The Detour (Madeleia)
Mar 12, 2016 4:42:49 GMT
Post by Admin on Mar 12, 2016 4:42:49 GMT
The Detour
www.sw-rpg.net/forums/showthread.php?t=44847
Madeleia
01-18-2016, 06:08 PM
Greasy hands pulled the ex-smuggler into the narrow crawlspace as Madeleia did her best to follow the acrid smell of burned wiring. She had been in and around freighter engines and their auxiliary systems more than once during her tour working for Vaago, but now she was a legitimate officer in the New Republic army. Soon, hazel eyes found the source of the generator's issues and it wasn't good.
"Frak," she expelled, not caring about the other three watching her from behind. Reaching out, "I need the spanner."
Feeling it against her dirty palm, she drew it within the shadow of the generator and adjoining power junction. "Ma'am," the pilot's voice echoed from the more comfortable open area in the engineering area. "Really sorry that you're the one that has to do this. They assured me this thing was good to go."
"Don't sweat it," she replied distractedly, now loosening the bolts holding the conduits to the junction, already isolating the power to this point as well as the generator and APU's. "Been a while since I had the chance to get dirty, kindof enjoying it." In fact, she finally felt at home.
"Colonel," the other male in their presence called as he crouched, "I noticed another freighter not that far from here. Maybe we could check it out and if no one's home, grab some spare parts since we don't have another generator aboard." The sergeant being a commando, he had taken up the port side turret on the ride in, just in case.
Four of the eight conduits now released from the junction, she glanced back through the narrow avenue of machinery to the sergeant. "You and I can go here in a few minutes. Let me just get these last few wires off, then I'll let Mason and Llewel finish removing the bolts to the generator."
"Ah," the pilot's protective nature was kicking in again, she noted amusedly. "We can't risk you being captured. The generals' liaison's waiting for you. Should let me go instead."
"Lieutenant, can you tell the difference between a Model Sixteen-A-Forty and the Twelve Eighty-Six?"
A long silent moment lingered and was her answer before he verbally relayed it. "Sorry, but..."
"I appreciate your concern, but if we can't get the right generator to replace ours, then we're stuck here anyway."
Mason sighed, "Yes, ma'am."
Bolts hitting the metal plating echoed from her workspace and she pulled out the last conduit, collecting the nuts and then crawling back out, kneeling before them. Dropping the hydrospanner into the toolbox, she wiped off her hands and then tossed that onto the hydrospanner. "Sarge, get the hoversled ready to go," she instructed and then turned her attention to the pilot and sniper who were going to remain at the ship, pointing to the six points they would have to loosen to free the generator. "You're going to have to break those free first, then loosen them and use the hoist," her eyes motioned upward to the ceiling and the folded up arms for the lift. "To get it out for me, okay?"
As the sergeant left the engineering area, Madeleia pushed herself up and prepared to head out into the dry atmosphere of this industrial world known for it's factories commanding the expansive deserts to their south, along the equator. Luckily, they were able to land in an area of forest near a river, the small clearing being just big enough for the modified attack freighter and she hoped that it wasn't going to be this vessel's resting place.
**
Llewel
01-19-2016, 01:04 AM
Llewel hid her snicker behind a bit lip as the Colonel schooled the young man about mechanical parts. While the trip, this far, had been fairly routine, this wasn't.
She watched as the woman crawled out of the duct and told her and the other pilot to stay behind. She furrowed hey brow slightly at the order. "No disrespect, Ma'am. But unless his skills on a pulse weapon are better than mine, I'm going with you." She glanced at the others to see their reactions.
The Sergeant seemed like a competent man but his rank made her instinctively need to protect him. And the Lieutenant, while probably fit enough to keep up with the Colonel, was the pilot...again, an asset to protect. It made more sense to her to go with the Colonel to go fetch the part.
Realizing another point in her favor, she tapped the hard case just behind her head secured to the bulkhead of the ship. "Besides, once we're close enough I can use 'Lil Nexu' to scope the site then keep you safe and covered while you get what we need." She smiled hoping that would end nearly every argument.
'Lil Nexu' was the name she'd given to her sniper rifle. Like the hellcat it was named after, she could dish or some pretty nasty punishments with it. And just like the jungle cat, by the time you realized she was there, you were dead. Her squad hadn't given hera nickname yet, but she guessed 'Keeper of the hellcat' would be butchered, shortened, or replaced soon enough. Till then, she was content being what she was...a damned good shot.
**
Made
01-19-2016, 05:59 PM
Glancing to the sniper, Madeleia smiled as her fiery nature was one to admire, regardless of the fact that none of them were in uniform during this clandestine trip to visit with an allied officer that was to help them with a future operation in his own sector of space. Having reached out to these people, Madeleia volunteered since her troop convoy was already in the area, but now they had to get to him without being caught here.
"Being better at range, I'd like you to remain here with the lieutenant so you can reach out and touch someone if they get too close. Protect this ship," hazel eyes motioned to the sergeant as he unhitched the hoversled, no doubt listening to the exchange. "He and I are better with hand-to-hand and up close fighting which may happen inside the vessel if it's actually not empty." Patting Llewel on the shoulder as she passed, the ex-smuggler grinned. "Besides, Mason's also going to need your expertise in the turret should you guys get visited and I also figured this would be a great chance for you to have a story about an epic shot from a moving ship's ramp," her voice echoed down the hallway as she headed toward the berthing area to grab a few things before leaving.
"Don't worry, ma'am," Mason called out. "We'll have this generator out in time."
Slightly older, the sergeant guided the hoversled from the engineering area, motioning to the lieutenant as he spoke to Llewel, "Try to keep him out of trouble, huh?"
**
Llewel
01-19-2016, 07:36 PM
"Yes, Ma'am... I'll do my best." She smiled and shrugged. It wasn't insubordination that had made her want to second guess a superior officer, it was merely her way of thinking. This ship could be secured, tight as a drum if need be. But the Colonel and Sgt. were going into unknown territory without cover. It bothered her, but instead of arguing, she let them go, secured the door and turned to the Lt. "Sir, should I set a couple passive perimeter alarms? No point in us being snuck up on as we are buried hip deep in that conduit."
She glanced back out the port door window at the disappearing backs of the two. Something still itched the back of her skull and she didn't like it.
