Noblesse Oblige - Third Battle of Empress Teta

[Dmitri]

​

Darth Somnus' personal Infiltrator-class star courier was escaping Empress Teta's atmosphere when an Arrestor-class Patrol Frigate had entered the Koros system. The ship was an expected vessel, bringing in supplies for the local garrison. Lord Tumek Nnitrilyaje had personally overseen its delivery, the Dark Lord suspecting the plump noble was in the bridge of the patrol frigate Noblesse Oblige at this time. As Geist was calculating a hyperspace jump, a sudden flash of red and orange drew his attention. An inferno was engulfing the the bridge of the patrol frigate.

Geist raised his ship's shields immediately. As he broadened his senses in the Force, he could sense a few starfighers, none friendly, were whipping around the burning ship. A Chiss Patrol Frigate was nearby. Originally believed to be a Chiss industrial ship, delivering supplies to the Tetan markets, Geist began to suspect Chiss were not involved. The Dark Lord hailed Imperial Star Destroyer circling Empress Teta, on the dark side of the planet. He commanded the vessel to neutralize the pirates. Tempting as it was to engage them, the Cinnagaran Defense Forces would take care of it. With a second glance at the Noblesse Oblige, Geist entered hyperspace.

---

Everyone aboard the bridge of Imperial Star Destroyer Magician-God had heard Darth Somnus' declaration that Governor-General Nnitrilyaje was dead and the Noblesse Oblige had been crippled. Sith Lady Keres, named after the Nirvanism patron rather than Empress Teta's sister planet, had followed the Dark Lord's directive and sent her vessel to intercept the pirate Chiss Patrol Frigate, who claimed to be the Billanjucalian, a military vessel-turned-cargo carrier. The cargo it held turned out to hold defunct x-wings and other relics of the past. It appeared to have sent a couple shuttles to the Noblesse Oblige, suspecting to be pillaging the husk of its delivered supplies.

Keres had no intention of letting these pirate escape. Nnitrilyaje had risen to Governor-General due to forsaking the system's rightful empress in favor of Empress Andraste. His betrayal warded him reward of control over the system. Lady Keres, a fellow noble from House Nnitilyaje's chief rival, House Vol Fyr. Her ascension to Sith Lady gave her much power. She had become the commander of the Tetan forces, but her true desire was governor-general of the Koros system. If she performed well, she had a shot at positioning herself as Nnitrilyaje's replacement.

The true Sith way, Keres thought with amusement. As the Billanjucalian came into range, Keres barked an order. "Fire all guns upon the enemy frigate."

The captain of the Magician-God was surprised by this decree. "Surely we must try to capture them?"

Keres' glare silenced the imperial captain. "Deadmen indeed tell no tales, but they also do no harm. Destroy them at once." As if an afterthought, she said, "Send a squad to Noblesse Oblige. If it hasn't exploded yet, it may yet live. I want Stormtroopers to clear out the pirates who have entered its halls."

"As you wish, my lady."


OOC: Thread will be partaken by Cristo Morrell and Wes Morrow. As both are soldiers more so than naval officers, I decided to change the primary fight from against the Billanjucalian to the Noblesse Oblige. You'll have a squad of Stormtroopers at your disposal. You'll enter the Arrestor-class patrol frigate and locate the pirates inside. Up to you if you capture or kill them. This is a Proactive Thread, which means you guys will have control over enemy elements and are expected to introduce and respond to new elements at your leisure. As such, I will not post anymore posts in this thread and leave the thread's expansion to the two of you. Have fun and good luck.

 

[Viabuck]

"Lock and load Morrow! We've got a Pirate infestation and we need an exterminator!"

That was the order that had been given and while suiting up in his issued 'Centurion Armor', a smile spread across Private Morrows face. He had been waiting for this day to come and now that he was being dispatched on his first official mission as a member of the Imperial Armed Forces, the rookie Stormtrooper found his heart beating a mile a minute. With a squad of 'Grunts' awaiting him, Wes admittedly felt a slight hint of anxiety at the thought of leading a detachment, not because he feared for the lives of his men, but mostly due in part to the fact that their deaths, should they occur, would mar his otherwise excellent record.

