Guns, Lies and Bitter Memories [Closed RP - Davan and Volar]

Davan's eyes were fixed on the door to the apartment, it seemed like an age before the security forces started to hammer on the door. As soon as they managed to open it he would jump up and fire the paralyzing blaster, take them down as soon as possible would be best.

Suddenly the hammering stopped and there was silence, only for a moment though as the blasters started firing into the locks on the door. The troops smashed the door in, Davan jumped up ready to fire the blaster but the security forces were quick, already they were firing into the room. It came in Davan's direction only missing him by inches either side, he could feel the intense heat from the beams.

He managed to drop down before the next volley. One day that smuggler luck will run out, Davan he thought to himself. The next volley didn't come though it was silent, he looked out to see Volar had come out from cover and had fired the paralyzing blaster. Davan moved round the seating in front of him checked the door and saw the security forces down.

He moved quickly at a crawl towards the door looking for any movement from the troops. He navigated his way through the motionless bodies and swung round the door. A rifle was directly in his face but Davan reacted quickly and push it away, if was easy enough as the Twi'lek holding it was paralayzed like the rest of them. he looked donw the corridors, no more security forces only residents that were coming out of their apartments to check the noise. He raised the blaster in his hand down both corridors and they soon went back into their homes and locked up.

"Ok its clear, lets move quickly and carefully"

"I hear you"

Volar quickly jumped out of his alcove and promplty left the room. As they hurried along the corridors, he found himself glancing out of the windows to try to figure out what had happened. Had someone just tried to assassinate them? Who? And why?

Volar observed the raids taking place in the opposite building. Whoever fired the shot was not there anymore.

As they reached the end of the corridor, Volar glanced back into the open doorway to see his droid collapsed on the floor. He felt a slight tear in his eye as they moved out of sight. It would take him a while to get over the loss of ZR-23

As Davan ran down the corridor he kept the blaster raised in case under more of the security force turned up at this building. He reached a turbolift at the far end and only then noticed Volar checking through the windows. He looked himself, seeing some security forces raiding the building. What was going on? He wasn't planning to stick around to ask anyone.

"Hurry up, this building is connected to others on the eight floor. We drop down to there in this then get lost in the other buildings." Melrax was lagging behind Volar, though he could probably leave Melrax to look after himself. Afterall it could have been him who had set up himself and Volar.

Volar pushed on until they reached the turbo lifts. Reaching the only one that was open, Volar keyed in the command to take them to the 8th floor. The lift then shot downwards.

Volar panted slightly after all the running. He then turned to Davan.

"So our best chance is the connecting bridge on the first floor? What if there are more security personnell there? And what if we run straight into another raid in one of the other buildings?"

Volar leaned against the side of the lift and paused for a few moments. His mind began to re-focus on the task.

"And what about the deal? Its tomorrow! We don't have a safe haven anymore"

Davan saw the turbo door lifts close, leaving Melrax behind. It wasn't the nicest thing to do but Melrax wasn't a member of the GTC and could only be trusted so much, and this event had made Davan question his loyalty.

"If there are some security forces that came up theres sure to be some at the entrances to this building and they are probably already on the move to where we just were. I still have this blaster and its still charged so thats one more parazlying shot we have."

Davan tried to think of another way out, the only other options was the roof or hiding in one of the apartments. He dismissed them.

"If I have to use this and theres still more we will have to switch to normal blasters. With a couple of buildings being raided they may not know who they are after, try and act normal and only react if they react to us. Then down to the lower levels for now until the meeting, there will be some cantina we can find a room at."

Volar nodded. As they waited, many confused thoughts swirled in the smugglers mind. He thought about the deal. He thought about his experience on Voss. He thought about the single bullet crashing through the window of the apartment. He tried to piece it all together, but he did not believe any of the theories that he came up with.

"Well, to be honest, we just need to get out of here, no matter how. And I really need a lie down"

The lift came to a stop a few floors from the ground, they would have to get down the rest of the way themselves. At once Volar noticed security personnel rushing about the scene, storming various rooms. Volar braced himself and trusted that Davan would be able to handle himself.

