A Helping Hand - OP Dominion of Zonju V

[HK-36]

@[member="Anya Venari"] @[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Just as Anya and Kaida went onto the bridge, the crew was putting away the limbo sticks (the party game, not featureless void) and bongos.
They had different way than the elves of going through the boredom of hyperspace.
HK walked over to them as he gave his flower-necklace thingy to his yeoman

"Crown Princess and Colporal Taldir, shall we get ready to descend?"
He then turned to his Yeoman
"Status of the shields?"
She rolled her eyes slightly
"Up, sir."
He turned back to the Elves
"See, we have no shielding erectile dysfunction on this ship, we can get them up at moment's notice."
He turned back slightly to his Yeoman then

 

[Kaida Taldir]

@[member="Anya Venari"], @[member="HK-36"], @[member="Basaba Willamina"], @[member="Noah Corek"], @[member="Karen Roberts"]

Kaida raised a delicate eyebrow at the interesting way HK and his crew had passed the time. She stifled a full-blown laugh at the sight of the droid wearing his flower necklace thingy, but could not quite suppress a chuckle at it. "Nice to see that its stamina is perfect and it won't have any performance issues. It would be a shame if it shot all its power on the first go," she quipped cheekily when HK assured them that the shield would not suffer an erectile dysfunction. Apparently Siobhan Kerrigan was not the only one of this writer's characters who liked to make cheesy and thinly veiled innuendo.

She gazed out of the viewing port, seeing the planet beneath them. Piles of debris filled space, but on the whole it was vacant, for this was the arse end of the Galaxy, even more remote than Tatooine. For as everyone knew, Tatooine was famous for its legions of escaped slaves, underage pod racers who went on to commit genocide and krayt dragons. Personally Kaida would not mind fighting a dragon at some point, such was the brash enthusiasm of youth.


From orbit the planet seemed a wasteland, vast deserts and mountains covered it, craters in the ground caused by the quakes, barely any vegetation or civilisation for miles upon miles, with the largest city being Zoronhed. That was the place where their ship would descend, for here lay the only spaceport on the planet. Kaida imagined it must be chaos down there by now, the quakes had hit the planet hard. Personally Kaida did not like sand, for it was coarse and got everywhere, even in hard to reach places.

It's hot enough down there for Lavina to like it, she thought. But there's probably very little to set on fire.

 

[Racket]

Hyperdrive
The ship shook from the force that was the propulsion system rocketing it through the vacuum of emptiness. The void of space relinquished itself to Racket's ship as it came and went in the matter of hundreds of tenths of seconds. This fun fact was known but wasn't thought of in the moment. The damn ship better be going as fast as any other in the galaxy after what he had gone through over the course of the past months. When it came to food or parts the ship came first.

A holopad besides his chair was slowly rotating the solar system that conveniently was doing it's best to rip the planet of Zonju V to shreds. Laying across the seat brought him into a sprawled position reaching as far as possible for the comm button on his farthest right hand screen. When the indicator went active a message was recorded and sent through the active OP channel. "This is Captain RAcket entering the solar system requesting updates. Omege Friendly. I repeat Omega friendly approaching Zonju V and need updated intel. Who is approaching the main capital, what's the plan for getting those cursed souls off of the planet side, what cavalry is being sent to house the refugees, Who Are You and Why are You Listening, are you in route?" as the last word was uttered Racket's limbs sprawled back towards the screen hitting the comm button again while simultaneously sending the message to any allied forces in the area.

@Cira, @HK-36, @Anya Venari, @Siobhan Kerrigan, @Kaida Taldir, @Noah Corek

 

[Jsc]

From the Flight Deck of the Solomon, Roberts could see the planet in all it's glory. Or, what little presence it had. She frowned at the lack of spectacle while a crewman approached,

"So. That's what we're here for. ...Hmm."

"I suppose."

Karen sighed. She was a daughter of Corellia. Civilization. Not wastelands.

"Well. The shuttles are prepped for whatever Corek comes up with. ...Good luck out there ma'am."

"Indeed. Force go with you soldier. Gods bless us all."

They parted ways as the crewman returned to his duties. Karen remained by the shield window for a moment longer. She could see everything from up here. Everything at all.

 

[Anya Venari]

Anya was not the sort to be annoyed by a joke, so she smiled at @[member="HK-36"] and nodded.
“As the young Corporal says, make sure you don’t get too over-excited! And now…to the shuttles I think. Yeoman, open a channel to the planet. See if we can get a status from down below.”

She consulted her datapad, and an officer brought information to her. “This is interesting. The tremors appear to be across the whole planet, not localised to one tectonic plate. This is a global catastrophe, but I’m not sure the cause. I fear that these tremors might build and build though, so we need to get down there quickly.”

