Shipment 0319 - Sith

[Master Buggie]

Despite their best intentions, Buggie and Storm's trip to Reecee had been cut short, and Buggie found himself seated upon a previously unoccupied jumpseat aboard a boxy freighter headed along the Hydian Way. New directives had materialized seemingly out of thin air; Buggie was needed to join a raid team halfway across the galaxy that was preparing to score a haul of tibanna gas from deep within the Gordian Reach. Since Buggie had successfully led a shipment from the Reach months prior, he had been tapped to join the raid group. Buggie would have loved to find out more about where this intelligence had come from, since Company-affiliated spies within the Gordian Reach typically didn't break their silence, save for major developments, like the infighting that allegedly left Darth Tormentous kissing the feet of one of his acolytes. Unfortunately for Buggie and his innate curiosity, before he could ask for the full intelligence report, the transmission cut out, leaving him only with instructions to get aboard his ship and rendezvous at the provided coordinates.

Information was not forthcoming, so Buggie decided to do his own research. With a miniaturized holoprojector balanced on his thin, chitinous knee, Buggie studied the mapped routes leading into the Gordian Reach as they related to the coordinates he had been given. With a datapad in his hands, Buggie looked up each nearby system.

Sorrus? No, that's not a good option to get into the Reach. A Sorrusian patrol would nail us as soon as they noticed our transponder codes. They hate outsiders, and there's no time to get our transponders doctored, Buggie thought as he scrolled through the datapad.

He typed in another system that appeared further up the Hydian into the datapad.

Hynah is an option. As opposed to Sorrus, Hynah embraces the cultures of many species. We could slip in through that system and take the route between Feswe Prime and Ladarra. That leaves us some options, depending on where we want to run into this convoy.

Of course, Buggie had no updated intelligence suggesting any movements of the regional Sith patrols. On his previous adventure into the Gordian Reach, he didn't dare journey along the southern and western regions, instead opting for a little-used route running from Bronsoon to Maridun. Here, unless one of the members of the raid group knew something he didn't, Buggie would likely be entering from the side of the Gordian that he had known to avoid on his last journey through. The prospect of scoring a victory over the Sith within their own territory excited Buggie, but the risks were incredible to everyone participating in this raid. The appearance of a Sith force could trap any potential raiding force, effectively caging them in unfamiliar territory.

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Raid Vessels:
Helix-class light interceptor - 1x RX-24 Pilot Droid; Master Buggie
Starviper-class attack platform - 1x RX-24 Pilot Droid; Liroi Jynkyns (NPC)

[Xerxes Nova]

‘The Captain has left you in charge again I see.’ “Yeh, th’ Kid’s taken his leave again” ‘The Master has taken the adequate precautions and is following us using the predetermined formation, I received his transmission burst mere milliseconds ago’ “Ta Shen, a’redy knew that. We’re connected ‘memba” ‘Ignore her Tex, someone need to teach Sis to loosen up some, the Captain is fine and we weren’t discussing him in any true sense just making small talk to break the tension, before I get to start our light show’ “Cool ya jets Aurek we don’t knah wat we’ll come acros’ when we get thar, we don’t need ya blowing y load early” ‘Do not fret C7-TX, I have locked downed my brothers access to the fire control systems as per the Master’s instructions until time to “Light Them Up” is upon us. I fear a little too much of R2-S3’s code has wormed its way into his coding sometimes.’ “It’s Tex and Scrap don’t use those designations if you please” ‘Your accents dropped’ Tex cursed to himself, when they linked up like this he found himself slipping sometimes. The accent wasn’t an important thing, but it was who he was and one of the first things he had developed that was not programmed but, when interfacing with the twin-linked droid brains of the Rust Bucket, currently using the transponder of the Ferrous Dream, his old code would assert itself at the strangest times. This was worrying as he wasn’t a Protocol droid, not anymore he’d had so many updates and refits just as Scrap had that he could turn his hand to a myriad of tasks but, right now flight and battle were what he needed not the diplomatic word jousting his base programming had been. ‘Don’t worry Tex we’ll be just fine’ “I sure hope so.”

