Log:BHG: Shadows of Rishi

The Guild discovers something hiding in a Volcano

OOC Date: April 16, 2021
Location: Rishi
Participants: Bounty Hunters' Guild, Clan Kora, Eriu Jynx, Terek Rosol, Hadrix Kora, Hahtavi, Sumi Kora

<<"Thisssssssssssssssssssssss issss Bossk.">> Airs the sibilant sound of the Trandoshan hunter over comms. <<"By now you have landed on the island, yessssssssssssss. Head toward the volcano and look for cavessssssssss. The sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssignal ended there.">>

The skiff landed at the beach of an island dominated by a tall volcano mountain. The sounds of avian creatures chirping in the line of tropical trees, and critters occupying the surrounding jungle made this spot seem exotic, if not luxurious and somehow.. dangerous. The volcano lurked like a looming dark shadow cast as a backdrop peering over the 'shoulder' of the island, like it were somehow looking down at them and issuing a challenge. A tower of black smoke constantly churned from its core like a chimney, and storm clouds loomed off in the distance with flashes of humid heat lightning.

The ground here felt like it had an underlying hum to it. It reminded Sumi of the awesome power of nature, and how they were all but specks of dust in comparison to its might. It made her feel substantially small, and it made this island seem all the more dangerous. They step onto a beach, the symphony of ocean waves making a steady beat, like a heart beat, and a pleasant breeze brushed by the group. Sumi points to the treeline. <"We ought to hide our skiff for now. Let's see if it can be concealed there or something.">

Eriu is the odd one out in this group but does not seem at all to be bothered by that fact. The smaller woman holds her helmet beneath her arm for a second, adjusting the coiled braid of her dark auburn hair so that its less likely to be pushed downwards once the helmet is settled into place.

The modulated voice of Sumi draws her attention from assessing the large natrual presence that makes up most of the island. "You are likely right," the cultured accent leaves EJ's lips before the helmet is drawn down over her expression and secured into place. Filtered air hits her lungs and she rolls a shoulder back puts herself into position to help move the skiff into concealment.

More damn green growing stuff. Jungles, ugh. Hahtavi hops out of the skiff, his boots landing with a crunch in the gravel, sand and sea shells. His T-visor turns slowly as he takes a good look, rifle already in his gloved hands. Place is /crawling/ with life and not at all like a decent, self respecting wasteland, nope. Crazy.

<" Another blasted volcano. "> Two in the same month! At least this one isn't errupting - yet. And water all around them! Even wierder.

A nod is given to Sumi's orders, <" Aye, Alor. "> Hahtavi reaches a gloved hand back to take hold of a gunwale and help start carrying the skiff up onto the beach to the edge of the jungle so they can hide it. It leaves his rifle hanging from the tactical straps but makes his hands free to get the boat shifted.

Terek's armor is built for this this kind of environment. And if there's one thing that he loves doing, and would be doing even if he weren't with clan Kora, would be hunting down pirates and slavers.

<"I'll help move the skiff."> He responds to Sumi, aiming to assist with the hiding of the equipment. Last thing they'd want is a patroll stumbling across it while they were on the move.

Bucket on and lugging an old companion from times buried and chained... but not wholly forgotten, Hadrix's body language suggests he was going to aid, but with Eriu, Terek and Hahtavi jumping to moving the skiff he just gives a nod before commenting <<"Sullying your hands with us grunts eh, Miss Jynx? I'll give you the comm contact for a decent manicure.">> smirk in his voice before a 'huff' sound from the barrel of the incinerator he unlimbers - checking the valves.

<<"There's no prisoners on this op, correct Ori'Sumi?">> taking a few steps before scouting with magnoculars - the puff of smoke from his helm filters lacking, perhaps not smoking inside his helmet today.

But then slaver pirates would likely get him chewing any sort of cigarra to ruins once he caught sight.

Moving the skiff was but a simple task, and concealing it involved pulling limbs down to cover its exterior and make it less obvious to the naked eye. With it secured, Sumi steps out into the open and looks up at the volcano with some discontent. She hated hikes. She hated running. She hated anything that required her to move for long periods of times; well, not /all/ things. Looking back at the group, Sumi up nods. <"I am going to move ahead and link up with Bossk. Look for a way in, and mark it. We will coordinate once you all are inside this thing. With any lucks, we will find our missing ship, colonists, and be on our merry way.">

To Hadrix, who inquired about prisoners, she shrugs. <"How merciful are you feeling?"> It's said to the tone of amusement, suggesting Sumi might be smiling behind her reflective silver visor.

