Rescue Rangers

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Rescue

Rangers

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The Smuggler brought his XS-100 out of hyperspace, snapping the starscape and planet before him into view. His emerald eyes took in the planet of Makeb as he turned to look at his co-pilot for the mission.

"...and, just like that you've completed a jump to lightspeed." He said with an endearing smirk spreading across his face.

"Next, we'll go over the intricacies of entering the atmosphere." He explained preparing his comrade for the next portion of her instruction. He hoped he wasn't going over her head. Flying had always come easily to him and sometimes he forgot to mention things he did naturally without thinking. If she had any questions he'd do the best he could to explain in greater detail or in less complicated terms in order to make sure she understood their lesson.

In turn for his help with flight instruction, Ayasha promised to teach him some of the things she'd learned about the force. After their last mission on Nar Shadaa, the smuggler had experienced the effectiveness of Telepathy first hand and hoped to gain a greater understanding of the skill. However, where Crix was an ace with piloting he was a fumbling plebian when it came to anything force related. His only area of adaptation being the heightened intuition he'd experienced since childhood.

Their lessons had gone over about as well as Crix expected. He had a hard time comprehending that he had the ability to do something he'd always believed to be imaginary. Ayasha had been a gem. Her patience was insurmountable and he was forever thankful as he fuddled his way through her instruction. A part of him was amused by the irony, just a few shorts months ago they sat in this cockpit as Crix attempted to explain the vastness of the universe to someone who'd never seen a space ship before. Vu'thari had clearly taken up where Crix left off and now Ayasha was just about on par with an average civilian.

The smuggler angled the light freighter toward the planet making sure his entry point was aligned with his navs coordinates and explaining the process to the Jedi Knight. Peetwo warbled a correction and Crix thanked the droid and amending an instruction. The XS-100 entered Mekab's atmosphere experiencing mild turbulence as the ship's exterior began to heat against the extreme friction. The vessels blaster shield's covered the ships main vista as the intense heat tripped their automated system. The cockpit was plunged into darkness, only illuminated by the purple hue of his ships instrumentation.

As Crix's eyes adjusted he glanced to Ayasha and smiled reassuringly at her before returning his expert gaze to the console in front of him. He counted down from ten as the turbulence intensified. The smell of burnt ozone began to permeate the cockpit as the Corellian ship rocketed toward the surface of the pillar covered world. His hands deftly maneuvered over the controls as he prepared the ships repulser engines for the stress of maintaining flight in a gravitational field. The ship chortled a melodic alert when the engines were ready and the smuggler switched the propulsion system perfectly. Explaining the process in textbook fashion simultaneously.

The blast shield's opened flooding the room with light. Crix's vision adjusted quickly as they closed in on the humoungous cliff pillars that varied from the size of basic structural pillars to sprawling cities. As they entered regular air space, Crix, began to level off making for the secret staging area on the planet. As they neared their destination a harried transmission came over the Rebellion's emergency frequency.

Crix engaged and listened to the message:

"This is rebel Diz Avers, I'm on route to a refugee pick up and I've got two imperial tails. This is a request for immediate assistance on my location." Crix received the info docket and adjusted their trajectory.

He gave Ayasha a mischievous grin and flipped on the ships comm. "Diz, help is on the way."

The smuggler punched the throttle and looked to Ayasha, "Would you mind taking the gunner seat? I think we're about to have some fun. Peetwo, go ahead and connect buddy!"

@Wolf

 

[Ayasha Waya]

The complexities of flight had eluded Ayasha since the day she set foot upon Crix's ship and her entire life was changed in an instant. It had taken the Galtean native a great deal of time to wrap her mind around the fact that there were other planets outside of her own and that people, just like her, could travel between them. She had to learn that ships were not giant steel birds but rather crafts designed to carry passengers across the expanse of a galaxy whose size she could hardly comprehend.

“...and, just like that you've completed a jump to lightspeed.” Ayasha grinned as she looked to the smuggler that had once explained to the woman what a ship was. Crix went on to detail the next process that he would be teaching the Knight about: entering a planet's atmosphere. These functions were things that the woman was plenty familiar with nowadays, but she chiefly relied on SawDip to perform them while traversing the galaxy.

