The Bespin Rendezvous

[Subject 5]

Time: 1412, Cloud City Time
Location: The Miners Maiden, Cloud City, Bespin
Objective: Check the offer.
Possible Hostile: [member="Koda Fett"]
Musical Theme: Hitman 2016 Theme (x)

The man gave another cocked glance around the tavern, he still couldn't see him. That familiar, if not ever haunting face. Every fibre of his body seemed to quiver, as he waited in the shade. The midday sun cast a glow through the restaurant, one which illuminated its patrons, apart from Fives, who'd decidedly secluded himself away from the prying public. Not like many of them were watching. Most of the others, were civilians, or off duty military who'd taken to lunch. The food was far more exotic than Fives had anticipated. Given the rigid nature of the streets, and all the protocol upon entering, the curry and spice he had tasted caught his taste buds off guard. Still, he was very much on guard, weapon or not.

Koda Fett's offer remained one of great intrigue. Given the research he had given after having parted from Te Veman, he had found it had been one of the Galaxies greatest bounty hunters who had spared him. A fact, which shocked Fives. Something which seemingly happened with alarming regularity. It was a bit off. Still, it made what happened next a little more understandable. Fives had, since his departure from the Mandalorian partisans, drifted as he always had. One job to another, until he landed himself in the Unknown Regions. The work was by no means glamorous. It was security work primarily. Another gun on hand, ready to act if the need arose. And the need certainly did with the pirates, and Jen'Ari knocking about.

That hadn't stopped Fives from at least trying some bounty work. It was pretty rudimentary stuff. Find X fella, whose run off with my wife, and hide him. Kill Y creature whose been eating our livestock. But he hadn't caught a break. But perhaps this was. It had been a week ago now, when he'd received the message. Fives had for the last month situated himself on the far off imperial system of Terra Damnatias. He had something of a presence there, cheap apartment, and at least an address. One to which was a package, addressed to him. Koda Fett wanted a meeting, a job, and they would meet on Bespin.

Part of the man was curious, and excited. There were some big bounties on the First Order. Some company, Squib Society of somesort was offering big cash for their officials. Money, which could mean an end to this skulking around for work. But part of him worried. Given the high reward, there was surely risk. And the thought he may have departed the Te Veman could've raised the bounty hunters ire. Something, Fives was fearful of. Taking another sip, he sank back in his chair, and took one more glance out. And that's when he saw him, through a squad of stormtroopers on patrol. And he was looking right at him.

Fives straightened himself up, and slicked back his long blonde hair. His breathes became hitched, and he clenched his glass of 'Rancorade' soda tightly. When the Mandalorian entered, Fives gave a curt nod, attempting to be professional, but also cool. "Mister eh... Fett." He offered, voice meeker than he had wanted. "How have you been?"

 

[Koda Fett]

CLOUD CITY
BESPIN

The Galaxy had certainly become an awfully dangerous place. It might have meant that these galactic superpowers launched their fleets at another's throat, descended onto their planets with all the war machines that they could possibly muster, and ransacked their streets with the troopers that knew nothing more than bloodshed. It most definitely seemed to be a terrifying and despicable time and place to reside within, but not for the Mercenary nor the Bounty Hunter. It were they that thrived in these times of despair, for they held no allegiance to a specific power but to those who could afford their services and provide them with the riches that they so desperately desired. Koda Fett had been a name known far and wide, sought out by many, and feared by more. He was the Bounty Hunter of this time period. Until, well, someone came and shot him dead.

Fett had shifted so easily throughout the streets of Bespin, and it'd been a planet he wasn't entirely familiar with. There weren't many that had been granted succour within First Order space, and he had hardly been an enemy to the First Order, either. Now, he had stumbled across a bounty that were to reward him with the wildest riches that he could ever dream of possessing. But would that stop him from continuing? Had he gone too far down this path to turn back, could he not adapt to a regular life? Hardly, no. It was in his DNA to fight, to kill; he was a killer, and that was that.

"Fine." He replied to Fives, someone he met an awfully long time ago now. Or so it had seemed. Te Veman was a futile attempt at dismantling an Empire, and had Koda truly considered his odds, he may not of taken such a mantle. But, instead, he had been blinded by the potential and fulfilment. It was then that the Mandalorian had sunk himself into the seat opposite Fives, a concealed face masked by that of a T-Visor. It was nothing new. "But this isn't a social call." Fett stated, "'Bout to make a lot of credits. If you survive."

