Troggog had moved to a quiet corner of the camp, not far from the perimeter but still well within Alliance territory to begin work on his defences.  As promised equipment he had requested was beginning to be supplied.  Wood of various lengths, length of rope made from strong reeds and even basic nails and the like made from iron and steel were supplied.  It was time to get to work.

With the supplies provided, Troggog planned out a mobile rotating catapult and began construction. In his mind, Troggog was disappointed to be forced into building such a crude machine made from the scraps they had available, but it still proved to be a challenging task to craft something he'd never tried building before and with such limited tools. Even so, he at least understood the simple mechanics behind it and hoped that was enough to finish the job.

Troggog focused hard on his work, switching between his sketches in the dirt and the pile of supplies to build this wooden machine. Feeling a sense of purpose he hadn't felt since being brought into this prison camp, he wanted to be sure he got this done right the first time.

Troggog worked diligently and hard.  Hours passed and the Ithorian barely noticed as his design slowly came together.  After four hours or so, though Troggog had no way to tell time bar the passing of the sun, his catapault took shape.  He took a few moments to admire his work before attempting to 'dry fire' the weapon.  To his dismay, the central arm splintered and the entire mechanism collapsed.  Staring blankly for a few moments and staring at his plans, he realised he'd made a fundamental error in his calculations right at the start that had thrown off the torsion stresses of the whole thing.  He'd have to rebuild the whole thing from scratch.


He was still staring at the pile of rubble that was meant to be a catapault when something cold and hard was pressed into his lower back.

"Now keep very still and quiet.  I'd hate to have to make your day any worse."

The voice was female and accented, not human sounding.  He couldn't see his attacker of course but she was clearly a lot smaller than him, around half a metre.  Either by accident or design her blaster barrel was pressed into his back right where the Ithorian equivalent of a heart was.  Most people incorrectly shot an Ithorian in the chest which was much more survivable.

The thoughts flickered through his mind quickly and subconsciously.  They were interrupted by his assailant speaking again.

"Three simple questions Ithorian, your life hangs on the answers.  Who do you hold allegiance to, who is the ranking prisoner here and where are the guards?"

For a moment, Troggog was bewildered. If this assailant really did have a blaster, how did they smuggle it in? Whether he believed it was real or not, Troggog knew better than to take chances, he had almost nothing to lose other than his life, so best to try and preserve it. He figured his attacker was not with the empire, it was a very strange question and a very strange circumstance for this person to be an imperial. There were only two possibilities he could think of, they were either a bounty hunter who came to eliminate his superior officers or they were with the rebellion. If it was the former, he'd figure it out after his own safety had been assured, but if it was the latter, perhaps there was hope. He decided the correct course was the truth. He remained very still and responded.

"There are no guards, I swear it. The only time imperials are down here is when they drop in our rations, otherwise we fend for ourselves. My name is Troggog, rebellion flight officer; Sheppard is the superior. Look, is there any way we could sort this out peacefully? Nobody has to get hurt."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:59, Fri 03 Feb 2017.

Fiarr couldn't resist a small gasp when she heard the name, though her blaster remained rock solid.  Had to be a coincidence

"Sheppard you say?  What's his full name, rank and service?"


OOC:  Welcome aboard Troggog.  Hope I don't have to shoot you!
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Fri 03 Feb 2017.

"Sheppard? Admiral Mark Sheppard? He seems to want to go by Commander Sheppard. I know that he served in the rebellion some time ago."

Troggog felt a sense of relief. If his attacker was surprised to hear the name, then they must know Sheppard or at least heard of him, unless this was the wrong Sheppard. Most likely, this was a good thing.

Fiarr considered.  The admiral part was wrong and Mark had never officially been a member of the Alliance to her knowledge.  Still there was one more possibility.  "He had an aide, never left him.  Zabrak.  Sound familiar?  If so, tell me about that one."

"Captain Zyra Jax? She practically runs the camp for Sheppard."

It seemed evident to Troggog the he was unlikely to be shot now.

"Why do you ask? Who are you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:15, Fri 03 Feb 2017.

"They're both alive?" Fiarr muttered.  [Language unknown: "Toestr esslatpre to ri instsa."]

She lowered the pistol and holstered it.  "Relax, I'm not going to shoot.  I'm with an Alliance rescue team.  You can call me Six for now.  We're here to try and get you all out."

She waited for the Ithorian to turn.  "I could really use your help.  Can you get me and my partner to Sheppard and Jax without anyone noticing?  If not can you get my partner there?  It's critical we speak with them to coordinate our rescue plans."

Her initial plan of staying watch while Heigren made contact had changed now she knew Mark and Zyra were here and that apparently there were no Imperials.  The Ithorian could be lying, she'd ask Heigren's opinion, but she could see no benefit for the Ithorian to lie and she sure couldn't see any evidence of patrols.

She smiled "Sorry about the blaster, had to be sure."

If Troggog agreed to help her she led him to the tunnel she'd come in through.  She recited a quick message to her M4 droid then sent it back down the hole while she kept watch.

"Sheppard's pretty hurt the last I saw, but he's alive."

After turning to see the one who ambushed him, he had to look down to see the much smaller being before him. He recognized the bothan species, always sneaking around, he should've known.

"If you're trying to break everyone out of here, I'm in. This is my second time in an imperial prison camp and I think I'm already tired of it."

Troggog thought for a minute on how he could arrange the meeting and finally spoke.

"It might be tough to sneak into the heart of the camp to meet either the Captain or the Admiral without being noticed. It's not often that we get new prisoners and a shuttle hasn't landed today, so it might be suspicious just strolling through the camp in a disguise. I'm not really great with the whole stealth thing, but I think I can get Captain Jax's attention. Maybe we can arrange to have this meeting here, unless you have other ideas."

Fiarr nodded.  "If you're worried about being noticed, take my colleague.  He's an expert at disguise and I'm sure nobody will be paying such close attention to him that he'll be noticed.  Obviously unless there are a lot of Bothans in camp, I'm more. . .noticeable."

"I may not be good at disguise but as you can probably gather I'm good at hiding.  I'll camouflage myself here.  If you can supply anything to aid that, piles of dirt, large pieces of trash or the like, that would help me immensely."

"Well, my...what was supposed to be a catapult is back over there. Nobody should touch it, so perhaps you can hide there."

Troggog was worried at first, but finally decided, "Alright, I'll take your colleague with me. I just hope I can bring him with me past Captain Jax's prisoner guards."

Heigren emerged from the tunnel and greeted Troggog like an old trusted friend.  When he heard about the Ithorian's concerns he laughed.

"Tell her you're bringing her someone who wants her opinion on the party of the century and she'll ensure I'm let in."

Fiarr snorted.  "Of course, if I mentioned that around Ten, I'm likely to get shanked."

The Bothan begins working on her concealment, leaving Heigren and Troggog to meet with Mark and Zyra.

"So, colleague, we're off to see the captain."

Troggog began leading Heigren toward Captain Jax's shelter.

"Perhaps you can tell me who you guys are. Why are you here breaking out prisoners on a secret planet that you shouldn't know about? Are you with the rebellion? I don't even know your names, currently I'm calling your bothan friend "Six"."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Sat 04 Feb 2017.

Heigren and Troggog moved off through the camp.  The Ithorian was how quickly Heigren suddenly  looked like a prisoner.  It took him a while to pick it but he realised it was more than just the clothes, it was his whole manner.  He moved with a slight slump to his step but still moved with purpose, like someone who had nothing but time but was not in an environment that encouraged loitering.  His gaze took in everything but it wasn't obvious.  Like a man who needed to know everything going on but didn't want to draw attention to himself.  Troggog had to admit to himself that at a distance, possibly even close up he wouldn't have recognised Heigren as a fake.

They approached the Admiral's shelter and two guards were on duty as normal.  One had been there earlier when the Ithorian had his meeting.

"What brings you back?  And who is your friend?" he asked.  The guard's tone was neutral but he made no offer for them to enter either.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:20, Sun 05 Feb 2017.

"I'm helping Troggog with his defensive works." Heigren offered.  "I saw his work and I offered to help.  I have a few new ideas I wanted to suggest to the old lady as we're going to need more supplies and a few changes to workload."


Bluff: 33

When Heigren took the initiative, Troggog decided he better not give himself away that it was a bluff, so he folded his arms and tried to look as expressionless as he could.

Heigren's lie was so convincing that even Troggog who knew it was a fabrication wanted to believe it.  The guards merely shrugged, then one stepped forward to check Heigren for weapons.  The Ithorian felt a brief moment of panic as the Bothan had clearly been armed but Heigren was clean and the pair were admitted.

Zyra looked up in surprise when the pair entered.  She looked to Troggog.  "Back so soon, what's. . ."  She broke off suddenly as she recognised Heigren through his layers of dirt.  She gasped.

"Heigren?" she almost whispered, uncharacteristically lost for words.  Then she squealed and ran across to him, hugging him tightly.

"Heigren, I'm always happy to see your gorgeous self, but moreso right now.  How did you find us?  Is the rest of the team with you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Mon 06 Feb 2017.

Troggog was surprised yet again by Heigren. Apparently he knew the captain, what are the odds? He decided he better wait in silence for now.

Heigren held on to Zyra tightly for a long while.  A flirtatious comment came to mind but he held it back.  While he'd always found Zyra extremely attractive and had even made a few advances towards her, now he was just happy to see her alive.  The emotions radiating off her were complex and overwhelming.  Her joy was obvious but he could feel pain and hurt.  She kept it from her face but he could feel it.  She was nowhere near as composed as she appeared and it worried him deeply.  But like her he kept it from his features.

"You know us.  We specialise in the impossible.  We're part of an Alliance rescue team.  They're camped outside the shield while two of us infiltrated the camp.  Six is on watch.  You didn't meet her.  She was one of the three you told us to interview while you and the commander were sunning it up at your retreat.  All three of them joined by the way and are here now."

Something occured to him and he looked around.  "Where is the commander?  Troggog here mentioned he was in charge of the camp but that he was hurt."

Zyra pulled back and sighed.  "I'm afraid it's worse than that.  Better I show you."

She led them through a door at the back of the room into a hall.  As soon as they entered that room an overpowering smell of decay hit them, despite the fragrant incense being burned.  They moved down the corridor to another room and Zyra led them inside.

Mark lay on a bed.  He lay flacid on the bed.  Whilst no doctor, one look at him told Heigren he was desperately ill.  His face was pallid, his skin a mottled gray.  He perspired perfusely and did not respond to the door opening.  A Sullustan sat mopping his brow.  Troggog recognised her from the camp as someone who kept to herself mostly.  She'd been a political prisoner and did not speak Basic.  Troggog familiar with her native tongue had made him at the least an acquaintance.

Zyra gestured.  "Naal here has some small skill with herbs.  She was a healer in her village and has been doing what she can.  But his injuries are beyond her."

She lifted the blankets and the smell was incredible.  .  His upper left leg was blackened and gangrenous.  The entire lower limb was clearly dead and necrosis had already set in.

She lowered the blanket.  "Damn fool had to be the hero and come for me.  He took a blade to the leg, which normally would be no problem.  But out here with no bacta or antibiotics the wound has festered and nothing has worked.  If he dies the whole alliance will crumble and chaos will reign.  This is why I had Troggog working on defences."

She turned to Heigren.  "We need medical personnel and supplies urgently.  Better still we need to get him to a bacta tank."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Mon 06 Feb 2017.

Heigren stomach rebelled and he ran from the room in a most undignified manner.  He made it outside before emptying the contents of his stomach and then continuing to retch until he felt he had turned himself inside out.  After a minute or two he thought he had his stomach under control but the mere remembrance of that sight and smell had him dry retching for another few minutes.

He finally dragged himself back into the room he'd first met Zyra and he collapsed on the floor exhausted and panting.

"We have. . .to get. . .him. . .help."  Finally he got his breathing in check.

"We should get word to the others.  Troggog, you can move about freely.  Can you go back to Six and get her to send us a datapad or maybe her droid?  We need to record a message for the rescue force."



Fort: 5 (big time fail!!!!)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

Zyra brought Heigren a cup of what passed for water and held it out to him.  "I'll inform the guards that both of you have my authority to come and go as you please.  I don't really have much of an inner circle here so I can't even trust them to stay quiet if they knew about Mark and you."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

Troggog struggled to breathe at the sight of it and had a drizzle of the ithorian equivalent of vomit at the side of his face. He had to clean himself off before speaking again, though with difficulty, "Alright, I'll speak to Six, see what we can do."

Troggog would've been more excited to know that there were others out there if it weren't for the Admiral's condition. Instead, he felt a sense of urgency as he left the shelter to meet with Six.

OOC: I put +2 into the system instead of +4, woops, was a 13 in the end.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

Troggog makes it to Six's position without difficulty.  The Bothan had hidden herself well using local dirt and rubbish.  Even knowing she was there it was still difficult.

Fiarr remained in concealment but kept spoke quietly as Troggog approached.  "Back already?  Is there trouble?"

Troggog spoke quietly back, "The Admiral, Sheppard, he needs medical attention, very badly. He, ugh, he doesn't look good. We don't have the resources in here to help him, it's ugly."

Fiarr grunted.  "All I've got is a basic medpac.  You can have it.  The rescue force has a medical team with more gear.  Perhaps I could ask them to send some medical gear through the tunnel."

Troggog tried his best to calm down and think clearly. "I think he's beyond that. Your friend, Heigren, said to bring in a datapad or something to record a message for the 'rescue force'."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

"Got it."  She wasn't overly surprised Heigren had shared his name.  He was never big on operational security.

Fiarr rummaged through her kit and came up with a small datapad.

"Tell them to record their message on there.  Then get the chip back to me and I'll see it's delivered.  Oh and if you think it's safe to smuggle undetected, could you give Heigren this?"  She handed Troggog a small lock box, about 50cm x 30cm x 30cm.

"Tell him the code is the number of women he slept with at the party of the century multiplied by the number of them who were married."  She added with a wry grin.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Wed 08 Feb 2017.

Troggog was slightly appalled by the method of developing the code, but he took the datapad and lock box.

"I understand."

Troggog headed back and, when he got there, gave the items to Heigren and told him, "This is the datapad and Six said the code for that box is 'the number of women you slept with at the party of the century multiplied by the number of them who were married'. You know, I want to help, but running all these errands isn't exactly my specialty."

Heigren looked confused.  "I didn't sleep with anyone at the party.  I was busy all night hosting.  She had to know that."

Having no other idea he typed in 0 as the code (or as many zeroes as the box needed).

"Sorry about making you play errand boy Troggog.  At the moment it's merely being a case of you're the only one who could do it.  The more I'm out the more chance someone sees me.  I'm also sure Zyra walking around camp will draw major attention.  You're just the wrong Ithorian in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Upon entering the code 0-0-0 the box game a resounding 'click' and unlocked.

Zyra gave a small chuckle at the code.  "Really Heigren, you're losing your touch."  Without waiting she took the datapad and moved off into another room to formulate her message.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:53, Wed 08 Feb 2017.

"I was busy!!! he called after Zyra.

He sighed then looked in the box.  The contents made him sigh again.  He pulled out the blaster pistol, inserted the power pack then lay it on the table with the vibrodagger.  The comm he looked at but didn't turn it on at this point.  When Zyra returned he'd give it to her and let her decide the risks of using it.

Zyra returned about fifteen minutes later.  She held out the data chip to Troggog.

"I have to impose this on you but I need one more favour.  Could you return this to Heigren's friend outside?  After that if you want nothing more to do with this all I ask is you don't speak of any of this in the interests of security.  We'll get our people home but not if people do something silly."

"Otherwise return and help us plan this rescue.  You helped make this happen so only fair we include you in the decision making."

"I don't mean to gripe, captain. I'll do whatever it takes to help everyone I can and that includes getting these people out of here. I'll bring this to Six."

Troggog returned to Fiarr again and gave the data chip back to her.

"It's done, here's the message."

Troggog offered the data chip.

Fiarr took the chip and inserted it into the droid's small cargo hatch.  "Forty five, engage as instructed.  Report variations immediately."

Once the droid left through the hole, she spoke quietly to Troggog.  "So any particular threats I should worry about?  You said there's no Imps but the guards are usually the lowest threat in prison."

"Well, for one, not everyone in this prison is working together. The majority is still against Sheppard, but they'd cooperate if they had the chance to get off this planet. Then you've got the beasts in the jungle, nasty things. The Empire usually stays out of our business, but I'll bet if they found out what you guys were up to, they'd be all over us," answered Troggog.

