On the trail.

[Not Ordo]

Dentaal
Calif City

The black Trillion Aggressor sat down on it's struts outside the large central starport. The Dentaal sun was beging to dip below the horizon and the less savory types were already starting to look for their marks.

Ruusan sat with her thick armor booted feet resting up on an adjacent chair and her elbow rested on the sabaac table. A cigar was clutched in her teeth and her red painted lips were pulled back in a grin.

"Read'em and weep boys!" She said as she slapped her cards down on the table. She had been here drinking smoking and playing cards all day. Her target was said to frequent the cantina here and she was staking the place out and having a bit of fun while she waited. Her bare arms showed her tattoos as the wrapped around her arms and disappeared under her white tank top.

"Thats it," she continued as the men around the table tossed their credits her way, "yeah baby pay Mama her credits."

A live band was playing and a pair of dancing girls gyrated on the stage. it was turning out to be a good day. All she needed to do was nab her target and be on her way.

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Siqa"] @[member="Janus Rogo"]

 

[Ryan Slade]

I smiled as the woman who sat across from me at the table wanted the credits. Her cards were fairly nice. Just a pair though. Better than the two others. But not mine. I had a straight flush. letting my cards down as the woman wanted her money, I smiled. "Not so fast" Pointing to my cards. I shrugged my shoulders.

She couldn't see my mouth, or the rest of my head. My eyes showed through the slit in my coverup of my Ghost attire. On my back was a set of Vibroswords. Both leaning towards my right shoulder. And a Blaster pistol on my left thigh. Though that was not the extent of my weapons that I had with me. Taking a dip of my head, "look before you leap." After that I kept my voice silent.

Later on today I needed to collect a bounty. It was of some schmuck that I could care less for.

@[member="Ruusan"]

 

[Siqa]

I'd been in the cantina for a while now, on the trail of a potential hit for the CIS. I was still getting used to being part of the group, dealing with training here and there while also trying to keep to my old profession. Thankfully the Confederacy had it's fair share of heads they wanted, like the one that was supposed to come around here often. It was just a matter of playing the waiting game.

I'd been sitting and listening to the band, watching the dancing girls on the stage as the music went on. Basically prim and prettied up to look good for the boys. Not usually my type of girl, epically since they tended to be the type who wanted credits forked over just for having their company. However when I heard cheering from the nearby game I caught sight of one fine looking red head dealing cards with some of the rollers. By the looks of things she'd won her hand, making me think how good she was.

I took a swig to finish off the beer I had before ordering another one and putting my credits on the bar. I walked over, opening my new one as I did, and stood in front of the open seat. Just in time too. I saw as the other guy laid his hand down, beating her out. I shook my head, seeing she wasn't as lucky as I hoped.

"Mind if I have next round?" I asked. "I've got some credits I'd be willing to double while I'm here."

@[member="Ruusan"] @[member="Ryan Slade"]

 

[Janus Rogo]

Rogo sighed, entering yet another dive bar. The job he'd pulled for the Republic, nearly two weeks prior, had paid out quite well. It had also been a noisy, messy affair. The CIS would not be pleased and business from them would be slow, for the next few months, at least. He nodded at one of the bouncers, shouldered his way through the small groups that clustered, and took a seat at the bar. His eyes swept the room as he went. Threats everywhere. Punks, looking to make their name, most like. A few professionals, here or there, though. Not too much aggression, not as yet. He could read most of them like a book. Separating the wheat from the chaff, he settled on the prime threats in the room. The most relaxed ones. The most confident. Almost the most well armed.

He'd be thankful for his armor, by the end of the day, he started to feel. He slung his rifle across his back, comfortably, casually sliding his hand across his belt and bandolier as he went. A brace of varied light explosives, his pistols, his knife.... Yeah, he should be fine. He flagged down the bartender.

"Gimme a bottle and a glass. Yeah, the whole thing, just leave it here.", he said, passing off a few credit chits. Just another day in paradise...

[I swear, I'll get the coding and formats on this site down any post here, you watch]

@[member="Siqa"] @[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Ruusan"]

 

[Not Ordo]

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Siqa"]

Ruusan looked at the cards the man lais down. She sat up straight her face was blank for a second before it split into a grin again. She chuckled to herself and lifted her lighter to relight her cigar.
"Not bad Brown eyes," she said as she blew blueish grey smoke into the air.
She was just tossing her credits to her opponent when a red skinned woman strutted up and stood by an empty chair. Her confidence was nearly palpable as she asked to join the game.

"Jump in Big Red," Ruusan said as she looked back at the man, "Brown eyes here was just about to give me a chance too win back my credits, but I'd be happy to take yours too."

The target should be getting there soon it was near his usual time.

