- Ralltiir -
"That's Velka Droxx... I killed him once," Cole says, seeing the man.
<
"He really did."
<>
"Act natural. Hey! Droxx, what a surprise."
Cole puts on his professional smile as Velka Droxx arrives in front of him. The man clenches his fists behind the coat and hides his anger, responding with an equal smile of his own.
"Cole... it is good to see you. Do you like the new look?" Droxx asks, pointing at his eye.
"Uhhh, very. Very nice, sleek bad guy look."
<
"Exactly. Truly impressive work. Hats off to your mechanic," Cole agrees.
Droxx chuckles without humour.
"After this auction is over, we will settle our score, and you will die."
"I'd rather not, Droxx. I have a lot to do and am on a tight schedule, and so on. But maybe another time? How's our timetable look, RAD?"
<
"Eh, you heard him, my hands are tied. Sorry about that, Droxx. But I'm sure other perverts are more than interested to get it on with a metallic dick like you," Cole says not at all scared of the cyborg.
"...We'll see, Cole. We'll see," Droxx says and walks back to his men.
...
<
It was true. It might not appear so, but Velka Droxx was saved from the brink of death, after Cole put a slug through his eye, by a certain someone and transformed into the prototype of what General Grievous would become in the future. He had a lot of firepower, and as a former bounty hunter, he was more than skilled enough to be a very deadly adversary. But the organisation, which Droxx represented, was by no means the only one present tonight.
Scattered throughout the action hall there are all kinds of scum. Trandoshan mercs, looking for their next prey to hunt and kill, Pykes who are looking for information and interested in what the Black Sun has to offer, a few Rodian death-dealers and a lot of bounty hunters. But there are even more around. The Hutt Clans have sent their own set of bounty hunters to retrieve the courier and deliver whatever information or goods he holds back to them. One of the bounty hunters they hired, a red-skinned Twi'lek, observes Cole from the other end of the hall with a complicated expression.
Lounging on the rafters and hiding in the dark is another figure, hiding and waiting for something or someone to arrive. Cole looks to the side and sees a female Falleen he knows rather well. She smiles like a cat looking at a mouse and approaches him.
"If it isn't the Godfather of Bounty Hunting: Cole Cassidy," she says.
"And if it isn't Femme Fatale Extraordinaire: Xevalla Kharis. Still seducing and poisoning men throughout the galaxy?"
"I wouldn't know what else to do," she grins.
"Aye, that I believe. So, what's your gig? Seduce the richest bloke in the room and make him raise the price to exorbitant amounts?" Cole asks.
"You know me so well, Cole. Say, how about we meet up after this terribly boring event and have some quality time?" Xevalla asks and tries to rub herself on Cole.
He stops her by pointing his weapon at her stomach without a change in his expression.
"I'd rather not. I pride myself on never having had STDs. I'd like to keep it that way."
"You're not fun, as per usual. If you change your mind, you know where to find me," she says and turns around.
"Let me grab the fungicide."
After she has left, Cole turns to RAD.
"Alright, buddy, you know what to do. Get started."
<
.
Finally, the lights dimmed, and on the front platform, the man of the hour arrived. At his side stands his Nightsister bodyguard, Mighella. She looks to the shadow above in the rafters and narrows her eyes, feeling something lurking.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Alexi Garyn, and I will be your host tonight. It is a bit of an unusual auction, I agree, but we all know why we're here. Allow me to present to all of you the very object of everyone's interest: the courier Sable Runner!"
Then, the courier is wheeled out in stasis — pale, sedated, eyes twitching, and not looking all that well. His breath mists against the glass. The Black Sun has ensured he's alive, but not comfortable.
"The bids start at 100'000 credits or anything of equal value. Please begin," Garyn says.
"Three large crates of pure spice!" Droxx makes the first bid, starting strong.
"Oh, the gentleman on the left has started strong, do I hear anything else?"
...
"How does it look, RAD?" Cole whispers into his comms.
