A Wayward Son (Closed, Structured RP)

With one ear pointed at the direction of Republic Officer speaking and second, trying to catch the conversation of two ladies standing near him, Dugo took a slow sip from the bottle on the table before him. All speeches seemed pointless to him, as details are always sent after, and listening to some bloke in charge, trying to look like a biggest friend was a waste of time. He rather lit a death-roll up and was imagining that half-naked woman, with nice physique stood there instead of that guy.

His hand immediately appeared to fashion his nicely trimmed short brown hair, when he saw his young, handsome face on the reflection from bottle, being decorated by such a bad hair-look. His azure blue eyes were precisely scanning the room for a target with breasts, and seducive face. Unluckily, no trace of someone fulfiling the criteria.

"Has been quite a long time since I was doing something money-producing. At least I hope some nice blondie or twi'lek will be assigned as my escort." he thought as the Officer finished speaking to the crowd and grinned for himself.

Sitting, watching women he could miss before passing by, Dugo waited for the ruckus of leaving to settle and went to lavatory. His hands slightly shaking and drops of sweat forming at the tip of his nose were a clear signal for him. Pulling his chainlet out and opening small skyscraper replica talisman hanging from it. Filled with fine, purple, Gree spice up to the 22nd story. A quick sniff from it made everything in order again. Happiness returned to him and he felt that a job ahead will be done really quick and simple. Full of expectations, he quickly run to his ship.

An Escort! Jens thought to himself. Great that's all I need, some jumped up Republic official watching my every move. Jens wasn't good with people. He hated small talk, he hated having to pretend to like someone so he could get paid. In fact he couldn't remember anyone he had liked for a long time. He'd sooner do stuff alone, without complications and interruptions. He stood up and moved away from the table of drinks he had been enjoying. He turned and stumbled over his own two feet, 'oops, maybe one to many' he said out loud. He put the bottle he had in his hand into one of the pockets of his long tan trench coat, winked at the weird looking alien he had been sat with and walked away as sobber looking as he could.

He made his way toward his ship, the Vanquish III. A great little smuggling ship and one he had had for quite sometime now. This should be interesting he thought to himself. He hated working for the Republic, but not as much as he hated working for the Sith Empire. In fact he really hated working for anyone, but he needed credits and working for the Republic was a good way of earning some guaranteed credits.

He approched his ship. Jens flicked his trench coat back revealing his twin blasters, one strapped to each leg. The bottle he had placed in his pocked fell out and smashed on the floor. @%&#, so much for trying to look cool. He looked around for the so called escort. Jens had left his ship on high security mode, and he doubted there would be any way someone could get aboard his ship. Damn, I could kill for another drink.

Carefully concealing the sureveillance camera in a panel above the cockpit of The Old Hag, Artekus checked if the feed transmitted correctly into his helmet. He had placed similar devices throughout the ship for three reasons; he was being paid to protect these smugglers and was thorough in his work, he didn't trust the smugglers themselves and he had made more than a few enemies in the Republic having spent most of his career killing their soldiers, force wielding protectors and politicians, unusually, the contract came from them.

He made his way to the to the starships entrance as he had been informed his "escortee" would be arriving shortly. He was still considering why Republic agents had approached him for the job, he was a wanted criminal in several star systems and had done extensive work for the Sith during the Great War, but that's over now he thought to himself.

He had heard that an old acquaintance was also aboard the station, Skursir, whom he had fought with during his time as a Republic soldier and looked forward to speaking to his old friend again. His thoughts returning to the imminent arrival of the smugglers as he walked down the ships boarding ramp, the hangers main door opened and the first smugglers began to return to their ships. He scanned the crowd noting some of the faces until one stuck out, a man he had run into before. Ah, crap... not him again...

