Log:Waywards: Accidental Rescue
Waywards: Accidental Rescue
OOC Date: September 9, 2019
Location: Some Random Planet
Participants: Qadira Suuryet, Jax Greystorm, Mandl, Ayeeou Wanaii, Sesti Greystorm, Coren Sym, Sion, Waywards
This planet is out in the middle of nowhere, it is inhabited by sentients, in small villages. They are humanoid and it is possible to understand them. Turns out they're hiding here, after escaping from a slaveship. The ship is crashlanded, and all the crew dead. It's been years that they've been here, enjoying the serenity and peacefulness. They've not had anyone else arrive until now ... and just days before the Waywards arrived, someone else flew in system, and then blipped out without word...
Kadi has dragged the Waywards and friends to another crazy planet. Seriously, the master engineer and droid scientist should not be left in charge of figuring out where to on a star chart. This time, the planet looks like it's inhabitable. In fact it is inhabited! The people are few and far between, really, just two or three villages, with maybe 20 or so people in each. The villages triangulate around a crashed ship, the Puspyo, which has been cannibalized for all it's got, only the name plate, defaced still there really and what parts of the frame couldn't be pulled out of the crater it left.
There's a landing field, just out of the way, some place where a couple ships can land safely. The people here don't have ships, or any tech other than what they scavenged when they escaped from the ship's wreckage. Kadi and Babble have been talking to them for hours, enough that most folks got bored. They are in good health with only a few small complaints, Doc, if you want to be checking them over. They aren't surprised to see the folks landing though, because they saw the shooting star a week ago, as was fortold three generations ago.
Jax was standing not far from Kadi performing a role of a body guard. He was letting his old friend take the lead with talking to people. He was for the most part standing silently and observing the village around him. His R2 unit having decide to be his shadow, then wabbles something to him. The Corellian look to the droid. "Patients."
While Kadi talks to the natives, Ayeeou has offered any medical help they need. At least they're overall in decent shape. She's taken over what passes for a clinic there, after making off with some of the Heart's medical supplies. They can always get more, after all. It's more or less kept her out of trouble while the others do their thing. Not that there's much trouble to be found here. So far.
Coren Sym stays near Mandl, as he's unfamiliar with the rest of the group. He remains quietly aloof, clearly disinterested in the humanitarian efforts, partly because he wouldn't be of any use. His eyes roam the area around him, searching. It isn't clear what he might be looking for, however.
He leans toward the Bith, "Why are /we/ here, again?"
Sion Corvara, given a chance to go a-yondering, will take it every time. Plus, it's a friend who needs help. Interesting and helpful job? Naturally! She's not far from Kadi, just keeping an eye on things. She's quietly grateful for the translator droid, as she'd be completely lost as to what's going on otherwise.
Mandl would've done as Mandl do, which is to say, confirm air and water are safe. Perhaps Yee has designated them to take samples, perhaps not, but Mandl secures small amounts of it all: air, water, tiny core-samples of earth. "You mentioned exploration was an interest of yours, Coren, we are exploring. Most of Nar Shaddaa's guilds have a humanitarian... face... but some of us put principle into action. As an explorer, provided the natives are not engaged in attempted-your-murder, sometimes the first course is: 'Ask the natives.'" Mandl gestures thataway, eyes thoroughly fixed on science.
Kadi can give orders if needed, but sometimes it is good to let the scientist types do their thing. Yee with the medical, Mandl with all the geology and samples and such. Kadi sort of frowns, adding, "Wait, wait, back up a bit. Did you say there were shooting stars last week? Like literally one week ago? And you think that means it was us coming to rescue you?" She looks flabbergasted, radio-ing back to the Heart to ask for maybe some checking out of the astronomical recent past. Which Ax can take care of, even if he does it with whatever ship he chooses to have in orbit.
Medically, all is good, and Yee may soon get bored dealing with folks.
From the samples he's taking, Mandl will get a good sense of what's going on on this planet, if not the crashlanded settlers. There are bugs biting, birds singing, and paths crisscrossing the landscape begging to be raced over and explored. It's a pristinely beautiful place.
