Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
The last of the Pyke rocket troopers careened, spun, and collided explosively with the canyon wall.
There was a long moment of silence as the team waited to see if more of the troopers would suddenly appear in the air above the canyon. But... no. The air was empty. Perhaps, because the radio had been jammed, the rocket troopers patrolling this area had been unable to summon more help.
Good.
Yol Kan came out from behind his boulder, looking over the team.
Everyone was still alive, and apparently whole.
"Well done," he said, "time to run up the Flag. Follow me."
With that, he began to climb the ascender line once more.
Before long, they were able to crest the peak of the mountain and look down into the valley below. Here, the Pyke fortress was under assault by the ground units. The fortress was largely unassailable currently, and the ground attackers were little more than a distraction at this point in the engagement.
However, that would soon change.
Yol pointed down at the fortress.
"We're going to use our bounding boots, repulsor belts, or rocket packs to jump down to the top of that fortress. Then we'll use satchel charges to take out those four missile turrets. With those turrets taken out, starfighters will be able to approach the fortress safely and use their own missiles to punch a hole in the outer wall.
But that's just the start for us.
Our final satchel charge will be used to put a hold in the fortress roof, through which we'll descend into the interior.
Then it'll be a running firefight through the halls until we get to the safe room. This safe room is where they will have placed important civilian personnel, like the scientists. We cut our way into the room, get the scientists back up to the roof, and I call in the Blastboat to pick us up.
Meanwhile, the troops on the ground will complete destruction of the facility.
“Their fighter complement appears to outnumber our own.” Bella said as she took in the sensor data. “The Eradicators will need to advance under ECM cover. I will assign Tempest and Krenth Squadrons to escort the bombers to their targets. Lieutenant Commander Kharuna Tan is a talented pilot and aCrusader, no less. I trust that she will work miracles.” She continued, giving implication to Kharuna Tan’s Force-sensitivity. “Meanwhile, our remaining TIEs will lure the enemy fighters within range of the point defense batteries on the Duchess and the Daybreak. That way, our point-defense guns might serve as the anvil to the hammer of our fighter squadrons.” Bella added.
"Yes of course Baroness, I'd expect nothing less from the Empire's best." He said swiftly, then added on, "I haven't had the oppourtunity to work with the Crusaders, but I have no doubt she and her squad will impress me." He let his words linger in the air for a moment thinking about what to say next before an officers hand from the pit raised.
"Sir, the confederacy ship and strafighters are advancing, the Interdictor and frieghters seem to be hanging back." He looked down at his computer for a second then continued, "they will be in range of our long-range batteries in approximately 238 seconds."
A second voice spoke up from Augustus' headset, "They'll be in range for us in 248 seconds. A ten second difference."
"All that means is that we have to hold fire for ten seconds," Augustus said. "Also, the plan will have to change slightly, seventy-five percent will still be on the condeferacy ship, but we will have the twenty-five percent create a flak screen. It won't be perfect, but it may cause enough damage to their starfighters in the process. But we don't want to hit out fighters so make sure to lighten it up when they engage."
The Interdictor staying in the back would be a problem, but as Bella suggested, Tempest and Krenth supporting our bombers should break through and be able to start engaging them. Unfortunately, battlegroups 2 and 3 were still out of range; Augustus' immediate reaction was to have them speed up, but he quickly threw away that idea. He needed groups 2 and 3 to be slow in order to put the enemy into a false sense of security, and to hopefully give them enough time to get into the perfect encirclement. However, Bella was also right, they severly outnumbered our compliment of fighters at present and luring them into our point defense would be the best way to go. If needed, she could call on the fighters from the other battlegroups to reinforce our position, Augustus trusted the Baroness to do what was right.
Silence filled the air aside from what they could hear with the ships aural sensors, he watched the ships in front of his own inch closer and closer. Waiting for the moment where this battle would inevitably start. A hand raised from the combat officer, followed by a look directly at Augustus, waiting for the order. Augustus counted in his head 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1. Augustus looked ahead, "Fire."He heard a similar command from the Daybreak through his headset, and saw the flash of purple energy from the Duchess' megamaser batteries open up and the green bolts from the Daybreak's.
The enemy opened fire, sending a deadly assault primarily upon Zago and his fighters. Flak exploded throughout the starscape, and the Hornet shuddered as attacks splashed against its shields, sending a percentage of destructive energy penetrating to scorch the hull itself and damage subsystems. Then came the Imperial fighters, appearing suddenly on glitchy sensor screens that were awash with ECM interference. Within moments, a percentage of Zago's task force simply ceased to exist.
The pirate really wished he could turn around and murder his employer. But such was not the fate-card he'd been dealt.
Instead, he pressed on. The Cloakshapes and the Tie-Fighters focused on the enemy fighters, hoping to tear them apart now that they had engaged. Meanwhile, the Hyena Fighter-Bombers pressed on. Zago's losses were appreciable... but so, too, would the enemy's be.
The surviving Hyenas unleashed a total of eighty proton torpedoes- two from each fighter-bomber- which streaked across the void at the Midnight and its Gozanti escorts.
Meanwhile, the Hornet itself answered the enemy's hostile fire with its own guns. Two arrays of nine turbolaser batteries hammered the flanking Daybreak and Twilight.
