Dandoran, Secret Rebel Base
"So then I say's to her 'No officer no counterband here but the one in my pants. Of course she slaps me and sends me on my way never knowing we'd just made off with an entire shipment of weapons!" Sarge's latest story was met with a round of table slapping and laughter as the men and women of Squad C ate and drank their lunch. Sarge's troops were a motley band. Made up of sixteen individuals counting Alana they were a mix of people from across the galaxy.
All of them had expressed a great love for Alana's cooking skills and her enthusiasm for the rebellion. Despite the fact her shooting skills still remained subpar her natural talent for close quarters combat had endeared herself to many of her new squad mates.
Alana was currently learning the ins and outs of sabbac from a purple one-eyed female Rodian named Zel, an old human Cyborg named Gears, a grey skinned reptilian like Saurin named Olox and Corporal Roughroot. They were playing for pretzel sticks, which Zel had accumulated an impressive amount of much to Olox's displeasure. Alana stared at her hand biting her lip desperately trying to decipher the cards and the faces of the other players.
Sarge slipped into the seat by Alana and looked pensively at her hand. "You do know, Al that the value of these cards changes every few hands, yes?"
"Oh Bantha Poodo, Sarge!" Zel complained smacking the table. "Don't go turning the young blood into a bloody card shark like you, huh?"
Olox rumbled in agreement while Gears sneered at the Rodian. "Oh don't give us that shit Zel. Quickest draw in the unit and lightest hands to boot!"
"Can I help it if I'm good at what I do?" She fired back with a smirk. "At the very least I don't pretend like Sargent smooth talker over here."
Grunn scratched his chin knowingly and batted his eyes at the table. Alana placed a hand on Sarge's shoulder appreciatively as she studied her hand afresh. A sudden commotion from further down the mess hall turned heads.
A game of dice between the Sullustan twin brothers Hassock and Kossack had heated up as the two started wrestling back and forth to the cheers of their comrades. A grizzled old human named Grenth swore as he jumped out of the way of the rolling ball of legs pulling the fresh-faced human teen named Danz with him. A green skinned Twilek named Pal'sik clapped her hands together excitedly while a slender furry brown Frozian by the name of Rawsxk hopped up onto the table to gain a better perspective of the fight egging them on.
Corporal Roughroot put down her cards with a sigh and made a move to get up but was stilled by Sarge's raised hand. "Give it a moment as these brotherly brother in arms sort out their grievances."
Zel cackled and yelled out. "I've got ten on Kos!"
"I call twenty on the Hass!" A dark skinned woman named Balendi called back from her end of the circle. A heavily modified protocol droid named D0N-82 that was standing beside her interjected casually.
"Based on previous scuffles involving the two, I predict there is a 39.12% chance Trooper Kossack will win while there is a 39.16% chance Trooper Hassock will win. There is a 20.7% that Trooper Karan will step in while there is a 2.02% chance of an all out brawl breaking out. Ergo I place sixty on Trooper Karan."
The trooper in question was a bulky female red skinned Besalik with a silver crest who rumbled in amusement as she quaffed her drink with one hand while arm wrestling the human Vargoth and the insect like Verpine Shalli at the same time. The brothers meanwhile were slamming each other into a table keeping up a bizzare rhythm. Alana looked on with a wry look of amusement and fear for their safety. Kossack eventually shoved his brother away from him with a shouted oath grabbing a knocked over chair firmly.
"Karan!" Sarge yelled gesturing. The Besalik smirked putting a cigarette into her mouth as she casually finished both of her arm wrestling matches with ease. Moving far faster then a creature of her girth should have any right to she grabbed both combatants by the scruff of their necks lifting them struggling into the air.
"Boys. Behave." The two were snacked lightly by her free set of arms and hung glaring sullenly at one another.
Sarge chuckled. "I swear, when those boys aren't trying to head butt the whole galaxy they're doing it to one another. Siblings, huh Al?"
Alana smiled sadly. "Yeah… siblings."
"I like to think we're all siblings in this war. Brothers and Sisters in arms, not by necessity, but instead by choice. It matters not what species, sex, race or even profession we come from. In war we are bound together as one." The Sargent mused a happy smile on his face.
Roughroot shook her horned head smiling softly. "As I recall we were assigned together Grunn, not much choice there at all."
The Snivvian stuck his snout in the air. "Can you not give me this one romantic moment, Jani?"
Gears nodded as he folded his sabbac hand with a sigh. "Sarge is right Corporal you did rather run the moment."Olox growled his agreement clawed hand tabbing the table.
The Nosaurian sighed. "Fine yes. Siblings by choice, happy?"
Grunn smiled widely. "Why, yes actua-"
The entire base shook. It was as if a thousand thermal detonators had gone off at once causing everyone to stumble around the room. The shaking went on for a solid minute till silence once more remained. Squad C with a variety of groans and curses dragged themselves from the floor checking for injuries. Grunn helped Alana up with a heave as he yelled.
"Everyone alright?"
"Aye."
"Barely."
"The hell hit us?"
"By the force.."
"Oh gods damn it all! This was a new uniform to."
Roughroot readied her repeating blaster with a grunt. "We're under attack. That was a turbo laser bombardment."
Zel opened up her long coat to reveal a well-used blaster pistol and a collection of throwing knives as she growled. "Then how in the hell are we still alive?"
D0N helpfully observed. "It is likely the computer or the Captain noticed the attack at the last minute and raised our defences. Otherwise I'd be scrap and you'd all be a fine red mist."
Roughroot sighed. "Thank you for that pleasing mental image, Donny."
"No problem Corporal."
"Alright shut it you lot!" The squads commandeer yelled turning on his comlink.
"This is Squad C reporting in. Captain what hit us?" Such chatter swamped the line as the various units of rebels talked over one another desperately.