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[Subject 5]

Fives cautiously eyed the hunter. Big money. So this was a job offer, but it was one which offered a number of questions. Variables to it. "Why me?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow at the hunter, and taking another sip, cool green soda washing down his throat. He put down the glass, with a dull thud. "Surely, a man of your talents could find someone a little more capable than little old me." He allowed himself a pause of sorts as he contemplated this. "Not to say that I'm not intrigued, or honoured." He added quickly. Some attempt to show that his scepticism of the proposal was not a fatal flaw within his participation in such schemes.

"Still, go on." The younger rookie added, "This money," His eyes darted around the periphary of the tavern, searching for any unfriendly ears. "It wouldn't have anything to do with the bounty on First Order brass?" He asked, before swallowing a little. Was this about to start now? Had Koda drawn him here as bait in some form of reckless and brazen attempt to claim such a bounty now? Fives didn't know the city, the people, or the feeling of it. But what he did know for certain, was that the military here weren't the type to mess about.

"This isn't about to start now, is it?"

[member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Koda Fett]

It was a fair question to be sure. The Mandalorian had an abundance of contacts, or otherwise associates that dwell in the cess pits of the mercenary and bounty hunting wolrds; could of called upon Amun, Ghorua, Sogath, Valentine-- no, Valentine met his end and it was an awfully brutal one at that. Yet, truthfully, Fett had called upon little, old Subject Five because he was cheap, and he was another frame to shoot at. If he died, so be it. It only meant more credits to Koda, and if he lived? Hell, he might just have a shot at the big leagues.

"You?" The Bounty Hunter responded, his helmeted head slightly cocking downwards. "You're cheap. Especially in comparison." He repositioned himself, sitting upright and seemingly as deadpan as his body language could allow. "But this does have something to do with their brass, and it doesn't start quite yet." It was risky, but everything was in this line of work. The First Order was hardly a joke, and responsible for their fair share of brutalities. If a failure? Death was an absolute, or so he had believed.

"If you're interested; I'm leaving now."

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[Subject 5]

The man watched Koda intently. One of the great aggravating parts of talking with the Fett was that he never gave too much away. And it seemed he was unwilling to show off his hand. Typical, Fives thought. Still, he would not let an opportunity like this pass. It wasn't like one got an opportunity like this all the time. Fives stood up, and dusted himself off. He reached for his glass, and took a mighty sip, finishing off its contents, before laying down the glass with a concise clink on the table. "Well then," The younger man began, offering a smirk, "Lets get moving." Fives was attired in a rather casual attire. Black, neat jacket, on top of a light blue button up shirt, with a pair of navy blue spacer trousers.

Laying down some of the local First Imperial shillings, enough to pay and tip his hostess, Fives turned to Koda, "So where the hell are we headed?"

[member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Koda Fett]

Good. He definitely preferred it this way. Fett, as Fives already knew, was never one to be entirely talkative. It was certainly beneficial, and a lesson learned through experience if not already by the dearly departed Jango that left entries that aided in the growth of a bounty hunter. Yet, even if not left for Koda, they had proven to be worthy regardless. The Mandalorian pressed away from the table, his eyes maintaining a clear focus on the exit even as a particular amount of attention had been subtly drawn to himself. Not everyone could help it, unfortunately. He was cased in thick armour with a wide variety of weapons at his immediate disposal, after all.

"I'll tell you when we're on the ship." Of course, he meant his own. Fives wasn't travelling alone; maybe he hadn't entirely trusted him, or to flake elsewhere. It was something along those lines, that and the lack of armour that the boy, if nothing else, possessed.

He was to walk there, shift throughout Bespin and ultimately arrive on the Spear II. If Fives hadn't anything to ask, then the only words spoken since were, "Mustafar. The Forge. Most succumb to greed, and it now allows us to be properly authorised mercenaries." Fett wasn't planning on wasting any time, no, not at all. They were soon to depart Bespin and begin their journey to Mustafar.

