Ask Guild Wars: Ace of Spades

[Corran Velt]

Rylee's skepticism was warranted. Though the cursing was a bit much. Corran wasn't sure they could pull it off either. The metallic clatter of blasters being dropped to the ground suggested that despite her doubts, the Pantoran soldier had enough faith in him as he did her. Determination to not let her down, them all down, blossomed in his chest like sparked kindling. One final step backwards brought the Pilot and Ranger near one another. Lieutenant Velt was expecting a firm yank on his belt as the grenade was pulled from its grip. What he did not expect was the innuendo. Instead of getting visibly flustered, Corran closed his eyes and inhaled deeply both to prepare for the coming eruption of the grenade and suppress any surprise. Starfighter jockeys; always trying to get a rise out of people.

The whole mess hall went white. An ear-splitting snap caused everyone to only hear ringing. The Ranger couldn't hear Squadron Leader Asuchi's command but he certainly felt the shove bidden him forward. Using the push as fuel, he tucked his arms to his chest and lower his body like a Huttball player. Every second counted and getting stopped along the isle would ruin the whole attempt. Charging like a Mudhorn, Corran's shoulders collided with the two goons who had come to apprehend them. His eyes blinked open without looking back and kept on going. The Weequay was wincing with his mouth open, holding a palm to his head. His dark eyes hadn't opened yet but he would recovery swiftly.

Heavy footfall after heavy footfall, the lieutenant desperately strove to close the distance. Breath huffed out from his lips, lungs beginning to burn from all the physical exertion since the brawl began. Grizzled, red eyes opened with burning hesitation. In mere moments the knife could lunge into the nearest hostage. Corran realized the final table to reach his target cut his time too short. Rounding the corner and turning would be too late. So instead he jumped. Leaping onto the table at full momentum, the crewmen seated either ducked or were too dazed to be sitting upright. When the Weequay's eyes opened fully, his first glimpse was a Sector Ranger lunging through the air at him.

They collided and both tumbled to the floor. Corran landed hard on the knife-wielder's wrist and the dagger sputtered to the far corner. Before a counter-attack could be swung, the Ranger drew forth one of the blaster's on his hip and pressed it against the Weequay's. "Freeze!" The shout was commanding and well-practiced; filling the whole mess hall. Anyone could hear it through muffled, ringing ears. "Nobody move!"

With an armed man behind them and a likely armed Pantoran ahead of them, the remaining goons weakly raised their hands up in defeat. Lieutenant Velt yanked the Weequay to his feet and shoved him towards the others as they began to gather together in the isle. For now, the immediate danger was over.

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

The gambit appeared to pay off. Rylee had tightly shut her eyes after throwing the grenade so had at least retained her ability to see, despite the ringing in her ears. Having collected her weapons, the Pantoran raced behind Lt. Velt. He was quite a bit taller than her so his strides covered the distance between them and the pirates more quickly. Rylee skidded to a halt when she had drawn roughly level with the two goons that had been sent to get them. She watched as Corran reached the benches. At the pace he'd been going she thought he was going to charge straight through them like a raging Reek, but at the last moment he leapt over and smashed into the Weequay who had just started to recover from being disoriented.

Rylee had to say it was impressive watching Lt. Velt at work. When they first met she had found him very professional, but the way he was handling this situation was another level. She knew if she was going to take up his offer of joining the Sector Rangers, she had a lot to learn and likely a few bad habits picked up from her military career to stamp out. All the same, it wouldn't matter how much training she may get, she still hated anybody that would threaten innocent people. It made her blood boil.

On the lieutenant's orders the remaining two pirates raised their hands in surrender. Rylee was on them like a flash aiming both her A280C and Bryar pistol at the pair of them respectively.

"Okay knuckleheads, walk" she growled. They both looked at each other, resigned to the fact that they'd been outmaneuvered and did as they were told. Rylee escorted the pair down to the end of the mess hall and squeezed through the people sat at the bench before gracefully walking up and over it to join Corran.

"Great job lieutenant, colour me impressed" she complimented, before turning her attention to the two others she had at gun point, "Okay boys time to sit down." Rylee then waved her blaster, gesturing the other two to join their companion on the floor. They obeyed without issue.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

The other thugs were escorted at gunpoint to the end of the mess hall and joined their comrades. As tense as that got, the only injuries were some unconscious attackers and a minor knife wound to the neck. More like a shaving cut for the former hostage. And the two dead assailants. Corran glanced to their unmoving corpses and grimaced subtly. Killing criminals in self-defense, or when they were a danger to others, wasn't an issue. Rylee was a soldier too. Just a shame it came to that.

Speaking of, the Pantoran made their new captures sit together on the floor and even paid the Ranger a compliment. "Thanks. I think I got a little lucky," Corran replied, "I couldn't have done it without your help." Her throw was a good one. Well timed and accurate. Attempting such a maneuver by his lonesome would have likely ended up with someone dead. Maybe even himself. Rylee was shaping up to be someone that could be relied on. "Keep those guys covered," Lieutenant Velt nodded to the goons, "I'll check out other crew and Oro."

