Ask No Slaves for Sleheyron

[Salvatore Russo]

A Laborious Undertaking: Pabol Hutta
No Slaves for Sleheyron

Planet: Sleheyron
​

Pabol Hutta. The hyperspace lane that started at Nar Shaddaa and ended at Sleheyron. It wasn't a particularly important trade route, but it's importance to the Hutts could not be understated. And Sleheyron? Even more so. It's not that the planet itself was anymore important than others, although it was somewhat of an economic powerhouse. But Sleheyron sat at the junction of several hyperspace lanes and trade routes. Slavery was the primary trade at Sleheyron even though Sleheyron neither produced the slaves nor used them in great numbers. But, because it stood at the junction of multiple hyperspace lanes and did so in the Outer Rim, it is no surprise that slavers from all over came here to sell their wares.

Salvatore Russo wanted to end that practice on this planet. Not out of the goodness of his heart, but rather for his own selfish purposes. The most prominent slave trader on the planet was a human named Trav Plix. As Hutt influence diminished on the planet, it created a vacuum. Industrious individuals with a penchant for violence and intimidation came from all around to fill the void. Plix was one of those industrious individuals. He had consolidated nearly the entire slave trade into a large complex, a prison converted to his own purposes. It was a massive pentagonal-shaped building. Being that slaves are a hot commodity and a target for pirates in the Outer Rim, Plix was very attentive to keeping the fortifications high. As an extra precaution, he placed the landing pad for ships in the middle of the massive interior yard between the five wings of cells. Slaves were imported directly into the compound and they were shipped out the same, never having the opportunity to step outside the five massive walls of the prison. The prison was designed to house as many 7,000 inmates, so it could hold that many slaves, if not more.

On this day, however, the complex held about half that many with some 300-500 of them set for export to a buyer who planned to take them to work in factories and mines somewhere in the expansion region. Russo's goals were clear. First, make a show of preventing those slaves from leaving on their transport ship. Second, kill Plix and destroy the facility in front of the slaves, acts that would serve as symbolism of their newfound freedom. And third, convince the slaves to join them in mob fashion to demand jobs that come with freedom and fair pay for their work, that together, they could forge a new destiny on Sleheyron where they would be treated like valued employees instead of slaves to be used, bartered, and sold. Sal knew getting into the former prison wouldn't be easy. He brought four thermite charges and a remote detonator to blow the doors. Looking at the guard towers, the question would be how to get the charges actually on the door.

Russo looked at his partners in crime. The woman, while beautiful, he knew nothing about. He was skeptical to bring her aboard, but this was going to require a few extra hands on deck. She apparently could sweet-talk her way amongst the men and was solid when the fodder hit the fan in a fight. Vako on the other hand, he got to know back on Nal Hutta. He knew he had the reputation of someone who was good with a blaster. Russo figured he was about to find out just how good. There was also a Mando present. Russo didn't know much about her either, but the last Mando he worked with had a nasty tendency to blow stuff up and leave carnage in his wake. He would be very satisfied with similar results here.

"Looks like when it goes down, it's going to go down fast and in a fury. Unless someone has a better option, I brought some boomsticks to breach the compound." He looked at the two of them for a moment. "We just have to get to an entry point and set the charge. Unless there's a better idea. I'm all ears."

@Morse @Celiana Drayven @Casmer

Spoiler: Tower Fortification and Tower Guard Skill roll

Tower Fortification is pretty solid, but the guard skill is really, really bad.

 

[Ramail Lone]

Another day, another job.

Ramail Lone hunkered down with the others at their vantage point overlooking the prison, listening to a man she knew went by the name Russo (but that was all she knew about him) as he briefed Ramail and her two unlikely companions on the objective. Perhaps she'd get to know Russo and the others, provided they remained alive for long enough to become interesting. Like as not, they'd all simply part ways after the deed was done, perhaps meeting again on another job, still only aware of each other's name and deadly capabilities. Yes, it seemed like the life of an independent contractor wrapped up in the throngs of the Syndicates was indeed a recurring series of mostly unknown faces and difficult tasks.

It was a prison break they were there for, in more than one sense. Free the prisoners, break down the prison. Literally and symbolically, it seemed. Ramail had never considered herself much of a unionist, mostly because there wasn't a lot of solidarity among soldiers of fortune. The need of the many at the cost of the few - that part she understood, however distant a concept it seemed to her these days. Every Mandalorian did. But that was all about blood, honour, and tradition - not wages and safer work environments.

The wish to not be enslaved was a pretty universal one, she supposed. Yes, she could understand that one. Not that she needed to sympathise with the prisoners. She was there because of her muscle and firepower, not her charm. Which was good the same.

Well hidden behind her T-visored helmet, Ramail leered at no one in particular. Most because there was no particular target for her annoyance.

Funny how these kriffing Syndicate jobs all begin as a group of deadly strangers with a ludicrous objective and a small margin for error. And boomsticks, of course, the man's right about that. Lots of boomsticks.

