Maybe, it's a trap?

[Iris Tyrad]

As Wirch began to educate Iris on his ship, the Long-Yard, a man wearing a similar uniform as Wirch, though minus the large array of impressive medals (I just assumed you have similar uniforms, don't know if this is correct. If not, I will change it.) appeared, receiving and returning a salute from Wirch.

Iris was surprised when the man began to talk in some strange gibberish tongue. Maybe the native language? Whatever it was, Iris had never heard or familiarised himself with it before. The uniformed man whom stood beside Iris then replied in the same tongue, as if completely unaware Iris was there. As the two men spoke, Iris just stared at each of them wondering what they might of been saying.

As if he'd only just remembered Iris was there, as the captain left, Wirch explained to Iris what conversation was about. "He was saying that we shall be lifting off in an hour. I told him to prepare the cannons for a salute."

A cannon salute? Everything so far was a bit too fancy for some average merc. Something wasn't right. As Wirch began to walk down the platform to the ship, Iris picked up his pace so he was beside the decorated man. "I don't think a cannon salute is entirely necessary is it?" Iris would question, though quietly, so none of the crew around the battle-platform would hear.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

"Do not worry about being heard, most of the crew don't speak any other language than that of Relovian and those that do spend most of their time not listening. For politeness requires that they not listen to people of higher authority, unless directly spoken to. Back to your question. Of course it is not necessary! However, to keep up appearances and to make sure that no questions are asked, the salute would make the men believe that you are an incredibly important passenger. They don't have quite the capacity for discretion, as compared to myself." Wirch smiled as he said this, in that way the crew would believe him to be speaking in some light trivial matter. He had to keep appearances, even with this trusted crew.

At that point, five of the larger laser cannons on the close side of the platform were being set up. They were loaded with charges and their angles were changed to face sky-ward. They would await their commander and the person with him to come aboard, before letting loose the salutes. A number of some of the younger faces on the platform ran to the side, holding small whistles to their lips as they waited for Wirch to step onto the loading ramp. "Unfortunately, the marine band is not currently capable of playing any tunes at the moment. One of their members was hit in the last skirmish. He was lucky enough to survive, but he there was a chink of shrapnel in him. Probably very painful." As if on cue, an incredibly faint moaning could be heard coming from within the ship. Obviously there had been more than one man wounded in the battle before, but again Wirch was thankful for no causalities. The medic had been working non-stop for the entire time since the battle to care for the wounded as best he could.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

"Ahh okay, I think I get it." Iris would say in reply to Wirch's reason for the unnecessary cannon salute. The merc began to wonder just how long this false impression of himself being a VIP could stand for, he didn't look very important in rag like clothing, and arriving in a rust bucket of a ship. But if someone did get suspicious, it wasn't his problem, it would be Wirch's problem.

As Wirch explained how a member of the marine band was injured, and consequently the band would not be playing today, a low moan could be heard coming from the ship. The noise reminded Iris of the sound men made when he pushed his sword into the depth of their stomachs, however, he doubted that's what was happening. Instead, it was probably just the marine having the shrapnel removed, as Wirch had been saying.

Turning his attention upward, towards the deck of the battle-platform, Iris saw many young face, with whistles pulled close to there face. Thinking it was nothing more than a greeting for Wirch, Iris wouldn't pay the young men another glance.

"Shall we enter?" The curious mercenary asked. Not only did Iris want to find out what this job would be, but he also wanted to find out more about this ship, the Long-Yard. What was the power source? What were it's military capabilities? What thrust did it required to move? Iris lived finding out information on ships he'd never seen or heard of before, such as this one.

((Please excuse any mistakes, it's late.))

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

Wirch smiled and replied, "Of course. They have had time to prepare. Just step lightly and don't look too interested in the surroundings." He stepped onto the loading ramp and immediately the young men whistled with everything they had. The twittering was inspiring to those that had an ear for music, but it was difficult to hear as the cannons fired a salvo. For a about half a minute only the twittering of the whistles could be heard, along with the yell of the officers at the guns. Then another salvo was fired, ten of the necessary twenty. Wirch would continue his walk up the loading ramp. The sound did not disturb him and he did not even acknowledge the men on either side at attention. He continued walking, trusting that Iris would follow and act in a similar way.

The men at the guns had finished the first set of salutes and were loading for another set. The young boys at the side took a deep breath before continuing their whistle for Iris. Whatever Wirch had told them, they believed utterly and completely that Iris was a high ranking officer of something or other.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

Sorry for the long wait, I will post soon.

 

[Iris Tyrad]

As he was told, Iris followed Wirch onto his ship. Like the captain, Iris was met with the sounded of whistles being blown. Though when Iris stepped onto the deck, none of cannons were fired, it was clear the large weaponry was being reloaded for a second cannon salute. The mercenary felt good to be in this position of authority, it was unlike anything he had experienced before. Usually he was being pushed around by the same people who were saluting him now.