Still-seated beings in crew uniforms groaned and grimaced as their senses began to recover from the concussion grenade. Yet despite that, none of them had risen or fallen out of their seats in the scuffle. Corran walked over to the nearest table and knelt down. Upon closer examination, the mystery was solved. All of the prisoners were shackled together, ankle to ankle, and some shackled at their hands as well. All the chains bolted to either the wall or the tables themselves. Looked like only a keycard or digital unlock could get the prisoners free. Considering the ambushers were sitting at those same benches, none of them were likely to carry anything like that. Less chances for a mishap. A few shackles were open and laying on the tile floor at various tables. The Ranger called out, "Squadron Leader, help me get our prisoners locked up."

Once all their attackers had been secured along side their former hostages, that only left one loose end. Camdus Oro. The Bothan had finally managed to slide up the wall back to an unsteady standing position from all the excitement when Lieutenant Velt was already standing before him again, hands on hips. "What's going on here, Oro? Who are these guys?" He quickly stammered in reply, "I-I-I-I don't know who they are! I was just told to lead you through the mess hall." None of the usual tics were there, so the alien was telling the truth. Corran cocked an unsatisfied eyebrow, "Why aren't you chained up then?" Petty Officer Oro pushed himself up to fuller height to try and meet the Ranger's gaze. "I'm the only one who knew the transmit codes. I handle communications."

That made some sense. Camdus was the only who guided them in over comms in the first place. A firm hand gripped the Bothan's shoulder. "Good news, Petty Officer, you're taking us to the command deck after all." Oro fur's stood up in unease before settling down. With a careful shove, he guided the Pilot and the Ranger out of the mess hall and out into the maze of hallways. So many questions remained unanswered. Who were these raiders, really? Why take hostages instead of taking cargo, killing survivors, and making off? And were the bridge crew of the Guidance really dead? Whoever was in charge of this operation would provide the answers and they were on the command deck.

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

After helping restrain the three pirates to the mess hall benches, Rylee took a back seat to the Sector Ranger as he questioned Petty Officer Oro. This was the lieutenant's assignment after all and she was but simply his armed escort. Listening to the Bothan answer Lt Velt's questions, Rylee did not get the impression that Oro was lying. If he had been in league with the pirates, he probably would have attacked the pair of them along with the others. Judging by just how scared he was, Rylee was confident of his innocence.

When Corran informed the Petty Officer he would be taking them to the command deck of the ship, Oro became visibly more uneasy. The lieutenant gave him a little push as an indicator to get going and the pilot and the ranger followed along behind. Rylee kept her A280C un-holstered. She did not trust that whoever they were dealing with on this ship not to throw out any other surprises. They would have to proceed with caution. As they walked, the Pantoran moved alongside Petty Officer Oro and wrapped an arm around him, leaning over to talk to him. It must have looked very strange to Corran who was walking just behind them for the time being.

"Listen Oro, I don't get the feeling you're really a bad guy, but I must warn you, if it turns out you're deceiving us I'm going to be very... very... disappointed" she said in a soft, almost sweet voice, "And you wouldn't want to disappoint me now, would you?" This was quite obviously a mind-game. Rylee was trying to somehow endear herself to the Petty Officer whilst making it very clear to him that if she smelled even a whiff of treachery, he was likely to end up a smoking husk like the two she had left in the mess hall.

"N-n-n-n-no of course not" stammered Oro, somehow managing to sound even more uncomfortable than when Corran told him he had to direct them to the command deck. If it was possible for someone to simultaneously blush and go white as a ghost, Petty Officer Oro had achieved it.

"Good~" said Rylee, giving the Bothan a very patronising ruffle of the fur on his head, "I didn't think you were a man who would leave a lady disappointed." The Pantoran then turned her head away from Oro's shoulder to look back at Corran and give him a wink.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

As much as the real situation had been obscured through deceptions and ambushes, one thing was certainly true. The Guidance had taken quite a beating. Scorched panels, black with carbon. Exposed wires and cables dangling from the ceiling where once they sparked with dangerous electricity but now hauntingly drooped. Contorted hallways that twisted like carnival mirrors, bent and flexed in unnatural ways. Without Oro's help, getting through the metallic maze would have been nigh impossible.

In a longer section that was mostly intact, Rylee had taken up beside the Bothan and thrown an arm around his shoulders. Corran kept a bit back, not trying to bunch up and keep his senses alert. He couldn't make out everything that was said, but the tid-bits he picked up and the body-language of the Petty Officer suggested Rylee was using her usual charms to intimidate and appeal to the alien. Lieutenant Velt was initially impressed. Being a Ranger required a certain level of gravitas. To intimidate crooks or win-over frightened innocents. Unlike proficiency with blasters or hand-to-hand combat, it couldn't be easily trained. Rylee having the seeds of it proved a greater boon in his mind. Appreciation slipped to vexation after the Pantoran looked back and winked. Corran furrowed his brow and squinted at her before finally shaking his head subtly.

