Faction Thou Shalt Not Fear (SJC)

[Relan Dredec]

​

BELASCO
1430 HOURS




Belasco was a curiosity, even among most of the worlds in the Concord. It had a peculiar problem, but it had become so managed in it's problem that it was a routine. To the people of Belasco, the 7-year pathogen attack had become more than a nuisance, than a threat. Relan could respect that. He was here, advising and assisting the local security forces. For now, the transportation of the large water shipment- the train that ran miles upon miles long, was a good exercise on security. There was not a real threat, but there was some threat, that someone could actively take the train and potentially cause a humanitarian crisis. The water was selected carefully, to give the planet enough water to keep it's people, as much as it's plant's, hydrated.

The pathogen was not lethal unless ingested, and proper PPE prevented contact with it. And it was bacterial, so easily treatable by today's standards. But difficult once in the water.

Belasco's water supply was dependent on the train, and several others like it. The Shadows sent him, and several other Rangers, to aid and assist the local security forces in securing their precious cargo. Relan was happy to help. He was in the middle of a convoy briefing, describing their security measures to guard their most vulnerable positions along the route to the tanks at each city- the intersections and crossing areas. Most of the terrain they were crossing was mountainous and not advantageous to an attack, but the crossing areas were a danger.

Then, one of the Rangers came in, in quite a stir. Apologizing to the Belasco militiamember leaders, the Ranger simply pointed outside. The Train was leaving.

And on it, millions of people's water supply for the next few months.

Relan radioed to begin an immediate shut-down, but to no avail. They had disabled the controls inside the train, effectively making it a runaway train. Relan saw the train speeding away, watching the cars pass by. He had to act fast. Only a few cars for the maintenance crew. Holding his rifle tightly across his chest, Relan made a run for the platform, crossing past several militiamembers and bewildered Rangers. At a dead sprint, he felt confident he could make it, but didn't feel confident about his chances of not having pain.

The maintenance and observation and control car, one of the ones to the rear, and his last chance to board- came close behind him. He closed his eyes, trusted in whoever or whatever was out there, and let his feet leap from the ground. Sneaker-covered feet leapt from the ground, and into the air. Flying high and flying true, he opened his eyes, and his hand outstretched, grasping onto the handle as tightly as he could on the outside. And the train was left at the station, leaving Relan alone on the train. He heard a few automatic weapons firing, probably whoever took the train and disabled the box finishing off the security teams inside.

Not a good first impression of his security work. Rotating his body upwards and into the cabin, his suspicions were proven right. Two bodies, one engineer and one security team member. Both shot in the back of the head, execution style.

But where were the bad guys?

Relan checked the charge on his blaster rifle, before looking around, touching the radio attached to the webbing on his chest.

"This is Agent Dredec! Does anyone read? I am on Train Six- it's been taken over! I need backup!"

OOC:

A train has been taken over by terrorists- and the Silver Jedi must stop it while also making sure not to destroy it- millions of lives and a planet's livelihood is at stake! Show the people of Belasco to trust in the Concord- and stop that train!

 

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Belasco
Wearing: Robes
Equipment: Carbine | Pistol | Lightsaber
Tags: Relan Dredec

Audren didn't know why the natives of Belasco had asked for security assistance with this cycle's water shipment, and in all honesty he didn't really need to know. He was just nosy. The important part was that they'd asked for the assist and the Silver Jedi Concord was there to provide. Every seven years a bacterial pathogen permeated the planet's natural water supply. The results of ingesting this bacteria were not pleasant, but after so long the planet's inhabitants considered it just a minor annoyance. After hundreds, if not thousands, of years they'd simply learned to stockpile enough water during the six good years to cover what was needed for the seventh. The analysts focused around water use on the planet were second to none, working hand in hand with population analysts to predict how much water would need to be set aside each year to supply an ever-fluctuating population.

A Jedi had not been requested for the operation. The Sephi had caught wind of the operation however and asked to be embedded with the Rangers being sent to the planet. He wasn't going as a commander or auditor but rather as an observer, and support if necessary. The outcome of Ranger efforts were readily obvious but he hadn't ever had the opportunity to see them operating up close. Such a low-key situation would be a perfect time to see how they operated in real time and determine what such teams might need both gadget- and training-wise.