However different and exciting this was Iris would not show any of it. He had to keep the up the impression Wirch had made until they got some place private.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

Wirch was pleased that Iris kept a aloof and acted as if he belonged. He waited just long enough to hear the blast of the cannons and so that the captain of the ship began walking towards him. But before the man captain could reach him, Wirch waved him off and motioned for Iris to come below deck with him. He disappeared through a hatchway and turned to the right, pushing past a midshipman as he did so. His cabin was on the right of the hatchway and could be found by the guard outside the door.

The cannons let off a roar as they were loaded and fired. The last of the young men whistled before they fell back towards a crowd of rowdy looking sailors. Obviously they were the crew, all yammering about the return of Wirch. Many a curious look was aimed at Iris. What could Wirch want with this man? What made this man so important? Who was he? Before the questions could be fully asked, the captain of the ship began yelling orders and the men were once again busy running about preparing this and that for the voyage. The captain did not save a single glance for Iris, if this person were so important that Wirch could spare little time for the captain that Iris was indeed important.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

The firing of the cannons distracted Iris, enough to make him glance towards the large turrets. As Iris turned back to face Wirch, he noticed the man had disappeared, however there was only one place he could be. Down a hatch in the floor. It was obvious the hatch led below deck where most of the rooms were probably located.

Arriving at the landing, the mercenary now wondered where to go. To his right was a door, guarded by a single man. Deciding this must've been the place, Iris nodded to the guard as he pushed his way into the room. Luckily for Iris, on the other side was Wirch, and hopefully, this was a place where they could talk.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

Wirch walked around the room once before moving to the door and whispering to the guard at the door who leaves. Closing the door, Wirch listened as the locks sealed. He turned immediately and began speaking, "My greatest apologies for forcing you into that. Please take a seat, there is considerable planning to be accomplished and you must reserve all your strength for the coming fight." As he spoke Wirch pulled the seat on the close side of the small table.

Truly this room would have been a remarkable demonstration to the ingenuity of sentients. There was a small table with barely two feet of length at the farthest point from the door, there was one seat on the close and another on the far side of the table. There was a small bed, hardly less than the length of the room about 5 and a half feet, almost a foot and a half wide against the right wall. On the left was a trunk, probably filled with Wirch belongings. The room itself was only approximately 5 and three-quarters long and 4 feet wide. Such a small space for a living area was the usual for most in the service. In fact Wirch was lucky, being the commander of the vessel he got his own room, while most others had a shared living space.

On the table were written papers, datapads with information, a map, and a holocom turned off. All over the map were little scribbles of notes, which probably had some importance, if only they could be read.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

(Meant to say this in my last post: It's fine. There are often other things in life that will take precedence.)

 

[Iris Tyrad]

With Iris and Wirch both locked in this room alone, the mercenary took the seat closest to him, ready to talk business.

The desk infront of Iris was filled with notes and data pads, some of which seemed to be maps. Iris did not spare the desk top a second chance, and instead thought about what the commander had said.

"...you must reserve all your strength for the upcoming fight," this confirmed that this task woulld include combat, Iris already guessed this, he doubted a man like Wirch would hire a mercenary to clean his windows. But with Wirch hyping fight up, it must've been important.

Now turning back to face Wirch, Iris would speak, "Shall we get down with business?" A grin appeared on his face as he said this.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

"Yes, let's." With that Wirch pulled out one of the maps. A number of the papers and datapads slid off the table and banged to the floor, but Wirch seemed undeterred. He laid the map back on the table allowing it to show fully. The map was a geographic map and showed a region of mountains that led right to an ocean. Obviously this was the area that Wirch had planned for something.

There were a number of marks, a square outlined in a region about a mile inland somewhere in the mountains. This square had a scribbled note beside it, something in Relovian. There were also a number of X's where a few valleys led to the square from the ocean. Then there was a circle farther south of the square, and further inland.

Wirch spoke, "We will be attacking an enemy base, the square, and setting up an area in which a trap may be set. The plan is to eventually take down a current commanding officer of mine. In order to do that we need this base. It is an enemy communications outpost." Wirch looked at Iris, he felt his mind beginning to skip a little with excitement.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

As Wirch spoke about the mission ahead of the two, Iris checked the maps payed infront of him. The map itself was simple to read, and with Wirch's explanation Iris had a good idea of where abouts they would attack.

From what Wirch had said, the mission seemed rather easy. There must've been a catch, there's always a catch on missions like this. Another peice of information that Iris was concerned with was how Wirch wanted to take down a commanding officer of his. Why would he want to kill someone who was with him? Up until this point, Iris thought of Wirch as a respectable, loyal soldier, but now, he didn't know wht to think.

Deciding that it was none of his business to interfer with who Wirch wanted to take down, Iris decided to press Wirch for more information on the mission. "First of, I need more information. How many people will be there? How many will be accompanying me? I need numbers and statics before I agree to anything."