These turbolasers were followed by an incredible launch of assault missiles: One-hundred and forty-four missiles to take down enemy fighter squadrons. Many would be dissuaded by ECM jamming, flares, and chaff. But the sheer volume of fire made it a near certainty that a percentage of the missiles would hit their targets. The skies were thick with projectiles.
Next, the Hornet's sixteen dual laser cannons fired at encroaching enemy fighters and enemy ordinance, seeking to detonate them before they could become a serious threat.
Finally, four Ion cannons pummeled at the Midnight, hoping to take its shields offline so that the proton torpedoes would have even greater effect.
CURRENT MISSION - Stinging Operation
Immediate Goals -
1: Coordinate with the Imperial Auxilla
2: Eliminate the Missile Turrets
3: Acquire the scientists!
TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN COMMS Kebii'kara and Beviin - now christened "Wing" - nodded before moving forth, forming a stance allowing for the lightsaber to be utilized as a mainly anti-blaster shield, deftly deflecting the second wave of blasterfire. In her offhand, the fire-staff continued to lance a plasmic counterpunch to the limbs of the Pyke minions. Such a sizeable target away from cover may have been terrible idea - but even if she wasn't Force Sensitive, the sidearm pistol and her fire-staff wasn't exactly something that can peek around corners.
Step, dodge, lance - the rhythmic dance of combat was drilled into her ever since she could toddle, and with the aid of the Auxilia, the Pyke reinforcements were rebuffed like the first wave. With Beviin as an extra set of eyes, their telepathic bond not only on their immediate adversaries, but their newfound squaddies as well. Especially when a Pyke Rocket Trooper was send head-over-hindquarters after being beaned in the face by a decent sized rock - coming from the slight cyborg skulking behind a crag. "Nice shot, Blue!" She cheered on the young lad, saddened at the fact that of the members present - she only knew of Maj. Kan and Sgt. Tomo. from the debriefing she overheard.
Once the battlefield silenced, and the enemies have been cleared out, Maj. Kan announced the next phase of their plan.
The Drakeling mewed her disdain at the pun, before her subsequent mischievous grin being silenced by the stoic visor of Kebii'kara. Beviin swooped up the mountainside, followed by Kebii free-climbing the rocky surface, occasionally receiving chirps of encouragements - something similar to a count off not dissimilar from a trainer for the more perceptive or animal loving members of the squadron. Once the last climber was up and over onto the surface, Kebii pressed a button on the side of her helm, syncing their location near the facility with the Sojourner and the droids still aboard.
Once the Major - excuse her, Flag - had rattled off the plan, and asked for questions, Kebii raised her hand. "As a matter a fact, I have two." she began. "Firstly, I have a patrol boat around in case you need some extra firepower or perhaps additional space to extract the scientists with. Which would you prefer?" the Lasat then paused, and did a headcount of those present - seven, unless anyone else decided to have a dynamic entry like herself. "Secondly, and this is more general, who would like to be on my and... Wing Two's?" Beviin rolled her eyes and grunted a begrudging acceptance of the diminuitive title. "Wing Two's six?"
Chaos was quick to befall the interior of the Pykes’ headquarters when the diversionary assault on the facility began. They had operated here for sometime without being noticed, the arrival of the Empire of the Lost was a complete and total shock. Security personnel were scurrying about the building manning what little exterior battlements they had to defend themselves. This planet’s inhospitality was supposed to be all the defense they needed. Not to mention the fact that being able to use bota, the planet’s most valuable resource, off planet was almost as difficult as the conditions of Drognar. The missile turrets were to defend from an aerial attack only, so there really wasn’t a whole lot the Pykes inside the base could do about the ground assault happening at its front door.
As random security grunts rushed about in a panic driven by the alarms, the Pykes’ command structure was aware of the fact that a siege of their building would take some time and they could most likely afford to wait for their offworld superiors to prioritize the defense of this headquarters and send aid. A fleet was already inbound at the moment to address the Imperial presence in orbit. It was just a matter of time before the Pykes had things well in hand. Of course the peons who were hired to threaten locals and carry a rifle didn’t realize this and it would take some time for the commanders to get things back in order.
In the main security outpost the higher level Pykes were barking out orders over the comm system. Attempting to regain order of their forces and ready for the inevitable attempts to break through the thick walls and gain access to the true value of the headquarters. When that happened the security would need to be focused on what mattered, not the blaster bolts bouncing harmlessly off the exterior defense from a distance that could not be sustained. They would need to advance or retreat.
”Security team Alpha,” came the harsh voice of the head of security. ”Primary defense protocol initiated. Lock down the laboratories. I want the two elite guards on Dr. Hark at all times. This attack was meant to gain some spoils, not just put us out of business.” The twenty elite guards that were stationed at the facility were quickly into motion en route to securing the thing that their employer would hold most dear. There were plans in place to get the scientists out if necessary. But that was a last ditch effort. There was plenty of expensive equipment and too much time and energy was put into this spot of land to abandon it without a fight.
Yol Kan considered the options an additional ship presented.
"No need to decide now," he concluded, "we will make use of it as fire support or transport as needed."
Then he considered their formation.
"We'll advance in two-one-two formation," he declared, a formation that resembled the arrangement of five dots on one side of a numbered chance cube. "You and I will take point, then Blue in the middle, Spike and Whiskers in the rear.
Now... let us leap into the fray."
From their height advantage, Yol's 'Bounding Boots' provided incredible jump distance. The boots' internal gyroscopes kept his feet pointed down, and the repulsors slowed his descent as he neared the roof of the fortress.
