The Wrong Quarry

[Marcus Lok]

"He looks like you."

Marcus kept a very serious air about his voice as he didn't want this one to slip by. A smooth 25000 Credits were on their way into his account if he could secure the target before he could get off planet. He nodded in appreciation to the Jedi's affirmation that he had no intention of being paid... That was good. He did indeed fall back to show his datapad to Jyfo. If he cared to look, he would see an image that looked nearly like him, but it was most definitely a different person.

Marcus kept a constant hand on his blaster and his head on the swivel. They were noticeable. Too noticeable... He felt as though they were being watched. Each scan from the HUD brought negative results, but he remained suspicious.

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

Regarding the datapad with interest, Jyfo's knowledge of the criminal slowly increased. He did indeed look a bit like himself; it was an odd feeling. Like he had a secret brother. Except this "brother" was a raving lunatic who murdered children. Jyfo tore his gaze from the image. A man, looking so much like himself, yet doing horrific deeds. He shuddered. It's almost like an alternate universe. Could something happen that would make me ever do something like that?

Jyfo's attention was captured as [member="Marcus Lok"] continually sweeped the area. Darkness fell steadily, rendering every crevice and alcove an unknown region. Marcus seemed nervous. And inside Jyfo, the tug on his gut pulled, like just before Marcus attacked him. Perhaps this is the Force, telling me something is wrong. I should probably trust it this time. Jyfo turned to the bounty hunter. "We should get inside. I have a bad feeling about this."

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus turned around and nodded to the Jedi.

"I think I might have to agre-.."

Before he could finish his sentence, shots rang out from multiple areas of the strip. Blaster bolts flew down at the two men and instantly Marcus hugged a wall and began to return fire in either direction with his E-11. Under his helmet, his breath grew frantic and quick and he knew that this was an issue. They seemed to be everywhere, shooting and moving. They were most likely thugs hired to defend the useless gangster.

"Can't you whip out that sword of yours and give some back!?"

This was all Marcus managed to blurt out between blasting shots back in the directions of their assailants. The snipers were now beginning to aim down upon the Jedi, seeing him as an easy target, and if he didn't react quickly, he'd be as good as dead.

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

When the first bolt of energy sizzled past Jyfo's face, he immediately leaped back against the wall and ignited his yellow sabre. They were out in the open; it would only be a matter of time until they were hit. They had to find a better position. Batting away a shot, Jyfo shouted, "We need to get to a better position! Quick, into the alleyway. You should try to get to the rooftops from there," he said, dodging a bolt and sprinting down a dark passage.

Most of the shooters couldn't get an angle on them as they disappeared into the alley, but Jyfo knew they would be moving either to follow them or find a better vantage point. There had to be a way to ambush the gangsters as they tried to pursue them. "Actually," he said to Marcus. "I think I might join you on the rooftop."

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus backed into the alleyway firing up into the rafters of the buildings as he did. Red bolts sent sparks flying from the walls and the ground which they had been not moments before. The alley was a well protected position, but it could be compromised easily if their assassins thought to cross over to the other side of the street. Marcus heeded the advice of the Jedi and began to power up his jetpack. The heat against his legs went all but unfelt as he soon rocketed up the side of the wall up onto the adjacent roof.

As soon as he came over the top, he was surprised to find a Gran standing their with blaster raised. It was a good job the Gran was confused as well as they both tumbled to the ground. Marcus cursed as he deployed his wrist blade and tackled the thug. There was a horrible groan of pain as the blade slid into the Gran's neck and blood trickled from the wound. After the Gran went limp, Marcus began hear the familiar Zing of blaster bolts hitting the ground around him. The duracrete splintered slightly as the heavy impacts came closer and closer. With a stumbling motion, he managed to jump behind an air conditioning unit which provided a stable durasteel barrier. He only hoped the Jedi could jump up onto the roofs soon, or else this was going to get pretty complicated in a few moments.

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

The bounty hunter heeded Jyfo's command and rocketed up to the rooftop. He heard the sound of a scuffle above, and hoped [member="Marcus Lok"] came out on top. Now Jyfo just had to figure out how he was going to get up there. Deactivating his sabre for the moment, Jyfo leaped on top of a dumpster. He heard shouts from across the street and knew the thugs were closing on him. Spotting bare metal framework above him, just below the edge of the roof, Jyfo let his mind calm and jumped as high as he could, aided by the Force, and just barely managed to grab it with one hand. Breathing heavily, he hoisted himself over and rolled onto the rooftop.

"This is the highest building around," Jyfo noted, while panting. "It should be a decent defensive position. The thugs shouldn't be a match for us."

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus nodded and grabbed onto the Jedi to pull him behind the air conditioning unit as well. Blaster bolts still pinged off of the metal behind them as a lone sniper stayed on the opposite roofs. It could only be assumed that the rest were advancing, and they would soon be in that alley and climbing up here as well. If they did that though, they would be easily surprised by a karking lightsaber at their throats...