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

Wirch smiled a little, "We will be fighting at least 1 company of soldiers, maybe 100 or so men. You will have at most 25 people to fight with. I will have your back with this ship. The intent is to defeat the enemy but leave the buildings intact. I will then call in my commander who will want to verify what we have captured. When he arrives, I will want the ambush to be set. You shall kill him, and bring me his bodyguard. He has two, a Nagai and a Twi'lek. I need the Nagai, you may do as you see fit with the Twi'lek. Any questions?"

All this time Wirch had opened the chest on the left and pulled out an archaic looking rifle. He looked it over once as he spoke and checked the sites on it.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

The mission Wirch had just explained seemed easy enough. However there was two proble, one was that Iris was usually a lone wolf, he worked alone. Working with 25 other men would be very different, and maybe even cause difficulties, though Iris doubted it would impact the mission greatly.

Unlike the first problem, the second problem would impact the outcome of the mission. Wirch had specifically said that the building must remain intact. This would mean Iris would not be able to use any high caliber, or explosive weaponry, therefore ruling out the option of using his BFM combat suit. Not being able to use this suit would make the job considerably more of a challenge, but Iris believe he would be able to pull through.

Understanding the mission, the only thing Iris would now need before starting to prepare was to know his payment. "Before we start anying, I need to know what you'll be paying me." Iris would say hoping the answer would be a large sum of credits, and a chance to bargain for a very unique reward in mind, granted Wirch could acquire it for him.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

Wirch had been waiting for this to come up. Mercenaries and their payment, it was like flies to raw meat. While he did not have as much money as some, he could use his influence for other routes of payment. He made a false frown, "Of course. Your payment.... I would gladly pay a credit sum of 15,000 credits... But I can offer you something of much more value, if you are looking for weapons that is. I can have a smithy construct just about any unique Relovian weapon, or maybe something else. Do you have a preference?" Wirch was not a great salesperson, never had been, but few would pass up the chance for a weapon Relovian, if only due to their rarity in the galaxy.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

Iris replied to Wirch's question with two words, "A blade." This would be the reward Iris wanted, and hopefully Wirch would deliver.

In one movement, Iris pulled his current sword from it's sheath and rested it on the desk, "A sword like this." The mercenary said, referring to the samurai sword that lay on the desk. With a closer inspection, it wouldn't be hard to see that the once smooth, sharp edge of the sword was now rough and almost blunted. It was obvious that Iris was due a new one.

"Give me a sword better than that, and I'll kill as many people as you want me to." Iris would finish, still admiring his once great, still feared sword.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

Wirch lifted the blade lightly, supporting the hilt and blade as he looked it up and down with some small amount of visible awe. This was one of a few combat swords that Wirch had seen, for most blades on Relovian were made for appearance rather than fighting. It was truly a rare sight and definitely worth remembering. Wirch knew nothing of swords or their making. He had only a small blade meant for dressing up rather than fighting, though he had used it once or twice before when he felt threatened. He knew a man who used to forge fighting blades, but the man had stopped for a long time. There was barely a market for those weapons, because it was a small defense against being shot.

"I will see what can be done. There is a man aboard who used to forge swords. He may be able to help. But we may have to wait to reach a larger city. Is that satisfactory? Would you like to meet the man?" Wirch was not sure if sword making was difficult, and if Iris would want to meet the man who could build a blade.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

Though it may not have been necessary, Iris would agree to meeting the sword forger. This way he could explain in detail features he wanted added to the sword to ensure it was completely unique, and the most effective killing weapon it could possibly be. Hopefully the Relovians were not strangers to materials such as Cortosis and Phrik, and if so, maybe Iris could could get a blade completely lightsaber resistant. But if not, he would settle with the default, hardened alloy blade, which would fulfil it's purpose nonetheless.

"In the meantime, shall we discuss the mission further?" Iris would finish, glancing back at the maps and various information.


[member="Wirch Bicket"]

 

[Wirch Bicket]

"Of course. What do you wish to know? I will keep nothing secret and all shall be disclosed as you ask." Wirch said as he placed the sword back down. He stepped over to the table and began pulling out of notes and what not, apparently trying to piece them together to make sense of them. He was actually reading them quickly to see exactly what a probe had found out about the position.

It had been well armed recently with some of the newer cannons produced. Which meant that his ship would have to say out of range of fire. There were new soldiers, good, that meant that it should be easier to defeat them. And they had upgraded the comm array allowing for quicker connections. There was more to be read, but Wirch pulled himself to pay attention to Iris.

[member="Iris Tyrad"]

 

[Iris Tyrad]

Taking over the enemy base would be the easy part, at leat, that's what Iris thought. However, the hard part would be the assassination of the commanding officer, and the capture of his bodyguard. "I need to know more about the bodyguards." Iris would declare "Are they well trained? Will they be a challenge?".

Iris worried about the capture of the Nagal. The reason for this was that it was Iris' job to kill people, and he was very good at his job, however capturing someone would be difficult. The mercenary had never done anything like this before, well on his own anyway.

[member="Wirch Bicket"]