SHANTIPOLE: Episode II Journey to Shantipole

[angelicdoctor]

Blasters. So uncivilized and random. I really must find a better defensive means. Zinn, are there any more of those things out there? Borsk pushes himself back to his seat and straps down in preparation for the rest of the journey.

[gavin storm]

"Sithspit" Were the first words out of Gavins mouth, visibly winded by the strap of his seat saving him from being flung about ike a rag doll. "What the kriff, dio they make those things out of?" Giving himself a moment to check himself over for any visible damage, he adds answers the pilots question with a "You could say we're shaken not stired." Pausing he adds "Are you ok?"

[Jedi Skyler]

As Zinn gets his companion safely back inside their Hopper, he makes a thorough check of the sensors, as well as a visual scan of their vicinity. "Regardless of whether or not any more are out there, we need to get moving. If the droid transmitted before it was destroyed, the Imps will know we're here." He comms the other pod. "Are you guys alright? And Suskafoo, are you able to determine whether or not any transmissions were sent by that droid before it was destroyed?"

[max_vale]

Suskafoo is quite happy that his fellow Hopper passengers are alright and then he checks the sensors to answer Valimar's question. Keying the comms he replies; "From what I can glean from the sensors it would appear that the probe droid did NOT send out any transmissions hive-mate Zinn. I will now continue the journey to the Shantipole Asteroid."

The Rebels travel another hour through the dense asteroid field; Gavin and Clark noting with a little bit of anxiety that their Hopper now has a bit of a rattling sound and the flight isn't nearly as smooth as it had been before the ramming; however Suskafoo's piloting certainly seemed to keep them from any harm. Suskafoo suddenly made a strange clacking sound with his mandibles that soon became clear to his fellow was a sound of frustration. The sensors and the view from the large canopy both showed that up ahead a VERY large concentration of mostly micro-metorite sized asteroids was filling the 'skies' in front of them.

Keying the comm; the Verpine speaks to the Rebel band in both Hoppers; "We are nearly to our destination; but there is a problem. It would seem that what we call an Asteroid 'storm' has occurred ahead of us on our course. It is when two or more asteroids slam into each other with enough force to break up into a veritable 'sea' of rock chunks. Flying through suck a storm is a risky undertaking to say the least. However, that is not our only worry."

"Looking at the sensors; a flight of four TIE fighters is patrolling the edges of the Storm. From their pattern it would seem they have not yet detected us; but it does make flying around the Storm as much of a dangerous proposition as flying through it. What do you wish to do?"; the Verpine ends with an anxious question.

Zinn can quickly tell from examining his own Hopper's sensors that Suskafoo is quite correct; they can basically risk flying through the 'storm' of fast-moving asteroid particles or risk flying around it and being detected by the TIEs.

[kipper]

"Do you think you can make it through the storm with the damaged hopper?" Clark asks Suskafoo. He's thinking that at least inside the storm our fate is in our own hands, rather than relying on TIE pilot's vigilance or lack thereof.

[angelicdoctor]

Zinn, how good are you at evading asteroids? Is your talent better for that or for evading TIE fire? Borsk straps himself in just a little tighter then previously done...

[gavin storm]

Paying attention to the fighters, Gavin says "Try to fly casual." With a raised eyebrow, he adds. "With a bit of luck they might just see us on sensors as a chunk of rock." With a smirk he adds. "Rather than a hunk of junk."

[Jedi Skyler]

Zinn smiles. "They're almost the same," he says. "If either hits you, it can vaporize you." He keys the comm. "You have more experience in this area, Suskafoo. Is this something that will pass our position in a timely enough fashion that we should just sit tight until we can proceed? I've not yet taken measurements...but those Imps haven't seen us yet. If we can stay concealed, we should do that, since we don't have the ability to attack them."

[max_vale]

Suskafoo's voice is more than a bit fearful; but he replies to the questions with; "From what I can glean from the TIEs search pattern; it would appear that they will most likely discover us if we stay put. I think risking the asteroid storm is the better course to take."

Zinn looks at his scope* and has to agree that the Verpine is probably right. "Okay then; let's do this"; the rebel pilot says in a determined voice and with that he waits for a brief moment studying the pattern of cris-crossing rock fragments and then punches the engines as much as they can handle and deftly moves into the heart of the storm. Suskafoo follows behind a few moments later and the Rebel passengers have little choice but to either grip their seats and harnesses tight and watch with baited breath as the asteroid chunks fill the cockpit; or close their eyes and pray for the best. Some of them alternate between both options....

The trip only lasts a few minutes; but it seems like an hour to the Rebel pilots and passengers. Zinn's remarkable piloting skills along with the Verpine craft's impressive maneuverability ensures that other than a few minor bumps with tiny rock fragments; they pass through the storm with little more than a few small scratches on their Hopper. Suskafoo's hopper on the other hand; doesn't have nearly as smooth and easy of a journey...

Already damaged by the Probe Droid, the Hopper doesn't handle as well as it normally does and during the journey; several tiny and a few small chunks of rock end up impacting the Hopper; causing some serious rattling and bumping to be felt by the pilot and his passengers. Clark and Gavin will probably argue about which of them actually screamed when the cockpit was starred and began to crack; but neither will deny letting out a gasp of fear when the side of the Hopper actually slightly caved in upon a particularly vicious impact. Suskafoo however maintained his composure and kept the Hopper moving through the storm and eventually; out of it altogether.

After clearing the storm; the two Hoppers have almost completed their journey and Suskafoo takes the lead and comms Zinn; telling him to follow directly behind him while he moves behind a small asteroid that has been caught in an orbit around the large Shantipole Asteroid base. Landing the Hoppers on the 'moonlet' of the Shantipole base; the Rebels stay in their craft and observe the base. Suskafoo calls up a map of the base and the rebels take a gander at the Base while also observing the status of the Asteroid after the Imperial attack**....

*Scope is Star Wars slang for sensors/scanners dispaly
**Map and pic to be posted shortly in the attachments thread