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Siqa"] @[member="Janus Rogo"]

 

[Siqa]

I said my thanks before sitting down, putting my drink next to me. I rolled up my sleeves, just to let them know I didn't have any tricks on this game, before putting half my credits up on the table. Better to only use that half in case for a round two.

I waited until the cards were dealt, all the while taking note of the two. I found the guy, "brown eyes" as she called him, and the fact he was wearing what he was. I wanted to call cheat in that he was hiding his face, but then again keeping a good face instead of hiding it showed you had better control of yourself. Next there was the girl, a fine looking one at that. I looked down at her arms, admiring the tattoos she had, before my eyes wandered up to her face. When she looked at me I gave a quick wink before looking at my hand.

I didn't bother looking but I was keeping my eye on who came in and out of this place, waiting for when the target would show himself.

@[member="Ruusan"] @[member="Janus Rogo"] @[member="Ryan Slade"]

 

[Ryan Slade]

Even thought others can, or may call out cheating for my mask and head cover. This was part of who I was. A masked Assassin that doesn't take crap from anyone. However, I put limits on my self to control my anger. Last time I snapped, A man ended up with his head in the ceiling while the rest of his body was on the ground in pieces. I never used my weapons unless necessary. I didn't speak as the woman came over and asked to play, nor when the woman across from me called me "brown-eyes" That only gave me incentive to get contacts next time I could.

Taking all of the cards that were on the table. I started to shuffle them. Doing it as though I had done it a million times before. I once was a bartender, and that paid off sometimes. I could see that the two women were looking around as if though they were both looking for someone. Really I already knew my target. He had walked in through the door as the woman was coming over to ask if she could play the next game. Since this bounty was in the open for anyone. I hoped that I could get the credits first.

I began to deal out the cards plus for the extra red skinned lady. "Jerry go first." I spoke to the man on my left. His name was apparent as it was tattooed on to the right side of his exposed neck.

@[member="Siqa"], @[member="Ruusan"], @[member="Janus Rogo"]

 

[Not Ordo]

@[member="Siqa"] @[member="Janus Rogo"], @[member="Ryan Slade"]

Ruusan smiled again boldly at the man "brown eyes" as he maintained a firm silence before dealing the cards and inviting the other man Jerry to go first. Ruusan looked at Big Red and recieved a wink. She pulled the cigar from her mouth and held it between her middle and forefinger then lifted her glass of whiskey and smilled at the tall woman before shooting down the rest of tumbler like a shotglass. She picked up her cards and turned toward the bar. She waved a serving girl over.

"Get me another drink would ya princess." Ruusan said keeping up the act. "Mama's thirsty."

The mark was at the bar and from the looks of things he was ready for trouble.
'Good boy' she thought as she turned back to the table and sticking her cigar back between her teeth. 'I would hate for this to be easy'.

She tossed her 50 credits on the table.
"I'll see your 25 Mr. Jerry and raise 25."

 

[Siqa]

I smiled, seeing she knew I was taking note of her at least. I looked at my cards before taking a sip of my beer. I heard as the woman called for the serving girl saying "Mama's thirsty." Damn. I was starting to like her more and more. Almost didn't want to have to take hers and the quite ones credits after this game.

"I'll see yours." I said, looking to her. "And raise ten." I gave another smirk and wink before waiting while Brown Eyes made his move. "So what brings someone like yourself out here, hot stuff?" I asked the lady while we waited. If nothing else I could at least win her number by the end f the game.

@[member="Ruusan"] @[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Janus Rogo"]

 

[Janus Rogo]

It was admittedly difficult not to eyeball the cardplayers. He could catch quick reflections of them, here and there in the bar, or when he downed his glass. They'd noticed him, that much was sure, but they didn't seem overly concerned about it. He was having trouble pegging just how dangerous they truly were. The man, a warrior, clear from the blades he carried, concealed behind a mask. His body language read like a coiled spring. Ready to snap, then sever his way through anything in his path. The woman, armored, boorish, and... arrogant? Again, hard to tell, from reflections. She was certainly comfortable in the environment. Wound less tight than the man, but clearly no less dangerous. The last one? Harder still to figure. Red skin. Sith Pureblood? Force Sensitive? Sith? Jedi? Harder to tell, yet. Couldn't peg her weapons from here, either.

What to do, what to do.... A dozen thoughts flooded his mind as he continued drinking. Had to maintain his appearance. Had to look like he hadn't noticed them. Review the facts. They were a possible threat. Long range, close range, and an unknown. Likely working together. Difficult to read. Running for the door will start a running firefight. Easy to win. Go for a challenge? Always. He smiled, picked up his rifle, bottle, and glass, before nodding to the bartender, and turning into the crowd. They'd have to be careful here. Sithspit, he'd have to be careful here.

