Ask Mission: In Wake of the Front - These Damned Idealists

[Amer Dragata]

Spoiler: Music OOC

The Imperial presence on the planet Bastion was hardly welcomed, even with its own instituted government. Rebel remnants were doing their best to disrupt these invaders, hardly liberators to them.

They were more organized and better equipped than bandits, but the government viewed them as no different.

The world’s freedom fighters would disrupt and strike, run and hide, resist, and the people would applaud or look the other way, but they would not help the Imperials.

Some soldiers favored the idea of cracking down on every town and crushing them into dust to find these insurgents, but the planetary populace would only be incited into insurrection.

‘We have to be surgical, precise, careful, find the head of this snake and cut it off,’ an Imperial official had directed. ‘Show the people of Bastion that we are their bastion, and that these rebels are nothing more than terrorists.’

So they swept the hills and the settlements, and they found the city of Palimer where intelligence had determined a rebel presence.

They might be both inside and outside, the local administration might comply or deny, and the city’s denizens might hide their freedom fighters, tell them when and where to run, but at least some might be willing to spare some information—if the price was right or if they were otherwise persuaded.

Rooting out insurgents was tricky business, the kind that didn’t quite appeal to a number of soldiers, like Amer Dragata of the Imperial Army. A sergeant in the Assault Corps (marines, basically), she led her own squad nicknamed the Dust Dragoons. Their expertise? Shoot something.

A garrison already in the city, Sgt. Dragata was presently tasked with waiting for two others, an Army lieutenant and an Imperial Squire. She stood alone in uniform outside a structure serving as barracks, looking at the sky, ready to complete the mission and fly off this planet. Soon enough. Hopefully. Cut the head off, kick the dust, then it's back to the stars, marine.

@Rimrald @The Mad Hammer

 

[Gualberto Amato]

The dull gray of a pair of Imperial speeders seemed to almost blend in as they zipped through the protected zone; a militarized section of the Imperial Military complex secured and protected against the ever increasing attacks of the Jedi and rebellious anarchists. Bastion was a drab industrial world under an equally drab industrial gray sky and it did little to elicit any sort of excitement.

Humming to a stop before the makeshift barracks that was now serving as a sort of command center, polished black-booted feet made exit from both vehicles. A pair of drivers, a duo of armed troopers each, and a trio of officers made up the escort for Lieutenant Gualberto Amato, the Night Terror, commanding officer of the 2nd Battallion. 111th Air Cavalry Squadron. Stepping from his speeder, the Kuati scanned the silent empty gray skies with an approving nod. He expected this airspace to be protected, if nothing else. Soon enough; he could already visualize the rumbling twin ion engines of Kreehawk Squadron thundering as they ripped through the air overhead. Those rebel bastards did not know what was in store for them.

Gualberto’s black dress uniform was a stark difference to the usual browns and greens of the Imperial Army, an option offered to pilots who served alongside the ground forces of the Empire instead of within the ranks of the Navy. Behind him, three more customarily garbed officers fell into step, their guards and drivers remaining with the speeders. Even if where they were was supposedly secure, one could never be too sure.

Lt. Amato returned a salute to Sgt @Amer Dragata, his face as stern as the steely sky above them. “Sergeant. Lieutenant G. Amato, Second Battallion, One-Hundred and Eleventh Air Cavalry, the Kreehawk Squadron. Am I the last to arrive?” He asked as a closer to his formal introduction. Even now, the six companies of Kreehawk were making themselves at home and operation at the nearby Imperial secured airfield. All they needed now was an arrow to point them where to begin.

@Rimrald @Die Shize

 

[Spurius Livius Gaetulicus]

Spurius Livius Gaetulicus - Imperial Squire was what the printed text on the inside of his chest plate read. Strapping the blazing red signature armor on piece by piece, Spurius had been preparing for this operation for the last few weeks.

His studies at the academy in the years prior to moving to train with the Imperial Knights had begun to prepare him for situations like these. Insurgency was the enemy that persisted, it had plagued the empires of old and recent memory. Some where some how - they always seemed to forget what is needed to remove insurgencies. Spurius had no plans of letting the soldier's he would be accompanying on this task ruin the groundwork that was being laid.

