Boonta Getaway

[Cuyan Ordo]

Flying out to Boonta was the least thrilling trip Cuyan had made in quite some time. It was a neutral world on the edge of Sith Space. Cuyan had heard that it was the first stop for a lot of defectors leaving the Old Empire region after the civil war started. He figured it made sense to come to the first neutral world they could reach. After that maybe they could move anywhere in the Galaxy. This planet was nothing too horrible though. It seemed luxurious and comfortable enough in the city for some of those posh officer types. The Ordo warrior landed his shuttle outside of the main city area though, as the man he was seeking had been rumored to live in a farming village outside of the capital.

"Thanks for coming. This guy we're after needs to be kept alive." He said to his partner in Mando'a before they left the ship. "He has information about the Sith Empire weapons and ships."

Cuyan made sure all of his gear was set before opening the landing ramp and stepping down. The village was quaint. There were a lot of cottages scattered about randomly plus what seemed like a community hall of sorts. A general store next to the landing pad with a ship maintenance bay on the side. Simple yet adequate for a comfortable life. Ex-officers looking for a quiet escape could easily make a home here, the Ordo figured as he scanned the area for potential targets.

@Critas

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian had never been to Boonta so he had agreed to fly on Cuyan’s ship to their destination. He knew the Clan Ordo warrior from several different missions in the past and although they came from different clans, the man had earned Dio’s trust. As they made their final approach to the main city on the planet, Dio scrolled through his data pad for information on the planet. He knew it was on the edge of Sith space and that isolation had allowed it to remain neutral. It was a planet that was known as THE retirement destination for Imperial officers of both sides of the Civil War. More importantly to Dio, it was the reported home of their target.

Supposedly the target was living in a farming village outside the capitol, this gave Dio pause as he lived much the same life on Mandalor. He was far from retired, but it did call back fond memories of life back there with his wife and children. As they walked down the ramp of the ship to start their search, Dio nodded to the words of his partner, taking in the anxious glances of several of the passersby. Dio knew exactly what they were looking at, a Solus Mandalorian was generally not a good sign for continued peace anywhere, especially not one with Jaig Eyes on his helmet.

Diocletian was wearing his usual armor configuration with Clan Solus colors flying proudly and his Jaig Eyes on prominent display. He also wore the rank of a Rally Master proudly on the shoulder of his armor for those in the know. He had his Shriek-Hawk hanging from a two-point harness to his front, his bowcaster on his back, bandoleer of grenades crossed his chest from right shoulder to left hip. His right hip held his Strill blaster and his right greave concealed his vibroknife. There would be no doubt in anyone’s mind who met him that this trip was all business and not pleasure.

Briefly he checked the action on his Shriek-Hawk and then rose his helmet to look at Cuyan. “Alright, where is this farming village he is supposedly hiding out in?”

@Cazar

 

[Cuyan Ordo]

A small village like this still understood what Mandalorians meant. They were not jumping for weapons or begging for mercy just yet though. Cuyan knew the world was neutral and the people he likely hoped to be left alone rather than get involved. That would make their jobs easier as long as fear kept the villagers in check. Dio asked him about the village and he couldn't help but chuckle a little bit in response.

"Well, the hope is that this right here is the village." He responded, motioning ahead. "The farm land is surrounding the village, all we have to do is locate our man here."

Cuyan held his repeater affectionately as he began walking towards the general store. They were likely to know everyone in town. It was also right next to the landing pad which made it the closest target. The Ordo warrior did not raise his weapon as he entered, but had his hands on it to show he meant business. Heads turned and the shopkeeper seemed to go pale. Before the Mandalorians even approached he opened the register and began to offer it to them in exchange for his life.

"We are not here to rob you." He said, scoffing at the man for his fear but secretly enjoying it. "Tell me where this man is."

A photo of the target appeared on a datapad in front of the shopkeeper. It would be the scientist in question. An aging human officer of the Sith Empire who decided to retire here. This small village would know everyone. He would never believe the general store manager did not know where he lived. When the man looked back to Cuyan all he would see is his own reflection in the T-visor.

"Y-yes... two cottages... on the left... that way." He stuttered a bit, pointing to the road straight ahead.

"Thank you. Enjoy your day." Cuyan said, walking out without causing further ruckus. "Let's go."

