SHANTIPOLE: Episode III: To Retake Shantipole

[max_vale]

As the band of Rebel Agents moved quickly down the tunnels and did their best to discuss an escape strategy while trying to ignore the blaring alarms; Suskafoo suddenly took a moment to grab the most perceptive and sneakiest of the group; Professor Clark Jones; and speak up….

"Hive mate Clark; I was just thinking that perhaps we might try to use one of the Verpine tunnels that leads into the Hangar Bay as the main tunnel entrances are likely to be guarded by the Imperial hive. It will be a tight fit for you; but I think it can be done." The Professor just stares at the young Verpine for a moment before eagerly agreeing; and the Rebel band is soon squeezing and shuffling through what they had assumed was just a crack in the Asteroid rock wall of the tunnel and a few minutes later; red-faced from all the literal squeezing; they were at the edge of the bustling hangar…

Clark was in the lead and he stealthily took a quick look out of the narrow tunnel opening. The Hangar Bay was immense and bustling with activity. A metal catwalk forms an awning some 10 meters above the floor. Three main tunnels exit out from the Bay and to the Clark's left, the Hangar Bay control tower juts out from the rock wall. Two men in Imperial Navy gray overalls man the controls, directing the activity below them. Above and across from them; on the catwalk a pair of Imperial Stormtroopers man a trip old mounted Heavy Repeat Blaster. Another pair of Stormtroopers walk on sentry duty on the catwalk; crossing near the quartet of TIE fighters hanging from an improvised launch rack attached to the ceiling.

On the surface level of the Hangar Bay; a trio of vessels are visible in the Hangar Bay; a large, heavily modified Imperial Shuttle with a large improvised cargo bay slung on its bottom; one of the B-wing prototype fighters sits with its S-foils folded down and on its landing gear on the cargo lift; and a familiar Light Freighter is closest to them; the Out Runner. The large Imperial Shuttle has half of its cargo bay filled with the tied-down second B-Wing prototype and a pair of Imperial Pilots stand to one side while the familiar scarred-faced Imperial double-agent; LT Pollard; directs a quartet of gray jump-suited Imperial crewman in loading crates of supplies on board the shuttle. A pair of Imperial stormtroopers stand to the Rebel's right; close to the Out Runner and a rag tag group of prisoners; including maybe twenty Verpine; two unfamiliar males in Rebel Alliance uniforms; one a Human and the other a Mon Calamari; and one wounded but still gamely keeping a keen eye on everything around Quarren male with SGT's stripes and who answers to the name, Glek….

Finally, a pair of Stormtroopers is not far to their left; on the ground level; keeping a close guard on the main tunnel entrances to the Hangar Bay….

[kipper]

Clark hastily (and quietly) explains the situation, and waits for ideas...

[Jedi Skyler]

Zinn considers the situation. "Well, we do have two of us in stormtrooper armor; that might possibly allow us to move about the hangar freely." Pointing at the Out Runner, he adds, "Banshee is on board the Out Runner; I can comm him and have him run the pre-flights so she's ready to lift off as soon as we're on board. If necessary, he can operate the laser turret to take out some of our opposition here. Our biggest concern at the moment is freeing those prisoners, followed by getting the prototypes safely out of here. Provided all goes well with the rescue, I believe we have a couple pilots in that group who can be of help in that department. If all does NOT go well, however, then I'd propose we have Banshee fly the Out Runner out of here, Suskafoo pilot the shuttle with the strapped-down B-wing, and I'll fly the other as escort. If any of the surviving prisoners have any piloting skills, they can help out with the 'Runner...but I think that'd be our best chance for success. Plus, we could split up and escape in three different directions, and rendezvous down the line after we've shaken pursuit. First things first, though; we've gotta deal with the Imps here in the hangar."

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin thinks for a moment then throws in his thoughts "we got any more charges left? We could set some charges on some of the other shuttles here if we have time to distract the others. Otherwise we will have to make do with the other plans out in the open." all Gavin knows is they need to leave this place ASAP.

