Private Enemy of my Enemy... Of my Enemy?

[Jasper Kai'el]

Enemy of my Enemy... Of my Enemy?
Nar Shaddaa, Red Light Sector
Tags: Karkosuchus

Jasper's head stung, an ache like which he had never felt before. He knew the symptoms, however. A tranquilizing chemical, one often used on big game. The Hutts were fond of it, as they could use it indiscriminately on beast and sentient alike when going on their disgusting "safaris." What the hell had happened? He had been going through the Red Light Sector with GA sympathizers to help escort a band of Evocii to the safety of alliance space, or at least that's what he had been told.

No... something had gone wrong. Jasper clutched his neck with his organic arm. The blood was still fresh. He had been shot in the back. It didn't take long for the rest of his surroundings to begin to be aware to his foggy eyes. His mechanical arm was gone, his gear was gone, shackles bound his ankles to the ground... He sat in a dingy cell, damp from a drip in the pipe above. Most alarmingly, his shirt had been removed, and strange paint had been applied to his body, delicately traced over his scars and in bizarre geometric patterns over his chest. The knight's hair was untied, falling well past his shoulders. As he came fully to his senses, he noticed a hulking silhouette in the corner. It was familiar. Reptilian.

"Oh," Jasper groaned, mustering a nervous grin. "Hey there... pal... You got chains too, right?"

Jasper had reason to ask this nervously. This was Karkosuchus, after all. Bounty hunter, blood thirsty maniac, and more importantly the lizard he threw a speeder at back on Dorin. Hopefully he didn't hold a grudge, cause Jasper was very much lacking an arm.

"Chit... what the hell happened?"

And more importantly, what lured Karko here? Similar claims of Evocii? The off and on Hutt enforcer would surely have come on the basis of such reports. Still, that account for everything else. It was very clear that something was very wrong. What remained a mystery. That was what really worried Jasper, added to his cellmate being a rather murderous reptilian fellow.

 

[Karkosuchus]

Spoiler: Equipment

Thermal Detonators​	Grenades​	Repulsor Throwing Razor​	Caltrop​	Fire Blade​	Energy Bola​
Field Security Overloader​	Dissuader KD-30​	.48 Caliber Enforcer Pistol​	R-20 Scatterblaster​	Arkanian Energy Shield​	DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System​
Stouker concussion rifle​	Iron Shell Armor​	Gatling Gauntlet​	Radiation Cannon​	Brass Knuckles​	The Swamp Vanquisher​
S-30 "Retention" Anti-Disruption System​	​	​	​	​

It had been quite some time since the Infamous Bounty Hunter known as Karkosuchus had business on the Smuggler's Moon. The Crime Lord Soldorro had requested him through the Bounty Hunter's Guild to handle a bunch of thugs currently harassing their operations within the Red Light Sector. The job was simple for the most part with the payment extraordinarily high which should have tipped the experienced bounty hunter off that something was not quite right. However in the current climate, there was little work for bounty hunters and mercenaries so taking whatever employment was available helped to keep him at the top of his game moving forward.

Karkosuchus had arrived at the location quite quickly after doing some light reconnaissance of the surrounding area. Although it would seem that he had been double-crossed by the Crime Lord as a band of well trained assassins managed to subdue him after a long struggle. His mental awareness would come back after being unconscious for quite some time due to the effects of over 50 tranquilizing darts which had been required to take him down. Karko was unsurprised to see himself captive bound in heavy iron chains along the length of his body. The damp cell environment was the only thing that brought him some level of comfort due to his semi-aquatic nature.

Equipment nowhere to be found, naked as the day he was born. Although his captives had made a considerable mistake in not muzzling him which allowed him to take subtle sniffs of the air to determine the layout for a few meters. Gazing over as a familiar scent made him snarl and a familiar voice wafted right into his ear. It was that jedi knight who had caused him much suffering on Dorin.

"Chains alright, although I'd rather tear you apart and wear your insides like a coat!!!"

Karkosuchus said with a snarl and a snap of his jaw in apparent anger, trying to pull the chains free with all of his strength as they rattled and shook. There was very few restraints that could hold him for long. Although it would seem the mysterious foe had accounted for that and the lizard gave up to save his strength for now.

"It would seem that we were both double crossed."

Karkosuchus said after letting his anger run its course and more logical thoughts followed.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Nar Shaddaa, Red Light Sector
Tags: Karkosuchus

"Chains alright, although I'd rather tear you apart and wear your insides like a coat!!!"

"Lovely," Jasper remarked with a slight grimace.

The lizard was right though. It seemed that they had, indeed, been double crossed. But by who? This would have to wait. Jasper didn't exactly want to stick around to find out what these guys wanted with them. The paint on his body was enough of an indication that it was something weird.

