Log:Mandalorians: Not All It's Cragged Up To Be

Mandalorians: Not All It's Cragged Up To Be

OOC Date: May 4, 2021 (Optional)
Location: Mandalore
Participants: Sumi Kora, Aubrei, Avery Ihala Kora, Zelo Parrai, Hahtavi, Kirioth Kora, Evie Leven Terek Rosol and Hadrix Kora as GM Clan Kora Mandalorian

Mandalore. A mixture of endless wasteland, bleached sands, mountains reaching for the skies like rotting stumps of stained teeth, and in some very sparse regions; the husks of cities like Keldabe, sand crusted, falling apart, scabs on festering sores of the world before the cataclysmic confrontation with the Jedi and then the Empire's purges after the Clone Wars.

The desert contains holdouts, few as they are, small outposts that rise, fall, ally with others or sink into the sands once again under the boot heel of warring clans seeking food, supplies, or fresh blood press ganged into their ranks. Vroxx Canyon is one of the oldest and only truly successful foothold on Mandalore. Maintained by the Council of Concord Dawn and ultimately by The Journeyman Protectors - real voice of Mandalore's moon.

Now there were plans to make changes, to create more islands in a sea of madness and war unending. Charged by Concord Dawn to go into the wastes to locations they feel may have the promise to become new territories like the Canyon. A long trek over harsh landscape where even when keeping in concealment one cannot escape the rumble of the battlefields. Sounds like conventional mortars and the knuckle pop crackle of distant small arms slug fire. In the opposite direction smoke rises in the wake of a crack like thunder.

Ahead the Jate'kar'kyorla mountains and the fortress, such as it is, constructed by small clans as a holdout - and where the Mandalorians need to meet, to see if they will ally with Vroxx.

Radio silence is what comes from the chosen scout. Aubrei is afield and laying low admist the dunes having done her best to spread a temporary color change to her armor to help her blend in. The natural greens need covered but part of her armor matches the tune. Like some scuttling beetle across the sand, she watches for pitfalls but sticks mostly with the well traveled terrain. The sand is already getting into her armor and causing her to scratch at places she did not know could itch. Sweat trickles down the back of her neck and the sound of her own breath is a rather uneasy companion presently.

<"Aubrei here, it seems they have some regular passage in the area on foot between the dunes. Getting an advantage of our target.">

More silence. If only they could hear the cursing on the other end when her foot slips while she's trying to find the best places to scale the sides so that she can get a better look. Staying low, going still at sounds she finally makes the crest and reports in. Her voice sounds a little broken as she catches her breath.

<"It appears they have a regular patrol of the area, can't tell you intervals yet without more time. Desert walkers...so we have to watch out for those things. They also are using small speeder craft to move their watch about. Just a moment...">

There is a soft huff out of breath and finally she continues.

<"The approach we will need to take has several switchbacks which only means its going to be dangerous, treacherous even. They are going to have the high ground as most of the fortress is built against the side of the mountain. They look...armed and defensible. We do not have the advantage here so its going to take coordination. Whats this...">

<"Looks like there may be others moving through the area...not sure if they are hostile. Treating them has neutral presently as I have no physical sign of them save for what they have left behind in their wake.">

Where once the obsidian Mandalorian would have stood, now Avery stands in somber dark grey. Gone too is the vibrant color that accented his armor, the blues and oranges replaced with black and gold, the hues that lined his suit now reflecting the mood of the person inside. With such an air he scans the area, the HUD inside his helmet picking up the mentions that Aubrei called out for them, targets and parties of interest lighting up in bright greens and yellows. <<"Thanks for the recon Aubrei.">> She was one of the new crew that arrived since he was out... taking care of business, the former Stormtrooper not having the fortune to spend time with the newest of the recruits. Not like that time would be spent too well, at the moment, the Slicer's mood typically ranging anywhere from abysmal to outright anger.

Currently those emotions were reined in, the storm cloud of a Mandalorian concentrated on the task at hand. Avery turns his T-Visored helmet to Roth and those standing around on the ground crew. <"What d'ya think? Rocket in to spend as little time as possible on the ground? That'll give up the sneaky, sneaky portion of the evening but will get us out of the line of fire faster."> He appraises the gap between them and their target, a lot of ground needing to be covered with little to disadvantageous cover.

Five hundred meters doesn't seem that far on flat land, however the distance is quite different when it's summiting a small crag not far from the fortress to provide a sniper's best, and often least riveting, duty: overwatch. That ascent is even less enjoyable when lugging a small arsenal of large rifles the whole way, in good, sturdy Beskar. But Zelo Parrai, of Clan Kora, has made that trek and now is finalizing his nest, arranging rocks and any possible scrub to obscure the glint of the Modified SX-451, resting gently on its tripod, or the gleaming Crys-Anoblue of his armor. As the advanced scope warms up, he zooms in with the binoculars of his H-visor, listening to the field report from Aubrei as she scouts the lay of the land.

