Truth? I'm relying on these people to watch my back, which means I'd like to know, but also means that I don't want to push her too much. If she changes the subject, I'll let it go, but I can't speak for Hosk.
Hosk narrows his eyes, "You're a Vizsla, aren't you?"
Kelb's entire demeanor shifts a bit, from open and generally pleasant to on the edge of a threat, "What of it?" her words come out sharp. Pem looks antsy. Jazz's hand drifts under the table.
Leaning back a bit with a self-satisfied smirk, Hosk answers smooth, "I don't forget a pretty face. You scooped up some Alderanni before the planet exploded. I remember seeing you on Endras Station after."
There's a pregnant pause before Kelb's shoulders relax slightly and she says, "Oh. Yeah. That. Well, they were nobles, offered top creds for an exit. Easy money." Pem lets out a breath, Jazz's hands come up above the table again.
I'm feeling the usual cocktail of pre-mission emotions. Part nervous energy, part deep focus, a splash of excitement and adrenaline. This time, though, I want to succeed for something bigger than myself and my crew, as well. That's a new garnish on the cocktail.
Since the "Imp" that threatened me and mine turns out to be supporting the Rebs, that's an interesting question. I shrug. "I've seen too much in the last year or so, not to choose a side. Not sure if it's revenge, honor, or stubbornness."
Jazz fishes out a deathstick and lights it, "Stubbornness. That's good." Kelb shakes her head, smiling at that.
Pem interrupts, changing the subject off the Rebel Alliance, "Captain Vos, how's my little cousin working out for you? She still a wizzer pilot? I could tell you some stories."
Jazz steps out to smoke, but Kelb sticks around. Hosk seems tempted to share a deathstick with Jazz, since he never smokes on board the Margin. But hearing a story about Jojee is too tempting.
Pem leans back, hands clasped behind his head, "Well, Captain. I'm sure Jojee never told you about the time she actually met EQ3, while three sheets to the wind, asked him his name, then called him Bobin Bobob for the next hour. In front of the media who was there recording EQ3 for a ceremony. If you search old holos, you can probably still see it. It's.... classic."
"I will find that and hold it over her head, Pem. Not sure if I have anything to match it, in the larger sense, but... she'll kill you, or me, or both of us, did I mention that, if you repeat this. There was the time when Jojee got to an eight on the Galactic Drunkenness Scale and tried to pick up a Trandoshan because he was sitting in the same bar stool the Zeltron was sitting in earlier."
Pem and Hosk both lose it, laughing at the joke. Pem make a crack about a Trandoshan mating ritual and the conversation continues on for a bit. Hosk asks Pem if Jojee always drank to excess and her older cousin agrees that yes, she flies hard, plays hard and drinks hard.
You'll be in hyperspace for a few days. Anything you want to do or anyone you want to chat with?
This is time to review whatever information Alanna was able to give me about the installation, take stock of our strengths, make a plan. So, that's what I do. I'll work closely with Kelb to develop our strategy.
Let's pick up with a planning session in captain's quarters. Kelb is here with you, of course. It's her place. There is a small display case with a a satiny backing displaying three rows or medals and ribbons, all military. Also, there's a weird alien skull on a nice case, a well-stocked bar and one wall of different projected holos of places serene and verdant that seem, from the constellations in the sky, to all be one place. At least one world.
Kelb's dressed in a tank top that shows a few tats and a few more scars, as well as a pair of black aikido pants, with wide legs that hide what are probably very nice, muscular curves. She's barefoot, seems very comfortable in her own space.
You're both looking over the data Alanna gave you:
As she points out the turbolasers, "Like I said, we have to assume that the place is stripped down, it's standard operating procedure. The red tape means they didn't leave anything there that can be carried away. The power will be minimal, and the hard part is opening the can. I say we land right on top of the kriffing place, then burn holes in a TIE's launch chute." She looks at you for a moment, "You wouldn't have a lightsaber on you, would you?"
Oh, by the way, Kelb's really good at this. When you plan an op with Kelborn Vizsla, take +1 Forward on a Methodical roll.
That gets a tight grin, "Not quite. I have some welding torches that will get through, but not quick. We can either hit hard and cover Pem and Jazz while they cut in, or we try to sneak up, which means more time spent." She's testing you out here, you feel it.
The right corner of her mouth curls up in an appreciative grin. "Well, there is a reason Jazz is Strike Leader. Shock and awe is our specialty." She rocks back from her seat, then stands in an easy motion, heads over to the bar, "Want some whiskey straight?" Looks like she's going to have a drink regardless. As she's pouring, she asks, "How did you and Hosk start working together? He's a cagey old one."
I nod to the offer of whiskey, and as we sip I tell the story of meeting Hosk while we were on the same job for different employers, then go on. "We fell into a rhythm quickly, developed a sort of in-the-moment trust that usually would take years. Still a mystery to me, as different as we are."
Kelb's taste in whiskey is right in touch with yours, Ladro. What is it about this glass that you like most?
"I used to have a sniper on the team, old man named Pollux Burr." Kelb says as she saunters over to the table, standing, but leaning over to be about eye level with you. "He was ornery and didn't know when to quit doing what he loved. When his eyes went on him, he got cybered. When half his face was blown off, he had some backstreet doc on level 1313 of Coruscant sew him back together and replace what was gone. Answer me this, Captain Vos." She drains half her glass, "If Hosk went that way, what would you do?"
I am impressed with Kelb's taste in whiskey. Can't place exactly where this one's from, but it has a smokiness that a lot of folks would find off-putting. Hold it in your mouth for a moment, let it warm, and all those components drift up into your nose the back way. It's a fully sensual experience.
