In the Shadow of the Rain (Imperials, BSP, Ask)

[Zuno Drallac]

Snapping a crisp salute back, Private Drallac was surprised by the fact that the Lieutenant Colonel was seeking their advise. Not many in the Empire would ask Privates, let alone Non-humans, for their input. It was true that the two reptilian were more aware of their surrounding then their human comrades but Drallac had taken note of several individuals who seemed to be similarly aware.

“It has been thankfully quiet out there but I can promise you that we’ve been being stalked by local predators who are just waiting for a small enough patrol to put their guard down,” the Falleen began. “So if you’ll heed my advise I believe Sergeant Velu, and Privates Feno, Genros, and Orino should all be split up into separate patrols due to them having previous experience on jungle worlds.” The Falleen looked at his companion and then back at the Colonel. “It would also then be recommended that Private Veilser and I be placed in separate groups so our expertise can benefit more than just our current squad.”

Zuno took a breath and left the floor open for the Barabel to speak on the things he’d noted.

[Neive Undant]

“Report in. Anything of note?”

Prazutis kept his speeder on low speed as to not run too far ahead of the rest of the patrol behind him, letting the force around him guide his vision to anything suspicious in the area. However... for now, things seemed calm.

“Bravo 1, checking in. Nothing seen on this side.”

Bravo squad, as they had been dubbed for this mission, all kept to their code names rather than any nickname or given one. It was an interesting change from what Prazutis was used to hearing, at least when he was part of the Alliance’s ranks.

“Bravo 2, checking in. Nothing bigger than a wimp rat moving around here.”

The feminine voice that sounded through the radio had the hints of someone who had been in places like this before. He wondered, for a moment, if perhaps he had met the woman in another place, perhaps as an enemy rather than a friend...
However, it mattered not now.

“Bravo 3, checking in. I had a reading on my radar above us, but only for a moment. Nothing to note now.”

Prazutis hesitates for a moment, before replying.

“Bravo 3, any details about the reading?”

“Sir. It was above us, something flying overhead, too high up for anything to breathe. Perhaps upper atmosphere. It may have just been another transport from the orbital units.”

Prazutis shook his head before looking back to the patrol, thinking to himself.
“keep on high alert. You may be right, but let’s not take any chances.”
Prazutis knew that this mission had people jumpy and on edge. But a ship passing by one of his men’s radar? He would rather be safe than sorry.

[Trassek Veilser]

nodding in agreement, Private Veilser Gathered his thoughts before producing a specimen box from his pack. "This One caught this creature attempting to strike Private Drallac, it has been rendered forever harmless, but the science division tells This One that it's poison is very potent. They live in the trees and should be watched for, This one is also in agreement that we should be placed in separate packs so we can have as few incidents as possible." placing the container back in his pack he taps the wrist data pad he wore sending the recon data to his commanding officer's data pad. "Our team mapped several possible sites to set up observation posts, the rain will be a hindrance but it will also hinder any adversaries who come in the night."

[Jak Bexel]

"I hate this, I hate this," came a garbled transmission from Jak's wrist comm. He looked down to investigate further only to discover that the signal did indeed come from Buggie. The timestamp was from several moments ago - the delay could only mean that he made it through the clouds and was firmly in position.

"Bex! Bex," Van Kleef hopped off the steel crate she was perched on and approached him holding her transmitter. "Buggie's through!."

"Yeah yeah, I heard it too. That's our signal, boys," Jak gestured upstairs to Van Kleef. "Let the ol' curmudgeon upstairs know. Actually, don't just yet. I want to run one more check on your ship before you take off."

Lenon and Ozark tossed their cigs on the ground and sidled up to their Captain, helmets tucked under their arms. "I'm on it. You go do the whole take your daughter to work day thing. See you at lift off," Lenon said, fist raised for a bump. "Ready or not, here we come, right?" Ozark offered, raising a fist to meet Lenon's, then offering it to Jak who responded in kind as well. Lenon ran off to sound the alarm while Ozark walked gingerly to his Nighthawk across the docking bay.

"He's not my dad Lenny!" She called out to him. Turning her attention to Jak, Sandra did the best she could to convince the man she did regard as a surrogate father. "I'm ready for this. How many times have you let me pilot the OB? This is just... smaller and lacking life support, but I got this."[/color] She leaned in and placed a hand on Jak's crossed arms. "I've got this."

"As long as you understand why I'm concerned. Just bring the ship back in one piece, kid," He put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "And yourself."

She nodded silently and so did he, one final acknowledgment before she departed for her Dagger-class starfighter and by extension, battle. In the months since the drydock disaster, Jak had become quite overprotective of his protege. It was not until days after that he discovered that she and Ellem escaped to safety with Buggie and co, a modicum of comfort in the face of death. And now he was alone, but for Ellem rolling into his shin.

"Yeah yeah, you're right," he mumbled, shuffling off to his B-Wing fighter.

Over on the far end of the docking bay, Jiri Velco welcomed Ozark and Harold into the fray. The Reaver Wing sat patiently in a huddle around Holz, the wrinkled old battle axe going over their instructions for the assault. Van ran her system checks one last time, one eye on Jak and Ellem at their ship. Outside of this makeshift family, other pilots went about their final routine. Buggie's coordinates would be sent to all flight captains, who would then specify their rendezvous within range but not within sight. There was a brief bit of calm, until that familiar droning alarm blared out through the Azure Storm with the fateful command:

"ALL PILOTS TO THEIR FIGHTERS! ALL PILOTS TO THEIR FIGHTERS!"

The Daggers were the first to depart, then Nickel, Reaver, and Neijdiv bringing up the rear. In the dark expanse of the Outer Rim, they were but blips on the radar, just detritus through crimson fog. However, their presence would be felt in due time.

[Rane DeCola]

The briefing broke up quickly and the teams quickly returned to their squad rooms. Suspect would be a part of the ground forces heading to the surface of Cholganna. The briefing had gone through the mission thoroughly as well as the surface conditions and enemy forces that could be expected. Even if the Imperials ended up not presenting much of a challenge, the planet itself would put up enough of a fight to make up for any Imperial shortcomings.

Bevek once again approached Rane back in the squad room.

“DECOLA! A moment…”

Rane stopped what he was doing and hurried over from his temporary gear locker quickly not wanting to upset the ever-demanding Quarren team leader.

“You needed something sir?”

“Well, besides a good romp with someone of the female persuasion, yeah I need something. You have the most experience unfortunately and I need a heavy weapons specialist on this mission.”

Rane knew that he wasn’t likely the man for the mission, but out of the team, he was the one who was the most familiar with all of the BSP’s weapon systems. He wasn’t looking forward to the potential idea of humping weapons through potentially waist deep mud down on the surface of Cholganna, but this might be the opportunity he needed to finally prove himself to the Quarren.

“I’m your man sir.”

“Good. Don't get too excited about it. Change out your typical load and pack accordingly.”

“Aye sir!”

“And don’t give me that ‘aye sir’ crap DeCola. If you screw this up and frag the team, well I’ll find the coldest rock in the galaxy and make you hang those balls of yours out until they freeze and fall off. You got that?”

“Aye sir.”

Bevek shook his head and Rane hurried back to his locker. He quickly started adjusting his gear and left the squad room to head to the armory where he would find the ‘big guns’ that he was being asked to carry on the mission.

-----
Within the hour, Rane and the rest of Suspect was aboard the ATR-6 that would take them planet-side. As the team patiently waited, word came in on the unit comms that the fighters that would escort the ground force shuttles had been notified to launch. Rane, and the shuttle he was aboard, would be soon to follow.