This is the thread for the secure Talons comms.  If a message is going to all Talons then plonk it in here for ease of reference.

Please note this channel is secure.  It requires extensive decryption equipment or a comm unit set to the secure Talons frequency to read/hear it.

Mika clicks the comms again.  "Three, this is ten.  How close are you to the hotel?  Are you on a direct line, or off one way or the other?"

There is no response from Sheila, not even a crackle.  Either her comm is dead or the signal is being completely blocked now.

"The signal is difficult to triangulate but I believe I have it traced to somewhere within eighty metres of the hotel - the remains of the hotel, anyway."  Tapping keys can be heard behind Cor's voice.  "I cannot pin it down more due to interference but I suggest starting the search on the side of the building nearest the spaceport.  As Mika suggests I assume the speeder taxi will have taken a fairly direct route."  More tapping.  "Uploading suggested search locations to M4-10 and M4-05.  Do any of you have your datapads with you? "  Then she mutters something in her own language.

Mika pats the equipment pack she'd picked up, holding her gear.  "Yeah, I got my data pad."

"Seven, this is Two.  When you have a moment, work out which of those search grids is closest to us.  We'll take one, Five and Ten the other.  Then they can regroup with us as they'll move faster then us."

"I will send you the most likely search locations, Ten," Cor says, considering nobody else has bothered to answer her.

"Eleven, Five. If you can, try to monitor the local Law Enforcement frequencies. We will want to know, if they are moving in on us, if possible. Two, what is your situation? We're on our way to the probable crash site of Three and CC. Eleven can send you the data if you have a datapad."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Sun 22 Dec 2013.

"Seven here.  Send that search locations list to me too- in five minutes I'll have two working bikes for us to use to speed things up."

Even over the commlink, Devon sounded pleased with himself...

"Seven.  Heading back with three friends, one is injured. ETA 5 minutes"

"Law enforcement have their channels locked tightly.  Our slicer may have had more luck but I cannot raise her.  From the looks of the news reports, however, they are both panicked and confused."  Cor sounds mostly calm but there is an edge in her voice.  "It is difficult to tell who is responsible but the gang flourishing the most appear to wear chiefly red and black.  Reporters are referring to them as the 'South-Sky Screamers'."

"Five, this is Two.  Need you to meet up with us.  We have three extra passengers and only two swoops.  Will need you and Ten to both take a passenger.  We're in the cafe directly opposite the hotel entrance, well where the entrance use to be."

"Negative on that, Two. I have a positive lock on our lost companions. You will have to fend for yourselves for a moment, while Ten and I secure them. After that we'll figure out a proper transportation out of here for us all."

"If I may suggest, you might wish to head a few blocks away from the destruction and find a suitable vehicle to liberate.  Between you there should be suitable skills to get the task done."

"A good call, Eleven. Seven, how soon can you get moving and do you need other assistance than someone watching your back, while you get us a bigger speeder for transporting those who can't ride swoops? Once we have a vehicle, the swoops will fly cover for the speeder and we'll evacuate CC. Can't put him on a swoop, anyway."

This message was deleted by the player at 22:20, Thu 26 Dec 2013.

"Both bikes will be ready by the time Two and company get back here. As for getting a better vehicle?  Can do - I think I recall seeing something suitable about a block away.  But it might not be as easy as you think"

Devon paused, and the others heard a grunt of effort - presumably somehow related to his ongoing repair work.

"The cops are shooting at anyone they think is a trouble maker right now.  If we get caught lifting a vehicle, they ARE gonna open fire.  And that leaves us in a firefight with the local law.  Not a situation we want to be in - we need to make sure it dont happen..."

"Acknowledged, Seven. See if you can manage it. If not close by, then head out further with someone - just far enough to be outside the hot-zone and get us a bigger ride. If it can not be handled, then lift one passenger at a time to a more secure location and get a taxi to transport them to safety, unless you can find a taxi brave or stupid enough to get in to the hot-zone. Keep me informed of your progress. Two out."

"Will do.  I'll be ready to move out soon as someone gets back here to watch the bikes.  Dont wanna loose 'em."

Given Devons generally informal and easy going nature combined with having his attention mainly focussed on the repair work he was doing, it seemed the shipjacker hadnt realized he was still transmitting...

"_{outside the hot-zone he says.  This aint exactly a local problem - wheres he think I can go?  How about Coruscaunt? I hear its nice this time of year.  Or theres always Corellia, and Gaskin still owes me 50 credits...}"

Accompanied by various metallic noises that were presumably Devon working on the swoop bikes, the mutterings continued for several moments before abruptly cutting off.

"Three, can you read me?  I think we're close, but it looks like your a few levels down.  Can you see sky?"

There is no answer from CC9 or Sheila.

"Newscasts state that the law enforcement are under direct attack from a number of gangs.  They appear to be leaving civilian survivors alone but they are dismantling the governing infrastructure."  There is a pause.  "I do not think we are in the middle of a gang war.  I believe we may be in the middle of a revolution."

"Got it Eleven.  So we keep our heads down, our blasters holstered and act like good little civilians.  Let us know if there is trouble at the spaceport.  Seven may have found us transport."

"Ten, are you alright? Do you copy?"

"M4-Five, Ten just crashed somewhere down there. Get to her and see if she is okay." It was the quickest and easiest way to figure things out. "Once you find her, transmit back to me. If I do not reply, get in to your current position and re-transmit. And if you can get in touch with her, use M4-Ten as a relay station at the hole."

"Eleven, can you figure out if there is some kind of a tunnel system running below the streets near the hotel? If the M4's are equiped with some kind of a projection system, I would need a map for it. We might have found Three and CC, but Ten just went down a hole and I want to know what to expect, so I don't get myself killed or unable to help them, if I follow."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Fri 03 Jan 2014.

"Five, if you go down there we may lose comms.  What do you want the rest of us to do in the meantime?".