 

[Kaida Taldir]

@[member="Anya Venari"], @[member="HK-36"], @[member="Karen Roberts"], @[member="Racket"]

Racket would receive a message transmitted from one of the comms officers on the ship. "Siege Tower is in orbit of Zonyu V and shuttles are in the process of landing. Initial recon of the situation planetside, then start of evacuation proceedings. Mission control lies with Her Highness Princess Anya Venari. All efforts are to be coordinated with her. Be advised, the tremors appear across the planet."

Kaida gazed at the datapad Anya had consulted. "Global, continuously building and we shall boldly go down there. Well, time's a wasting," she spoke, quickly following the Princess. Soldiers, medical personnel, engineers and other essential volunteers had been gathered and were filling the shuttles, Kaida quickly finding herself a seat and checking her weapons, a yellow bladed lightsabre and a repeater blaster pistol, though in all fairness she was not much of a shot.

 

[Noah Corek]

@[member="Karen Roberts"]
Noah saw Karen staring out of the hangar shield window and smiled as he walked forward and smiled as he stood behind her. "If it wasn't a wasteland or a natural disaster zone,one would saw that its beautiful. Personally,I think its a giant steaming pile of poodoo,the only reason I'm here is to help the people,not the planet." Noah said as he walked up next to Karen. He looked behind him slightly to see the multiple types of personnel that would be needed for this mission,hopping onto their respective shuttles.

 

[Basaba Willamina]

@[member="Noah Corek"] @[member="Kaida Taldir"] @[member="Anya Venari"] @[member="Karen Roberts"] @[member="Racket"] @[member="HK-36"] @Cira @Siobhan Kerrigan

Basaba moved to look at the two near the window and then her shuttle not bothering to speal. This was business or fun... Why couldn't they be the same honestly? She was more then ready and spoke finally looking to one of the Protectorate pilots. "Kal'vod @[member="Aeron Kreelan"] be aliit Omega Protectorate." Her hands remained at the chair while he stared at her and with a huff then a glare she sat down checking the other weapons she had. Her normal gear and a river rifle. Omega had pretty weapons but they didn't have stopping power ot the ability to be used as a club to smash someones head in.

 

[HK-36]

@[member="Kaida Taldir"] @[member="Anya Venari"]
"Now hold on, I am still a captain of this ship."
With that he turned to his Yeoman, repeating the orders Anya just gave
"Yeoman, open a channel to the planet. See if we can get a status from down below."
The Yeoman rolled her eyes
"Yessir"
As she began relaying the orders to get in touch with the planet's inhabitants

While the Elves and HK went to the turbolift to take them down into the hangar, he sent a transmission to @[member="Noah Corek"] and @[member="Racket"]
"Noah, Racket, this is HK here on the Siege Tower, we are ready to descent in order to examine the surface for next steps, Crown Princess Venari has been placed in charge of the mission, confirm orders with her, however, I have calculated you two can coordinate evacuation of natives while we are investigating, we will be in contact at all times, and I have shuttles here you could command in evacuation efforts."

When they finally got to the hangar, HK took a seat next to Kaida, imitating a stretch he said
"Yawn."
and placed the metal arm around her shoulders

 

[Kaida Taldir]

@[member="HK-36"], @[member="Anya Venari"]

Kaida tensed and looked extremely annoyed when the droid put his arm around her. When Kaida got annoyed, her standard way of dealing with this issue was to freeze things or at least attempt it. Since she was not a telekinsis mastering battering ram - but then she also did not have an unfortunate penchant for tearing down walls.

"Get that off," she said with clear annoyance in her tone, then grabbed the war droid's powerful arm, which obviously would be too strong for her, due to the machine's far greater strength and Eldorai's naturally weaker physique, but then, with a slightly mischievous twinkle in her eye, she drew on her powers and as she gripped the metal arm cold surged through her as she focused her powers outward upon the machine. The temperature dropped at a rapid pace as small cubicles of ice formed in the palm of her hand and she sought so spread the cold and surround the arm with an ice barrier and make it go rigid.

 

[HK-36]

@[member="Kaida Taldir"]
"Take what off?"
HK said, looking to Kaida, she would find it difficult to summon frost on the inside of the droid's body, seems there was no moisture on the inside, air-sealed, however, his plates could be easily covered in it, but stubborn to damage, his body made resistant to freezing after his little misadventure on Kal'Shebob where he was frozen in a blizzard.
"You surely do not mean this?"
He then made a skittering finger motion on Kaida's shoulder
"How else am I to convey my feelings of deepest admiration to you?"
He did a little squeezing on her shoulder
"You know what they say, 'Gonna find my Eldorai, gonna hold her tight, gonna grab some afternoon delight. My motto's always been: when it's right, it's right, why wait until the middle of a cold, dark night? When everything's a little clearer in the light of day, and you know the night is always gonna be there any way. Sky rockets in flight, afternoon delight.'"
He kept staring at Kaida
"'Afternoon delight.'"

