Dominion Altierior Motives | Galactic Alliance Dominion of Altier

[Alexander Hayes]

Location: Altier
Objective: II - Deadlines
Appearance: Link
Gear: Rifle | Blaster Pistol | Combat Knife
Tags: Lyrrin | Valery Noble

Alexander’s return to the Alliance fold had already been an interesting one. From embarking on a mission to investigate a colony gone dark, to now providing backup for the SIA and Marshals on Altier. That was at least the official word on his involvement today.

In truth, he was here to observe, to provide assistance if it was required. His superiors had reviewed the particularly glowing report Valery had filed on his capabilities during their mission. It seemed from that, they had decided to give him options of where he wanted to go from that point onwards.

He could go back to how things were before. To join a new unit, become another rank and file trooper on the ground. Or, he could explore other areas that could do with his skillset. And it just so happened both the SIA and the Marshals were taking part in the investigation on Altier.

Alex had decided to take the latter option, his experiences fighting alongside Valery had laid that seed of an idea. Working as a duo, or even solo functioned a lot differently compared to a larger unit or squad. It was an idea that intrigued the K’paur, so he opted to see for himself how other groups and organisations functioned.

That was how he found himself on the ground, keeping watch over an open public area where some of the SIA were presently investigating. He noticed a Farghul approaching a group of civilians that were arguing amongst each other. That looked like a potential headache in the making, but an irate group could evolve into something dangerous, so he kept an eye on it.

His attention did split though when he saw a familiar face walk onto the scene. There was no mistaking Valery’s appearance, although the snazzy suit was a surprise. She must be here in an SIA capacity.

A small smile formed on Alex’s face, but for the time being he remained where he was, maintaining an overwatch of the area.

 

[Lyrrin]

Objective Deadlines​

Tags: Valery Noble Alexander Hayes

Lyrrin glanced towards the person who had snuck up next to him, his senses were on edge, but whenever he heard Valery's voice he relaxed somewhat at her smile and gave her a quick smirk before looking back to the woman "Well there you have it. Good cop and bad cop. She's got a reputation you know? Very merciful. If you won't tell me, tell her, but tell her loud enough so I can hear it or I'm still sending you off." the woman's composure faltered fora moment as her bravado gave way to a haggling personality "Everyone knows me by Twist so my name is Twist-" the scanner in Lyrrin's left hand, the one shining the blue grid on the woman's face, buzzed "Twist isn't your name. Don't care what you go by lady." Lyrrin interrupted "Karri, I'm Karri. No fancy lastname or titles. Just Karri." the scanner was silent "Okay Karri, now what were you doing the time of the explosion?" as Lyrrin questioned the woman it seemed her compatriots were beginning to move away from Lyrrin and Valery. It seemed they were attempting to ease themselves out of the equation so they wouldn't be questioned.

Without warning a man near Karri pushed Karri further into Lyrrin which caused the agent to fall backwards with the woman. The agent landed with a thud against the pavement. For a brief moment all Lyrrin saw was a flash of black then white. The man took off running away from the others and weaved through bystanders and debris. In his flight the suspicious denizen took hold of the edge of a few canisters of trash and threw them behind himself to slow any pursuers.

 

[Desric Terassi]

Sonya Provost || + Other People​

"Quite right," A smile, he tilted his head towards some of her fellow Senators. "I fear it won't get any more relaxing from here on. You do not seem the type to sit on your laurels." Admittedly, she did not seem like she could sit on her laurels; from the information trickling across his vision, it was clear that she represented a clear deviation from the norm.

If she did a subpar job, it would likely be easy for her planet to slide back to the old and familiar.

"I am not, no - not yet, anyway," He noted, though that might change in a few weeks. Unlike her, however, he would not need to wrangle the popular vote. An advantage of potentially representing a corporate world. "I like to keep a finger on the pulse, so to speak. It's a work thing. The new exhibits hardly hurt; I have a fondness for history."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

OBJ II- Dealbreaker
Aurorae Cailen Corso ​

Cora returned Cailen's whisper with a small, awkward smile. "Right," She whispered back. Inhaling deeply, the blonde Padawan steeled herself as Aurorae leaped from their transport, landing silently onto the rooftop. Soldiers followed soon after, and Cora gave one last look to Cai before departing through the hatch.

