Night Shift

[Esfir Radin]

Inner Rim, Planet Denon, District 567
​

“This is not Nar Shaddaa but still pretty miserable.” Esfir Radin murmured underneath her Ranger Scout Armor looking out a window from a safe house within Denon’s slums. The Sahminan had heard rumors that the Alliance commander grew up on this world. It’s hard to imagine for her living in a hive of filth like the one in view.

Turning away from the window Esfir checked on her blaster carbine and then looked back at the other rebel in the sparse room. Tycho Draykon, an officer she had come to trust and respect. Fighting alongside him on a number of missions had earned such faith. ”Are you ready lieutenant?” The armored fighter asked, ready to start their next assignment.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Denon, a planet that is in a few ways like the one that he is from. A filthy, miserable planet to call home. All because of the exploitations of the Imperial Republica. He too had heard the rumors that the Alliance Commander is from this miserable place. Well hopefully soon like his homeplanet, Denon too will be freed.

The rebel Lieutenant had been very, very carefully thinking everything through. Along side him and Esfir, a soldier that Tycho had come to see as a little sister, was a dozen men and women that had been assigned to him. He felt that there is a lot of pressure on his shoulders this time around. They are deep in the Imperial border. One slip up and they are all dead.

The officer readied his rifle and made sure his armor is ready to go as Esfir looked out the window. As the younger warrior looked at him the man nodded, "Yeah I am ready. Let's get moving." He knew that the other men and women are ready to go as well. Now they will start their next assignment as Tycho led the way out of the room which connected to the street outside, "Don't do anything until I give the signal. Esfir you stay with me. The rest of you spread out." He will firmly order.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Nodding in compliance Esfir followed after Tycho. The other rebels quickly vanished into the shadows to carry their own assignments. Tonight we make Denon know the Alliance means business. The mountain woman vowed, steadily walking through the alleyway before the duo. Her hands firmly griped the carbine and through the helmet visor she scanned hostiles or any unexpected trouble to the sides.

In one corner or another Esfir noted a few homeless people and street urchins trying to keep warm or heading somewhere. They looked away from the armed duo, believing them to be bounty hunters. Considering the lawlessness of this district it wouldn’t be a surprise. The daughter of Radin forced herself not to examine the people any further.

Focus on the objective. She silently reminded herself, maintaining a pace with Tycho.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Holding his rifle close to his side as he led the mountain warrior through the alleyway that will take the duo to their objective. The man prayed to every deity he can think of that they will succeed here. Hoping that the men and women will follow his orders flawlessly. Gripping his Westar rifle the man told himself to push away his emotions and focus on the objective at hand. Getting too emotional will cloud his judgement and cause him to make the wrong orders.

Luckily the rebels look nothing more than a band of bounty hunters or smugglers whom have come here to take a break from their journeys or to catch someone. So no one really paid any mind to the duo as they made their way to their main objective.

Nothing will prepare him for the conditions the people with housing as well as without lived in. This made living on Nar Shaddaa like paradise. A noisy one but still better than what these people are living in. But as he has been mentally telling himself, he can't let himself get emotional. Today will hopefully be the day that the people will stand up to the Empire and push for the changes that they want, not what the sith want. Coming to their objective, Tycho looked to his comrade. There was already a small riot taking place. Now all they had to do was make the spark into a flame. As Esfir and Tycho got into position the other groups started to chime in that they are in position.

He glanced over to Esfir as he spoke the fateful words into the comm, "You guys know what to do. Groups C and D. Don't do anything yet." He will tell everyone before grabbing one of his three flash bang grenades. Almost as though on queue a big group of civilians started rushing towards the scene of the small riot, most likely sparked by one of the groups of rebels. Hating the idea of damaging a civilian's business, but knew he had to do it. Tycho armed the flashbang grenade and tossed it into the window of a business across the street from the two rebels.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

It wasn’t too long before Esfir found herself facing a small yet growing mass of people in an open street. They were facing an Imperial secuierty station that stood in the center of the slums. The place was a symbol of Imperial control over the district. Screams and shouts were being uttered in anger. Soon those were followed by bottles and stones thrown at the outpost and it’s sentires.

