Ask Chippin’ In

[Marissa Hesse]

​

Denon was not a planet Marissa ever had intentions of travelling to. These days anywhere in FWA space was like moving through enemy territory, and there was enough on Eriadu and the Syndicates worlds to keep her occupied. But, today Denon promised something she couldn’t find anywhere else.

The planet itself, Marissa couldn’t get a read on it. An ecumenopolis along the Corellian Run and the Hydian Way, it was of course overcrowded, full to bursting, both with big business, people, and poverty in equal measure. How one even came to terms with scale in places like this was a question that she still wondered about, where while sub-cultures could live and die in what amounted to little more than a side street amongst the rest. She did not envy anyone assigned to catalogue a world like it. Marissa, however, was not here for anything of the sort anyhow.

Two months ago some news had made it off planet that had peaked her interest. Linetech, the planets largest trading corporation, had seen its security suddenly compromised, a feat not easily accomplished. A month later, it happened again. Then a week later, and then within two days the system had dropped once more. Marissa knew a slicers work when she saw it, even if she couldn’t do it herself. And between dataplagues, Mothraki robotics, and their imminent collision course with Gori Xaa Hafven, Cymorrah boss and legendary slicer, she had quickly seen the value in acquiring their own slicing prodigy. Here on Denon, following the stories, the rumours, stretching fingers out into the ether, she’d finally managed to make contact with one. ‘Scratch’ they went by, that was all she had. A name, and an address. That, and the gruffest looking wookie she had seen in her life who was, thankfully, a promising candidate to the family.

By all accounts, if things went according to plan then today’s trip wouldn’t be much of a test. Keep your head down long enough for Marissa to cut a deal, and look intimidating if needed in the interim. She had no doubt Konn could handle work like that.

The address however had taken them dozens of levels below Denons glittering towers, where the sun scarcely broke through even at its highest peak. Every body around here looked malnourished and mistreated, pale skin and scarred hides, the street itself little better too. It was at the end of the alley, beneath broken metal sheeting and crumbling neon, that the doorway to their deal was located,

“Assuming they weren’t fooling us, that’s the place, home of our whizzkid slicer” Marissa gazed at the small door at the end of the street, eyes darting about for any sign of trouble. She’d had run-ins with the FWA before and wasn’t exactly keen on a repeat performance, ever since she’d arrived planetside she’d had her head on a swivel,

“I don’t like it” she looked up at Konn as she wrapped her heavy weather coat around her as flecks of rain drizzled over their heads, one hand checking the holdout blaster beneath it.

@Faust Rex

 

[Konn]

Konn

Konn followed the human closely through the streets of Denon. His bowcaster was slung across his broad shoulders. Konn was a towering Wookiee even for a Wookiee. Standing at 9 feet, he was taller than everybody they walked by. Marissa had given him the rundown on their way there. A promising slicer was on the planet. A hacker. The Wookiee didn’t know much about that sort of thing, although he did know how to work some technology. He had created his bowcaster after all. The Wookiee was also hoping to create his own mini translator, or buy one. A lot of people didn’t understand his native Shryiiwook and its not like the Wookiee could ever speak basic. Although, he could understand it pretty well.

There wasn’t much trouble as they travelled through the planet even in the rough area they were now in. Probably owing to the immense size of the Wookiee. The only trouble he’d ever got was from another Wookiee or a Trandoshan who wanted to test their strength against Konn. Even then, the trouble was sparse. This was place was dark. Reminding Konn of the lower depths of Kashyyyk. He looked over his shoulder for any trouble, he’d noticed how on edge Marissa had been since they arrived. Konn nodded in agreement at the human. She was tall for one, but Konn still stood almost 3 feet taller than her.

“We could be getting set up” The Wookie growled lowly. He raised his fist and banged on the door at his lightest. If need be, he could kick the thing in. Taking his bowcaster off his shoulder, he readied his weapon. Scanning the area for any Free World Alliance police or the like. “Shall I kick the door in?” Growling and purring whilst he looked down at Marisssa. The Wookiee was more than confident in his ability to beat the door in front of them in.

@Nightfall ​

 

[Marissa Hesse]

As Konn mentioned about it being a setup, Marissa stood stock still at the door, scanning the building for anything out of the ordinary. It was true, there was certainly a leap of faith in their behalf, but she felt confident when they’d made contact.

Still, if there was anything to that then perhaps breaking down the door would be premature,

“Well if it is a trap, then perhaps we spring it with a bit more subtlety” she looked up at her wookie companion. Even if something was waiting for them on the other side other than Scratch, Konn’s physical presence would be more than enough to at least stymie any enemies morale.

