Jek curses under his breath as he reaches into his coat and pulls out his blaster, snapping off a shot at the nearest hostile as he strafed for cover.
You couldn't have picked a worse time, mates, He said. If I have another random shootout today, I'm going to break some kind of record.
Jordis will reach out with the Force, causing a crate to fall onto the Weequay to the southeast.
As she did so, Jordis readied her snap baton and moved to the Rodian northeast of her, intent on making herself, at the least, a hard target.
Winter chuckles and says "No shootout is ever random."
As he joins the fray, again his body language changes from casual to alpha predator.
Winter will then shoot Chevin, saying "You're in my way. Be someplace else."
"Now, now friend. There's no need for us to get involved in your business with this droid. I think it would be best for all of us if we just went on our merry way, none the wiser to what comes next." Winter tries to calm the Chevin, but the gangster merely shouts, "You should have thought of that before doing business with that droid!"
"Really? A gang war? We managed to find ourselves in the middle of a gang war?" Drawing his own blaster, Callum moves to find cover, not only to better protect himself, but also to give himself some time to get a better handle of the situation. "Although maybe gang fight would be a more appropriate term, I suppose..."
Jordis will reach out with the Force, causing a crate to fall onto the Weequay to the southeast. It falls and hits him in the head, and he crumples to the ground. As she did so, Jordis readied her snap baton and moved to the Rodian northeast of her, intent on making herself, at the least, a hard target.
It doesn't sound to Sebbik like the thugs are of a mind to negotiate, and so the Duros grabs his blaster as he moves for cover, firing at the nearest. His shot goes wide.
Now, the Chevin's thugs begin retaliating, filling the room with the smell of burned ozone and the sound of blaster fire. The Weequay Sebbik shot at runs forward, vibro-ax raised above his head to strike. The blade catches on a low conduit, shocking the thug. An armored thug fires a shot at Callum, who is safely hidden behind cover.
The Rodian before Jordis, shocked by her advance, desperately shoots at her. Her proximity affords her little room to dodge, so the bolt takes her squarely in the shoulder . The Weequay in the rear takes a shot towards Winter, his blaster bolt catching the mercenary in the thigh .
The other Rodian takes a shot at Jek, but his aim goes wide. The Gammorean grunts something in its language and fires at Galatea, but also misses.
The remaining thugs each take aim and shoot towards Switch's thugs, but the blaster bolts ding off cover or go wide.
Jek curses under his breath as he reaches into his coat and pulls out his blaster, snapping off a shot at the nearest hostile as he strafed for cover. The bolt flies true, catching the blue nikto on the opposite side of his cover in the shoulder. "You couldn't have picked a worse time, mates," He said. "If I have another random shootout today, I'm going to break some kind of record."
Winter
Callum
Jordis
Sebbik
Chevin's Thugs
Jek
Galatea
Switch
Chevin
Switch's thugs
Jordis - 21/32
Winter - 21/33
Orange Nikto - 2/9
Sebbik is grateful the thug got his axe hung up momentarily in the conduit, but the Weequay is much too close for comfort and so the Duros snaps off a quick shot then vaults backward, trying to get behind cover next to Callum.
Modifiers above include +1 to attack/damage rolls for Point Blank Shot
vs DC 15 to avoid AoO
Galatea moves back and crouches down, hopefully gaining some measure of cover against some of the Chevin's thugs. She then shoots the Chevin.
Round 1
Galatea moves back and crouches down, hopefully gaining some measure of cover against some of the Chevin's thugs. She then shoots the Chevin.
This spoiler is solely to make it look like I rolled attacks, even though I didn't have to for any of this since Switch's thugs are intentionally missing their targets.
The Chevin and Switch are taking Total Defense actions.
The Chevin, upon being shot, shouts in what is clearly terror and scampers his way behind some debris, where he crouches and minimizes his size of a target as best he can. He does not poke his head out to shoot.
Switch, being a protocol droid with not combat programming, pulls a hold-out blaster from somewhere and crouches down behind his desk. He also does not poke his head out to shoot.
Switch's thugs finally begin retaliating against the Chevin's gang, opening fire. Unfortunately, none of them seem to hit anything.
Switch's Thugs aren't just bad shots - they're intentionally missing the Chevin's thugs.
Winter chuckles and says, "No shootout is ever random." As he joins the fray, again his body language changes from casual to alpha predator. The Chevin's thugs clearly react to the mercenary's stance with what looks to be some fear in their eyes. Winter will then shoot Chevin, saying, "You're in my way. Be someplace else." The blaster bolt impacts the cover he's hiding behind, since he's so hunkered down.
