Vengeance served freezing cold [ KDY / OS Heist ]

[Jessica Med-Beq]

OOC thread

While on the ground, the components are being loaded on a Star Tours Maersk-class ship, the Maersk of Lanteeb, Charzon inspects the contents of the shipment they are about to deliver to Kuat. Star Tours tends to name ships with the convention, with the ship class in front, and a destination served by Star Tours at the end; only the Bowser itself breaks the convention. For this purpose, the Neimoidian Yachts in Star Tours service are also called Pullman of X, where X is a Star Tours destination. Because Charzon also intends to steal schematics of Star Destroyer-sized ship classes, Jessica is overjoyed to take one more stab at KDY especially since they are still recovering from the sabotage attempt made prior to Operation Blackout. And also some hired help should be handy here.

"Jessica, Marcia, I brought you two along today because you can perform key roles in this plan to steal schematics or, should I say, make backup copies. Before we proceed, Jessica, you have been instrumental in the success of the last few models of ships, especially the Maersk: the Super Transport X suffered"

"The Baleen and the TL-6000 as well, boss. You make the backup copies of the schematics, while I take care of the security cameras inside the delivery area" Marcia told Jessica.

"It's not enough to make the Super Transport X lose market shares, we need to show them that we can build even bigger ships than that model and that can successfully compete with the biggest and best in the galaxy, especially Theed Palace Space Vessel Engineering Corps" Jessica retorted.

"The manifest of the cargo says the following: 120 cruiser-grade, 400 frigate-grade and 3,000 corvette-grade units of the Watchtower, 10,000 Roto-Rooters, 20 heavy tractor beams..."

"Kuat Drive Yards just spent 77 million for these starship components, now one may be wondering about their order books"

After a while, the captain of the Maersk of Lanteeb initiates the takeoff sequence while making sure that the ship isn't colliding with the orbital ring station, with the ladies sharing a cabin in the bridge tower for the duration of the flight to Kuat, providing the ladies - and their hired help - with a diversion so that they can accomplish the theft of the desired schematics and use said schematics for cargo ships and more peaceful usages of massive starships like prison ships (while still despicable, it's still a peaceful use), mining ships or cruiseships, like the Kalytera-class. Now that's one big theft attempt...

"Lightspeed to Kuat!"

[member="Jaster Starfallen"] [member="Lorelei Darke"]

 

[Jaster Starfallen]

I feel the ship lurch as we head into lightspeed. I check over my gear as I wait. Blaster, check. Grenades, 1,2,3,4,5,6, check. Four sticky, two thermal imploders. Knife, check. Armor, check. Jetpack, check. I doubt I'll need it, but with space, you can never tell. I put my helmet on and sling my grenades over my shoulder. I put the two thermals on a clip on my right side. This should be an easy in, easy out mission. Or so I hope. Lately I seem to underestimate everything. Maybe there are just some facts, some unknown factor I don't know about. I take my helmet off and put it next to my feet. I run a hand through my hair as I think. The brawl on Echoy'la was rough. I wince as I remember the painful bruise on my right side, just above my hip. There was way too much security for a normal iron transport. Snipers, ships, force users? That all seems too much for only a ton of iron. I should think on this later, there's fighting to be prepared for. I pocket the thought in my head and slide the helmet on my head once more. I pick up my blaster and walk to the bridge.

"So!" I say as I walk in. "What's our ETA?" I stride over to the right hand wall and lean against it, appearing relaxed. "And are we planning to be shot at much?" I grin at the last part for no reason. I slide my helmet off again revealing my wide grin and I put my helmet under my arm. Hope I look like the all confident Special Forces soldier the posters all say.