<"Alright, best be about it. I hear the monsters come out at night."> She shrugs. <"Mostly."> Her rockets flare to life then, and the Mandalorian takes to the sky, away and away. Low chatter over comms suggests she's in contact with the Trandoshan. Bossk shares a point of interest, the waypoint lighting up their HUDs, if they had one.

It takes a moment more for Eriu's HUD to light up but when it does the visor of the sleek helmet turns towards the others. <"Seeing as you all work as a team for the most part, I am going to let you take the lead and I will play clean up."> The Hapan Duchess bows to them and spreads a hand to indicate they can take point even as she looks back behind them, her hand reaching up behind her to adjust the hilt of the elegant sword strapped to her back.

She glances once more up at the volcano and moving in the direction of the denoted spot of interest with the others, tension riding through her form.

Rifle back in his hands, Hahtavi steps away from the skiff's new concealment. His helmet tips back as he watches Sumi lift up, up and away! Then he's back to scanning the beach and the forest for possible hostiles. Hiking he doesn't mind at all, even up a mountain. Youth and vigor are yet his.

A nod to Eriu, <" I'll take point, unless Alverde'Kora suggests otherwise. "> And unless Hadrix does want them arranged differently, Hahtavi begins heading for the volcano, watchful as he ducks into the foliage and starts picking a way through. The point of interest is visible on his HUD to guide them.

Terek waits for the HUD marker to pop up, and then once it finally does, he gives a quick look over to Hahtavi, <"I think you being on point is a great idea. I'll bring up the rear guard.">

He assumes they're going to be going on foot, since not all of them have jetpacks.

Though Terek does, he could absolutely fly up to the marker if he wanted to.

The shift in stance and the low staccato rumble in response to Sumi's question is the answer that she likely expected. Another chuff from the valves as he traces her movement and his posture changes, one man melting into another. Pirate slavers... how merciful does he feel. A roll of his shoulders to limber himself and then another purring growl setting off his externals.

There's a whisper of a voice in the back of his head, but it's being shouted down and the adrenaline shivers are running up his spine.

<<"Copy Hahtavi, spearhead, I'm your six. Terek - stick close to Jynx unless she calls you off to go on stealth op.">> following the pathfinder to the interest point. Hunched, moving low, more and more like a hunting beast than a man..

The trek into the jungle was actually a lovely stroll. There weren't much for local critters, either they were hiding, or they just occupied a different section of the island. The avian variety continued to chirp and carry on until about the end of their hike, where a clearing gave way to the foot of the volcano. Sandy ground was a mixture of black and tan, wavy in pattern and disturbed in places that led to what essentially was a cut, a manmade feature carved into the side of the volcano.

The way point was off. Bossk marked an interesting spot to eat, not anything of tactical significance, but the group found its way regardless, thanks to Hadrix, Eriu, and Terek's sharp eyesight. There were disruptions in the sandy pattern, like foot prints oriented to the fashion of a single file line that lead up to the cut and disappear into the narrow passage.

At first, the way seems clear, but 8 people emerged. It appeared like 4 were escorting a person each, and when they came out to the open, they shoved those people down to their knees and began to produce weapons as if to execute the unarmed people they just pushed to the ground.

That distance between her and those about reayd to be executed is a fair distance for a sword to reach. Eriu pulls her sword free, the blade glinting in the light as she holds it out and readies herself. The posh accent is modulated as she calls out across the distance. <"WEAPONS DOWN!"> They are outnumbered but it seems that has little to do in regards to her confidence. The blade is held out at ready just as her heels click down. Its the fluid motion that fires the boots but her foot angles - specifically the left one - that dodgy ankle.

Eriu is thrown off course and instead of angling towards them she slams into a bit of rock and debris a good ten feet forward which ultimately halts her clearing of the distance. She lets out a sound as she impacts and manages to keep from skewering herself unintentionally. Cursing below her breath she slides down to a knee and struggles to get back up.

