The Grass is Always Greener

[Tathra Khaeus]

​HOK - EARLY MORNING

​Under the cover of darkness, the Bryn'adûl had arrived few in number. Their operators had spent the last three weeks scouting out a small organisation that was using the local mining corporations as a credit laundering method. They had localised bases, hidden data-bases that kept a close eye on the stream of credits. It kept the archived bank secure and locked away out of sight, luckily the Bryn'adûl had discovered that a total of six bases existed, two in each of the local towns that made use of the mining operations services.

​Beyond that, there was a large facility out in the desert side of the planet, a failsafe of some kind that housed a fall-back archive that delivered all of their credits to one location. The owners, Deletech; had spent millions in making this facility almost impenetrable. But the security systems were slightly outdated, even as expensive as it was and as clever as Deletech could be, with the blockade and the wars ongoing. They were unable to refurbish the security system in time.

​Tathra planned on pressuring the mining operations to delivering their credits to the facility. Then, he'd take it for himself. It was a high risk operation, and in such an unlikely place.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Hok. It was a weird planet in Mando space; one that was half blanketed in darkness and the other half a desert. It was unusual and not really a tourist trap, which was perfect for Lori to go to.

While she was snooping around for any whisperings of anything happening back home on Commenor, she was also looking for some parts to modify her jetpack with. Currently though, her jetpack was at home, as well as her training fighter.

Now she had picked up her own while she waited for her own freighter to be built! It paid to have some good friends and she had a few. However losing one of her guardians in battle took it's toll on her. Never had she known someone that had died. And with her family mostly seperated from one another, it was difficult to figure out how she was supposed to cope and deal with it.

So that's what brought her here. For a distraction. Lori wanted to build her own armour too, so the market was perfect for finding pieces and the mines perfect for ore. And hopefully it was far enough away that she wouldn't be recognized.

Lori made her way through the market, trying to keep her mannerisms bright but unassuming. There didn't seem to be a lot of teens in the area, so she tried her best to not stand out. She chewed the inside of her cheek as her tummy grumbled. Maybe some food was in order first.

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​There was no hope in secrecy when Tathra, one of the very few members of his kind to walk the surface of any planet freely and the only mutant of his species was amongst the crowd. He stuck out like a saber in the dark, his red sunken eyes lurching out from within the confines of his helmet. But here on Hok, there was no such need for subtlety.

​The Pirates of Hok, or as the rough Mandalorian translation went; could attempt to strike out and attack Tathra. But, that would simply put their entire operation at risk. Most of the people of Hok had no idea that the Mandalorian pirates had a business deal with the local mining operations and Tathra very much doubted that the pirates would want the entire colony to be aware of the operation.

​From the moment they set down on the planet, while still entirely confident in their plan; Tathra had felt a spike of pain in the depths of his mind. Like his body had been awakened to some strange realisation he had yet to be told. Something was amiss, something in his instincts told him that here on Hok. He was here for something else.

​Not just the mining operations money, but something, or someone.

​The Bryn'adûl had made use of several large shaded retrofitted cargo-transporter to get them around without being seen. Each wall was at least two feet of reinforced Durasteel was gel layers in place to subdue smells and in the case of a leakage to keep the health of the public out of harms way. Some of the ores on Hok were radioactive, and such parameters to protect the public were used on almost every mode of transportation the mining operations used to move materials from one place to another.

​"Hmph." ​Tathra snorted indignantly as he sat amongst his own Brutes, watching them fight amongst one and other for special rounds, play pazaak to pass the time. Tathra moved from his seated position, having to lean over as he stood up, using his right opening to slide across the heavy industrial door with ease. The light of the world met his visor as he realised they were passing through the markets, still shadow mostly consumed his form as red eyes peered from within the confines of the transport. ​~Chieftain, our readings are saying you've left th~ ​"Keep the transport moving."

​Tathra dropped down to the ground below, landing in a puff of sand as the people around him staggered backward, some turning to run as they recognised the massive being. ​"It doesn't matter if they know I'm here. Prey is prey all the same. Besides, I'm here for more than them." ​Tathra didn't say anything else, he didn't need to. The Bryn'adûl were his, and his word was law. The communication was cut, and two of the Brutes closed the transport door as it began to move again.

