Hold the Line!

[Esfir Radin]

Planet Makeb
Dice​

The sun rose high in all of its midday glory. Sitting behind a line of sandbags Esfir Radin waited. The twenty three year old fighter wore her ranger scout armor and held a E-33 Blaster Carbine in her hands. Yesterday she and a squad of rebels lead by Tycho Dakyron had searched for more refugees to retrieve off this rock covered world. They found a whole group of them who turned pieces of crash ships into making a makeshift settlement.

Considering the fact there over eighty people here the Alliance was brining in a heavy transport with fighter escort. Until then the orders from command had been clear. Hold until relieved. Esfir quietly memorized to herself. To the left flank she can see one of her comrades who serving as a sentry waving in greeting.

The young woman politely returned the gesture but went back to keeping watch over the mountain pass in front. Similar defenses of sandbags and durrsteal panels were made into a workable barricade for the rebels and settlement militia. From behind Esfir can hear children playing some kind of game and adults loudly gossiping among themselves.

“Life finds a way.” Radin muttered loud out. Keeping her eyes to the pass, the Sahminian asked Tycho close by. ”Any updates from command?”

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

While Esfir was outside enjoying the sun as it rose to it's midday peak. The officer was busy in a makeshift tent talking to command. They are expected to hold the location at all costs, not an inch is to be given. Yesterday as he lead a squad that included Esfir. Whom he has come to greatly trust and appreciate being at his side. While out searching for refugees, the men and woman in the squad were placing wages about if they were going to find any at all. The terrain was difficult to navigate and like wise the group was difficult to find. They found a group of eighty hidden deep within a canyon that has steep walls that goes miles high. Now while others in the squad were saying that the group is too big to defend, Tycho stood firm on the fact that they were not going to abandon the refugees.

Now once again the man is having a very firm, somewhat stressing chat with high command whom was giving the periodic update as to what is going on. Which does not look good. Not by a long shot. Hopefully there will not be much opposition they will have to defend the refugees from. The rebel lieutenant stepped out from the makeshift tent, running his fingers through his dark hair. Technically after the injuries he sustained while escorting the royal family off world, he should not be on his feet so soon according to what the medical officer was telling him. But Tycho is not the type of man to stay still for very long. Not with a big operation going on and people that needed help with an Empire cracking down with crushing force. The rogue reminded himself as to why he refused to lay in that bed as he watched a group of kids playing in the middle of the camp, oblivious to the danger that they are in, just like how kids should be.

The officer spotted a few that he had placed on picket duty slacking a bit and held a finger up at Esfir for the woman to hold onto her thought for a moment as the man marched over to address the two soldiers that were failing to perform their duties to his expectations. They are the front line, there is no room for failing their duties. They are the eyes and ears of the camp to alert the refugees when to take shelter, "Oi!" Tycho will begin, "Gev! There is no time for goofing off. You two have a job to do. Now do it! If there is any opposition out there you two will be the ones to give the alert so we can get these refugees to shelter when the enemy comes. If even one gets hurt because you two failed to do your job I will drag you two in for a tribunal." He snapped, his tone saying that his word is final. Perhaps in part because of the pain that was still radiating from his back and shoulder. His thigh is fine since that was a burn that the kolto quickly took care of. He will look to the other guards who heard the conversation and had turned to listen to the officer, "And that goes for all of you. Pass it on!"

Watching the two soldiers turn back to do their job properly,and the other soldiers returned to their respective duties, the criminal walked over to Esfir. The man took a deep breath to calm himself, "Not much. Same thing they have been saying since yesterday. Hold our position at all costs, not one refugee is to get hurt if we can prevent it. The bad news is that the heavy freighter is delayed.." He will tell the twenty three year old fighter quietly so the two of them were the only ones who knew the details. The officer took to kneeling behind the wall of sandbags, picking up his rifle that he had left next to the Sahminian while he was talking to command. It was already loaded and ready to go if anyone does attack the camp.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Having mostly served on missions with Tycho Draykon only in a two member team Esfir had until recently never seen him command other rebels. Watching him dress down Gev and his friend made it clear the man had no time for idleness when there is a task to carry out. The mountain woman approved of the stance but said nothing. No point in expressing as far as she was concerned.

Esfir resume watching the pathway when Tycho came over and answered her question. A frustrated sigh escaped her and be heard through the helmet’s audio.

“We have only fourteen fighters in the squad plus twenty-one volunteers from this community to defend here. Most of the latter are inexperienced and never used a weapon before in their lives. I hope we don’t end facing against a Sith lead battalion.”