Captain Syntine's voice cut through the channel. "Code Red, I repeat Code Red! We have an Imperial Light Cruiser in our atmosphere. They've taken out our relay tower and are attempting to jam our comms. I need men to reinforce the defences and secure HQ. Squads-"
With a crackle the Captains voice died in static. Sarge's face was grim. "Damn. Damn."
"Knew we'd been here to long." Zel groused hands in her pockets.
"Shut it Dandel!" Roughroot growled. "What do we do now, sir?"
"We split in two. Roughroot I want you taking Troopers Dandel, Karan, Rawsxk, Shalli, Danz, Balendi. D0N-82, Vargoth and Linaki to the command center. Link up with the Captain and figure out what the hell is going on. The rest of you with me, we'll reinforce the line as best we can."
Alana snapped a crisp salute. "Sir, permission to go with you, sir!"
"Al you can't just-"
"With respect sir I'm here to kill Imps! With my aim can't do that from the HQ, sir! Besides best place to be is by your side!"
The Snivvian scowled as the rest of the squad suited up. "Fine. You stay close to me though, you hear?"
"Yes sir! Thank you sir."
"It's Sarge, Al." Within moments the squad was prepared armed to the teeth with weapons of all kind. Sargent Grunn studied them all with a tear in his eye as he growled gruffly.
"Stay safe, don't be stupid, and fight well. We'll see one another on the other side. Hoorah."
"HOORAH!"
"Be careful you mad bard!" Roughroot called as her and her unit filed out the mess hall door.
"Shoot straight my svelte sociopathic second!" Grunn called as her turned to the remaining troops. "Standard skirmish line folks, move fast shoot anything that's white. Cept Grenth of course."
The old human in question scowled as he ran hand through his thinning white hair. "Shows I lived long sonny." As the chuckles died down they all nodded at one another.
"Alright," Sarge muttered. "Here we go!" With that Alana followed him into war.
Medical Sargent Dea Arimiais banged her head to the music broadcasting on her unit's private channel as they broke the planets atmo. An old tradition started by the GAR back in the day units riding into battle would rock out to something that relied heavily on screamed lyrics, abused guitar strings and shattered drum sticks. It set the mood quite nicely.
With a hiss the gunships bay doors opened revealing a well-forested wet looking terrain zooming by. For a moment Dea was transfixed by its beauty. In these marshes and woodlands one could almost be forgiven to think that no war had ever occurred among the stars and indeed that every civilized being that took part on it should sooner cast aside their weapons and return to it's embrace.
These thoughts were soon lost as the Rebels remaining anti air cannons opened up on the speeding gunships. The pilots started to weave to and fro explosions rocking the ships. The LZ was half a click from the Rebels still mostly intact outer defences. In addition to about twelve squads of Stormtroopers two AT-ST's were being deployed. Even as she watched the Southern Assault team split off while the Southern AT-ST was dropped off a klick from the outer defences.
"I love this part!" Moony yelled as the transports jinxed through the air.
"Oh you would!" Kiss snarked back clutching her rifle to her chest. Cutter and Tally were hyping one another up for the fight banging their weapons against one another breastplates and breathing heavy. Gramps meanwhile was cool as ice old body rocking to and fro with the motions of the ship like he was a part of it.
"Two minutes to LZ, Sarge." He intoned. Dea nodded. It was time.
"It is from the ashes of war we come!" She began. The rest of her squad in unison finished.
"And it is to its fire we must one day return!"
"But until then we fight!" She screamed fist rose.
"And make our enemies pay!" They replied finishing the squads pre battle chant. After another minute of tense flying the gunship reached the LZ. The moment they were close enough Arimais was the first to rappel down. Her boots hit the ground with a jolt that went all the way up to her spine. The rest of her squad and dozens of other Stormtroopers followed her quickly forming a perimeter.
The gunships swiftly took off for space leaving the Stormies behind. Moving swiftly the white clad troopers advanced through the boggy terrain weapons raised. As they moved they came to an incline which they began to ascend. As the outer wall of the compound came into view Arimais held up a fist halting her squad in it's tracks.
All around her even squads as arrogant as Balor's did the same staying crouched in the shadows. Arimais felt much as she crouched there. Terror, anticipation, impatience and nerves. She needed to run one way or the other and she could sense that her fellow troopers felt the same. Dea was dimly aware of Lady whispering a prayer while Cutter fingered his Trandoshan bolo knife eagerly.
The precise firm tone of Saxx broadcasted across all channels. "Charge."
With a roar the force's of the Unwavering Justice broke free of the tree line and forced on the rebels. The Battle for Dandoran had begun.
Gymnos 1, The Bare Base
Jemini and Mhisha grunted as they moved the light anti aircraft guns screen into place. The big Zabrak and wiry Mando had completely stripped for this task leaving their various belts and armour lying on the ground. Mhisha wiped his forehead and grinned happily at the result. While fairly obvious from the ground from the air the weapon now looked like nothing more then a collection of driftwood.
"Not a bad effort huh Linaki?" The Commando asked surveying their work.
"Right you are ner vod. Convenient as that force is, it's sometimes better to just out in some physical labour, you know?" Jemini replied arching her back till she heard a pop.
"Well," The man sighed collecting his greaves, arm guards and gloves regretfully. "We best see what else Keyla needs?"
Increasingly Jemini couldn't help but notice that simply attaching a belt around her waist, made her feel clothed. The young woman wasn't sure how to take that as she followed in the big man's footsteps.
Keyla, with the help of Efia, was currently fiddling with the bases new holo table located in the center of the command center. The old woman was on all fours head in a panel while Efia fiddled with the panel.
"How bout now?" The orange skinned woman asked voice muffled by the inner workings of the table. The pink skinned girl banged the console with a scowl.
"Nothing Captain. No, wait let me just," Efia gave the table another sharp bang. With a hum and a flicker the table came online. "Got it!"
