[Balmorra] Giving Life

[Bruce Guleya]

Planet: Balmorra
Location: Republic-Jedi Field Hospital
Time: 1422
Theme
​

The Forces of the three factions moved on Balmorra all vying for power and control of the planet. There was battles being waged and the inevitable would happen, the battles started and the with it, the causalities would begin to add up. From all sides - not just the combatants but the innocents of the planet. It was this reasoning that drove Bruce Guleya.

Bruce wasn't much of a frontline warrior, but he excelled in supporting the efforts. He arrived on the planet with many of his fellow Jedi but while their talents were needed out there, his talents were needed back here. With the aid of some other Jedis and the Republic's forces, he helped establish a field hospital that would serve those in need to allow for the forces to get back in the fight or minimize their down time and strengthen their resolve. This would always be a necessary evil.

Bruce was tending to some new arrivals, most of their injuries were minor but with enough minor injuries you can hinder performance greatly. The blood ran think, and unfortunately not all would survive this harrowing en devour. War, war always brought out the best and the worst of people. If you wanted to bring people together, war was the option. If you wanted to support each other, war was the option, if you wanted to see what kind of person people truly were... war was the option. This harsh reality was always a tough battle for the Jedi healer, but he'd always do his best to prevent it from showing.

Bruce directed a few of his fellow knights and several of the support staff and republic soldiers. Being put in charge was a relatively new experience for him, he didn't do it often, and to be honest, it scared the heck out of him.

A shuttle landed at the designated landing zone, some supplies and soldiers would be offloaded while those who had been stabilized for transportation but needed in depth care were being loaded on. They needed to keep a reserve of fighters down here, this was a war zone nonetheless and at anytime they could be challenged by opposition. He didn't know how much longer this base would stand, but rumor had it they'd garnered attention and there was a chance the camp would have to be disassembled and relocated.

@Herrith​

 

[Don Wheast]

Republic Judicial Forces, 2/5 Engineering, 'A' COMP, 1 PLT
1422 Hours
Balmorra
Sgt. Don Wheast
@Zigara

"Careful with those, that crate's full of enough plastic explosive to cook off all the medical supplies, which has enough punch collectively to vaporize half this base. You mind being a bit more careful? Please?"

Amateurs these days. The offloaders on base seemed to have no idea that if they set down a crate too hard, kaboom. It was almost like these people wanted to be in the front row seat of a fireworks display, the best and the last they'd ever see if they weren't careful enough. Don walked down the ramp, the man offloading the cargo being a bit more careful now, and pointed to one of his good friends to help out with taking stuff off the shuttle. The last thing he needed was a 'cargo delivery gone wrong' on his record, especially with the other files of contraband smuggling. Speaking of which, there was some fine Corellian brandy mixed in with that 'plastic explosive' as well. A few troopers needed some time to relax, and he was happy to oblige.

There was a Jedi waiting, or who seemed to be one, and the engineer didn't waste time to approach, pulling a glove off in order to shake hands and introduce himself. The Jedi seemed to be running things around here, and he certainly didn't ask questions about who ran things and who didn't, especially in a risky business like himself. He just blew stuff up and fixed other stuff up, and that's all he really had to do. Fun, in a sense, if you're into that.

"Afternoon, Mister...? 2/5 Engineering, I'm the head of the platoon. Running joke is that everybody else has lost a limb cause they screwed up on the wiring. Good to meet you."

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce could here the ruckus of crates being shifted around; quite honestly he paid it no mind. He was finishing up one of the more superficial wounds, wrapping it in bandages and not using the Force to resolve it. He helped the trooper up and patted their back, the trooper nodded and got up moving on. Bruce advanced to a gathering of staff, "Master Jedi?" one of the members said the Bruce - he'd correct them once more, but it was starting to become a normal response - he wasn't a Jedi Master but everyone seemed to just assume that. "Please, I'm no master. Can you gather up the troopers over in tent 3 and get them on the shuttle?" Bruce issued, the troopers nodded and took off to carry out the order it was at that time he heard a voice behind him.