Looking back at the Lt, Mason, she smiled. He was pleasing to look at and working with him so far had been a good thing. She liked the group, currently as it was. Was glad to be part of something else besides endless workouts and trainings at the base. Other than the day she spent with Cabrin and his daughter, she hadn't left the base since. No point in courting problems by running into him again. They sat together in the chow hall on occasions after squad training, but then he had been moved and she hadn't seen him in over a week.
Another reason she jumped at this mission. Something to keep her mind occupied. "And I need to make sure the turret and Lil Nex are ready in case we need them in a hurry." She nodded to the rifle case and over her shoulder at the turret Madeleia had spoke of.
**
Made
01-21-2016, 05:38 PM
Heading across the open field between the ship and treeline, Madeleia kept her right hand on her T6 and knew that if they actually did run into anyone out here, things were going to get interesting really quick. They had the advantage of not being recognized as military, but that would fade quickly if they were badly outnumbered. Then she hoped that Llewel was as good with that sniper rifle as Madeleia had been told.
"How long do you think it'll take to replace the generator once we get it back," the sergeant queried, guiding the hoversled now between large trees, keeping her close as he and the private were actually the colonel's protection detail during this trip.
"No more than an hour to get it in and test it," she relayed, keeping her voice low just in case. Birdsong echoed through the forest, making her wonder if all of them were actually birds and not relayed code between hunters, which she had heard about on certain planets.
Nodding, Wesley kept his senses alert as well, scanning their surroundings as they walked, his own stubbed carbine hidden beneath his jacket as was the pistol in the belly holster at his back. She was pretty sure that he had at least one more weapon hidden somewhere else, but being confident in his abilities was more than enough. Soon, they could see the white hull of the target vessel through the trees which prompted the sergeant to stop the hoversled behind a large tree, keeping it fairly well buried within two large plants situated to either side of the trunk.
"Ma'am," he whispered, crouching next to her as she joined him. "I'll do a quick rotation around this ship and make sure it's quiet, then signal you to follow. If anything happens, I need you to get back to the ship and get the frell out of here."
Madeleia grinned at him, making him no such promise to leave him or anyone else behind. "Be right here." Watching him pull out his carbine, keeping it at the ready, the sergeant soon disappeared into the shadow of the forest. Taking out her T6, she edged up to the side of the tree and also used the nearby bush for some camouflage, then watched the ship, mentally counting the minutes as she hoped that he would be back soon.
**
Llewel
01-21-2016, 06:00 PM
Llewel and Mason moved about the small shuttle like two little cog wheels. Oddly, never bumping into one another as they set about making sure the turret, sniper rifle and his pistol were laid and ready no matter what came.
She had set two alarms about ten paces from bird to front and back. Anyone sneaking up on the ramp, or the nose would trigger the alarm. They were their two most vulnerable points. One, because anyone could see in to see what they were doing, and the other because no one would see them till it was too late.
Once they were set, Llewel glanced at Mason. "I'll get in there and loosen the bottom ones first. Once we start loosening the tops ones, the pressure could make the bottoms ones hell to get a turn on. Then together we will get the other four...."
Realizing they would be able to keep an eye on the Colonel, somewhat, from here, she nodded to the turret. "Can you take a look topside and see if you can see them? No clue how long they will be." As Llewel slid into the small space under the generator and started to work on the first bolt, she hollered back. "Be out in a jiffy."
They were stuck fast from the torque and twisting shuttles went thru during normal flight. And she knew this one had been in combat on more than one occasion. That meant the stress on nearly every nut, bolt and plate was had set them just out of alignment that she had no delusions this was going to be a fast and easy job. She just hoped they would be fast enough.
**
Made
01-22-2016, 02:12 PM
Birdsong echoing through the otherwise quiet forest began to unnerve the colonel as she waited, knowing the sergeant should've been back by now as she glanced to her chronometer and noticed over a half hour had passed. She hoped that he was alright, but things were starting to look bleak. Taking her comlink out, she hit the transmit button twice and waited, knowing the special forces units used that technique to signal one another. Waiting, she received no reply which meant one of two things and she didn't want to think of the latter.
Sighing, she slipped the comlink back into her pocket and began moving right, through the forest, keeping her T6 handy. If he was injured, then she could help him and now chided herself for not reading up more on the local wildlife before embarking on this little raid. Scanning the forest as she moved, Madeleia crossed a dry riverbed and once across, she heard a distant cheer echo through the woods, a sound that gave her chills. Following the tumult of voices, the ex-smuggler soon smelled burning wood on the wind as it drifted through the thick boughs and heavy underbrush. Slowing her pace, she kept her senses aware as the celebration seemed to be getting closer until she finally noticed several modest, one story buildings made of slatted wood walls and thatch rooves.
Crouching, she remained in the cover of the heavy brush and noticed the sergeant, tied spread eagle, suspended between two posts as a large group of male and female Nikto were apparently debating what to do with him. Knowing she was outnumbered, Madeleia became angry at the sight, ignoring the large predator until it jumped her, knocking the officer to the ground. Her weapon arm pinned by it's clawed hand, she raised her left arm, keeping it's slavering maw from tearing out her throat. One shot ripped through the air, burning leaf and branch alike, now gaining the attention of the village not twenty yards from her now.....
**
Llewel
01-22-2016, 02:37 PM
Nearly half hour later, Mason was taking his turn on a couple bolts while Llewel sat in the turret on watch.
That's when the shot rang out. She looked down at that moment and tried to catch Mason's eyes. "Tell me you heard that, too, Sir." She started to climb down in a hurry. "I am sensing a bout of insubordination coming on, Lieutenant. Permission to ignore orders and see what the frell is happening out there?"
She was already jumping down and sliding her jacket on. It wasn't the weather that prompted the covering, but if she had to crawl through anything, she'd rather have the added protection. She had already grabbed her rifle and was at the hatch controls before Mason answered. If he denied her this, there really would be trouble. She just hoped he wouldn't argue.
**
Made
01-23-2016, 08:17 AM
Her weapon wrestled from her grasp, the sandy haired officer was dragged by four large Nikto toward one of the huts and unceremoniously tossed inside. Slamming the door home, her captors left her alone. Dark, the interior of the room slowly came into focus as she pushed herself up, hoping there wasn't another one of those beasts in here with her now and was relieved to find out she was alone. Sighing, the cluttered room was full of boxes and crates mixed in with several barrels along the back wall. Upon closer inspection, she crouched before one of the crates and noticed a signature shipping label from Drifters.
These thieves had been stealing from Vaago.
