Log:Mandalore: The Wasteland Way - Ride Eternal

Mandalore: The Wasteland Way - Ride Eternal

OOC Date: June 5, 2021
Location: Mandalore
Participants: Sumi Kora, Hahtavi, Avery Ihala Kora, Zelo Parrai, Aubrei, Valeska Jaivon, Terek Rosol and Hadrix Kora as GM Clan Kora Mandalorian

Saiwali, Bazza and Wazzum gathered, equipment mounted on air-skiffs - the parts of the grapnel cannon artillery truck pulled apart and those components repurposed - including the main launcher now mounted on the remaining sail barge - giving the already venerable craft a heavy punch.

A few battered speeders claimed from the Smoke-Walkers, the Blackthumbs or cobbled together from the various battles that have recently occurred near the mountain fortress. Collected together with the two heavy trucks from initial meetings the convoy headed for Last Home with the preserved Shrieker heads to prove completion of the mission that had been given, but delayed to make sure that those of their number badly wounded in doing so could be saved.

The caravan is on the move, impossible to hide and forced to move at speed with those craft loaded with the least amount of salvage on the outside and the sail barge at the center, tasked to carrying people as a mobile command center. Still seeking their prizes and vengeance for past slights the Blackthumb and Ori'ramikade clans are appearing on the horizon. Speeders and swoops built from repurposed vehicles and equipment. A wedge formation of vehicles armed with a variety of weapons fanning out.

Behind that assault chevron; a monstrosity of speeder equipment and heavy vehicle, churning up dust and pumping black smoke into the sky as it rushes to approach.

Avery leans back against one of the stanchions that house the railing on top of the remaining sail barge, one leg is dangled over the side while he watches the approaching dust cloud from behind. Across his lap sits his trusty E-11 carbine, the weapon ready and waiting for the action it will most likely see in due time. He sits with a hand on his chest, inadvertently covering the patch job that was done to the chest plate of his armor, the hand placed there more for his own peace of mind than any other reason. There's a wince when they coast over a dune, the nearly fatal wounds from days ago still nagging the young Slicer from time to time, especially when a random bump in travel is discovered. He idly flicks a rock over the edge, watching as the stone disappears among the dust and sand they kick up with their passing. <<"I'm sure you've all noticed, it's not like they're trying to hide themselves, but we've got company from the rear.">> He states casually, his helmet tilting as he watches the chase.

Aubrei had gotten away the other day unscathed, at least physically and thus todya she seems put together and ready. As much as one can be. Definitely not one driving a land bound vehicle she has taken up a perch to keep watch for any potential trouble, her pistol positioned at her side and downwards as she braces a hand against the inside of the vehicle to be certain she does not go tumbling off and get left behind.

The long necked helmet turns, allowing her narrowed vision to carry, the young woman lost beneath the inherited protective shell. She taps her foot as a faint hum sounds across the vocoder that is almost immediately swallowed up by the whine of engines and the air streaming past.

Valeska is on the back of the sail barge looking out across the expanse at the oncoming vengence-seekers. Clearly this last leg of the journey wasn't going to be easy. Good. Easy was boring. Too much talking with easy. Blaster fire always got straight to the point anyways.

The carbine resting in her hands as naturally and easily as a mother holds their child, Valeska rolls a shoulder and cracks her neck with a slight twist-and-jerk. Like any good first date. With a lean, she nudges Avery gently with her shoulder.

<"Stay out of trouble. Hadrix is already pissed you gave him a scare.">

The dust cloud in the distance is growing and a plume of black smoke is mixing in with it. That can't be good. The safety is switched off and the carbine wakes up from its nap with a long, whining complaint.

<<"Let's give them a proper farewell.">>

Guess who's back with the main group? That's right, none other than the Empress of the Void; she'd been helping the others prep for what was to come, and missed out on some of the action as a result... but she's back now, and her rifle is already in hand and being aimed towards those figures way out in the rear.

<<"I've never turned down a dance partner before. No reason to start now. Hope they enjoy the aerodynamics that the holes I put into them is going to bring.">> Evie practically singsongs, trying to keep herself steady and relaxed. While being tense during war -- and make no mistakes, this entire planet is like a war in a box made of angry rancors, wrapped up in a sarlaac pit, with a pretty little bow on top -- keeping loose made it far easier to aim her shots and dodge her enemies'.

But that's just a typical Natunda on Mandalore, and this was just a leisurely stroll through a field of daisies.

Hahtavi can't very well leave his kimogila fighter behind. He'd either have to have landed it back in Vroxx Canyon and gotten a ride out, or fly it. So at the risk of catching anti-aircraft fire, when the group gets underway he lifts off in the Tal'onidir to lend air support. It's a risk to him and his craft, but it's also a risk they might get caught short on heavy fire power when they really need it.

So it is that he takes off and flies fairly high, well up where he's not as likely to be noticed far above. From there Hahtavi's got coms with the others and waits until it's time to drop like a rock out of the sky in attack. It also means he has a wide view of the area around the convoy and up ahead of it.

Unfortunately, it's not high enough and after a while, flak starts trying for him even up high. Hahtavi mutters and starts taking evasive action, <<"They sure are happy to see me.">>

<<"I wonder if bold tactics are needed here. Take out the main serpeant, and the others taper off..">> Sumi stares from the aft of their speeder, her hand cupping her chin in thoughtful poise. She has half a mind to land on their main vessel and just make an example of whatever operator occupies it. Turning from the view, she dons her helmet, its visor washing out with reflective silver as the HUD comes online. <<"Thoughts?">> She asks for general consensus.. a little gun shy given their last ass whooping.

Not as fast as a swoop or a speeder, the All Terrain Scout Transport painted in shades of dark purples and faded blues with the Kora hand sigil emblazoned on its 'face' isn't a slow vehicle. Built for field agility and speed when needed or its loping, swaying and yet somehow intimidating gait. Right now the massive, boxy bodied, walker from bygone war is loping long in short bounds meant to carry it at speed with the rest of the caravan.

<<"Over a dozen pursuit craft.">> rasping broken stone rumble mixed with cultured core-world lilt coming across comms, <<"Be prepared for them to close for boarding... and be prepared for more of that, Hahtavi. They've been hungry to ground fighters and ships for salvage for a quite a while.">> Pheegus in the co-pilot seat next to Hadrix and Greeza at the sensor station, a 'map' of the pursuit being formed and broadcast.