The bardottan twisted his head around to see, his body followed through shortly thereafter, he noted the out stretched hand and didn't hesitate to grip the hand to shake it. "Ah, Sergeant." Most of the Order had access to the rank insignias and Bruce managed to commit them to memory "Sorry about the mess. Bruce. They call me Bruce. I am from the Jedi Order and was tasked with setting up a bit of a field hospital with a couple of my fellow members." He gave the hand a firm shake before organically withdrawing it "Engineering you say? We can certainly use your expertise to help things keep standing... or maybe in your case bring things down?" He smiled, the comment about losing a limb hadn't gotten past him.

He turned away from the Sergeant to look at the perimeter of the base. "We've been here for a couple of days now. Things haven't gotten any easier. There's also rumor that we may not be 'alone' for much longer. Been talk over the comms, I'm sure your officers may have already made you aware. We've had a couple of raids, I guess you could say, but nothing we couldn't have handled. The actual battles are fairly far away but it never means that were perfectly safe."

"There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the few attacks. Once again we do appreciate you here, the folks here look to us to give them protection and comfort. We're on high alert. Sergeant, I don't really have any direct orders for you - that is typically out of my expertise, I will defer to you for combat direction; you're much more prepared for this kind of thing I assume."

 

[Don Wheast]

Bruce. Of all the names, the guy's name was Bruce. Not anything interesting, but then again, he was supposed to be some kind of healer, and in that case their two occupations tended to cross each other. This was a pretty good field hospital, especially with the amount of wounded, and Don certainly wasn't going to question the medicine. Special energy and dark forces were not his field of expertise. Kinetic and heat? Yeah, that was where his knowledge stood.

"Yes sir, engineering. We build stuff, break it, and rebuild it into better stuff. Haven't been a whole lot of engineers lying around, mostly cause it's a pretty niche field. A lot of the guys I've got are a punch of punk pyros who hardly know how to put together an explosive with the screws on right. I'm pretty much the only qualified technician, save for my buddy and one of the newbies."

The bardottan went on to describe how there'd been a few attacks, despite the frontlines being a very, very long time away. Guess things were turning bad, and it was to no surprise. The Judiciaries were a cheap police, at best, with a few qualified badasses in their ranks. Don wasn't gonna go talking about himself, but he did get a notch on his belt for knowing how to run most munitions safely and effectively. On top of that, it seemed Wheast was the highest ranking guy with combat experience, so that meant he was in command. And this time, of a whole farking base. Fun.

"Ah, alright, I'll see what I can do. Commanding a base ain't my thing, but I know a few tips about leadership. Be quick to replace me once you've found someone better or higher-ranked, cause I'd rather worry about keeping all my unit's finger's intact. And I certainly wouldn't say prepared, more feeling this out as it goes. I'll get mines out as soon as we're unloaded."

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce shook his head, "No no, you need not do this alone. I don't mind to be tasked with the innards the best I can, it's just when on the battlefield, can't say I've done much in that regard. I will most certainly work with you, you're not alone. I'll monitor the wounded and the support staff the best I can and you tell 'em what to do when it comes to the shooting." He smirked. "But looks are deceiving friend, I'm no feeble old man who doesn't know how to fight." He nudged the man.

The man had a good plan that's for sure, set up the permiter with a few mines keep them at bay and give the team here some early warning signs, but there was one concern that came to Bruce. "I must advise caution. Be sure to keep track of where all the mines are put down, if we need to leave in a hurry or even when this is all over and done with, we need to know where so we can have them decommissioned - there is nothing worse then more people dying by pure accident."

That was the Jedi coming out of him. The Jedi always valued life over death, a well known fact. In addition, he was a healer by trade, he was sensitive to the death of all, he always felt a certain affinity when people were dying, even if it was a justifiable attack.

 

[Don Wheast]

Don nodded as Bruce continued his talk, explaining how he'd handle the noncombat stuff, and of course jump in on the fight if necessary. Of course, yeah, he was a Jedi. They could fight just fine, he didn't doubt that. But, in honesty, they could be a little too compassionate at times when you needed to be ruthless, and vice versa. He didn't hate them, actually he admired the organization, it's just the decisions made at times were frustrating.

