The Mansion of Jerrik Caroon

[Eth Erzin]

The Illuminant Rush didn't even need to enter hyperspace to reach Nal Hutta's moon of Nar Shaddaa. A quick ride through the solar system, and it was coasting through the moon's atmosphere, like a hawk seeking prey.
"Did the job description give any location information on this Caroon guy's mansion? Or do we just have to guess?"
Lents brought the 'Rush down into a low orbit, just looking with his eyes in case he caught something important.
As he asked this, the console beeped. "Hmm?" Lents peered closely at it. His eyes widened and he exclaimed "Hold on Skeang!" He jerked the controls to the right, sending the 'Rush into a sudden sharp turn. The inertia threw him against the control panel, but out of the corner of his eye saw that the photon missiles the radar had picked up careen past this ship.
"Company already? Skeang, you manage the guns, and I'll try to keep us from getting killed here." Whoever this assailant was, he was fast, and merciless. It wasn't too much of a stretch to know that the 'Rush had come from Hurri's palace, but to attack without warning and from out of nowhere was something that Lents--while not unprepared for--wouldn't have done himself.

[Skeang]

Skeang quickly grabbed controls for the Rush's guns, he was less than competent at aiming projectiles but when push came to shove he had better give it a shot. Looking for signs of what had aimed at them Skeang was unable to find anything for a moment. Skeang took this moment to yell back to Lents,
"Look for Hurri's warehouse it should have the same markings as his whole palace and Jerrik's place is nearby it."
Turning his head back to whoever might have been attacking them Skeang saw yet another missile heading for them. Fortunately Skeang saw the missile fly by as the rush made another sharp turn to avoid it. Skeang then saw in the distance there attacker and promptly starting firing randomly in its general direction. Skeang was unfamiliar with the Rush and had to yell once again to Lents.
"You don't happen to have something to help my aim out do you? My shots are... sub par at best."
Skeang continued to unload the Rush's guns onto the target he saw in the distance.

[Eth Erzin]

Lents brought the 'Rush down and around, swerving wildly to shake their pursuant. He realized it would make it harder for Skeang to gun accurately, but he figured surviving was their highest priority.
"You can try the targeting computer, but it might be more effective to feel the opponent in the force and aim using your mind. It might be a little too light side to be effective for you, but that's what I do."
Sweeping over the moon, Lents was unsurprised to see yet another bounty hunter's ship, this one angling in from a ways in front of him and to the right. "Now this can be profitable." He gunned the accelerator and flew right into the path of the new other ship. He jerked the 'Rush back and forth uncontrollably, hoping that the first ship's shots would veer past and hit--or at least irritate--the new ship.

ooc: sorry for the short and late post, been busy this weekend >_>

[Skeang]

Skeang focused his mind on the first ship, channeling the force through the anger and frustration he was feeling. Firing several shots at the first ship to no avail. Skeang found his force powers were far more suited toward increasing his own physical strength, as the anger he was feeling made him nearly rip the controls for the guns out of the Rush. Switching on the targeting computer he began to wait for to lock onto the first ship as he saw another missile coming straight for the rush. The target locked and Skeang fired away hoping these shots would have some affect on the ship.

occ: np dude I've been busy to

[Eth Erzin]

Lents pulled the 'Rush into a barrel roll as Skeang fired away. The missile passed over the ship's underbelly and plowed straight into their pursuant, causing the first chaser to wobble out of control. Turning away from the 'Rush, the first chaser opened up every gun at the second, scoring several hard blows.
As the two engaged each other, Lents diverted all the power from the weapons and shield systems and diverted the massive flow of excess energy to the engines.
"Strap yourself in Skeang, I'm not sure exactly how fast the 'Rush can--"
As the engines lit up, the plating of the VT-49 groaned in protest as it accelerated with enough force to overcome the force of the inertial dampener settings Lents had settled on for in-atmosphere flight.
As a curtain of black began to descend over his sight, Lents dialed up the setting and slumped down in his chair, breathing heavily as the blood in his body all equalized.
"Keep an eye on the ground now I suppose, Skeang. I'm pretty sure we lost those two. There could be more, but finding that warehouse is priority."

