Ask Lunar Unknown

[Jaikus Thorne]

.

“Closing in on the facility.”

Jaikus’ voice cut across the shared comm channel - mechanized and distorted beyond recognition. The Axxilan was seated within the cockpit of the Rogue Specter - fingers curled tightly around the controls of the gunship. In recent months, Jaikus found himself busier than ever - his schedule dominated by meeting with potential investors and working to bring Atlos up and running. He had poured all of his efforts into the success of the corporation - and it was for that very reason that Jaikus was in the process of guiding his ship down and towards the surface of Centax-2.

The barren moon of Coruscant was seldom frequented by Republic authorities - let alone people in general - and yet it was a destination vital to Jaikus’ plans. Though it had been abandoned for over a century, the moon had once been the location of multiple Arkanian-made Spaarti cloning facilities - developed in secret during the height of the Clone Wars in order to supplant the dominant Kaminoan Manufacturers. While the project had fallen into obscurity and was forgotten with the fall of the Republic, the original facilities - and thus its coveted technology - had been left undisturbed.

With the promise of greatly increasing the production rate of clone development, it went without saying just how valuable their objective was.

And it was for that very reason that Jaikus had brought in outside help for this operation in the form of Aden. Though the Axxilan hadn’t worked for the freelancer in the past, the man had enough of a reputation for Jaikus to feel confident in the abilities of his partner. Naturally, the Axxilan offered Aden his fair share of credits in return - in addition to full access to whatever other valuables were found within the facility Jaikus didn’t need.

Within only a few minutes, the Rogue Specter swooped down to the base of the lunar facility - touching down onto a long-abandoned landing pad that had been created. The durasteel ramp extended down to meet the ground, and Jaikus wasted no time in strolling down towards the planetary surface. As expected, the Axxilan was adorned in his covert armor - the ensemble of dark purple armorweave fitting tightly to his figure, while his features were shrouded behind the glass-like mask he wore. The armor was entirely different from the attire he wore as a Sith Champion, but it served the same function of masking his identity. He was equip with a vibroblade on his hip, forgoing his crimson saber for this particular operation.

Jaikus folded his arms against the small of his back and promptly leaned himself against the ramp of his gunship - patiently waiting Aden to arrive. Only then would he proceed further into the facility.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

"Copy that." Aden replied back. Today's gig was interesting. Aden wasn't aware there were any cloning facilities so close to Courscant, namely on one of it's moons. Aden was approached about this particular job and it was interesting indeed. The spacer would be arriving in his main ship of choice the Freebird. He wouldn't be too far behind the Rogue Specter. Looking through the viewport, Aden sees his destination is in sight. "About to land." He saw the landing pad with his employer's ship on it.

Aden can't say he's fully aware of the history at this place, but it's definitely tied to the Clone Wars somehow. What surprised Aden was how the place seems to be shut down and abandoned. Hundred plus years and no interest, fallen out of the records and forgotten about. Well, in addition to a good deal of credits, there is also the possibility of any thing else of value that the client isn't interested in. Who knows what kind of goodies could be in there.

The Freebird would land close to the Rogue Specter. Upon landing, Aden would grab the gear he is taking with him, his normal weapons plus spare ammo for them. Some extra frag grenades couldn't hurt too. This place is supposed to be abandoned, but they wouldn't have sought the services of a gun-for-hire if they thought this would be a walk in the park. Aden was advised that there could be droids or automated defenses. Suffice it to say, Aden is packing heat accordingly.

Aden would now exit his ship, with his blaster carbine slinged over his shoulder. Now that he is ready, Adenwould then step towards his employer and nod towards him. "Ready." he said. Aden would take a look at the facility again, ready to follow suit and move forward into the complex.

