Carmen squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, not wanting the ride in the stretch limo speeder to end. Of course Doon had set him up on another life or death mission, and of course he was the face of it. Again. And to make it better, it was because of his parents being big shot traders, the very thing he had joined Odan-Urr to get away from in the first place! Now, he was walking into a, at best, moderately guarded compound masquerading as an antique shop to kidnap a minor crime boss… or something. He was some salesman or something, Carmen didn’t really know as the dossier wasn’t too specific. Either way, he was walking into yet another rancors maw for the sake of someone he would never meet.
He fingered the open shock collar in his hands. He would be allowed some weapons, of course, but the target needed to be taken alive, and they wouldn’t let him walk in with shackles. He held his breath and clicked it around his neck, the knowledge that he had the controls to the thing not stopping the shiver down his spine. The cold metal quickly began heating, and after checking a mirror, it at least looked like some foreign piece of jewelry.
Doon was here, actually joining him on a job for once, or was he joining Doon? That didn’t bode well, he usually did these things alone or with some random mooks. The plan was to have him act as a merc bodyguard, he certainly looked the part and they wouldn’t think twice about him being armed as well. At the very least, Carmen might look more suspicious if he didn’t have a big scary bodyguard, given that the supposed business deal was an off the books thing for illegal artifacts.
The other two were more curious. He had never met this Barafu figure before, but she seemed polite and pretty enough. She was supposed to be a long time friend and ally to Carmen, which was the weakest link in this whole story, as he knew absolutely nothing about her, aside from her knightly bearing.
And, of course, frakking Vigo was here. No matter where Carmen went, that Umbaran seemed to crop up, which was upsetting given his sneaky tendancies and somewhat valid reasons he might want Carmen dead. Sure, they were working together here, but when you collar another man on Galactic broadcasts, some things might be overlooked for the sake of revenge. At least Vigo was just backup, moving invisibly around the place to do whatever needed doing.
Carmen shifted again, the Force the only thing keeping him from sweating. He wished Bebe was here, but he had sent her forward with some of his more noisy gear in case things went loud. For now, he was surrounded by strangers and possible enemies.
“I wish they had at least given us some better info on this place,” he grumbled to no one in particular, “how does the Brotherhood have no way to scan a farkking antique shop?”
Vigo sat with his booted ankle shaking up and down, crossed over his knee. He picked the very back corner of the shuttle, with his back to the wall he able to see exits and all the other passengers. He wore a dark armor set consisting of dark shades of greys and blues. The facial mask hung loosely under his chin. Over top his armor was a long dark cloak with the hood down for the moment. Atop his head was a white and pink NEKO Headset. Cat ears and all. Faint bits of music could be heard, as he stared down at the notebook in his lap, occasionally writing a few words here and there. Other times a long stretch of time passed, and he would chew on his bottom lip, and a glint of a fang could be seen.
While not completely lost in thoughts of his poetry, he was paying indirect attention on the others. Monitoring their every move out of the corner of his eye.
Barafu he knew, but the others he didn’t other than Carmen and him had been in not one, but two fights. Against each other. The first one leaving him a disappointment to his family. He had been demoted because of the results of the fight, and now he is climbing the steep ladder, working towards getting his title and position back.
The Shistavenen, Knight Commander Doon Sulvir he called himself, as if rank ever mattered to Vigo outside of the family, at least looked like he knew what he was doing, carrying himself high with confidence.
Doon was sat across from both Barafu and Vigo. His legs pulled close to his seat so he was not cramping Vigo. The past few minutes of silence were spent carefully reviewing intel, both on their current plan and the two members of the team he was unfamiliar with. Once he was as satisfied with the plan as he could be, he tucked the pad under his seat and sat back. A thick rolled cigar was procured from a pocket and held gently between the Shistavanen’s teeth, though he made no move to light it.
“Scan it?” He gruffly responded to Carmen. “We could. But they’d know. It would be like… shining a light on someone hiding in a field.” He made a flashing gesture with a paw, his sharp metallic claws making a notable Shing. He then shook his head, glaring down at his claws. He clicked them together a few times, a practiced test of their sharpness. “We need them to feel safe. Ideally, no one will know our target was taken before we have the info we need.”
