Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Private Drive and Power

image_star_wars_1313-20057-2515_0006.jpg

LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor
CURRENT MOOD: FOCUSED


How far will you go to complete the job?

Every Bounty Hunter has to ask themself that question at some point in their career. At what point are the costs not worth the reward? Are you the type to cut early, avoiding losses by bailing? Do you have the drive to fight to the bitter end, in pursuit of honor and glory? Where is the line?

Everyone's got a different line, and that's alright. There's no right answer (despite what some might think). You gotta figure out for yourself how far you'll go. But if you insist on asking for something solid, I'll say this much;

The best Bounty Hunters don't have lines. They'll do whatever it takes the bag a score.

But the best people know when to reassess.


1313 was Ghorua's stomping ground.

He'd cut his teeth on these streets, playing with the gangster kids on his block. Sure, someone could learn a city after a time. A few years spent in a new town, and an entrepreneurial bounty hunter could discover the ins and outs. But no one knew a place like those that were molded by it. Ghorua spent his young years in the gutters of 1313, sussing out it's secrets with the thoroughness and curiosity of a child. He knew it like the back of his hand, was intimately comfortable with it's twists and turns.

The undercity must have seemed like a labyrinth to an offworlder. But to Ghorua, it was home.

It was evening, but one could barely notice this far beneath the surface. Blazing neon signs lit up every corner and window, advertising the next big dive bar or speeder salesman with gaudy, eye-assaulting pinks, oranges, and greens. People of all species, creeds, and walks of life flooded the streets, holding purses and holsters tightly to their sides. There was a general feeling of fear and excitement, as citizens found equal parts reckless abandon and greed in this dark corner of the Galactic Alliance.

And if one were looking hard enough, they might see a behemoth of a man, ready to pounce.

Plated in heavy armor, the Shark looked more like a dark beskar statue rather than a bounty hunter. The being's helmet turned at regular intervals, scanning the mobs of people. Four nigh-imperceptible probe droids flitted among dark corners and shadowed streets, an extra layer of eyes and ears. The Herglic was littered with weapons, with a plethora of knickknacks across a belt and bandolier. He was a living, walking armory, giving off an aura of predatory might.

Under the helmet, Ghorua felt a little less sure of himself. He didn't often work for anonymous employers, neither did he often go after former Jedi. But Ghorua needed to make a name for himself again, and this was the best way to do it. Besides, if what said shady employer had said was true, this particular mark deserved his wrath.

So he continued his vigil, waiting for his score to arrive.
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...

76682.gif

Location: 1313

"ELOAH" (Secondary - Long Handle)

"CONSERVATOR" (Primary - Long Handle)
Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (
Jedi Interceptor in the landing bay, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay, the late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
Foes: Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
Allies:

You can’t go home again. - Thomas Wolfe


He hadn’t been on Coruscant, at least not this low a level since he was barely a Jedi Knight. Always off-world, he was either on the front, defending the Order against those who would seek to destroy it or showing those who want nothing to do with the Jedi just how much they were missing in his defense of them. He was also getting finger points, laughed at, and spit on, it was a thankless job, but it was what he was meant to do.

At the time.

Vanagor did not regret his past or his current decisions in any way, they make you who you are. If he spent his life wondering if he “turned left when he should have turned right” what life would that be? This was all a part of the growth of the galaxy, his personal growth and finding some common ground to where he could get a place back into it, not something that was forced(no pun intended). So when he received a holo that an informant wanted to meet with him about “something terrible about to go down” back on Coruscant, he did not think about it, he just came home.

Caltin was born here, granted an upper level, but he is from Coruscant so it was not much of a trip when he was brought to the Temple. No matter what he did as a Jedi, no matter what contacts or allies he gained, this planet always held a special place for him. That is why the big man was on the frontline when the Rebel Alliance retook the planet from the Empire. There was just so much in the way of culture and history here that while some may consider it one big (censored), it was still “home”, even now.

What was it they say about going home again?


~Where is that damn informant?~




 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

You couldn't surprise a Jedi, so there was little point in trying.

Ghorua had been through this particular ringer before. Forcies knew when danger was coming, had a fifth sense about it. To try to catch one unawares without a little Force of your own was unthinkable. And not wanting to concoct an elaborate plan that would backfire if one piece was disturbed, Ghorua opted for the honest approach.

The monolith of a bounty hunter continued scanning the crowd, looking for his mark. But it wasn't his eye that found Caltin first, but his droids. One of his ACS-301 modular probe droids sent him a video feed, and offered a few blips of excitement. Ghorua silently shot back his congratulations, and turned to where the little spy was posted. And lo and behold, there he was. A statuesque human, wrapped in mystery.

