~” If you can hear me… and are in Valco’s Palace, get out quickly. This place is about to blow.”~
At first Beltran wasn't sure if he'd heard the Jedi's voice over their team com frequency, of through the Force. Team Paladin had managed to gather a group of about twenty survivors, beings who had been intended to be sold into slavery by Valco and her ilk. Most had only minor wounds, but a few were being held up by their neighbors. They had been lucky in that of those they'd found alive, all seemed able to move-even if they needed help.
Beltran's first instinct was to have Dek hack the lift again and send them back to the roof, where their transport could pick them up. That way, the civilians could avoid the fight that was currently happening in the front of the Palace. But as Jedi
Caltin Vanagor
's voice radiated through his comlink and his mind, Beltran quickly dismissed that plan.
"Paladin Actual copies all," He replied over the same frequency.
"We'll be heading out the front, ETA thirty seconds."
Looking over at the group of assembled operators and civilians, Beltran wasted no time issuing orders.
"Mrawr, you and Dek are rear-guard. Doss, you're with me on point. Everyone else, disperse in intervals throughout the group. Make sure nobody get's left behind."
There wasn't time to wait, so Beltran raised his rifle and began moving forward down the corridor toward the main entrance. Sergeant Doss was only half a step behind him, moving along the opposite wall. Twice, wayward Raiders made the mistake of stepping into their way and twice they were taken down without either man even breaking stride.
From behind, he could hear Mrawr's burly voice as he urged the civilians along. Once he heard the sound of suppressed fire from their rear, but he didn't bother to look and simply waited for the inevitable
"Tango down," to come from their rear-guard.
At the entrance, they met some more resistance. A group of about five Raiders were holed up against a pair of large doors. They were building what appeared to be a makeshift barricade, trying to keep the Jedi on the other side from getting through. Their first indication that they were not alone was a pair of muffled
taps, from both Sergeant Doss and Beltran's rifles, each shot taking a Raider into the netherworld.
The other's whirled around, raising their blasters only to be cut down in quick succession. This was Beltran's first time using the TDW HARM rife in an operation, the he had to say that
The Monster
knew how to build a gun. The 14mm projectiles, even though they were slowed somewhat by the suppressors packed a hell of a punch.
Once the remaining Raiders were down, Beltran lowered his rifle and raised an empty hand. After a second or two of concentration, the hastily stacked pile of furniture and other items began to move aside, clearing the doors to open. Indicating via hand gesture for Sergeant Doss to stack up on the other side of the doors, Beltran prepared to open one of them.
Just before pulling on the handle, he called back through his comlink.
"Team Paladin to all forces outside of the Palace, be advised. We are coming out the front doors, twenty civilians in tow."
There wasn't time to wait for an acknowledgement, or to get a sit-rep of scene beyond them. He had to trust that the Jedi had Valco well in hand and hope that none of his people, or the civilians they were trying to rescue got caught in the crossfire. With a firm nod to Sergeant Doss, Beltran opened the door and the large man went through it, stepping outside.
Beltran followed a moment later, his own rifle at the ready. Doss was laying suppressing fire, releasing his shots quickly at any Raider that presented a target. Beltran scanned the area, noting both Valco, Jedi
Caltin Vanagor
and a couple other Jedi as well. Vanagor's bulky frame appeared injured, his arm hanging uselessly at his side. Valco, clad in an armored shell and wielding an axe was pushing her position using her repulsorlift to carry her forward into the battle.
"Doss, find us somewhere for the Ghoul to touch down." Beltran ordered as he broke ranks and began to close the distance between himself and the Hutt. He fired a few shots at the slug, hitting it center mass but failing to get through it's armor. That didn't matter, he just wanted the being to know he was there, maybe create a distraction that the Jedi could use to their advantage.
Doss would move off, taking the point position himself as the civilians began to file out. Several more shots could be heard in the background as his men engaged any Raiders they came into contact with. Doss knew his stuff, and so did Lieutenant Mrawr. The civilians would get out fine while he finally got a shot at his target.
When he was only a few paces away from the Hutt, Beltran lowered his rifle and raised his hand once more. Streams of Force Lightning radiated from his fingers, arcing out toward the armored Hutt. It was an impressive armored shell she wore, but he wondered whether it was insulated against electricity.
With any luck, they would all be treated to barbeque Hutt tonight...
Liram Angellus
Gir Quee
Aveline Cuiléin