Janus Rogo, with a friendly, pleasant smile, set his bottle of whiskey on the table, leaned the rifle against it, and took a seat. Looking between the menagerie, there really was only one thing appropriate to say.

"Next hand, deal me in."

@[member="Siqa"] @[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Ruusan"]

 

[Ryan Slade]

The man wanted to join as it was now my turn to ether raise, call, or fold. Smiling I nodded to the man saying that we would deal him in next round. All I could do was smile as My target had come to sit an arm's length away. My cards Had not even been picked up. They still laid there the same way that I had dealt them. I looked at the amount of credits that I had stacked on the table. Thinking critically about my next move.

Looking to both at the women in turn I grabbed a stack. "Raise by 500" I threw my chips into the pot. Pot started at 100 credits. Jerry did 25, 125, woman one added 50. 175. red woman raised by 10 with a call of 50. 235. And with my 500 raise, I amped it up to 735. Pretty nice pot of cash there sitting in front of me. And still I had not looked at a single one of my cards.

I was liking this turn out.

@[member="Ruusan"], @[member="Siqa"], @[member="Janus Rogo"]

 

[Not Ordo]

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Janus Rogo"] @[member="Siqa"]

Someone was confident but it made little difference. Ruusan's target walked up and sat right at her table. She looked at her cards, not a blasted thing, she looked back up with a grin as jerry folded.

"I'll see that bet," she said around her cigar, "and I'll raise 100 more. Mama likes this game." The serving girl brought another drink and set it down.

Ruusan tossed a few credits on her tray before taking out her cigar and sipping the whiskey.

"Bet's to you Red," She said as she stuck the cigar back in her teeth.

She would have to be careful on this one. She didn't want to spook her target or get the local authorities involved and Rogo was looking around for signs. He was weighing threats and that meant he was smart and smart plus desperate equalled dangerous.

 

[Siqa]

"Even I know when to back down when the pot's to big to swallow." I said, seeing as the credits had swelled so much. I folded and gave a gesture to @[member="Ruusan"] that said Brown Eyes was all her's to clean out. I drank some more beer as I waited and watched, leaning back to see. In the meantime I had looked to where I'd seen both of them looking and, low and behold, I found the target. As grateful as I was to know he was here I looked back the other two and wondered. They must've been after him too. Not a good thing if if comes to one or all of us trying to take the bounty for themselves.

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Janus Rogo"]

 

[Janus Rogo]

Rogo leaned back, pouring a glass, while looking over the table. The Vibroblade boy hadn't even lifted his cards up. He was trying to force them all in, as well as toy with them. He didn't even need to look at him to tell that. Kiddie stuff. The Pureblood didn't bite. Se folded. The other woman was up next. This hand would be over shortly, though, Janus wasn't super concerned with the victor of this. The other woman, the Cigar Chomper, was far more at ease. Highly confident. Drinking heavily, too, but she didn't seem overly affected by it, yet. Kriffing fighters, the three of them. And, now that he was a bit closer, he could tell by their body language, that they'd been looking for him. He couldn't get much of a feel for what to expect in a fight, though, aside from their gear. A pair that would fight close in, one with a very, very nice assault rifle....

Oh, well. This wasn't the first time he'd gotten in such a situation. It wouldn't be the last. Not for any of them, if he had his way. Relax for now, though. None of them seemed too keen on starting a fight yet. More focused on the card game. Janus would sit and enjoy their company for so long as he saw fit. He started patting himself down, checking his belt, before coming up with a small bag, which he upended. A fistful of credit chits and small gemstones came out. He carefully divided them up, then looked around.

"Any opposition to... Alternative forms of payment? I try not to carry too too many credits on me.", he said, smiling.

@[member="Siqa"] @[member="Ruusan"] @[member="Ryan Slade"]

 

[Ryan Slade]

Looking at the two women I had to smile. I had made a woman come up and call me. But the Redskinned woman backed down. I had to smile as she did so. Since it was only three of us, I looked to the man as he brought up his credits. He knew something was up. I could see it in his eyes. Speaking to him, I acted as though I wasn't hunting his ass. "What do you mean payment?" My eyebrows were shown, and the left one was hiked up in a question.

(OOC sorry guys I have been very busy)

@[member="Janus Rogo"], @[member="Siqa"], @[member="Ruusan"]

 

[Janus Rogo]

Rogo smiled easily at the kid. Coyness. Inquisitorial blades, too, blast it. Really could end up being trouble here. Big target, though. Well over two meters tall, but with a slightly more lanky build than his own. He could handle the boy alone, if the need arose. The others would cause a problem, if they joined in. When they joined in.