She pushed the door lightly at first, but the metal sheeting caught and she laid her shoulder in, lifting it to try and limit the noise as she opened it. The room she opened on to was a darkened mess, lit only by the glowing of screens and the scattering of light that came in through the gaps in the roof. Behind a plastic sheet was a slicers station, where presumably Scratch still sat, hooked up to the holonet,

“Scratch?” She called out cautiously.

@Faust Rex

 

[Konn]

Konn

Konn nodded in agreement with Miss Hesse. Subtlety was probably the best way to go for this. Although not the most subtle being out there, he could do it if need be. The Wookiee looked around for any would be attackers. Taking in the air. It was old, foisty. Nothing like the clear air of Kashyyyk which he yearned for. There were several people nearby. He put his nose against the gap in the door. There seemed to be more than one person in there. Looking down at Marissa, the Wookiee gave a shake of the head. Indicating for her not go in first, or alone. He listened for any voices, any whispers for inside. Hearing a few shuffles and movements. Sounded like someone was getting ready to jump them. At least several people or so were in there. Konn pressed his bowcaster against the door, slowly opening it further with it. He heard a few more whispers, they were coming from two different sides. Four different voices. Looking back at Marissa he held his fist up indicating for her to sit still. He didn’t want his employer to be killed on his first job with her. Crouched down and low, well, as low as the Wookiee could get he entered the building.

There was a corner, two men were definitely behind it. There was also a box in the room, he could spot the foot of someone behind it. A man rose from behind the box, a blaster pistol in hand, expecting a person to be there Konn already had his sights on the poor man. As soon as he rose, Konn fired off a blaster shot hitting the man square in the head. Another man ran out from behind the box, expecting a human the man dropped his knife as soon as he saw the Wookiee. Konn rose to his full height as the man backed off. Two other men came out from the corner with blaster pistols. Fully expecting this, Konn fired off a hail of blaster bolts. Hitting the two men in the chest, they both dropped with a thud. Konn looked down at the man who had, had the knife.

“Oh jeez, please, please don’t kill me, come on”. The man pleaded, his arms raised high to protect himself, as if that would help in any way, shape or form. Konn grabbed the man by the arm and flung him towards the door with ease. He landed with a thud and a whimper, scuttling towards the wall.
“Miss Hesse, you can come in now. Someone here to talk to you”. Konn hadn’t had a proper look around the place. Approaching the slicer’s station, he ripped off the plastic covering it. “The Slicer, she ain’t here. I bet that guy knows though. He doesn’t understand Shryiiwook. Tell him about me, make something up. Like a cool nickname. Konn...the killer”. The Wookiee spoke, more or less talking to himself at this point as he turned around. Giving the man at the doorway a fierce look, bearing his teeth.

“Wh-what’s the Wookiee saying? Please, don’t tear my arms off, p-please”. Konn shook his head as he approached the man, grabbing him and pulling his up. He restrained him to make sure he couldn’t get away or take a swipe at Marissa. The man couldn’t do much. Konn was much larger and much much stronger than him.

@Nightfall

​

 

[Marissa Hesse]

Marissa didn't hesitate to take the advice of her security, so as Konn held up his fist and went inside she merely waited outside, though keeping her blaster at the ready for anything going wrong. A sudden burst of blaster fire and pained shouts erupted within. Their hunch had been correct. And on Konn's signal she wandered in with speed, running to the back of the room and looking the plastic sheet to the slicing setup Konn had revealed. But, as Konn mentioned, she was long gone. They had to find where they'd taken her quick, had it only been a short time? Marissa stormed over to the scrambling figure on the floor. She looked over him, dark clothes and standardised equipment. It wasn't hard to guess he was Denon Security,

"He's asking me if it was time to tear your tongue out or not. He's been known to do that" the look of fear only grew on the mans face, but before he could say anything else, Marissa continued,

"He's got a reputation for doing things like that when people don't tell us what we need. Where's the slicer?" she hadn't come up with a dramatic nickname just yet, she was having trouble finding something that rhymed with Konn. But if the day was about ot go the way she expected, then there'd be plenty of chances yet for one,

"They're out there!" he pointed to the rear of the shack "taking her to the fifth precinct" Marissa looked up, the sound of revving engines flared up out back.

"Looks like you can keep your tongue after all" With a last hit she smashed the officers radio so he couldn't call in backup, before waving Konn out the back and darting alongside to watch as a D-Sec transport vehicle skidded and sped off, presumably with their slicer inside it,

"We need to go!"

@Faust Rex

 

[Konn]

Konn

Konn tightened his grip around the man as Marissa made her threats, she smashed his radio and ran to the back door as Konn picked the man up and tossed him into a wall, presumably knocking him out. Marissa was urgent. They needed to catch them quick. Konn ran out of the back door with Marissa spotting the transport speeding away. Looking around, Konn saw a four seated speeder vehicle with a man waiting in it. Running over Konn pointed his bowcaster at him.