The duracrete surface absorbed the sound of their footsteps, but Cora still moved cautiously. Aurorae wasted no time, soundless and unhindered as a shadow as she moved further into the building. A muffled shot heralded the arrival of a fresh corpse, and Cora winced on reflex. She still hadn't gotten used to dead bodies, an especially sore spot since her excursion into Coruscant's seedy underbelly with Tenn Kalos had ended with a dead Rodian. Her left shoulder still occasionally ached from the wound she'd sustained, and right now it was screaming as if it recognized the scent of death.

Obediently, she shuffled over the cadaver and picked the radio from the guard's waist with a grimace. Fortunately she barely had to touch him, but it skeeved her out all the same.

After a moment of thought, she handed the radio to Cailen, almost pleadingly. Absently, she touched her shoulder.

Turning her head away from the body, she filled her lungs with a sharp inhale and stepped around him, following Aurorae through the corridor that would lead to the top floor. This was no time to be getting sketched out, she reasoned.

Sort your feelings out later. Focus on the people that need your help.

 

[Valery Noble]

Altier

​

Outfit: Operative Suit
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Lyrrin Alexander Hayes | Open

After an exchange of friendly smiles, Lyrrin took over the questioning and Valery remained mostly quiet. She didn't explain it, but she was scanning the woman through the Force, hoping to separate lies from the truth that way. It was a simple method, as most didn't expect it and without training, people generally couldn't keep their emotions and true intentions from flowing out into the Force.

All she needed was a single slip-up, a single-

Her thoughts were interrupted as a man stepped forward who sparked a sudden flash of danger in the Force. He shoved the woman forward, which sent her down to the ground with lyrrin, and took off running. "Lyrrin! I'm going after him!" She exclaimed before blasting off after the runner, hoping to catch him. She figured Lyrrin would be okay, and this kind of direct action was exactly why she was here.

Somewhere along the way, however, her attention shifted to someone else for a moment — she spotted Alexander Hayes in the crowd, who she hadn't been expecting here at all. Either he had been looking for her after their mission to the colony overrun by the undead, or he was considering a change of occupation. Whatever it was, she made a quick gesture with her head in his direction, hoping that he'd join her to catch the runner.

"Alex, go around the right alley! I'll take left!" she called out before she launched herself high up into the air and over the trash bins that were thrown back. The move exposed her to be a Jedi or at least someone with unnatural abilities, but she no longer cared. She could feel that they really needed to catch this guy.

 

[Sonya Provost]

Desric Terassi
Auteme | Alicio Organa | Dominique Vexx | Elizie Athacorr​

“No, I suppose not,” Sonya admitted, finding a more natural smirk, “I would certainly hope people aren’t getting into the political game just to sit on their laurels,” She glanced back at some of their other senators, and exhaled through her nose, “But I recognize hopes don’t always match reality…”

What ambition did exist in the office was too often directed towards more selfish gains. Odds were stacked against her philosophy, but she believed there were other like-minded Senators out there, just waiting for someone or something to stand beside. If only because she had to believe as much.

“Not yet, eh? I admire the confidence,” She smirked again, more slyly this time, “In the running, then? Where?” The love of history, she couldn’t quite speak to. Perhaps on other worlds there was something to admire about the past. That which was on display here was undeniably fascinating. But Montitia’s history was drab. Just the way the plutocrats liked it.

 

[Desric Terassi]

Sonya Provost || + Other People​

"I find that motivations are subject to great personal variance," Was his diplomatic reply, the implication clear enough. There were plenty of Senators eager to serve their constituents and the greater Alliance - and plenty of others focused on padding their personal accounts and lining up cushy gigs on boards and in committees after their term ends.

Really, the Senate was just as much a mixed bag as the people they represented.

"Arcadia - the terraforming process was only just fully completed, but it has been inhabited for years now." Years was not a lot of time by planetary standards, obviously, but populations grew a lot faster when you threw money at a planet.

Granted, most of the people on Arcadia were corporate employees and tourists, but it still needed representation.

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Grand Hall, Galactic Museum
Deadlocked​

Dominique smiled with the Chancellor's modest deflection. Yes, yes, the Jedi-steeped woman was all about altruism. Very laudable. She'd hardly turn into a Sith if she took a little pride in building out such a collection.