With rations getting shortened and the troubles on the war the Imperial Republica was losing more of its grip each day. Time to make it worse. She nodded at Tycho who glanced over to her direction before ording the other teams commence their attacks. Further rage-filled noises eurpted on the side from an opposite corner, Esfir let herself a small grin.

“Group B has done well.” The young exile whispered to Tycho and stood watch over him as he threw a flashbang into a store. Once the small sphere punched a hole in the glass the following blast shattered it completely with a loud sound and a bright flash. At first the ignition caused panic among the crowd and confused the rioters but then blaster shots followed by the hidden rebels.

A few Imperial troopers manning the walls were cut down but many more opened upon the mob before them. At the sudden violence many of the rioters surged forward at the station. “Let us move on.” Esfir noted before gesturing to hee comrade to follow. They would sprint away toward another alleyway before stopping at a manhole. Opening up the lid she jumped down first into the sewer below with a splash.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Tycho nodded when Esfir told him it was now time to get moving. And indeed jit was as more people started coming through the alleyway the duo was previously at. Now making their way down another the officer kept a sharp eye out as the two moved towards a manhole.

Perfect. Now they can add more confusion and panic to the Imperial troops. With how the imperials are on edge already it will be easy to get them to panic if he and Esfir do this next step right.

As the warrior woman got the hole uncovered and jumped down, Tycho will keep a lookout. He will take down one trooper as he kept an eye on their surroundings. With Esfir jumping down it is now his turn. Holding his rifle in one hand he will jump down as well with a splash.

Now soaked due to the splash the Lieutenant gestured in the direction they are to go, "This way. Come on!" He will take the lead once more. It was not far to their next objective and the sewer, no matter how unpleasant it is, will cover their movement from the opposition above.

In no time the two rebels will reach their next objective. A ladder that will take them back the chaotic world above. Shouldering his rifle Tycho will go up first. This manhole cover was a bit heavier than the one that Esfir moved earlier. With a groan the man managed to move the manhole, looking around he will not see any opposition as any that were in the area previously were called to help control the rioters, "It's clear." He will tell his comrade as he climbed out of the hole. Kneeling next to the manhole as he unshouldered his rifle and put a fresh clip into the bottom of the handle.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

“Right.” Esfir acknowledged to the lieutenant, following him close behind. The helmet’s filter kept the foul stench from reaching her nostrils. A small blessing in a perilous situation. They plowed through the muck, and filth ridden water until they reached the ladder.

Alliance intel was spot on this time the exile mused. Letting Tycho go up first Esfir Radin kept watch over their rear just in case, someone was following them. Once the team leader called out the clear signal the young woman slung her carbine over the shoulder and began her ascend top side. She can hear Draykon getting a new clip for his weapon. Once up the former mountaineer finally saw their destination in front of them...the district’s munitions factory.

​

The fumes from the facility made it clear production was continuing. Not for long. The daughter of Radin reminded herself. The street they were in was deserted of the usual Imperial squads that patrol around it. Yards away she can hear blasterfire and screams echo out. The diversion made by the others will buy them time.

Nodding to Tycho, the armored rebel raising her blaster scanned for hostiles while advancing briskly toward the back entrance. Stacking up at the right side of the door Esfir signaled to the team leader she was ready to breach. Despite their tactics she had a feeling there will be security inside.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Looking over to the munitions factory, their target. The man frowned as he looked at the fumes that the facility was producing. Now wonder the conditions are so bad. Well maybe when the two rebels take this facility out the civilians will follow suit. That would for a time make the air worse but with no facilities pumping tons of fumes the air will clear up.

Even though the streets were devoid of troopers, the rebel officer knows that it will not be the case inside the facility. With the staff being on high alert they have most likely called in all the guards they can get. Hopefully the Imperial Army dragged away some of the guards to help control the mob. Hearing the sounds of gunfire and screams that followed made the man's heart sink a little, knowing that his orders resulted in many of those lives lost, civilian and his own soldiers. But there is no turning back now, they have to press on.

