Ask Kashyyyk Search and Rescue

[Dr Ilana Morata]

A team of MorataCorp researchers had recently departed to the Mid Rim to collect more specimens that would contain critical data of one of the original mutations of the AMS virus. With the security agreement between MC and ISC, the CEO of the company, Doctor Morata, and a select core of agents were selected and chosen to investigate the last known location of the crew aboard the small RangeMaster squad Saving Graces. This mission called for stealth, and for a way for the ISC and the growing corporation to work together.

If that didn't read like a holodrama novel, the Doctor wasn't sure what would.

"We'll be coming out of hyperspace soon," she spoke quietly to her companion, her features remote and cold.

It would be then she would slide the Ranger a look, assessing him in the copilot seat aboard the RangeMaster that was formerly Malakai Beck's, now rechristened the Fallen Angel. It was a trite enough name that no one would know it was the Good Doctor herself.

"How well do you know Kashyyyk?"

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

The objective was simple in the description but it had a few complexities that would make it quite interesting. They were tasked with finding and possibly retrieving the crew of the Saving Graces. The interesting part, a VIP was accompanying Draco and that was Dr. Ilana Morata. She was the CEO of MC and if anything happened to her, it would most likely be the head of him and of everyone else within the squad.

"Copy that." Draco responded, as he flipped a few switches and placed his hands on the controls, ready to steady the ship when it would exit hyperspace. He was dressed in a black shirt, fatigues, and boots, his armor stored away for the moment until they approached the atmosphere. The white stands in his hair striking out as they were lit up from the hyperspace travel.

When he was asked about Kashyyyk, Draco turned his head to look at her, the brand on his face becoming visible. His gaze was held for a few seconds before he returned it to the front, "Howler, what you know about Kashyyyk?" There would be a set of footsteps before someone entered the cockpit.

Howler leaned against a nearby wall with his arms crossed, "Heard it one hot and hairy mess. That's about what I know." He was dressed the same as Draco, the only difference between them was that he had short blonde hair, brown eyes, and no facial hair.

He then pressed a button on his comm, "Tundra, what you know about Kashyyyk?" There was a second of delay before a buzz, a woman's voice coming through, "It's quite tropical. As long as we keep our heads down and respect the Wooks, they'll leave us be."

Draco looked back over to the Doctor and finally responded, "Well, I know it could be a hot and hairy mess but if we keep out the wookie's way, we'll be alright, Dr. Morata." It was his first time visiting the planet and his answer would reflect that. They finally exited from hyperspace as the ship gave a little jolt. The planet Kashsssyk would swallow their view, the lushness of its forests able to be seen even from space. "What about you doctor?" His gaze was on the planet as he started to bring them in with her.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Hot hairy mess. Respect the Wooks. Was it surprising that she realized she was the one most likely to have spent actual time on Kashyyyk? She glanced back over at the Ranger... Draco, was it? briefly, before giving the faintest smile, gaze panning back to the blue of hyperspace.

"I've been a few times."

Memories of a stranger helping her to escape zombies; treating mothers and their children, wounded chieftains. The few slaves she rescued from deaths... the smile faded, as a beeping indicated they were fast approaching.

"Coming out of hyperspace now."

When the stars became fixed points once again, and the green beauty of Kashyyyk snapped into focus once again, she wasn't prepared for the sight before her.

Immediately, debris seemed to fill the viewing screen. Uttering out a low curse, she turned hard to avoid not only the brunt of it, but the rest of their group. Nonetheless, some of it bumped. One of the debris pieces held the answers to who had seemingly been blasted out of space.

One of the Saving Graces, the Saver Three. Its' signature glinted in the light, and even from here, without any views of hostiles, she knew none were alive. That left two more ships.

Suddenly, she felt cold. But her voice was low, hard in the small cockpit, not even looking at the Rangers.

"Guess that solves the mystery for one of them. Dammit."

And now... amber eyes flicked over the planet. If the other two ships survived... what waited down below? And what had happened to the Saver Three that assaulted them before they could send emergency signals or jump to hyperspace?

