Private All Bets Are Off

[Neriya Dahle]

MARIDUN
Fillion Orville | Katja Javik

Neri suppressed the urge to smile as she took another glimpse at the two hexagonal cards she was dealt. "Sorry boys," she tossed another 600 credits on the table, swept up by the droid dealer in a moment's notice. "I'm raisin'." Grunts came from left and right, cards hitting the table with murmured curses as her opponents folded one by one. With each pair of cards - mostly better hands than hers, the heap of credits and supposedly valuable items came one step closer.

While gambling had been made illegal by personal decree of the system's Moff, it had far from vanished from Maridun's colonial cities. If one knew where to look, a sabacc or planetary poker table could always be found. Good players, however? That seemed to be a rarity. But of course that was nothing to complain over, as long as people were willing to part with their credits.

Only one of her five opponents didn't fold. A man in his late twenties, with neatly combed hair and a worn trench coat. He was new at the table, her table, but clearly more experienced at gambling than the others.

Neri frowned. "You ain't foldin'?" Her lips turned up in a broad grin. "I like your guts." She leaned back in her chair and lazily raised a hand. "Oi!" The barkeep, a fat Togrutan man in his mid-fifties with a dull red skin and dark eyes, turned toward the crowded poker table. "Two shots of Gruvian Tovash!" With a glance at her opponent, she added "Gotta celebrate that at least someone's willin' to line my pockets."

The droid dealer opened the fourth card - a five of sabers. At least that gave her a decent hand.

"So what'll it be pretty boy? You raisin' on callin'?​

 

[Fillion Orville]

All Bets Are Off​

Location: Maridun
Tags: Neriya Dahle Katja Javik

Spoiler: Currently Equipped

Trenchcoat, Fill's 'Blaster Pistol'

Getting drunk and forcing himself into a game of sabbacc was probably, one of his worst ideas today, but there was always a way to outdo himself. Honestly, he got the idea in his head that maybe he could try to hook up with her, but now he got himself bungled into this card game and losing seemed like a terrible way to start introductions. He glanced up from his cards, shaking his head as he witnessed others bowing out as the woman raised the stakes. Well, he didn't come all this way to just call it quits. He shook his head at her question, managing a grin as he pondered his luck. "Nah, not just yet."

To his surprise, she ordered drinks, to which he gave an appreciative nod. Well, pretty and good mannered. He must be lucky tonight.

Then the damn dealer dealt him another card, and he looked to it with a glum expression.

He probably should just call it now, but, he didn't get this far by just dropping at the first sight. He shrugged, giving a slightly drunk smile. "I'll raise on one condition, what's your name?"

Yea, he he totally had this. Well, the name at least, game was a bust.

 

[Katja Javik]

::All available units in sector four respond to a tip-off from the ISB. Coordinates are being sent to you now:: A disembodied voice hailed her and a nearby group of Stormtroopers who had been preparing to board a landing craft. It hadn't been planned but they were the nearest forces at the time so they were being made use of but not all were happy about the prospect.

​

"So call the police." A nearby trooper thought aloud. "Police won't be interested. It's probably just a breach of some nonsense law." The man beside him replied. "Don't the ISB have their own soldiers for that?" Another asked. "They probably didn't have the foresight. There are much more important worlds than this one." Katja replied. "Come on."

The group of five set course for the location that had been highlighted to them on their HUDs so they couldn't ignore it if they tried. They were strangers but they had all been trained enough to be cohesive, even without the presence of a ranking officer among them, at least they should be in theory. They knew to keep civilian casualties to a minimum and it was easy when they complied, otherwise - not so much. Besides, these were not the loyal Imperial citizens that they served.

"You two secure the exits." She told two troopers as they neared the building. The remaining four stormed into the bar, blasters in hand. "Everyone prepare identification and submit to questioning." A trooper commanded. Many of the people there were already intoxicated and held no respect for Imperial authority so she could only assume which direction this would go in.

Katja's gaze scanned the room to assess the situation. It seemed relatively harmless from a glance but orders were orders. Her eyes lingered on Neriya Dahle for a moment before the facial recognition of her HUD matched the woman to several crimes that had warranted a bounty.