Stepping out of the armory, wielding a standard issue E19 Blaster Rifle on his back and a pair of K938's holstered on either of his sides, Wes would take the helmet which he had been carrying tucked beneath his right arm up and slowly lower it down atop his head, it's sensors coming online as he did so. Moving toward the transport, the young Stormtrooper would await the leader of the other squad tasked with the mission alongside of him, a nod would be given and as the transport was launched, moving rapidly toward the Frigate, allowing a short window in which he could address 'his' troops.

"No survivors. No quarter is to be given. These men are pirates who have made the choice to stand against the Empire and I want them to be treated like the vermin that they are. We're the best that this Empire has to offer and we're going to show why as we cut a bloody swathe right through this horde of scum.."

Wes wasn't known for being particularly good at leading others, but this was probably the most inspirational speech that he could muster. He was no leader. He was a killer. A ruthless, efficient, trained killer. A force of nature that sought to annihilate anything that was put in it's path. Jedi, Rebel, Pirate, whatever the target may be, he would cut it down. Add to the fact that he had ambition to become an 'Urban' Trooper or to be given an expanded level of freedom and Private Morrow was a man on a mission. A mission that would soon begin as he felt the rumble of the transport docking with the frigate that they had been dispatched to clean out.

Opting to take point in this particular instance, Wes would reach to his side, drawing up both of his heavy blaster pistols and pointing them out ahead of him, nodding to his detachment as they took up their arms, the door of the shuttle opening with a hiss. Within moments, blaster fire would fill the hallway, a group of pirates awaiting the squads arrival. Regrettably for them.. Nothing would be able to save the group from what was soon to come.

 

[Minuteman75]

Sergeant Cristo Morrell stayed close to his own squad code-named Bravo behind Wes' unit. Hearing the private's speech out in front was to the point and Morrell agreed with it, no qarther should be given not in this case. Cristo then turn toward his troops and he simply nodded at them and they returned it in acknowledgment. There was no need to make a big speech in this moment the men and women of Bravo squad knew their jobs already and most of them have been in combat before.

Holding his assault rifle at the ready, the Segreant felt their transport docking the larger vessel. Cristo took a deep breath and exhale, calming himself for the storm to come. When the door connecting both ships finally opened the first squad lead by Wes advance with Bravo waiting in reserve for a few moments. Inside the hallway, a band of the pirates all of them Chiss were already waiting for the assault and immediately opened fire when they saw the first stormtrooper appear.

These raiders thesmelves numbering about dozen had spread out in a few corners and doorways fired displined shots toward the advancing troopers, quickly confirming to the Imperials that their opponents were more professional than most space brigands.

Even so the stormtroopers push onward, their armor proving resistant against most of the engery bolts unleashing their own furious barrage back to the pirates. As the last of Wes' detachment filled out into the hallway Bravo squad quickly followed in, to reinforce their brethren.

 

[Viabuck]

It was almost too easy.. No.. It was too easy.

Leading the push onto the ship, Wes would move through the hallway, his own squad staggered slightly behind him, their guns pointed forward and being held at the ready, his detachment proving more than capable of cutting down the Chiss with staggering precision. The private himself was displaying similar skill, wielding both of his pistols with a surprising degree of showmanship, the laser sights of his weapon only needing to pass over a foe for an instant before a lethal shot would be fired, either striking the target in the chest, or occasionally the face. With Morrell's own men backing up their progress through the first stage of the mission, when all of the pirates lay dead, his pistols were holstered and a quick glance was taken around.

He was perfectly aware he wasn't the ranking soldier in this instance but it didn't stop him from attempting to show some level of competency, especially given the fact that he had been entrusted with leading his own group of soldiers.

"Right. We've made it past the easy part.. They didn't know exactly what they were being hit with but now that definitely do. When no one reports back or hell.. For all we know they did report back, exactly what they're dealing with, they're going to dig in like a tick. The name of the game is getting to them before they manage it.." Wes spoke again, passively looking down at himself through his helmet, his hand coming up to a scorch mark to his shoulder, wiping it down passively as if he hadn't just been shot moments before.

"Sergeant, I'll defer to you on our next approach.. We can keep our forces together or we can each take a squad and cover more ground.. Or if you have something else in mind?.."