“We need this more than you do”.

The Wookiee growled as the man hopped out of the speeder and the two of them getting in. Konn knew he had to get close to the gang’s transport for him to fire his bowcaster at them. The bowcaster didn’t have very good range. Maybe the Wookiee could jump onto the transport and grab the slicer out, they’d have to think quick. His claws would be able to grip onto the metal of the transport if he had to try and jump onto it. Or if the gang got to their destination then Konn would have to do a whole load of killing to get this slicer for Marissa.

“Take the wheel, I’ll fire at anyone who fires at us.”

The Wookiee was determined to get the slicer for Marissa, this job might get Konn into the family. Maybe he could bodyguard for Marissa more in the future or anyone else that might need protecting within the family.

@Nightfall

​

 

[Marissa Hesse]

“On it!” She said with faux confidence.

Now, Marissa had been in a high speed chase before. And to say that it hadn’t exactly been her strong suit would have been more than fair. And yet she knew the necessity of taking the wheel right now and speeding off after the transport before it could lock away their slicer for good. So, throwing herself behind the wheel and stepping on the gas, she sped off after it.

And prayed she’d be little smoother than last time.

The transport skidded as it sped around Denon’s tight street corners, slamming into posts and scratching its metal as civilians dived out of its way to avoid being hit. If nothing else, it meant there was a clear line behind them that Marissa could follow, riding their wake of destruction to try and close the gap. She didn’t know the geography though, and every corner was a new sight to her, which kept them uncomfortably even. Though from what she could tell they were trying to escape the cramped streets for the highway above that would move them across the city to wherever they meant to keep ‘Scratch’,

“We’ve got to slow them down! I don’t know if we’ll catch them in time otherwise” she called over the revving of engines and the shouts of passers by, all the while everything was bathed in the half-light of neon signs and the waning day. Slippery roads from the eternal drizzle of rain hardly made it easier, but as the road widened she stepped on the accelerator and pushed up along the transports left hand side, hopefully to give Konn a clear shot. She could do little more than keep her eyes on the road, and keep them steady.

@Faust Rex

 

[Konn]

Konn

Konn and Marissa blasted down the street after the truck. The transport with the slicer in was making a mess of the street. Further ahead for most of the chase Konn couldn’t get a shot on it. Grumbling in frustration as he fired off pot shots at the thing. Missing it every time. Reloading his bowcaster they got closer and closer to the transport until they were right up beside it.

Konn aimed his bowcaster inside the van as the man in the passenger seat attempted to pull out his own blaster. Firing twice he killed the man. But there was no clear shot to get the driver. Looking back at Marissa then at the van, he knew he’d have to get that van to stop somehow. Konn threw his bowcaster in the back of their own transport before leaping across onto the gangster’s transport. Claws out he dug them into the transport as he clung to the side. Gripping the door he ripped it off, flinging it onto the road behind them, making another car spin out of control from dodging it. Konn then grabbed the dead passenger and threw him onto the road before peaking inside. The driver had a blaster out and attempted to fire at Konn who swung himself entirely back outside of the van,. Thinking about his options, Marissa was still close. Konn leapt back over and landed into the back of the car they had stole. Grabbing his bowcaster he blasted the driver out of existence. The gangster’s transport spun out of control and crashed into the hard shoulder of the road. The van’s back doors opened and a couple of men stumbled out, obviously slightly injured from the crash. Car’s around stopped upon seeing the crash.

@Nightfall

​

 

[Marissa Hesse]

Marissa damn near swerved to be sure she was clear when Konn ripped off the transports door, tossing it back behind them. A screech of tires and the crash of metal on the street, those noises pierced her ears as she tried to keep pace alongside.

Things weren’t that easy either when Konn leapt back into the speeder. The wookie was built like a fridge and his body thrown into the speeder meant Marissa had to hold it tight to make sure they didn’t flip. But, Konn’s gambit had paid off, and as the driver dissipated and the truck began to spin out she breathed a sigh of relief, but only for a moment,

“Our slicer!” She cried out. ‘Scratch’, the whole reason for this trip, would be caught in the crash if they were in the vehicle. And that wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience. As the doors flung open with Marissa slamming on the handbrake and coming to a stop, she stepped out of the drivers seat and quickly finished them off with a pair of blaster bolts as they stumbled toward her,

“Scratch?” She called into the vehicle, looking back momentarily to the wookie “if she’s dead it’s coming out of your credits” she shot at him with dagger eyes.