Perhaps not anticipating an approach from this vector, there were no guards arrayed here. The turrets were theirs for the taking.
When Spike landed heavily on the fortress roof, Yol spoke, "Spike. Hand out satchel charges. Whiskers, you'll set your charge on the roof. Everyone else, pick a turret."
Yol accepted his own charge, taking it to one of the missile turrets and sticking it to one side of the massive weapon.
Once all the charges were set, he motioned to the team to back up to the rear edge of the rooftop, farthest from the turrets and rooftop charge. Fifty meters was theoretically a safe distance, but the potential for the unexpected was always present. "Make distance. And make sure your helmets are on. There may be shrapnel and debris flying."
Orders came through to Kharuna from Miracle One. If the Grand Master had not instilled in Kharuna the discipline of a Crusader she would have flipped out at hearing the voice of the most heralded fighter pilot in the Empire giving her orders. As it was, the Nautolan pilot gave a slight smirk and started to follow directions. ”Tempest Leader, this is Krenth One, rendez-vous at point three seven and let’s see how these guys handle some real pilots.”
Kharuna shifted her controls to follow her own words. She switched to her squad comm signal and gave more precise orders. ”Krenth Two you’re on Three’s wing. Krenth Four, you’re with me. Let’s make a lane for those bombers…”
The orders trailed off as the enemy started to, well the only thing Kharuna could say was panic. ”Missiles!” Kharuna called out after quickly shifting back to the overall battle comm. ”Evasive actions Krenth Squad,” a broad missile bombardment was Kharuna’s greatest fear in choosing the Sestina for her squad’s fighter model. These fighters were quick and packed a wallop, but favored doing both in a straight line. The clones who made up the rest of the pilots in Krenth squadron were fresh out of the tubes. They didn’t have real experience, but they had the best programming that could be instilled upon a clone.
A few quick jukes on Kharuna’s part made for some near misses as missiles screamed past her fighter. Krenth Four was able to move in time with her leader as they punched through the line of missiles. Two and Three and Tempest Squad for that matter were on their own for the moment. Kharuna was pleased that all four of Krenth Squadron pulled through, though Three seemed to be leaking some sort of vapor. ”Krenth Three, damage report!” Kharuna demanded.
”Krenth Leader. Can’t get a lock on what’s damaged,” the pilot responded in a panicked tone. ”Engines are ok, weapons systems seem to be online, hull integrity only slightly below full.”
”Roger Three. Pull back and rejoin the main battlegroup. If you can diagnose the damage and rejoin the attack do so. If not, find a safe hangar and have maintenance do their job.”
”Sorry Commander. Krenth Three disengaging.”
Kharuna silenced her comms and gave a quick intake of air before she refocused on the goal. ”Four, shift to Two’s wing. I’ll go this alone. Avoid that laser fire and give the battlecruiser a quick strafing run. Be sure to make sure that you are able to push through. Our goal is to take out what they are holding back as support. If that means the battlecruiser is unscathed this time through, so be it.” Kharuna grinned and hit the button to activate her SLAM drive. Her ship was most likely nothing more than a blur to anyone viewing her progress through optical means. She shot past the battlecruiser, let loose a few shots when she knew that she was within range, but paid no attention to the result of the shots. She slowed her advance for the other fighters to catch up, when she was out of range of the battlecruiser’s range.
Objective: 2 - A Necessary Acquisition Location: Mountainous approach to Target | Drongar Equipment: See bio Callsign: Face Tags:Yol Kan
| Saul Whesai
| Kebii'kara Solus
The small squad regrouped once the last of the rocket troopers were dispatched. They didn’t move immediately, but when it was clear no reinforcements were coming, Flag ran down the plan to get inside the facility and abduct or free (employees of criminal organizations sometimes came along a lot easier than one would think) the scientists. Climb, get to the roof, disable missile turrets, starfighter attack, breach, find the bunker. It was a pretty straight forward plan. Valmy was especially excited about the firefight part.
The tall “Mandalorian”, Valmy had no way of confirming if Wing indeed followed the Creed or if she just wore the armor, informing Flag that her ship was at the team’s disposal. Having more assets was always a good thing, how to deploy said assets would be up to Flag. And Flag quickly deferred that until a need was obvious. As things were about to get interesting the tall armored woman asked about who would have her and her pet’s back. Before Valmy could volunteer, Flag gave out positions. Seemed that he forgot that they added a member to the squad and continued his plan as if they were only five strong. The fact that Valmy was the one excluded would make for an interesting celebration when the mission was a success.
Valmy slipped past Spike and Whiskers and marched beside Blue as they made their way to the objective. ”Hope you don’t mind the old Corporal walking at your side,” Valmy said to Blue with a wink, though she was jovial, it was obvious that she was at the ready for whatever might come along.
”Don’t worry Wings…Face has got your six all the way,” Valmy followed up loud enough for Flag to hear her callsign and hopefully remember her presence, but not in a way that would make him get distracted from the mission. She didn’t care if she was noticed to be honest. She’d do her job and they’d win the day. And in the celebration: no one would be able to miss Valmy’s presence.