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

With Charzon's blaster pistol holstered, Marcia's taser pistol being holstered and in both cases, concealed, and Jessica wielding her big anti-tank rifle, which makes her look like some Mandalorian girl that somehow lost her armor, the Maersk of Lanteeb left Ringo Vinda for a rather lengthy flight, which was to last for a few more hours. During the overwatch, they take up positions on the bridge, Marcia being at the tactical station, Jessica being where the piloting was to take place, being on the copilot's seat while Charzon was on the pilot's seat, while the habitual bridge crew would reprise their usual stations, and then they would go to sleep below the bridge proper, waking up upon arrival. Unlike Dunames, who could pilot anything from a TIE Reaver (or a podracer) to a Maersk, and probably even a Star Destroyer if she wanted to, Charzon piloted mostly Neimoidian Yachts in her lifespan as a pilot: she was not used to the bulk of Maersks.

"Twelve hours before we arrive over Kuat!" Charzon screamed in the direction of the three people in play.

"In six hours, the habitual pilots will take our place, boss" Jessica commented.

"Don't forget: Kuat Drive Yards will have us proceed to the triage station before we can make the actual delivery" Marcia warned the other three people about.

"And the actual heist" Jessica added.

[member="Jaster Starfallen"]

 

[Jaster Starfallen]

"Well well well!" I say. "Seems like we got time. Any other little details or blueprints of the area to go over one last time? Pays to be prepared." I place my helmet on a station nearby and sit at an empty chair.
I twirl my knife absently and perform a few tricks I've picked up with it.

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

Marcia used the holographic targeting console to display the map of the ring station over Kuat, with all the different sections, knowing that there was no combat in hyperspace. All the nasty stuff, combat, piracy and whatnot, would happen in realspace. Of course, Jessica having worked in there before being fired helped the foursome enter the sprawling KDY orbital complex. The rest of the overwatch bridge crew didn't listen at all, being focused on their respective station. Few dreamed of piloting capital ships, much fewer than piloting fighters or light freighters, but in bulk freight service, often the commanding officer had piloting duties. Once the foursome are gathered around the holographic display of the ring station's layout, Jessica could begin to talk about her former workplace and where they will have to infiltrate it to achieve their objective of stealing the coveted blueprints.

Spoiler

"I have to say, knowing the One Sith, these prison ships and other freighters were rather low-priority compared to the military ships. Keep in mind it's a whole planet, much like Ringo Vinda"

"If the layout of the station really didn't change that much, design stations are closer to the main offices" Jessica added, knowing that she worked there before the sabotage happened.

"Which number is that on that map?" Marcia asked.

"The main supply spaceport is number 1, I would probably had to say the terminal to slice through will be on our left once we arrive, because it is closer to the main offices" Jessica spoke, while pointing at the supply spaceport on the holographic map.

"Actually, the cargo is bound for Gyndine but Kuat was only a slight detour. I had no intention to actually sell the cargo to KDY: I'll just pretend to deliver it so that the guards can inspect its contents, and later claim it is compromised, had defects or otherwise recalled" Charzon let slip prior to letting other people have the floor.

[member="Jaster Starfallen"]

 

[Celiana]

I'd been keeping to the shadows as much as possible with my Mandalorian helmet still on black with gold trimming and the hellish, blood colored, maroon T-slit. Stepping onto the bridge I heard discussion of what the plan was. Deciding to announce myself I said,"The Sith were using warships, military yes? Where would plans, schematics and such for those be kept?" I noted there was another Mando'ade here. Good, I knew if he was Mando'ade he could handle himself.

[member="Charzon Loulan"]
[member="Jaster Starfallen"]

 

[Jaster Starfallen]

I sit back against the wall, looking at the map. I stay silent, listening to what the crew say. Raiding a shipyard is never easy and they must have some serious planning to think they can pull this off easily.

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

"They appear to be keeping schematics for different types of ships in different areas of the ring station. Freighters, prison ship schematics would be kept closer to the entry point, the supply port. A high-speed tram would take you to the main offices, where warship schematics are kept" Jessica told the party of five, pointing at element #5 on the holographic map of the ring station.

