Log:Mandalore: What Was Bled For

Mandalore: What Was Bled For

OOC Date: October 28, 2021
Location: Mandalore: The Ragelands
Participants: Valeska Jaivon, Jallo Dara, Zelo Parrai, Zevin, Avery Ihala Kora, Sumi Kora, Narsai Ordo and Hadrix Kora as GM Clan Kora

<"Valeska, your injury is part of your story. Struck but persisting as you have before. Blood is the ink our legends are written in."> Assurances by Mir to the younger mandalorian. A jovial lilt to the elder's voice. Staring out the view port towards the ruins of the tower. <"Courage, fearlessness, tenacity. Fancy words for what describes our people best. Stubborn. Mandalorians do not cower at danger. We're not, always, foolish or idiotic in our bravery - but a lack of fear for personal injury has been a trademark that has made the Aruetiise"> the outsiders, <"Fear us. We bend, but unlike them we never break. Even if we draw back, it is only ever to strategize the next charge.">

<"What are we hoping to find here?"> an apt question from Avery. Equipment is distributed from the duffels cast from the Woor'tra. Shape charges, det-tape, ammo, armor patches a few ration bars and water. Everything needed to do a little door to door investigation.

Hadrix's response was succinctly provided, for a change, <"Information. Much more valuable to us than scrap.">

The sun had marched across the sky to the blazing apex that required those without the benefit of climate controlled equipment keep to shade and onward to the stifling evening, leaving all a furious crimson while the cool of night began to descend. Directed by the elder, Mir, taking point to guide through shadowed pathways and thin corridors between the ruins of buildings, keeping out of sight as long as possible on the approach to the tower.

Where with a 20 meter no mans land of shallow dunes in what would have been a cleared kill zone decades before lay between the Marshalled expedition and their goal.

Zelo walks back from his brief sojourn apart, datapad having sent a message offworld and out of the system. The cobalt-skinned Nautolan beneath gleaming blue beskar fidgets a little with something at his wrist, but has little to say as the expedition sets off again. Taking what goods he can most use, and some for the others if their own supplies become ravaged, the sniper holds his E-11 at the ready once more.

'Information.'

That is one of the most valuable items in the Galaxy, but also one of the most complicated to know how to wield. His own pursuits on that front are leading him somewhere, and soon. But that's another day. Today, Mandalmotors tower. The long-sought quarry is almost in sight. Combat boots pad silently on the still-for-now sand. H-visor and black-pool eyes beneath scan for trouble, but... Nothing. Nothing easily seen, at any rate.

Or just nothing. Things change quickly in the sand and dust of this ruined metropolis.

Her rifle is slung to her back and Valeska has taken to idly spinning the handle of a deactivated vibrodagger in her hand as she follows the eldest Mandalorian through the long-destroyed streets and alleys of the ruined city. <"You pretty much described me to the letter, old man,"> Valeska's voices laughs gently through the vocoder as she half-limps along, keeping to the shade as much as she can. <"Everyone called me crazy and reckles and stupid."> There's a thoughtful silence from her helmet in consideration. <"They probably still do, but at least here it's useful, yeah?">

The no man's land up ahead does give her pause though only theoretically. For as long as the group is moving, so does she. It is her posture and her mannerisms that tense a little and she tries to hide her limp a bit more consciously. She's keeping a wary eye on the horizon: of which there seems to be far too much.

There is someone - a Mandalorian, or so his armor indicates - already at the shallow dunes that deny all cover, leaning against the building closest to it and peering towards the far side, with a berm between him and the approaching group. His hand shifts to his side, utterly still but within inches of his blaster pistol. Mando'a words roll out Zevin's vocoder, the first indication some have of his presence: <"Friend or foe?"> A moment's pause. <"Mandalorians with dignity, or misbegotten savages?"> He makes it plain which side he considers himself to be on in this wasteland.

The silver Y-visored helm watches as the equipment is handed out, the duffle bags being depleted, dispersed to the rest of the crew. Avery takes his share when offered any portion, the ration bars and water disappearing into the utility belt that lines his waist. <"Aaaaah and now I understand why I was needed after the charge."> He says in response to Hadrix's reply. Swinging the E-11 down to tap against the temporary stump of metal that now resided beneath his left knee, the Slicer gives his trademark crooked grin. <"Certainly not for any marathons, I'd wager."> At least he's taking the injury in stride.

That is before the next leg of the journey... the trek sees them crossing a decent spot of land and the constant thunk of his new stump into the sometimes slippery sand has started to wear on the nerves of the man. The bucket that covers his face does wonders for hiding the grimace that the pain of the appendage brings, but the occasional grunt and frustrated sigh belay his status, the laboring he's undergoing.

Mercifully the group arrives at the last portion of their expedition, only the open mostly flat area of sand between cover and the building they seek... perfect for an ambush. <"I've got a bad feeling about this."> Avery states, and that's before their eyes find the new Mandalorian armored individual casually learning against the building nearby.

