Mission Operation: Firestorm | LAW Mission to Karazak

[Blakely Moore]

OPERATION: FIRESTORM

​

The only things certain in life are death, taxes… and slavers.

In the absence of Judges and lawmen, the Karazak Slavers' Cooperative has risen again and is moving fast to reclaim lost territory. Once more, their presence is known on the arid world of Karazak where they've inhabited an abandoned Imperial fortress known as Sunbreaker Base. Karazak has long held a reputation for slave trading, gun running, and black markets for Sith artifacts; this poses a multifaceted threat to the growing League of Autonomous Worlds, but also presents itself as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

A joint mission between the Spacers Alliance and Bounty Hunters Guild is underway with the intent of busting the slavers' blockade around Karazak and capturing Sunbreaker Base.

OBJECTIVE 1: Kill the Sun
Suggested for Spacers, Fleeters, and Pilots​

Above the desert world of Karazak, an impressive blockade prevents unauthorized entry into or escape from the planet. This defensive fleet is comprised of many dangerous warships and squadrons of uglies, but their subjugation will not last. The Spacers Alliance launches a surprise attack against the slaver blockade, hitting them hard and fast. Their objective is to disorient the Karazak Cooperative's fleet and keep them occupied while ground forces infiltrate the planet below. Spacer flotillas are authorized to destroy or disable any hostile vessels defending Karazak or the slaver fleet.

POTENTIAL RISKS:
The Whitedrift Exchange, a Lormar-class space station, serves as an orbital bazaar and residential platform for the Karazak system; the station boasts a population of roughly 10,000 sentients that includes civilians and servicemen. Exercise caution around the Exchange, targeting only its comms array.

OBJECTIVE 2: Scorched Earth
Suggested for Bounty Hunters, Mercenaries, and Soldiers​

Karazak was one of many slaving worlds sanctioned and regulated by Palpatine's Galactic Empire, and remnants of that dark era remain all across the rocky landscape. Resting atop one of Karazak's monolithic mesas is Sunbreaker Base, a massive Imperial fortress once used to dominate the area and control the slaving syndicates - in the Empire's absence, it is now the slavers and pirates who subjugate from its imposing walls. Working under contract with the LAW, the Bounty Hunters Guild slips through the planetary blockade and delivers a comprehensive attack on Sunbreaker Base.

POTENTIAL RISKS:
The black market on Karazak is saturated with artifacts of significance to the Sith Order. Agents of the Sith may attempt to intervene in the ground assault to extract dangerous items. Desperate slavers and pirates may try to weaponize the artifacts against LAW forces. Exercise caution around suspected or confirmed Sith relics.

​

Spoiler: OOC Loot Table Rules

You guys voted YES to incorporating loot tables to PVE threads for expanded RP value, so this will be our trial run! Below are the rules for looting and the associated loot table that you’ll use to get items.

LOOTING RULES: Once per post (up to a maximum of three times per thread) you may roll 1d100 to loot. You can RP the act of looting and decide if you’re checking bodies, opening crates or lockers, picking through junk piles, etc. Use your imagination!

The number you get from rolling determines the item you receive, and how you use that item is completely up to you. Perhaps you hold onto it as a keepsake for flavor, or maybe it becomes essential to your next thread! Maybe it’s just junk and you toss it to the side, but hey, that’s the luck of the draw.

LOOT TABLE:

Credit for loot table: Kainrath’s blog & Fantasy Flight Games

​

​

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
The Rubicon
Objective II (for now): Run the blockade!
Tags: Wide open.

The great thing about running spice is that you always had some around. The terrible thing about running spice is that you always had some around. Exercising self control was important. Most smugglers, spacers, and outlaws lacked self control. That’s how they ended up as a smuggler, spacer, or outlaw to begin with. One off decision after another, straying further and further from the preordained path, from the normal. But by jettisoning the normal, one gained freedom. Freedom to travel the stars. To see the galaxy. To live life how they wanted.

Wait . . . What the hell am I talking about? He snapped back to reality, blinking his eyes and shaking his head. Kriffin’ spice!