So much for their point man catching the tracks to help them find the cut and the entrance. But Hahtavi at least didn't lead them into pit falls with spikes and snakes so that's a win!

He ducks beneath a limb and out into the sunlight as the others emerge. As they begint to scout about and close in with the cut, and the strangers emerge to throw their prisoners down into the sand, Hahtavi attempts to trigger his jetpack. Like Eriu before him, Murphy lives to spoil one's elegance! The brand new jetpack sputters but doesn't fire properly. Vast annoyance contorts his unseen face with disappointment behind his visor.

Instead of saying anything flashy, Hahtavi already has his rifle in hand and utilizes it! Thank his ancestors, he's a better shot than a rocketeer! Two red bolts flash out across the distance and two of the pirates have sizzling hot holes burned right through them! Nothing wrong with his legs though to start closing some distance!

Terek is in position when everything kicks off. He's good about that. As soon as blaster bolts start firing, Terek levels his weapon at one of the pirates and squeezes off a pair of shots from the DL-54.

Shots strike his target, but the guy manages to stay up on his feet. Terek swears under his breath when his target doesn't go down, but spotting the one pirate that's running, he tries to switch targets and get a bead on him.

Hadrix is cast forward while others suffer malfunctions, closing distance at first - there are problems with a flame thrower when there are non-targets in proximity. Mostly with making them part of the festivities and while he is steadily ignoring certain faculties - he still has the sense not to roast those he is trying to save.

When he lands the liquid growl from his helmet is blasted with static, head swinging down in a keldabe kiss that is evaded by quick movements for the would be recipient, the man already injured by Terek's shot and losing his ground against the Massive Mandalorian who dips and then spins into a kick that digs metal shod heel into his cheek, shattering teeth and twisting his head around to that point where the body says 'night night' and he crumples.

T-visor focusing on the last remaining, Hadrix's foot comes down on the unconscious pirates neck with a crunch, a single mini-rocket firing from a tube alongside the protective plating, whistling past to churn into sand and explode in a cloudy cough that suggests it might have gone particularly poorly if it'd hit soft tissue.

No words from him, but the intent is clear on the last opponent standing.

Three gunmen go down in relative quick succession and the fourth has no qualms with running away! They book it back to the cut and narrow opening, pumping their arms and breathing aloud in fear. The sudden attack had not been expected, at all!

Those that were to be executed look just as surprised to find Manadalorians (and Eriu who kind of looked Mandalorian with her Void suit) coming to their rescue. They stayed on their knees for now, too tired to rise up and do much else. It may have been for this reason they were being executed!

The runner has not gotten away yet!

Hitching a ride with Hadrix, Eriu will have words for the rocket boots when they are no longer possibly in danger. Though as he sets down and she steps away she watches as the last pirate starts to take off. <"All the fun is getting away. Come back here!">

The sleek void suited form of Eriu bolts after him, those rocket boots that betrayed her ignored in favor of closing the distance while the others use guns. The Hapan blade glints as she raises and sweeps the first attack for his legs, meaning to cut him down. The second misses but the third redeems her with a thrust right down into the chest of the prone form. Death is not something that is immediate - unfortunate for the pirate - but it is inevitable. Withdrawing the sleek blade she turns and tosses up a thumb towards the mandalorians.

Since EJ and Hadrix are now both ahead of himself, Hahtavi goes to aid the prisoners. Get them up onto their feet, start releasing them from their bonds if he's able. <" Here to help you. We'll get the ship, then get you out of here. Best if you hide in the trees until we're done. ">

If none of them look to need his medpack, Hahtavi will turn and start in after the rest into the cut. His helmet will compensate for the drop in the illumination.

The cathar hunter holsters his weapon once the last of pirates is down. Terek frowns a little, and then holsters his weapon. He draws a second weapon from another holster, and hmms faintly. It seems the others are checking on the hostages, for the time being.

Terek moves in the direction that the pirate was running, in case anyone down there heard the ruckus and comes to investigate.

No mind for the prisoners, he can hear them being checked in on by Hahtavi, sees the one fall to Eriu's bladework. The thumbs up is met with a shallow nod even as he continues to stalk forward, bringing the flame thrower back up en route. Ponderous walk turning to a loping gait after several steps. An akk dog off its chain now, blood on its mind and slowly tinting the world to red.