The Jedi felt as though it was time she begin learning the finer points of piloting, especially now that she had a ship of her own. The raven haired woman had come to a friendly agreement with the smuggler at her side, offering to teach him some things about the Force in exchange for flying lessons. While Vu'thari had been quick to teach the Knight the basics, there had been little time between missions and training to go deeper. Ayasha hoped that after working with Crix, she would be able to show her astrogation droid a thing or two.

“I usually hide in my quarters during reentry,” the Jedi admitted with a bit of a laugh. Though said in jest...it was the honest truth. Every time SawDip began the sequence that would take them down to the planet's surface, Ayasha excused herself to go 'ready herself' ahead of touchdown. Now, the Knight would have to face down her fears and learn this challenging aspect of the controls for herself. The turbulence intensified and the smell of burning ozone entered the cockpit. The Jedi's heart began to race, though she fought against the anxiety welling up within her chest.

Crix was a natural in flight and Ayasha could not help but look on in admiration as his hands danced over the controls. He was calm and cool as he explained in great detail exactly what was happening with the engines as he switched the propulsion system flawlessly. Bright light flooded the space as the blast shields opened, causing the woman to squint at the sudden change. In a moment they were faced with huge pillars that varied in size and Ayasha nearly jumped back in her seat at the sight.

Just as the craft carrying the pair were about to reach their destination, a frantic transmission was relayed by a rebel named Diz Avers. He explained that while on his way to pick up some refugees, he ended up with two Imperials trailing him. “This is a request for immediate assistance on my location,” the man said as Crix immediately went about adjusting the trajectory of his ship. The Knight's eyes moved quickly from the scene before them to the smuggler's face and back to the viewport. If asked, she would lie...but she was nervous. Melee was one thing, a dogfight...that was something entirely different.

Crix shot the Jedi a mischievous grin as mirth danced in his eyes. “Diz, help is on the way,” he relayed to the rebel that had made the call for help. “I should have seen that coming...” Ayasha said as she rolled her eyes at the man beside her. The Jedi had only been involved in one other battle in the skies and while she and Vu'thari had been successful, it was not one of her more fond memories. The smuggler hit the throttle and returned the glance in Ayasha's direction before asking if she would take the gunner seat. “Lucky for you, that is something I'm actually good at...” she added with a wink before heading to the turret.

As the Knight found her seat with the gun before her, she had to smile. Granted, the chase through the asteroid field was not one of her favorite recollections but it was a moment where she had excelled. Ayasha lifted the headset beside her and placed it over her head before adjusting the mic near her mouth. “Alright, Crix...ready when you are,” she relayed over the ship's com. Certainly two Imperials would not be too great of a challenge for the ace pilot and a Jedi Knight at the gun...at least, Ayasha hoped that they would not be. The raven haired woman placed her hands upon the trigger grips and cleared her mind, drawing a deep breath in through her nose and with it, the strength and focus of the Force.


@Zay

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Peetwo connected to the XS-100's console and once he was tethered Crix would depend on his little buddy to watch the sensors and alert him to incoming danger. The pair had flown countless missions together and their compatibility was impressive. The little droid had been with the smuggler since the very beginning and they operated like a finely oiled machine. As Ayasha stepped to the turret the smuggler put on his headset.

“Alright, Crix...ready when you are,” Crix chuckled, she was nervous, but he was confident they'd be fine.

They closed in on Diz's location, Crix hailed their comrade and Diz answered, stress apparent in his tone, "Please tell me you're close."

"Were closing in, pal. Looks like we're gonna be coming up on your six soon. Is it just you?" Reported The Smuggler.

"Negative, there are two of us. We're part of the transport team, so our weapons are limited." Diz responded. Crix considered the information. The Transport Team were the ones responsible for getting the refugees off planet. Which meant there was a group of civilians waiting on transport right now. Realizing he needed to pull the attention from Diz as quickly as possible the piloting Ace came up with a wild plan.

"Copy Diz, I'll get those admirers off your tail, just keep flying defensively!" Crix remarked as he switched back to the ships internal comms. Ayasha would have been able to hear the conversation he and Diz had.