Jallo's here in spirit. And by the clanking of his armor in body as well. He's looking around as they slowly make their way towards the tower listening to the talk of information and the value in the tower. As they get closer to that no man's land he unslings a... Hunting bow knocking an arrow to the string as he turns his head to 'look' around the area.

Sumi was surrounded by bodies and body parts after their last scrap. The fighting on this dustball was never concluded though, but the only thing she fought right this second was the urge to smoke. Her helmet came off during their hike, and hooked to her belt. She lit a smoke, clamped the lighter shut, and sighed out a thoughtful plume of smoke. Sumi lacked the fancy tone or inspiring words to color what their people were. Killers. Murderers. Ravagers. Reapers.

She seemed unmoved emotionally, or perhaps, just stoic and aloof as always. She made up the rear of the group, though, walking with a subtle shift and slight limp, almost like a gangster. Truth was, they'd been marching around these ruins for the better part of a day, with ample fighting and killing. All she wanted was her feet rubbed, maybe a cute Twi'lek girl to make a few other things feel good, too. "No," Sumi mumbled to herself, stopping to kick and old human bone. "..I think I'll have two.." She takes a final pull from the smoke and flicks it into the distance, glaring at the terrain left to the stern before turning to look ahead again. Her long dark hair moved lazily across her face from a strong gust of wind and sand.

Apparently silent herself in her armor as she walked, Narsai's red and black armored form was among the warriors. These expeditions had been important for the Ordo girl, even if she or the Revivers hadn't always been able to field troops thanks to their efforts extracting and protecting refugees and non-combatants...but she was here now, gaze sweeping ahead behind that T-visor and her blaster pistol at her hip. No weapon in her hand yet, but experience showed that could change in the blink of an eye.

One massive hand comes to rest on Sumi's shoulder after her momentary murmuring... it's likely because he has a toddler son. The ears you develop, especially when it gets quiet. "Soon enough."

At the head of the pack, the mandalorian in armors swathed in desert robes pauses at Zevin, helmet bowing slightly, <"Friends, for now - I cannot speak for those behind me, they've been leaving quite the trail in their wake of people who didn't take hints."> the elderly voice jocular, <"But if you're stuck on this planet, or seeking others; perhaps you've found someone to aid.">> he then looks back to the others as Hadrix reasons out why he's Al'Verde.

<<"Either we're going to all run, or jet, the distance and risk immediately tipping off our position or we're going to need some hefty luck with being quiet...">> looking down as if to himself and then back towards Sumi before he looks to Zevin, switching to externals from the internal comms <"If you intend to keep between us and the tower, foe. If you're looking for a pack to travel with, friend... unless you try to rob us. Then foe again."> the smirk in the big man's voice.

<<"Anyone good at rapid entry, suggest they go first and take det-tape">> back on clan comms again while Mir simply... drifts out into the killzone, sweeping through the shadows.

<<"I'd rather not give away more than we have to... Before we do.">> The Nautolan Mando is lowering his stance and begins to sweep his feet with some sand, perhaps in some sort of luck-based preparation. Perhaps to get as much of the ground-material in his steps. Either way, as he begins to creep out into the dunes, it seems to be working with whisper-smooth steps. <<"I have no training with demolitions, but I'll cover the approach for someone who does.">> And with that, Zelo finds the right shadow and the gleaming blue beskar seems to wink out into a caliginous figure without the light to show its shine. Carbine ready, he follows Mir into the dunes, toward the tower.

There's someone waiting there but the lone Mando doesn't attack yet. Probably a wise one not to engage in a one-vs-eight fight. So definitely not one of the many thugs they've been picking off. That's just math, right there.

As the troop begins to move in, Valeska does a little hop-skip-jump to pick up her pace. The first step forward goes great. The second, however, lands on her left foot and the pain stabbing her in the hip is immediate. <"Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea..."> Valeska slows her pace again and hobbles up to Mir. <"I'll cover you, Old Man."> Yeah. That was her idea all along.

Zevin turns his head slowly, examining the troop as they approach. <"Friends, then. Rather not /shout/ while I walk out there, if y'know what I mean. So if you could share a frequency- that'd be great."> Even through the altered voice, the tone is as dry as the waste they walk.

Whether he receives a reply or not, when Zelo moves past him, with every sign of trying to avoid being noticed, he looks back at the others, tilts his head towards Zelo - their scout? - and follows him into the dunes, crouching low. <"On your left,"> comes the whisper, so the Nautolan will know he's there.

Do you need to move without rhythm? Hopefully not, that's hard on the joints, and though no one has seen him without his helmet to know, Zevin is rapidly approaching middle age. Worms may get him, but he's keeping a low profile for anyone else.

