Black Moon

[Merrick Helmsdottir]

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Vandelhelm was a planet a good distance from any other. A tangential trade route stop, that was built up just enough to keep people stuck there, but not enough to make anyone happy about it.

Merrick was here for work. He wasn't happy about that either.

Having drifted for an exceedingly long time through the galaxy, weathering the drastic changes that were erupting all about, he'd finally blown through the last of his savings. He hadn't even been living well, but he should have known it was never going to be enough to retire on.

No, here he was, blaster by his side, lightasber in the other, both only in service to himself now, both with him at the ass-end of the galaxy hunting down some unlucky schmuck who'd finally pulled one too many jobs to stay off the wanted list.

He, and by extension, Xzaien, were about to cash that in, and for himself at least keep him afloat a little longer,

"Alrighty Xzaien" he said, looking over the town square "Redeen Haskus, that's the one we're looking for. Zeltron, so should stick out like a sore thumb. But he's already run once, don't imagine he'll go in easy" Merrick said with a smirk,

"Ready for a little work?"

@Xanthum the Mighty

 

[Xzaien]

It was late afternoon, Xzaien was sitting in her private ship, The 'Ebon Vraxis II' she lay in the Captain's Quarters seemingly pondering the questions of the day. Few things bothered her as much as a request to hunt some idiot. It seems that she had received a message from a certain: Merrick Helmsdottir. A desperate drifter turned Bounty Hunter.

Shortly thereafter a certain man knocked on her room's door and entered dressed head to toe in Imperial Battle Dress, clearly a friend of Xzaien's. Xzaien made sure to stand once more so that she could speak.

"Xzaien, this Bounty Hunter requires your presence on the world of Vandelheim. He's hunting a Zeltron."

He handed Xzaien the datapad with its proper details giving her one last respectful nod before awaiting her next orders for the evening. Left to her own devices Xzaien read over the details briefly. She examined the pay, a decent amount for any Bounty Hunter. She replied back to Merrick with a one word reply.

"Im in."

It was a simply reply. She turned toward the Disgraced Imperial Commander uttering for him to gather the rest of the crew and plot a course for the world of Vandelheim. It was a relatively short trip. One that was almost completely unneeded.

Overhead, Merrick could see a certain ship. It was black in coloration with dark red detailing on its hull. It was some kind of Modified Light Freighter. What would stick out to him however, was the emblem on its side. If he knew anything about Ancient Sith lore, it bore a resemblance of Ancient Sith coat of arms of old. He could see it landing in the nearby secured spaceport. Meanwhile, at a distance he could see a peculiar set of four individuals flanking one, short person wearing a cloak.

There was a Mandalorian, dressed in Heavy Equipment, slung over his shoulder was a Heavy Blaster Cannon, Next to him was a Female Bothan, a smuggler sort. Dressed in a leather jacket and carrying two blaster pistols. On the other side, there were two more. A clear Imperial Officer, face exposed wearing a black field cap. Even at this distance Merrick could see that there were Commander Bars on this Officer's uniform. The one nearby him was clearly a Black Furred Cathar, bearing an intense Blood Orange Gaze, and whom was dressed in Dark Grey Battle-armor of Durasteel. One thing they had in common, was one singular Dark Red stripe on their helmets and chest guards.

One person, seemed to resonate with him.

A single Cathar, flanked by these individuals. Shorter than all of them. She were dressed in what looked to be a maroon red cloak concealing the rest of her body with only a furred head exposed, White furred in coloration and having this intense slight red glow to her eyes.

Even from here, Merrick would know that she were his lady.

The group of individuals approached past the crowds coming to rest at the Donut shot where Merrick was located, two of them splitting off to stand nearby a fountain nearby and the other two remaining at two seperate corners of the Donut shop watching the exchange. Xzaien approached Merrick and sat down nearby greeting him with a friendly smile.

"I assume you are Merrick?"

Xzaien's voice was melodic, and yet somewhat meaning something. If Merrick thought about it even for a moment he could feel a tone of collaboration and general friendliness indicative of a professional mindset. She sat directly infront of him with her legs crossed underneath the table. Even from here she were at least a head shorter than him. However, he would sense something about the unscrupulous figures around Xzaien. They all had the taint of the Dark Side with them bearing the would-be-marks of Darkside corruption. Be it darkened veins and paler skin, some had more than others. Xzaien on the other-hand was nearly impossible to place, she was a clear Darksider but had a nearly flawless appearance, save for the slightly Blood Orange eyes that peered at him.

Xzaien waited for him to greet himself before responding to him.