"Get ready, I'm going in!"

The Smuggler's brow furrowed as four imperial fighters appeared on the horizon. The second freighter was sporting a pair of its own followers. No big deal, he'd literally out flown twelve pissed off pirates last week this was going to be cake. He closed in on the two tailing Diz's partner and went into a sudden arc followed by a steep dive. The XS- 100 rocketed toward the space between the Imperials and their target. Peetwo wailed a warning as molten plasma lit up the back of the transport's engines. A small explosion sent a plume of smoke into the air and The Highwind cut through it. In their dive, Ayasha would have a shot at both imps training their comrade. The wounded light freighter was forced to the ground. They'd be out of the fight, but that didn't mean they were out of this.

Crix watched as Diz narrowly evaded incoming fire and The smuggler pulled his yoke hard toward their remaining comrade. He closes the gap coming up behind the two imprial ships behind Diz.

@Wolf

 

[Ayasha Waya]

“Please tell me you're close,” the voice on the other end was enveloped in stress. Even from this distance, the empath could sense the pilot's stress as he attempted to shake the crafts that were tailing him. Crix relayed that they were closing in on his location and asked Diz if he was alone. “Negative, there are two of us,” the pilot confirmed, explaining that they were part of the transport team taking the refugees to safety from the crash site on the planet below.

It was obvious that the transport ships had a limited ability to engage in the dogfight that was rapidly unfolding. “Copy Diz, I'll get those admirers off your tail, just keep flying defensively!” the smuggler instructed the pilot. No sooner had Crix switched back to the internal comms, he was shouting for her to get ready. “I'm going in!” he exclaimed while Ayasha drew in a deep breath and forgot to exhale.

The craft approached the two fighters tailing the second freighter and then suddenly made a stomach churning move. The Jedi Knight's hands clenched around the triggers of the gun and she fought her eyelids as they attempted to close over her golden orbs. “Vu'thari does not fly like this...” the raven haired woman thought to herself as Crix continued the sequence of evasive maneuvers.

Just as the smuggler pulled the ship into a downward dive, the two Imperial targets became visible to Ayasha. From past experience, she knew exactly what to do. Without hesitation, the Knight's hands squeezed the triggers hard and several shots slammed into the first of the two fighters. In an impressive display of sparks followed by an explosion, the craft disintegrated before her eyes.

The Jedi did not pause as she drew on the Force to aid her aim. Seconds later, she squeezed the triggers once again and as before, several shots slammed into the body of the craft trailing the freighter. The Knight was treated to her own personal fireworks display as the fighter went out in an explosion that looked nearly identical to the first. Ayasha yelled as she threw a hand overhead in celebration.

“Got 'em both, Crix!” she announced excitedly through the headset before returning her hands to the triggers. The celebration was short lived however, as two other Imperial crafts came into view, both of which were gaining on Diz. “Looks like trouble up ahead!” Ayasha called to Crix as she hunkered down in her seat, prepared for another gut wrenching set of moves to get into position.

OOC/Dice
@Zay

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

“Got 'em both, Crix!” Cheered Ayasha, and Crix whooped with excitement, "Don't get too cocky, kid!" He teased as he brought them into their next attack run. As they closed in on the pair following Diz, the fighter on the left whipped into a somersault and came in behind them.

"We've got one on our tail. Let me worry about him you take out the guy on Diz!" He suggested as he fell into a defensive flight pattern. The fighter behind him wasn't wasting any time and opened fire.

Crix sent the ship into a barrel roll, narrowly dodging the incoming fire. He tried to swing out and around a pillar, but as he went to move the fighter unloaded. Peetwo warbled and alarmed alert and Crix whipped it the other way. He managed to avoid a direct hit, but the sudden evasion may have thrown off Ayasha's shot. Realizing the enemy pilot behind him was far too skilled to ignore any longer, The Smuggler, called into the comm, "Change of plans, we gotta get this guy off us, get ready!"