"You." She addressed the woman while pointing a finger at her before approaching her with a purposeful stride. "You're wanted. Get up." She demanded as she reached to grab her by the arm to try and pull her to her feet.

 

[Neriya Dahle]

Fillion Orville | Katja Javik

A furtive smile played about her features. "A name eh?" That wasn't so bad an offer, considering the pot was almost in her grasp now. "Syla Highstar. Pilot and mercenary for hire." She played it with an air of confidence, expecting him not to see through her lie. It wasn't personal - she had simply found that it was best to have certain illegal activities not tied to your name.

"Ya gonna raise no-"

sparks flew off the door as a blaster bolt burned through the circuits. The guard, who by her standards was nothing more than a glorified lookout, came tumbling lifeless down the stairs. The people who sat near the stairway, all sorts of shady creatures, rose in shock and confusion. First with gasps, then with angry murmurs.

That all seized when the first of four troopers in stark white armour came down the stone steps. "Dang farrik, why the kriff are they here?" She muttered. "Umo. Umo!" Neri hissed toward the big shape seated opposite of the sabacc table, just behind some of the other players. "We're leaving. Now!" The white-furred Gigorian let out a low grumble that was immediately translated by his cybernetics. "But we were winning..." She rose from her seat. "Gettin' away with our lives is what I'll call winnin'."

Attempting to stand up and leave proved to be a mistake. Heads turned toward her, including one of the troopers. Neri's eyes widened. "You." She turned to glance behind her, then pointed at herself. "You're wanted. Get up." She nodded. "Yeah, I get that a lot." She made brief eye-contact with Umo, just enough to convey the message. Then, Neri continued. "It's probably cause of the diet, y'know? Keeps me in shape." She moved back a little to stay out of the stormtrooper's reach for a moment longer. "Say, you a man or a woman? I can't tell with that whole helmet stuff ya got goin' on." Her heart slammed against her ribcage with each rythmic beat. It was now or never. "Ya know who's also got that issue?"

"You! Step away fro-"

"My friend Umo over here." She finished with a triumphant grin as the powerful Gigorian swiped for the troopers shoulder to yank her away from the sabacc table. Neri immediately made an attempt to capitalize on the opening - or distraction. Her hands found the edge of the table, and with surprising ease she managed to flip it over. The Sabacc pot, quite a sum for any man living in a poor colony such as this, clattered on the floor below the elevated platform and away from the alcove where the table had stood. "Anyone in need of some credits? I'm in a generous mood today!" She purposely drew attention toward her now. The people both feared and respected the New Imperial Order, yes, but what drunk and or high customers of an illegal establishment respected even more, was cold hard cash.

A group of Bothans, Aqualish, a Twi'lek and three Yuzzums dove on the pot like vultures. More joined, creating a chaotic barrier of bodies between her and the troopers. "This way Umo." She nudged toward a small doorway at the back of the alcove, where the sabacc table could be hidden from sight during inspections. "Ya also comin' pretty boy? We ain't got all day." She threw another glance at the stormtroopers, whom she hoped would be caught in the chaos. Satisfied with the few precious seconds she had bought, Neri began to back away. "Now. There must be some other way out..." She muttered, unholstering her blaster as she set foot through the doorway.​

 

[Fillion Orville]

All Bets Are Off​

Location: Maridun
Tags: Neriya Dahle Katja Javik

Spoiler: Currently Equipped

Trenchcoat, Fill's 'Blaster Pistol'

He smirked at Syla, feeling like he had at least secured a name, which was better than nothing. He merely shrugged, still keeping the idiot grin.

Which disappeared the moment the door was wretched open and the guard came tumbling down the stairs. Sounding out a sigh, Fill set his cards on the table, gaze looking towards the stairs as the NIO goons came bumbling in to ruin the day. He gaze was focused on them, watching as Syla moved around the table, aiming to hide away it seemed. It was fair enough, he’d be concerned about a record too, if he wasn’t already listed as being a dead man.