Then a young man sauntered in to join the pair. Vexx regarded him from the corner of an eye. New rooms? Tsk. Oh, yes, very well she'd give him points for using the woman's own colorful description to woo her, but he should have worked 'patterns' in at the last instead of rooms. Vexx regarded Auteme to see what impact the man's introduction had, curious if Vexx herself should consider using it in the future -- much as she was loathed to do so.

The study was not long, however, as the unannounced man turned to Dominique next. "Alicio." With a small smile, she returned the slight inclination. No haste to prop the cane against the other arm to free it? Graceful. A suitable excuse not to shake her hand. "I'm Senator Vexx. Perhaps we'll have a chance to chat this evening." Something told her this man wasn't interested in the opportunities available by dealing with her, however.

A sense Auteme herself would affirm shortly. Along with providing the man's salutation as a Senator.

Speaking of the Chancellor, despite her naivity -- Vexx wouldn't ascribe anything to youth, being relatively young herself -- the woman did have a firm grasp on things. Security for her grand exhibit was casually discussed in brief. A matter easily overlooked by someone blinded in pursuit of a cultural crusade. Some artifacts on display certainly would fetch a lucrative price on the market.

"I'm certain the Alliance's investigative forces will uncover information to help prevent such a despicable display from happening again. As a newly inaugurated member of the Alliance, perhaps we will discover a number of procedural improvements that could be made." Dominique made light conversation on the topic as the Chancellor had just brought this up on happenstance, right? No need to make an impassioned plea, throw about accusations, or anything of the sort. Though Vexx knew better. Such 'oh by the way' topics were often a lead in to something far more important. All a woman had to do was wait for the proverbial shoe to drop.

Auteme | Alicio Organa | Sonya Provost | Desric Terassi​

 

[Cailen Corso]

Location: Blackridge Outpost, Altier
Tags: Corazona von Ascania ; Aurorae
Objective 1: Dealbreaker
Soundtrack: Quiet Watchers

Cailen double-checked his gear, accounting for his lightsaber and several other pieces of equipment when he glanced up to notice Cora's apprehension. He offered her a reassuring smile before following her out of the dropship.

The loose duracrete crunched quietly beneath his boots as his feet landed on the rooftop. He moved swiftly, keeping behind Cora and the rest of the team as they approached the stairwell. Already, the deadly efficient Aurorae had dispatched the Blackridge sentry. His lifeless body lay still on the landing, the eerie silence contrasted only by Aurorae's comms coming through the Padawan's earpiece:

:: Take the radio. We move in. Start floor by floor. We have thirty minutes before a radio check ::

Cora took the device, but just as quickly turned to pass it on to Cailen. He humbly accepted it, but not without placing a hand on her shoulder and raising a concerned eyebrow. This wasn't the place or time to discuss her thoughts, but he wanted to make sure Cora knew he was right beside her.

They had their training, their team leader, and each other. If they stuck to the plan, it would all come together.

Following Aurorae's orders, the Padawan clipped the radio to his belt and followed cautiously down the stairs. As they came upon the top floor landing, Cailen halted, waiting quietly for their next move.

 

[Aurorae]

There wasn't time to comfort. Under her helm, Aurorae only cast a brief glance towards Cora. Split second decisions made or broke these kinds of operations. Let her stay, and she panicked again, someone innocent could very well die. Or being down another Jedi could do the same. It was Cailen that made the choice. His presence seemed to give her some strength, help keep her calm.

They'd continue as is.

Once in the staircase she glanced down, letting her mask scan for anything that might not of been shown in the initial scan. Traps. Tripwire. Primitive, but effective. She nodded once in it's direction, sending it's image towards the other soldiers with them. The demolitionist nodded once before moving ahead to dismantle it. Only a couple seconds. Seconds they had acountted for in the timing of this operation. Everything needed to move perfect. With it dismantled Aurorae nodded, and they fell in line. Quickly and quietly making their way down the staircase. Her helmed gaze scanned for heat signatures on every floor. Two, two, eight, twenty.

On the fourth floor she gave the signal to stop. The hostages were here. Too many heat signatures for there not to be.