The Highwind caught a break and the pilot made a small misstep giving Crix just enough time to break line of sight. He pulled a partial figure eight around a series of pillars, the maneuvers giving the other pilot a small pause, but continuing to follow the light freighter. Once he'd put enough space between him and the imperial, the smuggler spotted a decently sized pillar and shot toward it. He cut to the left and rocketed around the mountainous formation. As they came around the pillar the imperial missed their turn and passed by. The XS-100 came up behind the fighter, this would be the best opportunity Ayasha would get. The imp was on the defensive almost immediately, flying in a complex jumble movement.

"You can do this Ayasha, blast him!" He encouraged, hoping Diz was alright.

@Wolf

 

[Ayasha Waya]

“Don't get too cocky, kid!” Crix teased and the pair shared a brief laugh over the headseat comm. The moment was short lived and Ayasha's hands tighted on the grips of the triggers as Crix took the ship into the next attack run. He was a gifted pilot, there was no question about that. Ayasha admired the smuggler's abilities and hoped that the lessons he had been giving her would help her achieve even a tenth of his skill.

Ayasha shifted in her seat as she readied herself for the next round of attacks. Things changed suddenly however, and Crix was back on the comm instructing her that they now had one on their tail as he began to fly defensively.

The Knight swallowed hard as she attempted to focus on her target. It was difficult if not impossible to take a steady aim on the fighter behind Diz as the craft whipped back and forth between the pillars. Suddenly the fighter that had slipped behind them opened fire. “We've got a problem, Crix!” Ayasha shouted over the comm, but it was apparent in his flying that he was well aware.

Crix suddenly called back to her that there was a change of plans and informed her with urgency that they needed to get the fighter off their tail. Just then, the smuggler pulled a partial figure eight maneuver around a series of pillars and shot ahead toward a large rocky formation. He cut hard to the left and the pilot tailing them missed the turn which gave Ayasha the opening she needed to take him down. “You can do this Ayasha, blast him!”

The Knight drew in a deep breath as she watched the craft return to an erratic flight pattern in an attempt to thwart the turret's efforts. She felt the peace of the Force and focused upon her connection to everything around her. Ayasha then did something that would have appeared rather counterintuitive...she closed her eyes. Her hands held the triggers tightly and just at the moment where it felt right, she squeezed and a torrent of fire slammed into the fighter.

The craft erupted in a loud shattering display of sparks as it blew apart. “Got him!” Ayasha yelled over the comm to her friend at the controls. “One more! We've almost got this!” she called to the smuggler and readied herself for the final assault.


@Zay

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Crix whooped victoriously as the ship in front of them combusted into a fiery explosion as The Highwinds laser cannons ripped through the ship.

"Great shot!" he called over the comm, excitement in his voice.

He looked over to Peetwo and joked, "See, I told you everything would be fine."

A haughty smile played on his lips as he arched his ship toward Diz. As Crix rounded a corner, he spotted his comrade and sucked in a surprised breath as he saw the Imperial begin to fire on Diz. Crix threw the throttle forward rocketing The Highwind toward their friend.

"Ayasha, I'm closing in, aim true because we might not get a second try." his tone was a stark contrast to the elation he'd expressed before. The imperial was close to blowing Diz out of the sky. Diz was one hell of a pilot. He managed to dodge a second volley keeping the attention of the Imperial long enough for Crix to bring The Highwind in behind the final imperial. He was lined up, it was up to Ayasha to take them home!

@Wolf

 

[Ayasha Waya]

Hearing Crix respond in joint celebration warmed Ayasha's heart. She had hope that they would make it out of this encounter unscathed. The Knight watched through the viewport as the smuggler continued to fly evasively. Her eyes darted to Diz's ship and she winced as the Imperial fighter began taking shots at the transport. While she was concerned for the pilot, she was also thankful that there were no refugees on board. A volatile situation could have turned into something far worse had that been the case.

Ayasha's thoughts were interrupted by Crix's voice. In somber tones he informed her that he was closing in and that she needed to aim true. The thought of possibly failing this shot and not getting a second chance caused a hard lump to form within the woman's throat. Her body was buzzing with anxiety as she knew that saving Diz's life was likely in her hands.

The Knight swallowed hard as she drew upon the power of the Force and tightened her hands around the triggers. Just then, the ship lined up at an ideal angle and Ayasha took the shot. She was certain there would be no way that she would miss based on the direct line of sight she had on the fighter...but she was wrong. The volley of fire missed the Imperial craft all together and slammed into the back of Diz's ship.