[<
And true to the droid's words, the first few people present start to wobble about. RAD has driven through the hall and spread anaestetic gas to lower the opposition in what would follow.
"Alright, here's the plan. Hit the power, I grab the coffin, and we run like allergy sufferers from a swarm of bees."
[<
"I feel it's much higher. But it's nice when the bar is set high."
[<
*ZZZ-BOOOOM*
A power conduit blows. Of course, RAD can't just turn off the lights; he has to kill the entire main power grid. Chaos triggers.
"RAAAAHHH!!"
*PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW*
The Trandoshans start firing randomly into the crowd. Cole jumps up and runs forward, arriving next to the glass cage holding the courier. He throws several smoke grenades around, just in time for the emergency generator to turn the lights back on. He pulls out his gun and shoots the two guards left and right, arriving at the cage. He magnet-latches onto the back of the stasis pod and starts pressing a few buttons, rerouting the command codes.
"COLE!!" from the front, Velka Droxx roars above his lungs.
The cyborg drops his hood and points his left hand forward. A large laser cannon appears, which the starfighters usually have. He shoots it at Cole.
"Oh-oh."
Cole presses the last button just in time and gets the stasis pod to move forward. He is latched onto the side, and the laser shot narrowly misses the Nightsister, who was about to attack Cole from behind.
Blasters fire. Pyke gas bombs explode as they throw them at the Trandoshans and start a miniature war with them. Screaming erupts and shouting is heard all around. Xevalla descends from the balcony with twin vibro knives, slicing through two men as she lands and looks forward. She is here to ensure nothing happens and to retrieve the courier from greedy hands.
Meanwhile, Cole is using the class pod like a surfboard, gliding forward on the magnetic pads he attached. He has his Colt in one hand and an RSKF-44 heavy blaster in the other, firing at several of Droxx's men as he shoots through the hall.
*BANG BOOM*
The armour doesn't protect the men as the disintegrator beam simply passes through their brains and kills them. Cole uses the pod like a battering ram, ploughing through people and making them splash on the front as he moves forward. He seems to have eyes in the back of his head and dodges blaster fire, while firing a second later.
RAD uses his rocket thrusters to fly into the air and launches a series of rockets at the dangerous crowd below.
*BOOOOM BOOOOM*
He lands on a Trandoshan's head and electrocutes him, flying off a second later. The astromech zooms through the air and lands on the pod next to Cole.
<
"I never should have doubted you."
*BANG*
In that moment, Cole is hit by a flying Xevalla who leaps up and wraps her legs around his neck. She tries to stab him with an injection, but he grabs her hand and throws her into the air. RAD aims one of his blasters at the Falleen and shoots her through the stomach. What the two above the glass pod don't see is a thermal detonator rolling in their path.
*BOOOOOOM*
Cole falls off the pod, and RAD uses his rocket thruster to stay in the air, stabilising himself. A masked Twi'lek rushes forward and grabs the pod, looking at Cole for a brief second and then running off.
"Z-Zerra?!"
<
"Something like that. Let's go!" Cole says, and they move after her.
The Pykes are chasing after her, too, and the remaining Trandoshans as well. Velka Droxx breaks the neck of one of his men and takes a speeder, chasing after the pod. Several others also hurry outside to either catch the Twi'lek or get into their starships and get off the planet. However, it was far from over. The chaos was in full swing.
.
"Well, that went downhill quicker than I expected," Garyn says, taking a sip of his drink.
"It's that damned Cole Cassidy. It seems his reputation is not made up at all," Mighella says.
"Haha, no. It was fun to watch and fruitful for us as well."
"So it would se-"
Mighella suddenly senses something from above. She looks up to the ceiling, where a female Mirialan jumps out of the shadows and attacks the Nightsister. She moves like a phantom with her cloak swirling. Mighella's eyes widen suddenly, and she jumps from relaxed to dead serious. With fluid grace, she swings her sword upwards, blocking the incoming attack.
