Log:Mandalorians: Loyalty is Life

Mandalorians: Loyalty is Life

OOC Date: April 20, 2020
Location: Dxun
Participants: Sumi Kora, Hadrix Kora, Narsai Ordo, Karys, Sar Yavok, Tara Sur, Nubri, Lozen Clan Kora

Days since the firebase had fallen to Mandalorian control, the Onderonian forces were forced to break into smaller units due to the risk of being targeted by artillery while they themselves worked on trying to establish another base of similar make. Mandalorians were in the jungles while field command were issuing options. Like today.

<<"Field commanders - we have several targets near your locations. There is a mixed force unit moving north to try and set up a position near the fort and lock out one of our advance corridors clearing wildlife off of our six. We've also have a command squad in repulsor APC looking to link up with a recon team trying to move him between their command points. Be advised, and pick your targets. You will be advised of additional targets of opportunity as they arise.">>

Comms cutting out and leaving those in the field with holo-packet data with recon wireframes for study.

Zee'Roh had been brought in after the initial firebase was established to take control of the Onderonian communications and weapons systems. Her seeker droid, Zero, hovered near a panel while she used a terminal to cut through the backwards code used in a language she's unfamiliar with. <<"I hear you Command. I've almost got the perimeter defense weapons back online and I'll start working on remote access to ship board satelite security to get a more detailed scan of the surrounding area. Over.">>

<<"This is Sumi.">> Sounds the raspy Mando. <<"Priority targets will be the APCs. I suspect they're geared toward encountering other vehicles but not specialized infantry units. With any luck, we can commandeer the armor and roll in on the other unit with them not suspecting anything's wrong. Worst case, we mark the point for ARTY to wipe out the vics.">> Sumi glances around and chicken-wings her rifle under one arm. <<"Anyone else have any further suggestions?">>

While had been scarce since helping the Mandalorians break the blockade, Sar Yavok is here today, arms folded over his chest as he watches the rest of the Mandalorians.

The hiss of a clip is slid into the DL-54. The monster of a pistol sounds off with a click before Karys lowers it to place at her side. She listens to the others as they speak ands he gives a faint nod. THere is little else to add and the soldier is used to following orders without question. Opinions never mattered before. She steps closer though, prepared to approach with the rest of the group as the helmet of the ancient armor is adjusted with a slight grasp and turn of the helmet to hear it hiss sealed for certain.

Similarly having been part of the blockade running, Narsai Ordo hadn't been part of the assault on the Firebase, instead she'd been part of the group hiding their craft and setting up within the jungle. Now the Onderonian forces were hunting them and she was one of the Mandalorians hunting back! <> Narsai's voice adds to the comlink, her own weapon gripped in her hand as she listens to the suggestions of Sumi before shrugging her shoulders. <<As good a plan as any,>> she speaks, <<If I can get close enough, I can seize the vehicle, but it'll draw some attention out here.>>

Nubri is there as Medical support, first and foremost to help Tara and by extension Narsai. Well.... she arrived at their request. Unlike most everyone, she is in camouflage, intending to hide.... it might serve her as well as the time she wanted to take her time with her bounty, but she is there, carbine in hand, medical gear slung across her chest, Jetpack on her back, likely giving the enemy a larger profile to aim at potentially. Still, the Mirialan remains silent, instead preferring to check her gear. The clip of her E-11.... full enough. Set to stun it is.... she had enough death for this weak, so best prefer further if she can, as she stays behind Narsai.

Lozen trots alongside Nubri, having decided to stick close to the medic to ensure that she is kept safe and whole to deal with casualties after the dust and blastersmoke has cleared. She is heavily armored this time around but manages to keep up with her rifle tucked under an arm, barrel pointed down.

<<"In position on the projected route. SX is warmed up and hot.">> Tara gently pats the chunky reciever of the weapon, peering through the IR scope again for the telltale heat blooms of repulsor vehicles. The jungle was hot, but the downdraft and exhaust would be even hotter. A few tooth clicks and she's on another channel, a private link to Zee. <<"Missed doing this with you, vod.">>

Barad is pretty busy, and has been so for many hours. Recently called up to provide specialist medical support, med-evac, and the like, this will be Barad's third venture with a Mandalorian contingent within the last fortnight. And so, by now, he's starting to get the hang of it: Not talking much, just doing his part as best he can with competence and professional acuity. At the moment, Barad has just returned from the ship, carrying a set of bio samples in small microscope -capable cases and, of course, his ever-present medkit. Barad's big ole floopy brown ears flutter a bit in the jungle breezes as he looks around, blinking his large soft brown eyes a few times to adjust them to the sudden change in lighting . . . Barad pauses to *sniff* a bit at whatever the winds might have to tell, his flat black wet nose quivering with curiosity. What strange new wonders will this day bring?