He had finished cleaning his armor of the burn that had tarnished it for the most part and simply folded his arms while his men took point, keeping their blasters at the ready incase the Pirates attempted to mount an offense during this planning phase.

 

[Minuteman75]

After the intial opposition was wiped out, Cristo took time to examine several of the bodies. All of the corpses were Chiss alright, leaving the sergeant confused. The Chiss were normally on friendly terms with the Empire but the more he thought about it Cristo recalled that the speices is currently in an desperate state at their home sector. So it stands to reason that some of them would turn piracy. Further thoughts on the subject halted when Private Wes spoke up again.

The private seemed sure of himself and the situation, yes while they had only encounter light resistance so far but Morrell felt something was odd about it. Chiss warriors whether they be soldiers or pirates weren't pushovers and the fact they were occupying an Imperial ship say something else aloof. As he consider what to say, Cristo's eyes noticed a small camera attached to a pirate's hemelt. Alarmed yet remaining cool to keep up appearances, Cristo said aloud.

"We need to spread out. Take your squad to clear out the main quarters and I will take mine to secure the armory. Be on the lookout for surviving crew members."

Finished Cristo gather up his troop and went past Morrow's men and turn to the next hallway on the left. As they done so within a minute Cristo activated his helmet's commlink and whispered a call to Wes on his channel.

"Private disregard my last order and head for my direction and follow us quietly. Some of the pirates we eliminated had small cameras on them that the reason for my performance back there. It's best assume we stay together, I'm taking a guess that the opposition we just faced was a probing action by the pirates to figure how many of us there and they did.

Likely the other brigands won't be so easy to take down. Be sure to check your corners who knows when and where they can ambush us, these are Chiss after all."

When done, Segreant Morrell followed his own advice and aim his rilfe from left to right and his squad did the same after he ordered them.

"Contact!"

One of his scouts in the front yelled. Looking in that direction Cristo saw from a feet away a line of crates blocking the way and had a heavy repeating blaster behind manned by a Chiss who quickly unleashed barrage of laser bolts coming down the hall aiming for them.

The scout was immediately torn to shreds by and the rest of troopers spread out into the corners and doorways to avoid being massacred by the machine gun. Taking cover of one rooms on the left, Cristo pull out a flashbang as the repeating blaster volleys sprayed the hall and threw it.

The bang went off followed by a yell out of shock from the Chiss gunner blinded by the blast and was shot by Private Aydan opposite of his sergeant. But soon five Chiss raiders appear out close by the crates and advance forward and shooting at the troopers. Morrell's men focusing their fire there but when Cristo looked back to the rear he saw seven more raiders attacking, they were surrounded. The squad was forced to spilt up their line of fire from the front to the rear and pinned down both groups of ambushers.

Hopefully Wes and his boys arrive soon and outflank the enemy at their rear, Morrell sent a quick message, alerting the other squad of what's happening.

 

[Viabuck]

Upon receiving orders, Wes nodded his head, looking to his detachment and making a hand signal, sending them down the hallway after Morrell's forces only to have them take a different path, moving through the hallway. As the unit moved down the hallway, a smirk played upon Morrow's face.

Interesting..

Silently making a hand signal to his troops, the group made a sharp turn in the hallway, moving slowly and keeping their footsteps as quiet as a group of armored soldiers could. When there was word of contact being made with the enemy force, Wes would quickly evaluate his options, having only seconds to choose how to respond. On one hand, they could rush in and join the fire fight.. Or they could continue a slower approach which would likely guarantee them a much easier position to fight from.

The later was the choice and so with a very slight acceleration in pace, the Private's squad moved down the hallway, circling around back toward the position where Cristo's men would be located and as they neared, the sound of blaster fire put all of the men slightly on edge and it was at this point that Wes took point shifting his way to the front of the group and nearing a corner, pressing his back to the wall for a moment and exhaling a deep breath.

It was time to get into the mix..

Gripping his blaster pistols, Wes would step out from around the corner, his weapons pointed forward, his fingers already applying pressure to the trigger. As he identified the Chiss and his own collection of Stormtroopers spilled out form around the corners, taking position for cover, by the time the enemy had turned to acknowledge what was coming from the side Wes's heavy blasters flared, one of the unfortunate invaders taking a shot to the shoulder and one to the chest, sending him crumpling to the ground.

