Karvis
The Karvis Rebellion => Special Forces => Topic started by: GM Craig on January 31, 2012, 12:54:31 PM
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The base intercom hasn't fully been wired yet, but word still manages to reach everyone.
"Attention. Special Forces Team Alpha report to the briefing room. Special Forces Team Alpha report to the briefing room."
5 minutes later, everyone is there and waiting. You all notice the shiny new rank insignia on Niil's uniform.
[OOC: Not sure if Collan is there or not, but he may jump in at any time if he decided to stay here.]
Major Tibbero walks in, looking as emotionless as ever.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a situation." He fiddles with a computer, and up pops a map of the area around Megyek Ebol, on the edge of the Bladesea plateau.
"The local cell in Megyek Ebol has discovered that their routine data transmissions have been altered slightly. It turns out their data has had small amounts of data attached for the past several weeks. They compiled the data, but could not decrypt it. They sent it to us. Our crypto people had a look at it, and it turned out to be a relatively simple code."
He fiddles with the display again, and a written message pops up. "This is the first message we received."
Do not be alarmed, your transmissions are secure. I wish to leave the service of the Empire, but I cannot get away on my own. I work for Imperial Intelligence, Operations Branch, Surveillance Division. I will send instructions for making contact with me. You must be careful, or they will kill me.
Major Tibbero continues. "We instructed the local cell to work this, and establish contact with this individual. There has been some dialogue, though we still do not know the identity of this individual, but we have been able to corroborate information they have been sending. They haven't given us anything damaging to the Empire yet. They are concerned that we will trip up and get them killed, but they say they have information we could use."
Tibbero fiddles with the display again and the image vanishes.
"This raises several concerns, not the least of which is that someone could slice our communications and modify them without it being very obvious. Now, I don't have to tell you people that an insider from Imperial Intelligence would have a wealth of information. We're still reaping valuable insight from Major Shrike. Adding another Imperial operative to our resources would be of great importance. However, we are very concerned that this is a trap."
He shows the region around Megyek Ebol again.
"Our contact is trying to arrange for us to make a strike against a local Imperial garrison that apparently houses the unit where this individual works. They hope that during the confusion, they can slip away with the local cell operatives. They're asking for a quick prisoner extraction, hoping they can slip away int he confusion."
"The station is on the outskirts of the city. Nominally a patrol base, we've known for a little while that the facility has more traffic in and out of it than would be expected for a patrol base, and we suspect it has several sub-levels. The presence of an Imperial Intelligence surveillance unit there would explain the extra traffic and supplies. We can also corroborate other elements of our contacts information. We believe there is an Intel unit there."
He zooms in on the map. It is situated in a light industrial area on the southern edge of the city, in a low-population area.
"The local cell would have to employ almost all their people to have any hope of successfully assaulting this facility. Given the risks, that is out of the question. So, we're going to send you in. Our contact wants a simple smash-and-grab prisoner extraction. We don't think that goes far enough. If this operative is to get away clean, we must cover our tracks, so we're looking for you to assault the power core, and destroy the entire facility. With any luck at all, the Empire will assume this operative was vaporized in the blast."
He stands back and crosses his arms.
"Given recent changes, Warrant Officer Spaar will lead the assault. We are here to work up a plan of attack, but I will answer any questions you have. Many of us in HQ likely have the same concerns you may wish to raise, but we can address them here nonetheless."
He looks around. "Questions or comments?"
[OOC: I'll post maps tonight.]
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"That's one big juicy carrot." Trax mumbled to himself.
"Well to start, do you have an easy way of pulling his teeth? Not that Jex didn't prove to be quite the oral hygienist with the last intel op we brought in. But I'm guessing this guy might not be too keen on having a vibro-sword jammed in his mouth in the middle of a fire fight to remove his transmitter. Or do you have something we can use to jam its signal until we can get him somewhere safe?
And should we look at grabbing more than just this guy if the opportunity presents itself? I'm all for vaporizing the place to cover our tracks but if they somehow notice just one person is missing they might dig deeper into what he's been up to as of late which could lead them to find out how he was able to slice the comms. If there's a few missing it's more likely to look like a smash and grab than an extraction."
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Tibbero shakes his head. "No, taking anyone else is too dangerous. You'll go in, destroy the outpost, and bring out our contact alive. When the power core goes, they'll have plenty of people not accounted for, so that should cover your tracks nicely. We will have an electromagnetic scanner available so you can check for bugs and other communications devices. Even if our contact has a tracking device on them, you should be able to find it."
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[OOC: Collan wouldn't think this...but this screams honeytrap. Any extraction plan that we communicate should understate what we will do.]
Collan was quiet and listening.
Upon the comment about removing a tracer, "I think I might be able to help there...I'm pretty good at working on humans."
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Imperial Intelligence. Niil almost winced at the plan, but caught himself. If this so-called defector was truly that, he could be a great asset to the resistance. But Imperial Intelligence wasn't stupid They could be setting up a juicy, inviting trap to wipe out the thorn in the Imperial backside. Or even worse - this defector could be a long-term mole. Still, if Major Tibbero thought it was worth the risk . . .
Raising his hand, Niil caught Major Tibbero's attention. "Sir, about this facility . . . how recent is the intel on it's known exterior defenses, and patrol patterns?
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Tibbero says, "We've had the facility under surveillance for the past month. We have pretty good intelligence on external defences and patrol patterns."
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Niil rubbed at his jaw for a moment. "Any known patrol lags or temporary blind spots that we might be able to take advantage of, sir? Or maybe even something unorthodox like a sewer or maintenance tunnel?"
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"Is this base a standard Imperial structure they built on site, or is it a retrofitted existing structure? "
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[OOC: Sorry, no map yet.]
Major Tibbero shakes his head. "This is a standard Imperial bunker base, heavily reinforced with a sensor grid, several anti-personnel blaster cannons and a force fence protecting it. Stealth is not likely to work here. There are three levels above ground, and we suspect 5 or 6 levels below ground."
He pulls up a map of the base. "The compound is protected by a force fence all around, with a section only being lowered when a patrol is actually transiting the perimeter. There are four light anti-personnel repeater cannons on the roof of the structure, with overlapping fields of fire. Sensors monitor all movement, life signs and energy readings out to 300m."
You won't be able to approach without coming under fire from at least 2 cannons.
"However, there is a weakness. The facility is designed to defend against ground assault. I would recommend we deposit you on the roof, where you can disable the uplink and take out the cannons. From there, you can assault the base directly. There is a shuttle landing pad on the roof, so you might use our commandeered medical shuttle to drop you there. It will be detected 300m out, but at the speed it closes, you should be able to land before any serious resistance can be mounted. The light cannons post some threat to the shuttle, however, so I leave that detail to you. The closest you'll be able to get to the facility is 300m, which is just within the range of a rocket pack. You won't be moving anywhere near as fast as in the shuttle, so that will make you sitting ducks.
"Another option would be to perform an aerial drop from the shuttle, letting it stay safely out of range, but still allow you to penetrate the defences quickly. The down side there is the shuttle will have to fly high enough to be picked up by regional defensive sensors, and will likely provoke an intercept from fighters based in Megyek Ebol."
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"If we put an eweb on the back of a speeder or used a launcher, could a team take out the comm tower and a few of those cannons from a safe distance on the ground?"
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Tibbero nods, thoughtful. "There is an industrial facility about 450m away. We could put a team on top of that relatively easily, and take out the rooftop defences from there. It will be at the extreme limit of the range for the e-web though - it may take a while to clear the rooftop defences. But they will be free from counter-attack from the rooftop. If we're not lucky though, that uplink will stay up long enough to get a warning out."
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"My pistols are my preferred weapon of choice but I'm no slouch with any blaster, even an eweb. I wouldn't need much extra luck even at that range to take out the tower. Once it's down the shuttle can make its approach and everyone files out with light repeaters. I can use my jet pack to either join the group on the roof at that point while the cannons are tracking the shuttle, or I can try to take out any cannons I can reach with the eweb and then follow.
Do we have an estimate on how long it would take for air support to get there if they got a signal off?"
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Tibber nods. "I forgot about your jetpack. That could work. But that uplink has to go down fast - Megyet Ebol maintains ready starfighters and airspeeders. If a signal gets out, they'll be in the area in a couple of minutes, and have an assault shuttle on the ground in maybe 5 minutes."
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"Are there sewers and tunnels under the structure? If we can assault the place and gain entrance quickly, before any response, then leave by the sewers, blowing the building behind us and blocking direct attempts to follow. We then disperse through the sewers to safer locations. The security for any underground sewers and tunnels should be within the base, so we can disconnect them before we leave."
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"I don't know Jex, if it's like the last time we tried that, the sewers will get sealed off the second an alarm gets triggered.
How are we supposed to recognize this guy?" Trax asked the Major.
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Tibbero shakes his head. "This is a self-contained building, there are no sewer or water access. As for your contact, we've been given a passphrase to use to identify them."
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Niil sat back, listening to the opinions from Trax and Jex. Taking out that commo gear on the roof was top priority, or there would be little chance of escape.
Thinking for a moment, he said, "Trax . . . if you were on that warehouse roof with the E-Web, how long do you think it would take to bring down the commo gear and two of the turrets, and then join up with us? Before you give me a time-frame, what about this as an option? The shuttle - could we rig it with one of those semi-portable concussion missile launchers we captured awhile ago? One well-aimed missile would take the commo gear out; then we'd have to take just two of the weapon turrets out. We could mount the E-Web by the shuttle door with a swing-out rig, and give Trax a fairly stable platform for firing on the turrets."
"Not that I don't doubt Trax's ability with a blaster of any make or model," he said with a faint grin, "but the sooner we had him on the rooftop with us the better."
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Tibbero shakes his head. "The shuttle is a medical shuttle, fast but no armour or hardpoints for mounting weapons, and the power plant won't handle it. And that concussion missile launches is far too bit to fit in the shuttle. Maybe you could be firing out the doors with a couple of light repeaters, but that shuttle can't handle anything bigger than that."
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"Assuming two shots to take out each target and the fly over...a minute. Less if the shuttle doesn't make it's approach until after I start shooting."
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Is this base near a well traveled road? [I'm assuming this is an urban area] Could we stage an 'accident' on the road? That might get the shuttle an opportunity to come a lot closer without raising suspicions.
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Niil didn't think the shuttle could mount any external hardpoints, but he had to ask; the concussion missile launcher would have helped a great deal. One minute for Trax to take out the targets and join them was acdeptable, especially if the troops in the shuttle were providing their own fire.
"One minute or less should be all right. We can start the approach for just after you open up on the commo tower and gun emplacements, and if you run into any snags we can have a pair of troopers at the shuttle doors providing support fire with light repeaters and/or grenade launchers. As for staging an accident . . . it might gain the shuttle a bit of an edge for the deception, but I'm getting the impression that the garrison enforces a strict 'no fly zone' even to civilian EMT vehicles."
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Tibbero shakes his head. "The base was positioned where it is precisely because there is not a lot of traffic. Otherwise we could use the cover of the normal noise to get you past the sensors. No, I'm afraid this will have to be a straight-up assault. We can get the shuttle in without being seen. But that means it will come under fire when you land. The other option is to use the shuttle high-altitude to drop you onto the facility, but that raises the likelihood that fighters will be scrambled to intercept it.
