Open Evacuation of Utapau

[Corran Velt]

Open to all Sector Rangers. Anyone else interested, just ask
​

Between the war between the Sith Empire and the Free Worlds Alliance, along with the chaos of the AMS virus, small worlds had been forgotten. Planetary governments looked after themselves and often didn’t lift a finger to aid others or were too spread thin to try. Indifference or negligence left many in desperate conditions with little hope.

Utapau was one of the extreme examples. Located in the distant Outer Rim, beyond the borders of any galactic polity or criminal syndicate, the denizens were left to fend for themselves. Starships ceased coming - either out of fear or legal ban. Reinforcements or supplies dried up. They were alone against the consuming hordes. Forgotten by all.

That’s why the Sector Rangers came to their aid.

Corran Velt had called in every favor imaginable to assemble the rag-tag fleet of transports and freighters that now orbited the dry, rocky world. Independent shipping captains from his trader days. Corporate entities that had either been aided by the Rangers in the past or wished to ingratiate themselves with a good cause. Non-profit medical associates with their Pelta-class ships to screen survivors for infection, ilness, and malnutrition. Even a luxury passenger ship piloted by a captain whose life was saved on Dxun. At the fore were the Sector Ranger ships of IT-6 Droid Barges, GR-75 transport, Bolo-class Corvette, and of course the Lighthouse. They were all here for one desperate mercy mission: evacuating the entire remaining population of Utapau.

Scout droids scoured the planet day and night for pockets of non-infected survivors deep within their sinkhole cities. 98% of the planet had succumbed to the virus. Each night, what few lights that could be seen from orbit would either be barely flickering by morning or extinguished by the darkness. When surviving communities were discovered, signals were transmitted to the orbiting Ranger Command who marked their locations and sent shuttles down to rescue anyone they could. There was no greater race against time.

It was on one of these shuttles that Corran found himself, looking out into the open night air as they descended. He was encased in his personal Sentinel armor, though the helmet had been replaced with a sealed but clear transparisteel visor. “Remember your objectives and rules of engagement. Rescue all survivors and get them to the shuttles. Weapons free on infected hostiles. Aim for the head and avoid all physical contact,” the blond ranger monotoned over an open commlink channel. Easier said than done. Their armor would likely help against any grazing bites, but if they got surrounded or mauled, they would become as infected as the rest of the planet.

White and black smoke rose from a large sinkhole in the planet's surface. A tell-tale sign of life. The infected didn’t burn their dead. The shuttles, already using a tracking signal from the droids, descended. All of the city could be seen as a writhing mass of shuffling corpses. Each level looked more overflowing than the last. On several levels, small, ad-hoc forts had been established. Communities of survivors scraping out life on a dying world. Corran motioned to the pilot but they already knew what to do. The various shuttles began to disperse to the fortified outcroppings and collect people. They had to move quickly. It was only a matter of time before the undead breached the ramshackle barricades.

The transport Corran rode on touched down, kicking up dirt and blowing some debris off the platform. Rangers dismounted and began organize the already approaching refugees with shouts and motions of their arms. A taller Utapuan woman grabbed Velt's arm with urgency. She was dressed in rags. "Please, there are more outside the walls! We can't leave them!"

The blond ranger only nodded and gestured forward with an open palm. "Stick together and watch your angles! Let's move out!"

Spoiler

Squad 1
Corran Velt (TerranSteel)
Dusty Desperado (Rhogar)
Rhax'ra (Nommie)

Squad 2 - Shrapnel Field Landing Site
Trys Aran (Sreeya)
Sakas Zareen (Nefieslab)
Zad Ruzed (Die Shize)
Kalen Ultor (Wit)

Squad 3
Bast Emblai (Kestrel)
Rylee Asuchi (Bex)

Support Units
Newton Arden (The Good Doctor)
Draco Virtus (Exhilian)
Poet Severino (Forsythe Crowholde)

 

[Dusty Desperado]

Why in all the hells did Dusty find himself on Utapau? Simple. He was a man who loved to help others and he had the knack and know-how to do so. At least, Jaxon Clane left him with recordings and lessons on how to be a Ranger. Clad in his Clane body armor, he moved about the transport to inspect the crates they had brought along. Thankfully, Blackwell had offered support in the way of crates full of their AMS-M1 Municipal Disintigrator's. This would at least level the playing field somewhat.

Dusty had to sit in private with as they synced the weapon to his chain code, a very unnerving experience. For the first time since his slave days, he was tagged again and it took a lot of mental recovery for him to deal with that. But that would be for later. For now, he had a job to do. Helm never leaving his head and voice modulated to sound like Jaxon's, he was now ready for a fight.

When the transports touched down, he would trot over to where Corran was was getting a group of Rangers ready to move into the city. He had never been to Utapau before and after this, he doubted he would ever return. A pity to watch a world die.. at least they could hopefully rescue the survivors.. keep the population alive and once the AMS passed, perhaps they could return home. With his full kit and the new toy, he was ready to fight a world full of shamblers.. at least he hoped so.