"Alright," he sighed, "Grudges aside, I don't exactly want to stick around here to find out what they want with us. It seems we... need to call a truce, much as I hate to admit it. It's either that or we both end up gutted. I slice, you... do what it is that you do best. We get our gear, get some revenge for the backstabbing, and we kill each other another day. Sound like a plan?"

Jasper exhaled, leaning his head back against the concrete wall. He had, of course, no reason to trust old Karko, but he wasn't exactly given much of a choice given the current circumstances. Hopefully the croc could play nice with people he hated, at least long enough for Jasper to get his things and get the hell out of dodge.

"Here's what I'm thinking," the knight began again, leaning forward once more. "Next guy who comes in, I'll use the force to hold them in place while you make them regret not putting a muzzle on that snout of yours. Try not to eat the key please."

This was going to be awful.

 

[Karkosuchus]

Spoiler: Equipment

Thermal Detonators​	Grenades​	Repulsor Throwing Razor​	Caltrop​	Fire Blade​	Energy Bola​
Field Security Overloader​	Dissuader KD-30​	.48 Caliber Enforcer Pistol​	R-20 Scatterblaster​	Arkanian Energy Shield​	DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System​
Stouker concussion rifle​	Iron Shell Armor​	Gatling Gauntlet​	Radiation Cannon​	Brass Knuckles​	The Swamp Vanquisher​
S-30 "Retention" Anti-Disruption System​	​	​	​	​

Karko had to grimace as the jedi knight would suggest that they both work together to escape this place and kill each other another day. He much rather wanted to break free of these chains and escape himself leaving the jedi to his fate. However that plan was full of flaws that even the most inexperienced of bounty hunters could predict. He lacked the layout of the building and how many guardsmen were located in this section of the presumed base. Working with the jedi knight would allow them both an increased chance of survival by recapturing their equipment and fighting their way out through brute force or force trickery.

There was very little choice but to accept the knight's offer and figure out a plan to escape these holding cells before their mysterious foe presented themselves. He glanced over as the boy spoke about his own plan involving capturing the guardsman with the key. It was simple enough but there was a single flaw in the fact that presumably not everyone within the guardsman would obtain a key for security reasons.

"How can you be sure, that the next guard has a key?"

Karkosuchus asked rather bluntly, as the sound of footsteps approached and a new smell wafted into his powerful snout. A few minutes would pass as people approached the cell that they currently sat in wielding a variety of different weapons from vibroswords to blaster carbines. Wearing quite unusual outfits even for the scum that inhabited the Smuggler's Moon. One of the guardsman would pull out a small key from his pocket and unlocked the door as they approached quite rapidly towards the pair.

"tum hamaare saath aaoge."
(you will be coming with us)

The Head Guardsman spoke in a quite bizarre language unknown to him but maybe the jedi knight could decipher it.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Nar Shaddaa, Red Light Sector
Tags: Karkosuchus

"How can you be sure, that the next guard has a key?"

"Well... I can't," Jasper shrugged, "But there's a good chance they will."

And to his luck, the guard who came in did, very clearly, have a key. He was also followed by a fair deal of very armed guards. They said something... he somewhat understood from his various language courses at the temple. They were being taken somewhere.

"Uh... it seems we're being escorted off," the knight relayed. "Well, guess there's no better time than now."

With a swipe of his arm, Jasper pushed the guard towards Karko. Then, he pulled a blaster carbine off the man's back. With the stock of the carbine now firmly between his bicep and forearm, the knight wasted no time filling the entrance to the cell with blaster fire, taking out three of the gathered guards. He could stall at least long enough for the bounty hunter to get the key off the guard who had entered.

 

[Karkosuchus]

​

Spoiler: Equipment

Thermal Detonators​	Grenades​	Repulsor Throwing Razor​	Caltrop​	Fire Blade​	Energy Bola​
Field Security Overloader​	Dissuader KD-30​	.48 Caliber Enforcer Pistol​	R-20 Scatterblaster​	Arkanian Energy Shield​	DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System​
Stouker concussion rifle​	Iron Shell Armor​	Gatling Gauntlet​	Radiation Cannon​	Brass Knuckles​	The Swamp Vanquisher​
S-30 "Retention" Anti-Disruption System​	​	​	​	​

The Jedi Knight had luck on his side as several guardsman had entered into the room where they were being held. A single glance over told him almost instantly the thinking behind his skull as the head guardsman was thrown towards his direction. There was little chance for another opportunity to swipe a key, as Karkosuchus pulled with all his strength against the chains keeping him bound to a signal location. His large maw would open followed by a lurching motion, the sound of bones cracking would be heard as the Head Guard's arm would be torn off completely and the blood would flow freely.