Captain Veda rubbed his eyes and took a long sip of stimcafe before checking the readout on the screen in front of him. Still a bit out from Karazak. He popped a nic-pouch into his mouth for a little extra boost and rose from the pilot’s chair, stretching his arms back, then reaching down to stretch his hamstrings and back. The ranting and raving from the galley had picked back up, so he strolled from the cockpit into the ship’s main quarters to check in with the team.

Most of these boys were new to Pal. So of course he had locked up any valuables on board in the hidden wall safe. The gym equipment had also been temporarily removed to make room for the larger team and, if they played their hand right, a little slaver loot for their troubles. No surprise that when he entered the galley, several were still bragging and boasting about past accomplishments, bringing in this bounty or that, helping overthrow a government here or there, barely escaping with their lives. The armory they had brought along was impressive — only problem being some of them had more weapons than sense.

“Listen up!” he yelled, but no one paid him any attention. No respect? On my ship? What is the world coming to? He nodded at his BB unit rolling around nearby, and the astromech let out a deafening whistle. The whole room shut up and turned to Pal. “Now, that’s better. Listen up! We’re coming up on Karazak in a few minutes. Our intel is that this blockade near the Whitedrift Exchange is no joke. Luckily, you’re sitting on the fastest ship in the galaxy with the best pilot in the galaxy.” As expected, his comment drew some whistles, cheers, jeers, and laughs. “Jokes aside, this ain’t my first rodeo. We’ve got other ships hitting the blockade. My job is to get past it and deliver you boys planetside.“

”They’ll have fighters, probably older models with some aftermarket surprises. I need two of you manning the canons, one upper and one lower. I don’t care who as long as you know how to aim and pull the trigger. It ain’t that hard.”

Beep boop!

”BB says we’re exiting hyperspace in five minutes.” The excitement from that announcement was palpable. “Let’s go take out some slavers!”

You still got it, Captain.

 

[Jerrel Kast]

|| SCORCHED EARTH ||

~what difference does it makes?~

OBJECTIVE: II - takeover the Sunbreaker base
TAG: Pal Veda | Open
​

SUNBREAKER BASE, KARAZAK

The scorching heat of Karazak shone brightly above Jerrel’s buy’ce-covered head as he and a dozen of other Enarc-chapter’s bounty hunters touched down on top of the mesa that hold the mighty Sunbreaker base of old. Karazak Slaver’s Cooperative had been taken by surprise. They weren’t expecting an attack, only to be hammered down by the forces of the recently formalised League of Autonomous Worlds. The bounty hunters of the Guild’s Enarc-chapter had spearheaded the direct assault of the old Imperial base. Led by Jerrel Kast on Phantom’s Menace, his modified, red and black Starviper-class attack platform, they have blasted the base rear gate open, and the 13 hunters jumped directly to flank the base, leaving their respective astromech droids to takeover their ships and provide air support.

<LISTEN UP BOYS! I WANT A CLEAN AND SWIFT JOB! KILL WHO YOU CAN, AVOID COLLATERAL, NO SITH NO EXCEPTIONS!>

Jerrel quickly headed to the series of structures of significance he saw, a black market. Upon taking a corner, a plasma blast was shot at his direction, scraping his beskar pauldron yet leaving it unscathed. With a lightning quick reflex, he turned toward his attacker and shot his pair of WESTAR-34 blaster pistols at him, sending him against the wall dead cold.

One.

He swiftly approached the dead enforcer, checking the fresh body for anything that might help him for the mission, or afterwards.

 

[Joriz Sai]

The Rubicon
Objective II
Tag: Pal Veda Jerrel Kast Open​

Standing among the assembled before Pal Veda was an gray armored figure with a similar themed hooded cloak with blue stripes. In addition his visor looked like a combination of a gas mask and racer helmet with all his weapons and equipment at the ready. Joriz Sai carried a fierce yet calm demeanor, having barely said much out loud during this journey. Frankly the young hunter didn't see much point to do so.