He remained at the table, pondering his options as it seemed that Syla was going to be outed. Wincing, he felt an opening, the hesitation in the other failed players of the game eyed the pot. He was putting a plan in motion, hand feeling up the blaster within his concealed holster as Syla began mouthing off. She had a creative wit, he couldn’t deny that. Though trying to get with a girl like that either put a man in debt, ended him up in jail, or left him with deep emotional trauma. Which sadly enough, wasn’t the worst thing.

He caught what was coming a moment before Syla flipped the table, pushing himself back as the crowd went crazy over the winning pot. He drew leather, blaster coming into his hand as Syla called to him, and seeing as she basically pulled him into an association, he followed behind. He really hoped he wouldn’t have to out himself. He didn’t need the heat, not right now. “Where there’s a will there’s a way, just keep moving and we’ll improvise the rest.” He stated, ignoring the hell that was break out behind them as troopers attempted to push through the crowd in pursuit.

 

[Katja Javik]

Katja responded with a humourless chuckle. It would have been funny, had it not been for the circumstances. "Funny." She told her, though her tone suggested it wasn't a compliment. "With a sense of humour like that, you'll be making friends in the detention camp in no time." She replied, taking a step forwards upon noticing the woman moving away. She was trying to decipher whether the joking stemmed from nerves or arrogance. More often than not it was nerves - she had seen it before. Most people did not want to pick a fight with the Empire but it seemed this one was about to.

The voice of her compatriot barking an order was all the warning she needed but it came too late. By the time she had turned to face the Gigoran with her blaster aimed towards it, she felt the connection of the beast's hand on her shoulder. With a grunt, she stumbled backwards but the assailant was out of reach once she regained her footing. Among the chaos, she wasn't sure who to train her weapon on since it was impossible to get a clear shot of the other woman.

"Move out the way." She demanded, planting her foot firmly on the chest of one of the Bothans to push him out of the way. Her HUD locked onto Neriya Dahle as it recognised her as wanted. Anyone who accompanied her would be equally as targeted. Associating with a known criminal was enough to warrant suspicion.

As she approached the alcove, she reached up to the side of her helmet to contact those outside. ::Shoot anyone who tries to leave the building:: She told them, pushing through past the people littering the way with her free hand. ::Stun where possible:: She added for clarification. It was what they had all been taught but it left room for a lot of liberty. It wasn't like they were punished for a stray blaster bolt hitting the odd person who got in the way, though it wasn't exactly encouraged either.

The other two troopers behind her were struggling to reach the door equally as much but Katja reached it first. She was not about to offer a warning shot and the presence of a weapon in the man's hand was enough to warrant her flicking the switch from stun to kill in self-defence. He was the primary threat so she aimed her weapon at his head.

 

[Neriya Dahle]

Fillion Orville | Katja Javik

The back room was like she expected it. A thick layer of dust coated the plastic blankets that covered crates and storage racks. She strode tothe center of the room with Umo right behind her. Apart from the small window on the back wall, there seemed to be no way out. To make matters worse, the window was situated just above street level, which made it to high for her to reach. Besides, Umo wouldn't fit through it anyway.

Neri stopped to think, letting her green eyes sweep through the room. It was a storage, there had to be something useful for an escape in here. If not, then perhaps something to bar the door with.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way, just keep moving and we’ll improvise the rest.” The guy behind them called out. " 'n case you hadn't noticed, there's no space left ta move!" She hurled back. "There." The Gigorian pointed toward a slightly loosened floorpanel. Neri frowned. "A trapdoor? Can ya open it?" The Gigorian was already moving.

Neri turned her attention back to the stranger they had brought along. "Oi, I didn't catch yer name." She glanced cautiously at the door. "Care to give it before the lot of 'em come thro-" A loud splash came from behind them. Umo's mechanical voice followed, from far down below. "It's the sewer." Neri made a face. "That detention camp's becoming more appealing by the minute..." she muttered, as she made her way to the hole.

The overwhelming stench made her eyes water as she peered down in the hole, and she quickly concluded that it was too far down to jump without breaking something. "Umo, can ya catch me and pretty boy over here?" She didn't wait for the answer, and jumped down immediately. The Gigorian caught her with swift reflexes and strong arms, but didn't bother to put her down gently. Umo dropped her the second he had caught her. With a yelp, she plunged into the dirt brown water.