Meanwhile cannons mounted on the battle wagon still barking, tracking the fighter craft up high - more engines, more weapons. More for the madhouse to put to use. The speeders begin throttling up and the caravan tries to match - the gap narrowing as small blaster cannons spit back and forth. Short bursts - the caravan aiming to disable or destroy and the pursuers trying to put the fleeing craft down.

One of the skiffs is struck by repeater fire, stitching black across one side and pursuing speeder sent skidding into the sand. Members of Saiwali moving to defense turrets while Ca and Bitr step towards Sumi with Zatti in tow, <"Hope your lot have some good ideas.">

If a Y-visored helmet could look at someone incredulously, Avery's was when he turned to Valeksa. <"The Force forbid I get grievously injured again, wouldn't want to make Hadrix fussy."> he says, dripping sarcasm through his voxcoder. A chuckle shakes his chest, this followed by a quick intake of breath, it's easy to forget internal wounds when the patch job is so complete. He already thanked the doctor that saw to his wounds profusely, he'd have to remember to thank her again.

<<"Well, stop being so damned attractive, Haht... they might leave you alone if you didn't flaunt it in their faces all the time.">> At least his sense of humor didn't seep from him along with all that blood.... or at least /he/ thinks it's a good thing. His helmet turns back to the nearing baddies, a centering sigh escaping his lips as he lifts the carbine into his hands. Two nods are given, one to Valeska's final thought, the next to Evie standing nearby with the huge blaster. <<"Glad you could join us Evie, sorry you missed the party the other day but from what I remember, it was a bust.">>

He pushes himself to his feet and checks the ammo count on his carbine, peering at the object of Sumi's musing. <<"Could certainly do, may want to wait for it to get a bit closer. Take out a few of the stragglers to make it less difficult of a jump.">> As if to illustrate his point, Avery sights in on a couple of the approaching craft and lifts his E-11 to send two bolts in their direction. Both bits of plasma bury themselves in the ground doing nothing but spraying the chasing crew with crystalized sand. <"If I could hit them, that is.">

As the others all begin prepping themselves for the incoming Aubrei gives a second glance to her S-5 and slides it away. Not in optimal range presently and thus the slender green armored woman slips towards the fixed mounts aboard the their craft. <<"Just waggle your wings a little, give them a hello for us..or maybe I can help out.">>

She settles herself into the seat and takes the moment to line up her shot. Her hand moves, centering as she then says. <<"No one gets hurt today. Duck if you can, Avery.">>

The clanless hits the trigger and with the jolt of the shot rumbling and reverberating she watches as the vehicle is rended and becomes a firey explosion of what once was. <<"One down. I wonder how they recruit...they seem to be endless.">>

<"I think he wants to preserve your pretty face.">

Valeska shifts the weight of the sniper rifle strapped to her back, making a mental note that she would need something stronger to help take out vehicles next time. Should there be a next time. For a blissful moment, she thinks of clear, blue waters on tropical beaches. Cocktails. A cool, evening breeze. Anything green.

All the more reason to finish up here and get the heck out.

Valeska looks up to see Hahtavi's ship high in the sky avoiding the attention being thrown his way. <<"It's a nice ship, Hahtavi. Don't let them put a scratch on it. And I guess keep yourself safe, too.">> Hopefully the smirk can be heard. If not, she'll just have to apologize later.

Play time. Valeska opens fire on a quickly approaching vehicle, firing at the driver with the same kind of giddiness she did the day she landed her. This guy, however, must've went to some kind of school because he's smart enough to steer out of the way. Pity he didn't do the extra credit. Valeska's barrel follows him perfectly and with a bright flash of red separates his head from his shoulders.

Driverless, the speeder lurches out of control, hits a dune, and takes several metal-rending tumbles across the sands in a glorious explosion of violence.

<<"One.">> It's a competition now.

<<"Then we'll have to throw a party worth having vod -- no promises you'll remember that one either though.">>

Evie chirps back to Avery, her voice full of energy. While she'd thought about taking her rifle against the foes ahead (of her, since she was aimed backwards)... well. Aubrei had a good idea. The turrets on these things were pretty powerful, and shouldn't be too different from those on a starship, right?

<<"Manning a turret to defend our position!">>

That's Evie's vote. She's not really the close quarters girl like some of the others are, though she'll deal with it if it comes down to it! Better to keep her foes at a distance and erupting into fireballs, if she can help it. She runs to a turret. Steadies herself, grips the handles. Aims her shot, and....

...misses. The enemy driver zagged when she expected a zig, and it prevented her from tying up the score. So a faux-grumpy Evie voice comes next.

<<"Zero. Target still mobile. Will change that soon enough.">>

<<"Then we'll have to throw a party worth having vod -- no promises you'll remember that one either though.">>

Evie chirps back to Avery, her voice full of energy. While she'd thought about taking her rifle against the foes ahead (of her, since she was aimed backwards)... well. Aubrei had a good idea. The turrets on these things were pretty powerful, and shouldn't be too different from those on a starship, right?

<<"Manning a turret to defend our position!">>

That's Evie's vote. She's not really the close quarters girl like some of the others are, though she'll deal with it if it comes down to it! Better to keep her foes at a distance and erupting into fireballs, if she can help it. She runs to a turret. Steadies herself, grips the handles. Aims her shot, and....

...misses. The enemy driver zagged when she expected a zig, and it prevented her from tying up the score. So a faux-grumpy Evie voice comes next.

<<"Zero. Target still mobile. Will change that soon enough.">>

This is likely to be one of his most difficult piloting missions ever, to date. One that Hahtavi is well aware he might not survive. But if the convoy gets through to the Butte and Concord Dawn is able to forge an alliance with his former clansmen and any survivors of his blood family? If he can help keep the Koras alive and well? Then whatever happens to himself, it would be worth it. His father would be proud of his son, living or marching far away. Thinking of those who have gone before, he quietly recites to himself the prayer he had before in Mando'a.

One would add the long list of names of those who have gone to march far away. Hahtavi doesn't know yet if they remain in this world or have gone to march far away. He's also having to keep most of his attention on flying so he doesn't get his ass shot down. <<"Tal'onidir copies, Al'verde. Heading in to drop some pain onto their largest craft if I can, over.">> Question is can he hit the thing?