"Yes!" Keyla yelled smacking the side of the table as she rose wiping some oil from her chest. "Damn good work Efia!"
"Thank you. Fixing gadgets is my thing." Efia smiled bashfully rubbing the back of her neck. Keyla clapped her on the shoulder as she turned to regard the duo.
"Ahh Mhisha, Jemini! How goes it?"
"All finished Captain." Mhisha responded with a casual salute that Jemini copied.
"Glad to hear it, feel a whole hell of a lot safer with that covering our naked asses huh?"
The two nodded in agreement. The holotable suddenly started to spit static. "Damn it! Again?"
A hazy symbol of a smiling Nautolan appeared. "This is Lanei Tavish urgently BZZT Jemini Linaki! Come in Jem!"
Jemini eye wide rushed to the table. "This is Jemini Lan'ika what the shab is going on?"
"No time! Alana's BZZT trouble!"
Jemini went real still as she whispered. "What?"
"Madik dropped her off on Dandoran. BZZZZT keeping. I just got wind from a virus I planted in the Imp's comms that they BZZT attacking Dandoran!"
"Kriffing hell. That's the current base of the Wildfire!" Keyla swore. The Torguta rushed to over to a crate and pulled out a data pad. "We're only a jump away."
Jemini calmly asked her friend. "How many of these shabuirs and when?"
"An entire strike force BZZTini. Their attack had already begun. Hurry."
"I'm on my way. Keep me updated. Linaki out." The smiling emoji winked out as Jemini turned on her heel and started striding for the Longclaw
"Jem!" Keyla yelled after the striding Mandalorian. "Jemini!"
"I'm not failing her Keyla! Not again. She's all I got!"
Keyla turned to the brown skinned Zabrak. "Keep her from doing anything stupid! Efia! With me, we need to rally the troops." The three scurried off to their task. Within ten minutes the squad was fully assembled outside the Longclaw.
"Alright." Keyla declared. "This a big one folks. Wildfire Company is in trouble and more then that… Jemini's sister is on the ground. Our mission is harass and extract. To that end we'll be split into two teams. Jace, Kara, Cal and Mayla will crew the Longclaw. Jace I'm gonna need you to harass the Imperial ships. Myself, Mhisha, Efia, Jemini and Phara will take the Sabre down and extract her sister."
The clanking of metal boots came from behind Keyla. Jemini clad in her full regalia nodded. "A good plan. Oya pajir ner vode." The Mando turned on her heel and entered the ship again.
"Alright, Mera the base is in your hands. Lets go people!"
Dandoran, Rebel Base
The battle had begun close to an hour ago. For Alana it had felt like an eternity. Sarge and her squad had set up on the Northwestern wall joining about a score of nervous rebels. For almost a quarter of an hour they'd watched tensely as first the bombardment then the landing craft tightened the noose around their necks. Almost ten minutes later the ground assault had begun in earnest.
What had seemed like hundreds of Imperial had broken cover and started making their way up towards the wall. The defenders had responded with blaster fire and grenades breaking up the attack. Since then it had become a slow war of attrition as the Imp's inched their way up the slope foot by foot dropping the dwindling number of rebels whenever they could.
Alana had been tasked with the job of powder monkey. Weighed down with dozens of power packs Alana ran to and fro across the rough earthen wall reloading weapons and thrusting them into impatient hands. Even to someone as unseasoned as her the truth was obvious: they could not hold.
Halfway through the engagement they had received a runner informing them that a second force of Imperials was coming from the South. They were to hold out until they received further orders. A half-hour later Alana wondered if they'd ever get anymore orders.
"Alana!" Balendi screamed from across the wall. The dark skinned woman ejected her rifles energy pack as she ducked beneath the ramparts. With a nod Alana raced across the ramparts head down. Sliding to a stop beside the older woman she asked.
"What type?"
"EE-109. Quickly now! I've got a Stormie with a rocket launcher here!"
Alana produced the desired blaster pack and shoved it into place. Checking the charge Balendi peeked up above the wall sighted and fired. "HA!" She exclaimed. "Got him! Good thing these shell heads can't shoot for shi-"
A red blaster bolt abruptly lanced though the rebel's neck. Reflexively Balendi clapped her hand to her neck a surprised look on her face. Alana met her horrified gaze as the rebel slid down beside the still crouching girl. Alana took her free hand and whispered.
"It's okay. I'm here." Balendi smiled a bit before going slack resting her head against the wall. Alana closed the womans eyes gently before rushing off to the next trooper.
Kiss lowered her marksmans rifle. "Got the bitch." Dea nodded as she peeked above the hillock her squad currently crouched behind. A flurry of blaster fire convinced her to duck back down.
"Where the shab is that AT-ST?!" Gramps swore reloading his gun without looking.
"If I had to guess," Moony yelled back. "Not here!" A nearby explosion caused them to all reflexively duck.
"No kidding?" Cutter replied.
"Wounded in bound!" A familiar voice yelled. Strech and another trooper dove behind Arima's defence wounded trooper in tow. "Good to see you again Marm!"
"Likewise Denven! What do we got?"
"Blaster wound right to the side! Went clean through!" Another familiar voice added.
"Trooper Jaz? Is that you?"
"Thanks to you Arimais! Got me a new arm and everything."
Dea pushed down her rage at a so recently injured trooper being pressed into fresh combat. Instead she focused on the man before her.
"If the wound self cauterized he'll need some stims. I can't asses the internal damage here. Here give him this." She thrust a hypo into Stretch's hands. "And some plama. Get him to the back, his battle is done."
Strech nodded. "Alright buddy hang in with us. On three. Three!"
The two troopers scrambled off dragging the injured trooper with them. Dea and Gramps rose in unison and provided covering fire till they were in the relative safety of the trees. Moony primed a thermal detonator.
"Eat this Rebel Scum!" The grenade arced away and out of sight. "Where the hell is our armour?!"