"Now, it's a civilian craft, so it can probably handle the damage from the anti-personnel cannons on the roof, but not for long, and you might get an unlucky hit that damages the shuttle. I won't lie to you. This whole plan is risky. But it is the opinion of high command, myself included, that the risks are worth the benefit."
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"Okay, so we're agreed on the details of the initial assault then.
What are we talking about in regards to numbers of personnel in this place?"
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Tibbero nods. "On the surface, the base is configured for 25 personnel, but we estimate nearly twice that based on the supplies going in and the waste being removed. Figure 25 Imperial Army regulars, NCO's and officers, and 25 Intelligence troopers. Most of the intel personnel are likely from Surveillance, but you can never be sure with the Ubiqtorate. There may be troops from other branches stationed there, even masking themselves as Surveillance. Surveillance are their high-tier troops, well trained for combat operations and infiltration, but there may be worse that Surveillance inside, so exercise caution. NCO's and officers will be better trailed and equipped."
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"Fifty very hostile targets huh...well, technically 49 I guess.
That'll make it slow going if we have to fight our way around to find this guy, fight our way to the core, and then fight our way back to the shuttle on the roof before the place goes up. Any chance we could ask our target to see if they could put the place on lock down and hand over some over-ride codes?"
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Tibbero shrugs. "We can ask, but they've got to be careful. You can expect an ally on the inside, and we can time the attack so that a third or more of the forces are out on patrol. Our local cell can also make a little diversion to get more troops out of the facility, so you can expect to be facing half that. There are risks though - the more noise our local cell makes, the fewer troops you'll be facing, but the more troops will be hot in the region, which could make escape difficult."
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Collan was quiet, thinking about their options.
"If it's a patrol base could we ambush a patrol and take their gear and uniforms? It make allow us to get fairly close before we're recognized as attackers."
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"A good idea in theory," Trax gave an approving nod to the new comer. "But we'd risk them getting an alert off, and if they didn't, we'd likely be driving the speeder back to the facility with a bunch of blaster scorch marks on it. With this being an intel facility, getting through the gate with a clean speeder would be difficult enough."
Trax turned to the Major. "I don't think we need, or want, to incur any more risks in this that we already are. My vote is to leave the local cell out of it other than a few guys to pack up the e-web after we're done with it.
Once we're in, everyone and everything will be focused on us so trying to lock the place down should attract very minimal attention. But it's his choice.
What's the average time a patrol is out?"
[OOC: Okay, I'll stop now until our fearless leader can post :) ]
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Tibbero says, "Patrols generally last 8 hours. Sometimes they send out several smaller patrols at intervals that last 4 hours."
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"So we try to time the hit with as many patrols out as possible, but even one would mean at least a half dozen fewer in the facility. And if the shuttle could come from a bit of an opposing angle to where I'm firing from I might be able to make short work of one or two extra guns when their backs are exposed.
Could we get a few guys with light repeaters to hold the roof for us? It'd also help secure the roof quicker and they'd have a good vantage point in case a patrol comes back earlier than expected."
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Tiberro nods. "Certainly. Though we're still pretty chewed up after Amarin. Lieutenant Quero can put a team together."
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"If we could even get two I think we'd be set." Trax looked for agreement from Niil and Jex.
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Niil nodded. "Sounds good. There is one additional item I'd like to request, though - a spare set of armor, helmet and blaster rifle for the defector so he can pass off as one of our strike team when we're ready to exfiltrate. Just in case one of the Imperials gets a make on him and manages to survive the reactor overload. The odds may be extremely low on that happening, but it's a simple enough prcaution to take."
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Tibbero nodded. "We can do that. And the standard load out for you guys, some grenades, pistols and rifles if you need them, two light repeaters. And the e-web that we'll smuggle onto the nearest roof. Anything else?"
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"A stiff drink." Trax half joked. He couldn't help but get the feeling this was going to turn out to be much more than they bargained for. If past undertakings were any indication.
"When do we head out?"
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"Three hours."
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"Medkits and some shots of hero juice in case any of us get tagged would be good, sir. Beyond that, perhaps a few light demo charges if they're available in case we run into a stonewall or two."
Looking over at Jex, he shrugged. "Anything you want to requisition, Jex?"
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Three hours later, you have been outfitted with battle armour, three grenades each, sytherope dispenser, 4 spare blaster packs, plus your personal gear. Collan also has five stimpacks in the event you guys get injured. The battle armour, blaster rifle and pistol seem clunky and bulky to Collan, but if he's going to be under fire, best to be prepared.
[OOC: Note, any grenades you guys had been issued previously that were unused were turned in, you may have a max of three grenades on this mission]
You make your way to the departure bay. Lieutenant Querro is there with one of his troopers, plus two boys from Alpha Platoon. He reports to Niil.
"Warrant Officer Spaar, Major Tibbero briefed me on the plan. I understand that you are in charge of this mission, and I am to support you on the rooftop, and in the nearby facility where the E-Web will be assembled. Would you prefer me on the roof with you, or guarding the E-web?"
Meanwhile, Trax, Jex and Collan peek into the shuttle. It's been stripped of all the medical equipment and several jump seats have been installed - there are still smudges and stains from the welding. The E-web takes up quite a bit of the free space. It will be a tight squeeze. Plus, if all goes well, you'll have another passenger on the flight home.
The pilot, whom you recognize from previous flights, is Corporal Fez Rand. Beside him his Spacer Deni Black, also a veteran of previous missions. They are running through pre-flight checks, but they look up, smile and nod when you enter the shuttle.
While you are getting comfortable, a pair of troopers haul in a large-ish case. "The spare gear you wanted," says one. They secure it to the deck in the back of the shuttle. It's not exactly out of the way, but you should be able to manoeuvre the e-web past it without too much difficulty.
The plan seems fairly straight forward. The shuttle will fly you to Megyek Ebol, where it will land in the industrial complex near the Imperial Outpost. There, you will secure the facility, and Trax and two troopers will unload the E-web and make their way up to the rooftop. The shuttle will then depart to prepare for the assault.
Once the shuttle is in position, Trax will engage the uplink, isolating the outpost from the rest of the Empire. He will then engage two of the anti-personnel cannons. Once they are engaged, Trax will signal the shuttle. The shuttle will come in fast and low, and deposit Niil, Jex, Collan and two troopers on the roof. The shuttle will then depart to pick up the troopers working the E-web.
Once the roof is secure, Trax will jetpack over to the outpost. Niil, Jex, Trax and Collan will then infiltrate the facility, make their way to the power core in the lower parts of the facility, set demo charges, and return to the roof. The shuttle will be back by then, you will enter the shuttle and escape out to sea.
Along the way, you are to be alert for surrendering Imperials. You have a pass phrase to verify your contact. Once you have established contact, you are to protect him, complete the demolition, and escape.
There is the small matter of roughly 25 Imperial Army regulars, Intel troopers, NCO's and officers, but that's the kind of thing the Spec's deal with on a regular basis.
[OOC Just need Niil's decision on where to put the lieutenant, and we'll start.]
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Niil thought for a moment, then nodded to himself. "Best come with us, lieutenant Querro, in case the drek hits the fan and I'm rendered unable to command."
Turning to the others, Niil said, "So . . . you all know the mission, people. Find the defector and pop the reactor, in a nutshell. The defector gets kitted with our spec ops gear to pass off as one of us once we find him." With a grin, he added, "Just don't have him gear up in front of operational security cams or audio pickups."
"Any last questions? If not, equipment check and mount up."
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"That guy does not pack light." Trax remarked as he put his feet up on the crate and settled in. Despite outward appearances, the spec was fairly nervous. If he couldn't take the tower out with one or two shots things would get a lot more complicated very quickly.
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"Stupid son of a bantha....."
The teenage girl mumbled under her breath, letting loose a few choice curse words as she "power walked" through the hallway. She wasn't running. Running was NOT a good look for her image. But truth be told she didn't want them to "accidentally" leave without her, or, even more, she didn't want them to think she'd lost her nerve.
She hadn't had much contact with them lately, ever since she had had her "talk" with the Major. Ugh. It wasn't like she had told Cali anything important! She wasn't a traitor and didn't want to endanger her friends. But what choice had she had? There were different levels of "greatest good", weren't there?
She punched her fist into her other hand as she walked. No one understood her. It wasn't fair.
And now they hadn't wanted to tell her til the last minute about this mission. It wasn't an accident. They didn't trust her. That was obvious. The Major had made that very clear that they would be watching her closely. Like they didn't watch her enough anyway.....
But not having her in for the planning of this mission had been stupid. Knowing the Boys, they probably had all sorts of plans of blowing stuff up. Without her. Amateurs. There were sooooo many easier ways!!! All they had to do was ask. Adults!!! They were soooo impractical sometimes!!!
And since she'd had barely enough time to grab her gear before she had to be at the bay, she certainly hadn't had time to sort out what she would need and what not. So instead she was probably carrying WAY more than she needed - extra power packs, etc, because she hadn't had time to plan. She HATED rushing.
".....pain in the ass Major....." - More grumbles as she finally made it to the bay, just as the others were checking their own gear.
"I'm here, I'm here..." she grumbled some more, setting her bag down carefully so that hopefully she could at least quickly check her gear before they set off....
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Trax, who had been leaning back in one of the jump seats with his feet up on the large crate of equipment smiled when Mariah announced her presence.
"Nice to see they decided to let you out." There was no hint of mockery or insult in his tone. He actually sounded quite sincere, at least as sincere as he could sound.
"Grab a seat." he said as he stood up and reached out to help her with her gear.
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"Someone had to break up the boys club here..." she retorted back to him as she sat down. "Give me a minute to make sure my toys are all working." She snorted "I'd be happy to check YOUR toys as well..."
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"Thanks, but they're good." Trax replied sitting back down.
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Niil blinked in surprise; he thought that Mariah had been placed under "house scrutiny" by the KDF, and no one had told him that she was going to be prt of the strike team. She was going to give the team a very large edge.
"Mariah, good to have you with us," Niil said with a grin, which turned somewhat sheepish. "Umm, the major didn't inform me that you were going on this op. Were you briefed on it?"
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She nodded, still not quite sure how to act. She was trying her best to put on a brave face, like nothing at all had happened, but she still had to wonder in the not-so-far back of her mind if these guys still trusted her. In their minds she had made some very stupid decisions lately.....
"yeah. He pulled me aside separately and sent me pretty much straight down here afterward..."
.....the unspoken but very obvious reasoning being so she didn't have time to leak their plans.....
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As you as talking, you hear the whine of the main power unit starting up. It seems your pilots are almost done their checks.
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Niil's ears caught the souind of the shuttle's engines spooling up, and gave Mariah a clap on the shoulder. In a murmur pitched for her ears alone, Niil said, "The major wouldn't have put you on this mission if he didn't trust you. Mariah. That's good enough for me. You got put in a crappy situation, and sometimes any available option is going to make someone P.O.'ed."
"But, time to motor. Grab a rumble seat and strap yourself in; we might be in for a joyride."
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She didn't quite agree with Niil, but she appreciated the thought.
With a few more choice grumbles she gathered up her gear, secured everything and strapped in.
(OOC: Craig, without my char sheet I'm not sure what gear I have....I don't wanna hold everyone else up though...)
