Ask Caf, Blasters and Sabers

[Lorcan]

A com link huh? Lorcan held out a hand towards the insectoid Jedi to take the com link. Looking it over, he would admit that it looked quite similar to the ones that the Rangers used from time to time. As they were heading back to the bunker he attempted to access the functions of the com link.

It immediately zapped him and he dropped it quickly, cursing at the electrical burns across his fingers.

"They activated the locking system." he explain while shaking his hand, "Clever... didn't realize they had it in them to be so clever actually. Guess they're not entirely hopeless."

With confirmation from Corran that they weren't being tailed, he was confident that they were going to be assaulting the bunker after having fallen back to consolidate their forces. They had thrown themselves all-in with this attack and they could hardly afford to just let it go now that some of them weren't coming back from it.

The dude must have had one hell of an idea.

"Escort the package back to the bunker." he spoke over the com links, leaving them as he made off through the undergrowth to the side, "I'm going to the ship to see if I can't trigger a com-burst that might reach Onderon. A message is probably out of the question but I might be able to force a single communication through."

SOS was an incredibly easy signal to send after all.

Reaching the crashed ship, he marched up to the cockpit and began tearing some wires and skinning others. He cannibalized the cockpit quickly until he was able to attach it to the power supply for his blaster pistol. With the weaker power supply it barely lit up but he was still able to hit the SOS button before the power cut out.

"Alright SOS away - heading back to bunker."

Spoiler: Dice

Com hack fails
Distress Signal Sent - Militia en-route

@Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel @Reyn

 

[Kel Dryden]

Help came from when Kel didn't expect it. One of his arms suddenly ended up over someone's shoulder. The voice of his savior was also familiar. "And here I thought I've returned the favour," he chuckled coarsely through the helmet, referring to the blonde already saving him earlier, and him repaying her with a healing stim. "Guess I'll still owe you one..." There was a part that the scoundrel left unsaid: If we get through this. With Bri's aid and leaning on the staff with the free hand, Kel would keep moving forward.

"You sure that you're gonna be ok yourself?" he grunted as they had to get over a fallen tree trunk. "Last I checked... You weren't in a much better state than me..." Meanwhile, Lorcan announced that he'd be heading off to send a message to Onderon... A fatigued smirk crossed the scoundrel's lips under the helmet. Do those karkers even have jurisdiction on Onderon? The plan of escape has suddenly simplified and crystallized.

Survive. Stay awake. Get off the ship and onto Onderon soil. Get medical attention. Call in a favor or two with one of his acquaintances off world. Hope that the rangers are by-the-book enough to kriff off when asked nicely. At least one of them sure is.​

Perhaps the Jedi could sense the state, thoughts, and intents of the scoundrel as they were approaching the bunker. At least he had heard such stories. But who cares? She's saving my skin, and not because she has to apprehend me or something. Then something occurred to Kel. He turned his helmeted face towards the blonde: "I never asked... What's your name? I'm Kel, by the way."

Closer to the bunker, the scoundrel would lean on his broken electrostaff again, getting his hand off Bri. "Thanks... I should make it from here. Got to find that medbay, see if there are any stims lying around. Otherwise I won't be of much use and will have to sit the next one out."

Inside the bunker—now crowded with the survivors from the liner, who were slowly settling in the overgrown derelict—Kel would head towards the medbay where he had been earlier. Luckily, the container with stims wasn't completely empty. The scoundrel would grab one of the last syringes and administer the healing concoction into his shoulder, right through the fabric this time. Alas, the relief wasn't as strong as he had hoped. It was his second injection that day; running on stims alone wouldn't quite cut it.

"Don't mind me," he said to the survivors around him, while taking off his helmet and wiping his tired face with a free hand. "I just need... A little breather..." With that, his back would lean against the wall, and he'd slide down. The scoundrel ended up sitting on the floor and dozing, while trying to stay awake. "Got to... Stay awake until Onderon..."

Spoiler: OOC

Medical treatment
@ModernMarvel, @TerranSteel, @Reyn, @Nefieslab

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri chuckled a little when Kel, who’s name she had just learned, talked about returning the favor of helping her, and still owing her in the future. Her own, somewhat naïve view, which she was self-aware of, was that help should be offered wherever it was needed. Kindness did not have a limit or expiration date. “Don’t worry about it,” came her reply, trying to help shoulder his weight as they walked.

A dull pain was beginning to grow in the Jedi’s leg. Either the adrenaline of combat was wearing off, or the stim that Bri has applied earlier was. Probably both. Kel’s question brought the injury back to the forefront of her conscious. Bri knew she would be fine to help him back to the bunker, but after that, it was definitely going to be touch and go. The Jedi groaned, both internally and externally as they traversed a particularly large tree truck. “Yeah, I’ll be alright,” she looked over, trying to sound somewhat self-reassured. “I appreciate the concern, but helping injured people through murder jungles is pretty much my day job,” she added sarcastically.