Almost predictably, he was running late.

His transport was about a minute away from landing when he heard the comm report that the train had started moving. Startled at the news, Audren checked his datapad and compared the planned itinerary against the current time. He didn't think he was that late. He was right, the two times didn't match up. Someone had started the train early. That in and of itself wasn't all too worrying: security matters could alter arrival and departure times as a matter of course or maybe some other last-minute detail had necessitated the change. It was just an annoyance to him. That was, just an annoyance until the comm signal came through.

"This is Agent Dredec! Does anyone read? I am on Train Six- it's been taken over! I need backup!"

Both eyebrows raised at that signal. The elfin Jedi took it in stride however - so to speak - and informed the pilot that they would now be intercepting the train. It was too dangerous to actually try interdicting it but he could at least catch up and assist. The transport he was on was a pilot model dropship being developed and could have carried more than a dozen fully-kitted soldiers...had they anticipated something like this occurring. As it was the Master made his way to the weapons rack and selected a carbine with a collapsible stock, as well as a couple extra power packs to go with it. This he slung across his back; it would go well with the sidearm on his left hip and the lightsaber on his right. Had he known this was to be a combat situation he'd have worn something heavier than his robes but they were reasonably armored and would have to be acceptable.

"Hang tight Dredec, Jedi Sykes inbound."

The transport's pilots were top-notch, used to putting experimental vessels through their paces. It took mere minutes for them to catch up to the train and begin pacing it. One might expect the engines to be overwhelmingly loud but instead the noise had faded the closer they got and by the time they were in position the sound of the locomotive easily drowned them out. When the Sephi opened the door the ship descended until he was just about two meters above the roof, at which point he simply dropped down. The dropship smoothly gained altitude and peeled off. No doubt the pilots would stay in the area as long as they could but be well out of immediate danger.

Long blond hair streamed in the wind as the Master calmly knelt atop the train's dorsal surface. He brought the carbine around and flipped off the safety before looking around for a way down.

 

[Risen]

Risen turned around.

He’d been leaving Belasco on a droid-flown jumper when the call came in, a few uneventful weeks of guarding scientists behind him. He was hoping that meant there was no threat after all. And then, "This is Agent Dredec! Does anyone read?”

Risen pulled himself up to the cockpit, jamming at buttons until coordinates scrolled across the screen. The pilot droid gave an awkward thumbs up as the ship banked hard, turning back to the water plants of Belasco.

"Hang tight Dredec, Jedi Sykes inbound."

The knight grabbed a radio. “Risen, I'm on my way.”

The jumper took a wobbling course alongside Train Six. He’d hoped for some intel, but judging from the speeding train and flashes of gunfire, he doubted it would suddenly appear. The only eyes were their own. Radio in one hand, Risen booted open the ship’s side door and leaned out. “I’ll try to get you a sitrep, standby.”

Windows broken. Smoking in places. As he pulled up to the front of the train, it was clear the takeover hadn’t been pretty. Even the engine seemed unstable, accelerating in arrhythmic lurches, though Risen couldn’t say for sure. He relayed this to the others as best he could. What happened here? He motioned the droid closer.

Then dove. Dark shapes moved at the side windows, sending a salvo of blaster bullets at the jumper. Its cabin lit up in the shower, but Risen was unharmed: he was hanging from the landing feet one-handed, radio and wan-shen in the other.

“Well, I think they’re at the front of the train. I’ll try and drop back, clear me an LZ.” Risen tugged backward on the jumper, preparing for another round of gunfire.

 

[Relan Dredec]

One of them burst into the room, having seen Relan jump onto the train. He raised his carbine at him, and Relan instinctively ducked and lay flat on the ground, with the salvo of blaster fire going over his head in the tiny traincar. He charged at the terrorist from the floor, pinning the Zabrak against the wall, using his carbine to push against his neck. He used his shoulder to pin him, and withdrew his combat knife from his webbing.