I think on her question for a second, meeting her eyes. "Hosk is a soldier. It's not what he does, it's what he is. If Hosk got like that, I'd do my best to find a way that he could keep being a soldier, without being in the line of fire. Don't know what that would be, though. He's stubborn. If I put him off my crew, he'd just find someone else to soldier for, someone who wouldn't care as much as I do." I take a sip. "What did you do?"
Kelb listens without moving, listens to how Hosk is, nods like she gets it, sees that in him. When you ask what she did, she holds your gaze for a moment, then answers slow and calm, "I let him fight alongside me, bleed with me, and then I buried him in the middle of some forsaken blizzard on the surface of Hoth after we took down a small pirate cove. He sniped sixteen from his spot. Wouldn't move when they got a bead on him because my shebs was taking fire." It's a bit of a confessional tone. She didn't have romantic feelings for Burr, you can tell that. He was like a father to her.
"It's what he wanted. Not what I wanted." She takes another belt of the whiskey, holding it in her mouth for a bit, then swallowing. "Want another drink?" She heads back over to the bar.
"Got a girl somewhere? Or a guy?" she asks, the tone curious.
I take in her story with the feeling that she doesn't give confidences like this frequently, and when she asks, I hand her my glass for another whiskey. "I do. She's a blockade runner, and we find each other when we manage to be in the same sector at the same time. Not exactly a conventional relationship. How about you?"
"Too much work running a team to get into anything serious." She answers it with a practiced air as she pours two healthy glasses full, then starts walking back over to you. As she hands you a glass, "I kriffed a few teammates early on, worked out about like you'd expect. Then I just found my company where I could." She puts her glass on the desk and scoots out her chair, sitting so she's half facing you.
"Blockade runner, eh? Sounds dangerous." She tosses back a belt, holds it, then swallows and sucks in a little breath, smiling. "I take you aren't the worrying type."
Kelb chuckles, "It's from karking Pzob. No lie. A floating rock full of Gamorreans and one little shop that sells this stuff. I have a case of it on board, and a few hidden away... here and there." She takes another drink. Cocks a brow, "Captain Vos... you've got a Rattataki engineer, right? Name's Squall?"
There's a pause, like Kelb's looking for the right answer, or how to say it. "Squally used to be part of my team. Ze and I... we were close. But I messed up pretty bad, Captain. Pem took her to Jojee, and... well, I've stayed away."
I stand and walk to put a hand on Kelb's shoulder. "Ze's doing fine now, Kelb. Ze had a long rough patch, problems with spice and some questionable decisions, but right now, Squall's the best karking engineer I know. Ze's keeping it clean and working like a plow-bantha."
She closes her eyes for a moment, listening, nodding, thankful. Her shoulders relax a little and she laughs, "Good. Ze's a survivor. I'm glad to hear it." She looks up at you again, "Thanks for taking care of Squally. Giving her a new shot after we went off the rails. Ze deserves it."
I nod. "Ze does, and truth is that it's equal parts selfish on my part. I like having zir around, and ze's really good at what ze does." I take my hand off her shoulder, move the few feet back to my chair. After I take a sip of my whiskey, I say, "Might have to find a job on Pzob, just to have an excuse to pick some of this up."
Looking into my glass, I say fairly softly. "So, how long's it been, since you... found company?" I look up for her reaction.
Kelborn stands there when you head to the chair, watches you. In answer to your question, she walks over to stand in front of you, reaches for your glass. With a smirk, she downs it in one gulp, then answers, "Too long, Captain. Too long." She leans down, her long, red hair falling over her shoulders, moving in for a kiss, her hands slipping on your chest.
She holds only inches away from your lips, looking into your eyes with a playful expression, "Wanna do something about it?"
Kelborn's kiss is intense. Her fire burns hot, as does her body. In moments, she's pulling at your shirt, then hers. After that, she's pulling you out of the chair, leading you by your belt towards her bed, which looks expertly made. She says with a grin, "Captain Vos, I'm going to wear you out." There are no games here, just two people seeking pleasure and need.
She's lovely, and strong in both body and character. I try for strong but gentle, making sure that neither one of us is the dominant partner for too long at a time, unless it seems like she has a preference.
Kelb's a vocal and exuberant lover. It seems divorcing romance makes it a purely sensual experience for her. She take delight in the competition of giving and receiving pleasure, urging you on, cries of "harder", "faster", "oh, that's it!"
On the second go round, she pins you to her bed with strong arms and very deliberately grinds on you with a deep rhythm that is quite unlike anything you've had in a while. You end up panting, sweat-soaked and out of breath, holding a toned, scarred, but still beautiful woman in your arms.
Truth be told, it's the whole thing. There's emotion, in the sense that there's passion here, but she's so free, so unconcerned with consequences (and rightly so), that it's all about pleasure. Sex with Ahji Dar is a wonderful thing, but this "sex-as-sex" has a beauty all its own.
Kelb's lying on her side, looking right at you. There are long moments of quiet, both of you tired but sated. She reaches up a hand to gently twist at one of your dreads, "Captain Vos... thanks for resetting my clock." She gives a half-grin.
Then, a bit more serious, "And thanks for understanding about Squall. And taking care of zir."
I nod. "I'll do my best for Squall, but you have to know ze's taking care of zirself now." I plant a kiss on her forehead, then start to sit up and look for my clothes.
When you kiss her forehead, she smiles, and turns her head to watch you move off the bed. She isn't shy about admiring your body. She idly scratches the three puncture-wound scars on the left side of her tummy. "That's even better. Did you know... Squally rewired our entire ship. Well, not this one. But the one Jaina flew. Long story. Anyways, Squally rewired all the controls so ze could run things from zir quarters? I swear, ze just did it because ze could." Kelb sits up, moves off the bed, grabs your belt off the floor to hand to you.
