Thunder Run

[Neo Shark]

The quiet hum of machinery could be heard in the conference room in which three individuals currently occupied. The spartan room contained nothing more than a conference table with numerous chairs surrounding it. Recessed into the table were screens with which the occupants could review information regarding what ever was being discussed. The drab color of the room, and the cool temperature, made sure to keep everyone alert and on task. The vast majority of the chairs remained unoccupied, with the three persons occupying a small fraction of the available chairs. Clothed in SUDs, the lone Kushari reclined comfortable in his chair at one end of the table. To either side sat the SIGINT operatives that would be accompanying him on the mission. SIGINT had acquired the info on the smugglers he'd been tasked to intercept, so it was understandable that they'd want some of their own in the mission.

Although he had worked with SIGINT operatives before, he hadn't met these particular ones before. Figuring a quick introduction would help break the ice he cleared his throat before speaking. "Greetings to you both, I am Captain Aldatan, but you may call me Kusac. I've been with the Kushari Marines for a while, and I look forward to working with you." After giving them both a brief moment, he continued with a review of the mission parameters. After they finished, they left for the drop ship that would deliver them to their insertion point.

-Present-

Kusac sat with the SIGINT operatives within the drop ship as it descended into the atmosphere of Tatooine. The vibrations from the descent set his teeth to vibrating. Sitting across from them, his large size combined with his massive armor required he take up two seats. As the drop ships flight smoothed out he began speaking. "As we discussed earlier, each of you will command a single fire team, and I'll provide support with the Pumas. Once we land I'll mount the lone Puma equipped with a missile pod, the others will be standard Pumas. In addition, we'll have two transport variant Pumas that you will use with your fire teams to get to the ambush point. Once we're there we'll setup explosives to disable one of the transport skiffs. Depending on the smuggler's spacing, we may be able to setup a chain reaction that will cause the others to crash into the disabled skiff. If that doesn't work, we'll use infantry rockets to disable the other skiffs. At that point we'll proceed to eliminate any and all hostile forces and secure the cargo."

While he was talking he was taking the time to also run a systems check on his armor. His massive armor relegated him to manning one of the Pumas, because he wouldn't be able to keep up with the infantry on foot in this desert. However, once the escort was taken care of he'd be able to assist with clearing the skiffs. His armor and gatling gun would be a great help clearing out the smugglers stranded on the transport skiffs. His ammo carrier and weapon were already stored in his Puma on the other drop ship. As his brief came to a close so too did the systems check on his armor. With everything green he stood up, the drop ship's flight having smoothed out by then. "Any questions before we land? We've got about five minutes before we hit dirt."

 

[Statler89]

Melyc'inya sometimes hate when folks talk to way to much because it some times delays a lot of things or takes way to much time that is needed for the mission.Sometimes Melyc'inya wished this Kushari would have done his mission briefing with all of them before they got on the dropship the day before. Leave it up to the fur ball Melyc'inya thought to himself after doing his final checks on his Mandalorian armor that had the latest tech upgrades,with some small hided weapons he took from the SIGINT armory. Because he had a feeling he would need extra fire power for this mission.

"Yes, I do have a question are we going radio silence or be on a frequency that the smuggler's or Hutts can pick up.While we are on this mission, and two from the mission briefing I read yesterday. What's the call sign for the pilot if we need Air support,along with eveyone's call sign,sir." asked Agent Melyc'inya before he put on his helmet.

 

[Neo Shark]

Kusac felt a small sense of concern pass through him at Melyc'inya's words. As an agent in SIGINT, he should have been given access to DSEG's encrypted channels. Bringing them up implied he either hadn't been given access to them, which was worrisome, or had disregarded the data when it was given to him. Either way, it shouldn't have any effect on this mission. Trying not to let any hint of worry color his voice, Kusac addresses Maylc'inya.

"You should already have access to DSEG's encrypted channels, I suggest you try checking them now. As for the the Warhawk support, his callsign is Viper 2-1." Shifting his substantial bulk in the two seats he occupies, Kusac gets a little more comfortable. Satisified with his new position, he turns his helmet clad face towards the other member of their party. "Did you have any questions or concerns? There's no need to be hesitant."

