CHAPTER 21 – Mobster Takedown

Back aboard the Bastion of Eriadu, the remaining crew members gathered in the ship's common area, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. The room was filled with the hum of strategizing, each voice carrying weight as they debated their next move.

Ayala leaned forward, her eyes meeting Wazhay's. "We have to find a way to take down Haas Weera. He's a cunning and dangerous criminal, and we can't let him continue his hold on the city of Magula."

Wazhay nodded in agreement. "Agreed. But how do we approach this? We can't just storm into Raksha's Gambit and hope to get to him. His security is too tight."

Ruusyra furrowed her brows. "We could gather more intel, maybe find a weakness in his operation. Perhaps approach some of the patrons, see if anyone has insider information."

Trest chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. "Or we could try to track down his known associates, put pressure on them to reveal his whereabouts."

Puhl, the ship's technician, added, "We could also attempt to slice into his communications, intercept his messages. If we can catch wind of his movements, we might catch him off guard."

The crew fell into a moment of contemplative silence, ideas swirling around the room. After a beat, Wazhay spoke up. "We need to hit him where he feels safe, where he's vulnerable. Hean-Sad's former base. That's a place he's familiar with, and he might lower his guard there."

Ayala's gaze settled on the holographic map of Magula displayed on the table. "We know that Haas visits his operations here in the city at regular intervals. Maybe we can use that to our advantage. If we can determine the frequency of his visits, we can set up an ambush."

Trest raised an eyebrow. "But how do we find out when he visits? It's not like he's going to announce his schedule."

Puhl tapped his fingers against his chin. "Maybe we can gather information from the locals, discreetly ask around. Someone might have noticed patterns in his movements."

Ruusyra leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Or we could find a way to track his shipments, see if they coincide with his visits."

Just then, the door to the common area slid open, and Hean-Sad Cejill, the Weequay spice dealer, entered, flanked by two of the Bith miners that were chosen to be guards. His eyes darted around the room, his expression a mix of defiance and desperation.

"You thought you could keep me locked up forever?" Hean-Sad growled.

Wazhay's gaze remained steady. "We need information, Hean-Sad. Information that only you can provide."

The Weequay scoffed. "And what makes you think I'll talk?"

Ayala stepped forward, her presence calm but commanding. "Because your life depends on it. We know you have knowledge of Haas Weera's movements, the intervals at which he visits his operations. Tell us what we need to know, and we might consider offering you a deal."

Hean-Sad's gaze wavered, a glint of uncertainty in his eyes. "And what kind of deal are we talking about?"

Wazhay's voice held an edge of authority. "Partial immunity. We'll hand you over to the authorities, but you'll get a lighter sentence in exchange for your cooperation."

The Weequay hesitated, his mind clearly racing. "Fine. You want to catch Haas Weera? He visits his operations every six days, without fail. He comes to collect his cut of the profits. Satisfied?"

Ayala nodded. "Almost. There is one more thing."

The spice dealer made an exasperated grunt, "well, spit it out. What else do you want?"

The former Jedi grabbed a datapad with a vid recorder. "You need to make a confession, and say who has been supplying you with the spice that you've been dealing. That's the only way the law enforcement is going to reduce your sentence. They get the bigger fish, without having the risk. They'll agree to it. Wazhay and I will speak with the local constabulary. That's it. Simple, you'll do a sentence in a lighter security prison and do a fraction of the time."

He huffed out a breath and replied, "I suppose I don't have a lot of choices here. You got a deal."

After traveling back to the homestead, Captain Whazhay Asassa leaned over the table in Hean-Sad's unit, a datapad displaying the neighborhood layout before them. "Alright, let's brainstorm our plan to take down Haas Weera. Ayala, any thoughts?"

Ayala nodded. "We'll ambush him at Hean-Sad's former base. Catch him by surprise when he arrives for his cut."

The bith mercenary, tapped his fingers on the table. "We've got that e-webb repeating blaster on the speeder truck. It'll blast through his defenses."

Trest, the gunner and mercenary, cracked a grin. " I'll be on the e-webb. Let those thugs taste some real firepower."

