‘Tis better to give than receive, especially a bullet!
Jan 30, 2016 6:51:59 GMT
Post by Admin on Jan 30, 2016 6:51:59 GMT
Llewel Pindragin
Old 06-24-2015, 11:28 PM
No rustle of brush gave away her perch. No glint off steel, glass or even teeth or eyes gave away her position. Llewel lay in perfect stillness in the grass as she watched her targets through the scope of her sniper rifle. The normally knee high grass seemed to tower over her slight body as she lay prone with camouflage from local flora tucked into her gear and uniform adding to her near invisibility. Cabrin lay beside her, equally still and unseen. His own sight was also on the scene below.
For nearly three whole days they had had to trek through the short brush and sparse woods to get to this perfect spot from which to watch their targets. The local NR cell had brought attention to a small faction of local bad guys who were becoming a nuisance to the cell’s ability to clean up and control the area. The cell would reveal themselves if they took matters into their own hands, so had asked for some help. Cabrin had chosen Llewel to accompany him on the mission. It was going to be a quick in and out, a snipe-and-run sort of mission.
At least that’s how it was supposed to have gone.
Intel had been spotty. When Cabrin and Llewel had arrived the situation had escalated to a tight knit group of smugglers who seemed to have a pension for evading anyone not in their trust. The NR cell had lost one of their best men who had tried to infiltrate the group. Their locations were secret, perimeters were tight, and lips tighter sealed than that. Even getting one of the smugglers rip drunk a few night before had yielded no new intel to them. So it had come down to shadowing and sneaking. Both of which the two, now laying in the grass overlooking their destination, were extremely good at.
“This is the third truck in two days, Sir…” she half whispered, half growled into her throat mic. She could whisper and he would be able to hear her in his ear comm device. The system worked both ways, as well. She had a small ear bud that was strong enough to pick up the occasional grinding of his teeth as he tensed beside her. She wondered, absently, if he was aware he did such things when agitated. “Permission to start picking them off, Sir?”
The trucks, being loaded with unmarked boxes, were the source of the trouble. The NR cell didn’t know exactly what was in the boxes, but they knew from what little they could gather, that it was either arms for the Empire, or a local drug. Either way, it was bad news.
As the truck was nearing full, most of the dozen men they had seen began to file back into the small shack. Only a driver and two others remained outside. One was helping the driver finish loading, and the third slung a long firearm over his shoulder and headed off at an angle from the building on what Llewel was guessing was a patrol. Within moments, only two men remained with the final half dozen containers.
***
Cabrin
Old 06-25-2015, 04:13 PM
Enjoying the camo that he was issued, Cabrin lay next to his newest recruit to the unit and had enjoyed getting her out on a mission finally, giving him a chance to work with her while the rest of the platoon was taking care of another part of the mission not far from them. Securing the cell here was the most important part and while they watched the mercenaries visit the remote site little else had happened so far. His only concern was having this much time to find the snipers posted up on the hilltop. Though if they had, Cabrin had no doubt that they would have already acted on that information and the two New Republic troopers would either be captured or dead. Having experienced both at one point or another, he had no interest in repeating those experiences.
Soon, another speeder truck arrived and the crew went through the same routine, but their time was growing short so it was time to act. Macrobinoculars up, thin covering over the lenses to keep them from reflecting sunlight, Cabrin watched as the remaining mercs casually carried out their orders. "Seven hundred and forty-three yards to the scout. Wind out of the southeast at two miles an hour. Take him," he whispered back, confident that the shot wouldn't be heard and with the other two talking in the back of the truck over fifty yards away, they wouldn't hear or see him fall.
***
Llewel
Old 06-28-2015, 11:11 PM
She had spoken to a fellow sniper in the barracks recently who said when he is about to focus on a shot, the whole world drains away to the simple round vision in the scope. For Llewel, it was the opposite. The world, the entire world she was privy to, anyway, came into bright sharp focus and suddenly she was aware of everything.
"Take him... " the order came through her ear mic and she nodded in silent response.
Inhale...
She smelled the moist dirt and grass they had been laying on for hours. She saw the men still loading the truck as the third man headed towards her perch at a slight angle. If he continued, he could pass within a couple yards of them. She heard some strange avian in a nearby tree call out as if asking a question in the silent, sunny afternoon. And she felt the warmth of the late afternoon sun on her back. She stuck out her tongue and tasted the salt of sweat from her upper lip.
Exhale...
She counted the paces of the man heading towards her. He was slow, ambling, not in a hurry to do more than seem busy to get away from loading more crates. She felt her heart beat ease itself to match his pace, nice and even, not in a rush. Slowly she tilted her head to the right and began to lower her sights towards the scope. Her fingers uncurled their casual pose and curled more resolutely around the barrel of her rifle. Its muzzle rested on its bracket, but she would have to keep it from bouncing in recoil when she took the shot.
Inhale...
Closing one eye, she looked through the site and saw the man in sharp detail. He had a shadow of hair bristling his chin. He hadn't shaved in a few days. His eyes were a striking blue like the clear sky above. His hair, dark and brown like the stains on the knees of her camo suit. And his own rifle bounced on his back with a lazy sway like a half forgotten nuisance.
Exhale...
She lowered the muzzle slightly to aim for his chest. A head shot was tricky, and showing off. A sneeze, or even a slight nod from her target could easy change the sweet spot (the perfect place for the shot) from a large space to a small space. A simple shot, meant to enter in the center of the forehead, could suddenly become a glancing blow off the temple. This was no time to show off. One shot, one kill... that was a sniper's creed, their resume... her necessity.
Inhale....
She held the breath for two counts and steadily pulled the trigger.