"The captain advised I return back to discuss this rescue, I guess I'll see you when the action starts," he said and headed back to the shelter again. He hoped this was the last time.

"Tell them Tac Channel Four is set up for low powered directional comms if they want to speak with me.  Should save your feet from more 'trips!'"

Once Troggog headed off to deliver the chip to Fiarr, Zyra turned to Heigren.

"So what's been happening since we left you guys on Det Akari?  Last I knew you were all hungover and partied out then next I know, you're apparently part of an Alliance rescue force.  The Black Talons had no Alliance affiliations then, in fact the Alliance didn't even exist!  How did you get here and who took charge?  I'm assuming either Cor or that Imperial fellow. . .Branden as I recall.  That's assuming Flash didn't shoot him.  Is Mark's favourite Duros here too?"

Heigren snorted.  "Arin?"  He quickly sobered as he recalled the man's fate.  "No he was killed when we had to escape Det Akari.  Whole place went up in civil war a few days after you left.  Picked up a few new recruits but Arin didn't make it."

"As for Cor she's been helping lead from behind the scenes.  Well she was.  Her, Sheila and Flash all have taken other roles with the Alliance.  They're not officially with us anymore."

He paused for a few moments for dramatic effect.  "No.  The Talons are now led by none other than the mighty shipjacker extraordinaire!"

Zyra snorted.  "Devon?  Devon is leading the Talons?  Stop pulling my leg.  The man couldn't organise a group of repair droids to refit a capital ship pod!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Thu 09 Feb 2017.

Heigren shrugged.  "Think it caught everyone by surprise, especially him.  But things went bad on Det Akari quickly and it was Devon who stepped up.  Even when some of the others grumbled about it he still got us out and led us to find you guys.  Cor was doing a lot behind the scenes but Devon's led the way.  Even got half the guys calling him Commander!"

"Gotta give the guy credit.  He's been stressed out half the time and I don't think he believes in himself enough but he's pulled us through.  Of course, he'll probably drop the top job on you like a hot tuber if he can."

Zyra nodded.  "I suppose we never really know ourselves until we are put to the test.  So, while we wait, why don't your bring me up to speed on the Talons and also on the rescue force you've brought.  The lack of activity suggests to me you came in quietly.  Any attack on the space forces here would have generated a lot of activity.  This planet serves as more than just a convenient prison.  They've got a massive shipyard up there.  They're building something enormous."

Heigren thought carefully.  So much had changed since Det Akari a few months back.  It took a while to remember who was around.

"Teamwise, as I mentioned Arin was killed on Det Akari.  A few recruits came and went but we retained the Bothan, Cathar and Kel Dor you told us to look up.  In fact the Bothan is outside on guard duty and the Kel Dor is leading the rescue medical team.

Mika, Devon and I are still with the Talons.  Sheila, Flash and Cor are alive but not with us.  We're also trialling two new recruits, a bounty hunter and a soldier but Devon says they're still on probation.

As for the rescue team, the Talons are known as Delta squad.  There's an Alpha and Beta Squad too.  There was about thirty of us but we took some casualties so there's about two dozen people not far outside the shield.  Some Captain is leading but Devon is getting to lead Delta Team.  Didn't really pay much attention to the command stuff.  I know Alpha is all the toughs and Beta is full of engineer types though they're soldiers too.  We have a walker and a couple of speeder bikes, and lots of big guns.  We snuck onplanet in a stealthed cargo container and that's our way off too.  Long way off though.  Took us a day to travel here in the walker, getting attacked by beasties and hungry plants the whole way!"

Troggog had returned and he walked inside and waved his hand to signal his task was complete.

"Six has the data chip. Also, she said to use Tac Channel Four if we wish to communicate with her later."

Troggog's words reminded him of the box.  "That reminds me.  Six sent a care package."  He pushed the blaster, vibrodagger and comm towards Zyra.""It's very like her.  I'd send you nice chocolates, a quality whisky and all the soap I could find, she gives you stuff to kill people!"

Zyra smiled as she inspected the weapons.  "All I know of your Bothan colleague is the amount of profanity she caused a certain engineer to start sprouting when she 'borrowed' her credit stick at the party."

"I'm not sure whether having blasters is a good or a bad thing.  Sure we can defend ourselves better but all it takes is one laser blast to be seen or detected by a scanner and the Imperials will swarm us."

She turned to the comm.  "Bit risky to use this.  I know how well encrypted these things are since I ordered them initially but if the Imperials catch a transmission down here when their should be none, that will alert them as much as a laser blast."

Heigren shrugged.  "Usually Fiarr has a plan for doing things but I'm not sure with the commlink.  She has to know a comm burst could potentially be detected by the Imperials.  I'm no expert but I know that much."

"So how bad is the situation here?  Will they band together if they know rescue is possible?"

Troggog happily listened in the sidelines. In his mind, he solved matrices while he heard the two discuss what to do. He wanted to help, but so far, he felt like an empty backpack, pointless and without purpose.

"Even if all the camp would band together, don't think for a minute everyone deserves to be rescued Heigren.  Yes there are lots of good people here, not just the captured soldiers.  There are political prisoner here whose only crime was speaking out against the excesses of the New Order."

"But there are also some really nasty types here.  Hardened criminals, murderers and worse.  Those people have no business seeing the light of day.  Even this hellhole is too good for them."

There is a vehemence to her words that is out of place for Zyra usually friendly demeanour.  She shakes it off quickly.

"As for how bad the situation, the answer is bad.  Mark doesn't have long, it's amazing he's survived this long.  Added to which I think an attack against us from the Carnivores is imminent.  Without Mark leading, our strikes have dropped to nearly nothing and my attempts to keep the small groups fighting is failing.  I can't imagine it will be long before they strike.  A week at the outside, probably sooner if my sources are to be believed.  But of course, Mark will undoubtedly be dead by then."

Heigren looked around.  "What can we do to better defend ourselves?  I could ask the rescue team to send in more soldiers and weapons but a bunch of lasers and strangers is sure to get the Imperial's attention."

He sighs.  "This is why I leave the fighting stuff to the others.  I'm a talker not a fighter."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:10, Fri 17 Feb 2017.

Zyra waved towards Troggog.  "The question of defense is what brought us together.  Mark and I were running a two pronged attack, I use information to keep the various factions fighting as well as provide Mark with intelligence.  Mark used that information to lead raids on various groups whilst training our people to defend themselves."

"Troggog here has proposed building some larger weapons to defend ourselves but I'm not sure wether its enough or if we even have time or the materials."

"The defenses I had in mind are crude, low tech. They're useful for defending against the other prisoners and they might have a chance against the beasts in the jungle, but especially the bigger defense ideas I had in mind are too large to fit in any tunnel we can make in a reasonable amount of time. If only I had my kit with me, would make things a lot easier."

"Well crude and low tech sound fine as long as they work.  After all, we just need to defend ourselves from these other prisoners until we get you all out or the rescue team comes in.  They have enough firepower out there to level this place.  They've got a walker out there with four big looking guns on it.  I don't much about weapons but I've seen plenty of heavy firepower out there.  But until they move I guess we need to stay low tech."

"So anything you need to get these defences made more quickly or efficiently Troggog?"

"I could have another attempt at the catapult I was building, not quite sure where it went wrong. My guess is the central revolving gear was either loose or off-center. At any rate, I have the strength and know-how to finish it, but an extra set of hands would definitely help if you're willing."

"Me?" Heigren snorted.  "I'm no good at building stuff.  In fact the boss is always telling me off for breaking my toys.  But if you need and the boss approves it we've got a whole team of combat engineers out there.  Mostly human too so they could pass for a prisoner better than me and actually know what they're doing."

"While they're at it they could bring you some proper tools or equipment.  As long as it will fit down a tunnel and wont cause a lot of attention I can probably manage it."

"Proper tools would be excellent. Would make the work go by swiftly."

Heigren nodded and stood.  "Guess it's my turn to go for a walk then.  With your permission?"  The last comment was aimed to Zyra.

Zyra nodded.  "Go.  It's either that or use the comms and until we can come up with a way to use them without detection we'll have to risk foot traffic."

Heigren turned to Troggog. "Got a wishlist?"

"Anything to help with building wooden devices, because that's what we have. There's not enough metal here for use. Adhesive tape, whatever non-heat based cutting tool you have, and a proper hammer replacement."

Troggog rubbed his hands thoughtfully for a moment before adding, "It's a long shot, but if you can also provide a medium power cell, a handful of wires, some circuits, and an energy emitter, I think I'll be able to provide something that's perhaps even better than a catapult."

Heigren disappears out of the tent to speak with Fiarr leaving Zyra and Troggog alone.

Zyra watched Heigren go and smiled.  "You know." she said, to herself more than anyone else.  "Maybe it's just my time in prison but I swear that man's arse gets finer everytime I see it."

She sighed and looked to Troggog.  "Sorry, but that boy has always been eye candy.  Anyway, Heigren is working on getting you tools and personnel.  Assuming you get them what's your plan?  One siege weapon can't cover all angles and I'll doubt you'll have much time to train us in their usage anyway."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Wed 01 Mar 2017.

"If we're ever forced to use it, the big weapon will serve as the distraction. I'll man and defend it while any others aiding in defense will soften them up from hiding points. That was one idea, anyway, I'm not really a strategist. I was hoping someone of great leadership with more experience would handle the plan of action," Troggog shrugs.

"I was intending on loading a handful of stones rather than entire boulders for launch. This would be ideal for handling groups of individuals, which isn't what these low tech weapons are usually built for. They're normally meant for siege."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:34, Tue 21 Feb 2017.

"Well it's not exactly a siege we're worried about here.  Is your design going to be practical?  I believe you said something about a large crossbow as well?"

"Like I said, if we load the catapult with piles of small stones, it should work well against other prisoners, very difficult to avoid. The design itself is also very mobile, which also makes it great for our purposes. As for the advanced crossbow designs, I could work on those as well, though it'll take time to make enough to make an impact. From the looks of the admiral, I'm not sure if we have the time to make very many, perhaps half a dozen at best. Their design is similarly superior against large groups of enemies, like the catapult. It'd eat up most of our bolts all at once, though it'd do the job quickly and with one volley. I'll have to rethink our plans for defenses to help out in our defense in the short-term; I will let you know what I come up with, but for now I think the catapult is most important."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Fri 24 Feb 2017.

"Well use your judgement in regards to weapons.  With luck we'll get help from the rescue party.  I've asked for helpers for you, more basic weapons to arm ourselves and ideally some soldiers to assist with defense and to train our troops.  Like you, military strategy is not my thing.  I always left that to Mark.  So just make your weapons as fast and effective as you can and we'll ask the soldiers to work on placement for us."

"Oh and don't use the Admiral as a gauge of time.  Things are going to blow up here soon enough I think, maybe in the next few days.  It's gone past the point where Mark's life or death could impact that.

Heigren came back into the house.

"Hey guys.  Spoke to Six.  She was surprised I came to see her instead of calling.  She said she had set up Tac Channel four for 'low powered directional comms' and the risk was minimal to nil the Imperials could pick them up."

"Either way we sent the message you requested to the team.  Six said she'd comm us when she gets a reply so we'd better leave it turned on and tuned in."

"Directional comms?  Well that makes more sense.  They're right that it's unlikely they'll be detected."

Speaking of the aforementioned comm, it suddenly started beeping!  When answered, Fiarr spoke.

"Four, Six here.  I've been recalled.  Some big plan in the works.  Two is taking my spot and my comm.  Continue to use Tac Channel Four for comms.  Out."

She turned and spoke to Kira who had arrived.  She pointed to the hide she had made, effectively a covered hole in the ground.  "Take cover here and stay out of sight.  Report any changes to Heigren, use my comm.  Tac Channel Four is set up for low powered directional transmissions so they should be fine.  I'll also leave you Forty-Five so you can communicate back to me if you need.  Any questions?"

Once any questions were answered Fiarr moved down the hole as quickly and quietly as possible.

Kira, Having just arrived, listened to the bothan intently. "Take cover, stay out of sight, Report to 4 Via Tac Channel 4. Forty Five on hand if needed...I think I've got it."

the woman was eagre to redeem herself, and was ready to step up. As she left, Kira positioned herself in the hide, the sniper rifle handy.

Zyra looked towards the comm but didn't bother acknowledging as Six had already signed off.  She looked to Heigren.

"Two is taking over?  Should I assume that's not our favourite Duros?  He's not who I'd pick to play scout."

Heigren snorted.  "No, he's off with the Alliance.  Sure whatever squadron he joins will boot him quickly enough.  Hear you and the Commander where the only ones who could handle him."

"Anyway Two is one of our probationary people.  Claims to be a bounty hunter.  Seems to have some weird combination of girl crush and hero worship on Six.  Strange really.  When we first met her, she seemed to take an instant dislike to Six.  Thought she might be a xenophobe but she sure loves her now!"

Zyra smiled but then turned serious.  "This is taking too long.  Mark needs a doctor and we need to be coordinating our defenses.  I thought they'd have got a medical team to us now, maybe some soldiers."

She noticed Troggog in the corner.  "You've been awfully quiet?  Anything you wanted to add?  We could use all the good ideas at the moment."

"With respect captain, I think I should return to working on my project back outside. It seems like there isn't much left to do but wait and I might as well keep busy while I wait." Troggog gestured toward the exit.

Zyra nodded.  "Of course Troggog.  If you feel that is how your times is best spent then do so."  She turns back to Heigren.  "Now I have a few ideas to really try to drive a wedge between the various factions.  Let's discuss that after I check on Mark."

She heads into the hallway.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Sun 05 Mar 2017.

Kira got herself into position and then spoke. Four, this is two. Relived six and in position. Let me know if you need anything urgently. As i understand it, a plan is in progress to send reinforcements. Over."

Heigren grabbed the comm. "What I need urgently Two is a doctor for the Admiral.  I'd have thought Eight would be here by now!  Didn't the boss get my message?"

Kira closed her eyes and cantered her mind. "From what i understand, Eight is on his way with supplies, as well as weapons and engineers to widen the tunnel. Short of that i have not much more information. I was guarding outside the tunnel."

Troggog bowed a bit before leaving the shelter to return to his construction.

OOC: I have developed a basic map of the prison complex and placed characters on the map.  Please ignore the road at the SW end (best picture I could find) as the forest encompasses the whole camp.

The 'Alliance' controls the four huts on the eastern and southern side at present.  The large grey area in the centre is the landing pad.  The circular construction at the north of the landing pad is the skyhook tether (skyhook car is naturally at skyhook level not on the ground).

If you have any questions about the map please ask.


https://app.roll20.net/join/877053/k0VXCQ

As you start to consider defensive plans you'll need to point out on the map what you're doing.

Good luck!
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Mon 06 Mar 2017.

When Troggog returns to his catapult construction if he looks closely enough he'll see that a human female has replaced the bothan female in the hide.

Likewise Kira you'll see a Ithorian who seems to know where you're hidden despite the quality of the hide Fiarr made.  You're welcome to communicate with each other if you wish.  Kira you can also talk to Heigren/Zyra on comms if you need.  If you want to talk to someone outside the camp you'll have to use Fiarr's M4 droid.

Troggog grunted. "What happened to six?"

Kira smiled more to herself than the Ithorian. "She was needed Elsewhere. I'm her replacement. You can call me two." She scanned the area through the scope once to check the area was clear, then looked again at the ithorian.

She looked over the Ithorians' construction with a slight furrow of her brow. "Interesting choice of weapon. Powerful, but slow to reload. May get one or two shots off if a group attacks. Plus I'm interested to know what your using as ammo."

"The answer should be obvious, stones. Not boulders, but smaller stones. The smaller they are, the more unavoidable, but also the less deadly. I'd ideally prefer nobody got killed, so I'd like rocks that fit in the palm of your hand. If it works, one or two shots should be all we need."

Troggog looked down at his mess he built. "Though, at the moment, it definitely doesn't work. Need to fix that." Troggog picked up a few of the pieces in an attempt to repair it.

The woman chewed her lip, thinking of the ithorian's words. Small stones wouldn't be as deadly, but still hurt when flung. The problem she saw with that plan is that a lot of people that were hit would be drawn to the catapult quickly.

....but that could be used as an advantage.