*TSSCHHHHH*
"Jedi," Mighella hisses in disgust, seeing the lightsaber clash against her weapon.
"The Dark Side from you reeks, Nightsister," the Jedi Shadow responds.
They start to engage each other in a blur of strikes, where each of them tries to destroy the other. But it is soon clear that Mighella's sword might stand a chance against the lightsaber for a few moments. But it can't keep up with the ferocity the Jedi Shadow unleashes for long. A moment later, the Nightsister's sword is cut apart by the Jedi, and she leaps back.
"Foolish!"
Mighella points her hands forward and unleashes Force Lightning towards the Jedi, forcing her to block with her lightsaber.
Dubbed Shadows and predominantly composed of elite Jedi Sentinels and Consulars, these Jedi became what their name suggested: shadows of themselves and the Jedi Order. Operating in secrecy, the First Knowledge Council would meticulously select the ranks of this task force and deploy its members to locations rich in the dark side of the Force, hoping to vanquish any artefact or dark side practitioner causing the disturbance. Frequently engaged in information-gathering roles, Shadows were always diligent in obtaining all possible data on their target before delivering a decisive blow.
Due to their missions, Jedi Shadows are often known for being solitary figures with a black-and-white view of the world around them. This perspective can manifest as paranoia, leading them to perceive signs of the dark side in everything, including their own comrades. Consequently, they are typically deployed with caution and only after significant conflict. Shadows do not hesitate in their duty and are prepared to betray those they deem evil, yet they often practise restraint, recognising that their definition of such foes does not always align with that of the Council.
The Jedi Shadow has mastered the use of Tutaminis and moves forward. Dealing with Force Lightning is no problem for her, especially on this level. She is just about to reach the Nightsister and strike her, when another repulsive force hits her from the side and makes her hit the wall to the side.
*BOOOM*
She stands back up and sees Garyn next to his bodyguard, ready to support her and kill the Jedi. Their fight has just become harder for them. But they are 'saved by the bell'.
*beep beep beep beep*
A beeping sound alerts the three of them to a small object lying on the ground, where the glass pod had stood before Cole stole it and surfed away with it. Realising what it is, all three of them run away from the bomb and try to get as far away as possible before-
*BOOOOOOOOOOOM*
.
Zerra reaches her starship, throws the stasis pod in, and starts up the engine. She has to hurry as they are after her and they want what she has. The power fires up, and she shoots into the sky. But the competition is close behind her. Cole and RAD make it to their starship and get a move on as well, chasing after the red-tinted sponsored ship.
"There! That's Zerra's ship," Cole points forward.
<
"Seems like it."
Droxx's heavy fighter chases after her ship. He fires his laser cannons and ion cannons, which he had attached specifically for such a moment, and forces the Twi'lek woman to dodge them. She has her hands full at the moment, and since she's alone, she has no chance to fire back. The Trandoshans in their war-ahulers view this as a hunt and are more than eager to participate, shooting at both Droxx and Zerra's ships.
"RAD try to connect to Zerra's ship. I need to communicate with her," Cole says as he dodges fire from the Pykes behind him.
<
...
<
"Zerra? Zerra, can you hear me?"
[Who is this? Cole, is that you?! Go away, this one is mine!]
"Come now, Zerra. What in galactic balls are you doing? Since when are you a criminal? What happened to becoming a Jedi?"
[They didn't take me! I was too old, you dumb old idiot, and you just left. What else was I to do? The Hutts want this courier, and I will get him to them!]
"You work for the Hutts?! Why would you do that? They were the ones who-"
[I know that!! Stop with the- *booooom* shit! You're firing at me?]
"Wasn't us. We're morally ambiguous, not evil," Cole replies.
<
"It's about fitting in, RAD. Now, if you would operate the magnetic arm, the pod just fell out of her ship."
Zerra's ship is smoking and starts to lose altitude. Cole flies their ship and turns around, opening the hatch and catching the airborne pod.
