Open Tatooine [Intro] Drownin' Yer Sorrows

Karath

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Karath Nikolas
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A brown-furred Selonian with a green blast vest and a grey jacket sat at the bar of a dingy old cantina, draining another pint of pale local beer that carried with it the odd aftertaste that synthesized booze often had. It did the trick well enough. How many had it been now? Four? That sounded about right. He was a bit of a lightweight, couldn't handle it quite like the humans. Ah, whatever. Four more days, the repair guy had said until his ship could fly again. Just a couple blaster pockmarks, a bounty hunter that had wanted him gone, but apparently not dead. After repairs and fuel that left him just enough credits to get hammered at the Mos Eisly Cantina and then get off this miserable sandy hell of a planet, off to whatever the next doomed, miserable misadventure would be.

"At least misadventures... are sometimes interesting," he said under his breath in basic, not really aware he was saying the words out loud. He dug into his jacket pocket and produced a couple more of the local coins, setting them down on the counter with a webbed, clawed hand.

"I'll have another pale," he said. The droid behind the counter grabbed a glass from beneath the counter with one of its six arms, shooting the off-clear beverage into it from another arm, connected to a tall tank of foamy beer by a clear tube.

"Can't even talk to the bartender around here," he grumbled, resuming his quest to find the true meaning of inebriation, a quest he embarked upon frequently.

Too much waiting in this line of work.
 

Bak-Ru Shooska

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Bak-Ru was on Tatooine for official business. Typical errand boy shit the Lieutenants sent new recruits like himself to do, but the young Weequay was eager to get any experience he could under his belt. If that meant hopping off world to deliver some information, so be it. When his department had busted a transport of illegal narcotics the ship's manifest linked its way back to Tatooine. A simple Holonet could have done the trick, but the risk of interception proved to be too risky. So, here he was on the infamous planet for the first time in his life. There was a few hours left until he was due for a meeting at the local Ranger's office and desert planets called for hydration.

With a swoosh and the whirl of mechanical pieces the doors to the Cantina would open. Bak-Ru took a moment to adjust to the dimmer lighting. A black blast vest was all that covered his torso, leaving the rough, leathery skin of his arms exposed. A blaster hung from one side of his hip, a stun baton attached to the other. A polished Sector Ranger badge was proudly pinned to his vest. As soon as he was acclimated Bak-Ru made his way to the bar and took a seat next to Selonian longing for more exciting times.

"One for me too, Droid." He called out as he laid the appropriate coin on the bar. After a quick glance at the Selonian he would flick another coin onto the bar. "And another for this one." Bak-Ru offered with a nod of his head.
 

Karath

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Karath side-eyed the Weequay as he sat in the stool next to him. He didn't trust anyone around this place. Mos Eisley hadn't earned its reputation for nothing. As the being put a coin down on the bar and bought his next round, Karath lowered his guard a little. Beings didn't buy other beings beers if they wanted to fight. At least, not in his experience, which when it came to drinking in shady spaceport bars, was extensive.

He took a swig of his current beer, watching as the bartender droid placed a second one next to it.

"Hey, thank you," he nodded to the the Weequay. "This guy, right here," he said to the droid. "What a guy," he said, voice slurring ever-so-slightly.

The droid said nothing. Karath noticed the badge on his drinking companion's vest then, a little embarrassed.

"Ah, you're a ranger too, eh?" He dug around in his vest pocket and produced a tarnished ISC Ranger badge, slapping it on the bartop along with a bit of lint and an old bullet casing from a slugthrower, which rolled off and clattered onto the floor.

"ISC here. Been waiting for days for my ship to get fixed so I can get the hell off this rock. Bounty hunter shot a bunch of holes in my stabilizer... What brings you out here? Bit far away from the Republic."
 
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Bak-Ru Shooska

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Bak-Ru took a long pull from his beer, holding his gaze as the Selonian shot him a cautious glance. He couldn’t blame the other for being wary. The reputation of this Cantina had long made it infamous and it would be foolish to let your guard down in such a place. However, he hoped the gesture of purchasing the next beverage would prove enough to ease any tension. A little lubrication always helped things along.