Emerging from the barracks in his red knight's armor, with blaster pistol in shoulder holster and saber hooked to his belt. He would nod respectfully - catching the end of the other two men's introductions.

"Spurius Livius Gaetulicus - Imperial Squire. I believe I am the last to arrive." He paused looking to the sergeant and the lieutenant, addressing the ranking officer he continued "I trust you have been briefed on the situation here and the nature of the work being done to bring this planet in line?"

Spurius knew the average officer in the ranks of the empire cared little for the overall scope of a mission. Insurgencies are never able to be removed without the population believing they too are the issue. It requires buy-in from officials, civilians, soldiers and alike on a planet - but most of all it requires time. Lots and lots of time matched with good will, to turn a populace to the side of what they believe to be an oppressor. @The Mad Hammer @Die Shize

 

[Amer Dragata]

Spoiler: Music OOC

The sound of speeders, of vehicles landborne and more, was no uncommon thing within this city. Airborne vessels, on the other hand, well, the IAF did its best to break the skies, crack that welkin, so that there would be no dance of dragons—only wingless beasts hiding in the hills.

Still… Epic, poetic words as one commanding officer had put it, but a mere soldier wasn’t convinced. It took more than steel and iron. If we fuck this mission up then our enemy will be the ones flying high in the sky…

Distracted, attention broken from imagination, a pair of speeders arrived just outside the command complex that had sprung up from a handful of buildings whose original function was no longer needed.

Drivers, troopers, officers, and a moment therein the woman knew who and what she was dealing with. No tension, this was expected, part of the mission, and she was a soldier. No fuss. As long as nobody fucks up.

She didn’t know much about Lieutenant Gualberto Amato, so dubbed the Night Terror, except that he commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 111th Air Cavalry Squadron, son of a military father, moved to air cavalry through leadership and bravery, and led and bled with Kreehawk Squadron.

Hopefully he would prove to be no less of an officer in the field, not in an office. Yet, the mere marine kept her thoughts to herself as she beheld her superior’s arrival with a formal salute.

Hand dips from forehead, returns to back as fingers interlace with other hand, resting above ass. “Sergeant Amer Dragata of the Assault Corps, sir.” He may know her team's nickname 'Dust Dragoons'.

Her own uniform wasn’t black or brown or green, but grey. A moment later and a third arrived, an Imperial Squire, whose red armor gave him away.

Squire Gaetulicus addressed the Lieutenant, of which the Sergeant just hung back and watched and listened unless addressed. For the moment.

"These insurgents are being hidden by this city's inhabitants and we just need to squeeze 'em," she interjected against her better judgment, biting her lip. "Sir. And, er, sir..."

@Rimrald @The Mad Hammer

 

[Gualberto Amato]

A smile that did not quite reach the man’s eyes creeped at the edge of Gualberto’s mouth as the Sergeant answered the question that seemed to have been directed his way. He nodded slowly as he softly spoke, “Jedi sympathizers, maybe even a few Jedi,” he gave a knowing nod to the Imperial Knight. “But perhaps we should move this discussion indoors. You never know what enterprising rebel may be listening.” Gualberto gestured at the door from whence the Knight had come.

Entering into the barracks, Gualberto waved off his escort, save for the three officers of the 11th Air Cavalry Squadron, one responsible for one of the companies of fast attack craft in the squadron, one forward support, and the third vehicle maintenance. Falling into step alongside Sgt @Amer Dragata, Gualberto kept his eyes locked forward as they moved down the hallway toward what only could be described as a makeshift war room. “So, what makes one a Dust Dragoon Sergeant?”