Beside him was a teenage girl with short black hair, olive skin, brown eyes that beheld a confident glint. Her gear was a more black blueish pilot uniform with a brown beret. The two siblings exchanged looks with one another. While Joriz had his helmet Mari knew him enough to tell by his body language what he was likely to do about this plan. Finally Joriz through the helmet's audio filter said.

"I'll take the top turret."

"Second gun for me." Mari interjected while her older brother had to resist the urge to sigh.

If it was up to him Joriz would've preferred his younger sibling stayed at the computer console back on their ship but she insisted on going with this one. Then again this job was a lot more personal than just hunting bandits or con artists given their history with slavers. Without waiting for further instructions from Pal the duo ran for where the turrets would be.

As they pressed forward out of the crowd Joriz said to Mari.

"Sis, you know the drill. Stay close and keep as much cover as possible."

"Yes, yes I know Joriz. I'm grown up, not a little kid anymore." She exclaim only for him to retort.

"Then act like it.”

Finished they seperated on the ladder. Joriz went first climbing upwards while Mari went down to the lower gun. Soon enough they got in the seats and each handled their controls. Finally Joriz allowed himself to sigh at last.

"Here goes nothing."

 

[Laphisto]

OPERATION: FIRESTORM​

OBJECTIVE 1: Kill the Sun
Fleet Composition​

[CAR][FLAG] Avantis

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Carrier Data	Healthy

[HC] Bil'mara

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Heavy Cruiser Data	Healthy

[HC] Motiv

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Heavy Cruiser Data	Healthy

[SPF] Chil'dra

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Frigate Data	Healthy

[SPF] Vilana

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Frigate Data	Healthy

[SPF] Xhila

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Frigate Data	Healthy

[SPF] Zanto

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Frigate Data	Healthy

[SPF] Multor

Shield	Hull	Technical data	Damage Stats
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮	Frigate Data	Healthy

[HSF] Claw squadron

Technical data	Total Number
Fighter Data	80

[BMR] Fire breath Squadron

Technical data	Total Number
Bomber Data	20

Laphisto stood infront of the view port of one of the Orders newest ships a Rac'gir class Carrier. the Avantis. She had just rolled out of the Ship works aboard Aurora station no less than a few cycles ago and what a grand first mission that to run her nose first through a blockade of slavers. this would be the first mission with the Lilaste order working for The league of autonomous worlds and so he made sure to pack to impress. Though with current skirmishes along the M'heali boarders and with order forces pushing into dusate space, his escorts were on the low side of things.

turning to the bridge Laphisto faced away from the streams of hyper space, giving a small nod towards the communications officer, which sent a signal to the fleet. with seven other captains showing up on holo coms "alright the plan is simple. drop from hyper space, engage hostile forces and provide a big enough distraction for Pal Veda and his ship to break through the blockaid. but most importantly. we dismember the slaver fleet, i dont want anything operational by the time we leave this system. lets show the galaxy and our new allies. the true wrath of the order"

each captain pulled a closed fist to thier chest and gave a bow before the comms cut and laphisto turned back to the view port. and not soon after the Fleet dropped from hyperspace and immediately the five Drak'iv Shield popper frigates rushed forwards, aiming to target key sections of teh enemy fleet with thier ion cannons. while the hanger bays of the Avantis opened up to off load eighty basalisk star fighters followed closly by twenty pegasus bombers. the two Air'mar Heavy cruisers would then take up defensive positions infront of the carrier

" engines ahead full. bring us within targeting range. star fighters protect bombers on their course. target the largest vessels and thier command ship if possible. keep Tia Tovar and Mau'luk Squadron in reserve incase we need the extra fire power. lets show these slavers how a real fleet operates"


Joriz Sai Jerrel Kast

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
The Rubicon
Objective II (for now): Run the blockade!
Tags: Jerrel Kast Joriz Sai Laphisto

”Dropping out of hyperspace in three . . . two . . . one . . .”

