Despite the mental attack the Pirate Queen Attempted on the Inquisitor's mind Drogos was still standing. He chuckled as he closed the distance between the two of them, "I let you talk because I know you had lost." He laughs harder still, "Don't begin to lecture me on the powers of the Dark Side of the force." His grip on her throat would tighten more and more as he walked closer and closer,"You whose mental discipline is non existent." Drogos sounded angry and his words were biting yet he sounded joyful and seemed to be enjoying every moment of his slow walk to the Queen, his aura of fear following him as it always did "Normally I wouldn't hesitate to end the life of an illegal Force sensitive." he said as he stopped just before her face a large sinister smile on his face, "But I need the Girl, and you know where she is going. So you live..." Drogos would choke her with the force until the Pirate Queen stopped struggling eyes rolling to the back of her head while making sure only to cut her air supply and render her unconscious, "For Now."

The test of wills is over, it seems. Defeated, there is a look of cold fury in the Pirate Queen’s exposed eye, through her damaged mask. At the Inquisitor’s mention of the girl, she struggles to scream, but it is no use. The vehemence in her eye glazes, as she slumps to the deck.

At Venlana’s orders, Logan and her other guard begin unbinding the hostages and ushering them off the yacht. The baroness herself prepares to board. For the Imperial task force and its allies, there is the briefest of lulls in the fighting, but they know the boarders will soon be entering the main hangar bay.

The Pirate Queen’s droid whirs and trills triumphantly! The girl uses her powers to move flotsam from the explosion out of their path, as the nimble TIE prototype exits into the freedom of open space. Unaware of the fate of his mistress, the R2 unit only knows that he must speed the Pirate Queen’s daughter to safety. Adjusting the calculations to fit current conditions, the astromech makes some slight course corrections and does what it does best. The distant stars about them streak into shimmering lines, and they are gone, hurtling through the relative safety of hyperspace.

On the bridge of the Intrepid, Commander Hagstrum does not bat an eye at the escaping stealth fighter, for indeed he does not even notice it. The captain is bent on freeing his own ship, from the clutches of the cruiser beneath; but it won’t be easy, with just his chief in the engine room.

”All maneuvering thrusters hard to starboard, Lieutenant. We’re going to spin right out of this!” He tries to sound inspiring, though he is not at all confident that this opening ploy will work.

Lieutenant Warwick Stein is not alone in the engine room, however. There is a Wookiee in there with him, and though it is not behaving in an aggressive manner, the chief engineer is acutely uncomfortable with this uninvited guest in his workspace. “Aye, I’ll give it my best, but I’m not a bloody one-man-crew.. and I’ve a wee Wookiee looking over my shoulder...”

Very much against the odds, the Intrepid slowly spins free from the Pirate Queen’s flagship. The tide is turning! And so is the boarding tube, to the dismay of the pirates still trapped within, waiting to board...

Aboard the Renegades’ Blood, it is only the lightning-quick reaction of the helmsman that saves the rest of the boarding party, matching the Intrepid’s speed and spin closely enough to prevent the tube being ripped away.

Hale kneels down, still holding his Z-6, as he struggles to maintain consciousness. "Hang on, I... I just need a breather. I'll be up in a sec." His breaths come short and shallow as he tries to shake off the disorienting effect of the queen's trick. He opens his comm channel to the rest of his squad, "Luks, get down here, on the double! Banshees, we've got some house guests coming forward. We've got to group up and advance, we've got no cover out here and we can't let them get to the bridge. Stark, you keep the shuttle warmed up. If worst comes to worst, we'll need to get outta here in a hurry."

Seeing the Pirate Queen fall unconscious, Briar turned to the nearby Stormtroopers "You," she said gesturing to the squad armed with blasters "follow me." she said as began to cross quickly back to the stairs. Need to stop that fighter she thought to herself not knowing it had already made its escape.

As the Banshees rush out of the shuttle, Hale sees the boarders make a rush for the gap, "THAT TEARS IT! Open fire and hold your ground. BRIAR! Get in the shuttle!" The SCAR troopers of Banshee squad light up the gap with their heavy blaster rifles, tearing into the first three that come through.

Seeing several of their mates quickly picked-off by the special commandos of Banshee Squad, the remaining Sorority saboteurs duck for cover. The queensguard, however, are obviously preparing to lead the assault into the main hangar.

The Intrepid’s stormtroopers join the fray as well. The ones without ranged weapons take the self-styled pirate queen into custody, while their better armed brethren move up and make the queensguard think twice about leaving the cover of the aft bay.