She smiled. "May i make a suggestion friend. Those rocks will quickly pick the catapult as a target.  Maybe, if the area around in front of it was trapped could slow them down....a spiked pit or a trench with something flammable. Also, if you want to slow them down and not kill, maybe another idea than rocks."

She looked around. "Does this place have any sand, or loose gravel?"

"Not that I know of, we mostly just have stones and large boulders. We might be able to break some down, but it would be a lot of labor to break them down to be that fine."

While Kira and Troggog are talking, they hear a scrabbling from the tunnel.  Turning they see a human female emerge from the tunnel.  She's dressed in the combat uniform of a soldier and Kira recognises her as one of the soldiers from Beta Team.

She looks at Troggog for a moment.  She doesn't seem to spot the concealed Kira.  "Corporal Slattery, 4th Combat Engineering Squadron reporting.  I've been tasked to assist with the building of defences while the others expand the tunnel."

Kira smiled at the reinforcements, and reconised the woman. "Welcome to prison Corpral. May i suggest you dress in a more aproprate atire or you will be spotted faster than a rancor in a herd of wamprats."

The Corporal looks around in surprise until she finally spots Kira then shrugs.

"Gee sorry, guess I left my prison attire with my cocktail dress.  Was led to believe time was an issue.  Besides I figured you guys could supply something.  I can always go home if you can't help me with the dress code."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:39, Sun 12 Mar 2017.

OOC: I've just bumped the other thread ahead 4 hours so I need you guys to work out what you're doing in that time.  You have an extra engineer who likes ancient weapon and has a special passion for archery.  Use her as you see fit but note she's in uniform at present so sticks out unless you can hide or disguise her.

Near the end of the four hours you'll notice a lot of activity in the hole as it's widened a good half metre in diameter.  You expect reinforcements soon so need to plan for that as well.  After all if one soldier is a problem imagine a dozen of them all popping out!

Kira couldn't help but smile at the woman's comments, and chuckled to herself. She had a fire, something the young bounty hunter saw in herself. She chose not to comment, but held position.

The Corporal began to get impatient.  "Hey can we get a move on here?  I'm supposed to report to someone called 'Nine' and I've got supplies to drop off and defenses to supposedly help with.  Can't do that hiding in a hole now can I?"

"Corporal, I'm Troggog, nice to meet you. I've been tasked with preparing defenses here. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Now, I have an advanced crossbow design in mind. Perhaps, together, we can build a prototype and you can handle the construction of more while I finish my project here." Troggog gestured toward the wooden mess nearby. "Does that sound acceptable?"

The Corproal looked confused for a moment, especially given what Kira had been saving.  But then she shrugged.

"Sure thing.  Can't wait to hear about this 'advanced crossbow design' of yours.  I'll go drop these medical supplies off and report to Nine first as per my orders.  Could someone PLEASE tell me where to go?  I am kind of new to your camp and as your invisible friend did point out I"m kind of noticable."

"Hmm, I'll go speak to the captain, see about getting some disguises. I have a feeling we're going to need several in addition to one for you."

As the first soldier's head pops out of the tunnel nearly four hours later, Troggog is hardly surprised.  The excavation work had been far from silent and the Ithorian had been sure to keep his own noise levels high to help cover the work.  He watched the man look around and considered the work they'd achieved.

Heigren had taken responsibility for clothes and a large pile of cloaks and wraps sat near the hole, ready for their 'guests'.  When the soldier looked his way he pointed to the pile.  The soldier nodded and ducked back down the tunnel taking the pile with him.

He stopped and admired his own work.  His catapult was coming along slowly but surely.  The tools Slattery had brought him work a godsend, making life much easier.  But even with them, making his weapon was proving difficult with a lack of quality raw materials.

His thoughts turned to the corporal and he wondered how she was going.  They'd spent nearly an hour poring over Troggog's plan for an 'automatic crossbow' and Slattery had been intrigued.  Initially it had seemed impossible given the lack of machined parts but Slattery had had an epiphany and had assured the Ithorian she had a probable workaround.  He hadn't checked in on her for several hours as she was set up in one of the buildings to keep her out of sight.

Kira, still manning the hole, looked around at the work, and as the man popped his head out, she allowed herself a little smile. "Nice work boys" She muttered to herself.

She activated her radio and spoke. "Talon 2 to 4. Do you copy? Request update on suituation, over."

Heigren's voice came over the comm, full of humour.  "Update?  Thought you'd be giving the updates Two.  One still looks like he should have died a week ago despite the stuff the Corporal pumped him full off, Nine is still hot despite needing a few expensive dinners and I'm still sitting here with little to do.  How's that?"

While the soldiers are still waiting for orders from Dohr, a M4 pops out of the hole and hovers there for approximately thirty seconds.  Then without approaching anyone it pops back down the hole and vanishes back towards the jungle.

Troggog decided to check in on the Corporal to see what she had accomplished so far. He walked over to where she was working.

Kira smirks at Fiarr's comments, knowing all too well the Bothan was up to something. She was about to update Heigren, but now She had heard from Fiarr, she was more satisfied.

"Four. Update as follows. Tunnel has been widened and ready. Backup has been helping your Ithorian friend."

She audibly sighed on the comm, then continues. "Received request from Six.  I need eyes on the camp....a distraction. The bigger the better. A riot, building fire, whatever...but we need something and we need it at 2215. We need all eyes on the camp."

Heigren chuckled.  Sounded like Fiarr.  He wondered if this 'distraction' had been authorised by Devon and the captain.  Former was possible but he highly doubted the latter.  Still the Bothan had never been one for protocol.

"Well unless you want me to run naked through the camp or perhaps try to whip our people into a frenzy and send them on a rampage this is probably something you or Three will need to handle.  You're the sneak and he's good with blowing stuff up!  Make a plan, wait until it's dark, get out there and raise some hell!  That's what we do.  Six probably considers it part of your training."

His tone turned serious.

"If the relief team is through, will you tell Eight to kindly hurry the fuck up?  Whatever meds he sent through hasn't seemed to have done very much.  He's still breathing which is something but he still looks like a death sandwich served with a large side of how the hell am I still alive!"

Crawling through the tunnel wasn’t exactly Dohr’s idea of fun, but the whole trip hasn’t really been either and he wasn’t looking for amusement anyway. Dressed in the garbs provided by the people in the camp and delivered by one of the soldiers, the Kel Dor pushed himself up from the hole. He’d agreed with Dyre and Trycson that they should each wait for a couple of minutes before following Dohr through the tunnel. The same applied for the four soldiers who’d been digging the tunnel. It was best not to move in a big group and since the Captain hadn’t really called them back for anything else, the Doc decided to take them with him inside the prison compound.

The Doc nodded and smiled at Kira. ”Hey Two. I will head to Talon One right away, but Private Trycson will follow in two minutes and Three right behind him. Then four of Svivren’s finest will join us too. Have one of the Alphas replace you here and find an observation post from where you can keep an eye on the “enemy”. Three should move in to assist Talon Nine and Slattery in building up the defences. The rest of the Alphas are at their disposal too unless Nine has other work for them. Three and the soldiers will be bringing in spears with them. I have assigned us all new Epsilon callsigns to avoid confusion. Talons will maintain the current numbers, so you will be E-Two and Three will be E-Three. Trycson is E-Five and Slattery E-One. Once the Alphas are through give them each a new E-callsign from E-Ten to E-Thirteen.” Dohr patted Kira on the shoulder and headed off.

With Fiarr’s description of the camp fresh in his mind, Dohr limped to the tent he knew Sheppard to be in. Once inside he quickly saluted Zyra. ”Major Dohr Veen, formerly of Dorinian Armed Forces, currently Epsilon or E-Eight, reporting in. Pleased to finally meet you in person, E-Nine. I am sure you have been kept up to date by E-Four of what is happening outside and what will take place right after 22 hours. E-Three and E-Five will be here in a few minutes followed by four soldiers. I will now attend to Talon One. If you have any queastion, it would probably be the best if you aimed them at E-Two or E-3. I will need to concentrate completely on the patient. ” With a bow, Dohr moved to take a look at Mr. Mark Sheppard for the first time in his Talon career…

---

19:07, Today: Dohr Veen rolled 32 using 1d20+15.  Treat Injury to assess Mark's condition.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Wed 29 Mar 2017.

Dyre took his instructions and moved off to where the Ithorian called Troggog was located.  He found the Ithorian easily and offered his hand.

"Name's. . .well call me Three.  I've been instructed to work on the defense of the friendlies in the camp.  Could you supply me with a strategic overview of the camp and your defense plans.  I can then put our people to work."

Zyra returned the Kel-Dor's salute.  "I'm very glad to see you Major.  The Admiral's in there.  I'll let you do your work.  If you have any questions I'll make myself available."

Dohr moved in the mentioned direction and quickly found the Major.  Even with his filtration systems he could easily followed the smell of necrotic flesh to the room.

Sheppard was still in a bad way, in fact Dohr was secretly amazed he'd survived this long with such primitive medicine.  The antibiotics he'd sent in a few hours ago with Slattery didn't seem to have done much but he hadn't really expected it to.

He began his scans.  Visual observation told him he couldn't save the leg.  It was way too far gone and it would have to be amputated.  Assessment and scans told him what he'd expected.  Septic shock had set in and multiple organs had been compromised, most noticeably his kidneys and lungs.  There was only so much he could do about those before he got him into bacta other than chemically support them and hope they didn't fail.

He focused on the leg and was still thinking when Trycson came through the door.  The medic didn't even wait for Dohr to provide instructions.  Instead he began inserting lines and preparing the small medical and surgical kits they'd brought.

Seeing Troggog was busy with his work, Dyre looked around the immediate camp himself.

"Hey Troggog, I've looked around but I can't see any defenses.  Are you planning a pre-emptive strike?  I'm guessing you're playing offense since you're building siege weapons.  Personally I was thinking a more defensive posture."

An hour passes quickly and dawn quickly approaches.  While Troggog continued working on his catapult and Slattery her crossbow, the Ithorian noted how quickly the new arrivals worked.

Dyre quickly had a team of volunteers arranged by Zyra accompanied by the soldiers and the group was quickly set to work.  While some of the soldiers trained prisoners in the use of the spears provided, others worked on building defensive barricades, mainly spike barriers.  Dyre had decided against trenches in the short term given the timeframes but considered the idea for later in the night.

Kira meanwhile had handed over her scout post to one of the scouts from Alpha team and was off handling other duties.

Dohr and Trycson continued to remain with Sheppard and had not been seen since.


OOC: The Talons know the skyhook raid is due to start soon.

Dyre tried to oversee both sides of his operation.  He had three main teams going.  One group was continuing to make spears for him as quick as they could.  Group two was training to use those spears in tight formations.  His third group (overseen by engineers) was building mobile barricades with spears that could be moved quickly into position.  All three of his teams were out of sight inside a building or buildings.  He didn't want any potential enemies seeing his work.  But the advantage of the barricades is a few people could quickly move them into position.


OOC:  Thinking of numerous 'chevaux de frise' style barricades.  Essentially a long plank of wood with long lines of double spears attached to them.  Easy to build, easy to move and will prevent mobs charging.  Stick guys with long pikes behind them and you have an effective defense.

Dohr had known what to expect, but he had hoped the non-medical trained people would have exaggerated Sheppard’s condition as sometimes people can appear to be worse off than they really are. But they hadn’t. It was indeed a miracle that Talon One was still alive as his leg was as good as gone. Only a full operation and a bacta tank might be enough to save it… Might. Very unlike him, the Doc didn’t even nod to Trycson when the medic came in. But he did nod to the soldier a few seconds later as the younger man started to prepare the surgical kits they’d brought with them. Trycson was a professional and knew what had to be done.

Dohr shook his head and began his own preparations. The way he saw it, they had two options: Stabilise Talon One and hope that the skyhook assault was successful and over very, very, very soon and that there was a full-blown medical department with a bacta tank present up there. The proper gear would make saving Mark easier even if the wait might make it harder to keep the man alive long enough to try… The Kel Dorian shook his head again and called out to Zyra. ”Ma’am. We have no option. The leg must be amputated to save his life. Please make sure no one disturbs us during the operation… Oh and the assault team is expecting some kind of a distraction at 2215 sharp. I would appreciate it, if you could take care of it… And keep your fingers crossed and send your prayers to whatever gods he may believe in, it will be touch-and-go.”

Once the equipment had been prepared, clothes changed, surgical scrubs done, Dohr went through the operation with Trycson. It wasn’t exactly the most difficult of operations under perfect circumstances, but in the prison camp and under the terribly humid and hot jungle weather, it could still prove to be lethal for Mark. And the lack of proper equipment didn’t exactly help either. Well they would soon know which way it went. The amputation itself was not going to take very long even if Talon One’s life would still be in danger for quite some time after the operation.

”Ok Trycson, lets save the Admiral.” His mother had always told him there was only success or failure and no middle ground. ”Do not try. Do.” It was the time to do.

Kira quickly handed over to the scout with a quick update on the situation, and shouldering her sniper rifle, moved out.

...Her next task was going to be more difficult.

She knew that Fiarr was relying on her for a diversion, and she needed it at simple as possible so as to not alert others there were other people here. But she also needed attention away from the others.

She could think of one of two options.

One was a brawl.  To get a mob going would take time and likely involve her being noticed...something she didn't want. Her second option seemed more plausible.


.....fire.

She sighed to herself and walked up to the ithorian. "Is there any stashes of chemicals or flamable liquids within the prison?" she asked quickly.

The Ithorian was too busy to assist Kira but he directed one of the prisoners to help.  Hearing Kira's request he snorted.  "They hardly leave us with the comforts of home lady.  Even the wood here takes ages to burn.  Best we got are the fibrous material we use for clothes and bedding.  Oh and there's a sap we get from one of the trees, acts like a slow burning lamp oil.  Enough to keep a campfire going but it's nothing special.  Hell we don't even have a still!  Maybe then we'd have alcohol you could burn."



OOC: Please note I am pushing to 2215 local time (i.e. time of Fiarr's requested distraction) two days from this message.  Any distraction is bound to create issues locally as well as hopefully attract the Imperials attention.  So be ready.

Dohr/Trycson are busy 'sawing and sewing'

Dyre has a dozen prisoners training with spears and others working on his defenses.  You have 3 x 2 metre barricades at this point.

Troggog, your catapult is around ten minutes from being ready to test, but you have no ammunition yet.  Slattery is hours from having her crossbow ready.

Kira has stuff to do.

Zyra and Heigren are serving as the coordinators of the various groups.

Please not, the other prisoners can see what's going on, especially Troggog's and Dyre's work.  You can't hide giant barricades, men practicing with spears and a giant catapult that easy.  Any 'rivals' are going to know you're gearing for war.

Map of camp is still available at https://app.roll20.net/join/877053/k0VXCQ
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:26, Mon 10 Apr 2017.

OOC: Dyre should also have the help of the four Alpha professionals or at least three as one is guarding the tunnel. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:17, Mon 10 Apr 2017.

He does.  That's who is supervising the weapons training and barricade construction.

Oh and one is working on transporting new supplies of spears into the camp as they become available
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:25, Mon 10 Apr 2017.

Heigren had not remained idle during those precious hours.  Working with Zyra and various prisoners he had arranged for the bulk of friendly forces and supplies to be moved to the structure just north of the one containing Zyra and Mark.  He hadn't dared move them in to Zyra's tent in fear of disturbing Dohr in the back room or putting civilians at risk should the enemy go after Mark.  It was a toss up if they'd see a hut full of 'meat' or Mark a more viable target.  Either way he had planned accordingly.

"Three this is Four.  Transfers complete.  All the non-combatants have been moved to the tent north of ours with some in with the Admiral too.  They're packed tight but they're used to hardships.  Recommend you concentrate defences on these two buildings."

Dyre moved from job to job and likewise with his comm, he flicked from conversation to conversation.

"Understood Four.  Note I plan to use the building to the south as well as the one as north as defence points.  If we can build enough barriers we'll create a perimeter to lock down the whole southeast corner of the prison.  I'll be distributing defenders accordingly so do the same with your non-combatants and supplies.  Don't want overcrowding."

Two, this is three.  Where's that distraction?  It's nearly time."

He split his spear defenders into two groups, one with a soldier each to lead.  Each group took up position at one of the two houses to north and south of Zyra's.  He meanwhile kept with the group building barricades.  He recruited as much help as he could then went to start shoring up weak points.