@TerranSteel

 

[Newton]

Word reached Newton's ears that this was happening. The Blackwell Executive couldn't resist an opportunity to get Blackwell in on the action on this. It would be a big boon in further bolstering Blackwell Tech's goodwill in the galaxy. They are providing disruptors for the Rangers, but they have even more to contribute here.

Newton's new ship, the Nobel was with the other assembled ships. Rigel was transferred into Newton's ship just fine, his astromech droid M7 was at the helm of the ship, leaving him with an all mechanical 'crew' with just himself being the only organic on board. The Blackwell Executive himself didn't plan on getting his feet on the ground because that would be dumb, there is always the risk of infection, a risk he will not leave to chance. Instead he will deploy droids on the ground and he will act as handler for the droids safe in the air.

Why droids? Because unlike organics, droids can't be infected. Blackwell's droids have been praised for their effectiveness in dealing with the zombies by the ISC President himself even.

The Nobel followed the lead of the leading Sector Rangers shuttles and transports. The Nobel remained decently high above the ground. Near the exit-ramp, a dozen Hawking Droids were on the floor on stand-by, waiting for the signal to take flight.

Newton would have Rigel open a communication to the entire 'group'. "Attention. This is Newton with Blackwell in the ship the Nobel. Lt. Corran, we are deploying repulsorlift droids to your location to aid in defense"

With that, the exit ramp would open and the droids would activate, and the Hawking Droids would fly down to where the Rangers are landing, and hovering above the ground in addition. Their blasters would be ready to fire down upon any zombies.

The rangers were planning on extracting people as quickly as possible, so these flying droids should do for now if they are indeed quick about it. And if the Rangers are slow and need heavier firepower on the ground to cover them, Newton's ship has some Vega droids and BeeBeeQ droids in reserve being the cargo hold that can be hot-dropped.

Newton would be able to see live videofeeds from the droids thanks to the Hawking droids' on-board camera. With that, Newton would have a seat in his ship as it would fly around the area. When the zombies come, it will be the private sector showing the public sector how it's done.

@TerranSteel @Rhogar

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Riding in the shuttle with Lt. Velt, clad in trooper armour borrowed from the Lighthouse armory, was Ranger Rylee Asuchi. She had her helmet nestled under her arm as they waited to touch down planetside and her purple hair was uncharacteristically done up with bobby pins to ensure it did not get in the way whilst wearing the protective head gear. The lieutenant's instructions were clear and for once the Pantoran had no smart ass remarks to make in reply. Now was not a time for jokes and banter. The planet of Utapau had been completely decimated by the AMS virus and they were here to locate any survivors and get them out before an entire civilisation was lost.

As the transport shuttle landed, spraying gravel and dust around in its wake, Rylee ensured her helmet was on before dismounting. The rescuers had to ensure that as much of their biological flesh was concealed as possible to prevent contact with the virus. Their infected foes, the fallen citizens of Utapau, would be ravenous and unyielding so the lieutenant's orders to use lethal force against them, however saddening, was entirely justified under the circumstances. Hopping off with the other rangers, Rylee immediately made for a group of scared looking Utai who had been running towards the transport on approach.

"It's okay, you're okay, we're here to help. Please go over to the assembly point over there, the rangers will help you board" came the slightly distorted voice of the Pantoran through the filters in her helm. She was trying to remain calm for them, but even the usually confident, ex-military woman knew that the environment they were now in was like nothing they had ever encountered before. A planet crawling with mindless, flesh tearing, zombies was intimidating even for someone like Rylee who had seen her fair share of battles serving in the Pantoran Military. She felt for these people. Their homes, their families and their entire lives had been destroyed by this virus and the monsters it created in its wake. The least she and the rescuers could do was get them out, so that at least their civilisation and culture did not die with them.

Not far away, Lt. Velt was engaged with a Pau'an woman. She had been pleading with him to help stragglers beyond the walls. Rylee did not need to be asked twice. She would join the lieutenant on the mission to retrieve them and escort the survivors back to the transport ships. Without any further words, she followed the group alongside Corran and a ranger she had not yet been introduced to (@Dusty Desperado ). Soon enough the buzz of repulsorlift engines could be heard above them. The Hawkwing droids of Blackwell Tech had joined the party, seemingly to provide the rangers with an overwatch.

@TerranSteel @Rhogar @The Good Doctor

 

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Draco Virtus would be aboard his ship The Red Redemption.. He would have some finger pickin' bass guitar blues theme playing in the backdrop of his cockpit as he wore his Mako03 armor but had his helmet off to the side and a cowboy hat on his head instead. A piece of straw hanging off the corner of his mouth that stuck out 6 inches as he came into orbit next to the convoy of ships that jumped in.

He offered his ship as a shuttle as he was leading a second crew of Rangers down onto the infected scorched planet. He would begin to lower further into the atmosphere and leaving the orbit behind like small ants as he heard Lieutenant Corran over the comlink channel that everyone was attached to. Flicking a button on his intercom he would reply "Roger that partner'" as the guitar pickin' blues sung out in the backdrop for the quick second he replied on the intercom.