Grinning to herself, she rose and found one of the latches to open the crate in front of her, after finding no traps which were usually laid for nosy Port Authority officials that had already been paid off. Lifting the lid, she found a dozen, neatly packed, rectangular items and each labeled with a hazardous materials symbol. Touching one of them gingerly, she noted it's hardness, though somewhat malleable. Her first thought was one that could end up killing everything in a one mile radius and she hoped that wasn't the case, though if worse came to worse...
Hearing approaching footsteps, she closed the lid and spun around, moving back toward the center of the room. Opening, the door revealed a large dark, chocolate brown skinned Nikto whose fierce countenance gave her a moment's pause. Adorned with a gold pendant around his neck, she assumed he may be the clan leader.
Closing the door behind him, he touched a panel to a luma lamp on a nearby table, dark eyes fixed on the prisoner. "What are you doing out here?"
"Generator on our ship broke, so we noticed the other freighter nearby and thought we'd pay a visit."
He studied her for a long moment, obviously not believing her story. "Who do you work for?"
"Lant Mining. Prospector," she lied. "On our way to Rendili to settle a contract when we were pulled out of hyperspace."
Pulling out a long knife, he began digging dirt from underneath his opposing forefinger. "Expect me to believe all that?"
Shrugging, she grinned away her nervousness. "Up to you, but that's the truth." Pulling out her ident card, she showed it to him and the doctored identity that she was flying under for this mission was of a licensed prospector. If it actually worked on this moron, she was going to have to give the Intel director a kiss. Putting it back after a moment, she watched and waited, though prepared to defend herself should the need arise.
"Nice carbine for a prospector," he finally commented. "Think I'll keep it as a souvenir."
"Up to you, but it won't be more than a nice wall piece."
"Bio-linked," he stated, a wry grin on his thick skinned face noted his disappointment.
Madeleia winked at him, smiling.
"There's ways around that too."
"Not any that'll make it work again." She sighed, tired of the games already. "Listen, we're not here to break up your happy little town, just want to get on with our trip. That's it."
"I know you won't," he finished, then lunged at her.
**
Llewel
01-27-2016, 03:01 AM
Llewel didn't hear any protest but the sigh of resignation from Mason. "Sorry, Sir... but I refuse to lose a Commanding Officer on my shift this early in my career." She half laughed, but that was to ease the worry and help her focus. "I saw a village that direction," she pointed at a near 45 degree angle from where the others had originally headed, "and the bird startlement at the shot was in the same area." Though why a shot from that direction made her think the others were involved, she couldn't say.
"We aren't going to lose the Colonel. Chances are, she'll end up saving our backsides in the end." Mason laughed as he grabbed his energy pistol and a grunt bag and soon matched her half jogging stride towards the village. The bag contained a couple containers of water, first aid kit as well as rope, grapple pistol and fire making nodes. It was a simple version of a ranger pack taken on long missions. This was meant for short bursts like this one.
She growled at herself as she glanced at it while they did their best to quietly jog through the trees towards the direction the noise had been. Or at least she hoped had been. She barely made out the tops of what she thought were huts in the scope of the turret before she came down. But they were far too distanced from the craft to use for more than a general direction.
Mason saw her look at the pack as he flung it over his shoulder. "You would have remembered if it had been hanging by the door like it should have been. It will become second nature to grab it. I just pulled it close to the area we were working in in case we needed the med kit quicker." He tried to ease the frown on her face as he saw her mentally beat herself up. It would take time, but soon grabbing the sack, in any form it's in, from any nearby location, would become second nature to the soldier.
Llewel jogged them as far as the edge of the village, then went to ground to scoot closer. She saw the Sergeant still staked out on the ground and tapped Mason's shoulder to point him out as the man joined her. He nodded in recognition and Llewel carefully slid the cover off her scope to look at the rest of the village.
From her prone position on the ground, the dense undergrowth and the buildings blocked more than a straight view to the prisoner. Tapping Mason's shoulder then pointing upwards, she let the Lieutenant know she was going to higher vantage point to see better from.
Slinging her rifle, the woman glanced around and chose a nearby tree that seemed the sturdiest to climb into and maintain some kind of cover. After several minutes, she was settled on a branch and setting her scope up to look over the village to see if she could find the Colonel. "Where are you, Ma'am...." she whispered to herself, once more wishing she had Jedi mind speech abilities.
**
Made
01-27-2016, 07:22 PM
Catching the Nikto's arm, she spun and yanked, drawing him over shoulder while continuing to twist his hand, jarring the weapon loose. Hitting the floor in time with it's owner, she grabbed the knife and immediately jambed it into his throat, keeping it from entering fully and then noticed her T6 on his belt. Still clearing his head, she drew her weapon and now had the upper hand over her captor, though still had only a few avenues to actually leaving here with the sergeant as well as their lives.
His sneer gave her some insights to his personality which already told her that he wasn't the bargaining type. Though it was now time to see how much he valued his own life. "You're going to cut my friend down, then let us go. That, or I'm going to gut you here and now and then show your people your head that I'll be keeping as a souvenir." Noting the narrowed eyes and lack of comeback, she assumed he was at least listening. "Your choice."
Leathery skin seemed to crack as he pressed out a grin, "Think you'll get far, even if I do?"
Sighing, she shook her head. "So, option two it is," she leaned in and moved to cut his throat, noting his immediate change of heart as his hands went up. "What, change your mind already?"
Grunting his displeasure, he nodded.
"Then get up." Watching him carefully, she stuffed the knife into her belt, now keeping the stubbed carbine trained on his back as the Nikto then slowly moved outside, pushing the door wide. Many eyes on them now, most went for weapons seeing the state that their leader was in, prompting the ex-smuggler to close with her captor, pointing at his head. "Tell them to drop their weapons or many of them join you in the here after."
Unable to understand the alien's language, she watched as they soon lowered their weapons, some dropping them to the ground, though not moving far from them. Two of his mercenaries then moved to the sergeant, still unconscious, and cut him down. "Take him and go."
"Give me his gear and weapon as well."
"That's not what you asked for earlier..."
Shoving the business end of the T6 into his neck, "Call it a courtesy on your part".
**
Llewel
01-28-2016, 02:58 AM
Llewel growled under her breath seeing the Sergeant strung out like he was. No one deserved that. The fact he was still breathing, though looked worse for wear, was more troubling.