((Hope I'm doing this right! ))

Skursir was late. He cursed the transport ship that he has hitched a ride on. Not having a ship was nothing but a pain in the backside. He'd have to go straight for opposing docking bay and miss out the briefing. It didn't really matter, he thought, he could always hear it from the escort he was assigned to. He bumped into a Republic Officer, the man gave a small bow "Sorry sir" and walked off quickly. Skursir was confused, his Trooper armour must give the impression that he still works for the Republic. All the better, he thought.

On his way, he remembered that some of the agents from the E.P.O.C.H would be on board. In fact, the Republic had started an account just for this purpose. He wondered if he's be paired with one? That would make things easier. His new shoulderpad still felt heavy on his body, the word "EPOCH" was finely printed upon it which denoted his alligence. He had once served the Republic and as he registered with the Bounty Hunter guild. Administration probably wanted people they knew to work for them.

The docking bay looked terrible and smelt even worse. "Thiss iss where all the sscum of the sstation musst be..." Skursir whispered to himself. He proceeded with caution, a couple of zabrak spacers noted him and it wasn't a good feeling.

"Vanquish III" Skursir looked at the noticeboard. This must be it. Surprisingly, the ship was in a very good state compared to that of the surroundings. A human was waiting patiently, leaning against the wall. Dressed in a trench coat, he looked like someone you'd find selling deathsticks in a shady cantina. Luckily, instincts told him that this was his man, but he looked frail compared to him, and even the two blasters strapped on his legs could not make him any more bulky. Still, he had been paired with this man and he'd have to live with it.

Skursir strided towards the human, making him cock his head in the trandoshan's direction. Removing his helmet Skursir revealed him scarred and battleworn face coloured in brown-orange scales with a hint of red upon them. "I am Agent Sskurssir of the Agentss of the E.P.O.C.H, and you are...?"

Jens was leaning against the wall of the docking bay, waiting patiently for his new baby-sitter. It was late, about 5 mins late, but Jens wasn't to bothered. He noticed the Tropper walking towards him. Guess this is the one, he thought to himself.

The Tropper stood before him and took of his helmet. A Trandoshan stared back at him and introduced himself. I am Agent Sskurssir of the Agentss of the E.P.O.C.H, and you are...?

'Jutton, Jens Jutoons the name' he said. Jens noted the size of the Trandoshan, but wasn't too bothered. What he did notice more was a new part of the Troppers armour. A new part with new lettering 'Agents of the E.P.O.C.H'. This intrigued him. He had heard of these guys before, but had never met one face-to-face. This could get very interesting indeed.

Jens took out a remote and deactivated all the secruity devices on the Vanquish III. 'Ok, lets get aboard and get on with this. A few things first. When on board, don't touch anything. This is my ship and I'm in charge of it. As long as you understand that everyting should be fine'. Jens was particulary touchy about his ship and anyone messing with it. People that did, didn't usually stay on his ship for long. Jens pressed another button on the remote and the cargo hold door opened. He moved towards it gesturing to Skursir to follow.

'So tell me whats the deal with these 'Agents of the E.P.O.C.H guys?'

Skursir followed Jens Jutoon inside, this was definately his man, he didn't even need to ask. The interior of the ship was decent, though Skursir hadn't been on enough ships to make decent comparisons. Still, it was clean save for a few empty bottles of what looked like alcohol. The guy's a drinker, Skursir thought to himself.

"So tell me whats the deal with these 'Agents of the E.P.O.C.H guys?" Jens called over his back, flicking a few switches as he did so. He must have seen Skursir's new shoulderpad, and the trandoshan was proud that it was noticed.

"The Agentss iss a guild of bounty hunterss and ssmugglerss" Skursir started "Contractss passs through adminisstration and they give them to who they think iss besst. Ssometimes, more than one of uss goess along". Jens had turned around by now, obviously interested so Skursir continued. "But it'ss more than jusst an agency. If you harm one of uss, you harm with all of uss. We're friendss in that resspect, though I'm new and hardly know anyone".

Skursir thought for a moment, then said "Sso whatss thiss contract?"

