The fall into the audience chamber is three meters or so, and Fennec is the first to reach the ground, grunting as she breaks smoothly into a commando roll before swiftly rising, blaster rifle ready as she scans the dimly lit room for any sign of movement.

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Reflex Save.

Next to land is Xizran, who lands much less gracefully, targeting his landing to put himself behind Fennec should any enemies appear.

OOC: Xizran rolled 22 using 1d20+8.  Reflex Save.

Layla is the last to land, using the Force to guide and slow her fall as she touches down lightly beside the other two.

OOC: Layla Secura rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Force Flight.

"The adrenaline from that medpac will wear off soon, you know," Fennec informs Layla, not sounding like she will be sorry when this happens.

"Thanks for the friendly warning," Layla shoots back dryly as she glances about.

The audience chamber is grimy and dimly lit. A dozen or so bodies are strewn about the floor or slumped against the walls. Stro'to's throne stands at the far end of the room with a Weequay corpse flung across it but there is no sign of the Twi'lek crime lord.

"I do hope this wasn't where you were expecting to find Stro'to," Xizran says, in the tone of someone who isn't optimistic enough to set his hopes for this matter particularly high.

Layla gives a knowing smirk as she leads the way towards a corridor branching off behind the throne.

"He'll be in the treasury."

Layla leads the procession down a narrow staircase and into a small room lined with shelves. An assortment of cheap beverages and a couple of boxes of artificial gemstones are scattered about the shelves, along with three blocks of bronzium.

"He's not hiding in that box of gemstones I take it?" Fennec says dryly as she surveys the room.

Layla ignores this comment as she moves over to the far wall, running her hand along the bottom of one of the shelves. She gives a satisfied smile as there is a low rumble and a section of the wall at the far end of the room swings open to reveal a room of gleaming aurodium beyond.

In it, a white-skinned twi'lek looks up, caught in the act of snorting to himself as he writes (and backspaces) and writes again a note on a datapad that he appears to be intending to attach to a not-yet-armed multi-detonator. His expression twists with horror at the sight of the newcomers before twisting into a thin, rather unconvincing smile.

"...What an--," Stro'to coughs, "unexpected but welcome surprise."

"That’s half true, I’m sure," Layla smiles back blandly, glancing at the multi detonator, "We interrupting something?"

Fennec gives a snort of amusement from behind Layla.

"What does the datapad say?" she adds, grinning.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:10, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

"Nothing that was intended for you, dear lady," Stro'to says, pressing the 'delete' button surreptitiously on his message, and eying off the potential exits to this room even more surreptitiously. "What happened to your stomach, Vayla?" Stro'to attempts to deflect everyone's attention from himself subtly, eying the bleeding wound with a good imitation of genuine concern.

Layla doesn't look impressed.

"It was 'Xayla', actually," she corrects him, sounding irked, "But my real name is actually Layla."

"Creative," mutters Fennec.

"And my stomach is fine," continues Layla, ignoring Fennec, "It's your own skin you should be concerned about."

"Your stomach, Layla," Stro'to points out, eying it, "is dripping blood all over my treasury floor. Mine is not."

Xizran seems to feel he's been being ignored long enough.

"The compeer's bank account?" he coughs, glaring at Layla's back pointedly.

Layla places a hand defensively over her stomach, wincing as she does so.

"Just so you understand, this pair of assassins came to kill you, Stro'to, and the only reason they haven't done so is because I assured them you knew the precise location of the Compeer's vault which I believe I overheard you mentioning to one of your contacts was on Kashyyyk. Is that true? Or is there really no reason why they shouldn't just shoot you where you stand?"

Stro'to seems to have no problems doing the math on this one (which is more than can be said for Stro'to's actual math exams.) His gaze slides on to the pair.

"Assassins? That is slightly harsh, don't you think, Fennec, after all the parties I've hosted that you and dear Xizran have been invited to? I thought we Exchange were above all this petty stabbing in the back nonsense."