Bringing himself lower he would scan over to where shuttles were landing/forming down into a sinkhole. Finding another sinkhole with smoke billowing out Draco brought himself in and didn't land but set it into a hover as he barked over the intercom to the Rangers in the rear. "Alright' folks' she's goin' to be tight." the makeshift shelters were built alongside the walls like a tree fort. They were up off the ground and made of light metal, wood and whatever materials they could find that would keep them off the floor.

Draco couldn't help but be in a bit of a shock as this small little holdout was well done..Building off the floor to have height to their advantage. Planks of wood and scrap metal were used as bridges to the small shacks as this wasn't a permanent solution and a horde of infected could easily climb ontop of themselves and reach the ledge relentlessly. As Draco got closer to the side wall of the sink hole he would call out over the intercom.

"Deploy the ropes, I want a ranger team down there setting security, another hoisting up the wounded first, than children and adults last. Let's rock n' roll!" he hollered over the ships intercom. He would slowly set the joysticks in position as he hovered inside his sealed cockpit. Flicking a button to his side the ramp in the rear of his ship would lower. Two rangers in the back by the ramp would roll out the heavy cable with a harness on the end of it.

Next to the hoisting cable another thick rope was deployed as Rangers grabbed the rope and began to slide down it like a fireman pole. Draco would look over his shoulder through the glass down below to keep eyes on whats happening on the ground and also how close he was to the wall. He would flick his communications switch over to Lieutenant Corrans main comlink channel. "This is Reaper 1-1, grid coordinates 38C89K, we got a group here we're grabbin.'" he would update them in case they needed more shuttles Draco's way or anything happened.

@TerranSteel @The Good Doctor @Bex @Rhogar

 

[Bast Emblai]

The lull of hyperspace travel gently shook the transport carrier. Dark hazel eyes stared straight ahead at nothing. The Lieutenant was in limbo, deep in space. Nothing could touch her, not even the memories. Thought slowed, left behind in the wake of the ship, scattered among the stars. It was peaceful. Clean and calm and peaceful. She had slept lightly for a few hours of the travel. In hyperspace, Bast never had nightmares. They simply could not keep up.

Rylee was perched on the edge of her seat, as attentive as the woman opposite her was unabsorbed, as Corran landed the shuttle. The staticky voice of Reaper 1-1 played quietly from the cockpit, rattling off coordinates and instructions flatly in a matter of a fact manner. This was a search and rescue mission- an evacuation. There were few left who had been left unaffected by the AMS outbreak. As resources were funneled to more populous planets, the Outer Rim was overrun. Despite the rim being technically out of Bast’s jurisdiction, she had volunteered to evacuate citizens. The dead could wait, it was the living who could not fend for themselves. During her time in the core, the woman had had very little experience with the virus, her only real exposure being the holonet news. Even now, as the landing gear was extended, it felt distant.

Exiting the ship, she absentmindedly watched her partner approach a woman. Even the pleas for help did not strike a chord of sympathy. Something tugged at her pant leg. A child. How odd. Where were their parents? Bast extended a hand, which the child instinctively grabbed. It was warm. Suddenly the veil of indifference lifted. Oh god. A child. An orphan? Numbness was not atypical for missions. It was the numbness that allowed soldiers to operate, to mop up what was left of their friends after an explosion and still make it to the mess hall on time, humming an old tune. It was cruel. It was easy. She would not give into the easiness.

“Go. Get on that ship over there. I’ll be back.”

She bit her tongue hard enough to draw blood. They needed her.

@TerranSteel
@Rhogar
@Bex
@Exhilian

 

[Kalen Ultor]

Kal tugged uncomfortably at the blast vest he had been forced to wear, it bit into his neck in the most irritating way. It wasn't enough that they wanted him leading this effort some reason, they also wanted him as uncomfortable as he could be. He wasn't even qualified for this, it ought to have been a military operation. But the Free Worlds had made this a Ranger operation, so ISC had to respond in kind. And somehow he had drawn the short straw.

"Ready for atmospheric entry Commander." The droid made him jump as it just showed up behind him and gave the update. Kal cursed as he glanced towards the droid, and took a moment or two to calm himself down. "I told you not to call me that, I'm not a commander." The droid's glowing eyes locked onto his face and made a gesture that might have been a nod. "Acknowledged. Ranger Kalen Adaephon Ultor, we are ready for atmospheric entry." That was worse, he always seemed to be in trouble when someone used his full name. This was why he hated working with droids, for all their processing power they were really slow in some regards. "Just stick with commander," he said in a resigned tone, "please just stick with commander."

The droid gave him another affirmative nod, and this time he almost thought its face seem pleased, even gleeful. The damn thing was messing with him! He shook his head and returned his attention to the viewport. The planet fully occupied their forward view, on the galactic scale they were practically in touching distance. A few minutes passed and nothing happened, and he turned questioning towards the droid. "What's wrong, why aren't we heading down?"

