Log:Mandalore: Against Untold Numbers
Mandalore: Against Untold Numbers
OOC Date: October 21, 2021
Location: Mandalore: The Ragelands
Participants: Valeska Jaivon, Jallo Dara, Zelo Parrai , Avery Ihala Kora, Sumi Kora and Hadrix Kora as GM Clan Kora
The scent of age, sand, heat and long good alcohol was mixing with the astringent odor of field medicine and blood by the time the watches of the night were near. A scant handful of hours since arrival and the conflict outside the ancient inn. Enough time to pull slugs and fix a crude peg to a stump. The kitchens had become a surgery theater, the main bar and canteen a resting place and the old inn rooms more like a series of pocket redoubts than any sort of accommodation for those seeking short rest during the night.
Mir was seated, cross legged, T-189 rifle resting across them. His helmet having never been removed since meeting - he was still and it could be assumed he was asleep or dead for all the lack of movement the Mandalorian displayed.
<<"Alor, Al'Verde - the Old'n Busted is in position, outside of anti-air ranges - the Woor is ready to drop with Sana and supplies.">> Lady Fae's voice on the comms, indicator beacons lighting up on HUDs and a marker in the square just outside the old inn appearing as well on Augment systems.
<<"Copy">> Hadrix responding as he hunkers near the entrance to the inn, nodding to the watch as he closes in, keeping on comm when he speaks again, <<"Sumi'alor, Aliit">> Chief Sumi, Clan, <<"The Woor will be coming in hard, ventral turrets only - they're dropping off Sana and some supplies. Gripper has been seeing movement and it'll ramp up with the dropship coming - we need to grab and start moving before we're pinned down by all the interest we've drawn.">>
No rest was had after the medicine from the surgery wore off, instead Avery spent most of the time staring at the stump affixed to his leg and pushing back the nagging sensation of an itch where no feeling should be. Not that much rest would have mattered, he was no more prepared for now than he had been when his flesh was still attached.
Armored, clutching his E-11, and ready as he'll ever be, Avery was camped near Hadrix at the front. He'd spent the last little bit practicing movement and running on the cone of metal below his knee. It wasn't fun, it wasn't easy per say, but it would have to do. Now if he could just get away with it all minus the wincing. Fortunately his helmet was on, preventing most of that visual announcement of pain from being seen. <<"What do you want me to do? Not sure if carrying stuff is going to be my forte.">> The stumpy Slicer remarks, dark emerald eyes peering from behind an even darker shaded Y-visor.
Field surgery: something new to add to Valeska's growing list of accomplishments. Though not quite the sort that is stuck up on the conservator door with a magnet. Rations, water, and a short spell that is as close to sleep as she is going to get, Valeska is fully armoured and walking with a slight limp. But at least she's walking.
The last encounter nearly took her out of the fight. Maybe for good. And while time for recovery didn't feel like enough, she certainly had more than enough time to mull over every single mistake she made in that skirmish. With Avery's life-altering injury and the certified clusterfeck the ambush was, Valeska is more than a little more subdued, standing near Hadrix, as they clan rallies once more.
There is little in the way of cover outside on the roof, but the sniper called Zelo Parrai does the best he can with what he has to work with. The Nautolan has shifted a few stones here or there, but this is probably the worst nest he's ever assembled. Gleaming blue beskar sticks out against the grays and browns of sand and industrial decay that are endemic to this long-lost city, and the cobalt-skinned Zelo has little confidence that he'll go unremarked when things begin. But this is where his skills come into play. You can't get shot if you just shoot them first.
The long-barreled F-11S lies ready beside him, almost off the arm and only needing to slide into place, but it's the agile and maneuverable E-11 that swivels at any movement - dust devils or the odd small critter darting from one spot to the next. Movement further off pulls his attention though and Zelo's visor zooms in at a touch of control, built-in binoculars bringing more information. The Nautolan tags something and joins in on the comms. <<"Overwatch copies. We'll share your load, you just stay vertical. But I've got movement to the northwest. Half a dozen. They're trying to creep up. Too small to be a proper force, but probably scouts. Advise on engagement.">>
Jallo's pacing over near the others spear in hand as he listens to the chatter between the others. Since the scouts and enemies aren't quite close just yet he does stop pacing to lean up against a wall and slide to a seated position tilting his helmet back enough to sip on some water before securing the canteen back onto his armor and re-securing his helmet.
