Post by Darko on Jun 10, 2023 20:47:12 GMT
Karl and Victoria disembarked the Phantom, stepping into the snow once again. Even to a battle-hardened stormtrooper-turned-mercenary, the little crunch of a boot on undisturbed snow was one of life's little satisfying pleasures, if only appreciated subconsciously. He exhaled heavily, the helmet warping the sound into a barely audible rumble. Victoria knew he wasn't going to talk about it. So she talked instead.
'Let's head over to the clinic. I'd like to take a full inventory of what meagre supplies they have. I didn't get much of a chance last time between performing a miracle on the wookie and sticking arms back on.' Karl glanced at the other ships on the landing pad, only half-listening. There was the UT-60D gunship in the blue and white colours of the karking Republic. Weapons compliment: two Taim and Bak laser cannons. Defenses: light armour, single shield generator. Maximum atmospheric speed: 950kph. Hyperdrive: class one. It was a fast little thing, for a troop transport. Could even outrun their own ship. In a dogfight, it was outmatched however. The Phantom's heavy shielding and dual laser cannons were a significant advantage.
'... they made it this long. Surprised the town loony isn't running things. Would probably be doing a better job by the looks of it,' Vic continued. Their path took them alongside the magistrate's complex. She noted the small descending pathway, almost like a diagonal trench, leading to a thick metal door on the side. For a moment she almost commented on it, but noticed Karl was preoccupied with the Republic embassy on the other side of the road. Two droids with blasters stood as still as statues in front of the entrance. A long flagpole had been fixed on top, the embroidered fabric bristling gently in the slight breeze. She almost smiled. No doubt Karl was already analysing their weaponry. He was cool, pragmatic. Liked to have a problem in front of him that he could solve. Not currently being able to do anything about the farce back on the ship and being trapped on this planet was even more frustrating for a soldier than it was for her. At least she could ply her trade in the meantime. She was taken aback when he spoke.
'Something's up,' he said, one hand extending in front of her protectively and the other resting on his holster. She looked. There was some sort of commotion by the cantina from the looks of it. People shouting. There was a distant flash of an energy weapon, accompanied by a high pitched whine.
'E-11 blaster rifles. Stun setting,' Karl thought aloud.
'Of course the clinic had to be opposite the fracking cantina,' she complained. 'Might as well just funnel the drunks across the street every night.'
'Stay behind me,' Karl instructed. It's not that he didn't think she could handle herself, it was just simpler to not have a friendly in his line of fire if there was a problem.
When they approached Lobar's cantina, it seemed they'd missed out on all the fun. A few deputies, panting heavily, were restraining a number of locals against the wall. Marshal Tycho was standing nearby, hands on his hips and an expression that screamed pissed off. Vic noticed his lip was cut and the early stages of a black eye were forming, although the cold would help delay the onset of the swelling.
'Marshal,' Vic greeted.
'Miss Koller,' Tycho acknowledged. He was notably not wearing a coat, the shiver he was suppressing making his voice rattle slightly as he spoke.
'What's the situation?' Asked Karl. Tycho glanced in his direction for only a moment, keeping his eyes on his officers as they pulled more people out of the bar.
'This is Karl,' Vic hastily introduced them. Tycho just nodded.
'Nothing for you to worry about. Just an explosive cocktail of low spirits and strong spirits. Not entirely sure what started it, but a local meathead named Vechemok was involved, of that I'm certain. Somehow turned into a full-on brawl. Details are fuzzy, but the end result is there's a dozen injured in the infirmary. Mostly just bruises and scrapes, few concussions. Worst of it is two Republic troopers got stabbed and one of Dalzar's Vorn got his head caved in with a bar stool from the looks of it. Gonna be awhile before we can figure out the details. Fragging bad timing though. Half my deputies are over at Serina's so we barely have enough men to sort this lot out. Haven't heard back from them either.'
Karl watched the deputies work while Tycho spoke. Several people, mostly heavily muscled men in mining jumpsuits, were layed out on the ground - completely unconscious after being hit by a stun beam. Another seven were in handcuffs as the deputies searched them. Some were yelling about what a karking load of grish it was, or they were accusing each other of starting it. Karl noticed one of them was Lyanna, the hunter. She stayed silent, while the Utanxi obsessed woman was hovering nearby fidgeting with her hands. Off to the left, two republic soldiers were talking to a deputy, although notably had their blasters held at the ready. To the far right side, the dark-suited Duros named Dalzar stood alone, smoking the cigarra that was apparently perpetually glued to his lips.
'You didn't arrest the Vorn?' Karl asked.
'For a moment. Lobar swears he didn't so much as throw a punch.'
'So who did?'
Tycho sighed heavily. 'The thing of it is, Lobar doesn't like to make enemies. Especially doesn't like to stir up trouble in times like these. Likes his cantina to be neutral ground, particularly when the community is feeling divided. Haven't had a big scuffle like this in awhile though.'
'So you're not going to interrogate him?'
Tycho didn't turn, but his eyes shot a disdainful look towards Karl for half a heartbeat. 'I spent two years in chains with Lobar smashing rocks. Sixteen hours a day. Every day. If he doesn't want to speak, I'm not going make him. Someone'll talk, after a few nights in the cells. Trust me. None of us have happy memories of being in them. No, the real problem is dealing with Ambassador Trask.'
Vic tilted her head quizzically. 'I thought you said the rebels were only wounded?'
He shrugged. 'I'm an enforcer, not a doctor. Old Norbert's doing his best but I don't know if he'll be able to save them both. He's... well, he's old. Slow. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated.'
'Isn't the Vorn with the stupid hat the one you should be worried about?' Asked Karl. 'He lost a man.'
'He's not happy about it, I'll say that much. But he's a lot calmer than I would be in his shoes. I knew he was a patient one, trying to negotiate with the Mayor for so long, but takes nerves of steel to not lose your cool after seeing one of your own die.'
Karl nodded in agreement without thinking. As the last of the prisoners were dragged away to the security hub, Tycho finally turned to look at them directly.
'Listen, I could use some good news today. Your crew figured out if you're taking my job yet? Need to know sooner rather than later. Gonna have to call curfew earlier than normal today when the mayor finds out about this mess,' he gestured towards the cantina.