He didn't stab him once, or slice him in the throat. At this range, small, sharp movements were better. Relan shanked him, going into his ribcage, stomach, and lungs. As the Zabrak began to keel over, Relan stabbed him behind the ear, severing his brain stem. As the Zabrak went over and slumped, Relan shoved him out of the open door that he climbed into.

He poked his head outside of the train, his eyes narrowing due to the serious wind.

And then, an intense barrage of blaster fire from the front of the train.

And some Jedi on top!

"Good golly!"

Relan exclaimed outloud, popping his head up over the top of the train- taking a few pot shots at the machine gun fire from the front of the train. Then- came a lumbering hand. A brutishly sized Trandoshan stood tall, holding a repeater blaster. He had arms the size of small children and his scaly feet gripped tightly to the train's surface. And the rotating barrels orientated right at the Jedi standing on top of the train.

And blue bolts came screaming at the Jedi.

His radio cackled as he took cover on the ladder, ducking every so often as a blaster bolt came close. He pressed his comm unit, flinching every so often.

"Try and cut them off at the next junction- we need to come from both sides!"

Risen l Audren Sykes

 

[Risen]

Relan Dredec Audren Sykes

Shots whizzed past. Dangling from the speeding starship, Risen had to twist and swing to avoid them. He was lying flat against the ship’s bottom when the request came.

Risen peeked past the ship, towards the train’s destination, lifting his head as much as he dared. Focusing as far as he could, he saw the junction. One branch veered off towards a tunnel. The other, straight on to a fueling platform — and Risen doubted the enemy would wait for the track to clear.

Another blaster bolt nearly grazed Risen’s scalp, forcing him to brace up once more. He waited for the volley to end. Behind, the conflict was igniting, though to him they were small shapes at the back of the train. They’d want some help, but he was the only one with a vehicle. Crashing though it was.

“I’ll go ahead, we’ll link up at the switch. Stay-” Pain shot through his arm, a stray bolt destroying the radio in his hand. Risen sighed. "- alive."

The jumper was still gliding, but it had taken some damage. Probably wouldn’t make the return flight, if it didn’t explode long beforehand. Even now it smoked. A better soldier would be counting bullets, Risen thought. He forced the idea away. He was the soldier he was — but that didn’t make this next part less frightening. Here goes nothing.

He let go. It was just a moment, freefalling into gunfire. Wind still pummeled his body. But Risen gave himself to the Force, willing it to enhance his strength, his reflexes. His speed. He turned in air, gripped the landing feet, and pulled. With a shout, he threw his legs overhead, up and through the open door of the ship.

Something broke as he slammed into the cockpit, the acrid smoke of damaged electronics burned his lungs. But first, panting, Risen dashed for the door. Racing the gunmen, he slammed it shut just as their bullets struck glass. He sat back into the jump seat, sighing.

Now, what was it that… Risen turned to see the shattered remains of the pilot droid. He’d smashed it on his approach, the source of a fresh bruise on his back. Well, the ship was going to crash anyway. It had already lost some speed during his acrobatics. He faced the controls.

“Okay. How does this thing work?”

 

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Belasco
Wearing: Robes
Equipment: Carbine | Pistol | Lightsaber
Tags: Relan Dredec | Risen

Looking around as he was, Audren didn't see the alien step onto the roof many cars ahead. It was only once he'd recognized that there were people below him as well as in the car ahead that he realized the cars were probably linked and he could get inside that way. There were water cars for sure, most of the train was going to be water tanks, but no doubt there would be ladders for those cars. As he carefully stood to move forward he saw the hulking Trandoshan leveling a massive gun at him, and the blue bolts started flying.

It didn't occur to the Jedi to use the Force to speed up his movement. He dropped into a flat-out sprint forward and immediately raised a Force-based barrier as he did. Many in his position would simply have created a wall between the gun and their person, but he'd long ago shifted his thinking. Instead of a vertical barrier that would stop any bolt dead in the air, he instead formed a cone of densely-woven threads of Force power. The tip of the cone pointed towards the trigger-happy fellow, while the 'base' of the cone was large enough to cover the Master entirely. Rather than expending the energy to stop repeater bolts, he simply deflected them away from him. It wasn't great for a battlefield environment, but he was all alone up here. The further he extended out the point the more subtle the effect as well. Yet despite the cone, a bolt still sliced into the robe at his side. Fortunately the phrik weave within took care of the energy and he felt only a bit of heat.

