Star Forge - 21

"Communication from Empress Leeya," Adyan announced.

Kiskin had his armor on once more. He stepped up and activated the Holo. A woman dressed in a stylish, but functional outfit as well as an ivory mask that covered her face completely. She was flanked by a few guards as well.

"You have my attention," the Empress said. "What do you want?"

"Arok," I stated, not bothering with preamble. "He's your guest, he's my target. I don't want to make an enemy if it can be avoided."

"You would attempt to kill one of my guests?" The Empress asked. "That rude slug is under the protection of guest etiquette. His overstepping guards, endless appetite, and careless dismissal of my authority. I take this request as an insult. So much so, I will be leaving the planet for the next three days along with my honor guard."

"Apologies," I nodded. "Thank you for your time."

The transmission ended.

"We wait until she's off-world," I said. "Let's get a plan going."

~

The commandos were more than happy to get things moving. They had a plan, as well as a few backup options in order once they were given the option. The research on the droids still had a few days. I knew the upgrade was worth it, but it was still annoying. There were quite a few problems that I had encountered that would have been much easier with droids at my disposal.

Hell, once I had the option to deploy them, I was going to offer my services to Alderaan. The current powers that be that had standing a droid army weren't on good terms with the planet. Maybe they would figure out how to work together before I had to step in. Helping Alderaan would be some good for their reputation.

An unexpected problem with having a squad of freshly thawed commandos was how to keep them busy. They would have been perfectly happy to take care of Arok on their own. Actually, that wasn't a bad idea. Delegation was an important part of leadership. The only issue being transportation. They could drop onto the planet but getting them back wasn't as easy. Unfortunately, droid transport ships weren't made for biological passengers or crew.

Note to self, get another ship. I think that was something I was planning on doing already. The payment for this job was going toward purchasing a Corvette class ship with enough space for everyone. That would prevent questions for when the entire crew stepped out when there was clearly not enough room for everyone.

+100
[Too Many Hits to the Head?]
[Roll – Bank – Shop]

ROLL

[COST: 0 FP]
[ITEM: Pipeweed Pouch]
[A refilling pouch of dried, extremely high-quality pipe weed. Chills out even the most megalomaniacal of wizards.]
[Balance: 1300 Forge Points]

This was the first true free item I had ever gotten from a roll. The last one had been a gift from the system. I felt the shift of weight on my belt. Did I just get multiverse strength weed? I opened one of the pockets on my belt and pulled out a carefully packed pouch of ground herbal material. No seeds though. The pouch was big enough for a relaxing night with the crew or a chill weekend on my own. I didn't know what the difference between pipe-weed and the stuff I knew actually was. Not that I had been a big smoker in my past life. It helped me sleep and that didn't make it suitable for recreational use. I resealed the pouch then put it back in the pocket on my belt. At least it didn't cost to make rolls anymore.

ROLL.

[COST: 400 FP]
[SKILL: Master Smith]
[So, how many iron daggers did this take to get? Regardless of the answer to that question the results have surely shown themselves to you and everyone else. You’re a master of smithing and the working of metal, forging weapons out of Glass and Ebony is well within your capacity, and even Daedric items may be forged with proper equipment and materials. Your craftsmanship is nothing less than perfection and your talent for growth is great as well. Given times you may yet forge tools, weapons and armor that rival even the likes of Daedric artifacts.]
[Purchase – Bookmark – Dismiss]

I wasn't sure if it would work for Beskar, but it was worth a shot. Glass, Ebony, and Daedric were from Elder Scrolls. Simply mentioning the items shouldn't suddenly smash that universe into the mix. It did make me wonder how a lightsaber would do against a dragons' scales. This time, I learned from my past experiences and sat down before making a choice.

PURCHASE.

Sharp tingles spread along my scalp, down my spine, and continued on until the sensation reached the tips of my fingers and toes. I could feel my muscles subtly shift to become accustomed to the years of knowledge.

[Balance: 900 Forge Points]

I wanted to try something. The notification had said that there were more options in the Shop. Being able to roll again without the prompt gave me hope that I could do something else too.

SHOP.

[Advanced Tracking – 300 Points]
[Adaptive Mechanics – 300 Forge Points]
[Novice Slicer – 100 Forge Points]
[Novice Astronavigation – 100 Forge Points]
[Novice Culinary Skills – 100 Forge Points]
[Ability Integration – 500 Forge Points]
[Advanced Slicer – 300 Forge Points]
[Advanced Astronavigation – 300 Forge Points]
[Re-Roll Shop – 100 Forge Points]

Definitely an upgrade. Unfortunately, it didn't provide any information beyond the name. Advanced Tracking, Adaptive Mechanics, and Novice Slicer would add up to seven-hundred. It was tempting to spend the last two hundred points for the other Novice skills, but I held off.