"Waiting on your command," it replied, "verbal authorization required for initializing planetary descent."

Again he wondered what he was doing here, he wasn't prepared for something like this. He nodded, and when nothing happened he suppressed another curse and took a deep breath. That's right, verbal authorization.

"Begin descent." The ship responded almost instantaneously, slowly picking up speed as its nose dipped down and they began heading for the surface. On one of the control panels he noticed a status update from the ship's large hangar, squadrons of droids coming to life. By the time the ship landed they would all be ready to deploy.

 

[Trys Aran]

East Of Main Drop Zone - Shrapnel Field

Trys had lost count of how many AMS related missions she had gone on. Almost all of her work took her to the Outer Rims, and this was no different. It was nice to finally have a concerted effort to strike against AMS ever since it was brought up to the Galactic Senate. Funding had been applied to help put together task forces and branches from all sides would be sending resources to curb the problem.

The lieutenant purposely landed further away from the main group, taking a squad of Rangers with her. They were clearing the area around a walled off apartment building that had residents still barricaded inside. They had been surviving as a community for a while, and there were even signs of farms and agriculture inside the walled off areas. There was a massive wave of infected directly outside of the walls and it was a wonder the place held so long.

Trys put down the macrobinocs she had been gazing through, hearing the chatter over the shared Ranger comms. Her voice buzzed in for all of them to hear.

“Lt. Aran reporting in from,” She looked down at her datapad and rattled off the coordinates that placed her 50 miles East of the landing zone, “I could use some droid support. Got a level 3 situation over here. Over.”

Level 3 usually indicated groups of 250 or more infected compressed together. Higher levels and colors identified infected by number or by stages of infected. Late stage infected were far larger and more aggressive and needed special precaution.

Trys glanced over to one of her subordinates, “We need to create a diversion to draw the entire horde away to clear an evac path. Can we route them towards a sinkhole?”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Sakas Zareen]

Evacuating Utapau at this point in the infection process felt like shutting the garage doors after the speeders had left, broken the speed limit and crashed on the highway twenty miles away. But the simple fact of the matter was that there were still people who needed evacuating. Even if something stupid like 98% of the population had succumbed to the infection, that just meant that they needed to do all they could for the remaining 2%.

Her cynical side wanted to point out how much easier it was to evacuate 2% of the population on the current Sector Ranger budget. Much easier than trying to save more of the population before it reached that point... but she was tired so that was probably leaning more into the cynical side. She had come directly from a rustling sting on Dantooine but she wanted to make sure she was here to help.

She'd been a little late to arrive which meant she hadn't got much info on which group to join up with. Thankfully for her that meant she was linked up with Trys Aran rather than anyone else. If any Lt could get the Rangers and the civvies out of the clutches of that many infected it was Lt Aran. Her headtails flexed a little bit as she considered having a cigarette but instead took a quick drink of water from her canteen.

"I reckon we can but we'd need something flashy, noisy and preferably alive to draw them in." she answered Trys' question, gesturing to a sinkhole that, while not nearby, was still the closest one to the walled off complex, "Needing to stay ahead of the infected I'd say we go for a speeder and try and lead them away in groups."

Trouble was her ship was, well, a starship and would be too big and too devoid of flesh for the infected to reliably follow. And she didn't have a speeder bike to hand but she was certain she had seen some a few streets over.

"Do we have authority to commandeer material left by the infected? I saw a couple speeder bikes a few streets over - if we can get them they're low enough, loud enough and exposed enough to lure some away, right?"

@The Good Doctor @Sreeya

 

[Poet Severino]

There was no way in hell he was going to join the evacuation mission on Utapau.

No, scratch that. There was no way in hell he would be going down there to engage in the whole evacuation process. Poet wanted to, no matter how disgusting or creepy the infected looked in varying stages of decomposition. He wanted to help the ground troops but one of the medical personnels aboard the Lighthouse had told the Ranger "No."

"Got any medical knowledge, kid? First aid skills?" asked the old doctor who had found the half-Morellian passed out an hour and a half ago. "Might need a hand when injured Rangers and survivors start pouring in."

Scowling, Poet grabbed the white coat being handed to him. He was fine now, really, already been treated after that one hypoglycemic attack but the medics and the old doctor thought it best to have him stay put. Couldn't afford having a Ranger pass out during the retrieval op because of a plummeting blood sugar level – and they had the audacity to joke about him being zombie chow.

Forget trying to be nice just this once. Poet wanted to knock someone's teeth off.

"Of course I do, you shitty old man!" grouched the half-Morellian, glowering at the doctor with the intense fury of a kid throwing a mighty tantrum. "If you're not gonna give me clearance to go out there, then stop asking stupid questions if I can do this or that! Maker!"

Instead of being cowed or annoyed, the gathered group of medical personnel only laughed rather fondly at the Ranger's petulant outburst. Poet gritted his teeth in frustration and walked out, searching for the nearest viewport just so he could have at least a tiny semblance of being out there with his fellow Rangers instead of being trapped here.