A few meters short of the edge of the car, the Sephi dropped into a diving slide. A couple shots were sent in the general direction of the Trandoshan as he slid; they looked weak compared to the repeater and weren't really aimed, the chance of hitting with a moving carbine from this range were slim to none with his skill level. At the ledge he saw the narrow walkway and flipped forward, landing in a crouched stance. His left hand extended the carbine's stock, then slapped the open button to open the door ahead of him. Inside, a man in train livery turned and swung a vibrosword in pure reaction to Audren, no finesse. He was met with a rushing shoulder to the chest as well as a bit of telekinetic power to trip him backwards. Train crew were allies after all. Further down the car however a gunman raised a pistol towards the open door, and a squeeze of Audren's carbine sent a short burst - three bolts - screaming through the air. Only two hit, but one was in the shoulder and the other was a centerline torso shot. Instant kill.

He moved forward, but as he did felt something hit his boot. Behind him the crew member had swung his sword again and nicked the armorplast. At a closer look the elfin Jedi could see the back of the tunic had two blaster holes in it, holes unmatched by the pristine skin beneath. Another two carbine bolts put holes in the body to match the ones in the shirt and ended that threat. With the car now at least apparently clear, he took a moment to glance around. This wasn't a passenger cabin, it had equipment storage containers stacked with only a walking path through. Scientific equipment of some kind, he didn't know the terminology written on them. One was open, showing an empty humanoid-sized space within. Another was closed but there was a slowly-growing pool of blood coming from it. He couldn't sense any life within...no doubt it was the unlucky crew member who had been walking through when these other two made their move.

"Be advised, hijackers may be wearing clothing from train workers."

As the Master moved forward towards the next car, he thought. Several factors pointed to this being a planned job rather than something thrown together on the spur of the moment. The containers used to get onboard, and the Trandoshan with a heavy repeater, that the train had left early so much of the security team wasn't onboard. As far as he knew the water was the only real prize here. Maybe they were trying to steal and sell it on the black market? Or infect it, or vaporize it, or...there were too many possibilities. Not his department right now, he was just here to stop them. He wasn't alone either, there was an Agent Dredec and someone calling himself Risen here too. A whole team of Rangers would be better but they'd make do.

 

[Relan Dredec]

Stay what?

From his interior position, Relan wasn't able to see the finesse, piloting, and acrobatics of Risen . The Train kept pressing forward, barreling through the tunnel. Relan managed to press himself to the outside of the train, trying to climb to the top. Suddenly- a hand popped out, a gray coveralls wearing outfit. He assumed rightly that it was the train operator, and extended a hand to pull him up to the top of the train.

Well, that was until he saw the barrel of a blaster coming screeching from his other hand. Relan let the man's hand go, ducking to avoid the roof of the tunnel they were in. The lights flashed, providing only momentary glimpses of the movements of the man with the gun. But in that same vein, he could only briefly see Relan now and again. Relan aimed his blaster at him, but found him right on top of him in the brief flashes of the emergency lights that lined the tunnel. He felt his weight on his gun, pushing it down. Relan instinctively went to the side, and was right when the next flash of light produced a hip fired pistol.

The red bolt went wide, slamming against the concrete wall of the tunnel.

Relan felt his weapon go away as the bad guy hit it downwards. He was trained, that much was to say. He let the rifle go- wasn't doing him any good. He didn't even hear it clatter, the wind was too loud. Withdrawing the knife from his shoulder strap, his radio cackled, but he was too focused on the fight to listen to what anyone had to say. He went wide with the knife, eliciting a scream. The next flash of light saw his purchase proofed- he got him across the arm, his non-dominant hand. Relan had to capitalize, had to move fast. Had to end the fight. He dropped down, laying flat on his back.

And with the next passing light, kicked upwards.

