Log:Mandalore: Scouting Loud
Mand'Alor aligned warriors scout an outpost on the Bloodfield borders
OOC Date: July 28, 2022
Location: Mandalore: Contested Lands
Participants: Sumi Kora, Raissa Taivu, Narsai Ordo, Fae Renta, Hapvarnna, Valeska Kora, Hahtavi Kora, Nix and Hadrix Kora as GM Mandalorians, Clan Kora
The outpost was proper built, with what can be salvaged in the wastes. Stone cut by hammer and spike. Durasteel plating, repurposed support beams. All of it putting together a respectable FOB, Foward Operating Base, complete with observation towers at compass points and even a few ad-hoc pneumatics to power the doors.
<<"Remember. Record data, see what you can, helmet cams recording. Give them a bloody nose and fade, or if it looks like we need to level it, we have targeting beacons for the Old n'Busted to send down some attention.">> Hadrix's voice, tucked in on one side of the base, having been there all day beneath a camo-net caked in sand.
<<"Some of us will need to distract, the rest to do the real work. If they think we're here to strike or conquer they may get careless on watching for snoops. Leaving the outpost 'alive' might give them a false sense that they can hold us off too... may make it easier to finish the job here later.">>
The outpost was rumored to have been a point where starship salvage had been going, a lot of it. If it was being processed and repurposed here or being funneled to the Bloodfields was yet to be seen.
<<"Well, I think we all know who is not sneaking in,">> Sumi says, flicking her smoke to one side before donning her helmet. The old warrior pushes off the rock she's leaning on and adjusts her cape so she has access to the litany of weapons strapped to her armor, or holstered. <<"Those itching for a fight, follow me. You others.. do what the Commander asks.">>
Raissa is here and the woman has her helm on given things. "I'm all for distracting if needed." she states. "I mean, if there are others that are better suited to going and doing the real work." she adds to that. She wasn't a scout by any means. "If anyone gets hit very hard just find me and I'll pactch you up." she states. Then she's back to being quiet.
Be loud, confuse the enemy while the others do their work? Narsai gives a little smirk as she slides her helmet into place. <<"I'm right there with you Sumi,">> she nods, adjusting her weapons and then stretching her arms over her head for a moment to stay loose. <<"We'll keep their attention no worries at all.">>
It's been one of those kind of months. The kind where nothing in particular goes wrong, but nothing exactly goes right, either. The kind where you don't only spin your wheels, but also manage to get some mud splattered on you, as well. That's been Valeska lately. Spinning her wheels. Making progress while simutaneously making no progress at all.
So when a mission came down the pipeline calling them all back to active duty on Mandalore, the initial thought was something long the lines of 'Sure, why not, yeah?' Because Mandalore is brutal, deadly, and kicks her shebs every single time she goes there. But it's also simple. There's something deliciously uncomplicated about Mandalore and this absusive, toxic relationship Valeska has with the planet as a whole.
Valeska had found herself inch-worming herself closer to the fortifications; dragging herself on her belly as her elbows and legs do the work under the cloak of darkness. It is hidden, but she hits a desert lizard that shrieks and runs off. <"Meant to do it, yeah?">
Hahtavi Kora is here, gathered up with his vode. He has something a little cumbersome maglocked on his back alongside his jetpack but his juvenile kimogila cape obscures it. Not long and thin like a rifle, shorter. His Galaar is already off of his back and hanging on his tactical rig so he may remain hands free as needed. He listens to the briefing, <<"Understood. I'll try to get in quietly, see what I can.">> Haht cranes his head around to look at the walls and those manning them.
Helmet has started recording. He zooms in to study those up on the walls that he can see, then changes his focus to look and see how he might be able to get in. Might have to climb.
Once they have their orders, the ramikad starts to make his way slowly, using what cover he may, watchful and silent. Maybe not as skilled as Hadrix at this sneaking around in heavy armor thing but doing passably well - so far. Hahtavi is careful where he puts his boots, staying low and pausing often to watch and listen as they begin.
Nix has been doing her best in PT and her physio. Each day her joints strengthen. When this came down the pipe, hearing from Hadrix she decides to tag along. The Kora's are after all her family. The small Mando doctor stretches her limbs out before she takes a deep breath and glances at the teams. She quickly calculates each teams odds before glancing between everyone.
She's wearing generally darker armor so she chooses to follow after Valeska. Her hand lifts up slowly and turns on the record. She moves sneaks up beside Valeska as the noise is made and there is a little grin under the helmet as she moves further a head. Her eyes scanning where she's going. She's not crawling but she's doing a very low duck walk. <<"Give them hell, Alor.">>
Figures turn on the walls when the approach begins, spots are unhooded and spears of illumination cut into the scrub and hardpan beyond the outpost walls. Were they a continuous burst laser there would be hot smoke rising from molten silicate in a broad swath from the arch of their rotation, trailing after the path of Valeska but not catching sight of her. Stopping just aside of Hahtavi. Close enough to threaten.
