Blue rings wash over the bird and it wavers, glides down to the ground and slumps in an awkward landing. Lying still.
Then Kalus spins firing a stun blast at the bird attacking the neimoidian. The blue rings wash over it as it takes to the air a little sluggishly.
---------
Avizzi slinks off into the thin artificial feeling undergrowth, on the hunt for the mysterious shadowy figure.
---------
Pc Tracking :
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition.
GM tracking :
Blue Bird
Condition track: unconscious
Pink Bird
6 stun damage
Condition track -2: -2 all defenses, attacks etc.
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Feeling better after taking a moment to collect herself, Taril still mutters, "Ow, ow, ow , ow ,ow ...." to herself, the cuts on her lekku sending throbbing shoots of pain down into her head.
She calls out , "Come on out! Your birdies are all down, it's just you and us! "
Nomi fires another stun blast at the last bird.
But the blue rings miss.
Taril taunts the mysterious figure, calling them out.
The last bird beats its wings and attacks Kalus with its talons, digging into his arm.
Despite being called out the mysterious figure doesn't show themselves, but between the noise of stun blasts being fired Avizzi and Taril hear rustling as someone moves through the undergrowth.
Pc Tracking :
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
GM tracking :
Blue Bird
Condition track: unconscious
Pink Bird
6 stun damage
Condition track -2: -2 all defenses, attacks etc.
"Kriffing bird!" Kalus shouts, pumping another stun bolt into the creature.
Avizzi remains at the ready, his finger light on the trigger of his pistol... for now.
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Nomi fires another stun bolt at the last bird as it flaps around Kalus's head clawing at him, but the rings flash over it illuminating some tree branches over head and sending five smaller birds of different breeds and colours falling into the undergrowth.
Kalus shouts, managing to shake off the bird for a moment and pump another stun blast into it. A direct hit that sends it flapping and spinning haphazardly through the air.
Avizzi heads off through the underbrush looking around with all his senses for the hidden figure who has set these birds on the group. Coming around one of the thick trees he spots her. The swoop gang leader from near the spaceport?! He quickly fires off a slug at her, pistol booming but the slug smashes into the tree next to her!
Taril stalks up behind Avizzi and lines up her own shot, pulling the trigger to fast her shot flies past the woman.
Kessra aims a heavy blaster pistol at Avizzi and fires a bolt of laser at him
The bolt smashes into Avizzi's left shoulder sizzling and burning his flesh with searing pain.
" I hope you brought you kriffing friend with the cyber eye! I want a piece of her! "
The Hawk bird laps unsteadily away from Kalus before swooping around again to attack wavering back and forth as if drunk as it glides in talons outstretched.
Pc Tracking :
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
Avizzi: 17/37 HP
-1 condition
GM tracking :
Pink Bird
14 stun damage
Condition track -4: -10 all defenses, attacks etc.
"And stay down." With the bird dropped, Kalus grabs the wounded Nemoidian and says, "Come with me." He then moves the two of them in the direction Avizzi and Taril went after the shooter, taking cover behind a tree, and making sure the Nemoidian is completely obstructed from the shooter's view. Seeing the shooter is the swoop leader from the spaceport, Kalus shouts, "Oh, come on! What gives? We kriffing paid you, you go away happy! That's how this works! Does no one on this planet understand that?"
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Avizzi grunts as the blaster bolt slams into his shoulder, and he nearly drops to one knee as he spins with the hit. "She's here, but I don't think you'll like it much," he grunts. He takes a moment to force his mind past the pain in his shoulder and brings his pistol up, sending another slug downrange at the woman.
Nomi moves to cover and snaps off another (more considered) shot at the bird chasing her.
"Yeah! I'm here!"
Round 5
"What? It's that puugu swoop biker? " Taril demands angrily to no-one in particular.
Scowling, she sights in on the persistent criminal and fires...
Kalus pumps another stun blast into the last Hawk and it plummets awkwardly to the ground at Nomi's feet. He then grabs the Neimoidian, who stumbles along before falling to the ground next to a tree where Kalus drops him.