Sebbik is grateful the thug got his axe hung up momentarily in the conduit, but the Weequay is much too close for comfort and so the Duros snaps off a quick shot then vaults backward, trying to get behind cover next to Callum. His point blank shot catches the Weequay in the shoulder as he gets clear.
Jordis - 21/32
Winter - 21/33
Orange Nikto - 2/9
Burnt Sienna Weequay - 3/9
Chevin - 6/19
Grunting in pain, Jordis grits her teeth and lashes out, attempting to knock the Rodian out with her snap baton while avoiding damage herself.
"Something is wrong here," Callum calls out to the others. "Unless I am mistaken, and I do not think I am by the way, the droid's thugs are missing the rival gang's members intentionally."
As he speaks he takes aim and fires at the same thug that tried to shoot him only moments ago.
Sebbik's blaster shot drops the Weequay, who had been shocked earlier.
Grunting in pain, Jordis grits her teeth and lashes out, attempting to knock the Rodian out with her snap baton while avoiding damage herself. Her baton cracks the Rodian across the arm, but he isn't down yet.
"Something is wrong here," Callum calls out to the others. "Unless I am mistaken, and I do not think I am by the way, the droid's thugs are missing the rival gang's members intentionally."
As he speaks he takes aim and fires at the same thug that tried to shoot him only moments ago. The blasterbolt flies true, catching the thug in the right shoulder, but he doesn't go down either.
The thug fires back at Callum, his shot going just above the Corellian's head. The Rodian in front of Jordis again goes to shoot her, but his shoulder cramps up from the blow and causes his shot to hit the metal floor. The other Weequay shoots at Sebbik, who is barely able to dodge out of the way.
The other Rodian takes a shot at Winter, but seems rather intimidated by the mercenary's stance. The Gammorean takes a shot at Galatea, but, well, Gammoreans aren't known for their marksmanship capabilities, and his shot isn't even in the right area. One of the Nikto fires at where Switch is cowering behind his desk, scoring the Japor ivory wood and leaving burn gash. The other Nikto pops up and again shoots at Jek, only for his shot to miss the Chiss pirate. The remaining thug shoots at one of Switch's men, catching him square in the chest and dropping him.
Jordis - 21/32
Winter - 21/33
Orange Nikto - 2/9
Burnt Sienna Weequay - 0/9, down
Purple Armored Thug - 2/9
Yellow Rodian - 2/9
Chevin - 6/19
Jek peers out of cover, looks at who he wants to shoot down, deciding for the Nikto, and retreats back, smiling. We asked for a peaceful resolution to this, He said. We even almost put some effort into it. Now, though, you're just going to have to live with your life choices. For however long I allow.
He snaps out of cover, fires, rolls back in just enough time to see whether his shot hit or not.
"We tried to be peaceful Jek. Time to be warlike."says Galatea, agreeing with her new Chiss friend. In pursuance of her warlike pronouncements, Galatea moves forward a square and fires at the "red" Rodian.
Jek peers out of cover, looks at who he wants to shoot down, deciding for the Nikto, and retreats back, smiling. "We asked for a peaceful resolution to this, He said. We even almost put some effort into it. Now, though, you're just going to have to live with your life choices. For however long I allow." He snaps out of cover, fires, rolls back in just enough time to see whether his shot hit or not. It did, and the Nikto falls to the ground
"We tried to be peaceful Jek. Time to be warlike," says Galatea, agreeing with her new Chiss friend. In pursuance of her warlike pronouncements, Galatea moves forward a square and fires at the "red" Rodian. Her blaster bolt flies true, catching the thug in the chest and dropping him instantly.
Switch shouts to his men, "You'd better start hitting what you're aiming at, or someone is taking a quick trip to the reactor!" His voice still sounds incredibly cheerful and posh - vocabulators do such strange things to emotions. The Chevin cries out, "Keep shooting! Kill them all!" Both of them continue hiding as best they can behind their cover.
Switch's threat appears to have a powerful effect on his men, as they begin firing more directly at the Chevin's gang. All 4 still alive hit what they were aiming at, and 4 of the Chevin's thugs drop from the volley.
Switch and the Chevin both take Total Defense actions.
Jordis - 21/32
Winter - 21/33
Orange Nikto - 0/9, down
Burnt Sienna Weequay - 0/9, down
Purple Armored Thug - 0/9, dead
Yellow Rodian - 0/9, down
Red Rodian - 0/9, down
Chevin - 6/19
Gammorean - 0/9, dead
Fuschia Armored Thug - 0/9, dead
With the tide of the battle turning in their favor after the droid's threats, Callum once again pulls his pistol's trigger, his target one of the few remaining enemies.
