Ask Move Along Citizen

[Cul Laaster]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Tanaab. A largely agricultural world in the Inner Rim, rife with green jungles and grassy plains, but such natural splendor had not gone unmolested. The planet was something of a commercial hub on the edges of its region, and had fallen prey to pirates more than once as much as corporate exploitation.

Today, it would fall prey to the Pykes.

A distance away from a jungle treeline, outside a large collective farmstead on lush meadows, a freighter was stationed, and all it took was a pair of binoculars to ascertain that the vessel was defended, but lightly. Its shipment was bound for the Sector Rangers but there were no Rangers actually present.

From the adjacent farms, SR was being supplied with all manner of foodstuffs, and otherwise. The buildings in the vicinity indicated a modest industrial output besides meat and milk, fruit and vegetable, which helped explain why the freighter had a modest guard complement. More than that. They are here for something else not quite on the manifest.

The Free Worlds Alliance, the Rangers’ benefactor, was not holding back. Neither are we. Cul Laaster spoke for the Pykes but he was not alone in that representation. Spying from the treeline, he would pass his binoculars to his partner if the latter had not brought his own.

“Guarded as expected,” Cul recited simply. The freighter’s ramp was lowered, a pair of guards just outside it, and others fraternizing with the farmers; they looked at ease. Easy pickings. But not so much.

This was not Cul’s first rodeo. With the help of Tysjor, a fellow Pyke, he had taken down a ruthless mercenary, Captain Jade, and acquired her crew and corvette, the Lonely Cubs of the Lonely Cub, for the Pyke Syndicate.

It had not been easy but nothing in life worth pursuing ever was. This will be no different. That freighter will be ours…one way or the other. The Pykes stake our claim. Here we are. Hear me roar.


@Charles @Fine Dining Set

 

[Sepiks Redux]

"Indeed," Sepiks muttered after passing the binos back to his companion. Tanaab was such a beautiful planet. It was a pity that Sepiks was to flip it inside out. The Pyke wanted to take this planet as his own, for it was a jewel in the galaxy he was envious of. This mission would give just the kind of edge he needed to gain a steady hand over grasping the planet as his own.

"I have an idea..." Sepiks gazed at the cattle farm below, watching the big animals munch away at the tall grass. "Both of us will crouch low and use the grass the hide us as best as we can. Then, while one of us stands up to open fire and distract the guards, the other will crawl forward before doing the same thing as the first, allowing for the second to gain more coverage. If we repeat this process, we will make it across the ranch in no time." He had gotten the idea from a nature show he once watched where a pair of Nexu did the same thing while hunting simple herbivores. While the prey paid attention to the Nexu that showed themselves, the other inched closer and then exposed itself, drawing the attention of the prey while the first one prowled even closer.

Both Nexu had gotten a kill that episode, and if Sepiks and Cul did their parts with equal vigor, they too, would earn quite the reward.

@Die Shize @Fine Dining Set

 

[Braprag]

The Untamed had served as as protectors for Taanab for a little over a year now. In that time, Braprag, head of security for the local Untamed chapter, had gotten acquainted with the sedated lifestyle of the Taanabian plains, and its near antithesis in Taanab's aging, dramatic Senator @Hergalor TogTherador. He had learned to not ask questions of the eccentric tastes of his patron, and to oblige his whims obediently. This meant letting certain security risks - working with smugglers, selling goods to the Sith - go unchecked.

He defended Taanab's investments without question. Pirates and rustlers were common around this part of space, so there were some heightened security measures the larger freighters were encouraged to take when doing business. Braprag was among the crowd, dressed fully in his armor set and armed ever-so-typically to the teeth. His slug rifle was unholstered as he surveyed the crates, prepared to be shipped to the Sector Rangers. His fellow Untamed were similarly clothed, looking the part of fierce techno-Varangian Guard to the Taanbian security forces.

He and four others stood, conversing amongst the farmers, while the pair of guards by the freighter stood vigilant. Inspecting one of the crates, Braprag pulled out a fresh Taanabian apple. He pulled out his vibroknife to cut a slice of it, and slid the apple slice beneath his helmet. Fresh and juicy. It looked like there was a good harvest, after all.

@Die Shize @Charles

 

[Cul Laaster]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Cul listened closely as Sepiks relayed his plan. He had it nailed down as far as staying in cover went, using the environment to their advantage, and otherwise maximizing on keeping low and out of sight.

However, Cul was concerned about their foes closing in and weeding the shooters out, so to speak. Especially if there's a sniper. After all, they were Pykes against armed guards, not nexu against cattle. Still, the plan had quality. It just needed some refinement.

“Distraction is indeed the key but we need to get close before we start shooting. Offer as little reaction time as possible.” He observed the free-grazing cattle that was not locked in by a pen.

“Let’s stick to the grass as you suggest. You stir up the cattle, send it into a frenzy. That should cause farmhands and guards themselves to come and deal with it. Find a shooting position from there.”

Cul gestured toward the farmstead. “Meanwhile, I’ll head toward the barn. Plenty of bushes for concealment. I set a fire and that’s your signal to open fire.” He checked his blaster rifle at that. “Our opponents will be distracted as much as divided.”