<<"Overwatch copies all. I'm in position, eyes wide and watching. My interface reads all friendly targets; if you see something you don't like, make sure to tag it. I have all of your backs.">> As a gentle wind carries grit and sand through the air, a dirty haze fills the kilometer between Zelo, and the scout he can at least track on his AR interface. For now, he just waits for a signal, a sign, or anything in between. <<"Awaiting orders.">>

It seems that Terek is abord the transport, heading to the front lines. Right where he wants to be really. Looking across at Avery, he considers for a moment, <"It'd catch them off guard for sure but I don't know how long we'd hold the advantage for. Though with overwatch and air support, a quick, descisive hit may be the best option.">

<<"Define.. high ground,">> Comments the angel on their shoulders. An E-Wing named Frogdog breaks the supersonic barrier with a sudden burst of energy from her engines. Its pilot is Sumi Kora, and she is flying at an angle to get a good view of the ground below, her reflective visor holding the view. <<"Be advised, ground pounders.. numerous vehicles are leaving behind stationary vehicles; it is the source of the black smoke. Rain, mark their HUDs. I'm counting a healthy amount of materiel mounted on their three-legged walker and various modified vehicles. Mark all those guns too, Rain.. and count them-- What?! Of course I can count that high..--">> The comms are cut as the E-wing passes overhead.

Getting a feel for the airspeeder, something he personally hasn't flown before, consumes more of his attention than Hahtavi would like. At least at first. The instruments are different from his kimogila or the Gauntlet. It distracts him and keeps him from being able to concentrate all of his attention on watching the plain and the mountains he's supposed to be scouting.

The Manda'yaim born man formerly of clan Llearil, now tal'at'cuyir to Kora, keeps the airspeeder snug low to the ground scouting more intimately than Sumi's view. He follows the lay of the landscape to hug the washes and canyons, adjusting his own course as data from the others comes in. Hahtavi listens to the team's coms, his own T-visor shifting between his instrument readings and watching the barren landscape around him. He remains silent, watchful, as he cruises quite low around the foot of the mountains looking for signs of passage in and out of the fortress.

Aubrei's voice over his coms is listened to, then Sumi' targets of interest lighting up in relation to his own current position. <<" Hahtavi copies all. Not finding anything of interest in my own approach, yet. Keeping low, but I'll start scouting the path of that convoy when I get closer, over. ">> Unless of course he's given orders otherwise. His own position shows up for his team mates as he winds his way slowly between the plain and the fortress, able to take to the air but sticking close whatver cover in the landscape he's able to utilize.

Roth is hunkered down for the moment and doing what she does best. Not talking or moving until they are given read outs of things. Because the more you know was better! The white armored Mandalorian has her sword out and it's resting across her knee as she listens to the comms chatter. She's taking the time to regroup her thoughts before battle.

<"We're supposed to talk to these Mandalorians. Concord Dawn is trying to put more stability on Mandalore."> Hadrix's rasp comes from where he sits, with Gofor plugged in, at the speedertruck controls. <"See if some of these supplies can buy good will... and maybe if we can't... then we worry about wiping them out for others to move in."> adjusting the krayt dragon scale cape hanging from his shoulders with an errant reach behind his back.

The truck moves ever onward, engines low and thrumming - muffled to try and reduce their being noticed - so far so good. That convoy of spit and space-tape vehicles spotted by Sumi appearing to be leaning south by southwest - away from the mountains being approached. Those at elevator able to see the trundling truck on massive wheels, the three legged walker and other small military craft forged from what could be found in the wastes.

<"Aubrei, keep approach, watch your back. Zelo follow her and mark what she wants marked. Hahtavi; advise caution if scouting those walkers unless Sumi'alor says otherwise. Don't need to advertise our presence.">

The sands stretch out like a golden sea, dunes shifting where the winds are unblocked by the humps of stone and thin spires of mountains making it appear as truth rather than a trick to the eye. The fortress in the mountain showing some signs of life as well. Small movements in the humps of repurposed durasteel forged to hug the rocky mountain face like barnacles, as a favela of small defense posts becoming something larger as they've survived so far

Time to move. Aubrei is sliding down the dune and taking to angling along the path to stay hidden. This is how she manages to scoot up beneath the vantage of the spotters above her. <"We have two look outs at the top of the switchback. I believe they have spotted our incoming members. Be prepared for a possible onslaught of attack. I am going to try to disable their spotters before they become a problem.">

Aubrei begins checking over her items and then starts to prepare her way to take the switchback and use it to her advantage as best she can.