As they walked, Bri could feel some kind of internal monologue and conflict of thoughts from the criminal. It wasn’t entirely her business, but she judged that it had to do with escaping from the two Rangers who had first arrested him back on the ship. That particular event felt very far removed from the trials and tribulations on Dxun that the group had faced over the past day. Even if the Criminal had only been trying to save his own skin, he had still managed to help the others. Maybe that meant something to the Rangers. Maybe. Turning to her right, Bri exhaled a slight smile, realizing that she hadn’t learned Kel’s name either. “I’m Brienna, but Bri is fine,” she responded, indicating her preferred nickname.

The bunker reappearing into view offered great relief. The Jedi hadn’t realized how far they had been when she first stopped to help Kel. As they got closer, the criminal detached himself from the Jedi, heading inside to scrounge for any other medicine or medical equipment. Probably not a bad idea for the Jedi either, considering the state of her leg, which was slowly becoming more of a nuisance. On the walk, her comm link had buzzed once with the sound of Lorcan’s voice, indicating an SOS signal sent to Onderon. Hopefully it would be enough to get the local authorities to come and help. The pirates were most likely eager to recapture the Doctor.

Bri made her way back inside, gratefully finding somewhere to rest while she waited for the others. The day had been exhausting, both physically and mentally. The Jedi knew she didn’t have much left in her tank, perhaps just enough for any life threatening action. She leaned her head against the wall of the bunker and sighed. Closing her eyes, she inhaled and exhaled deeply, mediating and focusing her mind.

@Nefieslab @Reyn @TerranSteel @Catbert

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran stood at the mouth of the bunker, looking skyward. Onderon loomed large in the sky. It seemed so close, but remained so far; guarded by gravity of the moon and the vacuum of space. Lorcan exiting from the exposed cockpit of the downed starship meant he had succeeded in getting a signal to the only civilization that could help the stranded survivors in time. The junior Ranger just hoped the Onderonan militia were up to the task – and quickly.

As Lorcan neared the bunker, Corran took the opportunity to appraise him on the situation, “I think just about everyone’s inside, sir. Some look pretty fatigued. I’m going to get started on some defensive positions beyond the bunker door. Better to have a fall-back point than our back to the wall.” Out of the others, only Lorcan and Izel were fully operational. Corran himself was only at full strength because of Bri, who sacrificed some of her stamina for his well-being. He'd have to fight doubly hard on her behalf, at least.

The junior Ranger got to work on preparing some forward defenses. It wasn’t complex military theory, but the lessons of frontier colonies fending off local fauna and pirates in the Outer Rim that supplied the basis for the idea. Outer walls and a defensive colony center were all well and good, but if one was breached, it was all over. It was better to engage attackers in forward posts, then fall back to further areas of defense and eventually the settlement wall or town hall. Not only did the enemy have to keep facing resistance the whole way, but they might even exhaust themselves before even making it to the settlement itself. On paper, it could work. In practice was another thing.

The defenses the Ranger managed to scrape together were make-shift at best. Debris from the crashed ship, some old crates from the bunker, and cobbled-together luggage for defensive sand-bags. No wall could be created, but some scattered fighting positions were available. Most of the usable material (that is, things that could resist blaster fire) had been snatched up. None was leftover for any defenses within the bunker itself. When the pirates came, the bunker door would have to be their last stand.

 

[Izel Thral]

It was disappointing that they weren't able to decipher the pirates' communications. Izel would have preferred taking the initiative to attack their foes rather than waiting for them to make the first move, thus putting the passengers at even more risk than they were already in. But there was nothing for it. Her senses told her they were reaching the climax of their journey, and the incoming battle would determine whether they got off this planet alive or not.

The Padawan was surprised by what she saw once they made it back to the bunker. The remaining volunteers among the survivors seemed to be in high spirits. They had moved the civilians deep within the bunker to protect them, and had armed themselves with powerful Mandalorian weaponry and armor. As Corran moved to set up exterior defenses they dutifully marched out to help him. Some of the more experienced among them were even able to offer useful suggestions for defensive positioning. It did well to renew Izel's confidence in the situation. If the pirates came back looking for a fight they'd very well get more than they bargained for. She could see this going in their favor so long as they kept cool heads and fought smartly.

Sitting down beside Bri Izel calmly lowered her head and began to meditate, channeling the Force through her body and attempting to rejuvenate herself. When the fighting began she wanted to be at her best. Finally things seemed to be going their way, and she was able to recollect herself surprisingly easily. Perhaps she was adapting to the jungle moon. Or perhaps she just really didn't want to die. Either way, she knew she was ready for anything. When the pirates arrived she would be wherever she was needed, saber in hand.