"Ah, right, almost forgot. Name's Don Wheast, like wheat but with an s. Probably could have said so earlier. Also, I'll be sure to mark the minefields for you guys, trust me, we know how to set up and take down these things. Might even get trip flares and a few other surprises in case we really need a show. I'll, uh, get to it, unless you need anything else?"

 

[Bruce Guleya]

"Thank you, I do appreciate it." Bruce took a moment to think about that request, was there anything? No he couldn't think of anything in addition to the basics. He finally shook his head, "No, not that I can think about - but if you do need anything yourself, please don't hesitate to ask. In the meantime, there's a few others who need my attention but I'm sure we'll get a chance to actually have a sit down and be able to talk more? Perhaps tonight? Once things have settled down." Bruce parted ways from the sergeant and disappeared into one of the tents.

* * * * * *

They day had been mostly been unremarkable. A few more shuttles and a few more wounded, but today they were efficient. With Don heading up the security of the hospital and Bruce heading up the operations, things were just smooth. They managed to get through the wounded faster than ever and to Bruce this was a welcoming relief.

The sun had begun to set on Balmorra as the last shuttle took off, engines roaring and disappearing over the horizon. There was a schedule at the base, mostly. During the day shuttles would come and go but once night fell upon the planet the shuttles stopped - unless there was an emergency. It was safer to fly during the day then at night, they could see better for example. "Take care of yourselves Hospital Seven-Seven. We'll see you in the morning." Was the last thing the base would hear for the night - or so they had hoped.

With a renewed sense of moral, people were mingling tonight. They'd been tired and this was the first time they felt a victory; victory was a hard thing to find when you worked in this line. Out on the battlefield there was a clear objective that you'd achieve, once you reached it you could claim victory. But out here? Out here you never knew when it would end. More often then not, once a goal had been achieved things would come crashing down and you'd have to start all over again. Its this cycle that would typically weigh a good man or woman down, chipping at their resolve and in some cases their sanity. So you seized every moment - no matter how small.

Even though small pockets would intervene from time to time, the people at the hospital mostly felt safe. They hadn't had any artillery crashing nearby or airstrikes or strafing runs. Not having active explosions crashing down just a few yards away, always helped to relax a being. There were some fighters on the perimeter taking up a defense on the makeshift barricades, so soldiers others Knights always keeping a vigil.

Most of the base had converged on the mess tent, some sitting inside while others sat outside. People were talking, laughing, and forgetting their troubles. The food wasn't the greatest, but it would do. The base had a limited supply of alcohol as well to help maintain the spirits, the biggest rule though? Control your liquor in case things go sideways. You can't have a bunch of drunken members trying to do complex care or defend the people here.

Bruce was outside the tent at a wooden table. He had his meal in front of him and had a glass of water and a datapad beside him. He was reviewing the stocks and updating their status - amount received, amount returned to battle, amount taken to a more appropriate facility. The best thing about this conflict, it was a large scale war so they need have to worry about mass casualties all that often. Bruce looked up from his work and scanned the area, he could see off in the distance a familiar sergeant talking with some of the men he'd brought with him. Bruce raised his hand to give him a wave.

 

[Don Wheast]

Within three days, Don would have liked to think he had done a good job of fortifying the fairly open base. Land mines were placed in defilades where enemy positions could be set, as well as in thick bush where they could sneak close without detection. Flare traps had been put in at certain choke points as well, in order to alert the base of attack before it happened. Lastly, incendiary lines had been rigged all throughout along a few trenches, in case the base was forced to fall back and needed time to do so. All in all, the base used to be well protected, now it was near impenetrable, and considering the geographical location and limited resources, that was quite an achievement. The only problem Don had was the scheduled routines for the shuttles with supplies arriving. Only at one time of day, and for long enough that the enemy could figure it out. That needed to change. Talking with some of the more inexperienced engineers, he noticed Bruce waving nearby and beckoned the Jedi over.

"Listen, you guys need to work on your wires and the proper rigging for these things, especially the plastic explosive. The makeshift stuff is okay to be a bit messy, but we don't need our demo gear all farked up and unable to explode once we need them. In other words, don't be lazy. Get movin' guys."