Ghorua had done his own research, he hadn't taken his secretive employers on their word, but had found the time spent scanning documents and holovids fruitless. Caltin Vanagor had no history. No family. No birth.

Ghorua figured one of two things had happened. Either he had a very talented slicer scrubbing his records, or the man had just appeared fully-formed into the galaxy.

The Shark pushed off the wall he'd been standing against for the past hour and a half, and rolled his shoulders tenderly. The sudden movement spooked some of the passersby, who jumped and hurriedly walked away from the ten-foot beast. With long, easy strides, the Herglic stepped into the flow of foot traffic, which parted around him as he walked towards the large man.

Ghorua stared pointedly at Caltin behind his helm, waiting to see whether the former Jedi would approach or not.

It was a challenge, plain and simple.
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
Did you ever get the feeling you was bein’ watched?. - Bugs Bunny


While he was not “en garde”, or nearly as paranoid as he used to be, it did not fall on blind eyes that Vanagor was being tracked by droids. That meant clearly that someone was after him. Now he could make a few different assumptions, but it meant little at this point, and making a scene was useless, so was running. So he did none of it, he simply stood there, sipping his Elba Water and waiting for his informant which was clearly a ruse as the rather large fellow made his/her/its power strides towards him.

The sentient looked to be deadly even without the Platoon’s worth of weapons he sported. The dude was enormous, and if he sported that many weapons, it might mean that he could not fight worth a patootie, but that could be a ruse as well. Either way, whatever brought this guy/girl/whatever into the big man’s face, it was clear that this was not a social call.

Well, don’t you look spiffy, big man? Like Herglic on Mrlssi.

Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

As he was acknowledged, Ghorua stopped his slow approach. To the untrained eye, his posture might have appeared relaxed, with his hands confidently on his hips. A closer look would reveal his fingers grazing the tools at his belt, or the slight bend of his knees. He was prepared to spring into action at a moment's notice.

The Shark's target appeared to be similarly relaxed, sipping his drink, and offering a quip, but Ghorua didn't buy it for a second. Caltin was just as ready for a fight as he was. Well, minus the prep time.

"Hah," Ghorua said plainly, his tone deep and silken. "Glad you like the threads. Cost a fortune at the tailor's."

One of the Herglic's feet slid back an inch or two, widening his stance. "You've got a bounty on you, Vanagor. I'm giving you the chance to surrender yourself. You gonna take the opportunity?"

He didn't expect the man to, but he had to offer it.

Thankfully, many on the street saw the sudden stand-off, and began filtering away.

"Or are you gonna make this hard for me?"
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
Business is about to pick up. - Jim Ross


A Bounty, huh? Not the first one.

This guy was a monster, and was after him, eh? It’s funny, Vanagor had thought that his “bounty” days were over with Vaago the Hutt. Oh well. Caltin was not going with this guy, that was clear, but to what extent was he willing to go? The weapons said one thing but the attitude and the last remark said another. This was not nine hundred years ago, his reputation did not precede him. Was it because of all of the people around?

Well, my “informant” is obviously some level of a ruse.

Tossing the burner comm, he looked back at the charge in front of him.

So, want to tell me who your employer is, so I can tell you the truth?

Not “stalling”, “investigating”.


Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

So, it was going to be that way.

Ghorua saw that coming from a mile away. Caltin had a lot of confidence, that was plain to see. He figured that meant one of two things. Either he was underestimating the Shark, or he had the skills to back it up. The bounty hunter guessed it might be both.

That was a possible advantage. Ghorua decided he wouldn't squander the opportunity.

The Shark kept his hands still on his belt, as he stared down the Force-User behind his helm. In the background, his probe droids took up positions around the pair, ensuring they weren't disturbed.

"Apologies for the deception," Ghorua said in response to Caltin's mention of the informant, his voice not entirely sincere. He took a moment before speaking again, thinking about the other's words, trying to figure out his angle.

Ghorua's tone didn't change, but his suit amplified his voice. "Everybody, take a hike." Down here, when a scary suit of armor told you to leave an area, you knew something bad was about to go down. The citizenry that hadn't already picked up on the stand-off had evaporated.

Many bounty hunters wouldn't give innocents the chance to clear out. Ghorua wasn't like them.

Ghorua addressed Vanagor again, his voice returning to normal as he sidestepped the man's offer. "You can tell me on the way."

Who would make the first move in this stand-off?
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
I’ll make you famous. - William H. Bonney (Billy the Kid)



The Leviathan in front of him was clearly not going to leave, however, telling everyone to take off was a new one. How many trackers really care what happens to those around them if their target is in sight? You can count them on one hand and still have plenty of room left over. The thing is, he was ready for a fight, and while the big was as well, was it really necessary?