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[Lorcan]

Lorcan realized pretty quickly that the pirates were heading to the bunker and they were doing it faster than he could; the simple truth was that they would reach it before he could. Cursing a little bit, he readied his rifle and touched his com link as he prepared himself for what lay ahead.

"Contacts between myself and the bunker." he reported to Corran, "I'll try and set up an ambush."

Taking a deep breath, Lorcan settled himself into position within a group of trees. Raising his rifle, he rested it against one of the trees and prepared to settle in for a long wait; unfortunately for him, the pirates had actually managed to set up a decent scouting team. They had advanced ahead of the main group of pirates to get the lay of the land and they saw him setting up.

Before Lorcan was able to properly set up properly they fired, two shots hitting him in the lower torso, the first shot almost rupturing his armour and the second breaking through it and burning his stomach area badly. But the third shot flew truer; it slammed right into the front of his helmet.

The pain from the gut shots was almost forgotten at the headshot.

"Argh!"

Flung backward by the force of the blows, the com link was destroyed with his shout of pain cut-off mid-way through. Landing heavily on his back in the undergrowth, Lorcan struggled to breathe, his helmet's HUD flickering and functions activating and deactivating of their own accord as they malfunctioned. Thankfully his helmet was armoured but even with that the blaster shot had broken it in such a way that it felt like his filter was trying to suck the air out of his lungs.

Tossing his rifle aside, he focused only on forcing his malfunctioning helmet from his head. After what felt like an eternity he forced it off, tossing it aside and gulping down air, even as it caused his stomach burns to break open and bleed freely. He lay back in the undergrowth, just looking up at the sky for a moment before reaching for his knife.

They would probably come to confirm the kill soon...

Spoiler: Dice

Ambush failure

@Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel @Reyn

 

[Kel Dryden]

The news of pirates near the bunker got Kel out of his semi-slumber. Something told him that they wouldn't take kindly to the previous shootout. Any hope of dealing with them peacefully at that point would be naive. It fell on the rangers, the Jedi, whatever volunteers they could muster, and the out-of-place scoundrel to defend the place. And judging by the comms before loss of contact, things weren't going too well for Lorcan. Despite the circumstances of the meeting, the ranger had saved his life aboard the liner. It was time to return the favour.

Kel had no illusions—with his wounds, he'd be of little use as a shot. But a plan was already forming in his mind. Yet, as he walked towards the exit from the bunker, a plan formulated in his mind. He pressed a couple of buttons on his life support box. What was previously a signal for select few vessels belonging to the Syndicates, would now be easily picked up by everyone. Be it the pirates on the moon, or the security forces on Onderon. The former were already near the bunker... But the latter could use some directions.

Out of the bunker doors, Kel ducked to the nearest cover, trying to get. Upon reaching his destination, the scoundrel rested his back against the cover. "Hey, flatfoot," he addressed Corran quietly and coarsely, in a rather rude manner. Then again, that ranger hadn't given Kel any reasons to like him; quite the opposite actually. "I'm gonna try and keep those guys distracted. Go get your pal, ok?"

Once there was a sufficient distance between him and the ranger—either Corran would leave for Lorcan, or Kel would take a different cover—the scoundrel shouted loudly, making sure that none of the pirates would have a line of sight on him: "YO, KRIFFHEADS! Onderon militia are on their way RIGHT HERE as we speak!" Kel crawled behind his cover to change positions, not staying in one place for long. "That's right! Towards this nice little HOMING BEACON that I have on me. So, you'd better scurry off! Or stop being a bunch of sleemos and try to take it from me, I dunno!"

Although Kel wasn't in shape for a fight yet, he hoped that this shout would drive the pirates into a suicide attack against their defenses. Perhaps the news would also boost the morale of the defenders. But in the absolutely worst case, the scoundrel still had one last trick up his sleeve...

Spoiler: OOC

Kel's comeback
@ModernMarvel, @TerranSteel, @Reyn, @Nefieslab

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri didn't need to open her eyes to feel Izel sit down next to her, joining in the silent meditation. The Knight always found it more of a complete experience to join others in quiet introspection; feeling the stronger connection to the force, the bonds that joined all things, both living and not. It truly worked wonders for one's emotions, and it was definitely required after the day that Bri had experienced. The memories were fresh in her mind. The attack on the ship, the crash landing on Dxun, clearing the bunker of dangerous creatures, getting sliced by said creatures a short while after, and of course, rescuing the missing doctor. At last, it appeared that the adventure was nearing its climax. The civilians had gathered their weapons, formed defenses, and seemed to be resolved in their defense of the bunker; holding out until the assistance from Onderon arrived.

Onderon loomed large over Dxun; the cliched phrase, 'so close, yet so far away,' sprung into Bri's mind. At the moment, the Jedi was undertaking any mental efforts to distract herself from the growing discomfort in her leg. It ached. Painfully. Yet, she knew the others would need her help if they wanted to defend the last attack from the pirates. The communicator device crackled to life with word that Lorcan had been ambushed on his way back to the bunker, the last message being that of a grunt of pain; probably from being shot. The pirates quickly descended on their position shortly thereafter.