Turning to Bruce, he spoke.
"Listen, we gotta do something about the schedules on the shuttles. It's all at the same time, and against a group like what we're facing now, they'll pick up on it and start blowing these things out of the sky."

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce acted on cue and collected his things before proceeding over to the sergeant and his men. "Ah Wheast. Good to see you." And then he was presented that of a problem, he weighed the words and nodded in acknowledgement. "I appreciate that insight, I can probably pass on those concerns and have them readjust - but the system has become some second nature to everyone here it will certainly require some readjustment. But you're correct, it should be modified before too late."

Bruce was given an opening at the table and he took the offer having a sit down with the group. "But how have things been with you? Are happy with the arrangements you've done? The treatment you've been provided here?" The question wasn't aimed at Wheast only, it was for the whole group.

 

[The Storyteller]

Outskirts, Field Hospital 77
19:41 +3 days
​

A man clad in armor laid in the prone position staring through a pair of binoculars. He scanned the area identified as a Republic Field Hospital. The base appeared to be minimally defending with few guards posted along the perimeter. The man motioned to the shadows, two additional armored figures emerged from the darkness and knelt beside the first. He provided a status update and what he'd seen - they'd faced off against little obstruction, the group had just eliminated a scouting party mere moments before. The Cartel thugs were ruthless and methodical in their approach. With the acknowledgement of the status, the first man placed his binoculars down and drew a long rifle to provide covering fire if required.

The communications went silent at the field hospital, but no one at the base had been aware. Two squads of 5 descended onto the base. They were certain they'd gotten the upper-hand and they'd maintain that belief up until the moment that the silence was broken by the sizzling sound of a flare launching high into the sky and erupting into a red light, engulfing the surrounding areas.

The base erupted in sounds of hurried approach. The flare had gone off to the east of the base. A few soldiers rushed to the side of the base setting up a firing line. The troops of the base were not exactly hardened veterans but they were not greenhorns either. The team began to acquire their targets of the squads descending on the base, until one of the troops instantly cried out and collapsed as a sniper round pierced his center mass. The soldiers ducked down and took cover trying to prevent further loss.

The troopers held their fire, they knew better but they had to watch and they had to watch closely, as the squads converged onto the base an explosion ruptured from the ground eliminating some opposition but it didn't stop the battle, they were just that much more cautious. The thugs were not prepared for explosives.

The sniper radioed back to his own commanders, they'd be bringing reinforcements before the night was done.​

 

[Don Wheast]

Don watched as the flare popped up into the air. East side. He turned to Bruce quickly as the soldiers stationed on base mobilized, pointing to his two best as a sniper took out a perimeter guard.

"You two! Watch the west, pop your flare in case they start looping around! We'll need the heads up! Bruce, I'm gonna have to take that satisfaction survey later."

Pulling up his rifle, he ran over to the east side, lifting his helmet over his head and taking cover behind a barrier. More flares were bound to get tripped, and maybe even some explosives. They just had to hang tight while that sniper wasted his shots.

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce nodded at the soldier. "Aye. That is quite understandable. Quickly now! All of you find cover unless you've got a blaster! I want everyone under guard; I want at least three armed guards with the non-combatants." Bruce joined the sergeant in sprinting to the side under attack, unfortunately Bruce was a bit useless at this stage of the fight, he only fought within melee range - the most he could do right now is simply support the soldiers and tend to the wounds that maybe sustained.

The sniper was a patient man, he only took the shots when they presented themselves, they didn't shoot for the sake of shooting. Bruce looked out and could see the squads moving in, they'd only been reduced. Beyond the ridge, two more squads arrived, these ones were methodical, they knew there was explosives and they would carefully proceed, keeping low to the ground. The soldiers could take shots and would likely make hits.

Bruce was going to have to wait until they were just a bit more closer - he could see the markings that identified the end of the minefield. He'd have to wait until they were just inside that, or he'd risk getting blasted himself.

"Steady yourselves."

