Log:BHG: Corellian Justice System

City's mule gets captured by a strike team

OOC Date: December 23, 2020
Location: Coronet City, Corellia
Participants: Bounty Hunters' Guild, Khe Cust, Tara Sur, Eirik, Grom, Aejin, Jarret Sur, Sumi Kora

A dropship carries the team to an undisclosed location buried deep in Coronet City's maze of shipping yards and industrial districts. It's early evening, the skies a hazy blue that's altered by the pollution of the city, and made further mesmerizing by the glare of speeder lights as lanes crisscross above the cityscape.

The sliding door to the dropship is open, flooding the interior with hot humid air from Corellia's summer evening. Sumi Kora, the Mandalorian standing by the door, wears her helmet and stares out at the passing terrain and abandoned structures of countless warehouses.

When she speaks, her raspy voice fills the ears of each person in the hold. <<"This is a smash and grab. Corsec squints got word that a deal is going down out here for illegal ship weapons and parts. They care about getting those weapons off the street. I don't give a rekk about the weapons. Out target is the muling captain of the criminal enterprise in this city. Some piece of drek they call Notter.">> A holo-image of the man appeared in the center of the hold, rotating slowly and flickering as the craft shook from hot spots of choppy air.

<<"This guy is nasty. Doesn't just deal in parts. He's got a hand in all the dirty drek that goes on beneath the surface here. We're talking drugs, skintrade, weapons, laundering, even child labor out of Selonia. We bag this clown and bring him to Mr. Bullet, we can look further into the network and identify other players making an impact in the city.">>

The image in the center changes to a map of their AO (Area of Operations). <<"Their meet is going down here. A weapon supplier uses this warehouse to store gear, swoop gangs come in and 'steal' the stock and it gets written off from insurance. Hmph..">>

<<"Follow GROM in. He's like to draw the fire of everyone in the city. I'm providing overwatch and direction. When you see Notter, mark him and bring him down with non-lethal force. His cronies though? I don't give a rekk about them. I'll be setting you down five-hundred meters away from the warehouse. Find a way in.. or through, and get Notter.">> Sumi cut the feed just as the transport rocked again. <<"Prep your weapons, we're two minutes out.">>

Khe Cust sits there in the dropship, her unadorned suit of armor not gleaming or looking anything fancy at all save that it's Mandalorian. She keeps her helmet on and as order comes to ready weapons, she checks hers to ensure it's loaded but then sticks it back in the holster and nods her head slightly. <<"Truth be told, he could be a saint for all I care. You called, I answered. For Mandalore.">> she mutters and gets ready to leap into the action.

<<"Oya.">> Tara grins inside her helmet, staying stable on the rocking deck thanks to boot maglocks and one hand firmly in one of the straps on the overhead rail. She'd checked all her power cells and other weaponry beforehand, now it was time to hunt.

Eirik nods his head listening. <<"You called on me and I'm pledged to Kora. I'll be here whenever you call. For Mandalore!">> He says all decked out in his new set of armor.

Grom is here. Everyone with functioning audiotory organs knows this, because he had loudly declared, "GROM IS HERE," upon boarding the dropship. The hulking reptile carried a large rifle (small artillery piece) slung across his back, a military carbine carried like a light pistol in one three-fingered hand, and a notched and battered vibro-axe in the other. He seems to think the two weapons are arguing, though he had shushed both weapons when Sumi gave the objectives of the job. The Houk had narrowed yellow eyes each time the Kora had named Notter. "Grom wonders who this UNWORTHY FOE is. If Not Her, then who?" Not worried about being the blaster magnet for a swoop gang, no. He didn't comprehend the name. This will go great, everyone.

The dropship sways, rumbles, and shakes in the atmosphere of Corellia while it ferries the mercenaries and bounty hunters alike to their destination. Aejin stands near the doors with his helmet bowed ever so slightly, either watching the ground pass by far below or focusing his attention onto listening to the briefing being delivered. One gloved hand holds to a stabilizing bar above his head, preventing him - in an ideal world anyway - from taking a spill from the craft should it take a hit or otherwise bank unexpectedly. At the mention of readying weapons, Aejin's helmet shifts in order to consider his left vambrace. Then his right hand drops down from to bar, to his side, and pulls the Enforcer from his right side. He rolls out the cylinder to give the number of rounds shoved into their respective holes.