Kel had managed to distract the enemy for a short period of time, giving Corran the opening to run out and retrieve his partner. Knowing that Corran would be running out, an opening had appeared where blaster fire would be targeted on the civilian defenders. Bri hobbled over to the vacated position, quickly illuminating her lightsaber. Using the force to heighten her concentration, the Jedi focused all of her concentration on deflecting and blocking the incoming fire. Gratefully, her Soresu form training had been more than enough to serve as an effective shield from the incoming shots; the blue lightsaber quickly spinning back and forth, humming with intense activity. On a few occasions, Bri felt herself get just behind the shot, barely connecting for a deflection, yet her strength and focus held.

Nearly there, she muttered to herself, slowly stepping back to preserve her advantageous position.

Spoiler: OOC

Blaster defense @Nefieslab @Reyn @TerranSteel @Catbert

 

[Corran Velt]

The com-link cutting out and the shrill cry of blaster fire signaled the start of bad omens and the coming engagement. Almost immediately, the junior Ranger attempted to regain contact with the senior, “Lorcan? Lorcan? Do you read?” Only the rough static answered. At best, it was a technical malfunction; at worst, Lorcan was in rough shape.

Dryden pressed his back on the barricade Corran was kneeling behind, causing the Ranger to greet him with a cocked eye-brow and then a grimace. The scoundrel spouted off risky plan and took off. Nearby, the suspect was already spouting off something about his suit being a homing beacon? “That man’s going to get himself killed,” Corran groaned to himself before taking the window provided by Dryden to seek out his fallen comrade. Pushing off the barricade, rifle in hand, the junior Ranger sprinted into the foliage to find his partner.

Among the bush and jungle trees, an enemy could have been anywhere. One careful step after the other, Corran avoided snapping twigs and ruffling leaves as best he could. His eyes panned carefully from left to right and back again looking for friend or foe. He was so focused that he almost tripped over his senior partner wielding a knife. "It's me! It's me!" Corran urgently said in a loud whisper, "It's Corran, sir."

Lorcan was in bad shape. He was laid out flat and seemed in a daze. His helmet nearby was totaled and clearly taken a shot to the forehead. The stomach, though, that was the worst of it. The senior Ranger was tougher than durasteel, but he was only human. Going too long without medical help - or a Force-provided miracle - might spell disaster. "I'll get you to safety, sir. Just hold tight," the junior Ranger assured Lorcan and himself. Lifting the heavier man alone would require significant effort. To lighten the load and free up his hands, Corran removed the battery pack for the Mandalorian rifle and smashed it. That old war-steed was put out to pasture now.

Putting his arms under his partner, Corran lifted the man to an assisted walk. At worst, he'd fireman-carry Lorcan out of here. The sounds of blaster fire echoed from the direction of the bunker. The attack might have begun in earnest. That might be why they hadn't encountered any pirates along the way. "One step closer... to repaying my debt," Corran grunted aloud, as he moved the pair closer to relative safety.

In the clearing caused by the downed spacecraft, Bri was twirling her blade with finesse; deflecting laser blasts in a continuous circuit. Their powers never ceased to amaze... and intimidate. The female Jedi was providing the necessary distraction and protection the two Rangers needed to make it to the first barricades of cover and eventually the bunker itself. Taking a deep inhale, Corran would propel the duo across the open ground, with blaster fire licking at their heels and kicking up dirt around them. The junior Ranger practically fell into the bunker entrance, chest heaving for air. "Medic...", came a gasped word, "we need a medic!"

 

[Izel Thral]

Despite Izel having 'a good feeling about this' everything seemed to go immediately wrong. The senior ranger was injured right at the opening of the engagement, perhaps even killed if going solely by the ominous last transmission over his comlink. Then the junior ranger, one of their few competent fighters, ran off to try and save him. Izel for her part remained close to her fellow Jedi, twirling her lightsaber pike in a matching application of Soresu and deflecting the incoming blaster fire. Despite the setback the volunteers maintained high morale, and were fiercely defending the bunker as they returned fire on the invaders.

Once Corran returned carrying Lorcan, calling for a medic, the Padawan was quick to react. Extinguishing her lightsaber and rushing over to the ranger's side she urged Corran to return to the defense while she dealt with his superior. The Vratix sat down beside the senior ranger, extending her hands over his body and taking a deep breath. Reaching out with the Force she attempted to focus on healing her ally even as blaster bolts flew wildly overhead.

Her earlier meditation seemed to be paying off now. As she was centered and calm, able to easily maintain her focus despite the chaos around them. It was as if there was no battle going on at all to the young Vratix. In this state she was able to close up the wound in the ranger's stomach as well as lower the swelling on his head from the blast to his helmet. He would likely be a bit sore and feel like he was just waking up from a night of heavy drinking, but from Izel's assessment he was no longer in any life threatening state.