Damn it. If Skippy was still here the droid would've done what Poet still couldn't and warn him about his blood sugar level.

The half-Morellian suited up, completing his look with a pair of black-rimmed spectacles. He gazed at the planet below, mind already wandering with regards to their mission to save what remained of Utapau's population.

98% of the planet's population had already been claimed by the AMS. And now his colleagues were out there risking their lives to save what remained of Utapau's people. The SR had been given tools for this operation, with the best men and women out there risking life and limb to rescue the survivors. And while he still felt useless for having to stay put because of his own medical issue Poet knew that he couldn't stay trapped in that negative thought forever. Medic duties were something that shouldn't be trifled with, and he knew it himself that any help – no matter how small – was better than not helping at all.

"Be safe, all of you. Don't you dare die," Poet muttered as he watched ships descend on the planet. One hand against the transparisteel, the half-Morellian closed his eyes and prayed to any god who might listen to keep his colleagues safe.

He would wait, for now. After all, it was all he could currently do.

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Do. Done. Did. Zad recited in his head as he owned the chair of his Iron Justice. Utapau opened up on the viewport; a graveyard ball of rock and hole. And a shit ton of Infected. The 2% that wasn’t, were they worth saving? Were they just the tail end of a statistic? Did the Sector Rangers really need to risk their lives here and now? Would their deaths be justified?

“Do. Done. Did.” The Ranger confirmed aloud. No one heard him. But I hear all of you, you poor bastards… His ship curved and arced toward a larger carrier so that he could link up with his friends and allies. There were people still alive on that planet. They were worth saving. There was no doubt about it.

That 2%? It represented one stubborn son of a bitch and then some; all of those poor bastards who refused to die but would comply with getting rescued. The Rangers had assembled. Now they have come. They would save as many as they could. They would try. They would do, it would be done, as every Ranger did.

“Zad Ruzed in the pipe.” He broadcasted his arrival to the group, his team, his family. “Five by five…” His smaller ship docked inside a bigger one, he opened the door with an unlit cigarette between his lips, bumped shoulders with a fist, saluted one Ranger after the other, and found the one he was looking for.

She led them into the shuttle, didn’t waste time, and Zad slipped his cigarette into a pocket for later use as his helmet came over his head to complete his combat armor.

The shuttle that was their dropship rocketed from Ranger Command. There wasn’t much to say on the way down to Utapau, but Zad picked up Lieutenant Corran Velt’s orders over open channel. 10-4, Blondie. Rescue the survivors. Kill the hostiles. Aim for the head. Be back home in time for whiskey. Do. Done. Did.

Then what could only have been guitar pickin’ blues drifted in through the comlink along with the voice of Lieutenant Draco Virtus, Zad’s companion cowboy. Another familiar voice called for attention, one Newton Arden, and Zad was glad to have Blackwell’s help. He knew firsthand that Newton knew his droids. Hope he drinks. I owe him one.

No time for much else. The dropship touched down as metal kissed the dirt, the access ramp deployed, and the squad of Sector Rangers mobilized. Their blasters led the way and Lieutenant Trys Aran led them all.

The Infected were a cluster that needed a bomb to break them up. All the freaks needed was one crack to open up into the survivors huddled on the other side of the wall. If that happened then they wouldn’t last long. L.T. commanded for a diversion. She was on the right track.

Ranger Sakas piped up about luring their tangos away with speeder bikes. That was right up Zad’s alley. “Sounds like our best shot.” Though it was Trys he looked to for making the call. “Like rustling cattle. One at the front, two at the flanks, stampede takes a tumble before you can say ‘Yeehaw’.” There was no humor in his tone. Just determination to do and be done with it, as every Ranger did.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Rhax ra]

Adjusting her Modular Blaster to it's rifle configurations with what she needs to change her blaster to it's sniper configurations later if it is needed. Which it possibly will be needed. So the Tusken made sure to have the part where she can easily reach it.

Standing just behind Lt. Velt as the shuttle went lower and lower towards the planet surface. She did feel a little antsy about the situation that she has put herself in. But she wants to help get as many people evacuated as she can.

Glancing out the window as they went lower into the sinkhole she could see just how dire the situation is. Her heart sank thinking about how those who are not infected must be going through at this moment.

Making the final adjustments she gave a thumbs up to say she is ready to go. The Tusken dismounting with whoever else is with Lt.Velt. silently she listened to the Utapuan woman that grabbed the blonde's arm. She has no idea what the woman is saying but by listening to her tone Rhax'ra could tell it was urgent. Most likely relaying information about there being others somewhere in the chaos.