Lighting yet another death-stick as he rushed to the hangar, luckily avoiding the yelling mass, Dugo began to think about the things he will buy for the salary.
" Some pretty tan or new clothes for the female and something shiny for me definitely.", he thought while approaching his ship, The Old Hag.

While he was searching all the jewelleries in his mind, he eyed a well-build man, in a battle armour and helmet covering his head standing near The Old Hag. " Awww....great.", sprung to his mind immediately " Now it will be all just...Yes Sir!...Roger!...Negative sir!............I want my female private considering me superior to her. I would give her some "tasks" where failure wouldn't be an option.Nevermind, I have to go on with this guy.", he thought, while comparing his thighs with the strangers biceps. After slowing his tempo down for a examining-while, he began to walk fast again, to meet his escort.

"Howdy fella?", he shouted, extending his right arm to greet him, " Beautiful ship isn't it? Come on in, don't be shy, just try to clean your boots a little before entering my "saloon". You know, the Old woman doesn't like to get dirty, If you know what I mean." he told, winking at the man and opening the door leading into the ship.
"I'll show you your "manor" later, now let us go to the cockpit to recieve further information about the thing. I hope you will enjoy your stay here and protect my precious @%&# properly. I think that's what you're paid for isn't it?....Ahh..nevermind, we shouldn't talk about work. I am sure we can find more pleasant topics." he was speaking fast and leading the man into the cockpit.

Walls of the ship were decorated by shoddy things like woman posters, bar flyers and music bands. Red and yellow neons where lighting up the narrow corridor until the cockpit entrance. On the cockpit floor was very ornamental carpet and whole cockpit was painted with dynamic, red symbols on a white background. Ship seats were wrapped in fuzzy red plush, same as the flying controls were wrapped in red leather.

"Well, this maybe isn't the fastest ship in the galaxy, but I'm sure it's the most comfortable and lovable one." he said, while turning some buttons and small levers on. " Now, do you want something to drink? I have a small bar, hidden near the engine cooling unit, so If you need to stock up on some percentage, then feel free to use it. And If you will be bringing any woman aboard, I can lend you my room, with the biggest bed you've seen at the small ship." he continued, in fact, he spoke like a translating unit, when tossed between four arguing foreigners all the time.

Dugo turned on the communicator, but still no response so he leaned towards his companion and said: " Guess, they still have some time. And, by the way, what's your name?"

Artekus removed his helmet and watched as Dugo's friendly smile turned into a scowl, Artekus returned the gesture. "Nice to see you again, Dugo" he said dryly. He watched cooly as Dugo's hand slid towards the pistol holstered at his hip. "Don't worry, Im being paid a lot to keep you in one piece so you'll want to leave that where it is". Dugo didn't seem assured. "I'm sure there's no need for an introduction"

Dugo paused then raised an eyebrow "Hmmm, what was your name again? Chuckles?" Artekus remembered that cocky smirk.

They really aren't paying me enough for this, Artekus thought to himself. He had thought about asking for details regarding the job but was sure it would just lead to an argument and it would be difficult not to bring up the incident with the Twi'lek dancer on Nal Hutta and the events that followed. He turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Dugo called after him.

"You said you had a bar, I think I'm gonna need a drink." he replied without turning.

The Officer watched as the last ship left the station, as most were already in orbit this was the last working ship to disembark, five others had been towed back in because their engines had cut out, one had decompressed as soon as it left the station killing the crew and one ship captain was demanding compensation after his crew had mutinied while he was attending the meeting.

He strode over to large console that took up a large portion of the command room, it was the safest communicator in the galaxy, all communications where given an indecipherable encryption, only those with the specially designed receivers could access the information. Costing thousands of credits they were worth more than many of the ships these smugglers had come in, he glanced at the technician beside it who nodded at him, he pressed a button and the console sprung to life.
A multitude of random locations sprang up on screen, listing locations dotted across Empire controlled space, the officer reached into his jacket and pulled out a datapad inserted into the console, a small window appeared with the contents on the datapad, listing a number of locations on Nar Shaddaa, these were the locations the target had sent them so he could be retrieved.