"Two, Five. Secure a transport for yourselves and evacuate to the ship. I will leave a messenger droid to function as a relay station at the hole for as long as I can, if I need to go down there. I will take another one with me, so if it returns, you'll know where I was last seen. Get the ship ready to get off this planet as soon as we have everyone onboard. I think, it is time to figure this out from a safe distance - the  sooner the better. Just keep your swoops ready in case we need backup."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Fri 03 Jan 2014.

"Collating information...  It is a highly built-up planet.  There are eight sub-basements in the area of the hotel.  Maintenance, primarily, with some subterranean freight transport, storage for businesses and a few low-rent offices.  If she crashed on the first floor down then she is in a...  Oh.  An administration centre for a Holonet dating service.  If she crashed the floor below that she is in a storage area."  Cor stretches slightly, though Arin can't see it, and rubs her forehead.  "The M4 droids are equipped mainly to carry messages and small burdens so yes, they have holoprojectors.  I have given them additional software to assist with maintaining communication with the team and some journalling software in case their owners wish to keep personal logs, but that is all.  M4-10 will not obey you unless Ten directs it to, out of interest."

"Five, this is. . ."  It occured to Heigren he didn't have a number!  ". . .Vyn.  We have eight civilians in our aid post and expecting more.  We have scouts out searching for survivors.  Do we bring them all with us?"

Cor's voice raises slightly in alarm.  "I have lost M4-10's statistics.  Possibly interference but it may indicate the droid has gone offline.  Also, I am unable to contact Ten's datapad.  Presumably interference, again."

"Eleven, Five. The M4-Ten most likely went after her mistress. M4-Five is also on the way down, so it'll probably flip off your screens soon - I lost communications with it as I lost visual contact on it. It would suggest something subterranean that interferes with communications. I will probably be out of communications shortly as well, if I head down the hole too. If you can, get the R2s to prepare the ship for launch as I suspect, we're going to leave this place behind in a hurry."

"Vyn, Five. As much as I would like to help the civilians here, we can not take everyone. Mission essential personnel only." Saying that, the former Imperial sounds like he doesn't like what he is saying, any more than Heigren would most likely. However, with the limited capacity of their freighter, it is reasonable, no civilians are transported to it as it would only complicate things.

"Two, Five. Unless my droid locates Ten and returns shortly, I will fly down the hole and start looking for her and the others. That will clearly cut my communications. Get the mission essential personnel to the ship and prepare for evacuation. If I do not report in two standard hours or things get bad around the landing bay, fall back to safety and try to establish contact with us from orbit."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Sat 04 Jan 2014.

"Five, could you clarify what 'mission essential personnel' means.  You recall why we were heading to the hotel in the first place?"

Cor's voice is terse.  "I am aware of where it went, Five, as well as - oh, never mind.  The ship is already fitted for launch.  I have not been sitting here twiddling my thumbs.  If you expect us to blast our way out of here, however, I advise you to pick up a gun-boat on the way back.  This freighter does not have the firepower to blast our way out of a starport on high alert.  I will attempt to override security lockdown from my present location but it would be rather helpful if you could bring our master slicer back in one piece."  There is a pause. "Vyn, I am sending you the locations of the five nearest medical clinics.  I have no idea if they are still operational, city-wide comms are overloaded.  Take the civilians to one of them when you are able and leave them there.  Tell the potential recruits they have an opportunity to fight the Empire if they come with us.  If they agree, fine, we will take them and run security checks when we are not in threat of our lives.  If not, abandon them.  We have neither the time nor the resources to be fighting someone else's war in a neutral sector."

"You're a legend eleven.  Keep sending me all the info you can.  I might have to get you to help me book my next rave!"

"Vyn, Five. Our priority is to locate our missing own and getting our own people to safety. If you can help the locals without endangering that mission, fine."

"You will be the first to know, Vyn.  Information regarding maps sent to your M4, Five."

"Acknowledged, Eleven. The tunnels below seem to have an electromagnetic interference of some sort. I'll try to send the M4 up every once in a while to give you updates and to receive intel from you. Keep us updated, will you."

"If it is caused by damaged infrastructure you may benefit from shutting power down to the area.  Regarding safe access to the underground area I would suggest that the café may have sub-basement access which could get you across the street without endangering the damaged edges of the hole."

"This is Hammer, taking over for Vyn.  We have injured needing urgent medical attention.  Need ETA on transport over."

Cor's voice is perfectly even.  "Hello, Hammer.  Please pass the comms unit back to Vyn for confirmation of your identity.  If this is not done within fifteen seconds I will assume the wavelength is compromised and establish a secure wavelength with Vyn's comm unit isolated from it."  There is a slight beep.  "Countdown to wavelength realignment has been started."

"Vyn is holding some Duros's shredded leg in place for the doc to try to sew back on.  Wait one."

More quietly but audible.  "Kindly tell your awfully polite friend to stop fucking around and talk to me."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Tue 07 Jan 2014.

"Uh. . .hello?  Seven is that you?"

"Countdown to channel realignment stopped.  This is Eleven.  Please confirm the identity of 'Hammer' as having trusted comm access, Vyn.  Security, you know how it is."

"Hammer?  Oh, right.  She's okay.  She's one of the people we came to meet here.  She's handling security and she's better at all this stuff then me.  I'm helping Doc with wounded."

"Acknowledged, Vyn.  Feel free to hand the comm back.  Team, please note callsign 'Hammer' has commandeered Vyn's comm unit.  Keep chatter to a minimum and restrict sensitive information when possible."

A few moments later, a gruff female voice comes over the comm.  "Hammer here.  ETA on transport over?"

"Hammer, this is Five. Check, or have someone to check, whether there is a route to a sub-basement in the cafe and through it in to the service tunnels below ground. Preferrably one traversible by a swoop bike."

"Eleven, Five. If you can figure out where to shut down the power to that tunnel, either do it if you can manage it remotely or give me the location and I'll do my best to do so."

"Understood Five.  Out."

"One more thing.  We're crtitically low on medical supplies.  If you spot any, please bring them when you return with transport."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:06, Tue 07 Jan 2014.

"Seven here." The voice was male, had a faint Correlian accent and didnt sound even slightly military.  Various mechanical noises could occasionally be heard in the background.
"Hammer - we are freeing a speeder truck from a pile up and I hope we'll be mobile and on our way back in five minutes tops."