[Purchase Advanced Tracking, Adaptive Mechanics, and Novice Slicer?]
[YES/NO]

PURCHASE.

[Balance: 200 Forge Points]

The new knowledge simply appeared in my mind. Like it was something I had forgotten rather than learning. Advanced Tracking most noticeably increased my attention to detail. Looking at the footprints on the ship floor I could put together the height, weight, direction, and sense of urgency in a few seconds of analysist. Slicing was the Star Wars equivalent of hacking. Now I had a basic handle on how it worked. I wouldn't be cracking Inter-Stellar Banking systems, but I could probably open a couple of doors. The real treasure was Adaptive Mechanics. I knew how to begin using alternative sources to power abilities. To put it simply, I could use the Force to power abilities from other universes. Biotics, magic, and other systems I had access to were no longer off limits. I still had to learn how to use them, but I had the option. Biotics and Force Abilities weren't too different. The Tech powers from Mass Effect would be worth the investment. I didn't remember all of the details from Halo though I could only recall abilities connected to the Spartan Armor. Luckily, I also wore high-tech armor.

I snapped back to the present when I saw Besh approach. He was wearing armor aside from a helmet.

"Sir," he nodded instead of a salute. "I have a request."

"Go ahead," I replied.

"My team want to take care of the Hutt," he said.

"He's the first of many," I informed him.

"You don't have to do each one personally," Besh said. "As long as the end result is the same."

I thought about it for a long moment. Then nodded.

"Go for it," I said. "The Empress is leaving the planet soon."

"I understand, sir," Besh replied with a broad smile. "We'll take care of it."

He turned and walked back toward the warehouse. It looked like I had some unexpected free time.

~

Anakin and Tali were currently teaching Mette to fix and maintain the droids. Shmi was focusing on getting the rooms in order, Adyan was in the cockpit, and Bo was in the Warehouse with Beth watching the commandos prepare. They were both wearing their gear; however their postures were relaxed, and Bo didn't have her helmet on.

"Hey, Red." Bo waved me over to join them. "Letting them stretch their legs?"

"I figured they were getting stir crazy," I replied. "Are you two getting along?"

"We aren't talking about boys and braiding yet, but I'd say we're good," Beth replied.

"You can braid hair?" Bo asked with a slight smile.

"I am a woman of many talents," Beth said with a wink.

"Oh, really?" Bo asked with a slight purr in her voice.

"We're both bored," Beth shrugged. "You, me, and Red over there keeping score. First one to tap, get knocked out, or yield wins."

"I was hoping for a different sort of wrestling," Bo sighed.

"Show me what you've got, and we'll go from there," Beth looked around the area. "Hey, Red. Is there somewhere we can do this?"

"Follow me," I waved at them.

The Warehouse had absorbed the entire Droid Control ship, which came with a bunch of conference rooms along with the suites. A quick mental command cleared one of them, leaving an open expanse roughly the size of a tennis court.

"Rules?" Bo asked.

"Set phasers to stun," Beth quipped. "And no laser swords."

"My blasters don't have a stun setting," Bo chuckled. "And he is the only one with a laser sword."

"Do you have any training weapons by chance?" Beth asked me. "I only kill or maim on purpose."

"My type of gal," Bo commented.

"No," I shook my head.

"Hand to hand then," Beth shrugged. "Ready?"

"Let's go, Blondie," Bo teased.

Beth sprinted at Bo. The redhead had just enough time to shift her stance before the blonde missile tried to tackle her. A metallic THUNK sounded as Beth's shoulder hit Bo's armored torso. To her credit, and her opponents surprise, the blonde didn't seem all that bothered. Most would suffer somewhat from trying to tackle a person in armor.

Bo reached down to grab Beth by the waist. Instead, Beth dropped to a knee, grabbed Bo's lower leg, and yanked. Bo stumbled back, staying on her feet, but now off balance. Beth used the chance, launching herself into the air and executing a perfect dropkick. The impact sent Bo to the ground. She rolled with the fall, popping back up to her feet.

The two started to circle, trying to find an avenue of attack. Beth feinted another charge only for Bo to call her bluff. A strong right-cross connected with Beth's jaw. The slight step back from her false charge kept it from being a knock-out punch, but it still rung her bell. She turned with the impact, dropping into a crouch, and continuing on into a leg-sweep.

Bo hopped back out of range, then dashed forward. Her knee caught Beth in the chest, knocking the blonde hard against the floor. The blonde stayed in motion. She rolled to her front, pushed herself up onto her hands and feet to quickly bear-crawl some distance away from Bo.

The redhead Mandalorian let out a laugh as she gave chase. Beth's posture shifted, going from a bear-crawl to a sprinter's starting position. She burst forward, her shoulder connecting solidly with Bo's knee. Bo cursed as she stumbled back. Her armor saved her knee from bending the wrong way. Still, she was unbalanced, and her leg didn't want to hold her weight.