The final approach was a bit too easy for Valmy, but she guessed that was more due to good planning than some sort of trap. The boots that Flag had procured were pretty amazing. Valmy noted to herself that she would want to see how much fun they could be in her down time. But that would come later. Now it was time to set charges. Whiskers had the roof, the rest picked a turret. Seeing as there were six soldiers for five targets, Valmy decided to keep her eyes and ears open and allow the others to place the charges.
”I’d sooner die than cover this pretty face with a helmet,” Valmy chuckled as she commented on the precaution advised by the Major. She knew that dying was a possibility in her line of work, but come on what were the chances that the explosion would do any more than add a new scar for her to tell stories about?
As the action died down, Blue would be found trying to get one of the rocket troopers packs off and sighing when he saw it was fried by a blast bolt. "If only I had time to salvage this..." But he didn't, Flag wanted them on the move and Saul reluctantly complied. He only half listened when Valmy slide up him, focused on the task at hand but the young woman certainly was something to notice. "There are other things worse to look at." Either way, their path was clearly open for them as they moved towards their objective, either by their enemy still unaware to their presence or that diversional attack by the Auxilla was actually having the desired effect.
Blue silently nodded in thanks to the lizardman as he took his charge, inspecting it to see if it actually would work. Satisfied that it would actually go off, he set his charge on a free turret as it looked frantically around at the sky. Apparently, they feared the possible support the Imperial Navy could bring rather than the threat of sabotage. Staying low and out of the view of any camera, he planted his detonator and quickly scarpered away. He joined back up with a group, chuckling at Valmy's lack of sense. "So, did you have an appointment to get you headshot taken after this mission? It would be a shame if your face got blacken by the blast just before your big shoot." Valmy's sheer reckless astounded him but he shouldn't have been so surprised. She looked like the type to shove glitter stim up her nose without knowing if its tainted or not just for the rush. Combat was a drug for her while for him... it was a box for him to check off for him to have a decent life. Still, she had a certain stage presence that the others, even the force user didn't have. Maybe that's what made him steal glances of her when he could.
Yoryn had no clue how Agmena Rend attained all the information that she did. It was the one thing that kept Yoryn from finishing the job that had been started at the crowning of Emperor Velran Kilran
and putting the former Moff out of her misery. Agmena wasn’t as powerful as she once was. She didn’t have the ability to hold off a hostile takeover. But she had things that everyone wanted. She wasn’t the only one who knew about the bota being produced on Drongar. She wasn’t even the only one to know that it was being used by the Pykes for underground uses. But the Domina had a plan to wrestle the business away from the Pykes and the contacts to get her landing clearance. Yoryn needed to know how the Domina was able to pull it off. Once she did she would take her last step into becoming the Domina herself.
”Dock Master, this is Kesh Spider arrived to take on my planned shipment.” Yoryn spoke into her ship’s comms as she started the shutdown routine and reached out to pull her rifle closer. She had no idea whether the Pykes would bring the cargo to her, or if her “crew” would have to load it themselves. Whatever the expectations were they were not going to be met. The Krykna infiltrators were going to head into the facility and take what their Domina desired.
”Kesh Spider, we’re going to have to delay your product. The planetside entrance to the facility is under attack,” the Dockmaster responded, sounding surprisingly calm. Though background noise in his broadcast betrayed the chaos inside the headquarters.
”Dockmaster. You’re under attack and you just want me and my crew to be sitting ducks on your landing pad?” Yoryn responded in feigned consternation. ”There is no fracking way that is happening. We’re coming in. Sent security to the docking bay door.”
”Negati…” the Dockmaster started to respond only to have Yoryn jump in quickly.
”Fine! Whatever. Unlock the doors. We’ll handle security ourselves.” Yoryn blurted out. She now had her rifle at the ready in her hands and she knew her crew was ready to move out as well. ”The boss’ nephew is in the crew. She’ll reimburse me for a lost ship as long as I bring him home safe. Which means we’re coming in. Open the doors. NOW!””
There was a delay and Yoryn wondered if she was going to be required to use the charges that she had brought just in case. One of her crew was skilled at setting the charges, so they were getting in one way or another. ”Kesh Spider we are unable to leave the doors unlocked. Emergency entry code is 86-Jenth-753-09. I will keep that code in place as long as I can for you and your crew.
”Appreciate that Dockmaster. We’re on our way.” Yoryn grinned, slung her rifle over her shoulder and completed the rest-mode routine and started towards the exit of the ship.
As the rest of her crew fell in behind, Yoryn pressed the personal comm in her ear. ”Ground team. Landing Pad door emergency entry code is 86-Jenth-753-09. Get there quick. We’re heading in now. Hopefully we’ll have control of the facility’s security measures by the time you get here.”
CURRENT MISSION - Stinging Operation
Immediate Goals -
1: Coordinate with the Imperial Auxilla
2: Eliminate the Missile Turrets
3: Acquire the scientists!
TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN COMMS Kebii'kara wasn't a mathematician by trade - and though Beviin would furiously protest at the notion of being excluded for the sake of numerical evenness, Kebii nevertheless appreciated the bare-faced woman who volunteered to watch her six while the Major bounded ahead.
Five turrets, seven squaddies - "Whiskers" taking a vantage point far away while Face had everyone's six. The turret that the Lasat was informally charged with detonating proved difficult. Being the largest physically of the squadmates and a late insertion, she may stick out like a sore thumb. The Force unfortunately didn't work on semi-autonomous turrets, and as such, the prospect of immediate sensors picking out whoever tried to sabotage them gnawed at the back of her mind. Beviin yowled in dismay as she was yanked back to the protective mantle of Kebii'kara, a hiss in Mando'a and a few chirps reassured Kebii that each member of the Auxillia were competent - even if they lacked the mystic strength of the Force. It was precisely thanks to the Force, guiding a wind-up throw that gracefully arced the satchel charge right onto the very weak-spot as described by the Major.