Flame trooper in the Corps. Special Operations in the Vanguard. It's Hadrix's only excuse for why he can move like a ghost in form, function, and sound. Slithering along with the others going quiet, for now. Flame rifle in grip, <<"Once we're in, I'll see where I'll be most useful.">> the big man's voice over comms.
Somehow the wall remains oblivious to the approach of Sumi, Raissa and Narsai. Somehow. Their light sweeps passing just before or just behind - an unexpected boone born of nearly finding Hahtavi and Valeska. Allowing for the attackers to gain first strike. One of those appearing to be 'in charge' of the less well equipped troops slapping one on the shoulder and leaning in to snarl something unintelligible to a lookout.
Sumi shares a look with Dr. Raissa and Alor'Ordo, nodding to both. <"Well, they ain't gonna distract themselves."> Sumi activates her jetpack, lifting up into the lookout area. She lands with a heavy gait, stumbling forward a few steps and squeezing the trigger of her flamethrower early. Flames bite out in short bursts that make a loud WHOOOOOOOSH, setting the wall ablaze with plasma flames. Sumi laughs, accidentally leaving her comms open mic, which is timed well with Nix's encouragement to give them Hell.
Hell has arrived in the form of three Lady Mandos eager to hurt something. <"Come closer! Special delivery!">
Raissa follows after the bulk of the group. Who was going to be sneaking in?! She wasn't sure, but she figures that she's going to be better with the others. Her blaster is taken out and she widdles out a target, not that it is going to be doing much. She's really here for the healing touch if people need it!
<<"Hell yeah,">> Narsai agrees, then the surge of her jetpaxk has her carried high, the flash of violet plasma igniting to that harmonic hum midair before she lands at Sumi's back and brings her weapon down, cutting the lookout who might have had a shot at Sumi's rear clean in two. They were about to have a heck of a lot of attention on them, maybe she could cover her fellow Alor... or maybe she just didn't want her friend being shot in the butt?
Whatever the reasoning, the lookouts backpeddle desperately as she swings the singing weapon their way, just managing to avoid the plasma-bladed related end to their story for now!
There isn't an answer from Valeska in a long, painful stretch of time. She's too busy watching that search light sway back and forth, bringing illumination to stretch of radiated desert and almost outing her completely. Only when the light is at it furthest does she dare to gesture very slightly in Nix's direction. First to 'hold'.... then to 'follow.' Or maybe that is 'Holy shite' and 'I think we can go' respectively.
<<"Keep 'em mostly alive. I think I can do that, yeah?">> She says as Sumi and crew go banging on the front door. <<"That's our cue.">> She gets up from her crawl and into a low-stooped run that carries her up to the fortified wall. But is she seen?
Boy, is she ever.
But she's also close and can get a good look at what they're dealing with. And that /was/ the mission, yes? That's a win in her book. <<"This place ain't no ramshacklee build, yeah? They got pour durecrete leading into the main entrance. Tractor treads... repulsor buffing. More targets inside and a buncha quonset structures. Maybe housing more equipment. To the west is a starcraft chop shop, too. Parts being loaded.">> There is a pauuse and audible frown. <<"Whoever these guys are, they are kitted out, yeah? Armour on some of them looks downright functional.">>
His attempts at stealth lately, acting as a recon instructor, has gone soo smoothly that even Hadrix would be proud of him. But not tonight. Hahtavi does reasonably well at staying out of sight but his movement accidentally shifts a small stone that slips and falls. It's a tiny almost nothing noise that surely no one would notice with all hell breaking loose with a light show and fire along the other wall, right?
Wrong.
Suddenly a bright spotlight nails him, directed right into the face of his helmet as Haht is looking for the next bit of cover and possible watchers, ready to slip stealthfully inside of the walls. Yeah, not going to happen! <<"Drek!">> His gloved hands go to grab his rifle on the tactical rig. His helmet compensates to dampen down the bright light almost right away but it still leaves him blinded for a second or two, teeth bared behind his T-visor.
The ex Child of the Watch tilts her head and looks over what she's seeing. When she listens to Valeska explain what she's seeing, the woman takes a deep breath. <<"Permission for co-ordinated attack on the huts with grenades... In short, I would like to boom things.">> The woman grumbles as she glances to the huts and takes a deep breath. She lightly pats Valeska on the shoulder and duck walks a little closer. If no one stops her, this duck gunna make some big booms.