Charging forward while the pilot of the weapon ignites, <<"Sumi, we're breaching. No opfor estimate. Will advise.">> voice on the comms suggesting that there might be more than a slight froth beneath the visor of that helmet.

"Thank you," Manages one of the prisoners as the final pirate is cut down. "There are many more inside the mines.. they patrol there. We bring ore to the center, to the refineries, and they use the heat to make.. large.. plates, like armor." The person speaking is taxed by the effort, foreign, and clearly basic is not their first language.

“You will not make it through the mines alive. It is a maze. You must.." They point up. UP! To the chimney top of the volcano. "It is where the great shadow is. I have seen it once. Terrible. Frightening. It is a great weapon of some sort, a looming dread."

"If you can cause a distraction from within.. something to draw away the guards.. we can help.. we can bring the others out. The others like us. Many will die, but more will live because of it."

Whether the team agreed with the plan or not, the miners seemed adamant about saving their fellow man. A drink of water instilled that special courage they needed to march back inside, taking the gear the pirates wore and donning it to look like them. Now it was up to the team to do their part in this mad plan.

Rocket packs came in handy to reach the mouth of the volcano. Black smoke rose out of its core like a looming dread that stank of sulfur and molten chemical. From this height, it was not obvious what the miner meant by saying there was some large shadow. Not until the team began their descent when a broken message from Sumi replied back:

<<"--static--nside th--olcano. Disrupt the...--static-- ield array.">>

If she meant shield array, then there was a tower /just visible/ inside the volcano some 100 ft below with a large globe like dish humming so loud it could be heard over the deeply rooted rumble of the Rishi earth. Although Sumi's message didn't get through, Bossk's waypoint did. It marked the Shield array as a point to be destroyed, if that's what destroyed looked like in the Trandoshan language. It had the same lettering as his earlier spot of interest for food.

Needless to say, the way down was easy. They land atop the tower where it's flat on the tip top, and a set of stairs lead down to a control room. The looming shadow that the miner had spoken about?

It loomed above them, visible at times through the smoke and what daylight peeked through. It was arrowhead shape, and massive. Massive. To anyone who knew their history, it was a ship from an ancient time. Held up by cranes and locked into a dry-dock fashion, its lazy strobes emphasized its overwhelming presence.

A Harrower-Class Dreadnaught.

A terror indeed.

"Well by the stars and moon, I have nothing to take that out and as fine as this blade is, it will not do much to it unless I can find the power and destroy its soft underbelly," this said as EJ removes her helmet to get a look, adjust her hair and lean the sword against her hip.

"Looks like we need some explosives..or at least someone that can handle them while I keep a safe distance." The helmet comes back down over her face and head, quickly protecting her from the danger ahead. She rolls her shoulders back and reaches down to pluck up thes word in hand and begin the search for the underbelly.

<"I've set explosives before."> Terek offers at the mention of needing someone to set up demolitions, <"But I wasn't expecting to be bringing down a starship today so I didn't bring any.>"

As EJ leads the way, Hahtavi follows but spaced out a little behind so they don't bunch up and make easy target clumps. Explosives? Nope, not him, not until he's better with them. So, now they've landed on the roof he heads down the stairs, sticking close to the tower's wall, rifle in his hands. Moving quietly but with some speed, cautious and watchful as they descend.

Watching Jynx descend, Hadrix looks first to Terek and then Hahtavi, <"I'll set charges, you two watch her back."> turning to head for the emitter system, a sphere being drawn from his best while the flamer is shouldered en route. <"If she gets hurt, I'll be annoyed. She's a friend. If her partner Fatbeard Robothand gets upset... I'll handle it."> stalking along, visibly shaking as he goes.

'Peace.'

<"I KNOW. I have to handle explosives, damnit."> speaking to no one in particular as the urge to destroy and rend is pushed aside for the task at hand.

Demolitions are being set up stairs on the roof where the big globe is. Meanwhile, Terek and Hahtavi were ordered to follow Eriu down the stairs that scale the side of the tower they are on, which led to a control room. It is accessed by a door with a simple panel that requires only a touch to open. From the outside, they can see four pirates inside monitoring the screens and chitchatting like it's only another day in the office. They have their backs to the door, and seem more interested in the surveillance of the mines.