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The flight is several hours, and for anyone concerned enough to look out the forward viewports, alarmingly close to the surface of the water.
Finally, the shores near Megyek Ebol come in to view on the horizon. Using archives of the topographical maps of the area, your pilots wind their way up a fjord and through a wooded area until you finally reach the outskirts of Megyek Ebol. They slow their speed here, flying between buildings in what appears to be a derelict industrial sector.
The warning light (newly installed) comes on, alerting you that your target is approaching. The pilots circle the area once to make sure it's clear before setting down in an abandoned parking lot, and the rear doors open. The doors are facing south, and the building you want to set up on is directly north of you.
[Actions?]
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Trax had his harness open the second he felt the shuttle touch down. With one pistol already drawn he got up and was about hop out when he paused and gave a wry smile to Niil.
"Leaders first?" he motioned with his hand to the exit.
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Jex, holds up his hand to stop exit.
"Let me do a quick scan first"
He gets out of the craft and does a quick scan of the area using his Scout armor sensors.
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[ooc: still trying to figure out where Collan's mindspace is. It's been a while...]
Collan had remained silent for the flight. Focusing his mind on the task at hand. He had vague memories of a voice giving him that same guidance but the specifics were long lost in a fog. He'd come but wasn't sure of his value...really. He could shoot but his medic skills had deteriorated during a long downtime. Still...a hand was a hand.
With Mariah, Collan hadn't followed the byplay between the Specs and her. Clearly something had happened but Collan wasn't sure what that was. Still, an extra set of hands would be useful.
Collan had the rifle slung over his shoulder and his pistol drawn instead. Quite frankly, he had only the barest of clues how to best use the rifle while the pistol felt far more comfortable in his hand.
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Jex detects a few small rodents off in one corner of the parking lot, but otherwise everything seems clear.
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"Looks clear lets move."
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Collan hefted his pistol and moved out with the specs, taking a look around for any activity as he did so...and trying to move as silently as possible.
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Throughout the trip Mariah had been working silently on creating a jammer that would prevent the guy they'd be rescuing from broadcasting his location to everyone. She allowed herself to get totally involved in her work, deciding that was better than having to interact with the others around her for the moment.
As the shuttle touched down she gave a little gasp, kind of forgetting where they had been going for a moment. But she came back to herself quickly - so quickly that she hoped no one had noticed.
She didn't know exactly what the Specs thought her place was in this mission. Since she hadn't been allowed in on the official planning briefing she didn't have a specific task. But she was sure she'd figure out SOME way to be helpful...
For the moment she just grabbed her gear, grabbed her blaster and followed the others out of the shuttle, making sure to keep a close eye out on their surroundings.....
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Niil was about to exit the shuttle when Jex held the rest back. "Let me do a quick scan first." After a few tense moments, he said, "Looks clear; lets move."
With that, Niil hopped out of the shuttle and whispered, "All right, we secure the building first. Two groups in a successive bounding overwatch pattern. Trax, you go first with Lieutenant Querro and his three troopers. Second group is me, Collan, Mariah and Jex."
OOC: Just in case: Successive bounding overwatch is where one group is the lead, and the other is the overwatching (support fire) unit. The first group moves as it is watched by the second. The second group then moves up to positions close by the first group. The first group then moves off to a new position, watched by the second unit.
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Trax exited the shuttle and drew his second blaster. Taking his own quick peek as he moved around the shuttle he took the lead and moved forward, staying low and moving quickly.
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With three troopers carrying the E-web, power generator and power converter, you move across the parking lot quickly. You reach the main entrance for the building without incident. The doors look like they had been sealed, but a breech charge took care of that some time ago. There is no sign of resistance.
You are in some sort of reception area. Smashed consoles and overturned desks litter the area. There are offices to the right and left, and a larger double-door that is half open with one panel at a jaunty angle appears to lead to some sort of machine shop.
Trax and Lt. Querro move through the door and into the room, while the troopers manhandle the e-web gear through the breech. Inside, you can see blaster burns on the walls, and above you is a hole in the ceiling with cables hanging down and swaying gently in a breeze.
Beyond the reception area is a set of double doors, half open with the right hand panel off it's guides and hanging at an angle. Beyond is what appears to be some sort of machine shop.
Once Jex is inside, his sensors are picking up some minor energy readings that appear to be from equipment in low-power mode, or operating on stand-by. Other than that, sensors are clear.
[Actions?]
Querro and Trax are just moving towards the inner door, the E-web is now through the breech, and Niil, Jex, Mariah and Collan are outside the main door.
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"Somebody threw one hell of a party." Trax mumbled as he surveyed the damage and moved up to the double doors to take a closer look beyond them.
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Niil nodded grimly, and muttered, "Yeah, tell me about it. A safehouse or some resistance fighters that holed themselves up here, maybe. Jex, do your sensors pick anything up? If this was a safehouse, I'm hoping to hell the Imps didn't leave behind any passive sensors. If not, let's get that E-web set up."
-
"Not much, looks like just standby power on some of the leftover electronics here. Let's make sure we don't get bogged down here. Set up the e-web then continue the mission."
-
Trax and Querro head to the inner door and peer through. It looks like a factory floor, with large machines placed regularly around the door. There is a smashed binary load lifter in a heap off to the left side, with several blaster burns on the chassis. There is a lift on the far wall but it seems un-powered. Other droids of pieces of droids can be seen scattered about, of various types. There is a corridor off to the left where you can see occasional flashes of light, but you cannot see what is causing them. The e-web team joins Trax and Querro at the door and you move forward.
The factory floor is open to the ceiling, and the upper space is filled with what looks like some sort of material handling system. A collection of lifters, belts and buckets much have moved raw materials to the processors, and cranes and whatnot moved finished goods to the warehouse.
Trax spots a rather rickety looking service stair that seems to lead to a control booth off to the right in the corner of the factory floor - there may be an access hatch up there you can use to get to the roof. The goods handling system might have a way to get up there as well, but that might take some investigation.
Signs of battle are all over this area. This was a large-scale battle, not a small resistance cell. Whatever happened here involved around a hundred people, if the battle damage, scorch marks and blaster burns are any indication.
A few consoles show dim lights, but the bulk of the factory appears un-powered.
[Actions?]
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Trax began to wonder what had actually happened here but quickly brought his thoughts back to the task at hand. Most likely there would be a hatch in the ceiling of the control room but he didn't think the stairs could handle the weight of 3 people plus an e-web.
"There's stairs but they don't look all that stable." he said quietly into the comm as his focus moved to the corridor on the left. His best guess was a hole in the wall and it was hanging debris that was causing what looked like flashes. But better to be safe than sorry. He looked at Querro and indicated to the left before moving through the doors to get a better look.
-
Mariah looked around at all the remnants laying around the room. "What a waste..." she mumbled to herself. So many parts just laying there!
She wandered over to the lift that seemed to be unpowered and examined it a little. She wondered how hard it would be and how much time it would take to get it working with all the spare parts laying around the room.....
-
Niil stole a glance at the staircase with a sour eye, and stopped for a moment to consider their options. "Mariah, what about that lift? Think we could jury-rig a power feed to it? There's still power running in this place."
-
As Mariah looks around at the parts, she spots a couple of droids nearby that appear different. Taking a closer look, she sees that they appear to be combat droids. Under the grime and dust, she can make out the insignia of the Karvis Defence Forces.
-
"Only if we can keep power output to a minimum." Trax spoke up regarding Niil's thoughts on the lift. The spec turned to Querro. "Let's finish our sweep. You guys might as well put the e-web down." he said to the troopers. "Niil, why don't you and Jex head for the control room up those stairs and see what can be done about rigging a manual lift while Mariah looks into the powered one."
-
"Uh. Anyone else notice these droids are the property of Karvis Defense Forces?", she said to the room at large as she looked around for a power feed.
<actions: search to see if I can find a power feed other than the eweb to power the lift...>
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Niil looked up at the control room, then back at the lift. "I'd like to avoid using the E-Web's power pack to get that lift running if possible, so yeah, we'll check out the control room first. Mariah, keep hunting for an alternate power supply for the lift in case this control room doesn't pan out."
As he started gingerly making his way up the stairs, he added, "Dumb question, but are the droids destroyed, or just out of juice?"
OOC: Walking along the side of the stairs instead of in the middle.
-
[OOC: Nill: The droids have obviously seen major combat damage.]
Trax and Querro pick their way through the cluttered factory floor to the corridor off to the left while Niil heads towards the stairs and Mariah heads to the lift. The three troops and Jex keep a keep eye out, while Collan tries to not get in the way.
Trax reaches the corner and takes a quick glance down the passage. About 20m down the passage, there is a breech in the ceiling, and a power conduit is hanging down. Every now and then sparks arc out from the end of the conduit, dancing on the floor before going out. It seems there is some sort of power in the facility, though it would be a long run from there to the lift.
The corridor seems to have seen a lot of combat, and Trax can clearly see blaster burns and what look like grenade explosions on the walls, ceiling and floor. Whatever fighting went on here, it was intense.
There are several blasted droids in various stages of dis-assembly strewn over the corridor as well, but not enough to account for all the signs of combat here. Likely it was troops supported by battle droids.
Meanwhile, Niil goes to the stairs. Some of the support struts have been pierced with blaster fire, and there is a 10' section that appears to have been taken out by a grenade. The resulting damage likely weakened the stairwell significantly. The lower section looks strong enough, but up higher, it looks like it might collapse at any moment. Still, Niil goes to have a look, being careful to step closest to the supports.
About 20' up, he gets near the missing section, and his suspicions are confirmed. The top 5' of the lower section are mostly shredded, and the bottom 10' of the upper section look the same way. It's unlikely that, even if someone could make the 25' leap required to get to something resembling sturdy stairs, that what remains of the upper stairs would support them.
Mariah heads to the lift and checks it out. The motivator is on the ground behind the lift. Shifting some debris off the housing with a clang, she opens it up. A quick look tells her the motivator is intact, just unpowered. The generator from the E-web could be rigged to provide power to the lift, and give you guys a safe way up to the upper levels.
Then, Mariah catches movement out of the corner of her eye. Glancing quickly, she sees a small sphere about 1' in diameter rising into the air beside her - obviously some sort of droid. The casing is badly dented, and it seems to be listing oddly. One of it's visual processors is dark, and the other one is flickering, but it turns to Mariah. It hovers there a moment, emitting a mournful series of tones, but there seems to be some damage to it's vocabulator, and the sound is intermittent and scratchy. While the sudden appearance is startling, the droid is so beat up it's unlikely a threat.
At the same time, Jex picks a minor power signature near Mariah's position and spots the droid rising out of the debris near her.
[Actions?]
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Jex moves towards the droid, trying to assess the threat.
[OOC - does it look like an Imperial droid?]
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Trax let out a low whistle. That was definitely one hell of a fight. It didn't make much sense that the KDF would have backed themselves into a dead end unless they had absolutely no choice. Even then they could have made their own exit.
"You heard of anything like this going down here?" he asked Querro.
[OOC: How difficult would it be to get past the conduit?]
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Querro, in a bitter voice, says, "When the Imperials came, the used surgical strikes on all our command posts, barracks and supply depots in the first wave. A lot of units retreated to makeshift command posts to try and organize some resistance. At the time we thought if we could hold out long enough, the Senate would intervene."
