Open Evacuation of Utapau

[Newton]

Newton knew that his droids would have made some noise, but it was really the only way to deal with that lizard thing without a high chance of the Rangers becoming zombie food. That thing was hardy in it's own right. While the Rangers deal with evacuating the survivors from the building, Newton could make use his droids to cover them. That way they can concentrate on saving lives and worry less about watching their backs.

"HWs, set up a defensive perimeter covering them" Newton would then comm over to the Rangers "I'll keep you all covered while you all get in." Newton wouldn't be able see that they would have problems getting in, he would assume that they would be timely about it.

Given some amount of time, Newton would then hear some beeping on his comms, it's one of his Hawking flying droids. A particular one he calls H-Dub. H-Dub would pretty much be informing Newton that it is detecting movement from all directions with it's motion sensors, coming their way. "I see, eliminate them".

So far, there would be wave sixteen zombies arriving, attracted by the sound of loud blaster fire .With that command, the flying droids would start firing it's blasters into the zombies. Some would only be able to walk, someone would be able to run, but it didn't matter. With a squadrons worth of flying droids, the droids would dispatch the zombies in short order. The zombies being shot up would have limbs blown off, chunks inside their bodies would explode, heads would burst from hot plasma, or a combination of those.

While he is watching the videofeeds of zombies being dispatched by his droids, he would be wondering how much actual combat footage of this would be worth if sold. "Hmmm" If nothing else it would be good product demonstration footage.

@Corran Velt @Rhogar @Nommie @idkwhoelse

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Zad smiled at the explosion. He smiled just as much for the ship that came swooping in. Draco Virtus makin’ an entrance… He did so in style, not one to step on tradition, and the two men shared much and the same.

“Glad you joined the party, Lieutenant Virtus,” Zad commed over to his Ranger pal who was no less despite the promotion. “You got Infected southwest low and to the left of my position.”

There was a slender stream of hostiles closing in toward the explosion from an entirely different angle; likely a remnant band of wanderers waiting to stumble on a target. “Light ‘em up. I’d rather not have a tail to shake and we don’t wanna get sandwiched.”

It would be quick and easy enough for Draco to take them out. Meanwhile, Zad twisted his grip on the handle of his bike as he caught sight of the horde stampeding his way and the two Rangers that led them all. “Comin’ back to you, Lieutenant Aran… Let’s corral this herd.”

With that, Zad kicked the pedal and took off speeding. A third Ranger in the ring would certainly help contain the cattle as they marched it to their doom.

They could also take to a formation, a kind of arrow. It would keep the herd of Infected centered on the bike at the forefront with two bikes on the wings to even out the edges.

Though, there was never a guarantee of 100% when it came to herding a horde like this. There were bound to be some stray beasts left behind, ones that got away, but the best that these Rangers could do was expect as much and keep pushing forward to keep as many as they could. Yee and haw.

@Nefieslab @Sreeya @Wit @Exhilian

 

[Bast Emblai]

The wookie bellowed, an empty, agressive cry rasping in his throat. Bast swore quietly. Of course it was a wookie. When a being infected, the inhibition that prevented extreme exertion for the purpose of self preservation was gone. The raw strength of the alien would be doubled with adrenaline and a numbed response to pain. It was risky to get too close. “Stay back”

She aimed, then looked away as a single crimson bolt fired. It was easier if she could not remember the face. Immediately, Bast regretted her decision. Only cowards flinched at death. The wookie growled in pain as smoke rose from his chest, then slumped, twitching slightly. He was dead. It was simply disorganized electrical signals making his wide, brown eyes move.

The Corellian woman pulled herself back, away from the precipice of dissociation, where everything was too loud and too bright, where her eyes were too slow to track movement, and she floated, paralyzed. The thing she had killed had lost its humanity. She wouldn’t. Walking up to the body, the Lieutenant gently closed its eyes and intentionally looked at its face. He had once been someone. It was no longer. She must now move on and save those who were still.