Suddenly she snapped her sites towards the left. Madeleia was stepping out of a hut following one of the Nikto, she shifted her scope slightly and saw the weapon at the creature's back.
"Lieutenant... They are all right. Gimme min, but you may wanna take that safety off your weapon and make sure your legs aren't asleep. We may need to run very quickly." She whispered loudly down to him. Looking back to her scope, she watched the Sergeant get released and Madeleia talking as things started to tense around them. She wished desperately for the throat comms she and Cabrin had had on the last mission. She needed to know what the Colonel was planning and how it was progressing.
Shifting his position back slightly, Mason stood up and used the tree Llewel was in to hide his frame as he kept his weapon at the ready. He had to remember later to tell Llewel good call on the heads up to make sure he was ready to run. He had been in positions where running suddenly wouldn't have been possible. No matter the training, limbs fell asleep, got cramps and even seized up all together. She was smart to have thought of it... he rarely did. Calling up to her in an identical whisper he reassured her. "I am ready, I can see them now." He couldn't see as well as the perched bird above him, but he saw Madeleia and the Sarge. The were both upright, that was a plus.
**
Made
01-29-2016, 06:22 PM
Sighing, the Nikto leader acquiesced, nodding to one of his apparent lieutenants who then moved toward another hut not far to her right as the sergeant was dragged near to her, then unceremoniously dropped on the ground. Eyeing the human female, she could almost read their mind and hoped that these two were that stupid, then realized how much of a hairball this would be seeing as the commando was unconscious. There was no way she was carrying him out of here while fighting off a mob. Motioning with an upraised chin for them to retreat, they reluctantly did so.
"Never did ask, is that your freighter out there," she asked, keeping everyone else in sight.
He angled his right eye toward her, over his shoulder. "Yeah..."
"Just curious," she smirked, knowing that this village may have to disappear from the map knowing what was in the hovel behind her. Emerging from the second hut, she moved to her left, keeping the leader as her body shield as she noticed the other male's eagerness to draw on her, carrying the sergeant's things in the other hand. As he approached, the trio of angry, sleek bodied pets bounded around the wooden building behind the group in front of her, now growling angrily as they noticed the gun in her hand. Immediately, the rust and black colored predators charged, prompting Madeleia to aim and fire into the first, hitting it in the head. The loud blast from the carbine caused everyone to scatter, some going for weapons as the leader shoved her back into the hut and making a run for it....
**
Llewel
01-30-2016, 04:05 AM
"Lieutenant..." Llewel had barely gotten the word worried from her lips when the carbine shot rang out.
"I have you covered, straight in. Sarge on ground, Colonel pushed left from center into nearby hut. Locals scattering but may regroup fairly quickly. Numbers unknown." She fired two shots and downed the other two beasts before they made the hut entrance. In her flurry to keep the predators at bay, she had lost the leader. "GO!"
She started to pick off a body here and there as they came close to the hut, or picked up a ranged weapon that she could see. She wouldn't just slaughter them without orders, but she would cover the Lt. as he saved Made.
**
Mason frowned as the word fell as a warning from the sniper's lips above him. As the shot rang out, he had been about to holler for SITREP when she volleyed off what she had seen and gave him a direction to go at the same time.
The lieutenant ran straight for the village and between the two huts he had been spying through. Seeing the hut to his left, and the dead bodies near the entrance, he took a chance the Colonel was in there. He noticed the Sarge on the ground as well, but the Commanding Officer was his first priority.
Taking down two villagers who tried to get in his way, he called for her as he neared the hut. "MA'AM! ANSWER ME!" He was hesitant to give a rank to her knowing their cover was they weren't military. But as a leader of others, 'ma'am' was a title he could holler that wouldn't blow their cover it if was overheard and questioned later.
**
Made
01-30-2016, 04:59 AM
Catching herself on the frame of the door, Madeleia aimed quickly to hit the other two predators before they were on her, but the first hit the ground before she could squeeze the trigger, it's chest cavity exploding toward the left, painting it's companion. She knew exactly what caused that as the report from the weapon couldn't be heard. More confident now, she crouched at the wall, using it as cover against those to her left as the last pet hit the ground, it's last labored breath, ragged as blood poured from it's lips and tongue.
Aiming for the Nikto commander as he dove toward the hut's entrance adjacent to the armory, she fired, the explosion of the T6 echoing through the forest as the blaster bolt caught him in the hip, spinning the pirate before he hit the floor. His cry of pain was more than enough to keep him down in her mind as she shifted her focus now to those in the open, going for weapons. Three males dodged their fellow aliens running for cover or crouching where they were, one aiming at the sergeant and catching a bolt straight in the sternum, pitching him backward. One of his companions crouched as he recoiled, now in the arc of her attention giving her ample opportunity to fire on the third as the alien raised his own short barreled weapon. Dodging as she fired, their bolts passed one another in the chaos, hers hitting him in the weapon arm, his burning a path through her right bicep.
Hitting the ground, she winced in pain. Apparently these guys didn't care about what was in the crates behind her after all. Fine. Shifting the weapon to her left hand, she ran moved inside, frantically searching for a medkit as she then heard her name being called by the lieutenant.
"WHAT?!" Her arm burning like hell now, she kept her weapon up and pointed toward the door.
Blaster fire continued, though not from the armory, "Stay in cover, I'm working my way to you!"
"No, get Wes out of here. He's your priority!" She could already hear him arguing with her, but heard no reply as the sniper now kept the village busy, though she knew her peace wasn't going to last. Rifling through crates, tossing their lids open as fast as she could, Madeleia's eyes soon fell on a box of grenades. "Jackpot," she said to herself. Her right arm limp, she stuffed the T6 into her belt, grabbing a grenade and yanking the pin out with her teeth, then moved to the door, taking in the situation. In her peripheral, she noticed movement of four armed Nikto to the far left, planning on attacking the armory, but deciding how to avoid the apparent sniper as another of their kind rushed the door to her hut and was cut down. Tossing the grenade through the doorway in their direction, it took a moment for the object coming at them to register. Dodging back into the building, the explosion ripped through the small group, the hut that the leader had taken refuge in, as well as several pens behind it, now all obscured in smoke and fire. Noticing the concussive wave even rocking the armory, she realized perhaps that was a bit too close, then pushed herself up again, wincing as her right arm's wound announced itself once more.
Taking the initiative with the distraction, Mason grabbed up the sergeant in a fireman's carry, then took up his weapon belt and scrambled toward the forest. Chasing after him, she took out her T6 once more and kept her sights on both the village and where they were headed. Though they weren't in the clear just yet...