"GERNADE!" Sarge bellowed tackling Alana. With a flash the thermal detonator went off blowing a hole in the ramparts. Trooper Pal'sik swept the slope with her mounted E WEB blaster as she yelled.
"Sarge! We can't keep this up!"
"We just need to hold a little longer Pal! Balendi!" The Snivvian bellowed struggling to his feet. "Take the next bastard who pop's his head up out! Balendi!"
Alana chcoked bag a sob. "Dead sir."
"Damn." Sarge swore as he helped the young human up. Hassock and Kossack had in the midst of battle become the perfect partners firing merrily away at the Imperials. Grenth has taken command of three of the remaining sentries and was firing in unison at anything that moved while Olox and Gears were studying the tree line.
"Sarge?" Gears yelled robotic eye zoomed in as far as it would go.
"What?"
"We've got trouble. Big trouble!"
"AT-ST 12 O'clock!" Olox hissed squeezing off a few shots. With a groaning crash the cabin of an AT-ST crashed through the woods rapidly approaching their positions.
"PAL!" Sarge yelled. The Twi'lek yanked her E WEB around and opened up on the approaching vehicle. The entire rebel line joined her shots bouncing off the armoured vehicle. Rotating the AT ST launched a homing missile from it's side launcher. With a whoosh it sped across the battlefield destroying Pal'sik and her E-WEB instantly. The unmistakable sound of mortars launching snapped Sarge out of his shock.
Shoving Alana in front of him he screamed. "Clear the wall! Do it now!"
Desperately the surviving rebels vaulted and leaped from their positions as the unmistakable whistle of artillery screamed through the air. With a roar the wall was consumed in flames knocking the fleeing rebels to the ground.
Alana struggled to her feet checking herself for injury. After ensuring her tonfa's were still attached to her belt she gazed numbly around. To her left a bloody faced Gears was helped up by Olox, the Cyborg's mechanical left arm simply gone. Grenth meanwhile checked the pulse of a man lying beside him and shook his head. Kossack meanwhile tried to help Hassock up who had a piece of metal buried into his knee.
Sarge strode in front of her and seemed to be yelling something. With a start Alana realized she couldn't hear a thing. Holding her head in her hands she yawned desperately trying to restore pressure to her eardrums. With a pop she succeeded.
"-fall back! Fall back! We need to move!" Sarge bellowed. The surviving rebels numbered under a dozen. Hassock shook his head.
"Sorry Sarge don't reckon I'll be joining ya."
"Me Neither." Kossack grunted as he tied off his brother's leg.
"Boys this is not the time-"
"Me leg will only slow us down. Besides someone needs to take out that AT-ST. You sure about this Koss?"
Koss smiled and clapped his brother's hand. "Womb to tomb, brother, womb to tomb."
Sarge voice thick clapped them on the backs. "Good luck boys. Give em hell. Let's move people!"
Alana nodded at the two Sullustans as she along with Olox, Grenth, Gears and two other survivors followed Sarge as they headed for a nearby ridge line. The brothers beat their arms to eachothers chest before staggering off towards one of the now dormant anti air guns.
As the Rebels ran green blaster fire came after them as the Imperial pushed through the breach behind the lumbering AT-ST. Alana hazarded a glance backwards to witness Koss blazing away with two blasters as Hassock unlimbered the big gun. Screaming something unintelligible the wounded rebel fired the cannon point blank at the off balance AT-ST punching right through it.
Trailing smoke and fire the AT-ST fell on its side to the laughing of the brothers as an advance unit of troopers gunned down the two. The Sargent of said unit pointed at the fleeing rebels. His troops unburdened by injury rushed after them firing as they went swiftly closing the gap. Alana despite the rock in her stomach kept fleeing following Sarge.
As they ran the man in front of Alana was suddenly brought down by a bolt too the back. Grenth seeing the oncoming men growled. "Last Stand Formation. Good luck sir!"
With a scream the old man turned on his heel and blazed away at their pursuers. He gave them a precious minute to scramble up the ridgeline before he fell. The last sentry nodded at Grunn's remaining men before following Grenth's example grenade in one hand and a pistol in the other.
The four of them kept moving none glancing behind them as an explosion ripped up the ridge. Gears clasped Olox's arm.
"Luck be with you old friend." So saying the old cyborg dropped to the ground blaster in hand. The trio kept moving Sarge and Olox staring grimly ahead. Alana wasn't even trying to stop her sobbing anymore as she listened to the familiar report of blaster fire echo behind them. A pained shout was followed by ad desperate spray of fire before being cut off with a thud.
By this point the remaining trio had reached the edge of the ridgeline. As Alana prepared to slide down the ravine a shot came from behind her. The young girl was jerked to the side by a pair of reptilian hands swiftly. Alana turned to meet Olox's eyes. The lizard like man grunted as he looked at the wound to his stomach and stumbled falling down the ridgeline. Sarge grabbed Alana and slid down with him.
The two stopped near an alcove the battered form of Olox landing some ways away. The big man rose to his knee clutching his chest. The rebel suddenly looked up and hissed a warning.
"Sarge! Stay out of-"
The report of blaster fire drowned out his last words as the Saurin was torn apart by their pursuers. Grunn pushed Alana deeper into the alcove and smiled at her.
"Don't cry now Al, hey? Be brave. I'm gonna lead them away towards the barracks. Do you remember how to get to HQ?"
Alana wiped her tears stained cheeks and nodded. Yeah I do but Sarge we should stay together. I don't want… I didn't ask…"
"Hey, there deaths are not on you. They are on me, The Empire but not you. We rebels sacrifice, it's what we do. If I can save but one life from them today, well, whatever happens will be worth it." The tinny chatter of Imperials came from above them as there pursuers started to descend the incline. "So stay here, stay quiet, stay safe. I will see you on the other side." With one last smile Sarge readied his heavy dual pistols before breaking cover with a roar.