Tara tweaks one of the adjustment knobs on her scope, shifting the differential window upward a bit to help spot the telltale exhaust plume she's looking for. Slowly panning the scope back and forth, until... <<"Got 'em.">> Okay, back things off to where they were, and drop the thermal filter out. <<"One APC, roof mounted repeater, four grunts riding on the roof. No screen on foot. Looks like you can come in from the east if you want to flank behind, or in a few it'll be passing below the ridgeline down the hill from me if we want to drop some gifts through the hatch. Roof armor's thinner anyway, so not a bad idea.">> She'll leave the tactics to those with more experience.

Zee'Roh moves her fingers over the keys of the terminal to begin bringing systems back online. The whine of the exterior defense weapons coming to life become aparent across the wall of the firebase while her HUD links with the security scans to feed data directly to her viewscreen, <<"Copy that, Vod, I just picked up Scout infantry creeping up along the eastern side of the APC in a flank position. Looks like the APC might be a diversion.. possibly a trap. Drawing us out from behind defenses to engage so they can clow in around the attacking force.">> The cool voice of the HRD Kora, clicking her back teeth to switch channels to speak with Tara, <<"I am glad you are here.">>

<<"Zee, can you call in Arty on the scout position? Mark, or whoever has eyes on, mark them. Have them fire for effect. We want to scatter the flank and sow chaos. Then we can land on the APCs.. Narsai, if their hatch is closed we might need your 'key' to open it, then I can fry anyone inside with my flamer.-- We'll need to move fast, and once we initiate, Zee.. you'll need to try to jam their local comms to keep them from getting a call out if possible.">> Sumi turns slightly, casting her cape back. <<"Tara, and any other sharpshooters.. we can target their turret gunners. Everyone clear on this?">>

Sar Yavok breathes a long sigh as it seems their free-time is coming to an end. The S-5 at his hip is drawn and its charge level is checked, his hand dropping afterwards to let it hang loosely at his side. The barrel of his blaster tinks softly against the armor on his leg and he nods to Sumi, saying, "Sumi's right. We gotta be fast, but pick your targets, be smart, and make your shots count. We're not making a holo here, we're doing our jobs," he advises.

Sure enough information was shared, Narsai saw the forces with their repeaters along with the cannon itself on the APC. Already she could hear Tara and Sumi setting up, but Narsai keys her comlink in once more to cut in. "I've seen this model before. The rear quarter panel is weaker, and the aftward roof. Those SX's will blast right through if you target the right spot if you need to stop it dead." A shift, she grasps her blaster pistol in her right hand, ready to move.

<"Sounds like we need to go greet those who think they can get a drop on us. Always fun to say hello when its unexpected,"> Karys chimes in a modulated tone. Her helmet swivels to look in the direction of possible contacts. <"I am willing to head that way and see if we can not reverse their fortunes," she intones. As Sumi starts issuing orders she makes a thoughtful sound and pulls free her DL-44 so that she holds both guns in hand and takes up position do just as the Alor wants. Scatter the flank. This Karys can do without any hesitation and as she steps forward in the relative direction of reported contacts she readies herself for engagement by moving from position to position so that she will have cover if she finds them sooner rather than later.

Nubri blinks as she notices the APC <<"Four people scout outside, I can see no other one.... we might want to wait a few minutes for an ambush... keep an yes on it, repeater on the roof.">> she starts, before switching Coms to a private one with Tara <<"Lara.... once we survive that you so are owing me a kriffing drink.">> she sighs <<"I knew I should have brought a sniper rifle.... but to Taris with it all. Lara, the cost just rose to two drinks. On Rishi. It may be cheap booze but I want a nice view to go with the drinks, at least.">> she nods to her pink droid, which raises its rifle

Lozen lifts her rifle barrel and scans the landscape, <<"I have you, Nubri, fear not. Do not strayinfront of me or out of my reach, eh?">> She scans for the figures Nubri mentions and frowns, <<"I see nothing.">>