 

[Don Wheast]

Don had a few more tricks up his sleeves than the mines and flares. As they popped in the air, nearer by the minute, he held a detonator in his hands, turning and nodding his head to his good friend, who also held his own. This next one was going to be gruesome and questionably moral. He clicked the detonator, and the corporal did the same. Nothing happened for a moment, and then the sky lit up with fire from the ground. Phosphorous barrels, buried just below the surface, ignited by smaller shaped charges and causing an inferno. Those within the treeline would be incinerated within moments, and the ones that had moved in further were essentially trapped between a burning inferno and the Judiciaries. A grim smile came on his face as he rose his blaster. They could run towards the base, take their chances with mines and a Jedi, surrender, or flee into the burning treeline with a chance of asphyxiation. Now...about that sniper...

"Bruce! You guys got a missile launcher? I got an idea!"

 

[Bruce Guleya]

The flames burned brightly in the night and the smell began to permeate the clean air, assaulting his nostrils. This was a small he was familiar with, it wasn't long ago that he had to participate in the destruction of a pirate base. But despite the fact that he'd come to know the smell, he was still repulsed by the little regard to life that was displayed by the troops. It was not a personal attack or personal disgust for the troops though - it was just the events clashing with his calling and his ideals. But he was getting better at it… or at least he thought he was.


Another blaster bolt streaked through the air, but from a different direction. This told Bruce, there was more than one sniper out there. Which put him on high alert. “A missile launcher?! This is a hospital not an arsenal… but you might want to take a look at the supply cache, I haven't document any military hardware; my focus was on medicine.”


Bruce heard the sizzle of another flare, from behind. West side now. Confident with the team’s progress on the Eastside he advised them he'd address the Westside and hold them the best he could. He took off running, as he ignited his lightsaber allowing the golden light to illuminate his path. He quickened his pace and upon arrival he was mortified to see the line had been broken. With his lightsaber at his side slightly behind him he leapt and kicked one intruder and followed his landing through with a wide arch slashing at another's chest before bringing it down to thrust through the one on the ground. It was only the two that managed to make it this close, but he knew others were closeby. Bruce quickly took cover from the unseen threats.

 

[Don Wheast]

Don turned his head as a flare popped over at the west side. Ah, hell. He pointed to a friend of his and yelled for him to find a missile launcher, that sniper had to go, but right now the perimeter breach was more important. Running back, he called for his two buddies to back him up and soon took some barriers as cover, peeking over to blast an invader and telling his compatriots to move up, following behind as they reached cover.

There wasn't much he could do besides hold this side and hope the other side could stand their own ground. The phosphorus had trapped many inside, and more outside. They just needed to repel the attack now, and worry about future fortifications later. Otherwise, they could kiss this base goodbye like his last girlfriend.

"Hey, we gotta stay here! Orwin, tell the other side to stand their ground, that east side is holding strong, but make sure they're ready to help us out here once the attackers shift to this end!"

A thermal detonator plopped at his feet, and he cursed before picking it up and tossing it into the air, smacking it with his rifle like a bat and seeing it soar over the wall. Farkin' maniacs. They didn't care about supplies or prisoners, much less Republic law; just wanted to kill everyone here. Damn.

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce withdrew his lightsaber from the body leaving a smoking hole in the armor plating. A few troopers arrived to the Jedi’s side and took up a flanking position to repel the attackers. Bruce did is best to deflect the blaster bolts back but he wasn't well versed in this particular talent, he could deflect the shots but not with the precision of a Jedi Master. His saber burned brightly and he lowered it while pointing at various points on the horizon has he issued the commands for the troops to fire on his specific positions.


A few of the mines detonated lowering the opposition while more troopers came to their aid, it was just a lighting strike - guerilla warfare, no surprise. They'd stepped up their assault back on the Eastside, Bruce told the troopers to hold the line while he attended the other side once more. Once again he took off with heightened speed, closing the distance quickly - fortunately, this base wasn't massive.


He leaped over the defensive line, maintaining his saber. Bruce tossed his saber at a target before returning to the sergeant.


“How are things? I don't know how much longer we can hold. If the Southside gets an attack we'll be stretched and probably can't hold it. Any suggestions?”


Bruce popped up to be bait, a sniper round hurtled toward him and he deflected it back before dropping back down behind cover.