His golden eye then rose to the two across from him. Vigo’s headphones bothered him, but he was not going to tell him how to prepare for a mission. The massive wolf head tilted to give his lone eye a view of the Togorian. She had been a quiet one for the brief time he knew of her, so he decided to prod. “Magistrate, any questions? Thoughts?”
Barafu met Doon’s gaze, shaking her head slowly. She had had little input, more so present she felt, in case things went wrong. She had some of her armor on, though still bore the typical clothing of a noble advisor beneath. Approrpiately armoured for the planet and location, but still presentable. Her fur was clean, brushed to perfection and the only weapon she bore was a sword that could simply be ornamental to the glancing eye.
It wasn’t, but that didn’t need to be known.
“Not particularly. We go in, capture the target subtlety and exit. No damage, no injuries. We will need to watch for a panic button, any… unexpected features but the plan is well defined.”
“I’m half convinced this is going to be a smash and grab, at the end of the day.”
Being out, doing missions and risking his life always rought out Carmens anxiety and pessimism. But, with someone new here, he probably should at least try to put a better foot forward.
“I have Bebe going ahead and camping out nearby with some bigger fireworks of the party gets rowdy though. Be ready to head to the back of the building, ground floor if things get bad.”
He was prepared. He always was, to the best of his ability, he just didn’t like taking chances. Speaking of…
“Barafu, we are supposed to be long time friends, got any trivia to share, or are you just wanting to improvise?”
“The hope would be that the plan goes smoothly, but yes. It is likely we will have to switch gears, so to say.”
Barafu blinked, considering the follow up question for a moment before shrugging.
“Improvise mostly, though I am lactose intolerant in case it becomes relevant. Is there anything you’d like to know, to prepare or otherwise?”
“Well, I could spend all night learning about you,” Carmen responded with a wink and a grin, “But best not to get things too complicated for now. If you’re pressed for details, just make something up and I’ll go with it. Vice versa, as well. I would also suggest being a little… empty headed. You know, silly little noble lady with no experience. The best thing he can do is underestimate us.”
Vigo shifted at the first comment. His leg uncrossed, he took his headset off, and closed his writing journal. He leaned forward slightly, the fingers loosely interlocked with each other, resting his forearms on his knees. The Umbaran’s nonchalant demeanor changed into an icy cold glare at Carmen.
“Watch it.”
He knew Barafu was more than able to take care of herself, but that didn’t mean he had to put up with the sly disrespectful comments.
A rumble radiated from Doon’s chest, his eye flicking between the Umbaran and Carmen. “Easy. Both of you. Everyone on this job is capable. I expect nothing less than your best.” He leaned into the row, taking up space between the benches of the cabin. His head was tilted so he could look forward, through the front windshield through a privacy screen separating them from the driver. “Two minutes. Finish your prep.”
As he spoke, he relaxed back once more and began adjusting his armor, then reached a paw under the seat till his claws tinked off the metal hilt of a blade.
Carmen sighed as he readjusted his vambraces. He planned to play off his lightsaber as a rich kids toy, and the flashy bracers honestly looked less out of place with the collar. As long as he played it stupid and eccentric, the mark should let him walk right in practically armed to the teeth.
“The stage is set, the cast is dressed, raise the curtains and break a leg…”
He was mostly rambling to himself, watching out the window as the small, old, yet lavish building that housed the antique shop slid out of the snow flurries ahead of the landspeeder.
Barafu’s ears flicked back and forth, grateful to be saved from working out how to respond to Carmen’s flirt between Vigo and Doon.
She smiled, a touch nervous and checking her own weaponry.
“I can act the stereotypical part thats expected, yes. Really, it shouldn’t come to me being questioned though. Hopefully.”
She looked out of the front window, curious and trying to get a lay of the land, just in case.
The speeder skimmed up to the front of a tall, dark building made of some dark brown metal. As the group pulled to a stop, Vigo vanished from sight and Carmen and Doon opened doors on opposite sides of the vehicle to slide outside, the former holding the door to let Barafu out as well.
