The Last Mogul

[Meira]

Meira could sense the Hutt's pleasure as he looked over the gifts brought to him. He had taken effort to conceal it, but not much. Fitzgerald too was chuffed. He practically oozed with pride. It wasn't entirely unearned. He'd been the one to suggest the rare spice, and had worked tirelessly to secure the unprecedented approval of its exportation from Cerea. He deserved some credit. But, as was customary with the Hutts, these gifts could only be the first round. Nemu would be shamed quite harshly if it were ever even whispered that he did not squeeze the Republic and the Empire of every last drop of good will as he complied with what was the only logical course of action. The question presented here was not if Nemu would come to Prazhi. It was how much he could get before it was all over. The answer, as Meira understood it, was quite a lot. And so even as Nemu salivated over the fish the Sith had presented, he prodded for more. The question presented to them now would set the scene for the next round of concessions. What did the two galactic super powers want from Nemu?

For his part -and in spite of Meira's initial doubts as to the man's suitability for this mission- Moor was surprisingly eloquent in his response to Nemu. Though the electronic tone of his voice through his mask did nothing to help, Moor was able to deliver their shared request succinctly, and in a manner that emphasized the favor this request did for Nemu. Indeed, this was an invitation. Nemu, in turn, took pains to highlight the inconvenience, and harm to himself and his fortunes such a request would impose. What, then, might the Republic and Empire do to mitigate such terrible loss. Meira took a breath, allowing her presence within the room to slowly grow. She knew that this would likely have little, if any, on Nemu, but there were many present who could do with some serenity.

"The Republic an-"

A thrill rushed up Meira's spine a fraction of a second before the estate shook from the explosive impact. Meira, cutting off her prepared offer, whirled as the Force guided her focus toward the direction of the threat. She could not, of course, see the breached wall, or Veston's men already responding. But she could sense the life forms in the area, their spikes of adrenaline, and their deeply ingrained training taking over. Veston, already springing to action, began to lead the party toward the exit and the ships. Alright, she thought, [/i]this'll do as well.[/i]

"Stay close to Nemu." Meira said to Fitzgerald. "You don't want to be left behind, and he'll provide you with some cover should it come to that." and then she sprung away, racing toward Veston and the front of the exodus. Hilt in hand, she continued to increase her momentum. "Estimates?" she asked Veston as she passed him. "We can help hold them off while Nemu is secured on board." Her eyes moved from Veston to Exryla, their intent hopefully quite clear. Meira had voluntold the woman. "Moor will stay with you and Nemu." Again her eyes shifted, again a statement rather than a request. And then she was ahead of the group, rushing toward where the Force called out in danger.

[Ash]

Ex sat back quietly, observing the exchanges between the more senior members of the Sith and Jedi as they spoke to Nemu the Hutt. She didn't really have anything to include, so rather than try to butt in, she remained silent. Like a good little weapon of death.

Even if she was silent, the rest of the compound was engulfed in a hail of noise: explosions ripping through the air as the wind would. She turned her head slightly, her gaze becoming unfocused for a moment as she looked towards where it happened, stretching out with the force. Beside that, she didn't even flinch.

Well that is a change. And certainly not for the better.

Her thoughts echoed in her mind as she took off her glasses, putting them in their metal case and slipping the case back into her clothing. She didn't like getting her glasses broke, and if she needed to fight, there was a good chance they could be.

She looked between Moor and Meira as both seemed to contemplate on what to do, before Meira, being the more senior, took over the planning. The Jedi Master spoke, eyes locking with Ex's, then she spoke to More. Her initial words were directed at Ex, which was easy enough to interpret.

"As you wish, Master"

A respectful master, nothing more than that. She turned her eyes back to more for a second, a spark of heat in them for that moment, before she flipped around and fallowed the senior Jedi, keeping on her heels.

[Stephen]

“16 to 30 Master Jedi.” Veston said, not exactly lying. It was in fact 24 plainclothed mercenaries that were holding a rough perimeter and peppering the compound with blaster fire. They would occasionally as well crack off a rocket like an untimely fart in a hottub, and with all the impact with half the payload missing. A good show overall, but if the teams on the inside actually prepped for a breach, they'd be waiting a good long while. Still while Veston was at the the helm there were no orders but to evacuate. He pushed Nemo across the courtyard, pushing through a hedge.