Time to brush up on the acting skills

Volar suddenly forced on himself a tone of nerves, looking out of the windows and nearly bumping into one of the security officers. The officer recoiled and Volar jumped back slightly, giving a pretense of shock.

"Watch it!"

Volar, faking a gasp for breath, tried to think of something to say to bluff his way out.

"I'm sorry officer. What is going on, what is happening?"

The officer could not get in a word "I..."

"Is everyone ok? Is there anything I can do?"

The officer was clearly getting quite irritated.

"Do what the others do! There is a rendevouz point outside for all residents. Head down there, hands on your head, and stay out of our way!"

With that the group of officers proceeded to move towards the next block of apartments.

Davan watched as Volar made his way through the guards, it was done very skillfully and showed why Volar was an important employee to the Galactic Trade Commission. Being able to walk out the front door through a bunch of soldiers without rising questions was quite the skill. Davan wasn't sure he would be so lucky.

He made sure his blasters and the extra one Melrax had supplied were hidden well before leaving the turbo lift. He turned to a corridor with only a couple of guards checking rooms, there was sure to be an exit at the end for his escape and with only the two guards if they did stop him he was willing to bet he could put them down without much trouble and get out before help arrived for them.

He made his way at a slow but steady pace down the corridor hoping that the quietness of his steps may allow him to proceed completely unnoticed while they were distracted at the doors of apartments. He hoped that Volar had continued fully out of the building ok.

Leaving the building through the main entrance, Volar had no other alternative than to proceed through the checkpoint that had been set up by the Security Forces. Volar began to feel nervous, there was still margin for error.

As Volar passed by the checkpoint, one of the officers raised his hand to halt the smuggler. He approached him, and set about searching him, lifting the blaster from his side and holding it up in front of him.

"A blaster pistol? You are aware of Coruscant security protocol, aren't you Sir? And you are aware that we are searching the building for armed men?"

"Some people would call that 'Personal Security'. And as a trader I have a right to protection. And I am not the man you are looking for"

The officer gave a look of concern.

"A shot was fired through a window up there, and you are carrying a weapon. Am I to believe this is a coincidence?"

"You are to believe that the shot was most likely fired into the building from a higher position! You know, like over there?"

Volar indicated the building opposite the one he had just left. He then swfitly snatched his blaster pistol back from the officers hand.

"Glad to see skills of deduction run in the force"

The officer, recoiling his hand and examining the building opposite, looked back at Volar.

"Very well, off you go, for now. But we will be keeping an eye on you Mr. Odias"

Volar marched off with a smirk of triumph on his face. As he walked he turned and examined the building and the surrounding area, hoping to see some sign of Vigo Kelhur. Bringing his boss on a mission and allowing him to die or fall under arrest would leave a pretty poor impression on his record.

Heh. He's a Vigo of the most successful organised crime units in the Galaxy. He'll be fine

Volar proceeded to head across the street and sat down on a bench, looking back towards where he had just come from. He examined the checkpoint carefully, his eyes falling on the officer who questioned him. Suddenly, his blood ran cold and he could feel himself pale.

How did he know my name?

Davan continued at a steady pace trying to keep quiet. The guards were both talking to people in the apartments. So far they hadn't paid any attention to him. He came level with the first guard, his one ignored him as Davan walked behind him. Daven kept his eyes forward not even glancing at the guard, he didn't hear any movement so knew the guard hadn't turned.

One down, one to go. He proceeded down the corridor, the exit was now clear in view. Less that a minute away, he was about to reach the last guard. Suddenly the guard stepped out from the doorway and bumped into Davan. Davan stepped back, ready to pull out a blaster.

"Sorry sir, excuse me."

The guard walked around Davan going to the next apartment, Davan was surprised, this wasn't right. He continued towards the door at the same pace waiting to hear a metallic click, when he heard it he would spin round with his blaster, kill the guard and make a run for it. But it never came... he exited the building still waiting for something to happen. He walked around eventually seeing Volar. He stood at the side of the bench.