She shuddered at the thought. While growing up away from the Empire the twenty three year old heard enough stories of what the dark side worshippers are capable of. Now among the Alliance she found a number of it was true. Before Radin can add further comment, Gev called out.

“A speeder coming up the pass and it has a mounted gun!”

“Imperial?” Esfir asked, aiming down the sights toward the advancing vehicle. Meanwhile the survivors not of the militia scattered to shelter behind the Line. Gev, who was using a sniper scope, shook his head no in answer to the Sahminian.

“Negative but the bastards onboard are armed to teeth. No one else is suppose to know of this location.”

Keeping her aim on the intruders Esfir then asked Tycho. “Orders?”

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

This is the first time that Tycho had actually commanded a large group of soldiers. Usually it has been leading two man.. or woman missions. Just like with the royalty mission, the man was finding himself having to adjust to his role as commanding officer. Until now he was the one who would take and carry out orders, not give them and make sure the orders are carried out. So it felt a bit strange to the man to go from a criminal that the Imperials called 'armed and dangerous' to commanding a group of like minded individuals who wanted to bring the end of the Empire. Who knew that command would put all their trust in a criminal to lead the men through what will be a tough battle, and keep eighty innocent beings safe from harm. It is an opportunity though that Tycho will not waste, and use it to show that even a man who was nothing but a low life scum on Nar Shaddaa can be capable of successfully leading a group of soldiers. Right now it was pounding into the idle soldiers that their behavior is not appropriate at all and that they needed to do some adjustments. Thankfully all of them including Gev got the message.

As he took his place next to Esfir, the rebel officer looked down the path way to the low ridge that Tycho had marked as 'the line' where any opposition is not allowed to cross if they can stop it. The ridge was roughly twenty meters away from the perimeter of the camp defenses. The man took a second to slip on his helmet, "Even the Sith can be defeated Esfir. It would be difficult but well placed bolts can stop them. The trick is to keep a significant distance from them so you can dodge deflected bolts." He told her. The man had not had the misfortune of having to face a Sith, but he had heard from others who have and survived what they did. Though the criminal for sure does not want to face down a Sith unless he has to.

Tycho was going to say more when the report came in that a speeder with a mounted gun coming towards them. Immediately the man was going through a list of what it could be. There is no way that it was crew from the freighter that is coming to pick them up. They would have landed the freighter in the clearing either in front of them or behind the camp. Plus he was supposed to receive a coded signal when the ship is coming down through the atmosphere. No this is not any part of the Alliance or Mandalorians.

The officer opened the comms for all the soldiers to hear his orders that are going to come through, "Take them down now! They are not a part of the team coming to get us and the refugees. Do not let them cross that line. Try to not damage the speeder too much, we can use the gun to add to our defenses. Don't let any of them escape. If they get word to their commander of our strength we are dead." He will order through the comm. If they can take down those in the speeder without damaging the vehicle or the gun itself it will be a nice boost to their defenses, "Volunteers make sure the civilians get to shelter then get to the front lines." He looked around to make sure that his orders were being followed, and that they were as soldiers came running to the front while the volunteers got to work making sure the civilians got to shelter that was dug into the cliff walls that were strong enough to withstand explosives thanks to the make up of the rocks that built up the cliff face. With the civilians in their shelters the volunteers started making their way to the front lines. The soldiers already at the front lines started firing on the speeder. After a few volley rounds, the officer himself raised his rifle and managed to get a single bolt into the bounty hunter manning the gun on the speeder. Gev looked at the officer a little gobsmacked that Tycho made a shot with a rifle that is not a sniper rifle.

Tycho then noticed one of the occupants taking out of his pocket what appeared to be a comm device, "Someone take him out now!" The rebel officer ordered. A second later Gev put a bolt through the bounty hunter's skull, "Alright let's take the rest of them out." Tycho will say relieved that who appeared to be the attacker's communications specialist was taken out. Now they just need to take out the driver and the other two occupants to stop them before they get too close. But if they allow the speeder to get a bit closer to the small ridge, then it will be easy to send a few soldiers out to retrieve the speeder.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

As soon as the command was issued Esfir opened fired, aiming for the driver. However her three round burst missed utterly as the rider twist to the side. One of the other enemy occupants opened up, striking a bolt into side of Radin’s helmet. The force of impact knocked the Sahminain backward, causing to moan. Head ringing the young woman laid on the side for a minute before getting back up.