 

[Don Wheast]

Don turned his head as Bruce asked how things were going and explained how they were already spread pretty thin. He looked out to the line, noticing the fact that the amount of people attempting to breach from this angle was lessening by the second. The engineer looked around and then saw his buddy running back with a launcher, narrowly avoiding a sniper shot to the face.

"Ah, we'll start pulling less bodies off this side, they're slowing down the attack around here. Reinforce the others in preparation for the next waves, hell, maybe even get some more mines out once we hold 'em off. This launcher's gonna be a help. Once we find out where that sniper is, we can wish him a happy farewell. Or her, y'know, gotta be considerate. After we blow them to smithereens. Stay here with that launcher, man, and everyone else, get movin' to the west and south! We got a base to defend, and stuff to blow up!"

He vented his blaster and stood up, running as quick as he could to the other lines as the sniper attempted to take potshots. However, that was ceased when a guy armed with a repeater traced his blaster shots and began suppressing the area. The rocketeer knew what to do from there. At least, Wheast hoped he did.

 

[Bruce Guleya]

Bruce popped up once more to allow the sniper to shoot at him. He swung the saber and deflected the bolt away as the rocketeer fired the launcher that soared through the air roaring as streaked through the air and erupted on the horizon and presumably wiped the shooter out. His lightsaber hummed in just the moment of silence they had on the line.

He allowed a level of calm around him, a few volunteers came rushing over and gathered up the wounded on the lines. After telling the troopers to stay alert he shifted his position with the volunteers in order to take up cover in one of the tents. He quickly took triage of the situation and started to tend to the wounded by priority. There wasn't many, he didn't think but he was putting most of his faith into the judiciaries to hold the lines, he wasn't sure what the level of opposition was but he had hoped it was thinning out, but for him there was no way of figuring it out.

 

[Don Wheast]

Don stood up as the attack slowed, immediately turning to his second in command and speaking, venting and reloading his blaster rifle at the same time. This wasn't the end of the attacks by far, surely, and he didn't intend on getting surprised again. So, that meant more explosives and more people on watch. Otherwise, they were going to be caught with their pants down in the middle of a hurricane. That ain't fun.

"Corporal, take whoever isn't wounded and evenly distribute them on each side of the camp. Arm at least one with a flare gun in case they encounter contact, and make sure our east side is reinforced a bit heavier, in case they want to try that direction again. At the same time, make sure to put people in the north. That's one spot they didn't try. If we got any more launchers and area denial stuff, get those out in the fields surrounding and keep the launchers hidden, in case another sniper peeks out to cause trouble."

As the guy nodded, Don shook his head and looked at the wounded. Not a whole lot, which was good. Sooner or later they were going to need everyone, especially if help didn't arrive soon. Speaking of that...
"Bruce! Hey, get the highers on the horn and see if we can't radio for backup, or maybe an evacuation. That was just a warm-up, and they sure as hell don't intend on giving up now, I'm sure."

 

[Bruce Guleya]

A familiar voice echoed on his comm device. Call for back up or an evacuation? That made sense - but he wasn't prepared to pack up, not yet. He wasn't overly naive but, he had a level of confidence in him. They'd survive the attack, he figured they could do it again if need be, and yes - they'd have to face off opposition. Don was right, they weren't done. What was so important about this area? The suggestion made sense though.

Bruce stepped away from the task at hand and across the base to what would substitute as a command post. He immediately passed on the suggestion and actually more like orders from someone much more familiar with such a position. The calls went out, but they were not answered, that didn't mean they were doomed it just meant that things might take a little longer than usual. There must have been a form of communication interruptions. "Keep trying. Don't give up." the man nodded at Bruce's words. He patted the radio operator's shoulder before he departed the tent, advancing toward his comrade. Bruce walked with purpose, and with hurried strides.

"No answer, not yet. They'll keep trying but I suspect something might be blocking us - I can't imagine the Order or the Republic would simply ignore radio calls from a field hospital. But I could be wrong..." He dreaded the thought of being ignored and he did his best not to acknowledge that, instead he pushed it away. "We're on our own for now, I've told them to notify us should they get threw. Well done, so far."