Intelligence at Large

[Ka-Aver]

Ka-Aver had seen the group leaving the throne room with their escort. Having finished his assignment as guard post for this time he then left for the palace cantina.

He rubed his sore shoulder from the last mission he had undertaken, a failed freighter hijacking. Heck - if it had not been for that sith appearing out of nowhere it would have been a good catch.

Then he noticed Krr'tail - the gusrd that should have been guarding [member="Lady Kay"]s quarter. He was spending alit of money on drinks and gambling getting drunk very fast. Ka-Aver pondered this for a moment. He decided to check it out at least and left for Lady Kay's chamber. Outside stood someone he did not recognise. A new guard? He decided to keep amsilent and passed the door only nodding at the guard.

Ka-Aver was fully aware of the palace intrigues, but it was unusual for guards to disregard Sempras orders, that was very seldom a wise move. Still, if this was part of the hutts many power games it might be best to stay clear.
Ka-aver decided to approach one of Sempras lieutenants and let that one decide on what to do. But first he would go and make sure Krr'tail had enough to drink to be easily handled...

[member="Draco Vereen"]
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]
[member="Lady Kay"]
[member="William Kerkov"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra jumped at the sudden appearance by [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] behind him.

"Oooorrrooo, you startled me Jaster." he replied with annoyance and took a steady deep breath. He made a mental note about that his personal security seemed lax and would have to be upgraded sometime soon. This could just as easiky have been an assassin he realised.

"I am in a conversation with ms [member="Tenel Daggoth"]. I am expecting a reply from here on a very interesting question. Can it wait?" he continued shifting his gaze between the two.

 

[Pavor Clauditis]

Sitting in the cockpit of his freighter, he quickly awoke from his sleep after hearing the instructions [member="Lady Kay"] had given. "Wh-Wai-I-I-I..." He began muttering, however, he quickly interuppted himself to take a quick puff from the cigarillo in his mouth. Slowly, he cleared his throat and confirmed that he was prepared to Lady Kay. He removed the cigarillo from his mouth, placing it in an ash tray on the co-pilot's seat. Preparing to take off and discover a suitable location to land.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Jaster leaned in the shadows, his Corperate partner seemed interested in getting his money settled, but Jaster had good news. So he just spoke softly so only Sempra could over-hear him.

"Not really, seems the information was spot on, Lady Kay is freeing the slaves and seems she's got a few freighters in orbit," Jaster passed a datapad over to Sempra, "did as you asked and gave them the codes for the Corellian Exchange ships, my men are in position and ready to die, the blame will land all on the Exchange and free up the their councle for new management, you get their spice interest in Kessel Smuggling Lanes, and the Exchange falls under your domain," Jaster lifted his body before leaving, "put the slaves on my tab, let's say 500 credits a head of those that escape."

Jaster only waited until Sempra responded to his report.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]

"Very well Mr Jaster. Proceed with your plans." the hutt answered with a stone face and returned his attention to @tennel daggoth.

 

[Hawk Solo]

[member="Lady Kay"][member="Pavor Clauditis"]


Hawk's comlink beeps with Kay's meesage. "Time for phase 2." Hawk grimaces slightly hoping that this plan of her doesn't get him killed. He would hate to leave his daughter as a orphan. "May the force be with us." He says to Kay acknowledging her message. It was time to get work.

His plan on distracting the guards was simple one, He would set his ship on autopilot after programming it to dive bomb the Palace to draw the guards away from the slaves. He would jump out of the ship and deals with whoever was left.

This plan could go horrible wrong.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Hawk Solo"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"]

Before she left her guest chamber, Lady Kay listened to her boss as he had pulled her aside. "Yes sir. I will let you know whenever he asks for the favour." To his next point she nodded once again. There was safety in numbers, that was for sure. But she didn't want to come here and be intimidating. Hutts liked flattery and anything to bolster their ego. She was still committed to selling the shield to Sempra. The slave rescue was just something that she felt compelled to do. It was in her nature to be sure that everyone was treated fairly, no matter what their station.

"Yes, I will go to the dunes if things go badly. I promise." Kay didn't really want to get anyone else involved, but as she was learning, Draco was very protective of his employees. That wasn't quite a bad thing.

She let them lead her back to the throne room, only to be stopped by Jaster as he handed her the datapad. Why didn't he give it to her earlier? Was he playing her again? Only time would tell. Kay slipped the datapad into her satchel and thanked him.

As she got to the throne room, she looked for Jaster's server friend and spotted her by the bar. "Sorry, I forgot to pay for my hot water. Here." She handed her a few credits, even though it was probably free. But it was her excuse to get back in there.

Now what? Things were set in motion, it was now time for the waiting game. Pavor was ready, and Hawk was certainly almost ready. Kay glanced around at the others in the throne room, wondering where William had gone to. It wasn't as though she was eager to see him, but she had wondered what his motives were at attacking her on Bakura.

Hopefully everything here would go according to plan. And hopefully she would still get that sale done.