"Hm, I assume that he isn't the most brave of individuals then? I do have a few inquires. Does this invidual have followers? Does he have a hideout? Does he have a escape route?"

Xzaien sat there, awaiting his response while she sat there tapping her black gloved hand on the wooden table.​

 

[Merrick Helmsdottir]

Well, well, well, well he couldn't say he was exactly expecting this much of a party when it came to friends. If nothing else he just didn't want his cut getting split from two ways to five, but hopefully there could be a little negotiating at the end of this whole thing, make sure everyone got their... just reward,

"From everything we got, Redeen wasn't exactly a big fan of playing with others" Merrick said with a stupid smirk as he adjusted his sunglasses, the glare of the signs rolling across his eyes,

"That'd be a good part of the reason that he got the bounty in the first place" the Zeltron had a way of doing things apparently, and apparently that didn't involve others. At times Merrick could understand, but equally it paid to have a few friendly faces for ya, no matter you fell on the galactic spectrum,

"But, Force, lets not bank on there being no surprises, 'aight?" he glanced back at Xzaien and those almost hypnotic orange eyes. Bounty hunting was never clean, and personally he'd never done it much, he didn't exactly have a network to call on to get more information. Still, from out in the crowd, a rather distinct flash of pink seemed to reveal itself,

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Redeen Haskus, in the flesh.

"Seems like we won't be waiting too long to find out"

@Xanthum the Mighty

 

[Xzaien]

If Merrick cared to notice, one of the individuals following Xzaien; the one clad in Mandalorian Armor seemed to duck into a building a way away from the two of them. A odd maneuver, but he would notice just before he walked into the building him drawing what looked to be some kind of sniper rifle. Nevertheless Xzaien sat patiently in front of Merrick seemingly watching over his movements with a cold yellow eye. He could feel a slight chill come over him as he watched her eyes look him up and down.

Meanwhile, Xzaien seemed to raise her arm up to chest height seemingly typing something into it as Merrick spoke his spiel at her. In all terms, her expression seemed to be slightly bored almost comically so.

Now, If Merrick used his eyes to scan the area around him, avoiding eye contact with members of the roving crowd he could see Xzaien's "followers" apparently pick strategically strong positions around them for example, one watching the road or one watching them converse presently.

Xzaien's hand then promtly lowered itself to her side, seemingly finished with what she were typing save for that her eyes looked past Merrick to see if he were being followed or as if this were some sort of trap. By all means her expression changed to one of slight contentedness as he mentioned spotting the target. Her eyes shifted toward this individual and hey presto- there he was walking in the middle of the crowd, with most of said crowd parting way before him as if her were some sort of disgusting Selkath or perhaps a Hutt.

What Xzaien did in response however was to speak toward Merrick still pulling this extremely grating politeness that is almost unheard of inside of the Bounty Hunter guild.

"Well Merrick, It seems he came early. I shall allow you to make the first move."

Finishing her spiel, she fluidly moved off the chair making sure to re-straighten her robes in the meantime. Shortly after her hand went toward her hand again seemingly typing in another set of instructions.

Then, as if on Que her helmet folded upward then forwards, encapsulating her feline features behind a unyielding Durasteel bowl. Its Y shaped visor giving the appearance of some kind of Mandalorian type helmet, yet being almost wholly alien in its aesthetics.

Xzaien's helmeted head slowly turned toward to meet this Zeltron, She promptly drew what looked to be archaic type sword from her belt. It was black in coloration with glowing red veins of some kind of energy snaking through it like a Krayt Dragon. She held the blade at her side while she perked her head up at Merrick, the height difference being even more pronounced while being off the chair she waited for Merrick to make his move on the Zeltron, with her following his lead. ​

 

[Merrick Helmsdottir]

Between himself, Xzaien, and her friends, it didn't seem to him that this Redeen fella was gonna have a whole lot of options anytime soon.

Good. He never had liked having to do extra work, not when things could be so much smoother.

And with Xzaien donning her full armour now, it seemed like his own approach was more or less set: Good cop, bad cop. Not one he had ever grown tired of. And part of him did deeply enjoy how much he could play a little as good cop, tease a little, lead them on. Bad cop always kept everything so serious, and he was trying to let go of that part of himself more and more as the galaxy fell into shambles around him. Keep on moving, and with a nice wad of credits he could live out whatever inevitable catastrophe was going to hit the galaxy soon in relative peace. What more could a man like him ask for?