<
"Uh-huh, you mean, I got it."
<
"Those are two completely different words."
Zerra's starship starts to fall to the ground. She might have lost her pursuers, but with the damage her vessel has suffered, she won't get anywhere. Fear and sadness can be seen in her eyes as she realises she will die here and all her work may have been for nothing. No one goes out of their way to save someone in this galaxy. She looks out of her smoking craft. Suddenly, the Dustrider slams into her ship, causing her to fall off her seat and hit the ground hard.
<
"Haha indeed. Sometimes I am frightened by the sheer awesomeness we can unleash."
<
"For a change. How about you get-"
Zerra loses her footing due to the little space she has left, since the Dustrider has bent her ship, and falls out of the hole that the blast made and right into the open hatch of the Dustrider.
"Guess that works."
*BOOOM*
<
"Urgh... what... what did you do?!
"They call it saving you," Cole says.
<
"You crashed into my ship! How is that saving me?" Zerra shouts.
<
"She does seem ungrateful. We have feelings too, Zerra, you know."
"Urgh, you haven't changed, Cole," Zerra groans.
"The galaxy can't throw anything at me that would change that any time soon-"
*BOOOOM*
The laser cannons shoot at the Dustrider and make Cole eat his words. Cole does evasive manoeuvres, dodging the attacks coming from all sides.
<
"Very well, plan B it is," Cole says.
<
"Don't tell me you didn't like it. You love flying."
<
"Eh, it was alright."
<>
"I accept your reasoning, but think I can manage."
"Would someone please tell me what you two are talking about?!"
Cole and RAD look at Zerra. As they are... a bit special, they forget that their behaviour might appear unusual. Cole looks back at RAD.
"You're flying. I'll shoot."
<
Cole walks to the back and puts his Deathstroke armour on. He will need the suit for what he has planned. RAD, meanwhile, takes the wheel and steers the Dustrider. Both of them ignore Zerra.
"Hello?"
.
Cole clamps the powerful metallic line at the back of his suit and takes out the Kyber Crystal-powered guns.
"Alright, RAD. Let's blow this dump."
<
The hatch opens, and Cole jumps out. He floats there in space, where their battle has reached by now, tethered to the Dustrider, with his pistols in hand. He looks at the charging ship, which belongs to the Pykes, and aims his weapon forward. Before he can pull the trigger, though, Droxx's fighter slams into the Dustrider, forcing RAD to move erratically.
The Dustrider banks right, and RAD performs a barrel roll. The Pyke starship that was to the side before is suddenly right next to Cole.
*BAAAMM*
Cole smacks into the side of the Pyke ship.
"URGH... RAD!"
<
*PEW PEW PEW*
The attacks from more starfighters force the Dustrider into another swerve. Cole is flung across a Trandoshan craft, shattering its side window with his powerful armoured boots and landing inside the ship itself.
"For fucks sake!"
Cole aims his gun at the Trandoshans and pulls the trigger.
*VVRRROOOOOOOOMMM*
The energy beam melts through the entire ship with one charge. That's what he created when he fused his Colt with his grey Kyber Crystals, which were in themselves already fused from the green and purple crystals. The power is insane.
<
"I swear I'm going to melt you down!"
Still, Cole jumps out of the falling wreckage and aims at another starship nearby and fires two shots, taking out engines, cockpits, and melting the entire Falleen ship like butter. One enemy ship tries to outmanoeuvre them and comes from above, firing its weaponry at them. But RAD is not all talk. The Dustrider banks suddenly, evading the attacks. Cole uses the momentum to leap toward Droxx's fighter. He fires a single beam of energy into the starship, causing it to melt and then explode in a blue fireball.
<
"Wait!"
<
"RAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDD!!"
The droid doesn't listen, though.
"If I splatter, find me a woman and tell her I was semi-handsome and always right."
<>
"FUUUUUUCCC--"