As the Pirate Queen dropped to the floor unconscious with the Inquisitor standing over her, then hearing he was keeping her alive. There was the briefest of moments where Adjustments Agent Valecien Kaan, felt compelled to make good on his assassination mandate and bring his Vibro-Cutlass down through her skull.

Only the most observant would notice the slight twitch in his body as the urge was squashed. Perhaps this may be better if more information could be obtained from her, but if the Inquisitor decided not to dispatch her, he would do it himself. One way or another.

His eyes were trained on the unconscious body, before they flicked up to the Zabrak, watching him intently. "I trust she's in good hands?" He said, his voice smooth and strong. Like good liquor.

He didnt wait for a response. He turned and walked down the ramp, just as the Baroness walked past him. He gave her a sly smile a wink.

Venlana returns the Zeltron’s smile as he passes, still not quite sure if she should bed him or have him killed, perhaps both? Bed him, then have him killed, definitely.. but he’s probably of the same mind.

But now is not the time to explore either of these options. She boards her yacht, now clear of the Pirate Queen and Imperial hostages, and heads directly to the captain’s chair. “Porel. I understand this is awkward, but unless you fancy further Imperial hospitality, I suggest you get this hangar open.”

”Already on it.. Baroness is it, now?” The Twi’lek at the communications array is indeed attempting to slice past the Intrepid’s emergency shutdowns, but finding Agent Ostell’s personal touches more troublesome to foil. “Whoever initiated this protocol locked the ship down tight. The usual workarounds.. well, aren’t working around, as it were.”

Ah, well. Not as immediately useful as I’d hoped, when I decided to keep him... “Briar, be a dear and open the port hangar. My ship has a top-end astrogation droid brain and might be able to predict where the brat’s jump took her.”

Agent Ostell, being the sensible agent that she is, assumes the Pantoran woman just wants out of the hangar; she is known to have already betrayed both the Zann Consortium and the Veiled Sorority. But before Briar can even respond, the flashing lights and klaxons cease, and the bay doors begin to retract into their housings.

“This is your Captain. I am overriding hangar lockdown, and ordering all vessels to launch immediately, in defense of this ship.” It is Commander Hagstrum on the 1MC, timely as ever.

Why thank you, Captain! Venlana smiles again. Might make it out of here, yet. “Logan, close the ramp and prepare for takeoff.”

The crimson guard eyes the Zabrak Inquisitor, now armed with the Pirate Queen’s sword. “That may be a problem, Baroness...”

"That's it, fellas, just a little bit closer...". Somar reduces the speed of the Phantom just enough for the the Cutlasses to think they have a sporting chance. As soon as they pull within range of the TIE's guns, Somar spins the Phantom end over 180 degrees on its axis. Continuing on the same trajectory, now backwards, he squeezes the trigger. Laser fire lashes out, striking the lead fighter and causing serious damage to its fuselage. It's not as much as Somar would have hoped for, but at least the maneuve looked good.

The saboteurs quickly hit the ground by the Banshee's opening salvo. Hale and the troopers seemingly keep the boarder situation under control, Evon looks up to see Agent Kaan and the hostages leaving the Baroness' yacht while Venlana herself entering. He sprints around the Banshees, watching not to get caught in the crossfire to the yacht. ,,Stop right there!" he turns to the agent. ,,Have you identified the hostages or do we have some sleepers here? Protocols are there for a reason, that's not how we do things around here!"

Evon sizes up the group quickly, recognizing all the crewmembers. He reaches Lt. Govern and notices his injury. ,,Blasted savages!" - he refers to the pirates - ,,Don't worry lieutenant, I fix it in a moment. For the count of three: one... two...." then Evon yanks the officer's nose which snaps back with a chilling crack to it's place. ,,There you go, the pirates can't do anything I can't fix!"

He proceeds to take a look of the ships interior, addressing Kaan again. ,,Agent, who let that treacherous woman board her ship? Why isn't she in cuffs yet?"

With his helmet off, Den only hears some of the message from the sergeant major. Den looks at the helmet, and then at his blood soaked shoulder. "Sorry sergeant, you may need to manage without me for a bit" he mutters to himself. Leaning forward in his seat he takes control of the cannons controls. He can see the teams pilot engaging the enemy on his gunnery display, and decides he should at least try to help out a little. Swivelling the turret he fires a few rounds of the crackling ion rounds but they go wide. "Come on" he mutters as he double checks the display. "I've got to get more practice in".

The Zeltron turned around to the Agent, his hands up in a submissive gesture, a smile on his face.

"Szettle down there, my friend. I must admit I am not a man... nor a fan... of protocols." He admitted with a chuckle. "In my line of work, it usually means I try to avoid them. Don't worry, a night out with me, some fine wine and some fine women, that'll loosen you up. On duty no less."