Although lucky for the pair, that the key was within his other hand. "Aap usake lie bhugataan karenge" (You will pay for that). The Head Guard would yell clutching his arm as his blood gushed on the floor and the sound of blaster fire rang out within the damp atmosphere. The Head Guard would pull out a dagger from his robe pocket and attempt to stab him with it but found itself lodged between his armored scales. Moving into a head butt manuever as the head guard would fall back in pain and the key would slip free, enough for Karosuchus to grab it by pulling his arm through the chain loop.

Karkosuchus threw the key over to Jasper Kai'el to unlock himself, while he used his free arm to bust the chains holding him down. The rest of the Cult Guardsman would flee from the cell in apparent terror not having enough reinforcements to knock him back into submission. Although they would soon return no doubt with additional men to corner them.

"We don't have time to lounge around, let's go."

Karkosuchus said with a snarl.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Nar Shaddaa, Red Light Sector
Tags: Karkosuchus

As Jasper covered the door, Karko proceeded to kill the guards who had entered in spectacular fashion. Jasper found himself wincing ever so slightly when he heard their bones snap. If anything, the bounty hunter was good at his job.

"We don't have time to lounge around, let's go."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Jasper responded, quickly unlocking the bindings on his ankles. "Sooner we get the hell out of here, the better."

He rose to his feet, keeping the blaster he had picked up on him. It was... awkward, not having his prosthetic, but nothing he couldn't manage. That was his second priority. The first, of course, was his lightsaber. Soon, they were moving down the halls of the bizarre complex their captors had set themselves up in. Damn, unkept corridors lit by... candle light? Strange glyphs had been painted on the walls in the same red paint on his body. They were Sith runes, repeating the same pattern present in the scar on his chest.

"What the feth..." the knight muttered to himself.

It was creepy. Super creepy, given that he hadn't had the scar for long before his knighting. No, it was surely a coincidence. That's what he hoped, but it seemed so strange given the ritualistic nature of the paint they on put on him. It wasn't long before they were at a fork in the hall, a three way split. At the junction, painted on the wall, was the outline of a very simplistic body. Jasper's scar was painted on the chest.

"I-" he began, but was cut off by the distant thundering of feet.

Silhouettes began to creep down the halls, made even longer by the orientation of the candles that lit the halls.

"Chit," Jasper hissed. "We got company."

 

[Karkosuchus]

Spoiler: Equipment

Thermal Detonators​	Grenades​	Repulsor Throwing Razor​	Caltrop​	Fire Blade​	Energy Bola​
Field Security Overloader​	Dissuader KD-30​	.48 Caliber Enforcer Pistol​	R-20 Scatterblaster​	Arkanian Energy Shield​	DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System​
Stouker concussion rifle​	Iron Shell Armor​	Gatling Gauntlet​	Radiation Cannon​	Brass Knuckles​	The Swamp Vanquisher​
S-30 "Retention" Anti-Disruption System​	​	​	​	​

Karkosuchus had been in a lot of strange places especially on the Smuggler's Moon but not one so quite outdated as this one. A long and winding complex with the only source of light coming from candles along the wall as they moved from one section to another in quick succession. He took notice in the strange runic system on the walls most likely of Sith Origin and equally as strange was the exact pattern on the Jedi Knight's chest. There was little time to question the familiarity until the thundering sound of reinforcements coming down the hall caught their attention.

"Wonderful."

Karkosuchus snarled as the strange men in flowing red robes moved to block them in the junction.

"aapake paas bachane ka koee raasta nahin hai!!!"
(you have no way to escape!)

One of them shouted in their strange language as they slowly forming a Shield Wall Formation.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Nar Shaddaa
Tags: Karkosuchus

"aapake paas bachane ka koee raasta nahin hai!!!"
(you have no way to escape!)

"Could you all shut up for a moment?" Jasper remarked with a frown.

He lifted his remaining arm, dragging an air-duct out of the ceiling between them, bringing down other bits of hardware and insulation that cut off the hallway.

"Alright, I see what's going on here," the knight concluded. "This is some Sith Cult chit. They must have seen my scars and flipped the hell out. They were inflicted by a Sith after all..."

Kahlil had told him what the runes Carnifex left on him meant. Now he was in the process of learning how to alter it. It was slow going. Still, it wasn't too shocking to think that a band of Sith-worshiping loons would flip out at marks inflicted by the former leader of the Sith Order. That only left...

"So why'd they grab you?" Jasper frowned. "I mean, no offense, but you're kinda just a guy. And I thought you were buddy-buddy with the Sith."

He had been working with Sith the first time he had seen the reptile in the flesh, after all.