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

'Thud' 'thud'. The sound of heavy footfall, the release of tightly wound springs.This automaton had been sculpted from living metal, to the round sharp disks that made up its front and the skeleton of oily clad steel, wires criss-crossed the inside like veins transporting pressures fluids and power. It’s about 18 inches taller than a normal human, and its features are grossly distorted from the human norm. Its chest is overly large, with arms attached by thick knots of muscle at the shoulders, hanging heavy, and ending in sharp pointed digits. It has no neck, or at least not visibly, and the large head has broad, flat features. Its legs are long and bowed, ending in wide, flat feet, that are tipped by curved metallic nails.

He made his way past the landing platform and into the palace, regarding [member="Lady Kay"] with a nod of his head. He proceeded next to [member="Sempra the Hutt"], a line of droids fanning out behind him. "I've made the last transport of the droids to the palace, the next shipment will arrive in one cycle." He gave a look to [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"], and than back to the Hutt.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

Lady Kay raised a brow as Flannigan entered the throne room with a wack of droids behind him. She had never seen one like him before and she had wondered if he had been human at some point. The way that he moved suggested as much. As he nodded to her, she nodded in turn and then glanced to Alex, her bodyguard. The Mandalorian woman still remained silent though which seemed to be her way when she was watching over Kay. But Alex placed a hand on her shoulder and ushered her back a bit as the droids seemed to fan out. She knew what her instructions were if things went south.

Kay couldn't help but overhear the conversation. No doubt he was yet another supplier for Sempra. She dug out her own datapad, not the one that Jaster gave her, and pretended to study it as she waited for her little side mission to be complete. Hopefully it wouldn't be too long of a night.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

Jaster was still in the shadows, but he knew he could never hide from the pirate captain Mr. Mcnash. Jaster knew the man well, even the days before he was a cybernetic mess of mechanical body parts. Even in those days, Jaster held a special kind of fear for that man, his cruelty, ingenuity, and charisma could best any military leader. His crew loved him and respected him not through fear, but pure damned loyalty, and for Jaster, that struck fear in him.

Jaster turned to face the machanical cyborg, and bowed his head slightly. After that he bowed his head to Sempra and returned to the shadows.

From there Jaster radioed his men around the canyon transporting the slaves. "This is Admiral Jaster Awaud, Omega Platoon, mission is a go, a glorious death to you all."

"Roger sir, it's been a pleasure serving you," repeated the officer on the receiving end of the line. "Let's go men, move the slaves, Falanx Posistion, cover the sides, keep the rear exposed!"

The orders continued as a wave of "Roger, Lieutenant" rang over the radio.

Jaster returned to the visable portion of the throne room, then continued to retrieve a drink and watch what else would happen.

 

[Tenel Daggoth]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Tenel sighed, in disbelief that she was being forced back into this game again. "I think my only option is to offer my services for free, if that's a good enough offer for you." She knelt down, hoping a show of respect might help her case. "You know I'm good at what I do, I've got the record to prove it. I'm a good shot and I keep my hands clean." She looked up at him. "That's all I've got. I don't have the resources to pay back that money any other way."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra looked up as [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] entered and announced the latest arrival of droid soldiers.

"Ah, excellent Mr Mcnash. Then it is time that we soon gathered the others to discuss our next step." the hutt nodded toward the bulking cyborg. He then turned a cruel grin toward [member="Tenel Daggoth"].

"Your off us... acceptable. As an asset of the cartel at least your life will have meaning now. Who knows, if you serve well you might even have gained yourself a new family here." the hutt declared. "You may always find a refuge here at the white palace or our facilities on Kalandra. A place governed by none less then hutt Councellor Mcnash here.

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

Kerkov noticed the various frigates going to and fro across the main screen of his shuttle. His grip tightened on the rifle the sergeant had given him, the situation had become much more complicated than he thought. He decided on a new plan,

"Sergeant, call your men back to the shuttle. We are regrouping on my flagship the Onslaught."

"Yes sir!"

"Now Captain Nublar, prepare for our return and launch both squadrons of Shell-Class Fighters and have them follow those smugglers. Have the one squadron of Raid-Class Bombers ready to launch."

"Yes sir, have a pleasant trip sir."

"Thank you Captain."

Kerkov shut the Commlink channel, Captain Nublar's humor never failed to impress him. But the small piece of delightful distraction lasted only a moment. Kerkov had some planning to attend to.



[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"] [member="Hawk Solo"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Hawk Solo]

[member="William Kerkov"][member="Sempra the Hutt"][member="Tenel Daggoth"][member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"][member="Lady Kay"][member="Flannigan Mcnash"][member="Pavor Clauditis"]


Everything was set up. Hawk quickly ran through his checklist. He didn't want to forget anything.

"Ship programmed and on auto-pilot..check. Blaster..check. Lightsaber check.. Smuggling clothes..no jedi robes on this mission." He says to himself.

The YT-1300 was in range of the Palace big guns. Hawk switches the autopilot on than quickly makes his way to the hatch. The ship twists and turns as it begins dive bombing on the section of the Palace without firing a shot. The ship was distraction. "Time to go." He hits the hatch open. Using the force he leaps off the ship landing in unguarded courtyard.