"Oh, come on! What gives? We kriffing paid you, you go away happy! That's how this works! Does no one on this planet understand that?"
"Nothing personal, just now some fraggers think I'm not mean enough to lead the Vipers " Kessra replies
Avizzi takes a deep breath pushing down the pain in his shoulder and focussing on his aim. Firing another slug at Kessra just as she ducks back behind the tree, another slug buries itself into the wood.
With the last bird down, Nomi makes her way through the underbrush towards Kessra and fires her blaster at the ganger, the bolt leaving another burning hole in the tree she's hiding behind.
With a scowl Taril takes aim and fires at the persistent swoop biker, her blaster bolt whizzing past the woman's midriff.
Kessra smiles as she sees Nomi, but outnumbered she takes aim at Avizzi, trying to finish him off.
The blaster bolt screams through the air, zapping into Avizzi's chest burning through his clothing and blackening his flesh. The Togruta falls to the ground unconcious his body going into shock, life ebbing away.
" Don't worry, I'll get to you. And thanks for bringing company. I'll looks way more impressive when I've killed all of you! " she calls to Nomi as she sees Avizzi drop.
Pc Tracking :
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
Avizzi: 0/37 HP
Unconcious
GM tracking :
Avizzi bites his jaw as he sees the blaster aimed for him, and it cuts off any shout he might have made when the bolt strikes him in the chest. He falls without grace, his body simply toppling to the ground as the pistol tumbles from his hands. Never underestimate your prey, his mother is saying. They're hidden in the grass, with nothing but spears in their hands. Even if you think they're a brutish beast, they have tricks up their sleeves, just as we do. Forget that, and you'll see how quickly a mad animal can strike.
Avizzi goes down, and Kalus knows they need to end this fast. She's cut her odds down. We might have lost Avizzi already. Kalus shouts at Kessra, "You know, you could have solved that problem by shooting whoever was saying that!"
They need to take this gangster down, fast and hard. Kalus flicks his blaster over to lethal and aims at the swoop biker. He squeezes the trigger and looses a bolt, instantly knowing it will hit its mark.
As Avizzi drops, Kalus switches his blaster to lethal and pulls the trigger the bolt flashes home striking Kessra in the chest as she dicks out from behind the tree. She's thrown back by the searing pain but somehow manages to stay on her feet!
Pc Tracking :
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
Avizzi: 0/37 HP
Unconcious
GM tracking :
Kessra: 28 Dmg
-1 condition, -1 to all defences, Attacks, and skills.
Kalus pumps another stun blast into the last Hawk and it plummets awkwardly to the ground at Nomi's feet. He then grabs the Neimoidian, who stumbles along before falling to the ground next to a tree where Kalus drops him.
....
With the last bird down, Nomi makes her way through the underbrush towards Kessra and fires her blaster at the ganger, the bolt leaving another burning hole in the tree she's hiding behind.
"Grrr."
Round 6
Taril feels the heat of the blaster bolt that fells Avizzi, his body falling against her legs.
The Twi'lek looks up from her friend, her face gone pale with anger.
Lifting her blaster she takes careful aim at the swoop biker...
Another red bolt and a set of blue rings flash past Kessra as she leans with her back to the tree.
She spins and ducks out grinning as she sees Nomi she lines up her shot and fires
A red bolt of laser flashes past Nomi, mere inches away!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
Pc Tracking :
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
Avizzi: 0/37 HP
Unconcious
GM tracking :
Kessra: 28 Dmg
-1 condition, -1 to all defences, Attacks, and skills.
What the kriff gives? It used to be when you bribed someone, they stayed bribed. That's how it worked in the Corsairs. Thugs these days have no honor.
Kalus aims at the swoop leader and squeezes off another shot at her.
Nomi rechecks her blaster settings and then fires a red bolt of energy that flashes past the swoop ganger.
Kalus takes aim and fires his own shot, the bolt slams into Kessra's right shoulder, she cries out in pain and spins around as she falls disappearing into the undergrowth.
Birds squawk and flap in the trees, the Neimoidian whimpers at Kalus's feet, and Avizzi breaths rapidly, lying half against Taril's leg, beads of sweat on his forehead and blaster burns red, blackened and weeping blood.
