Waking up

[Riley Reese]

Republic Intelligence? Riley had to think about that one for a second. She glanced around the room, taking in the sight of her other 'siblings' removing themselves from their bacta tanks and regaining their bearings while others moved about to assist them. Riley then turned her attention back to Ali. "I'm TR 004357-3A. My siblings just call me Riley." She took another glance around the room, noticing that Ali was the only one like her here. "Why is the Republic here? Are you working alone?"

[member="Ali Hadrix"]

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali frowned at the way the woman introduced herself. No living being should ever have to live as a number. "I'll stick with Riley, okay?" Ali established with a smile. "You don't want to hear about my work, it's boring. What about you?" Ali asked, deflecting, letting her gaze drift throughout the facility. "What is this place? Is it your home?

[member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley gave a nod at Alis response to just calling her by her name. She wasn't really sure why Republic intelligence was here, but she'd figure that out sooner or later. Shakily she got to her feet. Her cybernetic eyes moved slowly around the room before landing on the woman in front of her. "Yes. This is our home, my home. It's where I was raised as a child to become a soldier. This room is the medical center used for treating minor combat injuries. It's not as well supplied or as advanced as the genetics lab though."

[member="Ali Hadrix"]

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali looked around as Riley explained a little about the environment in which she lived. It was strange to think these sorts of things went on in the Galaxy, but on the whole Ali wasn't entirely surprised. She was mostly shocked this operation had stayed quiet for so long, hidden from the rest of the Nar Shaddaa Overworld. Ali reached for a nearby towel and draped it over Riley's shoulders. "Well it's fancy enough to impress me, that's for sure," Ali said, curious what happened next. She worried for a moment that the young woman had said too much about herself and her comrades, and that she might end up not being released by these people as a result. She looked up at the mysterious man who'd led her down there. "So what now?"

[member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

The leader of the group stepped up beside Ali. "Now. We need to prepare for the coming threat. Your guard will keep you safe. The rest will armor up and get ready to do what they were trained for." He then turned to Riley. "I suggest you get your gear together. Your main priority is to keep her safe. Can you do that?" Riley straightened up when the leader of the group spoke to her. "Yes sir!" He merely gave a nod and left the two alone.

[member="Ali Hadrix"]

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali was amazed to see the young woman upright and ready for action so quickly after being released from what Ali could only have seen as long term storage. She frowned and set her jaw, but nodded at the mysterious man, "Can I have my weapons back at least?" She asked nonchalantly, hoping they might acquiesce. If things went horribly wrong that night Ali would at least need to be able to escape and return back to Republic Headquarters off-world.

[member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

At Alis request, the soldier following the leader turned back to Ali and handed her her blaster. Riley then turned to Ali. "We need to get to the armory. That's where my supplies should be." She then turned and made her way out of the medical room and down the halls.

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali nodded in thanks, surprised and relieved these people were comfortable with reequipping her. She had expected them to deny her request, but Ali took the weapon and holstered it gladly. Ali followed her new...chaperone?...at a trot, her mind burning with questions. "How long were you in there? And how are you just...all ready to go? Shouldn't you be resting?" Ali's mouth ran at a speed that outstripped her power to control it, surprising even herself.

[member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley thought about it for a moment. "A few days, maybe a couple of weeks. I'm not sure. Time seems irrelevant when you're in stasis." They made their way down the corridors towards the armory. All around them armed soldiers were going to fro, preparing for what was to come. The second question was easier to awnser. "I don't need to rest because, like the rest of my brothers and sisters, we have had genetic enhancements. So we can recover quicker from most things, also sleep less and other things." It was her turn to ask a question. If you're with the Republic. Then why are you here? The few of us alone couldn't have attracted that much attention."

[member="Ali Hadrix"]

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali eyed the young woman warily from behind, somewhat unnerved by the utter coolness with which Riley commented on her situation. As she was lost in thought, Riley's question caught her off guard. Ali shook the thoughts from her head and looked over at the girl. "Uh...what? No, no, I was sent to investigate drug cartels." Ali waved a finger vaguely up in the air, "That led me to you lot."

