Djebelle hears the ruckus Thrask is making over their comm-links. "Don't kill him! I need to squeeze his brain for information! Then, OK, I guess I won't need him anymore afterward..." She hopes the Trandoshan is sufficiently evolved to grasp the concept of delayed gratification. She's not optimistic.
She smiles at the Verpine: "Good work! Now go get that other lot." Pointing at Squad 4. The Force is strong with her again, and the Verpine rush to do as they're told, blasting away at the Stormtroopers with enthusiasm and accuracy.
Finally, she looks at Kara. Her eyes - now an odd shade of grey - assess her companion's. She's aware that she owes the woman her life, and also aware that Kara - most likely - deplores emotional scenes. She therefore opts not to crumple sobbing onto her shoulder and goes instead for her usual refuge of charm with a side order of cheekiness: with an impish grin, she offers "You look terrible, hon. Did you not consider ducking? Or don't they teach that at Commando School...?"
Djebelle herself has come through without a scratch, although she has broken a couple fingernails (again!) and the tear-tracks are evident through the smoky grime on her face.
A klaxxon sounds, echoing throughout the hangar as well as the rest of the base. You realize that time is running out. Squad 4, now without leader or freinds, decides discretion is the better part of valor and sprints toward the control tower and the exit. Or maybe they know something is about to happen...
The Verpine, compliant if nothing else, fire on the troopers as they sprint down the catwalk, missing horribly.
Salin wriggles to get free and drops his blaster while grasping at his neck to remove the Trandoshan's bloody claws.
Kara looks up at the klaxons, as if that will do something...she snaps out of it, barking orders.
"Time to go!" Kara shouts over the comm. "Everyone on the freighter! Thrask! Bring that squid!"
She turns her back on Djebelle.
'...not the time, not now...'
Thrask tapped his commlink "I need a pilot in this Ship now, I ain't giving up this cargo" he said as he looked around at the prototypes. The Rebels would pay handsomely to get these beauties.
Djebelle nods "Yup. Let's make like nerf-herders and get the flock out of here;" and dissolves into giggles. She can't help it - it's the nervous tension and relief that she's still alive (no idea how she'll repay that debt, it's a problem for another day).
Aristi wasn't taking any chances, but the shuttle doesn't appear ready for imminent departure so he sets the Mon Cal freighter down to allow those outside to bring wounded aboard. He examines the controls, making mental preparations for programming a jump to hyperspace.
Juviest jumps from the ground, seeing the Imperials flee. "I'm coming, Trandoshan!", he says as he runs into the shuttle. "Haven't flown one of these, mind you!", he says to Thrask as he passes him into the corridor.
Sitting at the console, he grunts. "Well, at least I'm not bleeding on anything important. Starting preparations to launch now."
Something in Thrask's voice stops Kara mid run up the ramp to the freighter. Sprinting into the shuttle, she's brought up short by what she sees.
She lets out a low whistle. "Do you think these can fly?"
The verpine come up behind Kara and one of the says "They are fully operational. Only a few of use knew that, Glek and some of his technicians. Commander Ackbar wasn't even aware. This shuttle was rigged to allow them to launch in space."
Kara listens with a stone face as the Verpine deliver their engineering assessment of the prototype fighters. Inside, she was tingling with excitement. This was why she was in Commando in the first place! Daring raid, certain danger, mega reward. Except now she was doing it for the Rebellion...
'...ah well, in for a credit and all that...'
"Ok, get these ships moving! Juviest turn this beast around and get us out of here! You in the freighter! I don't know who you are, but thanks for the assist. Time for introductions later." She turns to the Verpine who spoke.
"Show me the ropes on these...what are they called? I need to get one ready to launch if they're armed and ready."
Thrask grins as he hears that back up is coming. He lets out a throaty hissing laugh as he stares down at Glek "You hear that...you lost your chance to save yourself from me. We are going to have so much fun over the next few weeks." he says before balling up his oversized fist and slamming it into the Squiddy's gut.
