The bar was closing; last call was announced a couple of minutes ago and the girl that was sitting on his lap whispered five words into his ear.

It was a short walk back to Rogue’s place although the walk was extremely challenging particularly as the world was spinning. Since his promotion he’s had an easier time to pick up chicks, whether they knew who he was or there was a boost in confidence RB didn’t know, but then again; it didn’t matter. Since Namy had retired Rogueboy has been particularly lonely, coming to an empty house with just Patch as company was fairly boring so once in a while he would cast out the bait and see what came home.

The soon to be another notch in his bed post was smashed, her stumbling walk, slurred speech, and nodding head said it all. She was a prostitute; RB had seen her working a particular corner for the better part of a week now. Her pimp was a schutta, a worm of a man, RB had no respect for pimps yet oddly enough he did for prostitutes.

The prostitute was still fresh faced and hasn’t taken on the haggard look that seems to come to most prostitutes as they advance in age. Her age was well covered and Rogueboy would have put her anywhere from sixteen to twenty-eight and even then he couldn’t be too sure.

The normally fifteen minute walk had turned into a half an hour trek as they would occasionally spill into the alleyways with much fondling and tongue touching. Finally they arrived at Rogue’s condo two more minutes were wasted as RB fumbled for the key card that would open the door, finally the door slid open and the two of them walked in.

The prostitute (Whose name was well...to be honest I don’t remember) quickly ran inside the condo and quickly found the bedroom. The prostitute sat on his bed, her thighs touching her feet as she leaned back and took off her shirt. She was obviously well endowed and this was accentuated by the black bra she wore, Rogue quickly peeled off his shirt and pants leaving him only in his boxers on and quickly jumped on the bed and pulled her into an embrace with a long kiss well... it would of been long had the girl not quickly punched him in the ribs and ran to the bathroom. Confused Rogueboy stood up and the sound of retching reached him, sighing to a night of playful banter and paid drinks lost it was time to call it quits, going to the kitchen RB pulled out the designated puke bucket on his way to the bedroom the doorbell rang.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe the lonesome that Rogueboy was feeling since Namyr left but regardless the reason he opened the door. A man stood outside, “Are you Alexander “Rogueboy” Gorjan?” He asked.

Rogueboy smiled, “Yes I am, and who’re you?”

“That need not concerns you, but what does is this.” The man said as two short hisses filled the air.

Rogueboy’s legs crumpled and he looked up uncomprehendingly at the shooter, a loud scream sounded behind RB and the man quickly stepped over Rogue’s sprawled body and headed towards the bedroom. The sound of a blaster going off sounded just as Rogue felt himself lose consciousness just as the stripper was looking down at him, a smoking blaster in her right hand. Odd, I thought she was left-handed. Was his last thought.

Darr was sitting on a bench staring at the bacta tank where Rogue’s limp body dangled from a mess of wires that kept him alive. Snipes was sitting next to him, together they are watching a holovid. The call had come in less than ten minutes ago, and together the duo were watching the recording from the holocam.

“Notice how she see’s RB down, quickly calls someone on her datapad, and runs off?” Darr said as he monitored her movements.

“Yeah but she called the emergency services, doesn’t want to be near the scene of a double homicide, it’s not her that worries me, it’s the bounty hunter. Someone definitely hired him to take out RB.” Snipes said as he looked at the video.

“I’m going to task it to Raiders to find out who is would-be assassins are, I suggest you round up the girl first, she might know something.” Darr said as he slipped Snipes a picture taken from the video feed.

Most of the Raiders had gathered in the barracks, as per the messages sent out to their coms by Sniping 101. Namyr had been the first to enter, and hadn't said a word to any of the other Raiders. The Twilek Senior Sergeant was now staring blankly at an empty patch of wall, hands clasping her chin and blaster at her feet. Briefly, Dante wondered what she must be going through. The two had remained close friends, even after Rogueboy had broken off their relationship, and the circumstances of his injury must have hurt her as well; maybe as much as the news itself.

The mood in the room was somber, and there was none of the animated chatter that Dante had become used to over the past few missions. Most of the others were shocked that something could happen to such a high ranking officer, and even more shocked that they were being called in to deal with it.