The pair rounded another corner just as Corran’s voice came through the comm. “We’re getting there. Some slight delays.” In the shadows, something moved spasmodically and quickly towards them. Another hobbled down the street. So the kill had attracted attention...

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Rylee watched as Lt. Emblai took aim with her blaster and fired a single shot at the hulking Wookiee. The ex-military woman was impressed by her superior officer's shooting, because the red bolt struck it straight in the chest, burning through fur and leaving a smoking hole in it's ribcage. With one final growl it had crumpled in a heap, over the other two corpses that had lain at it's feet. The Pantoran looked back at Bast and complimented her accuracy. "Nice shot, though, we'll have to be on guard. The blaster fire was quite loud and we don't know how many others are around" she said. As the two women had been essentially standing alone in the alley facing the Wookiee, the shot had echoed, whereas if this street had been full of life, as it should have been had the AMS virus not sapped it from the planet, the noise would have been much more suppressed.

The Pantoran watched as Bast approached the body of the dead Wookiee. She appeared to be paying last respects to the creature in it's final resting place. It was a noble gesture but one that Rylee felt that they did not have time for. She was used to being in war zones and time could not be taken to mourn each loss of life on the battlefield. Rylee would reserve her condolences for when they had finished the job and returned to safety.

Moving onward, they turned a corner. Bast went to respond to Lt. Velt's radio message to provide an update, but something moving in the distance caused Rylee to snap her scope up to her helmet's visor. A single, tall, Pau'an male was running down the street. It's limbs were flailing, it's teeth were bared and it was hungry. Horrible, guttural noises were emanating from the undead being sprinting towards them. It was clear that Bast's blaster shot against the Wookiee had caught it's attention but fortunately, at least for now, there was only the one infected to contend with.

Despite it's flailing limbs, cool as a cucumber, Rylee aimed down her sights and fired a well aimed shot at the Pau'an, just as Bast had done. The shot erupted from her A280C rifle and smashed through the zombie's face, leaving a smoking hole in it's skull. The unfortunate creature did not even have a chance to take any last breath. It was never to know that flash of red light would be the last thing it ever saw. The force of the shot knocked it backwards and it fell like a sack of potatoes.

"You're not the only one around here with a good shot, eh?" said the Pantoran, glancing briefly at Bast. She was giving her a smile, but the Corellian would not have seen it under the helmet. "I uh.. don't think they'll have much of their eyelids left to shut though... sorry about that..." she said apologetically, unsure whether the lieutenant would disapprove of her actions. Rylee looked around the street for signs of anymore undead foes, but it appeared quiet and still. Her blaster shot seemed not to have rattled any others for the time being at least.

Spoiler: Dice Rolls

Does Rylee get a headshot? - 82 - Rousing success. Everything goes better than expected. She gets the headshot. We'll say the added bonus is that she got away with not attracting any more zombies for now.

@Kestrel

 

[Rhax ra]

Now outside the smelt works the trio found themselves greeted with a new problem. Whoever has survived has burricaded themselves in. So far from where they are standing there appears to be no way in. When Velt told the two to start looking around Rhax’ra pointed in the direction she will be.

With zombies possibly wondering close by the Tusken didn't want to make to much noise. She even watched her own footing to make sure not to accidentally kick anything. She looked up and down the walls for anything that may be a way in as she moved at a quick pace.

Time is starting to run out.


Spotting a way in, it was a jump for the ladder but right above it appeared to be a doorway that was fully shut, "I have found a way in it's a climb but the door isn't fully closed.." She paused as the Tusken heard the sound of shuffling feet behind her. Turning around Rhax'ra gripped her Gaderffii Stick when she noticed there are five zombies behind her, "There are five infected here.." She was cut off though when one, appearing as some sort of humanoid she couldn't identify, ran at her. Quickly swinging the club end of her weapon the air was filled with the sound of bone being crushed. A second, this time a Zabrak, charged but was met with the same fate as the first zombie. A third was much too close but as Rhax'ra quickly made some space between her and it, which appeared to work to keep her safe from being bitten, but unfortunately it meant that the Tusken's swing wasn't as affective. All the impact did was break the infected's arm. The other remaining two now closing in. Rhax'ra continued to back up to try keeping space between her and the remaining three.