Sumi held the electrum hilt of a lightsaber in one hand and stared out the window toward the square and former market place. What Hadrix said, drawing attention, was true. She could feel it in her bones. A century of soldiering gave one the intuition they needed to sniff out an ambush, a trap. While the other side may not see it as a trap yet, they would if they caught sight of all the clan coming out for supplies to outlast this siege.
Sumi turns slightly and looks the rest of the way by turning her head and looking back over her shoulder. <"I will draw the attention away from the landing site. With any luck, Sana and the others will be able to offload with a bit of help while everyone else is focused on me."> She motions to Avery. <"You should take a position with Zelo... provide overwatch, some place that requires little in the way of motion and movement. Long range fire might be enough to pick off any stragglers who are wise to the plan. -- When you all make it back, I'll advance back to an ideal point and bring the parade with me. Should be like blasting Gizka in a bucket.. provided I survive.">
The shadow of the Old'n Busted, far above to where even salvaged AA turbolasers would be ineffective disgorges a comet that streaks down through atmosphere, friction setting fire to the air on the outside of the Woor'tra's shields as it descends. The smoke trail that is obscured by darkness cloaking stars normally visible in the wake of the craft.
Gripper slips into the inn through a hole in the ceiling barely big enough for her to slink through. <<"I'll be close at hand, can use my anti-gravs to help balance.">> the ID10 chimes in as he moves up to hook all four of her clamps onto the back of Avery's armor, keeping clear of the jetpack thrusters and otherwise preparing to assist as needed.
Sumi's orders earn a nod from Hadrix who leans to gaze up and out of the door to the sky at the incoming fireball right as the fireworks start to go off. The underside turret of the blockade runner spitting fire that chews through masonry and street alike, likely not helped by the aileron roll the Ithorian makes to evade a blue sparking mass that opens into an ion net. Only for a massive explosion to strike shields, causing them to go opaque across the whole of the craft,
<<"Shields can't take another hit like that.. It's going to be a drop and run.">> Pheegus's translator voice droning. The ship brought down to literally skim the rooftops at speeds that kick up a sandstorm in its wake with the jetwash cooking to glowing what isn't dragged after or turned into glass rain that begins to fall across the square when the Woor'tra screams to a halt to allow a lone figure and several duffles drop from the cargo doors.
<<"That's our queue.">> Hadrix intones before he is sprinting out to begin gathering.
<"Thanks Gripper."> comes the reply to the assistance offered and supplied by the droid. Avery glances upward in the direction that Zelo is positioned before his visor settles on their Alor. <"Copy. I'll head up that way, be safe out there."> With that said, his regard swivels to the rest of the group, taking in Hadrix and Valeska last. <"All of you..."> The carbine is shifted into one hand and he stands, maneuvering quickly and painfully up to where their sniper waits.
With a few grunts and grumbles Avery takes position nearby, choosing the remains of a low wall to prop his blaster on and which to lay behind. His HUD is already picking up the notables Zelo had mentioned, the display around them colored yellow for now as their status is unknown. Most certainly though, the shade would likely change to red shortly, Avery doubts these are folk intent on harmlessly walking by.
As if hearing his thoughts the encroaching enemy attacks, their blaster fire peppering around Sumi and Zelo, chipping dust and rock into the air with their missed shots. Avery shifts forward to get a better look at all the bright red targetting reticules that now light his HUD. With held breath he chooses two and sights in, squeezing the trigger lightly and loosing a few choice bits of plasma their direction. Almost instantly later, two of the recon team is learning to fly, their bodies cartwheeling over each other as they scatter into the dirt.
Valeska offers just a slight nod of her helmet and peers into the sandstorm. There isn't much out there that she can make out and there is notable hesitation from her to run into the fray. Thankfully she was given direct orders /not/ to do that, so she instead situates herself back behind Sumi and Hadrix's charge. Somewhere in the blowing sands, she sees what she /thinks/ is movement and a jerk of her barrel towards it and a pull of the trigger awards her with a muffled scream in the din.
It /was/ movement, guys.
Zelo is prepared for what comes next. From his spot above, he sees Avery emerging, taking up position behind a wall. Another one he can at least keep an eye on directly. For a moment, the sniper's black-pool eyes wander behind that visor to the crude peg and stump, and thinks of a close call with his arm and some acid... How fragile the bodies beneath the Beskar really are... But some of the foes have Beskar of their own and that's as heartening as it is haunting. With the Woor'tra on approach, the fire is kicked off - most toward the Alor and her lightsaber but one shot taking a large chip out of one of Zelo's crudely piled stones. It worked, this little hide.
