(This chapter wouldn't be possible without the help of anonmike217, follow him)
Victory at Kamino! The resilient Domino Squad, alongside the valiant 99, Kird, and Clip, emerges triumphant from the crucial battle, earning the distinguished rank of ARC Troopers. As celebrations ensue, destiny weaves an unexpected encounter at Dex's Diner—a hub of solace and sustenance for the weary. Kird, savoring his favorite sunny side special, catches sight of a young blue-haired girl with an unusual fascination for explosives. And an older pink-haired woman exudes a formidable presence, her fists a testament to her prowess in combat. Would these two change the course of Kirds and his clones history forever. Or would this be another machination of forces yet unseen.
On the Planet of Corraunt, Kird and his Domino squad, with Clip, and 99 limping behind them, walk towards Dex's Diner. As they enter, a WA-7 waitress droid calls the cook.
/nkrRR2jcUUg
(Start at 1:00)
'Someone wants to see you honey! Jedi by the looks of him along with clones' The droid yelled. Dex, a Besalisk, or a wide belly alien that had a big throat and a head crest on his forehead with four arms for those who don't know the name. Looked out the counter and saw Kird, and The Domino squad smiling all the while.
'Kird, Domino squad!' Both Kird and Domino squad wave at Dex with 99 and Clip following along. Still having a little bit of trouble with social interactions but 99 was excited to start traveling the galaxy while Clip was trying to adapt to the non regimented style of R and R.
'Take your seat, I'll be right with yea' Dex said leaving the counter.
Before Kird took a seat he noticed a young blue-haired girl wearing a Dex' Diner uniform, which he thinks the young girl had to be around eleven to fourteen years old. Give or take. Her back was turned on him as she washes the dishes. Wondering who this new face is he was pulled out of his thoughts by the waitress droid calling to him.
'You want a cup of Jawa juice?' She asked.
'Oh, yesa please and yousa know mesa usual' The droid nodded.
Kird and The Domino squad were able to find two booths open for them to take a seat. Clip was looking around trying to find one big booth that could seat them all but was pulled by the arm by 99 to the seat where Hevy and Kird were realizing quickly that they were splitting off into pairs not sitting as a group. Kird smiled that 99 was enjoying himself as 99 was chatting about the galaxy while Clip was trying to follow along while still wearing his helmet. He was shy despite the others pulling off their helmets to chat and eat. Hevy noticed Clip being a prude and thought of a way to get him out of that shell of his.
'You know what Flo?! How about Jawa juice for everyone! ON THE HOUSE!' Hevy yelled standing up raising his fist to the customers who saw their cue and cheered, raising their glass, thanking him for a free drink. Clip only shook his head then took off his helmet realizing about what Hevy is trying to do while 99 smiled wondering what this Jawa juice tastes like.
'Heyyyy Ollldddd budddy!' Dex yelled as he slowly approached Kird, Kird stood up from his table and the two embraced in a hug. After their hug was over both sat down at their table, with Dex barely able to fit in. Clip and 99 only smiled at the display and asked for the droid waiter coming by to bring them a chair.
'So my friend what can I do for ya?' Dex asked. Kird simile.
'How about some food to celebrate!' The clones cheer, remembering their promotion now becoming Arc troopers
'Celebration?! What for?' Dex happily said as Kird was his best customer and knows alot during Kird deployment missions. Heck some of his grenadiers always come by to visit during their off duty period. Practically his best customers despite some loud noises but it was fine. The diner could use some lively up now and again.
'We just got promoted to Arc Trooper!' Fives yelled over another table. High fiving the other clones.
'Well yousa heard dha clone, cook up some food and in fact...' Kird stood up from his seat.
'Foods on dha republic!' The customers cheered and applauded as WA-7 placed down his sunny sunny side special and his Jawa juice he then began eating the delicious food.
The dinner was a lot more lively than usual since it's a celebration rather than a regular dinner evening. Many of the residents that came by were eating their meals while those that finished went by the clones of Fives, Echo, Droidbait, and Cutup who were telling their war stories. Fives and Echo were more civilized and told their stories to the people eating behind and on the other side of the booth. While DroidBait and CutUp being the showmanship, they stood up from their seats and spoke of their war stories to the growing crowd around them like it was a play. Even acting in parts like a Duo getting in some cheers and applause.
Dex looked over and chuckled. Those two were always a bit of trouble in the dinner but they tipped well and only got their footprints on the table sometimes but that's worth it since they always allow his customers to pay for another round of drinks and food during their stories. Even seeing the waiter droids bringing out stools and portable tables for his customers to eat. Seeing that he'll give a bonus and some funds to a friend of his he looked back now sitting at a stool looking over at Kird, Heavy, Clip and 99 who were eating their food and looked to be at the prime spot to talk.
'Looks like your boys are having fun like usual' Dex joked. Kird looked over seeing that Droidbait was reenacting the pirate who took a hostage then getting his head blown off by Cutup spike weapon and over reacting the pirate demise getting laughs and cheers from those listening the story. Kird smiled and added in his piece.
'Yep, despite appearances, deysa train besa part of spy and torch troops' Dex nodded while Clip and 99 perked up not hearing those two names.
Hevy was just wolfing down his steak finishing his first meal then paying with his own money for another steak dinner he got from being part of that pirate raid a couple of missions back robbing the fabled pirate gold tooth of his treasure ship. And his times.
'Excuse me general' Clip asked Kird just nodded and interrupted him before Clip could say anything.
'Yousa can call mesa kird' Clip was flustered and was stuttering that he now has the honor of calling the general his name. 99 patted Clip on the shoulder to let him know he was taking over.
'Who are Spy and Torch?' 99 asked for Clip watching him retreating into his armor like a turtle for flustering on his question. 99 patted him on the shoulder telling him it's alright not everyone can handle social situations. Kird smiled and remembered the time where he first met spy and torch.
'Dha duey were mesa first clone troopers mesa trained with before becom a Jedi' Kird answered, reminiscing about his Padawan days. 99 and Clip moved in to listen more intently while Hevy and Dex leaned back hearing this story before but appreciate the story nonetheless.
'Both of them-sa taught mesa how besa a soldier as well as adapt and fight like them-sa, yousa could spake mesa was a proto commando clone' Kird jokes. Clip and 99 nodded.
'Eventually in time mesa grew to surpass mesa master in skills and adaptability, but despite dat mesa always have trouble keep up with dha clones dur their longo missions dat would last for weeks' Clip nodded at that remembering that Kird pirate and raiding actions would last for days and at worse weeks to sneak in to allow the boys to rush in and attack during their surprise raids. 99 eyes grew wide that Kird manage to stay awake for a week.
'You stayed awake for a week?' 99 questioned. Kird sighed exhaustively.
'Yesa, mesa manage to survive by mind trick mesa body to sleep for an hour until mesa finish mesa mission. Till dha mission ends and sleeps for a whole day' 99 eyes and mouth went wide and so did clip not realizing that Kird had to stall his biological clock till he catches up on his sleep during long missions.
'Yeah, I would not recommend it, I tried it once with Kird, never again' Heavy adding on. Remembering the time he tried it once and slept for an entire week. Missed out on CutUp getting his spike weapon and Droidbait decapitating two commando droids with his vibroblades.
They all nodded and Kird continued his story.
'Spy and torch taught mesa dat dha trick is to do it every day, nosa exceptions, besides be heavily injured or detrimental to yous health' Getting some yeahs and ohs in between.
'Besides dat, dha duey were chosen for their exceptional prowess in geonosis and desa became dha lead model for dha experimental clone program, una be stealth and dha other be heavy combat' Kird explained Clip realizing that the weapons Droidbait and CutUp were using were from Spy and Torch weapon loadout rather than gear they purchased from Hondo.
'How come we don't see them as often?' Clip asked, getting the picture that these two clones could destroy entire regiments by themselves if conditions were met. He knows all too well how luck can unmake someone. Kird nodded and looked saddened for a moment.
'Mesa managed to get mesa mentors to join our legion but with a price, desa follow Fordo orders rather than moole, at dha time mesa thought it was a good deal, but now mesa hav some reservations about it' 99 tilted his head at that.
'Why is that Kird?' 99 asked. Kird sighed.
'Fordo usually are gone with dha experimental clone legion months at a time disabl key separatist supply points and shipyards...but not all of them-sa were separatists.' The others at the table frowned that the war could be escalating to gather more of the neutral planets to join a side rather than following orders.
Sometimes a preemptive attack is necessary but it sometimes has to come at the cost of innocent people caught in the crossfire. Even people at the core worlds were starting to struggle under the price of the war. But good soldiers follow orders to win the war. Kird noticed the mood shift and said something to lift up their spirits.
