Open RP

[mismanagement]

Hit me.

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[mismanagement]

"We would have treated them as we treated you," Harper said mildly. "So long as they honored our customs. Or made things interesting enough."

Krennic had no honor, not in the way that matters. Several of Harper's men are were watching him with open contempt. Even so, they did move any closer. Their leader has made a choice. Until someone stronger took his head, Harper's word remained law.

So it goes.

Harper smiled, then picked up a discarded bottle. There was still enough beer left to count.

"We brew it ourselves, you know. A very special blend." He held it out for Krennic. "What do you want, Imperial? We don't answer to you."

[vergeofgreatness]

"And miss out on the fun myself? I couldn't pass this up," he remarked with amusement. He knew the looks he was getting but he ignored it as he looked at Harper instead.

"No, you don't answer to me but I can't imagine you want to sit out in the desert drinking," he pointed out as he took the bottle. He didn't hesitate to take a drink of beer. "I've never had Mandalorian beer before, but it's not bad at all."

Definitely not something that would have been found in Tarkin's collection like the wine they had before.

[mismanagement]

Harper just smiled. "We make it with bone marrow. From our enemies, of course."

Not really. It was just something they said to see if people flinched.

Harper leaned back in his chair. "We have a contract. Even if the rebels don't take the bait. Maybe we killed a few of your engineers, but they were weak. We'll be here until that contract is done. Or my niece runs out of money."

[vergeofgreatness]

"I'm not surprised. It gives it a certain....something special." Not so much of a flinch, he even took a second drink, finishing off the bottle. It would take more than that to get him to startle.

"The engineers may be weak but we do need them," he pointed out. "But I think you would take more pleasure fighting more than just weak engineers and I have something in mind that will give you that," he remarked as he looked at Harper.

"The rebels are planning an operation on Lothal shortly and they are going to be throwing quite a bit of force into their attack." At his encouragement, of course. "But if you prefer to sit in the desert and drink, I will not stop you. It is rather nice out here," he mentioned as he looked up at the stars.

[mismanagement]

He didn't even blink. Harper propped his chin up on his hand, watching Krennic. "Are they? Do tell. I've always wanted to kill a Jedi."

[vergeofgreatness]

"Then I'm sure you'll be interested in the chance of killing two of them." He was determined to destroy Tarkin's work here once and for all now.

[mismanagement]

Oh, hello. Harper smiled. "You're too good to me. How are you going to draw them out?"

[vergeofgreatness]

"Well, it seems the rebels have gotten intelligence that we are building some advanced armored weapons here. I have no doubt that they are on their way eager to stop us and destroy these two weapons."

And Tua would no doubt be blamed for the leak which would suit both of them at the same time.

[mismanagement]

Of course they had. Hmm.

Harper bared his teeth in a wide grin.

"Good. Good. That will be a worthy fight!"

Indeed. He might lose a few soldiers in the mess, but it would be well worth it. Finally, someone worth facing in battle. And two, no less.

Harper leaned forward suddenly.

"You are good to us, Imperial. However shall I thank you?"

[vergeofgreatness]

"I thought you might be interested."

Krennic smirked as he remained where he was, a glint in his eyes. There was a reason he wanted to deliver this news in person.

"I'm sure you'll think of a suitable way to repay me."

[mismanagement]

Oh, Harper knew that look. He laughed just a little, then stood up and stretched. The chair was comfortable but he still had all his armor on, minus the helmet. It got heavy. It wasn't really meant for being stationary. "I can think of a few."

He tipped his head to the side. "We ought to discuss details about this venture of yours. In private, I think."

[vergeofgreatness]

"I believe you're right," he said as he stood, watching Harper carefully. No doubt almost every soldier was watching them

"Lead the way then. I'm sure you can find somewhere more suitable." He was sure they were going to have an interesting discussion and he was in no hurry."

[mismanagement]

Harper made a gesture to his second, putting him in charge. Ossor offered him a curt nod. A stranger might think he was displeased with the situation, but that was simply Ossor. Straight-laced down to the bone. "Follow me, engineer."

Then he turned, unafraid to have Krennic at his back, and led the man inside one of the ships they'd used to transport his soldiers. It wasn't nice, exactly, but it was away from prying eyes.

