Ask We Ride

[Matias Vale]

Matias was strewn across his bike, both of his legs crossed over each other and resting on top of the handlebars. His back pressed against the seat to keep him stable as his attention was completely fixated on his hand. A blade was flipped in between his fingers, smoothly and with practiced ease; the dangerous fidget used to ease his boredom as he waited without uttering a word.

In fact, he wasn't the only one as four others waited idly in their own ways, music, pacing, or sleeping. Though he tended to work alone, the type of job they were on would require all hands on deck; the pay helping to soothe the soreness about working with others. In total, they were a melting pot of different skill sets and appearances, a Twi'lek, Aqualish, Selkath, and a Zabrak. In truth, another primary reason that Matias played with his blade was that he didn't want to be caught staring and then shot. A couple of those species were ones that he had only seen once or twice and they fascinated him every time with how they were so different. While the gang life had taken its toll on him, somehow a sliver of childlike wonderment and amazement had returned to him when it had been thought to be stripped away.

The group hadn't spoken to each other for quite a period of time until the Zabrak finally spoke up, "How far out is the train?" The others all lifted their eyes to him before glancing at Matias.

With a single twirl, the blade was flipped into the air and then caught right after, the renegade's gaze trained ahead before he slightly turned his head to see the rest out of the corner of his eye. Turning over his left wrist, a watch peeked out from in between his jacket sleeve and glove, giving him the answer that he shared dryly, "Seven minutes."

The Twi'lek let out a frustrated grunt before glancing around almost sarcastically, "And where the fuck is the Mando? We're gonna need our air support." Their camp was on top of a hill, one that overlooked the exit of a tunnel that the train would eventually come out of. All they knew was where the cargo was stored and that it would be protected. The Mando was their chance to even the playing field while they focused on the actual objective.

@Wit

 

[Beau]

Navigating a speeder-bike through unfamiliar territory, Beau was doing his best to keep the pace while avoiding trees and wildlife as he made for the beacon. Things had come up, and he had not been able to scope out the location before the actual job. He hadn't even been planetside till a day ago, so the fact that he had been able to plant the explosives and reach the hilltop in time was a win in his books.

Finally spotting the hilltop where he was supposed to set up and wait for the train, he brought his speeder-bike to a stop and after taking a moment to size down everyone gathered there, he finally stepped off the bike and turned to Vale. "Everything on track?" He smiled behind his helmet, just imagining how his sister would have reacted at the word play, but not letting it showing it in any obvious way for anyone present to notice.

Soon after a ping would go off on Beau's HUD, a ping that the others would have heard as well, broadcast by the tracker he had planted on the other entrance of tunnel along with the explosives. "Saddle up." he said as he stepped towards the overlook and pressed a button on his wrist. The train shot out of the tunnel, and a series of smaller explosions, instead of one large one, rang through the sides of the train, successfully crippling the locomotive without the risk of blowing it up.

He activated his jetpack and shot into the air, heading to hover over the train and draw fire and provide support as the bikes started swooping in. The bikes were halfway down the slope when the first guard climbed out of one of the compartments and climbed atop it and began firing, getting a few shots off at the bikes before Beau returned fire and drew the fire towards himself and bought the bikes another moment or two of uninterrupted descent.

@Orbit

 

[Matias Vale]

As if on cue, the group caught the sound of an engine rumbling closer toward their position. All of the mercs stood up except for Matias, already assuming that the late arrival was the final member of their party. Once they caught sight of Beau's gleaming armor, tensions eased and they all retook their seat to wait as the seconds ticked by.

Matias kept to his game with the knife, only ceasing once the Mandalorian specifically asked him a question, the final toss ending with a smooth snatch from the air. Turning his head slightly in order to see the warrior out of the corner of his eye, he responded in the same dry tone, "Hopefully, no in a few minutes." The double meaning wasn't lost on him but it held no effect as his face remained stoic.

Even with just the blurry image of Beau, memories shot through Matias' mind and the first Mandalorian he ever met. Ever since he left his planet, it had been the last time he had ever seen Raya, and sometimes couldn't help but wonder whatever happened to her. If anything at least, Matias at least knew that the Mandalorian was likely the most capable fighter among them.

Thankful that the conversation was cut short, Beau received an alarm about the train and he warned the others to get ready. As they could hear the rocks shift and the sound of the train engine from the tunnel, each merc got ready and mounted their rides. Once they were ready, the charges were detonated as clouds of dust and rubble erupted from the tunnel and sides of the train once it broke free. Beau immediately took to the sky, informing the others that the train has been derailed and it was time to move in. But, as Matias continued to watch where the train came from, he could hear the ugly sound of metal grinding on metal, and on cue, the train still speared through the cloud that it had made and kept on the track.

Even though it was still on the tracks, it had suffered extensive damage, most of the gears having been blown off, and the belly skidding across the track. The train had been slowed greatly but it was still churning along, now showers of sparks spewing out from both sides of it. Staring at the carnage that was unfolding below, the Zabarak finally took charge and shouted out, "Move in now!"

One by one, each bike spilled forth and down the hill as they went on an intercept course. When it was Matias' turn, he stared at the train for a moment before mumbling, "Fuck." Not intending to let their prize slip away, he kicked the stand up before twisting the throttle on his bike, launching himself after the cargo too.