Faction No Disintegrations - Prelude

[Threkkuss]

N O
D I S I N T E G R A T I O N S
P R E L U D E

The Hunter's Lodge on Kwenn Station had the stink of old credits and spilled blood baked into its walls. The place was built for killers with low ceilings stained with smoke, scarred tables etched with knife marks, and lights that buzzed and flickered like they were half-ashamed to still be working. The trophies on the walls came in the form of shattered helmets, rusted weapons, and pieces of armor taken from the dead -- silent reminders that the Lodge was more mausoleum than meeting hall at the best of times. A testament to the age of bounty hunters, traversing conflicts far and wide, remaining long after the nations fighting them were returned to ash and dust.

Threkkuss stood over the hovering holotable brought out into the main room, displaying a holographic layout of the Naboo senate building. "Black Sun wants a message carved deep," Threkkuss rasped, the respirators in his mask giving his voice its insectoid metallic edge. "That message is the High Chancellor. You take them alive in the middle of the senate session on Naboo. Each of you has a role, and every role matters."

"This one has assembled the teams," he began, waving a three-fingered hand over the display, revealing images of Khuro, Mercy, Isur, and Delsin. "Threkkus tasks you with breaching first and drawing attention from the senate guards and Jedi present."

The Gand waved his hand over again, replacing the images with three more: Fett, Creed, and Varanin. "In the cover provided, this one tasks you three with moving directly on the chancellor."

"You three," the next set indicated Hacks, Oleander and Arris. "Play a pivotal role. This one has determined the only reliable access port is inside the building, which Hacks will need in order to control the field."

Drakon, Vestra, Sahi, Lirea. "The first line of defense from intruders. This one can see the soldiers and Jedi will come to defend their chancellor. Your role is to hold the entrances, then transition into the escape team. When the time suits, Drakon Teague will return to the shuttle and take the chancellor with them."

Threkkuss pressed a button, all separate teams appearing clustered together in different corners of the display. His large, silver-y eyes turning to the gathered hunters, a click of his respirator, "This one would ask you to pose any questions now."

Khuro Fierfek - Mercy - Isur - Delsin Shaw - Koda Fett - Drystan Creed - Quinn Varanin - Hacks - Oleander - Arris Windrun - Drakon Teague - Vestra Tane - Sahi - Liréa Voss - @AnyoneLateComers

 

[Arris Windrun]

"You three," the next set indicated Hacks, Oleander and Arris. "Play a pivotal role. This one has determined the only reliable access port is inside the building, which Hacks will need in order to control the field."

Arris sprawled on a well-worn couch. "I know what I need to do."

No questions. Though she tossed a subtle glance at Mercy .

She also wondered who this Hacks was, but keeping her alive and uninterrupted? Seemed simple enough, even if there was other business on the cyborg's mind.

 

[Drakon Teague]

Khuro Fierfek - Mercy - Isur - Delsin Shaw - Koda Fett - Drystan Creed - Quinn Varanin - Hacks - Oleander - Arris Windrun - Threkkuss - Vestra Tane - Sahi - Liréa Voss - @AnyoneLateComers

Drakon listened to Threkkus give out the instructions. It barely took him a moment to adapt to Threkkus speech pattern. Years among the multitude of slang, the cesspool of species that Black Sun had to offer meant that Drakon had learned a long time ago an ear for languages. Well languagesish. He could get by in a sort of pigeon of trade language for just about anything. Threkkus just referred to himself in an odd manner.

Drakon nodded as his team was singled out and he was given the job of escorting the Chancellor out of there in the shuttle. Nice to be given some respect, be entrusted with the job of getting the Chancellor out of there.

"Will I be taking everyone in the shuttle or will you all be finding your own rides out of here?" Drakon asked "What's our in and out time? Do we have a rendezvous spot if things go haywire? Or we expected to take care of ourselves?"

"I know it's hazy intelligence, but do we have any idea of the number of troops and Jedi we'll be facing? There should be records of a standard troop deployment at the Senate? The closest Jedi Base for reinforcements?" Drakon treated the operation the same way he'd treat planning a raid on a fortified position the more intelligence you had the better.

Drakon shrugged.

"I'm still in even if we don't know anything, but the more we know the better we'll be able to prepare, react and respond."

For Drakon it wasn't the fear of death or fear of failure that was an issue. It was his reputation. This would be a legendary raid. One that would be broadcasted across the galaxy. Drakon would be damned if he was gonna sit this one out.

 

[Oleander]

//: Hacks //: Mercy //: Arris Windrun //: Threkkuss //:
//: Attire //:

Arris was the first to speak. Oleander hadn't met the woman before, but she seemed relatively comfortable with their surroundings and the mission.