The cable is only swaying slightly, so getting past it should be no problem.
-
Mariah jumped as she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Her blaster came up to the ready on instinct, but she didn't squeeze the trigger.
Then, suddenly, a strange sound for the setting they were in escaped her lips - she let loose a very girl like "giggle".
In front of her hovered a 1 foot metal ball, dented, damaged and sounding so mournful when it made noise that she couldn't possibly see it as a threat.
Slowly she lowered her blaster and took a slow breath, calming her heart which had just threatened to jump out of her chest.
Carefully she grabbed her scanning tools, instead, to check if the droid was transmitting to anyone.
"What are you, little guy?" she asked.
Still studying the droid she glanced at Niil.
"I can get the lift running with a power supply. Maybe from the eweb? The motivator works..it just doesn't have power."
-
Trax slowly continued forward, keeping his eyes and ears open for surprises. He doubted there was much to see but the last thing he wanted was any surprises. Besides, the layout could possibly be useful for the troopers that would remain behind to load the e-web back onto the shuttle if using the roof wasn't an option for some reason.
He didn't see any bodies so either the KDF had managed to escape using the droids to delay their attackers or the Empire had cleaned them up after.
"Let's finish this up so we can do what we came here to do." he said not so subtly changing the subject.
-
Niil came back down the stairs and said to no one in particular, "The stairs are out of the question, so it looks like we'll have to hook up power to the lif . . ." It was then that he caught sight of the hovering droid in front of Mariah. Small and spherical. Wasn't that the hallmark of a surveillance droid?
Biting back a curse, he drew his heavy blaster pistol and walked over to it. "Shut the droid off for now; we can come back for it later and see what info it might have in its banks. That lift . . . how much power will it drain from the E-Web battery?"
-
Mariah can tell the droid's repulsor is out of alignment. He keeps trying to right itself, but the repulsors don't respond. The optics suggests this was some sort of scout droid, or possibly an observer or holo-recorder droid of some sort. It appears to have some sort of sensor array on a horizontal band that rotates around the middle of the sphere, but the mechanism that rotates it appears broken. There is a mount for some type of antenna, but the antenna appears to be broken off. In dangles pathetically down one side, barely hanging on by a small wire. There are a couple of actuated panels that likely hide other equipment, but they are closed at the moment.
Mariah scans the device, and finds several areas of incoherent power flow indicating internal damage. There are no emissions from the device, beyond the faltering repulsors and the one flickering optic sensors mounted on top. The EM signature was nothing out of the ordinary for such a device.
It emits another mournful tone as it tries to look around. Given the flickering, Mariah figures it's only getting 25% the expected data from the damaged optical sensor.
You get to the end of the hall and find a storage area 30m on a side and 20m tall. The first thing that you become aware of is the sickly sweet stench of rotting meat. Crates, containers and boxes are scattered all over the large room, many of them showing battle damage. Metal parts have spilled out of several smashed containers, littering the floor with loose odds and ends. As you step into the room, the stench of rotting meat is very strong.
There is a cargo lift in the back of the room, and a console that appears to have power.
[OOC: The E-web actually comes with a generator, with essentially unlimited power generation. Mariah could rig it to run the lift for days.]
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"We've got what appears to be a powered lift back here." Trax said over the comm. "And a wonderful smell." he added, moving into the room wondering if the scent had attracted any wildlife.
[OOC: Does the lift appear to go to the roof or a second level?]
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A wonderful smell? Knowing Trax's penchance for sarcasm, Niil's sense of smell was already resigning itself to its fate. The powered lift, now . . .
Keying his comm, Nill replied, "Copy that. Have it checked out for booby-traps first, then we'll see where it goes." Then, to Mariah, he said, "Mariah, shut the droid down for now; we can get it up and running it later in a controlled environment. Trax might need help with that lift."
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[ooc: sorry for my absence...I've been busy at work...and I needed to consolidate the CSs Craig sent me]
Collan looked around the room. He really was gettign his feet back under himself again.
"I'll check for any supplies to see what's still good. There might be something interesting in there that we could use. Flares...powerpacks...first aid."
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Mariah glanced at the droid with a bit of a longing expression one more time and then reached over to turn it off.
"Yeah...I guess we better go save Trax's butt, shouldn't we...."
<Actions: shut down droid and follow Niil to the icky smell.>
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Jex returns to the building entry, and does another scan outside the building.
[Jex will take up the perimeter while everyone goes vertical, unless they call for his help. Just want to make sure no one sneaks up on us ...]
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Niil gave Mariah a half-grin, but refrained from his own wise-crack. "You got it. If that droid isn't too heavy, stuff it in your rucksack and we can check it out when we get back home. Otherwise, we'll just secure it in the shuttle when we're ready to make out run."
As they headed towards Trax, Niil said, "Collan, I don't think you'll find much, but go ahead. If you find anything of interest, though, don't touch it but flag it for us to look at. The KDF or the Imps could have left some wee surprises behind."
-
Jex returns to the doorway to keep an eye on your unguarded shuttle. Sensors report all clear, or at least no unidentified readings.
Mariah reached for the droid. It settles into her hands with a worried, but please series of beeps. There is a quick cry of alarm when Mariah reaches for the power button, and a pathetic wail that fades away as the vocabulator looses power. The bulky armour is certainly making things uncomfortable for her - it doesn't help that it's a few sizes too big - but she manages to get the droid in her bag for later study.
Moving down the corridor, she moves past the battle zone and into the store room Trax had mentioned. The first thing that strikes her is the stench of rotting flesh. It permeates the room. Fighting the gag reflex, she maxes her way towards the lift, but spots a gooey slick that appears to have seeped out from under a jumbled pile of crates. Blast marks and blaster burns decorate the walls and many of the creates are broken open, revealing small electronic parts, nuts and bolts and various other small items.
Making her way to Trax and Lt. Querro, Mariah finds it is indeed powered. The controls are locked, but it looks like it only takes you to the upper floor, not all the way to the roof. The lock doesn't look complicated, so she should be able to slice it without much difficulty.
The three troopers look up as Nill returns from his exploration of the blasted staircase.
Collan begins to scout around the factory floor looking for any useful supplies. There are several droids (or parts of them) scattered about. Some of them have built-in weaponry. Not useful currently, but Collan could probably salvage parts from the weapons for use by the KDF. It will take a little work to get the parts out, but it's nothing terribly complicated.
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Niil keyed his comm, and said, "Mariah, Trax - that lift you were checking out - will the upper floor still give you a clear field of fire? If not, we'll have to try the other lift or the control room. Trax, I couldn't reach that control room via the stairs, but you might be able to get there with a short hop from your jetpack."
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"Best guess is it only goes to the second floor," Trax answered Niil through the comm. "But there might be a roof hatch from there. We'll head up in a sec and let you know."
Trax moved over to Mariah by the lift. "Can you get us up there?"
-
The teenage girl fought the urge to gag as the stench of rotting flesh acosted her.
She did her best to cover it up so the others wouldn't see, though. Afterall, THEY weren't reacting to it by gagging or throwing up....
"Can you get us up there"
Mariah studied the controls for a minute. The controls were locked, but it didn't look complicated.
"Shouldn't be a problem boss man....just give me a minute..."
-
Mariah makes short work of the control panel, and it unlocks. But while she is working, she notices something else - a second panel concealed within the first panel. This one shows that the lift does go to the roof, but also down.
-
"So, uh....the lift actually goes all the way to the roof but also kinda down, as well..." she said, still tapping away at the controls to see if she could pull up any type of information on *what* exactly it went to in the downward direction....
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Niil's eyebrows rose. "Say what? Hold on, I'm coming over."
A few moments later, Niil was looking at the panel that Mariah uncovered, and whistled softly. A concealed panel that led to an underground area that apparently no one knew about. Maybe that's why all the rotting crud was placed in here; to make people think twice about lingering in this area too long to discover the hidden controls?
What the hell did this lead to?
Lightly clapping Mariah on the shoulder, he muttered, "Good work. Let's get the controls working so we can get the E-Web to the roof first. If we have time, try to get a schematic of the area below."
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Collan came back from his scrounging, "There's some bits and pieces that we can scrounge for spare parts for weapons and such, but that's it. Every little bit will help."
"I was thinking...if the codes the Megyek Ebol cell have been broken...there has to be a record of it somewhere...even if it's encrypted. And I just have to think that the Imperials are monitoring their own people and have ways to tell what they're doing. If one of their agents is encrypting stuff and not forwarding it on...I just have to wonder if that wouldn't make his or her superiors suspicious. So even if this contact is on the level...we might be looking at one big trap to get us all."
-
"Good work. Let's get the controls working so we can get the E-Web to the roof first. If we have time, try to get a schematic of the area below."
"On it, Chief. The controls are already working...."
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Niil gave Collan a shrug. "Yeah, it's possible, but the muckety-mucks still think it's worth a shot. We'll just have to watch our collective arses and be ready to bolt if it is. As for the salvage, that's going to have to wait. Trax is about to get that E-Web on to the roof, and once he's set up, we're on the move. We might be able to come back here at some other time, but probably not tonight."
Looking over at Trax and the two troopers, he waved them on. "Showtime. Give us a squawk when you're set up, Trax."
-
The three troopers arrive, lugging the e-web equipment with them. One of them gags a little. "Smells like someone died in here."
In short order, the e-web and the three troopers are on the lift and ready to go.
[Actions?]
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"You know, that smell is probably coming from the lower level. So it's possible someone is, or was hold up down there. Might be worth the minute or two to check out."
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Querro shakes his head. "Too strong to be that far away unless it's a lot of bodies. It's probably whatever is oozing from under those crates over there."
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"What oozes and smells that bad?" Trax wondered out loud. "Alright, let's head up and get this show on the road."
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Trax and the three troopers head up in the lift, passing out of sight as the lift passes through the door.
[OOC: Spitting threads here.]
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Niil wanted to punch a wall several dozen times, but he kept his composure. How many malfing monkey wrenches had to be tossed into an already chaotic mission? As he watched Trax and the troopers head up the lift, he fought to get the priorities in order. This was no simple warehouse. And the way that droid acted, like it was upset that it couldn't be understood. And he now doubted that it was an Imperial droid; more than likely it would have self-destructed.
"Mariah, sorry for jumping around like this, but I think you were right about that droid. How long do you think it would take to get that droid's voice up and running? Or maybe you could hook up a cable from it to your datapad and get it to communicate through text? Get me an answer on that one in a few moments. Collan, check those crates to see what's causing that bloody smell. Get some gloves from one of the medkits so you don't have to touch that bloody ooze. Jex and I will keep perimeter watch; contact me if you find anything."
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She made a face at Niil's question. Not because she didn't want to do it, but because she knew he wouldnt like her answer....
"I can do it, but it has the potential for taking a reallly long time, on the range of 20 minutes. It's gonna take some work....."
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Collan looked surprised..."I'll check out the crates..." the paused, "Wait...there's a downstairs. I think we should see what's down there. If we're going to use this as an attack position...we really should understand what is here first."
Collan then grabbed some gloves from his medkit and went over to investigate the crates. He took a diagnostic kit with him just in case there was something interesting there.