Juviest sits in the chair, resting back and taking a breath. "You got it, LT.", he replies weakly, before putting his hands on the stick. He turns back towards the main area. "Trandoshan! Quit playing with your food and come put my guts back in their place! There'll be time for that after we escape from the exploding station!"
"They are being called b-wings. Here is all you need to know to operate them. These are 2 seater prototypes. They are fully operational except for the proton torpedoes.", the Verpine says to Kara.
Glek's eyes get real big as he drops limp and unconscious.
Kara climbs into the cockpit of one of the Rebellion's new 'B Wings' She's heard about them - well - heard that the Rebellion had some type of secret project going on. But Intel had always assured them the Rebellion was incapable of building any new ships without their knowledge, that they didn't have the resources to complete a project like that.
'...Imperial Intelligence, contradiction in terms...'
She slides into the cockpit of the ship with a mix of excitement and trepidation. It was almost enough to make her ignore the pain of her wounds. She pulls a second stimpack and jabs it into her leg.
'...much better...'
It was a strange ship. The cockpit was at one end, with the primary airfoil extending out 16 meters or so from it. Two small airfoils ran perpendicular to the main airfoil. Laser cannons protruded from all of these 'wings', two from the main, for a total of four in all.
Kara strapped herself in, running her hands over the controls. A quick flip of a few switches, and the ship was ready. She practically hummed with power. Once again, the irony was not lost on her.
'...well, now that I've captured...no, commandeered - nautical term - these beauties, let's see what they can do...'
As Arannis enters the freighter, the blaster fight finally over, he makes his way to the cockpit, eager to meet up with whoever let them aboard so he can properly thank them.
"Hello? I am Arannis, though friends tend to call me Rann," he calls out. "Seeing as how you were kind enough to let us in, I am counting you as one as well. So Rann it is."
From the freighter's cockpit Aristi watches several figures board the shuttle. A Trandoshan, a Sullustan, some type of near-Human female with blue skin. The Bothan doesn't know who the are, but they board with several of the Verpine, so he assumes they are on the same side, maybe even more of these crazy rebels. Seeing as how they don't seem about to blast him to space dust, he prepares to ease the freighter back out of the way so the shuttle is also clear to depart.
Meanwhile, several more figures board the freighter. More Verpine among them, and a Human male who introduces himself as Arannis, or Rann. Intent on getting away from here and keeping his hide intact, Aristi doesn't volunteer much chit chat. He indicates the co-pilot's seat. "Strap in there, Rann. This could be bumpy. Call me Aristi. I don't know who you folks are, but I'm guessing you're wanting to get away just as much as I do. Are those friends of yours in that wide shuttle there?"
"Yes, yes they are," Arannis replies as he follows Aristi's advice and straps in. "New ones to be sure, but they do have a habit of growing on you. Lovely people." There is not even a hint of sarcasm in his tone, only a soft chuckle.
Aristi scans the freighter's instruments as he responds to Arannis. "I'll look forward to meeting your friends, then. Assuming we all get out of this with our hides intact. Where are you from? That's a Coruscanti accent, unless I miss my guess."
Which one was the one for the comms... damned new ships..., complains Juviest to himself as he fiddles with the console, opening communications. I'm not planning to save everyone, but hell if I'm not giving them a chance.
"Hey, Rann, you in the freighter yet? You leave first, got something I need to take care of.", he grunts over the comms.
Leaning at the console, he starts grunting again. "Wonder why they make all the damned wires the same damn colour... stupid Imperials...", before trying to connect to the broadcasting system.
The Sullustan starts shouting in the console, his voice sounding in every Imperial personal communicator.
"Hey Trandoshan! We might get some more bastards heading your way! If anyone's looking particularly shifty, knock them out cold. Whenever you feel like it, close the door and let's get the hell out!", he says, before swearing and pushing a button on the console. "Whoops. Left the comms on here... Let's see how fast they can run in that shiny armor!"