'Thankfully mesa managed to gather enough experience for Fordo besa part of dha legion again, even ask mesa for advice on certain raids hesa'll gos on, mesa even spake hesa likes mesa' Kird joked but he knew the truth.
Fordo was getting disillusioned by the republic setting up false flag attacks to drum up support for the war effort and gather neutral worlds for the republic cause. So switching to fighting against pirates and separatists would be a good change of pace. But more concerning, some of the medical droids that were not republic or separatist made found something inside Fordo's head.
It was only a blip and it disappeared through follow up scans but just having one blip is enough for the medical troops and off brand medical droids. As well as professionals in the medical field they saved and picked up during the pirate slave raids to start investigating. Hopefully it was just a malfunction in the equipment rather than anything serious. Raising his drink up high to end on high note the other clones and Dex picked up their prospective drinks for a toast.
'For the republic!' They all said and the night went on like normal. Drinks, laughs, stories to tell, and food to eat to spend the night away. As the diner was closing down and Kird was using the force to help clean the dishes. The blue-haired kid wearing a hat watched and thanked him for the assist. Kird smiled that it was the little things that helped him realize why this war is worth fighting for. Dex watched and smiled at that.
'You know I hired the dishwasher for a reason' Dex joked. Getting Kird to smile and putting away the dishes to be dry for the dishwasher to finish her half of the work. Then looked back watching as his clones were heading out through the door, some singing merrily about tomorrow. Until he was reminded by something.
'Hey Dex?' Getting Dex's attention who was counting the bonus he was giving to the dishwasher.
'Are yousa hir kids now?' Kird asked. Dex sighed wishing it was that simple.
'No, just a favor from one bartender to another' Not elaborating any further.
Kird nodded. Remembering about the longer the war drags on the more of the population suffers. Even had to requisition a planet to house all of the slaves and refugees they saved to start building war material and garrison troops to defend a section of the outer rim close to the uncharted regions of space. But they were safe since not a lot of people go there and enough material for a self-sustaining society that can handle a couple of devastating raids and natural disasters.
'Mesa see, just remember mesa have a home for her if things get too troubl' Kird extended an olive branch. Dex just laughed it off.
'Kird, you alone are funding her apartment' Dex joked and gave the bonus to the blue-haired child and asked her to take out the trash on her way out.
Kird chuckled not denying that he funded a lot of homes at his refugee camps to be refugee homes using his salary to support local business. As Kird made to leave he said his goodbyes to Dex who waved saying he'll see him next time. Walking out of the store he saw that night was approaching and the stars of Coruscant were out and looked down watching his troopers milling about except DroidBait and Cutup who were somewhat inebriated and needed Clip to walk them to the barracks.
Kird shook his head and walked with 99, Clip, Droidbait, and CutUp to the barracks to rest from the hanger. The others waved and stayed behind saying they'll enjoy the sights and walk for a bit. Kird waved back and thought nothing of it. Fives and Echo were about to walk off to the shopping districts to see if they have action figures being made in their likeness. But noticed Hevy wasn't following them. They looked back and saw Hevy was in some sort of trance looking at something at the alleyway.
'What's the matter Hevy a rat looked at you funny?' Five jokes and frowned when Hevy laughed half-heartedly from that.
Heavy on the other hand was watching someone taking out the trash and removing her cap and worker uniform. Now getting a good look at her being illuminated by the door light. He saw someone familiar. Almost too familiar to be a coincidence. He recognized that hair and her art style when she wore her helmet and greaves hovering off on her hoverboard.
'Powder?' Heavy thought aloud and followed. Fives and Echo would have protested but wanted to see how this goes and followed Hevy. Wondering who Powder is that he knows so much about.
Fives and Echo were following Hevy, not chatting for a time, looking around noticing they were going. Noticing the light are becoming a sickly yellow with modern structures of clubs, gangs, gambling dens, but more importantly droid and weapon manufacturers who were selling openly to the gangers that gathered looking to buy good and cheap guns to raise up their fighting numbers and intimidate the opposition but more importantly getting protection money at the upper levels. Fives and Echo were listening to the gang's plan for this and wondered where the Coruscant police people were to arrest them and looked around noticing they saw some of their armor and gear being hanged on the walls as grisly war trophies.
'Morbid' Fives whispered. Echo joined in watching as a different Coruscant guard was coming shot a round in the air in order to break up the rally. Their helmets were more spiked shaped and eyes covered in a perpetual angry glare with a mask used to intimidate the opposition. Cocking their gun watching a casing fall on the ground with many others marching forth from the smoke they set up behind them.
'Going to be gruesome if we don't get out of here, Hevy' He said, trying for Hevy to speed up in his walking.
Not feeling comfortable they were wearing clone gear rather than their pirate gear to blend in. Hevy wasn't listening as he was watching Powder hovering around before hopping off her hoverboard putting it on her back now assuring Hevy that this was definitely Powder as he saw the middle of her board having her insignia of a laughing monkey. Heavy frowned that he had to meet her here of all places. Especially now as the Coruscant lower levels were rumored to have another uprising by the pirate warlord of the Coruscant underbelly.
A fact made more apparent as he watched Powder look back in fear hearing something he didn't. Until he was tackled to the ground by Fives and Echo rushing for cover as his mind was resetting from his thoughts and listening in to a gatling blaster coming from behind him. Looking around and finding that he was behind a trash container he looked up and saw the supposed uprising was being gunned down by a unique blaster gun mounted on top of an TX-130.
At least it was supposed to be an TX-130 seeing its guns replaced for a giant gun on top with wheels at its side but he recognized the face of the vehicle from anywhere. The gangers at the gathering were a mess as some where fleeing, others were charging ahead getting cut down, Or taking cover pilfering the weapons of this weapon trader handing out some blasters then pulling out a RPS-6 rocket launcher diving forward on his knees now clear of the rotary blasting at him and now taking his shot blasting the vehicle and exploding it into a heap of wreckage.
The trader stood up now dropping the rocket to his side and onto the floor standing up. His black hair moved to the side, wearing a dark leather jacket colored in gold wearing fancy white long pants that looked at the handi work he did. Heavy squinted and saw that this was no trader but the pirate warlord in question making his uprising as he noticed the symbol was that fashion like the gas masks but instead of eyes the middle was replaced with a toxic green chamber with horns protruding out with a golden jaw he caught moving his head around probably stretching his back. Trying to see more identifiable features on him but nothing as he saw only his back.
Before he could piece it together who exactly this pirate overlord is. Shots were coming out of the smoke as the gas maskers were charging with their guns not using blaster rifles but auto guns cutting down the pirates who walked back in the open and confusing those who were trying to figure out where the bullet trails were coming from. Till the pirate warlord shot at the gas masked soldier killing him instantly with a golden gun on his side signaling his men in cover and those that were milling about to charge ahead and kill these police officers. As the battle began and war cries were starting in earnest. He felt his chest being pulled down and slammed at the trash container by Echo who looked at him furiously.
'You just lead us to a pirate war! ARE YOU INSANE!' Hevy didn't so much as flinch trying to see if Powder was okay and saw that she was paralyzed the hoverboard stuck on her back and started running from the battle.
'Yes' Was Hevy short answer before he shoved the grip aside and bolted afterwords towards powder hoping to catch her.
Echo was about to scream more but ducked instead on reflex as he sensed an explosion overhead. Fives was looking over at the fight watching the guard engaging in a bayonet charge with blaster shots sometimes plunking off their armor but dropping when the shots hit their neck. However, not fast enough as they were flushing the pirates that were in cover eating a chest full of blaster shots on full auto but got an autogun blast to the head exploding it entirely. The flushing out would have succeeded until a second group of pirates looking to be the actual forces of these gangsters charged in chucking explosives, pistols, guns, and assortment of melee weapons to engage in close combat.
'Frack those guys are harcore'
Five watched in sick fascination as he watched one of the gasmaskers bayonet one of them who only laughed at the attempt and bash the gasmasker in the head who only grunted and let off a shot pushing the gangster off of his gun and pumping the gun to do that same trick again on another one where more of his soldiers came out of the smoke to join in on the fight. With Speeder bikes overfilled with troopes of both sides were disembarking and rushing in to join the fight. He would have continued to watch before Echo pulled him out of the trance and dragged him away to follow Hevy.
'Quit Gawking and follow Hevy before you get killed!' Echo demanded as Fives was scrambling to his feet and both started running through the alleyways only catching the back end of Hevy as he was running to catch this powder person.