Just then, the cattle began to wander. Cul didn’t want them to get too far. “Time’s wasting. Let’s go.” They could always relay any change in circumstance over comlink.

For now, Cul made his way toward those bushes closest to the compound, banking on Sepiks’ idea to move within the grass.


@Charles @Fine Dining Set

 

[Tysjor Maspat]

Any day that Tysjor could assist the Pykes in taking what was theirs was a good day for him, and today would be one of those days. The only difference from last time was that instead of acquiring a corvette, they would be taking possession of a freighter and the goods inside it. Most of it, anyway, but it made little difference to him.

He’d arrived a bit late, but the hunt was only just beginning.

Plan in mind, Tysjor split up with Cul and made his way over to the grazing cattle. He did his best to stay hidden in the grass, moving quickly yet hopefully not to the point of revealing himself to any of the guards or farmers who might have been watching. Once he was close enough came the next part of the plan— provoke the cattle. That would be easy.

He transferred his rifle to his left hand when he crouched down in between the blades of grass a decent distance away from the cattle. Once they were out of the way and the guards and farmers were to start running over, it would be easy pickings from there once the signal was given. Fetching a medium-sized rock, he bent his arm and aimed for the head of the closest cow, hitting it right above its eye.

The creature let out a low bellow of pain before shaking its head and running off in the opposite direction. The other cattle quickly took notice of it, and a couple had already started to join in. Now he would only wait for it to garner the attention of the farm hands and for the signal that would soon come from the barn.

@Fine Dining Set @Die Shize

 

[Cul Laaster]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Plan in mind, Cul nestled in the bushes just outside the farmstead and observed a whole kind of different cattle. Farmers and ranchers, every one of them an oblivious soul as to what surrounded them, and it was more than just a few Pykes.

Out there, beyond this world, the stars were circling, warring, and maybe a pack like the one nesting these grasslands had an inkling of what that meant. Yet, here they were, grazing away like the bovine before them, without a clue in the world.

And here we are, Cul Laaster promised. The Pykes. Our Syndicate reborn, renewed, stronger and harder… He waited for a fool to turn his back then snuck by and behind it. The Pyke found the barn and hugged a wall.

A familiar voice over his earpiece informed him that the other cattle were being poked and prodded toward chaos.

Cul stole a look, spotting a group of guards and field hands heading over to deal with the confused cows and otherwise. That gave him a perfect opening to play the cards since dealt him. Here we come…

At an inopportune moment, a farmer waltzed toward the barn’s main entrance. No matter, Cul climbed a ladder and entered a window. On the second floor, he found his bounty. There was a rainbow of beasts stabled in pens which would soon be set free, if not quite perhaps in the manner one might otherwise hope for.

There was no need to guard this barn, the residents finding little reason, so Cul navigated undetected. A device came out, he activated it. Voices below spoke of what their mother was cooking for dinner. The device spat fire, then their voices turned to screams as the whole barn burst into flames.

By then, the Pyke was outside again, taking cover behind a bale of hay. Rifle out, he trained it toward the first corpse he would then create when the time was right. Here to stay.


@Sicadorito

 

[Tysjor Maspat]

As expected, the cattle now had the full attention of the various farmhands and guards. They were gathering speed, and it would soon become a full stampede if the former didn’t find a way to stop them. For Tysjor, it was a win-win situation either way.

Settling in his spot behind a rock, he rested his rifle on top, pointed at the guards standing to the side. They were the largest threat as of now and the farmhands could be taken care of afterwards, if the cattle didn’t do it for them already. The only thing he was missing now was the signal, and that was when the barn burst into a spectacular show of red and orange flames.

Click.

A shot was fired, and a guard dropped down dead. Then another. Five remained, two by the freighter, and three where they had been talking with the farmers. Tysjor aimed another shot, but it missed and went somewhere behind them instead. By now, the remaining guards had gone somewhere else, trying to find the source of the shots. Hopefully they were closer to Cul’s position— the cattle were in his way and it would take some time to find another place to shoot from.

As he snuck closer to the barn, he couldn’t help thinking that this was so much more fun when the enemy wasn’t shooting back.

@Die Shize

 

[Cul Laaster]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Shots fired. They came from far away. Cul knew it was Tysjor taking out the opposition as Tysjor did best. Just like old times. The ruse had worked, both his and his, and now it was time to mop up the resistance.

As a group headed one Pyke’s way, the other Pyke held back, timing his moment. He waited until enough of the enemy had put enough distance between both Pykes, and then Cul squeezed the trigger. A bolt exploded into the back of a farmhand closer to home. She fell.

He fired again. Just as he did, something came upon him. It wasn’t someone at all, no, it was something. He might have heard the barking had it not come so suddenly and he had not been so focused on his quarry.

The dog had the Pyke’s boot between his teeth, snarling as it shook its head violently. Cul whipped around, drove the butt of his rifle into its skull. It whined and let go. The next bolt drove into its skull.