“Hey Scrap you doing okay back there” “Beep, Boop Treee bop boo,” “Good to hear” Xerxes adjusted himself back into his pilot seat in the smaller fighter craft, Scrap has been installed in the astromech blister and was running through the system checks to back up his own tests. This was different from the escort missions he’d taken part in recently and all those had been comparatively mall hops here and there. This time they were raiders, he hadn’t done this in a while and had spent the hyperspace jaunt here going over the simulations that Shen had crafted during previous such engagements. However, he knew not what to expect when they came out of this final hope. “Well there’s no turning back now is there. Scrap, weapons hot, I just hope we got the correct coordinates.” A small trill from Scrap informed him that systems were as live as they were going to get. He took a steady breath and moments later they dropped out of hyperspace to where the intelligence had directed his entrance. “Let’s get the dance started shall we” he muttered after confirming that the Ferrous Dream has also made it through the trip.

Raid Vessels

Ferrus Dream - XG-2 Nighthawk Assault Gunboat - Tex and the Twins [NPC] (RX-24 Pilot Droid)
Bronze Goddess - Mytil Starfighter - Xerxes and Scrap (RX-24 Pilot Droid)

[Master Buggie]

**Inner Rim, M-8**
**Bogden System, Bogg 4**
**Docking Complex BH-214**

Upon being dropped off on the fourth moon of Bogden, Buggie proceeded to the docking complex where he had left his prized Helix-class light interceptor in storage. Bogg 4 was a notorious haven for thieves, hired guns, and the most vile of the group, dock managers who were willing to take credits and ships from unsuspecting captains and sell them off, stranding their crews on the moon until they could somehow manage to find passage on their own. The moon's gravity was affected by the more than nineteen other moons that orbited the swamp world of Bogden, and as a result, the constantly shifting gravitational levels sometimes nullified any gravity on the moon, leaving it a requirement to wear magnetic-locking boots upon the networks of metallic walkways, unless one wished to experience the dangers of a sudden loss of gravity.

As Buggie and the dock manager, long since bought and paid for by the Company, strode down the docking complex toward the docking bay, the rotund non-Human patted his chest and bragged, "Could've made myself a fortune y'know-- selling off that ship of yours to a buyer on Muunilinst. You're lucky I'm loyal."

Stopping before the docking bay, Buggie straightened and looked the sentient in the eye, "You're lucky that you're loyal."

Message received, the dock manager turned and withdrew a ring of code cylinders. Inserting the proper one into the docking bay's terminal after attempting the wrong cylinder a series of times, the doors opened to reveal Buggie's Helix-class light interceptor, illuminated only by a series of floor-mounted lights, as the docking bay was covered by a retractable roof in order to shield the starship from the elements.

The dock manager went about working the roof controls as Buggie inspected his vessel. It appeared that the security system had kept any greedy eyes at a safe distance, and the hull plating showed no signs of attempted entry by force. The Blue Star Pirates would be pleased to know that the dock manager remained as responsible and loyal as he himself had suggested.

Buggie activated the boarding ramp after disengaging the security system on the vessel and strode up the boarding ramp, automatic lights activating as he shuffled through the ship to the cockpit, his magnetic boots clanking against the deck plating. He would use whatever time the dock manager afforded him in getting the roof opened to start preparing the ship to take to space, but once he had broken from the moon's gravity well, it was back to preparing for the raid he had been ordered to participate in. A few jumps along the Hydian would bring him to the supplied coordinates. From there, it would be up to the raid group to decide how they wanted to proceed in engaging the convoy and most importantly, once they had attracted attention in raiding said convoy, how they planned to escape!

[Derric Starr]

What do you mean this is where we're supposed to be. No, no, no, no, no, no... this is clearly not the cargo pick up point, it's not even a an anything point. I'd be lucky to find a mynock flitting around out there forget a freighter with cargo to transfer... wait a minute.

The buzz of alcohol, cheap alcohol mind you laced with just enough spice to keep him in line, the captain of this misadventure was wearing off fast, actually it had already been purged from his system before the effects had even begun to set in. One of the benefits of practicing arcane arts from the far end of nowhere, was being able to remove toxins from the body. But the droids needed to believe he was drunk high and crashing at all times, they were as much his security and prison guards as they were the pilots of the ships. Oh the joys of being imprisoned and a voluntary errand boy for a dark stranger.