Puhl, the ship's technician, chimed in. "I'll try to slice into their comms, gather intel, and disrupt their coordination."

The woman with the red-dyed hair shook her head. "No. We saw their enforcers. They'll be protecting their boss, and will be close. They're bodyguards. They don't need comms. Although, I think it would be a good idea to get the two thugs' vehicle that we damaged on the speeder chase. Get them repaired, or at least in running condition. Park them nearby like where we saw them parked before so it doesn't look suspicious."

The ship's mechanic added, "I'll setup a cam at the end of the courtyard so we can have eyes on Haas and his gang the whole time. Not to mention I'll reprogram the door codes, just in case Haas has them."

Wazhay nodded at the discussion. "Excellent ideas, all of you. Keep everything as it normally looked will make it easier to execute the plan."

The Twi'lek eyes gleamed. "Alright. But let's not forget the Bith miners. They've been grumbling about the cramped cargo hold. Now that the spice den is clear, they want to move into the homestead."

Nis nodded emphatically. "Yes, we've been sharing close quarters too long. It's time we stretch our legs. Might as well get the refugees moved in and be comfortable. At least more comfortable than the cargo hold of the 'Bastion."

Whazhay nodded, "Alright, we'll allow it. But during the operation, for safety reasons, you'll need to return to the ship."

Nis agreed, understanding the need for caution. "Also, I'll stay here in Hean-Sad's flat with our stormtrooper friends, Klek and Tarak. We can catch them in a cross-fire when they get into the courtyard."

Ayala then spoke up. "As for the operation, I suggest I go in as a spice addict. It'll put me closer to the action and ready to intervene."

Trest leaned forward. "Good thinking, but dangerous. But I've seen you handle tough fights. So, the plan is to catch them in the courtyard of the homestead, away from their vehicle and potential heavy weapons."

Whazhay's voice held determination. "Exactly. Five days from now, the operation commences. Let's make sure every detail is ironed out. Get your gear in order and check everything for this op in the next several days. You can go and hang out somewhere. Don't get yourselves in too much trouble. We need to make a good name for ourselves for the sake of the miners."

Under the crimson-hued canopy of Shumavar's night sky, a tense atmosphere hung over the homestead in the outskirts of Magula. The air was laced with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, as the crew of the Bastion of Eriadu meticulously arranged crates and broken containers at the entrance of the homestead. Each piece was strategically positioned, creating a makeshift barricade that subtly guided the course of any approaching vehicle.

The courtyard, once a haven for illicit activities, now stood transformed. Moonlight painted a silvery path upon the worn ground, casting elongated shadows that danced like phantoms across the soil-covered pavement. The barred windows of the homestead's rooms remained silent observers of the things to come.

Hours prior, the Bith refugees had been safely transported back to the ship, sheltered from the impending confrontation. Their departure had left an eerie quietness that settled over the courtyard, save for the occasional rustling of small debris that blew around like an chaotic dance.

With every member of the crew in position, hearts beat in unison, synchronized to the rhythm of the imminent encounter. Ayala, poised at the ready, embraced the role of an undercover addict, her senses heightened by the weight of the impending moment. She blended into the shadows, a phantom waiting to spring into action.

The distant hum of an engine reverberated through the stillness, signaling the arrival of Haas Weera. The crime boss navigated his dark sleek landspeeder through the darkened streets of Magula. The tension thickened as his vehicle came into view, the illumination of his headlights cutting through darkness.

Haas Weera's vehicle came to a halt, its rumbling engine temporarily drowning out the symphony of the night. The driver chose to park it across the street from the courtyard entry. The dim glow of his headlights cast elongated shadows that stretched across the ground, like dark tendrils reaching out to touch the street and buildings nearby.

The crew of the Bastion watched with bated breath, the tension in the air palpable. The moment had arrived. Their plan was in motion, but they knew that unexpected variables could still change the course of events.

In the distance, a group of four formidable figures emerged from the shadows. Tough, intimidating Mirialan men, their skin heavily tattooed and scarred, exuded an air of danger. Armed to the teeth, they took up strategic positions around Haas Weera's vehicle, forming a protective barrier around their crime boss. Haas stepped out of the vehicle and the four henchmen spread out in a diamond formation to protect their employer.