The tunnel of light morphed into a clear view of a planet. Well, a planet surrounded by a blockade of enemy vessels and fighters. The Avantis and its support ships had appeared on his port side, immediately engaging the enemies ahead. They provided significant cover here, but the deeper the Rubicon flew, the more he was on his own.

Veda fell in adjacent to the star fighters, offering additional support for the bombers as they made their initial run. “Shoot to kill!” he commanded the bounty hunter siblings manning the cannons — not that he expected anything else. He just liked the feeling of commanding his ship.

It took no time for the pirates to return fire. The larger vessels had trouble targeting the smaller, nimble craft speeding toward them, but a swarm of fighters and light freighters, not too different from their attackers, soon filled the space between them.

“BB, power to front shields!”

BEEP BOOP! The astromech was already plugged in awaiting the order, cursing at Veda for waiting so long to give the instruction. Right on time, a couple of shots rocked the ship, absorbed by the shield and causing no damage on impact.

“I was waiting for — wait, why am I explaining myself to you?”

Veda turned the ship vertical and fired the forward lasers, splitting two incoming fighters. If these bounty hunters were worth their reputation, they would take them out with the cannons as they zoomed past. The captain focused his attention on a third fighter locked onto a friendly bomber, taking the shot as he leveled his ship back horizontally.

BOOM!

The enemy craft exploded in a ball of fire, leaving the bomber a clear path to its target.

”We’re going to stay with the bombers hitting the corvette at sixty degrees starboard,” he communicated to his gunners through the comm. “Focus on enemy fighters, I’ll aim for the corvette’s weapons. When the bombs are away, we’re going to dive beneath and make a bee-line for the surface.”

 

[Joriz Sai]

The Rubicon
Objective II
Tag: Jerrel Kast Laphisto Pal Veda​

Hearing the command to shoot and gripping the gun controls Joriz fired away in short salvos at any opportune target. His sister at the bottom turret quickly followed suit. While Pal sped on through, the siblings did what they could. Twisting to the left, Joriz clipped a slaver fighter in one of its wings, causing it to spin out of control. He didn't waste time to see if it was destroyed or not but locked onto the next fighter. The latter dived from above for Pal's ship to intercept only for Joriz to aim for the cockpit and blasted it into explosive chunks and pieces.

"Two so far Mari." The older brother said through their shared comm channel, with a smirk inside his visor. Only for his little sister to smugly reply.

"Three for me."

Surprise came over Joriz but then annoyance and finally pride and amusement followed as he searched for the next target. Mari had been improving in her weapons training lately. The vessel shook as if in a small earthquake before the front shields were boosted. At the vertical run they did indeed lock on the scattered fighters with Mari destroying hers with a barrage into its underside while Joriz wiped out his target with three shots into the engines.

He could hear Mari let out a cheer.

"That's what I'm talking about! Four now brother!"

Joriz rolled his eyes within the helmet before smiling. Quickly it faded as Pal's next instructions came through. Nodding he answered.

"Loud and clear. You can count on us."

Ignoring the bombers entirely they shot at preferred targets. Soon enough he got three more fighters and Mari scored two more fighters for herself.

"Looks like we're tied by six fighters brother. Let's see who can break it." Mari called out in challenge, causing Joriz to chuckle before saying.

"You're on."

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
The Rubicon
Objective II (for now): Run the blockade!
Tags: Joriz Sai Jerrel Kast Laphisto

Veda watched with glee as fighters appeared then disappeared from his radar, explosions filling the space around the Rubicon as it jetted toward the corvette. “That’s some impressive shootin’, boys!” he called over the comms, glad to see at least two of these bounty hunters were living up to their reputations. “Keep it up, we’re almost through!”

The heavily modified YT-2400 was larger than the bombers and fighters it accompanied, but it was just as maneuverable and faster still. Having the cannons appropriately manned made this that much easier. Veda kept the forward lasers aimed on the larger vessel’s outer weapons, then got the confirmation he was looking for. Missile lock. “Torpedo one, away!” He yelled, flipping the top of the control and pressing the button with his thumb.