"Wait, you two also work for the Exchange?" Layla repeats in surprise, glancing sharply at Xizran.

"...No?" Xizran tries unconvincingly.

"...Xizran?" Stro'to's eyes widen slightly. (He seems to be regretting his life choices regarding the lack of alternative exits to this room.) "Is that you, my old friend?"

"No, this is the unknown stranger in the spacer suit who is going to blow you up if you don't have useful intel to share about a compeer, who I might note is the only reason you haven't already got Fennec's blaster bolt in your chest. I suggest you start sharing intel sooner rather than later, before I start to suspect you have not actually got any," Xizran sneers, sounding peeved.

"Exactly," adds Fennec, ignoring Layla's accusing gaze, "And before I begin to remember just how cheap the food and beverages were at those parties of yours..."

"I see the years have taken away none of your charm," Stro'to enthuses, his tone making it clear this goes for both of them. "I am somewhat lost, Layla, as to why a twi'lek like yourself is looking at my harmless self so hostilely when you are working with known slavers who have far more formidable reputations in Exchange circles than I would ever aspire to, however..."

Stro'to seems to have struck a nerve with Layla, who eyes Xizran and Fennec with newfound disgust.

"I'm not working with them," she says firmly, "All I want is the location of-"

Layla breaks off as there is a loud explosion nearby and the entire building shakes, sending a shower of dust and loose pebbles down upon them.

"We should continue this discussion when we are not in a rickety building with a bunch of assassins trying to kill us," Fennec asserts firmly, pushing past Layla to take hold of Stro'to's collar and drag him up as she heads back towards the audience chamber.

"Are there any other exits out of here aside from the main entrance?" she directs at the Twi'lek crime lord.

OOC: Vek Stro'to has joined the party.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:25, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

"There is the windows. There is also always," Stro'to coughs around his restricted airway, "the trash shoot. But that is generally just for trash, the speeder I keep down there for getaways will not seat four."

"What about three?" Fennec asks, eying Layla darkly.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

Xizran snorts appreciatively.

"Three is, possibly, manageable, since it fits myself, my lady friends, and their shopping," Stro'to allows. "But I could not possibly leave a slave with a wound like that behind, and my speeder is outfitted with a bio-scanner, and alas, will not run unless I am alive and driving it..."

"How convenient," Fennec mutters, "And since when did you start caring about your slaves?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

"Speaking of slaves," Layla says from behind them, "There are fourteen trapped in their quarters. If more attackers have arrived we will need to rescue them."

"You're welcome to go and help them," Fennec responds over her shoulder, not slowing her pace, "We won't stop you."

"I will help you save them," Stro'to says virtuously, trying to wriggle free of Fennec's grip. "I value each and every one of my slaves."

"At 2,000 credits a piece you do," Xizran mutters.

"It's two verses two," Layla says, accepting Stro'to's support regardless of his motives, "These are people's lives we are talking about. Once they are safe we can depart for Kashyyyk and the vault."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:26, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

"This isn't a democracy," Fennec objects, pausing to glance at Xizran and making it clear whose vote matters as far as she is concerned.

"Exactly, Fennec. They're not going to be any safer if you do find them anyway, Layla. They're slaves, they've got no legal paperwork, no ID, no jobs, and no way of feeding themselves. Unless you plan to babysit them until they get back to Ryloth, they're dead anyway."

"I've got a contact in the city who can help them," Layla replies firmly, placing her hands on her hips (and regretting it a moment later as she winces and quickly removes her hand which is now smeared with blood).

"I don't want to fight you for Stro'to but I will," she adds weakly, placing a hand to the hilt of her lightsaber.

"You can barely stand," Fennec points out, releasing Stro'to's collar to place both hands on her blaster rifle.