Erratic turns and careful steps through damaged terrain eventually led to a hallway that ended in a T-juncture. The trio were coming to it from the left, and so the other pathway was to the 'north' and 'south' of the ship. Camdus stop dead in his tracks before clearing the wall into the hallway and refused to budge another inch. This allowed Corran to catch up and whisper to the Bothan, "What's wrong?"

Petty Officer Oro put his back to the wall and shook his head, "N-nothing, really. The bridge is just right around this corner. Just that..." The Bothan looked over his shoulder, as if he could see through solid metal. "There's two guards at the entrance to the command area. They aren't expecting guests." Corran scowled and nudged Camdus further back along the wall. Falling to one knee, the lieutenant drew a vibroknife from his belt and put it as low to the floor as possible. Inch by miniscule inch, the blade slowly entered the T-junction until it could reflect what was down the corridor. Two men stood guard with blaster rifles and in uniforms different from those of the crew seen in the mess hall. Not quite spick-and-span, but not rough either. Usually pirates preferred practical or intimidating attire.

A small shard of light from one of the ceiling lights glinted off the right curve of the blade only for a second. Corran withdrew it immediately and tucked the blade away, as if that would recapture the light. "Did you see something?" A voice grumbled to someone. The male Ranger winced. "Maybe? A spark or something." "Lets go check it out."

Footsteps thudded out of sight. They were coming. Lieutenant Velt grew one of his blaster pistols and set it to stun. He'd rather not start a shootout so close to the bridge. Those inside could hear and react by locking the door, sending reinforcements, or fleeing altogether. None of those making their objective any easier to attain. He just needed time to think. Time they didn't have.

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Petty Officer Oro's demeanor did not improve much despite Rylee's increased attention. The Bothan remained scared as ever. Rylee did feel bad for the guy. He probably just wanted to return home to be with his family but was stuck here with them trying his best to survive. When they reached the T-junction and Oro told them about the guards, the Pantoran watched as Lt. Velt used his vibroknife as an impromtu mirror to peek around the corner and catch a glimpse of what they would be up against. It was a technique Rylee was familiar with. The Pantoran army had used it many times in the field, but she did not expect a Sector Ranger to use it too. The lieutenant continued to impress.

Rylee did not see what Corran saw in the knife. The ranger would have had to tell her how many guards were there, but before he had the chance to, two voices could be heard in the near distance. Somehow they had caught a flash from the knife and were inbound on their position imminently. Tapping the lieutenant on the shoulder, Rylee mouthed the words "How many?" to him. They had to avoid talking or else they would immediately be discovered. Velt held up two fingers and Rylee nodded. The Pantoran reached behind her and unclipped her fusion cutter from her belt. To many, it was simply a tool for repairing machinery and starships, but in the right, or perhaps the wrong hands, a fusion cutter could be used as a deadly weapon.

Corran had sheathed his vibroknife and reached for a blaster pistol which he set to stun. Rylee tapped his arm and frowned. The Pantoran shook her head and gestured for him to take his vibroknife back out. She placed a blue finger on her purple lips indicating they had to remain silent. If they risked blaster fire here, they could alert others beyond the door. The Pantoran then pointed a finger at the ranger and held up one finger. She then pointed a finger at herself and held up one finger. Two guards - one each to be taken out silently before they moved on.

She was unsure whether Lt. Velt would follow through with her idea. He hadn't seemed bothered either way about the two men she had shot in the mess hall, but she couldn't get a read on if he approved of her methods or not. Either way, it did not matter. If the lieutenant chose to go with his blaster, she would just have to resort to using her own blasters to handle any back up that emerged from the bridge.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Just as the blade was nearly secured in its sheath a hand tapped the lieutenant's arm. He glanced back to see Rylee frowning at him. With surprisingly accurate intimations, the Pantoran silently gestured for Corran to retain the use of his knife. At first he didn't quite understand her objective; meeting her miming with a cocked eyebrow. A finger over hushed lips suggested Rylee wanted to do this quietly. A single finger to herself and one to him further cemented the idea. They each take both quietly. Sky-blue eyes floated between the fusioncutter in Rylee's hand and the blaster in his own. Her plan was daring. Jumping two enemies with blaster rifles and them only wielding bladed weapons. Coordination would be crucial. More so than throwing a grenade.