"To be frank, it's not so much because of me that we are on a mission to be stealing schematics but from some orders from above: the Ringovindian government is the owner of Ringovinda StarYards, and, since Ringo Vinda is in SSC territory, the current administration sees it fit for us to take as many potshots at any Sith faction as we could get, especially after the SSC failed to capture the Sith Triumvirate capital, despite killing the triumvirs at the time" Charzon explained the motives behind the mission.

"We do not sell to Sith factions; the First Order, while dark-sided, is a faction that isn't dominated by its Force-users and hence is not considered a Sith faction" Marcia remarked.

"You know how Sith factions operate: they mostly do only what's necessary economically to keep on playing their game of thrones, they see power as an end in itself" Jessica said as a closing remark.

The Sith Triumvirate may have won the Eighth Battle of Ruusan, it forces many in the SSC to resort to taking that sort of potshots. Kuat was the target of one rather large potshot prior to Operation Blackout, and they are still licking their wounds weeks after the fact. Hopefully it meant that they didn't have to face heavy resistance... or at least not as heavy as it used to. The heavy bloodshed on Coruscant meant that many divisions of the One Sith armies retreated to Bassadro, Empress Teta, while Operation Blackout actually lured many of the main divisions out of so many systems, including JanFathal, which held no real military value to the One Sith, especially if they had any hope of countering "the entire ground might of the Alliance committed to one bold gamble", with the main fleet being defeated on Dulvoyinn prior to that. Oh, of course, the Maersk of Lanteeb is soon approaching Kuat's supply station, initiating docking sequence right after the ship drops out of hyperspace, with several docking ports being attached to the ship.

"We have arrived at the supply station" the captain of the Maersk of Lanteeb said over PA.

Charzon issues her warning when the docking port is attached to the bridge tower. "Get ready to enter the ring station!"

[member="Celiana"] [member="Jaster Starfallen"]

 

[Jaster Starfallen]

I grab my helmet and slide it over my head. "Alright, let's do this!"

I walk to the bridge door and hang around there, waiting in case anyone else decides to go. After all, I am security. And I also have no idea where anyone is going. I don't understand ship speak.

 

[Jessica Med-Beq]

The party freshly out of the ship, it's now obvious that no one but Jessica had any idea of where to go despite having been shown the map of the ring station on the ship, beyond having to find an internal tram station. it was one big empty space and they had to walk the whole length of the terminal so that they could actually get to the first security checkpoint leading to the tram station. And the terminal being designed to house objects up to a half-kilometer long, such as battlecruiser engines... it was quite a walk before they could meet with anything remotely resembling security. Before they began the walk, Charzon briefs everyone on where they need to go after they enter the station's secure areas, that is, once they enter the tram's wharf.

"Now, Jaster, escort Marcia and Jessica to the tram station, I'll stay here so that I oversee the "delivery" of starship components. As for Celiana, you also go to the tram station; Jessica will fill everyone else in with the details" Charzon instructed the rest of the party as to where to go once they get past the security checkpoint.

"Once we are in the tram station, Marcia pretends to be delivering an invoice for the starship components, to the accounting team. Jaster, Celiana, get out of the tram at the finance department station just as Marcia will. It will lead you close to where the blueprints are held" Jessica told the other team members headed for the main design databanks. "I will get out at the hydraulics department station - provided it is still there. The hydraulics department station is three clockwise stations away from here and the finance department station is three more clockwise stations after that"

"But what if the sabotage forced a closure of the hydraulics department station?" Marcia asked.

"I guess, I will go to the finance department station" Jessica replied.

"State the reasons of your visit" a security droid told Charzon.

"We are here to deliver heavy tractor beams, collision avoidance systems and automated kitchenettes" Charzon told the security droid, cargo manifest in hand.

Best case scenario: Ringovinda StarYards will have scammed Kuat Drive Yards 77 million in addition to having a copy of several starship classes' worth of schematics, only one or two of which are of interest to Ringovinda StarYards and all the rest of what they steal only really interest the hired help, unless the hired help accepts to sell copies of the other stolen schematics. Worst case scenario: they will languish in some One Sith prison, and escape with the help of an Alliance-incited riot. (The One Sith tends to imprison convicts close to where the crimes were committed) But as everyone else advances towards the tram station, with Jessica in the lead and Charzon staying behind, another security checkpoint must be crossed before the party can actually board the tram Charzon and Jessica all seem to rave about. One checkpoint sign said Clockwise direction here, and the other sign said Anti-clockwise direction here. Jessica had a few blank data discs in her handbag; they will prove to be handy later...