@Critas

 

[Pierce Rathios]

Pierce had been tracking down traitors and defectors throughout his career as a Sith Acolyte and Imperial loyalist. It was his rightful duty. Even if those in question had chosen to depart for neutral space, the Imperial Republica knew no bounds. At least, the Sith didn’t. While the previous debacle in the Anoat Sector had hurt the Empire’s reputation in the Outer-Rim, it wasn’t like they were much welcomed either way. Likewise, the planet was sparse. The village more so. If there were witnesses to the inevitable execution of the targeted defector, it wouldn’t matter. They were too few and the Empire far too many.

Regardless, he adjusted his usual armor to fit more in line as a member of the Old Empire. Engravings, symbols and all, if only to pin the blame on the False Emperor should the clandestine attack take a turn for the worst. Pierce hated even the thought of the disguise. But there was nothing more he could to maintain absolute discretion. Then again, once he was out of the Republica, and therefore out of reach from his superiors, he could care less about discretion. He wanted to sail through the mission, return home, and see if his worth was proven.

It wasn’t until he spotted two heavily armored Mandalorians waltzing through the village that he realized the situation he got himself into, and the chance to make his mark. He checked his belongings, from his blaster to the one smoke and three frag grenades on his waist. The Force flowed through him and into his hands, each now holding his lightsabers. Stepping out of a small passage between two homes, he leaned against an airspeeder parked nearby. The pair of men two dozen meters down the dusty road would likely spot him immediately after. To which the Sith would only jerk his chin and call out. “Howdy.” A terrible introduction to the start of a terrible battle.

Of course, he was ready for an attack to be made, even one to interrupt his greeting, and held his blades close for quick activation.

@Cazar @Critas hi boys

 

[Cuyan Ordo]

Cuyan was hardly surprised to see someone with Sith markings stop them in the streets. They had been lucky so far not to run into loyalists so close to Sith space. All the Mandalorian could think was 'here we go again' as the man made himself known. It almost seemed crudely casual. This man seemed to present himself as an enemy yet he so confidently approached two Mandalorians on the hunt. The Ordo warrior did not like the way it smelled. It had to be someone confident, stupid, or with backup. It was always safe to assume the best and be surprised so Cuyan prepared for more to appear. His repeater took the short trip from pointing at the road to pointing at the Sith.

"Watch for Ambush." He muttered in Mando'a to his partner before speaking loudly in basic to the other man. "Howdy."

A terrible greeting in response to a terrible greeting. People began to back away from the streets and hide from the possible incoming fight. Windows slammed shut, doors locked, and dust blew down the now abandoned roads. It didn't take much as the people were already clearing out at the sight of Mandalorians. This was a showdown at a small town. Classic and simple, if the Sith wasn't hiding secret reinforcements somewhere. Cuyan saw nothing at first glance but would be keeping an eye open for any trickery. A Sith did not often fight honorably.

"Are you here to make a mistake, or just say hello?" Cuyan added after a moment if nothing else happened.

Cuyan hated waiting around and there was no point talking to this man. Either he'd run when the shots came or he'd fight. His repeater let loose three quick shots with a quick squeeze of the trigger. Automatic fire of light bolts sprung forward towards Pierce's feet. Nothing that would be fatal but enough to spark him into a fight perhaps. That or scare him off. If the Sith attacked before he finished speaking, he would not fire though. He would wait until he finished his question before pulling the trigger. Otherwise he would be on the defense. No use scaring the man into a fight if he attacks before the test.

@Critas @Deviant

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian turned from the shopkeeper and his shop, starting towards the indicated cottage. He was considering their target. This bounty was all about a man with information about the Sith Empire and Ships. That made the mission interesting to Dio but not necessarily crucial to the war effort. It did pay well and credits was something that Dio needed right now with starting a new business and trying to assist in funding the war effort.

As a Sith appeared in the street before them, Dio’s hands dropped to his Shriek-Hawk and brought it up to a high ready and he immediately started to circle to the side of the target, placing him in a crossfire should things go pear shaped. He was certainly not used to a Sith that wanted to talk so he too expected some sort of ruse. He had fought the Sith recently on Nar Shaddaa and that battle was still very fresh in his mind.