And not a moment too late.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Much to his own delight, Jaikus wasn’t left standing around for too long. Even as the facility was abandoned, the Axxilan knew that some people wouldn’t be fond of their poking around - and he wanted to get in and out without too much fanfare. Within only a minute or two, the Axxilan glanced up from the facility - watching as Aden’s Aggressor-class dipped low in the sky. A bit of loose snow and frost was kicked up as the Starfighter settled onto the landing pad, just a few paces away from the Rogue Specter. Citrine eyes followed Aden, watching as the veteran pilot stepped out of his ship. He clearly noted the other man armed to the teeth - appropriate, given what they both had learned about the facility. Jaikus doubted they would make it too far inside before meeting some measure of resistance. J

aikus stepped forward, extended a gloved hand to shake Aden. “Mr Archer,” He began, smooth voice modulated and mechanized by the mask he wore. “Pleasure to meet you in person. You have my thanks again,” The Axxilan said genuinely polite, giving the man a nod before turning back to the facility. He glanced down at his own hip - double-checking the vibroblade was secure, alongside a few thermal detonators and a blaster pistol. The Axxilan was hardly a soldier compared to others with his training, but he was more than capable of handling himself and whatever they were going up again.

“Hope you won't be too out of your element, of course,” He quipped back at Aden, flashing a grin beneath his mask. The Axxilan knew the other man to be a skilled pilot and had no qualms with poking fun - especially considering the situation wouldn’t provide any opportunity to use that skillset.

He didn’t waste much time - strolling forward to approach the front entrance of the facility. Cutting their way through the ventilation system or another entrance was an option - perhaps something they’d need to do at some point or another - but Jaikus.. Really didn’t want to do that, unless entirely necessary. Instead, he came to a stop beneath the towering durasteel doors of the facility - one of the primary entrances inside.

“Slicing through the main entrance shouldn’t be.. Too difficult,” Security parameters at this level of the facility were nothing too sophisticated compared to the laboratories and archives within. He extended his wrist - a computer-spike jutting from vambrace that was quickly inserted into the main panel of the door.

It didn’t take long - only a few minutes - before the doors door hissed to life - sliding open one way to reveal the grand hallway that carved deeper into the building. Lights flickered on the interior, reacting to the first motion in over a century. Clearly, internal generators and back-up power had kept computer systems functional.

Along with whatever else was lurking inside.

“After you,” He mused, sweeping a hand out from Aden and towards the facility.

 

[Aden Archer]

"Pleasure will be all mine" the spacer said as he smiled confidently as Jaikus thanked him for being here. He would chuckle at the others quip and responded with his own playful quip. "You'll get your moneys worth I assure." Aden smirked, was confident in his skills. Aden knows he more known for his piloting skills but his experience has shown he is capable on the ground.

Aden with rifle in his hands, would then move forward into the grand hallway. Aden wasn't really expecting much trouble, but he was prepared just in case. He looked around as he was walking, for a nearly two-hundred year old facility the place still looks clean. No grime or dust, or dirt. "This facility looks like it aged well" he would would say. A few seconds later he would then ask "What was it you were looking for again?" the details of what was being sought was a bit unclear.

At the end of the hallway there would be a door. "The lobby..." he read the sign above. It looks like things are proceeding well. After hitting a button close to the door, the door would retract upwards letting the group of two enter. Upon going in, it would become apparent something isn't right.

The lobby looked well kept, but there were signs of battle. The corpse of a 3PO protocal droid was cast over the reception desk, with blaster bolts riddled in it. Aden would look around, no apparent hostiles, although there was an open door at the far end. Aden would go towards the droid, examine it, feel it, and then look at Jaikus "This droid is warm. The blaster bolts are still warm. Someone shot this droid up not too long ago." It is clear then, someone else has been here very recently. But how could that be, Aden didn't see any other ships on the approach here that he recalls.

"We need to on our guard" he gripped his rifle tightly. Aden would look around the lobby some more, a few scorch marks on the ground. The group of two can look around some more and see if they can get some more insight into whats amiss before proceeding, or just move forward.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

“As will you,” Jaikus said in response, tilting his head with a faint grin. The Axxilan wasn’t a cheap employer - and the Freelancer was certainly getting his fair cut out of the deal. In addition to whatever technology or resources that Jaikus had no use for - regardless of their value. His interests were limited solely to whatever had been left behind by the Arkanians centuries ago and that would help Atlos. That said, there was no telling what awaited them within the facility - whether it was hostile, or nothing at all. As a slight precaution, Jaikus yanked the vibroblade off his hip - thumb hovering over the activation button as they stepped inside the facility.