Sebbik moves to get a better line of sight on the cowardly Chevin, moving to his left around the shelves lined with junk, then takes cover as he peeks around the corner and fires.
vs Reflex
Energy
Modifiers above include +1 to attack/damage rolls for Point Blank Shot
Jordis leaps forward over her newly defeated foe, lashing out at the Chevin to try and end the conflict.
Winter moves where he has a clear shot on Chevin and shoots him.
Winter moves where he has a clear shot on Chevin and shoots him. Despite the Chevin's defensive maneuvers, Winter's shot is too accurate, and the blaster bolt takes the Chevin down.
With the tide of the battle turning in their favor after the droid's threats, Callum once again pulls his pistol's trigger, his target one of the few remaining enemies. Having no cover, the shot hits, although the thug does not fall.
Jordis leaps forward over her newly defeated foe, lashing out at the Chevin thug to try and end the conflict. Her baton catches him across the face and he collapses to the ground, unconscious.
Sebbik moves to get a better line of sight on the remaining thug, moving to his left around the shelves lined with junk, then takes cover as he peeks around the corner and fires. His blaster bolt flies true, catching the thug in the side and dropping him to the ground.
Switch cautiously looks out from behind his desk. Seeing the Chevin down, he says, "Well, that was quite a bit of excitement. Well done taking down Ganga Lor and his gang. It looks like he brought everyone that works for him, too, so you won't have to worry about reprisals. That opens up quite a few opportunities for me. Clearly working with you is good for business."
He looks at Winter and Jordis. "You are injured. Dr. Fenn of Delgas Medical Supplies owes me several favors. I'll call one of those in and get you treated free of charge, as a thank you for protecting me."
He then gives all of you an appraising look and says, "Should you have access to a ship to transport the cargo you've picked up to Alderaan, you could also handle a delivery for me. In the same docking bay as your cargo is a crate of Corellian ale that I need delivered to Alderaan. If you're willing to deliver it for me, I'll pay you 750 credits now, plus another 750 once it's delivered. I'll send you the information of an account on Alderaan the money will be in. Do you agree?"
Winter immediately reloads his blaster and then, sweeping the enemies and seeing none left standing, holsters it. He then begins rolling the dead looking for currency, starting with Chevin.
Though he's been in tight spots before, Sebbik normally carries around his blaster as a 'just in case' option. The Duros has never been in a firefight before, and his adrenaline is still pumping through his blood even as the droid acts as though all this is just the norm. Taking a moment to steady himself, Sebbik slides his blaster back into its holster and follows Winter's example, looking over the dead thugs - mostly to give himself time to gather his wits. Maybe they'll have some kind of clue as to why they wanted Maya's shipment so badly.
After a minute or so, Sebbik feels his racing pulse slow enough for him to respond to Switch's question. "Seems like the cargo we've agreed to take already is hot enough. I uh... I don't think another crate full of Corellian ale will make much of a difference one way or the other. And I can use the credits." He glances at the others, to see if they are in agreement as well.
"I concur. Thank you for your offer of a doctor Switch, I think some of my new comrades can use it. We will deliver your... ale if nobody objects." says Galatea, looking to her companions, while thinking Corellian ale my foot. Still, Sebbik is right. With the amount of trouble we are in with the Empire, smuggling charges are not going to make things any worse. Do you agree dad? Galatea waits for a moment for a reply from her departed father, but his shade is not with her at present.
Everyone that works for him, then? Jek asked. He was awfully cocky for such a small-time crook. He chuckled. Guess that means we didn't create too big of a power-vacuum, did we?
Jek considers the offer. Indeed, we would be willing to take the ale, He said. On succesful delivery, I only ask that my name become a recommendation to your allies. We help each other do business after all, hmm?
"Ah, it has been a while since the last time I have had a taste of home," Callum muses with a smile. "Not that I am going to be sampling the merchandise, of course."
And then, as if he is reminded of something, he turns to the droid. "Say, Switch, any particular reason your... minions -can I say minions?- were missing the other guys on purpose? At least that is how it looked to me." Another smile and a shrug, supposedly of mild indifference.
The thugs all have vibro-axes and blaster pistols (10 of each). Ganga Lor has a blaster pistol, a comlink, a datapad detailing his operations, and 300 credits.
"Thank you very much for doing so. The money will be in an easily accessed account on Alderaan for you."
To Callum, Switch says, "They shouldn't have been, but I assure you if they were, they will be made an example of."
Sebbik picks up the blaster pistol held by the one that he shot down and fits it into his own holster - or takes the one from its owner, if the fit is bad. He will also take the datapad and take a look at what Ganga Lor was up to - especially if it relates to the shipment they're on their way to pick up.