Once more, Marcus leaned to the side of the unit and took a quick burst of fire at the sniper, and was more than happily surprised when he caught the Trandoshan off guard! The alien fell to the edge of the roof and let it's scaled appendages hang there like wet noodles. It was obvious that the rooftops were now secure and Marcus stood up to shake away the dust. He estimated that three of these thugs had ran into the alleyway and were now searching for an access point to the roof. With a grin, the young hunter pulled out a thermal detonator and showed it to the Jedi. He then walked to the edge of the roof, over the alley of course, and chucked it down. With a quick sprint he was back at the unit and held on to the durasteel in wait of the shockwave.

"That'll do 'em!"

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

Jyfo noted with interest when the bounty hunter pulled out a thermal detonator and tossed it down into the alley. Hunters always seemed to have something up their sleeves. With a deafening roar, intense heat and light consumed anything in its radius. Silence filled in as no blaster fire or shouts could be heard. Jyfo was just about to relax when he heard footfalls behind him. Turning and dropping to a knee, he closed his eyes and reached out with the Force, feeling its power, feeling the surroundings, feeling the Gamorrean thug trying to sneak up and them. In his mind, he grasped it, enclosing it with the Force. When he opened his eyes, he saw the worried Gamorrean suspended in the air, blaster having clattered on the ground.

"Well, what do we have here?" Jyfo inquired, a trace of amusement in his voice. The thug was beginning to panic, as it could not move its arms or legs. It stared at them with wide eyes. "Think we can get any useful information off of this one?"

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

"I guess... Just use that saber of yours, he'll squeal."

Marcus smirked and removed his helmet before walking up next to the Jedi. The Gamorrean, having been lifted into the air like a child's toy, gave nothing more than shrill squeaks as it floated harmlessly. He could only suppose that the information that they would gain would be the direct location of his target, which made this combat both profitable as well as bit of fun on the side.

"Just so long as you think you're up to some threats!"


[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

Jyfo knew he couldn't get wrapped up with the power at his side, but the idea of holding the Gamorrean like a plaything was rather fun. Being careful to remain rational and focused, Jyfo approached the thug and laid a hand on his shoulder, as if they were old pals. "Ah, my friend," he smirked. "It would be best for your future if you would help us out with some information. Information regarding your boss." Jyfo held the lightsabre aloft. He had to strike fear in the heart of the criminal, but he couldn't go so far as to make elaborate and extravagant threats.

"It would be a shame if I had to use this on you, my friend." That was good. Short, simple, and succinct. This should get the beast talking.

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus laughed as the Gamorrean instantly began to squeal out his pig-like language that consisted of short squeals that his communicator was able to decipher. Indeed he was giving them a location... A bad one. The information wasn't bad, but where they had to go was. Marcus let out a belated sigh as he put his helmet back on and checked the coordinates once more.

"Welp... We're heading' to a warehouse... And it's probably crawling with guys like this."

Marcus shook his head and then began to look down into the alley just to confirm that all of the other gangsters had been killed in the blast, which, luckily they were. They had to move quickly if they wanted to reach the target in time before he heard of the failed attack, and so he motioned for the Jedi to follow him, unless he decided that it was better to do something else, of course.


[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

A warehouse, most likely crawling with enemies... Undoubtedly, stealth would be the ideal option. A novice bounty hunter and a mere padawan, no matter their determination, were no match for what likely was a small army that awaited them. Jyfo knew the hunter's stealth skills had to be at least a little good, considering the trade he was in and how he had ambushed him. Jyfo's attention went back to the Gamorrean, still hanging in the air. The subconscious effort of wrapping the energy of the Force around him was getting a bit tiring. "I'll leave the fate of this one to you, hunter. I will only kill when need be."

Jyfo clipped his sabre back onto his belt and dusted off his robes. The night sky, heavy with pollutants and smog, seemed to weigh down on him, exhausting him. Yet the adventure had only just begun.

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus looked to the gamorrean and then did not hesitate to bring out his blaster. He then proceeded to blast out the knees of the sniveling creature. It was not his job to kill anyone who didn't try to kill him... Unless they had money on their head of course.

"Next time, it'll be your brain. Come on, Jedi, It's just down this street."

Marcus then jetted back down to the duracrete pavement to get his bearings. The smog still hung low over the city and the sound of starships entering their docking bays was still ever present even as they left the area. The warehouse was only one kilometer down the road, and it shouldn't take them long to arrive at all if they make good time of it. This gave them time to talk... Time that Marcus might hate with others, but on this occasion, he was interested to learn more about the past of this man, being a Jedi and all, it may as well seem interesting enough.

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

Jyfo raised his eyebrows as the hunter shot the thug's knees, but said nothing. He had handed the fate of the Gamorrean to him, so he had no part in criticizing his punishment. The hunter utilized his jetpack to get back down to the ground, and Jyfo had to plan a reasonably safe route back down. After a few nerve-wracking jumps and acrobatic bounds, Jyfo landed on the grimy alleyway with a grunt, then picked himself up and walked with the hunter down the street.