Mandl starts meandering back toward their vessel, queueing up the loudspeaker from an external conduit. "All personnel present under the Wayward banner, please report to the 'Liquid Diet.'" Mandl then repeats themselves.
Jax looks around and Exine says something, "You know you're right Exnine." THen he calls out to the Waywards leader, "Kadi, you notice these folks don't have any metal do you? If they've just been here a few years? They should have that right? " He says looking off in the distance and seeing Mandl and the other Array guy. "Hey Mandl, YOu're a Rock guy right? Why don't these folks have any metal? The droids got me curious."
Yee mainly works on Nar Shaddaa. Boring, minor medical issues is a lovely change of pace for her. She takes some very detailed scans, of course, to try to identify any ways the planet's environment has impacted the residents, but those can be analyzed later. As well, she takes samples of any medicinal plants they've identified during their stay. When Mandl summons them though, she looks curious and excuses herself to head towards the ships.
Coren Sym watches Mandl wander back toward the ship. Inside his helmet he quirks an eyebrow, but isn't about to argue with them, "Alright then. Mind letting me know what's up, Doc?" He adds a little jog to bring himself abreast of his companion.
Mostly here as backup pilot and security, Sion sticks close to Kadi. That announcement, though, draws her attention. "Now what could he want?" She heads back that way, just in time to hear Coren's question. "I'm a little curious, too," she admits.
Mandl, by way of demonstration, taps the hull of their own ship. "Mandl's paint has corroded. Those of you with gear enhancing visual acuity or allowing different spectrums will notice the hull is beginning to microfracture. It is being eaten away, which as Jax pointed out may be why these people have no metal possessions. Presumably they rot into nothingness."
There's a slight whine heard in the air as another swoop can be heard approaching along one of the paths. Sesti's wearing a helmet with her light armor to protect against wayward branches and possible webs that can be strung between them, and the padding itself protects her from smaller branches hitting her body. She brings the swoop up to a stop beside Jax, and takes off her helmet to hang on the handlebars. "I found some water sources about a klik away, took some samples," she announces quietly. "I did not pick up any large life readings near the shore, but there is quite a bit of small life swimming around."
Kadi pauses, and then looks at her droids somewhat worried. "I hadn't - but you're right," she says, now intrigued. She pauses though, as there's a loud crack and a ship comes flying through atmo - sliding through trees and crashing to a halt by the old wreck, as if they were headed right there. Now, Ax has ships up there, but he's checking for sensor things and maybe on the far side of the planet, so the landing guys didn't see/hear him. Also, this is their ship, it's in terrible shape, and they probably would love to scavenge a new one. If they can. Once the ship lands, the ramp comes down with a clank - how does that thing stay on? And then there's a crew of pirates swarming out.
Jax looks at the Liquid Diet and then to his droid Exine. "Your dome's tarnished." Which causes the droid to wail after Jax thumps the side of the droid's dome. So when his wife appears on the swoop and approaches him. He quietly slips an arm around her, "That lines up with what Mandl's found. Oh aparently the atmosphere is corrosive to metal." Then Pirates join the party, "Soo... I think this place is off the list. We reasoning with them first?" He asks Kadi as he looks back to Sesti and steps away. That way they both can move.
When Mandl lets them know what's going on, Yee's eyebrow ridge goes way up. "I suppose it's no use leaving them equipment, then. And certainly no point to a base here." Not one they intend to leave, anyway. "On the other hand, if we rotated keeping people in orbit it's a really good choice for somewhere no one would stick around to search for us." But, probably not what they're looking for. Then there's a crack and a crash, and Yee sighs. "It's always something, isn't it." she says, in the tone of someone who's kind of getting used to other shoes dropping. She draws her pistol, but looks like she intends to stay to the rear.
As the other begin discussing the situation, Coren seems to poke himself in the forehead with several fingers, resulting in a subtle /thunk/ between helmet and gloves. He pauses for a moment, considering the offending hand. A mumbled expletive accompanies the removal of his helmet. Holding it at his side in one hand, he runs the other through his hair, which seems unphased by the action.