His feet felt a heavy object, and he could hear a gentle thud, then a couple more. The thug went up and over, and fell off the train. He turned his head to look at the wall- finding a nice, pasty red spot and a mostly destroyed body. Grimacing at the gore, Relan scrambled along the train, crawling to avoid an unfortunate death trying to stand up anymore on the top of the train.

"Be advised, hijackers may be wearing clothing from train workers."

Thanks.

Thanks, Master Jedi.

Relan crawled forward, trying to reach the front of the train, when a few blaster bolts, blue in color, came screeching over his head. Further on up ahead, he saw a very big man, crouching to avoid the tunnel, spraying a Repeater at them.

Great.

Just. Great.

Audren Sykes

 

[Risen]

Relan Dredec Audren Sykes

Two shifty men in ill-fitting railway clothes watched the smoking starship pass overhead. It sailed low, teetering, like it was losing balance. They watched it go, nearly clipping the control station, and hang to the left.

By then, Risen was already on them.

He tumbled from the falling ship into a safety roll. He popped up and rammed the haft of his spear into one man’s stomach, then leapt to the other. Before the enemy could raise their carbine, Risen launched himself sideways and drove both heels into his torso. Empowered by the Force, the blow sent him bowling down the grassy field. The knight turned on instinct and batted away a blaster bolt from the first man, who had recovered. He crouched low to avoid the wild shots, drew his knife from its sheath on the haft of the wan-shen, and hurled it. It pierced the gunman’s arm. Risen closed the distance and silenced him with a strong hook to the jaw.

It was a little messier than he’d hoped for. Risen hobbled to check the other gunman, the Force still at work healing his ankle from the impact of his fall. A fireball in the field reminded him of that as the jumper finally crashed. He winced in anticipation of the damage report, stepping up to the door of the control room, a sloping metal shed that would manage this junction. He reached for the handle…

And was launched back into the field. His vision spun as his back slammed into the ground. He heard lumbering footsteps from the station. A burly Trandoshan stepped down, stairs groaning in protest against its heft. Rifle and sidearm were holstered as it held a wicked club over its head, and swung.

Risen rolled to narrowly avoid the blow. He tried to get to his feet, but was met with a fierce kick to the ribs which sent him rolling over the tracks. The train was still at a distance, but fast approaching the switch. I don’t have time for this, Risen thought.

The Trandoshan walked with a lumbering gait, which gave the knight time to stand. He summoned up what speed he could and dashed for the station. He grimaced. His ankle, not quite healed, rebelled at the effort. Risen’s foe reached out a clawed hand to snatched the back of his vest, sending the knight to the ground with a hammer fist.

His head swam with the blaring of Train Six. He tasted blood. But the station was close — and so were the unconscious gunmen.

Risen tore his knife from the enemy’s arm and drove it into the Trandoshan’s calf. It roared. Risen scrambled towards the station, limping. He dove through the door and slid. Beside him was a window, and below that a lever positioned towards “Fueling to Senta Station.” Risen gripped the lever and pulled.

By the time the Trandoshan burst into the control room, Train Six had passed: it veered left, away from the refueling platform. Whatever the enemy’s plan was, at least the station was secure. He’d bought time. As for the other problem, Risen suspected that this giant would have trouble in close quarters.

It rose its club to smash him into the ground, but the wind-up fell flat. Risen stabbed forward, spearpoint reaching the Trandoshan’s exposed midsection.

Three enemies lay still. Risen wiped blood from his mouth and held his cracked rib as he hobbled to the passing train. He braced his shoulder and boarded the last car to pass.

Hopefully, he thought, they’re having better luck than I am. So he went forward through the train, in hopes of finding an ally.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Belasco
Wearing: Robes
Equipment: Carbine | Pistol | Lightsaber
Tags: Relan Dredec | Risen

The path to the next car was unobstructed. The doors were open and he couldn't tell by a quick glance if this was by design or due to sabotage. Not that it mattered much at this point. The next car was a bit different though, and drew his curiosity more than the dismal safety practices of a door being open. It was a water car, but unlike anything he would have designed. From what he could see there were three or maybe even six cylindrical tanks evenly spaced lengthwise down the car; they rested on struts that prevented them from rolling. The walking surface was raised grating that came up to about half the height of the tanks and formed two parallel walkways between the tanks. This grating was open on either side of the car, so it would be fairly simple for someone to have tossed something underneath.

