Ronika: Dig deep

[Talon Vosra]

Mining was not something he actually planned to do himself but it was one of those things that needed doing and with so many companies building atany things, it made sense that he would start a business that supplied them. Did it not?

The heavy construction vessels had just left the system and his orbital station was now operational. Due to the fact that it was nearly automated by design he began preparing for the difficult part, reopening long dead mines.

He walked to the team of dropships along with a crew of volunteers and boarded without incident. Old outdated mining droids were loaded into the other ship with technicians to set up their duties and prepare to see what mines were worth keeping and what was best caved in and sealed. They had high hopes of heavy metals for ship grade durasteel but geologist said they had a chance for more. They would have to see.

Meanwhile....

On the opposite side of the planet in a secret asteroid base a group of pirates began stirring. They had seen the orbital factory and refueling stations be constructed and they suddenly felt the urge to pay a visit.

 

[Hamish McNair]

[member="Taloff Arsov"]

Thirteen freighters in just as many days... A pirate gang was hitting this sector's trade hard and Ham had been tasked to find the perps and bring them to justice. At least, that's what the PDA in his hands said. Hamish sighed, handed his co-pilot the PDA and peered out of his starship's viewscreen. An asteroid belt lay before them, the one this pirate gang was apparently based in. On top of that, a new mining company had just set up shop here. Perhaps they were linked? With a shrug, he glanced at his partner, Bick Phalace, and asked, "So, whaddya think? Pop by the orbital station and ask around?"

"Sure, boss," came the reply. And that was that, the starship had been redirected to an intercept vector with the station and Hamish opened a comm channel.

"Erh, hey station. This is Marshal McNair, requesting docking permission. Got a few questions for... Y'all," Hamish screwed up his face, using the slang of old banthaboy movies seemed unnatural to him, having been raised on Coruscant and whatnot, but hey, might as well play the part...

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Hamish McNair"]

"Sir, a freighter has hailed us asking for permission to board. They state they have questions for... Y'all." the service droid said to the security chief, Kulen Engus.

"Readings?" Kulen asked as he set down his datapad.

"They seem to be registered to system law enforcement." the droid replied.

"Give them boarding permissions for docking bay six." Engus replied.

"Marshall McNair, you are cleared to land in docking bay six. Sending approach vectors now." the droid said into the comm unit.

Meanwhile....

The dropships loaded and departed for the world below and aimed for a set of abandoned structures. The mining crew suited up in their powered mining suits from brown coat arms an ATC affiliate.

The ships made a quick entry and landed 40 meters away from the buildings and began unloading as Taloff received a message about a Marshall asking for docking privleges.

"Co-operate with them." he typed into his datapad before donning his environmental suit and following the team onto the surface.

"What a blasted ugly planet." he said as he took in the near barren landscape. "At least we won't get noise complaints."

 

[Hamish McNair]

"So," started Bick, "Whadda we ask when we get 'er in?" The man was in his forties, had the rugged appearance of a farm hand and was looking expectantly at Hamish. A few moments passed as Ham adjusted the course of their ship so that they were lined up with docking bay six, then he looked Bick Phalace in the eye and shrugged.

"Did you even read what was on the datapad?" He asked, frowning.

"No..."

"Why not?"

"... I can't read."

Fantastic. Marshal McNair sighed and returned his gaze to the viewscreen. "We'll ask if they've scouted the sector thoroughly, ask to look at their maps, y'know, investigative stuff. You do know what we're looking for, right?"

"Well, yeah..."

"Yeah, well, I'm sure you can rub some brain cells together in that big ol' head of yours, Phalace, and imagine what's gonna happen."

Ham continued to guide their ship towards the station, and extended the landing gear once they were within the docking bay's atmosphere. Bick seemed to be in a huff, so Ham said nothing as he set the ship down, unbuckled, and made his way towards the exit. Bick Phalace followed behind him, which was a bit disconcerting. However, Ham made it to the exit ramp feeling no more violated than he had five minutes ago. As he descended the ramp, the Marshal wondered what sort of reception the duo would encounter.

[member="Taloff Arsov"]

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Hamish McNair"]

Major Engus and a small team of security personnel made their way to the designated hanger as the ship set down and stopped to tell the customs officer they had it under control. Engus, a small lean former corsec officer, stood in plain sight with his hands at his side as the boarding ramp lowered. He waited until someone appeared.

"I'm Major Kulen Engus, Arsov Mining Incorporated security." he said with a military bearing, "Welcome to Arsov station. What can we do for you, gentlemen?"

Meanwhile.....

The arid world was nearly silent aside from the winds that seemed to constantly blow dust around the old dig site. Machines and droids long abandoned sat haphazardly about the area as if they were left in a hurry. Taloff walked to an old building and had a suited miner cut the locks on the door. His eyes bright behind the face plate and hopeful the power could be restored soon.

"Get the systems online, hook up a power droid if necessary." he said to one of the technicians.

"You got it, boss." the large togrutan said before rushing off to get it handled.

Taloff began looking at ancient flimsi maps and schematics. Whoever had left this place had not wasted time packing up. That was not a good sign.

"Put the men on alert and keep them in teams of no less than two." he said not looking up from the mine's maps, "We could find trouble."

He wasn't reading long when the power snapped on and his comlink beeped.

"Reactor still works sir and is reading no leaks." the togruta's voice came over the static of commlink.

"Good." Taloff replied as he sat and began trying to get into the computer systems. It was going well but he had a feeling and he didn't like that one bit.

Asteroid base....

Several fighters came out of the hidden hanger followed by two gunships and a large refitted Action IV transport. They gathered into a formation and began moving around the planet toward the two stations. They were intent on a raid and keeping they're hide away a secret.