Blaster fire erupted all around the pistol toting private as he ducked and rolled behind a corner which had been left available using it for cover while his forces opened fire on the forces that had surrounded Morrell from behind.

 

[Minuteman75]

The second enemy unit now found itself surrounded between the two stormtrooper squads. It was a murderous crossfire to be trapped in but so even this group of Chiss Raiders fought on and killed one of Wes' men to his left after several shots to the helmet. But within half a minute they were wiped out to the last man by the stormtroopers. The remaining blue skinned pirates on Cristo's front now numbering three began to retreat with one of them giving suppressing shots to his comardes' escape.

It almost worked, but Segreant Morrell rolled out of his postion into the hall below the enemy's volley and then he aimed and fire a short burst into the shooter's gut and the Chiss collapsed.

Private Aydan beside him cut the last two brigands with well-placed shots worthy of a marksman into their backs. When they crumbled to the floor, there was only silence in the hall now as the Cristo's troopers came out of cover and joined the others to make sure the enemies were dead. Twelve more sent to the void, it still presented the question how many raiders are onboard? Even so Morrell order the men to destory any mini-cameras found on the Chiss corpses.

At the same time Cristo took into account the losses they suffered. Two troopers were dead in this ambush that was no small feat to do on the Chiss' part. Yet the enemy still had suffered far worse and they keep moving forward. Nodding his thanks to Wes and his men for coming to their aid, Cristo directed all squads to move again. The two groups keep some distance so to avoid being crowding the hall as they pushed the crates in front aside and Cristo had one of his troopers take the machine gun with him.

Then they continue their way for the armory, perparing themselves for whatever laid ahead.

 

[Viabuck]

When the fighting died down and he was able to once again lower his weapons. Taking a quick headcount, he wouldnotice the rather unfortunate sight of a Stormtrooper who had taken a few too many shots to the helmet.

'How bothersome..' Wes thought to himself as he knelt down momentarily next to the fallen Trooper, taking a final moment to ensure that they had actually passed. It was at this stage that for the first time since the mission began that the Private began to feel the slightest hint of anxiety.

He had lost a soldier.. It wasn't uncommon but it was a flaw on his record.. These pirates were going to pay -dearly-.

Standing up and rolling back his shoulders, Wes took a moment to calm himself and simply pressed on down the hallway, checking his pistols as he moved with his squad on either side of them. Traveling along with Morrell's troopers was somewhat reassuring from a practical perspective in that it made him statistically less likely to be shot on approach... But still.. They were going to the armory.. That could spell all kinds of trouble..

As both squads arrived at the hallway leading directly to the armory, it was at this time that one of Wes' troopers made a call out as they took point, moving around the corner only to find themselves facing down a Chiss holding a low grade missile launcher.

"BACK! BACK! BACK!" the Trooper shouted in a panic. Reacting quickly Wes and his men would pull back but as the projectile which had been fired impacted with the wall generating an explosion which cost two more of Morrow's men their lives but also sent the Private down onto the ground with his ears ringing, he barely had time to call out another order.

"Now! Now! Before he reloads!" Wes would insist while pushing himself to his feet.

Rocket launchers on a space shuttle?.. These pirates were clearly off of their rocker. Watching as his few remaining men pushed around the corner again through the smoke, opening fire on the wielder only to move into a torrent of blaster fire courtesy of the heavy weapon wielding pirate's support.

Getting himself up onto his feet, Private Morrow would holster his pistols and remove his blaster rifle from his back, getting ready to get back into the fray himself.

 

[Minuteman75]

Cristo Morrell did care about his men and grieved for the ones he lost under his command. Yet he knew that no matter how hard one can try to prevent you will lose people, its how you deal with it is the kicker. The scout he lost back there was a quiet young recurit named Cole Finsworth from Bastion and he had just been married a few weeks ago. Cole had served with him on Onderon shortime ago and had been very efficient trooper though a little bit annoying at times.

This is a lesson Cristo was still learning, how to balance out from caring about his family of troopers yet be ruthless enough to complete an objective.