Steeling her nerves Rhax'ra looked from the Utapuan woman to the others in the group and gave the classic Tusken cheer as she raised her weapon to signal that she is ready to get going. Maybe if others are having second thoughts about the job she can give some encouragement. Or it may show she is too excited for the job.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

A grand coalition had truly been assembled. Greater than Corran had expected. Blackwell drones hovered overhead with droids ready to be deployed to hot-spots. Rangers had brought their personal gunships to provide air cover and emergency fire-support. ISC Rangers were also making their debut, though the blond lieutenant had never met any before but could already sense a friendly rivalry in the works. On top of all that, the finest gathering of Sector Rangers he'd ever seen were touching down in one united wave. This was likely the best equipped and supported operation Corran had ever participated in. Despite the known and unknown dangers that crawled and devoured this world, he felt confidence.

"Copy that, Mr. Arden," Lieutenant Velt replied through a headset to the Blackwell executive (@The Good Doctor) overseeing company property, "If you can, deploy the flying drones ahead of our advance into the city proper. There is another deployment 50 miles east of the first drop zone; give them a hand if you can." Those droids would be critical as teams penetrated deeper into the Utapaun cities that carved deeper into the planet surface. Ceilings of rock shaded them from the harsh sun but it made scouting with shuttle or scanner difficult. It would be left to the organics to save those people, with droid support in tow. Or saving their necks. Either or.

Corran pointed to the nearest ranger with two fingers, "Ranger Clane (@Dusty Desperado), you're with me. Keep that barrel pointed down range." A nod indicated to the lethal and highly dangerous weapon in his hands. Next came the Tusken (@Nommie) who had just finished their rallying cry of their people. It was terrifying when used against you. Being on the friendly side? Felt primal in a good way. "<Ranger Rhax'ra, form up with Clane and me,>" he said in fluent Huttese. Speaking the Tusken language was rare, so he gambled she knew a more common language of her homeworld. Through the crowds of departing refugees and rangers tasked to aiding their escape, Lieutenant Emblai (@Kestrel) and Ranger Asuchi (@Bex) could be seen gathering together. They could join Corran's ad-hoc unit or proceed on their own. There were many marked hold-outs on their HUDs or datapads they could tackle.

"There's a droid factory not far from here," the blond ranger said into his commlink for those of his small unit to hear, "Survivors are held up in the smelt works and adjoining homes. We'll clear a path and get them evacuated." A wave signaled for others to follow as he jogged towards an exit on the barrier wall. An elevated platform ramped up to a scrapped together walkway that went through a gap in the wall, secured by a braced door. The catwalk went over to another roof of a build, followed by another. An advantageous way to get over the hordes or groups of infected below that milled outside the walls. Eventually though, the catwalks ended and they'd have to proceed through the streets. Over the other homes, against a stone pillar that went from floor to roof of the city, a large, metallic foundry still belched smoke. Survivors were holding out for rescue.

 

[Kalen Ultor]

As the small carrier began entering the atmosphere, Kal made his way to the hangar. Four gunships waited there, though calling them gunships was being more than a little generous. They were simply shuttles with some armament slapped onto them. While the ISC had provided more funding to the Rangers than the Free Worlds spared for their force, putting the funds to good use still took some time. For now this was all they could spare. The droids were already aboard the gunships, two had already left the hangar and Kal jumped onto one of the remaining ones before it flew out of the hangar.

"Level 3 situation reported," a droid spoke up besides him as they emerged from the hangar, "droid support requested." The Free World vessel they had encountered in orbit had been kind enough to share the operational frequency being used by the Sector Ranger, and the ISC forces had already patched in. He had already learnt of the first team, and if his reports were right then a droid contingent of some sort was already supporting them. With this new intel he had to make some adjustments to their plans. "Green leader to all ships, change in plans. Green 2 stay on me, we're going in to support the level 3. Green 3, Green 4, scan for the nearest evacuation sites and get everyone out." Acknowledgments came over the comms and the gunships split up. As they approached the location specified by the Lieutenant, Kal instructed the blast doors to be opened up so that he could get a better view of the situation.

He could see the horde outside the walls, and had to think quickly. On his orders Green 2 split off, heading for a location that would allow them to aim at the horde at an almost orthogonal angle than the Lieutenant's forces, while his gunship flew in towards the Rangers. Now close enough for their arrival to be noticed by one and all, he switched back to the Ranger channel once more. "This is Ranger Ultor Lieutenant," he said as the gunship approached the ground, "I have two squadrons of droid troopers coming in hot. A little gift from your friends in the ISC."

Green 1 would approach the Rangers, and as the gunship came to a halt a few dozen feet above the air the droids started jumping off. Kal had to make do with an old fashioned grapple line to zip down. "Which one of you is Aran?" He'd ask the gathered Rangers as the droids would spread out, and he'd point in the general direction of where Green 2 would have touched down. "I have another squadron of droids about a quarter click that way. What's the plan?" As if on queue the sound of blaster fire would come from that direction, the droids getting to work.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab @Die Shize

 

[Newton]

Ah, another party bringing more droids into the fray. And it looks like they are with the ISC. Smart of them, expected of people serving under President Thorne's government, Newton thought. "Acknowledged" Newton responded to Corran's suggestions Newton would direct his flying droids forward into the city proper, the flying droids are nimble, agile, and fast, and not beholden to land. They would drop down the sinkhole and Newton would look the the video feeds and he sees survivors. It's a bleak state of affairs for them, but no zombies but that could soon change. He could see the Destitute and desperate looking at the droids as they appeared. "You're all clear to proceed Lt. Corran." he commed to the good ranger.