 

[Pavor Clauditis]

Taking the ship down near the building, he stared straight ahead, sweat dripping down his forehead. He was chewing on an unlit cigarillo in his mouth and was gripping the lever to his right tightly, preparing to take off at any moment. Slowly, he had dropped the landing pad on the freighter, waiting for the slave's arrival. Clutched in his left hand was a DL-44, and he constantly glanced from the front of the cockpit then back to the door behind him. Shaking his head in disbelief, he released his grip on the blaster, allowing it to hit the floor of the cockpit. He then proceeded to slump down in his chair, considering just flying out of here and avoiding his possible demise. Suddenly, he then burst into insane laughter.

"Well, it's a good day to die."

[member="Hawk Solo"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Hawk Solo"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"]

Lady Kay moved so that her back was to the others. She had Alex mirror her move so that she could keep an eye out. She handed the Mandalorian woman her datapad as she searched in her satchel for her commlink. Oh there it was! Way at the bottom! After taking it out she brought it under her chin and gestured to the datapad, pretending that she was explaining something on it to Alex, but instead she was communicating to Hawk. "Hey. I have codes if you need them to open the...boxes. Send me word as soon as you are clear. Security knows you are coming, but please make it look good for their sakes. And try to bring back as many as you can."

She shifted her weight on her feet and turned around to see what the others were up to. Not much longer and then she could go and get a good night's sleep. But that was provided that everything ran smoothly. Kay took a hold of her datapad and hid her commlink in her satchel again. She almost wished that she could see what was going on instead of just imagining it here.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"] [member="Hawk Solo"]

"Lieutenant, we got a distress signal that a craft crashed near the palace," yelled the radio operator, "palace guards need assistance to secure it."

The craft flew over their heads and crashed near the palace. For the Corperate Officer this was weird, they would have to investigate. The officer spoke up, "Squades 2 and 4, move out to investigate, square 3 continue on with informing the port of our presents."

The squads leaders gave their voice of understanding with a unison, "Yes, sir!"

This left only 20 men guard song the 100 slaves, it would be easy to control them, but security was proving to be difficult. The officer decided to set up camp and wait for reports from the other squads at the entrance of the canyon. As they waited there, slaves were placed in their cages and camp fires were set up near them so they would not freeze. The officer took fire watch as 5 officer patrolled and the rest sat in base camp refreshing themself with food and drink.

All seemed quiet, the lieutenant figured the attack would happen some time soon.

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

Alpha Squadron leader called out on the comms channel,

"This is Alpha leader, I have eyes on the target. Do you follow Alpha Squadron?"

"Alpha 3 on target."

"Alpha 11 on Target"

"Alpha 7 on Target"

Eventually all of the pilots were on target. As alpha approached there was a yell over the channel,

"This is Beta leader! Our target has collided with the Palace, what are our orders?"

Captain Nublar entered the commlink,

"Beta Squadron fall back to the Onslaught immediately. Alpha continue your mission, buzz that freighter no slaves are to exit this planet."

"Yes sir."

Alpha leader turned off the comms in his Shell-Class Fighter, and continuously stared at the planet of Sriluur. He wasn't sure about the ethics of this mission, but he would still follow it to the letter.

***************************​

​

Kerkov was confused at the act of suicide bombing of the palace. When he had overheard what the small group was planning all he thought was there to be a prison break of the slaves. But it did not matter, because within a matter of minutes Alpha squadron will reach the second freighter. And this ordeal will quickly show the winner. That is when Kerkov had a unsettling thought,

"Alpha squadron, remain unseen by the palace at all costs. We can't let this side mission go out of control as did Bakura, understood?"

"Yes sir."

Hopefully this plan would work, but only time could tell.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"] [member="Hawk Solo"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

As the palace shook and the defensive turrets started blasting away toward [member="Hawk Solo"] 's unidentified ship hurling itself toward the palace - the throne room was secured with guards running all about and around. Sempra roared a displeased howl as he realised this must be part of the slave scheme. The White palace was a piece of history that mattered to him . He did not want to see it damaged too much. Besides, as he realised repairs would be necessary the costs to restore it hurt just as much.

That Jaster better not let this spiral out of control he cursed and grabbed a nearby slave.

"Have the droids on alert should the need arise. I am not to be caught unprepared if I am being played." Sempra released the slave with a rough push and watched it sprint away. He himself made sure his heavy blaster was secured and accessible from where he sat.

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"Sempra." the crack and groan of stone under foot cracking and splitting, the pronged feet tightening as to keep him stable and standing. "Am I to ready our fleet, or will I remain by your side?" he said addressing [member="Sempra the Hutt"]. "B102, have the droids station at all entrances to the throne room, I want a visual."

The MI droids were folding out to their commanded position, the B1 and B2 droids folded out, their weapons on hand. "I can radio back to my subordinates, I can have more men here to back up the palace, but it would take awhile."