Stro'to takes the opportunity to retreat to Layla's side, offering her a supportive arm to lean on (which conveniently is done at an angle that makes her the human shield if anyone starts firing.) "Now now, there is no need to be hasty, Fennec. There is an exit in that direction too. A better exit. On that side of the building is where we load up the slaves for transport. Assuming nobody has blown up my hangar, there might be an actual ship near where they are. There may even be spice on it."

OOC: Vek Stro'to rolled 33 using 1d20+17.  Bluff Check.

Layla eyes the proffered arm with distaste and does not take it. She does, however, glance keenly back at Fennec and Xizran to see their response.

Fennec's expression turns calculating as she considers Stro'to's words, glancing at Xizran before turning back to the Twi'lek.

"The corridor is collapsed leading to your audience chamber," is her only objection, "Is there another way to the slave quarters?"

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 14 using 1d20+1. Sense Motive.

(Xizran, too, looks calculating.)

OOC: Xizran rolled 11 using 1d20+10.  Sense Motive check.

Stro'to points to the air vents.

"Assuming, of course, that you fit..." his gaze lingers on Fennec as he says this.

Fennec eyes the vent darkly.

"Wouldn't the ventilation system have been crushed during the collapse?" she points out, before cursing as another explosion sounds, nearer than the first, dislodging a few chunks of metal from the roof.

"On the other hand," Stro'to's attentions shifts to the nearing explosions, "there is also the secret backstairs exit..."

"Well why didn't you say so?" Fennec shoots back impatiently as they begin to hurry off after Stro'to.

The party make their way back into the audience chamber which appears to have been struck by a blaster cannon of some kind. Half of the domed roof is missing, and where the throne previously stood in the center of the room there is now a black, carbon scored crater. Through the opening in the missing roof above them they are able to make out a dark, unmarked gunship hovering thirty or so meters above the building. Even as they hurry across the audience room another blast from its cannon strikes the treasury room behind them, send stone and smoke scattering up the corridor behind them.

"Who are these people?" Layla complains, gritting her teeth and clutching her stomach as she hurries after Stro'to towards the a concealed door set into the rear of the audience chamber.

"..." Stro'to squints up, trying to spot any markings or at least the branding of the ships.

OOC: Vek Stro'to rolled 15 using 1d20+10.  Spot Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Thu 17 Mar 2022.

"Clearly, whoever they are, they are not our friends," Xizran sneers.

"You got that right," Fennec agrees, also peering up at the ship as they move across the chamber, "No markings that I can see. There aren't many who are foolish enough to attack the Exchange though."

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Spot.

Reaching the door, the group of them tear down a narrow, grimy staircase, almost colliding with a pair of male Twi'leks who crouch fearfully by the doorway, carrying blasters which appear to have been appropriated from those killed in the skirmish between Stro'to's guards and the mysterious assailants. None of them look like they have ever held such a weapon before. They glance in confusion between Layla and Stro'to as the pair enter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:37, Thu 17 Mar 2022.

"Quickly, we must escape this place!" Layla informs them in Ryl as they hurry past, "Gather everyone at once!"

"Slaves," Xizran says to Fennec, making no effort to help gather anyone, looking at them scornfully. "If I'd been enslaved and had a blaster, I wouldn't be just watching the schutta who kidnapped me and smiling at him. I'm sure you wouldn't either."

One of the nearby slaves, a muscular male Twi'lek with green skin seems to share Xizran's sentiments, as he advances towards Stro'to, raising the blaster rifle he is holding.

"You will die! Evil sleemo scum!" he shouts in Ryl.

Fennec may not speak a word of Ryl, but understands the Twi'lek slave's sentiment all too well, quickly raising her own blaster rifle.

"I suggest you control your friends," she says sternly to Layla.

Layla has already stepped in between Stro'to and the aggrieved slave.

"We need him alive," she says quickly in Ryl, "I don't like it anymore than you do, but he has information that can bring down the entire Exchange and save many more slaves around the galaxy."

She refrains from pointing out that the slave hasn't deactivated the blaster's trigger lock.