Surprisingly, Dante still felt some concern for Rogueboy's welfare, even after the incident at Voth's funeral. After all, he had once been his ASL. He had once been Dante's role model; what he had once aspired to be. Then he had been promoted out of front-line combat. Dante felt something had changed with Rougeboy's promotion; to him the troopers had become resources, statistics, instead of real men and women, instead of lives to be protected and cared about. Maybe that was why they hadn't mounted a rescue earlier. Maybe that was why Voth and Uggony were dead.

Still, Dante couldn't quite repress a certain concern for the officer's welfare. That the incident had occured at all was surprising. Troopers had been killed in the line of duty before, but this was different. This was assasination, cold blooded murder commited for reasons the Raiders could only guess at.

Even more surprising was the assignment of the RAIDERS to the investigation. They were a multiple environment squad for Palpatine's sake, not a squad of karking detectives. Dante strongly suspected that some bright spark in the judiciary department had given them the task in the hope that they'd be more motivated to track the assassin's employers down. That might be true for some of the Raiders, but the newer members would know him as a command figure and nothing else. Hardly a personal connection. With the assassin dead, the identity of his employer had gone with him. Tracking that particular sentient down, assuming the assassin wasn't simply settling a personal vendetta, would mean forensic work not brute force.

Which makes us worse than useless. Why, why would they send a squad of stormtroopers? Collectively, we're about as suited for police work as a rancor is for tap-dancing.

There was something else going on here, and Dante didn't like it.

The doorseal hissed, and the Raiders turned as one. Sniping 101 strode through, a collection of flimsies and a datapad held under his arm and a holoprojector. Dropping the data sheets on an empty bunk, the Raiders Squad Leader strode to the middle of the barracks and spoke to his squad.

"All right, RAIDERS. You already know what the assignment is, and who we're hunting down. One Non Ame. Profession..."

Snipes paused delicately for a moment then continued.

"comfort girl. She was with the Platoon Commander during his...incapitation. Intelligence's file states that she works for one 'Mama Rether' in the Tadeth undercity. We'll start looking for her there. Any questions?"

All of the assembled troopers, among whom Kray was noticably absent, shook their heads.

"Let's go, RAIDERS. We've got a mission to complete."

Having already investigated the scene of the crime and staking out the bar for three hours with no results, Kraytirous resigned to return to the barracks and hear out the briefing. He'd then been deployed with Xan, a squad member he was familiar with, and Boa, another familiar face, to find the prostitute herself.

    As soon as the eye on a stick told them off and pulled away, Kraytirous' eye twinkled in glee. "Well, sir, what'll it be today, explosive tape or a human battering ram?" Kraytirous spoke with a gleeful tint to his voice. He was looking forward to this forced infiltration, he hadn't done this since basic training.

    Xan stood still, considering the possibilities. He then nodded his head as soon as he came up with the solution. "Boa, see if you can hack into the system and get this door manually opened." He turned towards Kraytirous, who was getting a dissappointed look on his face. "Look, kid, we both know that the Vast Empire doesn't have endless pockets." Kraytirous sighed and nodded. He turned towards Boa and watched him as he got to work.

    How can he stand doing that sort of work? Its so damn boring. Kraytirous thought to himself quietly, his arms crossed as he watched the First Private at work.

Kraytirous sighed at the awkward jokes. "Yeah, yeah, get a grasp on your hormones and lets get this over with." Kraytirous' hand was on the E-11's handle and the other was on the grip beneath the nozzle, made to aid the shooter in getting a more precise shot. They looked around themselves and passed several doors. Each door was open and inside was either some sort of utility closet, a bedroom with clean covers and an open window with curtains or a kitchen. But the last room, the one the farthest down the hall, had a shut door. And on that door there was a white pamphlet that read "Occupied". Kraytirous shook his head at their luck, causing all three of the other members to laugh. They took their place near the door.

    Boa hit the controls and the door slid open. A loud squeal was heard and a resonating thump. We all moved in, weapons leveled or drawn and aimed at the two. There was a human male sitting on the floor, his bare rump on the hardwood. He was facing the other direction, towards the bed. The girl was sitting on the bed, her legs pressed tightly together and leaning to the side, her sheets covering what must be her naked body. Xan was the first to speak. "Alright, get your clothes, get dressed and no funny business. You're under arrest for genocide." The girl's eyes widened in fear. The man bellow moaned softly. "Don't you get any ideas either. Get your clothes and get out of here."