"<Split off. Find entry points, mark targets. Once we're in position we strike. Five minutes. Go.>"

Cailen Corso | Corazona von Ascania

 

[Alexander Hayes]

Location: Altier
Objective: II - Deadlines
Appearance: Link
Gear: Rifle | Blaster Pistol | Combat Knife
Tags: Lyrrin | Valery Noble

He watched quietly as Lyrrin questioned the woman, and even from this distance he could see those that had been at her side were slowly trying to step away. As if they hadn’t already been noticed and filed away for future questioning, even if they left the area. Something told him the Farghul wasn’t one to let things go so easily, especially when on the job.

Alex felt something shifting the mood in the air. He wasn’t one to sense things through the Force, but there was something tickling the back of his mind telling him to get ready. And sure enough, as Karri’s compatriots moved aside, another civilian took advantage.

He pushed the woman into Lyrrin, sending them both crashing to the ground. For a moment Alex wondered if the stranger thought this through. But then sense didn’t really stick when one was panicking.

The K’paur nodded to Valery as she began the pursuit. “Understood!”

Alex made a beeline through the crowd, brushing and nudging people aside as he went. While the runner had taken the main alley, Valery to the left, Alex disappeared down the right. It was for the most part clear of people, only a few bits of debris and junk lining the path. He could hear the man throwing stuff over as he ran, no doubt trying to make distance away from Valery.

Unfortunately for him, he also didn’t account for a marine to be chasing him. Alex full on sprinted down the alleyway, boots squeaking against the ground as he pivoted around every corner.

He’s probably trying to reach another crowd so he can disappear, we need to hurry.

As the window of opportunity was beginning to close, Alex could hear the man’s feet a lot clearer, he was close. The K’paur turned one more corner and dashed down the last stretch of alleyway. He stopped on a dime as he hit the four-way junction in the alleyways, holding out his metal arm just as the runner went crashing into it chest first.

The man fell backwards onto his arse. And before he could even try to do anything, Alex was on him, flipping him onto his stomach and restraining his arms.

“Don’t even think about it, buddy.”

 

[Alicio Organa]

DEADLOCKED
GALACTIC MUSEUM, CORUSCANT
Auteme - Dominique Vexx
Sonya Provost - Desric Terassi - Elizie Athacorr
​

Alicio skewed a half-smile at Senator Vexx as she introduced herself as such, his inward thoughts obscured by his stormcloud irises. "I'd like that, Senator."

He genuinely would. He wanted to somehow, miraculously, change her mind on an investigation into her planet. Which he severely doubted would be the case, but it wouldn't stop him from trying, if she gave him the opportunity.

Auteme's joking admonition earned a full, if defeated, grin, which he transitioned to the senator. "Apologies. I'm still new to all this. I'm not used to being Senator Organa." Frankly, he didn't like referring to himself with titles, despite being both a politician and a noble. He was Alicio, not a faceless, uncaring senator of Alderaan.

After talking a moment more about the museum, the Chancellor transitioned seamlessly into Altier. "Of course," he said, any hint of mirth leaving him as his mind wandered to the disaster unfolding on-world. "Millions of people without access to basic necessities, all because of one explosion." The societal impact of being without power for any amount of time was catastrophic. Alicio was just glad the Alliance was quick to respond.

Alicio smiled apologetically. "To be honest, I'd rather be there, helping, than here, talking about helping." He shook his head. "The best we can do from here is figure out how not to let it happen again."

He turned his head to Auteme, a question in his eyes. Of course, she wouldn't bring it up without reason. "What do you think the issue is?"

He'd heard the rumors too, after all.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

OBJ II | Dealbreaker
Aurorae Cailen Corso

Though Cai's hand at her shoulder was a comfort, Cora herself felt foolish. Within the first few minutes, she'd managed to mark herself as the naive child on such a delicate mission. Father would have had some choice words for her, but no reprimand had come from anyone in the group. Everyone was focused on the task at hand. Even Cailen—younger than her by a few years—seemed to be less ruffled.

This isn't about you. If you make it about you, you're liable to falter.

Cora wouldn't be able to perceive Aurorae's cursory glance in her direction, but something in the Force caused a brief shiver to chill her spine.

The group continued onward, clearing out each floor before halting. Only a handful of seconds ticked past as their leader scanned the area, HUD likely lighting up with useful information.

And so they went. Cora had pressed herself down a narrow corridor, inching her way towards an even tighter turn. A soft glow ebbed from around the corner, a light source that had initially drawn her attention. Shifting closer, she peered around the corner to find a portable lantern sitting in the middle of a group of sentients, all bound and gagged. A dozen or so armed ruffians surrounded the captive engineers.