With a near-silent exhale from the nostrils, Lieutentant Velt holstered his sidearm with quiet precision. It was the best option. Going loud so close to their objective could spoil the whole mission. Trust once again became their most valuable currency. With a deft jerk, Corran's dagger was once again equipped. Instead of a traditional hold, he had the blade in a reverse grip. He pointed a thumb to himself and then gestured to the fall wall. An indication Squadron Leader Asuchi would recognize as him volunteering to attack the enemy furthest away. She'd get the one closer. Footsteps against the metal floor grew louder. With focused features, the Ranger rose to his feet but still crouched. A coiled spring ready to burst. The guards drew ever nearer. Corran shallowly inhaled to gather his breath. The wait before action was agonizing.

A tiny sliver of a black boot crossed the visual plain. Without warning, the Ranger launched like a warhead into the hall, darting under the first's gaze and wheeling onto the other right next to them. "Wh-!" It was the only sound the guard managed to utter as Corran tackled into the man's gut, knocking the wind out of his lungs completely. They both toppled to the floor. With a clatter, the rifle fell to the ground. Overcome by surprise and injury both, the guard was slow to resist. Corran covered the man's mouth and nose with a vice-like grip and brought his fist, balled around the vibroblade, slamming into his opponent's temple. Such a blow sent the man into unconsciousness. Likely a concussion when he woke up too.

Any action towards the second guard closer to the wall would be too late now. Either Rylee had disabled her target or a blaster shot would burn through Lieutenant Velt's torso any second. That logic didn't stop his survival instincts from making him turn his head to see if he could survive another moment or meet the eyes of his killer. His only prayer was Rylee.

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

The blonde ranger did not need to worry. His charge into the corridor provided the perfect distraction. As Corran tackled the guard furthest away, the second had abandoned his vigilance and begun to raise his blaster to fire on the lieutenant. This had meant Rylee and Petty Officer Oro had remained unnoticed in the conjoining corridor and gave the Pantoran all the time she needed.

Flipping the fusion cutter's blade into position, the 5'4" woman leapt up onto her target's back. With her left hand she reached around his face, roughly covering his nose and mouth, whilst with her right, plunging the knife into his back. There was some muffled surprise and struggle from the guard, but when the blade had gone in up to the hilt she retracted it and stabbed him two more times until all tension in his body released and the guard dropped to the floor in a crumpled heap. Rylee had felt the last of the air in his lungs push out between her fingers but retained a tight grip on him even as they both toppled to the floor.

Satisfied her target had been eliminated successfully, the soldier rose to her feet. There was fresh blood staining on the front of her uniform, but she did not make anything of it. These things happened in the heat of battle. Looking over at Lt. Velt she saw that he had incapacitated his target using non-lethal tactics. Corran had a look on his face as if he was expecting the guard behind him to have shot him by now, but Rylee just gave him a nod of acknowledgement and wiped the blood from her fusion cutter onto her pant leg.

From behind her, Rylee heard sounds of discomfort coming from Petty Officer Oro. If he hadn't already been scared enough he was positively mortified now. The Pantoran reached down and grabbed the blaster rifle that previously belonged to her latest kill before offering it out to the Bothan.

"Know how to use one of these Oro?" she asked. There was no pretense of teasing or mockery in her voice this time. In her line of work the lines between business and banter between comrades was as fluid as a flowing river, "If we go in there, it's best you protect yourself. You might not like my methods but I will make sure you return home to your family, I promise you that."

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

No searing burn came. No hole in his chest appear. By the time Corran's head finally turned over where he could see over his shoulder, the other guard had just thudded to the ground. Rylee's torso was crimson with the life-force of another. She was wiping the a solid line of blood off on her pants to finish off the deed. His eyes drifted to the corpse at her feet. He had been dispatched with precision. Stabs to fatal areas and where the air from his lungs would be pushed out. Only a trained soldier or an experienced killer could do something like that. As much as Corran preferred to incapacitate over kill, it was either the guard's life or the Ranger's. Rylee helped make that choice for him.

Lieutenant Velt rose to his feet and took steadied breaths to regain stamina. Petty Officer Oro had a rifle shoved into his hands as the Pantoran tried to give him orders to be brave. The Bothan was no soldier. He was a member of a corporate security force at best and primarily focused on communications and sensors. If he had any training at all, it was barely enough to repel boarders - much less assault a command bridge. Corran reached out and gripped Camdus' shoulder; giving a reassuring clasp. They'd make it out. Just keep your head down.

With vibroblade sheathed, the Ranger pulled one of his two blasters from its holster and readied it. He took the lead in advancing on the now unguarded door to the bridge. No alarms sounded due to their secret efforts and it could be opened with the press of a button. Corran took up position on one side the door, leaving the other for Rylee. Her training would know this was a breaching position to storm the room. Hard, fast, and with precision. The Bothan slid along the wall next to Corran and kept the rifle close to his chest more as a shield than a weapon. Blue eyes flicked to him, "How many of your crew are in there?" Oro shook his head, "Just me. They didn't let anyone else."