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Collan shifts a crate aside, which causes a small avalanche. As a result, he can see into the pile a little better. Most of it is obscured, but Collan can clearly see the body armour of a KDF trooper. By the colours, one of the royal guard.
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"Niil...Lieutenant...you better come here. I think this place might be pretty important."
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Nill checked a sigh, then gave Mariah a brief nod. "Twenty minutes that we don't have right now. Damn. Well, it was worth a shot; we'll have to check it out later. Keep looking to see if you can find a schematic for downstairs in the meantime. I'll be back; Collan's found something."
Walking over to what he suspected he'd be finding, Niil steeled his stomach as he stared at the corpse of a KDF trooper. A royal guard trooper . . .
Wait a damned minute . . .
Niil was about to call for Lieutenant Querro, but thought better of it. Time enough when he came back down. "Check him for ID or passcards for now, Collan; I'll inform the lieutenant of what you found when he gets back down here. This is one bit of info that I'd rather not chance over the comm. But yeah, a royal guard trooper near a lift that has a hidden set of controls? Interesting."
-
Rooting through the pockets of a decaying corpse is not exactly in Collan's comfort zone, but if we was going to be a medic, he's probably have to get used to such things.
Clearing away the debris to get more access, Collan can see the rank insignia of a Captain. Opening the blaster-pocked armour, Collan manages to find a set of dog tags. The body lying under the rubble used to be one H. Kaeter, was 34 years old, and was born on Karvis. There is also a service number. Going through the rest reveals no other details about the trooper.
There is one more detail - the body under the rubble was clearly female. With the helmet in place, Collan is spared a look at the corpse, but the armour is definitely shaped for a female torso.
[Actions?]
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Niil looked at the body with a pang of regret, and shook his head. "Another life the Empire will answer for. Thanks, Collan; I knew that wasn't a pleasant task. I'll take the ID and pass it on to the KDF when I'm able. You might as well see if Mariah needs a hand; if she's doing all right, just keep an eye on our perimeter for any movement until we're ready to go."
Walking over to Lieutenant Querro, Niil whispered, "I, umm, had Collan check out the source of the smell, and he found a body in KDF royal guard armor." Holding out the dead captain's ID tag to the lieutenant, he muttered, "Her ID tags." Niil waited, watching the lieutenant's expression - and waiting for a possible explanation as to why a royal guard captain was found next to an elevator with a secret access panel.
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Querro looks confused. "Why would the royal guard be here? There was a contingent with the princess and prince in the family summer home when the Empire struck, but that's some ways from here and outside of town. Maybe they took refuge here during the attack?"
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Niil shrugged. "It's possible; Mariah found a hidden control panel that takes that lift down below ground. Maybe this is a bolt-hole connected to the summer home. I've got the feeling that there's a lot of tunnels below."
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Queero nods. "Interesting. And a mystery, perhaps. Not sure how it impacts our mission today, but HQ will likely want to know."
-
Querro has just finished speaking when Trax's voice is heard over the com.
"We've got a probe droid up here. I don't think it's seen us yet so get your asses to the shuttle so we can do this before we are spotted."
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Niil's eyebrows fairly flew into his hairline, and he barked, "Mariah, get that hidden control panel sealed up ASAP! Everyone else, let's get ready to double-time it to the shuttle!" Keying his comm, Niil whispered, "Trax . . . just the one droid, or can you see others around?"
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Mariah closes up the control panel as everyone else heads for the shuttle.
Trax is on Niil's comlink as he runs through the factory floor to the main doors.
"Two others, inert, on other roof tops. Ours is on the opposite side of a debris pile and I don't think it will take long to spot us and report."
-
Collan hefted his pistol. It was his preferred weapon. This was going to be hairy.
"Can we jam it?"
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Niil gritted his teeth and muttered, "Shit. Copy that, Trax. I hope to hell those droids have a short transmitting range, or taking that comm tower down might be a moot point. Add those droids as your secondary targets if you can. Spaar out." To Collan, he added, "I'll have to see if the shuttle has a jammer on board. If not, we're in for one hell of a slugfest."
Hefting his blaster rifle, Nill growled, "Mariah and I are coming out now, so cover us. The second we get the green light from Trax, we're going in hot."
-
You guys pile in to the shuttle and secure for a rough ride. The shuttle lifts off on repulsors, waiting for the go signal.
-
Then, there is the sound of an explosion, and little bits of metal rain down on you from up on the building. Looking up, Niil and see a large plume of smoke rising into the sky.
-
Collan dryly noted, "I think that's the 'go' signal."
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Niil shook his head. "Not until Trax has taken care of the two gun emplacements facing our approach vector. We charge into those while they're still active, and we're bantha steaks. Still, if we get delayed any more . . ."
Keying his comm to the troopers on the roof, he said, "Spaar here. Trax is busy, I know. I need a SITREP here."
OOC: Just to clearify, we were supposed to wait for Trax to take care of the comm tower and at least two of the gun emplacements first before the shuttle makes its run, right?
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As Niil is speaking, he hears the distinctive "zipzipzip" of the E-Web spraying plasma. In the comlink, Niil hears, "We've engaged the target, sir. The uplink is destroyed. We have three probe droids in-bound, but they'll be a few seconds before they're a threat."
-
"Acknowledged. Three droids inbound. Spaar out."
Three probe droids could give Trax and the three troopers a hard time, especially when Trax had to focus on bringing down at least two of the gun emplacements. So . . .
"Trax, Spaar here. Need an aerial assist against the droids, or would we be getting in your field of fire?"
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There is another blast of automatic blaster fire from the E-web. While that is going on, you hear in the comlink, "Leave 'em. Rand, if I can't bring two down think you can get them to turn their backs to me?"
Corporal Rand gets on the horn. "I don't know, Trax. This shuttles armoured with hope and rainbows. I can't absorb much in the way of firepower."
-
Over the sound of blaster rifles going off, you hear one of the troopers on the roof report, "Droids in range."
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"And we'd stand even less of a chance against those guns if we managed to land and clear the shuttle. Corporal, do you think you could drop us right on top of one of those guns? Say, jink and weave like an SOB, but come in at the right height so the others won't fire in case they hit each other? You can flare up at the last moment, drop us, and head back for Trax and the others. If we can capture one of those guns, we can turn it against the others. You're the pilot; give me your opinion of the odds."
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Corporal Rand shakes his head as he maintains his hover. He holler's over his shoulder, "Sir, I can jink and dodge sure, but one hit and the party's over. I was supposed to stay out of the line of fire until Trax took out those guns. I can't guarantee I can get us there safely if those guns are still up. I'm you're evacuation plan, Sir, but it's your call."
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"If Trax can take out 2 guns on adjacent corners, can we approach below the sight lines of the other guns? That would give us time to approach while Trax engages the other 2 emplacements."
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Rand nods. "Yeah, that was the plan. I pop up, drop you off and beat it the hell out of there."
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"Let's stick with that then. No need to confuse the situation anymore than it already is."
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Niil gave Cpl. Rand a light punch on the shoulder. "No, we stick with the original program like Jex says. You're a hot hand at the shuttle controls, and if you say we'd probably get skragged, then to me that's the gospel on the matter."
-
A few moments later, Trax's voice came back on the comm. "All hostiles down but we may need an emergency evac."
What the hell? "Copy that. Stand by for dustoff."
Clapping his hand on Cpl. Rand's shoulder, he barked, "Bring her up to rooftop level now! Trax, what happened?"
-
When Trax is speaking, you can hear a loud, rather urgent "Bee-woo Bee-woo" in the background.
-
At your thump, Rand ramps up power to the repulsors and the shuttle starts to rise. In moments, you clear the roof of the building. He applies a little power to the thrusters, and you slip towards the roof.
You see two troops separate the gun from the power generator and heard towards where the shuttle has appeared. Trax and another trooper are working frantically on the power generator. Then they stop, look at each other, and get to their feet in a hurry.
[Actions?]
Trax used 2 CP on the repair roll, but couldn't *quite* stabilize the temperature. It's going to blow in several seconds.
-
As the shuttle came level with the roof, Niil hastily cleared everyone away from the open doors and bellowed to Trax and the troopers, "Movemovemove! Corporal, get ready to leave a hole in the sky!"
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"Let's go!" Trax yelled at the trooper as he began to make for the shuttle.
[OOC: He'll make sure everyone is in before him]
-
The two troopers with the gun arrive first, throw it on and jump on board. The last trooper comes next, followed closely by Trax. He dives onto the shuttle. Niil says, "Go!" and Corporal Rand jams the throttles to the stops. The shuttle punches forward like an enraged Gundark. As a result, Trax and his team roll around like marbles towards the back of the shuttle, finally coming to rest in a heap on the rear bulkhead.
Through the still open door, you see a bright flash, and a loud "crump". Moments later, the shock wave hits and gives the shuttle a but of a tossing around, but it's not too bad.
A moment later, Rand flares the repulsors and hits the retros, and the shuttle swoops in for a rough landing on the roof of the Imperial facility.
[Actions?]
-
Being the last one in Trax stepped out first, looking to see if a lift into the compound survived his onslaught.
-
There is a lift there, but the red symbols on the control panel and the warning klaxon suggest the lift might be locked down.
-
Niil was the last off the shuttle, and shouted over the sound of the engines, "Corporal Rand, take the shuttle and lay low until you get our dustoff call. No sense in making yourself a target on this rooftop while waiting for us." Turning to Mariah, he pointed at the lift controls. "Mariah, get to work on the lift; if we can't crack it soon, we'll have to use demo charges."
To Trax and the other troopers, he said, "Trax, take the Alphas and go check that gun emplacement that didn't explode. There still might be a hostile on the roof with us, and that gun emplacement might lead to another way in. The rest of you stay here and provide cover fire if needed.
-
Trax retrieved his rifle from the trooper that grabbed it for him. He was doubtful anyone survived the onslaught but he also wasn't paying that much attention, there was too much else going on. Though if someone did, they likely would have used the lift which means there was more than likely a welcoming party waiting down below.
"Let's walk boys." he said as he started towards the 'surviving' emplacement.
-
Jex jumps out of the shuttle and starts to check out the lift doors.
-
Once the last of you have unloaded, the shuttle lifts off in a cloud of dust. In moments it has vanished into the industrial sector.
Trax gets the the one unexploded gun, and finds it almost completely destroyed. The power converter is still intact, but that's about it. The rest of the gun has been mostly shredded by the E-web.
Mariah gets to the lift doors and gets to work on the mechanism. Immediately, she finds that the control panel here has been locked out of the main system - there's no ways for her to control the lift from up here. However, she can shunt power to the door actuators and force them open. You'll have to rappel down to reach the lower levels, but with the lock down in place you shouldn't have to worry about the lift moving.
There is one Imperial Army trooper who is still breathing. Collan has seen worse wounds, but not on anyone still living. He won't last long without medical assistance.
jex and Niil are impressed with the level of devastation cause up here. It's like a giant scythe had swept the top of the facility. It looks like a fight of several hours had destroyed the place, rather than a few seconds of automatic blaster fire.
A few seconds later, there are sparks from the lift control panel, and the pock-marked doors shudder open.
[Actions?]
The shaft is accessible, but there is no lift. No threats on the roof of the building, and no sign of any hostiles in the lift shaft.