[Skeang]

The rush had been going for some time before Skeang had regained his composure, flying combat always made him uneasy. Skeang didnt have a stomach, but something in his gut was feeling very sick for sure. So disoriented that he almost missed the warehouse covered in Hurri's markings.
Shouting to Lents, "Look down there, that has gotta be the place.
Not too far away from the building he had identified as Hurri's he saw a building in the distance, a well fortified one set on a hill. Skeang could see blaster shots going off and ships that had parked outside the walls, someone had to be there.

[Eth Erzin]

Lents pulled the 'Rush into a low, sweeping arc and landed the ship behind a large sandy hump, out of the mutual view of the warehouse and the mansion. He toggled a couple of controls, and the upper gun turret whirred to life, auto-targeting any potential nearby hostiles.
"Alright Skeang, it'll be a short walk, but I figure that'll keep the 'Rush safer for our inevitable getaway. Lents gripped his lightsaber--still unrepaired-- and lowered the docking ramp.
"You ready for this? The minute we step out of this ship and walk over that hill, it's a battlefield." Lents shook his head. "What am I saying? You know this as well as I do."
He ignited one working blade. The soft yellow glow threw the room into subtle shadows. "You lead the way. You're more physically intimidating than I am. Let's not try to bust down the front door, but go for a side gate, or any other entrance--unless you have any better plan, let's go."

[Skeang]

Skeang nodded taking the lead, running through an open field toward the mansion. There was plenty of activity going on at the mansion but it seems the guards on the outside had been overwhelmed. On top of that all the other bounty hunters were far more concerned with entering than the Gen'dai racing toward one of the side walls. Skeang scanned the outer walls thinking of a way to get in without having to use one of the actual entrances. Then he saw the rather weak looking fence around what appeared to be a landing station for small personal ships, that would be there entrance. Skeang began to pick up speed and turned back to Lents momentarily.
"Watch yourself for a minute, I gotta go faster to get us in."
Skeang locked his eyes on his target charging his legs with force power as he bolted for the fence. Skeang wasn't the quickest creature alive, he lacked agility. But when it came to a dash that lacked turns and had no obstacles, Skeang was able to pick up quite a bit of speed. Which was good because within several yards of the fence Skeang forced both his legs to rocket him into the fence.
"Here goes nothing..."
Skeang closed his eyes and crossed his arms as he collided with the fence. The frail metal meant for keeping back petty intruders crumpled as Skeang's massive body passed through it. Skeang hit the ground and slid a yard or two, getting back up as quickly as he could. Skeang saw a single door into the mansion from the landing pad, which was all they needed.

[Eth Erzin]

Lents' eyes darted all around them, looking to see signs of pursuit. Wisely, he thought, he closed his lightsaber blade to minimize attention to himself, only to glance forward and see Skeang barrel through a fence. Lents rolled his eyes. So much for subtlety. But they were in, providing that door inside wasn't locked--inevitably it would be.
As they darted through the courtyard, an R-28 Starfighter swooped low, hovering above them. A panel opened, and a rope fell out, with a woman climbing down it. She aimed a rifle down at the two and was about to open fire when an X-83 TwinTail dove down onto the R-28, let loose a volley of laser cannon fire, and flew off. The R-28 exploded into burning shards of twisted metal. The woman on the rope plummeted to the ground, landing heavy on her knees and palms.
"Open that door Skeang! Get us inside!"
This is where Lents' force powers came in handy. The woman looked up with a mixed expression of anger and pain as the wreckage of the R-28 crashed into the courtyard, directly on top of her. Lents summoned a large wave of Force power and constructed it into a psychokinetic shield that kept the shrapnel from tearing his flesh to ribbons. However the heat wave knocked him off his feet.
Picking himself up, he looked towards the door. "We in, Skeang?"