<"Here we go gentlemen."> Eriu shifts forward and in order to keep momentum she elbow checks the panel and as the door slides open she is sweeping in to catch the unexpecting pirates flat footed as it were. The first strike and second come one slash after the other drops the first target who is still twitching when the third one gets a strike across his chest when he turns in surprise. A smile pulls at her lips and she side steps further to make room for those behind her.

<"Weapons down!"> She tries again. Maybe they will listen this time.

<" Hahtavi copies, Al'verde. "> And so he'll watch EJ's six, with Terek right behind him up the stairs while Hadrix sets explosives above. EJ gets that door open just as he's placing where the four inside are distributed and where their attentions are focused. Bang goes the door! EJ's hacking and slashing.

The instant she clears the doorway, Hahtavi steps up and through to put his shoulder against the wall to clear the way behind himself for Terek. His Galaar rifle fires off two quick shots, dropping one and badly injuring another! The smell of ozone and burnt flesh immediately fills the control room as bolts fire this way and that!

Showtime. EJ may be ordering them to drop their weapons but her fellow Mandalorians are frying their asses.

Terek's new blaster flashes with gold bolts, but the accuracy is just a bit off as he tries to peg the injured pirate

Unfortunately for him he's third in the room, so there's too many people in there, both pirates and fellow mandos and other friendlies. His shots go wide, if only just.

<"Hold still, you bastards!">

Kneeling, glowering and working with a care that contrasts the rapidity of his breaths and the snarl chasing each exhale.

<"Hadrix"> <"What. Gripper."> <"Don't kill us."> the ID10 firmly attached still in her cradle on his back, Gofor left back at the ship. Voice smooth despite the tense circumstance while the sphere, it's thermite and baradium core carefully placed and fixed with the re-positioned detonator.

<"I know what I'm doing.">

'Calm.'

<"Both of you be quiet."> hands stopped and tossing his head like a ronto to clear it while the droid's optical engages. <"Only you and me here."> <"I said shut up."> another wire pulled, stripped twisted and worked to the brown putty like material as another sphere is opened. He hears shots, somewhere below and he growls again, hands stopping while his chest and shoulders shake. The pirates outside went to quick, the pirates on that shabla rain planet... gone too quick.

Enemies. He needs enemies.

Two pirates go down in relatively quick fashion, but two still remain (despite one being winged and screaming about the searing pain.) The one pirate that stumbles off to the side chokes on blood, making some sort of weird "HWAAAAGHHH!" Noise before stumbling off to the side, leaving the still capable pirate to not only SHOOT POOR INNOCENT ERIU, but sound the alarm too.

A loud alarm echoes through the chasm and deep volcano. It sounded like a standard Imperial alarm, though it echoed, and echoed. From Hadrix's point of view, he could see people crossing the long suspended catwalks to close the distance to the tower. There were too many to count, but needless to say, they were focused on the Mandalorians!

There is a garbled curse that leaves the woman inside the armor as she is winged by a shot, feeling her breath catch. <"I never get used to that..how dare you."> She growls and closes the short distance to thrust her blade forward twice into the chest of the one who harmed her and pulling it free does more damage the second time as she sweeps the blade out. Blood sprays from its edge as she catches the injured across the neck. She speaks over the comms so Hadrix can hear.

<"They sounded the alarm. We are going to have more soon so lets finish this up.">

She turns her head to look at the other two, the wound bleeding as it glistens there over her right breast, having broken through the armor. <"Going to need to get me some of your armor.">

<" Ah well boring conversation anyway. "> So much for talking. Now the alarm is sounding and Hahtavi steps closer to the controls, <" I'm no techie. What do we blast to mess up the controls in here? "> Everything? Where's Aejin when you need that slacker, damn it!

He doesn't have time to make heads or tails of the control room though as more meat bags are running up the stairs even now to try and stop them. Hahtavi swings around, <" Company's calling. Either of you make anything of these controls? I can hold'm on the stairs. ">

Back out the control room door he goes and out onto the stairs. At least EJ now has a Mandalorian in Dreadfinder armor at her back to stop anybody shooting her from below. Hahtavi fires off two shots but the bastard's quick to duck!