-
"Who's heading down the rabbit hole first?" Trax asked as he drew one of his pistols and made his way over to the surviving imperial. His intentions were obvious, he was going to finish him off.
-
"Trax, don't waste your time with that. Collan, can you make that guy comfortable? Let's not stray from the plan, so don't forget what happens when we leave."
-
"I will lead going down. "
[OOC - how far down are we talking? Jex does have his belt grapple line and 100 yards of line]
-
Niil saw Trax's intentions, and said, "Trax, stand down. Collan, there's no time to stabilize that trooper, so give him a standard shot of pain-killer and let's get going."
-
Something inside Collan felt sick at the thought of leaving this trooper without care. The thought of killing the trooper was absolutely abhorrent and Collan would have fought Trax to stop it...but even leaving him unstabilized. Still...it would take too long and risk the lives of his comrades. And...the Imperial trooper was a soldier who presumably understood the risk of taking a combat position.
Collan didn't trust himself to speak given his own internal conflict so he just nodded to Niil. He understood and bent down over the trooper and gave him a shot of pain killer. It wouldn't heal him...or make him worse, but it would make the transition easy and painless.
As he gave the shot, Collan said almost unconsciously and without really understanding why, "May the Force be with you."
He stood and nodded and made ready to rappel down as well.
-
As Collan started making his way down the rope, Niil motioned to Mariah. "Take the next spot, Mariah. I'll have Trax go next to keep you and Collan covered. I'll go last."
-
A waste of effort, Trax thought as he holstered his pistol and swung the rifle over his shoulder. Moving to the lift opening he peered down. This was not going to be fun. And if there was a welcoming committed down below, they'd be boxed in nicely once Mariah was able to get the doors open.
"Once the three of us are down, maybe hang up a sec until Mariah get's the doors open. If there's a party waiting for us, the more room we have to move in the shaft the better."
-
"No problem. The only saving grace from this frakking bottleneck is that at least we can drop some grenades down there if they start taking potshots at us. I wouldn't put it past them to put a remote-control charge on the lift and send it up to meet us."
OOC: Once Trax is in, I'll give him about 15 feet of space between us. BTW, did that dying trooper have a blaster rifle on him? And does everyone on our team have some form of blaster weapon?
-
[OOC: You guys have plenty of weapons.]
With your own rope secured, Jexian takes the lead. As you travel down the rope, you can hear the sound of klaxons echoing through the facility.
You get about twenty feet when you encounter your first obstacle. There appear to be horizontal blast doors that have sealed off the lift shaft. Without coming off the sytherope, Jexiam moves aside to let Mariah have a look at it. Pulling out her toolkit she gets to work.
"They're probably going to have these all the way down," she says.
It takes about twenty seconds before Mariah tracks down the servo housing. Fortunately, it's next to a live power line. A few sparks later, and she has applied raw power to the actuators and the door slides open about halfway before the motors burn out. It's enough space to get through, but it will prevent the use of the lift.
Through the opening, you spot another set of blast doors. If your intel is correct, these should be the last once before the lower levels of the facility become open to you.
[Actions?]
Keep on keeping on, or you want to make some changes?
-
Niil keyed his comm. "Hold on a sec. They've probably got a few dozen blaster rifles aimed and ready for that last set of doors to open, and those doors might be rigged. Can you see any doors leading to the level above that last set?"
OOC: Ie. vertical doors.
-
[OOC: Sure, there's doors in the lift shaft every 10'.]
-
"Yeah we can. But if they're monitoring our progress and we stop now they'll have a better idea of what door were coming through. I say open the next one and then pick which floor we want to enter. If the next door only opens partially like this one we'll have position on them for firing and dropping grenades."
-
"The longer we give them time to setup, the harder it will be to punch through them. Open the blast door and lets take it one level at a time, but do it fast."
-
Niil gave a curt nod. "True enough. Mariah, see if you can pop open that last blast door. Everyone else, scrape some cover if you can and get ready for covering fire."
-
Collan attempted to get in position and pulled his blaster rifle around. It didn't matter so much that he wasn't good with it....what mattered was making the Imps duck down. He readied and steadied himself to fire as needed.
-
Jex, Mariah and Collan drop down to the next blast door, and Mariah gets to work. She finds the actuator panel easy enough, but this time there is no handy power feed to drive them. Feeling the pressure, she pulls four spare power packs from her armour belt and begins to wire them together. It takes about thirty seconds, and there is a fair bit of cursing from her as she gets a little singed. But you are rewarded with an audible click when the interlocks disengage, and the door slides open slightly. Mariah yells "Down!" a moment before her rigged power supply detonates, scattering (mostly) harmless shrapnel around the area. Aside from some singed fingers on Mariah an minor cuts and burns on Jex and Collan, everyone is fine. It takes Jex a little effort to force the doors open, but with feet and hands me manages to force the doors far enough apart to fit through. Still no sign of hostiles.
Below you, you see one more exit door in the side of the shaft, and below that the lift. It looks like there is an unexpected lower level to the facility. Not a total surprise, given that there was apparently an Intel base here, and it changes the plan little. The reactor will be in the bottom of the facility, and that's your goal.
[Actions?]
The lift is blocking access to the bottom level, but it should be fairly easy to blast through.
-
[OOC: I believe it's Trax that's down there with Mariah and Jex. Unless something changed along the way.]
"Might be a good idea to go in here but blast the lift once we're in so we can use the lower level for an exit." Trax commented over the comm. "We might have to do a floor by floor search for our target anyway."
-
"True enough. Jex, think you can carve some access holes in that lift so we can bypass it, or should Mariah just use some shaped charges?"
-
"Maybe the lift has a service access hatch. I may be able to cut holes, but it would be much faster to blast it"
[OOC- is it feasible to use a vibroblade in this fashion, or would it eventually damage the weapon?]
-
[OOC: It will eventually damage the weapon. It's not made to cut open steel. Still, you could slice off hinges from an access hatch without much issue.]
-
Niil nodded. "Whatever's quicker for you; blaster, or lop off the access panel hinges. Both are gonna make noise anyway."
-
"If we're gonna be making noise, shouldn't we make sure we're not going to get pinned in here first?"
[OOC: I'm talking about getting through the lift doors before whoever is on the other side decides to blow them, or set up charges for when we go through.]
-
[OOC - Craig is there an service access panel on the lift?]
-
[OOC: Yes, there's a hatch on top of the lift.]
-
Jex approaches the hatch and checks for the most economical way of opening it.
[OOC - If there are hinges/latches visible that is the first option. If not, a cut along the edge most likely to contain the locking mechanism. ]
-
Niil glanced at Trax, then at Jex, then back at the exit door. "I'd rather be able to get inside that lift so we can have some sort of cover if some Imps do open - or blow up - that exit door there. The lift's top access hatch probably won't even need to be cut or blasted open, but watch in case they've trip-wired it, Jex."
-
Jex finds the hatch secured, but a couple of quick slices on the vibroblade and the hatch slides open. The lift below you is empty and the doors are closed.
[Actions?]
I presume only Jex, Mariah and Collan are on the lift itself, everyone else is at the blast door above, or the one above that.
Niil, you left Querro on the roof with a trooper to cover your escape yes?
-
OOC: Yes, Querro and one of the troopers is on the rooftop. And I should've mentioned before, they're supposed to give a SITREP to us every 5 minutes even if squat is going on.
Niil checked a sigh of relief; at least the lift didn't have a surprise inside. "All right, at least we can use the lift for some cover if the drek hits the fan. Mariah, try to pop that exit door open just above us. Everyone else, get ready for covering fire."
Just as the words were out of Niil's mouth, he stopped to think from the defector's perspective. The only way to spirit the defector out was to leave no evidence that he - or she - was missing, which meant blowing the reactor. And the defector would know this.
"Mariah, belay that last order. Let's go straight for the reactor level."
-
Jexian drops down into the lift car, followed closely by Mariah and Trax. Niil, Collan and an two troopers stay on top of the lift to give Mariah room to work, and reduce the odds of one grenade taking out the entire team.
Mariah opens the panel. Locked out, but she doesn't need the console, since there's active power here. A few sparking wires and some cursing later, and the lift doors slide open.
Jexian risks a quick glance and pulls back as blaster fire rips into the lift car.
Over the noise, Jexian calls out, "Four defence cannons, two on the floor, two on the ceiling, 10m down the corridor." With no target in sight, the cannons stop their firing a moment later. The lift is filled with light smoke, and the back of the lift looks like Ortolan cheese.
[Actions?]
-
[OOC -
from my quick glance, is the corridor relatively straight from the lift doors? Any obstructions? I am thinking of bouncing a grenade off a wall to land about where the cannons are. Feasible?
Also, how many rounds, including dodges to cover the ground between the doors ant the cannons?
]
-
[OOC: Rough guess, the corridor goes about 20m to a T-junction.
-
Niil flattened himself against the roof of the lift and snarled, "Frak me sideways!" Shuffling on his belly, he reached the access hatch and took a quick peek inside the lift. The rear of the car looked like modern art, but at least everyone inside was still alive. Alive, but pinned in place. Damn!
"Jex, Trax, can you grenade or satchel charge those guns from there? Mariah, use the panel there and try to bypass the lockout; maybe we can shut those damned guns off."
-
Mariah shakes her head.
"Sorry, no can do. The panel has no network access. I might be able to rig an EMP blast with a blaster pack, but I'd be winging it."
-
Hearing their options, or lack there of, Trax looked at Jex and gave him a nod.
"Toss one or two grenades and I'll follow up with a few shots. If we can't take them out, then we should at least be able to damage them pretty good."
[OOC: Angle my exposure so a max of two cannons will have line of sight on me and take a pair of shots, one at each cannon visible, the moment after Jex tosses his grenade(s).]
-
Jex places his vibrosword against the wall of the lift, then quickly takes two grenades, activates them, and throws them down the hall, bouncing them off the hallway wall, so as not to attract cannon fire. He then grabs the vibrosword and braces for the blast shock.
-
Niil watched as Jex and Trax burst into action, and said, "Mariah, stay behind cover until Jex or Trax say it's safe! Collan, troopers (?names?), get ready to drop into the lift once you hear my signal. If anyone above opens any doors, hose them down."
OOC: There. Fixed.
-
Collan switched out his rifle for a pistol. If he needed to actually hit a target that was his weapon of choice. Also, it seemed likely to be more effective for close quarters combat. He made ready to drop at Niil's signal.
-
Jexian tosses the two grenades. They 'plink-plink' off the wall roughly towards the defence turrets. At the same time, Trax leans out and takes several shots. Trax has to jump back quickly, however, as a hail of blaster shots continue to chew away at the edges of the lift door and the back of the lift itself.
A moment later, two powerful concussions set your ears ringing. The blaster fire trials off a second or so late. The corridor beyond the lift is filled with smoke and flames, so you wait for a few seconds for it to clear a little, and Jex takes a quick peek. He pulls back and more blaster fire shreds the last of the back wall on the lift. The roof of the lift shifts a couple of inches as the back wall of the lift car caves in, but you're stable enough for now.
Jex looks up at Niil. "I think I got one, and another one is damaged."