Ppppsshhhroooom! The torpedo zoomed toward the giant underbelly cannon of the pirate frigate in front of them. Without hesitating, Veda altered course just slightly and locked onto the second cannon. “Torpedo two, away!”

The first cannon exploded, followed by the second just moments later. With the primary weapons systems out, that pirate ship was a sitting duck for the bombers. And it meant clear passage for this freighter full of mercenaries.

Veda kicked the thrusters, outrunning their companion ships and diving just below the corvette, too fast for any enemy fighters to keep up and too close to their own vessel to take a shot. Clear sailing to Sunbreaker Base. He was a professional, after all.

”Looks like we’re not the first ones here,” the captain commented on descent, seeing Phantom’s Menace near their landing site. “Better unload quick before Kast and his crew have all the fun.” Smooth touchdown, time to go!

 

[Nej Tane]

Nej Tane was a man of many talents.

Stealing, thieving, lying, looting, grifting, lying, cheating, card tricks, insurance fraud, legal workarounds, and-

A good bit of sleight of hand. So, a pickpocket here, a lie here, and-

He had gotten credentials into the base. Sunbreaker base was still operational, retrofitted this and that, but overall, it was an old system, reliant on keycards and physical keys. Very odd. Slicing into something like this wasn't very doable, either- it was all closed network. Meaning, one button to one terminal, usually. Made it harder to attack and open a gate, for instance.

But Nej, and his Scoundrel's Luck, and his charm, had wormed his way inside, posing just as another hired gun rushing around with the ongoing attack. In fact, he had reached one of the gate control rooms, staring down three thugs who turned and pointed their rifles at him.

"Hurry, they need us outside!"

Spurned by oaths of loyalty, or perhaps, credits, or maybe to run away, the three thugs went to run out and full of pride and hopes of victory against their daring attackers (they didn't make it far, Nej shot them in the back).

Chuckling, Nej walked over to the console, starting the process to open the Sunbreaker's eastern gates to let all of his new pals in.

"Suckas."

​

 

[Joriz Sai]

Objective II
Tag: Jerrel Kast Pal Veda Laphisto Nej Tane
​

Both siblings in their separate turrets hollered in praise at what they just witnessed. Mari more so than her brother of course. Once the fireworks were over Joriz and her continued to provide suppressing fire at any enemy fighter that attempted pursuit. It wasn't long before they reached the surface. Getting off the turret, Joriz slid down briefly before jumping and landing on the floor.

His sister came next climbing up and Joriz offered his right hand and Mari took it and pulled off the ladder. For a moment the older brother nodded in reminder to her to stay close and be smart in the fight. Mari nodded back with determination before pulling a blaster carbine. While it wasn't the same people who kidnapped and sold off their homeworld but the scum here will pay. They rushed to join the other hunters as the ramp came with blaster fire outside.

Leading ahead of their team Joriz readied his assault rifle amidst the sprint. Coming out and hit with the blazing heat and dust kicking up the air they pressed on through. They advanced alongside the group to link up with Jerred Kast's team already inside. Once the duo passed through the destroyed gate Joriz spotted three slavers coming out of a door yards away. He aimed and fired several bolts, killing one in the chest and wounding the other in the right shoulder.

The third slaver hit the dirt and returned fire only to be shot in the face by Mari. She grinned at her brother.

"Twelve already!"

"Fourteen!" Joriz answered back while reloading his blaster before adding. "Thanks by the way."

Nodding but she quickly reminded him. "Let's focus on the fight."

Agreeing the bounty hunter advanced further into the base with his kin in tow.

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
Sunbreaker Base
Objective II: Free some slaves, get rich while doin‘ it!
Tags: Joriz Sai Laphisto Jerrel Kast Nej Tane

The mercenaries filed out — well, ran out — of the Rubicon, yelling and shooting at anything that looked unfriendly. Armed, armored, and hungry for action. The kids could have their fun. The captain casually strolled own the landing ramp with nothing but his trusty blaster pistol at his side.