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Madeleia
01-18-2016, 06:08 PM
Greasy hands pulled the ex-smuggler into the narrow crawlspace as Madeleia did her best to follow the acrid smell of burned wiring. She had been in and around freighter engines and their auxiliary systems more than once during her tour working for Vaago, but now she was a legitimate officer in the New Republic army. Soon, hazel eyes found the source of the generator's issues and it wasn't good.
"Frak," she expelled, not caring about the other three watching her from behind. Reaching out, "I need the spanner."
Feeling it against her dirty palm, she drew it within the shadow of the generator and adjoining power junction. "Ma'am," the pilot's voice echoed from the more comfortable open area in the engineering area. "Really sorry that you're the one that has to do this. They assured me this thing was good to go."
"Don't sweat it," she replied distractedly, now loosening the bolts holding the conduits to the junction, already isolating the power to this point as well as the generator and APU's. "Been a while since I had the chance to get dirty, kindof enjoying it." In fact, she finally felt at home.
"Colonel," the other male in their presence called as he crouched, "I noticed another freighter not that far from here. Maybe we could check it out and if no one's home, grab some spare parts since we don't have another generator aboard." The sergeant being a commando, he had taken up the port side turret on the ride in, just in case.
Four of the eight conduits now released from the junction, she glanced back through the narrow avenue of machinery to the sergeant. "You and I can go here in a few minutes. Let me just get these last few wires off, then I'll let Mason and Llewel finish removing the bolts to the generator."
"Ah," the pilot's protective nature was kicking in again, she noted amusedly. "We can't risk you being captured. The generals' liaison's waiting for you. Should let me go instead."
"Lieutenant, can you tell the difference between a Model Sixteen-A-Forty and the Twelve Eighty-Six?"
A long silent moment lingered and was her answer before he verbally relayed it. "Sorry, but..."
"I appreciate your concern, but if we can't get the right generator to replace ours, then we're stuck here anyway."
Mason sighed, "Yes, ma'am."
Bolts hitting the metal plating echoed from her workspace and she pulled out the last conduit, collecting the nuts and then crawling back out, kneeling before them. Dropping the hydrospanner into the toolbox, she wiped off her hands and then tossed that onto the hydrospanner. "Sarge, get the hoversled ready to go," she instructed and then turned her attention to the pilot and sniper who were going to remain at the ship, pointing to the six points they would have to loosen to free the generator. "You're going to have to break those free first, then loosen them and use the hoist," her eyes motioned upward to the ceiling and the folded up arms for the lift. "To get it out for me, okay?"
As the sergeant left the engineering area, Madeleia pushed herself up and prepared to head out into the dry atmosphere of this industrial world known for it's factories commanding the expansive deserts to their south, along the equator. Luckily, they were able to land in an area of forest near a river, the small clearing being just big enough for the modified attack freighter and she hoped that it wasn't going to be this vessel's resting place.
**
Llewel
01-19-2016, 01:04 AM
Llewel hid her snicker behind a bit lip as the Colonel schooled the young man about mechanical parts. While the trip, this far, had been fairly routine, this wasn't.
She watched as the woman crawled out of the duct and told her and the other pilot to stay behind. She furrowed hey brow slightly at the order. "No disrespect, Ma'am. But unless his skills on a pulse weapon are better than mine, I'm going with you." She glanced at the others to see their reactions.
The Sergeant seemed like a competent man but his rank made her instinctively need to protect him. And the Lieutenant, while probably fit enough to keep up with the Colonel, was the pilot...again, an asset to protect. It made more sense to her to go with the Colonel to go fetch the part.
Realizing another point in her favor, she tapped the hard case just behind her head secured to the bulkhead of the ship. "Besides, once we're close enough I can use 'Lil Nexu' to scope the site then keep you safe and covered while you get what we need." She smiled hoping that would end nearly every argument.
'Lil Nexu' was the name she'd given to her sniper rifle. Like the hellcat it was named after, she could dish or some pretty nasty punishments with it. And just like the jungle cat, by the time you realized she was there, you were dead. Her squad hadn't given hera nickname yet, but she guessed 'Keeper of the hellcat' would be butchered, shortened, or replaced soon enough. Till then, she was content being what she was...a damned good shot.
**
Made
01-19-2016, 05:59 PM
Glancing to the sniper, Madeleia smiled as her fiery nature was one to admire, regardless of the fact that none of them were in uniform during this clandestine trip to visit with an allied officer that was to help them with a future operation in his own sector of space. Having reached out to these people, Madeleia volunteered since her troop convoy was already in the area, but now they had to get to him without being caught here.
"Being better at range, I'd like you to remain here with the lieutenant so you can reach out and touch someone if they get too close. Protect this ship," hazel eyes motioned to the sergeant as he unhitched the hoversled, no doubt listening to the exchange. "He and I are better with hand-to-hand and up close fighting which may happen inside the vessel if it's actually not empty." Patting Llewel on the shoulder as she passed, the ex-smuggler grinned. "Besides, Mason's also going to need your expertise in the turret should you guys get visited and I also figured this would be a great chance for you to have a story about an epic shot from a moving ship's ramp," her voice echoed down the hallway as she headed toward the berthing area to grab a few things before leaving.
"Don't worry, ma'am," Mason called out. "We'll have this generator out in time."
Slightly older, the sergeant guided the hoversled from the engineering area, motioning to the lieutenant as he spoke to Llewel, "Try to keep him out of trouble, huh?"
**
Llewel
01-19-2016, 07:36 PM
"Yes, Ma'am... I'll do my best." She smiled and shrugged. It wasn't insubordination that had made her want to second guess a superior officer, it was merely her way of thinking. This ship could be secured, tight as a drum if need be. But the Colonel and Sgt. were going into unknown territory without cover. It bothered her, but instead of arguing, she let them go, secured the door and turned to the Lt. "Sir, should I set a couple passive perimeter alarms? No point in us being snuck up on as we are buried hip deep in that conduit."
She glanced back out the port door window at the disappearing backs of the two. Something still itched the back of her skull and she didn't like it.
Looking back at the Lt, Mason, she smiled. He was pleasing to look at and working with him so far had been a good thing. She liked the group, currently as it was. Was glad to be part of something else besides endless workouts and trainings at the base. Other than the day she spent with Cabrin and his daughter, she hadn't left the base since. No point in courting problems by running into him again. They sat together in the chow hall on occasions after squad training, but then he had been moved and she hadn't seen him in over a week.