Seeing the difficulties for the ingress team and the potential for fire to come their way, Hadrix does what he does best and charges through the shadows in sprints, carrying him to the wall where he continues his sprint. No Jedi's unbelievable vertical rush to the peak, but several leaping, climbing steps that bring him to where he can hurl himself upwards and use one massive wampa paw to grab the face of a lookout's helmet. Pulling to drag himself up and in turn pull the poor sap's helmet to the wall edge, then smash his boot into the back of the poor fool's head to finish vaulting up onto the roof. <<"Dividing their attention.">>
One side of the walls now soaked in multi-hued flames and blaster fire erupting in multiple directions base lights begin blazing to full power. Floods bleaching the ground with the mixed effect of reducing dark places to creep while making those that exist that much starker and enveloping.
Within the base another half dozen warriors are visible in the proper rig that Valeska mentioned, drawing weapons and beginning to move towards either side of the commotion to seek out enemies at their gates. Gates which are now grinding towards closed with the alarm klaxon going off.
For Nix's request of combined ops? It seems that is being left to the Alor's to decide.
<<"We didn't come here for the food, Nix. Blow it the rekk up! HAhahah---whoOOOOOooooosh--">> The distant scream of some poor warrior suddenly captured by the loving embrace of chemical fire is not a pleasant sound. His arm is the target, and the flames are quick to bring it to bone. Sumi slugs him with the butt of the flamer, knocking him off the wall.
Sumi isn't aware that Narsai saved her bacon, she just assumed that Alor'Ordo was there doing what she does best. <<"I am moving for the warriors!">> Sumi informs before moving off the wall to meet the warriors in battle. She has allowed the flamer to rest against her side and produces an electrum hilt. A gentle push of the activation stud sees a vibrant purple blade emerge with a SNAP-hisssss. She intended to test the mettle of the warriors, and whether they stood their ground, or foolishly enjoyed having their insides poked with a lightsaber.
Raissa is a doctor, not an infiltrator! Ahem. She's actually managing to shoot folks today, which is a step up on the list of what she can usually do on the battlefield! The flames make her keep a wide berth though as she is not wanting to get caught up in that due to herself not paying attention. "Got one!" she shouts. Yes, one. Hooray!
Well, Narsai didn't need to answer Nix, after all she was a little occupied. Still, keeping to her promise (even if it was made mostly to herself or implied by her company) Narsai's form moves and her saber comes across to intercept a bolt made for Sumi, sending it hurtling back into the suprise-widened eye of the man who'd fire it and dropping him dead.
Fluid steps and singing plasma cut one man down, flowing motion carrying her through the next with a sweep before Sumi announces her intent and ignites her own blade. A nod of her helmeted head, but Narsai too twists away and makes to turn. The Reavers were a threat and the same thought had occured to her after all.
<<"At your side then,">> she calls before joining the rush to the heavier threat.
Two on Six....how dreadfully unfair for the Reavers!
Just inside the walls, Valeska remains surprisingly hidden. This is thanks mostly by virtue of the hands-down ridiculous amount of Distractions going on outside. This gives her ample opportunity to truly take in her surroundings. Get a lay of the land. Appreciate fine construction.
So that she may rekk it well and good.
Turning her head towards Nix, Valeska gestures almost invitingly to the scene in front of them. As if there were all one glorious buffet. <"I'll hit the chop shop,"> she informs within their communication network but only in the short proximity. <"Rain flaming oblivion whenever you please. We'll strike together, yeah?">
<<"Heads up.">> She then says to their entire group. <<"Big booms gonna light up the night sky.">>
Valeska is quick to move, darting around barricades and half-cylinder huts; a hand slipping to her belt to grab one explosive egg. She sidles up to the area where starships are being disassembled and loaded, presses the button, cooks that egg...
Heaves...
It explodes on impact of the breaker zone, immediately causing a sister explosion of a fuel cell. Then another... then another. All happening in a breath, the entire area shakes with concussive, fiery force as the equivalent of a thermal nuke rips through their operation. Minus the nuke but complete with several pretty colours as power cores and cobustion engines are popping like fireworks.
The spotlight had been blinding but now the whole place is lighting up with floods - much easier to see suddenly. Hahtavi did manage to get inside with Valeska and whoever else and he's got his rifle in his hands. He is moving, dark armor in the night even if he's lit up, his Galaar throwing out red bolts of light to burn their enemies.
One shot misses but the other connects with a Reaver, striking them soundly but not killing them instantly. Now he's doing his part to draw fire and distract so that Valeska and Nix can get a good look around set their explosives.