The kind rebel zigged and zagged as he fired at the Imperials. A pained shout from above Alana and the tumbling of a body signified his success.
"Kill the damn vermin!" An arrogant voice bellowed as they opened up in kind. The Snivvian danced back and forth as he fired fleeing the ridge that Alana hid in. Desperately Alana urged him on as he ran. Maybe just maybe he might make it.
One of the troopers shots seared through Sarge's shoulder sending him to the ground. The Snivvian was undeterred and rolled back to his feet firing with his good arm. As Alana watched the troopers reached level ground and spread out firing at the staggering form of Sarge. Of the eight who had started chasing them now only five remained. One swore as he checked on his fallen comrade.
"Shit. We need a medic!"
"Make the bastard burn! Get em boys!" The arrogant sounding leader yelled as they fired at the warrior. Alana watched as the outnumbered and outgunned Snivvian was slowly but surely cut down. Eventually after sustaining multiple shots to the arms and side Sarge collapsed to the ground looking up at the sky.
The Imperials crowded around him. Distantly Alana heard him say. "The sky… it's so…beautiful today…"
"Orders Sargent Balor?"
"Light the animal up."
As Alana stared at the brutality in front of her that familiar wage welled up in her. Her hands went to her belt finding her tonfa's. The pistol had long since been lost. Part of her knew she should stay where she was, that Sarge was-had-been right. The faces of those she'd known so briefly however danced before her eyes in the blaster light of the Imperials. With a shrill shout she broke cover and charged.
The Longclaw, Enroute to Dandoran
Jemini Linaki stared at her helmet to calm herself. It felt like hours since they'd received Lanei's tip off and Jemini's fight of flight instincts were tearing at her. The desperate need to be there now was overpowering her senses as they came ever closer.
Keyla entered the Sabre and took a seat opposite of Jemini. Cleaned of the mess the Kad now looked for all the world like an assault craft. Keyla placed her lightbow beside her as she studied Jemini critically.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I need to kill some Imperials."
"Patience Jemini. Remember we are all going down together all right? You're a member of our team now, you got to trust us, huh?" Jemini weighed her helmet and nodded.
"Yeah…. Yeah alright."
Mhisha plodded into the landing craft Valva over one shoulder and Efia perched on the other. The two settled beside Keyla as Phara walked in lightsaber at her belt and carbine in hand. The pale girl took a seat beside the Mando squeezing her armoured knee silently.
They sat in silence for a few moments before Jace's voice crackled over the comms. "ETA is in two minutes, Captain."
"Thank you Jace." Keyla responded as she slipped into the pilots seat and started the pre flight check pulling a pair of goggles on to her forehead. Usually Jemini would be bothered by this assumption but for now her only thoughts were that of a pigtailed young woman. "Kara, Cal you in position?"
"Aye Captain," Cal replied seriously from the starboard turret. "Ready and able."
"This is Kara on the big gun trigger happy and raring to go!"
"Malya here on the stern gun. I'll be firing whenever I feel we're getting hit so, y'know, good luck and don't fly behind us."
Keyla smirked. "Good to know." She turned the channel off and sighed. "Mhisha remind me how a blind girl convinced me to allow her to cover my ships ass?"
"Couldn't tell ya Captain. She is surprisingly adept at the old spray and pray."
"Gods help us." Flipping the channel back on Keyla spoke with authority. "Alright listen up people our mission here is two fold. While we are extracting Jemini's sister our main objective today is saving as many lives as possible. To that end Jace I'm going to need you to disable any Imperial Space forces. If I know Val he's got the Wildfire parked somewhere down there trapped under a shield. Once you've done that they should be able to bug out. If we haven't made contact within thirty minutes I want you all out of here. Is that understood?"
"Loud and clear Captain," Jace replied. "Arriving at Dandoran… now."
With a lurch the Longclaw dropped out of hyperspace. "Mission is a go," Keyla stated. "May the force be with us."
So saying the Torguta disengaged the Sabre from the Longclaws hull and whipped it around to face Dandoran. A Light Imperial cruiser and a complement of TIE Fighters were currently engaging the remains of a Rebel X Wing Squadron. Seven of the iconic vehicles now remained desperately trying to take down the far larger craft. Keyla rocketed the Sabre towards the fight quickly overtaken by the Longclaw.
Jemini breathed in deeply before affixing her helmet over her head. Phara slipped her rifles safety off in unison with Efia activating her fathers invention. Keyla pulled the goggles down over her eyes.
"Brace yourselves we're punching right through!"
Dimly Jemini listened to Jace making contact with surviving X Wings and identifying themselves as Bare Squadron. The Imperial capital ship meanwhile was slow to turn to face the threat to it's rear. Screaming towards them Jace let loose the Longclaw's entire missile salvo all aimed straight for the bridge. For a second it seemed the shields might hold before dying in an explosion of red and blue as the bridge was vented into space.
The Sabre for their part smoothly flew under the light cruiser and entered the dogfight. Keyla jinked to and fro firing as she went using the element of surprise to take down three 'eyeballs' before their pilots could even blink. Shooting out of the dogfight Keyla sent their ship into a steep dive towards the planets surface leaving the space battle behind.
As Keyla dove she opened up a static free comm channel. "This is Captain Keyla Kaeno of Rebel Strike Unit Bare Squadron to any surviving members of Wildfire Company. Wildfire do you read?"
A familiar ecstatic voice came over the channels. "KEYS! Oh thank the gods and the force!" Syntine yelled. "We're pinned down and halfway to being over run Kaeno. We could use an assist."
"Happy to help Val. I've got a team engaging the Imps in space. We got in a surprise attack took out the bridge. You should be able to get the Wildfire in the air now."
"Outstanding! Fraydom! Tell Orr to get this tub in the air! Berst sound a general retreat, I want our boys off the ground now!"