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

When they exited from hyperspace, they would be plopped into a field of debris that required some slight evasive maneuvers so no real damage was committed to the ship. Draco's golden eyes flicked between each piece of metal that floated helplessly out in space, wondering the exact same thing that was on the Doctor's mind, a sense of uneasiness washing over him. Ilana made her frustration with the revelation known and he couldn't blame her. It wasn't a good sign of what had happened to the rest of the ships.

He turned his head slightly to Howler, "Perform a scan, signs of any life, cargo, anything." It may have been pointless but was good to check. The soldier nodded before stepping over to a section of the cockpit lit up with panels on the wall and a small screen. He pressed a few buttons and waited before shaking his head, "No life forms detected or signs of equipment. Whatever attacked got what they wanted and left or they made their way down on the planet already." Draco glanced over at Howler and then the doctor before assigning the autopilot to take control over his portion of duties.

He stood up from his chair and walked over to his squadmate, "Suit up and the others, we're about to make a landing." Howler glanced at the doctor and then back to Draco, "We know what we're actually getting into?" As a response, he just shook his head but with the hint of a sarcastic smile, "Don't we like it like that though?" The fellow soldier chuckled softly and gave a half-hearted salute before exiting from the cockpit. Draco would exit from the cockpit as well with him to dress for whatever they were about to run across.

A few minutes would pass before he would walk back in, this time in armor, his helmet dangling slightly from his hip with the help of a clip. Draco sat back down in his original seat, retaking control from the autopilot as they approached closer and closer to Kashyyyk. "We can perform surface scans. See if we can pick up the other two before we have to do this the old-fashioned way." This was supposed to be an in-and-out mission and the idea of searching on foot wasn't agreeable with how much time would be wasted.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Seeing the Ranger crew be so calm helped ease some of the raw fury that threatened to flare to life in amber eyes. They were good people. They worked hard for the vaccine, and now they were either dead or kidnapped; this had gone from a mystery to the worst possible scenario within the space of a few minutes.

Her jaw was tight as she rose, also putting on her armored coat and pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

"I'm going with you," she answered in clipped tones, glancing to Howler and Draco. But he had a fair point; they would have to scan the planet's surface first, not an easy feat, but something. Surely the other two ships had to have survived, or there would be more debris.

Indicators brightened on the screen, but her eyes narrowed at the results. "There's the ships' signatures... but no reported life forms. They can't have gotten far."

But... how deep into the forests did they go? Being driven into the darkness of Kashyyyk...

"What madness drew them in there?" she muttered, mostly to herself with a scowl.

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

The doctor informed the two that she planned on accompanying them and neither of them offered any rejection. It would have been safer for her to stay on the ship but Draco wanted to discover answers and what made these ships possible targets.

The screen eventually let out a bleep as it found a blip on the surface, one or at least both of the ships. They had either crashed or landed but it was too hard to tell in the darkness. Ilana muttered to herself what could have drawn them in there and Draco offered her a glance before returning it forward, "Or dragged them there." With the debris that was in orbit, it was most likely the latter, at least in his mind and what he has seen. With the signature of the ships locked on the map, he would help direct a landing spot for the doctor as the ship would eventually land with a small thud, their targets not that far off in the distance.

Draco pushed out of his seat and unclipped his helmet before slipping it on, his rifle unslung and aimed at the ground but in his hands already. "Let's go see what happened." When he exited from the ship, he wouldn't be the only soldier present as there were about six bodies in total among the squad. They all wore near-identical armor with differences here and there to separate them. He pointed to two of them to draw their attention, "Rabbit, Tundra, scout ahead and report if you see anything. Don't engage without us."

Rabbit, one with a small pair of rabbit ears painted on the side of his helmet, nodded and left with Tundra as they went at a jogging pace to get ahead. Draco then stuck his index finger up and spun it in a circle in the air, "Rest of you, on Doc and let's get moving." They all offered confirmation before forming a sort of square around the two, each standing in the corners.