 

[Black Noise]

Tach slowly nodded his head, he understood everything perfectly. Going over everything in his mind as well. He would command a strike team, once they land they would use the Pumas and fire teams to set up an ambush. After setting explosives, and attempting to cause a possible chain reaction, they would destroy any and all skiffs as well as all hostiles. After that, securing the cargo was required. Centering himself through the Force, the Jedi drew out his sword and spoke.
"I understand, and no questions. Just as long as you can handle a Force user among you."

 

[Neo Shark]

The worry he felt eased at the sight of the Jedi's cool demeanor. He hadn't had an opportunity to work with a Jedi, as of yet, but he had heard good things about them. He hoped this one would live up to his expectations. The Jedi's words brought forth a sly grin behind his helmet. "Don't worry none, none of our guys will have any problems with you. I've actually worked with our own force users before, so I'm sure we'll get along just peachy."

From his boots and his seat Kusac notices the slowing of their dropships decent. Soon, the pilot alerts everyone of their arrival over the coms. Getting up from his seat, he makes his way over to the opening bay doors. Dropping the few feet to the ground he begins making his way over to the other dropship. It had landed shortly before the one he rode on, so the Pumas were currently in the process of disembarking. Behind him he could hear the sound of the fire teams mounting the Pumas in the bay. He didn't check, but he assumed the SIGINT operatives would be joining their respective teams. In a show of skill, the two dropship pilots had landed relatively close together, so it didn't take him long to reach his vehicle. Climbing into the back of his Puma, he quickly checked to make sure his weapons were securely stowed away, before manning the missile pod.

After getting confirmation of readiness from his team, he addresses the operatives again. "This is Kusac, we're ready when you guys are."

 

[Statler89]

Force user hmm first time I work with a Jedi beforeMelyc'inya thought to himself while he felt the dropships decent,along with hearing the pilots warning of their ETA.Melyc'inya squad was already in their Puma,and someone a private more or less was manning the Gatling Gun.This didn't bother Melyc'inya at all,so he claim into the passenger seat front right,when he heard Kuasc calling over the radio to see if everyone was ready.

"Kusca to Melyc'inya, myself and my squad are ready to good just give the word and we'll form up on your six after we leave this boat."Melyc'inya replied.

 

[Black Noise]

Tach nodded, his entire squad had finished mounting the Puma right before Kusca started speaking. Tach himself didn't get inside the Puma, he wouldn't be much of a help in there. Operating heavy weapons and vehicles was something he was not very familiar with, and the last time he entered a machine of any type was on Nar Shaddaa. He had mounted an AT-SF that had been stolen from a Sith Base by the Hutts. Tach was supposed to 'take care of it.' Oh he did indeed, he crashed the thing. Although he never told anyone this, the crashing was an accident. He had intended to drive it off a cliff or something, not smash it into the ground...

Because of that, he actually got on top of the Puma and gripped the side of it with his free hand to hold on. He gathered the Force to himself, preparing for immediate engagement.

 

[Django]

Jericho sat on top of the Dancer, his favorite Light Repulsorlift Craft, as he and his crew made their way to the drop off point. Everything and everyone was going slow. While he understood they needed to go at a slow pace to not draw very much attention to the Cargo Skiffs, he didn't understand why everything they were doing seemed to be just... so slow. He didn't like it. Not one bit. He felt like something was off. Like something was happening soon. Feeling uneasy he gripped his blaster that hung by his side, and had some of his men create a small formation around the Cargo Skiffs.

 

[Neo Shark]

"Alright folks, we've still got a ways to go till we reach our target point, so get comfy. My team will take the lead, you guys form up on us." With that said, their forces set off. Kusac and his team took the lead with the transports following along behind. During the trip, Kusac spent the time to review the map. Planning had determined the smuggler's most likely route to their destination, but that still left a long stretch to cover. They should have enough explosives to set a line long enough to catch them. However, if that didn't work, they'd have to rely on rockets to disable the skiffs.

Once they reached the ambush point they quickly realized there was nothing here. Due to the wind and sand, any sign of a trail was swept away. They'd have to rely on their map to position the explosives correctly. While his guys were setting up the explosives the other two teams should take up positions on top of some of the higher dunes. He'd be relying on them to spot the smuggler convoy. Motioning to the 2 SIGINT operatives, Kusac began informing them of the plan.

