Flashpoint

[infinitest]

Carrick Station, the main hub of the Republic Fleet; nearing 300 years since its construction, the massive spacedock is kept in near-pristine condition, ready to cater to the needs of thousands of crews and passengers every day-cycle.

Every pilot worth of the name knows the hyperlane coordinates to Carrick, and will visit the place at least once in their lifetime.

Comments

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle nods. There's nothing more she can say in response to that that's fit for polite company.

The elevator trip down is uneventful. Annabelle's betting the trip in the shuttle won't be.

[infinitest]

Well, good news first: they will be seven, two of Narlock's men will go along to guard the shuttle.

"Very well." Asara examines the computers. "It looks like the security codes still work, so we can go in safely. After that, we have to run two decks up, slice the power core, shut down the tractor beam, and then come back to the shuttle before they catch us."

You know, just do the impossible.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle nods, trying to make a mental estimate of the time involved. "Good thing we got those uniforms then, might buy us a few more minutes."

Changing clothes en route might be a good idea.

[infinitest]

Herself, Corso, Asara and Onemi fit well into the uniforms; Qyzen is too tall for that, but armored as he carries himself, it should make little difference.

Docking codes are transmitted, and the shuttle allowed into the hangar, just a couple techs there to see the arrival.

[aeons_crackshot]

The trick to infiltration is looking and acting like you belong. In an organization as large as the crew on a ship this size, nobody knows everyone on sight. Plus, if you look busy, the rank and file grunts will do their hardest to ignore your existence because they don't want to get "volunteered" for whatever work you're doing.

Annabelle nods a greeting at the techs and attempts to move out and away from the hanger as if on business of some kind.

[infinitest]

Onemi waves a greeting at the techs and nobody pays them attention.

Benefits of having a Jedi on your side.

Asara takes them out of the docking bay and up a level, stopping here and there to hide and avoid crew; better to not push their advantage too much.

[aeons_crackshot]

Indeed. Jedi mind tricks seem to be very handy!

"Well, that's a nice trick," Annabelle says to Onemi with a grin.

Thankfully, there aren't all THAT many troops in the halls, so the hiding shouldn't delay them enormously.

[infinitest]

Ah, yes, this is a Military ship, so personnel is not allowed to go wandering around without reason.

A set of stairs takes them to a secondary power station, and Asara checks the terminals. "Very well, after we slice in and turn it off, the systems will go down for a few minutes; we have to get back to the shuttle and out of here by then, before the techs bring everything back online."

"Ready?"

[aeons_crackshot]

"Ready," Annabelle replies, making sure her blasters are ready for a quick draw.

She doubts they're going to get BACK to the shuttle without a fight.

[infinitest]

Asara takes down the systems needed... and the holocom on a nearby table chimes, projecting the image of none other than the Grand Moff, Rycus Kilran.

Well, I've seen some incredible things in my time, but you've just topped the list. Sorry I couldn't greet you in person; if only you had let me know you were stopping by...

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle has this nasty tendency to smart-ass at people. It's a flaw.

"Terribly sorry to inconvenience you," Annabelle drawls. "But you know how it is, tight schedules all around. Dropping by later for tea and a chat just wasn't an option."

[infinitest]

Kilran chuckles affably. Oh, rest assured, I'm quite prepared for your visit; my men will be along shortly to escort you to the accommodations I have prepared.

Onemi shakes head, stepping up to the comm. "Your men will not stop us, Kilran; we will be going now."

The Grand Moff shakes head. I see you quite overestimate your chances; the mandalorians were not my only weapon, and they were far from the best. He flashes a charming grin. I'll be seeing you soon; Kilran out.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle gives the Grand Moff a hand gesture that you really aren't supposed to use in polite company.

"Time to give my blasters some more exercise."

[infinitest]

"Exercise those blasters while running." Asara turns and puts her own advice to good use. "We have to get back to the shuttle and out of here, now."

Onemi and Qyzen take point, Corso keeps close to Annabelle.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle murmurs agreement and starts running.

They do run into a very unfortunate squad of Imperials as they make their way down the hall.

Beat.

They don't last long.

[infinitest]

Imperial marines, imperial battle droids, there seems to be a new group at every turn of the hallways. "They are trying to slow us down while they bring the system we sliced back up!" And if that happens, they will be twice as much stuck.

Corso grins. "Good, it means they want us alive!" Which also mean that if he charges in recklessly... right, they do not shoot him! "Now you're dumb, ugly and dead!" Blasters at point blank and vibroblade.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle laughs at his boldness, a little adrenaline drunk. "Good idea! Let's cut to the chase!"

Annabelle's not as heavily armored as he is, so she may take some some grazes from blasters as she wades in with blasters and the occasional boot. (They may be under orders to take them alive, but the old 'don't want to die!' instinct may result in a bit of shooting.)

With luck, they'll tear through troops like a wreaking ball.

[infinitest]

No, the Tradoshan tears through like a wrecking ball, and they can follow, making their way back to the docking hangar.

A familiar voice comes from the loudspeakers; it is full of annoyance. You are leaving me with precious few options. Surrender. Now.

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle briefly gives the voice another hand gesture as they run full tilt to the docking hanger. She doesn't want to spare the breath for words right now.

[infinitest]

And... the hangar is locked by a force field.

"Greetings." Coming up behind, is a tall, ominous figure dressed in dark robes, speaking in a deep, raspy voice. "Soldiers? What a waste, no soldier can match the power of a sith." A double-squad of Imperial marines follows close behind. "Kilran is wasting my time with trivial nonsense."

[aeons_crackshot]

Annabelle eyes the Sith. "Ooooh, dark robes and a hood, so terrifying," Annabelle quips with a roll of her eyes. "Honestly, do you lot just clone one another or something?"

Not that she's going to spend TOO much time on that, the Sith and company need to go down quickly.

[infinitest]

"You can not hope to understand the power of the Dark Side!" He sneers. "Are you ready to face Oblivion?"

"Get that energy field down." Onemi steps forward, igniting her lightsaber.

"Oh, a Jedi... finally, a real challenge!" The Sith smirks. "When I rip your heart from your chest, your masters will feel it, and my masters will know of my triumph."

The Jedi is... nonplussed. "It's not too late to turn back."

"Enough talk! You all will die!" The sith draws two sabers, and readies to attack; the Imperial soldiers take aim on the others.

[aeons_crackshot]

It would appear that THIS group of Imperials is less concerned about the "take them alive" thing, because they are most definitely being shot at.

Annabelle rolls behind a crate to both avoid incoming fire and get a better look at that barrier.

Hey, that thing over there looks a LOT like a control panel. Maybe if she shoots it....

Annabelle dives out from behind the barrel, aiming both blasters at the panel, which explodes in a shower of sparks.

She doesn't get away with that trick unscathed though, she gets several blaster bolt grazes through her armor that are going to hurt like blazes.

[infinitest]

Nothing a nice Kolto bath will not fix, and it beats being dead or a prisoner of the Empire.

While Annabelle is opening their way back to the shuttle, Corso, Qyzen and Asara are thinning the Imperial presence and Onemi is locking blades with the Sith.

It is an impressive sight, telekinesis and force lightning punctuating the trailing lights of lightsabers clashing.

[aeons_crackshot]

It's definitely a sight which makes Annabelle wish she had a holocamera.

The barrier flickers and dies, causing Annabelle to grin in triumph. Annabelle weeds out some of the remaining Imperials that are trying to block off the path to the shuttle.

Soon, only the Sith remains. That situation won't last though. They need to get out of here, NOW. Which would be why Annabelle attempts to empty both blasters into the Sith's back.

Fair fight, what's that?