The kimogila rolls to port and starts to drop like a rock, straight down towards the desert far below. Hahtavi adjusts his course slightly and lines up a shot with his fixed mounts and draws a slow deep breath, "Come on, let's dance..." His twin canons open up and begin firing. The laser cannons light up the big Ori'ramikade assault vehicle and the strange flare of light from the direct hits prove to cause it no immediate harm. <<"She's shielded. It'll take me multiple passes to wear her down, over.">> Yeah, they knew this wouldn't be that easy. Hahtavi angles the nose back up and veers to starboard, not trying to gain altitude back up, rather coming back around in an arc, far lower this time.

<<"A fair observation; I only hope that whatever weapons they have aboard this large vessel are things we can contend with if they close the distance. Until then, I satiate my thirst with smaller targets.">> Sumi plucks a grenade from her bandolier and initiates the fuse, counting aloud whilst holding one hand up (like she was aiming). <"One.. two.. threeeeeeeeee MMPH!">

She hurls it, throwing it ahead of a speeder just before the explosion consumes it. Sumi rubs her shoulder, moving her arm in a way that suggested she pulled something. She turns from the explosion and shoulders by the other three Mando leaders, pausing to say, <"Last I checked, mine weren't the only warriors aboard with brains.">

Sumi stalks off, preparing another weapon for the next attack.

<"Yes, Alor'Kora. Pity you took none of them with you to the south."> Zatti hurls a barb of their own as the mobile firefight continues in earnest. An air-skiff knocked off course to slam against the sail barge and a Wazzum controlled speeder is riddled with blaster fire, the body bursting like a overripe fruit filled with fire before it plows into the sand and is lost in the wake.

Blackthumb craft grow closer, more of their number holed or damaged by return fire, a series of magnetic grapple lines firing to hook to various craft, slowly reeling in to pull a half dozen of the pursuit vehicles steadily closer.

It's an echoing WHUMP that signals the blast of the hook launcher, magnetic grapple slamming into a transport craft before it can launch hooks, cable disengaging to leave the mag-lock hook clamped in place before the ion detonation disables and sends the speeder vehicle tumbling and spilling out Mandalorians who are crushed by the wreck or left to pick themselves up in the sand.

The AT-ST sets to its work, near the rear, dodging blaster cannon fire while the weapon mounts flip backwards. Concussion grenades hailing over speeders while the heavy blaster cannon spits fire, damaging craft and slowing some of the pursuit.

<<"We've made friends.">> Hadrix's voice chiming in with Pheegus and Greeza laughing in the background.

<<"I'm at zero myself.">> comes the count from Avery... unless you count grains of sand. If that were the case he'd probably be in the thousands. Watching the weave of vehicles behind them, a couple going down in marvelous explosions, Avery nearly giggles. <"He thinks I'm pretty."> Aubrei's advice is heeded almost instantly as blaster fire is returned in their direction, some of it ricocheting nearby, at least two having sought out the advice giver herself. <"You as well, duck when you need to!">

His blaster is lifted once more, drawing a bead on some of the approaching vehicles, quipping back at Evie before he attacks, <"The difference is, I'd enjoy that party... the one the other day, not so much."> Solid thunks on various craft announce the launch of mag-grapples that ensnare their prey. Avery is once again thankful for the helmet that covers his face as color drains from his skin, his up and close encounter the other day with some of this planet's savages was too much then. <<"These are not the kind of friends I'd like to keep, Hadrix.">> the Slicer states, sighting in on one of the drivers of the craft to hopefully send the vehicle out of control with his absence.

He takes a breath and exhales, trying to steady his beating heart while he depresses the trigger. The act is done and the red heat is loosed, catching one of the drivers square in the chest. Heartened by the success of the first attack, Avery shifts to the right and fires another round, this one too removing the driver's life from this world and sending the vehicle adrift. A gut wrenching explosion shakes the back of the barge as the two errant skiffs collide and erupt into gouts of flame and debris, scattering their cargo over the sands. <<"Two.... wait, are we counting the ships or all the people onboard too?">>

Aubrei is momentarily caught unawares of the incoming maglocks when she is shot at. There is a sound of surprise from her that does not transmit and is quickly eaten up by the chaotic sounds. <<"I ducked! Everyone else?">> The shaking and sudden lurch of the craft as its taken hold of by the others causes her head to pop up from behind the turret. Green armor dusty and scratched from its continued use in drastic situations just like these.

<<"Heading down to see if I can't pry their fingers loose as it were.">> Sliding free of the turret, she salutes Evie and digs her heals in. She angles towards the first line that has them and drops down, staying low by remaining on her stomach as she pops open her gauntlet to retrieve a few small tools.

She strains, tilting her helmeted head just a bit to get a better look. "Don't fall off, don't fall off..." this she repeats as she works at disabling the maglock. A spark flies "Closer" is accompanied by it before suddenly there is a whir pop and smoke rises.

The line snaps and one side of the craft is let free as Aubrei grips the side to keep from pitching over with the change of force.

Another speeder is thrown into the air with pure, orgasmic fury as Sumi's grenade explodes from beneath it. <<"You don't have to try to hard to impress me, Alor. But it's very much appreciated.">> If she needed confirmation that she made the correct choice, there it is in a beautiful display of bright orange, caustic smoke, and wails of the dying.

The AT-ST is hard to miss: only regarded now because Valeska has a moment in betwewen shots to do so. Was Hadrix housing that thing on his ship? She must've been even more tired than she had thought on Concord to miss that in all its purple and black glory. <<"Hadrix, you will need to tell me how you got that thing.">>

The barge lurches as maglocks attach themselves to the metal plating, causing Valeska to stagger a bit. This helps her dodge a shot coming right at her so... hey! Thanks for that! <"Let me return the favour."> Bracing a foot along the railing, she takes aim at the nearest drivers and rains judgement in their direction.

<<"Don't be a cheater, Avery. You only count the clean kills. Crashing the speeders is just frosting. Unless you blow them up with a grenade. Then you count every soul caught in the blaze.">> Two more drivers crumple behind their wheels, but they're still reeling in like the sail barge was the catch of the day. <<"Also... three.">>

<<"Well. Then a worthwhile reason -- and reward -- for a job well done, Avery. So let's not die tonight, so we can properly enjoy tomorrow!">>

It's not quite as... momentous as her speech during Exegol, but it works for the moment. There's a moment to return Aubrei's salute in turn, before returning her attention to her targets. Lining one up, following it with her mounted gun for a moment. Not wanting a repeat of the last time where she allowed her target an escape, and... BOOM!