Fives and Echo took only one look back as they saw modified speed bikers were running over people till they were smashed by a giant droid who looked to be and ape modified his arms to be giant gauntlets and belly flopped at the pirates that were running in to join the fight before being mounted by the leader who was shooting at the neck joint taking the droid ape down. Knowing that it was enough sightseeing decided to bolt, hoping to find Hevy to get him out of this mess.
Play-Arcane Playground
"Powder what mess have you gotten into?" Hevy thought moving from alleyway to alleyway trying to keep up with the small child but it was becoming more difficult as she was using her hoverboard to wall run at the buildings and fly above the air.
Cursing himself that he is wearing triple padding and had to ditch the rocket boosters scanned the area quickly looking for a path and spotting where powder was hovering too a wall in the building. Powder looked around for a moment before pulling a lever opening a gate door and moving inside. Pushing the level and descending below. Hevy squinted and pushing his trained body was scaling the wall finding cracks and rickety steps used for those who don't have hoverboards. Getting on top of the metal platform. Looking down as the elevator was moving back up being obscured by a gate. Hevy pulled the lever to open the gate and walked in and immediately got turned and pushed to the side of the elevator staring Echo again was fuming right now.
'What the Frack are you doing?!' Echo controlling his yell trying to see why Hevy just ran off in a trance.
Fives hovered down and looked around, noticing that Coruscant never had an elevator like this before. Only remember seeing these types of elevators on some toxic planet. What surprised him the most wasn't the elevators or the technology. But how some people can breath the toxic air around them without gas masks. But it came at a cost as they had trouble breathing in different atmospheres.
'Look like the smog breathers made their home here' Fives thought aloud looking at the metal frame tracing it and feeling the index of carved gang members symbols on the frame. Echo looked furiously at Fives not understanding the designation of 'smog breathers'.
'What the kark does that is supposed to mean?!' Echo spit back still mad that Hevy just walked into another war with just the three of them to fight an entire war all by themselves. Feeling the elevator shook descending down. Hevy held Echo hand that was holding his chest plate looking at Echo his helmet at his belt just like Hevy but not fives who put it on and ran a reference at the criminal database he downloaded in his helmet. Hoping to help his brothers not walk into this mission feet cold.
'Do you remember when I told you I passed out a week during a mission with the outer city folks on the planet of Runeterra? ' Echo furrowed his brow.
Only remembering snippets and brief battle reports as Kird, clip, and him were stuck dealing with politics of the city about the pollution of the city to excise the wound rather than treating the symptom while the rest of the squad and some of the local garrison were sent to deal with a local separatist sponsored insurrection and a protest that pop up a couple of moments later put both were quickly dealt with. Echo still mad let go of Hevy to give him a chance to defend himself.
'Only briefly, all I remember was punching the teeth out of a politician who tried to dump his toxic waste at a population center' Remembering his own adventure with Kird that the separatist insurrection was involved at all levels promising change but replacing the leaders for upstarts of the city to provide war material to the separatists. Hevy nodded and continued with his explanation.
'Yes me and the others all saw you bring that blimp down to an unpopulated part of the city and the leader and his followers at the outer city were arrested, during that time I met a child that gave me explosions in exchange for a candy bar and a piggy back ride to her parents or sister'
Echo eye twitched feeling the red light illuminating his face setting the mood while Fives were estimating the time the elevator was going to the ground floor and noticed that the elevator speed was set at the lowest level since he did a quick scanned at the elevator and noticed that Hevy didn't push any buttons to go to ground floor or more specifically slowest, slow, normal, fast, faster. Only seeing the light slowly being lit up for the two to have this heated conversation. Noticing he disappeared when he was standing in the corner. He didn't mind this was their argument. Not his.
'You bought explosives from a CHILD?!' Echo still felt his regulation roots boiling in his veins but mostly that he did not dissuade the child into making more. Hevy walked to the entrance of the elevator assuming the elevator is the same design back at RuneTerra and stood on the edge of the elevator and leaned back on the bar now the red light illuminating his mouth rather than his eyes. And spoke.
'Only traded, those explosives were harmless anyways they didn't have the blasting charge' Was Hevy retort But Echo wasn't having it now the redlight now moving to his mouth.
'That doesn't make it better, that makes it worse that the child has the potential and you encourage her making that trade' Echo pointed out but Hevy was resolute. The red light now fell to his chest. He held his hand there and sighed.
'I traded them because I like her art, I encourage her to continue drawing, I made a promise that I'll help her go to a place where her talents were encouraged, but...' Hevy trailed off the elevator stopped hitting a snag and needed a bit to reset the conditions. Echo moved back, turning his head away thinking for a moment his lower half illuminated by the red light. But realizing what it means and stepped back now his eyes and part of his head illuminated his eyes looking at Hevy in an accusation.
'You went Awol' Echo piecing together that Kird had to pull in favors and bribes to bust Hevy out of prison and clear his name after doing a show trial at the military tribunal to drum up support to force the hand of the one's in charge to start efforts in healing the divide and not send in death squads to quell the population instead. Hevy scoffed, feeling the elevator move now the red light covering his face and chest. Emphasizing his fury.
'If you call shooting stun blasts at the law from killing civilians at a peaceful protest, Awol, Then yes' Hevy said now the red light leaving them both and the wall finally opened showing the city below heading there.
A city that was illuminated by a blue light with sparking signs and people hovering around with their boards, a bit more cleaner but the green light illuminated the bottom as a fog could be seen from above. The stepping point of going into a level filled with criminals, gangers, and now space pirates preparing for a take over that echo thought as he saw the city at the lower lower level of Coruscant or the smog people district seeing they brought their culture of bars, drugs, strippers, and machine shops as they come closer to the ground. Echo breathed out his anger knowing that regulation was Karck when a fellow soldier was arrested for doing the right thing. A good soldier follows orders. But only on the battlefield not during civil duties. Now the blue light lighting up shows his entire body but faint now Five now longer covered in darkness but his figure is faint still being colored blue.
'How much do you care for this child?' Echo is not happy about this but reluctantly goes along with Hevy as he knows his heart is in the right place.
As much as he likes regulations. They provide little use on the battlefield like he did during his cadet training. He was used to bending the rules but full on breaking is a new thing for him. Hevy nodded, noticing he caught echo in an uncomfortable position. As well as bringing him out of his comfort zone to help a child he doesn't know about and protect her during the upcoming pirate invasion that was happening at the middle levels. Hevy breathed out the blue light encompassing him fully as Hevy looked down then looked echo in the eyes.
'I made a promise to her'
Now the blue light washing away and replacing everyone lighting fixture with the sickly green smog encompassing them entirely now showing off their uniform color pallets and faces fully lighten up as they approach the ground floor of their destination now the shutter gate moving open to reveal the clones that this was a crime den with smog filling both Echo and Hevy lungs except Fives whos helmet provided an air filter as to not smell the polluted air that instantly flooded their sense.
Echo coughed a couple of times from the sudden degradation of the air quality while Hevy took a deep breath in and out not being phased by the smog that was filled in his lungs. He had plenty of practice during his week at Runeterra. As well as other planets of the separatist holdouts that polluted the air with their droid factory sites. Disguised as a lowly worker during those missions to rouse the enslaved worker population to rise up, even took a few whippings meant for them, and stared down an overgrown cat with a whip. He would have immediately started the rebellion as soon as he touched the ground but found the strength to hold it in and locate key points to destroy rather than go in guns blazing because he had a reason to hold back. A promise with the enslaved populace and powder to help them stand.
'And I intend to keep it' Hevy said with assurance.
Not putting on his helmet but pulling out something from his belt, slapping a Mandalorian logo on his chest and a bandelier of Zygerrian fangs from his belt and wearing it around his neck. Echo only squinted at Hevy trying to put on his bounty hunter disguise but looked more like a clone displaying his grizzled trophies as he was taking out a Trandoshan pelt and wrapped it around his shoulder walking further away.
Fives walked next to Echo who only shrugged and tapped a button on wrist comms changing his armor color scheme to a gray and yellow trim with some brown coloring the chest plate and marched off looking to be a bit ramshackled bounty hunter down on his luck. Echo could only pinched his nose and put on his helmet. Not having a pirate disguise and trusting that the Grenadiers managed to get them a reputation that other pirates wouldn't mess with them during their operation at the outer rim. As the three walked forward the two not knowing a location where but Hevy having a hint of an idea and led the way hoping that an old friend could help them guide where powder is and make sure she is safe.
