Inside the relay tower, Cole has his Colt ready in one hand and several grenades in the other. RAD is scanning the area around them and the network inside the relay station to determine which rooms are still usable and which are already buried beneath the sand. Cole takes off his hat and dons his new Mandalorian armour. RAD goes through his different pockets and compartments, which are more like a satchel of chaos and destruction. There is no droid out there that can do as much as RAD can, while still 'technically' being an astromech. If RAD ever meets an HK hunter-killer droid, the fight would be fun to watch. If anything, RAD is like a miniature Death Star on three wheels.
"Guess we're not the only ones who got that job about the courier. Question is, are they here for the intel, or us?"
*Beedooo*
RAD opens another compartment and reveals a powerful set of rocket launchers.
<
"You know my style."
<
Bollis signals for her men to move in. One of the men nods and takes out a sonic grenade, throwing it through the window. Cole, however, is ready for it and throws the grenade back, just before it explodes.
*BOOOM*
This marks the true beginning of the battle. The one who threw the sonic grenade exploded, leaving only nine others and Bollis. They start to fire at the building and move forward in tandem. Cole and RAD, however, have no worries, since RAD has created an energy shield that protects both of them.
Cole switches his Colt to the disintegrator mode and then moves forward. He throws several smoke grenades forward and aims his weapon to the far right, pulling the trigger and shooting through the head of a Zabrak and killing him on the spot.
*BOOM BOOM*
The smoke bombs explode, and Cole starts to move. He rushes through the relay station and makes for higher ground. RAD, meanwhile, drives backwards, plugging into the relay stations' network, and goes on a search. He is looking for something that might be useful for this situation. His and Cole's teamwork, despite not being as active before having received all those enhancements and upgrades, is nearly flawless. Both of them can think on their feet, and Cole usually knows the best way to solve any situation thanks to his enhancements. However, he still prefers to take things as they come.
The Zabraks have reached the walls of the relay station and place an explosive on the side.
*Beep beep*
*BOOOOM*
The wall explodes, giving them a way inside. Bollis walks behind the remaining eight men and looks around. She's well-trained and ready for almost anything, at least that's what she believes. They move into the hall and walk forward, aiming their weapons at both ends, to shoot at anything that moves. A moment later, they reach a circular chamber and find RAD at the wall.
"An astromech droid?"
"What's this one doing here?" another asks.
Bollis looks at the droid and narrows her eyes.
<
*BOOOOOOM*
The pipes below suddenly exploded. The walls are ripped apart brutally, sending ice-cold steam through the building. Bollis pulls one of her men in front of her and uses him as a shield to block the brunt of the explosion.
*PEW PEW PEW*
Cole arrives from above, dropping down and tapping the Zabraks one by one, through the white fog and kills them. Bollis, still using one of her men as a shield, turns around, in a kneeling position and fires her weapon into the fog, following her instincts from where the shots came from. The shooting stops, and she stands up. A smug smile is seen on her face. She steps through the fog and arrives at the body on the floor.
Her smile disappears as she recognises one of her men, not the Mandalorian they saw previously.
*Click*
She turns around, swinging her fist through the air and smashing it against the beskar helmet of Cole, who has his weapon aimed at her. She shouts in pain and surprise.
*PEW*
Having turned his Colt to stun, the Zabrak female drops to the ground unconscious. RAD drives through what remains of the building and arrives next to Bollis.
<
"Let's see what you risked both our lives for, bucket," Cole says and ties her up, preparing her for questioning.
<
"It hissed, RAD."
<
Cole smirks despite himself and then slaps Bollis in the face, trying to wake her up again. Questioning is such a bother for him. It takes a long time, and usually everyone lies to you. He grabs the holopad of Bollis and swipes through the files. He checks the most recent logs and sees a hologram of a hooded figure. From the looks of it, it might be the courier. This is strange. Why would someone who works for the Black Sun target him when she already has this information?
<
"No. A trap would most likely await on Saleucami. The real deal is most probably on Ralltiir. It makes sense. Ralltiir is the home planet of the leader of the Black Sun."
<
"No, I killed the last two leaders and don't bother about their names anymore. But this one seems to be an intellectual type. Maybe even Force-sensitive. Quite clever."
<
"Seems like someone doesn't want us in the competition, RAD. How hurtful. I'm usually so kind to everyone."
<
"Sable Runner... what a name. I suppose that's the code name of the courier?"
"Urgh..." Bollis groans and slowly wakes up.
She sees that she is tied up and tries to reach for her weapon. But before she can, RAD electrocutes her for good measure.
*ZZZZZZ*
"AAAARRGHH"
"So, I have one question for you. Who hired you to kill me?" Cole asks.
"Why should I tell you anything? Do you think I'm a beginner, huh?" she asks and spits blood from her mouth.
"RAD?"
*ZZZZZZ*
"AAAAAHHHH!! FUCK!"
"Well?"
"Haaa... I'll... never tell-"
*ZZZZZZ*
"AAAAAHHHH!"
"Let me ask you differently. Why does the Black Sun want to kill me?" Cole asks and looks at Bollis' reaction.
"...why not..."
"Fair enough. Does the Black Sun already have the courier?" Cole asks.
...
"No."
*BANG*
Cole shoots her through the head and places his weapon back.