<<"That's one for me, Valeska. Better pad that lead while you have it.">>

As he was making his attack run, flak was firing away at the kimogila. Hahtavi did what he could to evade it but he was limited by having to line up his shot. Much of the flak misses him from the anti-aircraft fire but three impact against the Tal'onidir's shields.

Lil, Hahtavi's R2 unit, whistles sharply behind him. <<"Shields almost down! See what you can do, Lil!">> Indeed, the pilot can only hope that his R2 astromech can lock it down and bring his shields back up to power quickly. Because if she can't, they may be in trouble already!

Not breaking off though, Hahtavi is determined. He brings the ship around for another pass, lining up his cannons on the same enemy craft as before. <<"I'm trying my best, Valeska. You stay alive yourself!">> As Lil works on the Tal'onidir's shields, Hahtavi fires again - but the Ori'ramikade vehicle either evades his shots or he misses, alas!

Valeska earns a chuckle as Sumi passes, but the Mando leaders get nothing back. Sumi would rather skin them, but they had a duty to the Journeymen Protectors to see this through. Maybe after all the warring was done, Sumi could knock the teeth out Zatti's mouth.

Gauging the distance between their skiff and the Ori'ramikade one, Sumi takes off at a jiggy jog and ignites her jetpack, crossing the distance in a roar of propulsion only to land atop their cabin a moment later. At just landing, Sumi is accosted by the foemen, but she ducks to go on the defensive while drawing her weapon of choice:

The riot control baton extends to its full length with a loud SNAP, the serrated edges extending from its blunt end. Sumi spun the weapon, generating the pulsing electricity that followed, then jumped into the fray to burn a path through their main skiff.

Terek follows along behind Sumi, he had managed to catch a ride with her, and he quickly launches himself out of the ship once they're in range.

He lands hard, and draws his pistol, quickly looking for somewhere to get into cover. The landing was a little harder than he would have liked and it prevents him from being able to shoot. But he's here, and most of his blood isn't on the outside now.

<<"I don't know, they seem very rambunctious. Festive sorts, plenty of party favors. This could be nice.">> a pause, <<"It's a boring story, Val'ika. I bought it from a wrecker yard on Bonadan.">> though he's still chuckling and his compatriots are laughing while they blast away. More cannon fire and concussion munitions churning up sand or whirling through the mayhem but finding no purchase this time as the Massive Mandalorian seems to get an idea.

Mayhem is the absolute best term for it as well. Turret crews on the convoy are chopping into the speeders and wheeled vehicles. Blackthumbs are close enough to begin boarding, not all making it as they begin leaping to get aboard the barge and on smaller craft. Some landing and tumbling in sand, to rise or remain there until the scavengers come. But Mandalorians begin locking in combat, close quarters blaster fire and melee breaking out with all of the mixed screams and battlecries to follow.

The AT-ST, suffering scores of black blaster fire tracks along it's side swerves suddenly - evading a sweep of fire as the man at the helm heels over on the control stick and shoulder charges the scout walker towards a wheeled vehicle - moving so that one leg kicks the buggy and sends it over before it is trampled over.

Under the hail of blasterfire aimed at Sumi, a figure in actual beskar'gam emerges, their helmet with a proper visor and even what looks a functional pack strapped to their back. Golden bolts from a heavy pistol lancing out but going wide of the woman in blue with her cat-eared helmet.

Avery nods to Aubrei as she drops over to try and detach one of the boarding skiffs from the barge's side. Meanwhile, a chuckle and mock outrage spew from the vox in his helmet. <"Not planning on dying any time soon, Evie... AAAAAAND, it's not cheating when there's multiple people on board! They all count for something!"> He claims, pointing at the litter of strewn personages on the ground from the wrecked vehicles. The call from above has Avery looking skyward, Hahtavi's craft taking a lot of fire and damage, though the man is masterful at dodging most of it. A whoosh of flame by his ear brings his attention downward as both Sumi and Terek go rocketing by to attach themselves to the big ship in the middle.

Avery is about to sling his weapon and follow when return fire peppers their positions, Val taking a decent hit on her leg while Evie gets smacked herself. Back out comes the weapon and he shoots at the advancing craft, wrecking one pursuer while the other manages to hold on to his line. <"Kriff! Are you two ok?!"> He calls to the wounded nearby, his Y-visor shifting to the side to take in Valeska's form and the wound she suffered.

Aubrei pushes herself up from detaching a cable and starts to make her way to another. She scoots herself across the moving craft, guiding herself closer to Evie's current position. She drops to a knee to reach for the next cable, anchoring herself in position as the shot meant for her goes flying far over her and where she has been. Lucky. The volley sent their way manages to score several hits and she watches as one slams into Evie, her fellow turret friend.

<<"Evie, I am coming...">> Aubrei stows away the small tools and she quickly begins to pick her way across the remaining distance. Upon reaching the pilot she goes to a knee and pulls out the bacta and the field patches as she gets to work. <<"Just hold still, I bet you might be able to shoot..maybe. Jut keep em off me.">>

<<"Valeska, I will find you next.">>

<<"You're more than welcome to beat my lead, Evie. More than welcome! But let's see if I can make it difficult for you.">> All the more dead uglies. High above them, Hahtavi is contending with a barrage of attacks that she simply cannot help him with. <<"You're doing good, Hahtavi! I promise next time we end up on this dirtball, I will be able to detonate those bastards to spare your ship!">>

The banter comes to an end when the remaining speeders catch up to the barge, allowing the enemies to leap aboard like so many locusts. Avery dodges, Evie's hit. Valeska bites out a string of assuredly vile curses in Bothese. It's the best language to curse in. Prove her wrong.