Avery doesn't say anything to the newcomer, he simply makes sure his carbine is near at hand. Mir aside, their interaction with new folk on the planet hasn't been the best as of late. The question to fly, run, or hide is presented and the Slicer, looking at the distance to cross before turning eyes down to his leg, gives a quiet sigh and shrugs. <"I guess it's the air for me."> Avery replies, gauging the distance to the building entrance before turning to activate his jetpack.

And what an activation it is, fire spitting from the twin exhausts behind his back to throw the silver and blue Mandalorian into the sky in a completely uncontrolled flight. "Kriff!" He yells, the sound muffled by the sudden whoosh of exhaust and the helmet that obscures his voice. The sentiment holds regardless if anyone heard it or not and the out of control Slicer soars through the air.

As soon as his body appears in the killzone, sniper shots begin falling all around. Though he is not versed in the Force, he had the feeling that the one that found Narsai's lightsaber had been intended for his arm. Fortunately the bolt was returned to sender and Avery not-so-gracefully continues along his path toward MandalMotors' door.

Jallo Dara looks around at all the rest as they zip across in various ways and sighs a bit, <"This isn't going to end well for me..."> Then he takes off running across the no man's land looking around as there's sniper blaster fire going on. <"Oh imagine that more people shooting at us. This is my surprised face.">

Sumi's tucking her hair back when the heavy hand rests atop her shoulder. "Not soon enough," She grumbles back, then pulls her helmet down over her head. The T-visor is black and translucent at first, but when the HUD came online, the exterior visor washed out with reflective mirror-like silver. <"Friend is a good choice."> Sumi calls out.

Any notion that she was going to sneak with the scouting party is lost the moment she says, <"Ah, rekk it.."> Her rocketpack comes to life and Sumi runs and jumps, sailing across the gap for a loud few seconds. When she lands within the shadow of the structure, her frame is quickly illuminated by the sudden violet presence of a lightsaber blade she activated at the press of a button. Rather than blowing out an entrance, Sumi plunges the blade in and twists the hilt, creating a molten view after a few moments and a loud electric squeal from the energy contact.

Sumi takes a braced stance doing this, but the integrity of that is tested when a sniper shot (from a grouping of sniper shots taken) smashes against her leg. The bolt found beskar, bouncing off the plate, but the concussive impact forced her to a knee. <"Ow, gods damn it! Gods damn rekking snipers. Ugh..">

Was it some mystical warning? Training? Or just a good old fashioned knowledge that between their previous records and the ignition of a lightsaber they were probably going to get spotted? Impossible to tell, but the Mando'ade weren't exactly known for being subtle.

As that first bolt rings out she's already moving, the roar of her thrusters paired with the burst of energy from her beskar-forged hilt as the plasma blade intercepts the bolt intended for Avery.

Blaster bolts sing out for those flying and running across the killzone, angling from the east as opposed to the north from the tower ruins. Another volley singing from the west a split second later - leaving those on the ground from being interfered with,

<<"About what I expected. Zelo, get that guy with you on comms so we can organize">> Hadrix's voice rumbling while he's airborne. <<"Make a hole for Sumi, I think she's got her lockpick.">> a blaster bolt spattering against a shoulder pauldron as he comes down to land.

<"I fear that with that display we won't have long. But... my father worked at Mandalmotors, my memory is hazy. But allow me time to acquire something and I'll continue to guide as best I can."> Mir's voice, hushed over the vocalizers.

The hole being cut by Sumi formed, Hadrix bobs his head towards her before he rears up for one boot to slam into the weakened metal once the morellian is clear, interposing his body between the snipers from that direction before another kick to the 'door', resulting in a sonorous toning before the third kick comes in to force the section of metal the rest of the way through, opening into the formerly spartan but no less impressive foyer to the Mandalorian speeder and shipbuilding company. A wide spaced, marble floored, area that had been protected from sand and time since the day the Empire laid waste to Keldabe - the upper floors having shielded it and the transparisteel having held.

A statue of two Mando'ade with blasters drawn and pointed outward in the center, armor battered, helmets scratched - all by design. The founders. Defunct turbolifts stand across from the entry, doorways marking stair accesses to either side. A grand desk where security and reception would have been stationed now dark. No bodies though. No remains from the purge. The air is stale, but clean.

Mir simply sweeps in, looking too and fro, helmeted head tipping one side then the next. <"Yes.">

Zelo single-clicks his comms rather than putting more chatter on the line while vital communications are happening. Understood. He looks to the new Mando in the Shadowsilk armor on his left and hunkers down, holding out his wrist. He taps at the datapad there then holds it out, transmitting the code to the other when their pads bump. Two channels are transmitted - one for the Nautolan, and one for the operational group. On the private one, Zelo offers, <<"Welcome.">> As the plasma flies, the sniper looks across the dune to the ruins beyond where some sniping heads are popping up. Not a bad position.