I’ll tell you what. You have my word that I will go with you if you allow me to learn why you are after me and I cannot dissuade you on the subject. I am not looking to get away or anything. However if you were contracted under nefarious purposes, like maybe someone who hates me wants the galaxy to believe I killed babies or something, then I believe that I deserve to know about this. I’ll pay you for your time, your contract rate, so you will not walk away empty-handed.

Okay, it might have sounded like he was bargaining, and maybe he was to an extent, but what was the point of fighting someone for no reason? The massive wanderer was cracking his knuckles and his neck, so he knew that there was probably still going to be some level of violence here, but he still had to “give it a shot”.

I mean, you are clearly intelligent. You have a code of honor, or you would not have cleared out the place. Ask yourself why a bounty would be placed on someone like me. We can talk this out, but I am not going with you. Not in cuffs anyway or any manner of incarceration.

His demeanor changed. He was not looking for a fight, but he was not going to back down either.


@Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

Ghorua didn't usually like speaking to his targets like this. They always tried to talk him down. Plead with him. Say that there was a mistake, that he had the wrong person, that they didn't deserve what was coming to them. Ghorua could usually see right through their lies; he could tell when someone was trying to pull the wool over his eyes.

He didn't get that sense from Caltin. It gave him pause.

But Ghorua's employers had told him Vanagor was a master deceiver. Had shown the Shark proof of Caltin's crimes. So he squashed his reservations for now. He would figure out the truth after he had some time to think.

"I do have a code. Part of it includes not letting a target go because they ask me nicely."

Despite not moving a muscle, the barrel of a hidden blaster shot up over his right shoulder. The Seamstress activated, roaring as it dispensed a volley of stun bolts at the large man.

Ghorua crouched, ready for a brawl.
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
Good decisions come from experience, experience comes from making bad decisions. - Mark Twain


The stun bolts came out almost blindingly and it took his enhanced reflexes and whatever he was connected to grab his lightsaber and either block or redirect them. It took all of his focus to the point that he did not notice the big man crouched and ready for a fight. When the massive wanderer finally did, he cut the blade and just continued to hold the long handle hilt like a club.

He was not looking for a fight, but if this Bounty Hunter was, he would get one.

That... was... a... mistake. You get one. Not two.


Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

With the shine of a lightsaber, the man deflected Ghorua's sudden onslaught, proving what Ghorua already knew; Caltin was powerful in the Force, and had the laser-sword to compliment it. Not an easy bounty, indeed.

But Ghorua knew that going into this. He hadn't planned on the fight being easy.

Behind his helmet, Ghorua wrinkled his nose in annoyance at Caltin's warning. He'd forgotten how vexing a Jedi's patience could be. He'd feel a lot better about this if his opponent attacked him back. He refused to let the gesture get at him beyond that, quickly banishing it from his mind.

With a quick flick of his hands, his slugthrower handguns found his palms from their side holsters, and the Seamstress beeped once in confirmation. The peppering spray of the minigun on the Shark's shoulder was interrupted by the percussive crack of his pistols. When the slugs found their targets, whether they be walls, the street, or a lightsaber's blade, they would emit small clouds of knock-out gas.

Did Ghorua expect this to do the trick? No, not particularly. The trick with Forcies wasn't to take them in one fell swoop.

It was to whittle them down, little by little.
 
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“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
“Know what you are worth, trust your heart, follow your dreams, even if you have to stand alone.” - Dwayne Johnson


The knockout gas engulfed his nostrils and gave him a monster headache, but the big man was nowhere near out of the fight. In fact, he still needed to warm up. Conservator his long-handle lightsaber off to the side, Vanagor reached out his hand, and a powerful electrical current (not tendrils like cheap “Force Lightning” an actual current) shot out from his hand and encircled the helmet of the bounty hunter. Slowly the big man began to close his fingers.

Time for you to lose the helmet, one way or the other.

The lightsaber was now seeking out those slugthrowers. Maybe they would bifurcate the powerful hand-cannons, maybe not, but he could split his attacker's attention.

Don’t make me do this. I don’t want to hurt someone who does not deserve it.

He didn’t think that anyone deserved to be “hurt” at least not in the inflection he used, but Caltin was going to end this his way.



Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

Sudden electricity enveloped Ghorua's field of view, and for a moment, the Shark was blinded by lightning. But his response was measured, as if he had practiced the motions a thousand times. The large bounty hunter suddenly touched his wrists to each other, and a bubble of protective Force energy enveloped him, forcing away the fingers of electricity, and letting him take stock of the situation.

The helm's systems were fried, blinking harshly at him, hindering his ability to see. With a quick motion, he holstered one of his hand cannons, and ripped the beskar helmet off his head, discarding it to the side, revealing his face, smooth, determined, with endlessly dark eyes. Ghorua ended the effect of his Defender Braceletes early, and noticed the Jedi's charge.