Once again, Oleander had been dragged along with Mercy. It appeared the woman had a knack for getting into things, likely in part because she was a Vigo.

Oleander didn't fully understand the way the Syndicate worked. They made things happen — sometimes it meant burning a planet, other times it was just a party. Neither option brought the redhead much joy.

Looking down at her feet, Oleander realized she was standing close behind Mercy. It was easy to do, especially for someone like her, who wasn't usually the first to jump into a fight. Her previous actions against Mercy had been a one-off thing.

Wrinkling her nose, she pulled off her silver, rounded glasses and tucked them into her satchel. From the sound of what the Gand had mentioned, she was going to have to get her hands dirty.

Frowning, she popped in her contacts and blinked several times until they settled. Wiping away the tears that usually came with the ordeal, she glanced toward Mercy as well.

Her voice was quiet, wary of the others in the room. Oleander narrowed her eyes to thin slits.

"Why am I needed for something pivotal? That sounds rather important."

She paused, stepping closer to Mercy in a wounded puppy way.

"Do you just enjoy stressing me out?"

 

[Vestra Tane]

"Just got the one, thanks." Nestled in one of the far corners of the Hunter's Lodge (and nursing a killer hangover), Vestra Tane raised a rubberized, mechanical hand. Drakon Teague , who she had never met before but who was, apparently, meant to be team lead on this deployment, had already barraged Threkkuss with a litany of practical concerns. This left her with the fun questions.

"We care about collateral on this one? Feel like we'll leave an even clearer message if we bust a few skulls on the senate floor." Her smile, ever present anyway, grew wider at the thought.

It wouldn't hurt to get a little payback for the bounty the Republic put on her head, either.

 

[Liréa Voss]

Breaking a few Senate skulls, now that's an idea I like. I can't help but softly caress the edge of my blaster. The Senate, that's quite the big fish. After that heist the other day, the media started talking about me. I listen to the discussions it's all strategy talk. I guess a big hit like this does require at least a bit of preparation, after all.

"The Jedi, i can kill them. I don't mind being transported aboard your ship, thanks you for the offer, i accept this." Drakon Teague

That'll spare me the trouble of handling transportation myself. Besides, if coffee is included, that's one more reason to take a ride other than my own. In case of armed conflict and there probably will be it's always good to have a fallback point. I'll probably leave a speeder nearby, just in case things go south. Simple precaution.

Yawning politely, I keep listening to the briefing. Most of the people here, I don't know them. I'm really here as more of a tourist. Just me, my blaster, and my grappling hook.

 

[Threkkuss]

"There is no known number. The Jedi will come, Threkkuss suggests expecting them. Drakon need only be concerned with their role. If it is to go haywire, as Drakon says, then the hunters may die." He was sounding rather disconnected from the scenario, on account of his own life not being at risk. Professionals understood the risks, weighing them against the reward. It set apart them and the thrill seekers, Threkkuss supposed. "The Black Sun recommends succeeding."

His large, bug eyes met Vestra's.

"Threkkuss is not interested in the methods of Vestra Tane, so long as their objective is met."

Drakon Teague - Vestra Tane

 

[Hacks]

The Hunters Lodge
Kwenn Station

Hacks arrived late. The cyborg was forced to hunch down as she entered through the doorway. She was a towering seven feet of muscle and durasteel. Her upper arms arms were crossed against her chest while her lower mechanical arms rested in her techjackets pockets. Were it not for the plastic eyes and synthflesh pulled taut over subdermal plate implants, she would have appeared tired. She had stayed up too late on the spice.

Just in time, the Gand gestured to Hacks and two others she had neither seen before or met, and he spoke, "You three play a pivotal role. This one has determined the only reliable access port is inside the building, which Hacks will need in order to control the field." Hacks nodded briefly, then cast her gaze to Oleander and Arris, data streaming across her retina as she scanned their faces. A routine trace program stalked their presence in the sector, public registry, ship manifests, criminal databases.

She walked over to Arris on the old couch, leather split and cracked, tracing several dozen lines of age across its surface. Hacks sat down beside Arris and offered her the briefest glance, muttered "Nice chrome," then turned her head to Oleander. A frown creased her brow as she studied the woman hiding in the shadow of Mercy, but her attention was quickly drawn to a man addressing the Threkkuss.

Drakon was right, the intelligence wasn't just hazy, it was lazy. Her eyes glanced to the ceiling and her mind probed. The AJ implant at the base of her skull threaded wires into her brain, interlinking her neural network with the digital. Rudimentary slicing wasn't a matter of coding, it was thought. "You're spot on, dude," Hacks said to Drakon. The holoprojector on the ceiling came online at her mental command.