The was a sound almost like a sonic pop that followed behind the dark colored shot of energy that exited the barrel of the gun. It was approximately the width and breadth of her pinky, but she knew that the size was no indication of its deadliness. The small energy pulse would burn thru most metal protection gear and easily burrow into the target's flesh. Upon impact it would spread out to leave a hole big enough to plunge a couple fingers into. And it would sear and instantly char the flesh it came into contact with.
Without another sound, the man hit the ground as if whatever puppet master was pulling his strings had suddenly chosen to cut all the cords at once.
Exhale...
Another avian, not too far behind her, answered the first. A local grass snake slithered over the back of her leg on a direct course to someplace she didn't give a second thought to. The crates were still being loaded and no one exited the house.
Slowly opening her closed eye, she took in the surrounding area and confirmed nothing more than her target's position had changed.
"Target down," she relayed into her throat comm just over 30 seconds later.
***
Cabrin
Old 06-29-2015, 06:17 PM
Cabrin watched and waited, keeping one eye on the target and the other on the two near the back of the truck as the heat of the day continued beating on them. Her technique was one that wasn't taught in sniper school, but one that had been honed by a father or grandfather who taught her how to hunt. Aim small, miss small, he mused as Maggewetok's words echoed in his mind. A voice that prompted a smile on his lips as Llewel began easing her breathing and seeing the target as a mark in space and time rather than a person for the moment that he became anything else, humanity would step in.
He always tried to get Ilana to tell him how she did it, but she always avoided that subject beyond a subtle smile.
The quiet pop, recoil into her shoulder sent the small energy bolt into the target's chest, ending his life within moments and no doubt making him wonder what had just happened. Shifting his gaze now to the truck, he knew the moment that the first of the two were down, the second would react and they had to be quick. Though he was good with a rifle, his aim at this range wasn't the best to take out the other guard. Eventually they were going to have to deal with the men in the building, and he had an answer for that as well.
"Seven hundred and ninety-nine yards to the center of the ramp," he whispered, adrenaline pumping now at the thought of what this next shot might spark. "Wait until the other is in the truck with his back to him. Switch to thermal after this shot." Gauging the wind at the loading ramp and letting her have time to figure out her next shot. "Wind east between truck and building, three miles an hour." Now he would wait for her to judge the best time to take the shots and hopefully down both without warning anyone else. His own light repeater team slung to his right shoulder, Cabrin watched with anticipation, then glanced to the small monitor to his right as the small, roving probe droid kept an eye on their surrounding area, especially the road approaching the compound.
***
Llewel
Old 06-29-2015, 11:30 PM
"Yes, Sir..." she acknowledged.
Once more she focused on everything her eyes and ears told her. From sounds to smells, from the feel of her weapon to the sight of the two men below. She once more slowed her breathing and heart rate.
Two more inhales, two more exhales. Each time the world around her was noticed, and discarded. Bit by bit her focus once more narrowed to the target, the man on the ground by the foot of the truck ramp.
One more inhale and she took the shot as the man carrying the last box headed into the depths of the truck to secure the cargo as had been practice with the other trucks. As soon as the body fell, her right index finger flicked a switch turning her small scope into a heat site.
As she watched the second man head back towards the ramp and the opening at the tail of the truck, she quickly let her next shot loose. It went thru the flimsy canvas side of the vehicle covering and soon both targets were down and out.
"Both targets down..." she reported less than a minute after his orders. She automatically swung her sights to the right and pulled the scoped weapon with her. It didn't need to move much at this distance, and soon she was focusing the heat sensors on the four remaining in the building.
"Three seated ten feet inside to the south. Seem to be at a table of some kind. Unable to locate the fourth one." Her last sentence was half report, half growl. The truck hid nearly a quarter of the house and it irritated her that the last target's whereabouts were unknown. She knew he hadn't come out towards the truck, or the alarm would have been spread. But she also knew that without knowing where he was, that alarm was still something that they had to worry about.
***
Cabrin
Old 06-30-2015, 04:38 PM
Both loaders being down now, he had to enact the next phase of the operation as he lowered the macrobinoculars. "Alright. Keep an eye on those four and remain here while I go move the truck. The minute I'm about to start the engine, I'm calling in a strike so sit tight until I come get you, then we both leave here," he informed quietly. Knowing that she had already proven herself a professional, he slid backwards through the grass and then across the back of the slope and to his right, following the base of the long hill around toward the road. Keeping the truck between himself and the building, Cabrin kept his eyes peeled, weapon up as he quickly moved along the treeline and then sprinted for the vehicle's front grill. Moving around to the corner, the soldier crouched and listened to ensure that nothing had changed since leaving Llewel.
Quiet so far.
Sliding up to the driver's door, he opened it and climbed inside, closing the door right after being seated and let his weapon fall across his lap. Keying in the encrypted code for their help, "Tango Four-Niner, this is Rancor. Start your run north to south," he stated, knowing that Llewel would be out of harm's way when the pair of X-Wings came flying in, treetop level. Starting the truck, Cabrin gunned the accelerator and glanced in the side mirror to see one of the mercenaries emerge from the loading dock door, surprised to see one of his companions laying on the ramp.
Here we go.
***
Llewel
Old 06-30-2015, 08:54 PM
"Yes, Sir."
She watched him head backwards out of her periphery, then he was back, down to her right and heading for the vehicle. She lowered her head once more and glanced through the sight. Seeing him get into the truck allowed her a moment to exhale.
But the moment was short lived as she noticed movement in the heat signatures of those in the building. As the vehicle pulled away, one of the men from inside stepped out. It didn't even cross her mind to hesitate as she dropped him in a single shot. "Clear..." she spoke through the mic.
The victory was short lived. Whatever had been loaded on the truck had been insulated, or extremely dense. It had hidden the remainder of the building's occupants from her scope.
"Sir, hope that airstrike is close. Movement of the vehicle reveals six additional occupants in the building. REPEAT... there are now nine occupants. No excessive movement, but it will only take a minute to realize what's happening."