Score one for the Solara City Swatters the Lasat allowed herself a smirk under the helm - which was interrupted by
Upon rendezvousing back to their perch, she weighed in on the conversation between "Blue" and "Face".
"You'll have to regale me with the interview you're going to give," she looked over at the scattering of turrets. "Until then, cover your ears. Things are about to go "boom"."
Beviin, the ever-helpful (or ever-snarky) drakeling, demonstrated how best to duck and cover for the detonation of the charges and the ensuing bombardment from friendlies. Meanwhile, Kebii kept low, using her visor to look along the area in case of any ray-shielding, or manholes for people to pop their heads out of. The first rule of warfare is always to expect the unexpected.
Yol Kan actually spared a glance for Valmy, hoping that pretty face didn't get skewered by shrapnel.
Then there was another explosion, opening a portal through the roof onto the floor below.
Missile turrets were in pieces. The way into the fortress was opened. Everything was going according to plan.
Yol wished that he could enjoy that kind of luck... but it never seemed to last.
"Two by two," he reiterated, and before the tumult and smoke of the turrets had subsided, he bounced forward through the dying debris and into the hole.
Within, there was nearly as much smoke as without. Everything was a chaotic broiling mess of dust and bits of flaming detritus. Plus the fire-suppression system had been triggered, adding its own vaporous emissions to the interior.
He snapped his carbine into position and advanced through the smoke, secure in the knowledge that the rest of his team was beside and behind him.
Before the air could clear, the miasma was illuminated by blaster bolts. Dozens of them, filling the corridor into which he'd dropped. One bolt skittered off of his armor, failing to burn him inside. He began picking vectors of fire and returning, though he could not quite see his targets. Marching through dust and smoke and debris, he fired, and fired again.
Spike tossed a grenade up the hall, and it detonated almost as soon as it landed. This quieted the fire from the Pyke guards for a moment. But only a moment.
Soon, the enemy fire redoubled its intensity. As another blaster bolt deflected off of his chest plate, Yol ducked down and to the side. He swapped the energy cell of his carbine in a practiced maneuver, resuming fire just as soon as the new energy cell was in place.
Even with all of his training and experience, ranged combat through this corridor was guesswork. The fog of war which filled the space was thick and hot, even foiling thermographic sensors.
Finally, Yol folded and re-holstered his blaster carbine, pulling his swiftcut foil out, instead.
"Close work," he declared. In another more ancient time, the order would have been to 'fix bayonets.'
Then he advanced, blasters making near misses and glancing hits as he charged down the corridor, hacking left and right with his sword.
Spike pulled a savage looking machete and followed suit. Whiskers held back, his namesake nasal feature twitching as he debated whether to join the bloody charge.
It was almost instantly that the unique confederacy cruiser fired back, its voluminous fire rocking the Duchess, though none of it reached the hull. Whoever was in command of the cruiser was smart, they were focusing the majority of their firepower on the threats that were trying to surround them. Augustus saw the stream of proton torpedoes backed up by ion cannons streaking for the Midnight, and he watched as more than a few were able to penetrate the shield and hit the vessel.
Quickly, Augustus's voice rang out, "I need a sitrep from the Midnight."
Just as quickly a voice rang out from the pits, "Their shields are still operating at above fifty percent but are taking a beating. And more than a few turbolaser batteries are completely out of commission. Hull integrity above eighty percent."
"Ask the commander if they think they'll be able to continue the fight?"This was the half-Pantoran's 'the crew comes before me' mentality creeping out. A hand raised with a thumbs up followed by a quick affirmative. He let out a thankful sigh. "Alright, keep pressing on but make sure the Gozanti captains are screening for those hyenas, it's what they're there for."
The confident tone Augustus had while explaining the plan was all but gone, instead replaced by a pure calculative tone. Both flanking units were taking the brunt of the fire with more of it being on battlegroup two where all of the hyenas were. Luckily, the flanking units should be within range momentarily for at least their long-range artillery. Our Miracle's plan was working, Krenth and Tempest Squadron were helping the bombers get through with minimal casualties, but then again the plan was only at the beginning. Augustus knew there were losses to be had still, but he put his faith in Bella
, Kharuna Tan
, and Tempest Squadron amongst all the other talented pilots and crew members. After all, it is the crew that makes the Captain.
Augustus walked closer to the glasteel windows of the bridge, the dark space around lit up by numerous firing batteries. He snapped his fingers and turned around walking back to the center of the pits, talking into his headset for both Bella and the commander of the Daybreak to hear. "We need to start pushing."
An exasperated "What!" came through the headset for the Daybreak's commander. "Why would we start pushing if we are acting the bait?"
"Come on now, that facade is over, and anyways I didn't mean the Daybreak. Just the Duchess."He walked back over to holodisplay and pressed a few buttons making the enemy ship larger. "Look, most of their firepower is located on their broadsides. If we push forward slightly, it should provoke them into facing us, taking some heat off one of the flanking battlegroups."
"And driving your destroyer directly into the fighter battle in front of us."
