Private Operation Sunburst

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Planet Bakura, Bakura Sector, Wild Space
City of Astéri
​

Tag: Noah Corek

A Tsrotzhu gunship dives out of the evening clouds. To the south east was a city lit by fire and claimed by mayhem. Nevertheless the armed transport went for an almost casual approach, continuing its descent. The destination was a sizable camp on the city's eastern outskirts opposite of the river with the former connecting bridge wrecked extensively. Minutes later the gunship slowed down and landed on what it once had been a speeder parking lot.

Clearly the ship had been expected as a Bakuran militia officer walked over toward it. Subsequently the ramp lowered hissing steam repeatedly. Coming down the ramp Minerva fully clad armor and gear saved for her helmet that was attached to her hip for the time being. Following close behind was her squad eight in total for the time being. One of them, Rhon the Corellian trooper, rolled his left arm and shoulders murmuring somewhat excitedly.

"Finally we're here."

The Klatooinian corporal beside him snorted but otherwise said nothing. Minerva similarly ignored it as the human Bakuran stopped meters away from her and saluted. Returning the gesture Minerva then heard the young dark skinned woman say.

"Welcome soldiers of the Alliance I'm Second Lieutenant Iona Ret. If you follow me I'll take you to the tent where the general will meet with your team as soon as possible."

"Of course. Lead the way."

Lieutenant Ret made a sharp turn with Minerva and her squad mates next. Behind them the gunship closed up automatically as a safety measure. In the distance they can hear explosions that sounded like thunder. They navigate through a makeshift labyrinth of tents. In their march Minerva did notice some of the looks that the Bakurans were giving puzzled and somewhat disappointed looks. Guessing the cause Rhon remarked.

"Kinda feeling unappreciated right now."

"Deal with it rookie. This is not a popular contest." Minerva retorted without even looking in his direction. Their Bakuran escort was swift to explain.

"You have to understand we were hoping with the Maw terrorists involved the Alliance would bring in more than…"

"A small squad."

Biting her lips temporarily Ret nodded at what Minerva bluntly pointed out.

"Y-yes, yes indeed but the rest of us are grateful for you all coming to our aid. But you're not the only assistance we have."

Minerva knew who exactly it was due to a briefing by command. A platoon from the famed Galactic Legion itself. The Bakuran government wasn't taking any chances with this crisis as shown by how they both hired mercenaries and requested Alliance presence however minimal. She didn't exactly blame the glorified clerks for it, trying to utilize whatever they can in the face of Mawite carnage.

Stopping in front of the grayish tent, Ret glanced back at her charges. With a gesture of her left hand toward it she answered.

"The Legionnaires are already in there. As for the general, he will arrive with all of you shortly."

With another salute Ret took her leave, likely for the next task to do. Clearing her throat Minerva said with a challenging smirk.

"Well let's not keep our new dancing partners waiting."

Several squad-mates including Rhon chuckled at that. Going through the tent flap Minerva's eyes came upon…

 

[Noah Corek]

It had been a long time since the Legion had a contract like this, usually they were simply contracted for a single squad to provide security or some such but for this contract they had been contracted out for an entire platoon of Legionnaires. That was three rifle squads, a weapons squad, a anti-armor squad and a indirect fire squad. These combat units along with their headquarters element consisted of the Legion fighting force for this op.

While the squads were currently out reconing the area, setting up barriers and defense, Noah and the squad leaders, platoon leader and platoon sergeant were currently huddled inside the tent, going over the holomap of the city that they were currently tasked with defending. The city was rather small when compared to the ones Noah was once to but this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, a smaller city mean less distance between squads and less need to spread them out.

They had already began putting out a battle plan when the tent flap opened and the Legionnaires inside were meet with their companions for this operation. Standing tall among the rest of them Noah moved to intercept what he knew to be the leader, Minerva Fhirdiad . Immediately the man set upon her and extended a hand towards her, feeling kinship instantly because of the armor she wore. "Minerva I'm guessing? Noah Corek, of House Corek. Ready to stomp some Maw bastards?"

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Tag: Noah Corek

Before Minevra could even say anything a huge man in Beskar'gam that kinda reminded of her clone trooper design stepped forward. The younger warrior managed to blink in surprise at the instant the stranger offered a handshake. Another blink later she recognized who it was and that guess was confirmed at Noah's greeting. Finding herself chuckling, Minerva took a hold of the hand and shook firmly.