"I don't believe I ever got your name, bounty hunter," Jyfo said. "Mine is Jyfo Draav. A pleasure to formally introduce myself." Jyfo gave a slight bow of politeness as they continued to walk down the road.:If you don't mind my asking, how long have you been in this... business?" The more information Jyfo could learn, the better he could plan and adapt to the circumstances.

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus walked along the duracrete sidewalk boiling in his own anxious mood as this would be his first exposure to this kind of resistance in his line of career. There could be dozens of them lining even the roof of the building, and it would be difficult to even get into the structures perimeter... Or it could be 5 gamorreans with little more than a small paycheck keeping them around, which was also a distinct possibility when dealing with scum.

"I... Just started. The name's Marcus. You don't need the last one..."

Marcus smirked and scratched the back of his neck a bit in the bit of tension that is created between a bounty hunter and a Jedi walking the same street. This may just turn out to a very long walk.

"So how long have you been in the business of following around a master then?"

 

[Jyfo]

This would be the tricky part. Jyfo had to string together a lie to make it seem like he had much more experience. Confidence was key. He considered his words carefully, then explained to Marcus. "If by following around a master, you mean my studies as a Jedi, then I have been practicing and training since I was a young teenager." Not too much of a stretch, right? Jyfo frowned slightly. He wasn't sure anymore if lying would actually benefit his position, and he never did much like lying anyway. Might as well say no more about his Jedi studies.

Jyfo saw what he believed to be the warehouse farther down the street, the imposing figure of a building that it was standing tall and sturdy. "Do you have a plan of attack or infiltration? I would say stealth is a much more viable option in this situation, as we don't know their numbers nor firepower." Ever, the strategist, Jyfo wanted to learn everything he could about a possible combat before entering. "And do you have any good scouting or recon equipment?"

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

Marcus nodded as Jyfo explained his experience, and it wasn't very unusual from what he had heard of jedi trainings from holobooks or anything like that. Jedi were trained young, like Mandalorians, but he doubted highly that they went through the same rigors that of his youths went through at an enclave. Marcus imagined what it must be like to have a master assigned to oneself so early as well, much of Mandalorian life was an Independent business which on very few occasions did include a superior, but nothing like the Jedi.

These thoughts were cut short as they reached the outskirts of the warehouse district and it was in sight, a towering but barren looking warehouse with large blacked out windows. There appeared to be no guards patrolling the area at all, but Marcus' HUD was soon able to scan out surveillance cameras that were positioned along the exterior. These cameras would like film anyone who attempted to trespass, thus creating a secure perimeter. How would they get up... The most secure way to enter the building would likely be the roof. Then he had it! He quickly pulled out what looked like an ordinary datapad and aimed it at the cameras.

"Those cameras will bar our entrance from the outside if we don't disable them. I can use this to emit an electromagnetic pulse which will overload them for a certain period of time. When I give you the signal, we both get onto that roof. I believe you should try and get onto the roof of another building, or else it'll be a pretty long jump."

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

Rooftops certainly seemed to be their savior tonight. Jyfo nodded as Marcus revealed the first step of the plan, and quickly scanned the nearby buildings for easy ways up. He noted a service lift on the outside of one that would provide more-or-less easy access to the neighboring rooftops. Disabling the cameras would work well. Jyfo realized that Marcus indeed had several hidden talents that would play to his advantage.

Making sure to stay out of the camera's angle, Jyfo mentally prepared his course through the rooftops. "Ready when you are," he said as he turned to Marcus.

[member="Marcus Lok"]

 

[Marcus Lok]

When Jyfo said that he was ready, Marcus activated the pulse, and almost simultaneously with the activation of his jetpack. The heat against his legs signalled that the jets had ignited and he jumped into the sky. Soon he was racing towards the roof of the structure which dominated the street. He had to angle this landing just correctly or there may be mishaps that could cause broken limbs... Or a neck.

On landing, he just managed to come down in a sort of run before deactivating the pack and watching to see if Jyfo had made it, leaned over the edge of the wall.

[member="Jyfo Draav"]

 

[Jyfo]

Jyfo watched as the hunter shut down the cameras with his device. Satisfied with the result, Jyfo jogged across the street where the service lift was located. Using it to get level with the rooftop, Jyfo easily stepped onto the rough surface, watching as Marcus pulled off an interesting landing from his jetpack onto the next roof. Jyfo stepped out onto the edge of the building he was on. The alleyway was too wide to jump, but he did have the Force on his side. Taking a deep breath in, Jyfo closed his eyes and felt the Force come to him, filling him. He took a few steps back, then sprinting towards the edge and jumping with all his might.

He sailed through the air, closer to the adjacent building. He realized he wouldn't quite make it on his feet; he would have to grab onto the ledge. With a thump that knocked his breath away, Jyfo hit the side of the building, but he held on to the edge. Calling on his adrenaline from the jump, he pulled himself up slowly, panting. He looked up to see Marcus staring at him. "I might have to find myself one of those," Jyfo joked, pointing at the bounty hunter's jetpack. He took a few seconds to recover. "Let's keep moving, before those cameras are back online."

[member="Marcus Lok"]