 

[Kaida Taldir]

@[member="HK-36"], @[member="Anya Venari"]

"I said get your arm off," Kaida spoke icily, voice chilling. Her attempt to freeze the droid failed due to its upgrades, making her grumble. Its extremely corny lines just annoyed her more. Of course true Eldorai did not quit, for they were not flailing wet hens. So instead of summoning frost on the inside of the droid's she drew on the moisture all around it, her small hand gripping its arm tightly as she harness her mastery of the elements. Frost peals appeared on her hand, her mouth turned a blueish colour as she drew onto her Sciia.


Drawing on the existing moisture in the air and hardening it so that it turned into icy cubes that soon solidified, the temperature dropping rapidly, she sought to summon a ring of ice that would surround the droid's arm plates and immobilise it unless it smashed the ring, thereby sidestepping the fact that she could not freeze it from the inside. If the droid thought it was funny then Kaida did not share that sentiment.

The machine was being quite successful at pissing her off. But then at least he had better lines than the Colonel. She just made corny comments about reach and flexibility!

 

[Jsc]

@[member="Noah Corek"] @[member="Basaba Willamina"]

Karen nodded when the Lieutenant spoke. Her mind was her own.

"Indeed. I am thankful we arrived so quickly."

HK signaled and Karen took note of his invitation.

"So Lieutenant? What's it going to be?"

Karen looked to the Flight Deck and took note of the soldier's gathering to the shuttles. Willamina amongst them. Hmm. Maybe one day she would understand anything a Mandalorian said. Well. One day.

"Well. If you'll excuse me. I'll remain here and observe the operation from the bridge. I look forward to seeing the great Lieutenant Corek and his team at work. May the Force be with you."

She smiled and tapped her datapad. Then gave a slight bow and took her leave. She was not jealous to be going with them. No doubt it would be a rough adventure.

 

[Anya Venari]

Anya watched the little scene in annoyance. Finally she held up her hand, and from it came a small rush of hot air which melted the ice.
"Enough, you two!" she said in her most royal voice. "Lieutenant @[member="HK-36"], be about your business, get ready to descend. Corporal @[member="Kaida Taldir"], you will come with me," she ordered.

Walking down to the hangers of the frigate she looked at Kaida. She spoke in Eladari, a language probably no one but HK would know, and he was now left behind.
"Control yourself, Kaida. This is not the time for arrogance and trying to show how superior we are. We are cogs in a greater engine now, and you will follow their rules. Do you understand?" Anya asked sternly.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

@[member="Anya Venari"]

Kaida's jaw tightened in anger and clear annoyance at being told off like an immature girl - which frankly was what she was - and she felt like protesting and thus causing a scene, but then nodded contritely. Though probably more out of embarrassing herself than anything else. After all, the droid had started it!

She was rather prideful, after all. But Anya could pull off stern and authoritative quite well on her. "Yes, Princess. I understand. It won't happen again," she said stiffly.

 

[HK-36]

@[member="Kaida Taldir"] @[member="Anya Venari"]
If HK would have actual eyes, he would roll them.
He lived over four thousand years, and what he learned- life is only as fun as you make it. To him the Eldorai could be such a serious lot.

He found one of the prepared shuttles in the hanger, moving aboard and taking, activating his commlink he sent a transmission to Forces on the Siege Tower
"Has scanners and seismic equipment been loaded?"
After a moment a response came
"Yessir."
He nodded to himself
"Splendid, all forces prepare for lift-off."

 

[Kaida Taldir]

@[member="Anya Venari"], @[member="HK-36"], @[member="Racket"], @[member="Noah Corek"], @[member="Karen Roberts"], @[member="Basaba Willamina"]

While the two elves and the droid were having their moment, the plot was moving forward. In other words the shuttles they had taken were descending into the planet's atmosphere and were soon flying over the surface of Zonyu V, which was living up to its reputation of being a complete wasteland. The surface was a wasteland, covered by vast canyons and gorges, ruins carved from sandstone rock, mountains and desert for miles wide.

The terrible quakes had blown large craters into the surface, what roads had existed had been brutally split open by the quakes, as if some powerful force had blown them open with a powerful bomb. Here and there one could make out the wreckage of a speeder bike, often ripped to pieces since it had apparently been hurled into the air and smashed upon impact. As they overflew settlements near Zonyu they came across desolation of the sort that normally only struck a planet after a baradium bomb was dropped on it. Or when Siobhan Kerrigan battering rammed something.