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[Subject 5]

Fives watched and looked around as the Fett explained their plan. They weren't exactly an inconspicuous pair as they walked through the city, garnering a number of stares from local security. "Alright then." Fives mused as they continued into the spaceport. He'd hitched a lift here on a Tibanna freighter, so he wasn't exactly fixing for a lift, or had any parking fines he needed to pay. The amaeteur followed the professional into his ship. He followed the Fett around, and sat himself down on a nearby chair, eyeing the beskar clad hunter. That was when Fett explained the locale of their mission. Mustafar. The Forge. Sounded ominous.

But Fives wouldn't show his fear or trepidation. Instead, the younger man steeled his gaze, orbs aimed right at the T in his visor, "Mustafar, eh?" He asked, "We got any intel on how we're getting in, out, and what have you?" He paused, "Anything at all?" Surely he had to have had a plan, or at least some data on this place. Right?

[member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Koda Fett]

It was everything that one could ever expect of Fett's vessel, truly. It was rightfully dark, containing bleakly coloured interiors that offered nothing more than a sense of foreboding doom that often came with being captured by the Mandalorian; it was typically a fate worse than death, rife with punishment no-one could hope to endure. It contained these cages that seemed suspiciously small if intended to use for what are often sentient men and women, and rightfully so as Fett always elected to provide discomfort in their transportation. There was undoubtedly a vast collection of weaponry neatly scattered throughout, both hand-held and ship based. They resided within the cockpit now, and it didn't seem as awfully intricate as most-- bar the singular series of commands that enabled the Firespray to shift between it's 'standing' and 'sitting' positions.

He had kept his hands contently fixated over these controls that he so fiddled with- buttons being pressed, switches flicked, nothing that seemed too intricate or out of the ordinary in the slightest. He averted his gaze briefly, that T-Visor finding Fives for the briefest of fleeting moments. "Soon." He announced, beginning to grip the flight-stick that enabled them to move skywards as the engines and thrusters roared appropriately. "It isn't as clean​ as you'd think." It absolutely wasn't, and whether it had been an internal conflict or a collaborative effort to secure something much more lucrative simply eluded the Bounty Hunter. He might have known soon, but it didn't really matter. It was only the credits that did. And there were a lot of them to be had.

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[Subject 5]

Fives clearly seemed to view the vessel with derision. A sneer, and a scowl of disgust as he looked at the cages, and its dank interior. "I take it you don't entertain often." The junior hunter mused to his superior. The younger man nodded at Fett's explanation that no intel was to be given yet. Koda knew his craft, and how to run things. And it would suit Fives not to try and push him. Still, his eyes wandered around the interior, seemingly fearful that he may too end up a captive under the infamous hunters yoke. He approached the hunter in the cockpit and slunk down next to him, leaning back and stretching, "You know, for a man who I've often heard called, 'the best bounty hunter to live', I really expected more."

He paused, and allowed a wry, teasing smile to purse his lips, "Maybe a bed to chillax on, fridge filled with exotic foods, sultry Zeltros girl or two keeping things running while you're out..." his voice trailed off, "At least, well....something." He then looked down, realising perhaps that he had insulted his new patron. "I'm just uh.... Busting your uh... balls."

[member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Koda Fett]

He could of, yes. If Fett were the type that had an affinity for the pink-skinned dancers of Zeltros, or desired the comfortability that he could absolutely afford, but it had been-- and always would be --his fixation on the smallest and most basic things that truly mattered. Fett had never lead a grand life beyond his infamy, and considered himself a particularly basic individual despite rumours that circulated the figure that shielded himself in such well-regarded armour. Koda Fett bordered asexuality as someone that could only love the hunt itself, endlessly searching for the accomplishment of his goals and the validation of someone long since passed. As enigmatic as they come; shrouded in perpetual mystery.

The Bounty Hunter averted his gaze from the transparent viewport ahead, these stars he once stared outwards had been placed on standby whilst that T-Visor cast itself over Fives. He stared, and he stared, and he stared. There'd been this growing awkward tension that hovered in the air between them, and he didn't quite rightly know why. To Fett, Fives had been nothing more than an aimlessly wandering child-- it didn't quite remind him of himself, but perhaps what he could of been. He was nowhere near this fatherly figure that would ever care for Fives, but he certainly wasn't going to kill him for the slightest of insults. Not yet, at least.