Beth didn't let her rest. She closed the distance leading with a calculated series of strikes. Bo blocked those she could, but a solid hit slipped her guard. Her head rocked back, she tried to brace herself only to find her knee couldn't hold the increased stress. Bo dropped to her knees, the injured one clanking against the floor drawing out a wince. A round-house kick connected with the side of Bo's head. She went down with another THUNK thanks to her armor. Her eyes went distant for a moment as she lay slumped on the floor.

"Damn," I said as I walked over to Bo.

She was trying to get back to her feet, but the floor wouldn't stop wobbling. I caught one of her outstretched arms and placed it over my shoulder to keep her stable.

"I think you lost," I chuckled.

"Get her next time," Bo grumbled.

"What about you, Red?" Beth asked, her breathing was steady. "Want to give it a go?"

This was Star Wars. Saying I wouldn't fight a woman was just stupid. Plus, she just showed that she wasn't some helpless housewife. Her introduction did say she was fresh out of college. That short fight told me she was fast, agile, and cunning. I guided Bo over to the wall and led her lean against it. My attention shifted to Beth once Bo was steady enough.

"Take it easy on me?" I asked.

"Not a chance," she smirked.

"Same rules," I said as I slipped into a classic boxers' stance.

Beth smiled as she matched my posture. I could hear her leather gloves creak as she clenched her fists. Unlike her fight with Bo, she didn't rush me. Instead, she took a couple of calculated steps toward me, leading with a couple of jabs to judge the distance. I didn't trust her; there was no way she could win a boxing match against me while I was in my armor. She had shown enough intelligence to know that. Her leg moved in a blur with her shin aimed to hit the side of my knee.

I shifted my leg back, keeping my other in place, and used it as leverage. A solid straight punch hit her square in the stomach. My increased strength had her folding nearly in half. I grabbed her shoulder, yanked her toward me, and then reversed the motion, slamming her flat on her back on the floor.

She surprised me, rolling over her shoulder and popping back to her feet. Her next kick was aimed directly at the side of my head with her heel in the lead. It was too fast to dodge, all I could do was raise my arm to share some of the force. Even then the kick rung my bell. My helmet stopped the strength of the blow, but every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I stumbled to the side. Beth pressed her advantage. She tried to sweep my feet out from under me. I saw it coming.

Instead of taking a step back, or raising my foot out of reach, I lunged at her with my knee aimed for her head. She pulled away making it a glancing strike. Beth rolled out of range. She flashed me smile as she rubbed the red patch on her jaw.

"You're augmented," Beth laughed. "I should have figured that out."

"You are too," I inclined my head at her. "Reinforced skeleton at least."

"Good guess," she replied. "Or are you taking a deeper look with your helmet."

"Where's the fun in that?" I asked.

I sprang forward. She ducked under my first punch and countered with a sharp strike to the underside of my helmet. It was pure luck that she didn't hit her real target, my throat. I brought my elbow down, planting it in the meat of her bicep. Her arm went limp. I pressed the advantage with a quick punch to her stomach then grabbed her noodled arm. A quick twist of my hips and she was slammed onto the ground. I could have finished it with a stomp to her chest if this was an actual fight. Instead, I took a step back and waited for her to give a sign.

"Ouch," Beth wheezed from the floor. "Call it a draw?"

"Sure," I chuckled then offered my hand to help her up.

She took it and I easily lifted her to her feet.

"You hit like a freight train," she rubbed her aching arm.

"My ears are still ringing from that kick," I replied.

"You should see me with a gun," Beth smiled at me.

"I look forward to it," I tilted my head to the side slightly, a motion to replace a wink while I wore my helmet. "How do you feel about training some of the crew?"

"I'll think about it," Beth shrugged.

Bo got back to her feet once we were done.

"Dank Ferrick," she muttered. "You knocked me out."

Beth flashed her a big, toothy smile.

"Did you say you were augmented or something?" Bo asked.

"My dad wanted to make sure I could take care of myself," Beth shrugged. "Reinforced skeleton, increased twitch-reflex, some less invasive additions to my eyes, and a few other things."

"Please tell me that you asked for those," I sighed.

"Of course," Beth rolled her eyes. "He wouldn't let me go with him without them. They've saved my life more times than I can count too."

"I would say that's cheating," Bo added. "But I enjoy a challenge."

"If you aren't cheating then you aren't trying," I teased.

"Whatever," Beth stretched. "I'm going to take a shower. Want to join me?"

"Sounds fun," I said.

"I wasn't talking to you," Beth winked at me, then turned to look at Bo.

"Sounds fun," Bo repeated my words. "Good luck next time, Red."

"Damn," I muttered as I watched them go.