The sergeant lost his line of thought when he heard one of the grunts up front at next corner screaming for everyone to back up. Wes and his gang tried to fall back but a missile flew and stuck the wall near them and killed two and downed the rest. Suprised Morrell ready his men to support Wes while watching the private directed his some of his squad shoot the pirate fired the missile.

It quickly came apparent that there were more Chiss defending their man when blaster shots from that direction forced the stormtroopers into cover again. Once Wes got up, Cristo ordered two of his soldiers and singal them to toss one flash bang and one frag grenade over to the enemy while he provided cover.

He got to the corner open up with his rifle, drawing enemy blaster bolts to himself, and was forced back but his men manage to threw grenades toward the raiders and run to the opposite corner. Then a blinding flash went off and followed by small explosion and one cry of pain.

Soon the Chiss who wielded the heavy weapon was lying on the ground, shrieking out in agony with shrapnel embedded into her ribs and legs. But the reminding defenders lived and fire back at the stormtroopers again in revenge for their fallen comrade, one of them however choose to rushed over to take the missile launcher out in the open but gotten himself within Wes' line of sight.

 

[Viabuck]

Given the fact that these pirates were currently shooting missiles at his squad, Wes was actually beginning to take what they were doing personally. It was almost as if they didn't want the Imperium to board the ship and take it back from them.. And then to go as far as to kill the men he had been put in charge of? Absolutely not.. This was infuriating.

With the grenades at least momentarily disabling the pirates who were threatening his men with the rocket launcher, Wes lowered his head, tightened his grip on his blaster rifle and ran around the corner, bringing the weapon to his shoulder and lining up his target. As the Chiss went to recover the missile launcher, burst of blaster fire would strike it into the side of the face and torso, leaving their lifeless corpse to fall to the ground and drop the heavy assault weapon back to the floor.

Starting on down the hall, keeping his movement in a diagonal pattern, the final Chiss pirate began to fire on him, blaster bolts whizzing past him, one hitting him in the chest, his armor sustaining a fair amount of damage due to the proximity that he had been hit at, a very clear weak point being formed.

Of course in the time it was taking to shoot at Wes, his surviving men had taken it upon themselves to target the last standing attacker, gunning it down and leaving them in much the same shape as the others. It was at this point a very perturbed Private Morrow made his way over to the Chiss female who had been wielding the missile launcher. As she lay dying, Wes calmly drew one of his blaster pistols, pulling the trigger once and finishing her off with a single shot.

"I presume we'll be breaching the armory now?" Wes inquired, turning to look in Morrell's direction while examining the door that separated them from what was likely to be the most dangerous part of the mission.

 

[Minuteman75]

"As matter of fact Private we are. You and me will do it, stack up."

Sergeant Cristo Morrell postion himself on the right wall to the armory door while Wes was on the left with ten troopers to support them, five at each wall. The rest of the troopers were spread out to cover their corners and rear of the hall in case more raiders try to counter-attack. Cristo reloaded his blaster with a new engery clip and then proceeded to place a charge in the center of the door and set the timer for a few seconds.

Once done, he back up and signal the countdown with his left hand one...two...three! Then a small blast ignited and brought the door crashing down with smoke clouding the scene. Within an moment Wes and Cristo rushed inside followed by their small team from behind them. In an matter of seconds they were greeted by blaster shots from behind the smoke cloud and opened up as well, beginning a new firefight.

 

[Viabuck]

Nodding his head and falling into position, taking his possession and drawing up both of his pistols while restrapping his rifle upon his back, Wes readied himself for what was to come. With both of his heavy blaster pistols readied, when the charge went off, the young Stormtrooper was more than ready to burst into the room, picking his targets out through the smoke, the laser sight on his blasters making it relatively simple to pick out his targets, shots being fired, taking down Chiss after Chiss, the bodies of the pirates falling all around him.

Having anticipated quite a fire fight, he couldn't even have imagined the scale of the fire fight in what was a relatively confined area... Loaded with live ammunition no less. There was so much wrong with this situation that he couldn't help but feel no sane person would put themselves into such a situation.. Of course that was why he was there.. He was a member of the Empire.. A proud one at that.. He was on the front lines doing the dirty work, protecting his peop-... Who was he kidding?