Two snapped bolts of plasma find a helm and a deep cut of the shoulder, dropping two of the figures in quick succession before Zelo posts up to a defensive position while everyone heads for the door. A better position. <<"Not overwatch, but I have you all covered until we're in. Tagging enemies on my visor and transmitting.">>

Valeska does exactly as she said she would. Covering Mir meant getting drawing attention and Valeska hops to the right as a sniper bolt kisses the sand where she had been standing, leaving a divot of crude glass in its wake. <"Guess they saw us coming, yeah?"> The rest of the treck across the flat wilds that lead up to the MandoMotors tower is done as quickly as Valeska can manage. Sumi and Hadrix were nice enough to open the door, afterall. Be rude to keep them waiting.

Vibrodagger still in hand, Valeska enters the building with Mir and then continues further. It's rather nice inside. Comparitively so. Clean out the dust and... <<"This could definitely make a great fortification.">> She comments over the open comms to everyone as she searches. <<"No sand. Just dust. I'm no tech, but everything in here looks functional. Like the razing this city took was kept on the outside. With enough juice, I bet we could even turn on these old computers.">>

Her helmet on a swivel, Valeska turns towards some closed doors and a sign written in Mando'a that -- hey! She can read that! Her voice takes on a grin. <<"Found our way down, I think.">>

The stranger presses his bracer to activate the his comms. as Zelo passes him the frequencies. Over the private frequency, his smooth voice comes: <"Thank you, battle comrade."> Is there any bond truer than killing people together with someone else you just met? So, when Zelo opens fire with his carbine, Zevin charges from his formerly-hidden position into the nest where the snipers' scavenger operation is being so rudely interrupted. Just outside their cover, he pulls a baton from his belt. It extends and electrifies, and he swings it out to spin towards the enemy - who slips to the side. Baton still crackling, it whirls about, gaining momentum as it passes towards the sniper's torso - though he once again goes untouched. Pivoting on his heel, he drives the baton forward with a thrust that begins at his right leg and continues the push up with both arms holding the handle - a blow that also fails to land.

If nothing else, he's creating chaos. Snipers don't like being overrun - even Mandalorian snipers.

Uncertain flight at an end, Avery swoops in behind the rest of the first engagement team to stumble over the sand and thump heavily against the front of the building. His helmet shakes from side to side momentarily before a chuckle emits from his vocodor. <"I've had easier flights, for sure.">

He turns to see if he can get a view of who attacked them as they moved across the open. It doesn't take much, one of the fellows being currently engaged with the new guy and doing fairly well dodging too. Avery simply lifts his carbine, takes aim, and mutters, <"Dodge this."> before he squeezes the trigger and sends Zevin's dance partner flying.

The Mandalorian Slicer lifts his hand to wave at the newly arrived Mando before he ducks in behind the rest and enters the main building. A low whistle sounds from his speakers as he looks over the decor. <"Not bad... a little gaudy, but not bad."> Valeska's notice to the old terminals draws his attention, moving over to examine the equipment curiously. <"Possibly... is this where I need to jack in or we going further down?">

Touching down after the deflection, Narsai moves in behind the others with her own weapon throwing more glowing purple light into the space when she moves up behind the others.

<<"Well, they know we're here. At least we won't have to go looking for them?">> she muses aloud.

Jallo makes it across and as there's some sniper fire the man starts to chuckle from inside his helmet as he draws back an arrow visor of his helmet never bothering to turn towards the direction of fire as the release of the arrow with a solid *twang* sounds and a slight whistling as a regular arrow just flies towards one of the snipers another arrow being grabbed and knocked to the string before the *tunk* as the arrow sinks into a not so happy sniper, <"That has got to hurt.">

<"Thank you, Commander,"> Sumi says before grunting loud to stand back up. With the way opened, they can go in now. She deactivates the lightsaber, clipping the electrum hilt back to her belt, and pulls her rifle around, making good use of its sling. She thumbs the fire selector to the underslung grenade launcher and waits by the doorway to physically see each Mando make it inside. Should any struggle to reach their entrance, Sumi mentally prepares herself to go get them.

<"Let's go, people! Get them big booties shaking."> Sumi's voice is raspy and rough, accustomed to giving commands in the heat of combat. <"If you shoot, you better hit those huttsuckers! OYA!">

<<"Copy, Zelo">> Hadrix returns, sighting along the length of his cannon to watch where the shots and that one crazy rekker with the stun baton goes charging. Looking towards Sumi, to judge by the movement of his visor, <"I think I like that one."> stepping through the hole to allow her her rearguard post while he sees about inside.

Outside those snipers not killed outright are running, trying to melt back into the shadows - the one with an arrow in her shoulder grinding out "Not again..." as she grips the shaft of the missile.

<"Further down is where the old records archives would be."> Mir simply strides towards the stair access, <"Both of these lead to the same area, only opposite sides. Father's office was on this side..."> how old was this Mandalorian, anyway?