<"So that's a no on the diving in and blowing everything up..."> Avery replies to Hadrix's response, his arms lifting to cross over his chest. <"Got it..."> He sounds almost disappointed, talking wasn't ever really his best course of action. Not to say he didn't talk, oh he definitely used to... almost too much in fact, it just wasn't really ever one of his best features.

Still, he's ever vigilant and continues his scan over the horizon, looking for any suspicious activity that might warrant cause for alarm. After a few moments he does spot something, nothing that is cause for said klaxons but something that does lend to speaking up about. <<"Got a single speeder skiff to the.... north east. They're about three-fourths of a klick out and looks like they're armed with... whaling harpoons? Uh.. just something to note.">> Brilliant observing Avery, I'm sure that just saved the mission.

Zelo begins to zoom in with the advanced scope of the SX-451, switching to thermal to help him better note the watchers at the summit of the switchback, tagging each with his IFF system, transmitting data to everyone else with a yellow, not-yet-hostile mark. <<"Copy, Aubrei. They're on watch, for sure, and they see us coming. No weapons yet, but they're on guard. I've marked them neutral, but IFF should be tracking. Over.">> He takes a moment to swing the scope over and scan more of the walker group mentioned by Sumi on her flyover, curious after report of a... Harpoon? Increasing magnification, the Nautolan triggers his comms again.

<<"Ground and air, be advised, there is a repulsor sled,">> a pause as he switches to a haze-filtering optical view. <<"With some sort of heavy turret breaking from that armor column and heading for you. A one-man walker is turning to follow. Hostiles may be on their way to you.">> The turret is worth enough concern that the repulsor and walker are both tagged red on the IFF. Zelo sweeps between the incoming vehicles and watching Aubrei's progress below.

Terek can't see a damn thing out there. He's trying to see the skiff that Avery pointed out, but all he can do is squint against the sun and hold one hand up to try to block the light, <"All I see out there is sand.>" He says, trying to find what Avery's talking about, <"Can you give me a cardinal direction?">

Sumi runs an idle scan to see the energy fluctuations in the region so as to pinpoint whether they should worry, or prepare for battle. What scans revealed was that weapons were at ready to fire! The fortress was ready to fire, the big convoy to the WEST was ready to fire, and /something/ north east had massive power readings (also likely ready to fire). <<"Frogdog copies all. Be advised, massive power fluctuations in the region suggest that /everyone/ is ready to start fighting.">> Sumi begins to gain altitude to avoid being in immediate range of the weapons before for now. Perhaps they'd think she was on her way out if she flied casually?

Sumi runs an idle scan to see the energy fluctuations in the region so as to pinpoint whether they should worry, or prepare for battle. What scans revealed was that weapons were at ready to fire! The fortress was ready to fire, the big convoy to the WEST was ready to fire, and /something/ north east had massive power readings (also likely ready to fire). <<"Frogdog copies all. Be advised, massive power fluctuations in the region suggest that /everyone/ is ready to start fighting.">> Sumi begins to gain altitude to avoid being in immediate range of the weapons before for now. Perhaps they'd think she was on her way out if she flied casually?

Hahtavi eyes the convoy on his sensors but it's not moving in the direction he had hoped, <<" Hahtavi copies. The convoy's moving away from the fortress so the point is moot. I'd hoped they were from the fortress, over. ">> So far, no useful leads for him to follow up. So instead he turns the airspeeder back towards the fortress, trying not to be seen.

Ah, but then the others begin direction attention to things as they unfold. Both the walker and the repulsor sled with turret light up on his display, thanks to Zelo so he's aware of them splitting off from the convoy group. But it's what Avery spotted that draws his attention, <<" I'll swing by and see if I can get eyes on the harpooner since they're closest to our ground team, over. ">> Slowly the airspeeder adjusts course, Hahtavi being careful not to kick up dust and give his position away more than he can help. He keeps tabs on the walker and repulsor but his own craft closes with the harpooner, intent to give his ground team support as they close in and plan their ascent. Hahtavi ignores the impulse to glance up and look for Sumi's craft that may draw fire. She's making a tempting target of herself up there.

Roth moves when others do, she's not leading this. She's following. Which is fine in this instance as she would get a chance to do something should things go downhill. She takes a moment to get her bearings about her as they push forward to where their end goal was.

The truck pulls slow trudge as it reaches the beginning of the path leading up to the fortress, more figures appearing from the shadows on the ridge. The high position for Zelo showing some coming out of the lower fortress bulges. Their armor in traditional style, if some was lacking in tech. Visors with wire mesh instead of transparisteel. Only one with a jetpack, but all helmeted, gauntlets, cuirass. A mix of hand weapon and scavenged blaster or slug weapons. Hanging back from the edge, letting only a few be seen by Aubrei or the truck.