"Volar, its time to get as far away from here as possible, lets get to the lower levels"

"I agree. It is getting dark, and we need somewhere to rest for the night before the meeting tomorrow. Fortunately, I know an area a few levels down that is great for laying low"

Volar stood up and, with a quick glance over his shoulder at the building they had just left, walked off towards the nearest transport hub. Once there, he ordered a shuttle to take the pair down to Tier 11. Not quite the bottom of the pile, but not particularly safe either. Perfect for a man who wanted to lay low.

Stepping off the shuttle, Volar saw directly in front of them the entrance to the local Cantina, appropriately named 'Tier 11'. He had been there quite a few times as a child, helping fix things that got broken on a rowdy night to earn a few extra credits. Volar gestured for Davan to follow him inside.

It did not take long for the atmosphere to strike Volar. The familiar darkness with brief bursts of coloured lights, and a smell that Volar could never decide was from one of the alien lowlifes residing within, or whtehr it was a permanent feature of the cantina itself.

"Keep your blaster handy. Anyone and everyone in here will try to rob you of what you are worth"

Volar approached the bar and awaited the barman, giving a playful wink to the woman sitting next to him.

Davan stepped off the shuttle and look at the exterior of the cantina, he hadn't been to this one before but as Volar knew it he was happy to stay here. As he walked in it looked like any other cantina he had been in, they all seemed to be the same. He considered most in this place below his standards, they were petty criminals out for themselves. Not the professionals that Davan and Volar was... though that would never stop him going into business with them if the money was right.

"Keep your blaster handy. Anyone and everyone in here will try to rob you of what you are worth"

Davan was already prepared but he was thankful for the advice. The strange thing was he was much happy being in this place there back on the upper levels. Here they would just stab or shoot you, up on the higher levels they were willing to make smiles at you have small talk than get someone to shot you in the back. At least you knew where you were in these kind of places.

Davan lent his elbows on the bar, looking out over the cantina, scanning the those there. It seemed Volar's attention was elsewhere.

As Volar was chatting to the woman beside him he was interrupted by a strangely familiar gruff voice.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Odias the younger! Never thought I'd see you back here!"

Volar turned and looked on the slightly deformed face of Garek Liskan, the owner of the cantina, who Volar had done verious odd-jobs for when he was younger.

"Well, you know what they say about the scene of the crime

The man behind the bar laughed.

"How's your brother doing... what was his name... Carodin! He still kicking Imperial scum back in to deep space?"

A figure sitting towards the end of the bar, his face concealed in the darkness, looked up. He saw Volar and recognised him, and began to move.

"Aye, that he is. Listen, I need a spare room for the night. Seperate beds. We are not to be disturbed."

Volar slid some credit chips on the bar which Garek quickly snatched up.

The figure moved swiftly towards the exit, brushing past Davan as he did so. He looked over his shoulder at Davan, then disappeared into the darkness.

Davan stood in silence at the bar while Volar chatted up the young lady and then spoke to the barman. He listened to their conversation. The barman knew Volar from when he was younger, hopefully the man could be trusted then.

Suddenly someone brushed passed him, Davan's hand was instantly on his blaster. The person who just walked passed looked back towards him, Davan tried to pick out some features but he was unable too. This was annoying but he took note of the style of clothes and the pace of the figures walk, it could have been a nobody but after todays events he was on extra guard. The dark light of the cantina limited his field of vision and it wasn't long before the figure disappeared.

"Just wondering Volar, is there more than one exit here? Some of the patrons make me... uneasy."

Volar turned to Davan.

"Aside from the main entrance, I'm not sure. I suppose Garek would have an exit back to an alley somewhere behind the bar area. But don't worry, this Cantina may be full of scum, but they are smart enough not to disturb an armed man. Come on, after todays events I could really use some sleep"

Volar led Davan to the room they were staying in. The room was fairly dark, with a single overhead light above a table in the middle. Volar poured out a couple of drinks from his flask and set them out on the table. Sitting down, he pulled out his datapad and looked over the details of the meeting to be held the next day.

"So, we saw the Hangar in D quadrant. Alexeis' ship will occupy the 'outer' half of it, meaning we will enter from the east entrance. This is quite convenient, as that is the same direction my ship is in, so we can get the cargo to it quickly."