[member=Riley Reese]

 

[Riley Reese]

"Drug cartels? There hasn't been one here in quite some time." They reached the end of the hallway where a large vault door stood open. Other soldiers were making their way in and out, grabbing supplies from the massive armory inside. Riley made her way into the room and headed towards a computer terminal. "I'd grab something with a little more firepower if I were you." She input several keys on the terminal. A low whirring sound could be heard from behind the wall. When it stopped, a slot slid open and a suit of armor like everyone else's sat in a in. Riley grabbed the armor, the number 138 was visible on the shoulder, the same number that was on her forearm. She began to suit up, the tight fitting under armor. "I'm kinda glad you did stumble upon us. There were more of us before I fell asleep."

[member="Ali Hadrix"]

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali smirked, So much for valid intel then, she thought as Riley revealed how wrong G.R.I.M. had been about the situation on Nar Shaddaa. She followed the young woman to an armory room, one deceptively large for the size of the facility itself. Ali watched Riley don her own numbered armor, wondering how long it had been since the girl had used it. Ali merely stood by and watched as Riley spoke, smiling vaguely at the remark of appreciation as she thought about other things. After the girl was ready, Ali put a gentle hand up and frowned. "I'm sorry, I understand the situation here is...untenable at best, but my task was to gather information, not assist in urban combat between rival gang forces." Ali rubbed her hand over her opposite wrist, she was feeling somewhat nervous. It was true, however. Jumping into the middle of a fight was Ali's best way of losing her position, and she had no intention of letting that happen for a small group of people she didn't even know. I don't even know if they're good, she thought suddenly, realising she hadn't been able to really get to know these people yet. "I'm fine waiting to be released, but as far as this fight is concerned, it's not mine."

[member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley gave a small grin at Alis statement. "Suit yourself. Things might get a little hot up there." She finished putting on her armor and turned to face Ali. "But, that's your decision. We might not be able to protect you. We were trained to fight and kill, sometimes forgetting that others don't have the same level of training that we do." She grabbed the rest of her gear and began to head towards the exit. "Come on. We should get to the briefing room."

[member="Ali Hadrix"]

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali considered Riley's words for a moment. She was confident she could handle herself, though she did feel outclassed by Riley and her comrades, who were literally born to do this. She finally nodded to the young woman and followed her to the exit. "Don't worry so much about me, I'll do what I can for myself." Ali told her as they entered the briefing room and sat down. Ali was curious to find out what the situation was and how their tactical situation looked from an objective standpoint.

[member=Riley Reese]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley followed Ali into the briefing room and sat down next to her. The room was decent sized with raised benches, in front was a large holoprojector. Standing next to it was the leader of the group that brought Ali into the facility. Next to him was a new face, one that was showed the wear and tare of many long battles, his black hair was turning to grey. His eyes, even though cybernetic, seemed to hold some forms of deep wisdom to them. Riley leaned in towards Ali and whispered. "That's our commanding officer, Gallows. We don't call him that within ear shot though."

Before Riley could say another word, the man stepped forward. "All right, listen up. I'm sure you're all aware of what's happening. A local crimelord seems to have gotten a little to curious for their own good. Intel states that we have three vessels inbound." Behind him, the holoprojector burst to life showing the image of one large transport ship being supported by two smaller armed skiffs. "From what we can tell they seem to think that no one is home. As their taking their sweet time getting here. So, I want you to make them most welcome when they arrive." The image on the holoprojector changed to one showing the main level above. "Alpha team will be positioned here." He pointed at the main hall. "Where they will set up an ambush for any forward scouts. Once any scouts have been eliminated, Bravo team will move forward to the main entrance once the defenses have been raised. Charle team, you'll be positioned on rooftops from either side of the landing pad. Do not fire until our friends have been engaged by Bravo team. Your teams have already been sent to you HUD. We don't have any time to waste, their almost here. Dismissed."

Riley turned to Ali as everyone else started to get up and leave. "Well that was brief. Come on we're with Bravo team." She turned and started to lead Ali out of the room.

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Ali listened to the brief intently, soaking as many details the holodisplay showed as possible into her memory. The attack plan seemed straightforward enough, but things seemed too cut and dry for Ali's comfort. Still, she followed Riley without a word to join with Bravo Team outside the briefing chamber. She took Riley by the arm and pulled her aside. "I'm guessing I'll have access to my equipment?" She asked, missing the feel of the Verpine submachine gun at her hip. Ali looked down at the younger woman's cybernetic eyes, suddenly regretting her decision to opt out of the fight. But hers was a task to observe and investigate, not jump into armed conflicts between warring crime organizations. "I can stay just through the battle, but after that, I've got to be free to leave. Can you guarantee me that, Riley?"

[member=Riley Reese]​