The YT's sat waiting for someone or something he didn't know who or what and the two droid pilots were keeping twice as silent as the space all around him.. He stalked from the cargo bay to the cockpit one step away from launching the pilot droid from the ship if the straight answers weren't forthcoming and quickly.

Answers and quick I'm starting to find this more than slightly annoying. Who and why.

They should be here soon, you are to hi-jack and secure the shipment and return with it to Kessel no further questiions.

[Jak Bexel]

Jak had a blaster pointed at him on his own ship. In the rec room, no less, surrounded by his new crew -- who did not trust him as far as he could tell. All he really wanted to do was go home (wherever that was) and watch re-runs of Ossus Academy rather than take an assignment to raid some Sith and possibly bond with his new crew. Instead, he was standing across from a sweat-drenched beanpole of a man named Freddie, orange and inflamed around the face with his pieced together pirate gear hiding his frail form. That he kept the gun raised this high and for this long was impressive to Jak, whose hackles were up although he could just as well go back to sleep.

"So what. What do you want," He asked his capture, as his remaining crew of six watched in tableau.

"I want to know what your plan is!"

"... not exactly how that works. I'm the captain, see? And you stand in the background and look heavy. And then when things do in fact get heavy, you shoot at the bad guy. Eventually, maybe I learn to trust you. But Freddie, I gotta tell you... this is not helping your cause. How long have you been a pirate?"

"Long enough to know that I'm tired of being background guy!" He shouted, near tears. Jak nodded slowly, hands up in the air.

"Captain," A voice on the comm shot through, clearly Van Kleef from onboard the Other Bandit. This shook Freddie who jumped and, with his coordination being what it was, fired a blast clear past Jak's head and into his coat closet. Acting on instinct, Jak ducked and stepped forward, throwing his forearm deep into Freddie's straightened elbow thus dislocating it while grabbing the blaster by the heat sink to angle it away from any more of his coats or crewmen.

As Freddie collapsed to the floor in pain, Jak pinned his shoulders down with his knees and cracked him hard across the face with the blaster hilt several times. A crimson smear marked his failed mutiny, blood and snot caking the handle. Jak didn't care. Adjusting his grip, he pointed the barrel at the rest of the captive audience.

"Anyone else today?" He asked them, and they all shook their heads and resumed their jobs in silence. Ellem rolled over to his side, extender claw ready with the adhesive rope. Jak stood up while she spun up the dissenting pirate and answered the call. "Yeah kid, what's up?"

"Saw the distress call. Everything good over there?"

"A minor miscommunication, but a decent morale builder. We're still approaching the rendezvous on schedule," He said, walking towards the cockpit where his trusty pilot droid was handling the trip.

====
OOC:
1x YT-2000 freighter The Nice Jacket + 1 Pilot Droid
1x Skipray Blastboat The Other Bandit + 1 Pilot Droid

[Silas Karn]

"Not satisfied only stirring the hornets nest with the empire I see." Nill remarked over the com from its shuttle. "Raising funds in lieu of holding the Sovereignty under heel has pushed me to rather unconventional avenues." Silas responded. Lurking along the Perlemian Trade Route the pair had aligned themselves with a truly unlikely ally. With far fewer reliable data coming in regarding movement of the various factions it seemed a good opportunity on at least two fronts. Of course no scouting efficiently simply by delving into a hyperspace route without needed intelligence or proper accompanying resources.

As such the pair made preparations to depart the lane and make for a rendezvous point he had been granted. In moments the matte black ship that had signified Silas's presence erupted from the small jump to be swiftly followed by the shuttle Nil had been granted for use in the mission. While garbed in the rainments of his captivity the Sovereign still carried the marks of his former trade with him. "This had better bear fruit we have so little time as it is with a task far outstripping said allotment." There was a brief pause before Silas heard, "Indeed, your legacy has become tenuous as of late."