"I won't be needin' a lift though, I'll hitch a ride in on a transport freighter a few days in advance, keep it low profile. RIS monitors unauthorised flight routes," Hacks said. Her lower arms resting in her techjacket pockets retreated out and held a datapad in one hand. She switched the device on, "Gimme a sec'," she said. Four hands worked the keys, typing at a pace that was beyond natural. The clicking of keys gaining a semblence of rhythm as she lost herself in the code.

The holoprojector on the ceiling let out a small whir and light burst to life in the centre of the room. The projection showed a planetary map of Naboo, key locations highlighted across the Theed region. "We should be in-and-out quick as can be," Hacks said to Drakon, then raised a pointed mechanical finger to the projection, "We got the Commando Citadel in the same district as the senate chambers, once the alarm is out. . . well, you get the picture."

The projection shifted, rotated and magnified satellite images. "Then we got the Royal Naval Academy, coupla' platoons of marines., that's not even mentioning those space-magic losers," she said the last with venom. She loathed the Force, and it was writ across her face. "They have an enclave in the Gallo Mountains, will take some time for them to get to the senate, but who knows how many are already in the city. I'd place good odds on a dozen."

She jabbed a finger towards Drakon, "And if we don't get out in time, and survive all that, nearby Keren City is home to the Royal Defense Complex. Once they smell us, it's like flies on dung, our op gon' be karked. In an' out, fast as lightning. Op go south? Every man for himself." She switched the datapad off, glanced to the holoprojector and mentally reached out. The images vanished, then a small beep as the projector retracted back into the ceiling. "So what's the pay?" Hacks looked to Threkkuss, "Because I ain't do charity gigs."

Arris Windrun - Threkkuss - Drakon Teague - Oleander

 

[Delsin Shaw]

This was an interesting line up. Groups were made for the explicit purpose of performing different tasks of the situation. Each person's skills were taken into account and brought to the front so that each could keep the ball rolling on what the job would pertain to. The removal of major members of the High Republic Government. Namely, the big one herself. A small shrug as each of us were already kept in our groups relatively close. My eyed drifted among the room and found a familiar face. A slight smile was there but for a moment before being dropped. This was work. It was time to focus. Not play little games and poke at people.

Questions were asked and posed. Such as how many Jedi would be there. How difficult the fighting would be. More so, another spoke up about the killing. What was the extent for which one could bring out their big guns. Were we worried about civilian casualties? Those answers were replied to quickly. In much a manner I expected from the handler of the operation. A soft nod confirmed what I had thought.

"We are hitting the Senate itself. Expect the highest resistances, and hundreds if not thousands of troops. Once we go loud, we need to act fast. The entire planet would likely go on lock down to prevent us from escape."

Looking over to Drakkon who was asking so many rapid fire questions, I sighed and shook my head.

"We can use my vessel. It will hold us well and get us in and out without too much of a problem. Stealthy entrance for the surprise, and if we need to break free of a blockade, we can do that too."

My eyes darted to the man before finishing.

"Such a worry wort."

Afterwards, I kept my mouth shut and just kept my arms folded as I sat in the seat. My leg bouncing in preparation for this. There was a part of me that wanted to use some of my Mandalorian Gear. Ties with the Writ of Iron. However, I felt that my personal armor would fit better. Identity scrambling would be much better use for it. Would have to bring some extra supplies and weapons if this team wanted it. More over, I had other ideas to make our fight last just a little bit longer.

| Hacks | Threkkuss | Liréa Voss | Vestra Tane | Oleander | Drakon Teague | Arris Windrun |​

 

[Eaton Waters]

Eaton was always looking for the next job. There were others from Black Sun here, and while he wasn’t card carrying, he knew enough on how to get here. The Pelagic, his Niathal-class shuttle, was landed on Kwenn. He was here to listen, and see what he could do. Having sat down, he looked around.

Could definitely work out something here.

“If anyone has a ship big enough, I can move people in and out. Aside from maybe that shark.” He nodded to Isur.

 

[Drakon Teague]

Drakon grunted in amusement at Vestra Tane bloodlust. Drakon took one look at her and thought Sith. A young one at that, but the young ones just meant they had less control, dangerous adversaries and unpredictable allies. Still the worst thing he could do right now was call her on it. Black Sun wasn't a formal military outfit with rigid structure, discipline and command. Truth be told Drakon liked it that way most of the time.

Drakon shrugged to himself. Worst case scenario they all go down in a blaze of glory attacking the heart of the High Republic and it's head. There were worse ways to go then in a blaze of glory like that.