Meanwhile, aboard the dark metallic-blue speeder truck, Puhl Jhielan's skilled hands gripped the controls, guiding the vehicle with precision. Trest Bumore manned the mounted repeating blaster, his eyes focused on the courtyard ahead. The anticipation was electric as they awaited the critical moment.

Ayala Clossian, cloaked in the appearance of a spice addict, wore a facade of indifference. Her senses attuned to every detail. She had paid a few credits to an actual homeless woman to trade clothes, the stench of sweat and cheap booze assaulting her senses. The discomfort was a small price to pay for the role she was playing.

"Everyone in position?" Captain Whazhay Asassa's voice crackled over the comm link, ensuring that every member of the crew was ready.

Trest's voice followed, confident and steady. "Repeating blaster primed and aimed. Ready to unleash hell."

Ayala's soft reply came next, her tone focused and determined. "In position, blending in."

Puhl's gruff voice added to the mix. "Truck's locked and loaded. Just give the signal."

The courtyard remained shrouded in darkness, the homestead's entrance a threshold between the known and the unknown. Each member of the crew held their breath, waiting for the precise moment to act.

The ship's captain called out on comms, "go! Puhl move into position for the e-web."

"Ayala. Go time!"

The former Jedi pulled out a grenade and tossed it at the Mirialan bodyguards. It landed with a 'plink' sound in the middle of the criminal entourage catching all four of the Mirialan's with a concussion wave of electrostatic shock that sent small debris flying in every direction.

The Aqualish reacted swiftly, diving behind a thin duracrete pillar. He yanked out his Mersonn heavy blaster pistol and skillfully fired at the retreating woman that threw the explosive cannister. Ayala barely ducked out of the way in time as several powerful bolts of searing energy took out chunks of duracrete from the corner entrance pillar.

Puhl hit the controls on the speeder truck which popped the rear hatch. It swung upwards, allowing Trest to have a direct line-of-sight to the crime lord and his lackeys. They were well-trained and spotted the speeder as it opened the back door. They darted behind other pillars or ducked below the half-wall surrounding the courtyard entrance, as glowing red bolts lit up the courtyard in crimson lights like a tech-electronica concert. But the only thing Trest hit were pieces of duracrete from the low walls, and thin square pillars that lined up to support the courtyard. There probably was a glass ceiling at one point, but that had long been gone and it was just open to the dark sky and two moons overhead.

Trest cursed in Huttese, "Uhobaw uba baniouahe dakouetka".

Wazhay understood the sentiment. This was not going as well as she'd hoped. These bodyguards were way better than the goons of Hean-Sad. She ran forward her lekku trailing behind like two thick kite-tails. She took cover behind Haas' luxury speeder.

Tarak's voice came over the comm at the same time. "Can we engage now!"

"No. They'll…. rush you… Stick… to the plan," she admonished in between gasps of air. She fired her CR-2 heavy blaster pistol in quick succession striking one of the Mirialans in his upper pectoral muscle. He barely flinched.

"Frak it to Kessel, they got decent armor. Be careful," the twi'lek leader intoned. "Okay, Nis. Toss a stunner. Make sure you get the door shut the second it leaves your hand!"

"Got it."

The door screeched open and a yellowish hand launched the thin canister in the air. Hitting behind the Mirialan that Waz previously hit. The concussion wave knocked him face first into the cracked pavement, but he absorbed the worst of it and those others were unaffected.

Another of the bodyguards turned to peek back at the door that had opened, but it was already closing so there was no target for them to return fire. He turned back and fired at the twi'lek instead and the bolt burned a charred groove across her lekku.

The captain writhed in pain and gritted her teeth. "They're damn good shots too. Ugggh. Tarak and Klek. Strike and retreat again."

"Finally," Tarak said under his breath. Klek was on the floor ready to fire, as his dark-skinned counterpart fired from a crouch. Their E-11 blaster rifles joined the cacophony of energy weapon fire. The troopers racked up a couple of decent hits on another bodyguard.

The Mirialans retaliated as the door to the homestead closed again. The two guards unleashed volleys at the ex-Jedi, delivering a nasty graze across her upper right arm, just before she ducked back into cover.