That moment was then. "MOVEMENT CONFIRMED!" her voice came over slow and steady, but the urgency was not to be denied. "Two from the east approaching doorway opening, remaining occupants making their way there. Permission to drop them as they exit, Sir?"
She hoped the Xwings would be there swiftly. She was a good shot, but even she had to realign after each shot. She wasn't good enough to take out several at a time.
What in all the Sith moons had been in those crates? Her mind was reeling with the possibilities while she waited for the others to exit. They were moving slow, not rushing, but that merely meant they were curious and not alarmed yet. It wouldn't take long to escalate into pure chaos once the body in the doorway was discovered.
Suddenly it hit her, "Sir... we need those crates. Something in them blocked the heat scope! It's either insulated or energy... or both. It isn't drugs or weapons. I would bet my stripes on it, Sir." She saw the first of the group emerge. "They are coming out... how long till that strike?"
She took another breath, took aim and dropped the second one just outside the doorway. In less than a minute the others would breach the threshold.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-01-2015, 04:56 AM
"Fire at will," he stated as the truck began picking up speed, racing now through the open area and into the forest, turning right and Cabrin did his best to keep an eye on the terrain so he wouldn't leave her behind. Glancing at his chronometer, the lieutenant slowed the vehicle as the fighters were inbound. "Get your head down and once the dust settles, I'm on the road behind you."
Not seconds later, the thunderous roar of two X-Wings racing by overhead was then muted by horrendous explosions on the other side of the hill as huge pillars of dirt and duracrete flew into the air. Glad that he wasn't still on the road and in the line-of-sight of the target, Cabrin glanced over to see a datapad on the seat beside him and picked it up as he waited for the recruit to join him. Turning it on, a narrow panel asking for a password stared at him and one that would remain a secret for a moment as he set it on the carpeted floor between the two seats, leaning over to open the door for her as she ran towards the vehicle.
No doubt with ears ringing, he mused.
***
Llewel
Old 07-01-2015, 07:38 PM
Llewel watched the second body fall at the door and them smiled as she heard and finally saw the XWing inbound. She kept her sight set on the door, to make sure no one would escape the strike and flipped from heat back to regular sight.
Just as another man began to exit, the shots range down from above. She ducked her head to be sure the concussion wave didn't rock her. She didn't wait as long as Cabrin would have wanted her to before she had her eye back in the scope to see if anyone had escaped. Seeing no one move in the dust cloud and rubble, she pulled the sight cover down, yanked the stand back towards barrel and rolled over to slide down the hill and take off at a run to the truck that was on the road behind her.
As she slid into the front seat and propped the collapsed rifle between them against the seat, she smiled. "Targets down. No movement. Do we need to confirm the kills?"
Suddenly she remembered the crates and pulled back the curtain behind her. "I don't know what or how, but the crates are lined with heat blocking materials, or have something else in them that is doing it. Should we check them before we take them back to the meeting point? Or wait and let someone else check them out?" She was dieing to know what had blocked her scope, but she wasn't stupid enough to put herself, or her leader in jeapordy.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-03-2015, 04:48 AM
Glad that she was unhurt, Cabrin gunned the accelerator once more to leave this small compound behind for good. Hopefully this action would also allow the local cell to operate once more without interference, they had taken a great risk being out in the open like that, not to mention all the creature comforts left behind. A treelined road became their companion now as he drove around bends and across shallow streams, the speeder gliding safely over those though the drop in terrain made their stomach jump a bit momentarily.
"Kills are confirmed," he finally replied, then motioned with his head down to the datapad on the floor between them. "That could be a manifest if you're any good with decrypting passwords, otherwise we'll have to find out what's in the crates the hard way." Her suggestion was a good one though and as he thought about it, a part in the trees to his left as they rounded a large lake spotted another vehicle coming their way. Smaller, he assumed no more than four inside.
"Company," he informed and prepared to feign ramming them knowing that there shouldn't be any friendlies out here.
***
Llewel
Old 07-03-2015, 11:41 PM
Llewel had just picked up the datapad from the floor when Cabrin reacted to the oncoming vehicle. It was similar to the one they were in, but smaller, and bouncing with an absence of weight.
Without thinking twice, Llewel grabbed both sides of her uniform top and yanked hard. The fastenings gave way as she ripped the grass covered top and tore it off her torso. "Swerve like we're struggling for control of the wheel!" She managed to get it off and shoved it to the floor, she tipped the rifle down as well. Though neither would stuff under the seat, she hoped it would be enough. She quickly reached up and pulled her hair free from the braid it had been in. The smuggler uniforms were close to what she and Cabrin had been wearing. And in just her dark tshirt and pants, she might pass for one of them.
She pulled her sidearm from it's holster at her hip and put it at the ready. "I captured you as you blew up the building. You were trying to escape just now and that's the reason for the erratic driving. If we get close, we can take them out. If possible, maybe take one or two hostage, depending how many there are. Your call. But they may have intel the cell needs." It didn't occur to her that she was a cadet suddenly ordering her superior officer around like a flunky.
If the datapads werw encrypted, they needed passwords. And if the others didn't know them, maybe the cell could get their intel from them anyway. Either way, they couldn't chance an alarm being roused this early in their escape. No doubt the other truck had seen the explosion so denying it was obviously going to be a lie.
She was busy tosseling her hair and untucking her shirt as she spoke. She looked too neat as a soldier, not like the rag tag group they had dispatched. Once finished, though still not satisfied, she watched the other vehicle get closer and had a small sinking feeling this stunt would either get them killed or end her career.