"All teams, remember, no blaster fire in the open.  If an enemy gets into a house then hopefully the roof will shield it.  If we're overwhelmed fall back to the houses where we can use our blasters under visual cover."

Everyone moved around on their various errands.  Dyre's barricades slowly began to move in place and two of the Alpha Team soldiers assigned to him took half the spearmen they had and moved to a building each.  Dyre had their comm frequencies but hoped not to have to use them.  Instead hand signals had been agreed on.

Inside the tent, Zyra and Heigren sat quietly.  They didn't dare go check on Dohr lest they disturb him and they'd done all the could to protect the non-combatants.

Zyra glanced at Heigren's chrono and frowned.  It read 2216 local time.  She looked to Heigren.

"Kira's distraction should have started by now.  I've heard nothing."  She picked up her comm.

"Two, this is Nine.  We are time plus one for your distraction.  Please advise."

Heigren snorted.  "She's probably just delaying for dramatic effect.  Like the person who deliberately arrives late to a party just to make an entrance."

"Maybe Troggog could do something with that giant toy he's built.  Nothing would get attention like a giant, preferably flaming missile dropping on somebody's house!"

Focused on his task, Troggog continued working on his creation. With the issue of needing projectiles to launch, Troggog searched for stones, as small as he could find, and began piling them. Once he had enough for a test shot, he returned to the catapult to put in the finishing touches.

Kira knew she had little time left when the idea had hit her. She needed material....clothes and rags, as well as some green leaves and branches. She rushed around trying to find what she needed and set up in an empty building near the wall. When she received the call, she was almost ready.

"This is two....I'm working on it."

She piled the cloth in a pile near the a window and with her survival knife, used a match and lit the material on fire.

OOC: I just want to clarify a few points for the camp group.

Firstly this 'distraction' is meant to distract the skyhook, which is in low space orbit.  So anything you do needs to be big enough that any Imperials watching visually or on sensors actually notices!  A small fire won't even register or would be mistaken for a campfire.  Kira is considering a smoky fire but you'll need a LOT of smoke if you want it to be seen from orbit!!!!

Second this prison camp is full of prisoners.  Real estate is at a premium.  The only 'empty' building at present is the bunkhouse in the NE corner (under the big tree).  It is actually an alliance-controlled building but currently it's occupents have been stuffed into the two bunkhouses in the se that dyre is defending.

Also note that any 'distraction' big enough for the Imperials to notice is likely to garner an 'unfavourable' reactions by the unfriendly prisoners.  This is partly why Dyre is so busy preparing defences.

Troggog now has a single load of fist-sized objects loaded in his (untested) catapult.  Troggog could test this, use it as a distraction or save it for offensive/defensive purposes should Kira's distraction go bad.

Either way please note, the distraction is already overdue.  If you're going to accommodate Fiarr's order it will need to be done soon.  This means before the next GM post.

Kira gathered up a huge bundle of cloths and twigs and made her way over to the bunkhouse at the north end.  She had to trade stealth for expediency given her large loads and small timeframes.

Getting everything in position she went to work lighting the fire.  The matches in her survival kit quickly lit the cloth but the wood was proving more of a problem.  It was very green and wet and it smouldered, producing more smoke than fire.  While Kira didn't mind the smoke it was a concern the fire wasn't growing like she hoped.

She focused firmly on it, trying to fan the flames.  Her concentration was so focused she almost jumped out of her skin when she heard a voice behind her.

"So what do we have here boys?"

Kira spun, and saw three prisoners moving towards her.  Two humans and a Weequay.  She didn't recognise any of them but given the looks in their eyes she didn't think them friendly.  The humans had a hunger in their eyes that made Kira shiver, the Weequay also looked hungry, but in a more literal sense.



OOC: Map updated.

Kira's failure to react emboldened the trio who moved to circle her.

"What's the matter?  I'm sure you'll. . ."

The human was interrupted by the other human who gasped.  "Shit, she's armed."  He immediately dived at Kira as he spotted one of her holstered blasters.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:23, Wed 26 Apr 2017.

Heigren sat in the tent as time ticked by and nothing seemed to be happening.  Finally he grunted and picked up his comms.

"Hey Two and Three.  What's happening out there?  Seems awfully quiet.  I thought we were having a ground-shattering kaboom?  Let me know okay?"

Dyre wandered over to look at Troggog's toy.

"Nice job.  Does it work?"

He noticed the soldier in the scout position instead of Kira.  He looked to Troggog.

"You seen Two recently?"  He pointed to the scout position in case the Ithorian didn't know who 'Two' was.

OOC: I am concerned about the exceptionally low posting rate in this thread.  All players are far below the 3 day posting deadline.  Dohr has valid reasons as his characters actions will keep him busy for the next few hours of gametime.

I ask that the rest of you please pick up your posting rate to something resembling the prescribed posting rate.  You will notice the situation in camp is deteriorating fast and will continue to do so if no action is taken.

If you have a genuine reason you can't post then notify me ASAP.

Peering out from his hole, Devon nodded to the two of Sivrens men who were guarding the exit.
In response to the puzzled look one of them gave him, he whispered.
"Yeah, one of the bikes failed an' I ended up taking the fast way back down... remind me to tell you some time."
He pointed to Troggog  "That the Ithorian who's been helping us?"

Leaving the rest of his kit - tools, most the weapons, his other clothes, bundled in a kitbag inside the hole - Devon pulled himself out the tunnel and approached Dyre and the Ithorian.  He nodded a greeting.
"You're Troggog, right?"  he asked.

Troggog found himself facing a human of average height with a slim build and short blonde hair.  By his accent, he's a corellian.  Theres a very fresh cut above one eye and another visible on one arm - along with some nasty bruising.  Currently Devon is dressed in the same dirty prison rags as everyone else.

"Call me Seven.  I'm in charge of the people who've been sent in here.  So whats the situation?"


OOC:  I finally get to talk to Troggog!  welcome to the game! :)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Sat 29 Apr 2017.

Kira muttered a curse to herself at the men who found her...and the fact they had saw her armed made things even more difficult.

She knew that the diversion was now out the window....and she had to think fast. Smiling, she looked at the group. "Uuumm, hi." She then turned and ran, heading for the only people she knew were here...the ithorian and the soldier that had taken her spot. She cursed her luck...and enabled her comm.

"This is two..." She muttered as she ran. "I've been found out by locals. Faling back....a little extra help would be nice."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:24, Sun 30 Apr 2017.

The prisoner lunges for Kira's wrist but the bounty hunter is faster and nimbly side steps, spins and runs for it.  The prisoner grunts and begins chasing.

Kira doesn't look back and doesn't need to, she can hear the men in pursuit, so close she can practically feel their breath.  She calls into her comm for assistance as she runs but gasps as something strikes her squarely in the shoulder with such force she stumbles, but her natural agility lets her turn it into a tumble and keep running, losing only a little momentum.  Around 15m ahead of her she could see one of the Alpha Team soldiers training a group of soldiers to use spears.  Dyre she knew was to the south but a building seperated her from him.  She'd need to go around.

Over near the catapult, Dyre and Devon suddenly come alert when they hear the call.

Dyre looks around.  "Understood Two, what's your position?"  He looks to Troggog.  "Any idea where she is?"


Kira - 29/29VP 9/12WP

OOC:  Map updated.  Currently in combat rounds.  Dyre and Devon have no idea where Kira is right now.  Troggog, Kira spoke to you before she left on her mission so you have a rough idea where she is (i.e. near the house to the north of you.

Kira your stumble allowed the prisoners to catch right up to you.  Two of them are literally behind you.  The third you gather from the grumbles has lost a little ground.  You could run for Epsilon 10 who is fairly close (`15m) or head for the Talons though they are twice as far away and not in a straight line (there's a bunkhouse in the way

Pulling out of his daze, Troggog responded to Dyre, "Last I heard, she was preparing a distraction. I'm not sure where she is."

Turning to Devon, Troggog nodded and said, "If you insist, Seven. Seems everyone here always goes by their number, works well as cover I suppose. At any rate, Two is working on a distraction, I believe, meanwhile we're setting up some defenses and follow-ups. This pile of wood here is my catapult. Hasn't been tested yet, but I hope I accurately assembled the gears this time."

Troggog wasn't used to all this attention. For a moment, he wished he were back on Byss with Angus. Those were the days, just him and his best friend and no empire.

_{"Fall from orbit on a busted bike an' do I get to relax?  Take some time off?  Maybe have a beer?  Not me - no, I gotta go stop a prison riot or somethin'"}
Devon muttered to himself as he looked around.  No idea where Kira was, or how to reach her.  Therefore she would have to come to him.  He triggered his commlink.
"Two, this is Seven.  Can you reach the entrance tunnel?  we're there an' waitin' to take the heat off you."

Devon gripped something hidden beneath his prison garb.  He looked to Dyre.
"I got a stun-baton, what you packin'?  We're gonna want to keep this quiet - no gunfire.  Grab a rock to clobber 'em with if you ain't got anythin' else."
He glanced hurriedly around, trying to find a way to find a way to set up a credible ambush.
"We gather round Troggogs craft project here, we look busy.  Two runs straight to us, we whack any pursuers."

He turned to Troggog, still not sure how much he could rely on the Ithorian.
"You gonna help us with this?  If not, just don't get in the way, OK?"

Dohr stood up from his patient, took a deep breath and sighed. The operation was not over yet, but now was the time to take a break if ever. The Doc turned lifted his eyes from Mark to Trycson. ”He is stable now and we must continue in a few minutes. Take a breather, drink, but keep an eye on him. I will step outside to stretch my back and roll my shoulders. Prepare a new set of gloves and scrubs for me in the meanwhile.”

The Kel Dor removed took off his gloves, rolled them into a single ball and dropped them into a trash bin. He felt like having a drink… He never got drunk or smoked or used stims, but the weather, Mark’s situation and the stress of the operation was wearing him down. Outside air would have to do even if he’d never be able to experience it completely as it was due to his breathing apparatus.

About to step outside, Dohr heard Kira’s call for help in his ear. Sensing Private Trycson’s anxiety, he turned around and shook his head. ”Our task is to take care of him, the others will help Two. But I have to be sure we are not under immediate threat.” The Doc grabbed the vibroblade he’d been given before they’d entered the camp. He felt the weight in his hand and grimaced. It would be a major irony should he be forced to hurt someone with the blade before heading back in to save another life. He’d been through it before, but the contradiction never got easier. A healer and killer in the same package…

”E-Ten, Eleven, Twelve. Make sure Two gets to safety. Subdue her attackers, if possible. If not, drive them off or eliminate them. E-Thirteen, hold your position at the tunnel.”

Dohr limped to the fire and the huge tree stump in front of the tent to take a look. He wasn’t expecting anyone to attack him, but standing there in bloody clothes and with a blade in hand he probably would’ve scared off the least confident ones anyway. Yet he needed to be sure no one was coming in from the other direction too.

Kira knew they were close behind...the stumble cost her what little lead she had, and her shoulder, though not badly damaged, still slowed her. She knew that Epsilon 10 was closer, but she knew that there were others at the tunnel.

Grimacing, she mustered what little strength she had and ran as fast as she could towards the tunnel.

Dyre clicked his comm and spoke quickly.  "Belay that order.  Epsilon Ten and Twelve hold position, Eleven head for the tunnel."

Dyre wasn't sure why Dohr was giving orders on a situation he didn't understand but he didn't care right now.  Besides, Seven was standing next to him and he could countermand him if possible.  He moved for the tunnel gesturing Troggog to follow them.

"Just my blaster and a knife.  There's some sticks and spears at the tunnel if anyone needs a weapon."

Hold their positions?

Dohr cast another look at the fleeing Kira before she disappeared behind the tent. The Epsilons could move in behind Kira's pursuers and block their only possible escape route. Or Epsilon Ten at least. He couldn't see Twelve anywhere. Taking on three attackers with two or three defenders was in his book a worse situation than having twice the manpower and weapons. But the Doc wasn't going to interfere now as he saw Kira appear again from behind the tent. Dyre probably had a better view of the situation anyway.

Despite of having at least most of their people ready to stop the attackers, the Doc did not head inside yet. He needed to be sure none of the "enemy" got through the line of defenders. "Do what you have to, but do not get injured. I may not be able to help you if you do."

Troggog responded to Devon, "I'll help however I can. If you're here to rescue the Admiral, I'm honor-bound to assist."

Leaving his catapult for now, Troggog followed Dyre to the tunnel entrance.

Kira manages to stay ahead of the pursuers but the tiniest of margins.  She makes it to the entry hole, jumps it, tumbles and comes up facing the other way.

The two human prisoners chasing her came to an abrupt halt.  One, who had been focused on Kira nearly bowled straight into Dyre, the other spotting the reinforcements stopped a little before that.  The Weequay had given up the chase earlier and was near the corner of the house to the north.

The comm net crackled with an unfamiliar voice.  "Epsilon Thirteen requesting rules of engagement."


OOC: E13 is the scout hidden in Fiarr's hide and weilding a sniper rifle.  The prisoners haven't spotted him.  One prisoner is in melee range of Dyre, one is not far from Devon, the other is a further 10m back.  Map updated

"Eight here. Seven has the command. I must return to my task."

The Doc took a quick last look around and headed back inside to carry on with the operation.

Puffing and sitting on the ground, the woman winced and breathed out a soft word. "hi..."

She held her side as she looked on at what was to happen next

Rules of engagements??  Right.
Devon realized he surely had only a moment before the enemy was right on top of him - if Kira did her job and lead them here - time to get a plan in place.

"Put down hard an' fast..  no gunfire if we can avoid it, but none of 'em walk away.  Epsilon 10, maybe you circle round an' cut off their escape?"

Devon turned as Kira sprinted round the end of the tent and straight towards him.  The first of her persuers nearly crashed straight into Dyre, and that was fine with Devon.  A nice prison melee with no gunfire was exactly what he wanted.

"Take 'em." he growled.

Devon lunged toward the nearest man, stabbing his stun baton straight towards his opponents gut.

Devon drew his bat and lunged forward but the prisoner, having seen he was outnumbered had already turned on his heels and started to run.  Epsilon Eleven was quicker off the mark but failed to hit with his unfamiliar spear.  Devon rushed off in pursuit.

The prisoner who'd nearly collided with Dyre, knowing he couldn't run took a swing at the commando who effortlessly parried with his spear.

Epsilon Ten, responding to Devon's calls took two of his trainees and rushed after the Weequay.  They managed to cut him off before he could get too far and the trio hemmed in on him.  He began yelling for help.

Epsilon Thirteen, held his position.  He trained his sniper rifle on the human Devon was chasing.  "Can take your target lead, just say the word."


OOC:  At present the Weequay is being hemmed in by E10 and two of his spear trainees.  The prisoner is screaming for his colleagues to help.  Another human is running with Devon in pursuit.  He'll run into E10's group in a round or two.  E13 currently has a line of sight on this prisoner.  The final prisoner is in melee with Dyre.  Troggog, Kira and E11 could attack this prisoner next round.  Alternately E11 could join the chase with Devon.

All updated on roll20.

Epsilon 11 moved quickly and slipped in behind the prisoner, preventing escape.  The prisoner looked around in surprise, causing him to drop his guard.  His punishment was a firm whack with the butt end of the spear Dyre was carrying.

Devon continued running hard.  He managed to close the gap on his prey and drew close enough to use his stun baton again.

The Weequay pushed through the cordon and kept running, despite numerous thrusts at him by friendly prisoners and Epsilon 10.  The whole way the Weequay screamed.  "Help, the bastards are attacking!"

At the next structure over a pair of Wookies looked up at the noise and a Weequay popped out of the door to see what the commotion was about.



OOC: Roll20 updated.  One prisoner is effectively flanked by E11 and Dyre.  A second has Devon in melee range.  The Weequay is under assault by three but is screaming loudly and he is attracting attention from other unfriendly prisoners.

Kira, Devon, Troggog, need to keep up.  Combat rounds are a 2 day turn around.  You don't post you don't act (or I leave you on 'autopilot', essentially continue whatever you were doing).

Heigren can you post too, though you can't do much?  Dohr is excused as he is busy making with the leg chopping

As he hurdled the corner of a tent, Devon began to wonder if this guy was doing to him exactly what Kira had done to them - leading his attacker into an ambush...
But no, he could see others of his team up ahead, surrounding the weequay.  He had friends nearby.