​Tathra preferred being on his own two feet anyway.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Oh boy did Lori ever stuff her face! She spent a couple of hours eating a massive bantha steak and some veggies. It was sooooo yummy! She was quite used to eating large meals when she was out travelling. It was hard to know when her next meal was, sometimes, so it was far better to be prepared and have enough in her system to keep her energized.

And it was a bit of comfort eating as well. With so much that had happened lately, eating something delicious tended to help. She knew that she had to keep busy, but it was difficult when she didn't have much direction. Lori went through that already after having a fight with her guardian. It wasn't until she decided to become her Dad's student that she had a sense of purpose.

That didn't last long however. And it was all thanks to the Sith! Now she had to keep away from home and let her Dad do his work at liberating Commenor. It was fun having a little mission from him though! Yet that didn't last very long.

Now Lori just kept to Mando space for the most part while she waited for her freighter to be built. She didn't even have a crew yet, but all of that would come in time.

After paying for her food, Lori headed out to explore the rest of the market. It wasn't long before the hair on the back of her neck went up, followed by some jitters in her stomache. Was it the food? Or something else? She chewed the inside of her cheek, before letting out a big burp, glancing at some other passerbys that seemed to be looking in her direction. She rotated on her heel so that she was walking backwards and waved to them. "Oops. Sorry!" Her cheeks reddened a bit as she figured that they were staring at her due to her burp.

But that wasn't the case. [member="Tathra Khaeus"] had just jumped out of his transport. And Lori ended up walking backwards right into him....

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Something stirred deep within the callous beast as his massive form lurked over the bystanders. A short of grin forming as his helm retracted itself manually, falling back into the armour he wore as its nanotech composition folded into nothing. Revealing the massive, mutated head of the titan. White with tribal markings of the Draelvasier making his face all the more fearsome, his deep seated orange eyes fell set on a narrow alleyway.

​The sky turned to a reddish dull haze as all details were nearly lost as his eyes retained their natural sight. Once more, the meat and flesh was only that. Bags of heat and life, as easily snuffed out as a candle.

​Yet, as the only obvious way forward; his gut held his feet immobile as a tiny form pressed itself against the outer thigh of his right leg and lower waist, pressing into him. He could feel her spine, and shoulder blades pressing into his muscle, he tensed as he pulled away; snarling like a animal as he leered over her. His eyes studying closely the movements of heat that made the complexion of her face and body.

​Experience told him to thrust her in a duracrete wall, but his gut demanded him to ease himself. The massive titan's thick arched cheekbones relaxed as his eyelids slid into their natural place, his body language untightening itself as he removed his shadow from its position over the young girl.

​"Gather your senses child." ​The thick layered voice spoke in a somewhat hushed manner, avoiding the booming terror of his anger as he felt a tingle run through his spine. She had it, the power. While untapped and hidden, it was there. He felt it in his bones.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori's grin faded as soon as she walked into [member="Tathra Khaeus"] . It certainly didn't feel as though she had walked into a speeder or anything. And as soon as his growl was heard, her body stiffened. "Uh oh..."

She looked up and saw the figure towering over her. Yes, she was still young, but she didn't feel as though she was a child. That is until she saw the height of the being that she had backed into. He was twice her height! At least! And that made her feel very young, indeed!

She turned around, keeping her eyes upon that of Tathra's before taking a few steps back. He spoke to her then, when she had expected to be yelled at, if the growl was any indication. Yet his voice was softer than she had anticipated.

Lori gave him a bit of a small smile that appeared for a moment or two, before disappearing. "Sorry! You weren't there just a second ago, or at least, I didn't see you. It was as though you fell from the sky. But I guess you didn't, because I don't see a jetpack on you. Umm...I'm just passing through and won't be here long. So it won't happen again. I promise!" She tended to ramble when she was a bit nervous which was far better than having an itchy trigger finger.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​The facial structure made up of bone and hardened skin was almost unmoving as dully bored eyes watched the bag of flesh move and ramble beneath him. Tathra's plain visage held back a curiosity as the feeble human made flailing motions, apologizing profusely. She couldn't possibly have been what he was looking for.