The eastern gate was open and most of the crew had already entered the base. Looked like Nej Tane had could through after all. A sneaky sun of a gun, rarely reliable unless it was in his own best interest. Fun cat nonetheless. Pal made his way to the entrance and took a look around. Dead pirates and slavers, holes through their bodies, carbon scoring covering the walls where the trigger happy hunters had unloaded.

A shuffling in the corner caught Pal’s attention. In a flash, his blaster was in his hand and aimed at the source.

“Don’t shoot!” yelled the female, holding up her hands in terror.

Pal lowered his weapon and cocked an eye. “And you are?”

”I’m just a slave, don’t shoot!”

”Well, you’re not a slave anymore. Take a look around.” He motioned toward the lifeless bad guys littering the ground around them. “You’re free.” He turned to walk away, but something just didn’t feel right. That little tingle. As he angled to take a second look, the lying lady was leaping at him, vibro-knife in each hand. “For Yoda’s sake!”

Pal dropped his blaster and caught both wrists, lifting her off the ground, but she kicked him in the stomach and swiftly pushed herself back. Nope, she wasn’t a slave. Just an opportunistic pirate looking to take advantage of a nice young — youngish — captain. He stumbled backward, catching his balance just as she charged again. Pal barely dodged the slash at his face then caught a light slice on his left forearm, but the thick material of his jacket prevented penetration.

Her next attack came in the form a fist, and it landed on Pal’s right cheek, followed by a low kick that took him to the ground. “Enough of this,” he grunted, kicking her leg from the bottom position, causing her to step back in a brief retreat to prevent falling to the ground. The she-pirate jumped onto the cargo container behind her without looking, then leapt down at Pal, both daggers going in for the kill. Too slow. His blaster was already back in his hand, and he fired two rounds into her chest. She was dead by the time she landed on top of him.

”Pirates,” he cursed, rolling her body off of him. Then he noticed something in her bag . . .

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
Sunbreaker Base
Objective II: Free some slaves, get rich while doin' it!
Tags: Joriz Sai Laphisto Jerrel Kast Nej Tane


The small satchel laid open on the floor next to the pirate’s body, the latch broken in the brawl. Pal pulled himself to a seated position and brought the bag to his lap, digging inside. Kriff! The gleam that caught his attention was just the light reflecting off of a couple slave collars and their remotes. He threw the junk aside and rubbed his sore cheek. She packed a heck of a punch of such a tiny thing.

As he made a move to stand, he noticed something else: the knives he had been attacked with. One was just a cheap vibrodagger, probably stolen, but worth no more than a few credits anyhow. But the other one. . . not so much. Pal took the blade in his hands and examined it. Now this was a fine weapon. Not durasteel — was that beskar alloy? He carefully rubbed his finger along the edge, noticing it was honed to razor-like sharpness. “Now what’s a slaver pirate like you doing with a knife like this?“ he asked rhetorically. Dead men—or women—couldn’t talk (most of time). Making sure he was alone, or at least not in immediate danger, Pal removed the sheath from the pirate’s belt, attached it to his own, and slid the blade into its home.

Today was turning out to be productive after all.

Pal got to his feet and dusted himself off, making sure all of his sore spots were just sore spots and not bloody holes. Blaster in hand, he continued toward the action, seeing plumes of smoke rising above the structures where heavy arms and frags were being deployed.

A merc popped up on a roof not far away, lining up to take a potshot at one of the unsuspecting bounty hunters. “Not today,” Pal said to himself, firing off three quick shots. The large Weequay slumped forward, then tumbled over the edge and fell fifteen meters or so to the ground. Pal brought his blaster up and blew over the top of the barrel, then twirled it on his finger, expertly catching the grip after two spins. Just a space cowboy having fun.

 

[Thram Drokor]

TAGS: Laphisto

NEARBY: Jerrel Kast | Joriz Sai | Pal Veda | Nej Tane ​

OBJECTIVE 1: Kill the Sun
LOCATION: Karazak Orbit

Thram's Bes'uliik-class starfighter dropped out of hyperspace on the edge of the Karazak system, beyond the range of most of the slavers' vessels but certainly registering on their radars. "Look like the party's already started," Thram mused to the pair of gunners seated behind him. "Besbe'trayce tsikala, Alor'ad," one of the gunners responded.