I take the belt, loop it through. "I can see that. Squall's got to be challenged." Suddenly, thoughts of the astromech and FC flash through my mind. "Or ze looks for challenges elsewhere." Gonna have to think about that.
"Yeah. That's about the size of it." Kelb agrees. "Ze looks small and unassuming, but ze's got the heart of a tusk cat." She's watching your ass as you finish with your pants.
Kelb gives you a cocky grin, "If you fight like you kark, then I think we'll be just fine."
Once you've left her quarters, you spot Hosk and Jazz sharing a deathstick and talking. Looks like old soldier stuff. When you eventually make it towards your quarters, you spot Nill. She's standing near your door, working on the electronics behind an open panel. She looks up when you come close.
Nill studies you for a moment with those intense eyes before answering, "Not as good as you." She doesn't smile, even though it seems like she made a joke. "Have fun studying with Kelborn?"
Nill glances at the wires as she answers, "Replacing some wiring for a tertiary system, routine maintenance." She puts the hydrospanner she was holding into her canvas tool bag, then replaces the panel, stands up, "Nothing to worry about."
She pauses a beat, then asks, "I assume we're going for shock and awe?"
I turn to make sure she knows I'm paying attention. "You've seen the layout. If you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them. We've got time to adjust the plan."
"Chances are that we'll make a big noise and they will hide away and snipe at us, which will waste as much time as trying to sneak in would." She says calm, easy. "They're expecting reinforcements, right? What if we convinced them to just... walk out?" She lets that sink in, then adds, "We could even escort them off planet, drop them off. Pretty as you please, just light one prisoner."
"Nill, that is brilliant. We say we're contracted transport, closest available. Play mercenaries that happened to be in the area, so it's not even much of a stretch." I pat her shoulder.
Nill waves her hand near the door to your quarters and it opens. She steps inside, assuming you'll follow. Once you enter, she points to a speaker in the wall. "That should work." She steps aside, her hands behind her back, clasped. Watching you.
"Nill had a thought. What if we say we're there to evacuate the Imps, as contracted transport? Get 'em on board and off guard, then just dump them somewhere, sans prisoner."
"Seems like Pem's the talker on your crew? Might need him as another voice when we're setting up the scam. I'll back your play if it comes to shock and awe, but hopefully we won't need it."
Kelb nods along, "Yeah. Makes sense. But hey, Nill, it's your call."
Nill takes a breath. "Right. I'll need to forge some ident codes, Pem could handle the communications from the ship. Thing is, humans, or close to humans, that will make them most comfy, least suspicious." She licks her lips, looks to you, "Kelb and Jazz are the worst liars I know. That's why I work for them. You want to partner up?"
"That works for me. We've got a bit of time to finish the plan, Nill. Pem and I are the talkers. I'll follow your lead. You know the strengths of the team."
Nill recovers, "Sorry, Captain." She holds up a hand. "It's your op, of course. It's just, I want to do well. That's all. No offense intended." She steps towards the door, waits for it to open, then says, "Should we brief in the common room, work out a ruse?"
I nod again. "This is your op as much as it is mine, now. Let's bring everyone together. I need you to step into the spotlight a bit here, though. Good for both of us if you do, yes?"
Nill nods, thankful for that. You both head to the common room and Pem joins you soon after. You three cook up a decent plan, Pem offering some tips on forgery. Hosk wanders by and eavesdrops a bit. He steps in to offer some thoughts on Imperial protocol, soldiering stuff, mostly.
After an hour of working through the plan, Nill seems satisfied and starts to work on the idents. Anything else to do before you hit normal space?
We'll skip ahead. to arrival in the Flankers system.
Pem kicks off the con by transmitting over the comms. The response is filled with static, almost inaudible. Sensors are in flux, jumping around the dial. Looks like energy pulses from the dying sun are throwing off ship sensors.
Why don't you give me an Act Under Fire to see if Pem pulls this initial contact off?
Pem broadcasts, "Garrison, I repeat. This is the Rough Endeavor. We have been hired for pick-up and transport. The nearest Imperial vessel has been detained and we were authorized to..."
The return transmission crackles, "KZZK... eard you the first time, EndeavKZZT. Those codes didn't cKZZKrough. Set down due easKZZK of us. We'll send out aKZZK"
Kelb looks over at you, mouthing the words "shock and awe", then starts bringing the Nova Whisper down for landing. From your view, you discover that the garrison has been stripped almost clean - the AT-ATs and AT-STs are gone, most of the heavy guns are also missing, and there is no sign of life anywhere outside.
Within minutes, the Whisper has set down. The exterior doors haven't opened. Maybe they're looking for a friendly face? A knock on the door?
The door opens and a grim-faced Imperial officer is there, a pair of Stormtroopers behind him.
He peers at you, then at Nill. "A couple of scruffy-looking nerf herders? Great. I'll never live this down." He motions you inside. I assume you come in. The place is spacious, unimaginative and barren. There's a half squad of troopers here.
The officer says, "I'm the CO here. Lieutenant Ri'Kreen. Who are you two?"
Ri'Kreen looks at your face, specifically your marking, then down to your hand, which he doesn't shake. "Mister Sark, there are nearly two squads of troopers, myself, a support staff of three, and a prisoner. Is your ship capable of this? If yes, we also have supplies I will be placing in your hold."
Nill's completely blank right now, really in her role. She nods, playing along. This mollifies the officer.