Before that could happen though, they needed to end the peace of Redeen,

"Oh it'll be my pleasure to do so" Merrick said wryly, before making his way into the square, tracking the Zeltron as he wandered through. Xzaien's friends were spread about the place, if he made a move, he'd be hemmed in quick smart,

"Haskus" Merrick called out as he approached, closing in "Redeen Haskus" the Zeltron whirled around, clearly shocked by the sound of his name being spoken by someone he didn't recognise,

"There's a number out for you in more than a few systems my friend, I'd tell ya now" by now he wasn't too far from the Zeltron, keeping one hand on his hip by his blaster, the other gesturing largely "It'd be much easier, much safer, for everyone involved if ya just came with me and my friend. Save everyone a few tears"

@Xanthum the Mighty

 

[Xzaien]

It would be a odd thing. That this infamous Zeltron would seemingly appear in such a public place despite his blatantly alien features. He would whirl around toward Merrick, with his bright pink hand directly reaching toward his waistband. The scowl on his face would speak bounds of what he intended to do to Merrick. However, he hasn't seen Xzaien by Merricks side. If Merrick cared to notice. Xzaien would have dissapeared! Where has she gone? However, Merrick's fortunes could see Xzaien's followers slowly converging on the Zeltron's position in a semi circular fashion. With blaster rifles and pistols raised in the ready position. One kink in the pipe would be the massive crowds. If Merrick happened to open fire immediately he could expect civilian casualties. If only someone would clear the way.

Merricks eyes would seemingly grace him. He could see Xzaien creeping closer, and closer. In sync with her followers. Her Warblade concealed underneath her crimson robes. He couldn't exactly see her face but her head was fixated at the pink skinned Zeltron. However she and her followers were yet some distance away from the Zeltron. If only Merrick would find some way to stall the pink-skinned bandit. ​

@Nightfall

 

[Merrick Helmsdottir]

"Well I ain't exactly seeing any friend with you, human, so I wouldn't really recommend trying anything, you're as delusional as the Hutt that put that thing on me" the Zeltron spat back, hands sliding round his belt rather tightly that betrayed his bit of worry.

Not that Merrick could exactly talk. As the fellow had mentioned his lack of companion he had glanced to the side, and it became clear that Xzaien hadn't stuck around for the fun it seemed,

"Hey now..." he spoke with a drawl, long and drawn out as he scanned the crowd around him searching through to try and spy his partner and her team, but within the writhing mass of the crowd it was hard to make out anyone in particular, let alone the people he was looking for. That said, if anything was going to happen he it couldn't happen here, in the middle of the street,

"Even if I am a little slow that's no way to speak to your elders, Haskus. But, as it seems you're correct, then there'd be no harm then in coming with me, maybe for a little drink? I hear that little cafe on the corner does a delightful espresso" he quipped back, what he was even trying to do now he wasn't sure. Throw the Zeltron off balance, make him as confused as he was? Hopefully it'd work, and at the very least let him try and work out what Xzaien was up to so he knew what to be doing. Either way, he'd managed to stall, maybe that was enough?

@Xanthum the Mighty

 

[Xzaien]

It was a, odd thing for Xzaien to have simply walked off and left the area. It was uncharacteristic of her to leave Merrick to his own devices without double checking with him first. It nevertheless was a needed diversion. Merrick to take the Zeltron's attention away, and then strike with the full firepower of a four man squad. However, she awaited for a opening.

Merrick could see the Crimson robed Xzaien, Sidearm drawn; and at the ready for whatever would come next. She seemingly motioned for Merrick to make the first move against the Zeltron. Her other hand speaking into a unseen comlink, supposedly tuned toward her squad.

The moment Merrick made a move for his holster, the firepower of an entire squad will be unleashed upon the Zeltron. However, Xzaien appeared to simply not care for collateral damage as the death of the Zeltron was of the highest priority. If any of the civilians around the now, turning and then reaching Zeltron were to be hit. It was simply just a blip on Xzaien's Radar. Acceptable Casualties.

Meanwile, If Merrick's eyes traveled correctly, he could see the various figures that had accompanied Xzaien posted in places of relative strategic strength. The glint of a rifle scope, from the building to his direct front. A Mandalorian with his hulking battle-rifle kneeling in the nearby alley. Muzzle trained on the Zeltron's Center mass. A Imperial Officer, seemingly slinking nearby the Ice-Cream shop on his right. Hand pushed up against his field holster and eyes watching the Zeltron's every move. Nearby stood the Yellow-Furred Bothan, smiling at something with a hand clutching her kydex belt mounted holster.

The strike team of this unscupulous group remained. Waiting for Merrick to make a move for his holster or stall some more. Surely for the entertainment. ​

@Nightfall

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