E-11 gets to work as Zelo looks through the dust, magnifying the oncoming scouts and lining up the magnificed view with his sights. One shot takes a scout in the neck, while the other goes straight the one enemy gut and right out the back. Both figures fall still, but the sniper listens to his pack recharging as eyes watch Sumi's rocket trail while she advances on the sole remainder.
Sana Ryder lands on the ground below after tossing out more than a few duffle bags. Upon landing, she stays low a moment watching as Sumi flies overhead to draw a lot of blaster fire, the snap-hiss of a lightsaber enough to prompt a smile from the blonde. <"Hahahaha.. don't have all the fun!"> Sana yells out knowing Sumi probably didn't hear her anyway. Sana hoists up a few of the bags and runs from where the others are emerging. It's an encumbered run, but Sana has spent more than a century soldiering, too, so there's no sign she'll succumb to fatigue or moments of exhaustion.
Sumi lands just as the party of overwatch Mandalorians are picked apart by the sharpshooting door-kickers she calls her clan. Sumi can't help but laugh. <"They made this easy,"> She comments as the lone recon warrior rises up, using their time to prepare for a fight. The purple hue of the lightsaber's aura dominates their gaze. Despite this extremely intimidating circumstance, they charge with a sword drawn and oriented toward Sumi.
Sumi respects their charge and rewards his bravery with a quick death. She casually swings the lightsaber, using the violet length to part the blade of his sword from the hilt before twisting in place and removing their head. Their body hits the ground twice; first in bulk, then the head hits and rolls away. Embers from the brief passage of blade-through-neck shower down and Sumi deactivates the weapon. <<"Seems clear for now.. I'm going hunting.">> That was too easy...
Jallo looks around as the furry of shots from everybody jamming his spear into the ground he reaches behind his back to pull out a two foot cylinder and then a pause before he returns the cylinder to his back and looks around some taking up his spear as he jogs over towards the other duffle bags, <"Guess I'm hauling some bags?">
<<"Al'Verde, Copy Alor.">>
Another explosion scatters the sand and clears the air about the VCX-350, a land to air concussion munition causing the already damaged shields that Heiyuu and Greeza were scrambling to repair to fade and then collapse when an outsized duranium spear launched from what must have been a ballistae strikes and scrapes the hull, just shy of penetrating.
<<"I stand corrected. -Now- the shields can't take any more">> a panic filled warbling and tweeting sounding in the background as the ship boosts skywards, picking up speed when there's no risk of cooking the group, or ripping them off their feet, or roofs.
Hadrix is already loading duffles over one shoulder, a pair that clatter with the bulk inside. Clankah with him and Gofor helpfully keeping out of the way while giving cheering tweedles and fwirps for the Mandalorians. <<"Yes.">> Answering Jallo as one more is pulled up and the strap set over his armor cowling. <<"We need to move, sending path direction - leave some of the duffels, it may keep some of the scavs off us.">>
More attackers appear then, several around Sumi herself in the wake of her show of lightsaber skill and others appearing at roof edges or around alleys, opening fire with wild abandon and churning up the sand all around.
<<"Collect and move!">> the Al'Verde bellows, lifting up his personal cannon and opening fire - sand melting and swirling in the wake of the massive green star that rips into the surge of new attackers, blasting their upper body off of the abdomen.
<<"Copy that, we'll keep eyes open.">> Avery replies to Sumi as she announces her intent. He watches the goings-on from his vantage point, calmly observing the team as they move the bags from the quick landing Woor'tra. From there his gaze shifts back over the billowing sands, alert for any other sign of movement that isn't the clan or clan related activities. Hadrix's ship lifts off and sends more dust in the air, causing havoc on all his readouts and... most of all... his clear vision. With a tap on his wrist, he cycles through filters until he finds something that allows him to see better with all the commotion in the air. A second later, more targets are popping up, quickly being highlighted in red. <<"More bogeys, incoming.">> Avery states, shifting slightly to get a bead on these new baddies. Like before, two shots, two kills... both these flipping backward to disappear into the ship created sandstorm that buffets all.