She doesn't even get a chance to notice the big boi now attacking Sumi. Too many are boarding the ship and Valeska is fighting to keep them at a distance. In the corner of her eye, Valeska sees Aubrei -- the miracle doc -- rushing to help Evie. In her distraction, one of her three attackers gets her in the left leg, forcing her to her knee in pain. <<"Sonuva----!">>

Rage in her eyes, the carbine finishers her expletive and with a plow-plow, a wrecker flies off the side and shall rest in pieces somewhere in the wastelands. <<"Hnnn... I'm fine, I'm fine! We have to clear them out!">>

Valeska also adds in pain. <<"Four...">>

Have you ever seen a bird having their wings clipped mid-flight? That's Evie right now, as the blaster bolt pierces her armor and sents one leg flying back -- followed by the other from momentum, and the only thing that keeps her... vaguely... upright is the deathgrip she has on her weapon.

<<"I... ugh... I'll do my best, 'Brei.">> Evie groans out, but she's less able to shoot with any accuracy at the moment and more just trying to a) keep the weight on her good leg, and b) keep still enough for Aubrei to do her work.

But feeling better *after* Aubrei does her thing, Evie's quick to add, <<"I can cover you both while Aubrei's working on you, Valeska.">>

Not that this was likely the reason for the refusal, but it's offered regardless.

Lil beeps and burples to herself as she does her best and manages to bring the ship's shields up to about half way. <<"Good girl, Lil!">> Just in time for Hahtavi's ship to get hit with more flak! Damn! But she did it in time! Instead of the Tal'onidir getting shredded and breaking up into a ball of flames, the ship's shields take it and drop almost to nothing again, just barely holding!

No point in yelling at her, Hahtavi knows Lil is working on the shields as fast as she's able, trying to reroute power. It leaves him to focus on flying and shooting so he makes another try as he comes around again. Not being very effective to help his clan yet, except that he's keeping some of them busy firing at him instead of them!

From his distance, Hahtavi can't make out that the new baddie is wearing entirely beskar armor, but he /can/ see both Sumi and Terek are now landed on that vehicle. Time for a new target at the last second. Pew! Pew! Pew! By luck more than by skill, it startles the driver so badly that the wrecker swerves and suddenly looses control, flipping over and breaking up! A double click on his coms to acknowledge Val's speaking to him. It's all he has time for at the moment, dodging flak!

Sumi tumbled under a swing from a Super Commando, their attack missing. She followed the momentum through to land back on her feet, twisting to strike at her wake but missing. The Commando twisted to face her, and she struck, dragging the baton from her right in an upper-cutting motion that caught him on the chin! The electricity exploded on impact, generating a concussive hit that sent them flying away from Sumi and Terek.

Sumi moved back to Terek, putting her back toward his back. She struck another Mando, one of the Ori'ramikade, sending them toppling over the railing of the skiff to fall to the sands below. <"We need to find a way to sabotage this thing.. or claim it as our own.."> To Terek as she brings her weapon to bear, its arcing energy growling.

Terek watches as Sumi quickly and effectively takes down the Super Commando, making it look super easy. Not wanting to be that outdone by Sumi, he quickly double taps one of the Ori'ramikade in the chest, and then turns and shoots the other one in the chest as well, trying to take both of them down in one quick action, <"I'm with you!"> He calls back to Sumi as she suggests a way to claim or sabotage the vehicle. Taking it would be his preference. If he can drive it.

It's a good thing Hadrix can't hear Valeska cursing in Bothese... Well maybe he can if she's on an open channel. He hates Bothans. Were this one of the great stage performances one might say... Bothans? He hates the word, as he hates the Corellian Hells, open vacuum, and slavers. As it is, he and the others are busy, firing on the speeders cabled to the convoy craft, APB and conc launchers going wide while the main chin guns of the AT-ST comes into play, pumping plasma into the back of one craft, weaving the damn thing like he was in a fighter craft to evade the shots.

The flak turrets keep spitting up at Hahtavi, filling the sky with plasma flak and clouds of conventional metal shards creating a fog of hot shrapnel for the mandalorian pilot even as three more of the Ori'ramikade clan pour out onto the top of the rig. Weapons charging and making to support their remaining comrade who had nearly been done in by Terek.

On the main convoy there are boarders everywhere, one craft is cut loose and spins off to halt in the sand while a friendly transport is claimed, crew dead and it begins to angle away to head back, towards wreckages. More salvage, more scrap. More bodies to strip and leave to dry out in the sun. But the Wazzum, Bazza and Saiwali clans are holding their own, keeping the main sail barge from being swarmed, thinning numbers and soaking up injuries to the best of their ability as an air-skiff suddenly drops, crashing and becoming a twisting wreck that coils up the boarding cables and becomes a spinning wreck burying itself in the sand.

<<"Sumi, we're getting clear but we're losing friendlies.">> Hadrix's voice again, through gritted teeth, <<"Any ideas for that big rig?">>

Avery turns to confront the boarders as they swarm the ship, trying to protect the three at the back of the sail barge with him. It's chaos, screaming and yelling, weapons clashing, blasters firing, and to top it all off, explosions from everywhere. Out of the corner of his vision he sees more of their allies' skiffs crash and the innocents lost to the sands. In a rage the grey Mandalorian turns and blasts one of the approaching boarders in the chest, his second shot flying wide when a blade is buried in his right arm. <"NNnnh!"> He cries through the vox, the darkened Y-visor turning to the combatant that injured him. <"At least it wasn't the chest this time."> Avery muses, wrestling with the scavenger to create some space.

<"Doing fantastic, Evie, there we go,"> she remarks through the vocoder. As Aubrei sets the patch and looks up she notices the shot that is headed for Evie. The green armored impromptu medic lurches upwards. <"DOWN!"> She slams herself down over Evie after dragging her down, keeping them both out of harms way thankfully. <"Sorry about that.">

Releasing Evie she turns and quickly covers the distance towards Valeska. <"Valeska I am in bound, find a place to keep low."> Patch, bacta and Aubrei begins to repeat what she had done upon arrival. <"Left leg as well, how ...strange."> Maybe they like left legs. Either way the bacta is liberally smeared over the deep wound as Aubrei tries to duck and stay out of the way.

Her heart pounding in her ears, Valeska stumbles to her feet in time to see more ugly faces leaping into the barge. <<"Hate to interrupt, but things are looking really bad over here! We're getting overru---">> Her comm cuts off as she quickly sidesteps/stumbles to the right; a blaster bolt grazing the thick cloth of her /other/ leg.