"Very well. There's no time to waste on pleasantries." He looks over to his trooper sergeant, "Get the prisoner ready for transport, inform squad two and Turlin we're leaving." He turns to you, Ladro. "Mister Sark, I will be requisitioning the captain's quarters for the trip, my sergeant and engineer will take the first mate's. The squad will settle where needed, as shall the rest of the support staff. Do you have a place we can secure the prisoner?"
The troopers get quickly to work, the sergeant heading off with a pair of troopers while two stay with the lieutenant. He looks like he's ready to head to the ship. You could take him out right here, probably.
I believe it's time to abandon the subterfuge. Twenty is too many to control once they're on the ship, and the opportunity to thin the herd is too good to miss. I'm trusting that Nill is ready to act when I draw and shoot. I'll take the lieutenant first, the left trooper next.
You draw and fire on the lieutenant, the blaster bolt searing his chest. He drops with surprised eyes, dead before he hits the deck. Nill jolts, caught flat-footed, she was so committed to the ruse she didn't see your mind flipping the switch.
The corridor lights up with a blue bolt as Hosk fires on the second Trooper, the one to your right. He had your back, read you and followed up with his shot. You swing your pistol to fire on the left trooper. The trooper is bringing his rifle up, too, calling over his internal comms, "It's a trap!"
He takes a shot, but his armor holds, and he squeezes off one shot from his blaster carbine, hitting you in the side. It hurts like hell. That's 2-Harm coming at you. Go ahead and roll to Suffer Wounds with a +1 (your armor helped).
You know the twenty troopers are aware you're coming, and now their officer is down. They only got a couple rooms away. As part of the ruse, Kelb and her team is waiting in the ship. If you don't want to give up the open door, you're going to have to hold this position with Hosk and Nill.
Oh yeah, and there's one trooper still here, about to shoot you again.
We hold here until Kelb arrives with the rest of the guns. Wincing, I move back so that I'm the point of a triangle in front of the door, taking another shot at the remaining trooper and hoping that Nill snaps "out of character" soon. I hear pounding footsteps coming from behind and am relieved to hear Jazz's voice. Maybe he was doing some recon? Regardless, glad he's here ahead of the rest of the team.
Spending 1-hold from Methodical to have Jazz arrive on the scene.
Nill does snap out of it, as soon as you're hit, she pulls out her small hold-out blaster and fires on the trooper with you and Hosk. The three of you put him down before he gets off another shot.
Ahead, down the corridor, you see the Stormtroopers moving up in two by two cover formations. They're going to set up a pretty deadly fire arc for anyone coming towards them. You get the feeling this is not their entire plan, however.
Those footsteps from Jazz build up as he comes closer. Then, they stop, overpowered by the sound of a jetpack. Jazz blasts overhead, into the garrison and over your group at the door. He tosses a thermal detonator at the front group of troopers, then hovers and lays down some suppressing fire.
The detonator goes off with a firey BLAM, and Nill's thrown to the ground. You barely keep your feet and Hosk drops to a knee.
Kelb's coming in with Pem now, supporting you and starting to move ahead.
I'm still hurting from the blaster hit earlier, but I follow, spreading out to cover the width of the room as Nill and Hosk get back to their feet. I don't have the military experience that most of these folks do, but I'm a quick study. I pick my targets for tactical advantage, trying to make gaps in the troopers' field of fire.
Kelb blasts overhead as well, her blaster rifle firing down as she directs Pem to lay down some suppressive fire. Nill's not armed to do much, but she takes cover and fires at the troopers, too. Hosk drops prone, his blaster telescoping to a rifle. He fires slow and steady. Pem's got a repeating blaster that he's carrying in a full body harness. Looks unwieldy, but man does it throw out some lasers.
The troopers spend their efforts on Jazz and Kelb. One of their shots hits Jazz's jetpack, and he drops hard to the floor, landing with a heavy thud. You think he's still moving, but he's probably out of the fight.
Kelb flies overhead, landing on the other side of the troopers, firing back and trying to pin them. She's also closest to Lens, but not yet making a move.
Your team fights as a 3-Harm, 1-armor squad (a small gang), and you're taking on a pair of 2-Harm, 1-armor Stormtrooper squads (a medium gang).
Kelb and your team takes 1-Harm (base 2+1 for size -1 for suffer little, -1 for armor). The Troopers take 2 Harm (base 3, +1 for inflict terrible, -1 for size, -1 for armor).
Spending the 2nd Methodical hold to find an escape route.
In the midst of the confusion and blaster fire, Lens manages to grab a blaster from one of the Stormtroopers holding her and shoots her way to Kelb, who is nearby. Kelb grabs her and manages a short hop with the jet pack to get back toward the door. I shout, "Nill, help Jazz get to his feet and everyone fall back to the ship." Hosk and I will be last to back out, keeping covering fire on the doorway until we've got enough distance to turn and sprint for the ship.
Comments
Interesting. I look at Kelb as I say, "Hosk is usually pretty good with faces. You sure the two of you haven't met before?"
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 2, 2. Total: 5)
Kelb looks at you for a second, then shrugs, "I've been around the block. Maybe we ran in the same circles." She seems disinterested in sharing.
How can she get you to let this drop without giving a straight answer on why Hosk might recognize her?
Truth? I'm relying on these people to watch my back, which means I'd like to know, but also means that I don't want to push her too much. If she changes the subject, I'll let it go, but I can't speak for Hosk.
Hosk narrows his eyes, "You're a Vizsla, aren't you?"
Kelb's entire demeanor shifts a bit, from open and generally pleasant to on the edge of a threat, "What of it?" her words come out sharp. Pem looks antsy. Jazz's hand drifts under the table.
Leaning back a bit with a self-satisfied smirk, Hosk answers smooth, "I don't forget a pretty face. You scooped up some Alderanni before the planet exploded. I remember seeing you on Endras Station after."