​For a moment he considered it, but no. As soon as she spoke it was clear she was little more than a witless and terrified child, and a little too old to become much more than that.

​Tathra's eyes moved away from her, blinking solely as they eased to the haze of heat that was the planet's populace. He shifted past her, choosing to relinquish any form of contact. His gut pulled at him, his instincts argued deep down inside.

​He was unsure of whether to trust his gut instinct or feelings dictated by cosmic energy deep within himself. His mind was thrown, taking him off task. His feet carried him away from the source, subconsciously taking him mind away. He felt his sense of direction return to him, his focus. He was here for a reason, and this misguided force imbued prophecy would deter him no longer.

​Tathra re-adjusted himself, moving through the streets. He had a stop to make before he could return to his Brutes.

​In a back alley, there was a small dealers shop; often used by local pirates to purchase high-grade explosives cheap. Today, he would be stealing that cargo.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori breathed a sigh of relief as [member="Tathra Khaeus"] walked off. He didn't so much as utter a word which was probably for the best. For her anyways.

She turned and headed off in her own direction, continuing through the market as she looked for the right booth that could get her the parts that she was seeking. Lori needed to rebuild a spare jetpack. Without the advantage of being at home, she needed to look for the right parts in different places. Others were looking for her, she knew. So it wasn't a good idea to stay anywhere for long. It wasn't a good idea to get recognized. At least in Mando territory she was more or less safe.

Lori bypassed the merchants trying to entice her with dresses and fancy jewelry. She wasn't wanting those things right now. What did she have to look pretty for anyways? It wasn't as though she was going to some party.

Finally she arrived at a tent with some engine components. She grinned and rolled up her sleeves a bit before going inside, her fingers waggling in anticipation. This was her idea of fun. Working through what she saw and how they all made a device brilliant or poor quality. She lost herself in it, ignoring the merchant's questions as to whether or not she needed help. She didn't. Lori knew what she was doing. Her instincts guided her. There was no better feeling than that.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra arched his back, pushing the flag aside that covered the arched doorway as is body shifted to slide under the arching entrance; a hollowed out rock lit by gaslights and small machines. Every workable surface had machines and small devices and weaponry attached to it, open spots were stained or had something currently being worked on set on it.

​His eyes wondered to a small sphere as his shadow loomed over the three men that stood within the dealers shop. The light extending his reach to their feet, two armoured in Mandalorian gear with weapons, another in a stained apron, a wookie. They all exchanged looks, speaking in Mandalorian to one and other. Though their confusion was obvious in the way they spoke and move.

​It was clear the wookie was the owner of the shop, his arms were large and his chest was built like a rocky plateau. He was the dealer, the owner.

​​"I assume you speak basic. The high grade explosives you are selling to the Mandalorians, I am taking them."

​The three stood, speaking in Mandalorian with varying tones of voice; the Wookie growled lowly; his fists balling as the two Mandalorians on either side of him itched for their rifles. Whilst Beskar did serve its purpose well, protecting those within from all manners of damage; it did not hide the twitching of their muscles, nor the stench of their fear.

​They spoke to him, shouting things back at him in Mandalorian. He understood the language but he didn't care to listen. Starting to walk towards them, his massive feet thumping into the ground with every step, carrying more weight than the men in front of him could comprehend.

​​"Come now, you don't have to die here."

​The two mandalorians spoke quickly, seemingly bickering as one pointed to the opposite entrance to the workshop.

​"We already put the explosives in our speeder, we were just discussing our dealers pay. You can have the load! Just take it and go!"

​The second shoved the one who spoke, drawing his blaster and aiming at Tathra's head. Tathra moved quickly, two quick jabs with his fists dropped the Wookie off of his feet, or staggered him enough for Tathra to jolt past, clasping the blaster's barrel in the palm of his hand.

​The blaster ringed off a total of four shots into his palm before it was crushed and the titan's knee shot outward, knocking into the Mandalorians chest, putting a dent in his beskar and throwing him off his feet. The second Mandalorian, the one that'd spoken before thrust his Besk'ad at Tathra's waist, his speed no match for the Chieftain's reflexes as he sidestepped. His massive hand wrapping round the man's head, tightening and twisting, a volatile snap and following momentarily flailing told Tathra that his neck had snapped in all the right places. For the moment.