The three were walking along the under level of Coruscant as the clones tried their best to blend in. Fives walked to the left of Hevy and assumed the position of a bounty hunter bodyguard walking with purpose through the city. Echo was on the right assuming the position as escort walking in parade formation and tried to find if he had any weapons on him in case things got messy. Things looked like it might get messy as they saw some people looking at them up above and staring for a bit then going back to what they were doing. He didn't like this not at all. Secretly glad that he was picked dead last on covert missions as his uptight posture and attitude make a terrible disguise as a thug and more like a poorly dressed spy.
Feeling around his side he felt his side arm was there and did a quick check to see if the others brought any weapons. Secretly thankful that fives brought him but internally fuming that Hevy did not. Going to have to trust his instincts and improvisation on this one. Something that he is growing into but not yet perfecting it. Hevy walked like he did when he first came to a planet like this. like everyone else. Why pretend to be someone if it's better to be yourself. Manage to blend into the crowd during those separatist patroles.
Practically walked right past him despite being unhelmeted. A practice that served him well as the pirates' reinforcements were gathering around a soap box listening to a speaker about them taking a flanking route while looting everything that wasn't bolted down along the way. Those gathered cheered not realizing those that were the actual soldiers were up above smirking that they were going to use the lower levels as cannon fodder for them to get their prize. Hevy sneered that these troops had some 212th shoulderpads to make them stand out from the rest. That was the only thing uniformed besides the yellow waist belt as the troopers were more of the looting and shooting kind wearing anything that was available.
Tearing his eyes off the site and more determined to get to his contact and hopefully lead Powder and her family out of this mess since the time table of a full scale uprising is soon. Fives was looking around seeing some stripper clubs with their workers standing out being a wide variety of species even saw someone being pulled in by a worker before looking at a duo that was large and short. They waved at the clones and five just shook his head, not interested at all of these species as they were not any creatures he recognized. Even the small one. Weird long hands and ears are definitely not his type. Echo was doing his part looking to the right, getting paranoid that a group was going to jump at them and shoot them dead. Getting nervous with one of the booths had the shop owner sharpening his knife and another kicking a cage to get an animal with pincers to stop their shaking. Then took some opportunities in nicking some knives and metal poles that were unattended and sharpening them into a spear in case he needed to do a throwing javelin or make some distance if one of the criminals here charged at them.
Taking a glance from his work seeing some mercenaries giving him a thumbs up and nodding about him making weapons on the go. Echo quickly sharpened the spear taking it as a sign that they are going to be ambushed soon and took some more metal poles that were jutting out from a run down shop causing the roof up top to fall down making noise. Some people were wondering what was the commotion while the mercenaries laughed at that but the clones kept walking with Fives looking over at Echo being a nervous wreck not comfortable in being in his uniform surrounded by enemies and noticed he was sharpening his fourth stick and putting the others on his back magnetizing to his clone armor.
Fives just shook his head realizing the true reason why Echo was picked last on these covert missions besides him having a metal plate and plastoid over his armor for protection. Hevy wasn't paying attention to the two following behind him as he was locked in finding where this contact is and found it. Taking a look around he saw people milling about at the entrance but that didn't concern him as he looked up and saw the sign. The Last Drop lightens up with the beer as its symbol. Noticing the outer city architecture of pipes and shapes all formed to look like the picturesque of old with some scrap stabled on to make it more homey with some touches that show a shadow of the original building.
'Follow my lead' Was all that Hevy said. Moving to the door while Fives shook Echo's shoulder who was on his seventh spear and looked up and put the spear he finished away on his back ready for a fight. Fives just shook him again to relax as they follow Hevy. Prepared to face anything behind that door.
It was just like any day as any other at the under level of coruscant. Being somewhat marginally better than Runeterra. Here you can actually get customers that can pay on time. Even the locals were more forgiving sometimes. At least on the whole for the past while. Now things are getting restless as more and more of Runterra population was going offworld ever since the Republic made first contact with them and quite convenient as they were sent to stop a separatist uprising. But Vander knew it best that it was a setup from the beginning.
Especially when they discover these so-called Kyber crystals when they were unstable power sources and seek to trade some materials and a "Thank you" gift for saving the planet. Vander thought about this while pouring a second pint for a guy wearing glasses looking a bit too excited at the pouring of ale. He knows the look on his eyes. A trader is going to get his payday and from the high levels too. Looking too clean and unkept about his stay here. The lower level will eat him alive. Finishing his pondering and getting a full pint brought it to the trader. Who smiled happily moving and moved through the other residents bumping some of them apologizing and ducking beneath the big guys and finally managed to get to his seat placing both pints of ale down to celebrate a successful deal. The smuggler with a mighty beard but no hair, wearing a no sleeve jacket but a black undershirt with tattoos on his arm looked over at the two drinks and stared at them.
'Well I...Suppose that concludes our business then' He said, throwing a bag of coins at the trader. Testing to see if he either take it and go so he could cheapen him out again or use the muscle he brought with him to intimidate him out of his price. The trader not catching the sarcastic tone of the smuggler chuckled while he was drinking his ale on a job well done but choked on it for a bit before bidding farewell.
'I suppose it does' The trader responded and opened the bag quickly counting the money but was crestfallen that it wasn't credits but coins from Runterra. Made out of copper. Laughing off to be some mistake he questioned the smuggler.
'Wait a minute, this is uh not what we agreed on so' Laughing nervously before going serious about why his paid amount isn't given.
'Eh the demand for your wares has dropped since we made our arrangements' He shrugged.
'This is the new value' Gagging the reaction to this trader not willing to pay for the full amount. The trader laughed nervously even saying they shook on this getting more and more nervous as he wasn't getting his payday that he needed soon. Then getting serious and using his best intimidating voice of a bean counter on two criminals demanding ten thousand upfront. Right now tapping the table to enunciate the point.
'Such a risk of business' He half joked but it was actually a warning that if he were to continue there would be some "convincing" to be done to him. Not getting the hint. He demanded ten. The smuggler moved his drink and smiled smugly at the trader. Goading him further. He always likes to see traders cower at the negotiation table.
'It's a fair price, I think you should take it' Swirling his drink around in preparation for him to knock the bag of coins on the table.
For his bodyguard to intimidate him into a fair wage price. The trader panicked muttering no then grabbing the bag saying he can't do that. Pushing the bag to demand the agreed amount pushing two coins on the table one going left while the other going right bouncing then being knifed in the middle stopping it in place. The trader looked at who stabbed it and now noticed a woman with purple tattoos and hair, yellow eyes like the Sith he heard rumors about, and red bandages and wrappings all around her staring daggers at him. She didn't say a word now, leaning in and pulling off the knife on the table twirling it slowly around placing it on the table.
'Make your choice' Was her ultimatum.
The trader gulped realizing they would cut his neck right here and now if he didn't agree to the choice. Looking up nervously as the woman was staring at him and the guy looked smugly at him moving his drink around. Thinking he had him. But a new player came along the meeting table. Looking displeased that the bartender was asking what they needed. But here it was code to not start any trouble. The smuggler told him to leave us but the bartender asked again if they were sure. Continuing his explanation until the women told him to piss off. The bartender looked at the whole two saying oh at them and left. The two looked annoyed at the bartender interrupting their conversation and were about to continue until a chair squeaked ahead. Watching the bartender now take a seat at their table.
'I think I know what you need' He said.
The woman tried to do her intimidation trick again before getting interrupted by him telling her a little bit of advice not to threaten the guy who pours the drinks. The two looked around and noticed the entire bar stopped what they were doing and stared the two down. The guy noticed it at first while the woman had to take a hint to look from the bartender moving his eyes at the oncoming crowd. The smuggler knew who he was now since there are only a couple of people in this district that could have that kind of respect.
'So you're Vander?' On cue Vander was lighting up the smoke from his brazier pipe smoking for a bit to tell them the one and only. The hound of the underworld the women called him looking unamused at that.
'I expected something younger' Voicing her disappointment.
Vander puffed the smoke out of his nose, breathing out the brazier smoke pipe then moving it to the side, swinging it around his hand and putting away the match puffing out the smoke out of his lungs.
'I was expecting traders to honor their word, I guess we are all disappointed' point his brazier pipe towards him to enunciate the point.
'You got this all wrong my friend' Trying to save face and leave with some money left over.
'We are just...Negotiating'
'Now you're speaking my language' Picking up the cue and telling how this is how it'll all go down smoothly.
'How about you just give Huck the rest of what you owe him and I'll let you walk out of here in one piece' Huck was drinking from his ale looking down at the cup not wanting to get involved in this conversation.
The smuggler and the women looked at each other and him not liking the chances of them getting what they wanted and leaving. Even furrowed about seeing how little they could get away with the original plane now that Vander is here. Vander looked at the internal calculation they were doing and smiled knowing he had them.