Her voice took on its usual crisp distortion as it filtered through the helmet: "Boomsticks are great." She didn't press the man on the possibility of enterring through a sewage system or another covert manner. Russo seemed like the type of sentient who would have already checked out any such possibilities. She made a mental note to herself as she waited for any of the others to chime in:

Name: Russo. Shrewd planner... possibly. If that proved to be true, then she'd know all of two things about him.

Perhaps they'd become friends after all.

 

[Vako Yizok]

Having grown up around slaves all of his life, Vako had very little skin in this game. In many ways he had an interest in seeing if he could take on some of the product once they're rebellion was concluded. Organized slaves were bad for everyone else's business, but independently traded? You could find a great buyer and pocket all the cash yourself. Vako had been on guard detail for slaves before, but had never traded them. But he'd sold weapons, traded in illegal animals, and had spent enough time slinging spice like everyone else... how hard could it be to sell people?

That would all depend on what followed or if a payoff inside was the right size. Vako had an assumption that those there were going to split the pay chest up, while the larger plan was put to work.

"I took you for a talker." Vako responded to the plan.

Vako did not know Sal very well... but Vako did understand him to be someone who looked at the bigger picture. A rarity in the Syndicates. Someone with a future as a boss somewhere. That said Sal had been the one to pull a blaster and fire rather than talk it out, so maybe their fates would be left up to chance like everyone elses.

He'd never met the other two... but he'd met Mandalorians before. Extremely dangerous people. Ruthless killers, no matter what shape or size. And with no markings of Syndicate affiliation, this one was probably just as reliable. The other girl... well she was probably just as dangerous as they all were.

"We blow a hole in the gate, that puts four on however many guards they have." Vako pointed out. "And if they're anything like Venka the Hutt, ehhh.... I don't know if that's odds I like. This gut is full of gas, not durasteel" Vako tapped on his naturally distended belly that was signature of all Toydarians.

Vako was not going to shoot it down without a suggestion, but he was cautious with his option. "I happen to have a piece of.. equipment though that might even some odds for us. A solid chunk of military hardware that'll get their attention fast."

Vako owned a tank...he'd stolen it from a Sullest manufacturing facility during a very similar set of circumstances they were about to be in. The tank was on his ship but could be easily brought to bare.

"I can draw the attention of whatever you want... so long as everyone keep the heavy hitters off my plates..." Vako had learned that the tank wasn't so good against rockets... but these operators might be able to do something about that.

In a way Vako was hesitant to put that piece of equipment forward... but the value of a win here... the entire treasury of a slave installation... a pirates golden dream... well that just might pay for the repairs and a fleet of tanks.

@Celiana Drayven @Casmer @Isen

 

[Celiana Drayven]

Interesting group....when I'd accepted the job I hadn't known any of these people. Though I recognized Beskar'gam anywhere....the job was pop open the prison and free the slaves. Then kill the current administrator and destroy the facility as a show of force. As the others talked I listened, gathering information to form my own plan... they were thinking of breaching the prison, however as soon as we did odds were they'd load up the prisoners into shuttles.

Looking at the group I said "As I see it we're here to liberate the slaves and prevent them being shipped out right? Well, I have a somewhat....quieter way of breaching the walls...." Pulling one of my curved hilt sabers to my hand with The Force I ignited it with a snap-hiss. A violet blade hummed as I twirled it out and to my side before thumbing off the activation. Looking back at them I said "Cut through the walls, and avoid drawing immediate attention from explosions. Then have someone move to disable the transports."

Hooking my saber back to the magnetic sheathe on my hip I looked at the Toydarian who mentioned a tank, waiting a few moments I said "Your tank could be used to provide cover while freeing the slaves, it also could help suppress any reinforcements.....violently." A glimmer entered my eyes as I said this and I waited for the other's responses to my ideas...

@Casmer ~ @Isen ~ @Morse

 

[Salvatore Russo]

An additional plan, a quieter, more covert option presented itself. And by someone with a lightsaber no less. Jedi? Sith? Didn't have the appearance of either one. Independent contractor? Jedi gone rogue perhaps? Either way, her potential plan appealed to Russo's more cautious side. At the very least, it had merit. One worthy of consideration.

"Ok, then. We have two options. Option A, we blow the door to hell with a tank and storm the closest two guard towers while the tank starts firing on the towers on the other side of the yard. If we see someone trying to herd the slaves onto the transport ship, we have to blow it too." He lifted the sunglasses from his eyes to rest on his bald head so they could look him in the eyes. "It's loud. It's fast. It causes a scene. It makes a point. It can also go south real kriffing fast."

He nodded to Drayven and then looked at the rest of the group. "Or, option B is viable also. We sneak up to the walls, she cuts us in. We get in silently. We could even roll the tank to one part of the prison wall, get the guards attention there while the rest of us sneak through the new door created by that purple beam she's got there." He looked at Vako. "You should be safe and sound. They're worried about slave revolts, not tanks. They should be limited to small arms. Nothing that can do too much damage to what you'd be rolling in. If you wanted to poke holes in the wall after the bantha fodder hits the fan, nobody would stop you." He looked back at the others. "Those of us on the ground would get to the transport. Disable it. Get the slaves in the yard in a frenzy, turn them into a mob, take out the guards and take the head slaver hostage. May not make the same big statement on the Holonet, but it could be a safer, more successful option. All of our asses are on the line. I think we should vote on it.