<>
"Indeed. The Black Sun is trying to sell the courier to whoever placed the bounty. The only question is what gave them such courage to try and attack me this way? A predetermined buyer?"
<
"Let's go. Ralltiir is our next stop. We might find something there."
<
"It's supposed to be an 'oasis'. But if the courier was there, it may contain some hidden, dark facility of some kind. This smells like some laboratory thing."
<
"Obvious is your middle name."
<
"I'd rather not. Wait..."
<
"The Z-10. We left it behind."
<
"Yes, but it was our way of staying incognito. Eh, never mind. I suppose we could get it at a later date. No one will touch that anyway. Let's go."
<
"No. We need to get off the planet. Here, allow me," Cole says and takes out another starship from his inventory.
"Let's leave this moon."
.
- Ralltiir -
- Hidden hall -
A human male stands in front of a bacta tank. The bacta tank doesn't contain bacta; it only has water inside. The man inside the tank is not hurt, only unconscious. A moment later, a Nightsister arrives behind him.
"It's almost time, Lex," she says.
"Good. Is everything ready?" he asks.
"Yes. Some of the teams we sent out haven't reported back yet."
"How many?" Lek asks.
"7 so far," she answers. "Why did we sacrifice them this way?"
"You see, Mighella, you catch mice with cheese, but you catch Krayt dragons with the smell of big fat meat and the promise of death. Otherwise, they wouldn't be convinced that there was something valuable to be had. We have eliminated all those who aren't worth our time. Now, only the truly skilled and wealthy are left. It will earn us more this way."
"I see. But I fear that there is something approaching. We might get a visit from a shadow during the auction."
"Do you think you can handle it?" he asks her.
"Yes."
"Good, then everything is ready. Only the guests are missing," he says with a smile.
.
Ralltiir is a planet in the Ralltiir system of the Darpa sector in the Core Worlds. The second planet in orbit of the star Rallt, Ralltiir, has twenty-eight moons and three continents that wrap around the planet. It is a major financial centre in the galactic economy. Ralltiir is currently a member of the Galactic Republic but remains largely neutral in galactic politics, ensuring that the finances of its inhabitants remain safe from political influences and war. Besides its financial services, Ralltiir is also a major source of marble, as the planet's mountain ranges feature extensive deposits of marble and are dotted with numerous quarries.
Ralltiir is also the birthplace and home planet of a human male, Force-sensitive, named Alexi Garyn. Garyn was not identified by the Jedi Order at an early enough age, resulting in his being passed over by the Order, as he was too old to begin training. His dream of joining the ranks of Jedi Knights diminished, so he decided to develop his talents differently, turning to crime and becoming a member of the Black Sun crime syndicate.
By the year 76 BBY, the Vigos of Black Sun were already preparing young Garyn to take control of the organisation; having already attained the rank of Vigo himself, it would only be a matter of years before he won the position from his competition, such as Boss Cabra. Cabra is a male Dug and a rival of Vigo of the Black Sun. There was more to this, and it created a bit of a problem, since Damask Holdings was supporting Cabra. The bigger picture is hidden from Alexi at the current time, but he will find out soon enough. Little does he know that he's already in deep waters and doesn't realise it fully.
Despite some conflict between Damask Holdings and their support for Boss Cabra, Garyn attained the position of Underlord, which he had desired and began to make many friends among the galaxy. Under his leadership, the Black Sun are in the process of building a reign of fear felt on every planet from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim Territories. Even with the steadily growing number of thousands of soldiers to execute his every order, Garyn keeps himself in his fortress on Ralltiir surrounded by a cadre of elite guards. Under his direct command are the nine Vigos, his bodyguard, a highly skilled female Nightsister called Mighella, and his trusted secretary Oolth.
After he heard about the missing courier, who was being searched for, Alexi set his soldiers to find and capture the man. He had plans for the Black Sun, and right now, he still needed some more power and, therefore, money. But there was more to this, as Garyn realised there was no better way to introduce himself to the upper echelon of the underworld than to have them all come to him. He has heard from a reliable source that some of the most famous and notorious bounty hunters were interested in the courier and were willing to pay a substantial amount of money for him.
.
- Ralltiir -
- Black Sun auction hall -
True to Garyn's intel, a lot of the scum of the galaxy was arriving at the auction hall at the evening. There were many interested parties present, ranging from the Hutts to the Pykes, the Intergalactic Banking Clan, and a variety of corrupt Senators. Information was what mattered in the galaxy, and this courier must have something that was worth a lot.
Cole and RAD land on Ralltiir, near the auction hall and get out. Cole is still dressed in his casual gear. He doesn't mind the Mandalorian gear, but likes to use the hood he wears to hide the weapons and equipment he takes out of his inventory. And from the looks of things, he will need it.
<
"Indeed. Pyke Assassins, Falleen... oh, shit," Cole says suddenly as he sees a pristine and advanced looking starship land.
From the starship, a large man exits. A black hood mostly hides his body, but the face reveals enough to tell you that it's a cyborg. One eye has been replaced with red specs, and part of the neck is covered in metal. He looks around and then signals for the men to follow him. Several thoroughly equipped men, dressed in black armour, walk out of the starship pushing several large crates in front of them.
<
"That's Velka Droxx... I killed him once."
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If this is becoming too convoluted, please let me know. I might be too close to realise it.