Drakon turned to Liréa Voss and nodded.

"I'd be glad of some cridheil company" Drakon was glad he'd have some back up with him on the trip.

Drakon looked at Delsin Shaw and raised an eyebrow in irritation. Drakon wondered if he was about to have a problem. Black Sun was a civilised gang as such things went but it was still a gang, one didn't take disrespect lightly. He reached out his force sense and sized Delsin up and unfortunately came to the impression that the warrior could probably take care of himself. Besides Drakon kinda like the mouthy brat. Still one didn't take disrespect lightly.

"Fine by me. I was just worried you're albino condition extended to your eyesight, and you were flying blind, but hey if you think you can handle it."

Drakon would have preferred to fly The Hangman. Just the defence team. One squad for the in and out, let the others fend for himself, but standing his ground was one thing, causing dissent was another. Besides it might be best for the whole group to act as a single unit. There were many ways to skin a cat, and this group lacked the precision coordination needed for precisely timed maneuvers.

Though Drakon hoped his speaking up wasn't to be taken as him taking charge of the crew without consultation. Last thing Drakon needed was a spitting contest about who was in charge.

Besides it was against the Pirates Code. Drakon thought wryly. Code was more like guidelines at any rate. That didn't mean Drakon didn't obey the spirit of them. Taking over a crew without consultation led to at best resentment at worse rebellion. No way to run a job with people who were supposed to have your back.

Drakon would just have to trust everyone could do their job, particularly the other teams. Particularly his own team. Drakon considered them truthfully Drakon thought the Sith was a little loose with her bloodthirsty attitude, he'd rather keep her close.

Drakon shrugged to himself internally in his mind.

Drakon withheld a sigh at Threkkuss lack of forthcoming information, but outwardly nodded. He'd raised his points. No point in whining about them. Either he was in or he was out.

Still at least one member of this gathering seemed to appreciate Drakon's points. Drakon listened to Hacks run down with attention. Narrowed his eyes as he considered the information and nodded.

Drakon turned to the defence team. Liréa Voss Vestra Tane Sahi .

"I suggest while the others are breaking down the doors we lay a little surprise, for the incoming reinforcements. Nothing complicated we just throw some Plasma Mines in front of the entrance steps. Maybe keep a couple if we have to fall back around corners. Jedi might sense them and once they're aware of them they'll be dealt with, but it should slow them down and make them hesitant to rush in, particularly around corners. I can rig em so that they respond to everyone in the groups comm link. On and off. That way they'll be harmless when we need to go back through them."

"Course it depends on everyone remembering to turn them off or they'll be missing their legs." Drakon grinned.

Drakon shrugged.

"Just throwing out some suggestions. If anyone has a problem with that no skin off my nose."

Oleander Arris Windrun Eaton Waters

 

[Liréa Voss]

The plan is slowly beginning to take shape: knock out the gates, conduct a tactical cleanup, focus on the target, but one command catches my attention: we must hurry in any case. We'll be in the heart of enemy territory, we must avoid capture at all costs. If we're trapped by members of the Republic, things will turn sour, and every link in the chain has its use here.

For my part, I'd be part of the team that invades the Senate chamber and cleans up the mess so they can move toward the objective. I'd advance with them while providing a worthy distraction; they won't take me down so easily. In the end, we're not going on Drakon's ship, but on the other one. I don't care which ship, as long as we're dropped off at the location of the plan, that's fine with me. I'm really not picky.

"I just want to have fun and get my hands on our target, wherever it is, that's fine with me. I know how to deal with Force Users, being trained to fight them on equal terms. Tell me where to strike, and your enemies will fall before my blows."

I've given away important information: I can stand up to their Jedi Master, which in their little book won't go unnoticed. Even if I'm not the only Force User in the group, having an ace up their sleeve is always useful. It'll also earn me a good payday, it makes me rub my hands together. Everything I love: fighting, credits, blood. I speak in Huttese now.

"Bolla jee wamma."

Not the kind of promise you make lightly in this language.

 

[Delsin Shaw]

A rather loud and chest filled chuckle escaped my lips as the man who would be Drakon made a comment about albinism. Which I was not. Echani did have fair skin and white hair. However, eyes were the tell. Green and catlike in its pupil, I looked to him and shook my head. Refusing to comment for now. There were more important things than taking vocal jabs at one another. However, it was clear that the man was sizing me up. I could feel his presence touch mine. So I let it. Letting him see that beneath the calm demeanor, was a fire that was not natural. Born of the Darkness itself. The bright smile across my face let him know that if he really wanted to try something after this job was done, he was more than welcome to try.