Russo gave each of them a look and said, "So...option A or B?"

@Casmer @Morse @Celiana Drayven

 

[Ramail Lone]

Instinct almost got the better of Ramail. When the lightsaber bathed the group with its sickening purple hue, Ramail's hands snapped to the WESTAR-55 at her hip. Only the strongest mental discipline prevented her from using it. Careful now, a voice inside her head, her voice, chimed. You know what those sorcerers are capable of.

She couldn't believe her misfortune. Starting a fight and blowing it with Russo and the Syndicate he represented was not an option. She needed the credits. Her clan needed the credits. But staying and fighting, side by side, with one of these people? Had her clan's situation not been so dire, Ramail would have either left the job or left a smoking cavity in the side of this sorcerers head post haste.

However, she realised the need for tolerance - even if she despised the need for it. The blades hissed back into nonexistence, a purple viper snapping back after a deadly lunge forward with its fangs exposed. She is exposed. Knowing they're who they are is always the first step to defeating them. Presently, Russo's voice echoed somewhere in her vicinity. True. He and the Toydarian were still there. A moment ago, Ramail had pondered whether they would all reconvene and learn more about each other after the task was done. Now she doubted whether they'd all make it even past the prison's front gate.

She willed herself to think of the two options Russo presented. One was loud and dirty, but very shock-effective. The other relied a bit more on sublety and the utilisation of the other woman's particular traits. Much to Ramail's chagrin, the silent option seemed the better choice. And, she realised suddenly, it would give her the opportunity to observe the sorcerer for a while before the real fighting began. Rumour had it that there were people like her in the Galaxy who were not as devious as a rawl. Ramail had never met one, but in her current situation she was prepared to risk it.

Anything for the clan.

Her gaze still on the woman, she answered Russo: "Option B's the better option the way I see it. I can stay behind whilst you guys create an entryway, providing long-range cover in case any guards decide to have a peep down from the walls with the mouth of a blaster. Then, once you're inside, I can either catch up and ascend to the walkways above the main courtyard, covering you from there, or jet myself onto the walls from the outside. Depends on how long we plan to stay covert; jetting's fairly conspicuous."

"Whatever we do," Ramail continued, gaze still fixed on the woman across from her, "I want her to keep those things tucked away until she needs them. They're like a beacon to any prying eyes on the walls."

 

[Vako Yizok]

The air was extremely tense after the girl revealed herself for what she was. One of those Jedi that made the rest of the galaxy quake with fear, and Vako among them. He had seem them in action. Some chasing him. Some freeing him. Some fighting with him. Some trying to kill him. He did not understand the complexities of their powers, they spawned from a galaxy away. But they were increasing in numbers and their powers were not to be underestimated. The fact that this one revealed herself alone did not put Vako at ease. He saw Jedi like Mandalorians. Unpredictable and dangerous, and not in a way that he was comfortable with.

"Option B sounds good to me." Vako started, obviously a bit on edge since the purple blade was presented.

Vako simply did not trust this thing he couldn't understand, let alone comprehend a reason it would be in this part of space working a Syndicate job. Maybe she was there to free slaves, but a being like that could fight armies alone and lift speeders with their mind. He'd seen it done, and he was not sure he wanted to be near one when they started unleashing that power.

"I'll get the guards attention, that won't be a problem. I've even got some of my friendly associates at the ship that could lend a hand... they're already on the cut so I don't think they'll be taking any..." He then looked at Sal. "Plus it's a herd that could use with some thinning anyway."

Vako did not have a great loyalty to those that followed him, just as his superiors didn't have with him when he followed them. It was pay for pains, and he wasn't going to weep over some Weequay that made money committing the same violent acts they all did that died in the process. Working with the same thugs too long tended to get thoughts of ambition and invulnerability, which allowed for an ambition that caused stupid decisions. Vako was not interested in an ambitious Weequay that thought he was invulnerable and talked others into stupid ideas.

@Casmer @Isen @Celiana Drayven

 

[Celiana Drayven]

I noticed the Mandalorians' hadn't flit to a Westar-55 blaster at her hip. Waiting as they all realized what I was and the Mandalorians' comment about my lightsaber drawing attention I flicked one eye towards her and said quietly "Snapping necks with The Force to keep guards from firing on you is always an option too. Not everything requires glowing blades, nor is every Force wielder one who means harm to those wearing Beskar'gam."

Inclining my head slightly at her I said "Looks like we're going for the quieter route then? Unless any are opposed that is?" Odds were that someone would spread word of this. Personally I could certainly use the notoriety, it'd attract attention. After all.....I'd started selling my services as an information broker. What was juicier than a Jedi pulling off covert ops to free slaves and all?

Now I waited to see what our approach would be towards the facility....