As they walked calmly towards the landed ship, Draco peered over to Ilana, his amber eyes hidden away by his helmet, "So, you know what they were carrying or doing that could make them a target?" Some idea could give insight into who committed the deed against her employees.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She scanned amongst the trees, from within the vehicles, the empathic abilities even reaching far, far ahead to feel even the slightest hint of anything. At Draco's question, amber eyes settled on his helmet. Apart from some emotions flaring to life so many miles away, she could get no fixed reading on anything; however, to admit to that would pin her as a Force user. She would have to play the part of the aggravated CEO looking after her assets.

"They were meant to do data collection and specimens; there's been a recent infection amongst the Wookies," she answered in clipped tones. "Such data would be valuable to those researching for an AMS vaccine, or to hold hostage for credits." The last part was mostly spoken to herself, but it seemed plausible. Why else destroy only one ship?

It was a warning to the rest of the staff and crew... or a lure for the CEO herself.

Around them, the forest stood silent, almost too silent. Nothing seemed to even break the silence of the trees creaking.

Creaking...?

Four bodies suddenly lurched to life behind the trees.

What once were Wookies, were now so beyond there was no doubt what they were now.

Matted fur clung to rotting flesh. Though two of them seemed to shamble forwards in a lurching, hurried pace, the other two let out a spittle-filled roar each before charging ahead, blind fury twisting corpse faces as the smell of fetid, rotting flesh filled the air.

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

Ilana answered and the frustration in her voice was apparent. It was hard to tell whether it was because of her employee's lives or because her mission had failed. Either way, Draco didn't dwell on it, it wasn't his place and certainly wasn't his paygrade to give a damn. Reflecting her words, he wasn't familiar with MC completely and didn't know if they had any true enemies or not. It led to believe they had to be dealing with bandits or technical failures of catastrophic proportions. "Hopefully, the truth will come out."

They continued cutting through the forest and it had been a minute before Rabbit or Tundra had reported back to him. Draco lifted his arm, about to speak into his comm device before catching the creaking sound that Ilana had noticed first. The motion of his arm swiftly transformed into a closed fist that was raised in the air, the universal signal to halt. The rest of the squad lowered their stance slightly, their guns half-raised with their fingers hovering near the trigger.

It wasn't long before the sources of the sound revealed themselves, putrid and decomposing Wookies. It was a horrid sight and one that he had never seen before in his life. But when the two charged, the squad's instincts took over. Of the first two Wookies that charged, one managed to pull ahead of the other and made himself the prime target. Howler aimed his rifle and squeezed off a handful of shots; two hitting the creature's right leg and another one hitting its left leg. With its legs giving in, the creature fell forward but before it could hit the ground, Draco squeezed off another shot that hit it right in the forehead and killed it instantly.

His eyes immediately swung around to find the other one but it was too late. It covered the distance shortly while they dealt with the first and it swiped its arm and hit him right across his face. Even though it appeared undead, it still felt like it contained the strength of a live Wookie and it sent him flying back. Draco bit his tongue as he felt blood fill his mouth and if he didn't wear the helmet, he most likely would have had a broken jaw.

When he hit the ground, he rolled through the dirt for a few seconds before he straightened out and laid flat on his back. His rifle was steadied in his hands already and he instantly started firing at the Wookie as Howler jumped in to help.

Two of the remaining squad members dealt with one of the remaining two Wookies as one launched itself in the middle of them and let out an ear-curdling roar. The second Wookie focused its attention on Ilana and charged full speed before leaping towards her, the last squadmate coming to her aid as he poured down fire.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Every time she came to this planet, something else would try to eat her or claw her to pieces. The sight of the four infected didn't make her blink, but she scowled, glaring it down as it first shambled, then started picking up speed to charge, then leap towards her.

She didn't panic. She took a deep breath.

Squared up her sights with the gaping, rotten maw with her DG.7.

And fired once, twice. Once in the head, once in the chest.