A silent gasp died in her throat, and Cora waved for Cai's attention, accidentally hitting him in the face with her flailing hand. Head whipping back, she grimaced and mouthed an apology.

"The engineers! They're-" With a furious whisper, she gestured aggressively towards the corner before peeking around it again. Crates, likely holding the parts that were needed, were scattered throughout the vicinity.

 

[Kel Se'Taav]

ALTIERIOR MOTIVES

​

Location: Blackridge Outpost, Altier
Tags: Aurorae ; Corazona von Ascania ; Cailen Corso ; OPEN
Objective 1: Dealbreaker
Soundtrack: Situation Room

​

"That's it, then?" Kel remarked, more to himself than the pilot he stood behind.

The so called 'outpost' where the notorious Blackridge Riders were holed up seemed more a nondescript office structure than a bandit hideout, but he supposed anything with four walls and a roof would suffice when it came to keeping hostages. The Senator narrowed his eyes, carefully monitoring the Tempest's approach; The Riders were expecting him and his entourage but negotiating with terrorists rarely ever goes according to plan.

Which is exactly why this was a joint task force operation. Kel pressed two fingers into his comlink, raising his allies in the field.

:: Ground team, this is Starbird. We're approaching the outpost now, ETA two minutes ::

That's all that stood between the Bothan and more than a dozen innocent lives. Two minutes, and many carefully chosen words.

 

[Cailen Corso]

Location: Blackridge Outpost, Altier
Tags: Corazona von Ascania ; Aurorae
Objective 1: Dealbreaker
Soundtrack: Quiet Watchers

The extraction team moved with serpentine precision, flowing down the stairwell and clearing pockets of patrolling sentries like a silent viper. Cailen kept his lightsaber at the ready, but thus far he'd managed to avoid striking any of the Riders down himself; The GADF operatives were thorough and deadly with their shots. Still, he kept his wits sharp and his mind on high alert.

They continued to sweep the building this way until their masked leader halted the team on the fourth-floor landing. She consulted her personal HUD for a moment before issuing her commands.

"<Split off. Find entry points, mark targets. Once we're in position we strike. Five minutes. Go.>"

Cailen nodded, pairing off with Cora to scout further into the complex. He followed her lead as they navigated the narrow halls, keeping an eye on their rear in case any patrols had circled around them. He'd just turned his head forward when his nose was abruptly greeted by Cora's hand. The boy winced silently, covering his nose and glaring at his partner.

She mouthed what he thought was an apology, but he stepped back when she started waving her hands again.

"What are you doing?!" he whispered harshly through gritted teeth.

"The engineers! They're-"

"Here?" Cailen finished. He carefully stepped closer, peering around the corner.

There, surrounded by stolen Alliance equipment and a dozen armed Riders, were the abducted engineers. Cailen looked to Cora and tilted his head back, signaling her to retreat the way they came. As he retraced their path a short distance, he tapped his comlink.

:: "Aurorae, we found the engineers, but... they've got company. Lots of company. There's ten, maybe twelve armed guards with them." ::

 

[Aurorae]

:: "Aurorae, we found the engineers, but... they've got company. Lots of company. There's ten, maybe twelve armed guards with them." ::

Good. Aurorae already started giving orders to the group with her, quickly motioning towards the direction of the Padawan's. Set up, take position. Get ready to breach and clear on her mark. They were ahead of schedule now. She moved on, finding her own position near one of the doors. The trooper with her started to set a charge. Blow it open on this side while a flash came in from the other.

Hit from all sides, but make sure to pull attention to her. Attention and blasterfire, if any of them got a shot out.

"<Radio when in position. We breach on my mark.>"

Cailen Corso | Corazona von Ascania

 

[Sonya Provost]

Desric Terassi
​

Sonya just hummed amusedly, like Desric had proclaimed something rather obvious. Which, to an extent, he had; Everyone has their own motivations and goals in life. The senate is merely a microcosm of the alliance it represents. The problem was that she saw the same undesirable skew on both levels. The few overpowering the many, "Indeed."

Senator Provost was unapologetically business-minded. Just not the same kind of business as her detractors, "Arcadia?" She repeated, then nodded knowingly. Sonya couldn't claim to be intimately familiar with that particular planet, but playing the part of a watchdog was very much in her repertoire. Arcadia was Globex affiliated. Desric's response gave her enough information to make a few educated guesses about him.