Another reason she jumped at this mission. Something to keep her mind occupied. "And I need to make sure the turret and Lil Nex are ready in case we need them in a hurry." She nodded to the rifle case and over her shoulder at the turret Madeleia had spoke of.
**
Made
01-21-2016, 05:38 PM
Heading across the open field between the ship and treeline, Madeleia kept her right hand on her T6 and knew that if they actually did run into anyone out here, things were going to get interesting really quick. They had the advantage of not being recognized as military, but that would fade quickly if they were badly outnumbered. Then she hoped that Llewel was as good with that sniper rifle as Madeleia had been told.
"How long do you think it'll take to replace the generator once we get it back," the sergeant queried, guiding the hoversled now between large trees, keeping her close as he and the private were actually the colonel's protection detail during this trip.
"No more than an hour to get it in and test it," she relayed, keeping her voice low just in case. Birdsong echoed through the forest, making her wonder if all of them were actually birds and not relayed code between hunters, which she had heard about on certain planets.
Nodding, Wesley kept his senses alert as well, scanning their surroundings as they walked, his own stubbed carbine hidden beneath his jacket as was the pistol in the belly holster at his back. She was pretty sure that he had at least one more weapon hidden somewhere else, but being confident in his abilities was more than enough. Soon, they could see the white hull of the target vessel through the trees which prompted the sergeant to stop the hoversled behind a large tree, keeping it fairly well buried within two large plants situated to either side of the trunk.
"Ma'am," he whispered, crouching next to her as she joined him. "I'll do a quick rotation around this ship and make sure it's quiet, then signal you to follow. If anything happens, I need you to get back to the ship and get the frell out of here."
Madeleia grinned at him, making him no such promise to leave him or anyone else behind. "Be right here." Watching him pull out his carbine, keeping it at the ready, the sergeant soon disappeared into the shadow of the forest. Taking out her T6, she edged up to the side of the tree and also used the nearby bush for some camouflage, then watched the ship, mentally counting the minutes as she hoped that he would be back soon.
**
Llewel
01-21-2016, 06:00 PM
Llewel and Mason moved about the small shuttle like two little cog wheels. Oddly, never bumping into one another as they set about making sure the turret, sniper rifle and his pistol were laid and ready no matter what came.
She had set two alarms about ten paces from bird to front and back. Anyone sneaking up on the ramp, or the nose would trigger the alarm. They were their two most vulnerable points. One, because anyone could see in to see what they were doing, and the other because no one would see them till it was too late.
Once they were set, Llewel glanced at Mason. "I'll get in there and loosen the bottom ones first. Once we start loosening the tops ones, the pressure could make the bottoms ones hell to get a turn on. Then together we will get the other four...."
Realizing they would be able to keep an eye on the Colonel, somewhat, from here, she nodded to the turret. "Can you take a look topside and see if you can see them? No clue how long they will be." As Llewel slid into the small space under the generator and started to work on the first bolt, she hollered back. "Be out in a jiffy."
They were stuck fast from the torque and twisting shuttles went thru during normal flight. And she knew this one had been in combat on more than one occasion. That meant the stress on nearly every nut, bolt and plate was had set them just out of alignment that she had no delusions this was going to be a fast and easy job. She just hoped they would be fast enough.
**
Made
01-22-2016, 02:12 PM
Birdsong echoing through the otherwise quiet forest began to unnerve the colonel as she waited, knowing the sergeant should've been back by now as she glanced to her chronometer and noticed over a half hour had passed. She hoped that he was alright, but things were starting to look bleak. Taking her comlink out, she hit the transmit button twice and waited, knowing the special forces units used that technique to signal one another. Waiting, she received no reply which meant one of two things and she didn't want to think of the latter.
Sighing, she slipped the comlink back into her pocket and began moving right, through the forest, keeping her T6 handy. If he was injured, then she could help him and now chided herself for not reading up more on the local wildlife before embarking on this little raid. Scanning the forest as she moved, Madeleia crossed a dry riverbed and once across, she heard a distant cheer echo through the woods, a sound that gave her chills. Following the tumult of voices, the ex-smuggler soon smelled burning wood on the wind as it drifted through the thick boughs and heavy underbrush. Slowing her pace, she kept her senses aware as the celebration seemed to be getting closer until she finally noticed several modest, one story buildings made of slatted wood walls and thatch rooves.
Crouching, she remained in the cover of the heavy brush and noticed the sergeant, tied spread eagle, suspended between two posts as a large group of male and female Nikto were apparently debating what to do with him. Knowing she was outnumbered, Madeleia became angry at the sight, ignoring the large predator until it jumped her, knocking the officer to the ground. Her weapon arm pinned by it's clawed hand, she raised her left arm, keeping it's slavering maw from tearing out her throat. One shot ripped through the air, burning leaf and branch alike, now gaining the attention of the village not twenty yards from her now.....
**
Llewel
01-22-2016, 02:37 PM
Nearly half hour later, Mason was taking his turn on a couple bolts while Llewel sat in the turret on watch.
That's when the shot rang out. She looked down at that moment and tried to catch Mason's eyes. "Tell me you heard that, too, Sir." She started to climb down in a hurry. "I am sensing a bout of insubordination coming on, Lieutenant. Permission to ignore orders and see what the frell is happening out there?"
She was already jumping down and sliding her jacket on. It wasn't the weather that prompted the covering, but if she had to crawl through anything, she'd rather have the added protection. She had already grabbed her rifle and was at the hatch controls before Mason answered. If he denied her this, there really would be trouble. She just hoped he wouldn't argue.
**
Made
01-23-2016, 08:17 AM
Her weapon wrestled from her grasp, the sandy haired officer was dragged by four large Nikto toward one of the huts and unceremoniously tossed inside. Slamming the door home, her captors left her alone. Dark, the interior of the room slowly came into focus as she pushed herself up, hoping there wasn't another one of those beasts in here with her now and was relieved to find out she was alone. Sighing, the cluttered room was full of boxes and crates mixed in with several barrels along the back wall. Upon closer inspection, she crouched before one of the crates and noticed a signature shipping label from Drifters.
These thieves had been stealing from Vaago.