"Ori'jate," Thram returned.

The ship, emphatically named the Naast - Destroyer - surged forward into the fray. Thram fired its forward cannons, destroying one of the slavers and scattering the rest of their squadron. The gunners kept enemy interceptors off their tail, blasting them to bits. "Good work," he said, not taking his eyes off the battlefield ahead. He reached for the comms and raised what he presumed was the Lilaste command ship.

"Lilaste vessel," he called, "this is Alor'ad Thram Drokor of the Naast. We're going to strike the comms relay on Whitedrift Exchange."

Thram had read the BHG's contract thoroughly and was quite aware of the massive civilian population aboard the station. His crew would have to act carefully, being sure to only hit the relay itself and not the actual hull below it. The risk would be worth it, however, to cut the blockade's communications from the rest of the Karazak Slavers' Cooperative fleet. "Vercopaanir jate'kara," the alor'ad said.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto stood on the command deck of the Avantis, observing the battle unfold before him. The two Air'mar Heavy Cruisers held their positions while the five Drak'iv Shield popper frigates focused their ion cannons on disabling the slavers' defenses. Squadrons of Basilisk starfighters and Pegasus bombers were already engaging the enemy, targeting the larger vessels and clearing the path for the bombers to strike key ships.

As the comms officer alerted him to an incoming transmission from Thram Drokor, Laphisto listened to the Mandalorian's plan to strike the comms relay on Whitedrift Exchange. It was a bold move, and one that could cripple the slavers' coordination.

Laphisto activated the comms, responding swiftly. "Alor'ad Thram Drokor, this is High Commander Laphisto. Your mission is critical—cutting their communications will give us a serious advantage. I'll assign one of my Basilisk squadrons to assist you while you focus on the relay. They'll provide cover against any enemy fighters."

He turned to the tactical officer and nodded. "Assign Basilisk Squadron Epsilon to assist Thram Drokor. Their priority is to protect his ship while he takes out that relay."

Returning to the comms, Laphisto added, "Squadron Epsilon will be with you shortly, Alor'ad. Focus on your target, and we'll handle the main fleet. Oya, and good hunting."

With the plan in motion, Laphisto shifted his attention back to the larger battle. "Maintain pressure on their fleet. Let's make sure there's nothing left for them to rally behind."

Pal Veda Thram Drokor Jerrel Kast Joriz Sai Nej Tane

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
Sunbreaker Base
Objective II: Free some slaves, get rich while doin' it!
Tags: Joriz Sai Laphisto Jerrel Kast Nej Tane Thram Drokor

Pal progressed further into the base, seeing a control room up ahead. Well, it looked like a control room. A bit hard to tell with the door locked. He had a little something for that. And a few moments later . . . BOOM! The thermal blew the door inward, kicking up dust and smoke in every direction.

He pushed his way inside, blaster aimed at anything that moved through the haze. Pew! Pew! Another pirate down, but now at least two more were behind cover and returning fire. Pal dove behind an upturned durasteel table as red bolts zipped past his head, leaving dark carbon scoring on the wall behind him.

“If you give up now, I might not shoot ya!” he called out. He hadn’t decided on the might part yet. Didn’t matter. They just kept taking turns firing on his position, yelling back and forth to each other in some language he didn’t speak. They obviously didn’t share his sentiment and certainly were offering no counter-terms for surrender.

Pal popped his head over the table, trying to get a decent lay of the land before a shot came his way. Pew! Pew! Back to the ground. But now he had a plan. There was another lull after a few more wasted shots came his way. He closed his eyes, took a breath, then popped up.

Pew! Pop-kaasshassssssssssh! Bullseye. He’d nabbed the fire extinguisher, and it now sprayed foam retardant onto the two pirates lined up beside it. They yelled and rose out of instinct, only to find themselves right in the sights of an IB-94 wielded by the best gunslinger on the planet. Pew! Pew!