He really shouldn’t antagonize Vigo more. Carmen had somehow managed to fight him twice, and humiliate him more when he lost. There was a good chance that some chandelier would mysteriously fall on Carmen at some point tonight. Turning back into the vehicle, he gave a lazy grin at the empty air.
“Good luck Kitten.”
Having lived on a fairly cold world for over a year, Carmen would normally have not reacted too badly to the temperature, but he was supposed to be a pampered rich kid, so he channeled the Force to lower his own cold resistance, pulling his cloak around himself tighter against the snow and began hustling along to the front door. Showtime.
Vigo put his headset into compact mode and tucked it and his notebook away into one of his many robe folds. He tugged on the mask that hung around his neck, securing it to cover just above his nose and down to under his chin.
He did a quick pat down of where his usual work equipment lays on his person, Extra ammo in his left sock, throwing daggers in his right. Blinding dust front right pocket. Weapons and lullibies… accounted for. A taunting reminder, that despite the thrill of these missions, one wrong move and he might not come back.
“I’ll be… around. If you need me, and can’t locate me between approximately 2.3 seconds and 1 minute 33 seconds, then do send word via comlink.”
The stretch limo rolled silently to a halt. He counted the seconds, focusing on the heartbeat that rushed through his ears. He breathed in, giving a quick nod to everyone before tugging on his hood, and exiting.
Thanks to his armor he remained warmed, the chill bite of was dulled but welcomed. Mentally thanking his brother for including the mask in the set. Though his right arm did start to ache. The metal prosthetic and the cold didn’t mix well. He made a mental note for Dominik to remedy that when he got home. A request to add a warming mechanic for colder expeditions and… other activities.
He focused on his breathing, allowing a light form of meditation to soothe him, fading into a very light shimmer, blending in with the sparkles on the ice.
It was but a short walk to the front door of the old building. Carmen briefly considered knocking, but reasoned that a cold rich kid would be much more likely to barge in.
“Kark! It’s freezing on this planet! Hellooooo! Anybody home?”
The interior wasn’t large, but it was crowded. What was probably a 50x50 foot room was filled floor to cieling with old furniture, curio, and glass cabinets filled with bits and bobs. It was obvious, at least to Carmen, that the mess was carefully crafted. Haphazard enough to evoke the feeling of rummaging through a grandmothers attic or finding a mysterious hole in the wall, but not messy enough for anything valuable to be underfoot.
There appeared to be a few people here, an old human woman that seemed huffy about Carmens shouting, and a much bigger thug looking man at the back who seemed a lot more like a living security system. Carmen pretended not to notice that one and moved quickly to the counter to find the target. Luckily, there was a small metal bell on the counter, which made a clear ring. Again. And again. And again.
Barafu blinked, taking a moment to step into character though, perhaps it wasnt so odd for her to hesitate in stepping in.
She came up beside Carmen, shaking her head,
“The bell is rung, you’re being impolite.” She spoke softly, though with disappointment and a touch of quite real cringe. It was all part of the act. Just an act.
Her ears flicked as footsteps approached, the tall figure of their target, Hukan Plil, coming out from a backroom. Barafu bowed at the shoulder, as an advisor should.
Or, well. She thought they should? Did they?
If Hukan was irritated, he hid it well.
“Welcome to Plil’s Antiques. How may I assist you..?”
“Yeah, I’m here for the good stuff, y'know? Nu'Whin. We talked before.”
Carmen stuck out his hand with a grin. He needed to be brash enough to seem dim, but not scare off Plil, who grimaced as his eyes flicked to the one real customer.
“Well, lets not be hasty!” he responded with a small laugh, “I’m sure you would like to search around out here, everything is a true treasure, in its own right!”
Carmens face fell, and he mumbled quieter, although not quite quiet enough for comfort.
“C'mon, mate, I don’t have all day. Do you have the thing or not?”
“Please, Ma'am, give me time to make sure we’re safe!” Plil had gone to a much more reasonable tone.