OOC: Layla Secura rolled 21 using 1d20+3. Diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Thu 17 Mar 2022.

The slaves hesitates a moment, eying Stro'to with loathing, but reluctantly lowers his weapon.

"Very well," he says at length, "But the galaxy would be better off without scum like him."

Fennec also lowers her weapon slowly, before turning to Stro'to.

"Well, where is this hanger of yours?" she snaps as another blast shakes the building.

"Assuming there is a hanger," Xizran's eyes narrow under his spacer helmet.

"There is a hangar," Stro'to promises hastily, making sure Layla stays between himself and any slaves who want to shoot him. "This way," he says, beginning to head towards the direction of what is indeed the hangar, but may or may not actually have any ships in it (given it is exposed to the air and the building is being bombed) and most certainly is not where he stores any private stashes of spice.

"Quickly, gather everyone. We are not safe here," Layla informs the slaves, who not and hurry off into the adjoining quarters. In a few moments they return with several more frightened looking slaves, following after Stro'to towards the hanger.

The party hurry up a flight of stairs and into an empty guard room and then down another corridor into a low ceilinged garage. A pair of damaged swoop bikes rest in the bay along with a partially dismantled speeder.

"Hanger?" Fennec turns accusingly to Stro'to, "This is barely a garage!"

"We do not all of us have budgets of millions from our spice deals and our cozying up with Czerka farming tachs to spend on private spaceports," Stro'to says defensively, hurrying over to a speeder and keying in the passcodes to start it.

"You might be if you didn't let your ladyfriends blow all your embezzled funds on shopping sprees," Xizran sneers.

Stro'to does not appear to hear Xizran's words, being occupied with starting the speeder.

"That piece of junk will never start-" Fennec breaks off as the partially dismantled speeder gives a sick rumble and roars to life.

Layla swiftly turns to the green skinned Twi'lek slave, passing him a datapad.

"Head to this location," she informs him once again in Ryl, "I think these attackers are after Stro'to so hopefully you can slip away once we have departed. We will try to join you there once we have lost our pursuers. Oh," she adds, flicking a switch on the slave's appropriated weapon to disable the trigger lock, "That should help if you need to use that blaster on your way there."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

The slave looks sheepishly at the weapon, before eying Stro'to with misgiving. Nevertheless he nods and begins to direct the other slaves in Huttese as they move over toward the side of the garage.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

Stro'to moves over to key in the security code for the next speeder.

"Out of interest, are you imagining any of them can even pilot, much less that 15 slaves are going to be able to pile onto the same swoop bike?" Xizran says critically, eying off the damaged machinery.

"They will be going on foot," Layla responds grimly as Stro'to's swoop splutters uncooperatively behind them, "Hopefully there will be no one left to attack them once we are gone."

As she speaks she leans against the rumbling speeder Stro'to has started, closing her eyes for a moment and breathing heavily. She opens them a couple of seconds later, gritting her teeth.

"Told you that adrenaline would wear off," Fennec says smugly as she passes, climbing lightly into the rear seat of the functioning speeder.

"Come on," she calls to Stro'to, "Stop wasting time with those junkpiles and let's get out of here."

If Stro'to feels that the person bombing the building is unlikely to care whether any of them are in it, Stro'to chooses not to voice this thought. He seems to agree with Fennec's assessment of the speeder, because after a few moments more of failure, Stro'to reluctantly rejoins them.

"We could always do two trips..." Stro'to suggests, eying the cramped seats.

OOC: Vek Stro'to rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Repair check to start swoop.

"...Can anyone actually pilot?" Xizran says, also clambering in.

"Come on Stro'to!" Layla calls in exasperation as a violent rumble causes the metal beams supporting the garage to jolt and buckle slightly. As she speaks she moves toward the pilot's seat.

"I don't think so," Fennec says firmly to Layla as she quickly clambers into the pilot's seat, "You're just as likely to faint and send us crashing into the side of a building."

Stro'to, eying the juddering metal beams, hastily clambers in.