The inside of the transport was a wreck, dust, smoke, metal collapsed in on itself. Hardly a place any body would want to be caught inside. But thrown against the side wall was the heavily augmented body of a woman, a scattering of wires and coolant around her augmetic arm,

“You’re that Zaa Fenn schuuta aintcha?” She said, dripping with sarcasm “Well, hurry it up, I’m heating up over here in a state like this. And, I ain’t payin’ for my own repairs” a final point of clarification before Marissa helped haul her up and out toward their hijacked speeder,

“Alright, side roads, we need to get back”

“And try to find a doc on the way would ya?”

At least she was in good spirits.

@Faust Rex

 

[Konn]

Konn

Konn wasn’t much of a thinker, more of a violent doer and so had completely forgot about the slicer in the back. It didn’t help that the Wookiee had a large disregard for most life. Hopping out of the car he watched as Marissa finished off the two guards and approached the wreckage. Although he wasn’t completely bothered about the loss of credits. The Wookiee was more in the criminal game for the excessive violence he could perpetrate rather than the money. Then Peering off into the distance to see if any authorities were coming and at the first wreckage he’d cause. Smoking rising to the air from the distance. There was a few people who had stopped to watch and gawk at the destruction the Wookiee had caused. Looking back towards Marissa, luck would be in Scratch’s favour as the slicer come out of the van alive. Konn strode over and helped Marissa bring the slicer over to the car.

“Sorry about the crash...it had to stop one way or another”

The Wookiee said as they got back in. Hopefully they would get away before any cops or rangers showed up. Although, the Wookiee wouldn’t mind killing some more people. Hopefully Konn’s recklessness hadn’t impacted Marissa’s opinion of him. Although the Wookiee thought he had done pretty good on the job. Killing almost everybody who had come their way. Which he was rather good at.

@Nightfall

​

 

[Marissa Hesse]

“We did... we did need it stopped” Marissa replied, a heavy sigh punctuating her remarks “and you did just that. Forgive my frustration before, business mind over all else” she admitted. Marissa had plans for the slicer, and she wasn’t about to have lost them before even bringing them aboard. Her anger let out, and it was something she meant to save, save for if they truly disappointed her. For now it was better to stay polite, earn a little loyalty. Perhaps he’d get the real thing one day, though she tended to reserve that for very few.

With Scratch strapped in, Marissa jumped into the drivers seat and began to take off, planning to take a back way around to their offworld transport. If Scratch wanted them to find a doc for her before then though, she needed to know where to look. And what self respecting street doc would take in a trio so obviously still in the heat. They needed to get out of the eye first, and preferably try to make sure there weren’t any to begin with,

“I can try and find you a doctor, but if you have a way to make sure no ones able to recognise us after that little chase to break you out, that would be greatly appreciated” it was hopefully clear what she was hinting at, and Scratch seemed to pick what she was putting down,

“If the docs got an access point, and most do, i can kill any cameras that might have caught us. Little zip, zap and it’ll do the trick” she replied casually, patching herself up as best she could,

“D-Sec finally caught up with you?”

“Sure did, though I hadn’t exactly been cautious lately. Sorry you two weren’t earlier, could have saved a lot of trouble, and a lot of creds”

“Well, we’ll have you off here soon enough. Keep an eye out for any others following along while a find us a doc” she directed the last to Konn as she drove cautiously around Denon’s streets.

@Faust Rex

 

[Konn]

Konn

Konn bowed his head at her apology and accepted it. Knowing what it was like to lose their temper at someone. Konn had done it a thousand times before, usually more violently though. However, he had kept his anger under control, mainly because this was his employer and he wanted to make a good name for himself. But usually if someone snapped at him he'd turn to violence. Konn got into the transport but never strapped himself in. If they were attacked he needed to be able to lean out of the vehicle and fire properly, he also wanted to easily look behind him for any trouble. As Marissa begun to drive, Konn listened to the two converse. He didn't have much to say, he was usually just employed because of his brawn.

Konn kept a watchful eye on the road. Nothing had seemed to come out at them yet, at least for now. Wanting to be prepared, Konn reloaded the cartridge in his bowcaster, his previous one had been spent. Then as he looked back up and behind he saw a vehicle following them. Growling slightly he narrowed his eyes. They looked similar to the gang members they had came across earlier.

Konn kept an eye on the vehicle behind them, they looked suspicious. Awfully so. Readying his blaster he narrowed his eyes at the driver, he could shoot him out with ease before they could even react. Then they'd crash and they would lose them. Taking a deep breathe in, Konn quickly turned himself around and leaned out the side of their vehicle. Raising his bowcaster up he took aim and fired several shots off at the driver as the passenger fired one back hitting the roof by Konn. All of Konn's shots hit the driver and the vehicle spun out of control as his face dropped down into the wheel. Clambering back into the speeder, Konn reloaded his bowcaster again and grunted.

@Nightfall

​