[vergeofgreatness]

Krennic only glanced at Ossor before following Harper into the transport ship. He wasn't worried about it being nice, he had more important concerns tonight.

"So do you plan to keep the lightsabers of the Jedi as trophies?" he asked with amusement as soon as they were alone.

[mismanagement]

The outside of the transport ships were mercenary and plain, heavily armored and dented by their travels. Inside was a different story. The walls had been painted with wild colors, murals and scenes depicting battles and triumphs. Those without artistic talent had simply written their names and dates, along with sparse descriptions of events worth remembering. No single wall remained bare. Even the cots were adorned, blankets embroidered with careful stitching and brightly dyed thread. Harper toed one carelessly and began stripping out of his armor. It got cumbersome after a while.

"Of course. As commander, I have first claim on the fight. If I win, their weapons are mine. But should any of my men participate and conduct themselves with honor, they are welcome to whatever remains. Their scalps, perhaps."

He smiled at Krennic. "I don't care for those. Far too messy. But perhaps I'll show you my trophies one day. A man like you ought to appreciate things like that."

[vergeofgreatness]

"Scalps cannot be practical to keep around," he remarked as he followed Harper, looking around at the walls of the transport. No Imperial ship would have ever been decorated like this, but here he could get a sense of what the Mandalorians were like.

He looked back at a Harper with a smirk, watching him taking the armor off. "So, we were discussing how you would repay me."

[mismanagement]

"We tan them first. " Harper laughed. "We're not savages. Can you imagine the smell?"

It wouldn't do at all. The stink would get into everything.

He smiled. Tipped his head to the side.

"Indeed we were. And I'm feeling---hmm. Generous. Anything special you're looking for, Imperial?"

[vergeofgreatness]

"Ah, yes, that would make more sense. You'll have to forgive me, I'm not exactly an expert on scalping." He didn't take his eyes off of Harper as he sat down on the other man's bunk.

"Oh, not particularly. But I have no doubt that you have some ideas of your own, especially if you're feeling generous tonight."

[mismanagement]

"No? A man like you doesn't keep trophies?"

That seemed like a shame. How else would he relive his triumphs?

Harper laughed again, eyes bright. "I know what I'd enjoy. Would you let me bind your hands?"

[vergeofgreatness]

"I have a few trophies but I suppose they could more accurately be called spoils of war."

While Krennic didn't trust Harper he also knew right now they were both useful to each other. For now. So he nodded with a smirk, knowing this would be worth his while. "I believe I would enjoy that as well so yes, I would."

[mismanagement]

"War," Harper murmured. As if it really mattered. It was all the same in the end. "Ah, well. I shall forgive you for that."

As he'd forgiven the Empire for a great many things. But he would see things right. All in good time.

Harper gave Krennic a long look.

"Good. Anything else you'd like, Imperial? I'm indulging you, after all."

[vergeofgreatness]

He started to unbutton his jacket before setting it aside before starting to pull off his boots. He was sure it would be obvious what they had done when he left with a wrinkled uniform but he didn't care.

"What have you brought with you?" He would have been surprised in Harper didn't have a few interesting things with him.

[mismanagement]

Harper just smiled. "There's a trunk by your boots, engineer. I'm sure you'll find something suitable."

It was one of his gear kits, containing nothing obviously related to sex. But creativity knew no bounds and so forth. Harper was rather found of the durasteel binders.

[vergeofgreatness]

Krennic leaned down to pull open the trunk, going through it for a few moments before pulling out the binders with a smirk.

"I believe these will do," he remarked as he shoved the trunk out of the way after pulling out a small unmarked bottle he assumed to be lubricant.

[mismanagement]

Harper tipped his head to the side, smiling just a little. Outside he could hear the noise of uninterrupted festivities. He wondered if his men would manage to either kill or seduce any of Krennic's death troopers, or simply annoy them. The latter would involve less blood. Either of the former options would make things infinitely more interesting.

Time would tell.

"One of these days I will kill something worth more credits than I could ever need and I'll do this in a proper bed," Harper said thoughtfully. In a hotel with furniture they could wreck thoroughly, perhaps. He moved away from the wall, reaching out to cup Krennic's cheek. He dug his nails in just a little. "As I said, you're bold to come out here. And away from your guards. What if I hadn't been here at all, hmm?"