Nearby, she hears Avery's grunt of pain and she spins around in time to see him hit. No. Not again. She can't do it again. As Aubrei comes up to help her, Valeska is already waving her away; gesturing wildy towards Avery. <"Help him first! I'm okay, I swear it!">

She tries to turn her carbine onto the encroaching baddies, but Aubrei is already next to her inspecting the wound. Much to Valeska's chargin. This chargin, of course, is aimed at Avery and not at the medic tending to her leg. <"I said stay of of trouble, damnit!"> The mixture of anger and concern is volatile, cracking her voice as she yells and hisses in pain at the same time.

Mustering up a softer voice admist the chaos, Valeska's helmet nods. <"Thank you, Aubrei. I think they have a thing for legs."> She tries not to think of what that thing might be.

<<"Wha--!">> Evie yelps as Aubrei pulls her down, just in time for the blaster bolt to soar over her head. <<"Oh wow. Thanks, Aubrei; nice to know you have my six.">> Or her twelve, in this case.

So, a long long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was once a girl named Evie. She was a pilot. But for some reason, she decided on multiple occasions to get involved in ground skirmishes. This meant she had to shoot a gun that wasn't attached to a ship, at people who were more suited to their environment than she was to her own.

...so that went as expected. A noisy *bang* from her rifle, but no fallen foe. Not this time. Maybe next time!

Hahtavi's R2 Astromech does it /again/ bringing the kimogila's shields back up to half power! Hahtavi praises her efforts, trying very hard to evade everything that is being thrown at him! The miles keep passing by as the convoy keeps moving at top speed. There goes that bad ass fellow, knocked to the deck by Sumi's stun baton and Hahtavi didn't even get to see it.

Just then the flak really thickens up as he's trying to bring the kimogila around from the other side this time. But they are onto him. The air ahead of him fills with exploding shrapnel and do his best, Hahtavi can't evade it all. The flak shreds through his ship's shields and the Tal'onidir takes a hell of a beating, one engine blowing out! Black smoke is suddenly trailing the kimogila and it's all the pilot can do to keep control as she starts to go down fast. <<"I'm hit!">>

Determination is a /thing/. Hahtavi has it, stays frosty and focused. He could abandon his ship and jetpack out, but if he did so he'd be abandoning his astromech as well as his fighter. No. He's got this... He hopes he's got this! Keep the nose up!

The Tal'onidir hits the desert floor, throwing up sand in waves on either side in rooster tails of billowing dust. She slaps belly first, wobbling, then spinning out of control at the last to slew around. Somehow the kimogila fighter doesn't tumble and finally comes to a stop, partly buried.

Smoke boils up from the wreckage.

With the deck cleared, for now, Sumi takes a moment to look over their skirmish and determines she needs to be in several places at once. Without looking back to Terek, she calls out. <"Terek, you need to find a way to destroy this craft. Orient it toward the enemy vessels and ram them. I must take flight and cut the tow cables holding our allies, or none of us will make it out of this desert alive.">

Sumi collapses the baton and reattaches it to her belt, then draws up the electrum hilt of a long fallen Jedi Master. Pressing the activation stud, the weapon came to life in a sudden SNAP-HISS, the violet blade humming and reflecting off her helm's mirror-like visor.

<<"We will begin destroying the enemy using their own barge. I will attempt to sever the tow cables. Do not stop fighting. We hold the line.">>

Sumi mantles the railing of the craft and propels herself toward the tow cables, jetpack lighting up with a roar.

With the deck cleared, for now, Sumi takes a moment to look over their skirmish and determines she needs to be in several places at once. Without looking back to Terek, she calls out. <"Terek, you need to find a way to destroy this craft. Orient it toward the enemy vessels and ram them. I must take flight and cut the tow cables holding our allies, or none of us will make it out of this desert alive.">

Sumi collapses the baton and reattaches it to her belt, then draws up the electrum hilt of a long fallen Jedi Master. Pressing the activation stud, the weapon came to life in a sudden SNAP-HISS, the violet blade humming and reflecting off her helm's mirror-like visor.

<<"We will begin destroying the enemy using their own barge. I will attempt to sever the tow cables. Do not stop fighting. We hold the line.">>

Sumi mantles the railing of the craft and propels herself toward the tow cables, jetpack lighting up with a roar.

With orders given, Terek nods in response to Sumi, <"On it, get clear!"> He calls out to her, as he moves into the controls of the barge. It takes a moment before he is able to sort the controls, as he pulls hard on them in order to wheel the massive thing around and orient it towards the boarding vehicles. Once it's on a collision course, however, he wants to make sure no one can stop it, as he fires his blaster several times into the control panel, <"That should take care of that."> He muses for a moment, before quickly getting back onto the deck.

Without too many options on how to escape, he takes the most obvious route, kicking on his jetpack and launching himself up into the air. He'll figure out where to land once he's clear!

A turning point. Combined with Avery, Evie, Valeska and Aubrei's work aboard the main barge and the sudden work by Terek on Sumi's orders.

The battle rig of the Ori'ramikade bucks and surges forward even as Terek goes skyborne, clear of the wheeled and repulsor moved battle wagon even as it strikes the back end of one of the transports attached to the convoy sail barge. A creaking squeal of heavy metal coming before the storm of sand and fire when others are forced like balance-pieces to tumble against their neighbors. More are pressed to lose control and hit the desert floor in explosions of white sand and snapping cables with their falling.

Another of the convoy speeders is halted and the attached boarder craft with it, the lost vehicle wheeling to pull away with the attacking craft, prizes claimed. A sudden surge of success from the running walker craft finally becoming useful as they go from one to the next, blaster cannons sweeping over boarding craft and concussion munitions blowing apart the next.

The result of that and others dropping their cables to fall back and head for salvage, including their leading rig, leaves on last vehicle with the boarders and driver staring up at Sumi and her lightsaber.

He grapples with the attacker who put a sword into his arm, the weapon finally being freed from its lodging with a grunt affording Avery the opportunity to shove him away, <"They started it!"> Avery retorts to Val's yell, stumbling backward away from the rush of mean folk that pour over the barge.

It seems he didn't push the man far enough away for the next attack sinks into his chest, the sword slipping into one of the weakened spots from the attacks earlier in the week and puncturing Avery's lung..... again. <"Really?"> He coughs, blood splattering the recently cleaned interior of the helm to drip onto his chestplate below. And just like that, Avery is sinking to his knees for the second time in a few outings.