“Fifteen minutes, at most, and I’ll have the whole building locked up tight so no one will be the wiser, believe me.”
Carmen growled and put on an insolent face, “Fiiine then. But make it ten. And its sir.”
Plil looked mortified and bowed away with apologies, moving to help the customer along with her purchase.
Carmen turned to a more quiet tone and addressed Barafu with actual tact.
“I am an arrogant, socially unconscience rich kid from high society that thinks everyone here is a simpleton by comparison. Just be my slightly more socially conscience friend.”
As the other members made their approach and went in through the front, Vigo was content that they should be alive and out of issues for at least four minutes and thirty-three seconds. Hopefully, that gives him enough time to find an alternative entrance.
He separated from the pack, shifting off to the right of the building, counting the floors of the building based off the windows. Making mental notes of where guards were likely stationed, camera locations, and scanners. He was content that his training in The Force would protect him from being seen and picked up, he still was extra careful moving around.
Focusing on his breathing to maintain the cloak, while slithering along the wall. He approached a cracked open window just above eye level. He stopped and listened. Light sounds of papers rustling and occasional clunks followed by a gentle humming of a woman were heard. Probably a secretary of sorts. A job that was solitude enough that maybe he could sneak in without being seen, but yet needed enough he can’t take her out.
Different options ran through his mind, maybe he could use illusion to make her feel more overheated and she open the window wider. Maybe he throw a rock to make a noise to get her attention elsewhere…. no that surely would draw too much attention.
He shook his head, and decided to look for an alternative entrance, keeping this one in mind. He continued to creep around the length of the building, noticing some thick external pipes leading up to the roof.
He grumbled silently to himself, his frigid prosthetic arm made his residual limb ache in pulses, almost like static lighting his veins on fire. Curse these phantom pains.
He secured both sets of fingers around the pipes and gave it a swift tug. Slight groans were audible but nothing abnormal, could have been the groans from the wind. Still he waited for any guards that await him on the roof to make their rounds.
He took a deep breath in, reveling in the cool breeze that skid across the exposed parts of his cheeks. He thought of why he were here, what he was doing this for. His title, sure, but a particular set of eyes surfaced in his mind. Dominik’s; His brother.
His face turned solemn, he kicked off any packed on snow stuck to his boots, and made the ascend, silently crawling up the pipe towards the roof.
Barafu found herself nodding to Carmen, unsure what to say so resisting the urge to question further. Was she supposed to also be rude then? Or just ignorant of Carmen being rude? Considering the act was a brief one, she opted to lean into being the quiet one and hope she wasn’t spoken to. It was easy for now, at least.
In a fluster activity, Plil made easy work of the customers. A sale here and there, patched with recommendations to the nearest caf corners and such places where one can ruminate on a purchase before settling. It was efficient, but with a tone that seemingly encouraged them to come again rather than being brushed off.
“Think about it!” He calmly asked one, receiving a smile in return as the final patron stepped through the door.
Barafu ‘led’ Carmen to observe some of the random items scattered around the store while they waited. Many were just trinkets, but she pointed out one or two that were recognisably something, albeit overpriced for the condition.
Doon lingered a few feet behind them, wearily watching Plil as he shuttered down the shop. He disappeared into the back briefly, a keen ear able to pick up the beeps of locks and security measures being activated with a code.
When the group’s target came back to the counter, his smile returned.
“Sir, are you and your companions ready?”
Carmen sighed, “Finally man, come on, take us there.”
Plil gestured around the counter, waiting for the group to begin to follow before walking into the back. It was unremarkable, until he opened what was seemingly a wall. A poorly lit staircase descended behind it.
“Now this is what I’m talking about,” Carmen said with a convincing grin on his face. Barafu and Doon followed close behind, and the huge bodyguard looking guy, a Dowutin from what it seemed, followed after locking the front door.
Well, he had expected guards. He had just hoped for ones that couldn’t just… squeeze his head. Doon had it… probably. Best to keep near the door just in case.