The Jedi's jaw dropped and she felt tears sting at the corners of her eyes but she denied them from falling. Instead, she was right back on the triggers and squeezed with all of her might, praying as she did. The shots slammed into the body of the fighter and as those before him, it erupted in a shattering of durasteel and glass as sparks exploded from the craft. Ayasha leaned her head against the controls and breathed in deeply, her thoughts with Diz. His ship was out of sight and she had no idea what had happened...if she had caused his end.

“I'm sorry, Crix...” it was all the woman could muster as her heart sank into her stomach.


@Zay

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Crix brought The Highwind in carefully behind the imperial. Ayasha, butt he imperial moved at the last second. The Smuggler's eyes went eyed with fear as the stray shots peppered Diz. Ayasha didn't allow the mistake to cause her to hesitate. She took another shot and struck home. The imperial ship burst into flames. The conflagration was like a firework signaling their victory. He couldn't believe she'd made that shot.

Elated, the smuggler didn't even hear her apologize as he whooped over the comm line.

"That first shot had me nervous, but you did it!" He laughed hailing Diz, "Sorry about that buddy!"

Diz chuckled sardonically, "Yeah thanks for the help." He started to laugh and then said, "No seriously, that was a close call. Thank you."

Crix smiled. It felt good to be apart of a cause. To actually contribute to something bigger than himself... Snapping out of his little epiphany, Crix replied, "No worries, Pal, just return the favor some time. Can I get those coordinates, you're going to need a hand right?" Diz obliged and thanked them again.

Crix altered their course and made for the rendezvous point. When they arrived Three rebels stood out. A blue Duro, a... little rabbit, and... Oh! It's the cigarette guy! Man, what are the odds? He thought astounded by the coincidence. As he overcame his shock he let down the boarding ramp and stepped out of the ship in order help organize the refugees. He had the drop coordinates and he'd be ready to make for space.

@Wolf

 

[Ayasha Waya]

Ayasha was beyond relieved when she heard Diz's voice over the comm. She sighed and sat back in her seat while Crix celebrated their success. It was true what Diz said, this was a lot closer than he likely even realized. From the Knight's vantage point, it looked as though the freighter should have been a goner.

The smuggler brought The Highwind down at the rendezvous point where they met with three rebels that seemed to stand out from the crowd. Crix let the ramp of the craft open and Ayasha pulled herself from the turret seat. She placed her hands to her face and attempted to gather herself after the high adrenaline situation. Drops of sweat dripped into her eyes and she wiped them away before joining her pilot just outside of the ship.

“I'll help get some of the refugees together from just down the way!” the raven haired woman said as she took off toward a group gathered about a quarter of a mile away from the transports. As she jogged in their direction, the Jedi drew upon the Force and cleared her mind. This was a great opportunity to detach herself from the anxiety of what had just transpired. While she was not completely green on the turret, holding the lives of others directly in her hands was not something she enjoyed in the least.

As soon as the woman approached the gathered group of refugees, she slowed to a stop and greeted them with a warm smile. “I am here to help you off of the planet. Stay together and come with me, there are transports waiting!” With that, the group of nearly thirty men, women and children huddled together and began making their way toward the transports. It looked as though most of the work had been done save for the last few groups waiting on a way out.

The group continued at a brisk pace, meanwhile Ayasha set her gaze upon the sky as well as all around them. This was a vulnerable moment as Imperials could strike unannounced at any time. The woman looked over her shoulder every few seconds to be sure that nobody had fallen behind. As she neared the landing site, she waved a hand over her head to signal to the pilots that this group was ready to board quickly and be on their way to the drop point.

“Alright, I have to split you up but you'll be back together at the drop point shortly. Let's try to keep families together if at all possible,” the Jedi instructed as she began funneling small groups into one of several waiting ships. Her eyes shifted to Crix's face and she smiled. It was amazing to her how everything had worked out. She was thankful that he had finally come around and was about to embark on the path of the Jedi. He would make a great Knight someday, she was sure of it.

THE END​

@Zay