Thrask raised a brow, now feeling a bit unhappy about what was just offered up on the comms. He snarled a bit and dragged the unconscious body of the Quarren to the side. He stood by the door ready to close it at a moments notice. He flicked his own comms "You got any clue when that damn thing is gonna blow? If not, we should terminate rescuing the fools and save our own asses first."
"Will do," Arannis replies to Juviest. "Do try not to get yourself blown up in the process though."
He then addresses Aristi again. "Good ear. Yes, I am originally from Coruscant. Although it has been quite a while since the last time I was there."
Kara grimaces behind the flight helmet she wore. What Juviest was doing was risky, very risky. Stormtroopers are known for their loyalty. They'd rather blow themselves up - and take us with them - than let us escape.
Still, she was one of them...once.
"You crazy old Sullustan. Get us out here!"
Aristi is startled when the ship-to-ship comms crackle to life with the shuttle pilot's words. "No need to tell me twice!" he grunts as swings the freighter around again and starts heading for the exit.
Djebelle stumbles aboard the freighter, weakly: the earlier adrenaline has worn off and she is shivering. Wrapping her cloak around her, she nods feebly at the pilot - a Bothan, she notes - and offers a faint smile. "Hi. 'm Djebelle. Can we please go home now?"
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Your ship lurches forward, slipping through the atmosphere shield and out into the asteroid field. Back in the hangar bay, two more squads of stormtroopers pour in through the tunnels. Some fire from extreme range, but their shots bounce off your ship's hull. The sublight engines kick in and Research Station Shantipole disappears behind you. Then an orange explosion rocks your craft and Shantipole is no more.
Seconds pass. Your radio crackles to life. You recognize Ackbar's voice as he says, "Good work strike team, proceed with the original plan. May the Force be with you."
Aristi smiles at Djebelle's introduction. "Sounds like a good plan. My name's Aristi. Sounds like you folks have had a real interesting time here." The Bothan's a bit surprised when the station explodes, but inwardly he feels relief. He'd rather he and his family avoided any imperial entanglements.
Clear of Shantipole, rather the ex-Shantipole, Kara begins warming up the B-Wing. Lights flash and the warning klaxons let her know that the ship is going through it's initial phases. '...wonder how much space trials this went through...' she muses as the lights go green around her. Ensuring the bay doors of the shuttle are sealed, she drops into space in the Rebellion's newest fighter.
And does a complete 360 degree flip as the fuselage rotates around the cockpit.
"Whoa!" she exclaims, struggling to get control of the strange craft.
Eventually, she gets the ship 'righted', such as it is. She then takes a position above and behind the shuttle and preps for the next move.
Thrask went about the flight keeping an eye on the Quarren as he gathered up what he could in the form of cords, piping, and rope. He found himself a nice strut to work off of before picking the Quarrel up with one hand and beginning to lash him down securely. He made sure to reinforce the ties as if he were trying to hold a rancor in place and then he waited, licking his lips to clean some of the saliva that begin to form in his maw. He was eager for the real fun to begin.
Aristi watches as the long fighter launches from the belly of the bulky shuttle. He'd never seen a configuration quite like it. His thoughts stray to his own ship, likely destroyed when Shantipole station blew up. That's going to be interesting explaining to my parents. All the same, this Mon Cal freighter was a fine ship. If he could sell it, he'd probably make a tidy sum of money. The Bothan brightens at his prospects, and is in the midst of programming coordinates in the navicomputer for Bothawui when he turns around to the others in the cockpit. Where to then? I don't imagine you'd be wanting to visit Bothan Space? Should I follow those other ships? And let me guess, are you all Rebels? I wondered why those Verpine were so cagey about arranging delivery of that shipment of hydro-coolants." Aristi looks a bit more closely at Djebelle. "Um, are you needing medical attention?"
You set course into the G147 corridor toward the weakest point in the blockade and your rendezvous with Ackbar.