No further blue bolts could be seen overhead. Either the Trandoshan had decided to conserve ammo when available targets had disappeared or he'd gone back below. Audren kept low regardless, moving at a half-crouch that kept his head from being silhouetted. Part of his attention was on his surroundings, but much of it was below the grating. Naturally there was some trash there, but he also saw some bags there. One looked like it had been raided; only a blaster pistol remained within while the other was sealed and lumpy. A weapon cache maybe, though why it hadn't been fully emptied he couldn't say. A few steps later the Sephi almost emptied his carbine's power cell into the grating as he found a pair of open eyes staring up at him. Trigger discipline stopped that from happening in this case; he wasn't a trained soldier supremely confident in safely handling his gun. There had been no indication of the person from the Force and after a few seconds it became obvious why: the body was a dead one, hidden out of sight here. Smallclothes only so maybe a crew member? Odd that the bodies were hidden with the train being so obviously hijacked so maybe they were from earlier stages of the journey.

An abrupt whoosh could be both heard and felt as the train rushed past what looked like a station of some kind. There was no impact so he shrugged it off and kept moving forward, only to stop in consternation at the sight of the next car. It too carried tanks, but that was about all it had in common with the one the Jedi was on. That one was more like expected, a solid gridwork and multiple tanks stacked close together. No walking space between them. There looked to be some grating along the top - oh, they were approaching a tunnel now - and maybe the girders on the side could be used, though there was a ladder connected to the top grating. It clearly hadn't been designed for traversal in motion. There wasn't even a walkway strung up between cars, he'd have to jump.

The elfin master crouched fully as the train entered the tunnel. Lights passed by overhead at intervals, which meant the top of the train was even more dangerous now. He had a brief mental image of the burly Trandoshan splattered against the tunnel's entrance but dismissed it as wishful thinking: he hadn't seen a discoloration indicating anything like that. Forcing his mind back to the present he slung his carbine across his back then jumped across the gap. The leap showed all the grace and surety of the Force-gifted and resulted in a firm grip on the ladder. A few rungs up took his head just above the lip of the framework...and he immediately ducked it down as a light rushed by overhead. The rapidly-approaching light had all but ruined his vision; while he thought himself safe in the current position he was also not helping. It was an impatient wait for his eyes to readjust and blink away the spots in his vision.

 

[Relan Dredec]

Relan crouch-walked forward, pausing to jump between the train cars. The light was an advantage now, they were encroaching on the Trandoshan with the repeater together- the Jedi and himself. Relan had the same issue as the Elfin Jedi- the train was clearly not designed to be traversed while in motion. The tanks were designed to be offloaded individually- the gaps between the cars were significant.

Relan's jacket fluttered in the wind, the blaster bolts travel distance dangerously close. Him and the Jedi were nearly knife close. Relan looked over at him, in the passing, infrequent light, and gave him a thumbs up.

Relan couldn't tell him what he was about to do- the noise was too much. Nor did he have time to make noise. The Trandoshan was approaching, ducking to point his Repeater at the Elfin Jedi, while Relan was nowhere to be found in the darkness. Barrels of the repeater rotated to spin up and give the Jedi a faceful of plasma- only for the barrel to go wildly upwards, followed by a screech of pain, even audible above the rushing of air.

Relan had stabbed the Trandoshan in the wrist, causing the weapon to spiral downward. The Trandoshan smacked Relan away, who tumbled away, barely able to grasp the ladder on the side of the car, trying to flex his abs as hard as he could to prevent him from scraping along the side of the tunnel. Then the light came. Relan looked at the Trandoshan, who was attempting to dig one of Relan's (favorite) knives out of his arm. He looked over at the Jedi, hoping that the more graceful of the two would be able to take advantage of the location to end the threat in the meantime.

Audren Sykes l Risen