'Do we, have a deal?' He said, offering his pipe to the women.
The women stared at him and sighed. They have a deal. At least she'll get a free smoke out of this. Blowing in the smoke that this fabled hound of the underworld smokes. Before coughing at the worst smoke she ever tasted. Telling him that it's vile.
'You get to love it' Was his response.
Happy that this type of deal was finished in a well mannered way. But frowned as he noticed a familiar face walking through the door. What's worse he recognized the clone trooper armor and disguise that walked in after the first. Knowing the two would be fish out of water. He needed to ask them to leave this place quickly before the Finn gang comes down and kills the three. Watching as Hevy was scanning the room looking for him and shook his head. Vander shook back that they come here on business involving his folks.
'Welcome to The Lanes' Was what he told the two, picking himself up and moving to where Hevy is. But was too slow as a drunkard screamed out at Hevy calling for vengeance. Great. Another mess to clean up.
"YOU KILLED MY BROTHER!" Was a drunk cat man screaming at the top of his lungs. Hevy rolled his eyes at this.
Great another pirate to get revenge. He turned around watching his two clone brothers pulling out their weapons. Echo even had a spear ready for him. Hevy did a double take then patted his brother's shoulders telling him he'll handle this. As the brothers made way he was able to see who was threatening him. A disheveled Zygerrian with a gold fang pointing a stub pistol at him. Clearly after this gold tooth captain he killed and took a tooth crew disbanded and are now drinking themselves to death. Good. The galaxy needs less of them around. After a moment of silence measuring him up and looking around, noticing the bar people were listening to this confrontation. He decided to goad him so that no one would take vengeance for him now knowing his true history. Something he's been thinking of and now going to try.
'I...don't recall' Hevy said, intentionally forgetting about the captain making the pirate before him make a mistake. A mistake that he was doing as he yelled out his challenge.
'Don't give me that Krack. Butcher. You took his gold tooth' Hevy looked at the necklace of Zygerrian teeth noticing two gold teeth was in it. Putting on his best acting skills he stretched his neck. Even cracking it a couple of times. Before crossing his arms. Making the Zygerrian more infuriated.
'Be specific' Now the Zygerrian was fuming and enraged that the enemy he fantasized over and over again doesn't even recall that the great gold tooth had a brother. Reenacted this a dozen times in his head but still slurred from the alcohol he drank here hoping to get black out drunk before hunting the man that killed his brother.
'YOU KNOW. Gold Tooth.' Hoping for his arch enemy to help fill in the gaps or remember. Hoping his story will have the patrons back him up when his two bodyguards start to attack him when he makes his getaway. Hevy didn't budge. The Zygerrian pointed his gun again.
'The Slaver' He said again. Getting a few disgusted sounds in his way and noticing the patrons were starting to turn on him and turned gears.
'You killed my brother who was bringing home supplies to get our family out of debt' Now lying through his teeth but using half truths here. His family was in debt and they figured out just how to pay for it. Slaves. Just hope his lack of memory of his brother would probe his arch enemy's undoing. Hevy rolled his eyes and unfolded his arms.
'Oh yes I remember, your brother was kidnapping people to serve in your mines, even children weren't safe as they were labeled as entertainment from your brother's gold tooth, or was that your sister gold fang who bombed a supply drop at the outer cities' He accused now getting the patrons side as they scream out profanities and hate towards the Zygarrian runt who seemed to back away and pointing the gun all around him for the crowd to stay back.
Vander sighed that those two incidents happened on Runeterra when the separatists were making their land fall. That's how he knew about Hevy. Or well some bits. He remembered he was getting his metal gauntlets to beat back the invaders but was beaten to the punch when he saw a clone strangle this Gold fang and snapped its neck. Taking a tooth and leaving. He didn't have a chance to thank him for that. Everyone's thoughts were cut short when the Zygarrian shot his gun in the air, silencing everyone around him and pointing his gun at Hevy who was raring to go.
'I've been looking forward to this for a long time, Clone' The Zygarrian said, walking forward to put the gun at the clone's head. Not realizing his mistake as the moment he walked forward he found himself on the floor on his back in one fluid motion. He tried to shoot but his arm twisted forcing him to drop the gun and felt his arm break as Hevy snapped the joints out of place. Streaming in pain. Then found himself being lifted up and held in a choking position. Struggling and kicking for air. He could do nothing but helplessly flail in place using his one good arm to scratch free of the clone but found his fingers being scratched into nubs. He struggled for a bit feeling himself turning blue.
'Yes I bet you had' Was the last words the Zydarrian heard before feeling his own neck snapped in place falling over dead landing hard on the table in front of them where the other patrons looked at him with their hands off the table.
Hevy moved the Zygarrian to the side and pulled out a pair of pliers off of his pack and pulled a tooth out of the dead Zygarrian putting the tooth on his necklace now having three gold teeth then lifting the body up and running out of the door throwing the body to the street. Startling a crowd that was gathered at the front of the entrance. They all looked at the clone who was wearing a lizard pelt and teeth around his neck.
'Tell them The Butcher sends his regards' Hevy said, closing the door and turning around getting some cheers and drinks toasted to the butcher of the outer rim.
As he walked in. Fives nodded remembering that he was there when Hevy got his nickname from the pirates. Echo walked to Hevy side. Flabbergasted that he just killed someone outside of the battlefield but more importantly he's infamous.
'Hevy why are you named The Butcher?!' Echo said through gritted teeth Hevy sighed as he saw Vander pour him a drink on the house.
'I was skinning a trandoshan with my partner bandolier when we were saving the Wookies from a slave raid.'
'WHY! Were you skinning trandoshans'. Echo whispered yell through the din of cheers and applause. Hevy walked to where Vander is and took a glass. Watching Vander poor himself a drink too.
'High command wanted physical proof that we actually killed trandoshans during the slave raid, my helmet was busted when a trandoshan punched my helmet off and I stabbed it's throat with my combat knife. Bandolier was with me wrestling a trandoshan for the gun until they both looked at me, I think I killed the leader of that raid and in an act of intimidation I tried to cut off its head and present it to the others so they could flee, but I instead ripped the scale off and showed them half of their leader's face, still worked'
Hevy said nonchalantly while drinking his beer while Vander smiled remembering that story. Echo was horrified that his brother had such morbid thoughts and actions to back up his reputation as the butcher. Fives rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously.
'You don't have to worry Echo, Hevy doesn't do that anymore, he just takes the teeth out of people now' Echo looked at his brother fives. Removing his helmet for him to see his face looking all kinds of disgusted right now.
'That's not better' Echo could only half heartedly say while shaking his head putting his helmet back on. Hevy turned around and looked at Echo.
'They were only slavers' Hevy said innocently. Echo just sighed and shook his head. He knows he can't win in this argument. Hevy nodded his head and thought about how much he changed. Getting a little worried that he might be a ruthless pirate when the war is over. But shook it off and looked at Vander who finished his drink and turned to see an old friend.
'So, what brings you to the Lanes?'
Vander and the clones were sitting in the basement all looking worried until the door opened and Powder came with her sister Vi and the other orphans, Mylo and Claggor who were coming back from their jobs but mostly stealing from the middle levels. As Powder entered through the door she looked worried that Vander was there before them but her worry was quickly washed away when she saw Hevy who yelled his name and hugged him. Hevy hugged back as well before getting dog piled by the kids who all ran up to him and hugged him too all laughing as they got to see Hevy's actual face this time rather than a hologram.
'Okay, okay, you guys are crushing my ribs' Hevy jokes, getting the kids to hop off at him then rubbing Powder head which she looked ecstatic to see.
'Can't believe you're here on Coruscant' Vi Said clutching her knuckles with her hands. Still feeling the bruises that they got jumped on their way back by a different pair of thugs forcing them to lose the score by throwing it into the sewer. Only getting out of that mess by Vi's fighting and a well timed flashbang from Powder. Hevy looked at her knuckles and brought out bacta patches.
'For your hands' Hevy said quickly covering her bruises which Vi nodded.
Still feeling the bruises on her eye brow and chin. But smiling that a friend is here. Vander grimaced knowing that Vi went out doing scores again. She knows her heart is in the right place but the way she's doing it isn't the way. That's why they moved here for a clean slate. But it seems the past followed him here now that the pirate warlord Finn was waging war just a few moments before.
Even more grim that it's in full swing as the teams form below are making their way to the upper levels getting the coruscant guard to join in the fight now realizing the local insurrection was bigger then it first seemed. Vander pulled out some alcohol and wiped Vi's injuries at her head to talk to her one on one about her adventure at the middle levels. Hevy nodded at that and turned to the two who had bruises of their own. Grimacing that the boys didn't come back unscathed.