[member="Celiana"] [member="Jaster Starfallen"]

 

[Silas Miu]

Silas Mui had gotten wind of the heist from his recent contact, @Celiana. She'd highlighted the objectives and said she would speak with the woman in charge about bringing him in as extra support, but he decided that he didn't want to wait for permission, instead stowing away on a freighter, whose manifest stated that it was heading to Kuat Drive Yards. He mainly just lay atop one of the several heavy tractor beam components, his tall, thin form perfectly concealed by the objects huge, wide nature. Not to mention he already had control of the ships systems, so he didn't have to worry about being caught by security feeds. A sound blared from loudspeakers throughout the ship, which alerted him to the fact that they were now docking in the cargo bay of the Ring Station. Hopefully he'd be able to catch up to his friend in time. If not, he could at least worm his way into the Stations security systems, keeping a watchful eye on the crew throughout the heist, hijack their comm signals and feed them any necessary information.

He managed to slip off the freighter just in time, as cargo droids where wheeling up to the cargo bay of the freighter, removing each individual component. A sign pointed him in the direction of the Ring stations Tram, and, upon turning in that direction, he noticed a woman being questioned by a security droid. He hurriedly took to the shadows, making his way from cover to cover in order to get close enough to overhear their conversation. Maybe this was one of the crew members for the heist? Silas brought up his holocomputer, flicking through recent contacts. Ever since his last job with Celiana, his computer remained connected to her Gauntlet Datapad, allowing him to communicate with her through encrypted text communications. "Celiana, I'm aboard the Ring Station. Thought you might need some backup." He typed, sending the message.

He hoped he'd be able to get clued in soon. This cargo bay was huge and he didn't intend to wander aimlessly.

 

[Celiana]

I got a ping on my gauntlet, activating it inside my helmet I saw that Silas had found a way aboard and that he was offering backup. Good I could use that. Typing a quick response back I said, "Silas good to hear from you, I'm planning on going after Sith warship plans and schematics. The team I'm with will be boarding a tram shortly and heading to the finance department the plans I'm looking for will be in that area. If you want to make copies of what I make off with I'm good with that so long as you blind and deafen their security keeping me off cameras and a ghost. We'll be getting off in the commercial zone and I'll be making my way to the Main offices where the plans and schematics are held so just make sure you're hidden and I'm a ghost."

Sending the message I joined up with the team headed to the finance department station and boarded the tram with them. Making sure my weapons were all loaded up through my helmet's sensors I relaxed and thought this is where the fun begins....

[member="Silas Miu"]
[member="Jaster Starfallen"]

 

[Silas Miu]

Silas felt much better now. Having made contact with [member="Celiana"], he had an objective. And with that, he proceeded to move past the lady and the security droid, trying to remain undetected. Once he thought he was out of sight, he got back onto the main stretch. He kept his eyes peeled for an open computer terminal, but couldn't find one until he reached the tram station. 'Hm,' he mused to himself, 'I guess the others already boarded.' The terminal he saw was on the left, and he excitedly cracked his knuckles as he got ready to have his way with the machine. He set up his own personal cybersecurity, first, as remaining anonymous in this ordeal was crucial. He brought up the terminals network map after rebooting it into developer mode (a trick he'd learned while at university, interning at a terminal manufacturing and programming company) and began to bounce the terminals signal across the entire network, which included every terminal in the station, as well as surrounding comm buoys. Because the terminal was in developer mode now, he already had root access to the system and it's mainframe. He just had to compromise the security of the entire network, which would allow him access to the differing systems within the station. He ran a decryption algorithm through the networks encrypted files, which spat out the plaintext version of those files, giving him an idea where he could find the network databases that stored network passwords and employee id's to match.