@TerranSteel @Rhogar

 

[Corran Velt]

No entrance on the ground level could be easily found. A good indication they were dealing with some pretty rugged survivors. They likely wouldn't be alive on a 99% infected world if they weren't. As the trio of Sector Rangers scoured for a way into the fortified smelter, not-to-distant blaster fire echoed the perimeter of the courtyard. Corran looked over his shoulder to see Blackwell hover-droids turning infected of all types into target practice. Limbs and chunks were blown from their withered husks. Heads burst like overripe fruit. The element of stealth was vanishing fast. "Confirmed, Mr. Arden, let us know if that perimeter if seriously breached," the blond ranger replied over comms. Having someone at least watching their backs from above was a small comfort.

A holler in Huttese brought Corran around to where the Tusken ranger stood. Sure enough, she was right. A ladder hooked over the edge up a door up on a higher level. Must have been a fire-escape in a past life or an ad-hoc addition since the crisis. Lieutenant Velt turned to his comrade and nodded, "Good find." Something else found them too. Some infected managed to sneak through the perimeter, though only five. Those were good odds. Rhax'ra made them even better by killing two outright with brutal swings and damaging a third.

Seeing a fellow Ranger in trouble, Corran closed the gap to engage the new hostiles. He was better with blasters but his vibrosword would have to do for now. He swung his blade with one hand at the nearest infected but missed as it lunged forward at the right moment. Half-broken, angular teeth bit down hard on his armored gauntlet but didn't penetrate. In a panic, he returned to his roots. A blunt fist punched the creature off his arm and he stumbled backwards from the sudden loss of tension. The outside wall beneath the smelter caught him. Velt looked up with the ladder just above, "We got to get up there!"

@Rhogar @Nommie @The Good Doctor @Bex @Kestrel

 

[Dusty Desperado]

Chaos. The bitter joy and siren song of a condemned world. At least that's what it turned into when their Tusken ally began to yell in warning.

'Clane' would turn to the cry, seeing Corran get knocked down, and his hand dropped to the dagger at his belt, and pulled it free before he flicked it into the head of the infected that Corran had been dancing with. "L.T!" The blade would dig deep in the monsters skull before it collapsed into shambles.

The droids firing had lured more infected to the area and soon the five were growing into ten, then thirty, kriff.. it was a swarm. His head would snap to the ladder as he slung his club before running up the wall about four steps before leaping and then activating his boots.

He'd hit the ladder roughly, before climbing up the rest of the way. "Over here! On me!" He'd stomp the release to lower the ladder, sending it careening down it's track. Cursing, he'd catch the ladder before the last three rungs fell free, it appeared the lock on it wasn't working. Holding the ladder, he shouted to the other two Rangers. "Climb!"

@Nommie @TerranSteel

 

[Newton]

The droids would be able to dispatch the latest swarm without a problem, sure some Rangers may have had some go after them, but that's on them for staying on the the ground for too long, they really should hurry up in Newton's opinion. The not even Blackwell Executive can protect them forever after all.

Anyways, the initial swarm of zombies was no match for Newton's flight of droids, although he was getting a more urgent buzzing from H-Dub, through it's beeping it informed Newton that it's motion sensors are detecting a massive onslaught of zombies coming their way. Even Newton was taken aback. Although Newton's flying droids can't possibly be harmed by the zombie swarm, his public sector acquaintances are not so fortunate. They can't stop them alone, so Newton will probably have to intervene himself, although he was hoping he would get to hang back. "Massive wave coming your way, best get to high ground asap. I'll do what I can" Newton informed the rangers. With how slow the lot of the zombies, he still had time and motion sensors can pick them up a decentish ways ahead.