The panels on the desk look like they might have been a cornucopia of images and lights, now a darkened slab, a tombstone for the building. With eyes growing used to the dim or vision enhancements engaging bas reliefs on the walls become visible. The abbreviated history of the Mandalorians. The Taung routed from their homeworld of Coruscant by humans. The early days, the early wars. Reven, Malachor, the major battles of history all through to the waning years before the Dark Times.

Waiting at the door conveniently marked 'stairwell' or something akin to it, Valeska waits for the doors to be given enough of gentle shove to open then rolls her shoulder along the wall to enter. The murals on the walls are gone and now only faded orange paint is there to greet them. Following the black, high-traffic carpet idly flipping her dagger in her han--- whoop! She misses and the blade hits the ground, bouncing once then coming to rest.

Quickly she crouches down and scoops the weapon up. One of these days, she'll master that particular hand-eye test. Not today. Sun was in her eyes. In the basement. Shut up.

<"Going to investigate one of these rooms. Hey, Old Man. Where are you going?"> On her way towards one of the maintainence offices, her hand on the door, Valeska turns towards Mir who appears to have other things in mind.

The enemy is routed, and Zevin ducks down to watch just long enough to be sure they're really leaving the area. Then he jogs his way back to the entrance that has been sliced open and kicked down. He tilts his head to Sumi as she covers his ingress, keeping the stun baton warmed up and jolting spider-webs of electric discharge. Down the stairwell he goes, following Zelo and Valeska and, ultimately, Mir.

<"Housekeeping droids?"> Zevin muses over the open comm. <"Even for a sealed off bunker, these black carpets are tidy."> Sure, there's dust, but there should be more.

He runs one hand along the warm orange paint on the wall, checking his fingertips for flecks. He holds it next to one of the trim lines on his armor, also orange, and grunts, flicking the flecks free. "Mine's prettier." He doesn't send that one over comms. He just says it out loud. When he sees that Mir is heading towards a new and different stairwell, he follows, shrugging towards Valeska.

Avery follows along quietly behind Mir, as quietly as he can for having a metal stump for a leg. His eyes roam over the interior, orange walls... strangely soothing, black carpets, and faint footprints that remi... wait, faint footprints? The Slicer stoops a bit lower to examine the tracks, modifying the display on his visor to better pick up the outline of the depression in the dust.

The dark emerald eyed Mandolorian changes to the private channel that is shared among them, talking softly so no sound exits his helmet directly. <<"Just for your information, it seems we have the company of at least one person. They're very stealthy and are headed the same direction we are.">> Avery says as he stands, the E-11 lifted just enough to be ready. <<"Stay on guard.">> At that, he lightly touches Mir on the shoulder to point out the footprints, cueing another into the discovery he found.

Sumi follows Hadrix's compliment to the one it was intended for and watches, quietly sizing the warrior up. Her response is so-so, a shrug and slight head tilt that conveyed 'eh' without actually giving it voice. This wasn't intended as insult, but more appreciative in that they found someone on a warrior planet actually being a warrior. When Zevin passes, Sumi nods back.

Turning her gaze to the expanse they playfully labeled killzone, Sumi observes some developments. There's at least two groups watching them now, and one is far enough back (AND in functional beskar'gam) that it gives the century old soldier pause. <<"We have observers watching us; quite a few of them actually. I wonder if they mean to engage if we exhume the worth from this site?-- Heads on a swivel, Mando'ade.">>

Sumi had half a mind to call into Sana and Lady Fae, but they were still on standby with their ride out.

If everyone made it passed Sumi, she follows bringing up the rear. A succinct, <<"We're up,">> informs Commander Hadrix all helmets made it inside. She chicken-wings the buttstock of her rifle under one arm and casually walks the distance to catch up to the rest of the squad.

<"I could not have made the crossing on my own, through city and to the tower. I needed to attach myself to the younger... or in the case of Sumi Ryder now Kora... the younger bodied."> Pausing to look where Avery indicates, helmet bowing, <"Younger eyes too."> slipping further down, the old T-189 out and held at the ready, <"Mandalore Remembers..."> said grimly as they descend a spiral stairwell.

<<"Copy Alor, sending travel path - headed downstairs. Avery spotted potential trouble as well.">> Hadrix responds with Sumi's confirmation.

At the front, with Mir a circular room opens wide, cylindrical pillars rising floor to ceiling, drive banks slotted and centrally an old power supply junction with a slow pulsing red indicator faintly beating like a laboring, sedated, heart.

Beyond that, and at Mir's clear target - a transparisteel walled room with an offline desk spread with pads and various whatsits strewn over. <"Ah..."> a small exclamation from the older mando.