Terek again fires off both shots, and again his shots fly to the side. One burns through a panel next to the pirate's head.

Terek once again yells at the pirate, "Didn't I tell you hold still!" He roars out, annoyed that the pirate doesn't want to let Terek kill him, apparently.

Never the less, it seems the others have things well in hand!

<<"Better work fast, more incoming to the tower. Shut down whatever you can.">> bitten out through gritted teeth as he makes his adjustments are the last needed. Pushing the remote signaler in place. <<"Charges are ready, hard exit ready.">> stepping back from the demo zone before his rockets engage to lift him towards those en route to halt them, flamer spewing a cone of liquified accelerant that becomes a incendiary storm to sweep over them as he lands.

<<"Bang out.">>

The pirate coming up the stairs doesn't make it to the top. He falls back down tripping whilst trying to avoid being shot by not one, but TWO Mandalorians. His path traveled back down the stairs is quite obvious and loud, but it buys Eriu and team enough time to do what they need to in the control room to begin the shut down of the shield array!

Meanwhile, the advance of the pirates toward the tower is stopped by the sudden arrival of a jetpacking Mandalorian who cast flames in their path to block them. They rage upward in a WHOOSH, and most of them fall back, scrambling to avoid a certain death.

<"You two, watch for incoming. I am going to take care of this system and possibly the end of our troubles."> One can only helps. The blade she had just dispatched several pirates with is set down atop the console before her within reach so that the Hapan can remove the spiker from her armored right wrist. She slams the piece into one of the code cylinder locations and uses the interface on her guantlet to sync with it.

Success.

As the spiker connects with the computer system and begins to integrate she taps out a few codes and begins the power up that cycles through the instrument. Sucking it directly from the computer before it suddenly feeds back and fries. The charge screams through the system and lights flicker, a flash and sparks run through the console before the incessant droning sound of electronics begins to power down and die.

<"Goodness you forget how loud such ambient sounds are."> SHe pulls the spiker free and tucks it back into her guantlet. <"Computer system terminated. They have lost control.">

Terek's weapon isn't working the way he wanted it to, and there's one more pirate coming up towards them from the stairs. Terek knows he doesn't have time to risk firing the weapon down at the pirate.

Instead Terek raises his left hand, where the wrist laser is attached to his gauntlet, and he fires a shot from the weapon, the laser burning straight through and knocking the pirate back down the stairs, <"He's all your's!"> the cathar calls out to Hadrix and his flamethrower. Should make things easy.

A continued burst of flaming gel is spat by the incinerator in Hadrix's hands, aimed to spray over the oncoming pirates as he continues to back track - biting a toggle while his manic grin is illuminated behind the darkened visor, both eyes wide with his organic iris almost black from the dilation.

<<"Move now.">> still speaking through clenched teeth, <<"Charges are ready, when clear I set them off.">> Unless some poor fool makes for the charges and pulls the detonator... primed as it is now likely to make the needed spark to blow everything to Haraan. If Hadrix believed in the Hell of the old Mandalorian faith, before the gods were tosses aside - for not pulling their weight.

He still moves back, bursts of his jets to propel him while his weapon vomits fire.

When the shields powered down, the blue energy of their output shimmered into existence for a moment then faded and the extreme heats beneath the vessel began to rise. More alarms joined the chorus as the looming ship above began to flicker and come to life. It was not falling, but rising! RISING! Even as the crew left the tower, and the demolitions ignited, the Dreadnaught's engines came online and catwalks began to tear from its side.

Mandalorians and Eriu alike had to dodge the debris as it fell, rising past the ship and to the mouth of the volcano where Bossk and Sumi were waiting, sniping at those poor pirates trying to flee the rising rapids of orange hot magma. The crew made it out in time, but the ship rose up behind them and took to the storming sky. Its own shields shimmered into place as rain began to fall. They could see the steam on the plates rise until the rain was stopped and absorbed by the shields.

The massive dreadnaught moved to the sky, slowly disappeared into the clouds, and rose to high orbit.

When they managed to link up with the Comm buoy in system, they found that its signature was the last one to leave the system. It seemed this operation was just what the pirates needed to expedite their construction process.

The miners? They got out. Now it was the matter of getting them home that needed addressing.