The Enforcer is firmly pressed back into the holster, at which point Aejin's hand returns to holding to the stabilizing bar. Meanwhile his left hand lowers to consider the stun net launcher pistol at his left side. He lifts it from his thigh, peers down its sights - with its business end pointed toward no one - before returning it to its proper place. There's a satisfied nod of the Mandalorian's helmet before he stills once more to hear out the remainder of the briefing. Though he does spare a glance in the direction of Grom. There his darkened visor holds for a moment before turning away once more.

Jarret is content to sit quietly on the drop bench as the ship hurtles by, listening to Sumi's instructions. Once she's done, the warrior unlimbers a compact riot gun from over his shoulder, checking it over for a moment. The music of the ship's engines suffuses him, every shift and bank dancing in his bones beneath the gilded red plates of his armor. A symphony of violence, and they are the orchestra. Behind the pinched T-visor of his helmet, Jarret bares saw teeth in a smile.

<< For Mandalore, >> he echoes in his flat, untuned-radio voice as he ejects the old power pack from the weapon and slots in another, tucking the old one into a belt pouch. After all, it's been some time since the repeater's been used. Never hurts to be sure.

The ship settles into a hover, the VTOL shift loud and clunky before the vessel jerks and drops a small stint, then measures its descent a little bit more closely. <"Damn it, pilot.."> Sumi says, jostled slightly. She hooks her hand into the hold above and stays on her feet despite her cape rustling as the hot air vented into the hold. A red light turned on, then shortly after, Green.

Time to offload.

Sumi made a motion with her hand to usher the team out the hatch for a short fall of three-feet to the duracrete below. A streetlamp near by casts a glare that's suddenly obscured by all the dust stirred up by repulsors. <<"Go, go, go!">>

Where were they going? The warehouse ahead. It's a tall affair with a roof that slants one way. Large bay doors are open with light coming out from within. Swoop bikes park along the outside of the building to the east, WHICH is the same direction our HEROES approach FROM. Moving between bikes and the outside of this warehouse, 15 PROSPECTS carry boxes to a pair of speeder trucks. There are some on overwatch, looking for ballsy LAW, but they HAVE NOT spotted our heroes approach yet.

There is a lot of cover from the LZ (LANDING ZONE) and the warehouse, but also a lot of open space. The assault is about to begin!

Sumi's raspy voice sounds over the earpiece for each. <<"Engage when ready, and try to move as a team. If you need me to shoot something, mark it. I'll be above. Good luck, Hunters... and GROM.">>

As the command goes, Khe gets up and leaps out of the dropship. Her low light amplifiers in the helmet gives her a decent read of the warhouse ahead and she moves quickly into cover, expecting someone with greater age to take the lead of what to do. She still keeps her pistol in the holster as she tosses a glance back at the others and then studies the prospects carrying things to the speeder trucks

With Grom about to go charging in, Tara draws twin pistols and moves in. Her HUD helpfully highlighting the gang members, she opens up with a vengeance. One prospect is blasted back off a catwalk by the bolt from her Sentinel IV, another dropped by a double tap

Eirik jumps out first shot going astray as he lands and rolls. <<"Shit!"> He lines up the second shot and fires the blaster bolt striking the target if a tad off the mark.

As the dropship quite literally begins to drop before stabilizing, Aejin steps forward as others begin to pour from within. Aejin is one to likewise pour from within as he's hot on the heels of the massive one that is Grom. Just before impacting the ground the Mandalorians jetpack fires for a split second, reducing his impact with the ground - and saving his knees just a little - and promptly Aejin begins to move, seeking cover near Khe Cust. As he moves the barrel of the Enforcer rises and a series of shots are taken with the explosive sound of the slugthrower's report. Sparks rise from the warehouse as it's struck by the rounds, but at least one of them finds itself lodge in the thigh of one of the Swoopers. As his dash to cover reaches is conclusion, Aejin slides into cover with a glance toward the Swoop gang and then to his weapon's sights.