@Isen ~ @Casmer ~ @Morse

 

[Salvatore Russo]

As Sal considered the individual strengths of the team members and the assets they brought, it was a pretty well-rounded group. There was a significant chance that they could pull this thing off. Sal was banking on it. With the Hutt backing, he already had union control on Nal Hutta. If he could pull off Sleheyron, he would have both end points of the Pabol Hutta trade route. After that, he was just squeezing in like a constrictor snake until he took all the other planets and moons with trading posts and starports between them.

Russo drew a crude drawing on the ground to represent the prison in the volcanic dust that covered much of the planet. "Vako, take your tank to the east side of the facility. Be some eye candy. Get their attention. Blast a guard tower or two. Hit some walls. Just nothing big enough for the slaves to escape." He drew some hills off to the east side. "I don't think they will give chase or have much firepower to send back your way, but if things get hairy, you can drop behind these hills and circle back."

The former vice cop circled their current location which was behind an obsidian ridge that provided some cover and an excellent view of three of the five guard towers. "Ramail, hang back here. When the attention of the guards is on the tank, start sniping them one by one. I figure with the all the volcanic rock and the explosions from the tank, it will take a while for anyone to figure out there is a sniper at all, much less where the shots are coming from. Once you've done all you can do here, feel free to come join us on the inside to take out the rest of the slaver operation."

Finally, he looked at Drayven before putting an X on the wall to the southwest wall. "We'll enter here. The chaos outside the walls will give us cover for a while. Hopefully enough to disable the transport ship." He rubbed out the drawing and looked at the rest of the team. "Then we recruit them to help us take over the facility and set up a public execution of the man in charge."

Russo checked the power charges on both of his blasters and holstered them. "Remember- this isn't an emancipation mission. It's a recruitment mission. If there aren't any questions, I say we roll."

@Morse @Casmer @Celiana Drayven

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail let her hand drop from the handle of her blaster pistol. "Yeah?" she sneered at the Force-user after she had spoken, mockingly dusting off her chestplate. "Most I've met were a little too interested in testing its saber-resistence. But I suppose there's a first time for anything."

Ramail said no more than that. Pursuing the matter further seemed futile at this time. Whoever this Force-user was, she was a part of the mission and had a role to play. And although Ramail despised sorcerers like her, she realised the convenience of having lightsabers on their side. Plasma blades that could cut through practically anything? Well, unless the prison gates were made of beskar, they would certainly come in handy. As long as their wielder kept her distance, Ramail decided they might make it through to the other end after all.

Russo summarised and laid their tasks out before them. Ramail nodded approvingly. She picked up an elongated, rectangular case, held it by her right hand. "No emancipation," she said. "Got it. I'll withhold the bolts until the guards are gawking at the Toydarian and his little truck. Provided the Jetii doesn't, I don't know, request a parley with the warden and blow our cover for the sake of diplomacy." She started towards the obsidian ridge, saying: "I'll see you on the other side of the walls." The ridge behind them was steep, but Russo was right, it would be a good position for a sniper. She would have a good view of most of the guard towers and a large section of the wall. The distance wasn't short, but it should be well within the range of her longblaster.

She felt the familiar weight of the case containing her E-11s. It had been a while.

Like riding a swoop bike, Ramail thought. Like riding a swoop bike.

@Morse @Celiana Drayven @Isen

 

[Vako Yizok]

The Mandalorian and the Jedi were already entirely at odds. Vako did not know the history of them together, but he knew enough about Mandalorians to know they were always dangerous in small groups, and always bit off more than they could chew in the long run. Maybe the Jedi and Mandalorians had fought against each other in the past, as war that the Jedi no doubt won. Vako had seen Mandalorians work before, but they seemed more like advanced assassins and efficient cutthroats than an organized army, hunting prey like Nexu. The Jedi on the other hand... Vako had seen that... Vako had been on the wrong side of that before. That was something that he just didn't want to test.

In either case when Mandalorian and the Jedi were rattling sabers verbally, Vako couldn't help but look over at Sal with an expression that said everything he was thinking. Not everyone that worked for the Syndicates was the smartest or most reliable, but if they were called on to do a job like they were, it was a given they were a cut above the rest. Vako had worked with Sal before, and many others that were a bit more level headed... and this... Vako had a feeling it was going to turn into a killing contest.

"Sabers, snipers, shooters, and speeders." Vako noted as they were breaking off with a grim smile. "Bad day to be a slaver."

Vako's wings kicked up faster than they had been and he zoomed off quickly. The speed of Toydarians was impressive, and there had been enough cover that his materials and people had been unnoticed by the encampment. It had not been a fast journey there hiding behind rocks and trees on roads that did not exist but that was no real problem.

Before Vako was five thugs of the Syndicate payroll, A Weequay, a pair of Rodians, a human, and a Twi'lek. When Vako came up in a hurry, they were caught unaware. Not exactly how Vako had wanted to leave them.

"Valchata ono!" He ordered in Hutteese "ho twa i no kov'no anta!"