"Oh definitely. It's an honor to finally meet you vod."

Her late father knew of House Corek‘s great warrior and had great respect for him even though they never met. To meet and join forces with a legendary warrior like Noah is a rare treat indeed. In addition, him being a fellow Mandalorian was a great relief especially since she hadn't been able to fight alongside her brethren for so long. Done she gestured to the squad behind her.

"This is Talon Squad. While we're few in number we'll do our part."

She wasn't idly boasting as her squad mates nodded or said their greetings. They're a new unit but most were battle hardened veterans whom she had picked herself and trusted. Turning back to Noah she straightened up and gone down to business with a question.

"So what's the situation currently?"

 

[Noah Corek]

Minerva Fhirdiad​

Noah gave Minerva a wide smile as he held his buy'ce by his side, hooking his thumb over his shoulder to draw her attention to the holomap they were gathered around. "Come over and I'll give you a run down on the situation." Turning around he motioned her once again to follow him. He looked at the squad she had brought with her and nodded in agreement. "Even just a few extra blasters can make all the difference in a firefight. Let me show you what we have set up for a defensive plan."

Motioning to the rest of the Legionnaires gathered around the holomap they parted to give Minerva the space she needed to check out the holomap. The map showed the entire layout of the city with red marks scattered around it with only three blue marks. "As you can see the Mawites have been attack around these red marks, as you can see the marks are centered around the financial, industrial and utility sectors. Their plan is obviously to rob the city, cripple their manufacturing and destroy their infrastructure. We aren't going to let that happen."

He pointed towards three lines, each in the individual sectors. "These red lines here are the routes the Mawites have used in their attacks into the city. So far the locals haven't put up much resistance so the Mawites have kept using the same routes. That overconfidence will be our advantage. We'll split our forces into three even elements and set up traps and ambushes all along the routes. Thoughts?"

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Tag: Noah Corek

Examining the holo-map Minerva considered the possibilities with arms folded over the chest. Then less than a minute later she replied.

"It's a sound plan. Our squad can provide mobile support. We use jetpacks and jet boots to move around. So when the hostiles are drawn in we'll outflank them in whatever sector you need us at first and head for the next position to assist however we can."

Pausing, the Mandalorian woman turned back to face her Sullustan sniper and asked.

"What do you think Irni?"

Dark mouse-like eyes looked back at her then the Legionnaires before glancing at the map once more.

"Set me up at the highest point among those sectors. Beside sniper cover I can pin-point targets of interest and call them to our friends here."

Minerva couldn't help but smirk at her friend's confidence before nodding.

"Good, but take Yoned as your spotter. Extra pairs of eyes is always good. The rest of the squad will stay together."

Subsequently Minerva returned her attention back to Noah and concluded.

"Which route do you want us to help ambush first?"

 

[Noah Corek]

Minerva Fhirdiad​

Noah nodded to Minerva's assessment and explanation of her squads particular brand of tactics. "I was planning on doing the same thing with my own jetpack, it'll be good to have some company along the way." When she turned to address the Sullustan in her group Noah waited for her to finish speaking before tossing tossing a datapad to the man and his designated marksman. "That datapad has the comm frequency for our indirect fire squad, you can use it to call in mortar strikes on anything you think needs it."

When the topic of which sector was going to be first on the chopping block was brought up Noah fiddled with the controls of the holomap for a few seconds and the financial sector was zoomed in on. "We're expecting them to concentrate first on the financial sector. This is the sector that the Bakurans have been protecting the most, in particular a bank there with a vault packed with credits as well and hard currency ingots like aurodium, platinum, gold, silver, etc. I don't think the Mawites know exactly what's in there but with the amount of a defense the Bakurans put up they know it's important..."

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Tag: Noah Corek

"Makes them eager as a Wampa smelling for Tauntauns." Minerva concluded out loud. Generally Mawites love to wrought as much havoc as possible but with loot… The Bakurans must've not had enough time to withdraw all that wealth. She examined the map, specifically at the financial sector with the bank highlighted.

"I see where you're going with this and I agree. We take advantage of their obsession and make them pay for it."

Turning to her squad-mates, one of them, a Klatooinian corporal named Gakot displayed a toothy grin.

"Funny thing boss this will be the first time I will be defending a bank instead of raiding one."

Minerva had to suppress a chuckle. For a former pirate like Gakot this situation must be rather ironic. Instead she addressed the whole squad.