She was prepared for a dismissal if it meant they survived. "Ready, Sir?" She lifted her hand about to grab for the wheel at the last minute if they decided to go through with this.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-04-2015, 05:41 AM
Driving at speed and keeping an eye on the approaching vehicle, he listened to her plan and appreciated how she quickly adapted to that plan while slipping out of her ghili suit. Eyeing the surrounding terrain, the forested hills would make for a good short skirmish if it came to that and he hoped that these four or five weren't actually veterans working for the mercenary band instead of green recruits hoping for a chance at some easy credits. Letting her take the wheel, he prepared for the quick stop and jump, opening the door as the speeder truck veered around erratically, nearly missing the vehicle's nose, but as it spun, the rear of the heavily laden truck slammed into the grill of the smaller speeder. The jarring nearly sent Cabrin into Llewel's seat.
Quickly reacting, he kicked the door open and began running into the woods, keeping his eyes on the other vehicle to soon see the occupants nursing head wounds while the two in the back noticed the runner. Opening the passenger side rear door, the first produced a carbine as he stepped out. "We got a runner," he yelled. "Gotta be one of them!"
Dodging in and out of the trees, Cabrin ducked into a shallow dry stream and turned, laying on the grassy bank as he laid his rifle out and readied to help Llewel if and when she needed it. The second in the back seat slid out after his companion and began moving with him toward the runner, firing wildly as they did.
***
Llewel
Old 07-04-2015, 11:19 PM
Llewel didn't have time to think anymore about possible discipline action as they struck the other vehicle and Cabrin slammed into her. Only gripping the wheel tighter kept them both from toppling into the passenger's seat and onto the floor. For a moment, she was stunned as his head cracked her lower jaw. She finally managed to whisper hoarsely, "RUN!" and was answered with his quick reaction of doing just that. Taking a moment to gather herself, Llewel grabbed her dropped pistol as she exited the driver's side. Coming to the back of the truck, she quickly shot the driver exiting the vehicle.
Running headlong towards the driver's side back door, she managed to take out the backseat passenger as he was busy watching his fellow soldiers give chase to Cabrin.
"Hey!" She hollered as she leapt the crumpled hood where the smaller vehicle had landed against their own. Both runners turned and the front one went back to chasing down Cabrin. She was running towards the pursuers and had shot the one closest to her when pain like fire took her to her knees. She didn't register being shot till she glanced back at a soldier, probably sitting in the back where she had failed to clear before taking pursuit, closing in on her. With her right hand holding her up, the weapon laying on the grass in her fingertips, she had to fall to her back to take aim.
The shot took her assailant in the shoulder and she was taking aim for a chest shot as he staggered and then regained his balance and closed in on her. "RRUNNNNN!" She screamed hoping her companion would take the hint and go. If she missed again, he would certainly kill her.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-05-2015, 05:38 AM
Watching the firefight between the more than capable recruit and these mercenaries, Cabrin took careful aim as she was hit and downed. Not waiting for evidence that she was still alive, he aimed center mass and squeezed the trigger. Pitching the shooter lording over Llewel backwards, he noticed the second still racing to close with him and turned the muzzle slightly to the left, breathing slowly and even though he wasn't a ranged expert, fighting in close quarters was his speciality. Having the ghili suit on helped him blend into the environment though the last shot gave away his position, so at least the last assailant knew where to come.
Pounding feet and blaster bolts filled the air as the mercenary dodged between trees and tried his best to keep to cover. His aim proved that he only had a brief idea on where the runner was and keeping still only kept him guessing. One thing that Ilana did teach Cabrin was, "When you're running from someone, don't run." Though it didn't make total sense at the time, he definitely understood that now. Something he'd have to share with her when they got back to Telos. Knowing he was alone only made the mercenary more desperate and the lieutenant hoped that he would escape to save his life, but Llewel may be running out of time and he couldn't wait too much longer.
Crunching in the grass and the brush of tall plants kept the target in sight as the man rose to move again. POP. A groan and then collapse into the foliage told Cabrin all he needed to know. Rising as he was only four feet from the target, the New Republic soldier stepped toward the downed mercenary and picked up his pistol. Crouching, he spun the man around onto his face and bound him. "Sit tight." Hitting him in the knee was going to keep him from escaping while he tended to his fellow soldier.
Running to Llewel, he soon found her laying in the grass and slid on his knees beside her. Immediately tearing her medpac from her thigh pocket, he opened it. "Just lay still, let me take care of this." Assessing the wound, he knew that it wasn't fatal but would still keep her out of action for a bit. Unbuckling her web gear, he removed it and tried his best not to make things worse as he moved her. "You know, they give our Purple Hearts for stuff like this. I'm a bit jealous," he grinned, trying to keep her spirits up.
***
Llewel
Old 07-05-2015, 10:28 PM
Llewel had paused just long enough that by the time she fired, the man over her had already begun to drop from the Lt's shot. She dropped back to catch her breath then realized she had only heard one shot prior to that. There was still another pursuer after Cabrin.
Rolling to her belly and biting her lip against the pain in her leg, she aimed for the shot. She had to shake her head to clear her sight, but once more, her shot was a heartbeat too late. Cabrin had felled it expertly and she dropped her chin to the grass a moment in relief. She mentally chided herself for several mistakes. From forgetting to clear the truck, to making sure her partner was safe before letting pain hit her.
She heard someone come up on her quick and had rolled over causing her body to tighten in pain as she drew her weapon preparing to fire on one more of the enemy she had missed. She noticed Cabrin and let her hand drop to the grass holding the weapon. "I'm sorry. I should have taken him out. I should have cleared the truck, I should have..." she was stammering as he went to a knee at her side and ripped the med pack from her thigh pocket and told her to lie still.
Biting her lip as she stifled a cry of pain from between the giggles of his spoken jealousy, she finally managed to catch her breath when he was done and shook her head. "Awards are for the dead. I'm still alive." She laid her hand on his arm and smiled. "And so are you, no thanks to me. I really am sorry. It won't happen again." She was silently awaiting her *** chewing as he finishing dressing the shot in her right calf and she gathered up the debris from it and shoved it all back into the thigh pocket of her uniform.