They quickly got up and grabbed their weapons. It was lucky for them it was Vako that found them first, had it been anyone else they all likely would not be alive to be embarrassed. And as embarrassing of a crew as they were, they worked cheap and they knew what would happen if they ran off.

Vako took his position in the RX-200 Falchion Tank, a vehicle designed to issue prolonged bombardments and combat airspeeders and bombers... the last thing the slavers would want to be around. He moved the vehicle forward to get it into position, his thugs hanging onto the sides of the vehicle as it progressed. As it approached the position Vako called out over the coms.

"I'm in position. Stay out of that courtyard. Opening up."

The tank began hurtling ion blasts over the walls and into the courtyard. Vako's goons hopped off the side of the tank and opening fire on guard towers and the assault was on. The eastern wall crumbled under the barrage and Vako opened up with a hail of anti aircraft fire into the breach. Whoever was on the other side was not having a good day.

 

[Celiana Drayven]

The plan was solid, have the Toydarian provide cover and distraction to draw guards away. Have our Beskar-clad friend provide overwatch and eliminate theirs. Nodding at the plan and smirking at her comments towards most Jedi enjoying testing sabers I bristled at her comments of the possibility of my seeking parley with the warden. As she departed towards her objective I nodded at the bald man.

The Toydarian left soon after and we headed towards the wall. The approach to the wall had gone smoothly and then we heard over comms "I'm in position. Stay out of that courtyard, opening up." I watched as ion blasts hurtled over the walls and into the courtyard. At our position I held my right hand out to the side calling my curved hilt saber to my hand and thumbing on the activation with a crackling growl of a snap-hiss.

Indicating to the others in our group to move against my wall I stabbed my growling violet blade through the wall and began cutting up and through the wall in a hole large enough for anyone to move comfortably through. Feeling my blade complete the cut I pulled my blade out and cleared the cut before extinguishing my blade and hooking it back to the magnetic sheathe on my hip.

Channeling The Force I saw the chunk of rock in my mind as weighing nothing more than paper and I moved the large chunk of wall out and to the side of my cut. There was a clear ingress point for us now, looking back at my bald associate I gestured for him to take lead. Reaching under my cloak I pulled out a highly modified blaster pistol and waited to follow him in...

@Morse ~ @Isen ~ @Casmer

 

[Salvatore Russo]

Sal ignored the back and forth between the Mando and the Force-user. Russo had been around crime all of his life, and the criminal underbelly of society was notorious for trying to make their mark on the pecking order. At the end of the day, they knew they had to work together on a mission like this. Failure would be quite the embarrassment, and seeing as this was an offshoot operation of the Hutt cartel, it would be wise not to make the Hutts look like they hired a bunch of amateurs. Everyone here knew that.

What Russo did like is that nobody wasted time. Once the plan was understood, everyone leapt right into action. Vako started with some blasts on the eastern wall and lobbed some over the wall for good measure. Russo followed Celiana to the complex's wall and kept lookout as she cut them an entrance. As Russo expected, all the attention was on the east side of the prison. That tank was doing exactly what the infiltrators needed.

When Celiana motioned for Russo to go first, he didn't hesitate. Both peacemakers were drawn as he stepped into the prison. They're entry point provided a long hall to both sides. In front of them were series of cells where the slaves were held behind red ray shield doors. The entire building was flashing with red lights, alarms were raging, and Russo's biggest fear was that the slavers would load as many slaves as they could onto the ship and take off. Russo had to get to that ship, and fast. A Togruta rose from his cot in one of the cells and made his way to the front, clearly interested that a lightsaber just cut through the wall in front of him. "Are you and the Jedi here to free us?"

Russo nodded. There was a keycode necessary to open the cell. Russo didn't know it, so he wouldn't be able to open it. "We're going to do what we can. What's the fastest way to the courtyard? We have to get to that ship in a hurry, or some of you will never be free."

The Togruta male narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Go to your right. The first left should be a very wide, open hall. It will lead straight to the courtyard," he said. "But I warn you, you will have to pass by the commons area for the slavers as well as their armory. It won't be easy, especially with the alarms going off and explosions in the prison."

Sal cussed under his breath but nodded a thanks to Togruta. Of course they would have to pass by the armory just as they were loading up for a battle against a tank. Russo followed the instructions and ran to the main artery of this wing, a straight shot to the courtyard. He looked around the corner and he could see the large bay door that led to the courtyard some fifty meters away. The problem was he could also see the scurrying of slavers running out of the armory in the direction the eastern wall locked and loaded.

Russo decided it would be time to get creative. He took one of his thermite charges and tossed it across the hall so that would it blow the wall to rubble and create an obstacle to protect their rear. He turned around and offered one to Celiana. "I'll provide cover fire if you think you can toss this into that hallway opposite the armory heading toward the eastern wall. Once you've done that, duck back inside the armory. I'll blow both charges, and we should have unimpeded access to the courtyard."

He checked his bag. He would still have two left. "And plenty of boom-boom left to blow the getaway vehicle."