After finding the database files, a series of code injections were all it took to have the entire list copied to his personal holocomputers files. He navigated to the networks main log-in screen, using the ID and password for the Company's IT lead, as it seemed plausible that the employee would need and have access to the network. Now that he was logged in with an appropriate account, and with root privileges on the host terminal, he was allowed access to the varying systems and subsystems within the Station. "Gotcha," He said quietly, smirking.

His first order of business was transferring the display wirelessly to his holocomputer, blacking out the screen on the terminal itself. He quickly placed a "Out of Service" Holotag over the terminals display before heading to the latest tram. "Poodoo," He cursed as he watched it pull away upon his arrival.

Pulling up the stations schematics on his holocomputer, he began walking in the direction which would take him to where the others would be getting off in the shortest time. Now it was time to address Celiana's request.

Accessing the security systems, he determined that the most efficient way to blind and deafen their security would be to cause a localized server malfunction. It would cause all of the security feeds to freeze for however long he kept corrupting the recording devices data storage protocols, while also making it seem like just another computer issue. IT would be called in to see if they can get it working again, which they wouldn't. However, it would call for increased foot patrols, which was probably mostly droids. If the need arose, Silas could slice into the Droid Command Center's systems and cause the droids to ignore the crew, but their systems probably run on a seperate network, which would mean he'd have to physically be there.. or his modified DRK-1 probe droid would have to be there. "Celiana, i've cause a malfunction in their security feed recordings, causing them to play a loop. You should be in the clear for at least the next five hours or so. They may increase security droid patrols, however. Let me know if you need me to deal with them, it would take some doing, but it could be done." Silas said, piggybacking through local comm connections until he found the one for her helmet.

 

[Jaster Starfallen]

I listen to the plan as we walk. Walk and talk. I memorize the locations that I'll need to be heading to and think of possible scenarios. With any luck it should be easy and I shouldn't have to blast anything. But my luck has been absolutely rotten lately so we might run into a couple things. As long as we are in and out quick we will be fine.

Upon hearing that Silas was here, I was quite delighted. "Silas, how are you? Been all over the place lately, huh?"

I board the tram and check my gun. Safety off and ready for combat. I look at my comrades and relax. This should be a piece of cake. But a bit of doubt clings to me as the thought runs through my head.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." I say as the tram slides to a stop.

 

[Quietus]

Kuat Drive Yards
CEO Office Suite

Interruptions to a conference weren't a common thing within the KDY, nor were security breaches for that matter. Settled at the very heart of the One Sith territory and standing as one of the Empire's largest ship manufacturing facilities, the KDY was second to none when it came to security both internally and externally. Sufficed it to say, one might make the harrowing effort to get in - it was far less likely to get out. Especially in a place that ran like clockwork, for more reasons than one.

"Miss Darke, I'm sorry to interrupt-" the voice of Lacey Hardt sounded over the intercom of the CEO's desk behind the conference table where Lorelei presently stood looking over plans for the newest installation of Sith fleet fighters to leave the KDY.

"Not now Miss Hardt."

"I really think you need to see this."

Half-moon spectacles pulled from the bridge of her nose, Lorelei turned to the holoscreen at her right and keyed in the files presently sent to her from her Assistant's desk, "What am I looking at Miss Hardt."

"Miss Leonardi just brought this to my attention. It's a ship manifest for a very large order."

"Ringo Vinda...that's not one our suppliers. Who authorized this?"

"It looked as though it went through the proper channels, but I found outdated authorization codes. Miss Darke, these codes were retired almost a year ago. I've frozen payments on the order and dispatched a team to investigate the ship in question."

"Which dock did they come in on?"

"Dock C7 on the supply station."

"Lock it down. No one in or out."

"Yes ma'am."

"Miss Leonardi," the CEO of the KDY and Sovereign of Kuat turned an acidic green stare over to the holoimage of the Chief of Operations, "get me [member="Mitth'urst'almiti"] on the line and patch a connection through to Saeva."