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
Avizzi: 0/37 HP
Unconcious
Kalus looks at the Nemoidian and says, "Stay here." He the walks over to where Kessra fell. Cautiously approaching to make sure this isn't a ruse, he grabs her blaster, then checks to see if she's still alive.
The Neimoidian messenger takes a few deep steadying breaths and seems to calm down a little once the blaster fire stops, but he stays put as Kalus walks cautiously over to Kessra picks up her blaster and checks her for a pulse... which he doesn't find, the swoop ganger is definitely dead, her body lying face down and still in the scrub.
"Someone check on Avizzi, please. We may need him up and running."
Dragging Kessra's body over towards the group, Kalus asks the Nemoidian, "Does Darga have a medical facility or similar here?"
" I, uh, I... yes! Yes he does! " the Neimoidian says. " Under the throne room, off the gladiator ring! " He jumps to his feet and starts walking briskly towards the door but then spins around. " I'll lead you there!"
He leads you back down through the halls and down a few levels, hurrying down a plain looking corridor he points to a door. " It's through there, I'll go get a surgeon! "
He rushes off leaving you outside the door...
Stepping through you find quite a well stocked medical bay, it even has a Bacta tank in a corner, though it's empty and dry... there are a couple of operating tables and shelves full of synthskin and medicines.
Minutes later a bleary eyed Bith is pushed through the door by the Neimoidian. Avizzi is placed on the table and the Bith begins tiredly going about treating his wounds. Applying generous amounts of Bacta salves to the burns then plenty of synthskin and then injecting some pain meds. After a few minutes Avizzi comes to and the Bith leans heavily in the table. " Well, he'll live. He needs some surgery and I think he should probably stay here overnight though. " the Bith says. " How did he get these Blaster wounds? "
A squelching noise comes from the hall outside announcing Darga before the Hutt squeezes himself through the door. Booming in Huttese, Six Six translates from behind the Hutt in the hallway. " A question I would like the answer to as well. "
Taril: 14/25 HP
-1 condition
Kalus: 24/29 HP
Avizzi: 5/37 HP
Kalus will have drug Kessra's body along with them to the medical bay, along with the Nemoidian. At the question of both the Bith and Darga, he gestures to her. "Thanks to this little schuuta here. She's the leader of a swoop gang called the Vipers we encountered shortly after arriving. Apparently, she arranged to have one of your dancers tell this fellow here to pass a message to one of us that you desired a meeting in your aviary. We went there only to be ambushed by her. A firefight ensued, in which he went down, but so did she. I don't think medical attention will be necessary for her, though."
" I, uh, I... yes! Yes he does! " the Neimoidian says. " Under the throne room, off the gladiator ring! " He jumps to his feet and starts walking briskly towards the door but then spins around. " I'll lead you there!"
He leads you back down through the halls and down a few levels, hurrying down a plain looking corridor he points to a door. " It's through there, I'll go get a surgeon! "
He rushes off leaving you outside the door...
Stepping through you find quite a well stocked medical bay, it even has a Bacta tank in a corner, though it's empty and dry... there are a couple of operating tables and shelves full of synthskin and medicines.
Nomi looks around the surgical chamber, and shudders remembering a similar chamber in the imperial base on Felucia. "I don't know about this."
A squelching noise comes from the hall outside announcing Darga before the Hutt squeezes himself through the door. Booming in Huttese, Six Six translates from behind the Hutt in the hallway. " A question I would like the answer to as well. "
Kalus will have drug Kessra's body along with them to the medical bay, along with the Nemoidian. At the question of both the Bith and Darga, he gestures to her. "Thanks to this little schuuta here. She's the leader of a swoop gang called the Vipers we encountered shortly after arriving. Apparently, she arranged to have one of your dancers tell this fellow here to pass a message to one of us that you desired a meeting in your aviary. We went there only to be ambushed by her. A firefight ensued, in which he went down, but so did she. I don't think medical attention will be necessary for her, though."