Briskly following Esfir to the backdoor of the facility the officer waited for Esfir to get into position. Kneeling to make himself a smaller target with his rifle raised. The Lieutenant nodded when he was ready for her to commence with the breach. If there are any security waiting on the otherside of the door he will be ready and take them down. He just hoped that the mountain warrior will not get hurt or worse in the process. There has been enough loss already.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

With the signal Esfir placed a charge on the door. Stepping back out of harm’s way, the armored rebel only had moments to wait when the device went off. Small explosion ignited, blasting the entrance open with gray smoke. Subsequently, the Sahminian exile tossed a flashbang into the breach and pulled back. Once the flash erupted out of their way they heard cries of pain on the other side.

Rushing forward inside Esfir Radin found herself in a security checkpoint manned by two disoriented guards. She aimed and fired at the nearest Imperial guard on the left side. With a three shot burst he collapsed in a heap and the tattoo fighter let her partner handle the other one. However, four more hostiles charged out from the opposite end of the room.

“Take cover!” Esfir shouted to Tycho, throwing herself behind a desk as enemy fire rained down on the position.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Tycho watched silently as results were produced. The door was no longer a barrier blocking the two rebels from their objective. And the two guards were stunned by the flashbang that was tossed in after the door was taken out.

He will follow Esfir into the facility, taking out the stunned guard that is to the right side with two bolts, one to the chest and the other to the head. But then four more will pile in, blasting away. Tycho moved to his left to get behind a doorway, "Wait for them to reload then take them out." He told Esfir through the comm in an encrypted message incase anyone was listening in.

With how heavy the enemy fire is, it will result in an injury or being killed if one of them prematurely got out of their cover to return fire. The four guards foolishly placed themselves out in the open. But with how the guards were just blasting away, the need to reload came rather quickly, "Take them out!" Tycho told Esfir as he came out of his cover and took out two of the guards with two bolts to each guard, four bolts total being fired from Tycho's rifle.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Despite the bombardment on her position Esfir complied with the order and waited. She stayed down even as each bolt struck the metal desk with violent force. Gripping the carbine more tightly than before Tyco gave the next command. Rising up the nomadic huntress locked onto the other duo and fired four shots as wells two at each target. One hostile took both in the chest and fell sideways another was struck only by one shot in the left shoulder.

Crying out the sentry fell on her back but then drew a frag grenade and tossed it toward the rebels. Alarmed, Esfir shouted. “Grenade get down!” Jumping to the side the mountain woman hit the floor for cover as the small bomb fell by landing near in front of the entrance. It ignited into explosive shrapnel pieces that spread across the room.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Tycho watched as Esfir took out one of the two remaining guards, but the other will get a shoulder injury. It will be painful but the guard will still remain in the fight. The officer moved to try taking out the remaining guard but then the mountain warrior alerted him to the fact a grenade was thrown. Cursing under his breath the Lieutenant quickly got back in the doorway he was using as cover. The cover will protect him from the shrapnel but he wondered if his comrade came out unscathed as well.

When the room was clear two more guards came to the aid of the wounded guard. Tycho took out one of the guards with a single bolt to the head. The body crumbling to the ground. The two remaining guards now learned the importance of taking cover.

Then Tycho got an encrypted message that things outside were starting to get really bad in regards to the violence of the riot. The officer took a deep breath, "Keep it up. No one falls back until I give the order." He reminded the soldier who gave him the encrypted message. Staying behind his cover until the flying bolts stopped, he stepped out and took out the injured guard. Now with less bolts flying through the air, Esfir should be able to take out the remaining guard.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Staying low as possible Esfir was able to avoid most of the shrapnel. Yet one piece cut across the top of the right shoulder before hitting the floor. Hissing in pain Radin berated herself for not taking out the guard more efficiently. Need to work on my aim. She heard new footsteps and looked spotting two additional enemies.

Gritting teeth from both the agony and with determination Esfir aimed to the left and fired three round but only one caught the hostile in the face. The remaining Imperial turned to fire on her direction but the mountain woman rolled out of the way just as fresh blaster bolts struck where she once was. “Too close.” Whispered the Sahminian, now hiding again behind the battered desk.