Grom steps off the dropship, whose repulsors seem to sigh in relief with his departure. Holstering the carbine on one massive thigh, he peers at the building, hefts his axe and rumbles, "Clearly this battle requires GREAT STEALTH and a cunning approach." Having said this, the Houk lurched into a sprint and thunders at the lower tier hang members, bellowing, "In case Grom's stealth is TOO MIGHTY, hark you foemen: GROM IS UPON YOU." An axe blow splatters one of the swoop gang, of whose deceased remains the Houk demands, "WHERE IS NOT HER. Wait, you are dead.. Where is- WHY ARE YOU ALL DEAD? *Lazy* foes!" Boots on the ground, the group is immediately engaged in fighting - and as Grom heralds doom for all, Jarret decides to assist in providing cover. << Targeting hostiles, >> he proclaims over comms, but his voice might just be a hair too quiet to be heard over comms, or perhaps he should be shouting the equivalent of 'FIRE IN THE HOLE' as he flicks the toggles on his riot gun and lobs a sphere of incandescent red light in the direction of the bikers. Traveling in a high arc, the energy bomb whistles over the allied throng and lands amid the back of the biker's ranks - and into the swoops. The resultant blast hurls a wall of force in all directions, reducing to a tangle of flesh and bone, fabric and steel the vast majority of the gang hopefuls.

<< ...targets eliminated. >> Thus spake alor'Obvious, even as he toggles back to automatic fire.

A massive blast interrupts the peace of a hazy blue night as fire wrapped in black smoke erupts skyward in a sudden display of violence. So powerful is this blast, which has been enhanced by the speeder bikes parked at close proximity, that shrapnel follows subsequent to the massive kinetic wave that bends trees and shatters street lamps in the general vicinity. The blast itself is deafening, leaving a deep-seeded ringing in the ears of those with nothing to protect their auditory senses.

The fire consumed a large group of the prospects, and some unlucky enough to survive come out screaming and waving like scarecrows of flames, only to fall shortly after, robbed of the life they cried to lose. Two prospects survived, and one rose dragging his companion up to their feet, only to have that companion caught in the chest by a red lance fired from high up. The impact was so solid, the thud echoed in the expanse of open area, and the flash of the bolt exploded from their back, ejecting armor, organic debris, and a pulverized pink mist that peppered their only surviving companion as the other fell dead before they even hit the dirt again.

"YOU HUTT SUCKERS!" Screamed the remaining prospect, firing wildly and hitting Grom. His enthusiasm for attack shrank as he realized what he had hit. The urge to run was strong, and he turned eager to flee the massive Houk.

The explosion heralded the arrival of confused gang members. They emerged from the warehouse suddenly aware that they had lost their bikes, and the culprits closed the distance. "YO, REKK THESE GUYS!" Eleven SWOOP GANG members joined the terrified prospect in battle, carrying much more powerful weaponry and a penchant to use it.

Khe Cust remains crouched by some crates, still without a gun in her hand as things go very -Mandalorian-. She offers a slight shake of her head, then the blast wave comes and she manages to keep to her feet and decides to go to action. She rises up as she steps out of the cover and takes a step closer towards the hangar. The world around her slows down, the little cape of her armor flutters in the wind of her movement as she reaches for her gun, new targets registers in her vision and she grits her teeth behind her helmet. <<"The Doc will hate me for this.">> she mutters in Mando'a, sadly that running man does a far better job then other young men running from an overwhelming force did. This guy weaves.

Tara has just enough time to see the grenade coming and get into cover before it goes off. The shockwave sweeps over her, helmet's sonic dampers keeping her eardrums intact, before she's up and blazing away again. <<"Kandosii, Jarbuir! Oya!">> Khe may have missed, but the hunter doesn't. THe sentinel's bolt takes the remaining prospect in the throat, the DL-30's higher pitched report dropping one of the reinforcements with another double tap

Eirik leaps out of the way just before the grenades go off and peeks out. <"Kriff, That was close!"> He growls as he takes his two shots the first hitting it's mark the second going wide.

Grom's bulk barely stirs with the concussive blast, and doesn't stir at all when the last of the low level swoop gangsters shoots him with a pistol. He peers down at the burn on his belly plate. "FOOL, you have aimed your shot at the GROMGUT. The STRONGEST point of all Groms!" Deciding that this "PUNY foe," that had just shot him was no threat, the Houk blunders merrily toward the warehouse proper and right into the emerging enemies. He booms, "WHERE IS HER?" to inform the rest of the gang of their mortal peril. The warning provides the first foe juuuuuuuust enough time to lurch back from the cleaving axe which smashes into the ground where he'd been standing an instant before.