As he awaited an answer, they would arrive at the door to the briefing room. Gualberto would nod in response to whatever Sgt Dragats would say before stepping into the small room and taking up a position at the opposite wall, facing the door. His fellow officers would take up places adjacent to him. Once they were all in and the door clicked shut behind them, he would begin:

“Now then, what are we here for indeed?,” he repeated the question as he stepped forward and placed his hands on the table, looking around the room to meet the gaze of each person there. “It seems that Jedi-sympathizers are making it hell for the rightly established Imperial governance; to a point that locally-based law enforcement is unable to reign it in. What the locals do not seem to realize is that these rebel cells, let us call them what they are, are destroying the very homeland they claim to wish to protect. With all the tactical acumen we can muster, we are to root out these entrenched terrorists and show this world that they are better off without them.” Straightening back out to a standing stance at rest, Gualberto continued. “The Assault Corps alongside any other available military or law enforcement will need to flush out any extremists in densely populated areas. Otherwise, they will need to clear out any civilians for precision air strikes. The Kreehawks will provide aerial surveillance, air support, precision targeting of hostile entrenchments, and ground penetration of reputed underground bunkers.” Looking about the room, the Lieutenant noted, somewhat disappointedly, “I do not see anyone from Imperial Intelligence here. Perhaps,” he smiled slightly as he turned to the red-armored and raised questioning eyebrows toward @Spurius Livius Gaetulicus, “that is where out friend with the Imperial Knights comes in?”

@Rimrald
@Die Shize

 

[Spurius Livius Gaetulicus]

"Agreed Lieutenant." Spurius offered the short professional response. He was merely 18 years of age but carried himself like a young officer would. Having spent the majority of his childhood among his families business proceedings, then the imperial academy and finally, now training with the Imperial Kinghts. He knew how to talk the talk and play the part, for he was destined to be an officer himself at one point. Years of training and study would not be shelved, but rather used in situations like these.

Leading the trio and their followers indoors, Spurius would defer to the Lieutenant as he found his bearings, and listen to the exchange between he and the female Sergeant.

Turning his attention to the conversation as details he was partially aware of begun to be laid out. He would offer his own ideas in time. Cracking a smile at the comment of a lacking ISB presence.

"I am not here as to replace the function of the ISB, but to be something comparable." Spurius retorted before expanding on the plans being laid. "If I may, for what it may be worth..." He began, moving to the table and bringing up some real-time map data and personally compiled notes on the situation.

"Local Imperial Army forces in conjunction with local law enforcement have been working public relation angles. Hearts and minds, sitting with community leaders, helping rebuild what the insurgents destroy... Making a real effort of it, thankfully." Spurius paused for a moment to maximize the map on the area they would be operating in "Prior to my arrival, I was informed we have taken the most serious casualties in this district here. It seems the sympathizers to the lost cause that is the Jedi Order - have turned this area into a veritable fortress city."

Pausing to remove a vape from his pocket, taking a quick drag and stowing it again, he would exhale and continue "I think it would be prudent to issue an evacuation notice to the district. Any who choose to stay are considered combatants... Any who choose to evacuate are screened upon exit and placed elsewhere in the city for the time being. Then we march in, and have a good old fashioned fight. We have air assets, ground assets and the means to stamp out this stronghold... Match that plan of action with sweeping patrols in other known trouble areas and maybe we can round up the majority of this problem group with minimal civilian casualties."

Spurius concluded, pushing up from the table and zooming out on the district. It was a tactic he had seen used to good success in the past. But it was by no means his call to make. @The Mad Hammer @Die Shize

 

[Cornelius Aurelius Grey]

My pace was perhaps a bit too quick, but at least the staff I passed by knew to step aside and let me through without much trouble. Such is the case when you walk with purpose I suppose. My anxiety at missing a time-hack was itching unhelpfully in the back of my head, but it is my fault to be fair. Being late to a meeting with a bunch of officers definitely wasn't a good first impression but hey, we did get back from that patrol kind of late. And the food at the mess hall was fairly decent so... Why not spend a bit of extra time with the boys before the meeting? It is what it is, I mentally shrugged. I came upon the door to the meeting room and paused right outside the entrance allowing myself a chance to brush any crumbs off my armor. With that done, I put my helmet under my arm and hit the button to open the door. A brief screech penetrated my ears as the door caught on something as it opened, and god I hoped this door was destined for the junkyard for its' transgression against me. Without glancing at anyone or acknowledging my lateness, as the meeting seemed to still be going on, I made my way towards a spot around the table and stood there stock still. I silently prayed that I wouldn't get shit on too hard, but it's not like I didn't deserve it.