Oh well. Newton's ship would then head back towards the city, he could track his droid's locations and that would lead the way to where he needs to go. Newton's ship would then slow down once it reaches the sink hole and slowly descends inside. "Slow and steady M7" he directed his astromech droid controlling the ship. But unfortunately one of the wings collided with rock from the inside cliffs, sparks shot from the wing, damaging it a bit, hurting stabilization. "I said slow and steady!" and M7 would apologetically beep. It's okay though, he can never be truly angry with his droid companion. Sure The damage makes the ship a bit harder to stabilize, but M7 seems to have things under control, now moving to where it has more wiggle room, the the ship would the descend and angle itself so it can be in attack position. Newton can now see from the viewport of the monolith, the Rangers working on getting in, his droids shooting at more droids and the horde of zombies. "Rigel, liquidate them." The Nobel's ship AI would then respond "Very good sir"

With that, the ship AI would turn the dual-laser cannon turret towards the zombies and start blasting, a salvo of laser cannon shots would be enough to reduce the zombies to ash as they would be caught up in the explosions on impact, reducing much of their number very quickly as they were fired into the horde.

Now the horde's numbers were greatly reduced and now easy prey for the Hawking droids. "Wave of zombies diminished" He said to the Rangers Newton would next direct his astromech droid-pilot to find somewhere to land so they can make repairs to wing real quick. His HW droids may have it under control from here, maybe.

@Corran Velt @Rhogar @Nommie

 

[Bast Emblai]

Bast did not flinch at the Pantoran’s accurate shot, huffing at her comment with an unreadable expression. The closing of the eyes had been a last act of dignity, one she hoped she would receive when she died on the field. It had to true value except sentiment. The eyes would become unfocused and cloudy within hours, generally disturbing for a family wanting their loved one to rest peacefully. Not that the wookie likely had any family left. The planet was almost entirely infected.

Hazel eyes tried to pierce the helmet visor and read Rylee’s face. The younger woman came from a military background. She understood the importance of reputation. Hopefully she wouldn’t think the old Lieutenant was going soft. Perhaps when she got older she would understand the paradox of feeling too deeply and not at all, of grasping onto humanity like a lifeline while wishing to abandon it for its weakness. Despite a brain that functioned like clockwork, the Corellian struggles to even predict her own reactions. Waxing philosophical was an unfortunate side effect of having not yet died.

The path ahead was clear. No shadows swayed uncannily close. A twisted, wroght Durasteel fire escape ladder was bolted to a grimy wall about two meters up. It led to a broken window, beyond which nothing besides a stained room could be seen. According to the map, this was the point of entry. Kark. She would have to ask for help. There was no way the woman could safely launch herself up high enough to do more than just hang. Her prosthetic wasn’t supposed to be put under that kind of stress and she doubted insurance would pay for a third.

“Ranger Asuch— er— would you mind giving me a leg up?”

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Eventually the pair came to the side of the building. Their way in was blocked, not by any immovable object, but by being out of reach. The fire escape ladder hung above them, tantalizingly close and yet so far. It was twisted and although the rungs looked usable, it did not seem as though it would slide down due to its condition. Lt. Emblai was assessing the situation and it was apparent that neither of the two would be able to reach it from ground level. Bast turned to Rylee and requested some help getting to it.

"Sure, no problem" came Rylee's distinctive Pantoran accent through the filters on her borrowed helmet. The former soldier came up alongside the Corellian and crouched just off to the side from her, placing the palms of her gloves out flat in front of her to act as a platform for Bast to put her foot. When Lt. Emblai stepped up onto her hands, the Pantoran held firm, taking the weight of the other woman so that the lieutenant could reach up to a point high enough to climb, or at least use the wall to help herself get up onto the ladder.

At the point at which Lt. Emblai had a grip on the ladder, Rylee was relieved of lifting duties. She stood up fully and reaching as far as she could, pushed against the lieutenant's tushy in an attempt to help her senior officer make it up the ladder. Then when Bast was definitely on the move, she took a step back and watched to make sure her colleague did not fall. On seeing her make it up the ladder, Rylee called up to the Corellian.