The blast is enough to knock Aejin from kneeling to his side with a grunt, though that sound goes contained within his helmet. There he lays for only a moment, his visor pointed toward the warehouse. There is only a split second of recovery before the Mandalorian in the golden armor rolls to a prone position, his weapon gripped between both hands. As more of the swoop gang begins to pour from the warehouse, the Enforcer begins to bark as rounds are placed down range and into the crowd of swoop gang members stepping out to investigate all the noise and likely wondering why there's a Houk now bearing down on them.

Having erased a goodly portion of the new meat - much to his surprise - Jarret ensures the toggle of his rifle is this time set to BURST. << Affecting suppressive fire, >> Jarret states as he steps forward, spraying a steady stream of crimson death over the heads of the gangers and into the structure behind them. More than enough to make even seasoned street filth flinch, and now the Mandalorians have even more of an advantage against that scum.

It's a nice way to spend an evening, really. Out with family. Fireworks.

The firefight that follows the hellish explosion is made more obvious by the smoke that forms around the warehouse. Flames stick out like a sore thumb, and the smoke glows to the hue of blaster fire that's crisscrossing back and forth. Even though the gang members find themselves under a substantial amount of fire thanks to the Alor of Sur, they're taking advantage of the fact that they're not specifically targeted. The old adage, I'm up, they see me, I'm down. This proves effective, because many of the members feel the sting of blaster fire returned.

"REKK YOUUUU_HNGuuhh!" One yells before catching a blaster bolt from above. Sumi chuckles, but becomes the target of fire below and takes a blast to her leg! It comes out from under her and she stumbles to the ground of the transport with a clatter. <"REKKING SON OF A GUNDARK!"> She screams from the transport: The pilot laughs.

"BLAST THEM, YOU IDIOTS! THERE'S NO WHERE ELSE WE CAN GO!" Screams Notter, who slides off the bank of a loading port with a heavy repeater weapon to return fire. He joins the fray, eager to repel these rival CRIMINALS coming to disrupt his BIDNESS! "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Call it luck, call it a blessing of what ever diety you believe in. Khe continues to walk forth, blaster in hand and fires off a shot now and then as blaster rounds sweeps past her seeking other members of her party. She's still young, eager to prove herself and she believes in her armor and her weapons that is her religion.

Tara hisses through her teeth when a blaster bolt creases her ribs, dropping to one knee behind some better cover. <<"You're next, Mir'osik!">> She's about to blow a hole through the gang membr that shot her, when the guest of honor shows up. <<"Okay, change of plans. /You're/ next." Two fire selectors click, and Notter is hammered to the ground by the blue arcs of stunbolts before he even has a chance to fire his repeater. <<"Size doesn't matter if you don't get the chance to use it, Shabuir!">> Tara flicks back to kill and pops off another shot at a gang member, missing. But their target's down, so she isn't going to complain.

Eirik pops out of cover briefly to line up his shot. A blaster bolt catching him in the chest. <"Kriffing Son of a... I'm hit! You bastard this is new kriffing armor pal!">> He growls out taking two shots the pain causing them to be off the mark.

The more experienced members of the swoop gang wisely scatter in front of Grom, leading to the Houk lumbering around after his diminuative foes and being fired on from all sides. One shot strikes his leg, butvthe other.. the other has the Houk standing bolt upright, demanding with righteous outrage, "Who gas DARED to blast the ROYAL BACKSIDE? Grom needs that to sit on my THRONE." Despite the multiple blaster wounds, the reptilian giant doesn't seem to really.. notice. "WHERE IS HER?" Axe swipe.

Up from his prone position comes Aejin with a scrape of durasteel against the duracrete and scuffing the golden paint at his left knee. The Enforcer rises up once again and roars a challenge toward the gang of swoopers. The first round strikes its target and the next pull of the trigger is accompaniedy by the audible click of an empty slugthrower. <"Sithspit,"> he mutters just loud enough that his vocoder clicks to life to transmit that simple, quiet mutter to those who may be immediately nearby. Undeterred from completing the objective though, a flick of the wrist sends the Enforcer's cylinder rolling out. A quick loader is scooped from a pouch slung across the Mandalorian's chest, slammed into the cylinder, and with another aggressive flick of his wrist it slams home once again. All a quick, smooth, and thoroughly practiced motion for the Mandalorian. Because the moment the Enforcer's cylinder announces that it is reloaded with the familiar click-clack, another round is fired into it's previously struck target.