I especially noted the Knight that was present at the meeting, unmistakeable due to his crimson armor. I still held intense distaste for these Force users, especially Sith. Though the Jedi are equally as much a bane on the galaxy as well. But these Knights? They were supposed to be the Empire's answer to both Sith and Jedi but I just didn't know too much about them. That fact alone made me naturally distrust them. Besides the, you know, space wizard thing. Thankfully I'm able to play well with others, so it won't be an issue. Time will tell with these Knights I guess.

The other officer present was a Naval Lieutenant. I'm not too familiar with Navy award ribbons and patches so I had no clue what he was about. His little retinue of fellow officers kind of creeped me out a bit. To be fair, the vast majority of officers I've met give me the jeebies. He at least looked like he knew his shit, so for now I'll just trust in that. Again, time will tell I guess.

 

[Spurius Livius Gaetulicus]

Spurius was waiting retorts or additions to his proposed plan from the Lieutenant and Sergeant present. But all he got in the immediate aftermath was a second Sergeant making himself known - wordless and obviously late. But it was passable. He would not be someone making the overall decision. That was in the hands of the officers.

To add to this party, another Lieutenant and a freakishly large Sergeant. But this one was in supply officer colors... Wrong briefing room? No. He was in the right place.

Spurius would take another long drag on his bluerazz vape and exhale through his nose. He wasn't upset at the late arrivals, and even if he was he held no station over them.

"Right. Sergeant Na - please if you would. Lock the door behind you, if anyone else cares to join this brief they can hear it from the front of the infantry column." Spurius said while maximizing the view of the district in question.

"So quick recap for Sergeants Grey, Na and Lieutenant Halligan... We are focusing our efforts on the fortified bastion of the Jedi sympathizers. We will be issuing a general evacuation notice, screening those who choose to leave against ISB records collected on known sympathizers and rounding any up who try to slip out." He paused for a moment scanning those presents reactions to ensure they still followed his plan before continuing "With the district cordoned, and blocking troops from Imperial Army and planetary security forces holding the perimeter - we are going to march in, and round up or terminate any remaining sentients in the district. For those who choose to stay choose to support the insurgency."

Spurius would pause again as a simulated battle plan would play out on the holo table. A mix of ground forces supported by close air support, and the corvette Second Lance overhead providing targeted strikes. "I know I do not hold rank over any of you, and you all could lawfully tell me to charge into that district head first and alone. But I have been here on the ground for the last few weeks. I studied at the academy before moving to the Imperial Knights training facilities and trading in army green for red. I trust what I am proposing to be the best option for regaining sway over the civilian populace and making the lot of you look like competent counter-insurgent NCOs and Officers." Spurius concluded with a final drag of his vape.

"I will leave it to you all to dictate who goes where, which assets support whom and the rest of the minutia." He would then zoom the holo table out and take a step back, eying the group... The combined force here brought together three different representatives from the Imperial Army and their respective units, an Imperial Navy corvette and it's commanding officer, and an Imperial Knight Squire with an eye for tactics. What a crew it was. @Pantor @DonutResuscitate @The Mad Hammer @Die Shize

 

[Gualberto Amato]

Lt. Amato stood listening silently as an already possible plan was laid out. The interruption of one late arrival followed by a second was enough to make him visibly tense up before the potential plan was repeated as his icy gaze swept over the group.

As the room fell still, Gualberto shot a disapproving look to the man’s vape. “Put that thing away. The rest of us do not care for your vice,” he snapped before stepping forward, his gaze falling to the three-dimensional display before them. He stared at it before slowly nodding. “What we cannot have are these infiltrators escaping into the rest of the city anymore than they already have. Undoubtedly, there are other pockets of resistance that will need dealt with as well.” Turning his attention to the Naval Officer and his black-bedecked stormtrooper associate he continued, “If your men can join the boots on the ground in establishing a perimeter, such a presence will instill the proper aura of seriousness. Then and only then do we broadcast the evacuation order as the Second Lance hangs low overhead, a testament to our authority and able to intercept short range missiles that may be shot at our troops.” As he spoke, Lt Amato’s fingers flee through the display setting up makeshift checkpoints, patrols, and roadblocks to funnel evacuees to predestined checkpoints. Finally, he dropped the large corvette low in the sky as overwatch. “Anyone left within the confined zone should be considered de facto hostile; but we cannot discount that the Jedi will have taken hostages. Casualties are to be kept to an absolute minimum. We are the good guys after all gentlemen. Any resistance will be met with reasonable force.”