Russo wasn't sure if she would feel comfortable taking on this task. It certainly came with its dangers, but if she was as savvy with that lightsaber as the Jedi and Sith, Sal figured she could deflect some blasters bolts and cause all sorts of havoc on the way in. She was probably faster than he was as well, and there was the issue that Russo was money with the peacemakers. He was more than capable of laying down a barrage of cover fire that would have the slavers crying home to momma.

@Morse @Celiana Drayven @Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail could see the tank from her position atop the cliffs. With the Toydarian behind the wheel and his goons clinging on to the sides of the tank as it roared towards the prison, it looked like a scene from a bad holo-flick. And those were Ramail's favourites. Guy's got class, she thought, reminding herself that these Syndicate people liked, even lived, to be conspicuous in the grandest way possible. Owning a personal tank had to be up there with full-body tattoos and regional bounties.

Ramail had assembled her longblaster and waited patiently, looking through the magnifying scope. As soon as explosions from the Toydarian's tank began sounding from the prison, Ramail took aim at the nearest guard on the walls and opened fire. Even while the guard was sagging to the ground, the Zabrak swept the longblaster a little to the left and sent a bolt through the chest of another emerging from the stairs. She kept on like this for a couple of minutes, feeling a little remorseful for the way she was mowing down the hapless guards. The Toydarian had been right: the chaos created by the tank made for the perfect cover under which she could dispatch the guards that made it onto the walls.

Eventually, the guards caught the drift. It was either that, or she had simply thinned out among them for long enough that there were no more guards to send to the walls. She doubted that, though. Either way, there was nothing left to shoot at. If the prey doesn't come to you, you have to come to it. Ramail rested her longblaster against a boulder, slung her BM-548 blaster rifle over her shoulder, and engaged her jetpack through the controls in her vambraces. The familiar roar of the jets rung in her ears as the dust starting whirling around her. She jumped from the cliff and felt her weight lifted by the jets. Before long, she could touch down on the walls, stepping gingerly to avoid the corpses she'd laid to rest there.

In that instant, blaster fire broke out around her. Instinct took over, and Ramail engaged the jetpack's thrusters whilst gripping one of the corpses in an attempt to shield herself and launched them both up and over a couple of metal crates that sat on the walkway, just large enough for her to crouch behind. The corpse splayed on top of the crate, jolting with every impact of blaster bolts. Ramail ran a quick diagnostics of her suit and found that she'd been hit in a couple of places, but none had done more than severely searing her beskar.

These di'kuts are smarter than I thought, she thought. She looked around, hoping to get an idea for what to do next, but there was nowhere to go other than through the guards or over the side of the wall down into the prison courtyard. If she vaulted down into the courtyard, it would only mean that the guards would turn around and run down, possibly creating problems for Russo and the Jetii. And although Ramail relished in the thought of creating a little havoc for the Force-user to clean up, it would be bad for the mission.

"Alright," her voice crackled throught the filter of her T-visor helmet. She flicked the safety on her BM-548 to 'off' and readied herself. "Time to counter 'smart' with 'hard'".

@Morse @Celiana Drayven @Isen

 

[Celiana Drayven]

As the bald man entered ahead of me I felt the humor the ray shields before I saw them. Red walls of energy keeping slaves inside...Feeling the hum I reached out and followed the source of energy. Through halls, air ducts, beneath floor plates....until I felt the source of the Ray shields. A power generator....smirking I brought my rage, my absolute hatred of slavery to bear on the generator and felt it crumple beneath my will.

I felt the fluctuation in the energy fields and then they dropped. Looking at the Toydarian who'd risen from his cot I said "How do you feel about fighting with us to free the others my friend?" As the bald one mentioned his plan of attack and handed me the charge I said "Aye, I believe I can handle that. After we've blown the wall I suggest we arm our new friends here. After all, I'm fairly certain none of us like slavers and the armory will be clear after I blow the wall."

Tossing the charge in the air a few times I clipped it to my side and began to channel my rage. Pulling my curved saber hilt to my hand with The Force I thumbed on the ignition with a snap-hiss and listened to it's crackling growl. Twitching my blade up in front of my face as a salute I flicked it back down. Then darted out and down the hall towards the common area and the armory. As I neared the armory a guard with a heavy blaster noticed me and began raising the rifle at me.

Dropping to a knee I brought my saber clean through his leg. As he began to fall I flicked my saber blade up through him from manhood to neck. Finally I flicked my saber blade through his neck with a backhand strike beheading him after vertically bisecting him as he'd been falling. Three strikes and pieces of the former slaver fell to the floor in neat cuts. Now to plant the explosives....

@Casmer ~ @Morse ~ @Isen

 

[Vako Yizok]

From outside the wall the fire had become rather intense. The enemy was hailing blaster fire that was bouncing off of the armor of the tank. The vehicle was designed for artillery barrages and anti airspeeder fire. Utilizing it on people was considered a war crime in the Republic, Vako knew that with certainty. Considering they were far from the reach of the Republic, he could not have cared less.