The movement she had found is making no more movement. Not enough to merit immediate action. The sandstorm, however, is proving to be a consistent problem. She can spot the blaster fire through the blinding currents and see the familiar armour of her clansmen nearest to her, but that's not enough for her to take a confident shot. So instead, Valeaks tucks the rifle under one arm and hoists a dufflebag under the other, following behind the bulk that is Hadrix Kora.
Zelo, not needing to second Avery in his response to their leader, continues his work. A shot on some nearing interlopers draws him up, making him clearer and one of them raises a rifle to shoot at the Nautolan; fortunately - as these things so often are - the plasmic bolt slams into a beskar-reinforced breastplate, deflecting it downward and punching a small hole into the roof on which Zelo is stationed. The E-11 blasts a shot in return, dropping the attacker with a much snappier reply.
Lowering, the Nautolan is surprised when a plasma bolt finds the narrow crevice between rocks and scoots him back a quarter inch as it punches that same reinforced breastplate before making a twin dent in the roof beneath him. Chest stinging from the redirected force, Zelo finds the Vaddi brave and dumb enough to attack him, and shoots quickly back, a red bolt of plasma going up the sand-wreathed figure's rifle barrel and detonating the energy pack within, exploding the weapon and most of the Vaddi's arms with it. Collapsing in a smoking and burning pile, that's one less shot coming toward Zelo and his people. <<"They keep coming, I'm planning to keep shooting. Please advise when you want overwatch abandoned to join you.">> Black-pool eyes harvest what information they can from within the visor.
Sumi didn't have to hunt for long, they found her. She was quickly swarmed and engaged all at once, prompting her to activate her jetpack again and backtrack. Why run? She wasn't running, but the thought spurred the recon into action nevertheless. Sumi casually underhanded the long cylinder cryoban grenade after releasing the spoon fuse. By the time it struck below, it was already too late. Five warriors were flash frozen in stasis and introduced to an instantly traumatic unconsciousness and began to fog like dry ice.
Sumi laughs and lands in the misty fog, bringing the violet blade back to life to stalk forward on the remaining two. <<"Understood, wait for them to confirm they have the gear, then you'll be good to move.">> Sumi calls back. Sana's voice is heard after that, <<"All my drek is inside, joining the fun now.">> Sana cast the bags into a pile and withdrew her beskad. Turning about, she walked toward the exit of the inn to find something to kill!
Jallo nodded as Hadrix gave instructions for the bags but then he turns towards the sound of fighting spear in hand, <"They're close. Aren't they?"> Grabbing one of the bags he moves to sling it over his shoulder but grunts a bit as he's just not able to bring it up any, <"What are in these hyperdrive motivators?">. Letting the strap slide out of his weak hand he pivots to move through the dusty area towards where the enemy are gathered his spear jabbing out to meet some resistance before flicking the blood off the spear tip as he shifts to a slightly defensive stance.
Hull plates rain down as a massive spike slams into the side of the ascending Woor, breaking down the little shields that can be brought back online and more still when it bucks against the chain that tries to hold it, a wrenching squeal of metal heralding the ship breaking free and boosting higher. Spewing flames from one of the six engines in the outsized block on the aft end, <<"Damage sustained.>> the Ithorian reporting in.
<<"Al'verde, copy, Woor'tra.">> Hadrix nods to Valeska and Jallo as he lugs up more duffels, to capacity more or less as the massive Mandalorian moves to a van position, Clankah laden with bags and even Gofor with his little clamps holding so that he can drag with what strength the little BB can muster. <<"Ground units, Ba'slan shev'la.">> Strategic disappearance, <<"Avery rearguard, Zelo is on Sumi's call.">>
Blasterfire turns on Sumi with the sight of the grenade and the blast of fog from the cryogrenade - turning her into a silhouette for the sheer volume of plasma being hurled at the cool blue plates of her armor, the spear wielding figure in beskar the minor, secondary, focus on the miralukan. The sand is clearing without the massive ships engines churning it up, now it's the fires on molten silicate and bodies illuminating in addition to moonlight and weaponsfire.