Releasing her concentration with a heavy breath the Padawan looked down at Lorcan and put a hand on his shoulder. "A bit too early for you to be down for the count ranger. We still need you." She said good-naturedly before standing and igniting her saber again. The pirates were still pushing forward in force, and she needed to aid in the defense of the bunker herself.

@Nefieslab @Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel

 

[Lorcan]

He didn't stick his blade into Corran's kidneys but it was a damned near thing all things considered. Honestly it was likely only the injuries that he had sustained that meant he was able to listen to the junior ranger before his knife thrust was in motion. Instead he groaned and let his head fall back to the ground with a hiss of pain.

"... feckin' dumb as shite to come running for me kid." he told the junior Ranger bluntly, "If I die here today then I'm ready for that but I don't want your dumb young arse getting shot off too... get the kark moving back to the bunker..."

Groaning in pain, he was unable to stop the exclamation of pain that came from Corran grabbing him. Shaking his head as he was half-walked and half-dragged away, Lorcan drew his pistol with a shaking hand and fired behind them as they slowly retreated.

"You're god damn crazy kid..." he laughed, coughing up some blood as he did so, "Big wigs ain't gonna like that I've rubbed off on ya..."

Debt?

He didn't remember a debt - fighting side by side with other Rangers was just too ingrained. How could he call it a debt to have helped Corran in the past when that was one of the only good things he was certain he'd done since becoming a Ranger? So instead he said nothing.

Of course he still cried out in pain at their rough landing in the bunker but they were safe at least.

He just lay there, hissing in pain, half aware that the younger Jedi had taken herself off of the frontlines to give him some assistance. At this point he was half convinced that would mean she was going to knock him out so he wouldn't be in anymore pain but then again she had that Force kark.

Such a bloody cheat code.

Gasping as he felt the pain fade to something more managable, he groaned as he sat up. Accepting a blaster rifle blindly handed to him by one of the civilians, he pulled himself up to his feet again. He patted Izel on the back once.

"Thanks kid."

Looking over the blaster he had been given, he laughed loudly... oh they had given him a sexy, sexy present without even realizing it. A heavy blaster rifle! Leaning out through the doorway he fired twice, one of his bolts hitting a pirate in the unarmoured chest.

It exploded violently.

"... oh it's good to be alive."

Bigger gun acquired
BM-664 Heavy Blaster

@Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel @Reyn

 

[Kel Dryden]

At that point, Kel didn't care for anything else but survival. He'd switch covers, spout insults at the attackers, sometimes even take a few poorly aimed shots. The goal was to remain mobile, so that the pirates wouldn't get him pinned. Especially after he had presented himself as the loudest and most annoying target on the battlefield. Still, he was losing to Bri as "the target that drew most of the fire". Mainly because the scoundrel was usually hunkering down, and the Jedi's blade danced in plain sight, deflecting deadly plasma. Never mess with glowstick wielders. Gonna keep that in mind.

Kel's previous injuries and overuse of healing stims made his hands shaky, so the scoundrel was shooting for the sake of shooting and drawing attention. That even seemed to be working. But eventually, once he pulled the trigger, the stun blaster would just hiss. "Kriff, no power..." All he was left with was a broken half of his electrostaff. Along with a broken pistol, broken armor, and no ammo. The only thing that was working was the distress beacon in his life-support box. And he had to keep it safe. There was nothing more he could do outside.

The wounded smuggler would take short dashes to the bunker. It looks like most of the defenders were converging by the entrance already. "We might need a fallback plan!" he commented coarsely, his back leaning against the wall, covered by the bunker's doorframe. "If the cavalry takes too long, we could use the backdoor I had sealed earlier. They'd still lock in on my beacon."

Under different circumstances, Kel wouldn't have mentioned it to anyone in the group. Maybe to Bri, since she had been the most decent of the bunch to him. In truth, Kel had been planning to use that route to flee with the Gran scientist or his cargo in tow. But that prospect was becoming less and less likely with each setback and injury. Might as well use that plan for something at least.

Spoiler: OOC

Dice for Kel's actions
@ModernMarvel, @TerranSteel, @Reyn, @Nefieslab

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri's lightsaber twisted and hummed, whirred and buzzed as she continued to expertly deflect the incoming blaster fire. Bri watched as Corran ran off and was able to return with the injured Lorcan. The Senior Ranger appeared to be in bad shape. From a quick glance, the Jedi saw a serious looking wound in his mid-section and another blast that had rendered his helmet completely inept. Not entirely sure how much she had left to heal anyone, Bri was relieved to see Izel take up the responsibility and prevent the Ranger's injuries from becoming life-threatening. The Ranger even appeared well enough to begin firing back at the pirates. Joy.