"Not entirely true, I don't plan on going that far in. Anyways our point defense system is up to the task."Augustus rebutted.
There was a laugh from the headset, "Yes, your older-than-dirt system that has been fighting up against pirates... all this time." There was silence from the headset for a moment before the commander spoke "I hate that I walk myself into these situations."
Augustus didn't laugh, though a slight smile crept into the corner of his mouth as he walked away from the holodisplay. He took a deep breath, and right as he was about to start issuing orders both the Twilight and Midnight's long-range batteries opened up. "Right on schedule. Helmsman forward one-quarter speed bearing 344 degrees. We are going in at an angle. Redirect the batteries that were on flak duty to the enemy cruiser, keep up the point defense, and intensify forward shields. And let the missile crews know to let 'em fly."
The commander was right, he'll be getting dangerously close to the fighter battle up ahead. But Augustus was hoping that it was just the right amount of unorthodox to make either the cruiser commander or the Pyke captain panic. Panic is an effective weapon on the battlefield, equal to even the best turbolasers. TLDR
1. Augustus cares for his crew (aww). 2. He reinforces his faith in his betters. 3. An unorthodox plan is unorthodox. The Duchess is pushing up on the Hornet, unleashing full-firepower on it.
Myssa was nearly to the facility when Yoryn reported the entry code. She didn’t pay any attention as to whether or not the small woman was following on her speeder bike. The fact of the matter was if the infiltration team did their job right, Myssa wouldn’t need any back up to do her part of the mission. Yoryn was as good at what she did as Myssa was, this was going tobe smooth sailing.
As Myssa approached the assault at the front door of the facility brought an even wider grin to the woman’s lips. She knew that it would takes days for the assault to make a dent in the facility. There was a practical reason for the bunker’s positioning. But the inside of the building had to be in chaos. Pykes rushing all over the place never having expected someone to attack like this. It would make sneaking around the perimeter of the building to the landing pad even more easy. ”Lisette. I hope you’re back there still, but if not I always enjoy taking a double payday!” Myssa laughed and floored the accelerator of her own bike making for the landing pad at great speed.
Once arrived Myssa again paid little heed to whether or not someone had her back. She had the codes to get in and the attention of the base’s security was likely focused on the front door. If they security room hadn’t already been taken. As Myssa arrived at the outer door of the landing pad she heard a series of explosions from the roof. At first she snickered, knowing that would add to the chaos within the facility. Then she frowned. Myssa put her hand on the comm in her ear. ”Explosions on the roof! Someone else is trying to get in! We’ve gotta move. FAST!!”
Objective: 2 - A Necessary Acquisition Location: Mountainous approach to Target | Drongar Equipment: See bio Callsign: Face Tags:Yol Kan
| Saul Whesai
| Kebii'kara Solus
Everyone always seemed so alarmed or astonished at Valmy’s disdain for helmets. The truth of the matter was that she found the stress and trouble of fixing her hair after wearing a helmet, and the pain detangling her locks, was not worth the extra bit of security. Was it vain? Heck yeah it was. But her hair was the only thing that Valmy took time to do right, so she’d risk it.
”You think I could be a model?” Valmy responded to Blue in a flirty tone. ”That’s sweet. I don’t care what Flag calls you. You’re my cutie. And for that comment I’ll be buying you a drink or two when this mission is done.” She finished the statement with a wink.
Wings approached getting a nod and smile from Valmy. The tall, armored woman said she would be interested in hearing what was being discussed, at least Valmy thought that’s what she said. ”I’ll regale you with whatever story you want to hear, to see what’s under that helmet,” Valmy responded with a chuckle before she was warned to cover up as the explosions were coming. Risking the lack of helmet aside, Valmy was a soldier and she didn’t need the drakeling’s demonstration to know how to cover herself when an explosion was coming. The obvious sarcasm in the enactment did draw a smile from Valmy before she sought out her own cover.
After the explosions Valmy stood, her face only a little red from pressing her hands against her cheeks to provide a slight amount of protection without fussing her hair too much. Her ears were more the issue as without any noise dampening that a modern helmet would provide there was a good thirty seconds that all Valmy could hear was a loud ringing that slowly started to dissipate. Flag said something. Between the dulling of the ring and Valmy’s ability to lip read she got the jist. She’d be part of the last pair through the hole in the roof. ”Everyone in! I’ve got the rear!”
Once they had all made it through the hole in the roof it was utter chaos. Not that Valmy expected anything less. Security was on them in a flash. Bolts flying by, Valmy raising her assault rifle and returning fire. This was the stuff she would do for free. It was too bad that all the jobs she took involved climbing and explosions. But the Empire claimed to pay well, and none of their checks had bounced yet, so minor inconveniences to get some drinking money. Valmy made herself small and kept firing. She stopped for a moment to reload when Spike threw the grenade. ”Why do we need so many explosions?” she cackled as she watched Flag reload his weapon. Hers had plenty left in the cell and she was quick to start firing again when the Pykes recovered from the grenade explosion.
When the order to go into close combat came, Valmy was equally as excited as she was to exchange blaster fire with the Pykes. As her rifle was going to hang from a strap on her shoulder she didn’t need to holster it right away. Instead she kept it raised and rushed in behind Spike or Wings, whoever was closer and used them as potential cover, letting loose a blaster round or two when she was sure there was no chance of friendly fire. When she reached the enemy lines, just behind the others, her rifle hung at her side and her vibroblade was darting into action.