The stairs down were durasteel, and as they went down a full floor it became obvious that the rest of this basement would be as well. The facade of “old and valuable” was replaced with that of a vault of rare and powerful artifacts being hidden from very real dangers.
“Right this way, sir,” Plil said with passable obsequiousness, “We keep these rooms as a sort of reverse-interrogation room. Insulated to prevent prying ears, and with no recording devices inside. Perfect for, eh… the discreet purchases.”
It certainly looked like an interrogation cell. A metal box with metal chairs and a table that was one piece with the wall. Indeed, no recording devices could be hidden anywhere, though he didn’t believe for a second Plil didn’t have audio recorders listening through the walls for blackmail purposes.
“Venerata!” he called down the hall to an unmarked Mirialan behind a counter at the end of the hallway, “Grab item 3-G, would you? Our patron has arrived.”
The big man approached from behind got a little too close to Doon, “The rest a yous’ waitin’ out heah. Th’ bosses can handle th’ money.”
Carmen winced, barely turning it into a scowl. He shouldn’t be afraid, he should be frustrated.
“Fellar can wait out here, but Raffen is my friend. If you want my creds, she’s with me.”
The guard seemed about to get louder, but Plil waved his hands and rushed up to him.
“Oh, nononono! That is quite alright, the two of you both seem like upstanding people with more than your share of honor, I trust you. Plagg, keep their guard friend company, would you?”
“Pleasant company,” Carmen added with a smug smirk, “I paid him enough to not be stealing anything, but not enough to swallow his pride.”
A look passed over Doons face, but he turned it into a menacing grimace quickly enough that he looked the part of annoyed thug.
“Alright then, mister… ah, well, names for inside. Come along, I’m sure you have things to be about!”
Plil ushered Carmen and Barafu inside, holding the door long enough for Venerata to come inside with a cloth rapped box. Then, the door closed, locked, and hissed with pneumatic seals.
It took Vigo no time at all to scale the building. As he approached the top ledge he peaked over, still hugging the pipe. Two guards each in different corners, thankfully he was on one of the opposite corners as them. His gaze checked for the roof entrance, check. The door to get in was facing the other side of the building, and all he was able to see was the outer wall of the entrance, but it looked like any other roof entrance that he had used before.
The wind whirred against his face, and strands of his longer hair whipped out, dancing along to the zephyr. He carefully hoisted up his body, and stepped onto the roof. Concentrating harder than ever on his Force Cloak as he spotted a camera on the outside of the roof entrance.
The guards were circling the perimeter of the roof, slowly walking, keeping an even distance from each other. Their hot breath mixing with the frigid air was easily seen. Noted. His would be as well. He held his breath, working quickly and silently as he scurried his way to the roof entrance. The door was shut. Kark.
That need of needing to take another breath quickly grew, he ever so slowly let out the held breath. Letting the small allotted breath escape, and disappear with the wind, preventing a giant breath cloud. He gulped in a fresh gasp, while keeping tabs on the slowly circling guards.
He waited for one to pass, and the other was slowly approaching this side of the exit room, he needed to go now. Very carefully turning the ice cold handle, he turned it, hearing the groans and clicks of it with each incremental turn. He slid open the door just enough to slip his slender body inside, holding the handle turned. He let go of the held breath, while he carefully closed and released tension on the door nob. He was in.
He checked the time, three minutes eleven seconds had passed. Welp. Could have been quicker. He made his quick descend down the spiral stairs. A few flights later, he approached a wooden door down a long hallway. A door to the left, surely one of these was the way to the lobby? He heard ringing… over and over again. Carmen.
Yep he was in the right place.
The door to his left flung open, and Hukan Plil appeared. Adjusting his suit, and made a tight 90 degree turn towards the presumed lobby. Vigo slithered along the wall, sneaking in through the door that was shutting slowly behind Plil.
Vigo did not intend to be this close to the target, but it seemed at least, thanks to his Force Cloak, that he was unnoticed… For now. Vigo stuck to the shadows of the main room just in the off chance. He overheard the conversation and the not-so-suggestion of Carmen and Barafu going into the vaulted room through the faux wall, leaving Doon outside. The Commander could probably handle himself outside… Barafu can handle herself… Carmen? More knowledge needed but he does have wits. He took a quick look back at Doon and his company. He’s probably fine.