<<"Avery, you're the friendliest of us... or were, Terek as well. Unless Roth wants to do any talking - suggest you two will need to do the talking. See if they'll talk... Aubrei - if you feel comfortable, you can join them unless you want to keep silent.">> Hadrix's words over comms to the ground force, but on the clan channels for all to know.

Sumi does make a tempting target, at range for her benefit. But the repulsor sled marked on IFF momentarily drops spikes into the sand for stability before the cannon mounted there barks and the barrel slams back with the shockwave. A sound like conventional artillery rolling across the sands in the wake of a shell that detonates wide of the E-Wing, a cloud of smoke filled with debris to form flak blooming before something ignites and turns it to a massive ball of liquid fire, super heating the metal to turn it into fiery rain falling down over the desert away from the others.

The fortress itself holds, perhaps waiting to see if they become a target as well.

<<"Keep towards the fortress, ground team - in case they get frisky.">> letting the air team, and Zelo, handle the more distant threats for now.

<"Negative. I can be friendly but normally the armor does not help with such things. I am going to get into position to help Zelo take out their spotters if need be. If you are all going to chat it out, I will be the shadow behind you."> She pulls her pistol from her side and starts to slip up the switchback, using what little areas that she can gather from the small positions she can take to keep out of view. It takes her a bit of shifting but she manages to hunker down with a shot lined up should the time call for it.

Avery grunts at Hadrix's comment, shifting his weight to drop out of the truck when it stops. <"I'm still a peach..."> he says, his feet sending up a puff of sand when they connect with the ground. The stormy Mandalorian glances up at the group assembled and sighs, <"I'll be right back..."> with a press of a button his rocket pack ignites and he zips into the air, angling for the position of the gathering nomads. Arms held wide, weapons clearly not brandished, he lands nearby and stands to face them.

<"Hi there, I'm Avery of Clan Kora."> As he talks he appraises their gear, estimating the firepower they'd face if things were to go sideways. <"We're in the area at the behest of the Journeymen Protectors and the Council of Concord Dawn. Looking to communicate with some of the clans out here to see if more civilized and friendly communication can be established. So uh... take me to your leader?"> He finishes, the statement not being the best to end on but he figures it'll serve. His hands, though empty, stay ready in case one of them decides to try to use the lone Mandalorian for some target practice... he won't be caught unprepared.

Terek isn't willing to let Avery go alone, as he quickly shoots upwards and follows after him. He lands shortly behind him, keeping his weapon at a low-ready position. Avery is probably a LOT more better at talking to people, especially if these are more...Traditional Mandalorians. They might not appreciate the cathar wearing the armor.

Zelo continues to slowly sweep the viewfinder of the sniper-cannon's advanced scope between the watchers and the avancing repulsor sled and friends, swiveling on the bipod as he tries to watch two things at once. Which he can't. One more quick look with just the right focus and he raises the comms signal once more. <<"Zelo copies. Aubrei, I'm the shadow's shadow. I'll follow your lead over there, from up here. Ground crew, repulsor and walker are continuing their vector, straight for you. Also... I'm not sure if I'm just imagining things in the sand, but that skiff with the... Harpoon seems to be sailing? Over.">>

The sniper turns his rifle in the direction of the watchers by Aubrei, his trigger finger not on the trigger but resting gently over it with his fingertip the only exposed bit of cobalt blue skin on him person. Everything below feels like a powderkeg. Zelo takes a deep breath, and exhales slowly.

The explosion carried a kinetic shock wave that Sumi /felt/ inside the cockpit of her vessel. It rattled her to her core, and she didn't need to watch to know how the anti-air exploded. It made her toes curl, and she even bit her lower lip in peeling away from the blast to preserve her shields. <<"That huttsucker just shot at me..">> Sumi says in an incredulous tone. <<"..do it again..">> She beckons, reorienting her craft at the same altitude to fly back over. This time, she was getting Rain to achieve a positive targeting scan for the next pass. They wanted to play?

The airspeeder Hahtavi's pilotting continues, for the moment, to skim over the sand low and staying out of sight as much as is feasuble to do as it circles around to close with the harpooner. Surely those at a higher elevation in the fortress can see him but Hahtavi's focused on the 'sailing' vessel Zelo describes.

The figther pilot swings into position to watch the truck's six, imposing himself between it and the on coming craft. His own guns are lined up, making it clear the other craft isn't going to be allowed to close with his team mates.

Hahtavi toggles his coms as he gets into position, <<" I'm on your six, Hadrix It looks similar to a Tatooine sand skiff, two decks, maybe holds a dozen or fewer. Harpoons are rocket propelled. She's got some legs on her - but for the moment, they are holding their fire, over. ">>

Cobbled together is actually what he's more used to than purpose designed. Hahtavi shifts a gloved hand, ready to raise his altitude sharply and move in for the attack, his other hand on his firing controls, weapons hot and ready to dance if his partner wants to play.