The criminal, Kel, Bri corrected herself, announced the potential necessity of a back up plan. He was probably right. The pirates had pushed the Jedi nearly all the way back to the bunker entrance, with the rest of the civilian militia falling in behind. Bri could feel the change in her footing as she slowly left the softer jungle floor to the hard metal interior of the bunker. The Jedi's analytical mind looked around, multitasking with the blaster blocks, to try and buy them a little more time. She looked up to see some loose looking rocks on the side of the cliff the bunker was built into.

"That could work," Bri muttered to herself, then addressed the larger group near her, "everyone watch out!" The Knight reached her hand up, pulling down on the rocks. After a few groans, and a look of strain painted upon her face, Bri felt the cliff side start to give as a few larger rocks began their tumble downwards directly towards a group of the pirates. Luckily, or with the assist of the Force, the mini rock slide managed to strike the enemy, incapacitating a few. Bri then turned to the rest of the groups, "That backup plan might be needed. I'm not sure how much longer we can hold out here."

@Nefieslab @Catbert @TerranSteel @Reyn

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran had followed Izel's advice, caught his breath, and vaulted himself back into the fray. At the ranges the fire fight was engaged at, a Power 5 blaster pistol didn't amount to much. When a pirate in the distance got promptly blown to smithereens, the junior Ranger looked over his shoulder to see Lorcan intact and back in the fight. Maybe they could not only defend, but throw back the attackers.

No such opportunity arose. Bit by bit, the defenders were pushed back from their ramshackle cover. The pirates had the advantage of the initiative of battle and the skilled defenders too view - even with Jedi. Inch by inch, they were all driven back into the shelter of the bunker. As Corran backed into the defensive structure, firing pot-shots as he went, Bri not only deflected blaster fire single-handedly but also had the strength to cause a rock-slide. The sudden shift in earth and stone totally disrupted the pirate assault. The Jedi never ceased to amaze. Her actions managed to give the rest of the defenders enough time to steal inside the shelter. Corran, in defiance of scattered enemy fire, manually pulled the blast doors shut, took a few steps back, and blasted the internal console. That door wouldn't be opening any time soon.

Compared to the chaotic before, the bunker itself sounded eerily quiet. The junior Ranger waited a few moments, waiting for something to happen. Anything. Nothing. For now. Corran looked around at the assembled group, "I think that bought us some time. Someone said something about a fallback plan? If we've got options, I'm all ears."

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel nodded to Lorcan as the senior ranger got up and returned to combat, grateful to see her healing skills had actually improved. Igniting her lightsaber once more she returned to the frontline with Bri and the rangers, using her weapon to deflect fire just as the Knight was. The fugitive was forced to retreat, and a quick look around told Izel they wouldn't be able to hold the exterior much longer at this rate. Noticing Bri was attempting to use the Force to bring down a rock slide the Padawan stepped in front of her to continue deflecting fire while she concentrated on her task. It was a success, and with the pirates reeling from Bri's attack the rest of them were able to retreat inside the bunker.

Once inside Corran sealed them in, and Kel mentioned the possibility of escape through a rear exit. Doing such would be dangerous with such a large number of survivors to care for. Not to mention it would be leaving the front door unguarded for the pirates to blast their way in, or whatever they had in mind. Izel's antennae twitched thoughtfully as she considered these things before speaking up.

"If we plan on escaping that way we should send a small group ahead to scout and make sure it's safe to bring the other survivors. Another group could stay behind to make sure no pirates get in to attack us from behind." An idea coming to mind she turned her attention to Lorcan, the last to see Dr. Almir. "What about that Gran scientist?" She asked curiously. "The pirates say he has some experimental technology. Since we've managed to buy some time perhaps we should ask him what it is. If it's military we may be able to use it here." That was making a lot of assumptions, but the Padawan figured they may as well while they had the time. The pirates had been stalled in their attack, which meant now was the time to start strategizing and looking for different possibilities. Rushing things here wouldn't be productive.

@Nefieslab @Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel

 

[Lorcan]

Lorcan was happy for the reprieve even if he would never say as much aloud. His injuries might have been healed but there were still phantom pains and he really didn't want to stay in an extended firefight without his helmet. With the main entrance sealed shut he breathed a small sigh of relief and left it at that.

If anyone noticed him visibly relaxing they were probably better off not mentioning it at all.

"I'll round up some of the civilians with weapons training and scout it." he offered with a nod to the young Jedi, "Hopefully the cavalry arrives before they become required."

The scientist had arrived in the bunker and was actually huddled up in the corner with the other civilians. He pointed him out to the Jedi with a small frown. The gran was shaking like a leaf and looked, honestly, to be quite ill.

"Be gentle when you ask him." he suggested quietly, "He's been through more than he could have expected."