Jordis does not take any loot, but does accept the offer of medical treatment with thanks. She's fine taking on the delivery as well.
Most of what you find on the datapad pertains to various smuggling operations throughout the station, contacts he uses to accomplish his work, as well as what officials he's bribed. There is also a lot of information about Switch's operations, as well as several personal journal entries detailing how Ganga Lor was getting progressively angrier at Switch's refusal to give him a cut of his business.
Were you planning to remain on the station, you could easily pick up Ganga Lor's operations. As it is, however, this information would likely be of far more use to Switch than to you.
After a quick stop at Delgas Medical Supplies for a bacta treatment (Dr. Fenn brings you in the back and sends you out that way as well, keeping you out of sight of anyone else), its time to head to Blue Deck to collect your cargo.
As the turbolift doors slide open and you step out onto Blue Deck, it is like entering a wholly different space station. The floors are polished and possess a metallic sheen, and the massive windows along one wall grant the most magnificent view of Brentaal available on the station. Maintenance and service droids flit about from one place to the next, keeping everything clean and ordered. Moving about the halls of Blue Deck are large numbers of Humans, most of them wealthy by all appearances. They pay little attention to the few aliens found in the area, except, perhaps, to sneer as they pass.
You notice a human male with a greasy mop of black hair, a scrawny physique that could best be described as skin hanging off his bones. His beady eyes and oversized nose give him a sinister edge, causing him to resemble a wild womp rat trying to escape captivity. You recognize him from the Promenade earlier - he ran at the first sign of blaster fire.
You overhear two nobles talking about how the Empire just sent an entire squad of stormtroopers to the main docking bay to inspect some suspicious cargo.
Jordis is too concerned over her recent wounds and her sudden rushes into combat with a group of strangers to notice much.
Jek wipes at his hands, places his hands in his pockets, and nods to himself. Y'know, I always did want to see Alderaan. He said.
He whistled at the Blue Deck. Don't see a sight like that every day, now do you? Not as a nonhuman, I suppose. Not now.
Galatea searches the Chevin Ganga Lor and takes the datapad detailing his operations and his 300 credits.
Upon noticing the human from earlier, Galatea quietly approaches her comrades one at a time or in pairs, quietly telling each "That human male with the greasy mop of black hair, Ortolon nose and scrawny physique. He was on the Promenade earlier and ran at the first sign of blaster fire.
His re-appearance may not be co-incidental."
"Yes, I see him too," Callum nods in agreement. "An informant for Imperial forces perhaps? Or maybe something else?"
He then turns to the Chiss with a smile. "What do you say, Captain? Maybe we should ask him a couple of friendly questions? Or just try to avoid him altogether if he is indeed an informant?"
Sebbik seems very uncomfortable as they gain the Blue Deck, and after scanning the crowd for a moment, returns his attention to the datapad.
vs DC 15
vs DC 20
He vaguely hears Callum and Galatea comment on the dark-haired human he spotted before engrossing his attention with the small computer, and wonders if they will soon be involved in another gunfight. The Duros hopes not, the last one still has him shaking a bit. "Maybe we should just find the two shipments we're looking for before we attract the attention of the local Imperials. If they aren't actively looking for us, at the very least they aren't going to like the presence of some of us in this area." Sebbik suggests in a quiet, distracted voice.
We could probably lead him along if we stay quiet for a little bit, Jek said, looking in the direction that Galatea and Callum were referring to, pretending that he noticed the man all along. But I’m sure that we’ll have our chance to play a little good stormtrooper bad stormtrooper with him, when the time comes. He said, raising the corner of his mouth into a half smile.
Sebbik continues to fiddle with the datapad, remarking to the others. "Seems like quite a lot of information here that Switch might want. Maybe we can pay off our favor sooner rather than later." The Duros has no interest in antagonizing the stranger, only in getting their two shipments and heading out.
Galatea scrutinizes the stranger to see if anything about him, dress, manner or something else reveals who he is or his purpose here.
Winter will look around to see if he can find the location or person that is directing traffic and approach them. "Excuse me friend. I'm here to pick up some cargo, and I was wondering if you could point me in the direction where it might be located?"
Winter finds a shiny silver protocol droid standing next to a sign that says Information. As you come up and asks your question, the droid says in an aloof-sounding voice, "The docking bay is currently closed. You will have to wait until it is reopened. May I suggest waiting in one of our fine establishments? Chez L'Aberion, specializing in the finest Chandrilan seafood, may be a good choice."
His outfit is similar to the ones the other Informants on the Promenade were wearing.