​His eyes fell on the wookie, who was now pushing himself to his feet.

​"Pe'atam no'reeq" (You should've stepped aside.)

​​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori just loved this. The smells, the variety of components. If anything, it'd be the type of shop that she'd own if ever she was to have one. But that wasn't going to be her destiny. She could feel that in her very core.

Moving from one shelf to the next, Lori picked up bits and pieces, studying them and their functionality. Some were in pretty bad shape. And that was disappointing. "Are all of these scavenged from wrecks? Or are there some upgraded pieces as well?"

"Wrecks?! I'll have you know that these are quality pieces!" A pudgy old man approached, boasting about his wares.

Lori mumbled under her breath,
"Bad quality is more like it..." She grabbed a couple of pieces anyways. The nozzels seemed to be in fine shape and not warped by intense heat at all. That was good. "I'll take these."

The shop owner grunted at the little pieces that weren't really worth all that much. "There's no bartering in this shop. You pay what I tell you to pay."

"So how much then?"

"Thirty credits."

"That's not bad."

"Each." He grinned, half expecting her to argue.

"Ugh...fine..." Normally Lori WOULD argue. But she didn't want to risk drawing attention to herself. So she paid the man, bagged her items and then carried on. Surely there was more than one tent that would be to her liking.

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Turning back to the wookie, Tathra took two steps forward as the wookie used the work station to get to his feet, also grasping at a blaster as his body clung to the table. Tathra placed one hand on the nape of his neck, pulling him backward. Both arms immediately moved to wrestle himself free of Tathra's grasp.

​Wookie's were strong, making it difficult to Tathra to keep hold of his enemy. The titan thrust a jab into his waist and then a thrust into his knee with his foot, knocking the Wookie to the ground with a short wail as the jabs sent him down swiftly. ​"You don't have to die weapons dealer. Give me the crates access code." ​​The Wookie weapons dealer gargled out four numbers, pushing away Tathra with powerful thrusts and desperate jabs. Tathra pulled away, allowing the mass of the dealer to topple onto the ground under his broken leg.

​"A'kt, mo'ur (stay down)." ​Of course, the wookie wouldn't know the words themselves. Almost none bar the Draelvasier themselves spoke their language, but he would understand the sentiment. If he was fool enough to rise again, it'd be his own fault.

​Tathra moved over to the crate, bending down to one knee as he saw the third Mandalorian he had thrust across the dealers shop wrestling with the shelves he had collapsed within. However, Tathra continued to jot down the numbers onto the small console as the Mandalorian pulled out his blaster pistol, still on the ground but holding the blaster, aiming at the massive titan.

​"Indicta-war'ious par'ka(Foolish Mandalorian)-" ​Tathra had a half grin, his head shaking slightly as he straightened his upper body; turning himself to face the Mandalorian, still on one knee. ​"-Go on, do it. Give me an excuse." ​The Mandalorian wagered his chances for a moment, fully aware he couldn't win in these circumstances. Tathra raised his hand, entirely knowing the bolt was coming for his head. Instead, it evaporated into black scoring into the red of his hand.

​Tathra closed his hand into a fist, lowering it slightly so that the gauntlet that covered his arm was visible as the Mandalorian quickly moved from the shelves that pinned him previously. As he staggered for the door, almost without looking; Tathra fired a large dagger like spearhead into the waist of the Mandalorian, the sheer kinetic force causing him to slam into the wall.

​The Mandalorian struggled for a moment before shocked rolled over his body, and he succumbed to his injuries. Tathra activated a small earpiece connected to his nano-tech Takara helm. ​"Kel'mora munichia. Intocama. (I have the munitions, I'm coming.)"

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]


Lori was glad to have a big enough bag to hold her items. Although the nozzels weren't very big, the sheer amount of items that she had wanted to collect would certainly take up space.

Next on her list was toggle switches. Usually those were used for control panels on small freighters, fighters and the like. But she liked using them on her jetpack. Need and extra boost? Easy switch! Need to cut the propulsion off? Easy switch!