Old 06-24-2015, 11:28 PM
No rustle of brush gave away her perch. No glint off steel, glass or even teeth or eyes gave away her position. Llewel lay in perfect stillness in the grass as she watched her targets through the scope of her sniper rifle. The normally knee high grass seemed to tower over her slight body as she lay prone with camouflage from local flora tucked into her gear and uniform adding to her near invisibility. Cabrin lay beside her, equally still and unseen. His own sight was also on the scene below.
For nearly three whole days they had had to trek through the short brush and sparse woods to get to this perfect spot from which to watch their targets. The local NR cell had brought attention to a small faction of local bad guys who were becoming a nuisance to the cell’s ability to clean up and control the area. The cell would reveal themselves if they took matters into their own hands, so had asked for some help. Cabrin had chosen Llewel to accompany him on the mission. It was going to be a quick in and out, a snipe-and-run sort of mission.
At least that’s how it was supposed to have gone.
Intel had been spotty. When Cabrin and Llewel had arrived the situation had escalated to a tight knit group of smugglers who seemed to have a pension for evading anyone not in their trust. The NR cell had lost one of their best men who had tried to infiltrate the group. Their locations were secret, perimeters were tight, and lips tighter sealed than that. Even getting one of the smugglers rip drunk a few night before had yielded no new intel to them. So it had come down to shadowing and sneaking. Both of which the two, now laying in the grass overlooking their destination, were extremely good at.
“This is the third truck in two days, Sir…” she half whispered, half growled into her throat mic. She could whisper and he would be able to hear her in his ear comm device. The system worked both ways, as well. She had a small ear bud that was strong enough to pick up the occasional grinding of his teeth as he tensed beside her. She wondered, absently, if he was aware he did such things when agitated. “Permission to start picking them off, Sir?”
The trucks, being loaded with unmarked boxes, were the source of the trouble. The NR cell didn’t know exactly what was in the boxes, but they knew from what little they could gather, that it was either arms for the Empire, or a local drug. Either way, it was bad news.
As the truck was nearing full, most of the dozen men they had seen began to file back into the small shack. Only a driver and two others remained outside. One was helping the driver finish loading, and the third slung a long firearm over his shoulder and headed off at an angle from the building on what Llewel was guessing was a patrol. Within moments, only two men remained with the final half dozen containers.
***
Cabrin
Old 06-25-2015, 04:13 PM
Enjoying the camo that he was issued, Cabrin lay next to his newest recruit to the unit and had enjoyed getting her out on a mission finally, giving him a chance to work with her while the rest of the platoon was taking care of another part of the mission not far from them. Securing the cell here was the most important part and while they watched the mercenaries visit the remote site little else had happened so far. His only concern was having this much time to find the snipers posted up on the hilltop. Though if they had, Cabrin had no doubt that they would have already acted on that information and the two New Republic troopers would either be captured or dead. Having experienced both at one point or another, he had no interest in repeating those experiences.
Soon, another speeder truck arrived and the crew went through the same routine, but their time was growing short so it was time to act. Macrobinoculars up, thin covering over the lenses to keep them from reflecting sunlight, Cabrin watched as the remaining mercs casually carried out their orders. "Seven hundred and forty-three yards to the scout. Wind out of the southeast at two miles an hour. Take him," he whispered back, confident that the shot wouldn't be heard and with the other two talking in the back of the truck over fifty yards away, they wouldn't hear or see him fall.
***
Llewel
Old 06-28-2015, 11:11 PM
She had spoken to a fellow sniper in the barracks recently who said when he is about to focus on a shot, the whole world drains away to the simple round vision in the scope. For Llewel, it was the opposite. The world, the entire world she was privy to, anyway, came into bright sharp focus and suddenly she was aware of everything.
"Take him... " the order came through her ear mic and she nodded in silent response.
Inhale...
She smelled the moist dirt and grass they had been laying on for hours. She saw the men still loading the truck as the third man headed towards her perch at a slight angle. If he continued, he could pass within a couple yards of them. She heard some strange avian in a nearby tree call out as if asking a question in the silent, sunny afternoon. And she felt the warmth of the late afternoon sun on her back. She stuck out her tongue and tasted the salt of sweat from her upper lip.
Exhale...
She counted the paces of the man heading towards her. He was slow, ambling, not in a hurry to do more than seem busy to get away from loading more crates. She felt her heart beat ease itself to match his pace, nice and even, not in a rush. Slowly she tilted her head to the right and began to lower her sights towards the scope. Her fingers uncurled their casual pose and curled more resolutely around the barrel of her rifle. Its muzzle rested on its bracket, but she would have to keep it from bouncing in recoil when she took the shot.
Inhale...
Closing one eye, she looked through the site and saw the man in sharp detail. He had a shadow of hair bristling his chin. He hadn't shaved in a few days. His eyes were a striking blue like the clear sky above. His hair, dark and brown like the stains on the knees of her camo suit. And his own rifle bounced on his back with a lazy sway like a half forgotten nuisance.
Exhale...
She lowered the muzzle slightly to aim for his chest. A head shot was tricky, and showing off. A sneeze, or even a slight nod from her target could easy change the sweet spot (the perfect place for the shot) from a large space to a small space. A simple shot, meant to enter in the center of the forehead, could suddenly become a glancing blow off the temple. This was no time to show off. One shot, one kill... that was a sniper's creed, their resume... her necessity.
Inhale....
She held the breath for two counts and steadily pulled the trigger.
The was a sound almost like a sonic pop that followed behind the dark colored shot of energy that exited the barrel of the gun. It was approximately the width and breadth of her pinky, but she knew that the size was no indication of its deadliness. The small energy pulse would burn thru most metal protection gear and easily burrow into the target's flesh. Upon impact it would spread out to leave a hole big enough to plunge a couple fingers into. And it would sear and instantly char the flesh it came into contact with.