“My teams are currently holding the perimeter, but we need to get in the air as fast as we can if we are to hold.” Another rocket shook sand and plaster from the celing, and non trival amount of glass. Large shallow scrapes trailed down Nemo. Man, they are really going for it A scrape and cut here and there really sold the fear to Nemo and he seemed suitably terrified. He glanced over at the Jedi and back at Nemo a moment, vacillating between sticking to the script or going for authenticity. He dared for the later. “Master jedi, Escort Nemo to the armoured shuttle with our other guest and the shuttle team and make for the skies. I will stay here and coordinate the rear guard action.” He gave Nemo a final push toward the shuttleport and gestured toward him across his body. “For good or Ill, I leave this in your hands.”

He fired up his wrist communicator and spoke “Corbei, Take 4 and 5 to the sky with our guests. I'll be right behind in the other shuttle. Be ready for dust off in the next 180 seconds. All teams push back on the perimeter but be ready for the next shuttle after take off. I want a blanket of cover fire when this shuttle goes hot. 8! ready the chaff mortar and fire up those flare rockets. He drew his sidearm from his leg holster and made for the second shuttle, to begin prep for take off. Even if this was a show, it'd was starting to look too much like the real thing for his nerves. “Elias, take Nancy and get in shuttle 2, get it sky worthy on the double.”

He hadn't run an op in at least a year, even a pantomime one. It was like visiting a toxic fling and forgetting all the times you got hurt and railing a line of spice in the cantina bathroom. It was everything all at once all too fast. He was almost giddily hiccuping. He looked down at his blaster, still set to half power and considered cranking it all the way up but decided against it. Just a trick, just a drill, keep your head. Keep Your Head.

[Blue]

Things moved swiftly. The conflict raged. Explosions rocked the compound walls. The bodyguard made his orders, the men moved to obey. The Hutt quivered and wallowed, releasing a heady scent of terror. And the Jedi and empty one moved to leave. Leaving me alone against any threats. His throat was dry, unable to counteract the Jedi's words for fear of threatening the show of strength they had put forward to reassure the slug. No. No, no, no. The bodyguard called out to forestall them at the same moment Moor drew the ambient fear and tension into himself. The effect was instantaneous; the Dark Side swelled terribly around the lithe Sith as he consumed the negative emotions surrounding them. There was ample to feed on, after all. Moor felt the power scrape like nails against his nerves, setting them aflame with pain, and allowing him access to greater strength. Combined with his own fear fueled anger, the telepathic words punched from his mind and towards the two other Force users, unheard to those deaf to it's call. The mission is to guard the Hutt and bring them to the shuttle. R E T U R N. The words were heavy and there was no finesse. It plowed towards the others like a sledgehammer aimed to the skull, heedless and without care as to any unintentional damage it might do. The surge of power that absorbing the feelings of terror gave him was intoxicating... and terrifying, in equal measure. The fear fed his fear, and he clung to it tightly as his mind swam under it's influence. "We go for the shuttle. Now." Moor commanded as he directed the Hutt forward sharply, his voice a metallic growl. "Should anyone bar our passage, we shall have our chance to eviscerate them without abandoning our charge, Jedi". The last word was all but spat from Moor's mouth as he directed it not just to the older woman, but to the empty one, too. Not Sith. Empty. Disgusting. Useless. Dead, dead, dead. Might as well be. Maybe sooner, not later. The fact they had yet to meet any foes was no relief. In fact, it served only to inflame his fear to further heights. Give me something to slay. End it. Make it quiet. Make it stop. It was all he could do not to ignite the lightsaber clutched tightly in his hand while he stalked forward towards the supposed safety of their shuttle. Soon enough the modest vessel was before them, and the tension inside Moor wound to breaking point. If it is to be, it will be now. They will strike now. Ready. Cut them down. Climb the Chain. The Sith remained uncomfortably close to the Hutt, his senses ballooning outward, searching for incoming threats. Hutt must live. Everyone else can die. I need the silence.