'They got you too didn't they' Mylo scoffed while Clogger rubbed his head. They didn't want their pride to be shattered that they did. Powder didn't have that notion and told her about her version of events.
'I saw them fighting the Hextech guards, I rushed to find Vi and the others with the hoverboard that I made but it's chaos out there' Hevy nodded grimly that he might need to radio in the general and the others as the three of them cannot face an entire uprising. But shook that thought off. He needs to make sure Powder stays safe.
'You and the boys have been eating well?' He questioned.
Powder and the boys smiled but grew saddened for a bit. Hevy breathed out a sigh. All the more reason to end this war. Hevy continued chatting with the boys and powder about the art she made as well as the explosives, poking fun at Mylo that he can't call powder jinx this time as she saved their lives from the scuffle. Fives and Echo were listening in on their helmet feeds on open radio chatter about the pirates uprising noticing the troops being pushed on all sides and were now engaging in an encirclement to trap the flow of the pirates so they could be defeated in detail.
'Easier said than done, these tunnels led everywhere' Fives said out loud as Echo was getting the radio signal to tap into the pirate radio, maybe doing a little bit of codebreaking and radioing the general to make the planet fall if he hasn't engaged in battling the pirates already. Meanwhile Vander and Vi were having a Father and Daughter talk about their middle level hub. Sitting down on the couches.
'Those kids look up to you know' Vander said covering her bruise which she winced from the pain but more that she failed in her mission to provide.
'I know' was his reply but Vander knew better.
'You know but you don't know, when people look up to you don't get to be selfish' Vi wanted to protest but was cut off when Vander wanted to get it through her head.
'When you say run, they run, you swim, they dive in, and when you light a fire they show up oil, whatever happens, it's on you' Vi wanted to protest but lowered her body instead. Now getting the message.
'Just like it's on me on whatever happens down here' Vander sighing looking over the bacta patches around her knuckles.
'How did you get this?' Vi scoffed at what happened when they met up with Powder who were panicking about a war happening at the middle level. Before a roving band of looters carrying some hextech gear with them and fighting each other before more enforcers along with clone reinforcements showed up.
'A roving band of idiots were following us' Pouring more alcohol to fix up the wounds on her head, Vander questioned more.
'From our side? Who?'
'I don't know. They were after everything that wasn't nailed down.' Vander nodded seeing the clones here knowing the stories coincide with the others.
'Where's the stuff' Noticing they come in empty handed. But mostly to hide the stash if they ever got caught and erasing ties so that the enforcer or the Coruscant guard came knocking which will be soon. overhearing the radio that the pirate leader is being pushed back here. Vi just moved her arms and breathed out a sigh.
'We lost it'
'All of it?' Vander questioned. Vi shook her head.
'Good' Placing the alcohol at the table.
'Nothing can tie you to what happened up there, you're going to have to lay low for a bit, understand?' As Vi was processing the information Fives and Echo called everyone
'I'm afraid we aren't laying low for this one' Echo said to the two overhearing the conversation and radioing in on the Pirate overlord challenge on an open frequency.
'This call goes out to The Butcher of the outer rim, come out at The Last Drop and we can end this invasion once and for all, or else' The radio turned to someone unfamiliar and familiar at the same time.
'Don't do it Soldier it's a-' Before a shot was radioed in from the helmet. Everyone grimaced that it was a Coruscant guard trooper that was executed.
'You have ten minutes' Before the radio feed was cut. Hevy stood up and put on his helmet to go and confront the pirate overlord. Or Finn that Vander called him. As he was moving up the steps Vander held his shoulder in place. Hevy looked back.
'You don't think you're going out there alone are you?' Vander said. Hevy chuckled.
'No i was just going to stall for time while my brothers rescue the hostages' Hevy joked but that was his plan. He was going to pull an obi wan during his mission of getting beat up until the hostages were free until he gets to kill him. But this time he's going to put in some damage instead of getting beat up. Vander smiled and shook Hevy in place.
'Then you're going to need a guide, Fives, Echo you trust me' Fives and Echo stood up fives nodding while Echo pinched his nose then put his helmet on.
'Just as long as the kids are safe and not run into danger'
The children were protesting that they don't get to help on this mission. Hevy looked over to say something but Vi stopped the kids.
'Sorry guys, we need to lay low since our botched mission' The three looked concerned but understood but Powder ran up to Hevy and hugged his leg and looked up.
'Promise to come back' Hevy smiled.
'Promise, how else am I going to get my helmet I gave you the first time?' Powder smiled and ran to the treasure box at the corner fishing out Hevy helmet now covered in doodles and Jinx signature Monkey and Hevy Kraut dragon but goofy at the back of his head. He smiled and swapped helmets putting it on.
'Just like new' Hevy said before pumping his fists together.
'Alright, lets bag us a Pirate' And with that. Cheers and yells of victory were said. Ready to defend their home and stop this invasion that was happening at the upper level. All gathered close listening to the plan that was being improvised. And allow the kids to watch the fight and help in their own ways.
At the outside of the last drop lies the pirate overlord. Gold Jaw Or how he is locally known as Finn the golden. An upstart of the criminal world that projects his power and influence with the gold like objects and cybernetics that he purchased from the credits he earned by abusing the wartorn worlds of selling Stilicho products of shimmer to upstart rebellions and addicts to throw off the occupation of both sides. Leaving a neutral zone dependent and ripe for his new pirate company, the Gold Jaws to carve a mighty empire from their remains.
'Oh Ho ho The butcher is here and let me, he is definitely what those trandoshans say, I'll tell you what' Was the most famous pirate of both sides of the Republic and the Separatist. Hondo Ohnaka. A pirate, Bandit, and if the credits were good, Smuggler. But those acts were not the only ones that made him famous. What made him well liked and have repeated customers that he robbed was his silver tongue and easy going personality.
'So as a deal from a pirate to pirate' Hondo said, showing his arms and pulling his arms apart snagging the chain that binds the arms together.
Finn looked back and Saw Honda and analyzed what this pirate character is. Looking to what would be considered a shell hat, With goggles but a lot more lower tech then the RuneTerra, His skin a more scaly stone version of the humans around here, With a proper and fit Captain coat but his shirt and pants were just the standard wear of his pirate gang. But he has to admit he has a winning smile raising his arms expecting to be free. Finn chuckled that this man is one of the more entertaining criminals then the stick ups back at RuneTerra.
'I would Hondo, but you see' He kneeled down getting into Hondo personal space to test if he is a weasel or is a lot more competent than he already is. Hondo smiled genuinely as he held his arms and shook them again. Finn nodded that he is a competent pirate. And the more competent the pirate is. The higher the bounty they have.
'I altered the deal, we'll see if your butcher is worth the hype' Standing up and taking a look at his two other hostages.
One was one of the Hextech guards but looked a bit weasley then usually but his eyes were more fierce and was staring him down that he was captured by pirates. He might recognize him as he is the regular Hexguard who only wears a rebreather and has stepped on toes a lot more than he should. But that's usually everyone of the guards and dismissed the thought. He would be dead soon so it's not worth the effort and looked to the right seeing a toy soldier guarding a playpen of the higher levels. These clones seem competent at first but they were not used to fighting humans.
Especially against the Shimmered tanking all of those pew pew lasers getting bashed in the head. This one was a lucky find as the clone trooper that kept yapping at him about how he won't get away with this, The Grenadiers would arrest them, Captain Fox wouldn't say anything, blah, blah, blah before getting clipped in the head. Getting a leader of the guard here would give him more time for his boys to loot the gear that this supposed separatist informant said. His appearance seemed iffy at first but after giving them their armor and weapons all doubts were quickly dashed and the raid was now ahead of schedule. Hondo went back and felt like a spear was pierced in his heart and clutched his chest.
'Deal breaker, Scum' He said hurt over reacting to the blow from the pirate before him. Then moving back in position.
'I'm so proud' Then elbowing both the clone and these new humans he heard so much about.
'As my sweet mother always said, son, If one hostage is good, two are better, and three well that's just good business' Laughing to end the punchline.
The thugs that were wearing their typical gangster outfits but have clone trooper pads laughed at the joke even Finn chuckled at that. The Hexguard and the clone trooper were just fuming that they got captured and had to be saved by a pirate of all things. Worse. A Republic sponsored pirate. Hondo leaned back smiling that he found a good audience.
'But so betrayed' He finished.