Without another sound, the man hit the ground as if whatever puppet master was pulling his strings had suddenly chosen to cut all the cords at once.
Exhale...
Another avian, not too far behind her, answered the first. A local grass snake slithered over the back of her leg on a direct course to someplace she didn't give a second thought to. The crates were still being loaded and no one exited the house.
Slowly opening her closed eye, she took in the surrounding area and confirmed nothing more than her target's position had changed.
"Target down," she relayed into her throat comm just over 30 seconds later.
***
Cabrin
Old 06-29-2015, 06:17 PM
Cabrin watched and waited, keeping one eye on the target and the other on the two near the back of the truck as the heat of the day continued beating on them. Her technique was one that wasn't taught in sniper school, but one that had been honed by a father or grandfather who taught her how to hunt. Aim small, miss small, he mused as Maggewetok's words echoed in his mind. A voice that prompted a smile on his lips as Llewel began easing her breathing and seeing the target as a mark in space and time rather than a person for the moment that he became anything else, humanity would step in.
He always tried to get Ilana to tell him how she did it, but she always avoided that subject beyond a subtle smile.
The quiet pop, recoil into her shoulder sent the small energy bolt into the target's chest, ending his life within moments and no doubt making him wonder what had just happened. Shifting his gaze now to the truck, he knew the moment that the first of the two were down, the second would react and they had to be quick. Though he was good with a rifle, his aim at this range wasn't the best to take out the other guard. Eventually they were going to have to deal with the men in the building, and he had an answer for that as well.
"Seven hundred and ninety-nine yards to the center of the ramp," he whispered, adrenaline pumping now at the thought of what this next shot might spark. "Wait until the other is in the truck with his back to him. Switch to thermal after this shot." Gauging the wind at the loading ramp and letting her have time to figure out her next shot. "Wind east between truck and building, three miles an hour." Now he would wait for her to judge the best time to take the shots and hopefully down both without warning anyone else. His own light repeater team slung to his right shoulder, Cabrin watched with anticipation, then glanced to the small monitor to his right as the small, roving probe droid kept an eye on their surrounding area, especially the road approaching the compound.
***
Llewel
Old 06-29-2015, 11:30 PM
"Yes, Sir..." she acknowledged.
Once more she focused on everything her eyes and ears told her. From sounds to smells, from the feel of her weapon to the sight of the two men below. She once more slowed her breathing and heart rate.
Two more inhales, two more exhales. Each time the world around her was noticed, and discarded. Bit by bit her focus once more narrowed to the target, the man on the ground by the foot of the truck ramp.
One more inhale and she took the shot as the man carrying the last box headed into the depths of the truck to secure the cargo as had been practice with the other trucks. As soon as the body fell, her right index finger flicked a switch turning her small scope into a heat site.
As she watched the second man head back towards the ramp and the opening at the tail of the truck, she quickly let her next shot loose. It went thru the flimsy canvas side of the vehicle covering and soon both targets were down and out.
"Both targets down..." she reported less than a minute after his orders. She automatically swung her sights to the right and pulled the scoped weapon with her. It didn't need to move much at this distance, and soon she was focusing the heat sensors on the four remaining in the building.
"Three seated ten feet inside to the south. Seem to be at a table of some kind. Unable to locate the fourth one." Her last sentence was half report, half growl. The truck hid nearly a quarter of the house and it irritated her that the last target's whereabouts were unknown. She knew he hadn't come out towards the truck, or the alarm would have been spread. But she also knew that without knowing where he was, that alarm was still something that they had to worry about.
***
Cabrin
Old 06-30-2015, 04:38 PM
Both loaders being down now, he had to enact the next phase of the operation as he lowered the macrobinoculars. "Alright. Keep an eye on those four and remain here while I go move the truck. The minute I'm about to start the engine, I'm calling in a strike so sit tight until I come get you, then we both leave here," he informed quietly. Knowing that she had already proven herself a professional, he slid backwards through the grass and then across the back of the slope and to his right, following the base of the long hill around toward the road. Keeping the truck between himself and the building, Cabrin kept his eyes peeled, weapon up as he quickly moved along the treeline and then sprinted for the vehicle's front grill. Moving around to the corner, the soldier crouched and listened to ensure that nothing had changed since leaving Llewel.
Quiet so far.
Sliding up to the driver's door, he opened it and climbed inside, closing the door right after being seated and let his weapon fall across his lap. Keying in the encrypted code for their help, "Tango Four-Niner, this is Rancor. Start your run north to south," he stated, knowing that Llewel would be out of harm's way when the pair of X-Wings came flying in, treetop level. Starting the truck, Cabrin gunned the accelerator and glanced in the side mirror to see one of the mercenaries emerge from the loading dock door, surprised to see one of his companions laying on the ramp.
Here we go.
***
Llewel
Old 06-30-2015, 08:54 PM
"Yes, Sir."
She watched him head backwards out of her periphery, then he was back, down to her right and heading for the vehicle. She lowered her head once more and glanced through the sight. Seeing him get into the truck allowed her a moment to exhale.
But the moment was short lived as she noticed movement in the heat signatures of those in the building. As the vehicle pulled away, one of the men from inside stepped out. It didn't even cross her mind to hesitate as she dropped him in a single shot. "Clear..." she spoke through the mic.
The victory was short lived. Whatever had been loaded on the truck had been insulated, or extremely dense. It had hidden the remainder of the building's occupants from her scope.
"Sir, hope that airstrike is close. Movement of the vehicle reveals six additional occupants in the building. REPEAT... there are now nine occupants. No excessive movement, but it will only take a minute to realize what's happening."