Zelo offers a parting warning shot for the sniper leaving with a gift from Jallo Dara, but what would have zipped by her head instead found an explosion of feathers as some strange and sand-colored bird exploded from cover and exploded from combustion, raining feathers and... Well, there was once a bird, at any rate. Muttering under his breath, Zelo makes his way inside and offers a nod to Sumi as he closes out the outer contingent and moves to follow downwards. When they reach the circular room through the faded orange stairwell and the long-abandoned black carpet, the Nautolan posts up at the foot, taking enough cover to let him keep an eye out on the way in. <<"I've got the entrance,">> he says quietly in that low-for-a-tenor/high-for-a-baritone voice of his.

As he listens, though, he notices something out of place. Beyond the winds above, and the sounds of an old and forgotten place... <<"Repulsors in here. Very quiet, but a pair. Keep an eye out for something.">> He keeps his focus on the stairs, but H-visor sweeps subtlely to the left and right as he tries not to tip off his noticing.

Besides the room they enter now is far more interesting. She takes point by the door to allow the tech-inclined to do their thing, scanning the area with a raised brow. <"What the drek happened here?">

Wait. What was that about followers? Valeska puts the knife away -- finally -- and pulls out her rifle. <"Want me to go back out and give them a warm rekkin' welcome, yeah?">

<"Someone else was here before your ... elder. Tried to clean their tracks."> Zevin is pacing along at an awkward-looking half crouch that's really a balance between staying low to the ground and moving at a reasonable speed. <"Off in the dark amidst the columns. Someone tried to cover tracks."> At Zelo's words about repulsors, he hazards the same guess, again: <"Cleaning droid, maybe."> He pauses, shifting his display to the monochrome of nightvision. <"Moving in."> And so he advances into the darkness.

Avery sees the machinery and goes to work, pushing, plugging, twisting whatever to get the power back and going. He traces the line from the main display to a power source and plugs in with his datapad. After a few moments, and some serious rerouting, the power starts to wind up... until some thuds, clunks, and a well timed' Evacuate before detonation' are heard.

<"Thaaaat's not good."> He comments, going back to his datapad to furiously recalibrate the systems. With nothing working and the warning continuing, he hauls off and kicks the power source with his good foot. At the last second the power groans to life, lights flicker everywhere and the columns with the data-drives whir to a star, giving blue 'online' glows. <"There we go.">

Sumi takes the stairs in quick fashion, following them down until she catches the rest of the group. There is nothing subtle to her movements, no grace, she moves like a soldier eager for a fight and it shows by each heavy step. When she reaches the bottom, it's to breathe hard first, then glance up when Valeska asks if she should go back up to throw them a welcome party.

<"Good thought, but nah. We humped our happy asses across that killzone, they can, too. If they get cute, Zelo knows where to shoot them.. besides, their numbers won't mean drek if they follow us inside..."> Sumi takes a moment to breathe heavily again and lean forward a bit. <"..maybe they'll be out of breath--AVERY CALLED IT.. LOOK OUT!">

Sumi lifts her rifle and fires the underslung grenade launcher toward a figure that became visible thanks to Avery's work on repairing the lights. This massive Mandalorian is lugging a big ass blaster, and seems intent to get the jump on the squad. His plans change when Sumi took notice..

THOOOOOOMP

Sumi's grenade released, tracing a small contrail across the distance before hitting the large Mandalorian center-mass with an ear ringing connection. They 'oof', getting knocked back from the concussion of the 40mm explosive that lacked the minimum arming distance to detonate, so it acted like a slug.

That huge Mando hits the ground in a clatter, sliding backward across the floor until he came to a stop. Sumi cleared the breach on her rifle, dropping the steaming shell to the ground with a loud clang. She fed a new one in its place fresh from her bandolier. <"LIGHT THEM UP!"> If it wasn't clear, their enemy was in full beskar. His chest piece just repelled the slug without so much as taking a god damn dent. That motivated the hell out of Sumi; she loved a good fight.

Rolling to his feet in the wake of the tumble across the room, thanks to Sumi's explosive greeting - the figure in mandalorian beskar'gam is marching towards the assembled group. The sandy tan cape the figure wears blowing out behind them. The rifle in hand is raised, a tri-barreled monstrosity built from other weapons. The figure's right arm is a bizarre sparking storm, the shoulder a series of lightning bolts, a power coupler, extending out for its mate attached to a repulsor 'elbow' that is skittering along the floor before leaping up, carrying the forearm and hand with it to take the foregrip of the rifle.

<"I'm just here for Mir..."> the figure growls before the cannon is raised and the barrels begin spinning up. <"That's all.">

The elder mandalorian simply walks into the office, sitting in the durasteel chair behind the desk, resting his hands on the surface and staring. Oblivious.

<<"Avery, work with Gripper. You need to pull naval files listed KCBS - now.">> Hadrix grumbles as he checks his weapon charge and begins scouting the room. <<"Move for defilade and encircle!">> pointing, trying to draw attention.