Then they all heard a kick from the door causing all too look at where the sound of the noise originated. What they saw was a clone but way too grizzly to be a clone and to divergent from the other clone legions. Hondo waved at this clone recognizing him as Hevy from his trandoshan pelt and armor paint.
But it was getting a little hard to recognize him as his armor was graffitied by some child that was way too hopped up on sugar as their a cartoonish rendition of the Mandalorian logo with what looks like the under jaw of a monkey. His upper arms decaled in flames and seeing his knee pads saying ouch on the left and a skull on the right. But what's more noticeable than the graffiti was the gauntlets that he was wearing as they looked like the poor man's knuckle busters but more suited for the entire hands rather than just metal around his hands.
Smacking them together as he marched forth to speak with this Pirate overlord. Finn looked up the fabled butcher up and down and looked unimpressed. He looked like he was some junkie who never let go of his childhood wonder. Finn scoffed as the clone moved a good distance in front of him then raising his hand signaling The butcher to stop as well as the guard who raised their guns at him then put it down.
'So you must be the fabled butcher I've heard so much about' Hevy rolled back his shoulders at this parley. Aiming to stall as much time as possible for Fives, Echo, and Vander to sneak in from behind and take out the pirates that might be in the buildings.
'Who's asking?' Finn took out a lighter at that question and lit up a death stick wondering what this new fangled drug is. Only to get disappointed about how weak this supposed death stick is. Then spit out the stick and stomped it. Extinguishing this glorified licorice. Then playing around his lighter, opening up letting the flame out.
'The Gold Jaws' Was Finn's response. Growling that this man was the leading figure head against every operation he did. Even the new hires that he made part of his crew were killed by this butcher's hands. Hevy intentionally did a pondering move tapping his foot and tapping his gauntlet glove at his helmet head. Then moved his necklace chain seeing the three gold tooths were next to each other.
'Hmm, I can't recall' Was Hevy barb at Finn. Finn sneered at this butcher. Trying to act aloof rather than admitting what he did. But kept his emotions in check. Flipping the lighter to its closed function. Snapping his fingers bringing in the Hextech guard and Fox to the ground. Squatting to the ground at the two seeing if he can get a rise out of this butcher. Hevy didn't move as not really caring about this mercenary group and disliking fox as he sat at the homebase rather than fighting at the heart of the enemy territory like Frodo.
'You know these two?' Probing to see if he bites. Hevy just crossed his arms.
'No' Fox moved his head looking at Hevy.
He didn't need to know that underneath that helmet was Fox wishing that he was dead. The feeling would be mutual if he wasn't a clone. The hexguard looked up with hate in his eyes wearing his rebreather at this supposed clone pirate bounty hunter rumored honor is a lie. Finn tilted his head and then snapped his lighter open signaling the third prisoner to be brought out. Hondo scrambled to his feet moving both of his hands in an okay okay position. Then stood right next to Fox being his cheerful self.
'HEEY! How have you been?' Hevy did a double take as he recognized Hondo his informate, and partner in crime was here on Coruscant.
'Hondo, why are you here...As a hostage' Finn smirked that the soulless bounty hunter was a facade and in reality had a bleeding heart. It was only rumors but a certain butcher has been making smuggling trips giving the Zaum district much needed supplies. He would have liked the donation. But the boxes always seem to go to the hound people rather than the chem barons. Forcing them to go off world to migrate business. Hondo laughed and explained the situation.
'Oh my friend, It was just the silliest thing really, I was making my standard trip of dropping these uuuh, Chem Barons' tapping his chin then remembering the organization he was transporting here on coruscant.
'Their business was having quite some trouble with our visits and wanting to start over here, when I'm finished transporting the last of them and the next thing I knew they put a bag over my head and brought me here' He would have laughed more but a gun cocking at him silencing him completely.
'Like the pirate said butcher, you chopped up my business like mince meat and took the bones off of my friends' Finn now stares daggers at him. Hevy stared back at him returning the gesture.
'My mistake was stopping at the bones' Finn smirked seeing that both of his masks were mixing together. He would have been a good pirate. If he wasn't a clone. Then pointing his golden gun at his head.
'It would have been so easy just killing you here and now' Hevy sneered at that then cracked his head.
'What's stopping you?' He challenged.
Then feeling a bullet bounced off of his helmet feeling the impact and moving his head back. Gritting from the pain but stuffed it quickly. Moving back to position breathing out his nose. Thankful that he managed to find the material for his helmet that makes auto guns ineffective. But is still working out the kinks of blaster fire. Finn nodded and moved his pistol back.
'That's what is stopping me' Both stood up sizing each other up ready for a fight. Hevy thinking quickly on how to divert the goons near the hostages to make the resume operation more easy for the group that was clearing out the buildings.
'So are you going to go first? Or should i get a little warm up with your goons first' Finn men sneered and marched forward hoping their leader gave the signal. Finn looked at the clone wondering if he has a death wish or is as strong as Vander. Especially since he's wearing his gauntlets. Finn snapped his fingers.
'If you wish, clone, kill him' Giving the signal.
The goons charged at Hevy, some moving faster than the others wielding pipes, knives, swords, and fists. Hevy smacked his knuckles together and got into position ready to box them all.
'Hey kid, are you ready?' Hevy said Radioing Vi who was wearing his new helmet both linked together by wearing the gauntlets.
'Always' Vi answered by punching her clone gauntlets together, controlling Hevy punches through a remote control link.
'Good just like we practice over on the holodisk' As the chatting continued.
One of the Big goons was stomping ahead pushing the others out of the way moving his hand back ready to crush the clone. But was punched right in the jaw sending him back twirling for a bit before falling down knocking him out cold. The pirates stopped their charging and stepped back now surrounding Hevy waiting for any of the one to start attacking now a bit afraid that they would go down in one punch. Hevy and Vi punched the knuckles again as a challenge to the pirates to come charge at them.
'Who's next' Hevy taunted both of them in their boxing stance.
The pirates finally worked up the courage and charged ahead. Not knowing that today would be the worst day of their lives. But Vi and Hevy knew that this was going to be the best moment of their lives. As they both now can test their boxing stances against after practicing on the air, droids, some goons, and each other sometimes. Now it's time for the real deal.
Hevy and Vi were tapping their feet trying to get into rhythm so both could fight as one rather than individuals. As they tapped their feet they were remembering a song that Hevy managed to find and shared it with a group. Now is an appropriate time to tune in on that music. As they got more and more into the music they got into the zone as they say and just in time as the first pirate was running up to them ready to hit Hevy with a pipe.
As the pirate was reeling back. Vi and Hevy breathed out getting more and more into the zone feeling the whole world slow into a crawl. Closing their eyes they waited for the right opportunity to strike and it was coming soon as the pipe was getting closer and closer to Hevy's head, almost going to land. Hevy and Vi opened their eyes and dodged the pipe at the last second and countering from the strike, sending the pirate flying in a circle before landing flat on his back.
Play-Arcane Dynasties & Distopia
Now properly getting into the zone. They punched in with the beat as they did a one two combo with the pirate that was running up and instantly putting him down on the ground. Ducking a swing from a sword and throwing a double punched to the gut causing the pirate reel back from the blow then turning to block a flurry of punches coming from the side moving back ducking and uppercutting the offending bandit then elbowing the bandit coming from behind and punching forward hitting a big one who reeled back but not knocked out and returned the punches trying to knock Hevy down but kept missing as he swing too wide leaving him opened to a flurry of punches to the side and finishing him off by kneeing him in the face with the left knee.
He looked around still in position seeing if there were more pirates that were coming in. A hunch proved correct as pirates kicked open the door and now running and gunning using all sorts of weapons to take this butcher down. Hevy punched his fists together as the pirates were coming in before getting kicked in the head rolling down, losing his helmet as it rolled to the ground. Vi rolled back from the blow as if she was getting kicked in the head but stopped noticing as the helmet rolled off and stopped into view as she saw Hevy unhelmeted and feared for his life as she saw Finn was going to shoot Hevy in the head but was relieved as she saw Hevy blocked the shots and moved left and right giving a punched finn right in the gut and face. Kicking him to the ground and the gun behind the helmet. Vi took off the helmet and breathed out a breath that she was holding in. Then she looked back at the helmet and touched it. The kids were waiting with bated breath before Mylo worked up the courage to ask what happened.
'Finn got a lucky shot' Vi smiled knowing that her friend would make it out okay.
'Hevy knocked his ass to the ground' The kids smiled now seeing the helmet now emitting a wide screen showing Hevy dodging a flurry of knife attacks then punching the pirate in the face knocking them to the ground seeing Finn standing up and hit two body blows to heavy before being sent on his knees by Hevy over headed strike then being held there kneeing him over and over again.