As he circled to the west of Cuyan, the east of the Sith, he kept both his eyes open to be able to see the area around them. If the Sith made a move, or ignited his sabers, three shots would ring out at the Sith from his flank. They would be aimed at his head, shoulder and waist respectively and then followed up by a shot from his wrist rocket at the Sith’s feet. He kept a good distance from the Sith, approximately 15 meters, as he circled. His posture was low as he continued to move, keeping the Sith from zeroing on him as a stationary target.

@Cazar
@Deviant (Hi! :) )

 

[Pierce Rathios]

Pierce instinctively pulled his shoulders back and crouched his head at the sight of the pulled repeater. They were a fair distance, enough for Pierce to handle whatever either man tried to throw at him, but he knew the odds were out of his favor. In the open air, he was at an extreme disadvantage. Any battle there would turn into a massacre. For him. The Sith Acolyte was in no mood to die such a death, so before anymore words were even spoken, before shots were fired, before the other Mandalorian started to walk toward Pierce’s flank, the man decided to escalate the situation tenfold.

The Force had already gathered into both hands. While they did hold his lightsabers, he had been leaning against the parked airspeeder. His opening attack was clear. But for the Mandalorians, they would fail to see what was going to happen until it already happened. Because not a moment too soon, Pierce sent the speeder straight toward the pair. Given the speeder was hovering and the Sith had prepared for the attack, it would not sap him of his complete strength. Still, it required one hell of a push. Regardless, the vehicle would fly towards the Mandalorians, unexpectedly turned onto its side, topside facing them.

Now that it played the role of his shield, both men would fail to find a clear shot. Or even a target in general. As Cuyan would not fire due to Pierce's interruption, he was of no concern. The other man was a different case. Still, his own attack came before the Mandalorian would get into position to fire. Even if he did, the makeshift shield and distraction would act as cover. Dust would likewise be kicked into the air as the vehicle’s side slid against the sandy road, disguising Pierce’s movement. Except, Pierce wouldn’t be hiding behind it. Rather, due to his close proximity to the alley he emerged from, he slipped right back into it, ultimately avoiding any shots or ensuing explosions. As the speeder and the dust blocked him from view, both Mandalorians would fail to see his escape.

Not that he was planning to escape, of course.

With his lightsabers, he pressed the edge of both hilts into the wall of the home closest to his enemies. Igniting it, he effortlessly cut an opening, well before the sliding vehicle would reach its supposed target. Holstering one blade and leaping into the safe confines of the home, Pierce realized he had entered a bathroom. A massive Gamorrean taking the biggest dump of its life squealed at the unexpected guest. A loud plunk in the water followed. Shuddering in disgust, the Sith did not hesitate to continue through the home and settle beside a tinted window. Dust and sand continued to wallow about as he peered over in search of the Mandalorians, and for another opportunity.

@Cazar @Critas

 

[Cuyan Ordo]

Well that was just typical. Cuyan had been waiting for some sort of attack when the speeder came flinging towards them. The paranoid Mandalorian quickly activated his jump boots in a leap over the incoming object and forwards closer to the Sith. This act quickly told him two things. One, the Sith was probably alone. Two, it was a feisty one. Clearing the attack was easy enough but the Sith had created some dust and seemed to duck away from the fight. That was fine.

"Where you running?" Cuyan taunted as he fired into the houses.

The repeater would unleash four shots into the closest house. A squeal would come from the pooping pig as he took one of the hits. The rest would be spread out through the house after flying through the open windows. These small village homes were little more than shacks so there was no glass much privacy. Breaking down the house with blaster fire wouldn't be accurate or efficient but it wouldn't let the Sith focus on a hidden attack.

@Critas @Deviant

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian frowned as the speeder started to move towards them, apparently a fight it was to be. Dio resigned himself to the fight and his mouth became a thin line, very well then. As the speeder started to move, Dio ignited his jet pack and rose into the air on a geyser of flame, rising above the speeder and any distraction or concern about a shield it may cause. He had fought Sith in the very recent past, so the tossing of objects was no surprise to him. He was fully aware of such tactics as it had cost a fellow Mandalorian his hand on Nar Shaddaa.

As he rose above the speeder, he caught sight of the Sith as he attempted to reenter the alley he had emerged from. A quick course correction allowed him to adjust his landing to the mouth of that alley. He turned the corner in the air just in time to interrupt the Sith as he started attempting to cut his way into the building. As the Sith was focused on that task, Dio fired with his wrist rocket at the Sith’s lower legs. The three-meter blast radius would ensure that the Sith was caught in the blast. As Dio was an experienced warrior, as the wrist rocket sped towards his target, he raised his rifle and squeezed off three shots. The three shots were aimed at the Sith’s right shoulder, left hip and torso. The spread of the shots would ensure that at least one or two would land in addition to the blast damage from the rocket.