Xizran clambers into the back seat next to Stro'to, keeping an eye on the twi'lek for any signs of weapons being drawn, with the air of someone all too used to being piloted wherever he goes by somebody else.

Layla has barely time to scramble into the passenger seat beside Fennec before the speeder sets off with a roar, jolting violently as they scrape against the side of the entrance on their way out into the dusty and smoky street. Fennec narrowly manages to gain control of the speeder as they rumble off down the street.

"If you can't control this thing then feel free to let me take over," Layla says tersely as they narrowly miss a pile of crates.

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 15 using 1d20+9. Pilot.

"Shut up," Fennec snaps back as she twists to turn down a side alleyway, denting the side of the building as a panel on the rear of the speeder snaps off and clatters down the street behind them, "This is hardly an XS-2000."

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Pilot.

Xizran glares poisonously at Stro'to at the mention of "XS", this clearly being a sore point.

Stro'to coughs something that sounds like, they aren't that far off it.

The escaping party appear to have indeed attracted the attention of the gunship, as a blast strikes the entrance of the alleyway behind them. A few seconds later the gunship roars into view over the rooftops above them firing wildly.

"I am starting to feel this may be personal......" Stro'to says tensely, clinging to the side of the lurching swoop as it rounds another corner.

"Can this thing go any faster, Fennec? And can it go into somewhere like a tunnel where we aren't a sitting duck from the air?"

"I'm trying to- kark!" exclaims Fennec as they fly out of the alleyway into a busy street full of market stalls and customers. Fennec sharply steers the speeder to the left, narrowly avoiding an elderly Bith in the process of purchasing a bucket of meiloorun. The marketplace around them swiftly erupts into chaos as the beings about them shout and scream as they scramble to flee from the roaring speeder and cannon blasts from the gunship.

Layla appears to be meditating or else she may indeed have fainted. Her eyes are closed as she sits back against her seat, apparently oblivious to the chaos about them.

"A fat lot of use you are," Xizran glares at her meditating/unconscious body accusingly.

Stro'to secures the safety belt.

Even as blasts continue to strike about them there are angry shouts as several of the beings in the street about them draw blasters and take cover to fire back at the gunship. From a nearby rooftop a pair of Nikto emerge to set up a tripod mounted blaster cannon, firing back at the gunship. The gunship seems to decide that they have perhaps attracted more unwanted attention than they can handle as they hastily peel off to avoid the increasing blaster fire.

"And whoever said Worlport wasn't a public spirited city?" Fennec smiles grimly as she manages to negotiate the last of the market (or to be more accurate the last of the market manages to negotiate her). She increases their pace once more as she directs the speeder down into an empty alleyway beyond.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

"I still don't understand who wants to kill you so badly," Layla says to Stro'to, opening her eyes.

"Neither do I, my dear lady," Stro'to agrees, sounding pleased that the only other person in the speeder who doesn't want him dead is waking up.

"I would have thought if you'd been living with him 10 months you'd be able to think of plenty of people who wanted him dead. The mystery is only how he's survived this long."

"Now, now, Xizran, there's no need to make things personal," Stro'to protests.

"Three months," Layla corrects Xizran, "But yeah, I suppose you have a point."

Fennec sends the direction in which the gunship disappeared a quick glance as she pilots the speeder down another narrow alleyway.

"Should we head back to our freighter?" she asks Xizran, "Most of those guards were hired by Lendon so there may be more traitors among them."

Stro'to snorts at the news Xizran has assassins after him too, before hastily disguising it as a cough.

"We probably should. I'm not paying to book a third-class seat on a freighter when I can just kill some treacherous underlings and fly my own ship for free."

"Fair point," Fennec allows as she pulls out a datapad with a free hand to direct her to the location, "The sooner we get off this planet the-"

Even as she speaks the speeder's left turbine explodes, sending the speeder careening sideways and through the side of a building to their left. Stone, and metal are thrown about them as the speeder turns on it's side, causing the right turbine to explode. The speeder jolts violently, Stro'to's safety harness snaps, and all four passengers are sent flying through the air and into the building within.