Yet the conversation moved and continued. So would I. There were talks about how to get Hacks to where was needed. Which honestly, was not my job. Though, I did pay attention. Understanding that if chit went sideways, I could likely close up that gap. I looked about the entire group. Many of them were powerful in the force, however, I knew for a damn near fact that I was the fastest of all here. On the regular I rode lightning. Some considered my speed fast enough that it was confused for short distant teleportation. A very rare ability to perform. Yet I did such with speed alone.

All that to say, if someone had to race across the entirety of the facility and Senate building to get the distance for support, I made a mental note that I would be doing so.

Drakon also spoke up about leaving behind charges to make it harder for people to close into the gap and fight back. A slight nod of my head and I followed up with my own words.

"You may find this heretical, however, I do have a contingent of... soldiers that I can use. They respond to my commands with no question. Upon landing, they can cause problems for any of the Jedi or defensive force that may show up. If any of you require such aid, I can provide them."

A smile came to my face just a moment before continuing. Slyly speaking of such things.

"I understand the distraction team would likely be better to come in with a stealth vehicle to close the gap and set everyone up. I feel my Infiltrator the Quinn's Passion will fill the bill. Unless you believe we should use two vessels to to close any gaps."

| Hacks | Threkkuss | Liréa Voss | Vestra Tane | Oleander | Drakon Teague | Arris Windrun |​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Delsin Shaw //: Drystan Creed //:
//: Attire //:

The orders were given, and Quinn smoothed out any wrinkles on her shirt absentmindedly. This was quite the crew, and she was surprised to have been summoned for this little gathering.

She thought quietly, wondering which of her connections pulled the strings to have her play a part. There were a couple she could easily name off the top of her head, but she figured this was part of the agreement.

Either way, the team she had been attached to had one individual she had wanted to work with for some time.

Drystan Creed had glowing reviews from his work with DeathDrop. So Quinn was naturally excited to see him in action herself. The man had provided strong intel from his time working behind 'enemy' lines as a Confederation ally.

Quinn thought carefully, thinking mainly of questions to ask Drystan as they await their go-ahead for the mission.

It was then that the Echani Princess overheard the conversation between Delsin and another man. Delsin mentioned his ship, one that had stealth capabilities. She was impressed by him having such a ship, particularly for this mission. Quinn found herself nodding and preparing to support her fellow Echani in deciding that his ship would be the best.

It was… until…

She realized the name.

Quinn's Passion.

She stood there letting his explanation replay in her mind. The name continued to echo with his voice full of pride. Quinn's eyes narrowed as she blinked, incredulous, staring straight at Delsin.

"What…" She stepped forward, arms crossing at her waist, fingers tapping her chin as she tried to find the right words.

Finally, she stopped in front of him, tilting her head up to meet his stare.

"Delsin," Quinn softening her voice to draw his attention, "What did you name your ship?" Her voice now suddenly even, as a sharp edge of disbelief hung underneath her tone.

"I'm quite curious about the influence for the name."

 

[Threkkuss]

Threkkuss gave what amounted to a Gand's groan, his respirator clicking like a dial. Too many personalities that were content with stepping on top of one another, crushing people like ants underfoot. This was always Threkkuss' least favourite part of these jobs. He much preferred it when the hunters started dying, either because he didn't always like them or just because it meant he had to pay out less.

"Threkkuss has deemed the payment satisfactory." said the Gand, displaying a very sufficient number of credits on the holoprojector.

Hacks

 

[Drystan Creed]

KWENN STATION

"It could be a different person with the same name. That's always a possibility." Drystan's suggestion to Quinn was blunt and simple—everything opposite of what was needed from him in this operation. He seemed nonchalant despite his superior's presence, even playfully disregarding the hierarchy between them.

A smile crept across the exposed lower half of his face as he leaned back in his chair, balancing it lazily on a single leg, radiating an almost careless calm during the mission briefing.

He wanted to voice his preference for being on the first team—the prospect of crossing blades with Jedi was something he looked forward to—but this was a mission. And on missions, he carried himself with professionalism.

Not only that, but he was highly regarded within Black Sun's ranks, both as a bounty hunter and as a man who got the job done. The black crown bestowed upon him after the warehouse skirmish said as much.

He did have a question, however, and raised his hand.

"So the distraction drawing the Jedi and guards is all well and good. But I'm sure the Chancellor won't be completely unguarded." A pause, followed by the curl of a smirk.

"Do we have any information on the personal security detail? I do hope it's worthy of someone in the High Chancellor's position."

Delsin Shaw Quinn Varanin Koda Fett