The voice took on a more bantering tone.
"Oh and tell Nail - sorry, I mean Vyn - that I'm disappointed he couldn't tell me and Eleven apart."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:47, Tue 07 Jan 2014.

"Hammer acknowledges zero five minutes on transport.  Out."

"Five this is Hammer.  Only lower entrance is turbolift shaft.  Performing quick recon but no way to get swoop through over."

"Seven here - hey Eleven, we're going to need the location of the nearest hospital that's accepting emergency cases - from what I hear we've got at least one person critically injured."

"Eleven, here.  I have already sent that list to Vyn but I will send it to you now."  Tapping keys.  "Please note that I have no reports as to which of those clinics is even functioning, let alone accepting injured.  There are holes all over the local 'net channels.  Much of it is choked by traffic but plenty of it is simply not functioning.  There are probably signal towers down all over the city.  If we were not using a subfrequency of our secure comms for transmission I would not guarantee I could even send data to you."  After a few seconds she says, "Five, I have investigated the energy situation.  You will need to switch it off manually but I cannot find your droid to send it location information."

'Thanks Eleven- I'll try to keep you updated.  hey everyone, quick question:  to me, this looks too large scale and too well organised to be nothing but the gangs behind it...  sure they're the ones out on the streets doing the shooting... but who's behind them?  who organised and armed them?  what's the big picture here?'

"Hammer here.  We're moving out.  Be sure to keep up."

"Unless the big picture is our common enemy then the political situation on Det Akari is not our concern.  Getting back to the ship and getting out of here is our concern."  A few thoughtful words in Umbaran can be heard, as if Cor is considering something.  "I doubt this is our common enemy.  If it were they would be trying to destabilise the entire sector, not just one planet therein.  There are no reports from space of other planets in the sector being hit.  I agree that there is likely someone else behind the gangs but who it is does not involve us."

"Fair enough." responded Devon.  "But here's a related question that may have a hell of a lot to do with us - you're organising a revolt using the gangs as your muscle.  You've logically targeted the cops and other similar infrastructure... so why add a completely inoffensive hotel to that hit list?"

"I have theories about that but in the end it does not particularly matter to us."

"Update: Arin has fallen down the same hole that Sheila and CC9 have fallen into.  He is out of comms range."

"Further update," Cor says calmly, sounding a little like one of her droids, "a fight has broken out in front of the spaceport.  Presumably the terrorist gangs could not smuggle bombs past the spaceport's security or otherwise want it intact.  They are attempting to capture it by force.  They have no military-grade weaponry that I can determine but may possibly defeat the security forces and law enforcement through sheer numbers."

"Eleven - whats the situation at your end?  Is the spaceport going to hold out?   We're currently waiting for our wounded to get back out of the hospital.  Cant give you an ETA on that yet - should we wait for them or do you need us back there now?"

"The situation at the spaceport is stable for the moment but likely projections do not look... favourable.  Not for the spaceport staff, at least.  Some of the gangers have secured heavy weaponry.  There are many deaths.  On the bright side it makes it a great deal more likely that we will be able to blast our way out; if the gangs break the security forces there will be plenty of starships attempting to flee."

"Eleven, this is Two.  I'm giving my commlink to one of our 'friends' callsign Doc.  He and Seven will coordinate with you."

"Noted.  Please be advised the attacks on the spaceport have lapsed.  Security forces seem optimistic but I suspect the gangs are simply massing for a larger attack."

"Two, also be advised: I am sending the team Five's current location in the Understreets, as reported by his M4 droid."

Each member of the Talons who has a datapad or similar device (except, obviously, for Sheila, Arin and Mika) gets a map 'ping' with Arin's approximate location.

"Eleven? Doc here on behalf of Two. We will bug out in five. Any new intel on your lost companions?" Dohr hadn't of course received the data sent by Cor and didn't know they already had more information available about the location of the lost trio. "The insurgents have so far ignored our truck, but looking at the other vehicles coming in, that may not be the case as we move out. We have also pretty much ran out of medical gear and resupplying will probably not be possible right now. But unless your colleagues are able to move fast on their own, I consider the truck our best option to get them to safety. Flying in an unarmed transport is not an option right now."

"Hello, Doc.  A pleasure to meet you.  I concur that a ground-level vehicle would be best - while it means weaving around debris it also presents the lowest threat to locals.  Reports on the holovid channels suggest that the majority of vehicular battles are occurring in the air, not on the ground."  After a moment she adds, "I cannot guarantee your safety when you approach the spaceport.  It is difficult keeping clear what is going on outside.  The gangs have backed off for the moment but they may perceive a vehicle attempting to get into the spaceport as a threat.  Or at least an opportunity.  Even if they let you pass the security teams may suspect a trap and turn you away regardless."

"Seven here - some brasshole just made it clear that if we aint out of here fast he's going to come back and shoot Two.  And probably me as well - so move fast.  We're out of here in about four and a half minutes."

There was a pause.  Those who knew Devon well enough could almost hear the mental cogs spinning.
"Eleven... for the moment we are going to go scout out Fives location - has there been any more contact with any of our missing people?  Also, can you work on finding out if security WILL let us in to the spaceport?  If they wont, we need to work out alternatives.  Will they let you - or ships - out?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Mon 10 Feb 2014.

"Why yes, Seven, I shall just pop out and have a nice chat with the security forces whilst they are anticipating attack from a group of gang members with heavy weapons, shall I?  If I do not lock up before I get halfway across the hangar which, I assure you, I almost certainly would."  Cor's voice is as pleasant as ever.  "My suggestions are to attempt chasing off the gangs if you have the weaponry to engage them or try to bluff your way through.  As for the situation with the ships, from what I can gather over the speaker system the security forces do not wish to let people take off because there is heavy weaponry outside but it sounds as if people are threatening to riot if their ships are not released.  As for the others, Arin has reported his location, which I have sent on.  No word from our missing  members."

Damned. Sorry. Forgot to post the comms traffic in here as well.