Barad unceremoniously returns the unknown and unidentifiable spoor samples to the jungle (*dump*) and then secures the vial of chemicals he'd just concocted. Seems to be, the team's in motion. And that means: Game time! Barad switches his attention to his medpac, unlimbering the kit and getting ready to move on out. Barad takes up a position near to Nubri, as part of the "medical contingent" unless ordered otherwise, and spends his time searching out a good path through Cover and keeping his eyes on the directions other people aren't. Check flanks, check Six, check Sky, check Ground. Not wielding a blaster affords him the luxury of Time, and he puts it to good use in service of the team as - a - whole. Information is important, and the element of surprise -- on either side -- has won a -lot- of battles, historically. . . Oh hey, what's that? Barad's eyes are suddenly drawn sky-wards. Contrails, in the mid-atmo, overhead! Barad toggles comms: <<We have any fast - movers on our team? I'm seeing contrails overhead . . . >>

Forces are off, or prepping in their nests. Taking to the trees and bushes, or stalking solely to deal with potential problems. Mandalorian war. Sudden strikes, surgical, precise and enacted with enough over-strength that whoever survives will know who hit them and give them a moment to run like the cowards they are.

Tactical directive and imaging scopes allowing for preparation for the initial assault. The Klatoonian's pointing out of those contrail allowing a potential to spot trouble on the rise as well.

Targets start popping up on Zee'Roh's HUD, fingers moving through the virtual playground of the keys projected out infront of her, triangulating the artillery fire. <<"Danger close fire mission.">> She announces, dancing her eyes across the screen inside her helmet, pinpointing targets with taps of her fingers.

When she hits the fire key, there's a temporary silence following the WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF of the cannons insid ethe firebase.. and then the concussive blast of explosive shells hitting packed earth, treelines, and skiffs errupts across the battlefield. Followed sharply there after by the rending of durosteel plating on two repulsor skiffs and the shouts of agony and terror from six of the eight soldiers trying to flank them east of the APC.

<<"I love the sound of dying biologicals in the morning.">>

At the ambush sight the APC sighted rolls and bucks as the shockwaves of artillery within a kilometer erupts the world. Those aboard the craft sides are only still attached due to stirrups and hip straps while the gunner on the roof mounted gun is sent swiveling at a dizzying twirl.

One corner bucks and slams into the jungle floor, repulsor and grav emplacements spraying mud and forest offal into the air as it tries to maintain control, slowing it for a precious instant of forced hesitation for the ambushers.

<<"Copy danger close, Zee'ika.">> Tara double checks her helmet seals, lowering her face a little as the concussion of the detonations rattles her. Then it's back to the scope, reticle centered firmly on the rapidly rotating gunner. <<"Wave goodbye to your, head, Aruetii.">> The SX roars, and... rather more than the gunner's head disappears, legs dropping back into the APC as his upper torso is rendered into a fine pink mist and chunks of meat. <<"Okay, more than his head.">>

<<"LET'S ROOOCK!">> Sumi yells, motioning from her spot that it was time to kick over the nest. Glancing up at the call for fast movers, Sumi growled and lowered her gaze to watch the gunner on the APC get smoked just after the arty rained down on the right spots. <<"Zee.. good goddamn effect on target.-- MOVE IT IN, PEOPLE. WIPE OUT THE STRAGGLERS!">> Sumi's jetpack came to life then, and the Mandalorian took flight. During this brief window, she switched from using her sniper rifle to pulling out the plasma torch.

When she landed on top of the APC, she switched on the pilot flame, chicken winged the buttstock under her arm, and fired her own ascension line from her wrist to keep her pinned to the top while she looked to douse the interior of the APC in plasma flames.

<<"Fae.. lovely...our beautiful Hapan..">> Sumi says, strained to stay atop the APC for a moment. <<"Need you to run intereference, yeah.. got some fast movers above our position, their contrails are marking them.">>

<<"Tara.. be ready to scuttle this thing if it gets to be too much!">>

Arty is given the chance and Zee manages to help thin the heard as it were. She slips out of cover and the 54 is brought to bear. Its a beast and within seconds Karys is firing The first shot hits and the next two are a mix of results. At least she lands the second and the armored hostile goes down. Nubri's stunning of the other brings her out of cover to get a better look around to be sure there is no others in their immediate vicinity. She nods towards Lozen and Nubri before she speaks over the comms. <"Those attempting to flank us are down. Clear to engage. We are headed down the way they came up."> She steps back and turns about, meaning to rejoin the others but in a round about way. She looks to Nubri and Lo, giving them both a head tilt before starting to retrace their foe's path.

She takes her time, attempting to catch any other reinforcements headed their way before they are caught unaware.