He expected some droid activity within - especially given the still-functional electrical grid throughout the building.

“Too well,” He said after a moment of observation, glancing around. The Axxilan had spent a career working with intelligence and espionage, and it meant he had more than enough experience with facilities like these, “Someone is caring for it.” His fingers curled a bit tighter around his vibroblade, and he kept a close eye on where his pistol was also clipped to his belt.

“Cloning technology,” Jaikus said after a moment, glancing back over to Aden, “The Kaminoans were famous for their genetic advancements - but they weren’t the only ones in the Galaxy to do so. Nor, arguably, were they the best.” He spoke as the doors slid open, continuing their route inside. “We’ll go through as much of the facility as we can, but our objective is the Genetic Information Center. In operation, sequencing data and Spaarti vats would have been housed there.”

“If not.. The facilities central computer archives. To salvage whatever data does remain.”

As he stepped into the lobby, Jaikus’ citrine-tinted eyes immediately fixed onto the dead droid. His teeth gritted at once, a clear surge of irritation coursing through his veins. Had someone beat him to the facility? Was this all for nothing? His fingers flexed, the sudden urge to throw something itching at his mind. The revelation that the shots were warm, however, only caused his eyes to widen a bit.

“Then we’re not alone here,” His gaze swept across the room - attempting to pick out anything else within the room. The signs of battle were obvious, but save for some destroyed interior design and scorchmarks from blasters, there was apparently nothing to be found. He lingered in place for a few moments before moving to join Aden standing beside the droid.


Without a word, Jaikus clicked on the vibroblade he was grasping. The Axxilan carved the blade in a clean, precise motion - slicing right through the neck of the 3PO unit and freeing the head from its shoulders. The blade tore right through wires and other internal circuitry, but kept the Droid-brain and memory banks completely intact. “I do not wish to be caught off guard.” He said, exhaling through his nostrils.

“We proceed deeper into the facility. First computer terminal we find, we’ll hook this Droid’s memory banks up to it. See what his last recorded images were - maybe even who shot him.”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden simply nodded. First terminal they see, they will hook the droid up to it and see what the droid saw in it's last moments. Still, Aden can't shake the feeling that something very strange is going on and he doesn't like it. More than just attackers.

Aden had his blaster at the ready and leveled as they would proceed onwards, he would lead the way exiting the lobby and then into a short hallway and then another door into an elevator. There were no signs of battles or any more destroyed droids yet. Hitting the button, it would be a bit as the elevator would have to be called up. So someone clearly took an elevator ride down. "Definitely people here. "Deeper in the facility." Just in case the droid getting shot up recently wasn't enough.

After the elevator arrives down at it's destination, the doors would open and they would be greeted inside another room and that's just messy. Old security droids would lie broken and destroyed on the ground, signs of battle. Stepping out of the elevator and he'd see more of the same. There would be one terminal. A larger one that looks like it's the main one. It looked destroyed, the screen shot out and it sparking and hissing. There would be a second one would be at the doorways on the other side, but was smaller and presumably lesser in function and purpose. "You can try plugging it into that one." he said. "I'll see if I can find some sort of map here" to make searching for what they are looking for easier.

Other than finding more signs of damage, he didn't see a map in the vicinity, or any kind of blueprints. So even if they discover who shot up the facility, there will probably still be trial and error getting to where they need to go.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

To say that Jaikus was irritated would’ve been an understatement. The Axxilan had done his research extensively - and everything pointed to the fact that the facility hadn’t been disturbed in over a century. Its very existence - most of all the technology held within - wasn’t well known, and it was only after combing through countless Imperial records and decades-old classified documents that the Axxilan had learned of its existence at all. The fact that someone else had beat them to the facility - blasting their way through the operational droids - almost guaranteed that his prize had already been seized. His only hope, at this point, was that they hadn’t left. At least then there was a possibility of recovery.