<<"Copy, moving in.">> Avery replies before cutting his comms as he stands with a grunt. Gripper's assistance is happily accepted though for when he teeters, the anti-grav unit on the droid helps him stay mostly mobile and not at all hobbley. <"Thanks."> The Slicer mentions to the droids before he leaps off the side of the building and ignites his jetpack. The pair glide safely to the ground, only a few stumbles before he rights himself at the back of the pack moving. <"I'm on it...">
More targets are rushing the crew and Avery chooses his couple from the wash of red in his helmet. Trigger tapped twice and two more bad folk are pushing up daisies. Of course, they would be if they don't just get nearly immediately buried by the shifting sands on this beach of a planet. The silver and blue Mandalorian shifts backwards with a thump/clang as he goes, keeping in step with the hustle of the bag carriers and protecting their flank as they go.
come near her, Valeska hefts another dufflebag of whatsit. Now she carries two; one under each arm and the rifle hanging across her back on the strap. She knows what's inside are 'supplies' but what kind of supplies, she ponders. The crimson Mando finds herself hoping that whatever is inside isn't explosive. But c'mon. Let's face it. It's probably explosive.
More attackers abound; most of them asking Sumi for a date like a gaggle of gentleman callers about to be sorely disappointed. From on high, Zelo and Avery are picking off targets, as well, and she nods slightly to herself. Good. The bastards deserve it. And she is grateful for the rearguard and the foreguard because she's not moving as quickly to keep up with Hadrix as she'd like to.
Zelo taps his comm switch. <<"Understood Alor, Al'verde. Overwatch copies all.">> Stay and shoot, until those on the ground are safe. It's a duty that means more killing, but it's the sort of protection he has been trained to bear, after sixteen years doing much the same out on the borders of this Galaxy. While the bolts are almost exclusively training on Sumi, the Nautolan sees a couple heading toward the Miralukan and he discharges the E-11 in quick succession, seeking to thin out that second crowd. The first takes a sand-hidden figure in the hip, dropping them and making a retreat rather unlikely. The second strikes an armored figure in the base of the neck, prompting a grab that goes slack entirely too fast as the Vaddi is blown off their feet, never to retake them.
The Nautolan's helm presses against the receiver as he takes a moment to breathe. Not much time for it, but he tries to remember to do so once in a while. His breathing discipline has gotten lax.
Zelo taps his comm switch. <<"Understood Alor, Al'verde. Overwatch copies all.">> Stay and shoot, until those on the ground are safe. It's a duty that means more killing, but it's the sort of protection he has been trained to bear, after sixteen years doing much the same out on the borders of this Galaxy. While the bolts are almost exclusively training on Sumi, the Nautolan sees a couple heading toward the Miralukan and he discharges the E-11 in quick succession, seeking to thin out that second crowd. The first takes a sand-hidden figure in the hip, dropping them and making a retreat rather unlikely. The second strikes an armored figure in the base of the neck, prompting a grab that goes slack entirely too fast as the Vaddi is blown off their feet, never to retake them.
The Nautolan's helm presses against the receiver as he takes a moment to breathe. Not much time for it, but he tries to remember to do so once in a while. His breathing discipline has gotten lax.
Sumi jumps back into the fight, swinging wildly at one of the Kef Recon warriors. She misses initially, then cuts them down after another attempt. Her third strike was intended for a second but all it served to do was mark up and separate a piece of old ruins and rock. The debris falls off the slab, but Sumi chases after her missed opportunity for violence.
Sana joins in the fighting, mixing with the Vaddi grunts and engaging one. She hurts one bad, locks blades then bats theirs down with a grunt before plunging her blade into and through their chest. Sana wheels about and shoves the body off the edge of her beskad, laughing loudly before jumping toward another target.
<<"Go where you're needed, overwatch. I can't see...
Taking two blaster bolts in relatively quick succession Jallo shifts his stance slightly from the impacts and then sighs a bit adjusting his movements again he jabs the spear back at the last yelp of pain he'd heard when he entered the fray grinding his teeth slightly he hears the orders and nods, <"Understood."> His target dropping he looks around some to see which direction they're beating a hasty strategic disappearance.
The bass [ansi(#FF0000,H)[ansi(#FF5F00,R)[ansi(#FF8700,U)[ansi(#FFAF00,N)[ansi(#FFD700,N)[ansi(#FF8700,K) of the antiquated T-189 held by Mir sounds and the vicinity immediately around Sumi is cleared. The old mandalorian in thin desert robes over his armor sweeping through with Avery, lifting one of the duffels as he goes. <<"Your commander is correct, my maps, his study. Please forgive my late coming. I was pathfinding.">
The Woor'tra fades, out of range at the last as it becomes a speck in the distance with the few on board likely prepping to make repairs with what is in stock aboard after that encounter. But the job is done at long last, leaving only the ground battle in its wake.