The Republic knew the Sith would be watching every move the Republic made, even with so few people knowing of the true purpose of the operation little seemed to escape the Empire, they had people everywhere since the sacking of Coruscant not to mention the number of smugglers who would surely defect.
He pressed another button and confirmed the order, the locations on the datapad where added to the list, encrypted and sent randomly to the smugglers in orbit.
The Officer smiled inwardly “They’ll have to follow every single one” he whispered to himself

He turned and went to the port hole, the motley fleet of ships started jumping into orbit one by one, with each one the Officer felt a weight lifted off his mind, no longer where they his responsibility he finally began to relax.

Nar Shaddaa

Jy’lan looked down, there was what looked like a bombing raid below him, bright lights flashed violently and randomly, a blanket of fog obscured their distinctiveness turning them into large vibrant pulses, green’s reds pinks and blues, it still impressed him every time he entered the atmosphere, the lights and sounds of the city, the smells he could do without but still.

“Sir we’re in orbit I can take her down whenever you want”

“Well I’d better go inform our guests eh?”

Yoling stood up wearily, he was a large set human dressed in an imposing set of Mandalorian armour, it wore no paint and was polished to a sterile metallic gleam, large tubes attached the helmet and the limbs to the body it looked like it was permanently ready for vacuum.

“Oh and can you send Ral’fach back in here, before he gets himself killed?”

Yoling laughed as he walked through to the Rec room, Ral had been there taunting one of the Sith for a while and was beginning to enjoy it too much, sitting at the table facing Vel he was cheating at a rigged game of Pazzak.

“Now come on Vel its only a lightsaber I’m sure you can make yourself a…”

“That was given to me by my Master, he took it off a Jedi he slew during the wars!”

“Then it must be worth a lot, thanks”

Ral grinned cleverly examining the lightsaber until Yoling plucked it from his hands and returned it to Vel

“Play nice Ral”, Yoling said parentally.

“Then what’s the point in playing” he moaned, the Cathar stood up and walked into the control room leaving the Sith to count his losses.

“Having fun?” Jy’lan asked slyly

“Merely being hospitable to our guests Jy’lan, poor Vel not the brightest Human I’ve come across, even for a Sith”

“Well I’m sure he has his use’s, maybe he’s an expert tactician or swordsman when you not cheating him out of his money”, he said grinning.

“Well it’ll forever remain a mystery to me, anyway I’m more concerned with what the hell where doing out here in the first place, Sith in-fighting isn’t anything new even a dead General isn’t unheard of, so why are they so interested in this guy?”

“Well they don’t even seem to trust our “honourable leader” with that information, all I've managed to get out of him that they've given us a picture of the man and his ship ID but thats all, its not like them to be this secretive when they want someone dead”, he glanced over to Ral “We'd know alot more if there were some way to see what was going on back there”

Ral pulled down a view screen from above controls and lit it up, "Well” he smiled “I may just be able to accommodate you”

An image popped up of the hold Vel was retuning from the Rec room, the camera panned around as it followed him, the hold was already packed with large crates filled with illegal foodstuffs that fetched a high price on the Core Worlds, but packed within it was a small contingent of Sith.

Ten Sith troopers busied themselves cleaning their weapons and assorting the equipment they’d brought with them, clad in all black armour they gave of the image of death the Sith had deemed fitting for them, Yoling however was addressing leader of the force aboard their ship.

“...we’ll be setting down within the hour."

“I’m not concerned about time, I’m interested in whether you have any news on our target”.

An elderly Sith spoke in a soft voice and seemed to gaze through Yoling, his deeply lined face was pitted with penetrating grey eyes that matched his long hair, he was sat on a lavish chair he had managed to fit in the hold and was flanked by a large Chistori.