When the last defender emptied, his clip Esfir sprang up and fired two more times at her enemy. The latter pushed himself back into cover again. Scowling Esfir then spotted one of his legs was out in the open and fired one shot at it. Uttering a cry the man dropped to the floor before the rebel finished him off with three bolts to the back. Still hurting from the newly made wound Radin turned to Tycho gesturing for them to keep moving as she advanced toward the second door which was left open.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

With the last of the guards in this section taken out. Tycho wasted no time in following Esfir up to the second level. Once they clear out any opposition that comes their way, they will plant the explosives and haul out of there. The officer pointed his rifle down the ramp way in front of them, "Plant the explosives as you move. They are automatically set to the remote so we won't have to worry about them going off while we're in here." He explained the Esfir as he broke off from her.

Going to Esfir's right the Lieutenant dropped two guards that came at him. One of their bolts grazing his right armored bicep. It still caused the man to hiss with pain. Coming to the first point Tycho placed an explosive then moved on, taking out another guard as he moved. The officer looked across to Esfir to make sure she is alright. The guards on this level was rather light, meaning what guards were here before he ordered the men to escalate the riots were called to help control the crowds.

Reaching the second point he placed the second of his three explosives, "Alright lets plant the last two and get the kriff out of here." He told his comrade as he placed his final explosive. The explosion these explosives will cause will be big enough to completely demolish the place and possibly neighboring facilities. The officer got to the ramp that will take him and Esfir to another door that will take them out of the facility through a fire escape. He took out one more guard that came running then looked over to Esfir as he scanned their location for anymore hostiles.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

The rest of their advance wasn’t as rough as the initial entry. The diversion with the crowd certainly paid off in the Alliance’s favor tonight. By this point when Tycho issued an order Esfir tended to follow it to the letter. Such was the case as to place explosives across the facility they advanced through. The mountain woman planted bomb after bomb each stack of munitions or machinery she could manage.

Once out of devices she focused solely on protecting the lieutenant but the fellow managed to handle himself despite being wounded from another firefight. We’re almost there. Once they came to the reactor core Esfir took one of the two last bombs as offered by her comrade. They installed them on the large round machine with green lights blinking in the background. It was time to depart.

She climbed up the ramp after Tycho who covered her and even took another enemy that came into the room. Yet the foe managed to fire one bolt that grazed the edge of Esfir’s left leg. Biting her tongue to prevent another scream, the survivor of Mustaf village nearly collapsed but forced herself to keep standing. Looking at the other resistance fighter, she thought admirably. A true brother in arms.

Her respect for him as a warrior and leader grown since they first met. Limping away the huntress exited out of the facility with Tycho in tow. They would sent a coded signal to the diversion teams to withdraw.

@Nommie

 

[Tycho Draykon]

Tycho growled as his comrade took another bolt, this time to her leg. To make sure that the mountain warrior got out without any further injuries he will take the rear, helping Esfir back to her feet as the young lady almost collapsed. The criminal waited for Esfir to exit the building before exiting himself.

He was easily able to catch up to the limping woman, shouldering his rifle the officer took one of her arms and slinged her arm over his shoulder. As Tycho aided his comrade he gave the coded signal for those instigating the riots to begin falling back to the ship. Following soon after he gave the coded signal for teams C and D to set off their explosives that will serve as a secondary diversion from the one that Tycho will set off at the facility. Now the explosions that were set by the other two teams were not set at important locations nor were they very big. They were merely to distract the Imperials. If he set of the explosives it will draw the Imperials to the duo's location.

The two rebels will hear the two sets of small explosives go off followed by the teams sending a coded message that they have reached the extraction point. By this point Tycho and Esfir were far away enough for the officer to set off the explosives they placed in the facility, "Alright. Let's give them a real headache now shall we? Let's light it up." He will state as Tycho pressed the button on the remote. Almost immediately a massive explosion took place at the facility, the resulting blast causing flames to spread to other buildings nearby due to the size of the explosion.

Looking to Esfir he said, "Alright. Let's get the hell out of here." Tycho said quietly as he pocketed the remote then helped the mountain warrior to the extraction point. Once everyone was in the craft took off, giving everyone next to a viewport a look at the damage the explosion had done. Tycho will take a glance before looking to everyone that remained, "Great job everyone." He will praise as the ship left the planet behind.

/End Thread

@Minuteman75