Grinning to herself, she rose and found one of the latches to open the crate in front of her, after finding no traps which were usually laid for nosy Port Authority officials that had already been paid off. Lifting the lid, she found a dozen, neatly packed, rectangular items and each labeled with a hazardous materials symbol. Touching one of them gingerly, she noted it's hardness, though somewhat malleable. Her first thought was one that could end up killing everything in a one mile radius and she hoped that wasn't the case, though if worse came to worse...
Hearing approaching footsteps, she closed the lid and spun around, moving back toward the center of the room. Opening, the door revealed a large dark, chocolate brown skinned Nikto whose fierce countenance gave her a moment's pause. Adorned with a gold pendant around his neck, she assumed he may be the clan leader.
Closing the door behind him, he touched a panel to a luma lamp on a nearby table, dark eyes fixed on the prisoner. "What are you doing out here?"
"Generator on our ship broke, so we noticed the other freighter nearby and thought we'd pay a visit."
He studied her for a long moment, obviously not believing her story. "Who do you work for?"
"Lant Mining. Prospector," she lied. "On our way to Rendili to settle a contract when we were pulled out of hyperspace."
Pulling out a long knife, he began digging dirt from underneath his opposing forefinger. "Expect me to believe all that?"
Shrugging, she grinned away her nervousness. "Up to you, but that's the truth." Pulling out her ident card, she showed it to him and the doctored identity that she was flying under for this mission was of a licensed prospector. If it actually worked on this moron, she was going to have to give the Intel director a kiss. Putting it back after a moment, she watched and waited, though prepared to defend herself should the need arise.
"Nice carbine for a prospector," he finally commented. "Think I'll keep it as a souvenir."
"Up to you, but it won't be more than a nice wall piece."
"Bio-linked," he stated, a wry grin on his thick skinned face noted his disappointment.
Madeleia winked at him, smiling.
"There's ways around that too."
"Not any that'll make it work again." She sighed, tired of the games already. "Listen, we're not here to break up your happy little town, just want to get on with our trip. That's it."
"I know you won't," he finished, then lunged at her.
**
Llewel
01-27-2016, 03:01 AM
Llewel didn't hear any protest but the sigh of resignation from Mason. "Sorry, Sir... but I refuse to lose a Commanding Officer on my shift this early in my career." She half laughed, but that was to ease the worry and help her focus. "I saw a village that direction," she pointed at a near 45 degree angle from where the others had originally headed, "and the bird startlement at the shot was in the same area." Though why a shot from that direction made her think the others were involved, she couldn't say.
"We aren't going to lose the Colonel. Chances are, she'll end up saving our backsides in the end." Mason laughed as he grabbed his energy pistol and a grunt bag and soon matched her half jogging stride towards the village. The bag contained a couple containers of water, first aid kit as well as rope, grapple pistol and fire making nodes. It was a simple version of a ranger pack taken on long missions. This was meant for short bursts like this one.
She growled at herself as she glanced at it while they did their best to quietly jog through the trees towards the direction the noise had been. Or at least she hoped had been. She barely made out the tops of what she thought were huts in the scope of the turret before she came down. But they were far too distanced from the craft to use for more than a general direction.
Mason saw her look at the pack as he flung it over his shoulder. "You would have remembered if it had been hanging by the door like it should have been. It will become second nature to grab it. I just pulled it close to the area we were working in in case we needed the med kit quicker." He tried to ease the frown on her face as he saw her mentally beat herself up. It would take time, but soon grabbing the sack, in any form it's in, from any nearby location, would become second nature to the soldier.
Llewel jogged them as far as the edge of the village, then went to ground to scoot closer. She saw the Sergeant still staked out on the ground and tapped Mason's shoulder to point him out as the man joined her. He nodded in recognition and Llewel carefully slid the cover off her scope to look at the rest of the village.
From her prone position on the ground, the dense undergrowth and the buildings blocked more than a straight view to the prisoner. Tapping Mason's shoulder then pointing upwards, she let the Lieutenant know she was going to higher vantage point to see better from.
Slinging her rifle, the woman glanced around and chose a nearby tree that seemed the sturdiest to climb into and maintain some kind of cover. After several minutes, she was settled on a branch and setting her scope up to look over the village to see if she could find the Colonel. "Where are you, Ma'am...." she whispered to herself, once more wishing she had Jedi mind speech abilities.
**
Made
01-27-2016, 07:22 PM
Catching the Nikto's arm, she spun and yanked, drawing him over shoulder while continuing to twist his hand, jarring the weapon loose. Hitting the floor in time with it's owner, she grabbed the knife and immediately jambed it into his throat, keeping it from entering fully and then noticed her T6 on his belt. Still clearing his head, she drew her weapon and now had the upper hand over her captor, though still had only a few avenues to actually leaving here with the sergeant as well as their lives.
His sneer gave her some insights to his personality which already told her that he wasn't the bargaining type. Though it was now time to see how much he valued his own life. "You're going to cut my friend down, then let us go. That, or I'm going to gut you here and now and then show your people your head that I'll be keeping as a souvenir." Noting the narrowed eyes and lack of comeback, she assumed he was at least listening. "Your choice."
Leathery skin seemed to crack as he pressed out a grin, "Think you'll get far, even if I do?"
Sighing, she shook her head. "So, option two it is," she leaned in and moved to cut his throat, noting his immediate change of heart as his hands went up. "What, change your mind already?"
Grunting his displeasure, he nodded.
"Then get up." Watching him carefully, she stuffed the knife into her belt, now keeping the stubbed carbine trained on his back as the Nikto then slowly moved outside, pushing the door wide. Many eyes on them now, most went for weapons seeing the state that their leader was in, prompting the ex-smuggler to close with her captor, pointing at his head. "Tell them to drop their weapons or many of them join you in the here after."
Unable to understand the alien's language, she watched as they soon lowered their weapons, some dropping them to the ground, though not moving far from them. Two of his mercenaries then moved to the sergeant, still unconscious, and cut him down. "Take him and go."
"Give me his gear and weapon as well."
"That's not what you asked for earlier..."
Shoving the business end of the T6 into his neck, "Call it a courtesy on your part".
**
Llewel
01-28-2016, 02:58 AM
Llewel growled under her breath seeing the Sergeant strung out like he was. No one deserved that. The fact he was still breathing, though looked worse for wear, was more troubling.
Suddenly she snapped her sites towards the left. Madeleia was stepping out of a hut following one of the Nikto, she shifted her scope slightly and saw the weapon at the creature's back.