Plasma bolts begin flying from the large figure.

He's been given orders and they're certainly sound ones, but it's not what he has ready to hand, and people aren't quite in the right locations yet anyway, so- <<"Buying time for repositioning,">> comes clipped over the channel as Zevin gets out of the immediate line of fire between the bounty hunter and this team he's suddenly part of and dashes up, the stun baton spinning and sparking before he overhand-slams it down onto the enemy Mandalorian's head, knocking him back a bit.

The bounty hunter backsteps out of reach of the second blow, but another swing that appears to be going for his head pitches down at the last moment to drive into his leg, blunt force and current pouring in just so between beskar plates. He's snarling, though it's untransmitted, just part of the ambient noise of battle. Maybe this guy in particular didn't shoot down Zevin's ship, but he's great for taking out the stress on.

The power's on and they are not alone. Sumi's calling out as the grenade is flying, and Zelo drops down to minimize his profile for shrapnel that doesn't come - the Mandalorian in ambush having shrugged off the shot before the explosive portion could factor in - and is already raising his weapon to aim as the orders to defend and spread around are called. The new one - the Shadowsilk-clad Mando - is diving into melee, which may be a little safer with that three-barreled cannon the massive figure wields. <"Drop that weapon,"> the Nautolan calls out as stun-strikes rain down on the attacker.

The E-11's sight was perfection, as clean as an aim could get. The first shot misses the figure, singing a strap near in half but leaving them still well-and-truly armed. Another moment, and the sniper takes a deep breath before exhaling forcefully. When his lungs empty, a second shot triggers the whining recharge of the E-11, and plasma sears between Beskar plates and into an elbow. A credible hit, to say the least. Zelo sees the gun beginning to lower already, aided by gravity more than surrender. The carbine continues to carry with it the spirit of the one who had given it to Zelo, and beneath his helm a smile twists the corners of his lip as the figure starts to fall.

Pandamonium is the word of the day. It's Mandalore, afterall. Between the evacuation warning blaring then cut off -- seriously, are we okay?! -- and the lights coming on to reveal the one that has done a piss-poor job hiding his tracks -- according to those who were skilled enough to spot them -- Valeska ready to jump at shadows. Those shadows disappear with the lights on and Sumi's trigger finger response.

Rifle at the ready, Valeska runs over to Mir at the desk, standing in front of him and getting the large Mando in her sights. Then an explosive and some stun baton swingin' takes the man down. <"Oh. Well, that was easy."> You won't hear Valeska complaining. The action over as quick as it began, the crimson-paintined merc rounds the desk and puts a hand on Mir's shoulder. <"Old Man. You still with us?">

It's difficult to be in a firefight without actually firing and Avery dives behind one of the nearby columns to press himself against the wall. He trusts the beskar that he has, but he does only have it on his chest. Regardless, he has his orders and is actively engaged in following them. Out comes the interface line from his gauntlet and 'click' goes the plug into the server. The readout immediately appears on his HUD feed in his helmet and the Slicer gets to work on his wristguard keyboard.

The silver and blue Mandalorian was surprised by the amount of data that began flooding into his network. He apparently had hit the right notes when accessing the grid and... it was a lot. <"Gr...Gripper! I need your help!"> Avery calls, the droid moving over to assist, plugging into his data jack to help take some of the transfer. Ship frameworks, weapons, engine parameters, shield data, wireframes, you name it, it's on here and the download just keeps coming.

He spares a moment to look over at the huge man with the threatening gun, that gun no longer making the pew pew sounds that caused him to duck for cover to begin with. Thankfully, the fellow is down, and his data transfer is no longer in danger of getting interrupted by death. <"It's all coming in Hadrix, hopefully we can get all of it.">

The rotary cannon big boi was using hit Sumi center mass and carried her off her feet, planting her firmly against a wall. Her breath left her lungs upon impact and Sumi smashes against the ground in a loud clatter of gear. The others can't hear her, but she wheezes for breath, doing her absolute best to make the feeling in her lungs subside and accept the god damn air that's stuck in her throat.

Adrenaline coursed through her body, but her vision was fading with bits of black around the edges of her sight. Certain she was to be the target of more ire, Sumi looks up expectantly but observes the Mandalorians (with blurred, teary eyed vision) defeat the foe in the subsequent seconds that felt like small life times to her.

Crawling along the floor and discarding her helmet, Sumi spit up blood, almost retching, until finally she rolled to her back and breathed in deep, gasping like she'd been submerged underwater for too long. Words escape her for the moment, she just closes her eyes and focuses on breathing.