With so few presently left on the ground, the night is growing quieter, even with the calls of the injured on the ground. <<"Marking our rally location, where we can pull kit, distribute and make ready for the last push. Getting reports from Pheegus - he's watching our area as best as he can. Sumi'alor, we may need the Kyber Heart for exfil if the Woor can't get repairs to full.">> Stumbling to his left knee when a blaster bolt ricochets off of his cuisse and slams into the ground, the other spitting a pair of rocket darts that, sadly, only chew into masonry with the small burst explosives detonating on impact.
More fire lances out, from those remaining few, a small torrent of gold and red plasma darts raining down from ground and rooftop. No more foes stand in proximity to Sumi, the others trying to pin down the others or shoot them down before they can return fire or get closer in the case of the blonde woman cutting through the ranks.
Avery backs up while trying to keep his team protected, staying on their heels as more blaster fire is returned. Two hit their targets, one striking Hadrix, the other Valeska who had just been recovering from a grievous injury the day before. <"You sons of...."> the Slicer exclaims, not even finishing the insult before blaster fire is leaving his carbine. Both enemies that dared strike the team he was protecting are lifted from their feet, massive holes in place of where their chests were.
Avery looks to Mir as he joins him, nodding briefly as they move quicker toward their destination. It's hard going, each step with the stump bringing a grimace to the newly lamed man, but he bares it with gritted teeth and barely a word. <<"Everyone ok, with in reason?">> He calls through the comms, not daring to take his eyes away from the remaining foe, no matter how few there still be.
Here she is. Minding her own business. Just carting a few bags like a little old lady heading home from the market. Nevermind that her clanmates are tearing through this territory like a buzzsaw of blaster bolts, saber blades, and a particularly impressive display of knee rockets. All that aside, /she/ hasn't done anything yet to cause any offense.
Okay, yeah. There was that one guy she shot, but in her defense, Valeska wasn't even sure she saw movement to begin with. It was a test shot. And the guy isn't dead. Is he? Val never bothered to check, but she's pretty sure she heard him moaning about 'oh, my entire upper right quadrant' is gone. Something like that. She's paraphrasing.
So /aside/ from that, Valeska has done nothing to merit the slug that has made it's home violently into her left leg, hitting her femur with a crack and combing to a halt in the meat of her thigh. Her knee buckles. She falls to a painful kneel, the two bags dropping from under her arms with a synchronized and dusty thud.
<"Son of a Gamorrean whore!"> Valeska's willpower shatters along with part of her femur and the rifle swings back around into her hands to fire in the general direction of her oppressors. Damnit.
<<"That's what you keep me around for, Alor.">> The Nautolan's not wrong. From atop the Oyu'baat, Zelo has a view of every aspect of the battlefield, pulling what little information he lacks from the transmitted tactical information of the others and their visors. The Vaddi dwindle, as do the kef, but not gone yet. The stump-limbed Avery drops a pair and two more remain. One of which shoots Valeska and the black-pool eyes grow a little colder as the E-11 aims. Two squeezes of the trigger, two quick bursts of plasma and then the pressing Vaddi number zero.
<<"Counting none. Overwatch is moving.">> Zelo toggles his grav belt as he rises. Two guns are slung back over his shoulder and he steps off the roof, slowly descending to the dust and sand below. He makes quick steps to the remaining bags and shoulders one, carrying the other between a pair of hands. Only a little grunting and straining under that beskar helm. H-visors are good at hiding how much effort the Nautolan is making as he follows the rest.
Sumi turns to regard Mir who blasted her last enemy. He's just given an upnod before she recalls the humming length of her blade. Stepping away from all the death, she casually begins to tip over the frozen husks of their enemies while speaking over comms. <<"No problem. Lady Fae, do you copy?">>
<<"Yes, mistress?">>
<<"Prepare the Kyber Heart for deployment. Stand by for coordinates though.. we'll need a quick dust off.">>
<<"I understand, ma'am.">>
Sumi steps off a platform and lands about five meters below, immediately transitioning to a crouch. When she rose, she began to walk the distance back to the others, waiting for the pain to subside in her knees before taking off with her jetpack. <<"Bloody good shooting, team. Keep your heads on a swivel.">>
Jallo's right foot shifts back spear coming around as he prepares for another attack. Then bright red bolts of death thud into each of the remaining bad guys all hit the ground in the area around him. He lifts his spear in a salute towards the ranged fighters and then lowers the weapon again as he starts to walk back to the others, <"Appreciate the cover fire!">
Valeska's fall can't be helped by the Al'Verde when she sinks, but his movement can't stop, fingers slipping over plates - so she'll either need to stand on her own or one of those behind will be able to help her to her feet, even though he does look back with his expression hidden behind the beskar of his helmet.