Maybe it was not quite that bad yet, but one gets the picture. The spaceport had been hit hard. The Control Tower had buckled and caved in under the pressure, several ships turned to wreckage. As the shuttle continued its descent it received a transmission, the pilot calling Anya. "Your Highness, incoming message. Hold on, it's garbled."

"This is...Mayor Anoleis...Omega Pyre forces...quakes intensifying...order is breaking down. Rioting...insufficient...ships..." There was a great deal of static, accompanied by sounds of blaster fire clearly not that far away from the Mayor, then abruptly the connection was cut.

From the cockpit one could see a large throng of civilians - men, women, children - who had already gathered at the spaceport, often carrying what meagre belongings they had been able to save, along with nervous looking militiamen who gripped their slugthrowers tightly. A large crowd was assembled before an old, battered freighter that was guarded by armed militiamen, desperately trying to get aboard. The militiamen looked unnerved at the large crowd and as the throng threatened to overwhelm them, one member of the militia raised his rifle and shot into the air, whereupon the crowd seemed to relent and calm itself for a moment. But shouts erupted from them whenever one of the civilians was let aboard, evidently protesting about favouritism.

Evidently evacuating the population of Zonyu V would not be an entirely peaceful nor, judging by the large number, an easy affair, for everyone one of them would want a place on the Ark of Omega and some would be ready to take extreme measures.

 

[Noah Corek]

@[member="Basaba Willamina"]
After giving a small bow to Karen,Noah walked towards the shuttle that Basaba was in and hopped in. Noah looked over the tall Mandalorian woman and saw that he stood six inches taller than her. Smiling Noah walked forward and extended his hand to her.

"Hi,I'm Lieutenant Noah Corek,what's your name miss?" Noah asked. By the time Noah asked this question the shuttle had already taken off and was heading towards the planet with all their soldiers.

 

[Basaba Willamina]

@[member="Noah Corek"]

Basaba looked at the man and spoke while taking his hand not letting the crushgaunt squeeze too hard. It wouldn't look good to break someone hands before they went but he spoke asking her name. She understood that. "A'den be aliit Willamina, Kal'vod Basaba alor be aliit Omega Protectorate. Gar alor Noah Corek be aliit Omega Protectorate. Oya." Her face then turned up to his but the perpetual glare was there however this one was meant as friendly.

 

[Jsc]

The door swished open and Karen entered the bridge. She greeted the commander on deck and pulled up a seat behind the security chief. The Solomon was 4000 years old at one point, and the deck planned showed that. Thankfully, the technology did not. Karen had no problem linking into the ship's systems and creating a DCC. A Digital Command Center. From here she activated the bridge's holographic display and created a 3-dimensional rendering using The Solomon and her shuttle's sensor arrays. Then she transferred that display to her holopad for easy access.

"Com Specialist. Can we link with Mission Commander Venari from here in real time?"

"Of course. Just open a com frequency. Communications are green light here."

"And how about this display. Can we link her to it?"

"Hmm. I can set up a live feed to the display yes. But you'll need to convert it to a 2D display. Most wrist com's don't project in all dimensions."

"How about a bird's eye view then?"

The deck commander approached and inquired as to what the two woman were doing. Karen invited him closer,

"We're creating a CIC display to broadcast in real time to the Mission Commander planet-side. It's custom. Given that Hammerhead Class Cruiser's were not meant for modern CIC technology. It's a visual representation of your senor arrays in real time. But we need to compress the data to transmit it."

He seemed impressed and allowed them to continue working. Within only a few minutes Karen and the Com Specialist had perfected a compressed 2D display.

"How about we host the image here and broadcast to all ground teams? I'll set up a lobby and we can go from there."

"Good thinking Specialist. I'll set up the topographical layers. Let's see if we can make this mini-map even more useful. ...There. How's our lobby?"

"Image is running and hosted. Ready for transmit."

"Okay. Let's get the Princess on the line. DCC is up and running. CIC display ready for broadcasting."

Karen opened a com to @[member="Anya Venari"],

~ "Mission Commander Venari. This is Solomon Command. CIC topographical mini-map has been created for use. We are broadcasting all collected data on this frequency for all teams to use. Encryption key to follow. ...When you get the seismic equipment set up we'll link it to the mini-map and broadcast everything we get in real-time. The map can be accessed at any time via any com-display. Over." ~

Ah. The beauty of a SAAT Commander. Taking a 4000 year old ship and giving her the most modern CIC data solution available. Google Maps eat your heart out. Priceless.