She grinned to herself as she headed towards one of the shops. However that smile faded as something nearby seemed a bit off. Was there fighting somewhere? It was hard to tell with the noise of the market. Hmm. Lori hesitated for a little longer before stepping inside the shop.

"I'm looking for toggle switches. You got any?"

The shopkeeper just thumbed over towards a box full of...well a lot of bits and wires. Oh boy. This was going to take some time. She sighed a little and then set to work to find the right type of switch. Hopefully she'd be able to barter this time. She can't be taken advantage too much.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​There were a total of three entrances, and a couple of abandoned local warehouses or factories serving as sniper perches. It was the same sort of layout in most of their caches, however a few others were more heavily fortified. Particularly the ones outside of the cities or in the mining districts of the cities were more heavily guarded.

​The few they were hitting first were, much smaller. Even so, Mandalorians were no laughing matter, they were going to lose a few of their own. But it would be worth it.

​Tathra had organised a total of three attacks on the caches thus far. This wouldn't be enough for the local pirates to resort to the use of the deletech facility. He needed to apply pressure and while his Section Commanders were leading the Drones to capture the three caches, Tathra was heading towards the edge of the market district. The market ended where the mining factories began, and one of the more heavily fortified caches sat right on the edge of the market, one of his Bellators even reported that it had a flak turret.

​He would wait now, no doubt the attack at the dealers shop and the theft of the explosives would have the Mandalorian pirates on high alert. So, the next step was suspense. Prey always know, they can feel it. They feel the eyes of the Predator lying in the long grass, waiting for the moment. He'd let them sweat a little, let the trigger fingers itch for a moment longer before the three attacks on the city caches would commence.

​Only then would he himself attack the fortified cache. Half an hour would pass as Tathra eyed [member="Loreena Arenais"] as she walked rather aimlessly, a moment would pass as she moved just beyond an empty alley way, and suddenly a arm would yank her from the crowd, a massive hand that still stank of blood and rock holding her by the throat and covering her mouth.

​"Stir no more, or I will snap your neck. Be silent and listen to my words, and I will release you."

​Tathra felt her resist for a moment as it became clear she could not break herself free, and in a few moments he tightened his grip, causing her to grow still.

​"Do you see that building just beyond the market district walls, the old industrial building with the Mandalorian sitting on its walkway? I need you to do something for me. For three hundred credits."

​Tathra released her, knowing she would not scream. The curiosity in her eyes, it was equal parts bravery and ignorance; she was too interested not to listen. He produced a small lead box with a latch, smoothly and slowly moving it to her chest for her to inspect. "​Do you speak Mandalorian child?"

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

It didn't take much for [member="Tathra Khaeus"] to grab her away from the stret. He was massive in size, afterall. She let out a quick gasp before her mouth was covered and she was pulled into the shadows. Out of pure instinct she grabbed hold of his arm that held her neck, though she didn't make a move to push it away as he threatened to break her neck. Instead she just stayed still, her heart pounding beneath her chest as he tightened his grip.

She saw the building that he had described alright, as well as the Mandalorian right next to it. As he released her throat and removed his hand from her mouth, she let go of his arm and rubbed her neck. The box was pushed her way and she took hold of it, unsure of whether or not to even open it. There could be a little bomb inside or something. No doubt it was some bad deed that he had wanted her to do.

"I speak a little Mandalorian. I'm not entirely fluent though. What are you thinking?" Did she dare say no to such a being? He was already bloody. No doubt he had already gone through some fight, pursuing some kind of mission of his own. Did he work for someone? Or was he the boss? She had no idea...

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​The young women quite readily accepted his demand, taking the small box into her hands with little to no resistance.

​It surprised him little. Fear typically was a potent motivator to do the bidding of ones oppressors, especially when one knew resistance was futile. Still questions came, though questions beget queries. The frustration lingered for a moment at her impudence, but that was rather his pride and impatience than her neglect of her situation.

​"Ik'toph... I need you to go to the door, knock twice slowly. Do you know how to say, 'this is from Kailen Cross' in Mandalorian?"