It jerked backward without a sound, a gaping, smoking hole where its' head once was. She exhaled quietly when it crumpled to the ground, then assessed the rest of the group.

The second infected had been taken care of already by Howler and Draco; the third's chest smoked full of holes and roared a spittle-and-pus-filled snarl at the squad members who finally managed to land a merciful killing between the eyes to put it down. Tundra managed to squeeze off a shot to dispatch it, immediately also assessing the rest of the group the moment it fell down for the last time.

Then there was the one assaulting Draco.

The Doctor raised her blaster but then had to lower it. He was too close to the infected, if she shot it and missed, she could very well strike the Ranger, not a wise idea for those who were meant to help and protect her. Howler managed to get a shot into the Wookie's left arm, almost severing it. It whipped around, and blackish blood dribbled down, exposing muscle and bone.

It then began to turn towards its' new assailant.

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

The one that had smacked him in the jaw wasn't through with its work and wanted to finish. Draco was dazed from the strike he had taken and it resulted in his bolts directly landing in the Wookies stomach. That only enraged the beast more and when it had almost been practically on top of him and smacked the rifle out of his hands, that's when Howler landed the successful shot into the creature's arm. The bolt damaged the limb thoroughly enough to almost cut it off as the shooter seized the undivided attention of the infected.

The creature turned and spared Draco, its yells echoing around the trees once more as it started to gain speed. He shook his head to clear the daze before spotting the infected sprinting at Howler. Needing to think quick, he spun on his rear so his legs faced toward the back of the Wookie and lifted his right arm while he sat up. It was aimed for the briefest of seconds before a grapple line shot out from the armor's gauntlet and right into and through the Wookie's leg. The hook pierced through the flesh and bone as Draco wrapped the cord around his forearm and pulled with all his might with both hands, the hooks sinking deep into the flesh of the undead.

Taken by surprise, the Wookie fell forward and onto its face, it sliding in the dirt for a moment before being stopped by the resistance. Without hesitation, Howler stepped up and leveled his rifle to the creature's head, and pulled the trigger twice to silence it for good. Draco breathed heavily as he rested both arms on his knees, his eyes locked on the infected that went after his squadmate. It was the first time he had ever dealt with an infected and he experienced firsthand what was so dangerous about them and how worlds had fallen so easily.

With a quick shake of his head, Draco stood up with a grunt, Howler stepping in to offer a hand and help. "How's the jaw?" He rubbed the spot where his jaw was as if he was actually touching it before giving his head another shake. "I'll walk it off." His eyes scanned around to check everyone else, first the doctor and then the rest of the squad. When his eyes came on Tundra, he approached her first, "What happened? Where's Rabbit?" The woman breathed heavily as it was clear she hustled back to reach them. "He's fine, we were attacked too but dealt with them. I came back to make sure you guys weren't hurt."

Draco nodded before patting her on the shoulder twice, "Good job. Appreciate the save back there." He then turned to Howler, "Take the other three, go link up with Rabbit, and secure the ship." The man nodded before motioning with his head for the three under his command to get moving. Draco then turned to the doctor and took a step toward her, "You alright, Dr. Morata?"

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

One Wookie on their own was a formidable opponent, but four, enhanced with the virus, made it so much more deadly. She didn't doubt the efficiency of the group, but this seemed far too simple. It wasn't merely infected that blasted Saver Three to space dust. Gripping her blaster tightly, she glowered down at the closest body, then towards the Ranger, giving a clipped nod.

"I'm unharmed. How about you? Want me to examine that?" she nodded to his jaw, unseen by the helmet. If he hadn't been wearing that, no doubt the man would have sported a lot less tooth and jaw.

Like Saver Three, Saver Two and One wouldn't register life. Though it hadn't been long ago that whatever it was assaulted them, carbon scoring lit up the sides and top of both. However, the teams didn't seem to leave easily. Blood spattered around the ships, and the access ramps were both open. Clear footprints outlined through the mud and blood, as well as other tracks.

Clawed tracks.