---

"Acknowledged, Eleven. During my stay on Det Akari I have had numerous dealings with many if not all of the gangs. They know me and respect my status in their… society. In normal situations they would not touch me or those with me, but this of course is quite far from being a normal situation. As for us getting to the spaceport, I would not worry overly much about the security as long as we can get past the gangers. Naturally we will need to approach their defense line very carefully and preferably without the vehicle, but if we manage to talk ourselves past the insurgents then I believe we will be fine. Perhaps if we could try to pass our truck as an emergency vehicle, we might have a chance to get through more easily."

Dohr took breath and considered the second option, which in his mind was not very wise given the equipment and manpower they had at hand. "If we had enough firepower to force the attackers to take cover for long enough for us to slip through, then attacking the gangs might be an option. But right now, I do not see any way of pulling it off without proper weapons. And I agree with seven. Our chances of getting through the security would increase significantly should you let them know we are coming."

After another pause, Dohr called Cor again making sure the others heard him as well. "I am sure you are all well aware of what happens if the insurgents take over the spaceport… or when they will. Getting off the planet on your shuttle would probably be very, very difficult, if not impossible. And all hell will break loose once the gangers get their hands on the ships. But I agree on what you said. The lapse in the attacks seems to indicate the leaders of the gangs are planning a more massive strike to punch a hole in the Sec's defense. That will give us some time to save your friends. But how long exactly, that would be very hard to estimate."

Cor listens quietly to Dohr's messages, thinking the matter over thoroughly.  "If you still have your identification with you, Doc, I suggest that you find some gangers prior to escort you to their blockade and request a short window to get into the spaceport under the proviso that you will not assist the security forces in maintaining functional troops against the gangs, that you are present purely to assist civilians.  I shall try to contact the security forces by comms and convince them that you need to be let in.  Have one of our team give the hangar's serial number to confirm your identifications with me if they require it.

"Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to sneak into the spaceport from some other angle.  If the gangs do not perceive that as a threat action then the security forces almost certainly will.  Showing your identification to the security forces should help get you through.  Be aware you may need to surrender your weapons to the security forces or the gangs to ensure your passive intent."

"Solid thinking, Eleven. I will try to make a couple calls to get in touch with my contacts within the gangs. Perhaps we can get them to pass the word to the group attacking the port beforehand. As for telling the gangs I will not help the security forces... That probably would not be a good idea. The whole reputation of the crazy Kel Dorian is based on the fact that I am neutral and will help anyone in need, no matter which side she stands on. Some of the gangs have tried to persuade or even force me to work on their side, only to quickly realize the drawbacks of such an arrangement. Sometimes it has taken a little convincing, but in the end we all have come to an agreement on the issue."

Dohr thought about it for a second or two. "In fact, there is a threat in me suddenly saying I am only on their side, that they will consider 'The Doc' a turncoat; that I may now bow to the one who has the biggest guns or most money. The gangers have learned to trust my word and I do not take lying lightly. But it was a good suggestion and I will keep it in mind in case I otherwise fail to convince them to let us pass. You have a quick mind, Eleven. I like it."

About to cut the call for now, Dohr thought of something. "Eleven, how is the general status at the spaceport? I have a couple of very… let us say personal items of great importance stowed away at the customs lockers. Would you consider it possible for me or someone else… even you?... to pick them up without a great deal of additional trouble?"

"Thank you for your compliments, Doc.  I believe, though, that you have misunderstood me: I suggested telling you explain you intend only to help civilians who are injured.  That would be considerably more neutral than if you were assisting just anyone who needed it - because once you are in the spaceport the only non-civilian casualties nearby would be security forces."

There is a pause and some tapping.  "Either way it was merely a suggestion.  What you tell the gangs, or even whether you simply eliminate all opposition, is secondary to your securing passage into the spaceport with as many team members as possible."

More tapping.  "There is no mention of damage to the spaceport from the inside.  You will likely be able to pick up your belongings on the way to the ship.  I am unable to leave the ship at present and I doubt a droid going through a secure locker would be taken particularly well."

"Eleven, I believe you said you're in contact with Five.  Is he aware of the trouble at the spaceport.  We really need him and Ten to regroup with us as soon as possible.  Can you advise them?"

"I have not given them a report on that matter yet, no, as they have their own objective and cannot both seek for CC9 and Three and regroup at the spaceport simultaneously."  Cor sounds thoughtful.  "I can send another M4 to their last known coordinates but otherwise cannot currently contact them until they send one of their droids out of the non-contact zone."

She can be heard softly talking to someone nearby.  "M4-3, go to these coordinates.  Maintain contact and advise on the spaceport attack as you go but do not linger there.  Report to Talon Three and commence alpha-five protocols or, is Three is not present, find CC9 and commence beta-nine protocols.  Ten and Five have gamma-level authority until CC9 or Three are found.  Provide the report I have uploaded to your memory once you have initiated one or more of those command protocols."  There are a few answering beeps.

"M4-3 sent to their last known location," Cor confirms.  "It will provide a full report."

Since Heigren put his comm on 'speaker' I'm adding all recent comments to the comm thread.

"For my part," Cor says, "I would rather like it if the spaceport were not taken.  I doubt very much if the lifestyle of a ganger's plaything would suit my complexion.  However unless you are about to be chased out of St Denao airspace I advise no course of action until M4-3 reports back."

"Will do.  We're a lot closer to the spaceport then five was when we lost comms so we can wait a short while."

"M4-3 advises that CC9 has been found and repaired, while Three has been taken to an unidentified medical facility by an ambulance before Ten and Five could get there.  She is critically injured and will be at a very major medical installation.  Furthermore Five is dissatisfied that you went to the hospital and intends to order you to search it for Three, then bring her back in a heavier speeder.  His plan for the spaceport appears to be 'hoping' it stays out of the hands of the gangs long enough for us to get off-world."

She pauses and a few taps can be heard.  "CC9 will contest that as soon as he hears the ship is in danger.  Both his tactical programming and his loyalty programming will compel him to place the spaceport as a higher priority, particularly as there is no way of telling how long it would take to find Three."