"Don't." He replied sternly, eyes returning.

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[Subject 5]

Fives recoiled and physically withered beneath the silent stares of the gaunt Mandalorian. His teeth sunk into the flesh of his upper lip and recoiled. The silence, oppressive. Until Koda Fett, in all his mercy, alleviated it. "Understood." Fives quietly mused, before sinking into his seat, watching his pilot navigate into the atmosphere of the mining colony. Now, the discernible shapes of the Bespin defensive portion of the First Order Sixth Fleet. Fives' memory jogged back to the Squib Bounty, and whom was wanted in particular.

"I realise you're not gonna give me much in the way of info," Fives mused, as a wing of TIE fighters, draped in white flew before them, "But who is our mark?" He inquired, "One of them Knights of Ren?" He asked, "The Grand Moff?"
[member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Koda Fett]

Suppose that he should of, or could of, said anything on that specific topic. It might've been a mixture of blissful forgetfulness, so unused to dealing with another his plans and details remained internalised and private. Or, it might of very well been intentionally done to keep the amateur hunter right out of the loop. But what good would that ever do anyone? None, really. Fives needed to know, otherwise be left in the dust. Suppose that meant more for Fett, but then there was never much point in hiring the former, then.

"Rausgeber." He answered, his hands idly running along several switches that had been flicked upwards with a singular pinch of the fingers and raise. "Grand Admiral of the Sixth Fleet." Koda further continued, not offering a singular glance. "And I said this wasn't clean for good reason. 'The Major' will clear things up."

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[Subject 5]

"Rausgeber?" The man asked, in genuine confusion, "As in, the Rausgeber?" He had heard the mans name uttered across Bespin amongst troopers and assorted military personnel. The officer had apparently made the city in the clouds, one of his many headquarters. Grand streets bore his name, and a statue stood near the spaceport, bearing a dedication to the Grand Admiral. "Bloody sithspit, we've really bitten off something massive." Fives coolly lamented, leaning back in his seat.

"Whose this Major?" he inquired, after a distinct pause. "She some kind of, pirate, or...informant?" he asked. He didn't imagine crime hapened much in First Order space. The pirates and smugglers he'd spoken to in the Unknown Regions avoided First Order holdings like the plague. They spoke of destroyers, captures and even executions at the hands of stormtroopers. A fate, which Fives feared, should they fail. "But more importantly, do you trust them?" His voice filled with worry. Fives head dropped, and he starred into his lap, lamenting the possibility he and Fett were walking head first into a death trap.

[member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Koda Fett]

You couldn't afford to trust anyone, really; that was the secret to maintaining a prosperous career in an industry that relied on hunting, and often killing, men and women for both glory and credits-- to have one's name echo throughout the deepest and darkest pits of the galaxy, sending shivers of fear down the spine's of the most hardened men. Yet, if glory had been all one sought it was often that arrogance was sure to be their ultimate downfall as it had many, many hunters before both Fett and Fives. An awfully strange name, that, but Fett had no intentions of finding something more... ordinary for the boy, or man. He certainly looked rather young. Younger than the former could ever recall being, even if technicality made sure that the Bounty Hunter was really only ever seventeen.

There was a horribly few amount of people that truly knew Fett, and 'horrible' were all apt adjectives to describe these men. They're all dead now, though, bar that particular Vizsla. Munin, maybe-- but Koda remained reserved throughout their seemingly personal interaction. "No, I can't." The Mandalorian replied rather blandly, and he truthfully spoke. 'The Major', to someone such as Fett, had been nothing more than deadly warrior of the First Order. Tales that came with each fearsome soldier flew outwards, but not in a Bounty Hunter's outer-rim depths. But, he had certainly hedged his bets, and it was his own glory seeking arrogance that lead him here.

Ever the hypocrite.

"They're seeking riches. That's all that matters."

[member="Subject 5"]

 

[The Major]

Trust: the most expensive currency in a galaxy of opportunists and outlaws.

She often pondered the proclivity of folks to look for certainty much like children look for reassurance from troubled parents. There was a pity to it, surely. However, this was overwhelmed by how exploitable this tiny, common and pervasive perception of the universe really was - especially by those of questionable morality.