"You see any way for me to get up there?" she said, then looking around at ground level to make sure that her call had not disturbed any more infected citizens. On finding they were still in the clear, Rylee glanced back up the ladder and with a humorous tone in her voice said "Oh, and by the way, you're telling me your workout routine later, lieutenant."

@Kestrel

 

[Bast Emblai]

Grunting slightly with effort, Bast hoisted herself up onto the old ladder. Only then did she realize that despite the other woman’s fitness, Rylee still likely could not make it up the ladder. Well… it was too late now. They would have to find another way.

The Lieutenant climbed quickly. The twisted metal was cracked in some places and was sharp. She cut her hand, though not badly. Three stories up lay the window. After a few moments, Bast peered in. The room was empty of people but cluttered with filing cabinets, boxes, and dusty, unused technology more than a decade old. The fact that the window was broken likely meant a their had entered but not found anything worth stealing. There was no release mechanism for the ladder.

After descending, Bast extended a hand down in order to grip the Rylee’s forearm to help her up.

@Bex

 

[Rhax ra]

The hoard of zombies that were coming their way was drastically diminished, fir now, thanks to Arden's droids. The Tusken Raider looked over to Dusty as he lowered the ladder, barely stopping it from crashing onto the ground below it. That definitely would have brought more infected their way if it had.

Wasting no time at all Rhax’ra started making her way to the ladder, shoving Lt. Velt in the process in the direction of the ladder incase he didn't catch on that their partner had lowered the ladder for them. Fixing her Gaderffii Stick to her belt she quickly started making her way up the ladder so that it was clear for Corran to head up. Swinging her way past Dusty she pushed the door open. Hauling herself up and onto the landing.

Even though she knew that noise is a bad idea. Rhax’ra unhooked her cycler rifle from her back and aimed it in the area immediately behind Velt so she can pick off any infected that comes running in their direction. Which one was, a tall Utapuan, "Hurry! Get up the ladder!" She told the Lieutenant and Dusty as she quickly aimed her Cycler and took a shot at the zombie. Her hit taking out it's head. With how fast it was running she had to take it out or it would have gotten to Corran before he made it up the ladder enough to be out of reach.

He can tear into her about using her cycler rifle later if he wants to.

@TerranSteel @Rhogar

 

[Corran Velt]

A dagger plunged into the infected's head that had tried to make lunch of Corran. Ranger Clane had given him another few minutes to breath as scores of infected corralled into the courtyard. They needed an alternate route. Jump-boots provided the answer. With a burst, Jaxon flew up to the second level and lowered the ladder almost to the ground floor. Only his quick-thinking kept it from slamming down.

Blaster fire from the support droids at the perimeter became incessant as a true wave of infected began pouring into the area. Nothing less than an AT-ATs firepower could have stopped them. Or the cannons of a starship it turned out. Out from the sinkhole, two red streaks of death flew over the cave city structures and slammed into the courtyard. Debris and dust kicked up from the blast. Even with his helmet, Corran instinctively shielded himself with his forearm. Other blasts decimated the horde and left most of then litter more than strewn limbs.

He didn't have long to recover before Ranger Rhax'ra shoved him into action. She was right. Every second counted. Zombies not blasted to ash were already starting to get their bearings. The Tusken Ranger was the second one up the ladder. Before starting his climb, Lieutenant Velt send another comm-message to the Blackwell contact, "You make a great babysitter, Mr. Arden. We are entering the facility. Out." Always be grateful to a guardian angel.

The ladder rattled as Corran began scrambling up it, his sword slung over his shoulder into its scabbard. The crack of a shot sounded from above. The lieutenant actually stopped mid-climb to look up and see Rhax'ra holding a cycler rifle. A cruel weapon that shredded its targets with metal. Against living things, he'd have scolded her. Infected were another matter. There'd be time for that later.