Encouraged, Devon put on a burst of speed and managed to close enough jab the stun baton at his opponents back.

"Someone shut that weequay up!" he snarled into his commlink

Troggog, without his gear, went back to his old instincts from when he was in a slave camp. He dived towards the nearest of the prisoners for a tackle.

Kira, wincing at her ribs, heard the screams of the Weequay, and looked over. Seeing him outnumbered, she shook her head. "God-damn son of a..." She muttered as she stood up. She had her blasters on her hip, but knew the second she used them tat trouble would come in a huge way. Instead she done the only thing she could think of.

...she ran for one of the men attacking the weequay full speed and tackled him.

Troggog came charging in full steam at the prisoner who gasped in surprise at the towering Ithorian coming at him.  The prisoner tried to sidestep but took the business end of Dyre's spear as he practically leaped on the weapon.  The huge bulk of the Ithorian crashing into him from behind sealed his fate.

Devon was momentarily surprised as Kira went running past him at high speed.  The distraction proved enough for the prisoner before him to break away and begin running to where Epsilon ten and his colleagues had the Weequay cornered.  The shipjacker took up the chase, but glad Kira was getting involved.  His draw nearly fell off when Kira took a diving leap. . .at one of the spear wielding prisoners!  Her slam connected perfectly taking the friendly down beneath her.

"What the hell?" Epsilon Ten gasped as one of his men went down to a friendly.  "Two, what the fuck?"

Over at the tent where the wookies have been watching, a Weequay pops his head out and roars something.  Another of his kind pops out of the tent and they beginning moving towards the battle, shouting in their own language.


The prisoner near Dyre and Troggog is down.  Devon's has slipped past him and Kira has successfully bodyslammed a friendly.  Not sure why she's helping the enemy Weequay but there you have it!  Weequay now only has E10 and one prisoner in his way and he's still screaming for help. Two of his friends have heard him so you've got two, possibly more enemies inbound soon

Kira feel down with an grunt, and as soon as she heard the words from the person, she closed her eyes. "Stupid..." she chastised herself, as she sat up and looked at the man she tackled.  She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry..." She muttered to the prone man, and rolled off the man and got to her feet

Heigren was still outside with Zyra and he watched the unfolding events with concern.

"Uh guys." he said on comm.  "We're starting to draw attention from the locals.  I see around twenty of them looking interested in us.  Need to get this under control guys, like yesterday."

With little in the way of options, Mika trudges over to the tunnel and makes her way into the camp and takes in the lay of the land.

She quickly spies Devon already there, and he's apparently well enough to be running about.  The fact that he's survived and was in relatively good shape was a shot in the arm to her.  Before he'd become the boss, she'd always felt a bond with the shipjacker.  Since he'd become the boss, she'd been a bit more distant but seeing him alive and well was still a boost for her morale.

Devon muttered words of potent and evil magic as the weequay continued to scream for help... and the report from Heigren didn't exactly help his mood either.  Then Kiras screw-up put a nice foamy topping on his mug full of rage.  He was going to be having words with that lady when this was all over, assuming they were both still alive.

"This is outta control." he muttered into his commlink as gave up his pursuit and started back hurriedly towards the tunnel.
"We cant contain this without blowin' our cover... so lets go loud.  Overwhelmin' force time, guys.  Everyone,  fall back toward friendlies an' arm up."

Arriving at the tunnel, Devon hurriedly pulled his kitbag out and opened it.
Pulling out a holster with a pistol in, Devon pushed the weapon into Troggogs hands along with a spare ammo clip.  "Jax trusts you, an' I trust her.  Prove it weren't a mistake." he told the Ithorian.

Next out the bag was a carbine which he kept for himself.  He hurridly tucked the stun baton and spare ammo for the carbine into the frayed pockets of his prisoner garb.  The kitbag he slung over his shoulder.  No time for the rest of it now, but he might need it later.
"You been workin' on a plan for defence, right?" he asked Dyre.  "Time to amaze me - lets hear it."

Spying more kit stored in the tunnel - left there by the Epsilon boys and girls - Devon pulled the stash out and started hurriedly sorting the weapons and passing them round.
As he worked, he spared Mika a quick glance.
"Not that it aint good to see you, an' I know it aint gonna matter now... but seriously?  couldnt you at least have tried to look like a prisoner?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:54, Wed 24 May 2017.

As Troggog was given the blaster, he just stood in shock. Technically, he hadn't taken a life on purpose, but the death of this one prisoner was now on his hands. In the back of his mind, he tried whatever he could to think of all the possibilities. Could there have been a better way?

Troggog managed to refocus on the task at hand. He had been involved in war before. People die. You save who you can and move on. Still, Troggog couldn't take his mind off of what had just happened.

He looked to Devon. "You can trust me, seven. Just know that in my hands, this blaster won't see its full use. If there is another who's skilled at range, let them use it instead."

Devon had already moved away when Troggog began to speak so he was left with the loaded blaster in his hand.  The shipjacker with already in consultation with Dyre.  The commando was bringing Devon up to speed on his defences, consisting of the two bands of spear-wielding prisoners as well as the barricades they were designing.  The problem was that if things were deteriorating rapidly they had too many gaps in their defences still.

"We may need to evacuate the western building to let us tighten up our defensive perimeter.  Only problem there is we'd need to move the people in that bunk into the Admiral's bunkhouse and we're trying to keep that free so the Doc can work in peace.  I believe Troggog is making good progress on his offensive weaponry so you may wish to talk to him as well."

The two kept walking as Epsilon 10, initially startled by Kira's attacking his own man, got to her feet and mumbled an apology.  The soldier ignored her as well as the two fleeing prisoners as he followed Devon's orders and began falling back into position, leaving Kira alone.

Heigren and Zyra moved back from their observation point to gather near the catapult.  The Zabrak motioned for Devon and Dyre to join them.

"Seems the natives are getting restless, what's the plan Seven?"



OOC: I've updated the map on Roll20.

Dyre, Zyra, Heigren, Devon and Mika are near the catapult.
Kira is still further north where she tackled the prisoner
Troggog is near the entry hole.
Dohr is making with the chop chop.

The soldiers are returning to previous duties, specifically:
E10 - Guarding the northern approach with 6 spearwielders
E11 - Moving to join Dyre
E12 - Guarding the western approach with 6 spearwielders
E13 - Guarding the entry hole with Kira's sniper rifle
Cpl Slattery - Still working on automatic crossbow in northern building
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:28, Fri 26 May 2017.

"What, no hug?"  Devon asked as he spotted Jax, looking slightly hurt.
"I bet Four got hugged...."  the hurt look dissolved into a quick grin.
"Its good to see you again, Nine."

Devon turned serious again as he surveyed the rapidly awakening camp.
"We've got people upstairs sabotagin' the skyhook an' we've got reinforcements outside the shield... just gotta bring it down.  Got two options for that."

Devon spotted Kira, still standing unmoving.
"S'cuse me one second." he growled then keyed his commlink.
"Two, if you don't get over here right now I swear I will shoot you myself.  You think this is a frakkin' game??  The hell is wrong with you?"

Turning back to Jax, Devons annoyance and frustration was plain on his face.
"_{that girl is a frakkin problem.}  Plan is simple - we bunker down an' hope we got the firepower to persuade 'em to keep back.  Or we can jump the gun, an' have my friends outside break the shield down an' storm the camp.  Beyond that?  I'm open to suggestions."

Turning, Devon pointed to E13 who was still guarding the hole.
"We need a runner to get a message out to Sivren." he told the guy.  "We may need him to bring down the shield an' storm the place.  Make sure we can yell for help if we need it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:37, Sun 28 May 2017.

Kira saw Devon as he spoke and made her way over to the man. She didn't here to eh comments of Devon, but knew the woman was in trouble with her teammates. Once she arrived, she caught the tail end of the conversation. She decided to stay silent....she could have offered excuses for what had happened, but in truth, there was no excuse.

She sighed and spoke more to herself than anyone else. "Not quite as we planned...."

"I imagine that is because Four has the restraint at least to save his need for hugs to times when a prison riot isn't about to break out."  Zyra said calmly, a small hint of a smile showing through, but only for a moment.

"For now the safety of our people, especially Mark is paramount.  If we can avoid tipping our hand to the Imperials about our modern weapons then we should do so.  Can we manage a sturdy offense or defense without resulting to blasters?  If so, I suggest we go with whichever plan denotes maximum survival for our people while delaying Imperial awareness of our situation.  Last I checked, your doctor still needed hours with Mark to even give him a chance of survival."

Dohr heard some sounds outside indicating the confrontation between the Epsilon team and the prisoners had started. There was some shouting and cursing, but not really anything he should worry about. And he didn't. Devon had enough men to keep the trio of enemies from reaching the building that was now practically an operating theatre.

The surgery was far from over. Dohr tried his best to push away the effects of the heat and moisture and the thoughts of the Skyhook -team's success. He was still a bit baffled about how Devon was already back at the prison camp and the others weren't. But since Seven didn't seem worried about it, the Doc wouldn't be either. FIarr was good, very good. And she had Kyvarr to back her up. They would get the job done.

Dohr took a deep breath to calm himself down, cast a look at Trycson, nodded and continued.

Dyre looked around.  "I can have an assault group together in two minutes if you want it.  We have a dozen or so trained spearman and our soldiers who can go in with blasters or spears.  We also have Troggog's toy assuming it works."  He looked questioningly at the Ithorian.

"I feel we're at a disadvantage on the defensive unless we use blasters as our lower numbers and need to protect the building will work against us.  We either need to attack or be willing to defend with blasters."

"I hear ya."  muttered Devon as he watched the camp.  What would happen next?  Would the natives settle down again after the skirmish, or were they past the point of no return now?  Somehow, he doubted they would simply go back to sleep now.
"I've got my two of my best up on that Skyhook"  he quickly explained to Jax. "Their first target was to plant explosives on the external comms array. Last communication with them showed they were still undetected and had secured the hanger."  Devon peered up through the shield at the distant skyhook for a moment.
"Knowin' them, they've probably killed half the crew already..."

Looking round at the camp, Devon tried to gauge the mood of the natives.
"Got the feelin' we're gonna have to start shootin' soon."
He dialed his commlink quickly to the frequency of the M4 droid acting as their link with those outside the shield.
"M4 - transmit a message to Deltas Five an' Six.  They need to kill the Skyhook comms NOW an' confirm when done - you will transmit their reply to me an' Sivren.

Also, transmit to Captain Sivren:  please stand ready to break down the shield an' storm the camp  - the skyhook team will disable comms upstairs an' confirm when done.  That's your go signal - friendlies are defending the south east corner of the camp."

Devon sighed, and fingered the carbine he was carrying.
"Now all we gotta do is try to keep this quiet till those comms are down, then we can shoot all the guns we damn well please.  We just gotta stall for time.  Keep your weapons outta sight for the moment - the longer we can go without our guns bein' spotted..."

The M4 droid beeped obligingly then flew off into the hole.  Minutes crawled past with agonising slowness.

Over near the western side of camp, prisoners were gathering together in a large group.  There was shots and points over towards Devon and his group.  Words could bot be discerned over the distance but there was no mistaking the tone and ferocity.  It was hard to see faces as it was now well into dusk.  The flicker of several campfires provided the main illumination.  But what Devon could not see, the volume and intensity of the shouting from the enemy camp made perfectly clear.

In the darkness Devon and his team noticed something else, a steady glow, brighter than any campfire glowed from the north-eastern section of camp.  The fire that Kira had painstakingly lit had caught well and the large tree that hung over the bunkhouse there was ablaze.  Embers were starting to drop onto the deserted building but no fires has started yet.

Time passed, at least five minutes, the light grew fainter, the fire grew brighter and the shouts got angrier.  What didn't change was the return of his M4 droid.

Heigren poked Devon in the guts when he mentioned Fiarr and Kyvarr.  "Two of 'your best' huh?  I thought I was your best!  Who do you clarify as 'your worst'?"

As time dragged on he began to get worried.  While the shouts themselves were enough, he could feel the hostility coming from across the camp.  Normally he couldn't sense emotions so far, but the intensity was there.  The anger, the raw hunger, the predatory sense.  He shivered.

"I hope you have a plan boss.  We're losing light fast and I know some species can see in the dark a lot better than I or you humans can.  Hard to defend if we can't see them coming.  Plus it looks like one of the bunkhouses has caught fire.  What if it spreads?  Anyone we send to fight a fire is exposed to that."  He points west.

Hearing Devon's plan to have Sivren's team assault the base sprung Dyre into action.  He didn't need orders as he knew what to do.  He moved away from Devon and spoke on the Epsilon channel.

"Attention all Epsilon units, Delta Lead plans to invite the other teams to come play and play loud.  So we're on defense.  Remain at your designated posts and keep blasters out of sight but ready.  We keep up our facade until the Captain knocks on the door and there is no point.   At that stage take down anyone who threatens our end of camp.  And keep people looking up.  Delta Lead says comms will be down up there but Imps can still look downwards.  You see a shuttle or the skyhook elevator moving then sing out."

"I'm not answerin' that - I figure if I keep you guys guessin', you'll all try harder..."

Devon replied absently, still watching the camp with a paranoid eye.  He watched the growing fire for a few moments.
"Two!" he snapped.  "That fire your work?" The fire definitly looked to be in the direction that Kira and come from when she had fled her pursuers.
"Maybe we'll get lucky..." he mumbled.  "Maybe they'll decide their hovel burnin' down behind them is easier to solve than the heavily armed mob in front of them."  he sighed.  "Or maybe they'll just start throwin' bits of it at us."
The good news at least was that the burning building would add some illumination - hopefully they would be able to see what they were shooting at...
"If they come at us, we're gonna have to hurt 'em so bad they think twice before they try again.  No mercy, full force."

Devon pointed to Dyre - the man seemed determined to act as a sort of deputy, so Devon would make use of him.
"The M4 shoulda shoulda been back by now.  Get me a runner through that tunnel an' find out whats goin' on.  Make sure everyone got their messages, an is doin' there thing.  Then report back fast.  Got it?"

"Yes sir.  Dyre turns to Epsilon 11.  "Eleven, get back down the tunnel and try to contact the M4 droid.  If you can't contact it, then contact the Captain and ensure he got his message.  If the M4 is there, get an update on the Skyhook team and find out why it hasn't returned and report back ASAP."

Epsilon 11 nods and then moves off quickly.  He is lost to the darkness well before he reaches the tunnel as night closes in.  The campfires outside the various bunkhouses and the odd standing torch provide the only illumination now.  As Devon pointed out, the fire to the northern bunkhouse is at least providing a little extra illumination.


About a minute after Epsilon 11 left, a comm call comes in on the squad channel.  "E3 this is E12.  I think we've got movement over here.  Hard to see but I think we may be getting some visitors soon."

"Understood Twelve.  Keep me informed and stay alert."

He looks to Devon.  "Recommend we send some support.  Perhaps Two and myself?  Unless you want to go.  I don't want to pull anyone off the northern defence team."

Having shut off his coms to be able to fully concentrate on the operation, Dohr was totally oblivious to the conversation going on outside. He trusted Trycson to bring him the news, if need be. Bad news he'd probably be able to figure out himself the moment the prisoners would hit their hut. When he could afford to give it any thought, the Doc really missed his carbine.

Dohr stepped back and wiped his brow.  He idly stared at the mostly black limb that was now lying in a blanket.  It had taken him less time than he'd predicted to remove that, more than an hour less.  Though that was not a good thing.  It had been so quick because so many of the steps normally involved he simply lacked the facilities to complete.  All he could do was cut, splice and sew.

Mark lay on the bed, unconscious but breathing.  A simple IV drip hung from a makeshift pole with a simple glucose solution running through it.  The man's leg ended in a crude stump and a simple bacta dressing.  So crude, so inelegant.  But it was all he had.  It was amazing the shock of the procedure had not killed the Admiral, but then Dohr realised he had been amazed the infection hadn't killed the man.  Clearly he was tough and he would need every ounce of that toughness.  The man still needed a bacta tank and a specialised hospital and he needed it soon.  Toughness would only carry the man so far.

To one side, his assistant was checking Mark's vitals.  Trycson looked as tired as Dohr felt, more so.  The man had been serving the role of a full surgical team and it showed.  Still the soldier continued his work.


OOC: Mark is now missing a leg!  He's as stable as you can get him until more advanced medical treatment is available.  He'll need some time before you move him but the surgery is done.