Zooming the display out to encompass a larger portion of the city to include the makeshift barracks where the group was now meeting and the airfield beyond, Gualberto positioned a number of TIE fighters in the air. “The hundred and eleventh will provide close air support. Anyone who gets by the quarantine zone will be hunted from the air. Any outlier strongholds that are identified can be taken out with prejudice to insure the terrorists do not slip away. And any strongholds can be lazed for close fire support from the Second Lance or tactical bombing runs by my men.” Behind him, the officers that made up the 111th retinue nodded solemnly in agreement. “Any air or spacecraft that enter the area will be given one warning by the Imperial Navy and then either escorted or taken to the ground.”

Stepping back to his position, Gualberto surveyed the map and then the men about the table. “It is undoubted that our presence here has already been noted by these rebels. Let us begin to act with all due haste. My men can be ready within two hours. Even now, preparations are underway. The war for Bastion may be over, but these bastards do not seem to realize that. We must operate with the standards of civilian contact to be expected.”

 

[Cornelius Aurelius Grey]

Catching the glare from Lieutenant Gualberto in the corner of my eye, I silently cringed at the signature Officer's Look of Superiority. Truth be told I expected a plethora of words directed at both me and the supply officer that followed me in. Strange that we'd have a supply officer in our midst, one Lieutenant Halligan, even stranger that he'd be captaining a corvette instead of pushing a pencil in some tiny closet disguised as an office. Strange help is better than no help, so no complaints on my end. It was Gualberto snapping at Gaetulicus that brought me out of my contemplations, causing me body to twitch as if just waking up from some subconscious reflex. Fortunately so, because the massive armored bulkhead next to Halligan had me feeling liliputian by all measures. With the overview brief out of the way, I stepped forward.

"I believe this is where I come in, Sir's. Staff Sergeant Grey, I'll be leading the incursion team in place of Sergeant First Class Descargar." I thought about apologising for my tardiness... and after some careful consideration I decided not to draw more attention to that fact. Stepping up to the table I began manipulating the map with dextrous fingers, flitting through several overlays until I found the ones I needed.

"If you look here on the map," I pointed directly at the north-eastern access point and circled vaguely around the city for the other points, "you will see all of the controlled access points along the MSR's leading out of the city. Lieutenant's Gualberto and Halligan, I'm designating linear TRP's near each of those access points. Starting at the north-eastern access point dubbed CAP One and moving clockwise, you'll have TRP Alpha One for CAP One, for CAP Two you'll have TRP Alpha Two, and so on. I'll send the rest of the coordinates to your data slates at the conclusion of this meeting.

I took a brief pause before continuing, "Earlier briefs I had participated in with some of the egg-heads planning the cordon of the city said that all of the MSR's are being watched, but that limits their ability to place sentries along the outskirts and the sewage systems leading out of the city. Any person or thing caught leaving through unofficial avenues is most likely hostile, but make sure you get a positive ident' before smokin' 'em. Hearts and minds and all that jazz. So for our eyes in the sky, stay vigilant for any squirters squeezing past the cordon."

With that being established, I motioned towards the behemoth NCO and Spurius. "Sarn't Na and Knight Gaetulicus, since we're gonna be pounding dirt together, let's get into the nitty-gritty." I subconsciously began rubbing my hands together, a bit anxious at throwing ideas at a group of officers. Usually SFC Descargar was the one to do this, though somehow I was the next best option with him being gone currently. "Right now, Palimer's law enforcement departments are being treated the same as the other evacuee's. It's highly likely they could be in league with these terrorists, so treat them the same as you would anyone once the evacuation timer runs out. Which brings me to what I believe our first course of action should be once we get within city limits." I reoriented the map and threw on some new overlays, "I advise that our first target should be Palimer Police Department Headquarters. As the HQ they are going to have a substantial armory and plenty of munitions for them to use against us. Following that, we go for the PD substations next. Smaller armories, sure, but they still have plenty of 'bang' on the inside." I took a moment to collect my thoughts as I organized the map again, casting multiple instances of the map, all zoomed in on different buildings.