"I've never been. I hear it's quite the visit, though," She smiled, softly tapping her finger against her champagne glass, "In any case I wish you luck with the election." If an (assumed) Corporatist was going to win, it might as well be the one she's already established a bit of cordiality with, right? How far that would take them, was a harder question to answer.

Sonya abruptly switched gears to the night's main topic, "What do you make of this mess with Hayata Corp?"

 

[Damian Du Couteau]

Damian Du Couteau, Senator of Empress Teta
Location: Altier
Objective: BYOO
Outfit

Damian rested his head on both hands, his legs crossed as he sat on the ground near one of the scrapyards. He had just finished another contract negotiations, the strategy was working but it was by far a slow process. Each stone he placed to lay down the foundation was tiring, and it would be difficult to tell so early if such a stone was placed correctly. The young Du Couteau heir sighed, his exasperation clear to anybody watching but thankfully for the young man’s benefit it was rather sparse.

Stretching his legs outward, the wind picked up and his cape began to flutter up around him. Damian smiled slightly as he slowly stood back up and playfully reigned in control of his cape as the wind continued to pick up. Perhaps it was the planet letting him know it was time to move, or maybe he finally found his strength once again and it was time to head back to his ship. There was only so much he could do while off planet from Teta, but with the contracts signed and his urgent request to process the data-slate work, the Royal Mining Guild should already have launched several of their ambassador ships.

For now, gotta wait until I get back to Teta. Damian sighed at the prospect of enduring yet another hyperspace journey. Or I could head over and relieve my old staffer. The journey back to Coruscant didn’t exactly give the young Du Couteau heir with much in the way of enthusiasm. Not that he needed any to conduct his duties as Senator, but it certainly helped to numb away the pain of Coruscant politics.

Reaching his speeder, the pilot made headway to the starport where Damian’s ship awaited. At least Damian figured that he could contend himself with the day’s work, and figured that after a nap he could make the decision of either heading to Coruscant for more work, or head to Teta to enjoy some light reprieve.
​

 

[Desric Terassi]

Sonya Provost || + Other People​

She recognised the planet, of course. He was not surprised. It was advertised quite broadly as a tourist destination, but more importantly it was owned and operated by a corporation - the same one that had terraformed it.

It was not someone of her political inclinations was inclined to overlook.

"My thanks. If all goes well we might meet again in the Senate." Better not to mention the pseudodemocratic nature of the, ah, election. Mind you, there was no electoral fraud involved, but nor was the system particularly egalitarian.

Lips quirking upwards at the sharpness of her transition, he took a few moments to consider his response.

"A regrettable situation, that, but it is hard to place too much blame on Hayata for what was most likely some kind of terrorist attack," He noted smoothly. "That said, it remains to be seen whether their security was sufficient - and their efforts to alleviate the strain on the civilian population seem insufficient." Traces of annoyance had slipped into his tone.

The at times short-sighted profit-hunting of his fellow corporatists was an enduring concern.

The last thing Globex wanted was to be pulled down the whirlpool of untempered greed.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

OBJ II Dealbreaker | Aurorae Cailen Corso Kel Se'Taav

Cora paced back at Cailen's signal, keeping quiet while he radioed their findings to Aurorae.

"I'm sorry," She whispered a sheepish apology. "About striking you. It was an accident." Cora gestured over her own nose with an open palm. "Are you okay?"

The blonde peered closer at his face. Satisfied that he wasn't bleeding, she pulled back in time to hear Aurorae's next order filter through.

Soldiers filtered around them, though their leader pushed past with a lone warrior. Multiple entrance points had been mapped by now, which meant that she was going for another opening—perhaps one that was more heavily guarded than the emergency exit corridor the Padawans were currently camping.

Inhaling slowly, Cora steeled herself again. Her pulse bounded in her ears, and in the silence of the building, that was all she could hear. One of the Blackridge guards coughed, and she reflexively clutched the hilt of her saber closer to her chest.

:: Ground team, this is Starbird. We're approaching the outpost now, ETA two minutes ::

A new voice crackled over their com channel, and Cora looked to Cai with a quirked expression. Would Aurorae hold, or would they press on? Did they even have two minutes?