<"I am, Valeska. Yes"> a small frame is pulled from the desk, a power cell shifted into place to allow it to display flats that the older Mandalorian begins scrolling through, helmet nodding <"Just remembering."> standing back up, tucking the frame into his robes. <"You and yours best go. This place shall be descended upon no doubt and others will hunt for salvage, others will seek to preserve.">

The threat gone and Sumi as she is, Hadrix is kneeling next to her and dragging equipment from his pack, moving an inhaler to her lips, <"Breath, it'll sting and it'll taste like metal."> looks a helluva lot like the bacta inhalers the big guy has so he can maintain his cigarra addiction.

<<"Fae, get the Kyber down here. We're going to hard ex-fil... Pheegus, you and Greeza escort in the ARC.">>

<<"Yes, Commander.">> <<"Copy, commander.">>

The big man opting to scoop up Sumi once she's gotten the start of the medical treatments. <<"Everyone, exfiltrate, on the bounce. Our ride is coming.">>

Mir though rests a hand on Valeska's shoulder, leaning to tap the crown of his helmet to hers before he starts at a much more languid pace, <"Maybe we'll meet again, Valeska. Mandalore Remembers."> smile in the elder's voice as he makes a shooing motion, to send them on their way for where their chariots will await, with fixed and turret fire chewing into the area, seeking to dissuade anti-air fire.

The budding start of a smile is chased from Zelo's face as the retching sound of Kora's Alor carries cleanly through the post-combat quiet while the recharge of his blaster fades into nothing. He watches Hadrix moving to tend to her and he returns his attention to the stairs, prepared to hold the room as long as is needed until they can all make their exit. Pride. Always pride without merit. If he could have stopped the threat before... A quiet, red glow can be seen if one is looking close enough to the seam where helm meets the rest of his beskar.

He must find a way to be better. And he will.

Valeska's posture straightens, getting a good look at Hadrix tending to Sumi. Oh, shavit. It wasn't just a concussive hit, was it? <"Alor? Are you okay?"> The comms are chittering with chatter and the exfil is called. Nodding, Valeska reaches down to take Mir's hand. <"C'mon, Old Man. Let's get---">

But he's not coming. He's not coming? Valeska pauses, still holding his hand as her T-visored helmet stares back at him. It doesn't make sense to her. He taps his helmet to hers; snapping her out of the confused daze and with a push from the bottom, Valeska lifts her helmet up to look at the elder Mando directly. Hazel eyes convey clearly she wants to argue with him; convince him to come with. Or beg him not to stay behind.

But he's resolute and her clan is leaving. The orders given. Steeling herself, Valeska nods. "Don't die, Mir. I see you." The helmet goes back on and she squeezes his hand once more time before letting go. <"Mandalore remembers.">

And she turns to run after the others.

Data download complete, the information split between himself and Gripper, Avery unplugs from the server and allows the cord to snake back into his gauntlet. With concerned eyes, he finds the heap that is Sumi, but Hadrix is already seeing to her and has things under control. <"Right, let's get while the getting is good.">

The Slicer pauses for a minute to lift a hand toward Mir, a nod given to the man before they're out the door and up. Thump, clang, thump, clang, the sound of his metal leg resounding as they ascend. He clutches his E-11 carbine to his chest, ready as ever to return fire should it be needed as they exit the facility.

Sumi takes the hit off the inhaler and coughs a nasty bit. She claims her helmet, dragging it noisily across the floor to be closer to her before she's hefted up. Sumi doesn't argue; she would've struggled to climb the stairs whole, but with a torso wound, she'd never make it. Practically dead weight, Sumi slumps against Hadrix's form, legs dangling.

As they pass Mir, Sumi spares him a distant look, her eyes still vacant but aware..

"Miiirrrr," she croaks, coughing. "..you can't remember... if you... are dead.." Sumi makes a subtle nodding gesture with her head as if to say, 'come on.' "..with us.. you won't.. die.. alone." More coughing before Sumi goes limp in Hadrix's arms, the pain pushing her toward an unconscious state. She had pushed herself to convey that.. and maybe, it'd convince the old war blade to find a new family in this group of honed warriors.

The targets of the Kyber Heart and the Ka'Shukalar are set to flight in the wake of the cannons and turrets of either craft. The disk into oblong design making the transport craft a sensors boggling design dropping plasma between buildings and behind the Heart the ARC-170 is close behind, concussion missiles creating craters of sand choked homes.

The ramp is down and people are moving, loading onto the ship in the wind and flensing sandstorm that would tear the skin from uncovered individuals. Hadrix with Sumi, moving in long jogging steps while Gripper clings to Clankah, her system struggling for all of the data drained tonight.

Valeska's request. Then Sumi. Echoing in the wake, the ramp sealing even as anti-air flak is exploding at minimum safe distance and harpoons scream across the sky.

<"Perhaps you are right, Valeska... Sumi Ryder now Kora."> how the old man was at the closing hatch, heading for a place to strap in, could be anyone's guess. But he did move like a shadow.

<"Mandalore Remembers, but it needs to sing the tales as well.">