He looks between the /Liquid/, Mandl, and the rest of the group, "So, we're leaving now, right?" He raises his hands, palms up, half shrugging, half pleading. "This can't possibly..." He trails off, hands still raised, and watches the new ship arrive, "Oh. Fabulous." Facing the new arrivals, he puts his helmet on, and falls into a resting pose that is more acrobatic than combative.
"So... the air dissolves metal?" Sion asks, never exactly a scientific scholar. "Sounds like we'd better not stay much longer, if we want to leave. Bet that's why they're still here, too."
She blinks and ducks instinctively as that ship screams by not much over their heads. "What kind of crazy hot dog is..?" That's as far as she gets, because now there are goons swarming out of the ship, which looks like it's had a lot more atmo exposure than their own. She hastily draws her S5, accidentally breaking the holster flap's buckle in the process, and moves to get a clear line of fire. "We've got a problem! And it brought friends!"
Mandl explains to Coren: "Crewman, Mandl's ship has a laser-cannon, if you are more confident inside a ship. If not, two things: 'This is target-practice,' and 'Always befriend doctors.'" Mandl draws.
Sesti gives a little sway of her hip in closer to Jax for a moment before he releases her. She looks at the crash landed pirates, and then gives a sigh. "I cannot go anywhere with you without getting into a fight, can I?" she asks her husband, and reaches to the back of the swoop where she had lashed her longer blade while out riding. She takes a stun baton from her boot, giving a flick to telescope it out. She'll try the non-lethal way, first.
Kadi sort of stares in stunned bemusement. "Wait, are you for real?" is the only thing she can think to say.
It may be noted that none of the pirates appear to have any metal on them. they've got rope in place of buckles and staves instead of guns. Well, more or less. Their captain has a gun in hand, though whether it will fire or not is an interesting question. He certainly seems to believe it will. there are what looks like jaggedly sharp blades on his famale lieutenant. "Here now, we got new blood I see. We just came for our payment, y'see. And we'll be takin it and leaving." Babble repeats everything of course, even when it's said in a perfectly understandable language. His goons spread out, moving forward with grins on their faces, showing missing teeth and probably sporting horrible bad breath.
Jax gives Sesti an honest smile and shrug, "One of these days, I'm going to convince you. I'm totally innocent of why these things happen most of the time.... Well part of the time. Alright, It's mostly my fault. Fine, It's always my damn fault. Except this time. Not my fault." Jax looks at the others, "Take up position. Lets see if we can be neighborly first." Jax says as he makes his way towards the pirates, his hand raised in greeting, "We're not too intrested in payments from us or these good people. Not really too intrested in violence either. But well our gear hasn't had a chance to rust. So let talk this out. See if we can come to agreement. Everyone goes on their ways and we all get to go home at the end of the day."
Yeah, the doctor will stay behind the others. It does occur to her to wonder whether her blaster will even work after a few hours here, but Yee doesn't exactly have anything else. So, she waits to see whether Jax has any luck.
Sesti attaches the blade to her belt, only keeping the stan baton in hand, bit the other one is open and out to her side in a gesture wishing to forestall having to use the weaponed head. Her lips quirk on one side as Jax tries to protest his innocence and she stays a step behind him to the left.
Coren Sym watches as things unfold, waiting to see which way the wind will blow. He keeps his blaster low, but not so low he can't respond quickly. His body is in almost constant motion, though in a slow graceful way. He almost casually moves closer to Mandl, putting himself slightly in front of the doctor.
Seeing Jax step up to try and talk sense, Sion has to question Jax's. Still, it might work; the pirates don't seem to have blasters, or much in the way of ranged weapons at all.
Just in case, she takes cover behind one of the village carts, and braces her weapon over its side. She draws a bead on one of the pirates, the one with the twin blades. If things go sideways, better to have that one out of the way...
Mandl has their pistol drawn, having used the pirates' approach as an opportunity to don an hilariously-large fishbowl helmet. Blank-faced, crowded with sensors, but there is a subtle *hiss-sss* as the independent air supply engages. It does seem to match the spacesuit.
Kadi moves to put a finger over a button, seems like she's got something there, though she doesn't hit it at all yet. Her gaze goes to Jax, and there's actually a proud look on her face as he goes forward and tries to talk their way out of trouble. That's - yeah, that's her friend, alright. She just stands back and lets him because really, what can she do to add to that. Besides, if she moves forward her droids and guard types will panic. She's seen it before. And she doesn't want to get tackled to the ground.