Well, I guess that's a better story than the first thoughts that ran through my head. 'Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you.' Lame.
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Taril help drag the swoop ganger's body to the infirmary, then watches as the medic tends to Avizzi.
When he was done, she all but ignores Draga's entrance, instead battering the exhausted medic with questions, "So, can you do something about the burn on my lekku? Will it scar? I don't want a scar...Will it scar? My lekku are my best feature, don't you think. I don't want a scar? Will it scar?"
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In Avizzi's mind, he's on Shili. He's at home, hidden in the turu-grass, his red and white skin patterns allowing him to easily blend in with the vegetation. A spear is clutched in his hand, and his breath is shallow. He's on the hunt, and cannot return to the village until he has fruits of his labor. He knows these lands aren't the safest--at least one Akul lives in this territory, and he should have turned back hours before. But he's been tracking a quarry, and now he's close, so close to the kill--
A sound behind him. It isn't a footstep, nor is it breath. It's metallic, unnatural. Avizzi spins, his spear in hand and already lunging up and forward, and he sees the source of the noise. It isn't an Akul, nor any other beast. It's another togruta, and in his hands, a pistol, the barrel black and yawning...
Avizzi comes to with a start, the pain unbearable for a moment, but he fights through it and flexes his fingers. Alive. That's good. He glances around. The group is there, everyone else relatively fine, and the sithspit woman is unconscious on the ground. The Hutt is here, and Taril is worriedly asking the medic if her lekku will scar. Everything as it should be, the togruta thinks, and he smirks--although it quickly turns to a grimace as he sits up.
"Can I put a slug through her skull yet?" he asks, gesturing to Kressa's body.
"Sure, but it would only waste the slug. No amount of medical attention is waking her up," Kalus responds, not particularly caring about the fate of the body.
The Hutt rumbles and shifts his body, looking at the Neimoidian (who cringes) and then down at the body of The swoop ganger. " I'm sorry I missed the chance to see you all in action. Ah Kessra... a shame, It will take work to make sure the next leader of the Vipers is compliant enough that the gang can be put to good use. Though I'm disappointed she would break into my palace and attack guests of mine. Perhaps a change would have been needed soon anyway. "
" Surely she must have had help though, to do so much damage? "
In the background the berated Bith surgeon is forced away from his preparations for Avizzi's surgery and begins examining Taril's Lekku. Applying similar salves and synthskin that changes colour to match the twileks purple skin.
" These Bacta salves are very high quality, the healing will be complete I assure you. " the Bith says, steering clear of commenting on what Taril's best feature may be.
Taril: 28/28 HP
Kalus: 30/35 HP
Avizzi: 15/47 HP
Nomi: 52/52 HP
Avizzi eyes Kessra's body for a few moments, clearly weighing the options. Eventually, he grunts and lies back down. Credits aren't a concern, but who knows if the Hutt would have them for sale. He watches the Bith apply the salve to Taril and otherwise simply waits. Kalus certainly seems to have more experience dealing with these kinds of people--Avizzi mostly steered clear of gangs when he could on Brental, preferring to work on his own.
" Surely she must have had help though, to do so much damage? "
Yeah. Nomi's thoughts focus on Igren Demos.
"Most likely, yes. We initially intended to take her alive for questioning, but once Avizzi went down, we decided her death was a more favorable outcome than ours. Still, our friend here could probably tell you which dancer asked him to pass the message along, and she might be able to tell you who asked her to deliver the message." Kalus again claps the Nemoidian on the shoulder.
Taril sighs and murmurs as the medic works on her injured lekku, standing and giving the Bith a big hug when done.
"You're the best, doc!" she exclaims, then catching Kalus' comment, adding, "Yeah, she was some shot! Too bad talent like that had to go to waste. Definately had to have had some help on the inside..."
The Bith doctor looks shocked and a little awkward as Taril hugs him, but afterwards goes about his duties with much more enthusiasm, his tiredness forgotten.