More taps.  "I am sending M4-3 to St Denao's to ask permission to locate Three under her registered ID.  There is less chance of them turning away a hovering messenger drone who can float above their heads, out of their way, so if they allow it acess we can leave it searching the wards for Three.  Not an ideal solution but one most likely to be accepted by the hospital staff and it means we do not have to choose one objective at the complete expense of the other."

"Good plan Eleven.  I was going to go back in with a datapad picture and a comm code to leave at the main desk but your droid will work better.  Do you have other messenger droids to send to other hospitals in the area?  There's no telling where Three might end up."

"None that are prepped and ready, no.  My PKs are bringing in more of the crates but it will take time to unpack them, security code them and program them.  Still, if the hospital staff are unwilling to give M4-3 access to search it will be a moot point in any case."

"Well if they wont let an unobtrusive droid search the hospitals then we have no chance.  Besides such a search would take hours, even days.  We can't afford the time but a droid can.  We can even leave the droid behind and arrange it to have Holonet access when it finds Three.  Assuming the Holonet is active by then."

"Eleven.  You have access to droids.  Any chance of getting an aerial view of the situation?  I appreciate it's high risk but we need to assess the enemy strength.  Or can you gain any kind of data from the security feeds or satellite surveillance?"

"Hammer.  The three hovering droids that I have prepared are already engaged.  Two should come back into communication soon.  I have an R2 unit attempting to link into the security system as we speak but caution is needed.  The security team will not take kindly to visiting aliens hacking into their cameras while the spaceport is under attack.

A decision is needed.  If Three has medical care then she is no longer a priority.  Your priority is the spaceport, and I do not say that purely because I happen to be sitting in the ship.  Do you believe you can safely recon the gangs around the spaceport to assess their strengths?  In your swoops, perhaps?"

"Understood Eleven.  Hammer agrees on course of action.  Without droids, swoops offer the best option for aerial recon.  But I'm not in command here."

Mika starts as the carrier wave static on her comlink switches over to an understandable voice, that of 11.  Pulling out her comlink, she clicks on the secure channel.  "This is 10.  5 and I, and CC(, are no long in communication black-out.  As best as we can determine, 3 was medivac'd out.  We're in the vicinity of the hotel.  What's the plan?"

Sure, she's probably rehashed some of the stuff that the others already knew, but a rehash wouldn't hurt anything while not sharing some important tidbit could mean quite a bit.

"Welcome back Ten.  Situation is the spaceport is under siege and we need a plan to get to Eleven.  We're currently at St Denao's Hospital though we've outstayed our welcome here.  Hammer has suggested we perform a recon of the spaceport with our swoops.  Has Five got any fresh instructions?"

"I didn't say you were in command, Hammer, you are not.  I was asking your opinion."

Then Cor speaks out again.  "Very well, priority has shifted.  Primary priority is to rendezvous with Ten, Five and CC9.  I am sending location blips to the entire team showing where Ten and Five are, based on their droids' positions.  Meet with them there.  Ten, Five, keep your droids close until the team is fully assembled."

Blips appear on any Talons' datapads showing a place a block from the hotel - two blips.

"Move out immediately and advise when you have regrouped."

"CC9 advises concern over new voices in this comms system.  My apologies, Ten and Five.  Hammer and Doc are authorised to speak on this channel for the duration of the crisis.  They are the potential recruits you intended to interview.  The third voice belongs to the third potential recruit, whom I shall now assign the callsign 'Knife'.  Talons comms are still secure, within those parameters."

"Alright, people. Let's get on moving, then. We head towards the spaceport and rendezvous on the way there. Then, the swoops will conduct recon in pairs. Once we have the intelligence, we make our move. Hammer, Doc, Knife - welcome to the party."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

"Two or Seven, Doc here. Perhaps one of you should give us the coordinates as well. I will try to keep up with your bikes, but in case we get separated, it would be good for us to know the new target location. Lets move out!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:45, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

"Five, remain where you are until the others can reach you.  A static meeting point is easier to find than a moving one and we know that your location is relatively clear."

"Eleven, is the situation still peaceful enough for us to wait? I would prefer securing you and our ship. I've asked my M4 to plot a course so that the others can join us enroute."

"How about a compromise?  The hospital is closer to the spaceport then the hotel.  Perhaps we meet out the front?  Security won't let you in but we can come out as soon as you arrive?"

"Doc here. While I agree a static rendezvous point would usually be better than a moving one, I must remind you of my… lacking driving skills. It will doubtlessly take us far longer to reach the hotel than it would with someone more skilled behind the controls." Dohr realized he didn't know Vyn's call sign… "So if Five has a ride, it might be faster for him to come meet us, just like… Vyn said."

"Five, I see you have ignored my advice to keep your M4 close to you," Cor says in an entirely calm voice, "so I am disabling its location blip to prevent the rest of the team heading in the wrong direction."  One of the blips disappears from the datapads.  The other, for now, remains steady.  "The situation at the spaceport remains unchanged - hostilities have ceased for now, though they will probably resume at some point.  Vyn, my advice to meet away from the hospital was related to hospital traffic and hospital safety.  I have no desire to cause congestion, nor to indicate to the gangs that the hospital may be a secure place for enemy forces to congregate, as that may make it a valid target."

There's the sound of Cor taking a deep breath.  "I would rather not die for the sake of a squabble.  Please move out.  Now."

"M4-Five, get back. Two, estimated time for arrival at Ten's current location. Eleven, keep me posted on the situation at the spaceport", Five blasted away like a repeating blaster. Whether he was irked or not did not carry over the comms, but the words sounded militarily enough to point him out as a professional soldier. "And while you are estimating the ETA, get mobile."

"Eleven, moving out now for Five's position.  Five, will keep you updated of our route and progress."

"Seven, why don't you take point, I'll bring up the rear.  Vyn, keep Five apprised of our route."