There's a pregnant pause before Kelb's shoulders relax slightly and she says, "Oh. Yeah. That. Well, they were nobles, offered top creds for an exit. Easy money." Pem lets out a breath, Jazz's hands come up above the table again.
What are you really feeling, Ladro?
I'm feeling the usual cocktail of pre-mission emotions. Part nervous energy, part deep focus, a splash of excitement and adrenaline. This time, though, I want to succeed for something bigger than myself and my crew, as well. That's a new garnish on the cocktail.
After everyone relaxes a bit, Kelb asks you and Hosk, "Why are you a Reb, then? Honor or revenge?"
Hosk answers simply, "Revenge."
Since the "Imp" that threatened me and mine turns out to be supporting the Rebs, that's an interesting question. I shrug. "I've seen too much in the last year or so, not to choose a side. Not sure if it's revenge, honor, or stubbornness."
Jazz fishes out a deathstick and lights it, "Stubbornness. That's good." Kelb shakes her head, smiling at that.
Pem interrupts, changing the subject off the Rebel Alliance, "Captain Vos, how's my little cousin working out for you? She still a wizzer pilot? I could tell you some stories."
"Stories? I think we could both share some of those. But she might kill me if I go first."
Pem leans back, hands clasped behind his head, "Well, Captain. I'm sure Jojee never told you about the time she actually met EQ3, while three sheets to the wind, asked him his name, then called him Bobin Bobob for the next hour. In front of the media who was there recording EQ3 for a ceremony. If you search old holos, you can probably still see it. It's.... classic."
"I will find that and hold it over her head, Pem. Not sure if I have anything to match it, in the larger sense, but... she'll kill you, or me, or both of us, did I mention that, if you repeat this. There was the time when Jojee got to an eight on the Galactic Drunkenness Scale and tried to pick up a Trandoshan because he was sitting in the same bar stool the Zeltron was sitting in earlier."
Pem laughs a bit, "Heh, I know Jojee would never want to hear about that. So... did she hook up the Trandoshan?" He looks at you with pure curiosity.
"Nah. She wasn't the Trandoshan's type." I keep a completely straight face.
You'll be in hyperspace for a few days. Anything you want to do or anyone you want to chat with?
This is time to review whatever information Alanna was able to give me about the installation, take stock of our strengths, make a plan. So, that's what I do. I'll work closely with Kelb to develop our strategy.
Kelb's dressed in a tank top that shows a few tats and a few more scars, as well as a pair of black aikido pants, with wide legs that hide what are probably very nice, muscular curves. She's barefoot, seems very comfortable in her own space.
You're both looking over the data Alanna gave you:
As she points out the turbolasers, "Like I said, we have to assume that the place is stripped down, it's standard operating procedure. The red tape means they didn't leave anything there that can be carried away. The power will be minimal, and the hard part is opening the can. I say we land right on top of the kriffing place, then burn holes in a TIE's launch chute." She looks at you for a moment, "You wouldn't have a lightsaber on you, would you?"
Oh, by the way, Kelb's really good at this. When you plan an op with Kelborn Vizsla, take +1 Forward on a Methodical roll.
I give her a shrug. "Afraid mine's in the shop, Kelb. We have anything else that will do the trick?"
That gets a tight grin, "Not quite. I have some welding torches that will get through, but not quick. We can either hit hard and cover Pem and Jazz while they cut in, or we try to sneak up, which means more time spent." She's testing you out here, you feel it.
"I say we go fast and furious. Kind of the way this team is built, isn't it?"
The right corner of her mouth curls up in an appreciative grin. "Well, there is a reason Jazz is Strike Leader. Shock and awe is our specialty." She rocks back from her seat, then stands in an easy motion, heads over to the bar, "Want some whiskey straight?" Looks like she's going to have a drink regardless. As she's pouring, she asks, "How did you and Hosk start working together? He's a cagey old one."
I nod to the offer of whiskey, and as we sip I tell the story of meeting Hosk while we were on the same job for different employers, then go on. "We fell into a rhythm quickly, developed a sort of in-the-moment trust that usually would take years. Still a mystery to me, as different as we are."
Kelb's taste in whiskey is right in touch with yours, Ladro. What is it about this glass that you like most?
"I used to have a sniper on the team, old man named Pollux Burr." Kelb says as she saunters over to the table, standing, but leaning over to be about eye level with you. "He was ornery and didn't know when to quit doing what he loved. When his eyes went on him, he got cybered. When half his face was blown off, he had some backstreet doc on level 1313 of Coruscant sew him back together and replace what was gone. Answer me this, Captain Vos." She drains half her glass, "If Hosk went that way, what would you do?"
I am impressed with Kelb's taste in whiskey. Can't place exactly where this one's from, but it has a smokiness that a lot of folks would find off-putting. Hold it in your mouth for a moment, let it warm, and all those components drift up into your nose the back way. It's a fully sensual experience.
I think on her question for a second, meeting her eyes. "Hosk is a soldier. It's not what he does, it's what he is. If Hosk got like that, I'd do my best to find a way that he could keep being a soldier, without being in the line of fire. Don't know what that would be, though. He's stubborn. If I put him off my crew, he'd just find someone else to soldier for, someone who wouldn't care as much as I do." I take a sip. "What did you do?"
Kelb listens without moving, listens to how Hosk is, nods like she gets it, sees that in him. When you ask what she did, she holds your gaze for a moment, then answers slow and calm, "I let him fight alongside me, bleed with me, and then I buried him in the middle of some forsaken blizzard on the surface of Hoth after we took down a small pirate cove. He sniped sixteen from his spot. Wouldn't move when they got a bead on him because my shebs was taking fire." It's a bit of a confessional tone. She didn't have romantic feelings for Burr, you can tell that. He was like a father to her.
