produced ships. I repeat these are Mando'a pirates."

James did a deft barrel roll as his droid finally opened fire. Two shots drove the survivors away, blasting one into a brilliant ball of fire.

"Smalls, stay off my droid, yer breaking his concentration!" James snapped at Azda. "The poor rust bucket needs all the help he can get."

Reed warbled an angry protest.

"We are all stressed, Reed, I dun't care!"

The Pursuers began to circle around, regrouping. James cursed under his breath and re-wrapped his fingers around the yoke. It was time to put that Justice blood to the test.

[member="Ruby Rose"] [member="Azda"]

 

[Azda]

[member="James Justice"]
Mad at the insult, Azda forgived the man, but saw a cloudy future for him.
"Small, I am, but size matters not." Azda said grinning.
He then proceeded to hop off the old droid and take a seat.
Buckling in, Azda then began to meditate the force.
[member="Ruby Rose"]

 

[Ruby Rose]

X4 manns the laser turrets to trace fire after the one behind me as I pursue the one that got away from your barrage, pulling closer as i strain to get it into range of the heavy cannon. My vision flashes red for a second as laser cannon fire crosses my viewport.

<Hey there Angel you mind getting this bug off me? We can't let the other get away or they'll know everything about our capabilities here> I get a lock and fire a round at its rear engines, not hitting but downing the shielding as it swerves out of my lock range and i fire the last of my missiles and they run up its rear into the engines, detonating within the Pursuer and setting off the engines, totalling the smaller craft.

 

[Azda]

[member="Ruby Rose"] [member="James Justice"]
After finishing meditating, Azda stuffs his face with berries, messily spilling them, and squishing them into the flooring.

 

[James Justice]

"Not everything, miss," James said, feeling a twinkle in his eye. "Angel's got a few surprises," He gunned the engines, firing a wild shot off the Pursuer's bow.

The pilot panicked, cutting away from the Crescent and diving towards another asteroid for cover. James smiled as he dove down deeper. Laying off the engines he let his opponent gain some distance. Reed warbled in protest.

"No, no, keep firing at the bugger," James ordered. "Press him hard."

The droid did as he was told, protesting slightly. The captain increased the distance between them. It was a risky maneuver he was trying, and in fact few had even tried it. The Justice Speical never fails though.

The Pursuer ducked behind the asteroid. Then instant it vanished, James gunned the engines to full throttle. The force drove him to the back of his seat and dashed Reed to the ground. "Kark!"

The Pursuer whipped around into view and James delivered a salvo of fire from the forward lasers. Bolts tore around it as the Pursuer did its best to wildly dodge. In the end, its boxy frame and lack of maneuverability did it in as a blast tore through its hull, puncturing its hyperdrive. The Pursuer exploded in a massive wave of blue and gold energy. "Fething son of an akk dog!"

James wiped the sweat from his brow, "One bugger down." He looked at the little green man eating beside him and shook his head, "How could ye eat after a moment like that?"

[member="Ruby Rose"] [member="Azda"]

 

[Azda]

[member="Ruby Rose"] [member="James Justice"]
He looked over to James, swallowing.
"Saw the outcome, I did." He said lightly. "The force shows all."
He then sucks the reminents of the berries off his small fingers, making sure nothing was left. Then he proceeded to lick the mess off of his lips. He then pulled the small jar of water from his belt, and drank a fair amount of it.
"Arrive, will we?" Azda asked with a innocent glare.

 

[Ruby Rose]

After eliminating her target she turns the Crescent back, looking on as you pursue and destroy your target. After it gets blasted to bits I fall into formation on your wing. <Angel, I think its time we get down to the planet, I'm low on missiles and could use a reload. Lets get down before any reinforcements they may have called show up>

Those damn pirates are a royal pain in the neck, they get what they deserve though for attacking and harming the innocent merchants who can't even protect themselves. If she had her way the galaxy would be purged of them for good, but for now she'd do what she can.

[member="Azda"] [member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James waved at Azda to quiet down. "Yeah, yeah, hold ye horses. Flying aint easy." Glancing back at the toppled Reed James replied to [member="Ruby Rose"] "Aye we need to re-group back on-rock and drop these supplies off before we get hit with something we can't handle." His lip twitched, "Me gots some questions too that could use answering. Like why Mandos would prey on other Mandos."

The captain shook his head as he began the decent to planetside. There were a hundred and one thoughts floating through his head. Part of him wondered if it was some political tribal dispute that he had wandered into. That would be the last of his desires. Another part thought that surely it had to be something simpler. Either way he knew things were not all that they appeared to be. If it was as bad as his gut was saying, they had stumbled into a world of poodoo.

James switched the comm open to everyone, over the Angel's announcement system and to the Crescent. "Stay lively when we go planet side. There is no tellin what we may encounter. These be devils we be dealing with. So dun't go off for the victory drink just yet ye hear me?"

Reed warbled a sarcastic remark.

"I know ye dun't drink, silly."

[member="Azda"] [member="Growl"]

 

[Azda]

[member="James Justice"] [member="Ruby Rose"]
Azda, sitting back in his seat, waited while James flew his ship about, while he was doing this, Azda whipped out a small crossword puzzle to pacify time.
After completing the puzzle in a mere 30 seconds, he continued to pull many trinkets out of his small clothes, occasionally finding a piece of food, and eating it in an instant. Azda was excited for this run, as it was his first with James and Ruby. However, he had not done any runs in the past, just trips to planets to fight or negotiate offers.
"Excited, I am," stated Azda.