OOC:
Raiding Ships
TIE Defender - Silas Karn/RX-24 Pilot Droid
ATR-6 Assault Transport - Nil (NPC)/RX-24 Pilot Droid

[Slade Xandir]

It was clear much more was to be happening on this trek through the Lanes than regularly expected. Blood knew not whether to be relieved it wasn’t going to be a cakewalk, or whether to be pissed at there being infidels who dared intrude upon Sith business.

The Draconian felt the sources as they spanned across the nearing speck of space well before they had arrived- eventually, the scanners would go off, and Blood would be stuck between a thinning list of options.
The Force users who were skilled enough to feel such waves within the expanse would know- this wasnt going to be a simple trip to point A to point B.

Was the parasite willing to be a nihilist at this point? To simply accept fate and give the Void it’s due? He nearly wanted to. To leave this plane and escape into nonexistence with something as simple as allowing enemy their victory.
But his time was not now. And his title would allow no such thing. His faction would not allow such a fate to befall him. The Sith needed their resources.
And he, along with the party here, would see this through.
There was no turning back in the life of a Sith, except for cowards.

Through the various vocalities in their shared link, the Dragon King kept himself quiet, studying what he could within the realm of chaotic solace that rested reverently in the Force.

Taking no chances, and hopefully, leaving no survivors.

_____________________________

Mercy snickered full well through the mic as Dastan had given her a valid point on the trip. With every bit of it, she ensured he heard it. She’d probably pay for it in their next spar, but damn would she live for the moment now that he wasnt here to throw her in one of his millions of lethal grapple-locks. “You never know though,” she brought some kinda bone back to the calm, collected, and sometimes crazy Mentor of hers. “Sith’s been needing some action for a while- always calm before a [censored].”

[Kell Sangros]

He glanced at his instruments, the piloting droid on his Freighter gave the War-Bringer its status report, he had programmed it
To do so. Couldn’t be too careful he thought. As his ship and the YT freighter continued on its course Warvanus began to grow uneasy.
Its source was easy to find. He had felt a disturbance in the Force, it was vague but he didn’t need the Force to know that this was
The eye before the storm. He had no doubt that would be scum would try to take what belonged to the Sith.

Part of him a big part of him was itching for a fight, he hungered for it. He lusted after it. Another part of him was indignant,
Angry even, how dare these infidels, these interlopers stick their noses in Sith Business. How dare they he fumed. That part of him
Would address this in his own due time. He focused on what was natural to him, that was battle. He checked and double checked his defensive and offensive systems. He could feel the waves of irritation coming from a nearby ship, the one where his Master was piloting.
He could advise to be ready but that would be a waste of time because they would be ready for anything, They were afterall Members of the
Order of the Sith Lords.

[Rane DeCola]

Once again the navcomp’s alarm sounded and Rane disengaged the hyperdrive. In doing so, his ship’s sensors immediately picked up two YT-2000 freighters that were idly sitting in space just off his vessel’s starboard bow.

What in the Sith is going on now…

Rane quickly looked over the sensor readout and realized that the freighters that he had happened upon were not displaying Blue Star Pirate transponder codes. Without hesitation, Rane engaged the shields of his vessel and went ‘weapons hot’. He wasn't necessarily intimidated by the two freighters, but here he was, just outside Sith space and at this point it couldn’t be ruled out that this wasn’t a trap. The fact that he had emerged from hyperspace practically on top of the two ships, in his mind, wasn't a coincidence either.

"YT freighter group, this is the Steel Rain, identify yourselves and state your business at your present coordinates."

[Silas Karn]

“What is the ETA for reaching the rendezvous point?” Silas spoke irritably. “The instructions we were given indicate a destination within a standard hours travel.” Nil replied as the unit checked its bearings. Silas was still disturbed by the recent events that had led up to his current situation. Most of what had occurred was set in motion by his hand and yet the Sovereign felt hollow.

‘In truth I would have liked to see to Tormentous’s victory or near defeat but maintained the status quo. Not to mention my inability to contact Kraiov since then.’ Silas mused, almost to the point of losing his self in thought even as he piloted his nimble craft. “My Lord, what are your orders once we arrive?” Nil broke the silence. “We are to join ‘that’ group in order to punitively punish the Sith.”