“No not yet Neabel but..”

“Don’t you think you should have? You promised us you could find him”, he spoke softly as he beckoned over Vel.

The Chistori chimed in “Your reputation won’t save if you waste our time Mandolorian” he took a step towards Yoling, “Perhaps you need reminding…”

“Spare me the theatrics”, Yoling said bitterly, “You’ve asked for our help because you can’t find him yourselves, put pressure on me or my men and we’ll negate this contract, you must know of the dealings we’ve had with your superiors in the past there not going to allow you to harm us…”

“Calm down Yoling, we are only …eager to know what you’re planning” Neabel lolled his head to the Chistori to call him off, who did reluctantly.

Yoling turned his attention back to Neabel, “This is a list merchants who sell Sith ships, they fetch a very high price with smugglers and of course the Republic who use them for spying, infiltration missions things like that, a normal merchant won’t have the contacts to sell these so he’ll trade them off to others that do.”
“From what little you’ve told us whoever killed General Trilan did so out of… passion, so more than likely he won’t have prepared his escape in advance, if he only has the Generals he won’t be able to get very far, with your ships searching for him and without any money he’s going to be stuck”
“The only way he’ll be able to survive is to sell that ship and try get a transport somewhere, all we have to do is find your ship and squeeze they’ll have some clue to where he is now, and if not well lets just say people selling Sith ships don’t go unnoticed."
He handed over a list of names to Neabel

“You still haven’t told us how you know he’s here on Nar Shaddaa,” Neabel asked raising his eyebrow.

“Well it’s where I’d run” Yoling said matter of factly.

Yoling gave the Chistori one final look as he left.

“Transmit these names to the other Bounty Hunters” Neabel said passing the datapad to the Chistori, “And what was the Republics move?”

The Chistori moved over to a data terminal packed into the tight quarters, hardwired into it was one of the Republic communicators the smugglers had been given.

“Well it seems our source isn’t as informed as he promised, the smugglers weren’t given a single destination they were given many and none seem to suggest any type of pattern.”

“Have the data sent to the search force they may have more luck than we do, if nothing else we’ll kill a few Republic sympathizes, have any been dispatched here?"

“A small number have been dispatched however the grouping isn’t out of the ordinary and they don’t have matching co-ordinates, should we follow them?”

“Yes, if he did manage to contact the Republic then they’ll have a shorter route to him than us, I want you and Vel to follow whichever ones you feel appropriate and send the troopers after the rest, if they find him inform me I want to deal with this…… personally.”

Neabel looked at Vel, “Don’t disappoint me …”

Ral looked over to Jy’lan

“What the hell is going on………..”

((Temporal lock Released: You are all now free to post,
Please Check the Story Discussion to find out what your doing
link))

Dugo was coldly watching Artekus leaving the control room. " Damn it. I hope they paying him enough to prevent some nasty things happening here. I'll have to restrain myself from cutting oxygen support off for his room, could make some problems....but how I would like to. Bastard. " he thought to himself while preparing the ship for take off.

Ship engines were slowly gaining enough power to ascend off the ground. As usual, few error signs appeared, but three precisely aimed hits to the control panel made everything perfectly working again. After a while Dugo had hit the power lever, to what ship responded with unhealthy voices, leaving it's thrusters, and began to fly towards the planets atmosphere.

Right after The Old Hag left the planetary orbit, a heavily encrypted message came through. List of locations and a photo of the target. " This wacko looking fella is worth that much credits ? I thought it would be a badass with blasters instead of his ears. " he thought, while looking at the picture. " Nar Shadaa it is?....Brilliant. Hideously beautiful spice smelling place in the galaxy with girls and gamble. Let's get physical!", he said loudly, immediately opening his skyscraper necklace to have some spice, until Artekus would return and spoil the fun.

After a quick sniff, Dugo set the course and let the navigation computer do it's work.