"I should go too." Heigren says to Dyre and Devon.  "The people in that bunkhouse are going to be getting stressed, possibly panicked.  I can help keep them calm, even be ready to move them should something happen."


OOC:  Aside from his concealed blaster pistol, Heigren also carried one of the staves from the weapon pile.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:22, Fri 16 June 2017.

Kira looked at the glowing area that was the fire with a slight smirk. She never meant for it to be an all out fire, more a smoke fire than anything, but with everything that was happening, the fire could be just the diversion they need. "That is my doing....i just hope it helps us more than anything."

Hearing the mention of defence and the use of weapons if needed was a relief...the two blaster at her hip felt comfortable, but yet to use them. She placed her hands on her hips with a smile. "If company's coming, maybe we should prepare a reception they won't forget."

Dohr had one more look at Mark. By all accounts the man should not be alive anymore, but the Kel Dor was very glad he was. This was quite unlike the first encounter with the CO he had imagined, but in the Doc's mind it was in a strange way good. He'd been part of the Talons for quite a while now ever since they'd left Det Akari in a bit of a haste. Dohr was sure hiring him had been approved by Mark or at least Zyra, but there had never been a chance to meet either in person before now. Something more important had called the leaders of the organization away. They knew now what that something was.

The 'good' in meeting Mark like this came from grim facts alone. The Black Talon team had missed a proper doctor when Dohr had been recruited. In fact that was probably one of the, if not the, main reasons why he was there in the first place. Sheila was a skilled medic and some of the others had experience in binding wounds in combat situations too, but ugly truth was that none of them would have been able to save the Admiral. Hell, Dohr wasn't sure he had been able to either. The situation was still very much touch and go.

Satisfied, though not happy with the results of his and Trycson’s work, Dohr nodded to himself once more and turned his gaze to the medic. The Doc cleared his throat and waited until their eyes met. ”You have performed admirably, Trycson. Should the Admiral survive, it will be thanks to your work just as much as mine, if not more. And regardless of the outcome, once we are out of this hell, I will recommend a promotion for you.” With another customary nod, Dohr powered on his coms.

”Seven. Eight here. The operation is done. Trycson will stay with One. The patient is critical, but stable. Let me know where you want me. I am currently underarmed.”
This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Sat 17 June 2017.

Devon was just starting to form the wrds to question Dohr on whether he'd be better used staying with Mark, rather than out here - then bit his tongue. Dohr knew what he was doing.
"Eight, good work.  If you're free, get out here - you can use my carbine."  Devon would fall back on his pistol and - if it came to it - stun baton.

He nodded to Kira and Dyre.
"Get over there.  Try not to provoke anyone, but if they come for you, DON'T hold back - they need to think we're too dangerous to take on.  Keep me informed."
Turning to Heigren, Devon said:
"Round up a few volunteers to help Troggog" he jerked a thumb in the Ithorians direction "run that siege weapon of his...Then get over to that other bunkhouse an keep those people calm, have them ready to move."
Regarding the catapult, Devon asked:
"Hey, Troggog, can we load that thing with stuff that burns?  Get some more light out there?  Start some more fires?"
Finally, he keyed his commlink.
"Slattery, drop what you're doin' an' get out here.  Ain't gonna be time to finish your project now."

Devon shifted nervously from one foot to the other as he stared out into the night, trying to anticipate the first attack.
"Where's my goddamn runner?" he muttered.

People get into motion quickly.  Dyre and Kira move off towards the western defenders while Heigren heads off north to round up volunteers for the siege weaponry.  Dohr joins up with Devon and after a brief explanation of Mark's condition, Zyra rushes off back to the tent.

The seconds drag on for poor Devon.  He needs updates but they take time and he is feeling impatient.  However, he feels worse as suddenly everything starts to happen at once.

Corporal Slattery turns up, accompanied by four strong-looking prisoners.  She sends them off to the catapult before approaching Devon.  "Corporal Slattery reporting for redeployment sir." she says crisply.

Before he can answer his comm crackles.  "Delta Lead this is Epsilon 11, I'm at the tunnel entrance.  Your droid was just outside the other end of the tunnel.  It successfully updated the Captain, I confirmed this but the droid reports it has been unable to contact Delta 5, Delta 6 or Alpha 9.  It is holding position as you ordered it to deliver its message before returning."

Suddenly a blood curdling scream fills the air, coming from the South West.  His head whips in that direction and he can see Epsilon 12 looking around frantically to the south but nothing else is visible.

To the west, Devon notices many of the enemy prisoners are moving.  They seem to be coming together but the darkness is affecting him.


OOC: Roll20 map updated.

Heigren is now at the northern bunkhouse.  Cpl Slattery and Dohr are now with Devon/Mika.

Troggog has 4 helpers for his catapult.

Zyra has returned tot he command tent.

Dyre/Kira are heading towards the western bunkhouse.  From said area a loud scream was just heard.

Many of the enemy prisoners are moving towards each other.

Devon's runner is back.  The captain is standing by and will move on your order but the skyhook team are silent.

Heigren moved everyone in his bunkhouse away from the doors and windows as best he could.  He picked some of the prisoners with the sharpest eyes or even any people with more advanced night vision to watch the doors and windows.

While they waited he moved through the groups of people.  He smiled, laughed, cajoled, doing everything he could to lower the tension.  He put on his best showman's face while he desperately waited for news from Devon.  His fist gripped his staff tightly and he had to will himself not to continually reach up to check his blaster was loose in is holster.  He would use it if need be to defend these people but he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

Devon listened to Dohrs report on Marks condition, and struggled to keep his lunch down.  It seemed to be a common theme with Doctors that they didnt realize that most people didnt want to know exactly how much blood and puss could be contained in one limb...

"Good work, Doc.  You're unarmed?  Slattery, you got a spare piece?  Loan it to the Doc here.  The pair of you, stick with me for now - till we know where we're needed.  We're gonna -"

The scream completely derailed Devons train of thought.
Devons grip tightened on his carbine, but stopped just short of levelling the weapon and blasting away into the night.

Think, THINK.  What the hell was going on?

First things first, he snapped into his commlink.   "Two, Three: you two should be runnin' - get over there and report back.  Epsilon 11, tell the captain to standby.  We may need him any second.  Make sure he knows which areas we are defendin'.  Don't want any friendly fire."

Devon.
"Roll call - everyone on this channel: sound off as I call you and report situation."
Devon worked through the list of names and callsigns as quickly as as he was able - he needed to know what was going on and if any of his people were hurt before he reacted.

Kira nods at Devon's orders and started moving towards the area indicated. At the sound of the scream, Kira freezes for a split second and drew her pistol's, aiming towards the scream. Her brow furrowed as she stood for a second. "Now what..." She mutters to herself as Devon's orders come over the comm.

She looked at Dyre, then started running towards the sound, her pistols ready

Dohr nodded to Devon. ”Indeed I am.” He then accepted the weapon from Slattery, gave it a once-over, checked the clip and nodded to the soldier. It wasn’t his personal N’Gant, but it would have to do for now. ”That is much better. Thanks.”

Getting into a fight with the prisoners was not something the Kel Dor was looking forward to. He didn’t enjoy hurting people, let alone taking lives and bringing a blaster into a stick fight seemed quite unfair. Then again, he was not going to let the “enemy” attack the civilians on their side of the camp either. Of course Dohr didn’t know who the people on the “other side” were. They might be rebels too for all he knew. But it seemed right now that they were indeed the bad guys and intent on assaulting the side of the camp the Talons were on. They will be sorry they even tried and so will I.

Corporal Slattery hands Dohr a standard issue blaster pistol and the begins checking her spare.    The failing light makes things progressively harder.  Epsilon 11 points out the Captain is already standing by and if he goes to tell him again then he wont be in position to receive comms of an attack order.

Neither Kira or Dyre respond to Devon's message, they just keep moving in.  Kira rushed ahead, while Dyre moved more cautiously.  Kira ran with twin blasters while Dyre still held a spear.

As Kira approached the group of soldiers she heard a roar and saw a Trandoshan run out of the darkness towards Epsilon 12.  The soldier stood firm, spear ready, but it turned out he wasn't the target.  At the last moment the enemy veered, grabbed up the torch and smashed it into the dirt, extinguishing it.  The whole area went dark.  That's when the roaring started, and soon the screams.

Devon heard the continued screams and wanted to yell in his comm again but his attention shifted to the larger groups of prisoners that had gravitated into the central platform near the skyhook.  Around two dozen prisoners were there now.  Some stared south toward the commotion, but many stared east towards Devon and his colleagues.  They looked eager, hungry.

---

Dohr, you have a blaster.

Kira, the screams are coming just south of you.  You can here growling and yelling but it's too dark to see anything now the Trandoshan doused the light.  You figure there is at least one enemy within 10 metres of you as well as E12 and around half a dozen friendly spearmen.

Dyre growled as Kira ran off ahead.  But that was nothing compared to the curses out of his mouth when the lights went out.  His movement slowed to a crawl and he kept his spear out in front of him like a cane.

"Lead, we need some light over here.  Can't see a damn thing.  Bet you some of these aliens can see alright though."

Orders get shouted back and forth and a general state of confusion exists.  Dyre's calls for light go unanswered as he flails around in the dark.  He grunts as a searing pain burst from his left flank.  He grunts in pain and flails around in the dark, his hand instinctively going to his side.  It comes away wet and sticky.  Even without his sight he recognises the feel of blood.

Kira, who had plowed ahead was similarly hampered, unable to see her hand in front of her face. She hears a scream from in front of her and holds her blasters out reflexively.  Something hard clips her in the right shoulder, it knocks her forward a little but causes no real damage.

While Devon rummages around in a bag, Devon looks around from his vantage point.  The groups of prisoners are beginning to come together.

---

OOC: Roll20 map updated.

Chaos abounds. Dyre has just been hurt badly, Kira took a clip to the shoulder that was either badly aimed or accidental.  Nobody but them know of their injuries.  Perhaps someone flailing in the dark.  People are screaming in pain and nobody can see a thing!

Devon, you Mika and Dohr can see a lot of movement in the shadows to the west of you.  Definitely people there but you can't make out numbers.</i>

The voices and noises in the darkness made Dohr uneasy. Not because he was worried about his own health, no. He was a soldier and a veteran of numerous battles. The uneasiness came from the fact that they were still too far spread and the enemy had more than one or two directions to attack from. But there was nothing they could do about that right now. The Kel Dor worried about his patient and others who might not be able to defend themselves.

He hated himself for what he felt he had to do… Dohr sighed and flipped the switch on his blaster pistol to lethal. He hated the idea of killing anyone, but the extra reach would probably be needed. He turned to Devon. ”Seven. Priority Zero is to keep One and Nine alive, right? We may not be able to save the rest...”

Having said that, a thought struck Dohr. The infrared goggles! Did I take them with me? He quickly dropped on one knee and started going through his bag. After a couple of seconds he stopped and cursed under his breath. The goggles had had to go to make room for all the gear needed in the operation. They were sitting in a bag right next to his weapons by the tunnel's entrance.  [Language unknown: Eraterave t se, ave sttho romvencom Butlo!]

About to stand up, the Doc’s fingers met something cold, thin and round. The flashlight! Dohr grabbed the torch in his supporting hand, stood up and took hold of his blaster pistol in the two-handed grip he’d been taught a long time ago in the DAF. He flicked the flashlight on and aimed it towards the commotion in the west.

---

OOC: The plan is to shoot at anyone who's clearly the enemy
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Sun 16 July 2017.

Kira stumbled in the dark, the injury to her shoulder minor enough to keep going.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her eyes would be of no use here at the moment so she needed her other senses. She listened to the screams of pain and cries of confusion. She knelt and felt the cool earth. She could smell the fresh air, mixed with hints of smoke from the fire she had lit as well as other smells.

Though she would have loved her eyes, and the fact that the darkness put her at a disadvantage, it also put enemies too.

....unless they could see in this darkness.

Kira knew that her only ally at the moment (other than luck), was stealth.  She had to move quietly and quickly for cover.  She shuffled backwards, her blasters in hand, and crouched, making herself a smaller target. She then used her hands to feel the terain to find a defensible place.

...Hopefully luck would stay on her side.

"Maybe, but lesse how many others we can manage."
Devon raised his weapon - he'd hoped for dumb opposition, but he Commander had once told him to never expect the enemy to co-operate in creating his dream engagement.
Play the hand your dealt instead.
"These assholes are too smart by half - they're gonna blind us to remove our firepower advantage."  he muttered.
"Two, Three - tell the folk in that bunkhouse next to you to fall back towards the rest of us, then do the same.  They're unarmed, you're not.."

Play the hand you've been dealt.
Right now, Devons hand included a combat walker and a strike team of commandos.
"Epsilon 11, I want the captain an' his team in here NOW.  Everyone else, if you can light up your area, do it now.  Torches, emergency flares, I dont care what.  Apart from that, hunker down an' hold on - help is comin'."

Dyre grunts.  The pain in his flank was excruciating.  He shouted in his comm.  "Damnit.  They're swarming us.  Need light and backup like FUCKING NOW!"

The shouts of Dyre over the comm ended in a gasp and then silence.  However the silence is punctuated by numerous yells and screams piercing the night.  From Dyre's direction there is a cacophany of noise.  Roars of bestial aggressions, shouts of orders, and screams of people suffering injury.  The darkness adds to the intensity as people scream and die.

Lost in the darkness, Kira began backing up slowly.  She didn't manage to escape the darkness but at least nobody else struck her.  However ahead of her she began to here the screams.  She knew the sound of people being killed when she heard it.

Another roar goes up through the camp, a roar that begins to reverberate.  Almost as one the enemy prisoners, who had slowly been grouping and advancing, seemed to suddenly lose all semebelance of patience and sanity and charged towards the east side of camp.

---

OOC: Battle time!  The enemy are attacking and there is a LOT of them.  Map has been updated.

Dyre is no longer responding to comms.

Devon, E11 is heading out as instucted but it will take time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:54, Sun 09 July 2017.

Well, now I got no options left thought Devon with a feeling of horror as he heard the roar.

"OPEN FIRE!"  he yelled into his commlink and levelled his gun at the approaching mob.
He risked a glance over his shoulder at the catapult and its crew.
"Hit them!" he yelled pointing into the rapidly closing pack.  "Hit them now!"

Without waiting to see if Troggog would obey, Devon braced against the recoil and hosed down the front rank of the mob.

"I've survived a damn civil war, I've fought TIEs, an' I've fallen off a damn skyhook."  he snarled. "I have not come this far to die now."

As Dohr flicked on the flashlight, he saw no one in the cone that pierced the darkness. He quickly moved the light around the area beyond the fire. It hit the the roaring group of enemies at the same as Devon's order reached his ears and Dohr had to force down a feeling of panic as he saw ten prisoners charging through the darkness towards him. Ten!

Instincts took over and thanks to his lighting fast reflexes, the Doc reacted immediately. Trusing the sudden wall of light from his torch to have at least some kind of a blinding effect on the attackers and the weapon fire to cause panic in them, Dohr fired his blaster rapidly at the mass of people heading his way. At the same time he took a few steps back to get into cover.

The Kel Dor very much wanted to run to his bag to get his goggles and weapons, but he couldn't do that right now.

In hindsight it was hard to tell what happened first, the charge of the prisoners or the call to open fire.  It all happened so quickly.  One moment there was large groups of prisoners cautiously creeping towards the east side of camp, then there was a cacophony of roars, charging foes and concentrated blaster fire.  Prisoners went down by the score, blaster holes burned in their chests but the rest, driven on by the insanity of near starvation and brutal treatment forces them on.  Nobody uses stun, no matter how sympathetic they may feel.  This is kill or be killed and killing is exactly what happens.  For four long minutes the blasters fire, the prisoners charge and people on both side are slaughtered.  So loud is the battle that the sounds of the AT-OT's heavy guns blasting the shields is lost to sight.  It's only when the shield flickers and fails and the walker moves in that most of the prisoners flee.  Some fight on and have to be killed, nearly all taking at least one more person down with them.  With the shields down however the prisoners retreated.  Wether due to the arrival of the walker or the sudden risk that the jungle predators could now enter camp was anyone's guess.

Before Sivren and Devon could re-establish contact, all eyes turned to the skyhook, where the elevator was slowly descending.  The friendly prisoners reported that the Imperials never used the elevator, preferring the shuttle.

