Ask Welcome back Covax.

[Covax]

The commercial transport landed on the platform of Taris' level six with the grace one might expect from a flying brick driven by a second rate pilot. Covax was no ace of the skies, but even he could land a freighter without snapping the landing gear or cracking the duracrete pad. By the force he missed having his own ship. He missed a lot of things.

A sudden flood of painful emotions washed over him. Memories of his son Dante, and of Doc. He made an audible sigh, then stood from his seat and made his way to the ramp with the other passengers. Along the way retrieving his gear bag. Stepping off the craft, he tapped the screen of his EZPhone and opened the Uber-Lightspeed app. His partner for the job would be waiting for him at the hotel, another Apex contractor. Apparently a droid of some skill. All Covax knew was he needed a shower and a drink. Then he could get to work.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

For the same reason that swoop gangs ran rampant, so did the smugglers and other criminal aspects of the underworld. N4-X4 was on Taris to secure a new transport. The BX commando droid had a starfighter on behalf of the Bounty Hunter's Guild but that was not always ideal mode of transportation. The Apex Contractor had bid on a lancer class pursuit craft and come to secure it in full. There were some modifications the droid wished to conduct that would take time but the skill and the parts would be available on the ecumonopolis without a doubt.

The primary reason the droid had come to the planet was for a contract. Acquiring a ship was just a secondary objective for the infiltrator and assassin. Gart Sten had fifty thousand credits on his head and the BX commando droid had come to collect. They were not alone though and would soon by joined by the second contractor participating in the mission.

Having arrived early, the droid came prepared in the hotel with a spread of weapons and tools expected to be used. The scatterweave clad automaton surveyed the gathered armory and calculated which loadout would be the most effective. Their ID-21 seeker droid was on security detail and connected to the hotel CCTV long ago. While they would not have the entire building to themselves, the hotel was as safe a place as any for the two contractors. When the Uber-Lightspeeder arrived the seeker droid communicated in droidspeak directly to the encrypted internal commlink channel they shared. +Arrviing, friendly, apex, covax+

The droid would answer the door when Covax arrived. The hallway was empty and he would be allowed to set his bag anywhere and make himself at home. "Greetings" The BX commando droid vocabulated with an unusual level of manners. But it did not last long because the machine turned back to inspecting the kit it was expecting to use. "Make yourself at home." The robotic tone strangely insincere even if the droid meant to the contrary. The hotel door would hiss closed behind Covax to give the contractors their privacy.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax watched the world go by as the speeder took him to the hotel. Of all the worlds he'd been on in his many years as a mercenary and later as a would be crime boss. He'd never been to Taris, and from his view at eighty miles per hour he wasn't missing much. Just another city planet where the sky is just out of reach and the populous gets impoverished with every level.

He shook the grim view from his mind. He was here for a job and he needed to get his head in the game. The contact for Garn Sten was just the kind of pay day the former crime boss needed to restart. He also needed to prove to @Arla that he was worth the risk of adding to the roster of contractors for Apex.

When they finally arrived, Covax quickly paid the drive via the app and departed for the lobby. Stopping at the bar for a shot and a beer first. Shot down, beer in hand. The the once and again human mercenary took the lift to the room. The security cameras did not escape his attention, nor did the Blackwell model security droid in the lobby.

As Covax approached the room, he reached to know and found himself suddenly face to face with his droid partner for this job. "Uh...hi?" He stammered, then followed the droid inside. Allowing the door to close behind him. The small probe droid coming into view now.

Setting his bag down on a near by table, Covax took a pull from his beer and walked over to check the droids gear. The revelation of the robot's kit did not help the human's mood. Covax was reduced to a the equivalent of a police swat team, and this old BX looked ready to invade a Jedi temple. Checking out a pistol, one he was unfamiliar with. Covax had to ask, "Nice pistol, how's it compare to a DA-34?"

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The droid looked towards where Covax was gesturing. The commando droid had extensive data on virtually all known tools of war and violence. "The DA-34, a predecessor the modern DG-34 peacekeeper if files are correct. That Nightstinger blaster pistol is lower damage output but it fires low-light bolts and a relatively quieter sound. It has fewer shot capacity but is it lighter, smaller and better suited for discreet operations." The Nightstinger had an ascension attachment on its rail. Naxa could appreciate heavy blasters. It was why there was a modified M3 heavy blaster pistol hidden in its right arm.