 

[Ruby Rose]

<Oh don't worry there, I'll make sure nothing too nasty comes your way. They're mere pirates, whats the WORST they could have in store for us.>

She breaks off comms as X4 Takes over the landing procedures, descending behind the Angel, weapons scanning for possible enemies. Ruby descends down to her captain's quarters and changes into her armor, concealing it and weapons under a dark, black cloak. This mission already started with a surprise in space, she wouldn't be taking any chances on the planet.

 

[James Justice]

James grinned and patted his holstered DeathHammer. He knew as much as anyone that these scumbag pirates would be dirty. And from his past he knew they were not the type to say "please" and "thank you."

He playfully ruffled Azda's hair as he stood up, "Aye, I know ye are." He helped the loyal Reed upright and made a quick excursion down the ramp onto the float colony they had landed on. It was another cloud city, and one that was good enough to pay them for their services. An envoy came out to meet them, at their head was man with grey hair followed by soldiers and deckhands. The local cheiftan, eh? Must be something serious then going about.

"I cannot thank you enough for dealing with these pirates, the aid is much needed," the man began.

James waved it away, he could feel under that calm exterior the man was extremely nervous, "No worries, lad. It was our pleasure."

The deckhands began getting busy unloading James' freighter. James sensed they too were eager to get done and out of here. The captain gave his hired mercenaries a wave to help. "I am curious, so we know when we leave, are there any more sticking around that might ambush us?"

"No, of course not, you were strong enough to deal with the worst of them."

Even if James was not an expert Sabaac player, it was clear this man was lying--and was bad at it. Tucking that in, the captain laughed and gave the man a slap on the back, "I'll get out of ye way. Ye can pay us, refuel and we'll be out in a brace of shakes."

"Again, we are exceedingly grateful," the man said and he scurried away.

Reed gave a paranoid warble, James nodded as he walked to the Crescent's boarding ramp. He leaned on one of the landing props and assumed a flirtatious stance as [member="Ruby Rose"] came closer. To any onlooker it appeared he was hitting on a gorgeous female. "Don't react now, miss but we have a problem on our hands. I be feelin' that thar be hostages here. Dangerous hostages. The pirates are already here and I do believe that we best be careful and watch our step," He winked and tipped his hat at her, "Ye got a call on this?"

[member="Azda"]

 

[Ruby Rose]

I walk over slowly, keeping my distance but listening in as you talk to the locals, I use my wrist communicator to keep the Crescent on alert and ready to scramble at a moments notice. As they depart I walk over to you and take your arm, making it seem as though we are merely a couple out visiting.

"Oh honey I don't know, why don't we go out on the town, have a drink or two, I'm stressed out after that close encounter, We barely escaped with our lives!"

I lower my tone to not much more than a hushed whisper, rising up onto my toes to look as if i'm whispering a lovers secret to you. "The pirates are DEFINITELY here somewhere, I wouldn't be surprised if they were using the city to sneak out beskar for themselves. Lets go the bar, alcohol has a way of...loosening some tongues with a little bit of persuasion of the right variety. Act excited like you just got some REALLY exciting news."

[member="James Justice"][member="Azda"]

 

[James Justice]

James gave an imperceptible wink and wrapped his arm around Ruby, pulling her close and giving her a a very wet, sloppy kiss. "Who needs a hotel room, I have a whole ship?" he gave a knowing chuckle. Inside he cringed; if she eve ran another mission with him, James would be surprised. However, he also was quite sure that if anyone was looking on, they would have been quite convinced that James was concentrating more on blasting pirates than getting lucky. I suppose that is the price of leaving with your lives and not dying, eh?

Sauntering away with his arm around her waist, James shouted to the mercenaries, "Boys, be back by morning and don't be back before then."

Moving further down the walkway, out of ear shot James whispered, "Sorry about that....." Then he winked, "But I know ye enjoyed it, no lies here."

He was careful to keep up the flirty exterior until they reached a nearby pub. It wasn't that far of a walk, this colony was considerably small and quite spartan in nature, even for Mandalorian tastes. Akio wondered if this was more of a mining base for civilians to sleep in when they weren't mining the beskar-rich moon. However, he wasn't about to take that idea all too far.

Sitting with Ruby at the bar, James surveyed the house. There were clearly a few past-military folk in, but few civilians. Those who were, he guessed were engineers or mechanics. I'll take a careful note of that.

"Canna hep ya?" asked the gruff bartender. He seemed to be very warry of outsiders for a man who made a living off them

James smiled back like a fool on a date, "Reactor Core for me, and one for the darlin' too."

When the drinks were served, James was careful to keep his elbows off the bar. He wasn't the cleanest of the freighers, however, even he had hygine standards. "To us, babe!" and he took a drink of the highly intoxicating substance.

[member="Ruby Rose"]
[member="Azda"]

 

[Ruby Rose]

Ruby's face turns as deep red as her name as she gets unexpectedly pulled into the kiss, returning it slightly for sake of appearances and letting herself get guided along by the bold smuggler

He is SO lucky we're on a mission right now or he'd be dead for that....

"No, you aren't James...but don't worry, just you wait.."

Hmm... looking around noting the lack of civilians, she starts wondering where they all could be, there is no way this city was all engineers. Those ex military individuals might be pirates in disguise, would be a good way to keep an eye on their workers

Hmm? Ruby perks up at the toast. "To us and another successful voyage, and another large load leaving tomorrow!"

She takes a careful glance around the bar as she exclaims her toast, looking around for any suspicious individuals taking any extra note of them or reaction to her comment.

[member="James Justice"]