He couldn't even lie to himself. When it came down to it, he was doing it for himself.. The thrill was more than he could stand, blaster bolts flying past him, a few grazing him, one even hitting him in the leg, forcing him down to one knee. Aiming his gun barrels up, he would pull both triggers in succession hitting his most recent attack twice center mass and leaving them to fall to the ground while he got back onto his feet.

Pirate and Trooper alike were dropping at this stage.. The Chiss were far better armed this time around than their previous enemies had been.. Which really did make sense.. But it was regretable mostly because of the fact that not even the Centurion Armor was holding up to the higher caliber weapons, his own leg plating having been damaged to the point that the flesh beneath had sustained a rather nasty blaster burn.

In the midst of the havoc enusing all around him, Wes would eventually tuck and roll behind a densely packed shelf, taking a moment to recover and change out pistols power cell, taking several long deep breaths raising up and returning fire upon the Chiss once more.

 

[Minuteman75]

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Cristo was admireing and despising the tenacity of his enemies. Despite their scum-like profession these Chiss pirates were disciplined and tough fighters comapre to many other pirates. The respect stopped quickly when reminded fact they had attacked this ship and killed who knows how many Imperial personal so far.. He heard some of the troopers around grunt and cry out as pain, death, or both took them. Sergeant Morrell channel his hatred into an deadly cold focus against these Chiss, dropping two in front of him in quick session.

By this point the smoke had cleared but the laser bolts flared dangerously close to the ammunition and weapons stored within this room. These pirates were clever indeed, positioning themselves in here in order to prevent the troopers from using grenades and forcing them to take careful shots. It was an effective strategy no doubt, but Cristo was determined to outlast these dirty womp rats even if it killed him.

Cristo cursed under his breath when his left shoulder pad was clipped by one laser blast and he felt a burning sensation. In desperation he charge again, knocking the gun out of a Chiss' hands but his enemy locked unto his own with both arms. They briefly struggle, pushing and kicking with one another until Cristo head butted him with his helmet, stunning the blue man for a second and then shoved his blaster into into the gut area and fired.

The shot immediately killed the marauder but Morrell grabbed ahold of the dead man's body by the neck with one arm. The corpse was swifty used as a flesh shield against a new barrage in his direction. He continue to do so until he neared Wes at one of the weapon shelves. Dropping the bolt ripped husk to the side, Cristo took cover at the opposite shelf, breathing hard and sweating profoundly betneath the helmet. As Wes Morrow continue unleash hell on the surviving hostiles within several feet away an idea surfaced within Cristo's psyche.

He realized that his shelf if topped over can be dumped on the enemies, providing a new diversion. That in mind, Morrell placed both hands on the right side of the shelf and with strong pressure forced shelf to topped over unto the Chiss within range.

The action took the pirates who were either slammed to the ground by the weight of the crash or jumped out of the way but only to face the wrath of Wes and the other stormtroopers.

 

[Viabuck]

What a terrible time to be a Pirate aboard an Imperial vessel. It was becoming very clear as the fight drew on that Private Morrow had something to prove and it seemed as if every step of the way, he was doing it at the expense of the Chiss who had made what was obviously a very poor decision on their part. As he reached the limits on his blasters ammunition, Wes was barely slowed down at all, one of the individuals who had attempted to escape from the collapsing shelf making the mistake of moving too close.

Putting his hand to hand combat training to use, the Stormtrooper promptly seized the Chiss by the throat, shoving him backward toward the wall before quickly drawing back his hand and slamming his fist into the blue skinned humanoids trachea crushing it beneath his armored fist. Drawing his blaster rifle and turning and slamming the butt of the gun into another's face, he created a needed gap and released a burst of blaster fire which would be used to permanently bring his targets life to an end.

The fight was going in favor of the Stormtroopers thus far but this certainly wasn't shaking up to be a battle devoid of casualties. Several armored bodies of men who Wes knew laid across the ground when the fighting finally ended, only Sergeant Morrel and the more seasoned veterans among their squads remained by the end of the fire fight though the Private didn't stop to acknowledge this fact.

Moving over to a gun vault, he would input his Unit ID number, unlocking it and withdrawing a scatter gun along with some additional charges for his pistol. They were in the home stretch now it seemed.. Now they just needed to drive the rest of the Pirates into their graves and they could write up another victory for the Empire in it's war against wretches such as these Chiss.