"It's what he wanted. Not what I wanted." She takes another belt of the whiskey, holding it in her mouth for a bit, then swallowing. "Want another drink?" She heads back over to the bar.
"Got a girl somewhere? Or a guy?" she asks, the tone curious.
I take in her story with the feeling that she doesn't give confidences like this frequently, and when she asks, I hand her my glass for another whiskey. "I do. She's a blockade runner, and we find each other when we manage to be in the same sector at the same time. Not exactly a conventional relationship. How about you?"
"Too much work running a team to get into anything serious." She answers it with a practiced air as she pours two healthy glasses full, then starts walking back over to you. As she hands you a glass, "I kriffed a few teammates early on, worked out about like you'd expect. Then I just found my company where I could." She puts her glass on the desk and scoots out her chair, sitting so she's half facing you.
"Blockade runner, eh? Sounds dangerous." She tosses back a belt, holds it, then swallows and sucks in a little breath, smiling. "I take you aren't the worrying type."
"I worry some, but it doesn't do me any good, so I try to just not get killed myself." Another sip of whiskey. "This is good. Where's it from?"
Kelb chuckles, "It's from karking Pzob. No lie. A floating rock full of Gamorreans and one little shop that sells this stuff. I have a case of it on board, and a few hidden away... here and there." She takes another drink. Cocks a brow, "Captain Vos... you've got a Rattataki engineer, right? Name's Squall?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"How is ze working out for you?" Kelb asks, not meeting your eye.
"How do you know Squall?" Something going on here, clearly.
There's a pause, like Kelb's looking for the right answer, or how to say it. "Squally used to be part of my team. Ze and I... we were close. But I messed up pretty bad, Captain. Pem took her to Jojee, and... well, I've stayed away."
I stand and walk to put a hand on Kelb's shoulder. "Ze's doing fine now, Kelb. Ze had a long rough patch, problems with spice and some questionable decisions, but right now, Squall's the best karking engineer I know. Ze's keeping it clean and working like a plow-bantha."
She closes her eyes for a moment, listening, nodding, thankful. Her shoulders relax a little and she laughs, "Good. Ze's a survivor. I'm glad to hear it." She looks up at you again, "Thanks for taking care of Squally. Giving her a new shot after we went off the rails. Ze deserves it."
I nod. "Ze does, and truth is that it's equal parts selfish on my part. I like having zir around, and ze's really good at what ze does." I take my hand off her shoulder, move the few feet back to my chair. After I take a sip of my whiskey, I say, "Might have to find a job on Pzob, just to have an excuse to pick some of this up."
Looking into my glass, I say fairly softly. "So, how long's it been, since you... found company?" I look up for her reaction.
Kelborn stands there when you head to the chair, watches you. In answer to your question, she walks over to stand in front of you, reaches for your glass. With a smirk, she downs it in one gulp, then answers, "Too long, Captain. Too long." She leans down, her long, red hair falling over her shoulders, moving in for a kiss, her hands slipping on your chest.
She holds only inches away from your lips, looking into your eyes with a playful expression, "Wanna do something about it?"
"Yes." With my right hand, I pull her head down so that our lips meet for that promised kiss.
Kelborn's kiss is intense. Her fire burns hot, as does her body. In moments, she's pulling at your shirt, then hers. After that, she's pulling you out of the chair, leading you by your belt towards her bed, which looks expertly made. She says with a grin, "Captain Vos, I'm going to wear you out." There are no games here, just two people seeking pleasure and need.
How do you handle her?
She's lovely, and strong in both body and character. I try for strong but gentle, making sure that neither one of us is the dominant partner for too long at a time, unless it seems like she has a preference.
Kelb's a vocal and exuberant lover. It seems divorcing romance makes it a purely sensual experience for her. She take delight in the competition of giving and receiving pleasure, urging you on, cries of "harder", "faster", "oh, that's it!"
On the second go round, she pins you to her bed with strong arms and very deliberately grinds on you with a deep rhythm that is quite unlike anything you've had in a while. You end up panting, sweat-soaked and out of breath, holding a toned, scarred, but still beautiful woman in your arms.
What was a moment you'll not soon forget, Ladro?
Truth be told, it's the whole thing. There's emotion, in the sense that there's passion here, but she's so free, so unconcerned with consequences (and rightly so), that it's all about pleasure. Sex with Ahji Dar is a wonderful thing, but this "sex-as-sex" has a beauty all its own.
Kelb's lying on her side, looking right at you. There are long moments of quiet, both of you tired but sated. She reaches up a hand to gently twist at one of your dreads, "Captain Vos... thanks for resetting my clock." She gives a half-grin.
Then, a bit more serious, "And thanks for understanding about Squall. And taking care of zir."
I nod. "I'll do my best for Squall, but you have to know ze's taking care of zirself now." I plant a kiss on her forehead, then start to sit up and look for my clothes.
When you kiss her forehead, she smiles, and turns her head to watch you move off the bed. She isn't shy about admiring your body. She idly scratches the three puncture-wound scars on the left side of her tummy. "That's even better. Did you know... Squally rewired our entire ship. Well, not this one. But the one Jaina flew. Long story. Anyways, Squally rewired all the controls so ze could run things from zir quarters? I swear, ze just did it because ze could." Kelb sits up, moves off the bed, grabs your belt off the floor to hand to you.
I take the belt, loop it through. "I can see that. Squall's got to be challenged." Suddenly, thoughts of the astromech and FC flash through my mind. "Or ze looks for challenges elsewhere." Gonna have to think about that.