​Tathra's eyes shifted from the girl, as if some sound in his ear had distracted him temporarily. But, then they fixated on her once more, burning into her flesh with piercing judgement.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Her brows furrowed as [member="Tathra Khaeus"] told her what he wanted her to do. Of course his answer just opened up even more questions that she had wanted to ask. Such as, what was in the box? Was she to just leave it there and walk away? Or was she to wait until it was taken from her and opened? Who was Kailen Cross? What was he to this big guy? And what was this big guy to them? Sooooo many questions.

But then he stared at her so harshly that for once she bit her tongue and didn't voice them. Instead she merely nodded. "Yes, sir...I'll do it right now, if that's okay?" He could have more instructions for her, afterall. Or that could've been it. She just didn't want to start to leave and chance getting yanked on again by him. It was bad enough the first time.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​​"You must wait here for but a moment. I will be watching, then once a few moments have passed you will go and do as I've asked. Someone will take the box and you will be able to leave."

​Tathra's tone of calm and simplicity betrayed the truth of his intentions. There was a malice behind his eyes, stirring and writhing in wait to be released. It was met with an oblivious fear, building under the confines of his newfound companion. Most would quake in fear, sweat building on their brow as they feared for their lives. However he was not met with such actions, instead a curiosity and innocence engulfed a deeper potential. It made her unassuming, that was what he needed.

​What luck.

​​"I will retreat into the shadows to reposition myself. Then, you will do as you have been bid." ​His words did not carry further than her ears, and without a moment of respite he was moving; his lumbering figure forming into the shadows as flaming eyes held Loreena's gaze until he reached the edge of the alleyway, turning out of her line of sight.

​Tathra slowly made his way towards a abandoned warehouse, slightly taller than the factory in use by the Pirates. He likely wouldn't of been able to slide by unnoticed by the factories gaurds were it not for his new accomplice moving in to do as he asked. Now all the options readily available to him were simply waiting.

​Raising his gauntlet, Tathra activated the comlink placed above the slot of his hidden blade. ​"Sek-makrath un'tomounae.(Prepare to launch your assaults on my mark.)"

​Next was activating the tracker attached to the small explosive box, he needed to know when it was inside the building, otherwise he risked a misfire.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori slowly nodded as he gave her further instructions. She didn't want to risk quick movements, just in case [member="Tathra Khaeus"] mistook it as her being hostile. "I got it..."

The instructions were easy. And the best part was that he said that she could leave afterwards! That might at least help get rid of the growing uneasiness that she had ever since she had first come across him. He perplexed her though. On the one hand he was frightning! But on the other, he spoke so soft, almost as though he feared his voice alone could snap her like a twig. That was what kept her from running away like most people did. She was curious about him and which part of what he showed was just a facade.

Once Tathra had disappeared from view, Lori waited a few moments. Of course she could have waited a half hour or so, but a few minutes was enough. She soon left the alley and walked over to the warehouse. The Mandalorian that was on the steps earlier seemed to have either left, or was inside. No matter. She walked up to the steps, box in hand and knocked on the door.

The man that answered looked down to her puzzled, speaking in his native tongue. ~What?~

Lori held up the box for him and spoke in rough Mandalorian; ~This is...by...Kailen Cross...For you.~ Once the man took it, she gave him a mock salute, turned and headed off. She didn't wait for anything or answer any questions. She didn't even run. Lori just put her hands in her pockets and continued on her way in the casualist manner that she could. Maybe she should head back to her fighter. Was she worried about 300 credits? Not really. It wasn't as though that she could count on Tathra having it anyways.

Still...she wondered just what was inside of that box.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​In a few moments, the box that concealed his tracker had entered the building. Tathra watched from his scanner as a single individual took the small box deep into the abandoned factory building. In a few moments, his companion would hopefully be clear of the building. Messengers always headed away immediately, however they followed a specific route.

​Tathra's eyes moved through a smell shattered window, light gathering over his eyes as the rest was concealed in darkness. His eyes watched as the spotter on the railway watched through a detached scope, likely viewing his companion as she left. He waited, watching as he went to activate his comlink. Likely to note that she had deviated from the route.

​That was the right moment, Tathra raised his gauntlet; activating the box inside the facility. The ground shook for but a moment, and smoke erupted from a now crater sized hole in the side of the building. The Mandalorian up top turned on his heel, running to the door he came from as Tathra moved with haste.