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

Sera sat quietly on the Bridge of The Imperious, the thin blue lines of hyperspace dodging in front of the viewports as the massive vessel cut through the lengths of space. She frowned slightly as she looked towards the man sitting in the captains chair, Kiran Vess stretching slightly as he let out a loud yawn that seemed to echo across the bridge. Her eyes met his for a moment, the Zeltron giving her a slight wink he returned to a more proper seating position.

The Mandalorian frowned for a moment, then regarded the bridge.

The Imperious was, according to Kiran, the fastest ship of it's size. The vessels engines were incredibly powerful and it's hyperdrive designed to absolute perfection. A vessel of such size was hardly meant to move at such speed, but apparently for how Saeva operated it worked out quite well. She had never been on a ship this size before, and it's inner-workings had been rather...impressive from the get go. This entire trip had been about fetching resources for the construction of a base on Concordia, something that The Imperious was rather overqualified for, but apparently Kiran liked to show off.

Something she'd become accustomed to.

Her eyes floated to one of the Ensign's quickly rushing towards his commander.

"Sir. We have a missive from the Queen of Kuat."

Sera's eyes widened slightly, surprise showing clear on her features. It wasn't too odd that Kiran would be getting messages from Kings and Queens, but Kuat was...well it was Kuat. Even Sera knew enough to be somewhat impressed that such a person would contact Kiran, especially considering the mans reputation and propensity for extreme violence. Her lips thinned for a moment, and she watched the aged Commander as he whispered a few hushed commands for the Queen to be put through. "Someone you know?"

The Mandalorian asked, her words lingering in the air for a moment as Kiran half turned and smiled.

"Friend of a friend."

Whether or not that was actually true Sera couldn't tell, Kiran was a hard man to read, but if The Mercenary intended on taking a job in the midst of this resupply trip it would only mean that Death Watch was going to be dragged along. Sera didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

 

[Quietus]

Minutes ticked by, the display of the conference now replaced with a running holo-image of the local orbital docks and yards. They were aware now that several individuals of the ship in question had already moved beyond the dock, finding them was the next issue of order. Security was on alert with facial imaging of some but not all, tasked with apprehending and taking custody for questioning. There would be no need to for violent measures, yet.

"Ma'am I have Mr. Kiran Vess on the line for you."

"Patch him through."

The man's image appeared before her moments later and the Sovereign fixed him with a leveled stare of stone.

"Mr. Vess, I understand you've done some work for the Empire recently and the reviews were ... stellar, to say the least. You come highly recommended. I do believe I may have a job for you. I'm sending you a manifest for an unauthorized order sitting on an unauthorized ship in our supply docks. Rumor has it there are also several unauthorized individuals running amok in my shipyards. I need them gone."

[member="Sera Spar"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

She watched Kiran carefully as the hologram spoke to him. Frustratingly the man remained completely still, his eyes looking rather uninterested and his gaze looking as though it was almost looking through the woman. The Mandalorian frowned slightly, but kept silence.

"Of course."

Kiran said with a smile, teeth showing for half a second as he flashed a grin over towards Sera. She thought for a moment that she saw something in his eyes, a slight twinkle, the beginnings of an idea, a thought that had some sort of deviousness to it.

She didn't like that.

"We'll have to arrange payment of course, but I'm sure we can come to terms regarding that quite easily. I happen to have some Mandalorian friends along with me today, I'm sure they would be more then happy to help in this endeavor as well."

Sera scowled.

There wasn't really a way she could argue against this. Sure she could deny him, but then what would happen? The warriors that she had brought with her would be denied the opportunity to fight and Death Watch would look like cowards. Kiran knew that, and so he had decided to force her hand. Sera curled her hand into a fist, reminding herself to beat the man at some point when the opportunity presented itself. For now however she simply stood by the wayside, scowling.

"We'll endeavor to arrive post-haste your Majesty."

