The Tip of the Spear

Wals saw the blaster fire raining from above on his position and worked the flank, diving behind the cover the gangsters were hiding behind, cutting out what Lucky's deadly accurate fire could not pick off.

Knuckle’s finger trigger preps his DC15 as he listens to Ani attempting to sway the criminal into giving up, and he calms his breathing as all he can think at this point is that his weapon will rip the Sugi’s arm clean off as it is not made for subtlety. He pushes that thought down as he refocuses.

Aware of Lucky's accurate, and deadly, blaster fire Wals easily skirted to the rear of the group of thugs. Turning to find all but one of the remaining toughs collapsing to the ground, heavy jackets smoldering at the edge of strategically placed blaster holes. With a defiant roar the last goon attempted to bring his blaster to bear on the Selonian Padawan, only to stare in horror at the sudden slash across his chest before falling atop his colleagues.

And just like that the warehouse's interior was once again bathed in silent darkness, the only disruption the intermittent flashing of Epukang's bombs spread throughout that until Lucky had pointed them out were barely noticeable.

---

The crime-boss seemed subservient to, if not outright afraid of, whomever this 'them' was, and so Ani continued to lean on that, "They don't have to know there was a failure. At least, not until it is too late for them. Yes? Help us help you.

It seems as though these people looming over your work are likely also our, the Republic's, adversary? Whether we know it or not?

When times are tough, the enemy of your enemy can be your friend. And times are tough for us, right here in this room, right now. Let's find out if our goals can overlap, yes?"

Her lekku ached like a phantom, severed limb... the tentacle like appendages on her head could be used for communication amongst other twi'leks but none of her team would likely ever even notice the subtle twitches. They were useless right now, and there was so much she'd like to be saying to her comrades to start other things in motion, but couldn't at the moment with Epukang right there.

Lucky let go of the breath he did not realise he was holding as the last thug fall to the Jedi's lightsaber. Half a second, that seems extremely long for the trooper, passes before he calls the all clear.

"All clear in the warehouse. Scrapper, think I could disarm some of those bombs?"

"Yea, I wouldn't want to make thing worst.

Taking position by the door Commander, just say my name if you need to target neutralise.""

After answering scrapper, Lucky will move to the conference room door, staying out of line of sight and ready to act at a moment's notice.

Wals looked around him, his blade sinking down to his side as the quiet after the battle settled over the warehouse. He stood still as the blade retracted with a hiss, snapping out of existence as darkness fell on the floor. He shut his eyes, taking in the darkness behind his eyelids in favor of the stillness of the wounded and the dead. Stumbling as he picked his way back towards the stairs, one hand on the wall for guidance as he ascended.

His hand lifted to the braided fur on his cheek, grazing over it, contemplating, before he triggered his earpiece.

"Sarge..?" He cleared his throat, to bring his voice above a hoarse whisper. "Is... everything okay at the ship...?"

The gruff, grizzled voice of the Clone Sergeant responded over the tactical comms, "All is quiet and clear out here." There was a slight pause, a hint of disappointment or perhaps puzzlement in his tone, "I don't know that maintenance is a priority in this rust bucket ... not unless they receive a complaint."

"Epukang... the Republic is not unreasonable, nor without tact.

If enough can be gained by the deceit - like the capture of the party who was ultimately behind the Senator's abduction - I'm certain the Republic would be persuaded to conceal her rescue AND even the whereabouts of the one who was charged with her care. Which, that's you, right?

If this whole thing wasn't your plan, there is someone else we really want. We want them.

And if you want to be out from under the thumb of them, a position I sense you do not relish...

Then I believe we have a common goal..."

The Sugi criminal quietly considered Ani's words, eyes narrowing in contemplation as they slowly shifted between the Twi'lek Padawan and her clone escort who still had him in the sights of his carbine. The indecision was apparent, the inner conflict evident in the facial expressions and mannerisms before he finally relaxed, dropping the detonator to his side as he slowly released his short arm from around the Senator's shoulder.

In the darkness, seeming unsure of what was transpiring, the nervous and whimpering young woman stood, eyes wide with fear and perhaps a bit reluctant to move towards the bright lights that had been shining on her and her capture from the black.

In the warehouse, the intermittent flashing of the small lights on the bombs ceased.

"It sounds like everything is settling in here. We should prepare the ship," he almost-muttered into the commlink.

Wals gave a passing nod to the troopers stationed at the conference room door, stepping back out onto the mezzanine, leaning on the railing. Mission accomplished...

Ani takes tentative steps forward, her hands empty and open - out to her sides, maintaining an intense scrutiny of Epukang.

When she is within reach of the Senator, still maintaining eye contact with the sugi crime lord, she reaches out to gently grab the arm of the frightened woman and draw her away, putting herself between the Senator and Epukang as soon as she can.

Her eyes flick to Knuckles and she gives an easy "forward" motion with her hand, gesturing toward Epukang...

Only hearing part of the conversation going inside, Lucky stays alert, ready to act at a moments notice.

Knuckles nods to Ani slinging the DC15 and moving in beside the Sugi criminal without placing hands on him, "Can you remove any devices and or possession placing them on the floor."

The frightened Senator flinched at Ani's touch, perhaps more from the darkness than actual fear, but allowed the Twi'lek Padawan to guide her away from the Sugi crime boss's grasp as Knuckles moved in. Epukang's eyes widened at the sight of the massive Trooper, metal legs clicking upon the floor as he back slightly away. With a resigned nod he carefully placed the detonator upon the smooth surface of the conference room table, quickly adding his heavy blaster pistol to the collection.

"And my conveyance?" he asked the trooper, large eyes dropping to the spider legged contraption he road upon.

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