"Yeah. That's about the size of it." Kelb agrees. "Ze looks small and unassuming, but ze's got the heart of a tusk cat." She's watching your ass as you finish with your pants.
I nod and finish dressing as she watches. "This was great. Let's hope we fight together as well as we kriff, yeah?"
Kelb gives you a cocky grin, "If you fight like you kark, then I think we'll be just fine."
Once you've left her quarters, you spot Hosk and Jazz sharing a deathstick and talking. Looks like old soldier stuff. When you eventually make it towards your quarters, you spot Nill. She's standing near your door, working on the electronics behind an open panel. She looks up when you come close.
I nod. "Nill. How are you?"
Nill studies you for a moment with those intense eyes before answering, "Not as good as you." She doesn't smile, even though it seems like she made a joke. "Have fun studying with Kelborn?"
I nod, unembarrassed. "Made a good plan, then blew off some steam. What're you working on there?"
Nill glances at the wires as she answers, "Replacing some wiring for a tertiary system, routine maintenance." She puts the hydrospanner she was holding into her canvas tool bag, then replaces the panel, stands up, "Nothing to worry about."
She pauses a beat, then asks, "I assume we're going for shock and awe?"
I nod. "Time's a factor, and it seems like the fastest option, and the one that exposes us to the fewest variables. Are you okay with that?"
"Not my call to make." Nill answers. "Not sure how we're going to open those doors by being scary and loud, though."
I turn to make sure she knows I'm paying attention. "You've seen the layout. If you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them. We've got time to adjust the plan."
"Chances are that we'll make a big noise and they will hide away and snipe at us, which will waste as much time as trying to sneak in would." She says calm, easy. "They're expecting reinforcements, right? What if we convinced them to just... walk out?" She lets that sink in, then adds, "We could even escort them off planet, drop them off. Pretty as you please, just light one prisoner."
"Nill, that is brilliant. We say we're contracted transport, closest available. Play mercenaries that happened to be in the area, so it's not even much of a stretch." I pat her shoulder.
"Thanks, Captain." she says quietly. Then, she waits, letting you handle the next step without forcing anything.
I look around for the comm, then ask. "Any way for me to contact Kelb directly from my quarters?" Unfamiliar ship.
Nill waves her hand near the door to your quarters and it opens. She steps inside, assuming you'll follow. Once you enter, she points to a speaker in the wall. "That should work." She steps aside, her hands behind her back, clasped. Watching you.
I push a button. "Kelb, do you have a minute?"
After a few moments, she replies, "Of course, Captain. Do you want me to come to.you?"
"Please. Nill has an idea that I think is worth considering."
Kelb arrives after about five minutes. Her hair is still damp, she's back in those pants and a fresh tank top. "What's up? "
Nill seems to fade back when Kelb arrives.
"Nill had a thought. What if we say we're there to evacuate the Imps, as contracted transport? Get 'em on board and off guard, then just dump them somewhere, sans prisoner."
"She did, did she?" Kelb asks you, looking over at her subordinate. Nill nods, obviously acting meek.
"Subtlety isn't my strong suit. Can you pull off a scam like this?" she's asking you more than Nill.
I give her a wink. "I talked a Factory Control droid into destroying its own factory, so I didn't have to do it myself. I'd bet we can pull it off."
Seems to impress Kelb. She shrugs. "Worth a shot. We'll leave shock and awe as the fallback plan. Nill, you're in charge of the team."
Nill blinks, then nods. "Aye aye, Kelb."
"Seems like Pem's the talker on your crew? Might need him as another voice when we're setting up the scam. I'll back your play if it comes to shock and awe, but hopefully we won't need it."
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 6, 6. Total: 14)
Kelb nods along, "Yeah. Makes sense. But hey, Nill, it's your call."
Nill takes a breath. "Right. I'll need to forge some ident codes, Pem could handle the communications from the ship. Thing is, humans, or close to humans, that will make them most comfy, least suspicious." She licks her lips, looks to you, "Kelb and Jazz are the worst liars I know. That's why I work for them. You want to partner up?"
"That works for me. We've got a bit of time to finish the plan, Nill. Pem and I are the talkers. I'll follow your lead. You know the strengths of the team."
"Alright, I'll leave you to it. I'll send Pem to you when I take over the helm." Kelb says as she walks out, leaving you with Nill.
Nill watches her go, saying nothing for a long moment. Once the door closes, she looks thoughtful for a moment, "Well. We better not kriff this up."
"I'm the employer, here... I've got the stakes. What's on the line for you, Nill?"
Nill recovers, "Sorry, Captain." She holds up a hand. "It's your op, of course. It's just, I want to do well. That's all. No offense intended." She steps towards the door, waits for it to open, then says, "Should we brief in the common room, work out a ruse?"
I nod again. "This is your op as much as it is mine, now. Let's bring everyone together. I need you to step into the spotlight a bit here, though. Good for both of us if you do, yes?"
After an hour of working through the plan, Nill seems satisfied and starts to work on the idents. Anything else to do before you hit normal space?
I congratulate Nill on excellent work, then actually grab a few hours of sleep, confident that we're ready for what's to come.
Pem kicks off the con by transmitting over the comms. The response is filled with static, almost inaudible. Sensors are in flux, jumping around the dial. Looks like energy pulses from the dying sun are throwing off ship sensors.
Why don't you give me an Act Under Fire to see if Pem pulls this initial contact off?
(Rolled: 2d6+3. Rolls: 1, 5. Total: 9)
Pem broadcasts, "Garrison, I repeat. This is the Rough Endeavor. We have been hired for pick-up and transport. The nearest Imperial vessel has been detained and we were authorized to..."