Based on Jex and Trax's experience, they weren't hard pressed to avoid the fire from the autocannons. Their targeting computers don't seem very advanced, so they should be able to "stand and deliver" without too much difficulty. Jex in particular is pretty confident he could run right up to the cannons, place a grenade at their base, and run back to cover safely.
[Actions?]
Your best guess is the autocannons are at 3-4D on their attack rolls. They're certainly not much challenge for Jex and Trax.
-
Niil gave Jex a quick thumbs-up. "We'll have to take the rest out the next time; I don't think this elevator's structural integrity will hold against another barrage. Collan, troopers (? and ?), secure yourself to the lift cable or the sides of the shaft in case the ceiling collapses. Jex, let me know how you want to do this. I'll provide backup."
-
"I'll draw their fire and see what I can do about making it easier for you to close." Trax said to Jex as he gripped his pistol tightly and stepped out into the corridor.
[OOC: Stepping out then taking 2 shots. If my interpretation of the rules is right the dodge should be at full value with the two shots being down 2D for the MAPs.]
-
Niil watched as Trax entered the corridor, and drew his heavy blaster pistol. Once Jex made his move, Niil would drop down into the elevator and back them up. Damn corridors with gun emplacements, anyway. He still remembered a previous raid where he must have been hit a half-dozen times by ceiling-mounted stun cannons. He probably could've lit a bank of arc-lights for a week after that . . .
OOC: When I'm in the elevator, I'll move to follow Jex and Trax. Rule of thumb is one shot at one gun (if they leave any left) per combat phase, and save the rest of my actions for Dodge(s).
-
Jex steels himself and steps quickly into the corridor, immediately dodging to left and right, closing rapidly with the cannons. As he approaches the vibroblade is ready and beginning to swing.
[OOC - Move, Dodge (if necessary ;)), 3 attacks, one on each cannon]
-
Trax steps into the doorway and is about to fire when Jex whips past him in a blur of movement, heading for the cannon on the left. Redirecting, Trax fires at one of the ceiling cannons, but before the bolt even hits, Jex has stabbed his vibroblade through the power converter on his target, which explodes in a cloud of smoke. Trax scores a hit on his cannon, but doesn't pierce the armour.
Jex doesn't even slow down, but continues to move with incredible speed. Before the first cannon has even started exploding, Jex takes one then two steps up onto the chassis and launches himself into the air. His vibroblade stabs into the right ceiling cannon, piercing the main chassis and targeting computer. The cannon starts to twitch violently as blue lightning dances over the surface of the cannon.
Trax takes his second shot at the cannon, but again does not pierce the armour.
Still in midair, Jex pushes off the wall with one foot, takes a large stride on the floor with the other foot, and extends into a leap at the last cannon, his vibroblade held in both hands. He sails through the air, putting all his weight behind a powerful slash that all but cleaves the remaining cannon in two. Jex follows through as he falls, spinning the blade to a safe position behind his back as he hands in a crouch, with one hand on the floor to help stabilize him.
The corridor is filled with smoke and flames, and one cannon continues to twitch as lightning dances all over it. Beyond that, all is quiet.
Jex has done all this in the time it took Trax to fire two shots.
-
Trax was disappointed despite his pistols having been modified to do more damage they were unable to do any damage but that was, at least for the moment, not the thought that was at the forefront of his mind. Jex had moved with incredible speed and agility. The hunter was impressed.
"Show off." he said to the spec, but with more admiration in his voice than there was ribbing. He poked his head back into the lift.
"All clear."
-
Jex slowly stands and shakes his head, a confused look on his face.
-
Niil watched Jex's dance with the gun emplacements; by the time the man was done, Niil was still holding his pistol down range in a vain attempt to find a viable target. Lowering his sidearm, he let out a laugh and muttered, "Sorry, Trax."
Looking up at the lift ceiling, he motioned to the two troopers and Collan. "Let's move."
Then Niil registered the look on Jex's face. "Jex? What is it?"
OOC: Does our spec forces "kit" include one of those extendable rods with a mirror on the end? Y'now, the ones that let you peek around corners without getting your head carbonized?
-
Jex gives his head a brief shake.
"I'm not sure? Time seemed to slow down"
Turning towards the intersection.
"We better get on with it"
[OOC - peek down the left passage]
-
Trax drew his second pistol and started to make his way down the hall to meet up with Jex.
"Okay then. If you're ready let's see what's at the end of the hall."
-
Niil was about to reply to Jex's odd comment, then shook his head. Okay . . .
Watching Jex move forward and angling himself to look down the left passage, he motioned Trax to check the right side.
OOC: Check our six o'clock once in awhile to make sure the Imps aren't coming down the lift shaft to hit us from the back.
-
The corridor is empty. To the left the passage ends in a blast door, sealed. To the right, there is a series of windows that appear to look out over an interior space below you. You can't see anything from here, just lights hanging from the ceiling. The passage ends in a regular door.
[Actions?]
-
Niil motioned to Jex. "What do you think? Vehicle - slash - hangar bay to the right?"
-
Trax stepped into the corridor to take a peak through the windows.
[OOC: Time to see if there are any cannon's down this corridor? :)]
-
The windows look out over some sort of control room or command centre. You see people running around below, while others sit at computer consoles speaking into headsets. At the back of the room is a large blast door that has been sealed, with four guards posted there. Most of the people in the command centre are unarmed, but there are about half a dozen carrying side arms and four more with rifles by the exit.
[Actions?]
-
"We've got a control room or something down here." Trax said to the others.
[OOC: Trax is staying at the edge trying to keep out of sight if someone looks up.]
-
Niil whispered, "Might be this base's C-Three center. Can you see any Intel squids down there?"
-
There are about twenty people down there at the consoles on the floor, all wearing Imperial uniforms with basic small sidearms. Only the four guards carry heavier weaponry and are wearing blast armour.
This could very well be an intelligence centre of some sort, but you can't tell an intel tech from a standard army officer at this range.
[Actions?]
-
"Can't tell from here." Trax replied to Niil.
-
"Can we take out these windows?"
-
Niil gave the windows a dubious eye. "Transparisteel and shielding to boot. A few shaped charges might do the trick, but I'm thinking we'd have better luck hot-wiring the door into that room."
OOC: Just how much of a demo charge do we figure it would take to blow out one of these windows?
-
[OOC: More than you have, they're intended to be blast resistant. You're much more likely to get through the door than the windows.]
-
"Then let's get moving on this. Someone should at least check where that other door goes to."
-
Collad piped up, "I'll take a look at the other door."
-
"Mariah, think you can open that door?" the spec said motioning to the smaller door at the end of the hall.
[OOC: I'm thinking the smaller door down the right would be a better first choice. I think that one is on the same side as the blast door Trax sees down below.]
-
Niil motioned to Jex. "Jex, give Collan backup for checking that door to the left; the last thing we need is to get caught in a cross-fire if there's troopers or turrets behind both doors. Mariah, be careful with that door on the right; they might have rigged it."
OOC: BTW, can we notice any cameras/audio pickups in this stretch of hallway?
-
The door to the left seems sealed. There is no panel on this side to even access the door. The door to the right does have a panel. It is also locked down, but Mariah can likely get it open with a little work.
Out on the floor of the control centre, you still appear to be unnoticed. There is some activity however. Four more guards are now standing next to the doorway on the far end of the room, and appear now to be trying to get inside. They have the panel apart, and are working on slicing the controls. They don't appear to be having any success.
-
Jex applies his vibro-blade door opening device to the door on the left.
[OOC - Just testing to see if the door can be easily carved open, not going to spend a lot of time on it though]
-
Niil's eyes narrowed as he saw the troopers in the room below trying to break through a door. "Anyone like to bet that our objective's behind that door down there?" Niil muttered to no one in particular.
-
Jexian's vibroblade barely scars the surface. The door is obviously armoured - it will take some significant effort to get through that door.
-
"All right, looks like the left door's more trouble than it's worth. Mariah, try and pop the other door."
-
Mariah kneels down beside the door panel and pops it open. Sparks fly, and she says, "This may take a little." While she is speaking, however, the door opens. On the other side are six, rather surprised looking Imperial troopers with a security droid.
[Actions?]
-
Niil didn't bother barking out commands; he doubted the others needed any prompting. Suiting actions to words, he snapped up his heavy blaster pistol and took a shot at the security droid.
-
Well...some much for subtlety Collan thought himself. He then opened fire with his blaster pistol at the lead security guard.
-
[OOC - assuming Jex is too far for melee ...]
Jex switches his vibro sword to his left hand and draws his blaster pistol.
-
As Trax took stock of the situation he saw two problems, the first, the security droid presented a serious threat. On the plus side, he couldn't see any visible shielding. The second, the troopers could close the door just as quickly as they opened it and ready themselves after Mariah got the door open again. Or worse, fry the door completely.
Trax leveled his pistol at the droid and fired off a shot as he moved forward trying to get through the door before they had a chance to close it.
[OOC: Use Brawling: Martial Arts specialization if I need to fight my way through.]
-
[OOC: Jex didn't actually post actions beyond drawing his pistol, so I assume he didn't intend to fire.]
Collan's shot hits the lead security trooper, but he shakes it off. Niil take a shot at the security droid, but the droid doesn't seem phased. Jex readies his blaster pistol, but with everything going on in front of the door, doesn't get a clear shot. Then the security droid deploys a pair of repeating blasters, and the corridor is filled with blaster bolts. There's little cover in the corridor, and with the hail of blaster shots there's little Mariah can do other than cower by the door.
Trax, however, doesn't seem concerned. He takes a shot at the droid, and scores a little damage - enough to through off the aim of the twin repeaters. Even as one of the troopers reaches for the door controls, Trax breaks into a sprint. He rolls to the side and dives through the door just as it slams shut.
In the now quiet, smoke-filled corridor, you can clearly hear a great deal of blaster fire from the other side of the door.
[Actions?]
PM sent to Trax
-
Mariah screams out Trax's name. A moment later, she turns to the door panel like she's on a mission.
-
Niil snarled, "Of all the malfing, rash . . ." Seeing that Mariah was furiously working on the door, Niil barked, "When that door opens again, everyone clear it and concentrate fire on that droid if it's still up and running, and watch for grenades. Cover Collan. Trax might need medical aid if he didn't get himself killed."
-
Collan switched out his blaster for the medkit. Niil's message was pretty clear even though he didn't state it directly.
"I'm on it," he replied to Niil, not wanting to say his name in the field. It struck Collan that that might be a bad idea.
-
The blaster fire on the other side of the door is almost continuous, which is actually a good sign. Another good sign is that the sound of the repeaters the droid carried has not been heard since Trax jumped through the door.
Then, in a shower of sparks from the panel, Mariah gets the door open.
You see Trax, a pistol in one hand, apparently involved in some sort of deadly dance with the droid. All around him, six troopers jump and dodge trying for a shot. Trax has several smoking holes in his armour, but otherwise is still on his feet. Just as the door opens, Trax plants two solid hits into the face of the security droid. The droid starts to spasm as lightning dances over it. It then falls to the ground...
...giving the troopers clear shots.
They open fire, and Trax is his four more times, though his armour seems to bear the brunt of the attacks, and he's still on his feet.
[Actions?]