[Meira]

She had not moved two strides before coming to an abrupt halt. Veston's words were unexpected and it took the Jedi a moment to process what he'd said. It was a rare thing for a non-Jedi to go against a plan presented by a Jedi. The Order was known throughout the galaxy as warriors and advisers alike. So, his desire to change her path was strange to her. As she considered him, a swelling within the Force all but stole her attention. Her eyes turned toward Moor just as the wave of telepathic energy swept over, around, and through her. So tainted with the dark side it was, it took a considerable force of will for Meira to keep from flinching. The unspoken words that came with the wave were almost like an attack unto themselves. Meira's brow furrowed, an itch of frustration flashing through her before being dismissed.

"As you wish, Veston." Meira said, turning her eyes back to the other man briefly and giving him a quick bow of her head. "May the Force be with you."

Turning, Meira moved with the group surrounding the Hutt. She gave no verbal response to Moor, but did extend her own presence within the Force from herself. It washed over the others with a soothing calm. She pushed it outward, pressing hard against Moor's own influence. As they moved, she pondered Veston's decision. It was odd, for Meira was certain that whatever forces were trying to reach the Hutt would not be prepared against a Jedi, or two Sith. Why would he not want the best chance for defeating this enemy to be there in the fight? Then again, she thought shamefully, the Sith was right. Their mission was to secure and transport the Hutt. There was no need to go running off to every fight. Meira sighed, letting the thought have its moment before moving on. Perhaps she'd been spending too much time with over-eager Guardians on recent missions...

The ship's loading ramp was down and ready for them as they came speeding into the bay. Nemu was quickly herded on board, his hangers-on and Fitzgerald quickly behind him. Meira had her eyes outward, scanning the perimeter of the bay as she backed toward the ramp. She stood at the base of it, lightsaber hilt still in hand. When all were aboard, she shouted for the pilot to start their launch.

[Ash]

Ex stopped in her tracks as more words hit her. She turned quickly, cloak flowing out for a moment before settling back around her body. Her golden eyes looked at Veston for a moment, a question in them before, next to her, Meira agreed with what Veston asked of them.

"As you say."

She affirmed as well, fallowing Meira. She glanced over at Moor as he spoke, the words being spat out but she could feel the words were also being dumped to her as well. Totally uncool when they were supposed to be on the same side. She put that to the side of her mind, focusing more on the immediate problem. She would worry about Moor later.

If she absolutely had to.

She tucked herself up closer to the Hutt, two lightsabers appearing in her hands, one with a longer hilt. They weren't activated but she was still ready in a more defensive position. The shuttle was getting closer as they got closer and closer. She stayed around the ramp while the Hutt was loaded up.

It was about time to leave this horrible planet. Finally.

[Stephen]

Veston ran toward the second shuttle. The building rocked around him as his auxiliary peppered the exterior. He could still feel the heat in the bay from the first shuttles take off. His troops sprinted behind him as the side door blew in an a hail of low power blaster bolts flew through the thick smoke, menacing the celing and support pillars above them. He spun on his heel and fired a few shots through the smoke blindly. He could hear the engines of the second shuttle roaring behind him, filling his nose with ozone. He took one last look into the smoke and sprinted on to loading bay of the shuttle, it rising before he even finished his climb.

He could still see the vapor trails of the lead shuttle as they rose into the air, He struggled past his crew, packed like in tight liked a dented can of fruit rocketting into space. He stared down at his palm. The red light stared back at him. It would turn green when his invasion crew were clear of the base and at a reasonable distance. He rubbed it lightly with his thumb a moment and he could see the colour change around the dense black meshed hands. He pressed down lightly against the pad of his hand.

The roof of the compound blew outward dramatically, sending a shockwave across the sky. The shuttle dipped violently as it passed through the wave. Veston finished making his way to the cockpit and took his chair in the copilots chair. He flicked the comms on and spoke “Corbei, shuttle 2 is clear, the compound is raining down behind us, but we are clear. Let's rendezvous at the station and then we'll take Nemo to the meeting. Be ready to be in the lanes in 45.” He clipped the comms closed, leaving her the duty of informing the hutt his new schedule. The mission largely over, he just suddenly felt overwhelmingly tired. He leaned back in the chair and elbowed the pilot “Wake me when he are docked.” he put his feet on the center console and crossed his arms over his chest, his head down.