[center][h1][color=f7941d][b][i]Singe[/i][/b][/color][/h1][/center]

[u][i][b]A Bar on Taris.[/b][/i][/u]

Things did not go well.

The plan was thorough enough, let's be clear here, but even the best-laid of operations can't account for [i]everything[/i].  The fact is that it stopped before it even started, because [i]unfortunately[/i] Moff Drak's paranoia spiked, and he thought he'd get attacked by - and we're not even kidding here - an overgrown Zabrak who badly-damaged an Imperial Star Destroyer...[i]alone[/i].  Honestly, that sort of thing would've given [i]Singe[/i] the willies, but for the fact that it was little more than a rumor.  Maybe Drak knew something more, like maybe certain mutterings about the infamous Lord Vader, who was now dead.  Nobody could tell, but the point was that he'd ordered his Star Destroyers on patrol, TIE Fighters all over the place.  It was impossible to get into the Mandalore System without being stopped, checked, and possibly blasted out of the stars.  A normal team couldn't do this, right now.  Or rather, not just ONE team.  Singe called in one of her contacts.  She hadn't contacted 'im lately, so she figured he could use the money.  Thing is, what she got...was not what she expected at all.

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVagm39bnTQ[/youtube][/center]

People heard a rhythmic sort of pounding from far off, coming closer.  What took a little too long to register soon became clear that these were [i]footsteps[/i], and the figure was through the door as the realization dawned.  Many eyes stared at what came through the door, there.  It was tall, heavyset, and armored.  Black-and-orange from head to toe, with a large pack on its back, as well as a big gun.  The figure was armed to the teeth, which at least [i]that much[/i] wasn't a surprise to Singe, but she was expecting a big ole' shaggy [i]Ranth[/i], not a heavy Mandalorian!  She sat there at her table alone, with Morgas and Goggles essentially watching from other parts of the room, and [i]not one of them[/i] knew what the hell was going on!  At least...not until the figure spoke.

[color=fff200]"Meeting in person?  That's new."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"So's the armor...Devero?"[/color]

The armored figure sat across from her.  The build [i]seemed[/i] right for a Ranth, but last she checked...he didn't have anything like this.  It was only [i]after[/i] someone came to ask if he had a drink to order - [color=fff200]"Something hard.  If it's got blood in it, make it a double."[/color] - that Singe actually calmed down.  That was Devero Ruffalough, alright.  Violent pyromaniac with ordinance for days...and apparently now a new set of armor?  The Sephi took a swig of her own drink, processing this.  She sent silent messages for the others to stand down.  They didn't have anything that could penetrate that armor, anyway...

[color=f7941d]"It's been a while.  Apparently, long enough for [i]this[/i] to occur.  How [i]did[/i] you get that way, anyway?  It's clearly built [i]for[/i] you, so I doubt it's stolen."[/color]

[color=fff200]"That's kind of a long story, aaand I don't know if I'm allowed to talk about it.  Short version: The Mandos saw some promise.  I made the cut.  They didn't think I would, but my natural affinity for all things violence and destruction [i]kinda'[/i] helped."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Alright...this actually helps me alot.  I'm putting together a pair of teams to assassinate the dictator of Mandalore, which I was originally hired to do with a much more subtle plan that involved infiltration, trickery, brainwashed droids, explosives, and a swift exit."[/color]

[color=fff200]"What went wrong?"[/color]

[color=f7941d]"A bigger, badder blockade."[/color]

Devero just went [color=fff200]"Heh."[/color] as he got his drink, then activated the drinking tube in his helmet for it.  There was a pause here...as Singe was still taking this all in.  A Mando!  Him, of all people!  Yeah, his skill at blowing things up WAS impressive, and the Mandalorians appeared to favor something a bit more low-key than him, so what did he DO to make them recognize him?