Corran's eyes darted to Rylee's. They both knew what that meant. Everyone in there was a hostile. A curt nod to the Pantoran was the start of the count-down and to ready herself. Three. Two. One. The door shhhhhhished open and the Ranger was the first through the threshold. Only three beings stood there near the chairs that helmed the ship. They all turned around slowly and looked utterly perplexed about what was happening. Wordlessly, Lieutenant Velt raised his sidearm and fired. A blue bolt screamed through the once peaceful air and struck the man who looked to be commanding the other two. It was a best guess based on stature and uniform. The other two had recovered by now and drew out their blasters and chaotically returned fire, sending sparks showering the deck. Corran dove behind a console as a hail of red began shredded it to pieces. While the other two were focusing on him, it left them vulnerable to another attack from someone else.

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Rylee's confidence was boosted upon hearing there were no civilians on the command deck. It meant she would be able to dish out her particular brand of justice with impunity. As they stood in the breaching position, the Pantoran gave one last piece of advice to the Petty Officer.

"Find cover and stay there. Only take shots you are confident will not immediately return back to you. I promised that I'd get you out of here, I'm not gonna let you be the reason my promise is broken" she said, giving the Bothan one of her signature stares. Her golden eyes were full of determination. Cocking her rifle she gave Oro and Corran a little smile, then the count down began. The door swept open, Lt. Velt's looming figure filled the entrance and the flash of blaster fire lit up the room. The blue light was followed by red as the occupants of the bridge fired back upon the blonde haired human. The Ranger dived behind a console, drawing their fire.

Rylee peeked around the corner of the door, her eyes looking down the sights of her A280C. She slowed her breathing with a deep inhalation, took aim and fired a burst across the room towards the pirate on the opposite side to where she was outside the door. The Pantoran's intention was to end him quickly with a fatal shot to the head, unfortunately the blaster fire from the others in the room meant her aim was slightly off. She missed his head but caught him on the shoulder. The pirate cried out in pain and ducked for cover.

"Kriff!" she swore to herself as she too rolled back behind the door to avoid getting hit, "Bastard won't be so lucky next time. If you stay out here I won't blame you Oro, but just give me some covering fire. I'm going in..."

Reloading her rifle, the Pantoran waited for an opening and when it finally came, she ran like lightning into the room. Intermittently she raised the A280C to take shots at the enemy, but most did not hit their target, she was mainly concerned with hunkering down inside and making sure Lt. Velt was not surrounded. Hiding behind a console of her own, she placed her rifle on her back once more and pulled out her Bryar. Closing the distance meant something a little hard hitting was in order.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Lethal bolts of light darted over Corran's head as fire from Rylee danced with fire from their enemy. Some slammed into consoles, sending their panels upward in a burst of energy. Others left black pocks of carbon against the floor or far wall. A yelp of pain from beyond the Ranger's cover meant that someone had been shot. A brief lull in the firefight gave him the excuse he needed to relocate. Staying crouched, he pushed off the console he slid against and pushed off. Rylee entered the room just then and frantic firing resumed.

Despite the Pantoran's intentions, Lieutenant Velt was determined on flanking their opponents. It would allow a clear shot and they were likely to keep concentrated on where they had just been shot at last. That being the flurry of fire Rylee had sent down their way. The command deck was angled only slightly from the damage the ship had taken, but it made movement a little more difficult. Besides the areas where debris had been cleared, namely the communications and sensor suites, cables and debris were strewn across the floor. Corran rounded behind the Captain's chair, his eyes focused to his right to finally get the jump on the two remaining threats.

Something snagged his foot. He tumbled over and hit his chin hard on metal. His teeth rung like a bell. The blaster pistol in his hand slipped free and scrapped across the floor, spinning on its side. Giving his head a quick shake to regain his senses, the Ranger crawled forcefully across the deck to try and grab the blaster. He reached out for it desperately when a metallic clink made him freeze. "Ah ah ah. Gotcha." Corran slowly panned his eyes to the right. The barrel of a blaster pistol pointed at him. Behind two consoles sat the very men he'd been trying to shoot. One held his arm with a grimace on his face and the other was only smiles.

Despite all his earlier heroics and efforts, Corran Velt was now a hostage.

"Hey! Killer!" Shouted the uninjured gunmen, "We got one of yours over here! Throw down your weapon or I fill him full of holes."

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Having already diffused one hostage situation, Rylee had thought the only chance another could arise at this point was if Oro managed to get caught. She did not expect the Sector Ranger to be the one who slipped up, and not in a literal sense either. The Pantoran was still in cover when she saw Lt. Velt move from his position. It was clear he was moving to flank them, but the soldier did not quite understand why. They had the pirates pinned down in the bridge and the only way out was through them. Rylee had poked her head ever so slightly above the console to take a shot at the nearest enemy when she saw Corran fall.