As Kalus claps the Neimoidian on the shoulder he looks positively alarmed at being brought to the center of Darga's attention and promptly faints again. Darga stares at his limp form with disgust
" Well, I will leave you in the care of Pherubus here. From now on I will only send my droid, or Demos to summon you to any meetings. I'm sorry that this happened. " He turns to the Bith, " I'll send someone for Drindo later. Make sure he doesn't go anywhere. "
With that the Hutt slouches and slithers away followed by click clack of Six Six's metal feet.
" You're all free to head back to your quarters if you like, but the Togruta, er, Avizzi needs to stay here for some surgery and rest. Uh, you're all welcome to stay and rest here too, if you'd prefer that. The surgery will take several hours. "
The Doctor pulls a curtain around Avizzi's bed and administers strong anaesthetics that leave the Togruta awake but unable to feel pain before commencing the surgery. Four hours later, just before dawn, the Doctor pulls back the curtain and Avizzi is looking much better.
"Well, I'm off to bed. Avizzi, get rested up and listen to the good doctor." Kalus will then return to his room to sleep for the rest of the night - with his blaster under his pillow and alert to wake at the slightest sound.
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The night passes without further incident. Late in the morning you find a fine breakfast laid out in the lounge and you are left to your own devices for most of the day. Avizzi is returned to the guest quarters just after midday, his injuries fully healed.
Mid afternoon sees Darga's Protocol Droid, TC-663, knock on the door.
"Good afternoon, Darga is about to receive some more guests, customers coming to talk business and he requests your attendance in his court."
Six Six leads you all back to the throne room and stands you all just to the left of Darga's dais. After a few moments in which Darga sits quietly puffing on a hooka and looking displeased and the other members of Darga's court jostle for position, murmuring quietly, Igren Demos swoops into the room. "The delegation from the Iron Ring, Your Eminence"
Following Demos are two tough-looking Humans, a Rodian with a large blaster rifle, a black-furred Wookie, a scarred Zabrak leading two Twi’lek slaves by their collars and to your surprise, Russel Wilcox!
Darga gives the delegation a look, as if they were a hot steaming pile of Bantha poodu and asks in Huttese " What has brought you before me? "
The Zabrak steps forward letting go of his Twilek slaves and spitting on the floor before speaking in heavily accented Basic.
“The slaves you have been selling us are worthless, Darga! They have been dying before we can even get them to market. They are used up, second-rate! I want my credits back for the last four shipments!”
Darga lets out a low, rumbling laugh that sounds sinister even for the gluttonous Hutt. He rolls his eyes toward the heroes, utters a side remark, translated quietly by Six Six (“See what ungrateful business partners I have?”) and then gives the slavers an angry response. The crime lord tells them that they have had the same business agreement for years now and that he is not responsible if they don’t know how to take care of their own product. He says that if they do not apologize and leave, he will have no choice but to dispose of them! At this point, the Zabrak and the Hutt descend into a seemingly fruitless argument about slaves and payment, with neither side budging.
Kalus enjoys his sleep for the rest of the night, and the breakfast in the morning. He lightly ribs Avizzi for nearly dying the night before, but otherwise enjoys a leisurely day of sabaac and dejaarik. He does, however, casually ask the various servants about Demos to see if he can find out anything about the Nemoidian
Going to Darga's court when summoned, Kalus's eyes widen at the sight of Russell. What in the kriff is he doing with these guys? He observes the byplay, wondering how he's going to keep the kid from getting killed by a Hutt. He doesn't think that Darga will listen if he claims the kid is an old acquaintance.
Scanning the court, Kalus suddenly notices the Twi'lek slave moving about and slipping something in the drink for Darga. Kalus whispers to Nomi, "Don't let Darga drink from the cup a servant is bringing him." He then casually slips through the crowd towards the Twi'lek dancer. Once he gets to her, he will grab her arm and say in a low voice, "Not quite subtle enough. Don't go anywhere, or this gets even uglier for you."
Avizzi grudgingly rests in the infirmary until midday, at which point he brusquely informs the medic that he's leaving. At lunch he raises an eyebrow at Kalus's jests, but responds with a chuckle and nod. "There is always more to learn," he says, taking a sip from his cup.
At the audience, he stands with the others, curious as to their requested presence but content to keep an eye on things.