"Alright squad ya hear the Commandant. Check your gear and weapons again, we are not taking any chances."

____________________

Financial Sector ​

More than forty minutes later Minerva and most of her squad concealed themselves inside the top floor of a ruined hotel with a great overview of the bank. Through the holobinoculars she noted the scorch marks and dead bodies of both sides all over the street and what she assumed had been a park. Destroyed vehicles also littered the area in scattered positions.

Explosions and blasterfire rang out all around yards away, becoming louder and louder. Putting down the holobinoculars Minerva turned to Noah, remarking.

"It won't be long now. Just like you predicted.”

 

[Noah Corek]

Minerva Fhirdiad​

Noah grinned and chuckled at Minvera's joke. "Or a vornskr hunting ysalmiri." Noah included his variation on the phrase before they continued on. "Indeed, play on their greed, lead them into an ambush and shoot the chit out then before they even have a chance to react."

He found himself chuckling at the interaction between Minerva and the members of her squad, him not being a stranger to working with those who had spent a good portion of their life on the opposite side from the authorities. "I've robbed a few banks in my day...not usually with this amount of security around them though." He let the mystery of his statement hang before turning to his own troops.

"Alright, everyone roll out to your squads and prep your sectors."

Financial Sector​

By the time Noah, Minerva and her squad had met up with the Legion squad stationed in the financial sector the Legionnaires had already been well on the way to fortifying their positions. The odds seemed to be in their favor as the hotel they had chosen formed almost a perfect L towards the bank, giving them the perfect setup for a textbook L-shaped ambush.

The Legionnaires had prepped the battlefield already, setting up mines, both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle, in front of the bank. To add to that considerable explosive power was some rather heavy firepower as they had dragged four heavy weapons, a AGL-01, a HMG-01 and a pair of HAMR-01's. Noah currently sat behind one said HAMR-01, fiddling with the sights as he laid prone on a table that supported him and the rifle, his helmet laying next to him.

When his correct prediction was brought up Noah nodded. "Yup, you do this long enough and you get a sorta sixth sense about it." Looking back towards the rifle Noah grabbed a rather hefty magazine, loaded with high explosive rounds that were certified to turn anything that it hit to a fine mist.

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Tag: Noah Corek

Minerva didn't have time to banter some more when a massive explosion rocked the adjacent street leading into the sector. The enemy was here! Through the holobinoculars she confirmed it, seeing dozens of armed Mawites with several speeders with turrets rushing in. Their horrid battle screams rang out with engine roars pouring into the ruined park. Putting up the binoculars she pulled out her rifle, calling in her team.

"Line up your shots, but wait for them to get closer."

Giving Noah a quick nod she waited with great tension. What moments felt like minutes until a Mawite stepped onto a mine igniting and consuming her and those side by side. Then the leading speeder exploded, breaking into two large chunks, spreading burning sharpal all over. It repeated simultaneously all over the front of the attackers.

At the sight Minerva didn't hesitate another second, calling out to her teammates. "Let them have it!" From the window she aimed and fired. A Rodian Mawite shrieked as he fell face with three burning holes in his back while the rest of Strike Force Talon opened with rifle-fire and repeater volleys.

 

[Noah Corek]

Minerva Fhirdiad​

Noah rolled his neck as he sat behind the large rifle, pressing his armors visor back to the viewfinder of the scope he watched as the ambush finally kicked off. Mines, both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle, exploded and shredded people and destroyed vehicles respectively. As the front of the Mawite advanced stalled Noah aimed the rifle towards the rear, taking aim at the rear vehicle and gently squeezed the trigger, the weapon harshly recoiling against his shoulder as the large 20mm round soared and impacted the hood of the rear speeder and exploded, disabling the vehicle and now stalling their advance.

With said stalling the rest of the Legionnaires opened up. The street in front of the bank turned into what could be described as hell, at least for the Mawites. Reports came from rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers and even a pair of disposable rocket launchers that now tore and ripped the Mawites to pieces and forced them to take cover behind their destroyed vehicles, craters and whatever debris they could flatten themselves against.

"Keep the fire up ladies and gents! Machine guns I want to see shorts and coordinated bursts, rifles put down accurate single shots, launchers look for them to group up and take out multiple targets at once!" As Noah barked out orders and encouragement he kept swiveling the rifle to and fro, taking out any Mawite that was unlucky enough to pop their head up.