Kadi activates her deflector shield.
The pirate captain gives a blink as he takes in the forces that are unexpectedly here. "Where did you all come from?" he asks, sounding startled, as much as he looks in fact. At Jax's words, and the sight of folks prepared to fight, the villagers all hiding - like they went invisible except for the one leader who is still standing by Kadi bravely. Shaking as he does so. She reaches a hand to touch his arm, offering support. And the pirate captain shrugs. "We can come back later," he says, as he turns to leave. The startlement from his buddies is obvious, and so to is the fact that they don't like it. The second in command starts talking to him soft enough it can't be heard, but it's obvious that they do not agree. And meanwhile, the goons haven't taken their attention off the Waywards and their nice new equipment.
"Boss, hey boss, they got swoops. We could - USE those." And one of the goons takes a potshot at Kadi, with what seems to be a poorly made gun. There is a crack retort as the shot goes, and Kadi presses that button, just barely in time, still stumbling backwards.
With the sound of round hitting Kadi, Jax pulls his blaster pistol and fires two shots into the goon that took the pot shot. Then the barrel of the blaster is pointed at the captain. "I've taken blood for blood. That's my captain's constort you just shot. Take your man and leave this system as fast as you can. When he learns of what happened here. There will be a reckoning and I won't be able to stop him. You're only chance is to run."
Startled at the unexpected salvos, Coren raises his blaster, but manages enough self-discipline to hold his fire. He watches the Wayward commander for further cues, slightly in awe of how quickly and flawlessly he retaliated, but also at his ability to remain cool. He takes a moment to risk a glance back at Mandl, checking on his companion.
Maybe things will work out. It looks like the pirate leader is inclined to be reasonable, especially with blasters ready to unleash Hell in his direction. But, no. Somebody opens fire and Kadi is the unfortunate soul to get hit. With an angry shout the Socorran opens fire on the lieutenant with the sharp objects, taking her down. Her next two shots miss the nearest pirate to her, but suddenly being attacked with a blaster, even on stun, might be enough to persuade these clowns to leave.
She can hope!
Mandl cannot muster an erudite Bith reply, so snap-fires twice! The goon crumples, and Mandl reports: "The die is cast, Coren, we must make them flee through power-of-attrition."
Sesti takes a step up so she's level with Jax at his left, shifting the stun baton to her left hand and letting the energy crackle menacingly, but as her husband gives them the option of fleeing, she doesn't step forward enough to actually attack any of them, even when others open fire as well. "Take your wounded and leave," she suggests in an even tone, backing up Jax's words. "While you still can."
Status: one startled pirate captain, one unconscious dual wielding lieutenant, and two downed goons. They may still be breathing, they may, but they're out cold. The other goons look menacing, and the captain turns back around, stepping forward. "Sounds like my kind of guy, maybe he can be my new second in command, after we beat the tar out of you all. Nobody shoots Ry's Raiders!" Like they're a football cheer team or something. Now the goons do start forward.
Kadi just sits there, looking stunned. She's got Yee swiftly tending to her, so she'll be just fine. And that brave village elder? Yeah, headed for the nearest hidey hole.
Qadira Suuryet slides hers Caelli-Merced Series III out of its holster, bringing the weapon to bear.
Coren Sym staggers back at the blast, and returns fire, cursing under his breath.
Yee immediately dropped to the ground when the shooting started, and skittered her way to Kadi. Staying low. Her hand scanner has seen better days, but at least for the moment it still works. Her blaster is out and near her hand, but she's more focused on watching for people that need immediate medical attention. Besides, the chance that she can hit anyone the others can't is extremely low.
Jax lets out a sigh as the Pirate Captain makes his call, "I warned you. I really did. The Force knows I tried to save your life." He says spinning out of the way of the blaster shot by the Captain. "I warned him." He calls out to Sesti. He says taking a shot at the Captain a bit shocked wht the Captain dodges his shot. He spins out of the way of second shot from a pirate crewman and fires at the Captain again and misses. Then he shoots again. "You're good. "
Coren Sym seems to snap out of it slightly, and immediately breaks out into a run. Away. He books across a path and slides behind a pair of wagons, and seems to disappear.