Until a bandit punched Hevy out of the hold then tried to hit another blow before his fist cracked at the gauntleted punch causing the bandit to scream out in pain before being sent down to the ground. Hevy looked like he was winning but saw Hevy put his gauntlets up and blocked a flurry of blaster shots and bullets retreating out of view of the camera. The kids gasped and were about to leave the basement to go help until the bandit with a gun was signaling his men to move in but got speared instead getting returned fire by a blue blaster bolts. The helmet was kicked to the side now seeing Hevy, Fives, and Echo all standing next to each other ready to fight.
'Hell yeah the mission was a success' Powder shouted. Vi rubbed her sister's hair which powder giggled at that.
'See I told you, Hevy is fine, Skill beats luck after all' Vi said as they watched the three clones charged ahead and watching Hevy get into a deadlock with Finn.
Each punching each other in the ribs until Hevy swings Finn back right into Vander who lifted Finn up and broke his back over his knee. The kids cheered at that as they saw Finn try to get up but got kicked up and watched both Hevy and Vander beat down Finn till his golden Jaw was hanging by a thread then they both lifted him up and punched him in the face sending stumbling right on his back defeated. Hevy looked around and quickly put on his helmet and tapped at the side of his helmet to talk to the kids.
'See, I told you it would work' The kids celebrated as Hevy looked over at Fives and Echo who were mopping up the last few remaining pirates by stun blasting them for those who tried to flee. Then turning to Vander shaking Hevy shoulder smiling.
'Drinks are on me tonight boys and girls' The kids cheered and ran up from the basement opening the door seeing the clones and Vander who were laughing and cheering from the victory.
Along with Hondo who joined in on the celebrations who got a hug from Hevy. As they finished their celebrations they saw the hexguard and fox crossing their arms further away from the celebrations still mad about all of this mess. They would have all walked in at the bar before they saw a pirate mob coming at them at the far end of the tunnel.
The four instinctively moved up in front of the children to protect them but relaxed as they saw the rocket brigade flying overhead shooting down the pirate mob with stun blasts and Hextech guards and coruscant guards chasing the fleeing pirates until the mob stopped and put their hands up in surrender. Watching the display they saw Kird landing in front of them along with Clip and Bandolier looking over at the group. The clones saluted while Vander crossed his arms finally able to see Hevy superior face to face. Kird looked over at the bodies behind him and to the two hostages that were crossing their arms fuming from a distance. Kird smiled knowing Hevy would rub it in their faces in later.
'Mesa see yousa had some fun' Hevy, Fives, and Echo relaxed and nodded.
Hevy gesture that he has some business to take care of. Kird looked to where the leader of the pirate overlord was trying to crawl away from them then looked back at Hevy. Giving him a nod. Hevy pumped his fist ready to tear off Finn's jaw for his new addition of his pirate get up. Vander coughed his mouth getting the attention of Kird and smiled now meeting the man Hevy talked about face to face.
'So I finally get to see Hevy was talking about, got to say, not what I imagined' Kird chuckled.
'Mesa get dat alot' Vander and Kird shook hands, now looking over at the kids then kneeling down, meeting Vi, Powder, Mylo, and Claggor. Looking over at them smiling.
'And yousa must be what Hevy mentioned' Powder nodded and smiled.
'Yep that's us, Hevy mentioned that you talk funny' Vi was shocked while Mylo and claggor laughed.
'Powder you can't just say that' Vander tried to hush her and apologize. Kird just chuckled getting the joke.
'Nosa nosa, it's alright, mesa been work on gett rid of dha accent' As to continue on a different topic Hevy came back with a gold jaw on his left shoulder pad tapping it.
'Well, I'm thirsty who's up for drinks' Vander smiled.
'Alright, guess it's time for a celebration' Hondo noticing a free opportunity to get free drinks hoped in like he was part of the party all along.
'Yes, let's all be merry and drink, he he, I've also got some special deals for you two for saving my life, and not well, put me in jail' Hondo gestured to the two sour sports who grumbled walking away to their designated legions to coordinate the transfer of prisoners. Kird just shook his head. He always finds Hondo in trouble, it seems.
'Alright, but mesa'm haggl some anonymous donations to dha lanes' Kird said walking to the bar. The kids and the clones were already walking to the last drop ready to enjoy some r an r. Hondo gasped before quickly catching up to Kird.
'My friend, for you, I'll give you a big box of goods straight from Runterra, with shipping fees of course' Hondo whispered the last bit before cheering and setting up some chairs and tables for the clones to celebrate a victory well earned.
As the lower levels were celebrating their victory against the pirate uprising. Someone high up was watching the feed in the comfort of his councilor chair. Then closing it. Getting a quick overview on the other feeds then turning it off, swiveling his chair to watch Coruscant night sky pondering and waiting for a certain individual to come. He didn't have to wait long until his doors were opened and out came a woman who wore a Hextech uniform marching forward and saluted.
'You wanted to see me chancellor' She asked.
'Yes, it's about your Hexguards performance' Palpatine masking his disappointment and excitement about these new technologies he gets to play with but curtain individuals were proven to be more exceptional than their peers rather than as a whole. Showing they have trouble in mass unit cohesion but their skills and prowess were certain to be well expected. Especially with the pirate that he intentionally allowed to come to the lower levels to test this new Hexguard and his Coruscant guard on their competency. The women looked grim for a moment before nodding.
'I am sorry chancellor, the situation was bigger than we realized, I would take full responsibility'
'That won't be necessary' Palpatine turned his head and struggled to restrain a smile.
Seeing lots of the Hexguard to be more compliant to his vision of the empire. But their potentials are untapped and unrefined. He just needs to refine and reshape them to suit his needs. The leader of this volunteer group already has a deal with the lower levels to keep their business out of trouble. Just a few shops designated to be trashed for the insurance money. A few unsavory individuals to be arrested. But more importantly. They could be bended quite easily in the name of peace.
'You did admirably in this unexpected situation, so I would like to hire your Hexguard to train our clone troopers, as well as a shipment of your recommended load out' he said turning around seeing the woman's face in surprise. He nodded and restrained a laugh catching this woman off guard.
'I...With due respect our weapons and armor are our trade secrets' She said, hoping to not just give away the advantage of their weaponry and armor to a republic they just joined.
Things were moving too fast and too quick for that kind of talk to happen. Palpatine smiled knowing she had fallen right into his trap. As long as he gets some of that outdated equipment and bribes to the local supply officer. He would have all the weapons he needs to reverse engineer them and redistribute them to the Coruscant guard. But more importantly better weapons for his Stormtrooper program.
'That's why I want your training gear, not weapons, all to better train our Coruscant guard, if you so choose of course?' She wanted to rebuke him but.
She needed those credits and supplies shipped to Pittsover. They were on a brink of civil war and the resupply drops and money managed to narrowly avoid that as well as make the outer city a better place to live by getting rid of the smog there and reshaping them into breathable air. Taking a deep breath and mentally preparing to take another underground deal she accepts.
'I'll see if I can get some training gear from Pittsover' Palpatine smiled and dismissed her. Leaving him alone to ruminate about this planet's unlimited potential. Then using the force to move a bright shiny crystal around him. Seeing the unstable nature around it before making it dormant holding the crystal at the tip of his fingertips.
'It's a shame that I could only get one of you while the others are either at the bottom of Coruscant or in the hands of a blue-haired child' Remembering when he personally went to retrieve the blue crystals from the gang he hired.
A stroke of bad luck when his other plan came crashing down. He almost believed he jinxed himself there. But thankfully that blue haired girl managed to come in at the last moment to save his prize. Alas there were costs however as the looters were bigger and stronger and to survive had to throw the bag over the edge escaping the others on her hoverboard.
An edge that he so conveniently watched from the distance as he force pulled it up about slipping a few of the blue crystals at the pipes below exploding all the while. Seeing that almost blew his cover as he now found the power source to power his project stardust in the future but one thing at a time as he found something even more valuable than the crystals. Some trinkets and treasures really. And some notes. Hyperspace notes.
'Oh well, she's earned her treasure, besides' Now putting away the power source and leaning back in his chair. Now pressing some buttons to display the notes he found during the bag he rescued. Reading and studying the RuneTerra language and the notes by Jayce Talis written at the bottom of each paper note. Smiling that he got his lead researcher.
'I've got my true prize' Palpatine is now letting the facade of being a kind and old chancellor slip off and becoming who he truly is. A Sith lord controlling the republic at large. Laughing his sith laugh echoing across his chambers that his dream of the empire might come sooner than expected.
Word count 15220
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