<"You know, if you had told me we needed to talk it out, I would've worn my business armor, not my flying armor.">> comes Evie's voice over the comms, the Kuati woman soaring easily through the air in the X-17A. Fingers dancing across controls and scanning for potential targets, especially those who might try to take out their ground forces. She is confident her abilities in the air. As the woman always says; she can fly it if it has an engine (or engines) attached to it, and she can do it better than anyone in the galaxy.

But that shot towards Sumi's craft? That deserves a warning. <<"Frogdog. Permission to kick up some dust on your playmate?">> Evie comms towards the clan's leader. She trusts herself to execute the manuever, but diplomatic endeavours under Kylo's leadership were 'shoot first and you win the negotiations'. When given the affirmative, though, she grins to herself. It's time to have fun.

Evie's speeder drops out of the sky and starts to make a beeline towards the offending skiff, earlier they tried to avoid this very thing, but this time she intends to leave a trail in her wake and see if she can't cloud the vision of the offending vehicles. A warning shot issued without pulling the trigger once. Her sensors are what tells her that the walker tries to take a shot at her, too -- but apparantly the cloud of dust was enough to obscure their vision. Just what she wanted.

<<"You would think they'd send their best to meet us. I'm a little insulted.">> Evie huffs. The smile on her face is evident in her voice. She's missed all of this action.

Heads turn, those at the top of the path looking to one another while others further back have weapons raised - no shots are taken but there is tense caution when Avery speaks and others follow to land at his side. The question, worded as it is, following his introduction causes one to step forward. Her shoulder pauldrons daubed in bright greens and what looks like a Mythosaur skull sigil crafted of actual beskar over her chest plate.

"Avery Kora, we see you. I am Ca of Clan Waruum and this is Bitr of Bazza... Clan Bazza share this crag with Waruum. You didn't come in shooting and I can speak. What can you offer us, herald of Concord Dawn?" those nine that Avery can see, including Ca, look up and towards the horizon where the moon is just becoming visible. "Why do we trust you? What do you give to show you worthy to speak with us?" though the mesh covers features behind the T slit of their helmets, one can -feel- the raised eyebrow.

Hadrix, in the truck with Roth begin ambling up the pathway - keeping their path slow, the big man avoiding 'fancy' shows of driving while they make their approach and keeping to the path.

"It seems you've attracted the attention of the Smoke-Crawlers..." Ca looks westerly where sand is being kicked up and flak has been fired from. "They're going to probe unless you strike hard... or get a bite of scrap."

The walker and repulsor-sled try to track still, the turret mount creating another thunderclap intended to put a miniature star of molten flak in front of Evie's airspeeder while the skiff being buzzed by Hahtavi is tracked - but unable to bring him within a firing arch just yet.

Okay talk. More talk. And an enemy she can not help with. She makes a sound inside her helmet and quietly broadcasts to the group. <"Moving in. Going to see what I can see."> She's no good out here not doing her job. But the little shadow is more than a shadow, she's like a whisper of sand on sand tumbling from the peak of a dune. She slips past the spotters, slips past Avery and Terek. She heads for the fortress and its fortifications, meaning to slip inside so that she can say exactly what is going on. Talk is good but they can be lies too.

The caking of earthen material across her armor helps, even as it dries and flakes. At least she is not standing out like a sore thumb and its working amazingly well.

The slate armored Mandalorian nods to the one who stepped forward and again to the one indicated. <"Ca of Clan Waruum and Bitr of Clan Bazza, I see you."> At this he motions back toward Terek, <"This is Terek of Clan Kora."> With a heavy sigh Avery shifts his weight and tilts his head to the side to regard the group as a whole. <"Well... to be quite honest, I can't give you a concrete reason immediately why you should trust us... save my word that we are trustworthy. As for our worth, again I only have the experience of my hands and life to vouch for, as well as the experience of my Clan and what they have seen..."> When they turn their heads to view the disturbance in the distance, a sudden thought comes to Avery. <"Who are these Smoke-Crawlers, I know little about them save they enjoy raiding? And would it serve the purpose of proving our worth if this group was to be made scarce?">

<<"Overwatch copies. Visual of Aubrei is lost, monitoring the area.">> Zelo triggers from light enhancement to thermal to ultraviolet, watching the last place he saw Aubrei as he waits. The Nautolan's trigger finger itches, but he takes a deep breath and pushes the antsiness away. Briefly, he sweeps the scope to the other vehicles to keep an eye on the situation, but without an order to go aggressive, he continues to hold fast. His vision again settles on the fortress. Waiting for an order.