[Skeang]

Skeang had ran up to the door finding it unfortunately locked.
Skeang yelled back to Lents,
"Not quite, this won't take a minute though."
Skeang reached his arm back delivering a solid punch to the door, a bit of pain shot up his arm as he realized just how well fortified this door was. Skeang grit his teeth delivering several more punches. The door creaked and bent inward but did not break from Skeang's punches. Skeang started to realize that his stamina was giving out due to the fact that he hadn't rested in quite some time.
Skeang heard the explosion realized that he could not simply punch through this door. Skeang's fists had began to lose shape from the force of the punches he was delivering so he waited a moment for his fingers to reform before hardening them to points. Skeang then launched his arm forward grabbing the first few layers of plating on the door. Skeang gripped and tried to pull the door straight out. Once again the door bent out the way Skeang was trying to break it up but did not in fact break.
In less than a minute Skeang's fingers were starting to once again lose shape from the strength he was exerting on the door.
What now... Skeang thought to himself, he then saw the remains of the fence that he had broken through. Skeang shrugged, lifting up one of the beams from the fence and charging it with some of his remaining force power. Skeang then forced the crude metal bar into the now tattered door with as much strength as he could muster. Skeang's charge made him realize he had been exerting just a bit too much power thus far.
The door finally gave, being skewered by Skeang's force weapon ability. Ripping the door right off the frame still attached to the beam Skeang threw the whole thing to the side. Skeang then looked down the hallway he had opened up to hear a small number of guards were on there way. Unfortunately Skeang had used up a large portion of his power with that door, he called Lents over saying.
"We're in but... I haven't rested since before I was on Bothawui. And I spent a good portion of my force power fighting a sith there. Between those things and what I just did to get us in I spent most of my strength."
Skeang forcibly fell on one knee, he hadn't had to exert himself like this in a while. He sighed and continued talking to Lents.
"We got between two to five guards coming down that hallway pretty soon. Sorry to put the burden on you for this one but stall these guards while I regain my stamina. It won't take more than a minute or two."

[Eth Erzin]

Lents ignited his lightsaber and threw it down the hallway. A guard turned the corner and was immediately stricken down. Three more spilled into view behind him, two opening blasterfire on Lents, and the third wielding an electrostaff, which he used to batter the floating lightsaber.
Lents ducked and dodged the blaster bolts, but was only able to control his blade with elementary proficiency. When it got locked against the electrostaff, the strength of the guard--a Gamorrean--pushed back the blade slowly but easily. Realizing that his force powers at this range and concentration wouldn't be able to get the better of the electrostaff, Lents ignited the second blade, at a right angle to the first, and instantly impaled the guard.
The two guards with blasters briefly looked behind them at the sound of another lightsaber, not realizing it was the same one, and Lents jerked it back, spinning it as a V rotated vertically.
It caught one guard, but the other--a Lepi-- dodged out of the way with incredible speed. Lents took this opportunity to bolt down the hallway and gather up a great amount of Force power. He dropped the lightsaber, letting the four-way handle clatter to the ground.
The Lepi turned around just in time to see Lents barreling down on him. Just as he was about to open fire again, Lents unleashed his built-up wave of Force energy into one concentrated spike of a Force push. Something snapped and the Lepi was pitched back into the wall with a loud thud. He tumbled to the ground and was still.

OOC: I'm so sorry for my delay, personal life crap got in the way of posting...

[Skeang]

Skeang should have been focusing on the fact that he was having trouble lifting his body but he found himself completely engrossed in just how much stronger Lents had gotten. Now slowly raising himself, Skeang knew well enough the most common reason he ever lost fights was because he was careless with his force power.
He looked over to Lents still a bit taken back this fighting prowess that Lents had, "That was quite the show, that floating saber trick sure makes you difficult to counter if the enemy doesn't see it coming."
Skeang started toward the hallway, he was recovered but he knew he could blow all his remaining power if he wasn't careful. Something painful to really piss him off would be convenient right about now.
Once again speaking to Lents, "The reason I'm burning through my power so quick is because I learned how to empower objects with the force. It makes every day objects hit pretty hard but it requires a huge amount of power. I'll be fine as long as I use my fists and my sabers from here on in."