The return transmission crackles, "KZZK... eard you the first time, EndeavKZZT. Those codes didn't cKZZKrough. Set down due easKZZK of us. We'll send out aKZZK"
Kelb looks over at you, mouthing the words "shock and awe", then starts bringing the Nova Whisper down for landing. From your view, you discover that the garrison has been stripped almost clean - the AT-ATs and AT-STs are gone, most of the heavy guns are also missing, and there is no sign of life anywhere outside.
Within minutes, the Whisper has set down. The exterior doors haven't opened. Maybe they're looking for a friendly face? A knock on the door?
What do you do?
That's what I do. A knock on the door. "Oy, we're here to pull you out. If you don't recall, the whole system's blowing up soon."
He peers at you, then at Nill. "A couple of scruffy-looking nerf herders? Great. I'll never live this down." He motions you inside. I assume you come in. The place is spacious, unimaginative and barren. There's a half squad of troopers here.
The officer says, "I'm the CO here. Lieutenant Ri'Kreen. Who are you two?"
I hold out my hand to shake. "I'm Landon Sark, and this is my associate West Apree. We're your ride."
Ri'Kreen looks at your face, specifically your marking, then down to your hand, which he doesn't shake. "Mister Sark, there are nearly two squads of troopers, myself, a support staff of three, and a prisoner. Is your ship capable of this? If yes, we also have supplies I will be placing in your hold."
I let my hand drop, not making a big deal of it. "It'll be a tight squeeze, but we can accommodate you."
"Very well. There's no time to waste on pleasantries." He looks over to his trooper sergeant, "Get the prisoner ready for transport, inform squad two and Turlin we're leaving." He turns to you, Ladro. "Mister Sark, I will be requisitioning the captain's quarters for the trip, my sergeant and engineer will take the first mate's. The squad will settle where needed, as shall the rest of the support staff. Do you have a place we can secure the prisoner?"
The troopers get quickly to work, the sergeant heading off with a pair of troopers while two stay with the lieutenant. He looks like he's ready to head to the ship. You could take him out right here, probably.
What do you do?
I believe it's time to abandon the subterfuge. Twenty is too many to control once they're on the ship, and the opportunity to thin the herd is too good to miss. I'm trusting that Nill is ready to act when I draw and shoot. I'll take the lieutenant first, the left trooper next.
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 1, 2. Total: 4)
The corridor lights up with a blue bolt as Hosk fires on the second Trooper, the one to your right. He had your back, read you and followed up with his shot. You swing your pistol to fire on the left trooper. The trooper is bringing his rifle up, too, calling over his internal comms, "It's a trap!"
He takes a shot, but his armor holds, and he squeezes off one shot from his blaster carbine, hitting you in the side. It hurts like hell. That's 2-Harm coming at you. Go ahead and roll to Suffer Wounds with a +1 (your armor helped).
You know the twenty troopers are aware you're coming, and now their officer is down. They only got a couple rooms away. As part of the ruse, Kelb and her team is waiting in the ship. If you don't want to give up the open door, you're going to have to hold this position with Hosk and Nill.
Oh yeah, and there's one trooper still here, about to shoot you again.
What do you do?
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 1, 2. Total: 4)
We hold here until Kelb arrives with the rest of the guns. Wincing, I move back so that I'm the point of a triangle in front of the door, taking another shot at the remaining trooper and hoping that Nill snaps "out of character" soon. I hear pounding footsteps coming from behind and am relieved to hear Jazz's voice. Maybe he was doing some recon? Regardless, glad he's here ahead of the rest of the team.
Spending 1-hold from Methodical to have Jazz arrive on the scene.
Ahead, down the corridor, you see the Stormtroopers moving up in two by two cover formations. They're going to set up a pretty deadly fire arc for anyone coming towards them. You get the feeling this is not their entire plan, however.
Those footsteps from Jazz build up as he comes closer. Then, they stop, overpowered by the sound of a jetpack. Jazz blasts overhead, into the garrison and over your group at the door. He tosses a thermal detonator at the front group of troopers, then hovers and lays down some suppressing fire.
The detonator goes off with a firey BLAM, and Nill's thrown to the ground. You barely keep your feet and Hosk drops to a knee.
Kelb's coming in with Pem now, supporting you and starting to move ahead.
What do you do?
I'm still hurting from the blaster hit earlier, but I follow, spreading out to cover the width of the room as Nill and Hosk get back to their feet. I don't have the military experience that most of these folks do, but I'm a quick study. I pick my targets for tactical advantage, trying to make gaps in the troopers' field of fire.
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 5, 3. Total: 10)
I inflict terrible harm.
The troopers spend their efforts on Jazz and Kelb. One of their shots hits Jazz's jetpack, and he drops hard to the floor, landing with a heavy thud. You think he's still moving, but he's probably out of the fight.
Kelb flies overhead, landing on the other side of the troopers, firing back and trying to pin them. She's also closest to Lens, but not yet making a move.
Your team fights as a 3-Harm, 1-armor squad (a small gang), and you're taking on a
pair of 2-Harm, 1-armor Stormtrooper squads (a medium gang).
Kelb and your team takes 1-Harm (base 2+1 for size -1 for suffer little, -1 for armor).
The Troopers take 2 Harm (base 3, +1 for inflict terrible, -1 for size, -1 for armor).
Spending the 2nd Methodical hold to find an escape route.
In the midst of the confusion and blaster fire, Lens manages to grab a blaster from one of the Stormtroopers holding her and shoots her way to Kelb, who is nearby. Kelb grabs her and manages a short hop with the jet pack to get back toward the door. I shout, "Nill, help Jazz get to his feet and everyone fall back to the ship." Hosk and I will be last to back out, keeping covering fire on the doorway until we've got enough distance to turn and sprint for the ship.