Nubri Takes a breath in, wincing at the bloodied corpse, taking three quick shots. The combatant she targets is out cold, the third going astray as he dropped to the ground by the time the bolt reached him <<"Lara, I think that is a little too strong.... remind me to never get an anti-armour rifle.">> she mutters into the com

Lozen sprints forward once the foe Nubri stuns is down and disarms him before pursing lips and simply leaving him there to lope after the others, mindful not to jostle her weapon around carelessly. <<"Why are we not killing combatants, Nubri? They will still shoot us when they come to!"

The remains of the gunner sliding down into the APC like a V-shaped sack of extreme gross, spilling ichor and exploded tissue while those strapped to the hull of the apc are hard pressed to even think about putting a blast on the ancient warrior.

It's futile, and even as the APC hurtles forward, banking in a slalom to try and dislodge the Alor of Kora it is only trees and brush getting shot. And one rock. By the one guy.

Within there is shouting, and the wing doors of the APC prepare to sweep open and send soldiers out into the fighting, trying to figure out where their back up is.

At the Firebase there is sight of the mixed force column stopping and turning towards the explosions.

Zee'Roh pushes away from her console at a run towards the interior wall, hits her rockets and comes over into the midst of the column of Onderonian soldiers, and whips her DL-44 blaster off her hip as she lands. Firing cross body, out left, then straight ahead directly into one of the soldiers faces as he tries to charge the tiny, but colorful, Mandalorian. Only one of them is dead, but all of them take notice. A small, but fierce, wall of blaster bolts raining upon them directly from the center of their column drawing all the attention.

<"WOOOAH BOY!"> Sumi says, dancing to one side, then the other; the tension of her tether keeping her topside and her jetpack fires at regular intervals to off-set moment. When a shot finally lines up, Sumi attempts to release a wall of plasma hot flames, but they close the hatch just as one poor soul looked up and saw a T-visored Mandalorian with a flamethrower preparing to cook them. <<"GODDAMN IT! THEY CLOSED THE REKKING HATCH!">>

Sumi yanked her tether free and initiated her jetpack, shaking her head and putting the APC behind her to join the Ruus'alor of Clan Kora in battle. <<"SCUTTLE THE REKKIN' THING!">> She calls to Tara. <<"Everyone else, let's BLAST THESE GUYS! OYA!!">>

The Mandalorian lands behind Zee, her cape billowing back behind her a bit. <"Hey beautiful..."> Her DL-44 is raised then and her helmeted head tilts down, indicative of the Mando taking aim to fire.

<<"Sumi, it's Fae. Just got in the air and swinging by your position now. Sensors are picking up the contrails you mentioned.. I am going to fly closer to get a better look.">>

They are a good distance away yet and her cadre of pistols is not going to reach that far. Quickly Karys lowers her guns, extending her stride to begin her jog in that direction. She narrows her gaze and glances aside to notice Lozen keeping pace with her. They two close in on the APC and those soldiers outside of it. <"We are closing in."> That reported, she watches as Sumi attempts to throw flames inside the APC but to no avail. FOr some reason she just can't seem to pick up the pace. Its like being in a dream when you know you need to run faster and you just can not even though it feels like you are.

Lozen is keeping up with Nubri rifle lifted as she trots along in her Heavy damned armor <<"Then why did you attend a battle, my friend? We are not here for diplmacy!">> She lifts her rifle again but does not yet fire.

<<"Copy Sumi. Taking it out.">> Okay, Narsai said the rear quarter panel was an armor weak spot with a straight shot to the drive. <<"And Nubri, better overkill than not enough.">> There it is. Flick to thermal again, and there's a definite hot spot where the drive itself is. <<"Firing.">> The SX roars again, the bolt sizzling through the armor and slamming straight into the drive core. Fuel lines rupture, severed power conduits spark, and the reactor hits a dead short. There's a roar like a blowtorch or flamethrower lighting, and the hatches are blown open by jets of flame, the whoosh accompanied by the crackle of blaster power packs cooking off in the fire. <<"I think I got it.">>

Barad nods happily to see Sumi be able to keep her balance despite the trickery. Well and good. Barad is happy! No one's been shot yet! This is a record. So many fights have gone so much worse. Barad occupies his time with continually scanning over the battlefield, being extra sure to check the flanks and rear since everyone's focussing mostly foeward and forward. A *sniff* and a *Listen* for wildlife activity. A pause and a glance at the ground and the sky.

The hulk of the APC looks like some macabre flower of various cultures idea of hell. A spread blossom of blackened durasteel, bones and cooking meat sliding across the ground to wrap around a tree and set the moisture of the ground and the massive jungle flora steaming and blackening.