[Eth Erzin]

"Alright, yeah. Keep safe, we don't want you dying here." Now where to head? It wasn't like Lents and Skeang could just ask the butler where the treasury was.
But wait--why not?
"Let's find someone who lives here, and maybe we can--" Lents coughed. "Convince them to help us find the room."
They continued down the hallway, running into a three-way fork.

[Skeang]

Skeang nodded and starting listening down the three paths. The first path sounded mechanical, not droids more likely machines or a generator or some kind. Probably nobody inside worth questioning. The second was quite active, blaster shots, yelling seemed like there was a bit of action going on in there. Probably more bounty hunters fighting with guards. Skeang listened down the third and heard something more helpful to them. The sound of breathing, and heartbeats. There was more than one but less than 5, nobody was talking. Skeang pointed to the third hallway and looked to Lents,
"I think our best bet would be that direction. From what I hear, whoever is there is trying to be quiet. Probably hiding from all the action out here."

[Eth Erzin]

Lents nodded, motioning that they should be silent as they padded down the hall.
"But mummy, I'm scared..."
"Hush honey, this will all be over soon, I promise.'
Lents reached out in the Force, sensing two life-forms in a side-closet. It was probably his Force powers that allowed him to hear them in the first place, because among all the background ruckus of the rest of the mansion, it should have been impossible to hear them from behind that door.
Lents pointed at the door and nodded to Skeang. "But they sound innocent, so we're not to hurt them."
He grabbed the door with the Force and swung it open. It was a door in ancient style, without an electronic mechanism--only hinges and a mechanical lock. A shriek came from it, and the mother Twi'lek inside clamped her hand over her daughter's mouth. She was dressed in maid's clothing, and looked ragged and frightened.
"Please, don't be scared. We're not going to hurt you." Lents held up his hands reassuringly. "I am a Jedi, and it is against our code to harm innocents. All we need from you is the directions to the treasury room in the house. We're not robbing your master, we're just taking back something that's not his. Lents ignored the thought that all of Hurri's goods were probably illicitly acquired anyways. "Just that--and if you tell us, we can make all the bad people go away. Can you do that for us?"
The maid nodded frantically, silently.
Stuttering, she gave directions through the mansion to the room each bounty hunter present was looking for. When she was finished, she said "Please, I have told you want you want, now please go!"
"If you stay hidden in here, you'll be safe." Lents swung the door shut and turned to Skeang. "You remember all that? Let's get that treasure and get out of here."

[Skeang]

Skeang nodded back to Lents starting down the path toward where the treasure had been kept,
"Don't forget we gotta make sure that the owner of this place is planning to relocate, though with this many bounty hunters I think he probably got the hint already. Still its worth keeping an eye out for Mr. Caroon."
Skeang followed the instructions down several hallways, noting wreckage that the bounty hunters were bringing to this place the closer they got to the treasure room. The place huge maze-like, Skeang had to wonder what Hurri had planned for this place.

In minutes they had found where the maid had directed them to go. The door to the treasure room had been broken in and there was a bit of commotion inside. However before Skeang and Lents were able to get in there was two very large obstacles. Taking up the majority of the hallway was two rather dim looking Herglics conversing in very simplistic galactic basic standard. Skeang and Lents listened to them from around the corner.
"The boss said to wait for him and the others out here because we would break things in there." said the first Herglic
"Its cause we can barely fit in the door and that room is full of expensive ar.. art... expensive stuff"
"Yeah! And we get some of the money for helping."
Skeang stopped listening to them to look back to Lents, getting by these two wouldn't be too easy. He whispered to Lents as not to be heard.
"Looks like we got beat to there, those two aren't geniuses and fighting them would alert whoever is already in there. Think we can trick em?"