Upon landing, Dio sought cover behind the edge of the alley mouth, eyes sighted on the Sith.

@Deviant
@Cazar

 

[Pierce Rathios]

Pierce had not underestimated his enemy, especially given the odds were stacked against him, but he was surprised by the quick response of one particular Mandalorian. One had managed to leap over the speeder but would fall short with a maximum ten meter jump, sparing the Sith from a flanking attack. Although that didn’t spare the unfortunate Gamorrean dumping half his weight into a toilet as it would be smacked with one of the four aimless shots fired into his home. Meanwhile, Pierce wouldn’t have to worry about being on the receiving end of those bolts either. Not as his actions were interrupted by the unexpected whirr of a jetpack, more than enough to alert the Acolyte of what was coming.

The second Mandalorian would arrive quickly. To see Pierce hugging the alley wall, he would have traveled two dozen meters and above the cloud of dust. To maintain a clear shot, he would have to stabilize himself, aim and manually fire the trigger on his wrist mid-air. Trying to do that while holstering, or still holding, his lanky rifle would take time. Not very long at all, but enough for Pierce to react. At hearing the Mandalorian’s advance, the Sith paused. His right ear twitched at the roar of the jetpack coming ever closer. Not even a blink after, they appeared, but Pierce was ready.

Using the time it would take for the Mandalorian to fire, the Sith mustered his strength together and extended with the Force. Naturally, he turned to a barrier. Invisible, imperceptible, and requiring little time or effort to create. The rocket fired soon after. Its inevitable collision into the wall directly in front of his opponent would backfire against him. A brilliant array of light and shrapnel would engulf his enemy, preventing him from anymore attacks.

Pierce didn’t know whether it was a wrist rocket or not. In the heat of the moment, he only knew how to act. Not that it mattered. He knew the Mandalorians. If it were a flamethrower, dart launcher or electric net, the Force barrier would block the physical attack. But fortune favored him that day. The Mandalorian had used a wrist rocket, one of the worst attacks to open with against a Force user. People whose singular gift allowed them to make stuff float or stop mid-air.

Soot and shrapnel may have also reached Pierce, but his lightsabers left inside the wall, and given the weak structure of the cottage, would allow him to push right in, evading the blow. Something mere brute strength could have done, but the Sith was a theatric at heart. Of course, as he would go through with the motions, his mind never left the first Mandalorian, Cuyan. Given he was still a dozen meters away wasting ammunition into a house, he would be unable to prevent the attack on his partner. Not after it had long already happened. Best he could see was a flash of light behind the cloud of dust and hear the following boom.

Whether it was the explosion or the roaring, shitting Gamorrean— they may never know.

@Cazar @Critas

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian recoiled as the wrist rocket hit an invisible shield in front of him. The resulting explosion was bright, and the concussion caused him the fly backwards several yards and flip. He could feel the heat of the explosion on his armor and the sting of multiple burns as the flames hit the seams of his armor. Several of those seams became larger as some shrapnel pieces sliced into his flesh, cutting deeply. Falling to the ground he was able to just arrest his fall to have it knock the air out of him. He growled as his own mistake and shook his head to clear it. It was a lesson learned for the Mandalorian and he would remember it.

Dio stood and moved to the side of the alley and into cover. He was certain that his left hand was in seriously bad shape and would be little good the rest of the fight. He took quick stock of his injuries as he watched the alley for any sign of the Sith. Multiple burns of varying degrees, lacerations all over his body leaked blood slowly between the armor plates of his heavy beskar’gam. He was in a bad way and he knew it.

As he scanned the alley, he noted that the Sith had burst into the building. Looking at the building, Dio tried to gauge the distance from the front to back. He raised his rifle and watched Cuyan’s back, trying to make sure the Sith was unable to ambush him. The wall of the building acted as a handy base to level his rifle on and lean on at the same time.