"Why, for the buy-in, of course.", he said with half a laugh. "I travel too much, to too many places for credits to always be good, so I tend to carry other things around, too. Synthetic Emeralds, the like. Hard goods should work, hm?"

He adjusted his stack of credits and gems, then looked at the two women expectantly, before leaning back with his drink in hand, the smile rapidly vanishing. He shook his head, drumming his fingers on the table, before he picked up his glass, staring at it sourly.

"You know. The Universe these days... Turn one blasted job, raid one facility, and everyone loses their minds. Send hunters after me.", the Merc cursed bitterly, looking at the three. "I'm supposed to be on vacation right now. We're in a room, filled with people, none of which have anything to do with this. I, personally, would rather try to avoid collateral. So how's about we all relax for the next few minutes, play some cards, drink, then we can take this somewhere more private?"

He drained the glass, eyeing his hunters over it.

"Or shall we all start dying right now?"

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Siqa"] @[member="Ruusan"]

 

[Not Ordo]

@Siqa @Ryan Slade @[member="Janus Rogo"]

Ruusan smiled at the man's big boy talk. She took her lighter out of her pocket and re-lit her Cigar puffing it a few times before blowing the thick smoke toward the ceiling. He was clever, that she had to admit, and the odds of the others being involved somehow had just sky rocketed. She looked at the Tall red skinned woman and chuckled as she picked up her glass of whiskey. she tapped her lighter on the table and leaned back in her chair. She had to do something because she could take 'Mr. Talkative', 'Big red', or the target, but not all three at once. She shook her head slightly, put her boots up on the table and put her lighter in her pocket, right beside her slug thrower pistol. Her chair 'slipped' as she lifted her glass to her lips and her slug thrower was in her hands. She wasted on time firing at legs from under the table starting with the mark, then brown eyes and finally Big red.

'Boys! all talk no action.' she thought.

 

[Veevleigh]

Rainbow burst in to the bar at what was almost a full run, with a haunted, hunted look on her pale features, obvious even beneath her make-up. So, how was she supposed to know that the vault had another security system? She'd disabled the first one succesfully, but that second one had been using algorithms she'd never heard of. She was still terribly out of date on some things, and before she knew it, she'd set off every alarm in the bank. Luckily, with so many unsavoury types around, nobody thought much of the waifish four foot ten girl with the pink hair, and she'd managed to escape. But it wouldn't be long before they checked security footage, and then, well, then she'd be in trouble.

She looked around desperately for somewhere to hide, and saw the group of vicious, large and frankly terrifying looking people playing cards. Perfect. She could just slip inbetween them and join the game. Painfully oblivious to what was actually going on, she rushed over, tiny, skinny and fragile looking (although in truth, she was even more fragile than she looked), and, of course, stinking of perfume (this was Rainbow after all), she must have seemed totally out of place amongst the group.

"Hey guys!" She smiled with a faux cheerfulness. "So, anyone can join right? Deal me in!" She smiled, before flashing a plastic card. "Trust me, I'm good for it!" She hoped she was good for it, anyway. She didn't carry credits thanks to her fragile muscular system, but the card would hopefully have enough to cover her.
@Ruusan@Janus Rogo@[member="Ryan Slade"]@[member="Siqa"]

 

[Siqa]

I could tell the tension was in the air. The target was right there and he basically just let himself come out into the open to be caught, but he knew what would come with it. He knew we would all be chomping at the bit to take him so it was only a matter of figuring who would make the first move. Then I began to sense something wrong, my dark side powers kicking in as I felt the red head pulling a gun from underneath. I kicked my foot on the table and pushed myself back and out of the way as she fired before I pulled out my own blaster and aimed it at @Janus Rogo. I didn't see that I was right in front of the new girl @Rainbow Flowers but paid no mind as I kept my eye on the target.

"Don't move unless you want a blaster round in your eye." I said, keeping it aimed. I didn't see what the other two were doing.

@[member="Ryan Slade"] @[member="Ruusan"]

 

[Ryan Slade]

Apparently they thought I was no good. With both effects of the Czar operation and the force, I could easily make moves faster than any of them could. The man had offered credits when the white woman fired. My left hand came up and fliped the table with incredible speed. The round blasted through the wood and into the leg of my chair. I had already drawn my vibro sword, and as the red skinned woman was talking, I yanked on the almost completely pink girl with the force towards me. Getting her out of the firing.

My left hand shot out and the table was then flung at @[member="Ruusan"]. Intending to end her assault with the pistol. I yanked on the target, @[member="Janus Rogo"] as he was still pretty close to me by the scruff of his neck. "Move and you die." Though not by me at least for now. I was trying to keep him alive from the other two women.

@[member="Siqa"], @[member="Rainbow Flowers"]