Meanwhile Newton still had more droids on his ship and his ship was already on the move, when he heard fifty miles east, he would adjust his path and send the activation signal to the droids in the cargobay and marshal them towards the exit ramp, they are going in hot.

By the time the Nobel got over to where the massive level 3 horde was, Newton would then com over "More droids coming in Lt. Aran" he said, aiming to complement Ranger Ultor. Newton's ship has descended somewhat low and the droids would just jump out. The Vega and BeeBeeQ droids would leave loud impacts on the ground as metal collided. No more efficient way onto the battlefield than literally dropping into the fray. The Vega heavy droids are armed with repeaters while the BeeBeeQ droids had their flamethrowers. They would land near where Aran's group is. "Greetings Rangers. We are here to assist. Direct us as needed." one of the Vega droids said to the ranger group with a loud monotone bass.. Working in close concern with Ranger Ultor's droids, they should be able to make a big dent in the zombie horde if needed or give valuable support in other ways.

@Wit @Sreeya @Nefieslab @Die Shize @TerranSteel

 

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Draco Virtus would watch below as the Rangers with him would secure the wounded onto the hoisting harness as one by one they would cabled up to the back ramp of his ship. Rangers on the edge of the ramp would bring them onto the ramp and unhook them off the harness before throwing it back down below for the next civillian to get brought up. This would be done with haste as other Rangers down below would go room to room and checking on survivors while setting up a small perimeter on the makeshift fortress on the side of the wall.

Draco would glance down to his left seeing zombies begin to form at the base of the wall and trying to claw their way up on the wall but was only a few as their numbers were low. None the less their determination was relentless as they even climbed ontop of one another making a small pile as Draco knew if more came they would eventually make a pile big enough to reach the forts alongside the wall where the survivors were.

Glancing back over to the right where he had a good eye on the Rangers running along the makeshift bridges and huts as he clicked in through his ships commlink. "Alright fellas lets pick it up, they're startin' to gather." he would say as one of the Rangers below would give him a thumbs up. They began to hoist up the rest of the wounded and only had a few children with the adults remaining. The hovering ship was attracting even more zombies but only slowly as the Rangers with Draco still had time.

The wounded on board were getting checked and getting placed on makeshift small cots in the back end of the hangar as it was beginning to fill up his ship. Once the remaining adults were finally hoisted up, the Rangers were the last in as the last ranger pulled the cables back inside the ramp. "Clear." he called on the net as Draco flicked his switch and the ramp began to close. Once closed and sealed shut he would flick over to the main comm net everyone else was on.

"Reaper 1-1 secured survivors and wounded. Headin' back to orbit for transport, will be back for CAS. Out." his southern twang heard with the finger pickin' blues music still faintly in the background as he flicked auto hover off and slowly moved the joysticks back giving himself space off the wall and begin to bring himself up out of the hole. Once clear and on the surface he would fire off into orbit and checking over his shoulders to make sure no one was coming as he headed for the main fleet.

Once reaching orbit he would make his way to a dock in the Lighthouse as his ship came in slow and easy. Once near he radioed to the crew operating it he was inbound with survivors. Once clear he would connect his ship and the airlock tube connecting them would open up as medical staff came rushing in and began to lift wounded in their cots that were stretchers and bring them inside where @Poet Severino would be. Once cleared of survivors and wounded the doors would seal shut and lock as he got ready to depart back down to the planet.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Wit @The Good Doctor @TerranSteel @Bex @TerranSteel @Die Shize @Nommie @Nefieslab

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Lt. Bast Emblai had also been aboard the shuttle with Asuchi and Velt. She too had departed and been approached by scared locals (in her case a child) and was directing them towards the assembly points to evacuate. The lieutenant seemed particularly tense around her jaw, like she was biting on something. Looking back at Lt. Velt's group which now consisted of a Tusken ranger (@Rhax ra ) and the ranger she did not yet know (@Dusty Desperado ), she decided to approach Lt. Emblai to see if she was coming along.

The Pantoran approached the Corellian as the child ran to the rangers that were now hurrying to board survivors onto the transports.

"Lt. Emblai! You okay? Lt. Velt is taking his team towards a droid factory beyond the barriers. There are people stuck out there near the smelt works. Should we join up with him or do you have another objective? Uh.. ma'am" she asked. Still new to the organisation, and having only met Bast once thus far at the new ranger's induction, the purple haired woman was uncertain if she needed to stick with her old military formalities or not.