<<"Sign it 'From Koras with Love!">>
A moment later there is indeed a BIG BOOM and Hahtavi is nearly knocked off his feet from the shockwave as fuel goes up with it! He is staggered, but not thrown! <"OYA!"> Lots of firworks tonight!
The small woman moves after Valeska and watches her and what she decides. Then she hears Sumi and smiles happily under the t-visor. The explosions ring out loud and the tiny woman lifts the massive weapon given to her by Hahtavi. She flicks it over to grenades and aims towards the compound. She waits until the explosions seem to be concluding.
<<"I regret to inform you, your right to live has been revoked.">> She speaks loudly out to the group of Warriors before the grenade launches and blows. She frowns when it doesn't hit a lot of them and takes a deep breath. She growls out as she stands there annoyed and preps another boom shot.
There is bickering along the South Wall. It's a hushed sort of bickering, the sort that can only be heard amongst those in the immediate vicinity. The sound of blaster fire, fragmentation grenades, and one guy who is creaming on the top of his lungs because he's literally on fire does a pretty good job of covering it up.
"No, -you're- the baby," Fae says, huffing a bit of her chocolate brown hair away from her face. She's speaking to Hapvarnna, her fellow Kora-in-arms and a rather rude one at that. She sets the Son-Blaas THMPR against a structural weakness in the wall and tucks the fuse into place. It's all digital, this stuff. Requires a bit of fine tuning and fine tweaking. Gone are the days of literal wick fuses, even if that's something to be a bit nostalgic about.
Fae scurries back a little bit behind a nearby rock where Hapvarnna is also kneeling. She reaches up to depress the plunger on the detonator when Hapvarnna reaches across from her and slaps at her hand. "Ow!" Fae protests, and then looks -angrily- in his direction until she realizes he's actually helping. She hadn't set the fuses correctly. She scurries toward, resets the fuses, and then scurries back. This time, Fae looks to the Togruta and nods.
-Chunk-
wwrrrwwrwrwrRWRWRRWRWRRRRRRREEEEEEEE
THUMP
That sonic charge lifts up and -THUNKS- down into rock, blasting a hole in the wall that will fit two Kora's, each armed to the teeth, perfectly inside. Fae lifts her helmet back up and seals it onto her head, stepping through the breach with her haughty, Hapan laugh.
<<"HAHAHAHAHHAA.... SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!">>
She pauses, and looks behind her to Hapvarnna.
<"Erm, Did I do that right? That wasn't insensitive was it? You know, culturally?">
Explosions. Violence. Flesh ripped apart, a flash of light --
When Fae Renta looks back there is a great Dreadfinder standing there. Rifle held aloft like a spear as her answer is given with a shout -- one that echoes from a distance away over the Lone Zakkeg's speakers:
<"SUUUUUN! SUUUUUUN, FAE KORA, SUUUUUUUN!"> At the end of it the Togruta lets forth a violent HISS-GROWL that is less fearsome with that glowing T-Visor. But, the young woman is given a soft backhand at her shoulder, before his rifle is raised again -- cheering her on.
It is at that moment the Togruta reaches back to touch the steel box strapped to his back, one that begins to THUMP. SIZZLE. BANG. With it, the Togruta marches forward, <"Fffffaaaae! Fae KORRRRAAAAA! Don't you seeee! Look, with them eyes girl, GAZE! SUUUUUN /SPEAKS/ THROUGH YOU!">
The west wall is cracking from heat and pressure, the detonation of the power cores creating a light that turns night to day. Heavily armed warriors on the ground within the fort turning one way and another, two of them incapable of making a choice (as half that number are laid out on the ground) before a fusillade of rifle fire goes upward, to where distractions are.
Sumi, Narsai and Hadrix drawing attention let the recon and destruction teams have their peace.
'Finally.'
The north wall now set ablaze and one of the defenders within it, Hadrix's own flame rifle speaks and the 'Old Days' are summoned again. Arm extended, a cloud of iridescent tibanna mist released then ignited by the pilot to become a wildly coloured conflagration wrapping around a wall guard and sending them to the ground screaming.
Blaster and slugfire crosses, ricocheting off armor, threatening to stumble or injure but the idea of leaving this place 'victorious' is not in the lexicon of Clan Kora or House Ordo. Investigate to Exterminate might be the best means to describe. Hand gestures are exchanged among the warriors and a whooping call goes up that those few left on the wall return.
Especially when the north wall picks up a familiar cry and greeting, barked out on growling roar, <"SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!">
Sumi would be impressed if it weren't for the fact they were fighting Mando'ade. For generations, Mandalorians had trained to defeat Jedi and Sith in battle. So when she charges into the warriors despite the explosions, shrapnel, and flaming bodies, she is met with foe who do not buckle in fear or relent their ground. One foe meets every challenge she presents, moving as fluidly as Sumi does, yet avoiding every strike as if it were second nature.