"God I hate Tatooine...it's the sand" Tando thought. Looking around the Cantina Tando could see his mark, "well this was easy enough..." Tando said to himself.

"would you like another drink?" asked the waiter droid, snapping Tando out of his trail of though "Sure why not...not like I'm in a rush" As the Waiter droid began preparing Tandos drink the comunication panel on Tandos wrist began to light up. "What now.." he cursed.

***Incoming transmission***

Agent Alums
You are to procede to Nar Shadaa
and await further information.
The Falleen....
***End Transmission***

"What the hell do they want on Nar Shadaa...." he thought. getting up from his bar stall, Tando drained his drink and began to leave the Cantina. Walking towards the exit he bumped into his preveious Target "Watch were your going Fool" the Devaronian shouted. "sorry my mistake" Tando replied as he slipped a tracking device into the Devaronians' coat pocket, keeping his head down he headed straight to the exit. Stepping outside into the twin suns, Tando pulled up his scarf to cover his face from the heat and the sand that was plowing around.

Walking across the street, Tando was heading straight to the Starport where The Scoundrel was parked. Stepping inside The Scoundrel was instant relief from the heat of the twin suns, sitting in the pilots seat Tando began to power up the ships engines and main computer, searching its memory for all information they had about Nar Shadaa. Once the engines had been brought up to full power Tando eased the Scoundrel off Tatooine and headed towards Nar Shadaa.

>...:Transmission Received:......
>...:Validation Protocols Initiated:.....:Validation Confirmed:
>...:Displaying Transmission:

"Carrier Kalis, you are to identify and track these vessels...."

Sub-lieutenant Louel was sat watching a particularly fine young Officer named Raouth glide along the deck, as he walked by he gave her a wink and she looked away shyly, he looked great in a uniform although he’d probably look better witho…

A hand slapped the interface behind her giving a hollow metallic clang forcibly knocking her out of her daydream.

She spun around to see a large Chistori staring back at her and gave a small yelp.

“….do not engage them. We believe this is the task force the Republic ha….”

Coming to here sense’s she pulled herself towards the console and started making a hard copy of the message, she whispered her thanks to the woman at the console next to her who only responded with a dirty look.

Grabbing the datapad she got up from the console and wove her way the bridge avoiding the other technicians that were moving from one console to another, the bridge was a large transparisteel quarter-sphere flanked by two raised circular control stations. It felt like you were walking out into space, the walls on either side disappeared and black endless sky filled your view with the stars and the Planet below lighting the … “

“What is it sub-lieutenant!” the captain snapped at her.

“Um..Sir.., we've just received a communiqué from the surface”

There was silence for a few seconds as the captain looked at her.

“Well are you going to give it to me!?”

“Urm.. Yes Sir, sorry Sir” she handed the data pad over to him and started smiling at Raouth who gave her a pained look and motioned for her to leave.

“Why did you promote her Raouth? she’s more incompetent than that droid we had working the airlocks”

“She’s just a bit nervous sir I’m sure she’ll…2

“Bullshit!”

“Sir?”

The captain grimaced waving the datapad at Raouth “Have you ever seen this species before Raouth?” he spat of the floor as Raouth shook his head, “This thing is telling me to let the Republic retrieval teams land on the surface!”

“But sir I thought our tas..”

“Why am I taking orders from whatever freak the Sith seem to pick up along the way, how does this thing know what tactical decisions are best for this type of mission" Raouth had to dodge another well aimed projectile from the captains mouth "The Sith may not have any standards but personally I don’t want my ship turned into an interstellar zoo!”

“Its still an order from the Sith isn’t it Sir?”

“The Republics sends out a retrieval team to capture one of our most important assets and were supposed to let them! Don’t worry Raouth, command will back me up on this one…..” He strode over to one of the command decks.

“Corporal! I want these ships flagged, if any of them enter the system or are already here I want them shot!”

“Yes sir”

He turned back to Raouth with a satisfied smile on his face.

“I don’t take orders from animals”.