A tense breath flowed through Jaikus’ nostrils, fingers curling just a bit tighter around the hilt of his vibroblade. “Wonderful.” He said sarcastically before glancing over to Aden - eyeing the Freelancer and the blaster rifle he hauled about. “I hope you don't you plan on charging me a premium for the inconvenience?” Jaikus quipped, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips. The Axxilan had an uncanny ability to make his quips and jokes in even the worst situations - and this was no exception to the rule.

The moment they stepped into the second room, Jaikus’ eyes narrowed harshly. It was the same signs of activity as the lobby - droids filled with blaster-holes and equipment destroyed in the process. His gaze promptly flicked to the only operational computer terminal, inspecting it from a distance before nodding his head. “Stay on your guard,” He said, walking over to the terminal. “I’m not convinced we aren’t being watched.” Without another word, Jaikus approached the terminal - pulling a few loose wires from the skull of the protocol droid. It took him a few minutes to completely hook up the memory banks to the terminal, and to slice his way into the computer itself. Once he did, however, it didn’t take the Axxilan long to pull up the final moments of the protocol droid’s operational life.

Projected onto the screen, both Aden and Jaikus would be treated to the last things the droid saw. Video footage of the facility - timestamped only hours before their arrival - showed images of a battle taking place within the facility. Battle droids were rapidly gunned down by assailants out of sight, unleashing volleys of blue plasma bolts onto the defending droids. As the protocol droid turned, however, the pair would get their first look at the enemy.

At least a dozen soldiers in matching uniforms stood in rigid formation - gunning down the droid protectors of the facility. It was abundantly clear they were no ordinary invaders - with their armor and skill eluding to trained, military backgrounds. Curiously, the pair would clearly see how the invading soldiers came pouring out from deeper inside the facility - as if they had broken into the inner-most levels and began working their way out, rather than going through the front door. Just as the protocol droid was shot down, a voice of unison could be heard from all the soldiers present. “For the Emper–” Before they could finish, the feed cut out - the final file within the memory banks having run its course.

Jaikus stood in silence for a long moment, pondering the information that had just been revealed to them. It was abundantly clear that he invaders were more than they seemed - and the close timeframe almost guaranteed they would have company before long. After a moment, he glanced back to Aden. “Anything?” He said, not immediately seeing a map with the Freelancer. “I can.. Try to slice into the droid, see if I can pull information about the facility.” He said after a moment, drumming his fingers against the terminal. “But the unit is already damaged. There is a possibility those records are already destroyed - or attempting to slice into it will trigger automatic memory-wiping.”

“Or, we go in blind.”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

"Oh, perhaps...."Aden smiled as he said jokingly, briefly making eye-contact with Jaikus as he would be bit away after looking, then rummaging through desks, drawers, and anything else he could. Aden usually doesn't use every opportunity to scrape credits out of work. Although he may seriously consider it if this turns out to be a huge, very difficult life threatening ordeal. There was always the possibility of there being potential danger - hence the need to hire Aden in the first place - but if it turns out to be something much higher than what was anticipated

Watching the feed, the facilities defenses have been totally thrashed by soldiers with ease. Being a trained soldier himself, the way they did it. They definitely do have some sort of military background. Although their uniforms/armor are nothing he's seen before. "For the Imp?" he echoed what he heard. What does that mean? There was nothing more before the feed cut off

"Nothing" in regards to if he found anything. "Might as well" Aden replied in regards to the final file. "Go ahead". Either they willl be 'flying blind' so to speak or they will have something. Something is better than nothing. Maybe, maybe there was a remote, very remote possibility of the unit exploding when sliced into, But Aden didn't consider it that much.

Still, after seeing those soldiers in armor, Aden resolved himself to be be very prepared and steeled for what will be an inevitable conformation with them. In the feed, it's clear those soldiers are well trained and shouldn't be taken lightly.