Layla summons the last of her remaining energy to reach out with the Force to guide the fall of herself and Stro'to, as the two tumble across the grimy floor within.

OOC: Layla Secura rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Force Flight.
Layla Secura rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Move Object.

Fennec curses as she is thrown across the ground, tumbling several times before coming to a stop heavily against a pile of crates.

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Reflex Save.
Fennec Kang received 17 points of vitality damage.

Xizran isn't much better, also been thrown to roll several times, landing against the base of a stack of crates opposite to Fennec.

"Ow..."

OOC: Xizran rolled 16 using 4d6.  Falling Damage.

Stro'to, who lands much more gracefully thanks to his force-induced cushioning, rolls over and checks solicitously to see if Layla is all right.

Layla pants heavily, lying on her back and staring at a flickering fluorescent light above her for a moment before suddenly becoming aware that they are not alone in the room. Turning her head to the left she stares groggily at several figures who stand amongst the crates a dozen or so meters away.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:09, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

Four of the figures appear to be Trandoshans armed with vibroswords who Stro'to recognises as members of a local gang known as the Crimson Fang. They surround a short figure in a helmeted combat suit who Stro'to does not recognise. All heads are currently turned in the direction of the smoking remains of the speeder and the four newcomers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:41, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

The helmeted figure is the first to recover himself.

"Like I said," he says to the Trandoshan nearest him, glancing at the injured and groggy forms on the floor by the collapsed wall, "My, uh, backup. Now, are you entirely sure you want to-"

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Bluff.

The Trandoshan leader takes a moment to survey the four newcomers attempting to pick themselves up from the floor before giving a snarl and addressing his companions in his own tongue.

"Kill them all!"

OOC: Rhraaktal rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Sense Motive.
Vek Stro'to rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Initiative.
Crimson Fang Members rolled 19 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Xizran rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Initiative.
Fennec Kang rolled 9 using 1d20+8. Initiative.
Bane Malar rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
Layla Secura rolled 7 using 1d20+6. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:32, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

Stro'to, who knows better than anyone that in Worlport it's shoot first, then we'll talk with the locals, is the first to react to this new development— helped slightly by the fact that he speaks a smattering of Trandoshan.

He whips a heavy blaster pistol out and promptly fires a blast which strikes the leftmost Trandoshan squarely in the shoulder.

OOC: Vek Stro'to dealt 34 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.
Vek Stro'to dealt 7 points of wound damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:32, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

The Trandoshan struck by Stro'to gives a snarl of rage as he charges the Twi'lek and strikes at him, burying his blade deep into the crime lord's shoulder. The remaining Trandoshans focus their attention on the helmeted figure, slashing at him as he darts backward. He is not quick enough to avoid a stroke from one of them which slices into his side, drawing a string of expletives from the mercenary.

OOC: Crimson Fang Gang Member dealt 10 points of wound damage to Vek Stro'to.
Crimson Fang Gang Member dealt 8 points of wound damage to Bane Malar.
Crimson Fang Gang Member dealt 6 points of vitality damage to Bane Malar.
Rhraaktal dealt 10 points of vitality damage to Bane Malar.

Stro'to collapses, ashen-faced and unconscious, his fortitude apparently not up to dealing with being stabbed by vibroblades at this hour of the day or possibly ever.

"Typical uselessness," Xizran sneers critically, firing at the thug who stabbed Stro'to straight in the back, who collapses with a garbled snarl. "The only thing you can count on Stro'to for in a fight is to be incompetent."

OOC: Xizran rolled 7 using 3d4+2 wound damage to thug.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:18, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

Fennec has shaken herself and glanced up sharply. With a curse she snatches up her blaster rifle, firing at the Trandoshan leader who narrowly dodges her blasts as one grazes his arm. With a snarl he turns to charge at her.