Everything had been stripped from the ships, almost down to the wiring. Even the consumables were gone. And the tracks led out into the forest, where the dimness of Kashyyyk loomed with predatory intent.

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

As long as the Doctor was fine, then so was he. She offered to do a check-up but he gave a brief shake of his head, "As long as I can still aim and pull the trigger, you don't need to worry about me." Draco was a soldier, pain was a norm they had grown to accept and be comfortable within their training. With the others already on the move toward the ship, he motioned with his head toward that general direction, "Let's link back up with the rest." Based on the attack that happened, being separated didn't seem to have good odds.

When they linked up with the two ships, the squad had already set up a perimeter around it, leaving it safe for it to be examined.. It appeared to be stripped and the infected Wookies wouldn't have given a damn about the ship itself. Howler approached the two, "No bodies, either side. Whatever happened, it didn't happen long." Tundra then called out from the ship, examing the blood, "It's dried up, I can't get a good read on it." Draco thought to himself for a moment before glancing over to Ilana, the situation just strange, "Well, whoever shot your ship in the atmosphere either came down here, captured your crew, and were dismantling the ship before they got interrupted by the Wookies. Or, your people took what they thought was useful before they got interrupted themselves by the Wookies."

Rabbit's voice would then come through the comm of both Draco and Illana, "Come check this out." Draco shrugged his shoulders and led the way towards his squadmate. It was some distance away from the crash site and the pair would see Rabbit standing in front of a tied-up infected Wookie, a grapple line keeping it secure against the tree. The creature had about ten blaster markings all over it, each limb at least receiving a couple. The soldier turned around to face them both, "They don't die unless they're shot in the head. I tested the theory thoroughly. We don't have that much ammo and we're going to need to be selective." The method of discovery was crude but it worked and was good to know.

Draco chuckled at the absurdity, "Fuck me. Go inform the others, they'll need to know. Tell them were moving out soon as well." The soldier nodded and stepped past the two before heading back to the two ships. "We either have a hostage situation or a practically unkillable horde chasing your people. Not good odds if I say so."

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The Ranger Draco had a point. Though, the longer she looked, the more likely it seemed that her crew was captured. They were mostly scientists and researchers, hardly able to combat any hostile situation. They seemed to have tried to escape to hyperspace and, with the death of one of the three of their scout ships, were forced to ground and depend on the foliage to hide them before they possibly got captured.

She glanced back at his words, and merely nodded once. "We'll have to tread carefully, then. I'll try to see if we can access last personnel files; maybe there might be a better clue to what happened. But judging on the value of this research, and the damage to the ships... it seems more likely they're hostages somewhere on this planet. They wouldn't have gotten far."

She glanced out at the woods, feeling a shiver of trepidation. The last time she was here, she was trapped in a barn with a one-eyed man and a bunch of Wookies, escaping narrowly. She didn't want a repeat experiment.

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

Draco gave a silent agreement back with his eyes and then made his way back to where the two crashed ships. The hostage situation was the most probable and Howler was whistled over to him. "How many men would you need to scout ahead safely?" With a quick glance around him, the soldier assessed the situation before answering, "Safest I could take without limiting us would be three." Draco again didn't want to split up their forces but they were on a sort of time limit.

The planet was too dangerous with the infection for them to spend days in the forest after these scientists. They had a window but it would be small. Overall, as well, Doctor Morata's life was more valuable and important than the items they were asked to retrieve. It made splitting up a necessity and Draco sighed before jutting his head toward the forest, "Do it. Find any tracks you can. If you come into contact with anything you can't handle, you fall back to us." Howler nodded before turning to collect those who would come with him.

That left him, Doctor Morata, and Rabbit to remain at the ships. "Can you scavenge the ship thoroughly? Find a black box, logs, or anything that could help. We want everything before we move out." An idea about what they were facing raised their chances considerably and let them prepare. The soldier entered the ship and began his own search as the two would be able to hear him rustle items around inside.

There was a question on Draco's mind but he needed it answered. He approached the Doctor, his helmet offering no hint of what emotion played under his face. "Were they really just collecting data and specimens or were they here for another reason?"