No need to hold being shaken by warfare against a peaceful scientist after all. If the Gran was supposed to be some amazing bounty hunter or something he would have mocked his reaction. But he wasn't - he was just a scientist caught up in their mess, something far beyond his usual experiences.

Leaving with a couple of armed civilians as scouts, Lorcan went ahead with them as they exited the bunker out the rear exit and began to move out slowly into the underbrush. It took only a few moments before one of those civilians swore very loudly. Lorcan spun to face him as the civilian blushed heavily.

"... snake."

Lorcan wanted to shoot him but he was a good cop - he didn't shoot him. Instead he stole the man's com link and quickly changed it to the channel the group were on as the sounds around them told the story.

"Scout karked up - pirates on the way to the rear exit!"

And they couldn't blow this one because they needed it.

Spoiler: dice

Scouting goes badly

@Reyn @Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel

 

[Kel Dryden]

Even if the Gran could help somehow, he wasn't in the best shape for that. Kel wasn't even worrying about profiteering at that point. Survival was much more important. Not getting imprisoned after that seemed like a very fine bonus. Still, if you don't take your chances you waste them. That's why Kel approached the alien, trying to be gentle both in his tone and questions: "Hey, it's ok, we're safe now. Do you know why those people are after us?"

However, the three-eyed alien was too shaken up from the previous encounters to offer any answers. He just kept trembling in the corner. "Anything you know can help... Please!" No reaction again. It was as if the alien wasn't even there. With a sigh, Kel stood up and lowered his gaze. Guess there was only one thing left to do: get out of the bunker through the back door.

However, a call from Lorcan and the news of incoming pirates had ruined that. "Guess we'll make our stand in the bunker then," he smirked, exploring his options. A broken pistol set to stun, without any power packs. And one half of an electrostaff. It would have to do. Grabbing the staff as a spear, Kel turned towards the corridor that'd take him to the back door. His intention was to take cover behind one of the corners, ready to jab at anyone who'd get as far. What else could he do?

As he left, the Gran had apparently heard his last message and put 2 and 2 together. The notion of the "last stand" brought him back to this world... But perhaps he should have stayed away. "What?! They're here?! They're coming! We're all going to die!" the alien yelled in fear, trying to stand up and struggling to do so. If left unchecked, he could cause panic inside the bunker and make the defense much harder...

Spoiler: OOC

Failed talk to the Gran
@ModernMarvel, @TerranSteel, @Reyn, @Nefieslab

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

The brief respite afforded by the closing of the bunker front doors was quickly brought to an unceremonious end. The Senior Ranger and a few of the other survivors had attempted to scout out the back of the bunker, only to be caught out by the very pirates they were trying to evade. Bri wanted to offer some kind of message of chastisement for their luck souring so quickly, but bit her tongue, knowing snarky comments would be of no help to anybody. Instead, they would literally have to hold out for as long as they could in the bunker, until the help from Onderon arrived. The Jedi looked down at the communicator and timepiece on her wrist, willing the minutes to go by faster.

Bri took charge, ordering civilians to hide behind strategically placed debris, trying to figure out which pieces of metal would offer the best cover. She stepped over a dead gharzr from before, wrinkling her face at the sight and firmly deciding the animals would not make good protection. Her attention was quickly diverted as she looked up to see Kel attempting an outreach to the scientist. The Gran, was however, having none of it, content to sit in the corner. Bri couldn't really blame him.

However, the Jedi watched as the scientist's face dawned a thought of understanding, quickly realizing the situation the survivors were all about to be in. The thought of serious impending doom seemed to wake the Gran, up as he quickly began to 'lose it,' according to Bri's best judgement. The louder the Gran yelled, the more people caught his attention, and began to realize what he was trying to exclaim. Faces start to show more fear, people began to slowly talk among themselves, and the atmosphere in the cramped bunker seemed to be heating. Before the commotion could devolve into true chaos, Bri quickly walked over and placed a hand on the Gran's shoulder. As she spoke, she radiated the Force through herself, actively willing to share a feeling of calmness. "Hey, everything's going to be alright, ok? There's no need to panic." As she spoke, Bri gently pulled the scientist back to the corner. Her efforts were successful. The Gran slumped back down, halting his dramatic exclamations. The Jedi turned back towards the others who had first heard the warnings, "I think he," she paused trying to find the right words, "just got a little overexcited, we're all good," trying to sound as reassuring as possible, and adding a somewhat awkward thumbs-up.

The scene coming to an end, Bri offered a knowing glance at Kel, before pulling her lightsaber back from her belt and igniting it once more.