OOC: Fennec Kang dealt 45 points of damage to Rhraaktal.
Fennec Kang dealt 2 points of wound damage to Rhraaktal.

The mercenary in the helmet spins to aim at the Trandoshan leader as he charges at Fennec, taking aim with his blaster rifle and landing a blast squarely in the reptilian's back. With a hoarse snarl the Trandoshan's weapon slips from his grasp as his smoking body crashes heavily to the floor.

OOC: Bane Malar dealt 16 points of wound damage to Rhraaktal.

Layla looks as though she would be very content to keep lying where she is and not move for a long time. But as Stro'to collapses beside her she gives a loud groan as she forces herself to sit up and, taking hold of the crime lord's discarded blaster, she fires at one of the remaining Trandoshans who hastily ducks as the blast whizzes centimetres past his ear.

OOC: Layla Secura dealt 9 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 09:56, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

Xizran fires, forcing the trandoshan to duck again as more blaster bolts whizz past his ear.

Fennec shifts her attention to the leftmost of the remaining two Trandoshans, downing him in a spray of blaster fire.

OOC: Fennec Kang dealt 25 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.
Fennec Kang dealt 4 points of wound damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.

Layla fires two more blasts at the remaining Trandoshan who gives a vengeful snarl as narrowly ducks her blasts.

OOC: Layla Secura dealt 20 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:49, Fri 18 Mar 2022.

Another blast scorches his cheek as Xizran fires once more.

OOC: Xizran dealt 5 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.

A moment later a pair of blasts from Fennec catch the Trandoshan in the shoulder and throat as he crashes heavily to the ground and does not rise.

OOC: Fennec Kang dealt 9 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.
Fennec Kang dealt 15 points of vitality damage to Crimson Fang Gang Member.

"So," Xizran says, casually setting one of the Trandoshan's blasters to stun and knocking all their enemies out properly so nobody wakes up and stabs anyone else in this room. "Give me one good reason why Fennec shouldn't shoot you for dragging us into your mess, whatever-your-name-is."

"Indeed, your timing was most fortunate," the helmeted figure says smoothly as he withdraws a medpac from the pouch at his belt, "Bane Malar is the name, and as for shooting me, well that would be rather a waste as I am actually quite a competent," he pauses as his medpac splits open, spraying blue liquid down his left trouser leg, "mercenary," he coughs as he withdraws a second medpac. This time he has more luck and is able to successfully seal his wound and inject the blue liquid into his injured side.

"But in all seriousness," he adds as he tosses aside the depleted medpac and turns his full attention to the group, his gaze resting on Fennec, "I do appreciate the assist. Would you consider five hundred credits to be fair compensation for your endeavors?"

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14. Treat Injury.
Bane Malar rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17. Treat Injury.
Bane Malar healed 2 wound points.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 09:29, Sat 19 Mar 2022.

"I would not," Xizran says bluntly. "I have two injured people now who will need days of rest to heal. That's days of uselessness that you owe us compensation for, since it's time they each could have been earning me thousands of credits. Perhaps you've been living in a backwater dung heap, but in case you missed it, you are also dealing with the Exchange. And dragging two sector leaders into a private mess between a nobody like you and a street gang as an 'assist' is a blow to my pride that will take more than a mere 500 credits to salve."

Fennec has moved over to the collapsed wall to peer out cautiously.

"We should keep moving Xizran," she interrupts curtly, "We need to get Stro'to off-world before those assassins show up again."

Bane, midway through crouching to examine the Trandoshan leader, halts abruptly, glancing between Fennec and Xizran.

"Xizran?" he repeats, his tone shifting from nonchalance to obsequiousness in an instant, "Lord Xizran of House Sizhran? Forgive me my lord, I would not have dared to suggest so trivial an amount had I known in whose company I found myself. Whatever financial amends you desire shall of course be made. But may I perhaps offer my services? You seem to be in a spot of bother as it were, and I really am quite a competent mercenary," he hastily attempts to wipe off the remainder of the medpac liquid, "I don't know who designed these medpacs but I swear the dratted things have a vendetta against me. But I'm a decent shot and an ace pilot, if I do say so myself."