 

[Minuteman75]

They were victorious but not without losses. Cristo look around at the carnage around him within the armory. Three dead and four wounded were the casualties in the ten man assault team that went in a few minutes ago. Wes lose one trooper while having two heavily injured, the reminder of losses were Cristo's own personal.

Don't think about it, not now. You need to focus Morrell, a mission to complete.

Cristo quietly rebuke himself but the the wound on his left shoulder however slight was a reminder how mortal he really is. It was a concept no a reality he dealt with combat that under his skin at times. Then what he saw nest was punc in the gut to him. Laying on the floor was a trooper without his helmet, a young Falleen male, moaning and weeping for his mother stars away while in great agony. A combat medic rushed over to his side and started to operate on him.

Half of the armor in the chest and shoulder area was burned to a crisp, effects of a enemy's repeating volley of laserfire. Turning away from the scene, remembering the task that he and the others had. Checking his ammo, Morrell noted he was almost out.

Following the example of Wes he helped himself with the contents of the armory that they had liberated. He restock on energy cells for his rilfe and grab some extra grenades. Once done, Cristo ordered rest of the stormtroopers still standing and fit to fight to resupply in turns while letting the two medics to work on the wounded and keeping a few sentries posted. Once outside of the armory a thought occured to the Sergeant and then looked at Wes and said.

"Private Morrow, I suspect the opposition are aiming to thin out our numbers and wear us down to the point that they can acheive whatever objective they have. Each time we have fought them so far they pulled a trick on us or just fight kriffing harder than before, even as we killed them. Do you have your own assessment about this?"

 

[Viabuck]

Glancing to the scatter gun in his grasp, Wes examined the weapon for a moment, carefully checking the weapon as he did any other that he took up. Hearing the Sargeant starting to speak to him, he closed an eye bringing the weapon up closer for a moment before being asked for his input.

"Well Sir, I'm thinking that you might be onto something. Of course the problem is, we've got our mission and they've got theirs. We've got no choice but to walk into whatever they happen to be planning.. All we've got on our side is overwhelming force.. They've got us beat in regards to numbers in all probability but what we've got is training, superior armor, and now? We've got an arms advantage... I've checked this gun over.." Wes replied, flipping the gun in his grasp.

"They didn't sabotage anything here from what I can make of it meaning they probably weren't planning to lose this position which is why they set up that bitch with a rocket launcher.. They've probably got one miserable mess waiting for us at the bridge... So sir.." he went on, looking to the wall and grinning for a moment as he took down a missile launcher of his own, strapping it over his back.

"I elect we go in and worry less about collateral damage.. They think we want to preserve the integrity of the ship.. And I'm sure we do.. But if we want to succeed? I think meeting them with no holds barred is the best approach."

 

[Minuteman75]

In many ways, Cristo was impressed with this private's ruthless will to achieve victory and noted that Wes had proven himself to be a very skilled soldier throughout this fight. His head-on apporch however is what these Chiss would want to exploit and Cristo preferred to outsmart them for a change. All the same they don't have much to go by for such a course thereby they were left with limited options other than what Wes mentioned.

"Fair point private but you have to remember that the bridge is destroyed so they won't likely be there. No they're probbaly going through the ship attempting to take whatever supplies it has stored. As you pointed out it appears the armory was on their list too until we took it from them. It wouldn't hurt if we secure some info about them we could utilize it to increase our edge. Either way we're heading out shortly."

Just as he finished, one of the sentries back in the hallway, Private Aydan signal him.

"Sergeant we got contacts, seven of them heading our way and raising their hands... They're ours sir, navel personal."

It's looks like some of the crew survived after all. Cristo thought with relief until an disturbing thought cross his mind.

The enemy could be following them close behind for all they know, using them as bait. Unless these surivors actually manage to slip away. Even so Cristo did not want to take any chances and replied.

"Copy that, maintain your position. I will be joining you shortly."

Turning to Wes he added before walking away to where the sentries

"Get the men ready Wes."