He made the quick decision to join the two in the vault. Why would Plil want to split up the guard and the two? Something didn’t sit quite right with Vigo. He aligned his body with Barafu’s. So close he was nearly touching her, as she went in. It was a tight fit, but this much security, the guy surely wouldn’t wait for the door to shut on its own.
He chose Barafu because she was most likely to pick up on his presence and not make a scene. Carmen was… unpredictable at this stage. Rather not spook him.
The door locked and hissed. Vigo slid his left, warm hand down the outside of Barafu’s elbow. A signal to her, hey I’m with you here. As he slunk away to the shadows. Eyes darting around the room.
Carmen sat on an uncomfortable chair at an uncomfortable table, Plil sitting opposite. Barafu hesitated for a moment, but followed suit quickly enough not to raise suspicion. The other one though… her face was still placid, her movements simple and efficient. Probably another guard, if he had to guess. She set her burden down in front of Plil as he gave a warm smile and opened his hands in greeting.
“Now, then, Master Nu'Whin! I would hate to take up more of your time when you say you’re so busy.”
Kist. Hopefully he didnt lean too hard on that. He wanted to skip all the fluff, but he didn’t want to make these people skittish.
“Eh, I’m just… excited. I’ve never been one for all the word games.”
Plil nodded, still smiling, “Of course, Master Nu'Whin. Well, then here is the item we spoke of…”
Plil removed the cloth, revealing the contents. It was a small metal cage, inscribed with runes and crafted, seemingly, with a cutting knife. Odd. But the real thing Carmen had catfished for was inside.
Plil opened the cage and fished out the pearlescent crystal, four points like a star, and on a simple leather cord.
“And here it is! The Riekin Star, in all it’s glory! Feel free to take a peek…”
Plil gently handed it over, and Carmen feigned awe as he cupped it in one hand and removed his own collar with the other, putting it in easy reach of Plil.
“Shiny and beautiful, this has to be the real deal…”
Indeed it was shiny, but just a stone worth a tenth what he had agreed to pay. The cage, too, was just something made to look arcane. There was something imbued with the Force nearby, but Plil had no intention of selling it to a snooty merchant.
Carmen put on the necklace posed with it, “what do you think, Plil? Fit me?”
Carmen laughed and made a lazy wave of his hand, “why don’t you try on mine, and we’ll see how we look together?”
Plil straightened.
“I will try on yours and see how we look together.”
Everything happened at once. Plil clicked on his collar, and Carmen turned to aim his bracer at the lone guard as Barafu kicked back her chair to stand, apparently unprepared for sudden action. Then, the several hundred pound metal table flew across the room, bent double from the force of Veneratas arm.
“Well, kist, looks like his guards got the real alchemy!”
The Mirialan guard pulled out two metal clubs that hummed with energy, her face as placid as before. Carmen tapped a panic button to Bebe and nudged Barafu as Plil began to come to his senses.
“You got this, right?”
“If you have Plil.” Barafu responded, glancing behind her but not seeing Vigo anywhere. Hopefully he would reveal himself to help.
She drew her sword, thumb brushing over a button. Electricity raced up the blade, crackling. Fear wasn’t an option, even against stacked odds. She was no force user.
Venerata charged forward, her expression still carefully measured despite the heaving swing of the club at where Barafu’s head should have been. The Togorion turned on heel, feeling the rush of air against her fur and slamming the flat of the blade into the woman’s back.
Then felt a rush of air as she sailed across the room without a hand touching her. Barafu managed to get her feet under her, wobbling enough she had to dodge away from the next swing of the club. She’d have preferred to attack yet, each time she had a breath to do something, Venerata was a step ahead and able to defend.
Uncloaking from his hidden position, Vigo swept forward. One arm wrapped around Venerata’s shoulders, pulling her back away from Barafu. Yet, the still-eerily calm guard was stronger. She swung a arm, shoving Vigo a few steps back before turning to face him.