Ghorua was in a dangerous place now. One wrong move, one lucky headshot, and the Shark was out.

He didn't have time to throw up another shield, so he threw up a forearm instead, intercepting the blade with a beskar gauntlet. His feet flowed easily into a Teräs Käsi stance, dispersing the kinetic force of the saber through Ghorua's entire body. Which was good, because this Jedi was strong.

"Don't worry 'bout little ol' me," the Shark grunted, now face-to-face with his mark, eyes like black pools trying to discern the game this Caltin was playing.

Ghorua brought up a metal-plated knee, attempting to plant it into the Jedi's abdomen. He had Caltin right where he wanted him. Now he just had to keep him here.
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
“Better to fight for something, than to live for nothing.” - General George S. Patton


A Förräderi? Okay, so the big guy looked like he could fight. That remained to be seen. Caltin was fine either way, but what was bothering him was the fact that there were onlookers coming back to the scene. Right now there were only two on a balcony to his right, but they were will there and one errant shot could hit them. The Hunter was good… on multiple levels. He was armed to the teeth and was good with his hands and feet. Probably.

Making what he would call a “Padawan mistake” Caltin was too focused on the unholstered hand cannon as he ate a knee to the gut. That was both good and bad for the shark though as Vanagor was now in position for a Rek’dul shoulder charge. Dropping to one knee as he grappled Ghorua’s arms into an underhook, the big man threw the other big man over and sideways.

Rolling back to his feet and into his own Förräderi, the massive wanderer let his weapon down and angled behind him. His outstretched hand palm up and fingers waving “Come on”. Ghorua may have Caltin where he wanted him, but Vanagor was allowing him to think it.
Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

Ghorua trained for nearly every possibility in combat. If he was disarmed, struck with a saber, shot at, boxed around by an expert martial artist, he had at least one plan of counterattack, some combination of tricks that would let him recover. It was important for any warrior to anticipate what terrible attacks might be levied their way, and how to mitigate them

He hadn't anticipated a human throwing him today.

Ghorua's shock was obvious on his face as Caltin grappled him, and heaved him to the side. The Shark hit the ground hard, rolling away and finding his feet again. He winced, and took stock of his target, noticing the pose, and frowning. So that's how he did it. Caltin used the Shark's own weight against him.

Perhaps he did need to end this quickly after all.

In an answer to Caltin's beckon, the bounty hunter's hand went to his waist again, and a button was pressed. The Shark's VT-Portable Shield Generator activated, emitting a shimmering bubble of force fifteen feet in each direction. Ghorua was attempting to trap Caltin Vanagor in an arena with the Shark, no escape for either of them.

The Herglic drew his sword, feeling a wave of calm wash through him.

Whether this was a good plan or not, Ghorua would have to see.
 
“This is my watch. And I do not turn away.”
“You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up.” - Babe Ruth


This Herglic was well trained. That was for certain and that was a problem, not for Caltin but for those who were gathering around to watch the fight. He was going to have to remain on the defensive until this Bounty Hunter retreated or was taken down. This guy may be looking to be causing some damage, but the people of Coruscant have seen too much already and this was not something that was acceptable to the massive wanderer.

Then the shield was activated. This could have been another issue, but it was going to be one for the one hunting him. The shield kept the both of them inside, yes, but that also kept everyone else outside. As Ghorua drew his sword, Caltin gripped his lightsaber with both hands in a classic Ataru stance (about really the only part he liked about the Fourth form, it was too “jumpy” for him).

You’re the one who wants this, so you might as well make the first move. Just remember, while I can’t leave this shield… neither can you.
Ghorua the Shark Ghorua the Shark
 
LOCATION: CORUSCANT, LEVEL 1313
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Caltin Vanagor Caltin Vanagor

Ghorua smiled. Just as he'd thought might happen, the Jedi didn't bother leaving his trap, figuring they were stuck together. Which, in all fairness, they were. And, in all fairness, this plan could horribly backfire. And, in all fairness, plans that could horribly backfire often did.

Well, might as well give it the old college try.

"I appreciate the patience," the Shark rumbled, taking a deep breath through his blowhole. He pointed his one unholstered hand cannon at the ground between them, and discharging the entire magazine into the ground, releasing a haze of knockout gas with nowhere to go into the arena. It clouded the inside of the bubble with a thin film, enough to incapacitate a raging wookiee after a few gulps of air.

Ghorua fully unsheathed his alchemically-enhanced blade, and activated the Big Shock on his armor, set to stun. He was a Herglic, partially-adapted for aquatic life. He could hold his breath for a long time. Could Caltin?
 

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