He winked at the man, then glanced up and saw Logan at the top of the ramp, the inquisitor still inside, confronting him.

He means to take the Baroness, Val thought. When one weed is uprooted, another shall take it's place.

Without missing a beat the Zeltron skipped back up the ramp, to stand between the Inquisitor and Logan, knowing he'd likely be cut in half if he stepped further.

"Ah.. Logan.. my friend." He began, scratching his head. "You see that you must be heavily outmatched and outnumbered here... please... to spare further blood. I must ask you to stand down, and live to hump another day, eh?"

The tall pink man held out his arms and gave a long apologetic shrug.

“Outnumbered, yes. The Baroness seeks no quarrel with the empire or its agents, but should this not wait?” Venlana’s crimson guard makes no move to raise his weapon, and seems generally unsurprised at this turn of events. “Not a fan of protocols, eh? You’re going to just love L7, then.”

“Libel and libations and litigations... oh my! Count me in.” A lanky droid with a head like an upturned bowl winds her way down from the upper deck, and toward the party, female programming obvious from her voice. “I am L7-35, Esquire, but please call me Elsie. I will be providing legal counsel and representing the Baroness in any case you might wish to bring against her. Though I rather hope a mutually beneficial resolution might be reached, an agreement between my client and your empire.”

Meanwhile, the confrontation in the hangar is heating up. A few of the Intrepid’s stormtroopers move forward to repel the boarders, and a well-placed shot sends one of the queensguard flying back into the aft bay, where the three remaining saboteurs are making themselves scarce. Two queensguard quickly replace their fallen comrade, then three more, swords drawn and pistols raised. They exit just in time, slamming the blast door closed, as the two capital ships move apart and the boarding tube is torn away; the fallen saboteurs and queensguard are quickly sucked out into the vacuum of space, along with anything else unsecured in the aft bay.

“Fire!!” The whole ship tremors as the starboard hull of the Intrepid suffers a devastating broadside from the flagship’s turbolasers. Lieutenant Somar fares better, nimbly dodging both the ion cannons and the tractor beam they set upon the Phantom.

The queensguard attacks! The first two fire a fury of bolts at Banshee Squad, but to little effect. The other three make a beeline for the unarmored troopers carrying their queen toward the imperial shuttle. “For the Queen!!” One of the troopers carrying the Queen’s feet takes his last step, as two bolts go right through him. The other trooper staggers and drops her feet, having taken a couple hits himself. The two troopers at the pirate queen’s head adjust, then continue onward, dragging her unceremoniously by her shoulders. They are almost to the Stormcrow.

Seeing the queensguard near the stairs, Briar edges along the wall back to the console that she had been at before. She started trying to open a connection to the Pirate Queen's flagship. No. Not that. she thought becoming more and more frustrated with each failed attempt, until she determined she was locked out well... then she noticed looking at the scanners that two of the flagship's Turbolasers had gone offline at least something good came out of that.

Under a hail of fire, the remaining two stormtroopers drag the unconscious pirate queen aboard the Stormcrow, the task force’s shuttle. At the top of the boarding ramp, they let her drop and look at one another, both thinking the same thing. They are armed with knives, and wearing only their black underarmor. Are they really going to go back out there to assist their wounded mate, who has fallen to the deck, and is desperately seeking shelter behind his fallen comrade?

Across the hangar, Logan gestures down the yacht’s ramp, and looks askance at the Inquisitor. “Sounds pretty live out there, still. Sure you want to do this now?” Noting the continued close proximity of the Zeltron, Logan takes a small step away, creating just a little space for himself and his disruptor rifle. “I like you, Val, but not like that.” And I’d be a fool to trust you...

Above on the yacht’s bridge, the other crimson guard stands at Venlana’s side, as she takes a seat in the captain’s chair.

As the Queensguard charges forward, Hale grins to himself and stands to his feet, Z-6 barrel accelerating to his second favorite sound in the galaxy--the high pitched whine he knows so well. He braces himself and lets out a roar, amplified by the speakers in his helmet (though he may have accidentally left the comm channel open too), "ALRIGHT YA MISBEGOTTEN BASTARD SONS OF BANTHA-BANGING *******, COME GET SOME!" he pulls down the trigger, hearing his favorite sound in the galaxy--a Z-6 rounding off. He sprays a wide spread, riddling one of them with bolts, hitting a second, and nearly dropping a third who staggers as three of the small bolts take him one in the shoulder and two in the chest "Finish 'em off boys! There ain't many of 'em left."