A smile crept it’s way to Bak-Ru’s lips, revealing pointed teeth as the Selonian sang his praises to the droid. The seemingly playful banter was a welcome reprieve after long travel. “Indeed.” The Weequay confirmed his role as a Ranger, not that it was really needed considering the badge upon his chest, but Bak-Ru had a habit of being a bit too literal. His eyes would drop to the bar as the Selonian produced a badge of his own, barely batting an eye as the empty casing fell to the floor. Life as a Ranger, right? Bak-Ru’s gaze would jump between his newfound drinking partner and the aged badge, a hint of eagerness within his eye. What stories did such a worn badge have to tell?

The hardened ridges above Bak-Ru’s brow would rise at the mention of Bounty Hunters. One, the Selonian was also not from this Sector. Two, what business did Hunters have with a Ranger?
“FWA, actually.” He corrected the other. “Here to deliver a message to this Sector’s department. Surely they could have cleared any business with this Hunter who has surely mistaken you.” A hint of judgment tinted his tone, but he didn’t push too far. “What brings you to this desert?”
 

Karath

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[[OOC: I think I'll introduce a bit of an NPC bar fight that Karath will get caught up in shortly, we'll get some action in here.]]

Karath caught the hint of judgement in in the Weequay's tone, aware suddenly of how his story could have been taken as suspicious. He took a gulp of his beer, trying to think of a way to sound less like a scoundrel. Not that he wasn't a bit of one, but a little smuggling here and there wouldn't bring out the blasters, at least he hoped.

A tired laugh escaped him, head swimming.

"This Rodian bastard, Sneel I think his name was, wanted for holding up a transport full of refugees. Tracked him to a little outpost on some backwater moon, but some bounty hunter must have wanted to bring him in first. Respectable enough to not aim for my cockpit, no hard feelings, just an empty wallet... More than I'd expect out of a lot of types out here," his voice trailed off into a low grumble again. "Well I hope he shot the bastard. To the bounty hunter who messed up my ship," he half-heartedly raised his glass and lowered it again, taking another swig.

"Not sure what's next. Got a couple leads," he half-lied. He at least knew some people who might have leads. "I do other work here and there. A bit of freelance cargo haulage, prisoner transport... Hard to find the real bad guys around here. Too many places to hide. Anyhow, my name's Karath, you?"

He picked his badge back up off the counter and tucked it back into his vest. He didn't want to be the ranger who left his badge at the bar, again.
 

Bak-Ru Shooska

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OOC: Sounds like fun to me!

Bak-Ru nodded along as the Selonian continued his story, internally kicking himself as the details unfolded. It was typical for the young Weeqauy to jump to conclusions. Even though his hunch may have been right about his newfound drinking partner he would do well to remember that he was off world and out of Free World space. The rigid code he chose to live by back home didn't mean squat here and the last thing he needed was to be in conflict with another sect of Rangers. He would however inch a bit closer towards the seat of his chair as the Selonian spoke of his adventure. It was just the kind of action that Bak-Ru was yearning for. Track the enemy. Scout them out. Execute. There was no way to stop the grin of excitement that came to his lips. Well, not until the story took its turn.

"Bah!" The Weequay scoffed after another pull of beer. Did this Ranger really just admit to taking on a Bounty? Surely that was against regulation! "You took a contract? Over your duty?" Bak-Ru asked in a harsh whisper as if he was saying a bad word. Although it went against all his training it was still enough to make his head spin in excitement. "Should have taken a partner." He said after with a boastful slap of his own chest. Back home the Rangers often went out in pairs or small groups. Enough to make some Bounty Hunter punk think twice. "They'd be the one patching holes then, eh?"

"Bak-ru!" He introduced himself proudly with a raise of his glass. "Has your other work taken you to many places?" Until today he had barely seen much of the Galaxy. The tale of such travels begged to be told.
 

Karath

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A sharp, toothy smile crossed Karath's face at the Weequay's questions. Ah, the vigor of youth, when it all just seemed like a big adventure, he reflected, now just coming out of youth himself as a being of 31 or so years of age. It still did feel that way, sometimes. Moments of absolute exhilaration, victory, short intense romances, though not many of those as of late... It was all a bit addicting, even if he felt powerless to make the galaxy a better place for its inhabitants. There would be no settling down for him. He'd probably die somewhere alone with a warm blaster in his hands, as the path laid out before him now seemed to be.

"Good to meet you, Bak-ru," he grinned. "Yeah, I've been around. All around the outer rim, a bit of the core. Coruscant is a wild place. Never been to Selonia, though, wasn't born there."

He took a drink, foam dripping from his whiskered face.

"Right now things are a little slow. Not enough material support from the ISC, not enough intelligence being collected either. Its hard to find the bad guys way out here, and I'm not the type to ruin someone's life for running a little spice."