[Eth Erzin]

"Emperor's black bones, those two are humongous." Lents didn't even think the length of his lightsaber could reach all the way through their enormous bodies. "Okay... this might be a bad idea, but I think I have a solution."
He took off his boots and levitated them a ways down the hallway opposite him and Skeang. Then, in rapid spikes of Force power, started slamming them against the ground in the rhythm of someone running. He called over his shoulder. "Oh, blast! Those sleemos beat me to it!" Lents quickly pulled himself and Skeang back around a corner, out of sight. Then he started to control the boots to sound like they were frantically running in the opposite direction.
"Hey. That guy wanted to steal the treasure."
"We should go bash his brains in."
"But we're not supposed to leave our post."
Lents rolled his eyes, clenched his teeth in concentration, and brought the boots running back, at double the pace to sound like there were two this time. Calling over his shoulder again, "I think we can take them, they don't look so tough!"
"I changed my mind, let's go bash their brains in." The two Herglics trundled out of the room, looking for invisible foes.
Whispering to Skeang, Lents said "And there's our opening."

[Skeang]

Skeang watched the whole charade and him and Lents entered the room quickly. It was an enormous storeroom, with rows of different artifacts. Treasures of all sorts, on the shelves and crates in the rows. It became quickly apparent to Skeang that Hurri probably had never owned any of this stuff as a noticeable majority of it was imperial artifacts.
"You should really teach me a bit of that stuff some day, I can't even move a feather without touching it. And I must say I'm impr..."
Skeang was cut off by the sounds of blaster shots. Skeang looked down one hall to see a troop of mercenaries running toward where Skeang had heard the blaster shot. None of them noticing Skeang or Lents. Skeang motioned for Lents to get down while Skeang stretched himself above the row they were on to get a bird's eye view. There he saw the "boss" the Herglics had been talking about. A very well armored Devaronian with large horns and bright red skin commanding a small group, and wielding an oversized blaster rifle. The group including a handful of other Devaronians, with a few battle droids that had clearly been beaten up while the troop had made its way through the compound.
Skeang lowered himself down speaking to Lents, "There's two groups going at it on the other side of this room, we can't take all of them but they are thinning each other as we speak. Take a look just don't get spotted."

[Eth Erzin]

Lents peeked his head around the corner and ducked back as a stray blaster bolt whizzed in his general direction. "You're right, our only option may be to wait until there's only one group left and then take out the stragglers, but maybe..." Lents used the Force to pick up an artifact at random and slowly hover it over to his and Skeang's position. It was a grotesque idol of a vicious-looking Chevin. Lents balked. "I have no idea what Hurri would want with this stuff. It's just unsettling.

Maybe we can take it while they're fighting and jet before we're noticed. It is a lot of treasure for two guys to carry though..." Lents lifted another couple of artifacts over, then as he picked up another
--"By the core!" Lents felt a tug and the artifact was snatched out of midair and angry footsteps headed in their direction.

"Oops."

[Skeang]

Skeang had started grabbing things as well a few very trivial statues, and some ornamental daggers. Skeang then saw something that really caught his eye. A sith sword, which appeared to be quite ancient. The handle was sturdy but worn, with sith markings down the handle. The whole sword was rather massive, looking to be at least a few hundred pounds. The blade was long, much longer than his lightsabers. It was a solid plate of steal that was also marked and almost perfectly symmetrical from down the center. Skeang became entranced at the sight of it, almost like it called out to him. Skeang nearly dropped what he had already taken walking toward the sword on the shelf. Placing one hand on the hilt of the sword he felt an almost immediate reaction. The anger that Skeang had felt like it flowed through the weapon, almost like the sword was receptive to his power. Skeang had only seen pictures of sith swords in archives, never actually touched one and yet the feel of the hilt felt so natural to him. Skeang's force power seemed to flow into the blade as a whole effortlessly.

Skeang found himself so entranced by the blade he didn't hear Lents speak or notice the small number of Devaronians heading toward him.