As they cut through the atmosphere through the air Jemini impatiently went to stand by Keyla and barked. "Oi! Blondie! Alana Linaki that name mean anything to you?"
"Recruit Linaki? Aye, we took her in recently, why?
"Where is she now?" The Mandalorian growled impatiently heart in her throat.
"Part of her unit reinforced our Northwestern Defences. I'm getting reports the Imperial have breeched it. Damn, get Roughroot to reinforce the North."
"Thank you Captain." Keyla interjected shooting Jemini a look that screamed trust me. "Val we'll do what we can to blunt their attack. You let us know when you're ready to pull out."
"Will do Bare Squadron, Wildfire out."
Jemini's hands clenched around her pistol butts, she was so close she wouldn't, couldn't fail now.
Sargent Dea Arimais skirted the remains of the cannon that had taken out the AT-ST. The bodies of the two mad Sullustans who had crewed it had fallen side by side, identical in death. Blaster fire reports echoed everywhere as she tried to regain her equilibrium after the climb.
"Area secure, sir." Gramps growled sweeping the area with his rifle.
"Roger that." Cutter agreed sheathing his bolo knife.
"What the hell are those pricks doing now?" Kiss growled squinting through her scope.
"The Rebels?" Dea asked taking inventory of the meds in her utility belt.
"No fricking Balor. Him and his boys are chasing down the Rebels."
"That idiot! They're way out of position."
"Shit. Is that a kid?"
Arimais' heart seemed to still. "What?"
"The Rebels got a kid with them."
"Alright listen up you lot move towards the center like panned. I'm gonna stop that sadistic bastard from committing a damn war crime!"
"One of us should come with you." Tally observed
"No we've got enough men out of position as it is. Stick to the plan. Gramps, you have command."
Gramps snapped a sharp salute "Yes sir! You heard her lads, lets move."
Dea wasn't even listening as she set off in the wake of the firing squad at a dead run.
Jemini was the first out the door the moment their shuttle landed followed by Efia. The two swept the area for threats as Mhisha and Phara padded out weapons at the ready. Keyla goggles above her yes followed and ordered softly despite the constant sounds of explosion and gunfire.
"Efia watch the ship. The rest of us skirmishing formation keep it loose and fast people." She shouldered her lightbow. "Let's move."
Jemini took point practically straining at the collar as she ran through the base. Phara and Mhisha flanked the group scanning the sides while Keyla took up the rear watching everyone's ass.
As they moved through the grounds Jemini ground to a halt with a growl. Two Stormtoopers had cornered one rebel who threw down his weapons as the nude rebels watched. The Stormtropers gunned him down. The shriek of Keyla's lightbow was followed by the jerking motion of the two enemies being brought down with shots to the head. Keyla's teeth were bared savagely as she lowered her gun blind to a danger to her side.
With a shout Phara shoved Keyla behind her heavy carbine thumping as she took out a Stormtooper with a shot to the chest and a man dressed in a Captain uniform through the shoulder. Keyla's eyes widened as she took in the nude form of Phara gun lowered eyes bright with adrenaline. The rebel no longer saw the cold mask of an Inquisitor instead she saw a comrafe, She nodded at Phara with a smile.
"Well done, Pyso."
"Oya!" Jemini yelled rushing off. With a curse the three followed her as they drew ever closer to the North-western Wall.
Alana's first blows missed her target entirely. Stumbling into the circle of troopers the young girl did her best to steady herself breathing heavily. There was a pregnant pause as the troops swivelled to meet her a few splashing through a nearby puddle to do so. As they took her in Alana hear a snicker.
"What the hell are you supposed to be?"
"Ohhh I'm so scared little girl hit me with your sticks!"
"Look at her face, she's getting upset."
With a scream Alana lashed out with her sticks the troopers easily dodging continuing to mock her. Alana with a low growl leaped forward swinging wildly and was able to smash her weapon into the visor of one of the troopers cracking it with a crunch.
"Little bitch!' The man swore smacking her with the butt of his weapon sending her reeling. She shook it off and continued to swing at them splashing into a shin deep puddle.
"Make her dance lads!" The Sargent yelled cruelly firing a shot at her leg. Alana yelped and stumbled back as the shot went wide. With a laugh the others joined in intentionally going for non-vital shots that sent Alana into a panic as she spun and leaped wildly. Alana cried out as the shots started to graze her setting her clothes alight in places.
Alana screamed as she floundered around mind having surrendered to the primal fear of fire. She ripped at her jacket and beat her legs yet the Imperials carried on firing. Her whole body was in pain as she stumbled to and fro.
A white figure with red patches on its shoulders ran towards her and raised a gun. Despite the pain Alana smiled. 'I guess I'll be seeing Mum and Dad a lot sooner then I thought.' With a thump the figure fired a blue pulse at the young girls head plunging her into oblivion.
Dea slung her weapon over her shoulder after she fired the stun round at the burning girl. Rushing forward she shoved her still smouldering body deeper into the puddle extinguishing the last of the flames. The rebels face look strangely peaceful as Alana yanked her own helmet off to study her.
"Why'd you go do that Sargent?"
"Yeah, Arimais, what the hell we were having fun!"
Dea checked the girls pulse own heart pounding with rage as she hissed. "What the hell was that, Balor?"
"We were just having a little fun with her is all Arimais. Just making the terrorist dance."
"Fun? You call war crimes fun?" Arimiais demanded as carefully removed the last of the sodden and burned garments. "Look at her! She can't be older then eighteen!"
"So?"
"So?! Have you no scruples? She's practically a child!" Dea demanded as she dragged the rebel's battered form free of the puddle. Unclothed and unconscious she seemed even less of a threat. Dea searched her medical pack glaring up at the squad of men. To their credit a few seemed ashamed but Balor seemed to have fixated on the rebel's body as he stepped forward observing.