"Alright ladies, we've got plenty of time till our targets get here. While we're waiting for them to grace us with their presence, my boys will be setting up landmines to welcome them." Kneeling down in the sand he began marking things of interest. "We'll be setting up the mines here, we're not sure where exactly they'll be coming from so they're going to be spaced a little ways further than I'd like. As for your folks." Kusac looks at Tach and Melyc'inya briefly, "I'd like you guys to take up positions on these dunes here." Getting up and walking over to his Puma, Kusac reaches in with both hands and flings a large package onto the ground. "In here are camo nets, there's enough for everyone on your teams. Your transports have their own, so you won't have to worry about that."

View attachment 613

 

[Statler89]

Listening closely to Kusac and watching him bring over the camo nets for the times.Melyc'inya looked over the map once more and saw what Kusac was talking about. Their best bet was place the squads on the higher dunes surrounding the kill zone.

"Do we have any sniping equipment with us to help spot them and alert the squad of their approach. So everyone will ready be ready with the rockets to disable them if the mines don't." Melyc'inya asked Kusac while Melyc'inya order one his squad mate to take the camo nets and get their position ready.

 

[Neo Shark]

No snipers I'm afraid. We'll be relying on our eyes, and trusty binos.

 

[Statler89]

"Awesome, the good old eye site and the binos..I'll be on that higher dune to the left with my squad."Melyc'inya replies to Kusac before joining his men.

 

[Black Noise]

Tach nodded thoughtfully, going over once again in his head. Looking to Kusac, he spoke.
"Then lets go."
Walking over to the box Kusac brought, he flicked his hand, causing the top to swiftly unlock and pop open. Taking the camo nets for his men, he nodded to Kusac and added.
"Thank you."

While Melyc'inya began walking towards his men, Tach headed to his own and told him.
"Let me assure you, I'll be all the sniper fire you'll ever need."

 

[Statler89]

Looking over his shoulder at the Jedi and follow Agent," Tach,I hope so because its going be a lot of echos very soon." Melyc'inya informs the Jedi while walking up to his men even though he was at the base of the dune.

 

[Django]

Jericho and his men kept on going. For a second, Jerico eased up however the bad feelings came back rather soonish. He didn't like the feeling. It was like an itch that wouldn't go away. He didn't like the terrian. He didn't like this job. But it had to be done. Continuing to move up, an explosion hit the left side of men who were wakling in front of the equipment. Mines... or grenades, the thought popped up into his mind.

"STOP MOVING," he shouted to his men and they listened. "FALL BACK," was his next command and they listened. He moved in between of the two cargo movers and called for four men. He told them to scout the left and right areas beside of them and to watch out for mines.

 

[Neo Shark]

As the two fire teams went off to their respective piles of sand, Kusac set about his task. He took each mine and placed them himself, burying them under a few inches of sand. After their placement he checked to make sure they'd be receptive to his detonation signal. Taking his time and double checking his work took time. However, after little more than an hour he was done. Climbing into his Puma he went to where the rest of his vehicles were waiting, out of line of sight. Placing a camo net over top his vehicle, Kusac settled in for a long wait.

Much to his dismay, when the smugglers finally arrived, they stopped well short of the mines. Wondering what could have tipped them off, he signaled his men to get ready. As the others opened fire, Kusac waited patiently for the time to strike. If the skiffs weren't disabled soon he would need to reveal himself and take them out. Hopefully, he could wait until their speeders were separated from the skiffs to sally forth.

 

[Statler89]

Great,they came short of our mines but what was that explosion that hit the shiffMelyc'inya thought to himself, we also have the high ground and great defensivabel postion on this dune to the right. Before looking around and double scanning the skiffs.Melyc'inya could see that the bandit have taken up a good position between to the other two skiffs.

"Alpha team, open fire and lets disable those skiffs when you have a good lock fire when ready." Mel order his men before getting on the radio to contact Kusac

"Kusac, I dont know tipped them off but I just ordered my team to open fire on the skiffs and to disable them..what are your next orders?" Melyc'inya asked.

 

[Black Noise]

Tach sighed as the opponents, after one mine explosion, stopped short and fell back. Looking to his men, he ordered.
"Provide cover fire, take the rocket weapons and take out any skiffs you can, I'm headed down there-"

Tach suddenly disappeared. Concealed by the Forcs from sight, scanners, all types of machines, and other force users. He headed down to where the Skiffs were, avoiding the stay shots from his allies that unconsciously headed his way. Also, Tach used an illusion to disguise the sand where he walked, so that his footprints wouldn't been seen by the enemy.