Ask Corporate Warfare: Phase Four.

[Dax Ryder]

Service to the Empire was a childhood dream for Dax. He could still remember the parade held for the Sith troops as Raxsus celebrated joining the Empire. However the reality of being a trooper in the Empire was a times, harsh. Namely the pay scale. He wasn't going to starve, but he also couldn't save up to buy his first home, or even a new speeder bike.

So it was with those new dreams in mind that the IAF officer took a side job. Best part was, he didn't know the client and the client didn't know him. What Dax did know is that he was supposed to meet another contractor and they were going to put the hurt on Czerka corps profits. As well as kill some slavers. The goal didn't both him in the least, and from what he could tell it didn't conflict with the Empire's goals in the region. Win win.

However, the Raxsus native also did not wish to shine a light on the fact that he was a Imperial trooper. So, rather than use his normal kit. Dax opted to use a bog standard set of bounty hunting gear. Also opting to leave his rifle, but kept his pistols and other assorted gear. Adding a computer spike, with a very dangerous data-plague.

This kind of work was the bread and butter of Dax's special forces groups. It was the kind of work he enjoyed, if it all went as planned. And as soon as his partner arrived at the meeting point. Dax would go over that plan.

@Charles

 

[Alfie Shepherd]

Slavers were the worst, most heartless, and indecent beings on the galaxy. Alfie had no problem taking them down- especially if he was to get paid for it. Between Czerka and literally most other weapons manufacturers, the young Veteran preferred the latter. They were a very mediocre company that didn't deserve to make money any more. Slavery was outdated, in Alfie's mind, but he didn't dare share that with his Hutt business partner.

He arrived with his blast-vest and all his weaponry, including a satchel that held an array of explosives. There was practically nothing he could find on about his partner- their employers were very discrete. Upon arriving, Alfie gazed at the man and his equipment, studying him and his posture. Dax wasn't overconfident- good -but he looked about as boring as your typical bounty hunter could get. Though, Alfie appreciated the way Dax kept his belongings clean and in good shape.

"Alfred Shepherd," Alfie introduced himself with his blank stare and monotone baritone. "You look eager to say something. Go ahead." Dax probably had a plan by the looks of it- which meant he had experience in operations like these. So did Alfie, once upon a time, but after the Empire abandoned him, his tactics became a little more criminal.

@Taz

 

[Dax Ryder]

Dax leaning on a "loaner" bike, and watching the alleyways for when this partner would approach. As it happened the stranger arrived right on time. The military man in him appreciated that, it showed a level of professionalism he truthfully didn't expect from another merc.

The IAF Lieutenant still didn't completely trust the man tho. So Alfie would easily notice the other man's hand go to his utility belt. Not to his weapon, yet. But close enough to clearly shave a half second off his draw. It wasn't fear, or restlessness though. No, This was just one merc sizing up another.

"Vector" Dax replied. Not giving his real name. It had as much to do with personal security as it did with potential future side jobs. Inspired by the names of heavy hitters like The Basilisk. The introductions were short however, as Alfie seemed to want to get right to business, yet another quality Dax could respect.

"According to our employer, there's a central warehouse for the Capital city landing platforms. It currently houses a container of new HK droids. First of the new production line, and payment for a shipment of slaves recently given to Czerka. You and I are going to get inside, reprogram those droids, and set them free on the populous. Then walk away. The chaos to follow should have the desired effect the client is looking for."

@Charles

 

[Alfie Shepherd]

"Good." Alfie's unreactive expression made it hard to figure out if he was impressed or not, or if he was just tired. However, the Scoundrel noticed 'Vector' subtly place his hand on his belt. Alfred didn't like that, but he understood the gesture. However, upon further examining the holstered pistols, Alfie noticed the familiar design that Alfie himself once used.

Imperials were working as Bounty Hunters now? Was their economy in such a serious decline or were they infringing on the Syndicates territory from within? Now the Scoundrel wondered if Vector knew anything of Alfie and his platoon that was left behind on Denon. Was that why he wanted to work with Alfie? To get rid of a lose end? How insulting- the young Veteran was far more than your average deserter, and if the Empire cared about him or his dead bomb-squad, they would've pulled them out sooner.

"Those are an officer's piece, aren't they?" Alfie questioned, though it was apparent he wasn't guessing. "Now, either you hate the Empire as much as the next person..." Then, Alfred reached into his satchel, slowly, to pick something up while holding eye contact with his new 'partner'. "...You have a very good smuggling connection... Or, you don't make enough on your own." Alfie pulled out two cigars, carefully as not to draw any unwarranted reactions, and offered one to Vector. The offer was meant to be friendly, and whether Vector wanted to open up or not was fine. It didn't mean Alfie could trust him either way.

@Taz

 

[Dax Ryder]

Things were getting off to a rocky start for the would-be partnership. Alfie had all the features and charisma of a freshly activated protocol droid. In fact Dax thought the droid might have more. The soldier also noticed that the other man couldn't stop staring at his hardware. Suddenly, and without surprise. He questioned it.

"This?" Vector questioned, pointed his finger down at the hilt of the pistol. Suddenly quick drawing the weapon out of it's hostler but not pointing it directly at Alfie. "Yeah it's a DA-34, standard issue for the Sith since Ren...whatever her name, was in power. What that, nearly twenty years. Even heard that Covax dude carried one when he took on Zaa Fenn." Placing the gun back in it's holster. "It's a great gun, but not exactly exclusive to the Empire anymore, neither is the Republic's or the Free World or even the Jedi for that matter. For the right price, I could get my hands on a New Republic capital ship right now.