The braided beard crewmember snarled as he squeezed the trigger on the mounted gun letting loose a barrage of bright red energy streaks. The volley downed another of the Mirialans, and left the others scurrying for better cover.

As the repeating blaster fire began to stop, the Force guided her view toward a cracked pillar and saw the damage from the blaster fire. She drew on the Force and pulled a big chunk of duracrete from the top of the pillar and slammed it down on the henchman behind the pillar. Hoping that nobody noticed the increased speed of the object in the mayhem.

One of the Mirialans was hit and went down by blaster fire and the chunk of duracrete crushed the other wounded bodyguard.

Wazhay pulled out a stimpak and pushed the injector into her skin and into her bloodstream, the cooling bacta began to work on the pain immediately. The healing compound began binding and regenerating the burnt flesh. She had no time to dwell on the cooling effect and fired off a couple of quick shots at the third Mirialan guard, hoping for a lucky hit. But it missed the mark.

The Bith and the two ex-stormtroopers kept opening the door and firing blasts, and they were able to connect and take down the third bodyguard.

The ship's mechanic saw the deadly firefight and hopped out and stayed in cover, firing his own blaster at the last of Haas' goons, but only came up with barely a graze.

Wazhay hit the comm, "Puhl, get your shebs back in the truck. We'll handle this."

The rough mercenary spent a couple of seconds to line up the shot on the last Mirialan, and this time he poured several crimson bolts across his torso and continued on toward the Aqualish boss. Bits of duracrete rained down on top of the boss.

The Twi'lek yelled out, "drop your weapons now. Last warning Haas! You're surrounded."

The Aqualish snarled in defiance, "I'll take some of you with me, scum!" He screamed and darted toward the half-wall at the entrance where Ayala was taking cover. The Jedi peeked up and raised a pointed finger toward the crime boss. She grabbed Haas with the Force as he jumped to leap over the three-foot wall. To everyone else he appeared to have misjudged the distance and slammed into the wall hard, knocking the wind out of him.

The crime boss was tough, and managed to keep hold of his weapon, gripping it until his green knuckles turned pale yellow. He fired a quick shot down at Ayala, and it grazed her back shoulder.

The ship's captain fired off several bolts at the crime lord in retaliation. They hit the duracrete wall and sent debris and hot shards that partially blinded Haas.

Nis and the former stormtroopers exited the door and fired at the Aqualish from behind as they spread out behind him. Several of the bolts got through and he seemed to nearly collapse but held onto the wall as he crouched down.

Trest yelled out, "as soon as you move, your dead Haas. Give it up!"

"How 'bout you let me go and I won't kill your friends," he replied obstinately. He turned his heavy pistol toward Nis.

Ayala leapt up and over the wall, holding down the button of the baton as blue crackling energy lit up the area. But she was off-balance as she landed and the crime lord shifted out of reach of the stun weapon.

That gave Nis and opportunity to line up his shot. He discharged three quick shots two of them hitting the Aqualish's ribs, cutting through armor, flesh and bone. The green humanoid dropped to the ground, writhing for a several seconds until he succumbed to his numerous wounds.

"Thanks Nis. Good shooting," Ayala commented as she checked on the Aqualish. She shook her head, "he's dead."

Trest hopped out of the back of their speeder as he gave the former Jedi a sideways glance. "Good. He got what he deserved. He shoulda' gave up. Overconfidence was his downfall. He profits off the misery of others. Worst kind of slimeball."

The ship's captain was a little winded as she joined the others. "Let's gather those alive and secure them, we'll take them all back to the authorities. Gather all items they have on their person and speeder. We can use them as evidence. Puhl make some holo-vids of the spice in his vehicle, and the cam recordings of what transpired. That along with the confession ought to be able to put them behind bars for a while. Great work crew."

Several minutes later they checked the bodies, gathered all the items from vehicle and on the bodies. Trest came back to speak with Wazhay. "We have only one survivor."

"Very well, and not surprising. We will take him in for questioning before we take them to the city authorities. We need to confirm whether or not Haas is the head of the criminal empire or just another cog."