With a few more rungs, the armored ranger hauled himself onto the landing and offered a hand to Clane to pull him up and the ladder along with him. "Ranger Clane, grab on!" Anything to prevent infected from joining them in the structure. Once everything was secured and all three into the smelter itself, Corran would shut and secure the door. Inside was an industrial and desolate place. Everything was metal, charred with carbon. Lights were dim due to all the windows being boarded up. A walkway with a railing was just outside the room the trio found themselves in. An orange, red glow emanated to the right. Were the forges still going?

Lieutenant Velt activated the comm-channel to all the rangers in the area. "All units, we've entered the smelter. Proceeding inside to locate survivors. Velt, out."

@Rhogar @The Good Doctor @Nommie @Kestrel @Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Even with Lt. Emblai extending a hand, it was a bit much to ask that the Corellian hoist Rylee up with one arm, dressed in full trooper armor. The Pantoran scanned the immediate area to see if there was anything small enough, but sturdy enough to push into position and give Rylee the height to be pulled up by her partner. Noticing a metal trash container nearby, Rylee went to drag it over to the spot under the ladder. It had wheels so actually moving it wasn't the issue, it was just very heavy for one person to pull. Before trying to move it, she opened it to check for zombies, but all she found was smelly trash. It was a good thing she was wearing a helmet, because that trash had been there for some time. Closing the lid, she heaved the dumpster into position and carefully climbed atop it, enabling her to reach Bast's hand and be pulled up onto the ladder.

"Cheers love" came Rylee's accent again through the filters of her helmet, patting the lieutenant on the shoulder after climbing up, "So what's it like up here?" The Pantoran did not wait for an answer, simply took her blaster rifle back up and began striding into the room filled with old computer terminals and filing cabinets. It must have been one of the offices that the owners of the smelt works used to run the business from, but had quite possibly have been looted in the chaos of the planet being desolated by this horrific disease. "I guess we'll find our way through to the survivors in the factory by passing through the admin rooms" said Rylee, stepping over broken glass as she approached a door to the corridor on the other side. Opening it, the Pantoran lifted her rifle sights to her eye line and prepared to scout for any enemies. Despite all their luck out on the street, there were five infected citizens, all Utai, shambling around in the hallway. The Pantoran made to aim for one of the nearest to get the drop on them. She pulled the trigger and managed to hit it in the shoulder but the infected Utai didn't fall. Unfortunately, the sound of the blaster fire caused some shrieking to echo from another room further up the corridor. Soon enough, six more infected started hurtling down the hall towards Rylee and her senior officer. "Get ready lieutenant we've got company!" called the Pantoran as she readied herself for another round of shots.

Spoiler: Dice Rolls

Discord Coin Toss resulted in no zombies being inside the dumpster
5 Zombies In The Corridor
Mild Failure When Shooting At Them
6 More Zombies Appear

@Kestrel

 

[Dusty Desperado]

Had Dusty really been Clane, he was unsure if the old man would have been able to support that weight and strain for as long as he did. He was nearly half the late Rangers age and he had found it to be quite difficult. Hells, he knew he'd be sore in the morning. Thankfully, the Rangers were quick to move and the LT even thought to help Clane pull the ladder back up.

Once the ladder was up, Clane would pull his trusty Blackwell blaster free and fire a shot at the closest infected, disintegrating them completely. Thankful for his helm, it masked his pure surprise. Never had he seen such a thing before in his life and kriff, was it awesome.

Slinging his blaster, he'd be the last through the door of the smelter. They were in. Hopefully, it could only go up from here, right?

@TerranSteel @Nommie

 

[Bast Emblai]

Rather than take Bast’s arm, Rylee pulled over a foul-smelling dumpster, which was probably the wiser choice. Sure, she could haul the heavily armored woman up, but it would not have been a graceful maneuver, especially as the ladder width was barely wide enough for the Lieutenant.

It briefly occurred to Bast, as things like that so often did, that the building would definitely not pass any fire codes, which was actually quite dangerous for a smelting facility. Months doing paperwork in a hospital bed had the unfortunate side effect of such random, unhelpful but still technically relevant thoughts. Even if there were a fire, though, it was unlikely any survivors would choose to evacuate. Infected prowled the streets in packs, and despite their diminished neural capability, natural instincts to climb and break through barriers made safe locations hard to come by.