It wasn't just miss information. It was the truth. Much as he hated to admit it, years of conflict had fractured every major super power in the galaxy. It had also cast their tech across the void. It likely was not a total lie that he could get a capital ship from the right broker and with the right about of credits.

"As for the MK 3, well shit. That's just BlasTech's version of the Blurrg. Just a bog standard burner, nothing special." The gun did look sexy for a clone piece, which was part of why Dax liked it. "Speaking of BlasTech, where in the verse did you find that old hand cannon on your hip?" The Disguised solder now changing the subject to the other merc's hardware. A blaster not commonly seen since the dawn of the era.

@Charles

 

[Alfie Shepherd]

That was quite the hefty explanation for 'just another gun'. With an arched eyebrow followed by a skeptical nod, Alfred decided not to press more about the weapon. Vector was smart, trying to change the subject to Alfie's own weapon. Curiosity only began to spark more and more about this fellow. The quick draw- another show of force meant to intimidate -Vector was practically parading around the idea that he didn't want to talk about it. When bugs panic under pressure, they scurry and scuttle.

"Found it," Alfie was still offering a cigar, but since it was obvious the Merc wasn't interested, Alfie put one back in it's pocket and lit one for himself. "The F-11D, however, was given to me." He gestured to the rifle slung over his shoulder while blew a smoke ring. "I have explosives to give to the droids to make them more troublesome." With a pat on his satchel, Alfie changed the subject back to the plan. "Though, your dataplague will probably do more than enough. I just like...the flare." Even with the added emphasis, Alfie still looked and sounded dull and bored out of his mind.

"If you are just another bounty hunter, I may have something to offer you later." Alfred was starting a gang, but he didn't need the ISB on his ass. "You look and sound capable, but looks aren't everything, aren't they?" Skelgok would kill him if the Empire didn't do it first. If Vector was really just another man in the galaxy trying to make his way through the chaos, Alfie could use a good slicer. However, if Vector proved Alfie's hunch about Imperial loyalty, then he'd have to keep careful about anything else he revealed. But was the saying again?

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

@Taz

 

[Eli Reed]

Reed arrived ahead of the other two "contractors" and waited. Buying his time. Like the others he got the link on the dark-holo for a contract to some damage to Czerka relations. Fresh off the New Republic un-employment line, Reed could use the coin. Far more than the IAF trooper trying really hard not to seem like an IAF trooper.

"Poor SOB." Whispering under his breath.

Done with hearing the small talk about who was packing the bigger....pistol. Reed pulled his average but effective DC-17. Double tapping the Imp with a stun shots before he knew what hit him. Holstering his weapon the former republic trooper emerged from his perch in the shadows.

"Al right, wonderful. You can call me Reed." The newly arrived merc said as he continued to march to the warehouse. Not even giving the men another look. "Don't worry about him. We'll get him on the way out. Oh hey bring one of those explosive charges. I forgot to pack."

OOC: Going full merc. Imp boi not getting much traction.

@Charles

 

[Alfie Shepherd]

Alfred liked the new arrival far better than Vector. Straight to the point with sensibility was what Alfie was looking for. So, following the Merc with his satchel of explosives seemed like the next best thing. Reed was this man's name, but he seemed to handle himself with far more confidence than Vector had.

"Here," Alfie tossed Reed a breach charge. "Watching your six." Alfie slung his rifle into his hand and kept an eye over his shoulder. Czerka was not a great company, but it wasn't one you wanted to mess with either. "Make it quick, I'm no slicer and those alarms aren't archaic." Though the Mercenary probably didn't need reminding, pride still proved to be the downfall of many.

The plan was to give the droids each a few explosives to further sow chaos, but at this point, getting in and getting out seemed to be just as a good a plan as well.

@Taz

 

[Eli Reed]

To Reed's slight surprise, Alfie didn't even blink. Dude really was like a statue. In fact, he did as asked and tossed the explosive to the former trooper. Which Reed caught with little effort and quickly planet on the main door of the building. That's when it all went sideways.

As the two mercenaries had no way of knowing the the other two missions had failed, in a manner that looked like a squad of B1 battle droids had been given the job. They also had no idea that Czerka had been on alert and an ambush was set. Soon as Reed put the charge on the door spot lights flashed to life and CS security droids filed out of the shadows.

"Shit!" was all read could say. Quickly pulling his blaster, flicking the switch to lethal. Reed double tapped a droid from the hip before taking aim and hitting it in the face. Quickly shifting targets and dumping half a mag into the one next to the first. Then ran for the gap he'd just made.

"Run, blow the charge." was all then dashed for the alleyway.

@Charles

 

[Alfie Shepherd]

When the droids popped out of nowhere, Alfie didn't wait to follow in tow with Reed. Were they expecting them? How did they know what was coming? This changed everything- and Alfred's mind already began thinking up new plans to force into place. After taking the head off of one of the security droids, Alfie pressed on the demolition switch, setting the breach charge off. Perhaps the explosives he brought with him could be utilized for the success of the mission rather than the aftermath.

When Alfie made it to the alleyway, he pulled two thermal detonators from the satchel, armed them, and then tossed them at the oncoming droids. Now it was simply time to get in and get out. If push came to shove, the Czerka droids could be destroyed if the dataplague couldn't be uploaded.

"Smoke grenade," Alfie tossed one to Reed. "Remember where the breach hole is and toss it." The thermal detonators went off in the distance, obliterating a few more of the droids to even out the odds. "Run like hell. Stealth is no longer an option so don't fucking slow down." The soldier in Alfie was showing a bit now. After pulling up a simple mask over his mouth and nose, he gave a curt nod to Reed signaling that the Scoundrel was ready when he was.

@Taz