Condition Summary:
Trax: stunned twice (-2D on all actions for this round)
Security Droid: Incapacitated
Trooper #1: Unhurt
Trooper #2: Unhurt
Trooper #3: Unhurt
Trooper #4: Unhurt
Trooper #5: Unhurt
Trooper #6: Unhurt
-
Jex looks for an opening to enter the lift.
[OOC - as soon as there is an opening, Jex will jump/move into melee range, and start with 2 attacks with the sword]
-
Trax was breathing pretty heavily when the droid fell and the door finally opened. He knew it had only been a few seconds but it had felt a lot longer. Deciding not to take another shot he instead focused on his defenses and moved to the side giving the others a clear shot.
[OOC: Does pulling out a smoke and lighting it count as one or two actions? :) So yeah, basically just dodging to the side to open things up for everyone else. That is assuming the door 'behind' Trax is the same door that Mariah just opened.]
-
Nill's blaster, already levelled in anticipation of the door opening, made a minute shift to fill it's sights with a trooper's midsection. "Drop them, but give Jex a clear path," he said in a flat voice as he pulled the trigger twice.
OOC: Two shots at Trooper # 1. If he goes down with the first blast, though, take the second shot on Trooper # 2 if I'm allowed.
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Collan was caught flatfooted without a weapon since he'd been prepared to administer first aid to Trax. Keeping the medkit under one arm, Collan drew his pistol but kept himself ready to dodge. He ten brought it up to fire, aiming at an Imp but not really expecting to connect.
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Trax ducks and moves to the side to the right, giving everyone a clear field of fire. Jex steps through the door to the left with vibrosword in hand and makes short work of the trooper there, hacking through blaster rifle, armour, bone and flesh.
Niil opens fire and wounds two more troopers. Collan follows up with a shot of his own, but the shot goes wide of the dodging trooper.
Return fire begins. A shot pings off the door frame over Mariah's head. She's statrtled but unhurt. One of the troopers with a bayonette fixed rushes at Jex. He manages to get a hit in with a rifle butt, but Jex shrugs it off. The remaining trooper fires at Niil, but Niil doesn't even flinch as the shot goes just a little wide.
[Actions?]
Trax: Unhurt
Jex: Stunned (-1D on actions this round)
Niil: Unhurt
Mariah: Unhurt
Collan: Unhurt
Security Droid: Incapacitated
Trooper #1: Wounded
Trooper #2: Wounded
Trooper #3: Eviscerated pile of seeping goo
Trooper #4: Unhurt
Trooper #5: Unhurt
Trooper #6: Unhurt
Niil split his shots because the first trooper actually went down, but he's getting back up.
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His vision finally clearing and the pain easing enough that he could ignore it, Trax raised his blaster and gave the troopers something new to worry about. Being careful not to hit Jex he pulled the trigger three times, sending a trio of blaster bolts into the melee.
[OOC: Three shots at three different troopers, focusing on the uninjured ones first if he can get clear shots on any/all of them.
Craig, are you keeping track of my ammo? By my count I'll have 9 rounds left in this pistol after this round of shots. Both pistols are modified and you ruled that the damage upgrades dropped me from 25 rounds per clip to 20.]
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OOC: Umm, I think it was Trax that got stunned . . . ;)
Seeing that Trax and Jex levelled their weapons and murderous glares at the troopers that were still healthy, Niil said, "Collan, aim for the wounded ones." Focusing on the troopers he'd already shot, he sent another pair of blaster bolts at them.
OOC: One shot at each wounded trooper.
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Jex turns his blade against the trooper with the bayonette and begins aggressively pressing the attack.
[OOC - 2 attacks this round. If the guy goes down move on to the next nearest trooper. So am I stunned or not?]
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[OOC: Full post later, but stunned means no actions for the rest of the round, and -1D on actions for the next round.]
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[ooc: totally forgot to post here]
Collan took a shot at the closest trooper.
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Blaster bolts continue to fly, but trooper armour provides some good protection. The two wounded troopers are down, but the remaining three are still standing and flinging back blaster fire.
It's then that you see, through the smoke, a droid turn the corner, behind the Imperials. It levels something that appears to be some sort of twelve-barrelled blaster auto-cannon towards you down the corridor. The cluster of barrels start spinning as the cannon warms up, preparing to fire.
The Imperials seem oblivious to the presence of the droid, and are right in the line of fire with you.
[Actions?]
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Niil turned pale when he saw the walking armory round the corner, and level the bundle of blaster barrels into firing position.
"Oh, shit on me," he whispered in an almost reverent horror, then yelled, "DROP! TAKE COVER!"
OOC: How far away are we from backing out of this corridor?
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[OOC: Even Jex, who is farthest in, can make it in a single move.]
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[OOC - 3 questions then. Is this a new round, and if so is Jex un-stunned? How far is the new droid?]
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Damn it, another one...bloody imps and their droids. At least the droid would have to shoot through the troopers. Doing his best to keep the troopers directly between the droid and himself he took a pair of shots at one of the troopers.
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[OOC - 3 questions then. Is this a new round, and if so is Jex un-stunned? How far is the new droid?]
[OOC: Jex is un-stunned. The new droid is 30m away. You'd have to mvoe all out to get there over difficult terrain and be unable to take actions when you get there.]
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[OOC - what about 20m and throw a grenade? Doable?]
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[OOC: Possible. Difficult but possible. But tactically, you'd be better taking cover on either side of the door and forcing the droid to close to get shots at you.]
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Collan paled...oh hell...
He immediately went for cover and readied a shot.
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OOC: Oops! I also meant for Niil to take one shot at the nearest trooper as he was scrambling for cover . . .
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[OOC: Possible. Difficult but possible. But tactically, you'd be better taking cover on either side of the door and forcing the droid to close to get shots at you.]
[ OOC - My concern was that the Imps would just shut the door again , if we use the doorway for cover. ]
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[OOC: Possible. Difficult but possible. But tactically, you'd be better taking cover on either side of the door and forcing the droid to close to get shots at you.]
[ OOC - My concern was that the Imps would just shut the door again , if we use the doorway for cover. ]
OOC: From what I read of this post (http://karvis.altarka.org/index.php?topic=57.msg1283#msg1283), Jex is already through the doorway, and Trax is still on the side with the imps as well.
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[OOC - which also means that we are on the side with the droid, correct? Or are my directions messed up?]
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Everyone ducks for cover. The Imperials, confused at your actions, stop to turn and look behind them
At that moment, the droid opens fire and the corridor is filled with blaster bolts.
Hot blasts of plasma shatter bits of wall and ceiling, and tiny bits of debris rain down on you and all you can do is cover up and wait for the rain of hellfire to end.
After what seems like minutes, but was probably only seconds, the rain of blaster fire stops. In the quiet that follows, the only sound is your breathing and coughing from dust, the occasional sound of loose debris falling, and the "ping ping" or cooling metal.
Then, you hear the sound of heavy metal feet moving. The droid comes closer and closer, stopping perhaps 10 meters from the doorway. It pauses.
In the eerie quiet, you hear a metallic voice say, "I cannot keep the droid under control for long. You need to hurry. I have been found out - reinforcements were already on their way before you attacked."
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Well this was going to make things easier. Trax swapped power packs in his pistol and then drew his second one.
"Then let's disable the droid and get moving. Which way?" Trax asked the metallic voice.
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Niil rose from his prone position, absently rubbing his elbow from where he banged it on the floor. Keeping his blaster trained on the droid, he muttered to Trax and Jex, "The second we get that information, drop that droid like a bad habit. Collan, Mariah, get out of its firing arc now."
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[ooc: I thought I had cover out of the firing arc...]
"Got it Niil. Could you short out the droid...and maybe Mariah could quickly repurpose it for us?"
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Niil shook his head. "It would be enjoyable to see this beast unload on this garrison, but we don't have the time needed to change its IFF parameters. Best to disable it after we get the info we need."
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Collan played along with the whole intel acquisition bit.
"Then let's get our info and blast out of here fast."
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The droid's voice with human inflections says, "End of this passage and through the light door is a mechanical room. From there you can enter the ventilation system. Left, drop 5 meters, then left again, you'll come to a small security door. I'll open it for you. take the next right, and you'll get to the room I am in. I'll self-destruct the droid now. Hurry, you don't have a lot of time."
The droid suddenly switches to a rest posture. A mechanical voice says, "Initiating self destruct in 10... 9..."
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Niil paled, but barked, "Move, people! I'll cover our six!"
OOC: Getting everyone past, then I'll scoot as well.
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Trax began to move quickly down the passage hoping the rest of the trip would much less eventful.
[OOC: If Jex doesn't want to take the lead Trax will.]
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[OOC - Jex will take the lead.]
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Collan hauls after Trax and Niil.
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As you reach the end of the corridor, the assault droid explodes, scattering shrapnel and spreading smoke down the corridor. A quick check reveals everyone is fine.
Following the directions, you come to the mechanical room. Through the ducts (it is a tight squeeze), you go down the drop and reach the security door. It opens after about a minute, and you follow the directions and come to a ventilation panel. A quick kick and the panel pops out.
You see a female human, medium height, holding what looks like a small boltcaster in one hand. There are two dead troopers, and a dead officer on the floor. There is also what appears to be a technician standing in the corner, who looks like he might die of fright. He has clearly wet himself.
The female looks to you. "Glad you could make it," she says before turning back to the computer console she had been working furiously on.
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"You're the defector?" Trax asked, his voice reflecting the surprise on his face.
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Jex, goes over to the dead bodies and does a quick search for anything of use, data cards, weapons etc.
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Niil's eyes narrowed, and levelled his heavy blaster at the woman; "Glad you could make it" didn't exactly positively I.D. her as the defector. "Hands off the console until you I.D. yourself. Authentication?"
OOC: I recall there was supposed to be a password that I.D.'ed the defector . . . ?
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She shakes her head, but gives the pass code. Without taking her hands off the console, she cays, "If I stop blocking them, they'll lock this place down. I can kill main power for two minutes, so when you're ready to move out, I'll kill the base. But we'll have to move quickly."
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"Then I say do it and let's get out of here. But what about him?" Trax asked about the tech still standing in the corner.
[OOC: Every door/hatch we came through was done by shorting out the power or servos right?]
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Niil lowered his blaster to his side and said, "Keep at it, then." Trax's question brought Niil's gaze to the cowering tech. "Hmm. As our contact's already told us, her position was compromised even before we launched the attack. Killing this tech now serves no purpose." To the woman, he added, "Is this tech good enough to undo your work even if we lock him out of this room?"
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The agent's course of action presents a problem. You cannot possibly reach the power core within two minutes, and a lockdown would effectively pin you here while reinforcements come. However, you could make it out of the base within two minutes.
Thwarting the Empire and rescuing the defector takes priority, and you abandon the plan to blow the base. The only way you could escape the trap and still blow the base was if you went up with it.
So, two minutes and a quick private security lift ride later, you have a brief fight to escape the vehicle garage. Your new companion fights with a hand-sized boltcaster, though it certainly doesn't fire standard bolts. She seems to have a wide variety of them available to her, from incendiary, to explosive, to stun. She is also clearly adept at technical tasks. This fires up Mariah, and she gets a little petulant and competitive. The Imperial backs off, and lets her handle the technical stuff, obviously not wanting to cause friction.
Outside you compound, you get picked up by the shuttle, and streak away just ahead of the ambush.
Mission accomplished.