"She look pretty well developed for a child if you ask me. Maybe I could just have a little-"
Dea's gun was pointed square at his chest before she was truly aware of what she was doing. Something about this burned, now naked, child had awoken something in her. In a voice cold as ice she whispered. "You will not touch her."
Balor's face may have been unreadable but his body language was unmistakable. Body clenched he growled. "Sargent, are you in full position of your faculties? You are pointing a gun at a fellow Imperial. I'll admit the fog of war can cause us to do crazy things so-" Dea cut him off by cocking her gun. "Alright. You want this to go down this way? Fine. Boys?" All around her Dea became aware of the guns of the firing squad pointed square at her. Her aim never wavered as she stared him down. Balor chuckled. "Oh I've been waiting for this Dea. You're gonna beg for-"
Whatever Balor was going to say next was cut off by a thin wire wrapping itself around his neck and jerking him backwards towards, of all things, a Mandalorian. The stumbling Imperial was shot twice in the chest dropping him like a sack of potatoes. The other four swore as they whipped around to face her.
The thump of a carbine being held by a naked tattooed woman dropped the first to turn around. A strange hissing sound was all that announced was looked like an old lightbow wielded by a stark naked Torguta. The blue Mandalorain leaped through the air with assist of a jetpack and coolly shot one of the survivors through his visor while the remainder she burned alive with a flamethrower. Reflexively Dea threw her armoured body over the body of the girl hoping to shield her.
A rough hand yanked Arimais off of the burned flesh of the girl and threw her on her back. Before she could react a pistol was being pointed straight between her eyes.
"Jemini!" The Torguta yelled. "Stop!" Dea stared into the blank T Visor of inform if her and suddenly became aware of the hoarse panting coming from the armoured figure. "She was trying to help!" The naked rebel continued as she joined the Mando. Behind them the white haired woman with the carbine and a large brown naked Zabrak scanned the area weapons at the ready.
Jemini seemed to ignore her friend instead growling. "What the shab did you do to her? Answer me aruetii!"
Arimiais gazed steadily back. "She is in desperate need of medical attention. I'm a medic. Those kriffing animals were torturing her. All I did was knock her out and put the fire out. Kill me for that if you must."
Jemini breathed fiercely before releasing Dea. "Help her."
Arimias scrambled to her patient. With most of her clothing burned away and the fire the damage was now clear. "This is good. The majority of the damage is superficial epidermal plasma and burn wounds. With your permission I'll give what bacta patches I have. Longer we wait more likely scarring will set in."
Jemini still pointed her gun at Dea's head. "Do it!"
"Calm Jemini." The orange skinned Torguta quietly urged sacking the surrounding.
"Screw that Keyla! Look what they did to her!"
"They're dead, Jemini, they've been punished. She's only trying to help."
Dea ignored their squabbling and swiftly bandaged the injured girl applying bacta patches to the most serious wounds and using standard bandages for the rest. The result was almost comedic making the pig tailed youth look like the mummies of some cultures old burial practices. The rest of her clothes had to be cut away leaving her clad only in a pair of boots.
Keyla squatted beside her and touched her face. "She's a lot cuter then you Jem. Mhisa? Carry her would you?" The big Zabrak nodded and clung his Z-6 blaster over his back. Keyla held out a hand. "Captain Keyla Kaeno. I appreciate what you did for Alana here."
Dea found herself in the strange position of shaking the hands of what should be a hated enemy. "Medical Sargent Dea Arimais. No thanks needed, it was the right thing to do."
"Indeed. You know the rebellion could always use a medic like you."
"I don't subscribe to lost causes myself, no offence. Besides, it's my duty."
Keyla studied her sadly. "Pity. You'll find out one day you're on the wrong side of all this. The Empire will reveal itself to you sooner or later. There's no place in it for good people like you, not for long anyway."
Dea clenched her fists and looked away. Keyla nodded. "It was a pleasure meeting you Sargent Arimais. We'll be going now."
"Wait one thing. Why the shab are you naked?"
Mhisha gathered Alana up in his arms in a practiced motion and smiled. "Why are you not?"
Keyla chuckled at that before barking. "Alright people lets move!"
Dea was left squatting in a circle of her dead comrades frowning after the naked back of the rebels. Something about that woman's words resonated with her in ways she could not articulate. Once they'd disappeared Arimais grabbed` her weapon and rose only to be stilled by a strangled moan.
"…Arimais… help…"
Dea turned to regard a hunched over form. She approached it quietly and stared down at the still moving form of Sargent Balor. "Dea…please." Dea stared at him quietly gun in one hand bacta patch in the other.
"WOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOO!" Kara screamed as Jace sent the Longclaw into a spinning barrel roll.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Cal shrieked as he tried to blast a TIE fighter that pursued them. Malya at the back of the ship simply kept a constant stream of fire clipping the wings of their pursuer sending it into a death spiral.
As Jace ceased the ships roll Malya remarked. "I believe that makes five for me does it not?"
"Hey!" Kara protested. "The one that was going after Rahg was totally all me!"
"Oh yes, doubtlessly. You gave the final blow for sure did you?"
"As a matter of fact…"
"Stow the chatter kids. Emerald Squadron what are we looking at?" Jace ordered
Emerald Squadron had started the battle with twelve X Wings in the sky a number that had been reduced by half. The relived voice of their leader answered Jace.
"Hell of a lot better before you came ace! Emerald Three is reporting all eyeballs destroyed in his sector. Looks like the last of the Imps are protecting the cruiser."
Jace banked bringing the Longclaw around to face the planet. Two X Wings fell into escort positions. Cal and Kara both swivelled their cannons to look at the planet.