Sion keeps firing, taking down one of the scraggly-looking pirate mooks. Her next shot staggers the tougher-looking man behind him, but doesn't take him down. The blaster clicks empty. She hastily swaps power packs and prepares to fire again. "Just keep them away from the village! And our ship!"
"We both did," Sesti confirms grimly, with a bit of disappointment in her voice. She draws the saber with her right as she steps forward to close the distance between her and the Captain while he dodges Jax's firing. It seems she's going to take to lethal force with the man who's trying to kill her husband. The vibroblade hums as she goes low to duck both friendly and not so friendly fire. Her blade slashes through muscle on the back of his calf, and then her next swing misses as she leans back to avoid a bolt whizzing past her. Then she comes around to strike the same leg across the front, upper quad muscles to disable his leg and send him down the ground. She stands above him, to his injured side so he can't easily kick her and holds the tip of her vibroblade an inch above his eyes, just between them. "Last chance to call your men off and surrender," she tells him evenly, her purple eyes flat and serious, the jota accentuating her fierce expression.
Status: 1 captain wounded, with his neck at the end of a vibroblade. 1 lieutenant standing. 3 soldiers uninjured, looking tough and one down to one knee looking not so tough. and 2 goons still standing. The downed folks may not be dead, may just be unconscious, but they are out of the fight. While the Captain is not able to shoot, that's not the same for his buddies. They're automatically retaliating, and some of them seem to feel that shooting at the woman with the shield bubble is a good thing to do. Hint - it really doesn't work for them. "Hey," Kadi calls out. "Cut that out - you really don't want me shooting back at you." She sounds annoyed, though she's not shooting. She does stand up again, keeping that shield up.
The captain stares at his death and decides that today is not the day. "If you let me up, I'll take the boys and girls off," he says.
Jax seems to know where the shots are coming from and seems to dance and move out of the way of the shots with an almost unnatural grace and speed. Though in the end he ends up with his blaster pointed at the captain. "I wouldn't try anything." Then he calls out to his people Waywards and array, "Let me know how you're doing?"
hoping for the element of surprise, Coren reappears, sneaking up behind the pirates' ship. Moving a little too quickly, he trips on something, and grunts as he's forced to take a knee, giving himself away. Fortunately, the pirates don't seem to notice, so he quickly resumes his approach. Nearing the ship, he cuts his losses and looks up into the landing gear well. His eye is caught by something within, and he takes a semi-random shot at it. Without waiting to find out what happens, he runs away from the ship, and the pirates.
Not far away enough to miss the exchange between the pirate captain and Kadi, Sion holds her fire, not wanting to square the deal by blasting somebody the captain thinks is important.
Mandl, perhaps angered by the stinging wound delivered by one of the pirates, clutches their midsection and fires again-- another goon takes Mandl's wrath on the chin!
As the captain makes the wise choice, Sesti lifts her blade just enough and takes a step back. Now that Jax is backing her up and the man has two weapons trained on him, hopefully he won't try anything funny, but she doesn't relax her guard.
This time, the captain gets to his feet, glaring at Sesti with some disgust. He gathers his lieutenant, dragging her by the hair up the ramp. The others come with, leaving the rest of the goons on the ground, without checking if they are dead or alive. The ramp clangs shut behind them, and then the ship raises into the air, and takes off - only to sputter, continue flying, sputter, continue flying, and then explode in midair.
Guess Coren hit something critical with that random shot after all.
Kadi frowns, staring for a moment, and then she releases her shield, going pale as she ship develops that stutter. That's not a good sign. She closes her eyes, muttering something under her breath when it explodes, squares her shoulders and turns to yell, "Alright they're gone. Everyone out. And if you want off this ridiculous anti-metal world, now is your one chance. Let's get moving." A glance to the group. "Let's get our wounded back aboard the ship, so Yee will have an easier time treating folks, and whoever from the villages wants to leave, we'll take them - I don't now - somewhere."