[color=fff200]"I take it there's a new plan that involves something a bit more direct?"[/color]

[color=f7941d]"A bit more.  I was going to have you show up as new hired muscle, maybe even fool Drak into believing there was a section of your kind still loyal enough to the Empire to serve.  I don't think that part's gonna work right now.  Don't you...never take that off again?"[/color]

[color=fff200]"That you or anyone [i]else[/i] is aware of.  Is this going to be a problem?  Because I'd think this would make the troopers evacuate their polycarbide armor."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"I agree, which is why I'll make sure the people I assign to you are all well-armed, while the distraction team is mainly meant to get the blockade's attention enough for you to slip through."[/color]

[color=fff200]"A good plan, but don't worry about the team.  I've got one."[/color]

He hit the side of his helmet and said [color=fff200]"Come on in.  Job's waiting for us."[/color].  A few seconds later, the bar received a [i]second[/i] heart attack...as three more Mandos walked in, took chairs, and sat at the table.  One of them was part green, made to accommodate a Rodian, with some impressive dual blaster pistols and a couple weapons on his ba-  Was that a [i]Disruptor?[/i]  Oh geez...  Another was skinnier and wore a light armor that had blue on it.  Seemed mesh under metal plate.  He had only a sidearm.  The last one was a definitey black and gray that...  For some reason, she was getting an Imperial vibe from him, especially with that convertible rifle on his back.  That looked Imperial issue, which bothered Singe alot.  Shit and sons of bitches...  She was staring down four goddamn Mandos, all of them with some sort of serpent marking on their armor.

[color=f7941d]"This isn't what I expected."[/color]

[b][color=00a651]"We know!  Isn't it great?"[/color][/b]

[color=f7941d]"You four want to be the assault team, to push through Mandalore, no subtlety at all."[/color]

[b][color=00aeef]"There might be [i]some[/i] subtlety.  Maybe."[/color][/b]

[color=f7941d]"With [i]those[/i] suits?!  I mean, I guess the parts that are Beskar helps, but if it were [i]that[/i] easy to take down the government, someone would've done it, by now.  It takes more than a four-man team."[/color]

[color=silver][b]"There will be a plan, once we touch down, don't worry.  We've attacked Imperial-controlled areas before, and done alot worse, even [i]before[/i] we joined."[/b][/color]

[b][color=00a651]"What's the big deal?  I once killed an [i]invincible man[/i]."[/color][/b]

[color=f7941d]"[i]No one[/i] is invulnerable."[/color]

[color=fff200]"We know.  He's dead.  But he was covered head-to-toe in Beskar skin, and he was one of the Empire's Inquisitors, so imagine how tough [i]that[/i] was.  Trust me, we know our stuff."[/color]

Given the artillery that she'd seen on their person here, Singe decided to just let that go.  Maybe they had a point.  Maybe it was just about fucking time for the Mandos to take back Mandalore.  She could make a bigger distraction team, send these guys in.  If they were [i]that[/i] confident, and the others let them be in a clan, then...what the hell, right?

[color=f7941d]"Okay, so here is the revised plan...  And don't worry.  If you guys pull this off, you'll be sitting pretty on credits for a good while."[/color]

[center][h1][color=a0410d][b][u]TARAK[/u][/b][/color][/h1][/center]

He was just getting the Cleaving Tusk refitted with a new droid brain - just a simple one to make life easier - when he received the call.  It was from Diabolus.  He must've had new orders.  Looking around and [i]silencing[/i] the nearest person, he opened up communications.

[color=ed1c24][i]-Ah, Mr. Tarak...  You are on...Corellia, yes?-[/i][/color]

[color=a0410d]"Yes.  I was taking the time to secure the suppliers and lean on some of the manufacturers, so they send that which we need to the locations we desire.  The Dread Adversary will be busy for quite some time..."[/color]

[i][color=ed1c24]-Good, good...  But now, I would like you to take your attention away from there...and head towards Kuat.  It should take you no time at all.  The Imperials are trying to take it, and since they would not embrace your presence, they can burn, and we will make sure the frail Republic keeps their foothold.  But as you do, REMIND the denizens of that world that they are to be open to ALL business, to continue to supply us, no matter what.-[/color][/i]

[color=a0410d]"Very well.  I'll leave immediately."[/color]

[i][color=ed1c24]-Do that, and...do keep your senses about you.  I feel the Force on the move.  There may be a Jedi...-[/color][/i]

[color=a0410d]"Not...for long."[/color]

Not if he tries to interfere...  Tarak snarled as he jumped into his Sith Fighter, and launched!  To Kuat, he woud go, and arrive very soon.  After all, it was only a stone's throw away, as far as hyperspace was concerned...