"We are only sabotaging these buildings to deny access, not to harm infrastructure. However, we simply do what we gotta do. Now, this building here," I directed everyone's attention to a small warehouse about half a kilometer east of the headquarters, "should be our ORP. We'll be staged near the city center and it will allow us to expand out in any direction, pushing whatever hostile contacts we encounter towards our perimeter forces and squeezing them into a crossfire. The tentative OP to get eyes on the HQ building will be here," I adjusted the map to bring focus to a small restaurant, "just a small fast food joint roughly two blocks away from HQ. According to the map it should have a decent sightline of our target. If we spot someplace better we will adjust accordingly, so no worries.

"PD Headquarters will be designated OBJ One, just so we're all trackin'. Sarn't Na, Knight Gaetilicus, if we agree on this plan of action I will get started on route planning through the city to each objective. Thoughts?" Now finished handing out a deluge of information to everybody, I stepped back a few paces and allowed everyone present a moment to soak it all in.

Spoiler: Grey's Jargon Dictionary For The Uninitiated

-MSR/Main Supply Route: Technically any paved road, but usually referring to highways when in well developed areas
-TRP/Target Reference Point: Instead of having to expose yourself using a laser or waste time finding a grid location on a map to call for artillery/airstrikes etc, you can essentially boil the process down to "hey you, drop bombs here." Very useful in situations where time is of the essence.
-Linear TRP: It's a TRP, but linear. Used for bombing a length of road.
-ORP/Objective Rally Point: meet up spot
-OP: Observation Post: Tactical voyeurism spot. Once you meet up at the ORP, you send small teams to create OP's near an objective so you can look at the objective, and think hard about how much you want to destroy that objective
-OBJ: Objective

 

[Spurius Livius Gaetulicus]

"Very good then. If we are all aligned - I suggest we move to our respective staging points and get this show on the road, yes?" Spurius offered, pushing the map back out to its planetary view, removing his data chip from it and stowing the data back in his own datapad "A copy of this data and plan are being pushed to your devices as we speak." Spurius added, moving around the table behind the officers and NCOs present "I will see you all in the staging area."

Spurius concluded the brief so long as no one else needed to discuss further. Then moved out of the room, placing the matching red helmet on his head as he began final preparations of his personal equipment for the coming fight. @Pantor @DonutResuscitate @The Mad Hammer @Die Shize

 

[Gualberto Amato]

“Agreed,” nodded Lt. Amato, with a saulte to his fellow officers before turning to leave the room, entourage in tow.

In the hallway, Gualberto urged his subordinates on to insure that their transport was prepared as he slowed to fall into step alongside the naval Supply Officer, “Lieutenant Halligan, a word,” he addressed his naval counterpart as he offered a jnowing nod to the hulking stormtrooper with a wry smile that did not quite reach his cold dark eyes, “It is up to us to guarantee that this operation goes along without a hitch. The holonews will just as surely depict bombing runs of TIEs and orbital corvette strikes right alongside any brutality perceived to be conducted by those on the ground; and we will be more visible.” Reaching into a pocket, Gualberto produced a small encoded capsule that he pressed into Rax’s hand. “Here is the secure frequency the Kreehawks will be operating on. Please patch yourself in so that we may coordinate our strikes. What is the fighter/bomber compliment of your ship? I will be at our command post at the air strip. Any ship that goes down, we will dispatch an armored speeder to to aid in recovery. If you see anything . . . “ he let the comment hang in the air implying he would be relying on the Imperial Navy to be front and center eyes and ears over what his men did in the field; wether that was out of mechanical concern, disciplinary issues, or something else remained to be seen.