With that Kiran leaned over and shut off the transmission, shouting for the helmsmen to turn them towards Kuat. "Next time. Ask."

Kiran only smiled at her, rising from his seat and stretching before wandering off the bridge.

 

[Silas Miu]

"Hey, Jaster!" Silas said, sounding excited to hear from his friend, "I didn't know you were here. We can catch up over drinks when this is all done. Rounds on me."

Unfortunately, his good feelings didn't last.

Silas cursed aloud, he had his eyes and ears in every system at the Kuat station, and he learned from a recent security update and comm signals, that the facility was alerted, and we're running security checks on all personnel and stray individuals. His team would be clocked for sure. "[member="Celiana"], security is on alert. This forged manifest didn't fool them and they're locking down the hangar. They're running security checks on everyone that's on board, that'll include you if you're seen. Their security feeds are still down, however. How do you wish for me to proceed? I can jam their comms or head to the Droid Control Center to hijack a good portion of their forces." Silas said over the encrypted line he had with his friend.

 

[Hannibal Oryen]

KUAT SYSTEM
ORBITAL SHIPYARDS

[member="Sera Spar"] | [member="Lorelei Darke"] | [member="Dak Canton"]
[member="Silas Miu"] | [member="Jaster Starfallen"] | [member="Celiana"]

Working security for Kuat Drive Yards was one of the more appealing gigs Hannibal had ever gotten involved in. It was a whole lot of standing around, looking pretty badass, giving some merchants an escort (and others the stink eye), and then getting paid for it. Because no one was stupid enough to try and steal from Kuat. Back in the day, nobody would have wanted to steal from the One Sith either, but that ship was sailing so hard and so fast it almost made this Fondorian's head spin. It was real funny. The first generation of One Sith had raised the second generation, but the second generation failed the third. And then when the third generation fell out too quickly, the fourth and current generation were a bunch of still-born jackanapes.

And now Kuat was hiring lots of contractors, Hannibal included, to fill the void One Sith personnel had left. Dak Canton was also probably somewhere on the station, but Hannibal hadn't seen him for a while. After three weeks of nothing interesting, shavit hit the fan. Some gaggle of mooks landed in a hangar, unauthorized, and tried to sell a bunch of useless junk. Also unauthorized. Then security picked up a bunch of those mooks hopping on trams. You know, right before the security cameras got shut off. Coincidence? He thought not.

"Bart, I don't give two tits an' a tabernacle what procedure is." Hannibal had one hand to his comlink to keep it active, the other was toting a CZ-837 Light Machine Gun like it was a designer handbag. Which, let's face it, it totally was. "You shut down every terminal connection that ain't in the control room with you 'till we figure out what the hell is goin' on. Block everything you ya-self can't karkin' touch."

Whatever flak Bart was going to catch for throwing out procedure would be minuscule compared to what would happen if these cross-eyed rejects did whatever it was they intended to do. Maybe they didn't even intend to do anything. Could just be a false flag. Hannibal, however, was not getting paid to speculate. He was here to light up some trespassers. Hannibal and about two dozen TA1 Battle Droids (as well as five other KDY security officers) eventually arrived at one of the many tram stations. These weren't your dad's droids, these were the real deal. The kind that weren't hooked up to some sissy control center or the kind that missed every other shot. The kind that Kuati money could afford to line up by the thousands.

The rest of them had more traditional blaster weaponry, but Hannibal preferred his slugthrowers. More machismo that way. While they were setting up their position, Hannibal kept talking to Bart. "Now you get both 'a those frakin' trams back here to this station. Pronto. Don't accept an override from nobody, capiche?"

"What was that about quiche?"

"Bart, I swear on my goddamn mother, don't you-"

"Alright, alright."

Before the trams could reach anywhere near the finance department, they would grind to an unceremonious halt. Then they would slowly begin to move backwards, retracing their path back to the station they had just left and it was doubtful they would let anything stop them. The C- Team would be returning right back to square one, only this time there were a great deal of agitated people with weapons waiting for them.