    Daesha smiled playfully and punched Kraytirous in the arm as they walked away from the door to stand near the door. "That look on your face, reminds me of basic training, when we made that conga line. Just as bewildered and just as histerical as Aeos' face!" She burst into laughter, probably from the memory.

    Kraytirous sighed and laughed also, but not as enthusiastically as Daesha. "We were gossiping about that for weeks. Wish I was there to see it."

    "I actually have the security recording of it, if you want I can give you a copy when we get back to the barracks." she laughed again, probably at the memory again.

    "Yes, yes, I'd be delighted to see it." Kraytirous chuckled slightly. They were standing at the door right now, keeping watch for any suspicious figures coming towards them. A man with a red face and a loose suit came towards them, several credits jingling in his pocket.

    "Hey, I, uhm, was told to come here for... You know..." He stuttered frequently, clearly embarassed at the prospect of hiring a prostitute.

    "Sorry, bud, this place is under Imperial custody." Kraytirous' unfeeling face looked straight at the man. "The higher ups gets lonely, you see?" The man nodded unenthusiastically and walked away.

Kray snatched the girl from the bed none too gently.  Her half naked body sailed toward the door.  Dae caught her and quickly secured her hands.  Xan grabbed Kray by the arm and spun him around.

  “Mister, I don’t give a good goddamn what you think of her or her profession, but we came to get a suspect…unharmed.  Do that again and I will bust you to Gungan 3rd Class, am I clear Private.” His words sliced through Kraytirous’ hard veneer like a vibro through fog. 

  “Crystal, sir.” His words came shakily and haltingly.

  Xan moved to Dae’s side, “is she secure?’

  Dae nodded, and pushed the girl out of the door.  Xan followed with Boa and Kray on his heels.  Once in the hall he motioned for Kray to be on point.  He followed next with Dae, the girl, and Boa bringing up the rear.  He commed Dante.

  “Subject secured, we’re en route to the police speeder.”

  “Roger that, we’ve got Mama and will meet you there “replied Dante.

  The RAIDERS moved down the corridors and out of the front door, fully expecting to be attacked at any moment by Mama’s security people.  They weren’t. 

  Either she’s got lousy security, or they bolted

  The idea of whorehouse rent-a-cops bugging out at the first sign of trained Stormtroopers amused Xan.  His own sense of honor and morality longed to plug a few of the bargain basement pimps.

  Maybe next time

  They made it outside and put the girl in the paddy wagon.  Dante and the rest followed in a few minutes with the unconscious bulk of Mama Rether. 

  “She dead” asked Kray?

  Dante replied, “Nah, just stunned.  She’s gonna wake up in an even worse mood than she went to sleep in.”

  Dante slapped the transport door closed and pounded on it twice.  The carryall moved away silently, headed back to the police station. 

  Xan looked at the rest of the RAIDERS and said, “Now what?”

  Dante turned and said over his shoulder, “Well, I was thinking we’d…”

  His sentence was cut off by the loud chirping of his and Xan’s comms.  The simultaneous nature of their pings drew curious looks from the rest of the RAIDERS.  Xan thumbed the receive button and read the incoming message.

FR: MG Rizzit, CO Phoenix Company
TO: Cpl Xander M. Raibaux, Raiders Platoon

  Corporal,
  You are hereby ordered to immediately report to Iron Horse Platoon as its new Squad Leader.
  You have proven yourself to be an exemplary Trooper and we believe you will continue this in the roll of Squad Leader.

Signed,
MG Rizzit, Commanding

  “OK, who’s the wise ass?  This is not funny, and I’m sure that the general will have your hide for forging his signature.”

  “Xan, it’s not fake, the codes are confirmed, “Stated a shocked Dante.

  “Lemme see that,” growled Xan as he ripped Dante’s comm from his hand.  He compared the authentication codes in Dante’s to his…they matched and were confirmed.

  “Holy…”

  He turned in shock to the rest of the equally stunned RAIDERS.  They were beginning to move toward him, slapping his back, and congratulating him.  All but Daesha, a scowl momentarily crossed her face.  The others missed it, but then again Xan knew what to look for.  Her mask quickly went back up and she joined her squad mates in wishing Xan good luck.  He shot her a look that said, “We’ll talk later.”