So when the call finally came and interrupted [member="Subject 5"] and [member="Koda Fett"] the timing must have pushed the boundaries of what was accepted as coincidence. Nevertheless, a holoprojector emitted an image of a literal crash dummy slouched over on wooden chair. A voice emanated from the head of the doll.

::Are you receiving me?:: ​

 

[Koda Fett]

If 'Five' considered saying anything, it wouldn't be listened to. Fett had become consumed by the projected holographic image. His T-Visor had idle fallen over it, and it took a brief moment to understand that it wasn't a human, or a humanoid but instead a dummy. Strange, but he could always understand the desire to remain unidentifiable-- especially if one were to betray their own galactic superpower, even if it was only for a singular task. A Grand Admiral, however, was certainly going to less than forgiving.

Fett managed to cast a fleeting glance towards 'Five' for all but a moment, then replacing it straight back to the hologram. "I receive you." He practically repeated.

[member="Subject 5"] - [member="The Major"]

 

[Subject 5]

Fives rolled his head to the side, and fiddled with his jacket, and cleaved out a cigarette. He shouldn't have anticipated Fett being one for conversation. Always so frustratingly cryptic. He slid the cigarette into his mouth, and struck it up with a lighter. The young bounty hunter taking some time to relax. However, the sudden intrusion of a holographic message, from a disembodied doll head sparked concern. He spat out the cigarette, and winced, a look of disgust washing over his face. The imagery was deeply uncomfortable.

He allowed Koda to speak for the two of them, and looked at him, an expression of cool grimace plastered upon his features.

[member="Koda Fett"] | [member="The Major"]

 

[The Major]

::Good. Good::​

Besides the shifting of some the shadows upon the doll, which resolved in the hyperblue light in a means that poorly reflected in the strange blinking image popularized across the galaxy, no other movement could be detected as the strange item continued to speak.

::This is the very definition of a deniable action. If you’re caught and don’t follow these instructions explicitly, there will be nothing for your team to fall back upon, and it would be safe to assume your deaths wouldn’t be quick. That said, they say you’re the best of the best, so I’m sure you’ll be more than fine for this little scheme involving a Grand Admiral.::

There was a slight pause, and whether by trick of light or one’s overactive imagination, one might perceive the dummy tilt it’s blank, void gaze left and right.

::You’ll find details uploading into your ship’s computer now: guard distribution, blueprints for the structure, and a dead drop for forged security cards for access into the target structure itself. You won’t have any access to the complex’s computers for that will raise too much a ruckus. That side, you should crack some heads on the way out to make things look more like the work of incompetent, thirsty bounty hunters instead of operators working with a stacked deck. Understood?::

Once again there was another shift in the doll as the transmission momentarily fluttered in various clicks like some other code was being pushed just in front of the hunters.

​

::Questions?::​

​

[member="Subject 5"] | [member="Koda Fett"]​

 

[Koda Fett]

The Bounty Hunter had averted his eyes from the holographic image in favour of something entirely new, and far more rewarding. After all, that particular dummy didn't seem to be going anywhere, now did it? Fett, beneath the T-Visor, continued to scan over the instruments after several button presses that displayed the recently transmitted information. He remained in relative silence, not offering as much of a reply throughout his momentary glance that had been nothing more than a skim, if nothing else.

Fett had no questions of his own to ask, and instead of replying for both himself and the boy, he had offered a look towards 'Five' as if prompting an answer of his own. If nothing were to come, of course, the Mandalorian was to make it known that he understood, and that he had no questions by stating, "Entirely." Initially, then furthering with, "No."

[member="Subject 5"] - [member="The Major"]

 

[Subject 5]

Fives watched the doll with the same uncomfortable look. His eyes occasionally darted to the Fett for some kind of guidance, but he was greeted by silence. It seemed, at least in Fives' mind, to be too good to be true. Dead drops, data on guard movements, the works. He wondered where the hell this info came from, how many bribes it had taken and more importantly, who this Major was. When the doll offered a Q and A, Fives against turned to Koda. But he had decided that he did not, or was not going to question the information presented.

Turning to the display, Fives slowly shook his head, "I'm uh," He fumbled with the words, "I'm good." He quietly offered. He would trust Koda's gut on this, surely if he trusted it, it had to be the real Mccoy.

[member="The Major"] | [member="Koda Fett"]