Ask Snakes in the City

[Thel Xeros]

Zeltros

Thel sat at a table inside a bar, waiting for his fellow Sith. He was wearing his black robes, cloak and leather boots. He had worked with Cyutadakyr before, so that would hopefully make things easier. Ambrosia, who he had also worked with before, had helped secure a foothold on Zeltros. Now it was a matter of consolidating it.

The task seemed simple: to eradicate what remained of a local gang. It was necessary to be discreet, but he felt confident that he and his fellow Sith could handle the mission. Cyutadakyr had proven to be a resourceful warrior when they last met. On that occasion he had taken the lead. He felt relaxed in letting her take the lead this time.

@lizziie @Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Zeltros was one of the few places in the galaxy where Cyutadakyr could blend in with the crowd, funnily enough. With her crimson glow, it wasn't difficult to pass as an off-colored local where the majority were shades of pink. This feature could likely come in handy, for the task at hand today.

The pureblood's companion once more was a peculiar fellow she had previously worked with. Thel had proven himself quite resourceful and had thus far avoided earning any black marks against his name in her book. Dressed casually in jeans and a hoodie, she hardly stood out when she approached Thel from behind, bumping him with her elbow and walking by as if to encourage him to follow.

They wouldn't have to go far to find a quiet spot in an alley behind the bar. What she was going to tell him was likely to cause a lot of problems for the locals and she hardly wanted anyone there to overhear anything. Keeping her voice down, she grinned. "Word on the street is that the Tunnel Snakes are looking to settle their feud with the Street Cats after recent events, perhaps even planning something together." That certainly couldn't be allowed to happen.

Whatever Ambrosia had planned for the planet, she had asked for their help and she was getting it. The snakes were clearly smarting from their recent defeat and were planning to get back at her somehow. Fortunately, they wouldn't get a chance if Cyu and Thel had something to say about it.

"We're gonna crash the meet, make it look like a setup, and then coax them into fighting each other again. With any luck, they'll do most of the heavy lifting and allow us to mop up what's left. But first, should we infiltrate one gang together, or take one each?" Both options had pros and cons and could go either way. Since they'd be showing up as hired muscle for the meeting, it wouldn't cause too much suspicion on the surface, although when it went to shit they'd have to have a bloody good cover story lined up.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel sensed Cyutadakyr’s presence as she moved closer. Feeling the elbow against his back, he looked up and saw that she had opted to dress casually. Slightly different from how he looked.

He followed her out into the alley. “That does present an opportunity,” he replied. He listened as she spoke. Turning the two gangs against each other seemed logical. It was just a question of how to do it. “Perhaps we should take one each. I can deal with the Street Cats,” he suggested.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Taking a moment to enjoy the scene, there was a little amusement as she pictured the both of them in another life as street criminals. Having already made some subtle inquiries, it had been arranged for a selection of hired guns to meet each respective gang near the neutral ground that would be the meeting point.

"Sounds like a plan, do whatever it takes to ensure theres no peace and remember, no survivors but it's gotta look gang related." The last part was important, as they couldn't have no imperials or Jedi looking around for Sith involvement on the planet. Popping her hoodie, Cyu broke away and off to reach the where the Tunnel Snakes were gathering prior to the meeting.

A beefy guy handling the entrance blocked her way with a grumpy stare about him. "You here on business?" the tall man inquired, clearly expecting others. Nodding slowly, the pureblood pulled back her hoodie to reveal a nice piece slipped into her waistband. After being admitted, Cyu found herself entering the club and wandering over toward the bar where she saw a handful of other merc types lingering.

But first, she'd need a drink.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel nodded in agreement and then, shortly after Cyutadakyr left, set off towards where the Street Cats would be meeting.

The entrance to the drinking club, that the Steet Cats’ meeting was being held at, was down a small alleyway. A lone guard stood at the door. “You here for the meeting,” the guard asked with a harsh tone. “Yes,” Thel replied, smiling slightly. “Where’s your invite?” Thel obviously didn’t have one, but it wouldn’t be necessary. “You don’t need to see my invite,” Thel said calmly, whilst simultaneously making a slight waving gesture with his right hand. “I don’t…need to see your invite,” the guard mumbled, a vacant expression on their face. “You will let me enter the premises.” The guard was powerless to resist. “I will…let you…enter the premises.”

Thel descended a staircase into the club. The room was fairly dark. A few dim lights dangled from the ceiling. There were three pool tables with a few people around them. There were also some figures gathered around the bar. Someone, near the bar, shouted out to Thel. “If you’re supposed to be part of the meeting, get over here!”