About ten seconds later, regardless of what Jaikus choses to do the droid, a muffled voice from outside room would then say "Heard something over there" and then there would be heavy metallic footsteps getting closer. Aden would then get behind the terminal desk, it looks sturdy enough and then prepare for combat.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus’ lips tugged a bit downward behind the mask, nodding in response when Aden revealed nothing else was found. He deliberately hadn’t gotten his hopes up, but it was one less bit of information they had all the same. “Very well,” He said after a moment, beginning to turn his attention back to the droid brain. “It shouldn’t take me long to bypass the operating system and begin pulling from the memory banks - if they are still intact.” With that, the Axxilan began to remove a bit of the paneling on the back of the protocol droid’s head. With the chrome exterior removed, he was able to insert the computer spike that was normally tucked a compartment of his vambrace, while a few wires were connected to the computer terminal. It would take a few minutes of tinkering, but Jaikus had little doubt he would be able to access the information he needed.

What he didn’t account for, however, was the approach of others outside the room.

His gaze immediately snapped up in the direction of the void - listening to the armored bootsteps that followed it. Even a quick bit of observation revealed that they were outnumbered - likely five or six to their own two. Certainly not impossible odds, but not the kind that Jaikus particularly liked, either.

Jaikus’ gaze snapped towards Aden, flicking his hand and gesturing for the Freelancer to take cover. Without a single word, the Axxilan sprang from where he’d just previously been working, darting behind one of the support pillars on the far side of the room. Unbeknownst to Aden, the Force flowed vibrantly through the Axxilan as he moved - increasing his own speed and deafening the sound of his footsteps, to the point of it being almost impossible to notice by those entering the room.

Before long, the durasteel doors on the far side of the lobby hissed open. From the other side, six armored soldiers strolled into the room - donning identical armor and with rifles in hand. They moved as a unit, sticking to close formation as they surveyed the lobby.

“I thought I heard something..” One of the men said.

“Probably just hearing things. This place has been forgotten by the Galaxy at large,” The other man commented, his voice eerily similar to his fellow soldier.

“Search the room anyway. Just to be cautious.” With that comment, the soldiers began to fan out - beginning to conduct a thorough walk through of the room. Even behind cover, Jaikus and Aden likely wouldn’t be able to avoid detection the entire time - and it was only inevitable that the group would discover the droid head mounted to the computer terminal. Thus, Jaikus wasted no time. Giving Aden a quiet hand signal, the Axxilan slipped from behind the pillar - drawing the blaster pistol and vibroblade from his belt. Waiting for one of the soldiers to turn his back to the pillar, Jaikus raised his weapon and loosed two stun bolts into the man - aiming for the center of his spine and the back of his head.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden was crouched in cover when the soldiers came into the room, he would have his carbine un-slinged and was gripping it firmly with both hands. It did not appear that these were the most oblivious guys in the world just ignore a bunch of out-of-place noises, they decided to check it out.

Unfortunately, even with their due diligence, that won't save them. Although Aden would have liked to have them grouped up so that a grenade toss would take them all out at once, they didn't waste any time spreading out and Aden was hoping that they wouldn't have to alert anyone else in the building by making loud noise. But the chance was missed.. :: These people are no amatures. :: Aden thought again. Following the hand signal from Jaikus, Aden would rise up with his rifle leveled and then fire two stun blasts at a different soldier, who would also be caught unawares. Aden made sure he wouldn't be in others cone of visions as well. The stun shots aimed at the center of mass, as one should

The stun blasts would hit home, both the people that Jaikus and Aden shot the shots would land and both men would fall over. The sudden attack caught them by surprise but surely enough the shock wouldn't last long. The soldiers would aim their rifles and begin retaliating, firing back with flurries of lethal blaster fire. The spacer ducked down back fully into cover as it was obvious what was going to happen next. "Well, that got their attention" Heh.

Aden himself can't do much right now with all the blaster fire heading his way as he's pinned down, he's going to have to wait for a break in their fire or something before can do something without getting hit. Hmm

@Altaris