That moment was then. "MOVEMENT CONFIRMED!" her voice came over slow and steady, but the urgency was not to be denied. "Two from the east approaching doorway opening, remaining occupants making their way there. Permission to drop them as they exit, Sir?"
She hoped the Xwings would be there swiftly. She was a good shot, but even she had to realign after each shot. She wasn't good enough to take out several at a time.
What in all the Sith moons had been in those crates? Her mind was reeling with the possibilities while she waited for the others to exit. They were moving slow, not rushing, but that merely meant they were curious and not alarmed yet. It wouldn't take long to escalate into pure chaos once the body in the doorway was discovered.
Suddenly it hit her, "Sir... we need those crates. Something in them blocked the heat scope! It's either insulated or energy... or both. It isn't drugs or weapons. I would bet my stripes on it, Sir." She saw the first of the group emerge. "They are coming out... how long till that strike?"
She took another breath, took aim and dropped the second one just outside the doorway. In less than a minute the others would breach the threshold.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-01-2015, 04:56 AM
"Fire at will," he stated as the truck began picking up speed, racing now through the open area and into the forest, turning right and Cabrin did his best to keep an eye on the terrain so he wouldn't leave her behind. Glancing at his chronometer, the lieutenant slowed the vehicle as the fighters were inbound. "Get your head down and once the dust settles, I'm on the road behind you."
Not seconds later, the thunderous roar of two X-Wings racing by overhead was then muted by horrendous explosions on the other side of the hill as huge pillars of dirt and duracrete flew into the air. Glad that he wasn't still on the road and in the line-of-sight of the target, Cabrin glanced over to see a datapad on the seat beside him and picked it up as he waited for the recruit to join him. Turning it on, a narrow panel asking for a password stared at him and one that would remain a secret for a moment as he set it on the carpeted floor between the two seats, leaning over to open the door for her as she ran towards the vehicle.
No doubt with ears ringing, he mused.
***
Llewel
Old 07-01-2015, 07:38 PM
Llewel watched the second body fall at the door and them smiled as she heard and finally saw the XWing inbound. She kept her sight set on the door, to make sure no one would escape the strike and flipped from heat back to regular sight.
Just as another man began to exit, the shots range down from above. She ducked her head to be sure the concussion wave didn't rock her. She didn't wait as long as Cabrin would have wanted her to before she had her eye back in the scope to see if anyone had escaped. Seeing no one move in the dust cloud and rubble, she pulled the sight cover down, yanked the stand back towards barrel and rolled over to slide down the hill and take off at a run to the truck that was on the road behind her.
As she slid into the front seat and propped the collapsed rifle between them against the seat, she smiled. "Targets down. No movement. Do we need to confirm the kills?"
Suddenly she remembered the crates and pulled back the curtain behind her. "I don't know what or how, but the crates are lined with heat blocking materials, or have something else in them that is doing it. Should we check them before we take them back to the meeting point? Or wait and let someone else check them out?" She was dieing to know what had blocked her scope, but she wasn't stupid enough to put herself, or her leader in jeapordy.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-03-2015, 04:48 AM
Glad that she was unhurt, Cabrin gunned the accelerator once more to leave this small compound behind for good. Hopefully this action would also allow the local cell to operate once more without interference, they had taken a great risk being out in the open like that, not to mention all the creature comforts left behind. A treelined road became their companion now as he drove around bends and across shallow streams, the speeder gliding safely over those though the drop in terrain made their stomach jump a bit momentarily.
"Kills are confirmed," he finally replied, then motioned with his head down to the datapad on the floor between them. "That could be a manifest if you're any good with decrypting passwords, otherwise we'll have to find out what's in the crates the hard way." Her suggestion was a good one though and as he thought about it, a part in the trees to his left as they rounded a large lake spotted another vehicle coming their way. Smaller, he assumed no more than four inside.
"Company," he informed and prepared to feign ramming them knowing that there shouldn't be any friendlies out here.
***
Llewel
Old 07-03-2015, 11:41 PM
Llewel had just picked up the datapad from the floor when Cabrin reacted to the oncoming vehicle. It was similar to the one they were in, but smaller, and bouncing with an absence of weight.
Without thinking twice, Llewel grabbed both sides of her uniform top and yanked hard. The fastenings gave way as she ripped the grass covered top and tore it off her torso. "Swerve like we're struggling for control of the wheel!" She managed to get it off and shoved it to the floor, she tipped the rifle down as well. Though neither would stuff under the seat, she hoped it would be enough. She quickly reached up and pulled her hair free from the braid it had been in. The smuggler uniforms were close to what she and Cabrin had been wearing. And in just her dark tshirt and pants, she might pass for one of them.
She pulled her sidearm from it's holster at her hip and put it at the ready. "I captured you as you blew up the building. You were trying to escape just now and that's the reason for the erratic driving. If we get close, we can take them out. If possible, maybe take one or two hostage, depending how many there are. Your call. But they may have intel the cell needs." It didn't occur to her that she was a cadet suddenly ordering her superior officer around like a flunky.
If the datapads werw encrypted, they needed passwords. And if the others didn't know them, maybe the cell could get their intel from them anyway. Either way, they couldn't chance an alarm being roused this early in their escape. No doubt the other truck had seen the explosion so denying it was obviously going to be a lie.
She was busy tosseling her hair and untucking her shirt as she spoke. She looked too neat as a soldier, not like the rag tag group they had dispatched. Once finished, though still not satisfied, she watched the other vehicle get closer and had a small sinking feeling this stunt would either get them killed or end her career.