"Double kriff!" the Pantoran swore to herself, ducking behind cover once more, "What did he do that for?!"

The gunman holding Corran hostage, a disheveled Duros wearing a red uniform with grey tints, called out to Rylee, his voice filled with arrogance that the pilot felt was misplaced. She did not want to surrender but Velt was now at the mercy of the pirates and his life could come to an abrupt end at any second. There was only one thing for it - Rylee would have to give up.

Dropping her Bryar to the floor behind the console and raising her hands , she slowly stood up to show that she was no longer an active threat and once standing, used one arm to slip her A280C rifle from her back and place that down beside the pistol.

"Okay, okay, don't shoot" she sighed, rolling her golden eyes, not believing what she was saying, "Don't hurt him. I give up."

The Pantoran began to walk slowly around the console and towards the Duros.

"Don't move another step" came the voice of the injured pirate - a Rodian - who, clutching the blaster burn on their shoulder had slumped themselves over their cover and with their remaining hand, pointed their blaster at the Pantoran, "You think we're that stupid? Let you walk over here and try something whilst his gun is preoccupied with your boyfriend here? You're an arrogant bitch." The Rodian spat at her in disgust.

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" asked Rylee, "Wouldn't surprise me. Bet that's the only action you get, slimeball." The Pantoran then twisted one of her surrendering hands around to give the Rodian the middle finger. The injured pirate yelled, steadied his blaster for a shot and just as he was about to pull the trigger, a flash of red burst past Rylee and struck him straight in the temple. The Rodian instantly slumped dead over the console. Rylee had to act fast, if she didn't Corran's life could be over. Snatching her fusion cutter, the only weapon she had neglected to relinquish, she flicked out the blade and thew the knife at the Duros holding the lieutenant hostage.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Out of all the beatings Corran had endured since his first one on Mon Gazza, few matched the one he was giving himself in his head. He had gotten too obsessed on the target. A mistake even veterans made but one he couldn't forgive himself for. Lack of observation of surroundings, anticipating cover and concealment, and keeping weapon aimed at target. The lieutenant was sloppy for a brief moment and ended up captured for real. Without a trick up his sleeve this time, Rylee was certain to assault her enemies. That's what soldiers did. Engage combatants with extreme aggression and application of force. Corran couldn't blame her - training instilled that. He understood and respected that type of internalized discipline. It's a shame it would come at the cost of his life. He stared down the gun barrel pointed at his face and waited for the onslaught.

It never came. The Ranger couldn't believe his ears. Squadron Leader Asuchi actually... gave up. To spare him from harm. Metal clattered to the floor on the other side of the command bridge. Thinking the danger had past, the Duro who had so expertly taken Corran hostage rose from his squatting position to full height. A dark grin curling on his dark blue face. A wave of his weapon motioned his captive to get up from the ground as well. Lieutenant Velt rose from his belly to one knee. Defiant as ever, Rylee was verbally duking it out with the Rodian she had wounded. Going so far as to give him a rude gesture via middle finger. That soldierly aggression hadn't been entirely suppressed after all. Insult and injury pushed the Rodian over the edge. Murder shone in his pupil-less eyes as he rapidly raised a weapon to finish off the woman for good.

The screech of a blaster cut across the room. Instead of the Pantoran, it was the Rodian who took a shot clean through the dome. His body gurgled as it collapsed in shock. Quicker than lightning, a blade flew from Rylee's hand. The Duro had already began to turn when his partner had abruptly ceased to be among the living. He was mid-raising of his blaster towards the Pantoran when her thrown combat fusioncutter sliced across his arm and wrist. If he hadn't moved it might have gotten him in the back.

With a howl, the firearm dropped from his hand as the Duro clenched his hand as blood ran from the wounds. The blaster tumbled across the floor. Right to Corran's feet. Without a blink, he fished up the blast and fired a stun round right into the Duro at close range. The alien's agony was stifled by fitful unconsciousness. All hostiles down.

Petty Officer Oro shuffled into the room, his arms trembling around a rifle; smoking floating from the end of the barrel. "Did... did we win?" Corran inhaled quickly and glanced about the room, "I think we did. You made an incredible shot." The Bothan didn't seem particularly pleased and instead grew a lighter shade of brown. "You can set the blaster down, if you want," Lieutenant Velt gently offered. As if shrugging off the burden of a planet, the rifle fell to the floor and Camdus leaned against the nearest console. Ironically, the communications suite.

The blond Ranger came around the bodies and debris-strewn deck to the being he had stunned upon first entrance. He was an older human male, grey hairs streaking brown hair, and his uniform was practical but professional. Corran began patting down his body before fishing out a datapad. "What's been going on here?" He mused aloud. A search through messages, logs, and transfers painted a picture of a raid gone awry. These men weren't pirates - but privateers. Paid to raid, without symbol, another company's rival. But their easy pickings came to an end when they were forced to engaged the Guidance. Many starfighters lost, forced to damage the ship, and board it. Intent to ransom off hostages. Original contractor of the deal had cut them off once things went this south. A data-message with lots of exclamation points made that clear. They were more businessmen than cutthroats.

