Pursuit of the Asset (Closed, Rhoden, Warvanus)

[Kell Sangros]

Time had passed since the adventure in that Clone Wars Era facility, where he had encountered that team of Imperials. Since then Warvanus had been busy, researching which bore little to no fruit, the Droideka he pulled from the station he pulled its data as he did a wipe on it. It gave him a lead to the Nal Hutta which was a neutral world. He had gathered that there might be a weapons designer/engineer living or hiding out there. Either way this bore investigation. He would take both KL-PK1 and one of the Warbots, the one he dubbed “Nemesis Enforcer”

The trip to Nal Hutta was uneventful, and once he arrived he would take Karl with him and leave Nemesis Enforcer on standby. Lightsaber, Vibroblade sheathed and clipped. He also equipped his PSG and put on the crude bone armor that he used for excursions like this. He had a lead , and would start at the cantina that was by the space port. Maybe the Force would reveal the designer himself or the next clue on his whereabouts.

[Rhoden Carbine]

The Firehawk burst out of hyperspace and sped towards Nal Hutta. He scowled at the planet before him, a giant slime ball that was far too close to one of his more recent adventures for his comfort. He got through the usual landing procedure and landing fee scams without any difficulty. He put on his armor, and checked all of his equipment. Blaster, a minimally modified--for the moment--prax energy rifle, shield generator, and--he smiled as he remembered the event--a wrist-mounted flamethrower. And... shuffling up beside him... Stalker.

"Oh, thank you for allowing me to experience this, master!" the droid said, "It is most beneficial to be experienced in the species one might be required to kill!" Rhoden sighed, the Other One found the homicidal protocol droid concerning, he didn't mind the homicidal part, but he did find it annoying. "Only speak if you're needed for translation." he said shortly. The droid looked at him but could not disobey the order, and thus, could not protest. Dot chirped happily from Rhoden's back and Stalker gazed at it--conveying silently and with unmoving face a surprisingly accurate emotion of resentment.


"We've detected some disturbing movements recently, Markus." the General said, pointing at a holographic image. "From this we think that Sith might have traveled to Nal Hutta, and from this we're certain Rhoden did." he said. Markus frowned, "The bloke we brought in to work on our droids?" he asked, "Looks like it--we've pulled some information which points to the fact he may have been compromised." Markus's frown deepened. The man was not involved in his organization, but neither the Sith nor Rhoden would care about that part--and he wasn't in the business of allowing innocent people to be harmed. He sighed. "We'll transfer to the Slipstream and go recover him." he said.

The Slipstream was a CR-90 corvette, not as high profile as a Dreadnaught or Nebulon-B2 Frigate but not too small or slow to make a bolt for it while taking a few hits. The General lifted his comm, "Slipstream prepare to disembark, Mr. Bareil and I will be joining you." he said, he received an acknowledgement and clicked off, looking at Markus.

"Are Rhoden and the Sith working together on this?" he asked, the General checked his data, "They've not been for the search, I can't speak for what they'll do if they meet up on-site." he said, Markus pursed his lips as he thought, "I think they'll not take to kindly to one another this time around, but we may be surprised. Let's come up with plans for either eventuality." he said, "Of course." the General responded.

Ten minutes later the Slipstream disconnected from its docking clamps and they were off.


Rhoden decided his best bet would be to check in at the cantina first. He didn't particularly expect to immediately stumble across who he was looking for, but it would be a good place to pick up on rumors--and maybe even the occasional fact, assuming he found a reliable source.

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus had taken a seat at the cantina he ordered a drink and extended his senses through the Force. He was not there for very long when his senses prickled back. He scanned the bar he did not see anybody of note, then he gazed on the entrance as his seat was in a good view of it. He saw the source of the disturbance. He couldn’t believe it. Apparently the Imperial, Rhoden was his name had maybe been on the same trail? It explained why both of them were here. They had worked together in that station but he wasn’t sure how he felt in seeing the Imperial again. He kept his eye on him, this definitely complicated things. He knew that he was probably searching for the same engineer so now it boiled down to who got to him first.

[Rhoden Carbine]

The cantina was rather busy, but Rhoden noticed the figure of the Sith right away--he was not particularly discreet. For that matter, neither was Rhoden at the moment, and so the Sith noticed him too. He sighed inwardly, it might well turn into a race to find their target for he doubted the Sith would wish to step foot on a planet like this any more than he himself had.

Rhoden walked up to the bar and sat down, ordering a drink as he listened to the conversation happening around him. He kept one eye on the Sith at all times, so much as he could without drawing unwanted attention by the other patrons. He drank his drink--watered down and of questionable quality regardless--without taking it in at all. Finally he heard what he was waiting for, quickly tuning out the other conversations around him.

"I been thinkin' about buyin' a security droid from Dorius Weave." the bartender was saying to a patron, who sniffed, "Never heard o' him, who is he?" the bartender shrugged, "Old man, bit of an idiot to be honest, but he knows everything about droids--he's a bit of a fanatic about Clone Wars era junk." the patron smiled, "Thinking 'bout buying a droideka?" he sneered, the bartender snorted, "Laugh all ye want, just wait till ye come face ter face with it. Then try 'n smile." the patron snorted and shook his head. "Where's this guy holed up?" he asked, the bartender grunted, "Ol' shop down in the Alley--he gets folks that don' wanna be seen." the patron muttered something Rhoden didn't catch and left. Rhoden stood and left the bar, he had to get there before the Sith.