As the drenched, cursing mess that was Neriya scrambled back up, she made sure to keep her pistol trialed on the hole above them. The second she saw a bucket-resembling helmet peer down, she would pull the trigger to cover her newfound friend's escape.

"Is anyone here good at navigating tunnels?" She smirked at her own question, before adding "specifically sewer tunnels?"​

 

[Fillion Orville]

All Bets Are Off​

Location: Maridun
Tags: Neriya Dahle Katja Javik

Spoiler: Currently Equipped

Trenchcoat, Fill's 'Blaster Pistol'

Fill had only come here, for fun, credits, and maybe scoring a girls comm frequency. That was it. Being the gentleman he was, he followed after Neri, though his danger sense flaired as he was hot on her trail. Canting his head, he found the stormtrooper taking aim at his head, and made a swift motion with his hand. Pulling hard on the threads of the Force, he focused it right at the bottom of her rifle, aiming to knock the rifle upwards as the shot was fired, ideally saving him from a headshot, right as he rounded the corner. Hopefully that'd just be blamed on the whole 'Stormtroopers have bad aim' legend. They had to be used to it by now.

He was not about to end up as collateral. Not if he could help it. Only to follow the woman right into a storage room. Muttering a silent swear to himself, Fill glanced to his blaster, wondering if he was going to have to blow his cover this early on, before being distracted by Neri's question. "I'm Fill, just Fill. Nothing fancy, and there's gotta be something we can-" He didn't get to finish before they found the escape route, which he was very relieved to hear. Maybe he could keep himself intact after all.

Following Neri to the hole, he made peace with the sewers that awaited him, reminding himself that spending more time in prison wouldn't be idle. He followed Neri down all right, and nearly thought he'd have to try and learn some of those 'landing techniques' he never quite figured out in training. Thankfully, Umo was nice enough to break his fall before it came to that, though the landing was anything but fun. "Uh...thanks...Umo." Giving a grunt, Fill rose, ensuring his blaster was still on his person, before hearing Neri asking if anyone could navigate. Fortunately, they had just the man for the job; unfortunately it was Fill. "Yea, I did some tunnel running in the day, stick with me, watch our backs alright?" He suggested, moving forward and to the side of the tunnel, reaching out with the Force to get a feeling for the surroundings, as they would begin their trek into the dark and foul confines of the tunnel.

"Funny, this reminds me of the start of a joke." He muttered to himself, trying to recall what the punchline for that particular joke is. Not that he cared, but it helped to not linger on the fact he was covered in sewage, and not hooking up with the girl in tow. Least not without a sonic shower.

 

[Katja Javik]

There was no contending with the ethereal grip of the otherworldly force that gripped her weapon the moment she released a bolt in the direction of the woman's companion. Though he was had not been recognised for any pending crimes, it didn't mean he had not served time for past crimes, nor that he wouldn't be indicted for engaging with shady activities, especially given his association with the establishment they found themselves in. Now with his evident use of the Force to consider also, it would be wise not to underestimate him.

Similarly, Katja wasn't even aware the specifics of the crimes that the woman was wanted for. They had been listed by the photo and name that had appeared on the HUD but she could not recognise the words. It could have been anything from larceny to homicide for all she knew.

With an almost disappointed sigh, she watched as the trio disappeared into the hole in the ground and walked over to lower herself into it, stepping back to dodge the expected return fire before she did. Using the grappling attachment of her rifle, she fired it towards a shelving unit that looked sturdy enough to hold her weight and descended into the darkness below. There was no sense of urgency in her movements but a certain diligence towards her duty.

She landed on the ground with a splash, lamenting in disgust at the situation. "Great." She muttered. Her attention turned forward on the trail of the three escapees which she continued to chase while opening up a line to the wider channel on her comms. ::Get me a map of the sewer systems of Maridun local to where I am:: She demanded. ::On its way:: A communications officer replied.

::Cover all exits. They can't escape:: She replied.