  He slung his weapon over his back and hopped on the nearest speeder bike.  Xan punched the throttle and made for the Iron Horse Barracks.  When he arrived a few minutes later, he entered the SL office to find the General already there.

  He snapped to attention, saluted, and said, “Lance Corporal Raibaux reporting as ordered, Sir.”

  The General turned and returned the salute.  He eyed Xan much in the same way a Krayt Dragon eyes its dinner.

  “That’s Corporal Raibaux son, you’ve been promoted.”

  “Thank you sir, “stammered Xan.

  “Sit down son; I’m sure you’re confused and a little curious as to how and why you’re now in this position. 

  Xan took the nearest chair.  Rizzit sat on the edge of the desk.

  “In a word: commitment.  Sergeant First Class AlanRJ, the former SL, found himself torn between his duties to the Empire, and his personal responsibilities.  He was man enough to step forward and for the good of his team stand down.  I respect that, and you should too.”

  Xan nodded to himself, he could respect that.  It takes a big man to give up power and position for the good of others.  He’d have to buy him a drink sometime if he ever met him.

  “Now, you are here upon the recommendation of SFC BattleMont, and GSG Gorjan.  They’ve both said you were one of the finest troopers they’ve ever had the privilege of working with, and would both like to command along side.”

  Xan was dumbstruck; he never knew he was held in such high regard by both Snipes and Rogueboy.

  “So, here you are. Now, Iron Horse is a full squad, minus one, but we can drop a new recruit in here as soon as one gets through Basic.  You have an Assistant Squad Leader, GSG Rigun, he has been briefed and is awaiting your arrival out in the barracks antechamber.  Iron Horse is an old and proud squad son, don’t screw it up.”

  Rizzit got up and made for the door.  Xan jumped up and called after him, “Sir!’

  “Yes son?”

  “A question.  Why me, I’m only a Lance Corporal, er, Corporal.  Aren’t there other more qualified Troopers of higher rank out there that should have this job?”

  Rizzit locked his eyes on Xan’s, “It’s the man, not the rank we put in charge.  You’ll learn that soon enough.  Anything else before I go Corporal?”

  Xan swallowed hard and asked, “I was wondering if I, as Squad Leader, could request a certain Trooper be transferred in to Iron Horse to fill out the roster?”

  “Yes, you could.  Who do you have in mind?”

  “PFC Tarkona of Raiders, sir.” He blurted.

  Rizzit eyed him for what seemed like an eternity, “Why her?”

  Xan had a million reasons why he wanted her close by, none of which would fly with the General, so he told him the most basically true thing he knew, “She’s one of the finest Troopers I’VE ever seen, and one hell of a warrior.  She’d be perfect for IH’s recon role.”

  “OK, granted, but don’t make a habit of cherry-picking other squads for talent, understood?”

  “Yes sir,” he replied.

  Rizzit thumbed his comm and spoke one last time to Xan, “I’ve OK’d the transfer of PFC Tarkona to IH.  Now go meet your ASL, you’ve got work to do Squad Leader.”

  The General strode out of the office, correction: Xan’s office, and left the newly minted SL standing with a slightly stupid look on his face.  His comm went off and he saw it was Dae. 

  Well, that took longer than I expected

  “Xan, what in the Goddess’ name is going on? I just got orders transferring ME to Iron Horse.” She asked exasperated.

  “Sweetie, I’ll explain it later.  Just get over here now. Xan out.”

  He killed the line, and pocketed the comm.  He rubbed his face, straitened his tunic and strode out into the antechamber.  He saw the Gunnery Sergeant waiting for him snap to attention and salute.  This unsettled him more than anything else.  The Gunny was three pay grades higher than him.  He returned the salute and ordered him to stand at ease.

  “Welcome to Iron Horse sir, “chimed Jelly.

  “Thank you Gunny.  Now, tell me all about Iron Horse.  I’ve got some catching up to do.”

OOC:

OK, kids this is my last RAIDERS post, it's been fun and I'll miss all of you. I left it open for yah Dante, I hope it doesn't mess up the story too much.  Take care and give'em Hell.  RAIDERS