"Julon's reported in." the General said with a bitter smile, "We have the guy's location but Julon say's both Rhoden and the Sith were in there too--not together, at least." Markus sighed, "So they both might already know where he is too--who had a loose tongue?" he asked, the General snorted, "The bartender, of course. Bungler if ever there was one." Markus rubbed his temples, "Come on, we've got to move fast. Send someone to remind that oaf to keep his trap shut." the General chuckled and keyed his commlink.

Ten minutes later they were headed towards the Alley in a run down speeder. "Well he's smart enough to hide away out of sight." the General said with a tight smile, "But stupid enough to tell the bartender where he was." the General shrugged, "You win some, you lose some."

[Kell Sangros]

One thing Warvanus was not trying to be was discreet. He always kept his eye on the Imperial, he sighed inwardly they had worked together well on that station but now he surmised they were both after the same thing, their goals conflicted and as such he suspected that this would not end well. The need of the Sith Empire always came first to Warvanus and to that end he had to get to this asset first.

He rose from his chair and made his way over to the Imperial Commander. He was not going to play games .

“Fancy seeing you here Commander” he began “It is agreeable that you made it out of that station alive” He had his drink which was filtered water in his hand, he didn’t wait to be invited to sit as he took a seat next to him at the bar.

“What brings you to Nal Hutta?”

[Rhoden Carbine]

Before Rhoden could finish standing the Sith plopped down into a chair beside him and he sat back down, grinding his teeth. "Well. Hello, hello!" he said politely as his eyes flashed, his helmet sat on the stool next to him, he shouldn't have taken it off. "It's been far too long." he said, mind scrambling over the possibilities. Tempting as it was he doubted he could carve out the man's throat.

The Sith asked why he was there, "Oh, catching up on gossip, meeting old friends." he said airily, "Making new friends." he smiled widely, "Taking care of old ones." he said significantly. He stood and gave a brief bow, quickly putting on his helmet, "Afraid I don't have time to chat. Until next time." he said, beating a hasty retreat.

[Kell Sangros]

As he rose he called out “I will get to him first, and I will destroy any who prevent me from my target” he rose as he spoke looking in Rhoden’s direction, he knew he was trying to flee, he could smell the fear in the air.

His hand moved to the hilt of his lightsaber but not drawing it or activating it just yet. He could let him leave he would be able to follow him as his presence would be like a beacon to him.

He would not let him get away, if he prevented him from getting his target then he would have a new enemy. He took a couple steps towards the door now. Wondering as he moved closer if he would have to neutralize the Imperial before he could complete his mission.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden's haste continued but he took the time to call back to the Sith, "Get in my way and I'll drown you in your own blood." he said in a kindly voice. Several patrons looked up at him but as he left they turned away again. One man looked as though he might try to stop Rhoden but his confidence faded as Rhoden calmly pulled his knife out and examined it as he left. He wasn't here to make friends; and he had no patience to be kindly towards the local scum. He did wish, though, that he had brought a ysalamiri with him--Desade might disapprove, but she couldn't really disagree with the point that Rhoden's Force training was far from on-par with a damned Sith.

Rhoden casually sidled up next to a speeder and ensured he was not being observed, he quietly broke the lock and started it up, and he was soon zipping towards the Alley, a location seedy even by this planet's low standard. He smiled. This would either be very fun or very frustrating. Or both. It depended on how viable stabbing any annoyances was.

[Kell Sangros]

If its one thing Warvanus despises above most things is threats especially by arrogant, filthy imperials. He rose from his seat and went after him, tempted to trip him up with the Force but thought better of it. He watched as he made his attempt to flee. He chuckled.

He looked around and saw someone climbing into what appeared to be a Tis Zeta 19 Aerospace fighter, he made his way over to the fool grabbed him and shoved him aside “This is now property of the Sith Empire” he said when the patron went to make a move Warvanus brandished his lightsaber and the fool had a change of heart.

He climbed into the fighter and closed the canopy and took off in Rhoden’s direction. Keeping his senses open to the Force and Using his presence in the Force as a tracking beacon. Maybe he would lead him to his target, maybe not the target could wait he had a Imperial to contend with. He saw this vehicle had weapon systems but shooting him would be too easy he wanted to rip this Imperials still beating heart and show him how black and blood covered it was as he was shed of his mortal coil. Something that shooting him would rob him the pleasure of, so he would pursue and then attack.

He remained on his tail not close up but not far away either but close enough to follow him. If anything he would get a new toy out of this encounter, as the more he was acquainted with his aerospace fighter the more he liked it.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Dot, posted as per usual on Rhoden's back, hummed to life at Rhoden's command. "Dot, get me a sensor sweep. I'd be fairly surprised if we didn't have a tail somewhere." he said coolly. Dot's antennae extended and he beeped a tentative affirmative. Text scrolled across a screen on Rhoden's speeder. It was an aerial unit, roughly identified to be some kind of aerospace fighter, and it trailed them at a fairly consistent pace, if on a more erratic route.

"Our Sith friend, d'you think?" he asked. Dot beeped a resigned affirmative--familiar with Rhoden's luck. Stalker simply continued to sit in a manner of affronted silence as per Rhoden's orders. "We'll see soon enough, I suppose." he said, tightening his grip on the wheel and taking a sharp turn into an alley. It would not take them off course for their destination, but it would hopefully give the Sith some trouble.