There was yelling over the speakers from his thugs and from him. Vako had ordered them to push through and break in through the wall, which had been severely damaged by the intense ion cannon fire blasting before it. There was only one real move that Vako had in mind from there.

The repulsor tank pushed forward into the breach, scraping its paint onto the side of the wall that was fractured. He now could see everything inside of the courtyard.

He could see the transport ship there, he could see the slaver guards still in the midst of a scurry. He was not entirely certain but he thought he saw one felled from a shot that came from up high. That may have been one of the infiltrators. He could not be certain from where he was. All he knew was that there was more to handle.

THRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

The roaring of the anti air cannons on the sides of the turret proceeded a repeating barrage that sent anyone in the courtyard diving for cover.

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

The main cannon hurtled a shot at some guards that were huddled behind some crates for cover.

Things seemed to be going well... until.

DRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH

A thermal detonator exploded beside the tank. It sent shockwaves through the tanks electrical circuitry. It had damaged the armor. And now Vako was exposed in the courtyard.

One of Vako's thugs was dead on the ground from the blast.... that part he was unconcerned about.

"They've got explosives on me!" Vako called through his comlink. "If you're unleashing the hordes you might wanna do it soon!"

Meanwhile his remaining thugs were scrambling for cover as they now found themselves, a bit surrounded.

@Celiana Drayven @Casmer @Isen

 

[Salvatore Russo]

What a strange world where a warrior with a blade was better suited to lead the charge against security with guns than someone with a pair of DG-34 heavy blasters. But, when the blade is a lightsaber and the wielder is one of those mysterious "Force users," things tend to get flipped upside down. She already managed to disable the ray shield of a holding cell with nothing but her mind, and he had seen how these electric, plasma blade-things were able to deflect blasters and how skilled many of the wielders were at doing so.

He followed her down the corridor hanging back about four or five meters. Both Peacemakers were extended and firing to provide cover. He dropped three or four that had turned from the hallway that led to the east side of the prison in an attempt to take out the infiltrators, and Celiana was making short work of some of the others as well. They made it to the armory, and Sal said, "Just toss it a couple of meters into the hall and meet me in the armory.

Once that had been done, they ducked into the armory, and Sal blew the hallway which effectively cut off anyone retreating back to get to them. The slave that she had freed was standing in the armory with them, and Russo tossed him a BM-548 blaster rifle for his troubles from the armory cache. He had it set and ready to fire. "Don't point it at anything you don't want to cut down, mainly me. Got it?" The Toydarian nodded, and Sal couldn't help but think that the carbine looked a little long and heavy for him. But, he was able to wield it well enough.

Then he heard the request over coms from Vako. He looked at Celiana and said, "Vako wants an army. Let's get him one. Take the Toydarian and try to free the slaves in the cells. Would probably be faster if you knew where the master controls were for the cell shield doors." He looked at his newly freed Toydarian compadre. "You know where that it is?"

He fluttered and nodded. "Hmmmm.....as a matter of fact I do. It's not far...I can show this Jedi, no problem."

"Good. I'll work on blowing up the ship and rallying the forces in the courtyard. As soon as you get a troupe big enough to give Vako some help, head to the east wall. I'll do the same." Sal hit his coms and said, "Vako, we're in the process of securing the troops. You need to buy a little more time. Mando? Maybe you can provide him some cover until the cavalry arrives."

He nodded a good luck to Celiana and started sprinting down down the corridor to the door that led to the courtyard.

@Morse @Celiana Drayven @Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

It was the kind of situation that all soldiers dreaded.

Pinned down, corpses strewn all around you, the wroooom of explosions and the hissing heat of plasma as it shot past you. Of course, Ramail had put the corpses there herself. Unintentionally given herself something to cover behind on an otherwise fairly exposed walkway. Funny, how things panned out in the chaos of battle.

The corpse she had hewn onto the crate in her instinctive flight-and-dive for cover had begun to smell like burnt meat. Looking up at it from between one of the burst of blaster fire she sent towards her enemies, she noticed the expression of surprise frozen on the man's face. I wonder what he'd be more surprised about, Ramail thought, peeking out from the crate's side to fire a three-round burst into the chest of an advancing adversary. That someone killed him or that his colleagues find it so easy to eviscerate his dead body. My buir always said that ruthlessness is measured in the disregard with which you treat your fallen. She fired another couple of rounds around the corner; retracted her head just before a barrage of blaster bolts zoomed past.

There was a short lull in the firing. Ramail was splayed on the ground, back resting against the crate, top of her helmet-clad head sticking up from the crate and holding the corpse of the slain guard in place against the powerful thrusts of the impacting blaster bolts. Using the guard as a shield was by no means something Ramail enjoyed, but she figured he wouldn't really be able to register it anyway. But the stench quickly became unbearable, and Ramail hadn't had a chance to fix the filters in her helmet before the job.

Resting now, in between the firing, the Mandalorian had a moment to think. And for whatever reason, her mind went straight to the Jedi. "Bad omen if there ever was one," she muttered.

A voice rang out, like an audible lightning against the faint wroooms of the fighting down on ground level: "We've got you pinned down, Mando. There's nowhere to go."