His gaze slips over the Twi'lek slave, however, more focused on Russel's presence, and he only gives Kalus a quick glance as the man slips off into the crowd. I suppose one day without danger would be too much to ask.
Russel holds his face as evenly as possible in seeing his former companions here at Darga's Court.
His eyes carefully scan the room. Perception
Events move faster than he has time for, Russel slips closer to Jerel and whispers into his ear,
Russel as close as he is now, tries to pull Jerel's blaster from its holster.
Stealth + Fool's Luck
Knack - ReRoll skill check and take better result -
Stealth + Fool's Luck
Taril's eyebrow raises slightly when Russel makes his appearance with the Iron Ring emmisaries, "Wonder what he's up to? Good to see him...I think he's gotten thinner...suits him..
She listens a bit to Darga and the Iron Ring boss debate, then rolls her eyes, moving off to the side somewhat.
There a handsome mercenary begins to shower her with banal compliments, especially noticing her pretty lekku, which with a bright smile, Taril soaks up, "Good job, doc....
However, so distracted is she that she completely misses the drama unfolding in the crowd.
Notices the powder too. Even as Kalas mentions it she is already forming a plan. She grabs another unattended cup (or one from a courtier if she needs to), tries to interpose herself between the servant, and the Hutt (and anyone else looking), jostle him, and make a quick switch.
Darga takes the switched goblet from the servant, taking a sip he looks at it quizzically as if it's not what he expected and then gives the servant a sidelong glance but doesn't say anything. Demos on the other hand is looking from Kalus and the green Twi'lek slave, to Nomi...
The negotiations continue between Darga and the Zabrak slaver. Taril and Avizzi notice Darga occasionally glances at them as if perhaps, waiting for something.
"So, tell me, who hired you to poison Darga? You give them up, and Darga might not have you executed." Kalus casually mentions to the dancer, as he moves back towards Taril and Avizzi. The negotiations continue, Darga likely waiting for one of them to chime in and broker a solution - or prove the Iron Ring were trying to swindle him. If this dancer had been hired by the Iron Ring...well, he'd have a hard time keeping Russel from being fed to the Hutt's pets.
Darga takes the switched goblet from the servant, taking a sip he looks at it quizzically as if it's not what he expected and then gives the servant a sidelong glance but doesn't say anything. Demos on the other hand is looking from Kalus and the green Twi'lek slave, to Nomi...
Nomi tips her mug at the man. Flashing a wry smile.
"So, tell me, who hired you to poison Darga? You give them up, and Darga might not have you executed."
Nomi almost facepalms. What's he doing? I'm the one holding the poison now!
Russel grins wryly at Jerel,
Russel slides Jerel's blaster up his sleeve and begins sliding towards grin on his face, "Hey pretty Lady, don't I know you from somewhere?"
As he gets closer to Taril he whispers, "The one I was just talking to, I need him alive. What are you all doing here?"
Taril looks away from the merc's dreamy eyes for a moment, to catch Darga looking at her and Avizzi.
She looks a Avizzi with a What does he want? look.
Then she notices Kalus making his way towards them, with a Twi'lek in tow, "What's he doing with that choota?" she thinks , just as Russel showsd up at the elbow, all complimenty.
She smiles at Russel, "Hi Russel, long time...nice friends you've got. ", then as he gives her some more info on the down-lo, she shrugs, whispering, "Well, if he doesn't stop pissing off Darga....We're on a mission, get in close to Darga...it's going well, so far..."
She waves off the merc, getting the feeling that things were about to get interesting.
Avizzi catches Darga's glance, as well as Taril's following look, but he isn't sure what to make of things. After another moment, he rolls his eyes and steps towards the Hutt, giving a cough and a cock of the head, his montrals and lekku shifting slightly as if to express curiosity. "Lord Darga, I may only be a troubleshooter who's come to you recently, but is there any way I can be of assistance here? It seems you and your business partner here are at something of an impasse, and I'm no stranger to negotiating deals involving... damaged goods?" He gives a grin that, as always, has a little more predator to it than might be entirely pleasant.