All quiet, again, save for the whistle far off of wind in the broken teeth of old buildings, muffling even the crump of boots moving over sand, the rattle of equipment on combat webbings and in the duffle bags. Somehow, despite the age in his movements, Mir is there, to help the newest of Kora up and aid with her duffels, <<"Good work out there, Valeska Jaivon. Your bravery shall be sung in the sagas. Sung as will be of the bravery of those who contested your clan and were crushed in glorious battle.">> a kind hearted grandfather's tone as he makes sure she's steady.
The path taking them to where the humped over buildings create natural tunnels and their arch like connection has been able to weather the weight of sand and tumbled masonry. A place where watch can be limited to the sides - and even that might only be done for healthy field paranoia. Those doors that are visible show only darkness or sand choked rooms within. A long walk with time able to be spent for field medicine until at last a side passage led through by Mir opens into what was once a small atrium - the transparisteel having survived the decades and most of the windows - leaving little sand within. Outside of the eastern facing portals and dome section a sight to behold despite its ruining.
Maybe a a tenth of kilometer away, the 'kill zone' around it a sand bowl and its western side with a wall crafted from its own fall from the fourth of thirty stories and up - Mandalmotors Tower.
<<"Clans Dara and Kora... As I promised for your aid - there is Mandalmotors, but I cannot judge if you will find what you want there...">> The Mandalorian Elder speaks softly from the side, keeping clear to let the others look as they wish while he steps towards Jallo to murmur quietly the sight the others can view.
<<"Thank you, Sumi.">> The last enemy falling sees Avery's carbine lowering as well, his head shifting from side to side as if more were simply waiting in ambush around the corners of the ruins. With none coming, at least not yet, he turns back to follow the group, stepping by Valeska with a pat on her pauldron. The E-11 is placed in its holster and he follows the rest of the crew along the path, their trek taking them deep into town.
Through tunnels and under the fallen buildings they find their destination, the not nearly as tall building as it used to be 'MandalMotors'. <"What are we hoping to find here?"> Avery asks as he makes his way down into the bowl moving cautiously along with Gripper's help. He hopes the prize is well worth what they've endured.
Valeska isn't mortally wounded. Just her damn pride at this point. One arm scoops up one of the bag, but the other she is struggling with; her left leg not wanting to take on the extra weight. She doesn't have long to fight with it when Mir approaches to help her stand and take the pesky bag, as well.
Her uneven walk from before is now a full-on limp; her compromised hip and now injured leg playing a lovely game of Break Her Spirits. The Journeyman helmet turns towards the man whose face she had pointed a gun into not twelve hours prior. <"Uh.... yeah. Yeah, thanks, old man."> There's -- gasp -- humility in there as she starts walking alongside him as a slower pace. <"Maybe leave out the part me getting shot a bunch, yeah?">
Zelo hauls the bags of supplies, sweating quietly away within his beskar. Sure, there is some labored breathing, but the Nautolan manages not to trigger his vocoder and let any of that be known to those around him. As they continue onward through the derelict remains of a city long forgotten by most, black pools trace the edifices and shapes of structure, always filing away, looking for vantage points, places with which he could hold an oncoming force and buy... Well, at least minutes if he were lucky. But the trek continues, through tunnels and arches to a transparisteel atrium. Beyond those clear walls...
Zelo sets the bags down to look at the looming Mandalmotors, hearing the questions and replies, the hushed conversation, without a word. If there is a prize there, they will not be the only ones to seek it. As he looks on, the Nautolan feels a need to step away, seeking some quiet place further off from the rest. At least as long as they're standing here.
Jallo turns his head slightly to listen as the view is explained to him nodding just a bit, <"Sounds amazing."> A pause and looks around towards the others for a moment, <"Is there something in particular we're looking for here? I just wanted to see some of the old ship designs that they might have had in the building.">