Damn! His element of surprise had been flipped upside down as Cul bore witness to humanoid figures rounding the corner behind the dog. They had been close enough to the burning barn to respond immediately. Oh well.

Cul spotted them just as they spotted him. Things did not go well. They raised blasters just as he tossed a flashbang and rounded his own corner. That would buy him some time as he headed for the main building.

He was too exposed in the open. His plan now was to navigate through the compound and make his way to the front, and then toward the freighter. “Tysjor,” Cul called over comm. “I’ve been compromised. I’m heading toward the freighter. Let’s speed this up.”


@Sicadorito

 

[Tysjor Maspat]

“Copy that.” Tysjor changed course, making for the ship instead and still trying to keep his head low. Unfortunately, the two guards who were stationed in front of the ship had stayed true to their positions and hadn’t moved along with the others, so that would mean he would have to go the far way and take them out first before they could seize the vessel. They were clearly vigilant too, because as soon as the Pyke lifted his head to check his location, one of the guards pointed right at him.

“There!” A blaster shot fired, and Tysjor ducked and moved out of the way, but the blaster shots followed. He broke into a run, not bothering to stay below the grass now as he made for the trees. Finding someone in the field was far too easy and he wouldn’t stand a chance if he stayed here, especially if they were good shots.

Unfortunately, they seemed to be, and he narrowly dodged a bolt in front of him.

“Cul? They’re onto me,” he said, ducking as another one flew over his head. “You think you could take ‘em out from where you are?” He didn’t have time to listen for a response as he fired two shots back from his pistol in the general direction of the guards. It would buy him a second or two, and hopefully keep the guards’ attention on him for Cul to knock them out of the game.

@Die Shize

 

[Cul Laaster]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Cul found a shed near the corner of the compound. A door beside it led to the main building. He sandwiched himself in between, keeping out of view from his pursuers, and took a peek inside through the window.

There was movement. Someone was heading toward the door. He waited, pressing his back against the wall, leveling the muzzle of his pistol. The door opened. A bolt plugged into the man’s head. He fell. Cul entered.

There was no one else in the kitchen but the Pyke didn’t wait to find out who was in the dining room. He saw the pantry and the staircase and entered the latter.

Amid the chaos, where this person and that person were running around to quell, he saw no use in masking his footsteps. If someone spotted him then he would kill them. Someone did.

“Where is Papa!?” The little boy demanded at the top of the stairs. Cul answered him by covering his mouth with a free hand and dragging him to the adjacent window.

Tysjor came over comm. “I’ve got you covered. Keep moving.” He opened the window, waited until a few farmers had their backs turned, threw the boy. He landed with a scream and a broken leg and was attended to immediately by hands now preoccupied.

Cul had already squeezed the trigger. The guards at the ship also had their backs turned. A bolt landed in either one. They screamed like the boy until death cut them off.

Knowing the folly in staying in one spot as much as Tysjor, the Pyke was already on the move, navigating the upper floor with his weapon leading the way. He was heading to the front of the building parallel the freighter and would then make a beeline right for it.


@Sicadorito

 

[Tysjor Maspat]

When the shots stopped coming, Tysjor knew that Cul had taken care of their sources. They were close— all that was left now was to take full control of the freighter and get out. He made for the freighter, not bothering to keep his head low. The hunters had made their presence known, and soon their teeth would close around the necks of their prey.

Around the same time, the three remaining guards finally seemed to realize this and had started after the ship, firing a few shots as they ran. However, it wouldn’t be long before each of them found a bolt in their chest, nowhere near the freighter when they dropped to the ground like stones.

Thus, Tysjor reached the ramp of the ship without opposition and made his way onto it, slinging his rifle over his shoulder and replacing it with his pistol. In here, he would get up close and personal. He headed towards the cockpit, taking care of any crew members who decided to get into his way. Once the last one was as still as the crates stacked around them, the Pyke lowered his blaster and waved away the smoke.

“Ship is clear.”

@Die Shize

 

[Cul Laaster]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

The route from the building to the freighter was straight but narrow. Throwing himself into the open, Cul would be easy prey for predators. Fortunately, he had come prepared. As movement rushed up the stairs to deal with the intruder, the Pyke bid them farewell with a grenade.

Walls and windows shattered as an explosion rocked between the rooms. Meanwhile, Cul exited had his own window, tossing another grenade down below. This one erupted into a cloud of smoke that spread across the grass as fast as lightning.

Given his mask, he could see right through it without being seen by anyone else. He reached the ship, stepping over bodies while boarding the ramp and mashing a button that raised it. Tysjor had confirmed the status before the two Pykes met each other in the cockpit.

“We have the ship. We have the goods.” Cul spoke matter-of-fact to his partner. There was no need for any emotional celebration. They were Pykes. “And we have our lives. Let’s leave.”

At this point in time he would not ask for anything else. The sooner the freighter lifted off the sooner they would reach the stars.

Once again, Cul and Tysjor had proven the power of their teamwork, and the result was victory—not the first, neither the last.


[EXIT CUL LAASTER]


@Sicadorito