Terek lets Avery continue to discuss with the others, as they seem to be building up a bit of a rapport. He takes a knee at the edge and then lowers the helmet's magnifyer, in order to get a better look at where the fire is coming from down the way, <"I'm guessing that's the Smoke-Crawlers."> He takes a quick look and then comes over comms, <"Looks like most of the vehicles are still heading southwest, only the couple that broke off and attacked the ships have broken off..">

Sumi makes for the sled responsible for shooting at her, AND Evie. It seems the Mandalorian's patience runs thin now, and Sumi strikes back with cold precision after reaching supersonic speeds again. <<"The convoy tied to the sled and skiff are hostile. Light them the rekk up.">> Sumi makes true to her word, splashing a series of heavy cannon fire that results in the sled losing its control before getting consumed with flames and exploding. By then, the E-Wing is already on another approach back to high altitude, afterburners kicking in and planting Sumi firmly against her seat. <<"Best to negotiate from a position of strength. If these guys belong to the fort? Sorry, not sorry. Don't shoot at my kin.">>

He doesn't know if the harpooner skiff is with those out on the plain who are now shooting at Evie and Sumi, or if the skiff belongs to the fortress and was on patrol to check out the truck. What Hahtavi does know is that it's brought it's harpoons to bear and are trying to line up a shot on him, shifting the skiff's bulk in a fashion that loos hostile to his eyes. Hahtavi didn't stay alive all those years on Manda'yaim waiting for the other guy to shoot at him first.

He doesn't wait for orders. As soon as he realizes they weren't holding their fire by intention, and were intending to blow him apart, Haht adjusts his own craft subtly and fires his fixed mounts. Beams of light shoot forth from his weapons to punch a hole right through the harpooner, boring into the thrust systems. The instant he's taken his shot, Hahtavi's lifting his own craft with speed into evasive manuvers to lift sharply away from the ground at an angle, and away!

Things begin to happen really quickly as the harpooner's engines start cooking off! <<" Whoever's commanding that harpooner skiff's not friendly. I don't think they belong with the fortress you all are talk'n to! I've lit'm up, over! ">> By the look of it they are blowing the krif up!

If he wasn't visible to the fortress before, Hahtavi's manuvers now bring his airspeeder into view. He's throttling up to circle, taking stock of the other's sitiation and getting a little distance from the skiff that's now tearing itself apart. To himself, Hahtavi grins and says, "Nice shot, if I do say so."

Roth is...well....she's in a truck. She gives a look over to Hadrix and there's a bit of a look out the window, "Thankfully you've not hit any rocks yet." she states in the vocoded deadpan tone that is normal of her in armor. But people start shooting and the Arkania scoots forward on the seat a bit, then grips the hilt of her sword tighter. Soon...very soon.

<<"Roger that. Taking aim now.">> Evie's voice chirps over the comms as she brings the speeder around, this time for an attack run rather than a warning shot... or at least that's her intention. The actual result, perhaps thanks to the sand that's still in the air, or perhaps showing off that she's less of a killer than she is a dancer... her shot goes wide, the blast missing her target and instead searing into the sand nearby it. This time, she's keeping her mouth shut.

Who knows, maybe they'll consider that an //actual// warning shot

"We'd prefer not to get their attention until we can get some better anti-armor weapons." Ca's voice a little more harsh, one of her hands raising and waving for those behind. Weapons aren't fully lowered - but their not pointing directly at Avery or Terek. "Open conflict is going to draw them this way." she looks to Bitr who begins speaking in a voice much younger than one might expect for the build beneath the armor.

"Lek, don't bring their attention here... But if you think you and yours could clear some of the territory around us, by all means... Show we can trust Concord Dawn to provide us aid, we will open talks and doors." the pair look to one another again.

Within the fortress, as Aubrei slips past the narrowly opened doors she finds men, women and even children in beskar'gam moving about - cautiously - while looking out gun-ports or using third-hand sensor equipment. Pully system lifts and more conventional stairs lead further in, but they don't seem to be preparing an attack that the Zelosian can see and if anything they're looking nervous.

"We can show you their travel routes... so that they can be hunted and we will let you shelter in the shadow of the our home should you need while you do so. Acceptable?"

The hovertruck with Hadrix and Roth pulls up, finally, behind Avery and Terek. <<"What do you think, Av'ika? We have kit in the truck we can give them too, if you think it'll help.">> spoken over private comms while Sumi gives weapons-free orders to those shooting. The big man laughing then and resting a hand on Roth's shoulder before leaning to 'tonk' the crown of his helmet against hers. <"That's why I'm glad you stayed in the truck, Ori'Roth."> giving her an affectionate shake.

Even as the harpoon skiff plows its trench in the sand, spitting up white grit to either side while the first engine pointed out by Hahtavi sends another sailing through the air to ignite suddenly and send itself up like a pyrocracker to explode fantastically mid air.

"It seems you're sending many messages today..." Ca murmurs.