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She wasn't happy with the idea of splitting up the group. Especially considering the four infected around the area, sending three was a risk. She couldn't help but hear the conversation. If there were any more infected, it wouldn't take much for them to be overwhelmed.

Time was of the essence.

When Rabbit went in to investigate, the other ranger, Draco, asked her a direct question. Though she couldn't see his face, his own emotions resonated through the Force, and she could sense it with keen empathy. Suspicion? Curiosity. He was a man always on high alert, it seemed.

She paused in her movement, almost about to go to the other ship to begin her own investigation. No point in lying.

"Yes. Since Kashyyyk is a new strain, we wanted to isolate it, since the planet is a hostile place to begin with. Sentient and non-sentient species alike are very deadly here. Collecting specimens from villages who agreed to send samples of captured infected. Such specimens would have been invaluable. They had a small security detail with them; the fact that they didn't even have time to comm before being captured bothers me."

Amber eyes gazed into an emotionless helmet, resolve hardening her gaze. "I don't abandon my people. We need answers, but these researchers, each and every one, is vital for our efforts in the vaccine."

She then paused, cocking her head. "Any other questions?"

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

While splitting up wasn't the best course of action, it was their only one. Draco had faith in his men and he believed the three would be able to take care of themselves without a problem. They didn't have the supplies to continue a prolonged search as it less of a chance for the survivors to live and less of a chance for themselves to live.

Draco asked his question without shame or hesitation, focused on the possibilities of what they were dealing with instead of the morality of what was happening. Thankfully, there didn't appear to be a reason to keep anything hidden from each other, and told him the purpose of being there. It was the same answer as before, albeit, a little more detailed and the soldier just gave a nod to her. It was best to turn over every stone instead of walking directly past the one he was searching for and risking his life for.

Dr. Morata asked about any further questions and he just shook his head, "No, that's all." There was more but it was his own personal questions and not those related to the mission. Rabbit eventually stepped out from the vehicle, holding a PDA but shrugging his shoulders. "Logs were working until the crash landing. The only hint we got was confirmation that they were shot down. No technical problems." Draco just sighed before nodding at him as well, at least it was worth a shot.

That's when Howler's voice would come through all of their comms, "We picked up their trail, tracks specifically. Too many depressions and prints to discerning how many." The soldier glanced to the two that remained with him before he commed back, "We're on our way. Hold position." Without needing an order, Rabbit began to jog in the direction of the scout's party coordinates, Draco falling in behind them as they finally found a real trail.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

A sharp burst of relief stabbed through her chest at hearing that a trail was found. Perhaps there would be answers for them. Answers that would finally make sense of all this. She doubted it had anything to do with the undead they encountered; it felt like that was a trap.

Which meant there could be more if they weren't careful.

She kept an easy pace, old habit from working with the Rangers. From time to time, she missed it. She missed--

She cut the thought off before it could finish. No, she didn't. What she missed was familiarity... Ilana, in a sense. Amariel didn't. She knew such thoughts were old habits, bad habits. She had sworn to change; still, she kept a tight hold on her blaster.

Tundra looked over the tracks further, but species was hard to identify. They weren't Wookies, but as far as she knew, there weren't many sentient bipeds that came through Kashyyyk willingly.

Unless those that came here were just as foreign as the Doctor's crew.

A chilling, somber thought.

Once Draco and the rest would catch up, she jerked her head in the direction their quarry seemed to go, helmeted visor turning between the Doctor and Draco.

"These tracks aren't too old. They dragged them through the underbrush. We'll have to move quickly, some of them might still be alive."

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

Eventually, the trio linked up with the rest of the men that had come along. They formed another pseudo perimeter while Howler was in the middle, still examing the tracks. When he saw them approach, he stood up from his kneeling position and walked over to them. Before he could inform them more, Ilana had already approached and quickly determined they had been dragged away and toward the North.