Looking around her, the sheer scale of the rescue effort was impressive. The number of ships and units on the ground, a coalition of Free Worlds and ISC rangers, plus the droids of Blackwell Tech. It was a sight to behold against the backdrop of a decimated world. Glancing back over her shoulder Rylee saw Lt. Velt's group heading out. They would have time to catch them up if needed, but the new ranger would defer to her superior's instruction. If they were to work together as a pair, Rylee would welcome it. The two had got along well at first introduction and the Pantoran was eager to see how the lieutenant operated in the field. It was a good opportunity to learn the job from someone other than her mentor.

@Kestrel

 

[Bast Emblai]

Lt. Aran’s hazy voice got through Bast’s comm link with some apparent difficulty. Perhaps it was the distance or atmospheric interference, but she struggled to make out what the woman had said... something about level three. Level three was certainly an undesirable situation, but the Corellian woman managed to resist the temptation to respond with ‘sending thoughts and prayers’. Being in a combat zone revived something in her, and now that the numbness was gone, she felt alive. She could feel every heartbeat, taste the rancid air. The desire to be snarky had faded with age and experience, but this was new, and her discomfort morphed into humor. Better humor than panic, at least. Oh kark. She was high on adrenaline and people were dying but it felt so damned good.

The moment she realized Rylee was watching, Bast’s face hardened. While the girl may have not been fresh, she was new to the force, and she was the commanding officer. The commanding officer who had almost laughed aloud in fear and uncertainty and the joy of being alive. Everything was cycling so fast, too fast. If she wanted respect, the Lieutenant understood she could not display weakness, despite the fact she was likely the least experienced in dealing with those effected by AMS.

”Pardon me. I’m quite alright.“ When you have seen the things I have, it will take more than a bumpy landing to make you lose your breakfast. “No need to call me ma’am. Formalities only matter if I order you to do something, which I tend to avoid. We’ll follow Lt. Velt and split off once we get to the factory compound to provide two means of exit.“ And with that, she strode off in the direction of the others, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Rylee was following. She seemed like a good kid.

@Bex

 

[Poet Severino]

The medbay was suddenly filled with a whirlwind of activities as those who were waiting at the dock stepped in with much urgency, already calling out for treatments and medical supplies to aid the wounded survivors. Having recently returned from his short vigil out of the medbay, Poet was quick to assist where he was needed, helping a frantic nurse with a panicking Utapauan.

"Ranger Virtus (@Exhilian) brought them in," the female Zyggerian told the Ranger while applying antiseptic to the survivor's wounds.

Poet nodded, taking the survivor's uninjured hand to help steady the latter. The Utapauan gazed up at the Ranger, eyes wide with fear. The half-Morellian tried his best to be less intimidating to hopefully alleviate the survivor's panicked state.

"Can you speak in Basic?" he asked the survivor, voice loud amid the noises around them but not unkind. The Utapauan nodded before his gaze flicked over to the nurse who had just finished bandaging his wound.

"I-I cut my arm o-on jagged rocks while t-trying to escape from– from the infected," recounted the survivor, tears filling their eyes. "I l-lost them... m-my wife and c-child...!"

The half-Morellian's chest clenched with pain but didn't let it show on his face. This... There was nothing he nor the doctors and nurses could do about this. But Poet had a job to do here, and plowed on even if he could be seen as an insensitive jerk for asking.

"Were you bitten? Made close contact with an infected?"

The survivor shook their head, meeting Poet's gaze as they answered with a sincere, "No."

The Ranger nodded in gratitude for the being's honesty before moving on when the nurse assured him that she would continue to tend to the man on her own.

Poet moved from one survivor to another, helping with treating their wounds and asking if they were wounded or made close contact with the infected. It would do them no good if one or two lied about not being bitten when they clearly were, and the half-Morellian now appreciated having to stay put. He helped tend to the injured, asked each and every survivor – both injured and not – if they were bitten. Luck were on their side today, for the first batch of survivors aboard the Lighthouse were all AMS-free.

He needed to do something to keep it this way.

The half-Morellian quickly sent out word to the command post, curt and straight to the point.

"Command, this is Ranger Severino speaking. Send out word to ground and air troops to check survivors for bites and ask questions about having close contact with the infected before sending them to the Lighthouse."

@TerranSteel @Kestrel @Bex @Sreeya @Nefieslab @Wit @Rhogar @Die Shize @Nommie @The Good Doctor

 

[Dusty Desperado]

Ranger 'Clane' would nod to Velt. "10-4 L.T. Lead on." He would advance with his Ranger team, it was... Exciting. He'd never been apart of a Ranger op so big and he had secretly hoped that Jaxon had been so remote none here, would actually know who he was, save by reputation alone.

He would move at Corrans 7 o'clock, visor scanning the ground below them and the infected trying to get beyond the walls. These were still early stage, thankfully, they hadn't seen any late stage infected yet.. hopefully, they wouldn't.

He'd look back at Lt. Bast and the new young Ranger, who was likely only a few years younger than him , though Clane would be thirty years her senior. Hopefully he could make his guise proud after this.. and Ranger Onn.

@TerranSteel @Kestrel @Bex