​With the explosion distracting the Mandalorians within, he was able to get close enough to the facility that the Mandalorians could not simply bring him down with overbearing fire. He was close enough now that their future efforts would be entirely futile. Tathra closed the distance with moments to spare as the smoke was beginning to clear.

​Tathra's mace came to hand easily as his thundering steps alerted the men inside that something was coming. Something big.

​The titan broke some loose cobblestone as his shoulder brushed through the gap in the building. Blaster bolts were caught on his armour first, as the Mandalorians aimed for centre mass. Tathra felt nothing bar the comforting heat of battle.

​His massive strides carried him to his first Mandalorian opponent, only wearing his combat gear on his legs, clearly mid lunch. Tathra's weapon had great reach, almost seven feet of it. The end of the mace collided with the man, the spikes entering his body moments before the kinetic thump of the swing threw his body a few feet across the ground.

​Next two rushed his position, brandishing blades. Tathra caught the first strike from his right with the shaft of the Mace, thrusting it outward to meet the length of the vibro-sword and knocking his enemy back as the other attempted to flank him. Tathra leapt in the direction of the Mandalorian he'd knocked down, making some space between himself as his next opponent as he swung for his thigh. Tathra's speed greatly outweighed his enemies, meeting the vibroweapon mid-swing and thrusting it to the ground with his superior weight.

​Tathra quickly closed the gap as the Mandalorians weapon remained trapped, releasing his right arm from the length of the shaft as a Gladius shot out from his gauntlet, promptly cutting through the Mandalorians neck and severing head from body. Next came from above, as two men lifted opened fire with long range rifles.

​Tathra weaved between the initial shots as one scorched past his shoulder. It appeared there was more within than he'd imagined initially, one helped the fallen to his feet. While two others busied opening one of the weapon cache's within. Two others fired their blasters, the bullets scorched and burned both flesh and metal. Yet his hardened skin allowed their weaponry little affect.

​Tathra slammed the Mace into the ground, knocking the two in front off their feet and flung backward like rag dolls. Another sniper bolt struck Tathra's leg, cutting through the armour-weave and leaving a black mark on the volcanic hide of his leg. The other struck his hand in an attempt to release the mace from his grip.

​Tathra pressed forward, using his thrusters to glide across the room temporarily as the two Mandalorians had successfully opened the weapon's cache. One of them had lifted a missile launcher while the other loaded it, however Tathra could not risk the cache being destroyed. He raised his Mace, absorbing two more sniper blasts as the missile hit him square in the chest, causing him to jolt and his back to crush some pipes lining the wall.

​The Mandalorians froze as they saw the largely unarmoured Tathra shrug off their missile, using the force to enhance his speed as he charged toward one of the seven that remained as he went for a rifle. Tathra reached him first, kicking his leg out as he reached for the rifle; his free right hand grappling the man by the throat; lifting him into the air with one hand and snapping his neck.

​| [member="Loreena Arenais"] |​

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

The rumble came first, followed by the sound of the explosion. Lori turned to see the warehouse engulfed in smoke as a fireball rose into the air. Was it fully taken down? No. Only a part of the building was destroyed. Uh oh. She swallowed a lump in her throat, now understanding that the package that she had delivered was what she SHOULD have expected it to be. An explosive. No doubt it was rigged to go off as soon as it was opened. Or maybe a minute or two after.

Lori quickened her pace a little, unaware that she was being followed at a distance by men that were closing the distance between them. She continued down the street, weaving her way through the spectators that headed towards the warehouse to see what was going on. Some others were smart and were moving away from it. Yet Lori was sure that she was the only one heading to the space port. It was time to leave. Time to go back home. She had found some of what she had wanted anyways; some parts for her jetpack. It was a long journey home and more than likely her fighter was all fueled up by now.

The space port was in sight. Soon she could leave and not run into [member="Tathra Khaeus"] ever again, and never have to think about what she had done.

That was when a blaster bolt shot into her backpack. Lori broke into a run then, moving in a zig-zag pattern until she rounded a corner of a building, obscuring her from sight for a few spare moments as she looked for a hiding spot. A landspeeder was parked on the side. She hurried towards it and climbed in, curling up onto the floor and closer to the sidewalk. Hopefully she wouldn't be seen.