 

[Viabuck]

"So lets take one alive and I'll tor-...interrogate it then sir." Wes commented in regards to the suggestion that they discover more information while going about checking over his current weapon strapped state. He had turned himself into something of a walking armory and for a moment, he would consider that he had perhaps gone a bit overboard but ultimately? He wouldn't change a damned thing. He was pretty confident that in the face of the enemy that they were facing, overkill was the way to go.

Hearing the talk of friendlies heading in their direction, Wes' more paranoid nature would prove to take hold of him in that instant, causing a suspicious look to fall over his face. He knew what -he- would do and that made him -very- nervous. When it came to not being a psychopath about some things, he often found it to be a bit of a struggle but in this instance, his natural impulses screamed that something may have been -very- wrong.

"Make sure they aren't strapped with explosives." he called out, a darker thought forming in his head of a tactic that he might use if he was facing a better armed enemy and was growing desperate.

"In the meantime, the rest of you, help yourselves to any weapons you might think you'll need. I want at least one enemy being left alive.. I don't need them in good condition but I do need one afterall.. Don't worry, I have every intention of shooting it just the second I'm finished. These bastards are all gonna pay for what they did to our comrades.. Let's get moving and be wary of everyone.. Even friendlies.." he spoke up again, taking his scattergun and moving toward the exit himself, his own squad forming up behind him.

 

[Minuteman75]

The warning Wes pointed out made Cristo even more catious than before. Cristo then message Aydan and ordered him to keep the "friendlies" away from his position until he arrived. Few minutes later Cristo was behind the two sentries and saw the new arrivals for himself. Their uniforms were battered and torn and some of their faces were bloodied and they were surpsied to being forced to halt. Only three were armed, though only with light carbines and pistols, the one in front was a blue Nautolan female who seemed to an ensign, judging by the insignia.

"It not a trick, sergeant. Trust me, otherwise we wouldn't be armed and I swear we didn't know you were here in this spot until hearing the shots minutes ago." The alien lady stated as if she reading Cristo's mind. He wasn't impressed and replied forcefully.

"It can be ruse if your clips are empty. So you better give me a better reason than just a few frakking words. Now just who the kriff you are?"

The ensign groaned with intense frustration then proceeding to take an ammo clip out of her pistol and threw to Cristo as proof.

"I am Ensign Sala Coll and this what's left of my team behind me after pirates storm our quarters." She said in an bitter tone while pointing a thumb backward toward her followers before adding.

"Look trooper while we here playing truth or dare the pirates are closer to highjacking the main turrets."

"What! Explain yourself ensign. How would you know will this?"

Just as Cristo Morrell finished asking his latest question, Wes appeared behind him.

 

[Viabuck]

As Wes approached behind Morrell, if the woman had been able to see his expression beneath his helmet, she would likely have realized what a poor position she was in at that exact moment. The Stormtrooper had a remarkably low tolerance for those who inhibited his ability to do his job and as it stood, he felt like this woman and all of her companions were nothing more than liabilities. He had been sent to clear out Pirates and rescuing the crew was nothing more than a side objective in his mind, especially when they were making mockeries of protocol... Especially when he thought they were conniving liars who now seemed to be in league with the enemy... At least in Wes' mind it made sense and that was why he immediately gripped his heavy blaster pistol and leveled it with her forehead causing his own squad members to raise their weapons on the others of the crew that were behind her.


"She knows it because she's clearly in league with the enemy... Look at her.. Look at her men. We suffered casualties on our way to this point and somehow these three managed to escape? With gear like what they're carrying? Like they'd -really- allow them to reach us and tell us their plan?" the male remarked sharply, his eyes narrowing behind his helmet, a huff of irritation slipping free from him.

"Woman, I'm going to give you thirty seconds to explain your relationship to these Pirates right now. For every ten seconds you don't tell me something useful I'm going to shoot one of your companions before ending with you.. You know too much and you're -entirely- too suspicious for your own good.. We aren't here to rescue the crew.. You are remarkably expendable.." he went on, proving once again why his superiors recommended him only for extermination missions and not hostage/rescue encounters.

There were times, particularly like this one that Wes wished he had been born with some level of force sensitivity.. He would very much have liked to choke the life out of the woman with his thoughts right at that exact moment but alas, he would simply be forced to threaten her with physical violence.. Such a shame.