Must do better. Esfir told herself, while gesturing to the others that she will be fine...eventually. With newfound determination she lined for another shot. “We’re just getting started.” She remarked to herself.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Tycho looked to Esfir as the woman took a shot to try taking out the driver of the speeder. The officer looked in shock as the Sahminian fell over after taking a bolt to the helmet, "Esfir!" He yelled out as he rushed down to the woman's side, she has most likely gotten a bad burn and perhaps a concussion from the blow, but that did not stop the man from worrying as the woman laid still that he had lost her. It was not until he heard the woman moan that he knew that she is still with him, "Take it easy Esfir, deep breaths." He will tell the woman as he proudly watched the warrior woman get back up.

Picking his rifle back up the man aimed his rifle at the speeder just as who appeared to be a sniper, judging from the long rifle the bounty hunter had in his hands, hopped out of the speeder. Well that was stupid because now he is a sitting duck. But what he was not expecting was for the driver of the speeder to use the vehicle as a moving shield for the sniper. So when Tycho made his shot, the driver use the speeder to protect the sniper from the blow. Now these guys are organized fighters. That was not the only bad news though.

The bounty Hunter aimed his long rifle at the rebels and fired a bolt that took out one of the rebel soldiers on the front line. Now the Rebels are down to just thirteen trained soldiers to fight. The sniper then took aim and fired at Tycho, nailing him in the shoulder that he sustained an injury to on the last mission. The Rebel officer immediately dropped down behind the sandbag clutching his shoulder for a moment. Willing himself to work through the pain, "Kriff.. that shoulder again.." He will mumble quietly as he picked up his rifle, having to shift it to his other hand to support the rifle now that his dominant shoulder is injured.

Luckily a group of rebel troopers opened a volley of rounds that forced the sniper to take cover, and there fore saved the Alliance from loosing anymore soldiers, "Alright boys. Give them hell!" He will yell realizing they can't spend much longer trying to take the speeder out without running the risk of the speeder getting back to their own lines and telling their commanding officer what they have seen of the camp.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Taking her leader’s advice Esfir breathed in and out. The bounty hunters were proving to be a match for them after all. Her eyes narrowed, watching the speeder try to make a getaway after Tycho was wounded by the sniper. This time Esfir taking aim once and pulled the trigger, firing a two shot burst. The first bolt missed the target but the second cut through the back of the driver’s head.

Immediately the dead man lost control of the wheel, and the speeder swerved until it rolled to the side and finally stopped. It’s remaining occupants were thrown out as a result. The rebels fired on but the sniper dived for a nearby while his fellows were cut down. Esfir tried to fire on him but the marksman answered back first with his own bolt. The Sahminian ducked down but the shot into another rebel’s leg.

Dropping to the ground, the young recruit grasped his wound with both hands. “We got to kill that sniper!” Said Esfir to Tycho next to her.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

As Tycho was ducked down behind the sandbags gathering himself together after the shoulder injury. The rogue had finally managed to get a grip on his rifle that will allow him to still use his favorite weapon. He watched as the soldiers around them failed to take out the single sniper who had hidden himself behind the ridge that the rebel officer labeled as the line. The sniper injuring three more soldiers in total as he returned fire.

Tycho could not stand to watch more of the men getting hurt or killed anymore. So taking a deep breath, he stood up and fired three bolts at the sniper. Two of the bolts missed, but the third nailed the bounty hunter in the thigh. The man will not be able to fight as efficiently anymore meaning a group of soldiers can go over and finish him off. Or they can wait for the sniper to show himself or surrender. The officer didn't care which happened as long as the bounty hunter was neutralized. The criminal stood there with his rifle aimed, waiting for the sniper to stupidly show himself, "I will get him this time." He said quietly.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

As much as Esfir hated the sniper, she did respect his tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds. While Tycho fired upon him and the wounded the scum, Radin took Gev and two others around the ridge’s right flank. Crouching by their knees the small team rushed forward while the rebels and volunteers fired on the enemy’s position. It paid off letting remain undetected until they climbed the rocks and came upon the wounded shooter sitting behind a boulder.

Instantly they spotted one another and the bounty hunter reached for a pistol but Gev shot first. The laser bolt cut through the heart, killing the Rodian marksman at long last. “Take his rifle and ammunition we’ve need every advantage.” Once it was done so they ran, returning to Tycho. Meanwhile, some of the rebels and volunteers turned the flipped over the speeder, before driving the vehicle back to the defense line.

While taking some casualties the rebels now had a mounted gun to help them.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Tycho remained at the front line, watching for anymore opposition that may come as Radin and a second team of rebels went out. Radin's going for the injured sniper and the other went to retrieve the speeder. It cost them a few men, but they managed to stop the group. So despite how rough things got it all worked out in the end. The criminal watched the two teams return, "Great job you guys." He praised the two teams through the comms.