“Who are y-” Her voice caught in the same moment her flesh sizzled, Barafu’s electrosword slicing deep into Venerata’s back.
With two opponents to face, she dipped backward to force them to face her. Finally the mask broke, her lip pulling back in a partial snarl.
Outside the vault, the crash of the table followed by thuds and bangs set the Dowutin guard on edge. Plagg shifted slowly, watching Doon before snapping into action. He swung a fist at Doon.
An impact cracked through the air as Doon’s metal bracer lashed out at the Dowutin’s forearm. Despite the bland, disinterested scowl the Shistavanen sported, he was waiting for this moment. Plagg pulled back his arm with a shout of rage, having expected his hit to catch the black wolf off guard. The sudden sharp pain in his forearm and numbness in his fingers raised concern, causing Plagg the back peddle as he fiddled with something on his belt.
Doon was in pursuit, one claw outstretched to grab the large man by the front of his shirt while the other was held up, claws out and fingers tensed near his face, ready to lash out. As his sharp metallic claws brushed Plagg’s shirt, a click and pop sounded from the belt around his waist. Both men were briefly blinded by sparks as Plagg’s personal shield device ignited and shunted Doon’s arm back forcefully, sending his bulk teetering of center.
Plagg took the opportunity before Doon could recover and charged, belly slamming his shield against Doon and with another shower of blue sparks sent the Wolf through the air to slam into the door the others had went through, leaving a suspiciously Doon shaped dent in it.
“What in the-”
Plil finally shook himself free of the stupor Carmen shoved into his brain, but squaled when a shock blasted through his new collar. Carmen ducked behind him and shoved him towards the door.
“Feel that? Do what I say, no more shocks.”
With a yank and a shove, Carmen managed to pull Plil past the two- no, three combatants, Vigo was apparently here too.
“Get too far,” he continued, mashing the door panel, “And the collar blows up. So play nice, right?”
A vibrating rod slammed just next to Carmens face, making him match Plils sqeak. Fortunately, the supernaturally strong guard was then forced back into combat with Barafu and Vigo as Carmen and Plil stumbled out into the hallway. There was a thump as the motion of the heavy door opening allowed Doon to fall free of his dent, growling.
“Kist, Doon, whats-” Carmen barely had time to extend the shield on his arm before a massive fist slammed into it, blue sparks spraying as the shield instantly emptied its entire battery the deflect that single blow.
Carmen flew back, skidding across the floor before ringing his bell against the far end of the hallway. When he blinked to clear his eyes, Plil was yelping at his freshly beeping collar and scampering over to where Carmen fell. Plagg was following slower, cracking his knuckles with a cruel grin.
“Yous’ gonna die, fancy pants.”
Such a way with words.
Carmen stood and drew his lightsaber, trying to figure out what was going on. This guy could hit hard enough to literally mold the wall around Doon, and hit Carmens shield harder than a thermal detonator. That blue stuff… not a shield Carmen had ever seen.
With a wordless yell and a flashing green blade, Carmen charged, whipping a grapple line between the huge guards legs and zipping straight through them. Kicking back up to his feet, Carmen stuck his tongue out at Plagg, who turned to charge after, followed closely by Plil, who still didn’t want his head popped.
Just as Plaggs hand was about to close around Carmens head, a grey, furred form slammed into him, sending more sparks flying.
“Don’t take your eyes off me!”
Whipping around and putting as much weight into his blade as he could in such tight confines, Doon took advantage of the guards surprise long enough to knock him back a few steps.
“Carmen! Are they alright?”
Carmen himself was back to shoving Plil, now up the stairs.
“Yep! Give em’ hell! Also, that shield ain’t normal, probably a Force thing!”
The only answer was further crackling of energy and grunts, so hopefully that would work out.
“Now for you, mister Plil…”
“Please! Let me go, I could make it worth your while, I won’t even let them have their way! Nobody needs to know what happened here-”
“Enough, mate. No reason to lose what of your dignity you…”
Carmen stopped, mouth open. Outside, through the small viewing window, was maybe another six guards, all holding heavy blasters. They saw him, and the world became light.