The two could be dancing if it were any where else, but as it was, they were two warriors cut from the same cloth, and neither had achieved success in their fight so far.
Sumi takes off and Narsai was fit to follow...right up until the Reavers reach her, hampered by fire as they were. Eyes narrowing behind her T-Visor the Ordo girl twists and sweeps, cutting the first man in half at the waist before slashing her weapon upwards in a rising strike the second man was ready for.
Her sudden draw back and thrust however? Not so much as the Reaver falls and Narsai rises back to her feet before activating her thrusters to touch down and cover Sumi's flank. The Reviver had to catch up to the 'Mama Kora' after all!
<<"Well done, vod!">> Valeska praises in Nix's direction against the backdrop of wicked awesome explosions. It's not often her plans work out so well, but tonight they worked out very well as the scrapping operation has been turned into so much molten metal and twisted scrap on fire.
Somewhere nearby she hears it. 'SUUUUUN!' And her modulated reply carries with it an endearing smile. <<"It's been a long time, Haps.">>
That's all there is time for right now as Valeska is still on a mission. And with all this lovely chaos, she couldn't possibly let it go to waste. <"Nix, Tavi's got this well in hand and the cavalry is knocking on the South wall. Plenty of time for a little 'how's the neibours', yeah?">
Keeping low in attempt to avoid getting the atention of those still very much alive and defending their fortress, Valeska quickly duck-walks to follow a rather large cable she has spied amidst the havoc. <"Gotta find out who these people are. Who they're workin' for. Where the shipments are goin'. Anything like that.">
Said thick cable is winding its way to one of the metal huts, but the Crimson Mando has yet to see anything useful yet.
There are explosions, flamers, light sabers, plasma bolts firing this way and that in various colors. Screams, shouts, words mostly in Mando'a on both sides. Hahtavi espies something in all this chaos, a lot hut that appears to be a central hub, possibly a power generator judging by it's arrangement.
He pauses in his shooting and instead reaches back into his satchel to pull out a grenade, activating it. <<"Frag out!">> As if a single grenade in all this fiasco is going to be very noticiable.
This Kora hucks his grenade - it's a bit of a long throw from Haht's position near to the wall to reach that hut. It rims in and explodes, going off in a shower of capacitors overloading, bright sparks and crackles of flash like lightning in the concussive detonation!
Suddenly the entire base goes dark as the lights are MURDERED!
<"OOOYYYAAA!"> It's like screaming SUN but Ragelands style! Except that it's the anti-sun as everything goes dark in the compound.
Nix moves after Valeska and grins slowly at the explosions and yelling. She glances to the sounds and grins while focusing again. Almost. <<"Lead the way, vod. I have your six.">> She crouches low and she moves against the ground. There is a nod to Valeska when she tells her what they are searching for.
She moves a little away and then stops and glances up to the fire. It's so very pretty burning like that. She lifts her hands as if she is warming them on the hearth. One could probably imagine the contented grin on her face. She snaps back to reality and grumbles, <<"Sorry...fire pretty.">> She moves back towards Valeska. She definitely doesn't see anything useful.
The lights in the base go out and she chuckles a little and moves towards the darkness, switching her gun to burst. She keeps her eyes on Valeska, mostly.
Fae blinks a few times as Hapvarnna speaks, another haughty little laugh bubbling out of her. She does a little dance with her pistol held above her head as her fellow Kora howls. Her laughter carries on as she steps forward, sliding the Coruschal Dagger from her chest holster and keeping it held, barrel down, with both hands. The breached wall allows for a rather handy angle and the element of surprise on their approach to the savage warriors. The sound of fighting carries her forward and when she rounds the corner and sights her targets, she smiles behind that T-visor helmet.
<"Hello, lovelies!"> she sing-songs.
That barrel is lifted and -crack- -crack- -crack-. Three rapidfire shots into three different bodies. Fae lifts her left hand up and holds out an index finger to Hapvarnna behind her. The universal sign for 'wait for it'.
Moments later, those bullets begin to hiss and bubble, reacting with oxygen and water in the blood and -fssssssssssssssssss-ing beneath the holes they bored into armor and flesh alike. And then, they erupt in flame.
<"Say the thing!"> she yells back at Hapvarnna.
Hapvarnna keeps behind Fae, totally for her protection. Yes. Not because the tall Togruta doesn't feel like being shot - but those great daemonic 'horns' show in the firelight and smoke. The glowing orange T-Visor. A voice kicks up on the comms, deep and robotic: "BATTLE-FEED ONLINE. ENEMY TRACKING ENABLED."