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The meeting with the Tunnel Snakes wouldn't take long they said, as the gathering assembled for war or profit, depending on how it unfolded. Armed to the teeth, they were on a war path after the Ambrosia had killed a number of their crew and worse, stole their prized warehouse. It wasn't just about taking back what was theirs, but more importantly, they felt the injustice must be answered with blood.

Unfortunately in their slightly weakened state, it was senseless to risk more of their gang without first securing an agreement with their main rivals the Street Cats. Failing to do that could result in their destruction as the Cats would severely out-man the Snakes in regardless of our the revenge went down. The leader of the Snakes, a tall and thin Zeltron waited as the crew gathered around him.

"You know why we're here. Our brothers and sisters have been stolen from us, senselessly slaughtered by some new crew. If we are to remain in this game however, we must do the unthinkable - we must work with the Cats." A series of moans and complaints sprung up across the room, but the leader was undeterred. "I know, I know. But it's the only way. The hired muscle we have should be enough to take back what was stolen from us, and then we rebuild in our brothers and sisters' honor. Let's get to work."

The Zeltron raised his glass, as the rest of the gang did to honor the fallen. It wouldn't be a long walk to the neutral meeting point between where the gangs were currently at, a whole lot could go wrong, but they had to try. As for Cyu, she did her best to blend in with the other mercs and follow along to this 'meeting' point, wondering how Thel was getting on.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel joined the crowd near the bar. “We’re just waiting for the boss.” A door near the bar opened, and out stepped a small female Zeltron. She was dressed in a black boiler suit and leather jacket. The crowd immediately quieted down. Those gathered around the pool tables also turned to pay attention. She stopped in front of the crowd and remained silent, ensuring she had everyone’s complete attention. “We have waited a long time for this moment. This is the first step towards claiming control of the streets,” the Zeltron declared confidently. Thel remained near the back of the crowd. “I know many of you are concerned about a potential alliance with the Snakes, but I can assure you that they are just a means to an end. Once they’ve helped us wipe out the new player in town, we will destroy the Snakes once and for all!” Cheers rang out across the room. “Arm yourselves and be prepared! We are heading out!”

Thel watched as the crowd began to disperse. The female Zeltron, clearly the leader, was flanked by a couple of large guards. Thel approached her slowly. “Excuse me, sorry to bother you,” he said politely. The two guards immediately reached for their blasters. “Wait!” The guards listened to her order. “What do you want,” she asked firmly.

“I have reason to believe that the Snakes are planning something. They have no intention of working with you.”

“What makes you think that then,” the Zeltron said, seemingly not believing Thel.

“I am familiar with some of the mercenaries the Snakes have hired. I’ve heard whispers. You should be very careful.” The Zeltron now seemed less cynical.

“Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps you’re not. We are prepared for a fight if this does turn out to be an ambush. So, just make sure you’re ready.” Thel watched as she walked away. He hadn't completely convinced her, but at least he may have planted the seeds of paranoia.

(8/20 Dice roll)

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The two groups made their way toward the meeting point with relatively calm between them. Everyone could sense an air of tension, but for the most part, each stuck to their respective sides and acted the part of a street gangster. The exception was the two leaders, who, each knowing the other, met in the middle at a table with their lieutenants in tow.

The pair of Zeltrons sat quietly, staring each other down waiting for the first to budge. In this case, the leader of the Snakes obliged, drawn out by his own frustrations that had been building up. "You know I never wanted us to be rivals Lora, we could have done so much more together."

The other snakes took up various positions around, tables, doors, and whatnot. It was clear that trust didn't exactly run high. The male Zeltron ran his fingers through his hair before continuing. "Even still, we cannot allow these outsiders to get a foothold in our turf. And as much as it pains me to admit it, I need your help."

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel joined the group of Street Cats that headed over to the warehouse. He could sense the tension as the two leaders made their way to the centre of the room.

They began to talk and there seemed to be some history between them.

“And whose fault is it that we’re on opposite sides,” she replied to the male Zeltron, with a hint of venom in her voice. The male Zeltron continued to speak, as Thel glanced around the dark room. He couldn’t see Cyutadakyr. “So, you’ve come crawling back to me. You know I’m going to want certain guarantees before agreeing to any sort of alliance.”

Thel stood quietly at the back of the room, amongst the large assembled group of Street Cats and their hired guns.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

The male Zeltron locked eyes with his rival, less than enthused about the prospect of having to beg for help in front of both his own men and hers. "You know it's not like that, it was never meant to be like that. But we made choices, both of us and now we live with it."

The bitter taste of the past still caused a stir in his memories. In another lifetime perhaps they could have worked together the whole time instead of becoming rivals, but that was long gone now.