"Acknowledged, Two.  Once you regroup you will have the combined skillsets of almost the entire team, plus whatever our new friends can offer."  There's a frantic tapping of keys.  "Update: R2-A9 has patched into the local security network.  There is only so much I can do without alerting security to the breach but at least I can get a better view of what is going on outside.  The attack has recommenced but they are restricting themselves to light arms use - nothing heavier than a heavy blaster rifle."  She makes a thoughtful sound.  "I do not think they are trying to get in, just trying to keep the security force busy.  Which makes me wonder if they are not waiting for someone to arrive."

She continues without a pause.  "While you are travelling I will explain.  I need you all together because the timing of this will be essential.  Five, your ground coordination skills will be ideal for the task; you will be controlling the timing.  Seven and Ten, when they arrive I want the two of you to quickly assess all vehicles for damage and determine whether they can be used further or need to be replaced.  We need vehicles that can move quickly and take a few hits without exploding.  We no longer have time to negotiate with the gangs so our path must be more straightforward.  Here is what I want you to do.

"On local civilian maps there is a law enforcement station about two minutes from Ten and Five's current position.  I have no doubt it has already been attacked but I want a team to head there and find out if there is anything worth scavenging.  Explosives and long-range arms are best, particularly grenades, gas or smoke grenades if possible.  If there is nothing to find I want a team to rig up a speeder-bomb.  If you can set it to explode mostly out one side and to create the biggest smokescreen possible then all the better.  CC9, your explosives programming will help with that.

"The gangs have two main barricades from which they assault the spaceport, both on the front approach.  We will bomb them - with gas and smoke if possible, with fragmentation damage if not.  Gas and smoke take much longer to disperse than flak and will hamper the target even if they take cover.

"Once we know what we have to work with, we will know better how we can hit them and how hard.  I want both bunker points hit simultaneously, creating a thick screen to hide behind.  Once it is up I want the entire team to drive straight through the spaceport's front doors; I will let them know you are coming when the time is right so that they will retreat from the explosions and let you through."

She pauses for a moment.  Then she continues, "We do not have the arms to hold a protracted firefight with enthusiastic gang members who may or may not have grenades of their own, and I do not want even one of you neutralised so we will not give them time to use their weaponry.  Ideally the bunkers should be bombed from above and a speeder-bomb towed and released right in front of the gangs, with the non-combatant vehicles positioned to head straight into the spaceport when the chaos is at its thickest.  Even if you can only use one jury-rigged speeder-bomb it should create enough strife to get you in.

"Five, this is crucial.  I am relying on you.  They will not fall for this twice.  Everyone needs to get through into the spaceport under the one diversion so we need fast-moving vehicles that are not going to fall apart under blaster fire, even if you have to weld scrap metal to them.  Whichever swoops are bombing or towing need to be ready for a fast pass and then they need to turn around and get the hell through that spaceport gate.  We need our best pilots behind the controls of each vehicle and everybody else needs to be ready to fight if this whole thing goes belly-up."

After a pause she says, "Doc, Hammer, Knife: I do not know your skillsets.  Alert Five and Two as to your abilities and help as you see most fit.  Even if you choose not to stay with our outfit we will take you with us off-world and drop you on any nearby neutral planet you would prefer to go to."

"Hey, once we're IN the spaceport, are we planning to stick around for a bit or skip town straight away?"

"Eleven, keep feeding us the data while we're enroute. And Seven, we will assess the situation once we're at the spaceport and have the control of our ship."

The bigger question is how will spaceport security act?  You've just seen a speeder bomb explode and now another speeder is closing on you at high speed.  Odds are they'll open fire on us.

"As I said, Knife, I will explain the plan to them when the time is right.  If they refuse to listen then I will advise you of that and we will adjust the plan accordingly."

Yes you did Eleven. I was merely speculating on how they will respond. These are not trained military personnel. Panic or a stray shot is all it would take to have them firing on us.

"I think the wisest course would be to trust to their supervisor's ability to assess their own personnel's capacities.  If I get an assurance that the security people will not fire on you then a certain level of trust in their ability would be logical.  They know their force's tendencies.  We do not."

"You're getting ahead of yourself.  The plans sounds goon but there are so many things that can go wrong with this plan to focus on first.  Rigging a 'speeder-bomb' is harder then it sounds, and I know something about explosives.  Then we need to rig them to fly themselves and remote detonate on command.  Then we need to co-ordinate a simultaneous explosion.  We also need to arrange two speeders to slip through.  There's a lot of assumptions in this plan.  We don't even know if we can arrange the hardware."

"Hammer, the speeder-bomb can be pulled with tow ropes and released at the right moment.  We certainly do not have the resources to rig a speeder for remote control, nor did I assume we could.  As for the difficulty in making a speeder-bomb in the first place I suggest you confer with the rest of the team when you regroup because then you will know better what our skillsets are.  Until you understand what skills the team has and what resources we can scrounge the assumptions are as much yours as they are mine."

"That was my point Eleven."

"Then we are thinking along similar lines, Hammer, and that is all to the better."  Cor doesn't sound in the least bit fazed but, then, she rarely does.

"Eleven, Doc here. I fear or rather hope my skills will not be needed too much during the operation. I will not be of much use in building bombs or piloting at great speeds or welding plates of metal to the bikes for that matter. My best abilities lie more in the medical department and in diplomacy. But perhaps contradictorily I also consider myself fairly skilled in melee, light and heavy weapon combat. And like all officers in the Dorian army, I have received intensive training in military strategy."

Dohr dodged a smoking air taxi, checked Rian's position and carried on: "As for the plan, it will probably not go as nicely as you managed to make it sound, but it feels plausible and better yet, it is the only one we have. But I wonder if you would be able to give us some more details on the barricades the insurgents have set up? What are they made of? How far apart are they and what is their distance from the spaceport entrance? And most importantly, do you have any kind of an estimation about the numbers of our opposition?" Oh and since I will not personally be of much use building the bombs, I will join the looting party heading to the ACE station.

"Events rarely pan out smoothly in any aspect of life," Cor comments, "particularly not ones involving fighting.  I doubt there is an individual amongst us who is not aware of that fact.  If you are skilled in light weapons fire and military tactics then certainly you will be of use in searching the law enforcement station, thank you.