Aubrei does not enter so far within, rather she hesitates where she is to consider the entirety of the fortress. She lowers her blaster, sliding it back into its holster as she starts to slide back out of the gate. She does not hide herself so much anymore as she catches the tail end of the conversation. She chooses a more convenient location to sort of pop up near by, her head tilting as she looks outwards towards the trouble brewing.

<"I am sure this group could handle it."> This is said easily with no sense of boasting.

<<"It seems they are fearful, I am not sure if its of us or the others, perhaps both. Children inside the walls. I can see why they are trying to hold the line.">> This is said privately to the others as she steps closer to Avery and Terek, letting her hands remain empty at her sides.

Avery's reflective T-visor glows red a hair, reflecting the explosion that goes off in the distance. Underneath the helmet the young slicer is grinning from ear to ear. If there's anything the Kora Clan does best, it's take names and blow stuff up, taking names being a secondary objective to the first, of course. Aubrei's appearance warrants a tilt of his head and a small nod, not wishing to draw too much attention to her position relative to the group he'd been speaking with. In a second he turns back to the two leaders assembled, <"I do believe we can arrange some breathing room for you and yours."> He says, nodding to the group before turning to climb into the truck. <<"Sounds like we can go weapons free on the 'Smoke-Crawlers'. They've agreed to sitting down and talking if we can provide some space around their home.">> The former Trooper states through the Mando's comm system. <<"If you can get that other transport, take 'em out, don't leave anyone capable of fight.">> The latter bit may not be necessary but Avery's not in a terribly forgiving mood. Easier to see things in black and white, less complication.

At the sound of the order from his clan's Alor, Zelo brings the rifle around, seeking his target. There is no space now between his trigger finger and the trigger itself, advanced scope tripped over to pure visual enhancement to filter out the dust and sand haze between him and the vehicles below. <<"Overwatch, copying. Weapons free.">> The repulsor sled? Neutralized. The Skiff? Vaporizing. The walker? The walker. Zelo triggers another level of magnification, finding it oddly convenient that the canopy is so open to the pilot. Well... This is why he brought this gun. One deep breath in, slowly exhaling, and then a slow pull of the trigger.

There's a small thunderclap that fades to a dull echo that could just be a stone falling at the distance of nearly a full kilometer, between length and elevation. The more immediate effect is the top half of the pilot, as it generally ceases to exist. The Walker, stumbling without controls, keels down and over, falling as dead as the one who had driven it. <<"Walker down.">> Zelo thinks nothing more and resumes his sweep when he spots another speeder break off from the column, firing grapnels at the downed Walker. <<"They're not keen on leaving it behind. Retrieval speeder with grapnels. They'll take it with them if we let them.">> Hopefull air support has that covered, but he lines up another shot of the anti-materiel rifle. The Nautolan takes another deep breath in.

<<"I have something they can retrieve,">> Sumi intones to answer their long-range sniper. Her tone is too cold for humor, but that's probably what makes it funny. The punch line comes in a stream of red laser lances that pick apart the retrieval crew, and transform their vehicle into a ball of fire and black smoke. The culprit flies over the ridge before angling high up for another visual scan.

<<"Be advised, the rest of the retreating group is locking their turret into place to engage. Hahtavi.. Evie.. make short work of it.">> Sumi's craft rotates so that the world is right-side-up again, and she engages the afterburners to close the distance to back her squadron up.

Terek is quick to follow Avery into the truck, <"Lets get this thing moving, don't want them to have all the fun, do we?"> He says, as he slaps the side of the transport as he gets into it. He's itching to get into the action before things cycle down and he doesn't get to try out the weapon Hadrix let him borrow.

Coming around and seeing the walkder's pilot taken out, and Sumi polishing off the retrival skiff, Hahtavi hardly needs encouragment to gun the airspeeder and take off after the rest of the convoy. But, hearing Sumi's orders come over his coms does help and makes him smile ere he responds, <<" Hahtavi copies, weapons free... ">>

He fires and scores a solid hit as he arrows in, then veers off with a frown, head craned to try and get a look. <<" I hit it but failed to damage it. I need the Tal'onidir's guns. Maybe Evie can put some hurt on it, over. ">>

<<"Yes ma'am, preparing to light them up.">> comms the Kuati, twisting her speeder around to take on the new target designated by Sumi, but coming in at a different angle from Hahtavi's in an effort to split the potential fire off from her clanmate. As she'll tell anyone, Evie's a dancer, a defensive flier at heart, so she's more than willing to draw fire so that her peers can have less directed towards them... and maybe more open shots.

Her own shots? They land, but they don't do as she planned. <<"We're gonna need bigger guns, bosslady, or a different plan of attack, at least.">> Sometimes, creativity can overcome a lack of firepower, afterall.