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (streetwise).
This message was last edited by the player at 09:27, Sat 19 Mar 2022.

"I desire 5,000 credits," Xizran sneers. "As for your services, I already have Fennec, so I don't give a kark how good you are with a blaster. I suppose we could use someone to carry Stro'to, however, since thanks to you, he's now unconscious. Assuming you are capable of that," Xizran eyes Bane's slim build dubiously.

If Bane is at all distressed by Xizran's demands, he does not show it. Instead he bows graciously.

"Credits you shall have," he agrees, before delicately adding, "As soon as I have access to a banking terminal. As for Stro'to, Vek Stro'to I take it...? I am stronger than I appear and should be able to manage that."

He exhibits a decidedly flimsy bicep (or lack thereof) as he says this, before moving over to Stro'to to examine him from different angles, seemingly debating the best way to lift him.

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 19 using 1d20+9. Bluff.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:34, Sat 19 Mar 2022.

Xizran watches him expectantly, signaling to Fennec to make no effort to help him.

Realizing no one is going to assist him and feeling he has stalled for as long as he can, Bane crouches resignedly and takes hold of Stro'to to lift him up. Stro'to's arms may be bent on an uncomfortable looking angle but to Bane's credit he does succeed in hoisting the Twi'lek crime lord over his shoulders as he staggers toward the exit.

"So," he says, trying to sound light and not like he is about to collapse, "Where are we off to?"

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 20 using 1d20. Strength.
Bane Malar has joined the party.

"We should head to my contact in the city," Layla suggests as she staggers along behind Bane, "He has the facilities to heal Stro'to and might be able to find some information on these assassins."

Bane could be imagining it, but he thinks Stro'to's "unconscious" form perks up a bit at the mention of healing.

"Before we head out, I suggest we switch gear with these scum," Xizran says, lip curling. "Whoever is shooting at us clearly knows what we look like. With luck, they won't know if we're wearing that."

Fennec looks as though she would prefer to be shot at rather than trade her armor for the grimy combat suits worn by the Trandoshans.

"I doubt they will fit us," is her verbally expressed objection, "They also have no helmets to conceal your features."

"Two very good points," Layla quickly agrees with Fennec.

"Make up your minds," Bane wheezes beneath Stro'to's limp form.

"Fine, but at least stick one of their jackets over the outside of your armor," Xizran complains, pulling the outer jacket of one of the trandoshans over his own head and replacing his helmet with the hood of the jacket. "I won't make you wear all their armor but anyone looking at us from the air needs to think we aren't us."

Fennec knows better than to push Xizran any further, and reluctantly dons a ragged, musty smelling cloak belonging to one of the Trandoshans.

Layla wrinkles her nose as she follows suit, donning a hooded jacket similar to Xizran's, which at least covers her blood encrusted stomach.

"My contact is this way," she informs the others as she makes to move past Fennec into the street.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Sat 19 Mar 2022.

"And our ship is this way," Fennec places a restraining arm on Layla as she darts out into the street herself, blaster rifle raised as she scans the rooftops about them, "Clear," she informs Xizran curtly before continuing to Layla, "The medbay in our ship will be more than sufficient to keep Stro’to alive until we reach Kashyyyk. He isn't dying until Xizran wants him to."

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 23 using 1d20+11. Spot.

Bane glances at Xizran and then at the unfortunate form of Stro’to slumped across his shoulders.

"No honor among thieves then, I take it?" he mutters in a low voice to Layla.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Sat 19 Mar 2022.

"Understatement of the millennium," Layla mutters back grimly.

With that, the party make their way out of the building and into the sun and dust beyond.

OOC: End of Chapter II…