The Banshees open up with their heavy rifles, sending the queensguard diving to get out of the way. Some of the pirates return fire, forcing the Banshees to dodge as well. A stray bolt hits the screen of the console Briar was working at, sending sparks flying up at her face. Hale yells in frustration as he ducks a couple shots and returns fire with a tight spread, missing one of 'em by a hairsbreadth, "Dammit Briar, I told you to get to the shuttle!"

Released from bondage and hastily vetted by the ship’s doctor, some of the officers and crew brave a dash for the stairwell and head up, heeding their captain’s call. While most continue their way up to the bridge, or make their way to the dorsal turrets, a few are able to reach the ion cannons. One gunner takes hold of the other cannon on Den’s side, and quickly brings it to bear on the pirate flagship. “Don’t bother peckin’ about with those fighters, too quick.”

Sure enough, targeting the cruiser lands a hit! At first it seems to have little effect, but the ion attack must have shorted the maneuvering thrusters, because the ship begins to veer off. “Hoo-hoooo!! That’ll keep those turbos off us for a spell!”

While Brother Drogos and Agent Kaan is on the Baroness situation, Evon spots the soldiers who got shot while carrying the Queen. ,,I need some covering fire, boys!" He quickly dashes through and parks next to them.

With a quick glance, he sees that one of them is beyond help, but he knows he can save the other.

,,Focus trooper, I'm gonna get you out of here!" Fortunately his wounds are not deep and missed any vital organs, but painful and can cause problems if he is moved. ,,Okay, first let me stitch you up quickly." And not even waiting his answer the doc sprays the wounds with anesthetic. The trooper hisses, but soon feels the effects. Evon slaps a synthskin on the chest wound, which immediately starts pulling the tissue together. ,,Don't get comfy!" He gets under his arm and helps the trooper to stand up. ,,Move, move!"

The Inquisitor looks around the ship and spots the hyperdrive, he also takes note of the guard the ship and how much he was outnumbered by, Sheathing the Pirate Queen's former sword into the scabbard at Drogos' waist. The focusing with his mind but not making any outward gestures he grabs a hold of the inner workings of the hyberdrive. "If Velana leads me to the girl she may win her freedom." The Inquisitor barks and then starts to head off the ship "Come Zeltron we are done here." He would say loud for everyone in the room to hear, "We are out numbered and my mind is Strained but I have hold of their hyperdrive with luck it breaks when it turns on." He whispered the words coming much more quickly than Val had ever heard him speak, "Now move they must think we are leaving them alone." He then walks down the gangplank

Logan complies with his orders and closes the ramp as soon as the Inquisitor departs. “Good riddance. Thought he’d never leave.” Comming his boss, “Boarding ramp secure,” he informs her.

“Elsie dear, your autopilot is glitching, frozen. I need you to get us out of here, now.” Venlana’s voice sounds in the droid’s audioreceptors, but L7 is having none of it...

”Think you’re royalty now, just because some watery tart with a sword calls you baroness? I had that pilot installed because I am no longer your chauffeur. Take the stick yourself, and you know what you can do with it. I will be preparing the opening statement for your inevitable tribunal.”

Venlana is not particularly surprised at the droid’s stubborn rejection, and indeed takes the stick herself. “Might want to strap yourself in, Porel. You have already nearly died by my hands once.”

Porel does not need to be told twice, and clasps the buckles with a look of some apprehension.

“Hmp.. Autopilot glitch seems to have resolved, but.. no matter. Hold on.” Venlana Sipal has an undeniable appreciation for being in control, even in.. no, especially in situations like this. The civilian craft does not really require any advanced flight training, bears no weapons; but there is a feeling of power as she takes the stick. Why thank you, Elsie. I do know what I can do with it.

With the Intrepid and Phantom both tied up combating the Sorority fleet, Venlana dares hope she might actually get away from this mess. I will find a way to turn these circumstances to my favor. Like I always do. With this thought in her head, she lifts the sleek yacht off the deck, and exits the destroyer through its now-open port hangar bay.

The Cutlasses continue to give pursuit, but have much difficulty in keeping up with the superior Imperial prototype. Somar leads the chase across the bow of the enemy cruiser, continuing to fire as he passes. A particularly strong blast sends the ship careening off in a new direction.

Pushing his weight against the controls of the gun platform, Den swivels the turret to target the larger ship turning away from him. "Shooting enemies in the back is underrated" he would state with a slight chuckle to himself. With that he squeezes the trigger and fires the ion turrets. He lets out a weak whoop as he sees the shots impact with the ship before slumping back in the seat. "I need a biscuit or something, get my strength back".

“There is a luxury shuttle exiting the Intrepid.” Drogos could be heard over the groups communicator, he was speaking to everyone in the task force, “Velana is on it, My Pilot, disable her ship from further flight, she is not to get away.”