Scavenger skiff destroyed and now weaponsfire splashing against the hull, causing thickened armor to run like wax in the sun before cooling again. It and the rest of the column stop short. The massive hull atop the re-worked Juggernaught wheels and drive train actually rotating slightly, panels swiveling and point defense lasers akin to those one would see on a corvette or a frigate extending on pintle mounts. Swinging around to fill the air with blaster fire that tints the sands red all around. A cloud of cannon fire intended to destroy the offending airspeeders and fighter.

Ca and Bitr duck and those behind them in turn, "We said don't draw their attention here you fools! You'll kill us all!!" panic in Bitr's voice as he calls out and the nine rush for the doors of the fortress, calling for defenses and for those within to come to arms. At present they seem to be focusing more on the Smoke-Crawler clan that has begun to turn, speeders and repulsor sleds angling towards the crag of rock and the fighters between it and them.

Small walkers begin to erupt from the dust and smoke. Akin to the one downed by Zelo, speederbikes as well. A war party called out and accepting the fight Sumi, Hahtavi and Evie have offered them.

Welcome to Mandalore.

<"You wanted proof, we're giving you proof. Just watch...."> The slate colored Mandalorian states as he disappears inside the hovertruck. After Avery settles himself inside, a number of explosions and blaster fire can be heard in the distance. He turns to look at the four with him, an invisible eyebrow lifted while a hidden grin bares unseen teeth. <"Kids inside the walls, huh? It didn't look like they were well armed and mentioned not having any big guns to deal with these 'Smoke-crawlers'. I'd also say that fear was mostly directed at that force coming this way. Looks like we get to be the good guys again..."> the slicer comments before he turns to look out toward the impending battle. Hearing Evie over the comms, he opens his line to reply. <<"You got five on the way and a sniper in the hills... we should be able to set them straight.">> His heart begins beating faster and his eyes narrow, focusing on the sand being kicked up by the approaching clan. Glorious battle is nigh, the only question is, who will be walking away once the dust settles...

<<"Roger, break off you two,">> Sumi intones to Evie and Haht, swooping in during a hale of turret fire. She takes a hit to shields, a glancing blow, but enough of those and she'd be eating sand. Annoyed already, Sumi breaks off too, if only to cover for the other two. An encrypted comm is sent to high orbit, the clan Kora privy to it.

<<"Lady Fae.. bring the Rotworm down. I have something for you to drop a proton bomb on. Break-- Zelo, I need you to mark the big target for us and keep it marked. Over.">>

<<"Frogdog, this is Rotworm. I am entering atmosphere now, ma'am.">>

Zelo has the shot, has it lined up, but he watches the shots from Evie's airspeeder hit and do nothing. The SX-451 fires and feels like a cannon, but pragmatically the Nautolan knows it's not an artillery piece. <<"This is Zelo, making my way down the mountain to regroup, good hits aren't doing much to that armor...">> Zelo begins to emerge but is brought up short by the BARRAGE of fire from the Juggernaught and he drops back down. He looks through the scope again, seeing the flood of speeders and walkers now emerging and closing on his people.

<<"Nevermind, Overwatch in position for the long haul. More than enough targets for everyone, but feel free to call some of my shots as needed.">> Zelo takes a deep breath, and exhales slowly. He's just... On the wrong side of the walls. This is fine. The gleaming blue helmet turns, visor peering to the front of the fortress where many of their party now stand.

<<"I'll see you all on the other side of this one.">> The sniper turns his eyes back to the scope.

Hahtavi is a little busy dodging incoming fire upon the airspeeder he's piloting. He manages to evade most of it but gets scorched. He swings wide, <<" I got a little cooked but I'm all right. First they want us to clear the plain, now they're hollering stop! Make up their bloody minds, fighters or whiners? ">>

The airspeeder is brought around but keeping out of range of the heavy turrets for the moment. Hahtavi hears his orders, <<" Hahtavi copies. Breaking off, over. ">> He peels the airspeeder off and starts to throttle up to put some distance between himself and the target Sumi's marking for Lady Fae. He'd love to get his kimogila out here but there may be no need... meanwhile, he can provide what cover he may from the lesser craft.

<<"There's no should about it, Avery. We will.">> Evie replies, a slow smile crossing over her features even as her craft is rocked by some of the shots that she couldn't dodge; she's well aware that she evaded more than found their way home, and sometimes? When you draw that much attention, you're going to get hit whether you like it or not. Still, she knows the side she's glad to be on in this, and all fights.

<<"Copy, Frogdog. Breaking off from attack formation. Resuming defensive posture unless I hear otherwise.">> Which, in this particular case? Includes starting to direct her craft towards Zelo's position. He might be on the wrong side of the walls compared to some of their number, but the Nautolan still has, at least, a guardian Empress in this fight.