Well, they're right about that, Ramail thought. She should have seen their little trick coming. Should have spotted it from miles away. Blasted Jetii.

A realisation came over Ramail, the tension in her face melting away in an instant. The Jetii.

"Alright," she yelled. "Alright... Parley!"

"What?" the voice called back.

"Parley, you daft slug. Parley."

Several laughters rang out from her adversaries.

"You're not in a position to parley, Mando. You're outnumbered and outgunned. Lay down your weapons and surrender. That's your only option."

Ramail, now crouched on one knee, thought, that's technically not wrong. I was out of options... she slid off the cover of her jetpack's control panel, the one embedded in her vambrace. But options are made of ingenuity and time... and the latter was the only missing factor. Jumping up and engang the jetpack simultaneously, Ramail lifted some four meters up into the air. She aimed her left arm at the group of prison guards that were taking cover on the walkway, some inside the roofed staircase, others behind boxes and in nooks in the walls outside the staircase. She pressed a button next to the jetpack controller.

Smoke erupted and trailed from her hand as a wrist rocket stirred from its slumber and in a fit of sleep-induced rage roared towards the guards. They didn't have time to react. The rocket exploded on impact, chewing up the guards outside the staircase like a rancor, spitting them out in more pieces than it had devoured them in. The guards in the staircase would have been spared some of the blast, but the impact destroyed the entrance from the staircase to the walkway, making it impossible to reach the walkway from there.

Suspended mid-air, Russo's voice resounded over the commlink. He wanted her to provide support for the Toydarian. Ramail looked down into the scene that took place in the courtyart. "I'll see what I can do," she answered, and landed on the walkway again, shooting down at the guards in the courtyard.

@Isen @Morse @Celiana Drayven

 

[Celiana Drayven]

Following the bald operatives instructions we blew the wall and armed our Toydarian friend. After a short conversation we split up and I followed the Toydarian to a control center. After making sure it was clear I realized it'd be easier to just destroy everything and bring multiple things offline. Looking at my new friend I wreathed myself in rage, lust for battle, vengeance and extending my left hand towards the control center I poured all of that emotion into indigo lightning.

Current channeled through my fingers and exiting my fingers through my nails into the consoles. Smoke began pouring from them as they began failing then exploded in arcing shorts. Systems began shorting and finding an intact comm broadcast console I triggered it online "Attention enslaved beings, you may have noticed cages shorting out. You're welcome for that by the way. I believe we all have a problem with slavers, therefore I propose you join forces with me and my friends to bring a very personal end to those who enslaved you."

"As we fell these slavers arm yourselves my friends! Take back your lives! Show them the error of their ways my friends! To Freedom!" I felt the drive, ambition, anger, among other emotions. Hope, righteous anger and more. Smiling I looked to the Toydarian and said "Now you can provide me cover as I cut down these slavers and arm your friends." Moving towards the east wall I noticed a few slavers that were attempting to subdue several slave.

My left forearm still wreathed in indigo lighting I focused my rage down my arm, through my index and middle fingers and throwing a jab forward I fired an intense bolt of indigo lightning through the slavers. A hole burned through all of their chests thin ribbons of smoke and the smell of cooked meat scented the air. Looking towards the slaves I said "arm yourselves my friends we shall deliver these slaver scum to the void."

Several more slavers came into the hall and as the moved to fire I threw my saber. Guiding it with The Force I brought my blade slicing through all three of their necks in a clean stroke. Calling my saber back to my hand I cleared the blade out and to the side in a small flourish. Looking at the freed slaves I said "go ahead and grab whatever can help us. three more blaster rifles and blaster pistols. If you free any more of your friends arm them and let us take this place."

At this rate we'd have a small army shortly. I was waiting to hear from my bald headed compatriot and to hear the explosions from those ships being disabled. Personally I'd have just disabled the engines with blasters that way they could use the ships for whatever operations we set up next. Then again I suppose better safe than sorry... I continued through the halls cutting through several more slavers and arming yet more slaves while I waited for him to show at the east wall.

@Casmer ~ @Isen ~ @Morse

 

[Vako Yizok]

Vako was not quite surrounded, but he was almost being surrounded. Whatever they had done they done very well as it seemed like every Weequay, Rodian, and Rattak was running at his armored vehicle with a blaster. They took cover and they jumped up from behind it to take shots every time the focus of the cannons were pointed somewhere away from them. By Vako's count he had not actually dispatched any of the defenders for several minutes.

That was not good. Vako was not certain, but he thought he'd lost another of his compatriots on the ground beside the tank. He had not heard them say anything for a while.

He heard the call over the radio. They needed more time. But Vako was running out of time. He'd risk four insignificant syndicate people for this endeavor... but the tank he'd gotten at great risk. And within it was himself. These were the things he would not risk losing that day.

"It's getting way too hot out here. Whatever you're gonna do, do it fast!" Vako answered. It was the most diplomatic way of saying he was about to shift plan and go his own way if needed.

@Casmer @Isen @Celiana Drayven