The asteroid field thins as you reach the end of the natural corridor. Moments later you break clear into open space and see a chilling sight. The Verpine fleet is already out of the field and engaged in a one sided battle with an escort frigate! Your com units pick up a broadcast from the Imperial ship; "Rebel scum! I am Imperial Commander Bane Nothos, and my flagship will take great pleasure destroying your fleet one transport at a time until Ackbar and his project team surrender. And in case you think I am bluffing..." A barrage of blaster fire leaps from the frigate to punctuate the Imperial's statement and a fully-loaded Verpine transport explodes into flaming shards.
Aristi looks a bit more closely at Djebelle. "Um, are you needing medical attention?"
Djebelle laughs a bit more warmly; as the base - and the terror of combat - disappear into the past (and into oblivion, in the case of the station), she is feeling more like her old self. "Thanks, but I got through without a scratch, unlike Kara - she's the one having fun in that ship out there. She's pretty cross with me, I think, because I froze up under fire and she had to rescue me. But I'm not really a fighter, I'm more of a ... broker I guess, but that's probably what you are too, aren't you, seeing as you're a Bothan? How'd you get mixed up in this, anyway?"
She draws a breath and is about to ask more questions, when Bane Nothos intrudes on the situation. Djebelle cries in horror as the helpless Verpine ship explodes under fire. "We have to stop that! We can't let them die! And we certainly can't let Ackbar give himself up - he's needed!"
One of the Verpine engineers speculates "A good clean hit on the main engine should render the frigate's propulsion and maneuvering systems inoperative long enough for the fleet to escape. And that is exactly what these fighters were designed to accomplish."
One of the Verpine engineers speculates "A good clean hit on the main engine should render the frigate's propulsion and maneuvering systems inoperative long enough for the fleet to escape. And that is exactly what these fighters were designed to accomplish."
Kara sees the unarmed transport and grits her teeth.
'...damned Imp bastards!...'
She nails the throttles of the B Wing full forward, the heavy ship blasting straight ahead. The new ship screams in protest, as Kara gives it all it's got. System alarms whine, and the ship creaks and rattles, but she holds.
The straight line speed of the B Wing was frightening. Within milliseconds, she had closed the gap with the Imperial CR-90. "Hey engineer," she said, realizing she never did learn his name, "see what you can do about these alarms, and angle those shields forward!"
'...engine hit, eh?...' Kara brings the B Wing around to take a shot at the frigate's engines, 11 of them in all, and BIG. She depresses the triggers, hoping for the best...
The big ship was easy enough to hit, but shields and armor made it tough to penetrate and damage. Still, Kara had some tricks up her sleeve...she was trained in the 3rd to look for weak spots in the armor of these ships. More for breaching and assaulting them, but it could work her purpose now too.
Juviest does his best to keep the shuttle our of harm's way. He reaches for the comms. "Command, I'm in an unarmed shuttle with people on board. Advise if and where I can land and change to an armed vessel, over."
Pilot(Space), 3 Success, 1 Threat, 2 Triumph.
He notices something. "Hold on that, command, I think I got a plan."
Kara sees the unarmed transport and grits her teeth.
'...damned Imp bastards!...'
She nails the throttles of the B Wing full forward, the heavy ship blasting straight ahead. The new ship screams in protest, as Kara gives it all it's got. System alarms whine, and the ship creaks and rattles, but she holds.
The straight line speed of the B Wing was frightening. Within milliseconds, she had closed the gap with the Imperial CR-90. "Hey engineer," she said, realizing she never did learn his name, "see what you can do about these alarms, and angle those shields forward!"
'...engine hit, eh?...' Kara brings the B Wing around to take a shot at the frigate's engines, 11 of them in all, and BIG. She depresses the triggers, hoping for the best...
The big ship was easy enough to hit, but shields and armor made it tough to penetrate and damage. Still, Kara had some tricks up her sleeve...she was trained in the 3rd to look for weak spots in the armor of these ships. More for breaching and assaulting them, but it could work her purpose now too.
.
The verpine clicks and starts furiously pushing buttons, he is able to divert the aft shield forward as well as remove one strain.