"As for the barricades...  The front of the spaceport is set on a wide multi-lane road.  The gangs have set up two barricades on the other side of that road, well in range of a decent blaster, and are using light rubble to hide behind.  There is a gap of perhaps five metres between the two barricades and the space between has been cleared, which makes me think they intend to fill that space with something large and unpleasant.

"I am uncertain how many gang members are in each barricade.  The security camera does not cover that area of ground at the right angle to be certain but I would guess between three and six in each, armed with light blasters and heavy blaster rifles.  This is why I believe a protracted firefight would be inefficient and dangerous.  Distraction and obfuscation is a better option."

"There are a large number of damaged and abandoned speeders throughout the city," CC9 states flatly over the comms.  "It may be possible to adapt speeder power cells to detonate.  They could then be dropped into the barricades from a considerable height by swoop."  There is a pause.

"It would have an additional psychological impact if the detonation devices were strapped to corpses of fallen civilians, and these dropped by swoop on their heads.  It would require team members willing to do so, however."

"Nobody unload here.  Now that we've regrouped, let's get to the police station.  Five, Ten, take the left and right flanks.  CC9, follow the truck, I'll stay on rearguard.  Seven, lets keep moving.  Watch for speeders that may be easily salvageable as you go."

"Alright, people, get in to the formation and let's get going. If we are attacked enroute to the police station, swoops will buy time for the truck. And CC9, as the commander would most likely not agree with using dead corpses as ammunition, neither will I, even if it would give me a tactical edge. It is simply not how we do things - not on my watch."

"This is not 'your watch'," CC9 points out, "there is no leader whilst the Commander and Nine are absent.  You imply authority that you do not possess."

"CC9, your suggestion has been noted and rejected," Cor states firmly.  "Follow Five's instruction with beta-three priority for the duration of this mission."

"Affirmative, Mistress."

"Forwarding law enforcement station locational data now."

Datapads belonging to the Talons flash with the relevant information, including coordinates.  The station is en route to the spaceport, which is rather handy.

"Who's your demolitions expert?  I'm good with explosives, she's better.  "I'm also skilled with heavy weapons and ordanance."

"Five, Ten.  Whichever of you can work out their left from their right, kindly take position on the LEFT flank.  Unless you are expecting an imminent attack from the right, we don't need you both on the same side."

"Ten, Five. Scoot over to the other side of the truck to keep Two happy, will you."

"Hammer: According to their projected skillset profiles Two, Five and Ten have some ability with explosives.  I am also programmed for demolitions.  Insufficient data exists to determine who would have the most skill in this area but combining the ability of six such individuals should be sufficient to complete the set mission parameters."

"A few small alleys coming up, narrow but we'll fit at reduced speed.  Will take us longer to get there.  Maybe we should just risk going forward."

"Shot fired.  Repeat shot fired.  South side, parallel to Seven's position.  No fix on the shooter though he has elevation."

"Southern rooftop, lone Wookiee, probably male.  Wielding a light sniper rifle, possibly hunting rifle."  The droid's voice is sharp and quick.  "Extreme caution advised."

"Seven, head up towards the wookie for distraction. I'll join you. Two, Ten, CC and Doc, keep on moving through the kill-zone and keep your eyes peeled."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:19, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

Kyvarr listened before speaking.  "Single shooter, low yield weapon.  Either a lone shooter, a distraction or bait."

She seemed to ponder for a second.  "Get us through doc, as fast as you can.  A rifle wont do much damage but he could have friends or trying to lure us out of our vehicles."

"I noticed the shooter too. Seems to have his sights on you, Seven. And roger that, Five."

"Ten take point, I'll stay at the back.  Steer the best path for the vehicles and they will follow you.  Doc, CC9.  Stay in formation with Ten.  I'll do my best to watch the sides for more attackers."

"Breaking formation is ill-advised," CC9 states before adding, "Acknowledged, Two."

Flash grumbled in his native tongue.  "[Language unknown: Hi plndmi.  Eciv a ssenhe theifo niany, ecset oneforble th icniof el rut?]"

Cor sighs over the comms, a quiet, soft sigh.  When she speaks her voice is slightly strained.  "Noted.  I am not familiar with the vernacular but I saw the explosion via CC9's vidlink.  Continue with the objective; we can mourn Five later.  M4-5, activate backup alpha-authority protocols.  You are now Seven's."

As Dohr asks his question Cor makes a small negatory vocal sound.  "Doc, his comm unit is not registering as functional.  Considering the fireball I doubt very much if there is enough left of his comm unit to constitute a security risk but I have nonetheless isolated his unit from the channel.  This channel remains secure."

She continues in an efficient, hard tone.  "Seven, you have command of the immediate team, with aid from what specialist advice you can get."  Then she adds, in a gentler tone, "Ten, release your M4 droid.  They are armed with light blasters and hopefully will be able to keep a lookout for you."

"Hey Eleven, I know this is a long shot, but are you able to get us a floor plan for this place?  Save us wasting time searching through all the jockstraps in the laundry room."

"Negative Seven.  Holonet is a mess, would take too long, maybe hours."

"Someone is telling us to stop - they're using a loud hailer.  No-one visible."

"Seven here:  Vyn is going in to negotiate - he'll have his comms set to transmit at all times.  If he uses the word 'Toast' in a sentence for any reason, we storm the place and rescue him.  Hammer, CC9: you'll be leading the team if that happens - have an assault plan ready."

"10 here.  What's the current situation at the space port?  Any chance we could just use the swoops to get in over the gangs and not blast our way in?"

Ten, the spaceport is still under siege by the gangs and they still have the main entrances barricaded.  The spaceport dome is securely locked down and they undoubtedly have heavy weapon emplacements.  Probably portable missile launchers too since that's what they shot down CC9's taxi with.

In short, no.  You can't go over them.  Wouldn't be much of a blockade if you could.  If it were possible I would have already taken the ship out of here over them and rendezvoused with you somewehre safe.  I'd advise you find a way here quickly.  They've been quiet for a while.  I suspect they'll attack soon."

After a minute or two of silence, Heigren's voice came over the comm.