She was prepared for a dismissal if it meant they survived. "Ready, Sir?" She lifted her hand about to grab for the wheel at the last minute if they decided to go through with this.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-04-2015, 05:41 AM
Driving at speed and keeping an eye on the approaching vehicle, he listened to her plan and appreciated how she quickly adapted to that plan while slipping out of her ghili suit. Eyeing the surrounding terrain, the forested hills would make for a good short skirmish if it came to that and he hoped that these four or five weren't actually veterans working for the mercenary band instead of green recruits hoping for a chance at some easy credits. Letting her take the wheel, he prepared for the quick stop and jump, opening the door as the speeder truck veered around erratically, nearly missing the vehicle's nose, but as it spun, the rear of the heavily laden truck slammed into the grill of the smaller speeder. The jarring nearly sent Cabrin into Llewel's seat.
Quickly reacting, he kicked the door open and began running into the woods, keeping his eyes on the other vehicle to soon see the occupants nursing head wounds while the two in the back noticed the runner. Opening the passenger side rear door, the first produced a carbine as he stepped out. "We got a runner," he yelled. "Gotta be one of them!"
Dodging in and out of the trees, Cabrin ducked into a shallow dry stream and turned, laying on the grassy bank as he laid his rifle out and readied to help Llewel if and when she needed it. The second in the back seat slid out after his companion and began moving with him toward the runner, firing wildly as they did.
***
Llewel
Old 07-04-2015, 11:19 PM
Llewel didn't have time to think anymore about possible discipline action as they struck the other vehicle and Cabrin slammed into her. Only gripping the wheel tighter kept them both from toppling into the passenger's seat and onto the floor. For a moment, she was stunned as his head cracked her lower jaw. She finally managed to whisper hoarsely, "RUN!" and was answered with his quick reaction of doing just that. Taking a moment to gather herself, Llewel grabbed her dropped pistol as she exited the driver's side. Coming to the back of the truck, she quickly shot the driver exiting the vehicle.
Running headlong towards the driver's side back door, she managed to take out the backseat passenger as he was busy watching his fellow soldiers give chase to Cabrin.
"Hey!" She hollered as she leapt the crumpled hood where the smaller vehicle had landed against their own. Both runners turned and the front one went back to chasing down Cabrin. She was running towards the pursuers and had shot the one closest to her when pain like fire took her to her knees. She didn't register being shot till she glanced back at a soldier, probably sitting in the back where she had failed to clear before taking pursuit, closing in on her. With her right hand holding her up, the weapon laying on the grass in her fingertips, she had to fall to her back to take aim.
The shot took her assailant in the shoulder and she was taking aim for a chest shot as he staggered and then regained his balance and closed in on her. "RRUNNNNN!" She screamed hoping her companion would take the hint and go. If she missed again, he would certainly kill her.
***
Cabrin
Old 07-05-2015, 05:38 AM
Watching the firefight between the more than capable recruit and these mercenaries, Cabrin took careful aim as she was hit and downed. Not waiting for evidence that she was still alive, he aimed center mass and squeezed the trigger. Pitching the shooter lording over Llewel backwards, he noticed the second still racing to close with him and turned the muzzle slightly to the left, breathing slowly and even though he wasn't a ranged expert, fighting in close quarters was his speciality. Having the ghili suit on helped him blend into the environment though the last shot gave away his position, so at least the last assailant knew where to come.
Pounding feet and blaster bolts filled the air as the mercenary dodged between trees and tried his best to keep to cover. His aim proved that he only had a brief idea on where the runner was and keeping still only kept him guessing. One thing that Ilana did teach Cabrin was, "When you're running from someone, don't run." Though it didn't make total sense at the time, he definitely understood that now. Something he'd have to share with her when they got back to Telos. Knowing he was alone only made the mercenary more desperate and the lieutenant hoped that he would escape to save his life, but Llewel may be running out of time and he couldn't wait too much longer.
Crunching in the grass and the brush of tall plants kept the target in sight as the man rose to move again. POP. A groan and then collapse into the foliage told Cabrin all he needed to know. Rising as he was only four feet from the target, the New Republic soldier stepped toward the downed mercenary and picked up his pistol. Crouching, he spun the man around onto his face and bound him. "Sit tight." Hitting him in the knee was going to keep him from escaping while he tended to his fellow soldier.
Running to Llewel, he soon found her laying in the grass and slid on his knees beside her. Immediately tearing her medpac from her thigh pocket, he opened it. "Just lay still, let me take care of this." Assessing the wound, he knew that it wasn't fatal but would still keep her out of action for a bit. Unbuckling her web gear, he removed it and tried his best not to make things worse as he moved her. "You know, they give our Purple Hearts for stuff like this. I'm a bit jealous," he grinned, trying to keep her spirits up.
***
Llewel
Old 07-05-2015, 10:28 PM
Llewel had paused just long enough that by the time she fired, the man over her had already begun to drop from the Lt's shot. She dropped back to catch her breath then realized she had only heard one shot prior to that. There was still another pursuer after Cabrin.
Rolling to her belly and biting her lip against the pain in her leg, she aimed for the shot. She had to shake her head to clear her sight, but once more, her shot was a heartbeat too late. Cabrin had felled it expertly and she dropped her chin to the grass a moment in relief. She mentally chided herself for several mistakes. From forgetting to clear the truck, to making sure her partner was safe before letting pain hit her.
She heard someone come up on her quick and had rolled over causing her body to tighten in pain as she drew her weapon preparing to fire on one more of the enemy she had missed. She noticed Cabrin and let her hand drop to the grass holding the weapon. "I'm sorry. I should have taken him out. I should have cleared the truck, I should have..." she was stammering as he went to a knee at her side and ripped the med pack from her thigh pocket and told her to lie still.
Biting her lip as she stifled a cry of pain from between the giggles of his spoken jealousy, she finally managed to catch her breath when he was done and shook her head. "Awards are for the dead. I'm still alive." She laid her hand on his arm and smiled. "And so are you, no thanks to me. I really am sorry. It won't happen again." She was silently awaiting her *** chewing as he finishing dressing the shot in her right calf and she gathered up the debris from it and shoved it all back into the thigh pocket of her uniform.