There were a few other pistols available for either of them to use if they deemed it necessary. A Bryar pistol and an RSKF-44, both of which could cause heavy damage. There were rifles brought by N4-X4 including but not limited to BM-664 heavy blaster rifle, E-5, E-11s long blaster, SG-82 sonic rifle and a V-4N4 "Foe-Sweeper". There was even an EE-3 with an optional underbarrel grenade launcher or rocket attachment .

As the fellow contractor surveyed N4-X4's armory they would walk over to a mobile computer and projector to show Covax what they had acquired in terms of intelligence on Gart Sten. An image of an airspeeder garage in the lower levels lit the room in a slightly blue glow. Small aurebesh writing in the hologram would show exits and entrances as well as room names and their purpose as well as composition. The ID-21 seeker droid and Naxa had both done their work secretly surveilling the hideout.

The image would be up for Covax to study but Naxa would begin to state information about the defenses. "Gart Sten has acquired half a dozen IG-LN droids and escort him in swoop bikes or patrol the surrounding area. A pair of IG-100 magna guards personally join him where ever he goes." It was clear that Gart had acquired these droids through his previous Banking Clan machinations.

The droid continued with the local gang details. "The territory belongs to a local gang called..." It paused a moment as it tried to recall their name. But it was somewhat forgettable and the droid did have its limits in terms of processing. "...the Red Howlers. The gang has local connections that Sten is taking advantage of to stay safe. They are well armed and may have an arms dealing pipeline or a smuggling ring." There was a ninety four percent chance those were the only defenses at the target's disposal.

@Taz

Spoiler: Dice

94/100 rousing success

 

[Covax]

Covax looked at the droid with a question of confusion. "I think your files need an update." the human said matter of fact-ly. "The DA-34 was an Empire standard issue medium damage pistol before the split. While the Peacekeeper is a hand cannon made popular by the rangers and that slimy little prick Preff Callo. Both great weapons, but not even made made by the same manufacturer."

Confirming what he knew from his own personal experience made him miss his own personal collection, and the remember the scum who helped take it all away. "Should have killed that bastard when I had the opportunity." He muttered to himself. Then returned his train of thought to the mission at had.

The old battle droid's knowledge of weapons might be a Wookie's hair off, but the intel on the target was masterful. Covax stood over the holo-image, studying every detail. There seemed to only be two major ways in and out on opposite sides of the main hanger. However, the human noticed a server tunnel of a storage room in the upper left corner. Currently housing a stack of red crates.

"If we want to try a stealth approach. That service tunnel might be the way to go. Likely links into the city maintenance tunnels on that level. We can slip in, plant some explosives on his convoy and wait for him." Covax then paused and looked back at the hardware, "However, if you feel like testing your programming verse some IG's and some other meat bags. We can move in hot and heavy from the main entrances. Divide and conquer. While we lay waste, your little seeker there confirms Sten's location and we move in."

Covax usually liked to hit hard and fast, but was aware the the old commando droid was at least originally programmed as an expert in infiltration and assassination. Making them far more effective then their standard B1 brethren. So he would leave the choice to the droid to see where it felt most effective, and then equip himself accordingly.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The droid gave a momentary pause and allowing Covax to explain. Its photoreceptors focused on him, one of which seemed to flicker for only a second before normalizing. "You are correct." It nodded its short head. The newer model blaster was not among the droid's detailed files though it was aware of its existance. It still should have been able to recall it. This would need latter analysis to proof any errors in the droid's systems.

The droid knew well enough how the Peacekeeper worked. The droid had been shot by the famous handcannon of the legendary gunslinger on Coruscant not long ago. Before that it had been Mygeeto. Sufficed to say, the droid had plenty of run-ins with the Rodian gangster. The tone of distaste in Covax's voice did not go unnoticed but for now would not be commented on by the BX commando.

"There is always next time." The machine replied, abnormally optimistic. It did not hold a personal grudge against Preef for either time he had shot N4-X4. But the droid would have improved operating statistics if the Rodian was no longer in business. It made work difficult for the droid.