The AT-OT took up position where it could both target and defend the elevator.  Some of the enemy prisoners looked like they might be ready to attack again but the big guns held them in check.

Finally the elevator arrived and Corporal Kyane, the soldier who had been on the skyhook team stepped out.  He quickly spoke into his comm.

"Sir.  I have to get back up to cover the prisoners but comms are a mess up there.  Delta Five and Six will be bringing the shuttle down momentarily.  Skyhook is secure.  We request soldiers to help us hold it.  We can then start evacuating personnel by the shuttle on a needs basis to the skyhook."




OOC: Since we've lost so many PC's I'm pushing through the battle to the next phase.

At present Dohr, Devon and Heigren and Kira are uninjured, but battered and bruised.  Dyre has severe injuries but is still conscious.  Only Dyre and Kira survived the SW attack of the soldiers and a third the civilians are dead.  The other two held better.  You have a handful of critically injured (including Mark) who will need urgent medical attention.  Others need medical care.

Let's keep this moving.

Heigren staggers over to the other Talons.  His normal flamboyant, jovial nature is gone.  The man looks like he's in a drunken stupor though that is impossible given both his lack of access to alcohol and his natural resistance to the substance.  HIs clothes are dirty and torn.  There is blood over his hands and clothes though little of it seems to be his.

"They. . .they just kept coming.".  He stammered, his glassy eyes state not even seeming to see the others.  "I killed, I killed so many.  Had to do it.  So many, such hunger.  Couldn't use stun.  So many, so hungry, wouldn't stop, oh my god."

The Zeltron fell to his knees and burst into uncontrolled sobs.

Kira, still in the darkness, could hear the carnage all around her...the blasters, the screams...


...the dying.

But, grimed face, she was determined not to be a causality of this planet. Gripping her pistol, she lowered herself to the ground so she was practically crawling, nand backed away, hoping to leave the darkness.

...she had to help the others.

She could hear Heigren, and made for his voice. "Don't shoot. I'm comingh out of the darkness." She called.

Devon spun around jerkily, aiming his gun into every shadow, hunting for more targets.
Then he exhaled shakily and lowered his weapon.
"Damn" he muttered, and took a firmer grip on his gun.  Maybe that way people wouldn't see how much his hands were shaking.
When Heigren came staggering out of the night, Devon half raised his weapon again before he recognized the Zeltron.

As Heigren collapsed to his knees, Devon crouched next to the Zeltron and put an arm round the mans shoulders.  He looked up at Dohr.
"Doc, we've got wounded." he said quietly.  Not that the Kel-Dor would need telling - everyone could hear the cries of the injured.  "Do what you can."

He leaned in close to Heigren.
"I know." he muttered. "I know.  An' I'm sorry I made you do this."
He swallowed a couple of times before he continued, trying to keep his own voice from breaking.   He could guess the sort of images playing in Heigrens mind - only a minute earlier Devon had been fending off a screaming unarmed man who had attacked him with teeth and nails.  Devon had clubbed the guy down with the butt of his rifle, then shot the prone man where he lay.  He had a feeling it would be a long while before he forgot that mans face.
"But we ain't through this yet, we ain't done here.  We're gonna rescue these people, an' we're gonna take 'em home.  An' I need your help if we're gonna do that, OK?  Hate me if you want, but I need you on your feet. Can you do that?"

There was another shout from the darkness and Devon surged upright, swinging his weapon to bear on the source of the noise.  Kira.
Once he was certain she was alone, he lowered his gun again.  Where the hell had she been?
"Where's Three?" he asked, then activated his commlink.  "Three, report"

Devon looked over to Sivren.
"Captain, we're gonna need a perimeter - an' my people are all torn up.  If you can secure things down here, I'll take a team up to help secure the skyhook, along with a shuttle pilot."
He nodded to Mika.  "Thats you."

Who else to send 'upstairs'? he wondered.
Himself, he decided.  Kira.  Dyre.  Definitely Heigren - get the guy out of this blood bath.  Slattery and a few more of Sivrens troops, if they could be spared.
Dohr would have to stay down here, tending to the wounded.
Devon issued orders, and finished by activating his commlink again.

"Three, report right now." he waited a few moments, "Three, can you say your position?  We'll come to you."
He grabbed Slattery and set off toward Kira.  He grabbed a burning branch from one of the fire pits as he passed, it would do as a light source.
"Two, show us where you last saw him."

With Heigren not responding to Devon's request, Dyre's absence, Dohr buried in the care of the wounded and various other factors, the Talons weren't ready to secure the Skyhook.  Instead Sivren sent a four man team with Corporal Kyane to keep things secure.

Less than five minutes later the shuttle flew overhead.  It didn't land immediately, instead it hovered over the west side of camp.  The cargo ramp opened and boxes spilled out all over the ground.  Less than a minute later the enemy prisoners who had only recently been attacking, roared in unison and ripped into the boxes.  Their were howls of pleasure as they began tearing into the cargo and began stuffing something into their mouths.

The shuttle then veered to the landing area, and under the watchful eye of the walker's guns, landed.  Quickly Kyvarr stepped out, Nijel in her arms, ready to shoot.  Seeing the prisoners were busy with her 'care packages' she turned to Devon.

"Found a stock of synthmeat and protein paste on board.  Seems they were stocked to feed these guys, just thought it would be funnier to starve them.  Let's load up the wounded while they're eating."  She keys her comm.  "Six, tell them to send down the elevator."

Several shuttle and elevator trips later, the majority of people were evacuated.  Dohr, his assistant evacuated with the seriously wounded first.  Devon included Heigren and Zyra in that crew.  The more able bodied were evacuated by elevator.  Meanwhile Sivren's team remained alert in the AT-OT in case the prisoners should try something.  For now they seemed happy to have something digestible to eat.

Devon evacuated on the final shuttle run, taking the co-pilot seat.  Fiarr was serving as pilot while Kyvarr had managed the cargo master duties.  The shipjacker was able to breathe a sigh of relief.  The friendly prisoners were evacuated and the others, well they could see when they had finally eaten.  The Talons had all moved to the Skyhook along with five of Sivren's people - two soldiers, two engineers and the medical assistant for Dohr.  The rest of Sivren's team remained on planet to secure the perimeter until the shields could be reinstated.

It was several hours before the Talons were able to regroup in the skyhooks briefing room.  Everyone had been run off their feet for the whole time, though most had managed a quick shower and a bite to eat, the latter usually supplied by grateful ex-prisoners who were busy serving us cooks, assistants, guards to the skyhook's Imperial crew and whatever other use they could be.  Their sheer numbers had swamped the living space so the hangar had been made into accommodation as well as the dormitories.  It was crampled but compared to what they had come from it was luxury.

Devon was the last to enter the briefing room and he noticed he'd been left the chair at the end of the table.  Zyra was there and interestingly had not assumed the chair of command, but the seat to it's right, where she had always sat with Mark.  All the others were seated, including Dyre, who they'd recovered badly wounded but alive.  A bacta treatment had him looking better though Devon noticed Dohr was keeping a close eye on him.  He noticed some of the prisoners had supplied enough caf and sandwiches to feed a small platoon.

---

OOC: I've brought you up to speed on what you've all been up to in PM.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:29, Thu 03 Aug 2017.

Fiarr stretched and looked around the table.  "I swear guys, if we nuked this entire station we'd probably be doing everyone, including the Empire, a favour.  There are sick specimens of supposed life aboard this station."

"I spent the time interrogating the station commander and his second in command.  A more disgusting, depraved pair I don't think I've met.  The holos alone I found is enough to give me nightmares for a week.  Personally I can't decide if I'd rather push them out an airlock or strip them, smear them in a mix of honey and protein paste and dump them in the jungle and let the native fauna sort them out."

"I can promise you any court will take a microsecond to give these guys life, or more likely death.  I say we save them the time."

"I'm planning to go over the shuttle when I get some rest.  Good news is she's a fairly standard Gamma Class Assault shuttle which means she's well armed and shielded, has a hyperdrive and her hyperspace charts are fairly new.  Bad news is while she's pretty roomy, I don't see how we could fit all of us, Sivren't people and all the prisoners in.  Especially if we're packing bacta tubes.  That's also assuming we're leaving the prisoners on the planet behind as well as the Imps we've captured."


OOC: Remembering Fiarr is not above doing wetwork and has done so more than once without qualm, the fact she is disturbed by these guys, gives you an idea how bad they truly are.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Thu 03 Aug 2017.

Sitting at the table in the Skyhook’s briefing room, Dohr felt like he could finally breath again. The last hours had been crazy, both busy and just mad. He hadn’t really had any time to think over what had happened and what he and those around him had been forced to do. Heigren’s reaction back at the prison camp had been hard to watch and endure for although the Kel Dor had felt terrible and had wanted to cry, he knew the empathetic Zeltron had felt twice as bad, probably more.

Deep inside, the doctor was just that, a healer. His mission was to keep everyone alive and in as a good shape as possible. But he was a soldier too and had long ago accepted the fact that in war, and in war they were with the Empire, terrible things had to be done to stop even more terrible things from happening. Somehow fighting enemy soldiers, mercenaries, assassins had been easier than what he had been forced to do today. Dohr couldn’t really blame the prisoners who had attacked the Talons and the people they had come to rescue. The imperials had all but forced their hands. Therefore, when Fiarr spoke out in anger, Dohr found himself nodding. He did not accept killing prisoners, any prisoners. But at the moment he was not beyond punishing the imps by taking them planetside and leaving them to survive in the camp they had created for others.

”I am against throwing them out of the airlock as they are now helpless. We must not became as cruel as they are or we have already lost this war. But when we leave, let us give them a little food, knives and tools and leave them in the jungle. Perhaps they can survive until someone starts wondering where they have gone… Perhaps not. At least we have given them a fighting chance, which is far more than they gave the prisoners.”

Dohr shrugged. It just was his opinion. Right now he wasn’t sure he had enough energy left to fight, if the decision would be to simply execute the imperials.

”That aside, I am sure you will all be pleased to know that Mark is enjoying a bath of batca and what is even better, the tank is transportable. His situation is still critical, but I am having high hopes for his recovery… As you all probably already know, I was forced to amputate his leg. But the decicion was simple, if not easy. Without the operation…” Dohr casts a look at Devon sitting at the end of the table, ”Devon’s role as the acting director would now be a permanent one.”

The Doc let out another sigh and a took careful sip of caf. ”If and when we need to move, just give me and Trycson a 15 minute head start to prepare Mark and the other patients for the transfer.” Having said that, Dohr turned his worrying eyes to Dyre. ”Some might be trying to look better off than they really are.”

Dohr returned to his caf, but then remembered something: "Oh and what Fiarr said. Rest, we all need it. However it is yet unclear to me how long can we actually stay here unnoticed. Is there some kind of a communication schedule between the Skyhook and the imperial fleet? While it would be great if we could take a couple of hours to regain some energy, Sivren and his men are still waiting in the jungle below and they have a long trip back to the container."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:47, Fri 04 Aug 2017.

Devon hesitated for a moment when he saw the seat left open for him, then sat with a slightly resigned expression.  He hadnt REALLY expected that Zyra would displace him, but still, this was the closest he had been to his old bosses in a while, and the thought HAD occured to him.  He nodded to her as he sat.
"Before we begin, some of you already know her, but for those who don't:  everyone - this is Zyra Jax.  Before her capture she was the squadron XO an' the lady who figured an idiot like me deserved  a chance to do some good.  For now, she's agreed to pick up where she left off - makin' sure we all get what we need to do our jobs.  She's very good at what she does, so take advantage."
Whilst Fiarr and Dohr talked Devon sat with his head in his hands, caf untouched.  He massaged his temples as his listened.  He was tired.
"We need those officers alive for now.  An' after we're gone... I don't care.
So we've taken the Skyhook an' we're in control on the ground.    Good work."
Although Devon  didnt expand, the earnest tone he delivered the praise in left no doubt he meant it.   He paused for a moment.

"But that means we've traded one set of problems for another.  We're in control of the Skyhook, we've located the people we came here for.  An' now we gotta get them outta here.
Here's where things get sticky - the briefing said there's at least one an' probably two Destroyers in this system.  I'm plannin' to be long gone before they take an interest.    But we need to know where they are.  Fiarr - interrogate people, check sensor logs, comms logs.  Anything else you can think of.  Do your thing.  Find those damn Destroyers for me.

Meanwhile, everyone else - we need to start preparing for evac.
Me an' Zyra have gone over the numbers, an' even if we leave behind all those nutjobs who attacked us... that means we've still got about eighty people to get outta here - us, the prisoners, Sivren an' his people.  On top of that, the Commander is in a bacta cylinder, he takes up a lotta room.  Once you factor in the added drain on life support an' stuff he's gonna count as about ten people all by himself."

Devon let those numbers sink in for a moment.
"We've got a gamma class shuttle, an' we've got that container out in the forest.  On paper, we've got the capacity to do this.  Shuttle can take forty, call it sixty if we cram 'em in.  Container can lift about a hundred, if we leave the walker behind.
Maybe we divide people between the two.  Maybe we put everyone in that container an' sneak out the way we came in.  We've gotta find the best option an' get people where they need to be for their ride home.  Then we get the hell outta here before those Destroyers come knockin' on our door.

Now help me plug the holes in this plan, an lets get movin'."

Kyvarr grunts.  "Security is proving to be a problem.  Lot of the prisoners are wanting to visit a little payback on their Imp captors.  Had to break up a mob who were beating an Imperial tech pretty bad.  This could turn bad real quick, especially if the prisoners we brought with us turn on each other.  There's Imps and criminals in that mix too.  If old hatred's flare, my team isn't going to be able to contain it.  We need to move."

"Maybe we should just dump the Imperials down in the camp when we leave.  But I don't want to leave all the guys down there.  Some of 'em are likely bad but some were just driven insane through hunger.  I can't imagine how I'd behave if I was deprived nourishment for months.  No idea how we separate the good from the bad though."

"We can't leave them."  Heigren says in an uncharacteristically flat tone, not looking up from his glass.  It contains something that looks suspiciously like water but is likely some clear spirit, not his usual whisky.  He just stares into it.

"The pain, the suffering.  Nobody deserves it.  If we can't take them with us, we. . .we can't them keep suffering.  We have to end it."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:47, Sat 05 Aug 2017.

Fiarr shook her head.  "We're doing our best to slice into the Imperial information but it's not my specialty.  Really miss not having Ten around.  Thinking I might have to strong arm one of the junior officers.  More likely to get them complying.

As for the Captain I wouldn't worry.  He's well stocked and armed.  I'm sure he'll just situate his walker outside the shield again if he's worried.  One of the issued is his injured.  Shouldn't we be trying to get them up here somehow?  Maybe we shuttle them back to the container, pick up the wounded and abandon the walker somewhere?  From what Seven is saying we won't be able to fit it anyway."

Kira, sitting up the back in silence, listened to the reports of the others. When kyvarr spoke, she simply nodded, knowing full well the difficulty they could face. She speaks up when fiarr finishes.

"If you want to speak to an imperial officer, there may be an opertunity that can help us." She sighs and sits forward and looks around. "There is an officer that is in the brig.....junior, but still an imperial." She looked at Devon with a shrug. "He has asked for an audience with whoever is in charge."

She then smiles at fiarr....the bothan that brought her into the group. "He may have information, or want something, but whatever it is, I'm sure you can turn things to your advantage"

Fiarr raises an eyebrow.  "I had noticed one of the Ensigns was in the brig before we got here.  Maybe he wants to cut a deal.  Figures he's in big trouble with the Imps and running for it might save his hide?"

She looks to Devon.  "You want this one boss, or should I talk to him?"

Zyra had spent the whole time typing into a small computer.  She looked up.

"While you plan how to get us home I've been looking at our logistical issues.  The good news is we have enough food to feed both ourselves and the prisoners in camp for ten days.  It's not long but we'll need to be gone long before then.  Judging by inventory manifests, a supply transport comes at least weekly.  We'll need to work out when that is and be gone before then."

"I've also reviewed staffing.  The good news is that given the large number of techs and soldiers we've liberated from camp, we have enough capable hands to keep this skyhook running with minimal input.  That means everyone can take breaks.  Our only three areas we'll need some supervision is security, as Kyvarr pointed out, operations and medical.  Dohr is the only doctor on board though we've a few med techs who can help him.  We'll need to keep an officer in ops as these are all junior officers or mostly non-comms.  Mark and I ended up here because our new ranks aren't on file."