"We need to be careful, after todays events I really have a bad feeling about this. Though if they are unconnented we could be missing a big oppotunity so we have to go through with it. Having your ship near by will be good incase we need a quick getaway."

Davan took the drink that Volar had poured out and took a few sips before putting it back on the table.

"With all of todays excitment I am rather tired too. I will be interesting to see Alexei again..."

Davan lay down on his bed and was asleep within a few seconds. Any noise that seemed out of place and he would wake up, he had learnt how to do that in his youth on Nar Shaadda.

"With all of todays excitment I am rather tired too. I will be interesting to see Alexei again..."

Mikhail grinned as he closed his listening device and stored it away.

"Yes... Yes it will"

Mikhail lifted his encased Sniper Rifle and disappeared in to the darkness of night on the City-Planet.

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"Ugh, don't remind me. I still have nightmares about Voss."

Volar turned and saw that the Chief was already out cold. Taking his example, Volar lay on his own mattress and fell asleep very quickly.

As night turned to day on Coruscant, the population of the Cantina shifted. All of the 'scum' returned to their holes, leaving the cantina mostly empty during the day. Volar woke up and checked the time, seeing that it was not long until they needed to be at the hangar. He lifted himself from the bed and walked over to Davan, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Chief, we need to be leaving soon. It is not long until we are supposed to meet Alexei"

Davan woke when Volar tapped him on the shoulder, in an instant he was ready to go for his blaster but just as quickly he recognised Volar and rose from his bed.

"Ok I will go and get ready"

He went off to the refreshers for a while, or at least what passed for refreshers in this cantina. Once he returned to the room he took two bars from his belt, they are dry rations but at times like this when they didn't really have time for proper food these were light and small to carry round and gave him all the energy he needed for that day. He put one bar on the table for Volar and then proceeded to eat his own.

He then switched to checking his equipment. His twin blasters first, they were fine as usual. He checked he had his blades and made sure they were easy to access from his greaves. He put his armour back on, he was sure he would need that for sure some time today, the memories of Voss made him sure. Next it was the blaster he had received from Melrax the day before, he hadn't used it yet he hoped it still had its charge. Out of his pocket he took the two mini ball communicators that they had got yesterday, he placed one in his ear and handed the other one to Volar.

"Hopefully with these we can stay in contact if we get seperated at any point. Ready when you are."

Volar picked up the bar Davan had left for him and ate it. He had no doubt he would need the energy. He saw Davan checking his equipment, and he proceeded to do the same. His blaster seemed functional, and his vibroknife remained within reach. His satchel contained his datapad and two thermal detonators. Volar was content with his set-up for the day.

Volar took the communicator that Davan handed to him and fitted it into his ear.

"Ready. Lets not keep our good friend waiting"

With Davan in company, Volar strolled out of the cantina, nodding at the bar staff as they left. It would not take the pair very long to reach their destination, yet Volar felt as though they were being watched.

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Mikhail unpacked his binoculars and zoomed in on the ship waiting in the hangar. It definitely belonged to Alexei.

"Finally. It has been too long. Andul will surely be greatful for the removal of this thorn from his side"

Mikhail was sure to remain out of sight of the guards Alexei had hired to oversee the deal. He remained in the shadows and unpacked his sniper rifle. He held it out infront of him, looking down the scope, waiting for his prey.

Davan walked silently besides Volar out of the cantina and towards the hanger where they were to meet for the deal. The smell of the morning air seemed nearly as bad as inside the cantina, or he had been in that cantina far too long and the stink of the place had burnt itself onto his nostrils.

Davan still felt uneasy, normally he would turn away, but he was sure it was just the fact they were dealing with the Gormak directly again. He rubbed his cheek without even realising, remembering the pain of having his face slammed into a wall in that arena. It had taken a lot of treatment to sort out the cheek bone but for some reason there was pain there again now.

It wouldn't be long until they were at the meeting place, Davan swept the sides of his coat back behind his holsters. The display wouldn't intimidate anyone at the meeting, it was just for quicker access to the blasters, on the back of his belt was also the paralysing blaster. He was saving that as he was sure a moment would arise when it came in handy.