"I have no need to test my programming. It would be in our best interest to take a covert approach. The primary danger is in prolonged combat and reinforcements. The longer a skirmish continues the less accurately I can predict the outcome. If no alarm is sounded I can recall and disable the IG units. After we leave, I can then reprogram them." The BX commando droid knew its own limitations because it knew a frontal assault was possible but inefficient. N4-X4 wanted to claim the droid security for themselves. The droid needed more soldiers for its plans and this seemed like an opportunity to acquire some. Furthermore they could be of use for Apex if Naxa made the right adjustments. However if they were shot and slashed to scrap there was not much value in recovering their parts.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

"No bag does have a brain after all." He quip after the droid confirmed what the human mercenary knew well. Covax watched as the droid literally updated his files. Confirmed with a blinking of it's.....eyes. Then, apparently hearing the human's muttering over their mutual enemy seem to confirm there was still time to remedy the mistake of not shooting the one time crime boss. "Little green fucker sure knows how to make friends." Covax confirmed.

Returning their attention to the task at hand. Covax took another look at the plans. "Ok, stealth then. I'm going to assume you have some slicing programs in that head of yours. So you take point to the city service, hack what shit security they have and we make our way towards that room in the holo-prints," He said again pointing to the room currenly storing the red crates.

"If we can slip in nice and quite, great. You play with your droids friends (reprogramming) and I'll plan the explosives on the target vehicle. I'm also gonna barrow that launcher of yours for my rifle, in case we need a plan b." Assuming his companion could agree with this quick but effective idea. Covax would finish his beer and prep gear. When nightfall came and the city was a little less busy. The real mission would begin.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The senior contract was both organic and older so it was not surprising that the man responded in a gruff and crotchety manner. The droid expected to hear more gruff talk from Covax. Supposedly meat bags enjoyed the quipping back and forth in their buddy-ranger holoflicks. They did not have any further comment on the famed gunslinger though they were fine with listening.

The shortened BX commando droid head nodded at Covax's assessment and pointed at the red crates. At the mention of using the droids weaponry it gave an additional nod. "The client will be billed for its use. Shoot responsibly. Overkill is underrated." They did not want the senior contractor to worry about protecting the weapon. It was disposable and had no value other than its practical purpose. The case with the specialty grenades were pointed out for Covax to use. The droid prepared their own gear as they waited and made sure their energy reserves were topped off.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax sighed in disappointment. The human thought for a moment he was build a little back and forth with the robot. But no such luck. As was typical with bounty droids, not much personality was there. "You know, you're about as fun a prostate exam BX." While the droid obliviously continued it's routine.

The human then looked at the droid with a face that clearly said, the fuck did the you just say? "Right, I'm sure Arla or Nakoa would sure love to see an invoice for grenades and ammo used on target." he scoffed. "Hey, if it works though you let me know." Continuing as he rolled his eyes. It was true that Covax had been out of the game a cycle or, ten. But he was still pretty sure that a bounty was flat rate based on threat level or importance. If he wanted to drop a speeder on the target it was up to Covax to buy the speeder, not the client. "Fucking droids." He muttered.

"It's not overkill, it's plan B. Seeing as they have the numbers, we might need the firepower." Covax explained. "Tell you what. If I have to use it, I'll buy it. Would that make you feel a little better BX?"

With the issue of the launcher hopefully settled, Covax went to prepare the rest of his gear for the night's mission. Knowing the droid would have downloaded plans and maps of the city, the human let the droid lead for the moment once they left the hotel and made for the lower level tunnel system.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

"I am not programmed for fun." It orated accurately. "If it improves our mission effectiveness I can attempt to be more fun." If Covax liked the BX commando droid they could have better communication and the organic might react more quickly to responding to the droid's aid if it came to that. "If there is something still up your butt I did used to work for MorataCorp and know my way around assholes." The droid made its first attempt at a joke.

N4-X4 noted the sarcasm and heard the following insult but made no notable reactions. Covax continued to explain his perspective and plan regarding the weapon. "I do not care." It replied simply. It made no difference to the contractor.

With their gear prepared and the two contractors ready, Naxa led the way to the service tunnels as planned. Their seeker droid followed and then flew over the commando droid's shoulder to scout ahead. The unpleasant and relatively stagnant smell did not bother the machine's sensors.

The distant echo of swoop bikes hinted that the rumored gang was on patrol nearby but would not discover the Apex infiltrators. In a matter of minutes they were at the building and inside the storage room behind the red crates. The immdiate area was clear though there sounded to be some movement in adjacent rooms.

@Taz