One of their own blasted down by the Replilorian turn to try and follow the termination point of her jets, the point Zee'Roh's blast point. Weaponsfire lights up the jungle, repeater bolts and plasma fire setting small conflagarations as one lone troop points, screaming "THERE!" opening up with a considerably size blast cannon that turns a tree nearby to flinders and misted sap.

Karys, Nubri, and Lozen are in the clearing with Sumi and Barad able to rush towards the column, or like Tara try to snipe at them from range.

With one of the soldiers dead, the shadowsuit underlay built into Zee'Rohs armor shimmers against the shadowed canopy of trees above and renders ney invisible as she darts back and away in a runn around the external right flank of the column through the brush. She uses the towering trees as cover, one of which explodes as she passes. Returning fire as she comes out the otherside of the erruptive blast of destruction that is the heavy cannon wheeled towards her.

The shot goes wide, barely, but the following pair hit true. Snapping one of the soldiers head back and gaping chest wound on a second as she makes herself a mobile, elusive target in the underbrush with only the glow of her blaster bolts to present any target at all until she starts firing. Tracking targets with sharp turns of her head, relaying that data back to the others through her Seeker droid hovering up above the treet cover.

Before Sumi can fire, she turns back after hearing that Karys and the team were closing in but still a good bit of distance off. Grunting, the old Mando takes to flying once more and lands near Karys with a nod. <"Grab on, let's get you to the front.">

When next they land, Sumi's left fixing her gear for a momentary adjustment, but has essentially set Karys loose to better support Zee.

Running. Always seems to be a thorn in her side. Exploding spaceships aside, the underbrush is a little more forgiving but even as they reach where the once active ACP used to be their next targets are further ahead. Cursing below her breath, she catches it and then steps up to begin the run around when Sumi calls for her to take hold. Pausing misstep, the gunslinger shifts and loops her arm around Sumi's shoulders to stabilize her at the Alor's side.

As soon as they touch down she is stepping forward, more of a target that Zee is attempting to be. March and shoot. One shot flies wide from the 54 and the other two manage to hit and then the second missing. The soldier goes down quickly, crumbling as she narrows her gaze inside her armor. STOMP. STOMP. She announces her presence without any hesitation.

Nubri sighs "Lara." she explains "And I am here as a doctor, not a fighter." she explains, flying over closer towards the column, taking another three shots. Each one is a hit this time. Killing is a necessary evil, in this case. <<"Lara, you allright there?">> she asks, just to be certain since she doubts the Chiss was genuinely hit

<<"I'm fine, Nubri. They haven't even seen me yet. Repositioning a bit to get an angle on the others. Watch out for that support gunner.">> Not for long if Tara has anything to say about it. She lifts the heavy rifle up and rotates to get the new battlefield into view, upping the zoom factor on her scope, and pretty much deletes said support gunner from existence.

Lozen pauses in her running to line up a shot, fires and misses but just resumes running again keeping the butt of her rifle against her shoulder as she huffs and puffs in that heavy armor. Ok, Maybe Hadrix had a point about her getting soft.

Barad hurries to keep up with the team, darting from cover to cover and ducking and dodging the trees and the branches. Not much 'patching - people - up' work to do today, which suits Barad just fine. The less bleeding the home team does, the better overall -- quite right, to be sure. Still keeping an eye out for new foes, two ears perked for danger, and one 'nose for trouble' quite active as well, and, what with all of the careful looking - out, Barad falls behind the zooming rocket - propelled lead element. Argh. Barad digs deep and urges his limbs to faster motion for the next round . . .

Forces fall in droves around them, eliminated by blaster fire cratering torsos, vaporizing portions of their bodies - of those in the mixed group two remain, firing wildly at the color-shifting armor of Zee and the rocketing force that delivered pistol wielding death among them.

For naught for now, as the Kyber Heart roars past, chased by AA fire trying to keep up with the ships raw speed.

<<"Mistress they have air-drop forces in the area. I could not target, but I have disrupted them with a fly by. Sticks in the wind.">> a note of pride in Fae's voice as the ship roars off out of sight.

Zee'Roh's armor shimmers back to a static color pallet as she steps out of the brush with her heavy Blaster raised. Two sharp blasts take out the pair of remaining soldiers and the weapon drops down to the maglock holster on her right thigh. Slipping the rifle off her back to loosely slip it up into the crook of her shoulder with helmet turning towards the approaching Mandalorian. Standing there amongst the wreckage of the column as if the bodies laid all around her are the sacrifice that summons the phantom of death. <<"We should put their heads on pikes along the obvious approach vectors as psychological deterance for any further attacks tonight. Biologicals are notoriously squimish when faced with their own fragile mortality.">>