"You'll want to check this out," Corran offered the datapad over to Rylee. He'd explain anything that wasn't clear or obvious at first glance. After she had stomached her fill of evidence, the lieutenant would look over her shoulder at Oro. If he was still far away and recovering, Corran would clear his throat and say, "Um... Thanks for saving my life back there." His voice sounded dry and quiet. The details he left out. Reminding the soldier that she had surrendered to spare his life was probably something she wouldn't want spoken aloud. Ever.

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

Her gambit had paid off - just. Though she did not succeed in killing the Duro as intended, she had managed to disarm him and enable her companion to incapacitate him. Corran was free and they had successfully won the fight. Looking back over her shoulder she saw Petty Officer Oro sheepishly enter and inquire about the result. Lt. Velt complimented the Bothan on his shooting, but that was nothing compared to the praise he got from Rylee.

"Oro! You beautiful man, I could kiss you!" she cried, going over to the stout lifeform and patting him solidly on the back, "I didn't think you had it in you! I've seen veterans who couldn't make a shot that good!" The Petty Officer was clearly uncomfortable with what had transpired and on hearing Corran's offer of putting the rifle down, he leapt at the chance immediately. The attention he was getting from the relieved Pantoran clearly wasn't helping him relax either.

Lt. Velt soon set about investigating the bridge, looking over bodies and examining the wreckage strewn across the deck. Rylee gave Oro one last pat on the back before wandering over to collect her fusion cutter from the far end of the room. Finding it dripping with a little more fresh blood from the Duro's wrist, she bent over slowly and decisively to collect it. Whilst she was bent over, she examined the blade a little before once again wiping the blood on the leg of her pants. Rylee stood up to full height again and set about reclaiming her blasters straight after.

Once she had collected her belongings, she met with Corran again who held out a datapad. Taking it, she scooted up on top of the nearest console, crossed her legs and started to read. The Pantoran did not like what she saw, but she maintained a blank expression as she read. Pirates were one thing, but privateers paid to do essentially the same job, raiding the ships of honest and hardworking traders, bothered her. These privateers in particular bothered her a lot. Their actions had extended far beyond simply raiding a ship for goods, they took hostages, threatened to harm the crew and attempted to kill both Lt. Velt and herself on a number of occasions. They were scum and deserved everything Rylee had dished out to them.

What snapped Rylee out of her train of thought was the Sector Ranger clearing his throat. He thanked her quietly for saving his life. The Pantoran did not immediately respond, her golden eyes just watched the blonde haired man in front of her.

"You wouldn't be able to train me if you were dead, lieutenant" she said, unblinking.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

A subtle smirk tugged at the corner of the Ranger's mouth as Rylee greeted Petty Officer Oro with such enthusiasm. It said a lot about the Pantoran soldier that she initially distrusted the Bothan, then was skeptical of him, and finally ended up jovially greeting him as friend. It said a lot about her. She could admit her initial observation was wrong and change it without hesitation. A good trait to have.

Corran gripped the corner of the datapad to take it back from Rylee when her golden stare, coupled with what she said, seized his movements. Bewilderment shown in his own gaze as he searched her features for any sort of forth-coming quip, jest, or attempt at humor. Only determination remained. He cocked an eyebrow at the soldier, "Train you, huh? I'm not sure there's much military experience I have to share." Corran lifted the device from her hand and moved as if to type on it, "Unless that's your official request to become a Sector Ranger." That phrasing could come across coy, but when it came to a decision this weighty, he had to be sure of the potential recruit's intentions. There could be no doubt this was the path they wanted to take.

To obscure his own surprise, the lieutenant tapped through the datapad looking for anything not previously uncovered. Rylee had been nothing short of head-strong, fierce, and nationalistic. Her actions today revealed a penchant for violent force-of-action. Blasting away at targets even with innocent civilians in the balance. A good trait in soldiers but a poor one for law enforcement. Restraint and patience, which she lacked, were better served when investigating or engaging with the criminals of the galaxy. You couldn't kill your way to justice every time. At least, that's what Corran thought.

On the other hand, the Pantoran wasn't entirely a loose cannon. Small diamonds in the rough were visible. She put faith in her partners. Teamwork was second-nature. Rylee ceased her assaults when hostages were on the line where another soldier may not have. Hints of natural curiosity and inquisitiveness revealed themselves from time to time. There was no denying she was a quick-learner either. Most importantly of all... Rylee had spared his life, at great risk to her own, and eventually saved it. Corran didn't know she had it in her. Absent-minded scrolling through files on the datapad revealed a digital key for the mess hall. So that's how they kept them locked up. A simple press of a button unlocked the chains and restraints that kept the crew detained. If the privateers they captured down there were smart, they'd surrender promptly before the greater number of newly-freed captives took their revenge.