A familiar voice crackled through the comm channel and something that sounded like blaster fire was faintly transmitted. Those lucky souls had gotten in with no trouble at all, and she and another woman were wading through trash to climb a ladder that did not even lead directly to the destination. The woman quickly chastised herself for the thoughts however, thinking of Poet working in the med bay. The kid had been so eager to come along, and his confinement no doubt troubled him greatly.

Naturally, almost immediately, the heavy, uncoordinated footsteps of five Pau’ans clunked towards the women. Rylee’s announcement, while appreciated, was not strictly necessary. Nodding in acknowledgement, she responded to the other group leader.

“Copy that. There may be a small delay on our end over here- just minor difficulties”

As if on cue, six more infected arrived. Eleven on two was not going to be an easy fight, and blasters might draw another wave.

“Rylee, do you happen to have a knife?”

At the moment, they could hardly be considered cavalry.

@Bex
@TerranSteel

 

[Rhax ra]

Rhax’ra slinged her Cycler Rifle back on her shoulder choosing her Gaderffii Stick as her weapon of choice once again. She doesn't think the rifke will be needed in the smelter anyways. When the door was shut tight by Corran the Tusken Raider looked around at their current location in the building. The soft glow did give a somewhat calming feeling since it reminds her of the sunset back on Tatooine.

There is no time for memory lane though.

Glancing to the Lieutenant she then proceeded in deeper, scanning to see if she will find anyone. Perhaps even the one who had failed to close the door all the way? Well the trio possibly may not have got inside as quickly as they had if the door was shut tight. Keeping her footsteps quiet as she moved Rhax’ra jumped back a little bit in shock as a male Utapuan attempted to strike at her with a rusty pipe of some sort he had utilized as a weapon. Perhaps due to thinking she is a infected that managed to get in somewhere, "Hey! I'm not here to attack you!" She tried to tell the Utapuan who for some reason wasn't listening. Maybe he couldn't hear her? Who knows. The Tusken moved out of the way of his frenzied swings avoiding any block manuevers to try showing she is a friendly. As she dodged around the male Utapuan she reported to Velt and Dusty by telling them, "Well I found someone but he is too busy swinging to listen." She told her two partners.

Finally she had enough however and blocked the Utapuan's swibg with her stick then wrenched the pipe out of his hands, "You were a friendly this whole time? Why didn't you say anything?" If she didn't have her hands full she so would have facepalmed herself, "Give that back!" Welll she would have known the last part of what the Utapuan is saying if he held his hand out to the weapon the Tusken took from him. But he didn't so all that the other being was saying came across as double Quechua to the Tusken Raider, "Eh?" Was all she could bring herself to say. Until the Utapuan snatched the metal pipe back, "Fine! But if you hit me with that I'll take it away like the child you are acting like." She said sternly as though she was speaking to a child.

@ TerranSteel @ Rhogar

 

[Corran Velt]

Being inside the smelter was equal parts calming and unsettling. Compared to the danger of being torn limb from limb and eaten, it was a safe haven more fortified than Coruscant during the Galactic Civil War. All else was the 'unsettling' part. As Corran followed the Tusken Ranger down one of the walkways, the internals of the smelter shown. Carbon scorching lacerated the walls. Lack of proper maintenance was apparent. The power was low, made obvious by the dim lighting. Furniture had been broken down for building materials or weapons. One such ad-hoc weapon came swinging at Rhax'ra.

At the sudden appearance of an assailant, Lieutenant Velt raised his rifle but the target was too entangled with his fellow ranger. Any shot had a chance of striking a friendly and the attacker. It was only after he noticed the clumsy swings of a rusty pipe that this was no infected. They didn't usually use tools like that. This was a survivor. Raised in hand-to-hand combat, the Tusken was able to harmlessly disarm the Utapaun by taking away the pipe. Haggling in two different languages ensued. When the pipe returned to its owner, Corran decided to intervene.