@Cazar
@Deviant

 

[Cuyan Ordo]

By the time the Sith had made it inside fully, the dust would be mostly settled. Cuyan decided the repeater was becoming too annoying so he slid it back behind him on the strap. Instead he opted for a pair of frag grenades on his belt. Now that both of his hands were free and it was obvious the Sith wanted to play games, he could play some games too. A frag in each hand were activated at the same moment by his thumbs. Cuyan paused for only a second before tossing one through the window of the shack where it would land not too far from the bathroom, close enough to bring the pain. The second one he tossed directly afterwards into the alleyway where he last saw the Sith. It would bounce off the wall of the other shack before resting next to the cut hole in the wall and exploding there.

All in all that Bathroom would become a bad place to be. Well, a worse place to be. The Gamorrean was not exactly one to shut the door to his own bathroom in his own house. A man had rights. While the sith could potentially see the grenades coming, it would be with very little time to spare before the explosions. They'd also be opposite directions from each other so he wouldn't be able to focus on both.


@Critas @Deviant

 

[Pierce Rathios]

Pierce was tired. Everything was a blur. He half-expected taking on the Mandalorians would nothing more than a cake walk. He was dead wrong. The Sith Acolyte never underestimated his opponents, but he did overestimate his own ability to keep up. Facing them alone had been a fool’s move, even if considered brave by Imperial standards. Not that it mattered. He would receive no prized medal, no honored burial, claim newfound prestige. Because in the bathroom, rank with the smell of shit, Pierce would hear two metal balls click against the walls on both sides of him. Immediately, he knew what it was.

With the grenades out of his line of sight, with so little time in his hands, the Sith could only do one thing: brace for impact. Although he dived deep into the bathroom and he was protected by a thick wall on one side and the remnants of the outer wall on the other, Pierce didn’t have a chance at emerging from the firefight alive. He was surrounded, cornered, exhausted. He was doomed the second he decided to step into the street. Still, at least he had managed to come close to killing one of them. Even if they received nothing more than a few new scars.

The explosion ripped through the walls. Shrapnel sailed into the air. While the Sith was in regular armor and could easily tank the hits, he recognized how futile continued resistance would be. Sure, he could try and mount an escape, but where to? Pierce had nowhere to go. So, his body was laid out but he raised his arms to shield his face. One part of the wall collapsed right on top of him due to the force of the first grenade. Shards of metal pierced into the seams of his armor from the other. Meanwhile, the Gamorrean was toast, shredded in an instant, all because of an inconvenient shit.

When it was all over, Pierce looked down to his figure. A wide piece of shrapnel was protruding out of his torso. Blood trickled out of the deep cut. Lightsabers back on his waist, he used both hands to pull the shard out of his stomach. More blood gushed out. He ignored the pain, utterly numb to it. As he stood up, he wandered through the haze and stumbled toward the main exit of the shack. The door swung open. The Sith staggered out, a trail of red behind him. He mindlessly drifted forward and hardly registered his enemies ahead of him.

His eyes wandered to the sky. White clouds, a brilliant sunset, a dozen shades of gold canvassed the horizon. He sighed. For some reason, almost relieved. However, that relief turned sour as he recognized the Mandalorian who had ended up being the death of him. The Sith scoffed, and with his one functioning hand, he gave the man the middle finger. Then, blood spilled from his lips and he collapsed into the street. A few moments later, he died, spiteful to the end.

@Cazar @Critas

 

[Cuyan Ordo]

Cuyan was close enough to feel the edge of the heat from the building being blown out. It was enjoyable to cause such destruction and possible catch a Sith with it. He had not been expecting the enemy to appear through the door. At first the Mandalorian drew his pistols to prepare for battle but the man seemed... broken. A stumble to the ground and a nice gesture before a bloody death was art. The smell that followed from the shredded Gamorrean was not as great. Cuyan gagged violently when it hit before reaching down to grab the dead enemy's lightsabers.

"Ok let's get out of this stinky poodoo hole." He said through gags as he walked closer to Dio, holding out one lightsaber towards the man. "Want one?"

Moving towards Dio had another goal beyond escaping the stench. The shack in question would be there. Everyone had locked themselves up and no one suspected themselves as the target. He had been kind enough to lock himself in a shack for them. Cuyan counted houses before spotting the one that their man apparently lived inside of according to the man at the store. The Mandalorian warrior was tired of playing nice so he tossed a concussion grenade inside and kicked open the door after it popped.

"You're coming with us!" Cuyan growled as he dragged the stunned man out of his shack. "Let's go."

//end

@Critas @Deviant