"Lieutenant... They are all right. Gimme min, but you may wanna take that safety off your weapon and make sure your legs aren't asleep. We may need to run very quickly." She whispered loudly down to him. Looking back to her scope, she watched the Sergeant get released and Madeleia talking as things started to tense around them. She wished desperately for the throat comms she and Cabrin had had on the last mission. She needed to know what the Colonel was planning and how it was progressing.
Shifting his position back slightly, Mason stood up and used the tree Llewel was in to hide his frame as he kept his weapon at the ready. He had to remember later to tell Llewel good call on the heads up to make sure he was ready to run. He had been in positions where running suddenly wouldn't have been possible. No matter the training, limbs fell asleep, got cramps and even seized up all together. She was smart to have thought of it... he rarely did. Calling up to her in an identical whisper he reassured her. "I am ready, I can see them now." He couldn't see as well as the perched bird above him, but he saw Madeleia and the Sarge. The were both upright, that was a plus.
**
Made
01-29-2016, 06:22 PM
Sighing, the Nikto leader acquiesced, nodding to one of his apparent lieutenants who then moved toward another hut not far to her right as the sergeant was dragged near to her, then unceremoniously dropped on the ground. Eyeing the human female, she could almost read their mind and hoped that these two were that stupid, then realized how much of a hairball this would be seeing as the commando was unconscious. There was no way she was carrying him out of here while fighting off a mob. Motioning with an upraised chin for them to retreat, they reluctantly did so.
"Never did ask, is that your freighter out there," she asked, keeping everyone else in sight.
He angled his right eye toward her, over his shoulder. "Yeah..."
"Just curious," she smirked, knowing that this village may have to disappear from the map knowing what was in the hovel behind her. Emerging from the second hut, she moved to her left, keeping the leader as her body shield as she noticed the other male's eagerness to draw on her, carrying the sergeant's things in the other hand. As he approached, the trio of angry, sleek bodied pets bounded around the wooden building behind the group in front of her, now growling angrily as they noticed the gun in her hand. Immediately, the rust and black colored predators charged, prompting Madeleia to aim and fire into the first, hitting it in the head. The loud blast from the carbine caused everyone to scatter, some going for weapons as the leader shoved her back into the hut and making a run for it....
**
Llewel
01-30-2016, 04:05 AM
"Lieutenant..." Llewel had barely gotten the word worried from her lips when the carbine shot rang out.
"I have you covered, straight in. Sarge on ground, Colonel pushed left from center into nearby hut. Locals scattering but may regroup fairly quickly. Numbers unknown." She fired two shots and downed the other two beasts before they made the hut entrance. In her flurry to keep the predators at bay, she had lost the leader. "GO!"
She started to pick off a body here and there as they came close to the hut, or picked up a ranged weapon that she could see. She wouldn't just slaughter them without orders, but she would cover the Lt. as he saved Made.
**
Mason frowned as the word fell as a warning from the sniper's lips above him. As the shot rang out, he had been about to holler for SITREP when she volleyed off what she had seen and gave him a direction to go at the same time.
The lieutenant ran straight for the village and between the two huts he had been spying through. Seeing the hut to his left, and the dead bodies near the entrance, he took a chance the Colonel was in there. He noticed the Sarge on the ground as well, but the Commanding Officer was his first priority.
Taking down two villagers who tried to get in his way, he called for her as he neared the hut. "MA'AM! ANSWER ME!" He was hesitant to give a rank to her knowing their cover was they weren't military. But as a leader of others, 'ma'am' was a title he could holler that wouldn't blow their cover it if was overheard and questioned later.
**
Made
01-30-2016, 04:59 AM
Catching herself on the frame of the door, Madeleia aimed quickly to hit the other two predators before they were on her, but the first hit the ground before she could squeeze the trigger, it's chest cavity exploding toward the left, painting it's companion. She knew exactly what caused that as the report from the weapon couldn't be heard. More confident now, she crouched at the wall, using it as cover against those to her left as the last pet hit the ground, it's last labored breath, ragged as blood poured from it's lips and tongue.
Aiming for the Nikto commander as he dove toward the hut's entrance adjacent to the armory, she fired, the explosion of the T6 echoing through the forest as the blaster bolt caught him in the hip, spinning the pirate before he hit the floor. His cry of pain was more than enough to keep him down in her mind as she shifted her focus now to those in the open, going for weapons. Three males dodged their fellow aliens running for cover or crouching where they were, one aiming at the sergeant and catching a bolt straight in the sternum, pitching him backward. One of his companions crouched as he recoiled, now in the arc of her attention giving her ample opportunity to fire on the third as the alien raised his own short barreled weapon. Dodging as she fired, their bolts passed one another in the chaos, hers hitting him in the weapon arm, his burning a path through her right bicep.
Hitting the ground, she winced in pain. Apparently these guys didn't care about what was in the crates behind her after all. Fine. Shifting the weapon to her left hand, she ran moved inside, frantically searching for a medkit as she then heard her name being called by the lieutenant.
"WHAT?!" Her arm burning like hell now, she kept her weapon up and pointed toward the door.
Blaster fire continued, though not from the armory, "Stay in cover, I'm working my way to you!"
"No, get Wes out of here. He's your priority!" She could already hear him arguing with her, but heard no reply as the sniper now kept the village busy, though she knew her peace wasn't going to last. Rifling through crates, tossing their lids open as fast as she could, Madeleia's eyes soon fell on a box of grenades. "Jackpot," she said to herself. Her right arm limp, she stuffed the T6 into her belt, grabbing a grenade and yanking the pin out with her teeth, then moved to the door, taking in the situation. In her peripheral, she noticed movement of four armed Nikto to the far left, planning on attacking the armory, but deciding how to avoid the apparent sniper as another of their kind rushed the door to her hut and was cut down. Tossing the grenade through the doorway in their direction, it took a moment for the object coming at them to register. Dodging back into the building, the explosion ripped through the small group, the hut that the leader had taken refuge in, as well as several pens behind it, now all obscured in smoke and fire. Noticing the concussive wave even rocking the armory, she realized perhaps that was a bit too close, then pushed herself up again, wincing as her right arm's wound announced itself once more.
Taking the initiative with the distraction, Mason grabbed up the sergeant in a fireman's carry, then took up his weapon belt and scrambled toward the forest. Chasing after him, she took out her T6 once more and kept her sights on both the village and where they were headed. Though they weren't in the clear just yet...