Emerald Leader was right. The vast majority of the TIEs had been picked off in the fierce engagement that had followed the Longclaws arrival. Without the light cruiser to worry about the hotshot X Wing pilots had been able to use their skills and faster craft to tear the remaining IMPS apart. The cruiser trailing smoke and derbies had drifted towards the lower half of the planet far from the ground battle.
"Emerald Leader this is Emerald Nine," A young female voice stated. "I've got an Imperial shuttle here that says it's been commandeered by rebels. Code, Yorkers Oranges Lima Oranges sixty nine."
"That's the code for a supply base, Nine." Emerald Leader growled. "Ask them the name of their commanding officer." Their was a pause.
"Lieutenant Saki Origo, Emerald Leader. They say he died in Imperial Custody."
"They check out, Nine. Tell them to stand by. Longclaw have you received word from your men on the ground?"
"Negative, Emerald Leader." Jace responded with a touch of worry. His eldest child was down there. Trained Inquisitor or not he still worried for her.
"This is Captain Valen Syntine hailing any surviving member of Emerald Squadron. Emerald Squadron what is you status?" The familiar voice of the Captain echoed over the channels.
"Hoohrah!" Emerald Leader yelled. "This is Lieutenant Danzz Tawpgunnn call sign Emerald Leader. We have a clear avenue of escape Captain, sanding by for orders."
"Outstanding Emerald Leader! Wildfire is launching in five minutes, keep those skies open."
"Roger that Wildfire. Standing by."
Kara giggled over their ships line. "Stand by, roger that so official sounding! We've really made it huh Cal?"
Cal smirked. "We sure have come a long way from our Kasshyyk days Kara."
Malya sighed. "And I was just having fun…. And winning."
"Watch it…" Kara literally growled over the airwaves.
"If it makes you feel any better neither of you girls were winning," Jace remarked. "I was."
"What?" Malya hissed in unison with Kara.
"I was the one who took out the Light Cruiser, ladies." Jace teased with a crooked smile.
"That only counts as one!" Kara protested to Cal's snickering.
"Alright kids, kill the chatter and stay frosty."
Efia had been busy since the rest of the strike team left. Two white armoured bodies lay near the shuttle while a fifth Imperial was being dispatched by the young girl with ease. The pink skinned girl tumbled like and acrobat sword mode engaged on her weapon as she took the troopers legs from under him. Rolling to a kneeling position he engaged the blaster aspect and shot him in the chest. The young scrapper rose with a grin blowing imaginary smoke from the muzzle.
"Captain!" She yelled seeing the returning team.
"Efia! Any trouble?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle! Is that-?"
Jemini had taken up the rear guns sweeping to and fro. "Yes." She replied shortly turning to face the rest of the squad.
Mhisha was first onboard with the unconscious Alana in his arms. Keyla was next dashing in to take over the consoles. Efia and Jemini were followed by Phara who swept the ground one last time with her carbine. With a rumble they took off soaring over the burning camp.
Above them the Wildfire was picking up speed as it broke atmosphere. The remaining Imperial ground forces fired fruitlessly after it as their chief prize flew away. Keyla piloted the Kad into the wake of the bigger ship radioing as she did.
"This is Captain Keyla. We are away, repeat, we are away."
"Roger that Captain. Did you find who you were looking for?"
Keyla glanced back at the now helmetless Jemini who was clutching Alana's hand tears in her eyes. Mhisha was checking her dressings over while Efia merely watched wide-eyed. Phara nodded at her with a smile. Keyla returned as she said.
"That we did Wildfire."
"What of her squad? We've received no word from them."
"All dead by the looks of it Val, I'm sorry."
"Damn. Thanks for the assist Keyla. Without you this would've been a slaughter."
Keyla drew level with the bridge of the Wildfire and raised a hand. "It's what friends do."
"That they do, that they do. Till next we meet Captain. Wildfire Company out."
"Bare Squadron out. May the Force be with you."
Keyla rocketed ahead through the debris of the star battle passing six X Wings that were forming up around the Wildfire. Keyla smiled at the sight of her ship.
"Keyla hailing Longclaw, come in Longclaw. Jace is that a scratch I see on my ship?"
"Receiving you loud and clear, Captain. In my day we called that a love bump." Jace's relived voice joked as he turned the ship around.
Keyla laughed. "I bet they did fly boy. Docking now." With a hiss the Sabre latched on to the hull. "Sabre is secure Longclaw, get us out of here!"
In unison the remaining Rebel ships' jumped to hyperspace leaving their enemies and Dandoran far behind.
Dandoran. Remains of the Rebel Base
Dea Arimais stared into the shrewd gaze of Saxx. The thin Imperial lay on an improvised field cot surrounded by dozens of injured Stormtroopers, right shoulder heavily bandaged.
"Tell me again, what happened Sargent."
"I was rendering aid to the rebel Balor and his men were interrogating sir. They'd pushed to far, to fast."
"And then?"
"We were ambushed by several naked rebels led by a Mandalorian. They slaughtered the firing squad and forced me at gunpoint to render aid to and surrender the prisoner to them. At which time they retreated."
"None of the squad survived?"
Dea's gaze was unflinching. "No sir."
Saxx studied her like he did the rebels he interrogated as he lay back on the cot. "Very well Sargent. Carry on."
Arimais walked sharply away from him breathing deep. She'd pulled it off then but at what cost? The attack had been a stalemate with almost forty wounded and twenty seven dead, including the entirety of Saxx's prize unit. With the Captain incapacitated and the vast majority of the bridge crew floating somewhere above the planet dead command had fallen to her.
Stretch approached and gave a crisp salute. "Holo for you sargent!" He held out an old handheld projector, which Dea took in her own. Pulling off her helmet she activated.
"This Medical Sargent Dea Arimais, acting commander of the Unwavering Justice. To whom am I speaking?"
A unassuming pleasant featured man smiled widely at her. "Moff Texom Tylle, of Operation Cover Up. You and I Sargent, well, I do believe have much to talk about…"