With all the commotion caused by the exterior attack of the facility, no one seemed to pay much mind to Yoryn and her team as they entered from the landing pad unfettered. The walls and doors held secure for now. If someone was walking the halls inside, even someone who was not a Pyke or a scientist, they were ignored as an expected guest. Yoryn held up her wrist to look at the holomap of the facility that was provided by the Domina’s contact through Myssa. They were getting closer to the security stronghold, and they were starting to get more looks than they were before.
The desired door was just about in sight of the team when it was obvious the Pyke were not about to let them get any closer. A half a dozen Pyke security troopers started towards Yoryn and her group. Yoryn kept her cool as the distance between the two groups closed. She hoped that the team that the Domina provided was as cool under pressure as she was. While her rifle stayed on her shoulder, Yoryn’s holdout was now in position to fire, though still out of sight of the Pykes. The Pykes were obviously ready to use their weapons if the Krykna made the slightest false move. A lesser being would be sweating bullets, but Yoryn was calm and waiting for the right moment to spring.
As that moment was getting closer there was a series of muffled explosions from above. ”Explosions on the roof! Someone else is trying to get in! We’ve gotta move. FAST!!” rang in Yoryn’s ear, but she ignored it for now. The explosions were the perfect excuse to draw her rifle and Yoryn was glad to see that her team took advantage of the opportunity as well. Her rifle was pointed at the ceiling to express to the Pykes that they considered the explosions the immediate threat. Then there was another explosion. This one Yoryn’s experience told her broke the protection of the outer walls of the building. This was not going to be good. She nodded to her team and quick action took out the six Pyke guards before they could react to them or the last explosion, Yoryn taking down two herself.
”Get working on the door,” Yoryn grunted to the member of the team who did not fire their weapon. The Farghul woman gave a bit of a hiss as she shouldered past the rest of the group and started to tamper with the door lock. Yoryn moved forward, rifle trained on the locked door and motioned for the others to do the same. In what seemed like no time at all the door gave its own hiss and slid open. Quick expert shots from Yoryn and her team rang out. As luck would have it they weren’t the only shots that were heard. The group quickly moved in eliminating any Pykes present and taking control. The Farghul was the last one in, locked and changed the passcode on the door before moving over to one of the other terminals.
”Myssa, we’ve taken security control. We’ll do our best to clear the way for you,” Yoryn finally responded to the other team.
”All of the elite troopers were moved to the laboratories,” the Farghul informed Yoryn with a twitch of her whiskers. ”Also, there is a battle taking place in space. Pykes and Imperials. Imperials seem to have the numbers by quite a few. Not sure what the Pykes are thinking.”
Yoryn nodded her receipt of the information. ”Myssa. You’re gonna have a hard road to the targets. Since the other intruders haven’t shown up here, you might want to try to use these other guys to even your odds.” Yoryn turned back to the Farghul. ”Call up everything they have on the Pyke fleet in orbit. The Imperials might have the upper hand, but we’re going to need to secure a way off this rock. I would prefer not to have to wait to figure out what the Empire wants with it.”
The Farghul nodded, feverishly tapped away at the control and then beckoned Yoryn to the screen she was working on. Yoryn saw the composition of the Pyke fleet, the commanders and as current as was possible placement of the ships in battle. Yoryn tapped on the screen and opened a comm to the Hornet addressing its captain Zago Kint”Captain Kint, this is Yoryn Darnur of the Krykna. I don’t expect you to know what exactly that means at the moment, but I’d like the opportunity to explain. You’re smart enough to know that the Pykes can’t hold out for long in this battle. If you cut bait and retreat to the farside of the planet I will ensure that the Imps don’t follow. From there we can work out an arrangement for how we can both benefit from the future market of Bota-Spice.”
Saul couldn't help but cringe a little bit at Valmy's wording as they crouched behind cover. He wasn't used to women calling him "Cutie" of all things. But a drink was a drink, and he never did get the good stuff where he came from."I'll take you up on that." He gave a chuckle of his own at her next comment towards the Mandalorian, knowing it probably wasn't going to happen. He didn't know much about Mandos but he did know if their helmet was on, it wasn't coming off. Especially not among strangers like they were. As the detonators ticked down, the last thing that he though before the explosion was how nice it was to be somewhat alive.
His ears not being blown out like Valmy's, he gave Flag a nod of acknowledgment before jumping in the hole without hesitation. His two blaster pistols were out as he landed on the concrete floor and advanced into the unknown. I'm glad I don't have to breath all this stuff in. I don't need to be squeezing in the middle of combat.But unfortunately, the Pykes would not let them rest. He heard the sound of the telltale sound of blaster bolts coming and didn't wait for Flag's order's, rushing ahead as he tried to ignore the bolts glancing off his armor. As the sounds of the incoming bolts got louder and louder, he went down in a baseball slide, shooting randomly at muzzle blasts as he tried to end up where the attackers didn't expect, sliding under them.
A console on the bridge exploded violently- the result of an extreme power overload that slagged the circuit breakers and fed a megawatt of energy directly into the illumination features of the control panel. The lights were as good as bombs when so much power was pushed through them, and they detonated. Shrapnel peppered the droid working the station, but it did it no harm. The unit merely shuffled to an auxiliary station and resumed its work.