Data begins to glow orange, transferring openly to the others - and as Far Renta brings down more PREY so is it Uncle Hapvarnna raises a terrible blue tube behind her - <"SUUUUUN! FAE KORRRRA! DON'T YOU HEAR THEM?! Their SCREAMS are a Song of Su'un! SUUN SPEAKS THROUGH YOU GIRL! SHOW THEM! MAKE THEM SING!"> Laughter, mad and giddy - one can hear the Togruta foaming at the mouth in his helmet. The cryoban is loosed, the world shatters with that pop PSSSST. Another call goes out, <"KORRRRAAAAA!">
It's absolute pandemonium. Total and complete. Three of the number of those on the ground set on fire and only one of that grouping still standing in the wake of Fae's barrage. Those still standing leaping for cover to escape the sudden chill that bursts stones and cracks duracrete, creating fogs of breath from helmet grills from proximity.
Another colour shifting cloud of fire adding to the already present following the twin contrails of Hadrix's flight after the power to the base is eliminated. No lights, no alarms. Nothing. In fact the passage of Valeska and Nix following cables leads into a hut presently devoid of occupants. Populated only by a quartet of inactive computer systems. Screens as dark as the lights above. Outside the only light is from the flames and the stars, giving low and night vision systems something to work with and making the remains of the fight a study in stark light and shadows.
A body falls from the wall where the most recent flame blast had occurred, a macabre torch hitting the ground in a twitching pile, light in tight plasma bolt zips in one direction or another, bouncing off armor or the ground. Were it not for optics it'd be a whole other matter for the ground fight
Sumi hears the telltale of a slugthrower going off nearby. Its 'pop pop pop' draws her attention to witness the spectacular accuracy and efficiency displayed by Lady Fae. Sumi isn't in a place to commend the gun work, her own battle is still underway. She is attacked and avoids being hit, displaying the same skill in agility and dexterity before countering with her own swings.
She cuts horizontally and they duck back, but instead of swinging again, Sumi stabs forward and impales her foe through the chest. Her purple blade emerges from his back, the beam vibrating and humming hungrily as she twists in place, holding his body to her like a shield to absorb another shot before casting it off the blade. The motion made a static noise, and she charged a new foe who tumbled away from her in haste, her weapon cutting through a wooden spar holding up drying clothes. <"Quit running away!"> She growls, chasing after them.
Dancing purple plasma amidst blades, blasters and slugthrowers...Narsai slashes away at the warriors, lashing and striking out only to suddenly reverse her grip and twist to send a bolt hurtling back into the source of the man rather than hitting her square in her pert behind!
Carrying the motion through with a hooking kick she manages to stagger her foe before carrying the motion into a heavy slash.
The warrior bisected neatly, his companion ducks and weaves as she slashes and strikes, managing to avoid the same end for now.
The pair follow the cord which meets another cord... then another. There's definitely something at the end of this trail. Something that needs power. And whatever needs power on Mandalore is bound to be important. Slipping into the relative protection of the metal hut and leaving the chaos behind momentarily, a couple of powered down computers are just waiting there. Begging to be taken to a new home.
<"Ah ha. Well, we needed information. I am given to understand computers have it."> This coming from the girl whose technological education stops at setting the clock on the nanowave. She nudges Nix with her elbow and grins so wide it can almost be seen past the T-visor. <"Wanna see how I slice a computer?">
Valeska marches up to the complicated tech and yanks the cords out of their sockets. With a kick, the monitor is sent crashing to the ground allowing her to grab the precious data-box underneath. <"And sliced! Just that easy, yeah?"> The tech is tucked under her arm. <"Time to make a hasty getaway.">
And that she does! Waiting for Nix, of course, Valeska runs out of the hut and manages to keep hidden as they make their way towards the huge hole SOMEONE blew into the southern wall.
While Valeska and Nix are in raiding the computers in the darkness, Hahtavi skids to a stop outside of the hut. There he pauses to cover their Six while they work, and watching out for targets. Then the two are coming out and running with their arms full.
This Kora lifts his rifle and shoots a Reaver that looks to interfer with them, killing her with his first shot. Then a lookout is trying to take a bead on Nix. The Galaar swings and Haht nails that one up on the wall too - the body falling to the ground and in among the wreckage.
A moment later he's hustling to follow them on the way out.
The tiny Mando gets up out of the crouch and goes to take a step, landing on her knee and wincing. She pushes up and runs as fast as she can after Valeska and slides into the data area. She gets bumped and she watches her sister slice the computer. She chuckles under the visor and stands up.