Spoiler: OOC

Dice

 

[Corran Velt]

While the others discussed options, about the rear exit, about the scientist they went through hells to rescue, about the civilians, Corran felt his adrenaline begin to thin. He walked past where everyone was talking and leaned against the duracrete wall in the hallway. His legs gave out and he slid down to the floor. A Power 5 blaster hung loosely in his grip as his forearms laid across his knees. The junior Ranger had been going non-stop since they boarded the starliner to arrest Kel Dryden. Look how much had happened since then. It was then he remembered how thirsty he was. Corran didn’t even move when Lorcan and a few armed scouts walked past.

Time ceased mattering as the young human caught his breath. That is until Lorcan reported incoming hostiles towards the rear exit. Didn’t these raiders ever give up? Dxun made everything a desperate fight for survival. With a fatigued groan, Corran pushed himself up off the floor and used the wall as support as he pushed along towards the rear of the bunker. A few of the downed passengers began murmuring as the Ranger walked past, then some began jostling in growing panic. The Gran scientist had become hysterical. Then a voice as calm as a flowing stream seemed to boom across the bunker. A group of civilians cleared a path and many others leaned in to get a better look. It was that Jedi woman, Bri. Would her surprises and powers never cease to amaze? Gods among men, these force-users. A pit in the junior Ranger’s something balled into conflicting emotions. Jealousy? Admiration? Defensiveness? He was too tired to acknowledge them. Besides, they had to be thrown once more into the breach.

The others seemed to speed past the exhausted Ranger as he near the rear bunker exit. Rather a damage hole in the structure than a door. Some ramshackle barricades had been established by Bri, Kel, and others. If the pirates attacked in force, Corran wondered if they would hold. Finding a spot closer to the rear entrance itself, the Ranger knelt down and braced his arms and blaster on the debris he covered behind. It was his duty to defend these people and he would do it until he couldn’t any longer. A lightsaber ignited nearby. Rustling in the jungle foliage signaled the arrival of the hostile pirates. There was that calm before the storm feeling. As if the entire Demon Moon was holding its breath.

A mechanical fluttering started softly, distantly. It began to grow louder. Was it another predator species, flying in a pack? No, this didn’t sound organic enough. Even the pirates paused their attack and looked skyward. In moments, several massive transport gunships zoomed overhead, coming to hovering stops or beginning to circle the bunker. Militia sat with their feet dangling from the troop compartments, rifles pointing downward into the jungle. Pirates immediately began throwing down their weapons and raising their hands into the air. Some ran away in a panic, unintentionally preferring to be eaten today in the jungle than live tomorrow in Onderonian prison.

Corran felt immediate relief, as if a second wind and a gasping breath of air both hit him. Shuttles descended and began disgorging well-armed militia into the surrounding area. Starfighters boomed overhead as they patrolled for hostiles and protected the troop transports. The Onderonians had arrived not a moment too soon. While pirates were being rounded up and their weapons tossed into a pile, a pair militiamen strode up to Corran, "Sir, are you injured?"

The junior Ranger shook his head, "No, but we've got wounded and scared civilians deeper in the bunker. We have a lot to evacuate before nightfall." One of the Onderonians nodded to the other and their partner pressed on their commlink to send that message to higher officers. It seemed things had finally turned around.

 

[Izel Thral]

Things had seemed to turn around on them very quickly. Lorcan's attempt at scouting for an alternate exit immediately went up in smoke. The Gran scientist turned out not only to be of no use to them, but an active complication to the situation, as Kel's inadvertent relaying of the bad news caused him to lose his mind. Thankfully Bri was able to calm him, but the damage was already done. People were losing their nerve, and they had a right to. They were trapped.

Emotion, yet Peace. Izel thought to herself as she followed behind the junior ranger, her grip shaking on her lightsaber and her breath quickening as anxiety began to take her. Ignorance, yet Knowledge. Idly the Vratix remembered she was supposed to be visiting her family today. It seemed the Force could be quite cruel with it's sense of humor. Passion, yet Serenity. She thought of her Master and her friends, before clearing them from her mind. Chaos, yet Harmony. Taking a few deep breaths the Vratix managed to steady herself, standing up straight and continuing to the rear door of the bunker where the defenders were gathering for their final stand. Death, yet the Force. The Padawan ignited her emerald blade one last time and took up her practiced Soresu stance, prepared to keep their attackers at bay for as long as her body would hold out. She was resolute and calm. She was ready.

And then her concentration was ruined as she was buffeted by a strong gust of wind. Raising a hand to cover her eyes the Vratix looked up, seeing a series of vessels descending from the skies above. The Onderonians. Slowly the Padawan lowered her pike, the blade extinguishing as she stared blankly up at their rescuers. And then she began to laugh hysterically. She only just managed to recollect herslf by the time the militiamen arrived, some of the humans offering her strange looks. They asked if she needed any medical attention. Izel insisted that she was fine, still giggling a bit to herself. They had actually done it! What an eventful day. The exhaustion finally hit her like a bulk freighter and she began to waver on her feet. She needed to lie down...

@Nefieslab @Catbert @ModernMarvel @TerranSteel