Zago, meanwhile, was appalled at the increasing destruction of his ship. The battle was beginning to turn. He could see where things were headed.
He mashed a button, "There is no reason for the Hornet to remain here. Allow me to hyperspace clear of this, and I can command the fighters from the far perimeter of the system."
The response was swift,"Remain on your attack vector, Commander. If you attempt to jump, we will deploy interdiction as necessary to prevent your departure."
Zago cursed. It was like they were trying to get him killed.
He composed himself, and then announced to the bridge, "I am boarding my attack ship. I'll lead the fighter squadrons personally. Continue firing all weapons, and have all fighter squadrons concentrate fire on that vessel until I am in position." He pointed at the Midnight.
"Roger, roger," came the simple response.
Only on a droid ship could the Captain abandon the boat without concern or commentary from the crew.
On the Bridge:
Augustus' plan was well past its mid point, he could see that both sides' fighter compliment was thinning; him pushing up with the Duchess and her point-defense was a boon to the Imperial pilots. But it was also a curse for Augustus, he was closer to the battlefield and that meant he was in range of enemy pilots breaking off to attack his ship, and more importantly his crew.
All of the Imperial ships main batteries were firing directly at the Hornet hoping to cripple it enough for the pykes to make it pull back. After all that Interdictor and frigates were at the back not helping this lone cruiser. Augustus wondered why, then a communications officer raised her hand, "Sir, we've intercepted another communique between Commander Kint and the Pykes. Playing it now."
He mashed a button, "There is no reason for the Hornet to remain here. Allow me to hyperspace clear of this, and I can command the fighters from the far perimeter of the system."
The response was swift,"Remain on your attack vector, Commander. If you attempt to jump, we will deploy interdiction as necessary to prevent your departure."
"Well, that's certainly interesting. It seems the Pykes want this Commander Kint to put himself on the pike for them. Wasn't there another communication at the beginning of this battle about him doing what he was paid for?"Augustus asked. Another of the communications officer shouted an affirmative to the Captain's question. "Keep pushing forward, reduce firepower on the cruiser and put it back into flak. See if we can't get an encrypted line to this Commander Kint, if he was hired, I'm sure he wasn't hired to kill himself for the pykes. Also, contact the Admiralty, see what sort of bargaining chips we have, be it credits or influence, we might have to make a counter offer. But, that's if he even picks up the call." In the cockpit:
For Tempest Squadron, this type of work was a cake walk, after all, they've been taking down pirates since their last Captain, Karl, left the First Order before its collapse. At least that's what they would have wanted to say, this was the first time in a long while where it wasn't just a destroy mission. They needed to work with Krenth Squadron to escort their heavy bombers past the cruiser to begin engaging the Interdictor and it's frigates. Luckily, the flak from the Duchess and Daybreak softened what they were up against, but they still had to get past everything else. They were doing good, splashing targets left and right, the Erads being tough was helping too.
Unfortunately, after recieving their orders and beginning to splash targets, one of the newer flight sergeants FO TIE/D had a malfunction and it costed them their lives. That's the price for working with older tech. That's been their only casuality thus far. Then as if on cue,
<<This is Eradicator Besh, we've been hit to many times our engines are barely keeping up. We are returning to the Daybreak.>>
Great. Now they were down a bomber. Luckily for them, these weren't the only bombers that were given these orders. Eradicators from groups two and three were also going to be heading for the frigates once they got close enough, with an escort of four TIE/LNs. And it wasn't just Tempest's Squad to bare, Krenth Squad was doing excellent, they created a sort-of tunnel for them to fly through, it should get them through the rest of the way with out too much interference. On the Bridge:
Augustus watched as the enemy Hyena's didn't give up on the Midnight. He had a holoprojection with their current status in front of him. They weren't looking good, not bad, but not good. Their shields were below fifty-percent, and too many strikes were getting through. Augustus could see that if he kept pushing them, they were as good as dead. "Comms, have the Midnight cut their speed, put most of their focus into defense now, make sure the Gozanti's are giving them the screens they need. To cover them where they are damaged. If things get too bad I want them to give them enough time to get out."
The Pantoran captain looked out of the glasteel windows on the bridge. This was his first battle under the Empire of the Lost's banner, losing a ship here would reflect badly on him, but in his mind losing a ship didn't matter as long as the crew survives. He needed to put the heat on.
"Helmsman, increase speed to one-half, we need to support the Midnight as much as we can."He said pressing a button on his headset. "Daybreak, forward thrusters, make it seem like we are starting to push even more. But hold once you get to your original vector from our blockade."
"We can do that." The Commander of the Daybreak responded.
"Comms, where are we at with that encrypted line."
"I just need a recording, to entice him to even answer us."
"Well, record this."He said taking in a full breath."Commander Kint, it seems like your Pyke benefactors want you to march to your death. You seem smarter than them. Help us help you. We want the Pykes out of theis system, and you want a payday. I know I can't reduce the amount of damage done to you already, but I can put the hurt somewhere else. Your crew doesn't have to die here, it can be the Pykes instead."
He hoped that would be enough to begin communications, but he wouldn't get his hopes up. TL;DR
1. Augustus begins planning on how to flip Zago Kint. 2. Narrator view from Tempest Squadron. 3. Augustus follows through on his plan to push and sends a message to Zago.
Yol Kan
|
Saul Whesai
|
Kebii'kara Solus
Valmy Tomo