At the conclusion of their conversation, Lt. Amato would exit the barracks and rejoin his men in their speeders and whisk away back toward their command outpost to begin final preparations and to await the signal that the perimeter was in place.

@Pantor @DonutResuscitate @Rimrald

 

[Cornelius Aurelius Grey]

I tossed Sergeant Na a quick glance as I passed him on my way to the meeting room's door. "Sergeant Na, when you're done preparing your men, meet up in ready bay delta-four with my guys and we'll head out in force together."
Exiting the room, I quickened my pace to meet up with the crimson-clad knight.
"A moment of your time, Knight Gaetulicus," I said to the crimson knight as I approached behind him.
"Just to clarify if we encounter any force sensitives, feel free to direct me and my men on how best to counter them once we get out there. This is a collaborative effort, and I know enough to know when I'm out of my lane of experience. Likewise, I don't know how much experience you have leading ground forces in operations such as this, but do not hesitate to say something if you deem it pertinent."

Once the conversation was over, I made my way to the platoon ready bay. Soldier's were already geared up, and were now moving equipment onto repulsor carts to be brought down to one of the hangar bays containing a few old light gunships that would ferry us into the city near our prospective rally point, and hang out nearby in case we needed a cas-evac. The equipment we had chosen was a pair of E-Web cannons mounted on tripods, and a few crates of standard munitions to extend our operating time. All we had to do now, was wait for the signal and we'd be heading down towards the small hangars to load up into the beatup old gunships. Let's hope that duct tape and prayers were enough to hold them together, and that the aftermarket parts used to repair them were up to standards.

@Pantor @Rimrald @The Mad Hammer ​

 

[Spurius Livius Gaetulicus]

"I have yet to face another force sensitive in combat." Spurius returned very plainly, letting the words hang in the air for a pregnant moment before continuing "But I have trained, I have theory and practice to lean on... It would be best to leave them to me. Clear out any supporting troops to the best of your ability but stay clear of the saber wielder."

"I trust both yourself and Segeant Na, as well as Lt. Amato to coordinate on the ground. I am essentially here to act in a force on force capacity or wherever else I am needed in critical moments." Spurius concluded as they walked, donning his crimson helmet and sealing it with a hiss as he moved towards the muster point. He would ignite and spin his saber a few times before stowing it on his belt again, checking the power pack on his pistol, and then moving to load himself onto one of the vasious LAAT/IE gunships destined for the rally point. @Pantor @The Mad Hammer @DonutResuscitate

 

[Gualberto Amato]

Alighting into his waiting speeder, Gualberto set off with his entourage back toward the air base. Upon arrival, the entire base was already fully active as last minute scans were complete, drives and weapons given final sign off, and pilots donned their gear. As the Lieutenant stepped from his speeder, he turned to face the officers that had accompanied him and the remainin company commanders who had come to meet him.

“Gentlemen,” he greeted those who had remained to oversee preparations, “I see that your preparations are not in vain. We are to be airborne and en route to target within the hour.” He smiled widely, “Anyone that breaks the containment zone is to be chased down and put down with extreme accuracy. No one escapes once quarantine is in place. Any unidentified approaches from air or space are to be given one warning by the Second Lance. After that,” he paused with a wicked smile, “there is no escape. As intel is gathered and verified, fighter groups will be dispatched to take out identified rebel strongholds outside the containment zone. Minimal collateral damage. Well, mostly”

That elicited a soft chuckle from the officers. They knew how messy air-to-ground combat could get, intentionally or otherwise. One of them man then posed a question, “What of air defenses, sir?”

“These Jedi weasels hide amongst the people. They use them as shields. Any anti-air weaponry will most likely remain hand held and operated. Stay low. Stay fast. Doubtful they’ll be even able to get you in their sites much less try for target lock. On their go, anyone within the zone is considered an enemy combatant. No surrender. No retreat. You have your orders men.”

The row of commanders offered a brisk salute before turning to hurry off to their respected companies.

Within twenty minutes, the first company of TIE fighters were airborne and heading toward the quarantine zone to rendezvous with the Lance. The second company would remain outside the perimeter offering support, while the third raced high into the sky overhead. It was time to go.