Whilst the others stab and hack and blast at the throng of unfortunate bikers - what a night for them, huh? - Jarret remains where he is, tucked next to a lightpole and his crimson armor written over with the momentary tattoo of the flames that curl skyward behind him. << Maintaining suppression, >> he continues to ghost-speak over the comms circuit, picking up his volume over the noise of the battle and the rumbling of the gun in his arms. << Any wounded, get behind me. >> The result is the same, with a stream of searing plasma pouring into the structure head as if it issued from a hose, blaster rifle squealing as its exciter works overtime to provide sustained fire. You get to drink from the fire hose, lads. YOU GET TO DRINK FROM THE HOSE. LUCKY YOU.

Naturally they're not having any of it, and are trying hard to stay out of the way while Grom, Avatar of Hilarious Murder, collects their heads. Yes! A nice family outing. Grilled meats and fresh cuts to go with the fireworks. Even brought the kid - well, kid. And she'll even get a souvenir.

The engagement has nearly reached its apotheosis, the fire from one side is overwhelming and crushing. Every time a gunman stands, they're cut down by fire, and before long their number dwindle, not even their leader could withstand the efficiency of the strike force pushing their location.

From above, the pilot manages to negotiate another hot patch of choppy air as Sumi rises back to her feet and shoots from a kneeling position. Her shot lands true, but she trades when another combatant blasts her, connecting with her torso. The impact did not have the desired effect because the shot rang off her chest like a bell. While the blast found no purchase, its kinetic force did, and Sumi comically spilled backward in a clatter again. The pilot laughs hard.

<<"Ugh.. finish this drek up and pack in our target. It's time to bug out..">> Rasps Sumi, who seems eager to get the team out of there before more people show up and tilt the favor the other way.

The young Mandalorian continues onwards, blaster in hand she turns on her feel making a full 360 as she weaves between the blastst. They don't seem to hit her, instead striking home at others behind her as she is moving towards the downed aquisition. One could almost imagine her whispering 'I am one with the force' save the fact she is Mandalorian and most likely just believes in her armor and blaster. She fires another shot, strikes one of the gangers a second time and that one goes down.

<<"Going for the target!">> A blast of her jetpack has Tara easily landing next to the scumbag in question, before an even more intense burst of firing pins her down. A bolt spangs off her helmet, and she drags the gang leader into cover and slaps a pair of shockbinders on him. <<"They've got me pinned down, and this shabuir's slippery! Does he use hutt drool for soap!?">>

Eirik looks to Tara. <<"Alright I'll cover ya.">> He calls as he starts to lay down a couple of shots for cover fire. <<"Kriff!! Can I not hit anything any more.">> Eirik growls out.

Grom hacks at another fleeing swoop gangster, and yet again smashes a crate rather than a rib cage. Sporting a half dozen wounds, the big Houk is starting to get tired of chasing this little mammals around and huffs out a heavy breath. "VERY WELL. If you will not stand still and face Grom, then you leave me NO ALTERNATIVE. You have brought this doom on yourselves, feeble Mammals; despair as you behold King Grom.. OF THE SKY." Brandishing his axe overhead in a MOST HEROIC POSE, the reptilian warrior ignites the thrusters in the boots of his powered armor, which smoke and flash to life.. but struggle weakly to lift Grom off the ground, puttering up a scant few feet above the ground. Undeterred, Grom holds his statue-worthy pose. "Give Grom a minute..."

In a gunfight, sometimes a major height disparity can provide itself an immense tactical advantage. As a result the Mandalorian's jetpack flares to life as he hops from street level to the roof of the warehouse. Once up there he begins firing down into the swoop gang's position.

Meanwhile, Jarret's rifles seems to refuse to run dry. The warrior spews death aplenty still, though the s-comp link from bracer to weapon tells an important tale. << I'm almost dry, >> he calls over the link, /finally/ growing loud, his voice raspy and hoarse as it rises above its usual semi-whisper. << Take them down as best you can before I must reload! >>

Meanwhile, of course, King Grom is lit by the red light of Jarret's rifle, like some primordial god of bloody conquest direct from the lizard-brain fears of ancient days.