He glanced behind him as a newcomer entered the room, a Rodian he recognized.

By the floggin' force itself, that's him.

"That's the guy," he said through clenched teeth, trying to make his lips harder to read but instead simply giving the impression of a grimace. "Sneel. That bastard spaced fifteen civvies. I'm not going to let him leave here. Got my back?" he asked, clawed hand moving closer to his blaster. This guy tries anything and he doesn't get the stun setting, he thought, trying to keep his eyes from lingering on the newcomer too long.
 

Bak-Ru Shooska

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"And you Karath!" Bak-Ru's eyes continued to beam with excitement as Karath spoke of his adventures. It may seem like just another day in the life for so many of the people around the Galaxy. To hop onto one of the core worlds to turn around and to head back out into the outer rim could just be a normal assignment for some. Had he been a religious man he would have sent a prayer up to Quay for the opportunity, but for now he would have to find church in another glass of beer. "Another!" He called out to the droid. If other worlds set his curiosity ablaze, it would be nothing compared to the wide eyed look he gave when Coruscant was mentioned. Bak-Ru knew he would make it there one day to visit the Headquarters of the FWA Rangers. Just to think about it drew him ever closer to the edge of his seat, practically shoulder to shoulder with the Selonian now. "Coruscant! Tell me. Is it true the buildings touch the sky?" His question almost adolescent, but the young Weequay didn't care.

"Hmm." Bak-Ru grumbled through a mouth full of beer. "I have not been to my home world in many years. Where did you call home if not Selonia?" The idea of receiving little support from the ISC seemed foreign to the Weequay. Things back home were so regulated. Even now the amount of paper work a simple arrest brought with it made his head ache, but at least the organization supported him enough that he didn't have to chase Bounties to get by. However, the getting to know you conversation would have to wait as the door to the Cantina swooshed open again.

Bak-Ru's hand would fall to his Stun Baton as Karath identified the criminal that had escaped his pursuit. A soft buzz of electricity filled the space around them as he switched it on, but his hand would quickly switch to his blaster as Karath spoke of the target's crime. The murder of fifteen innocents! All in the sake of profit! Bak-Ru released the safety. "I've got you." He agreed in a whisper. His superiors had told him to keep a low profile. Report to the local office, come right back, but there was a calling much deeper than that of duty when his eyes followed the criminal Rodian.
 

Karath

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Karath's answers to the Weequay's questions were vague. He praised Coruscant, though urged caution. The place was expensive, and there was no nature. A place to visit, not to stay. On the question of his birthworld, he had retreated into his beer glass, saying merely that the world was cold, far off to the galactic northern rim. He blinked away a vision of red blood on white snow, shaking his head to clear it, then Sneel had arrived.

Karath nodded at the Weequay's simple acknowledgement of support, decisively setting his beer down on the counter. He got up, a little bit of a drunken swagger in his step as he made his way across the bar. What he was about to do next would probably get him banned from the establishment for life, but that was just fine with him.

Shitty bar anyway, he thought, bringing the massive blaster pistol up from his leg holster and leveling it at the Rodian, who locked eyes with him, staring down the barrel of his blaster.

"Rangers!" He shouted loudly, the bar going silent. The Rodian bolted for the door, a newly poured drink crashing from the table as he fled. Karath fired, face illuminated blue, a stun bolt hitting the Rodian in the back of the leg, just before the entry hall. Sneel collapsed, legs incapacitated but still very much conscious.

"You floggin' scum!" he said, fist connecting with the Rodian's face as he backed up against the wall. He had no doubt of this being's guilt, he had seen the aftermath of his crime, lifeless bodies drifting in the cold. His mind was clouded by rage and booze, and he wanted this wretched being to pay dearly for what he had done. His fist slammed into the being's face again. He thought he saw fear in the Rodian's black eyes, but it was hard to tell with them. He hoped it was there. "You ought to die for what you did!" he said. Another punch, green blood sticking to his hand. A red flash from a holdout blaster in the Rodian's vest lit up the corner of the bar. Karath felt a burn under his blast vest, just below his ribs. He kicked the blaster away, leveling his own against the Rodian's forehead, flipping it from stun to kill, sharp, pointed teeth barred and eyes full of hatred. If he was going to die, he would take this one with him. His finger hovered over the trigger.