"Vyn here.  I'm heading out.  No go here.  We should move out as soon as I'm out."

"Status report, please," Cor says lightly over the comms. In the background there can be heard a muffled impact.

"Mistress.  We are attempting to subdue one unknown.  Target is armed and highly argumentative, may have murdered ACE troopers.  Two and Fiarr are attempting to secure the ACE building.  The Doctor is reconsidering his employment with us.  May have to redesignate Doctor from friend to potential threat."

"Accessing vidlink...  Oh, how... interesting.  Keep her covered but take no action to subdue unless the target utilises aggression in an attempt to prevent access to the law enforcement station.  Please pass on my apologies to Doc and assure him that we will take no violent action unless pressed, but we do not have time for niceties.  If he decides he will not remain with us then we can see him safely on an outbound transport once the spaceport is relatively secure."

Humanoid designated "Doc" currently has a comm mistress.  He has heard your words."

"Ah, yes, of course."  Cor doesn't say anything further.  Doc's heard her words and she did mean them.  Should he not recognise the level of trust the Talons have shown him merely in providing him access to their secure communications then there's little Cor can do to remedy the situation.

Casting another look at the woman and the building, he noticed the Bothan had already disappeared inside. "Eleven, Doc here. Thank you for your wisdom in this situation. However, may I suggest you get your droid's heuristic processor checked. It seems to make assumptions on the workings of a Kel Dorian mind. I cannot reconsider a possible employment which I know next to nothing of. I have simply stated I will not help people who would use uncalled for violence, non-lethal or not, against unaggressive strangers." Again the doctor seems to jest, but his voice doesn't really sound like it.

"Your opinion of my abilities as a droid specialist are noted, Doc.  The next time I feel the urge to give you medical advice I shall feel free to do so.  The building is currently being searched and, as long as she takes no act of aggression against us, the Chiss will not be harmed.  It is the ground-force commander's call as to whether refusing to relinquish her weapon is considered an act of aggression but considering that a trap has resulted in the death of one of our number very recently I keenly understand his reluctance to take her on faith.  Perhaps you should be attempting to talk her down; after all, that would be in her best interest."

A gunshot is heard via the commlink.

Apparently Devon forgot to switch his comm off again.

Cor sighs.  She doesn't offer any other comment.  She'd have liked to avoid gunfire, though.

Suddenly a new, familiar voice comes over the comm.

"Anyone?  This is 3.  I'm at the hospital, are the rest of you ok?" Anyone around here?"

"Three!  You are awake!"  Cor doesn't disguise the delight in her voice.  It soon falls neutral, however, when she gives a quick update.  "Gangs are attacking the city.  They appear to have the local populace dominated and the local government wounded.  Five has died in the line of duty, killed by gang members.  The spaceport is under intermittent attack and a small M4 droid should hopefully reach you soon; I sent it to look for you.  Seven is commanding the remaining members in attempting to secure armaments in order to break past the gangs' blockade of the spaceport entryway."  She pauses for breath and then continues.  "There are potential recruits utilising the comms channel, Doc and Hammer.  The channel remains otherwise secure."

She pauses again and then adds, "What is your status, Three?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:39, Fri 21 Mar 2014.

"We need medical supplies, urgent.  bring anything you find to the Doc.  Medkits, medpacs, sticky plasters - anything. Hell, I think we'd feel good about finding a hot glue gun right now."  there was a brief pause as Devon gathered his thoughts.
"Three - good to hear you're still with us - co-ordinate with Eleven on a different channel - she'll give you details on our situation and work out possible meeting points.  We're busy in here right now and cross-chatter will get too confusing."

"One thing you haven't considered with the gas grenade ideas is that we have someone with us who doesn't need to breath." he told the others.  "Isnt that right, CC9?"
The roar of a bike engine warming up echoed through the station.
"Plus I think I just found our stunned friends ride down in the station garage.  Anyone fancy taking an Aratech 74-Z out for a spin?"

Mika comes up, "Why not use the buzz-bots as a gas grenade delivery system?  That way, we could hit multiple targets from multiple directions."

"Eleven, you listening in?  Can these M4 droids prime and drop grenades as well as carry them?"

"Yes, no and yes, in that order.  I am still listening," Cor confirms, though the heavy, muffled sound of an explosion can be heard from her end.  "M4 droids have spring-loaded 'throwers' in their storage compartments but they are not designed to be grenade launchers.  They have no internal method of priming a grenade.  If you can extend the timer long enough it may be possible to prime the grenades, place them in the compartments and send the M4s to do their work, I suppose, though whether grenades can be altered thus is outside my scope of knowledge."

"I am displeased with the idea of still more unconfirmed people having access to our secure comms," Cor states evenly.  "I suggest setting up a temporary team sub-channel that anyone with a comm can join to keep our team's line free for our own use.  Perhaps you may wish to do that, Three."

"Yes ma'am."

Poc, at what point cas she do this ?  She's on tha back of a speeder.

(( She is NOW, sure.  Oh well. ))

"Seven, just a point.  That droid is a DRK-1, colloquially known as a Dark-Eye.  They are stealth-recon droids and have a top speed - at best - of 20 kilometers per hour.  That is approximately one tenth of the speed of a typical speeder or swoop.  If its owner does not wish it left behind she may want to stow it.  That also holds true for your M4 droids.  Has Three's turned up yet?"

She'll answer he m4 question once I know what we did.

"Also, all my powér packs were drained too.  At least nothing was stolen before I got to the hospital."

"Everyone sound off as they get inside.  I dont want to leave anyone behind.  CC9 - you'll have rearguard, gimmie a headcount and make sure we dont miss anyone.  Two, the door is open and we are in.  Whats your ETA?"

"Her name is Chief Eris Winters.  She has command of the security force but not the station as a whole; do as she says and do it quickly because we cannot, as you know, afford delays.  She needs to assure herself of your non-hostile intent before she will trust you - even with me vouching for you.  After all, I could be anyone."  She sighs softly.  "I would have warned you she would draw weapons on you if I had known.  I suppose it was only logical to assume that she would."