Seeing that there is no more opposition coming, the officer guessed that the team of bounty hunters failed to get word back to their commander. So they may just have the precious time that they need to get the mounted gun into a good position to add to their defenses and get the wounded taken care of, "Alright ladies. Let's get the gun into a good position. While we are at it get all the wounded to the medical tent." He will say through the comm. As he said the order, the rebel lieutenant walked over to one of the soldiers nearby who was laying wounded by two bolts, one to the shoulder and the other to his flank. The officer guessed that since the soldier is still alive that he had a strong will to live.

The soldier cried out in pain as Tycho lifted the man up, throwing his uninjured arm around his shoulder. The criminal winced as the action aggravated his own injury but gritted through it as he brought the injured soldier to the medical tent, "There will be more coming so have all of your stations ready." He will warn the medical staff as Tycho walked back out of the tent. The Rebel will walk over to Esfir, "Why don't you use the small break we may have to have your head checked? You took a bit of a nasty blow." Tycho suggested as he looked over to the team of rebel soldiers that finished getting the mounted gun into position nearby. He hoped that their luck will continue to go in their favor. As well as that he will give the right orders.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

The rebels on the damaged speeder positioned it behind a small durasteel wall next to Lieutenant Draykon on the right flank. It had an excellent view of the pass ahead. The new gunner centered his aim in that direction. Esfir finally took off her helmet clenching teeth from the pain that spiked inside the head. She bit her lip when Tyco asked her to go check with the doctors back in the tent.

Esfir opened her mouth to protest but instead a pained grunt came out and she muttered in defeat. “Fine.” The exile headed for the medical tent with the other wounded who were already being operated on. Radin sat down and the squad medic, a leathered faced Weequay named Bakura shook her head.

“You don’t know how lucky you are little lady.” The doc noted causing Esfir to roll her eyes in annoyance before replying. “Story of my life. Now patch me so I can get back out there.” Bakura chuckled in amusement at the patient’s stubbornness then went to work.

Half an hour later Esfir returned to Tycho with a bandage wrapped the side of her head with short dark hair. Before she can say something Gev shouted from his hidden position. “Here they come again! Two speeders this time.” Sure enough a pair of hovering cars were advancing through the path straight toward them. Esfir laid down in the sandbag clutching her blaster. Round two was about to start.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

The Lieutenant watched the men finish placing the speeder behind a durasteel wall slightly behind him to his right. They did not need him to tell them that it is in the perfect spot. With the gun aiming right down the path. They had the entire field covered with just that one gun. It is really starting to look like now that the work of getting that speeder in their grasp is starting to pay off nicely. Of course that all depends on if it will help them hold their present location.

When that was in place, all of the wounded was also taken away from the front lines. The officer walked along their defenses for the next half an hour. Personally inspecting every last detail of the defenses. Making sure to tell the men what needed to be quickly repaired or what can be changed to better their defenses. When all that was done, he returned to his previous location that gave him a full view of the front lines as well as the field in front of them. He looked to the woman, noting how she looked.. younger without her hood or helmet on. Her dark hair may make others think that she is the criminal's little sister if such a thought came to one's mind. But before Esfir could say anything or himself Gev shouted a warning that two speeders are coming this time. Tycho unshouldered his rifle, "Take them out! Fire at will!" He will say into the comm. Along with the coded signal that they will not be taking any prisoners.

Making his way over to the wall of sandbags, Tycho took a place next to Esfir. With round two already starting the man rushed to make sure that his rifle was loaded with a fresh clip. Aiming the man fired two bolts that took out one of the ten attacking bounty hunters. The rebel officer then aimed at a second and fired but the Bounty Hunter dropped to the ground, making the bolts miss. Not by much as they landed just behind the bounty hunter. However as Tycho took aim again a bolt from another bounty hunter clipped Tycho's flank. Not a fatal wound but it will make it hard for the Officer to fight until he put his mind away from the pain. As a result of the injury Tycho fell to the ground, clutching his side, dropping his rifle. A medic who was rushing to get back to the medical tent as the fighting started rushed over to Tycho to tend to his wound. Whom was so eager to participate in the fight believing for every one he took out was one less of his soldiers that would get hurt or killed, struggled to get up as the medic tended to the wound. A wave of pain that radiated from the wound forced the officer back down. He looked up to Esfir, "Take them out. No matter what. Take those bastards out." He will tell her so that she focused more on the battle than the injured man. If she got distracted, then she will get hurt or worse.