He raised an open palm to the survivor and spoke Galactic Basic, "Hold it, hold it. Sector Rangers. Are you bitten?" The tall alien male glanced between the trio of law enforcement before answering. "No, I'm uninjured. No thanks to this one." He pointed a lithe finger to Rhax'ra. Sass indicated the man wasn't lying. "I'm Lieutenant Velt. We are here to escort you to an evacuation zone. Are you the only survivor?"

The Utapaun jolted upright, "Evacuation? That's..." Only the flowy orange light illuminated his stunned face. A small shake of the head returned the alien back to reality. "Yes, there's a number of us. Follow me. And watch your step." Corran nodded for the other two rangers to follow as he fell in line behind their new guide.

The pathway through the third level of the smelter was nearly a straight shot across a walkway with a metal railing that didn't look too sturdy. Down below, the origin of the orange glow was revealed. The forges were still running. Red, orange, and yellow molted metal hung in giant circular containers that moved on a conveyer belt that tipped them into an even larger furnace. Two turns eventually led to a bolted, ad-hoc door. Their Utapuan guide rapt his knuckles on the door. A small slit opened, a password exchanged, and all four were allowed in. A ladder led them up to another level with yet another bolted door. Security was tight here, for good reason.

When this second, forged door swung open, a refugee camp was revealed. Office walls had been knocked down and replaced with freshly-made metal stalls that were used as homes. Their grey walls gleamed from how new they were. The locals had been using the smelter for everything they could. All told, 25-30 beings dwelled in this place. "We'll need to find a leader and plan on how to get them out of here," Lieutenant Velt said to Clane and Rhax'ra.

@Nommie @Rhogar

 

[Dusty Desperado]

As the trio walked deeper into the smelter, 'Clane' would pause to listen to the voice coming through on their comm. It sounded like they hit more walkers, and he wasn't gonna leave them without support. "L.T, you don't need me here for that. I'm going to push through to Lt. Emblai and Ranger Asuchi. Have that plan fleshed out by the time I get back."

Exiting the room, he'd activate his comm. "Lt. Emblai, its Ranger Clane, give me a sitrep, I'm pushing through to you. What's your twenty?"

@TerranSteel @Kestrel @Nommie

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Rylee did not immediately answer the lieutenant's question. The former soldier had already readied her next shot on the nearest infected Utai. This time her shot struck her target as intended. The blaster bolt collided with the undead being's head, frying a hole right through it. The deceased Utai fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. Flicking her aim to the other advancing infected in the close range group, Rylee managed to dispatch three more of the other Utai in front of her with similar efficiency. This had reduced the number of attackers to seven, but unfortunately, as time had been wasted missing her initial shot, Rylee was blindsided by the remaining Utai from the original group. It leaped upon her, teeth bared, trying to rip and tear away at her armour as if it were flesh. Fortunately the borrowed armour was trooper armour and robust enough to protect her for a time. The Pantoran was forced to lower her A280C as the infected attacked her right arm. Dropping the blaster rifle to the floor for the time being, Rylee grabbed her SB-17 combat fusion cutter from her belt, flicked the blade and plunged it into the side of the zombie's head. It kept struggling against her gauntlets for a moment, but she twisted the blade and the Utai soon gave up the ghost. To get the body off of her, Rylee slammed her right side into the door frame, which loosened the corpse's jaw and ended with it laying motionless on the floor.

"Never go anywhere without this little beauty" said the Pantoran, holding up her fusion cutter and waggling it around a little bit so Bast could see. Unfortunately there was no time for any further chit-chat. The remaining six infected that had been disturbed by Rylee's initial blaster shot were upon them. They snarled as they too leaped towards Rylee, this time knocking her off her feet. The Pantoran tried swinging at them with her blade but the combined onslaught of the other infected Utai was too much for one person to defend. She would need Lt. Emblai's help to get them off her.

Spoiler: Dice Rolls

2nd Attempt Shooting Zombies
Number of Zombies Shot

@Kestrel