Sumi is just recovering when the pilot hits another rough patch and she's thrown to the side in a clatter, sliding across the flooring with a loud squeak that's lost to the roar of the engines. The pilot laughs as Sumi rises up coughing, and tastes blood from her lip. Despite the pain of being cast about like a doll, she's pretty amused too and starts laughing.

<<"Go in for a landing.. let's get our people out. I'll have Mr. Bullet call CorSec in for these huttsuckers.">> The Pilot turned their head and nodded, bringing the shuttle down just outside the firefight for a quick dustoff. Sumi steps outside to cover, the repulsors playing havoc with her cape. <<"LET'S GO! PACK IT IN!">> She remains in place to cover, protecting the position while waiting for the team to ADVANCE back to the ship. The firefight had gone on long enough.

Seeing the squisition taken cared off by another Mandalorian with a jump-pack, Khe stops in her tracks and starts to back the way she came still firing her Merr-Sonn M-44 in the direction of the gangers. Her vizor flickers, as it compesates for all the blaster rounds flying past her and from her.

With the ship now much lower and covering fire being sent her way, Tara is now fre to boost her way into the ship, dumping the target onto the deckplates. One boot planted securely on his jumpsuit to hold him in place, she grabs the overhead rail and finishes off a wounded gang member. <<"Target secure! Let's move!">>

Eirik backs up towards the ship rapidly laying down fire still. His shots missing. <<Kriff!>>

Grom tries to grunt and strain and jump in midair to give his rocket boots more lift, but none of it works. Grumbling to himself as the jets putter out and he drops the last few inches back to the ground, the Houk tromps back to the waiting dropship on foot. "You win THIS round, Gravity, but the Mighty Grom WILL NOG FORGET THIS INSULT. Heed this well, *Gravity* you have made a MIGHTY FOE this day!"Grom proceeds to threaten a fundamental force of the universe on his way back, heedless of the blaster bolts screaming through the air around him.

Despite having only just settled in at his rooftop crazed gunmen spot. A glance is given toward the dropship as the call to return is made, another glance is given over the lip of the roof toward the swoop gangmembers below, and then with a nod of his head Aejin takes a step from the roof. The jetpack flares to life with a growl, followed immediately by a roar. The jetpack cuts out and Aejin's feet lead the way as his body blades, increasing the speed of his descent. A hum emanates from his waist as the grav belt activates with a swat of his hand, resulting in his sailing slowly down to the ground. Unfortunately that means he did not land immediately aside the dropship, but even before his feet touch the ground his boots are already moving. He's running in the air. It's not going well. When he does finally touch down though? Aejin seems fully prepared to take off a run toward the dropship, his Enforcer up and back, as though the barrel was threatening that it would fire again.

One by one, the highlighted targets fall beneath the fire of his vode and their allies; Jarret, hearing Sumi's call to withdraw, begins to do just that - slowly, methodically marching backwards toward where the gunship awaits, pouring the last of his rifle's power pack inches over the heads of the last survivors with renewed ferocity. Portions of the building from which they emerged are on fire, and he only stops - and then, only for a moment - as a stray shot skims the surface of his thigh plate and bites into the soft tissue beneath. << Agh, >> he hisses over comms, but withdraws still; the gun only stops once he's able to reach the ship and pull himself aboard, and by then he's already reaching for another power pack whilst a nickle-sized hole smokes away in his armor a few inches above his knee.

Okay, time to go. No more of this getting shot nonsense.

Sumi stays by the drop ship as the team begins to move back. She takes quiet inventory of each, observing injuries and marks sustained on their armor. Every Grom gets a tilted-helmet look from Sumi. The last of the group is the Alor of Sur, and Sumi sits back in the threshold of the dropship, leaving room for Jarret to get on board, so they. She casually slaps the side of the ship as if to cue the pilot into taking off. <<"Pilot, let's go!">> Blaster fire discharges from the side of the transport and down on the gang, Sumi taking advantage of the high ground and persuading them to not track their ascent. The pilot orients to the sky and engages the engines for more speed. They disappear into the hazy night sky, disappearing behind a thick cloud of smog and smoke.