She glances around and tries to figure out what they need to take. <<"If the screens are the eyes... then... this... yes I will take the body.">> She tries to parse computers with human bodies.
Her hands dig into wires and she pulls and yoinks and yoinks. She pulling and putting computer 'bodies' on the ground. <<"I hope this is right, vod. I hope we aren't taking their radar but actual good information.">> She points out quietly to Valeska but she grabs what's left of the computers and turns bumping into a pole in the data area. She glares for a moment before taking off like a child who is stealing candy. The tiny woman rushes while staying hidden, towards the hole in the southern wall. <<"We are hackers, vod.">> She chuckles happily as she moves behind the other.
Fae Renta continues to move towards where a pair of twin purple lightsabers whirr and slash through armor and bone as if they were butter. She soft of half-skips as she moves, quite pleased with herself for her shooting and egged on a little bit by the Togruta acting as a one-mand-hype-band behind her. It's infectious! <"It's good to have an entourage, you know? A girl could get used to, oop...">
--Crack--
That slugthrower bounces in her hand as she passes the wounded savage warrior as they clamored on their back to escape. Fae draws that pistol back over her torso, braces her left hand beneath her right and squeezes the trigger another two times. -POP POP-. Two bullets in the chest of the warrior fleeing from Alor Kora. When those bullets erupt in chemical fire, they are already dead. That last shot pops the weapon's slide back, prompting Fae to drop its magazine and slip another into place. The empty is clipped into her chest holster in the same motion. She releases the slide's lock and lets it snap forward, chambering another round in its wake.
<"A girl could get used to this."> Fae finishes the thought, the reflection of Sumi Kora and her violet-hueud lightsaber caught in the reflection of her T-Shaped visor.
One flame-painted gauntlet moves back to dial up that banging speaker box on his back. It thuds, bangs, then quiets -- projecting his voice from helm to speaker box. That voice of Hapvarnna carries!
<"Orrrrrrri'Hapvarrrrnnnaaaaa will tell you story, Yeeees? Hear Her! HEAR HER RUNNING! She, with the Blood of Shili, of Mannnnndalore, painted red. Rrreeed. RED, with The Blood of Prrrrey. Huntress! Hearrrr him, hear His Voice! She coming, coming to take yourrrr blood...">
That glowing visor hones in, dials in, after a moment of standing over one of Fae Renta 's dying prey, the helms of Kora begin to click and buzz. New data surges across HUDs. People painted in orange light, red 'zones' highlighted. Mathematics displayed, calculations, weak points.
<"HEAR THEN TOO, of Little Sister! Shell-Crackerrrr, Hull-Splitterrrrr, SHE is Blessed by Su'un! LIGHT! Where the Red Huntressssss is DA'ARK! Not even, no, not be'skarrrr to save you, your blood, from them BLESSED."> Hapvarnna turns his visor again, kneeling, analyzing the armor more as his voice bombards the air-waves:
<"KORRRRAAAAA. Peckerrrrs of Brains. Gnawerrrrs of Bone. SU'UN DEMANDS OF US! So we must answer! No hard feelingssss, huh? Yeeeees?"> The Togruta's clicking tongue echoing over the walls. He can see. See it all. All of them. Feel them. Every gunshot a shining beacon in this world - and should someone get too interested in the lone medicine man, they will discover: His cryoban grenade in hand, armed, beeping.
Almost everyone not a member of House Ordo or Clan Kora is dead, dead as much of the soil of Mandalore. Another of those on the wall jerking suddenly, caught by two blasts in their back. One shoulder snapping forward, then the other with the cognitive ability to seek balance lost and the poor sot is sent in a pirouette even as their body becomes boneless.
<<"Another down.">> Raissa's voice chiming in over comms moments before the body hits the ground in a broken heap.
There are no more ground troops and the wall guards are being pursued by one more figure that continues to hurl plasma at them, the choke of the thrower cranked to maximum with a thumb so that rather than a dragon's breath it is a coil like an airborne serpent chasing after them, licking at their heels until one, then another is cut down by Hahtavi.
That last poor sot with the mad laughter of Hadrix Kora and the blaze of plasma fire at their back takes a running gamble and leaps from the wall, to land hard on their chest - arms and legs akimbo and the breath knocked out of them.
<<"I suppose... a burnt wreck is a... message.">> the big man's voice coming between bouts of merriment.
The last survivor of the outpost struggles for their footing, shaky, and lurches into a run - that is more like a drunk hobble while they choke on dust.