"I'd also like to go on record as supporting the idea of trying to help the people still on the planet.  Some of them are good people, I've worked with a few.  They've been driven to this though starvation.  I won't pretend there aren't some truly evil types down there, but not everyone who attacked us is the enemy, some need our help."

"If we only need one person to oversee security then I'll take the first shift and coordinate with Kira and the Alpha team soldiers to cover the others.  Dyre can hit the dorms or the medical bays and rest up.  Wherever the Doc thinks he should be.  Kira, after this meeting, you and Alpha team can grab some chow and sack time.  You can relieve me in four hours, no sooner."

Devon massaged his temples for a moment.
What he WANTED to tell the others to do was that everyone should get about three days worth of sleep and several solid meals inside them.  Instead:
"Doc - we're gonna pull out of here as soon as we're able, so make sure your patients are ready to move.  Be ready to go on short notice - we might have to run for it.

Kyvarr - you've taken security.  So keep a lid on things an' especially make sure no-one gets any bright ideas about takin' the shuttle.  We're gonna need that.

Fiarr - you already know what I need.  How long have we got before someone comes knockin' on our door?  Any way we can stall 'em?  Passcodes an' stuff.
Let's you an' me have a talk with that guy in the brig too.  Find out what his deal is, an' what he can do to help.  Maybe he can save us a whole lot of effort."

Devon paused and looked around the room.
"Look, we got a whole lotta problems on our hands here, an' we can't solve all of them.  We're gonna do what we can, but we simply ain't got the time or resources to do everything.

The prisoners down below... I hear what you are sayin' - they're in hell.  But we don't have the room to ship all of them out, an' what else could we do?  Kill 'em all?"
His face twisted.
"That don't sit right with me.  We've already dropped a bunch of food on 'em... that makes their situation somebetter.  I dont see what else we can do."

He sighed and sat back.
"We got any choice but to leave 'em?  This ain't easy.  But we've gotta do what we came here to do.
We prep the shuttle, we start ferryin' people out to the container.  An' we get the hell outta here."

Fiarr nodded.  "Do my best boss, but as I said I'm no slicer.  Hey Five, could you get the young officer in Brig 3 and bring him to the CO's briefing room.  We'll chat to him there."

She turned back to Devon.  "I suggest we take Four with us.  Maybe leave him outside or bring him in with us and have him on comms.  His 'talents' might be of help."

She stands and prepares to head to the briefing when Devon is ready.

Dohr listened with great interest to the discussion between Kira and Fiarr about an imperial wanting to have a chat with the Talon lead. It was always easier to consider the whole of Empire or at least its army as evil, but Dohr knew that was not the case. He’d met a few defectors during his travels. Some people had been forced to work for the imps out of fear or having no other option available. Some had fallen prey to their ingenious marketing strategy and joined up believing they were doing the right thing. Some still considered the rebellious forces around the Galaxy as the evildoers who wanted only to create chaos into the lives of ordinary people. But some… some had seen how the Emperor valued his soldiers, how he threw them into the flames like tiny pieces of coal that served no other purpose than to keep the fire alive… How he burned entire worlds that stood in his way… There had been so many even back on Dorin, who had considered the change brought by Vader’s invasion army a good thing. People who had embraced the new order only to find out all too soon what it really meant for a member of an “alien” species on a world controlled by the Empire...

The Doc sighed quietly to himself. He missed his home world and the old ways. And oh how he missed the peace…

Dohr returned from this thoughts in time to hear the latter part of Zyra’s words and nodded to her. Medical staff. He needed more and fortunately he knew exactly where to get them. The Kel Dor nodded to Devon too. ”Will do.”, but waited until he had finished and Fiarr had said her piece.

”I will make sure the patients are ready, when you say the word. However, to make that happen and to make it safer, I would require the help of doctor Lin-Wan and her team. The best would be to have them all up here, but if a medic is still needed to watch over Sivren’s soldiers, then get me at least the doctor and her nurse.” How he had  forgotten the Cerean doctor in such a short time, was a surprise to Dohr. Too much had happened in such a short while that it had completely slipped out of his memory… Well almost.

”I cannot see how leaving anyone down there in the jungle would be a viable option. I would vote for dividing up the people between the shuttle and the container. If we need to leave the walker behind to save just one person, then we must do so. Could we perhaps hand around weapons to those we know we can trust and have them act as security to make sure none of the prisoners onboard the shuttle can cause problems? I am sure Captain Sivren and his troops can handle the rest of them in the container.

And if we cannot fit everyone onboard the two craft, then let us at least bring the rest to the safety of his station. Naturally we need to make sure they do not alert the imperials in the orbit before we leave.”

It wouldn't be ideal to have dozens of people in the Gamma class shuttle, but anything would be better than leaving them to die in the jungle.

"I have no doubt that collecting the wounded from your landing site will be an issue Dohr."  Zyra offers.  "The shuttle used to visit the camp fairly regularly and often at random times.  The shuttle visited the camp several times today to ferry all of us and nobody has responded.  While we shouldn't push our luck I imagine if someone flew down towards the camp then flex to your landing site and ground level, you could load the rest of your team and your wounded and be back very quickly."

Dohr bowed to Zyra. "Excellent. Thank you. I will see to it right away."

While Dohr himself would not dare to leave Mark's side, Private Trycson on the other hand was now available for a quick stop at the landing site. The Doc excused himself and left the meeting room to find the medic. Zyra was right. It was better to move the injured soldiers to the Skyhook than to fit them in the container with dozens of prisoners. If it was possible to move them. Sivren would need a medic or two though, so Dohr ordered Trycson to report to the Captain once the transfer of the Cerean doctor, her nurse, patients and required equipment was done. He also requested the private to give him updates of the progress.

The meeting quickly broke up and the team went their seperate ways.  Devon, Fiarr and Heigren went to interrogate a junior officer.  Kyvarr went to oversee security.  Mika returned to her slicing duties.  Dohr returned to his medical duties after arranging for the shuttle to pick up the wounded and medical team from the container.

**FOUR HOURS LATER**

Much was achieved in the next few hours, more than could be expected.  The interrogation of the officer had proven fruitful and Fiarr and Mika were now scouring Imperial databases for information.  Kyvarr remained on security patrol.  Devon, Kira and Dyre had managed a well-earned rest.

The shuttle had been out less than an hour and had returned with several wounded from the initial attack at the landing site.  All were doing better now thanks to bacta therapy and Dohr was joined by Sivren's doctor, nurse and medical assistants.  Thanks to this Dohr also managed some well earned rest.

The camp had remained fairly quiet.  The shield had reset and was keeping the predators at bay.  Whatsmore the prisoners had remained quite docile.  Wether it was from being fed, the shock of battle or the fact that trying to climb up a five metre walker to reach the troops was futle at best, it hadn't mattered.  Sivren's command was quiet enough that the Captain himself had ascended to the Skyhook to discuss matters with Devon and his team.

Devon had managed time for a shower, a meal and a few hours of sleep.  Whilst it wasn't the same as a night's sleep, he felt refreshed.  Dohr looked similarly well.  Kira had taken over security allowing Kyvarr to take some downtime.

Sivren now sat with Devon and Zyra in the same briefing room, the Talons had sat in a few hours before.  All Talons had been invited but none had shown yet.  Kira was on duty and Kyvarr was hopefully asleep.  Devon had instructed Fiarr and Mika to get some rest but he wasn't sure if they'd complied to date.

---

OOC:  Okay so time has moved on.  Dohr, Devon, Kira, Heigren and Dyre have had a chance to rest.  Kyvarr is off duty right now.  Fiarr and Mika are still working on various things.  Sivren is on the station and the medical team from the container is now aboard with their wounded.  Time to share what you've learned and make plans for your departure.

So far only Sivren, Zyra and Devon are in the room.  People can attend or not attend as they wish.

Fiarr wandered into the briefing room, a giant mug nursed in her hands.  It nearly matched the size of the mugs Cor used to prefer.  A protein bar was nestled in a pocket of her jumpsuit, which she pulled out once settled in.  She munched as she flicked through a datapad in her other hand, waiting for the meeting to start.

Kyvarr will be in her assigned quarters grabbing some rack time.  She won't attend unless instructed to do so.

Sivren sits at the head of the table, reading a datapad, containing numerous reports from various members of his teams.  He frowns as he scans the information before looking at Zyra.

"Glad to see your alive and healthy ma'am."  Despite them both being Captains, Sivren was an army captain which was far junior to the Naval Captain rank Zyra had been assigned.  "I am also informed the Admiral is alive which I am happy to hear.  My medical officer assures me his survival chance is positive if we can get him out of here quickly."

He seems to hesitate slightly.  "What are your plans ma'am?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:10, Tue 22 Aug 2017.

Zyra smiles at Sivren.  "Captain, I am hardly in a fit physical or mental state to be in command of anything!  I am happy to serve in an advisory capacity but until I'm medically cleared this is your operation.  I will not interfere with your command decisions.  Up until now I've been helping Mister Kismet in such a capacity."

"As you wish ma'am."  He focus his attention on Devon.

"Delta lead.  Your team has been busy.  Bring me up to speed."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:09, Tue 22 Aug 2017.

"Well.." Devon hesitated, glanced at Zyra, then tried again.

"For the moment we're secure up here, but that wont last forever.  Sooner or later, someone's gonna notice somethin' aint right here on the Skyhook an' investigate... an' then we're screwed.  We need to be leavin', an' quickly.

When it comes to gettin' outta here, I can see three problems:  Blockade, Medical an' head-count.

Head count:  if we stick to the container, then we can get ourselves an' a bunch of prisoners out, especially if we leave that walker behind...  but my medic, Eight, do't like that.  He's tellin' me that even with the treatment we can give here on the Skyhook, some of our wounded may die if we dont get them outta here fast.  Includin' the Admiral.  Thats our medical problem, we're on a time limit here.  Eight wants to fly them out on that shuttle we captured.  An' if we're usin' the shuttle an' the container, then we can take a hell of a lotta people with us, if we want.

That brings us to the blockade - anythin' we launch that gets detected will be investigated by the Imps.  Our container is stealthed, an' got in undetected, so we're runnin' no extra risks there... but that shuttle is a different matter.

Now here's where it gets interestin': when the Skyhook was taken, we managed to capture most of the crew, rather than kill them.  Now we're tryin' to decide what to do with them.  Given the files we've found an' what Six learned from interrogatin' the base commander... current favourite options seem to be either killin' them or dump them down in the jungle an' let the local wildlife sort them out.

Anyhow, one of the officers was in the brig... a junior lieutenant called Arcas Endeel.  We interrogated him.  Says he was locked up because he protested the treatment of the prisoners.  We've managed to dig supportin' evidence outta files belongin' both to him an' the base commander.  When you look at his age compared to his rank, Five an' Six reckon you're lookin' at a guy who's pissed off someone high up, and they've blocked his promotion.  Probably repeatedly."

Devon paused to gulp from his mug of caf.  Decent hot caf.  The supplies they had down there in the jungle just didn't cut it.  Or sometimes they DID cut things, depending what had managed to crawl into your lunch before you ate it.  That had been a bad day to go to the toilet...
"The bit I like is that Endeel wants to cut a deal.  His duties included shuttle pilot whenever they did supply runs.  He knows the clearance codes to get that shuttle past the Star Destroyers.  The comms officers know him.  They won't suspect anythin'.

In return, he wants safe passage for himself an' four others - technicians an' crew who he says feel the same way he did about the prisoners treatment.

If this guy is on the level, its just removed one problem for us - we'll be able to get the shuttle out easily.  We could put our injured an' high value people on it, an' extract everyone else via the container."

Sivren listens intently while Devon briefs him.

"Interesting.  It seems to all fall to the question of wether you think we can trust this Imperial.  I've had similar reports from my Doctor on the state of some prisoners.  They won't survive the trip in the container.  So as you say we can load all the badly wounded in the shuttle and the rest leave the way we come in.  Walker was always expendable."

"I guess that brings us back to the key issue.  Can you trust this Imperial fellow?  If so then we get moving.  My team would have to leg it back to the container.  I think we could use your shuttle to ferry troops quickly.  The walker we can just dump in the jungle.  It would take the better part of a day to take the walker back.  Shuttle can do a round trip in less than an hour."

"We'd lift the container off-planet first and give it an hour or two head start.  Your medical personnel would probably need that time to load the shuttle anyway."

"So cut your deal Delta.  If we can use him, get him and his men out.  If not, put your best pilot in the seat and fly like hell.  Our wounded need to get out.  Given your ingenuity to date, Delta can take the shuttle ride.  I'll take Alpha and Beta with me.  If you think the Imp can be trusted we'll pack as many ex-prisoners in with you as we can.  If not, the wounded only and the rest come with me."

"I detected no falsehood from him."  Heigren offers.  The Zeltron had crept into the room while Devon had been speaking and has sat quietly between the exchange between him and the two captains.  When he saw he had their attention he continued.

"I watched on holovid and sat close enough I could sense him.  The man seems arrogant and entitled, typical Imperial aristocrat, but he also seems. . .idealistic.  I think he genuinely is trying to help us.  I'm not saying his reasons are altruistic, personally I think he wants to get back to his benefactors before the Imperials shoot him, but I think his offer is genuine."

Fiarr shrugs.  "Have to defer to Four on his honesty.  The data sure supports him and if he is running a scam it's either incredibly stupid or so complex I can't fathom it.  He has to know he's a dead man if this goes south.  Wether by us or the Imperials, it won't matter, he's a corpse.  He doesn't strike me as a zealot or suicidal so I think he's on the level."

Dohr had entered the meeting just before the discussion began. As was usual to him, the Doc stood in the background sipping his caf and kept quiet. He was an observer rather than someone who charged in without giving things a thought or three. It was the same thing with medical care and surgery... Sometimes of course a situation was a so bad, that Dohr was forced to plan an operation while working. But more often than not, a good examination and observing the patient's symptoms led to far better results than hasty action.

During his time in the Black Talon organisation, Dohr had learned to appreciate Devon's way of working and how the human's mind operated. He could be stubborn at times, but for a person in charge of a team it was not a bad characteristic. Someone who was afraid to make decisions, even tough ones, was not suited for the role of a leader. Devon's leadership was practical, honest and effective like was the case with many humans. Their way of working might lack a bit of finesse and delicacy, but at the same time humans were not overly complicated or confusing in their ways like so many other species were. Dohr himself had spent so much time with humans during his trips around the galaxy, that he had probably forgotten some of the Kel Dorian habits and traits.

He took another sip and nodded to Devon's description of the situation and their options. Dohr had been very positively surprised by the offer the imperial officer had made. He had also been very pleased to learn that he had been right about the imperials all along. Not all of them were evil. Not everyone wearing the Emperor's insignia agreed to everything the imperial doctrines dictated. Some of them were still humane. The Doc didn't for a moment doubt the lieutenant's first and foremost motive was to take care of his own wellbeing and not the rebels, but as so often was the case, helping another could lead to helping oneself.

Dohr had thought of interviewing the man himself. He had after all decades of experience in observing people and their motives and he had studied psychology too. Then again, that had been twenty years ago and mostly on Kel Dorians. But as Heigren had been part of the interrogations, the Doc had been happy to stand back. The Zeltrons had a natural ability for such things and it was something no study could ever beat. Thinking that brought back memories of his mother and father...

Devon listened to Heigren and Fiarr silently, then nodded.  He turned back to Sivren.
"They trust him?  I trust them."  he said simply.
"We'll cut the deal.  But I'll be at the co-pilot - lookin' over his shoulder the whole time.  An' maybe have someone watchin' my back too.  We'll work it out.  Captain... if we approach your fleet in a stolen Imperial shuttle, are we gonna need some passcodes or somethin' to avoid gettin' shot up?"
He activated his commlink.
"Ten, prop the shuttle for launch - we're gonna be makin' ferry runs back to the container."

Devon rose from his seat.
"OK, Delta.  Get to work.  Doc, make sure you an' your patients are ready to move once we done with ferry runs.  Rope in any help you need.  Four - go wake up Five.  She's to make sure we stay secure until we are off this station for good.  Six, lets go talk to our new friend, an' tell him he's got a deal."

Fiarr follows after Devon.  Once out of the room she says, "Didn't say I trusted the guy boss.  Just said I think he's probably genuine about his deal.  I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to sell us out first chance he gets.  Just don't think he'll make a move until we get to a safe port."