One important question remained unanswered. The most important that could seal or end a promising start to a Ranger career. "All I need to know is..." Lieutenant Velt looked up from the device, authority in his eyes, "Why?"

@Bex

 

[Rylee Asuchi]

The Sector Ranger looked a little confused when she stated her reason for saving him. It was of course not the only reason, but it was a big one nonetheless. When his lips started moving again, the Pantoran listened but wasted no time in responding to his words. Uncrossing her legs and sliding off the console, she strode up to him, her eyes intensely focused on his and her brow stern.

"First of all, lieutenant, what makes you think you have any military experience to share with me? Hm?" she began, "Secondly, if I recall you wanted me to join your organisation. I'm merely accepting your offer."

The Pantoran took a deep breath, puffing her chest out as she stood on her tip-toes a little to try and reduce the height difference between the two. Then jabbing him hard in the middle of his chest she said "Plus you look like you could use all the help you can get. Leaving cover when we've already got the enemy pinned down? Honestly? What were you thinking?"

These were perhaps not the reasons Corran would have been looking for. Whilst they were true, their previous discussions over the issue had been far more philosophical and grounded in moral ideals. None of these answers reflected her mindset on those grounds and Rylee was aware that the lieutenant was likely to take note of this. The fact was, she was hiding something and though she felt justified, believed it may damage her chances of being accepted into the rangers. Her actions were not all that dissimilar to that of these privateers, even if the people she targeted were proven criminals, and it was only a matter of time before her activities were discovered - whether that was by her superior officers in the military or by law enforcement. Corran had offered her a chance to continue serving justice in a more righteous way and she had elected to take it for self-preservation. She knew her days were numbered and she needed to get out now, to have any chance of escaping the consequences of her actions.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

A serious question led to a fiery reply. Corran had not anticipated the Pantoran to hop off the console and advance on him with intensity in her countenance. To his credit, the Ranger didn't recoil or flinch in any visible way. Rylee marched right up to his personal space and he stared her down with placid features. She was right on one account; Lieutenant Velt lacked any formal military experience. All combat skills had been earned through deadly encounters with droids, beasts, monsters, gangsters, and Sith. Which is why he had jested that he couldn't train her in anything military. First time a joke had gone over Rylee's head - or she intentionally ignored it. Her second point actually had Corran nod subtly, mouth cocked to one side. The initial invitation had been on Outpost Blue. At the time, gambling on the Pantoran soldier joining up with the Rangers would have been a risky bet. Seems the tides had turned.

Lieutenant Velt fought the urge to raise an eyebrow as the woman in front of him made herself look bigger and stood on her the tips of her toes to try and equalize the height difference between them. It might've been funny if she didn't look deadly serious. A blue finger jabbed into Corran's broad, hardened chest without hesitation. He didn't look down or change his professional features an iota. A powerful dressing down of the Ranger's most costly mistake finally forced him to offer up a meager defense, "I thought I could flank them." A small shrug punctuated what excuse Corran had prepared.

To be a good Sector Ranger required the ability to read between the lines. That sixth sense to tell when something wasn't as it seemed. At the least, an inkling to know when someone was distracting you with one hand while hiding something in the other. Corran had the basics down from his days as a trader along the hyperlanes. Easily swindled merchants don't last long. His current career in the Rangers had honed that initial material into something more finely honed. Squadron Leader Asuchi was a firebrand, but even this heat was more than usual. Back on Outpost Blue, probing questions about her intentions and background waffled between precise details and vague generalities. Rylee was covering for something.

The scales tilted one way and the other in the blond Ranger's mind. All the flaws and dangers on one side and all the positives and potential on the other. Lieutenant Velt shifted his jaw as if nibbling on stone. Sky-blue eyes examined the woman's features in silence. Finally, he nodded, letting his arms fall to his sides, "Alright. You make good points. Consider yourself the latest recruit to have the honor and duty to serve in the Sector Rangers." A closed-mouthed grin dawned on Corran's face. There were many unknowns about the Pantoran soldier. But she had gone to great ends to preserve his health and life. All cases required a partner you could rely on and she had proved it without even wearing the badge yet. Plus he liked Rylee; her energy was infectious. The standard background check would make certain no blatant criminal background would remain undiscovered. Just to put his own conscious to rest, he'd do a little digging in tandem.

For the crew of the Twin Suns Logistics Ship Guidance, the nightmare would be over soon. They had survived an ordeal many others would not and even played a part in rescuing themselves. The Pilot and the Ranger marked down their coordinates and get out a distress signal once they cleared the dense asteroid field. Many of them would spread tales of close-combat officer and a quick-draw Pantoran. Tales that had only just begun.

//END THREAD
@Bex