Finishing up the wound on Valeska's left leg, Aubrei stands and manages to catch herself with all the rocking and rolling they are doing in movement. This is not really a stable situation by any means. She spreads her feet wide and again she gets that strange sense something is about to go wrong. <"Kriff!"> She grabs for Valeska, snaking a hand at her arm but stepping in last minute as the bolt slams against her chestpiece and bounces off, harmlessly hitting the sand.

By now however she notes some sort of wreckage in the distance. <<"Did we lose Hahtavi?!">> SHe panics a moment but manages to catch her breath as she nods to Valeska and quickly rushes for Avery. <<"Avery I am inbound, set yourself down..">> She does not envy Rathe his work in the field, so much stress. She clears the distance and comes to slide in next to him, going to a knee quickly. By now she's got the pattern down.

Bacta. Patch and a quick swab around the wound. Its a field dressing but will start the healing process and allow the pain to fade away.

<"All will be well, I promise. I got you.">

There's too much going around her now. Bacta and blasters and bastards. Hahtavi's ship is going down fast, meeting the Mandalore sand belly-first and billowing smoke. <<"Hahvati, respond! Are you okay?">> Please, please be okay.

A flash of red from the left and Valeska catches a bolt ricochetting off of Aubrei's chestplate. She is about to exclaim her joy when... Avery isn't so lucky. Okay. This is getting old! Valeska runs up to where Avery is and stands guard as Aubrei tends to him.

One ugly gets too close and she rips him in half with two rapid-fire blasts. She's at a loss for words now. It's just a matter of fighting and survival as she doesn't even know what's going on with everyone else.

Evie is doing her best to follow Sumi's command to hold the line -- she's aiming her rifle. She's even spending extra time to try and get that perfect shot off... but when the slug takes to flight? It just doesn't find its target. Another miss, another foe left standing. Which is weird, because she saw the slug go right through her foe!

...too bad the pain from her wound, tended to or not, is presently making her see double!

<<"Zelo; Sumi.. we have a man down. I need you to hone in on Hahtavi's last known coordinates for a quick dust off. His status is unknown, you may have to pull him from the wreckage. How copy?">>

Sumi lands on the last boarding craft, beheading the driver in a single swipe of her weapon before charging right into the crowd of boarders. Nothing clever for them, just a violet blade of death. Sumi cuts down a second, orienting half their body to fall off the edge of the craft and plop down in the sand below.

Terek reaches the apex of his jump with his jetpack, and then rapidly drops out of the sky. He follows Sumi down and lands right behind her, with his back to her. He just hopes she doesn't think he's a threat coming out of nowhere and wheel around and chop his head off too.

His Glie-44 flashes twice, putting one of the Rippers out of commission and sending him tumbling over the back of the skiff, <<"How many more of these guys are there?!">>

The ship took some hard knocks that shook Hahtavi up petty bad. His pilot's seat straps will no doubt leave him some fairly awesome bruising, but he's alive. Dazed, he's a little slow on the uptake. Finally reaching over to unstrap himself. "< Lil? "> She whistles and beeps behind him, having taken a wallup herself when the kimogila crashed but she sounds all right.

Jakku. Dust storm. Raiders. He's got to get moving. Rattled, Hahtavi gets himself out of his seat, stumbles on back. Rifle. He needs his rifle.

Smoke fills the interior of the fighter. Hahtavi can't see jack, but his armor filters out the smoke. Lil got the fire put out on the inside but it may still be burning in the engine cavity on the outside. A gloved hand gets the airlock cyling to open up. After a moment, light spills in from the too bright outside.

No, not Jakku. Mandalore.

The ship took some hard knocks that shook Hahtavi up petty bad. His pilot's seat straps will no doubt leave him some fairly awesome bruising, but he's alive. Dazed, he's a little slow on the uptake. Finally reaching over to unstrap himself. "< Lil? "> She whistles and beeps behind him, having taken a wallup herself when the kimogila crashed but she sounds all right.

Jakku. Dust storm. Raiders. He's got to get moving. Rattled, Hahtavi gets himself out of his seat, stumbles on back. Rifle. He needs his rifle.

Smoke fills the interior of the fighter. Hahtavi can't see jack, but his armor filters out the smoke. Lil got the fire put out on the inside but it may still be burning in the engine cavity on the outside. A gloved hand gets the airlock cyling to open up. After a moment, light spills in from the too bright outside.

No, not Jakku. Mandalore.

Zelo is in the back of the Razorcrest when a call comes. The doctor had advised that he rest on his wounds after he left the ship and ran around Concord Dawn, but the Kora comm frequency trumps the doctor's orders, no matter how terrifying she can be. Hahtavi is down again? The Nautolan is running forward to the cockpit as he calls back, the slight stitch in his side causeing sharper breaths than normal. <<"Alor, Zelo. Copy all. Hahtavi, be ready to jump, I'm going to try to scoop you and your mech if I can. If I don't see him, I'm setting the Projor Haal down on his coordinates. Coming in low, and way too fast.">>

Toggling the engines, Zelo falls into the pilot's seat and looks to his BB unit. <"Get in the front smuggler's hatch. I don't want you slingshotting and knocking me out when we flip.">

The last attached boarder breaks loose with Sumi destroying the driver. The speeder skiff turning and then dragging in the sand at a spiral before the mooring of the cable launcher breaks free, trailing behind the sail barge, skipping over the sand. No more boarders coming and the Last Home Butte nearing. The end of the trail is coming even as the AT-ST shudders and judders for a moment, a change of commander.

The hatch blowing open, Hadrix steaks to the top of the barge to provide what aid he can. Landing with a punch to one of the marauder's clavicles, bending him over to be face first with the rocket dart that surges, planting itself in their neck and then bursting while they're still airborne - the second micro-munition skipping off the shoulder pad of the next. exploding harmlessly mid-air.

Numbers dwindle, other craft are seeing the now un-reinforced boarders being overpowered or simply leaping clear to evade a grisly fate. Better to get the salvage they have then die empty handed.