As Carmen spoke, Doon’s singular ear twitched. There were people outside, a half dozen by his sense. He moved quickly, drawing from a previously hidden sash a long handled hilt and cross guard. The blue sparks reeked, but it took the Shistavanen till now to realize he shouldn’t have been able to smell it. It was powered through some twisted grip on the force.
Doon once more met Plagg in a clash of blue light, this time the cross guard of the Beskar hilt was jammed between his armor and the shield. All it took was a simple switching on of the blade.
The Knight Commander leapt away from the two pieces of Dowutin that fell to the ground, trying as best he could to reach Carmen and the target. Streaks of light passed him as he slammed into Plil, sending him sprawling to the ground as his massive red blade cut through the air, sending lasers into the walls and ceiling, only allowing a few through that should go wide. “Back! Get to the back wall!” He roared over his shoulder, imposing himself between The spray of light and Carmen. “Drag him if you must.”
Vigo gave Barafu a quick smirk, a glint of fang peaking out. He was proud of her. All of those years of them working together in the military, he was grateful for her trusting him and him being able to trust her. This was not the time to reminisce. The smirk faded as he did, focusing light mediation into the Force Cloak once more.
Hearing the commotion upstairs, Vigo turned his attention to the remaining assailant in the room with Barafu and him. The guard that was not so sneakily trying to escape. He quickly moved behind, who of which was cocking a fist aiming straight for the Togorian’s snarl. He quickly uncloaked, and grabbed the cocked elbow.
“Hey Bub, how about we rethink that?”
His knuckle-plated Vibroblade was itching to be unsheathed. Silently thanking Dom for it working like a charm. Every. Single. Time. Now wasn’t the time, he’s here for support not lethal. After all he’s supposed to be hidden.
It was Barafu’s time to shine. She needed this. He instead, sliced the tendons on the backs of the knees, causing them to fall forwards onto their knees, unable to stand.
Vigo stood like a looming shadow. A dark presence, as Barafu took the victory she deserved.
“Quick, upstairs. We need to go.” He held a hand out to her as the two of them quickly exited through the open hidden door that Carmen had exited through moments before.
A pressure wave ripped through the room, blasting the already tattered windows to shreds and sending glass and debris into the half dozen gunners that were moments ago targeting the Shistavanen. The cloud that followed the initial shockwave obscured vision, and left them coughing and backing away from the storefront that appeared to have just detonated.
Inside, it was not much better. Ears rang and dust clogged eyes as the sound of crumbling stone and sheering metal followed the boom. Carmen, who had made it a dozen feet dragging the now fetal positioned Plil, was sprawled on the ground. As he shifted, a sharp pain shot up his thigh. Something had nicked him - laser or Explosion, it wasn’t clear. Before he had the chance to see through the smoke at the wound, two massive paws grabbed him by the waist and lifted him off the debris covered ground. “Stay still. We need to move.” Doon rumbled as he set the much smaller man on his shoulder. He held him there with one paw while the other grabbed Plil, sharp claws cutting through fabric to get a grip.
“B. V. Let’s move” He whisper growled out to his right, towards where he saw last before the blast.
By now, smoke and dust began to clear. The back wall of the building now sported a hole that had partially collapsed a bit of the ceiling. Standing on the other side of the hole was Bebe, one leg perched triumphantly on a pile of what used to be wall. Her shining chrome shell seemed impervious to the dust that was settling as Doon carried Carmen and Plil out, stomping through the collapsed structure with heavy metal boots. They were followed by both Vigo and Barafu mobing much more elegantly past the destruction.
“Good shot, Bebe.” Doon commended the bot as he passed. Bebe took a moment to adjust the rocket launcher over it’s shoulder, pausing to quickly salut the Knight Commander before Carmen’s face came into view hanging over Doon’s back.
“I believe several of your bosses have said to save this sort of thing until after work, Carmen!” Bebe’s light hearted vocal box chirped, earning a glance from Doon.
“Come. We have a block to cover. We can talk in the car.”