@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

All hell broke loose. Blasterfire shot out from one side and the other. Esfir Radin stayed behind cover waiting for the enemy speeders to be range. Just as she was about to pull the trigger however, Tycho was shot and fell back. A volunteer medic rushed over to his side before she can tried.

The former con then ordered her to keep fighting. Realizing there was no time to hesitate Esfir did as commanded.

When the duo speeders were coming out of the pass yards away Esfir opened fire toward the one on the left. Two bolts struck the main gunner in the chest knocking her off the vehicle. Second as they got closer the huntress unleashed another two round burst into the driver’s center mass, killing him instantly. The speeder flipped to the side throwing the remaing three occupants off as a result. One of them laying in front of the crashed transport was cut down swiftly blasted in the back three laser bolts.

The other speeder circle around firing on the defenders while the two surviving bounty hunters laid on the ground shooting back as well. “Tirsa we digerin!” Esfir growled at them in her native tongue as she reloaded the carbine behind the sandbags.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

As the volunteer medic tended to his wound, whom also struggled to keep Tycho still as the man was determined to remain in the fight. Tycho did his best to fight through the pain and remain conscious. The man panted as he leaned against the pile of sandbags, gritting his teeth as he picked his rifle up. Groaning as he moved. The medic decided that perhaps it was best to let the officer get one last shot in before finishing the treatment, and the medic seemed to be at the point of giving up with the criminal being as stubborn as a Bantha.

Leaning his chest against the pile of sandbags, Tycho laid his rifle on top of the pile like a makeshift tripod. The man shook his head as he tried to remain away as well as shake the pained signals that are flooding his nerves. The Lieutenant Draykon aimed his rifle at one of the two bounty hunters laying on the ground and fired. He managed to kill the enemy soldier. But the other got a shot in at Tycho, though it will only clip a piece of armor off. Nothing too serious. The medic will then drag him back down behind the sandbags to finish what she came over to do.

There is now only five bounty hunters left, hopefully they can be taken out. The medic took the officer's helmet off his and handed him a canteen of water. Tycho took a few gulps of the water from the canteen then placed the lid back on it. Setting it down next to him the officer looked over to a group of Volunteers, "Hey! Get to the front lines. Help to fight them off!" He yelled. The group nodded and without question moved to a position that needed to be filled to solidify their defenses.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Rebel firepower increased with the refugee volunteers joining in. The last bounty hunter was cut down by multiple blaster bolts while the remaining enemy on their vehicle attempted a u-turn to escape. Yet the rebel using mounted gun onboard the captured speeder locked onto them from behind, blasting away. Moments later explosion erupted from the final hover car, killing all inside. At the sight, the defenders finally stopped.

Esfir relaxed slumped herself behind the sandbag wall. Looking back at the wounded lieutenant, she noted. “Looks like we get to live for a bit little longer.” The Sahminian then closed her eyes to rest. It had been an eventful day to say the least. A part of her was concerned maybe more bounty hunters were out there but for now it didn’t hurt to savor this victory at least.

Just then the defenders heard something coming from above. A moment of panic set for them before seeeing it was small squadron of rebel fighters swarming around to protect a heavy transport as it descended into the canyon. At the sight, most of rebels and volunteers cheered and howled with delight, knowing they will be off planet soon. Esfir looked up with a tired smile equally pleased it was all over.

“Hope we get a hot meal for this one.” She said to Tycho while the heavy freighter touched behind them.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Just as the last of the bounty hunters were defeated. The lieutenant recieved a coded message that the frieghter was on it's way down. But he will not recieve it since his helmet was off. The rebel officer hoped that was the last of the bounty hunters and that no more will be coming. He looked over to Esfir, "Looks like it." He will say with an exhausted tone of voice.

Tycho watched the medic as she walked off to tend to other wounded soldiers. The criminal winced as he sat up a bit, leaning against the sandbags for a moment or two. With the sound of engines the officer looked up, worried that it was more bounty hunters attacking. But it was only the frieghter and a fighter escort coming down to get them, "Well it is about time!" He will yell over the deafening roar of the engines. When the frieghter landed Tycho signaled for everyone to get on board.

Groaning a bit as he got to his feet the officer held a hand out to help Esfir up, "Don't worry. I will put a word in that everyone who was here deserves a good rest and a hot meal."

And when the two rebels and everyone else was on board the frieghter. Tycho will do just that. After having a go at the pilot for being late for no reason when the pilot explained why the frieghter was late arriving to get to the camp.

/End thread

@Minuteman75