Sumi was poised to strike her foe down, and he was poised to avoid it, but his chest exploded with the impact of slug rounds. Sumi stands her ground, watching her enemy fall to the ground, then turns to look toward Fae. The lightsaber she is holding makes a sucking hiss noise as the blade is recalled to the hilt and Sumi lightly shoulder-bumps by Fae, <"Good girl."> The lightsaber is clipped to her belt as she slows to watch the stumbling survivor get away. <"Not our best stealth job, but good enough for government work.."> She glances down at a corpse to pat it down for fresh smokes.
Fae's approach and that shot? It brings a little turn of Narsai's head and a grin behind her helmet's T-Visor. "Nice shot," she offers before her contribution to the plasma harmony of lightsabers ends with the retracting of her own weapon's blade before she stashes the beskar hilt back into her vambrace while shrugging at Sumi's comment.
"I thought it went fine."
She's running, she's running, she's running. Hapvarnna is singing. The moon is out. The fortress is on fire. She's running...
Oh. Everyone is dead.
Ouside of the fortress, Valeska jogs to a slow stop and turns around to look at the handiwork of the Distract Team. <<"More like Destroy Team, yeah?">> That isn't judgement from her, no. There's a reason she calls these people family. <<"Nix and I got some computers from in there. Probably useful information on em for those who know how to get it.">> There is no small amount of 'you're welcome' in that tone. Like a cat that just dragged a headless mouse home.
She does notice the one straggler making a run for it. This, too, awakens a bit of the cat in her. <<"Want me to track him? See where he's goin'?">>
Rai's surrounded by things that are just burning and for a moment it reminds her of an incident on Dathomir. The older woman quickly shakes it off and high tails it to a safer spot at some distance away. Shrapnel wounds were bad, mmmkay? She is making sure to keep track of the Kora's to see if anyone is injured, <<"If anyone got hit come and see me after we're done and I'll do patch jobs.">> she states over the shared channel. Then she reaches up to release the helmet from her armor and take a deep breath, then she immediately regrets it, "Ugh, burnt...everything." she mutters.
Nix slides to a stop and looks up at the place. There is a little grunt before noticing the one living. <<"I would. What if this was one fortress and their are hidden ones elsewhere. Track and gather information that way.">> She grins and then she takes off again. No sentiment in her little body. Just focus. She rushes towards the point of exit because these computers are needing to be read. However someone does that.
Fae laughs when Sumi shoulder-bumps her and starts to search a nearby corpse for cigarettes. <"Ugh,"> comes Fae's response, <"You know I hate it when you do that."> Despite her words, there's a certain fondness to the tone of her voice. And, of course, the knowledge that she'll be bumming at least a drag or two from whatever Sumi finds. There's a snap and a hiss of her helmet as she pulls it off and clips it to her hip, the night-vision in her visor having just caught the fleeing form of the final lookout on the way back. The Hapan's eyes find it difficult to adjust in the low light, but she slips the A280 off her chest and props it against the wall. A soft little whine spools up within the barrel, and just as Valeska chimes in over comms about tailing the lookout, Fae squeezes the trigger.
"Oops," Fae says. She grimaces and slides her rifle back towards her chest, giving a guilty glance over her shoulder to Sumi before tipping her head to activate the secure channel comm on her shoulder.
<<"Sorreeeeeeeee! Did I hit him?">>
Hapvarnna continues to crouch over the dead, tilting that armored head side to side. Data flows. Bits of orange and blue. Math. The Spirits speak to the Togruta and in turn, his armor speaks to the spirits of other armors; and the network is a stream. One armored finger reaching out to prod the corpse where it was shot by Fae's pistol, <"Hmmmmnnnnn...">
The head turns to regard another corpse, <"Let the Prrrrey run, Yeeees? They will speak, and sing. The Warrrrrrriors will come."> A dismissive gesture given to the group, before the crouching Togruta crawls like a beast to yet another corpse - jerking the helm off with little ceremony. Eyeing the metal, knocking at it. Beskar? <"Huntressssss. Bring him, yes, Ori'Hap, the thing. He will speak to the spirrrrrit, huh?">
Mission accomplished, at the least, with the base holed, burned, disabled and littered with the dead. Ordo might have come and gone with minimum contact. Hadrix has proven on several worlds he might have passed through utterly unnoticed. But this was a full scale hit and fade. Fade being the operating word for what has happened to the base itself.
<<"Let him run. He'll leave a path and we can use that. He'll spread the story and these lot will be afraid of the dark.">> the Al'Verde Kora's voice. <<"Dust-off El-ZEE is being marked on HUDs. Pheegus will be skimming the Ro'Chur Jung over to bring us home.">> leaving Sumi to handle her own affairs while he does his job - getting things tied up so she doesn't have to deal with.
Especially when one of the downed Mandalorians is sporting a pack of Con-Cor Full Flavors, unopened. It's the space damned lottery for Alor'Kora today.