[[OOC the bolt didn't go all the way through the vest, but Karath doesn't know that yet. Feel free to try to stop him from doing something rash, or not. I'm not sure what he'll do yet in either case.]]
 
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Bak-Ru Shooska

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"Rangers!!" Bak-Ru followed Karath's lead as the two jumped up from their bar stools and charged the Rodian. Pure adrenaline pushed the young Weequay, overriding any sense of reason. A more logical mind would have seen that the Selonian had let this become personal, allowing any sense of duty to fall to the wayside. It was happening to Bak-Ru as well. For most of his youth he had idolized the Rangers and their strict codes. He hated the criminal underworld and the selfish lawlessness that fueled so many of them, but here and now, even though his feelings were mostly just, the urge to harm the Rodian for his crimes was just too strong.

A flash of blue would illuminate the room as a stun shot hit the criminal and sent them crashing to the floor. Bak-Ru had charged close behind Karath, blaster in one hand and stun baton in the other. He circled around as the Selonian began to wail upon the downed Rodian. Smack! Smack! The furry fists drew green blood, but the red flash and the bang of a blaster would interrupt the beating. "Karath!" Bak-Ru shouted as he raised his baton to strike the Rodian, but Karath was too quick. A swift flurry of kicks and the Rodian was disarmed. With a click of the switch the attempt to stun quickly turned to kill.


The moment seemed to slow as Karath aimed his blaster with deadly accuracy. Bak-Ru could imagine the sight of the lifeless bodies flouting through the void. Innocent lives spaced for nothing more than profit. What must their families feel? It reminded him of how he felt towards his father. What had become of the man he could barely remember? The one that sacrificed himself to these criminals so his family might live a normal life. It made him want to lash out with deadly force as well, but on the other hand what wouldn't he give to see his father's imprisoners brought to justice. To cripple their organizations and watch as all they held dear slipped away. "Karath! No!"

Bak-Ru would attempt to push Karath's blaster up into the air and avoid the killing shot. "He deserves a life in jail or worse! There families of those they killed deserve to face this scum!"

(OOC: Feel free to determine the success of Bak-Ru's action. I'm happy either way.)
 

Karath

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For a moment time seemed stuck as Karath felt himself perched on a razor-thin precipice between many paths, death at the end of them all, yet each different. Peace, war, hatred, serenity... What would fracture his soul, what would heal it? Did it make one a murderer to kill an evil being in cold blood?

Probably, he thought. A loud, sharp sound, a flash of red against the shadowed old wall. Steam rising from the Rodian's head, Karath's hand pushed to the side a moment too late. I will bear the guilt so the others don't have to, he thought, remaining still. Shaking a little, he stumbled to a booth nearby, collapsing back into the chair, blaster tossed haphazardly to the table before him, two clawed fingers of his hand resting loosely on the grip.

He felt under his blast vest with the other hand. A coin-sized burn, a bad one, but no hole in him. It could wait.

"If anyone has a problem with that, settle it now," he said, tempting his own fate. "If not, get me another drink."

What a rotten world this is, he thought.

@Howie Boy
 

Bak-Ru Shooska

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Bak-Ru grabbed Karath by the wrist just a moment too late. His dark eyes would stare at the smoking hole in the Rodian's head as his grip tightened. It would be a lie to say that part of him could care less that the criminal was dead. Whatever foul being that could space innocents with such disregard for life deserved nothing more than a swift execution, but there was still part of him that knew this wasn't right. The Rodian should have been arrested and tried for its crimes. The families of the victims deserved to face them as they were sentenced. The preservation of the judicial system was crucial in preserving a just society and this judge, jury and executioner attitude only served to tarnish it. Bak-Ru's eyes would shift from the dead Rodian to Karath.

For a moment he would consider bringing him in for some kind of official review. Spend the hours testifying and writing up paperwork, but in that moment he realized just how far from home he was. This was not his turf. The words of his superiors yet again rang through his head and he would let go of Karath before the Selonian made his way to a nearby booth. The young Weequay realized just how close he himself had come to losing sight of his duty. A valuable lesson to the inexperienced Ranger. A life of pushing things to the edge was perfectly drawn out for him in Karath and this moment would not leave him anytime soon. Some credits would fall to the table before Bak-Ru's hand squeezed Karath's shoulder. "The next one's on me. Thanks for the lesson, Karath." He spoke in in a subdued tone before turning back to the dead Rodian on the floor. If Karath did not stop him or speak any further he would drag the body out of the cantina and make his exit.

@Karath Nikolas
 
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