Avery is tired of getting stabbed, really, really sick of it in fact. He kicks the man off of him, the sword sliding free, and shoots the fellow in the chest, wounding him severely but just not enough. <"There! How do /you/ like it?"> The injured slicer yells at him as he crumbles down, more blood pouring from his wound. Fortunately Aubrei is there and able to apply a liberal amount of bacta to... well, everything, a healthy amount slathered over his arm and chest, the wound sealing with the help of bandages and care. <"NNnnh..."> He mutters, a glance given to her and then up at Valeska who had been standing over them both protectively. <"Thanks, you two."> Not quite out of the fight yet, he pushes himself into a crouch and fires another shot, this one winging on of the remaining Rippers in the knee. This causes a bit more irritation than actual stopping power. The grey Mandalorian looks back up at the Mercenary who had been injured herself and sighs, <"So... bad location for a first date, I admit.">

Another shot is aimed at her and Aubrei tending Avery twists and ducks out of the way. <"When will this nightmare be over. I still can feel sand...everywhere."> The command to retrieve Hahtavi gives her room to focus on what is left of their foes. <"Careful now...don't move too quickly or the patcheds might separate."> From medic to soldier she pops back up but this time takes aim across the way.

The green shot that lances the dusty air claims its first victim without so much as another twitch from him. The weight of another soul.

She reaches her arm out further, extending that sleek S-5 as she tracks the injured and squeezes off her next shot while a sway in the ship sends the third astray and landing upon the craft that is in pursuit.

"Its too dry here," she remarks to herself, feeling the heat creep along her and make her squirm in her armor. She winces some, starting to feel stiff as she rubs at the back of her neck.

Pandamonium. Pure, unadulterated, uncut pandamonium. Then, like a brisk wind, what had been a swarm of attackers has magically turned into a barge of corpses. Heeey. More heads? No? Fine. Maintaining her position next to Avery and Aubrei, her ire turns towards those in the distance: pegging one well enough that she feels a tiny bit better about the whole state of affairs.

Her comms come alive again. <<"Hahtavi! Hahtavi, do you hear me? Respond!">> He's going to be in big trouble if he's alive and making her worry like this.

Awaiting a reply and with little else to do in the immediate seconds, her helmet swivels towards Avery. She stares. For a long, uncomfortable time. As wordless as an unmarked grave. Then she looks away, towards the expanse to keep an eye out for stragglers. <"Make it up to me later,"> she replies in a clipped voice.

The ship is a wreck. Not much chance of saving it this time. Mandalore's far more vicious than Jakku. The Tal'onidir's probably a loss. Hahtavi opens the locker, <" Lil! Get out! A ride is inbound fast.">

Before he's stepping out however, Hahtavi's NOT leaving his beskar ingots in the ship. There isn't much in that locker but it's everything the pilot owns. A spare set of armor, his sniper rifle, and the few other things get shoved into a duffle. It only takes him a moment, then he's ready to go.

Stepping out into the brilliant sunlight, Hahtavi's visor darkens at once to compensate for the glare. <<"I'm here, Zelo. Ambulatory. Let's not forget Lil, over.">> Raiders might be zeroing in on them so here's hoping for a quick pickup.

On last look back at his beloved Tal'onidir. May not see her again.

Zelo is barely dusting over the top of some of the dunes, weaving as needed to avoid too much altitude. No interest from the Nautolan in catching literal flak as he speeds across the ragelands. From time to time, late shots pierce his wake as raiders and bandits alike instinctively take potshots, even at the thing that was here and gone before they even knew it. <<"Copy that, Hahtavi, good to hear your voice. I'm coming in as hot as I can without bringing the whole desert with me. Be ready to jump. Just... Just in case. Over.">> Increasing speed, it's only a dozen heartbeats until the IFF shows Hahtavi's beacon. Time to get fancy.

Step one, drop the cargo ramp. Step two, whip the flight controls laterally to port. Step three, clench everything. Step four, hot desert wind causes enough drag that full thrusters don't fire directly onto the rescuees. Step five, skidding to a halt about four meters from Hahtavi's location, repulsors holding the ship steady with the ramp a few inches into the sand. <<"Get in, vod, we're going flying!">>

Sumi turned toward Terek, lightsaber raised and poised to strike, but instead deactivates it. <"Oh, it's you.."> She said, chuckling as she took hold of his hips and pulled him nut-to-butt with her. She clips into his back, tossing a sling over his head and under his arms. <"Hold on.."> Her wrist comes up then, triggering the jetpack into overclock, and the pair lift off the skiff just as it spirals out of control and explodes.

<<"Good man, Zelo. Bring him back to his family.">>

Sumi brings herself and Terek to the top deck of their friendly skiff and unclips, slapping his ass to signal he was free. <"God DAMN that was a good fire fight..">

Terek would say something about having his own jetpack but who is he to argue with Sumi. She is in charge after all. So he holds on tight, and lets her drop them off somewhere safe.

He has to take a second to catch his breath, but he's grinning behind his helmet, "That was amazing!"

The butte - the end goal for it all. Where Shad'hain, Llearil and Haran'kemire dwelt. Where the heads were to be handed off - grav lifts cobbled together and worked with to get the speeders, skiff, and even the barge atop so as to not leave it resting to be defended at the base of the cliffsides.

The caravan is met the Shad'hain alor himself, Bron. Clad in armor forged from what has been worked together from salvage and scavenging. Not the leader that Hahtavi would remember from a decade past. Another from within the leading clan, wearing the armor of his forebears. Those with a mix of the other clans, including one that might be recognized as a woman known as Vyella'kel.

<"I see you brought the lot, with the heads you were tasked to get."> looking to trophies handed or cast over with the expedition's approach. <"We can work with Concord Dawn..."> motioning for Sumi and the other Alors to follow. The woman that Hahtavi would have some knowledge of, more than most of the others he can see at this brief meeting doesn't move, but rests her hand on the shoulder of a youth in armor and helmet.

<"Hahtavi... you're still alive. Meet Iriin..."> a touch of humor and perhaps no small amount of barely contained shock covered over by the need to try and return the unintended gesture.

If they could see the shock and surprise on his face - it's there. Hahtavi stands a touch dumbfounded and reaches up a gloved hand to remove his helm. A hand missing a finger. His face bears the healing wounds sliced into it by vibroblade Shrieker's claws, surprise plainly writ. "Vyella."

And the youth standing with her, be it boy or girl, he can't even tell and doesn't even care. While the others watch, filthy, sweaty, gritty Hahtavi with his beard grown in the past week, drops to one knee. "Iriin." Grey eyes flick back to Vyella'kel, looking to her face for some confirmation and he gets a faint nod.

"Mhi ja'hailir'gar, Iriin. Ni gar buir."