"Well that depends on what you mean by guarantees, and you better not be trying to extort me." Cyu could sense the tensions growing with glee. It wouldn't take too much more to ruin the talks but without their interference, there was still a chance that the gangs would work together.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

"Extort you? Please," Lora scoffed. "It wouldn't surprise me if you tried to stab us in the back as soon you got the chance. I've already heard things." Her last statement did amuse Thel. Considering the fact that she planned to double-cross the Snakes.

Thel hoped that tensions would boil over between the two gangs, without the need for any further intervention from him or Cyutadakyr. However, he appreciated that more would probably need to be done to provoke them into conflict.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

It was the little things in life that Cyutadakyr enjoyed, things often overlooked as innocent or at the very best petty. Someone accidentally stubbing their toe turning them from a happy-go-lucky individual into a furniture-hating monster in the blink of an eye. A sibling backhanded another the instant the former struck with no motive other than simple primal retaliation.

Judging by the constant staring and looks given by the respective parties, the fuses had long since been set and all they needed was a spark to set it off. Nodding towards Thel, he'd know he'd need trusty cover like she would. From Cyu's new position, she'd be relatively safe from the blaster fire and thus she would light the fuse, subtly using the force to ensnare a nearby blaster and pulling its trigger.

From there, the firefight began.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

After a while, Thel did finally spot Cyutadakyr. He initially thought her nod in his direction was just a simple gesture. However, a sudden feeling of uneasiness grew within him. Something was about to happen. He just about had time to move back into the crowd. Catching sight of a few barrels, he stood next to a Street Cat placed behind them. Without warning, a blaster bolt fizzed across the room. What followed was an explosion of violence, as blaster fire flew in all directions.

Thel dove into cover behind the barrels. The Street Cat who had been stood next him, wasn’t so lucky. Their dead body slumped to the ground, riddled with holes from blaster fire.

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

It was amazing what one little trick could do, when the minds of so many were primed and pumped ready for action. It wasn't so much that Cyu didn't want to drag out this ridiculous meeting any longer, but depending on how weak willed and desperate the snakes were, there was a definite possibility that they would buckle to their rival's demands. Whatever the cost, the mission came first, and they simply couldn't afford the risk of an alliance forming.

Naturally the pureblood held back nestled in the corner taking shots at people but largely keeping out of harms way. Once the majority had dealt with each other, it would be up to Thel and her to ensure that the leadership all went down with the ship, and as many members as possible.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel grabbed the blaster dropped by the dead hoodlum and began taking pot shots from behind the barrels. Blaster bolts flew around the warehouse from all angles, making it difficult for him to accurately assess the situation.

Fortunately, as Thel glanced out from behind the barrels, he caught sight of the Snakes’ leader making a dash for one of the exits. Leaning out of cover to get a better angle, Thel took aim and fired. The blaster bolt shot through the Zeltron’s torso, and their lifeless body quickly collapsed to the ground. Thel narrowly avoided a blaster bolt aimed at his head, as he ducked behind the barrels again.

“The boss is dead!”

(OOC: 15/20 dice roll to kill the Snakes' leader.)

@Xorism

 

[Nevizkas]

Among the chaos, oh so very delicious chaos, the screams and wails of combat filled the air. Vicious streams of blaster fire scored a symphonic tune, pierced only by the startled screams of those in harms way. The illicit fight between former friends turned bloody, born of crime and blundered through the machinations of the Sith. There would be no reunited effort against the Order, no grand strategy enacted to stop the inevitable.

Those more sensible attempted to flee, rather than join the carnage, only to find their luck run short as the exits were thoroughly blocked. Cyu quietly spotted the leader of the Street Cats attempting to hold off a group, a brave street fighter scrapping with her fists once the blaster ran dry. It was almost a shame to end her life, almost.

Once the leaders were both dead, and the realisation that they were completely boxed in became apparent, the few remaining gangsters attempted to hide. Whispering to Thel through the force, Cyu suggested finishing them off rather than leaving witnesses. With everyone dead, their mission would be completed and they could return home.

@DMCK

Spoiler: Roll

12/20 to kill the Catz

 

[Thel Xeros]

Thel responded to Cyutadakyr’s prompt and stepped out from cover. Ducking under a stray blaster bolt, he shot down the one who fired it and another one of the gang members. Only a few remained. It was difficult to determine whether they were Tunnel Snakes or Street Cats.

Moving swiftly and precisely, Thel picked off the stragglers. Even though visible displays of the force were out of the question, the advantages the force gave to his speed and reflexes meant that the remaining gang members didn’t pose much of a threat. Cyutadakyr could finish off any that he didn’t get.

With the Tunnel Snakes and Street Cats eradicated, the two main threats to the Sith’s base on Zeltros would be gone.

@Xorism