And that was that. The outlaw made his way over to the main control panel and screens to see if anything still worked after the shootout. Some of the controls were fried, but not all. He was able to pull up some of the surrounding security cameras, watching his colleagues do the LAW’s work on these scumbags. One of the feeds showed the outside of a large locked warehouse door, heavily guarded with armored mercs and automated weapons systems.

Pal grabbed his comm and spoke into the open channel. “Boys, I think I may have found a new target.”

 

[Thram Drokor]

TAGS: Laphisto

NEARBY: Jerrel Kast | Joriz Sai | Pal Veda | Nej Tane ​

OBJECTIVE 1: Kill the Sun
LOCATION: Karazak Orbit

With Epsilon Squadron on his six, Thram piloted the Naast closer to the Whitedrift Exchange. The gunners carved a path through the slavers’ defenses easily enough, clearing the sparse squadrons that had remained around the station - it appeared that the majority of the Cooperative’s forces had engaged the Spacer fleet closer to Karazak, not expecting a rogue squadron to attack the Exchange.

“Getting us close. You’ll have an angle soon,” Thram said to the crew. “Fire on my mark.” The Naast’s port-side gunner spooled the laser cannon, filling the cabin with the beautiful sound of hot metal and tibanna. “Approaching,” Thram repeated. “Approaching…”

“Fire!”

On command, the gunner unloaded a barrage of bright red laser beams that battered the station’s comms array. The cluster of antennas and radio dishes were shielded, but the weak civilian-grade force field wasn’t strong enough to withstand Mandalorian laser cannons.

 

[Pal Veda]

Captain Pal Veda
Sunbreaker Base
Objective II: Free some slaves, get rich while doin' it!
Tags: Joriz Sai Laphisto Jerrel Kast Nej Tane Thram Drokor

Sure, they were here to eliminate the pirates and free the slaves. But Pal Veda didn’t work for free, and he didn’t suspect these bounty hunters were doing this out of the goodness of their hearts either. Whatever these scumbags were hiding in that warehouse was certainly worth investigating. That was his next stop after he finished up here.

Veda wasn’t much of a slicer, and he had no idea how to break into password protected commands without his astromech there to plug in and do the dirty work for him. Maybe that wouldn’t be a problem. On the second prompt, he found a fingerprint option. “Bingo!” Veda grabbed one of the downed pirates and started dragging the heavy Weequay’s limp and lifeless body across the room. “Too late for a diet, I guess,” he joked to nobody. He slammed the scaly hand flat on the scanner. Nothing. Nothing? “Kriff!” Veda dropped the arm and kicked the dead man for good measure. Maybe the other one? He repeated the process with the second pirate. Better luck this time. The screen lit up, accepting the prints, and Veda was in.

He scrolled through the interface, looking for the controls to the slave barracks. They would have been locked down on attack to prevent the captives from joining the liberators in the fight. Time to fix that. With the press of a few buttons, Veda saw his handy work on the video feeds, watching the doors to the several barracks slowly slide open. The slaves trickled out at first, looking around, unsure what happened. It didn’t take long for them to figure it out. Time for a little chaos.

And in that chaos, Veda would slip over to the storage area and check out that warehouse. Impressed with himself, he took one last look around the room for anything interesting. “Now what do we have here?” He really needed to stop talking to himself. A problem for another day. For now, he walked over to the corner and took a look at the item lying beside the first pirate he shot upon entering. What the hell is this? FALSE TEETH?! Normally he wouldn’t have touched something so odd and so . . . Gross. But these didn’t come out of anyone’s mouth. The dead man with the holes in his chest had most of his teeth. Besides, these weren’t covered in Weequay saliva, but instead some weird chrome material. Very weird. He picked the false teeth up and inspected them further. Even through his glove, they felt ice cold, sending a shiver through his bones, causing him to nearly drop them. Spooky. He tucked them into his pack to investigate further when he had more time. For now, there were more pressing matters.