Howler glanced at Ilana for a moment, clearly impressed as his thought had been she had joined them only to offer medical aid and identify the bodies. The soldier shrugged his shoulders lightly, "Pretty much. Tracks are recent." Recent meant that they were close and a chance the crew was still alive, they could at least work with that.

Draco nodded and made a motion with his finger, rapidly drawing a circle in the air, "Let's form up and get these unfortunate sons of bitches." The soldiers each checked their armaments and their ammo count before assigning themselves in order. With a tap on his helmet, their comm's would become private and could only be heard inside the helmet. "Remember, slow is smooth and..." That's when the rest of the squad answered before he could finish, "Smooth is fast." With that said, the entire squad pressed forward.

Draco was at the front, Rabbit behind him with Tundra and Howler taking the rear. The rest were spread out but mostly centered around Ilana, forming a sort of defensive gate of the ISC military. They moved with ease and in practiced unison, Draco aiming in one direction before stopping and moving on as the next would follow and make sure his rear was covered.

As they cut between the trees, they would suddenly hear the sound of something snapping. Everyone stopped and remained where they were, each soldier scanning only with their eyes as they remained absolutely still. Then, shadows began to move above them as leaves and branches either fell or rustled from being disturbed. With a quick snap up, Draco's flashlight traveled and landed on a few Wookies, each one holding on a tree in wait until the light had been shone on them.

"Trees!" Draco shouted loudly, immediately lifting his rifle up and opening fire. The rest did the same, their position constantly flashing in red-light as infected dropped down on them.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

A more rational person would have stayed behind on the ships or stayed out of danger. But these were her people, and as a result, she had some responsibility for their welfare, regardless of her position. She noted the surprise of Draco at her observation, silently acknowledging that if their quarry had gotten on speeders, they would have lost the trail almost entirely. For some reason, they decided to remain on foot.

However, when they were moving, she kept on high alert. An awareness prickled to life in the back of her mind, and she listened to it, holding her blaster tighter.

When the Wookies began to fall from the trees, she aimed at the closest one and fired, leaving a dark hole and almost entirely severing the head from the shoulders, but still it lumbered forward until a second shot ended it entirely.

The rest landed heavily, charging towards the rear as one landed near the front, and she pulled out her vibroblade, prepared to spare some of her shots if necessary.

She wasn't going to hide behind the Rangers like some sniveling superior. They put themselves in danger for her, she would do all she could to also keep them safe.

@Orbit

 

[Draco Vikran]

Bolts would be shot into the sky, piercing branches and leaves to snap and burn, some infected crash landing while others landed on shoulders. One tried to land on top of Draco and he stepped back and nearly stumbled before he regained his footing. The Wookie stood up but he quickly fired one shot into the creature's knee, incapacitating it before centering a shot right through the head of it. It was the final one needed as it fell forward into the dirt.

The rest of the squad wasn't fairing better however, some of the infected succeeding in landing on top and simply tearing their limbs off with their superior strength before biting down into their flesh. Howler tried to assist them with shots into the beasts but he had to deal with his own soon enough and became preoccupied. A Wookie that landed in the rear bulldozed toward a soldier, simply trucking him and launching him through the air easily and right towards the doctor.

Draco caught it barely out of the corner of his view and pushed the doctor out of the way, "Watch out!" The body would fly between them at an unnatural speed and with a sickening crunch once it landed as multiple bones most likely shattered. The Wookie that had done it kept running through and straight towards the two, letting out a grotesque roar as it did. Even on the ground, he lifted his rifle and fired multiple times, the first couple missing until a few connected at last and slowed the infected beast down slightly, opening it up for the Doc and her blade.

In the midst of the battle, however, all of them would be able to hear a scream, "HEY! OVER HERE!" The screaming would be following by a curt, "Shut up." But it wouldn't be that audible over the firing and screams. Draco snapped his gaze to Ilana before touching his comm, "Change of plan. Follow me and the Doctor." With the soldiers that were left, they all quickly bolted if they could and made their way towards the pair, Draco already sprinting however to where he heard the voices as they were quickly being overwhelmed.