[Jedi Skyler]

When Gavin asks about the charges, Zinn attempts to call Banshee on his comlink. Frustrated by the lack of response, he interjects, "We can scratch having Banshee open up with the laser turret; he's not responding to comms. Either he's in hiding, shut down, or had a restraining bolt slapped on him by some Imp. He'll still be able to help fly the Out Runner once we've dealt with these Imps." Looking at Suskafoo, Zinn has an idea. "Suskafoo? Is there an area in which we could claim there's an emergency, and call for all available personnel to immediately move to assist? If so, we could try calling all the Imps to an area, away from our sabotage, and perhaps even thin out the number of troops here we have to deal with? If not, I don't want to put these guys on higher alert than they already are, but if there's a chance, it might not hurt to try it..."

[max_vale]

Clark just shakes his head 'no' in response to Gavin's question about the charges while Suskafoo is about to answer Zinn's question when a message feeds through the commlink in the appropriated Stormtrooper helmet the pilot is wearing; and the Professor in his acquired armor and helmet hears it too.

"This is Command one; all units be advised; units DJ 731 and DJ 736 have been incapacitated and their armor and equipment taken. Be on the lookout for Rebel saboteurs in appropriated armor and switch to appropriate channel per Plan Lamda-Nu; repeat; per Lamda-Nu on my Mark.....Mark".

With that; the commlinks suddenly go silent....

Suskafoo with his antennae drooping a bit in what the Rebel band had learned was a sign of unhappiness, replies with; "I'm sorry Rebel hive-mate Zinn; I don't think we can do that in the time remaining to us."

[Jedi Skyler]

Zinn curses under his breath. "The Imps just found the troopers we got the armor from; we just lost comms, guys." He sets his appropriated comlink to start cycling through frequencies, searching for any comm chatter.

As he does that, he says, "We need to free those prisoners. We also need to take out the repeaters. Ideas, anyone?"

[angelicdoctor]

I have an idea. I'd like to create a diversion but it may be a bit unorthodox and perhaps even unsettling for some of you. Once the Imps are distracted, one or more of you should be able to make your way onto the nearby Outrunner and fire up the anti-personnel weaponry bringing them to bear on our guests and thus at the same time freeing the prisoners.

[GreyWolfVT]

"I'm game for that plan. So long as we can get out of here before this place blows." Gavin replies.

[Jedi Skyler]

Zinn shakes his head. "We might be able to get someone to the Out Runner, but we can't risk firing at the troopers guarding the prisoners, because we might hit them. We definitely could get someone to the Out Runner, have them see why Banshee isn't answering my comms, and get him prepping the ship for our departure. Borsk, if your idea is that problematic, you should share the details so we're prepared; we don't want to have this go to poodoo because someone involuntarily stops and stares at whatever you're doing.

"Regardless, we need to rescue the captives with no casualties. One or two of us should start off by taking out the guards."

[GreyWolfVT]

i was actually going off of a suggestion from our GM but ok...

[kipper]

Clark removes his Stormtrooper helmet before stepping out of the tunnel as quietly as he can to make room for the others behind him. He winks and and makes a "Shhhh!" motion with one finger to his lips for the benefit of any of the prisoners who can see him. He will then pull out his vibroblade as he waits for Borsk to do his thing. If the guards watching the prisoners do not leave to investigate he will silently charge and attack them with his blade.

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin takes the dropped storm trooper helmet and throws it in the opposite direction of the group in effort to distract. He then ducks down behind the nearest cover he can locate.

[max_vale]

The Rebel band makes their move with Clark stepping out and to the side while making a 'stay quiet' motion to the prisoners whose eyes widened upon seeing him. They tensed, but nodded slightly to show that they understood. The Professor drew a vibroblade and prepared to attack the nearby two Stormtroopers guarding the prisoners….

Borsk La'Reth stepped out next and stepped to the side while taking a quick look at the Heavy Repeat Blaster and its two Imperial Stormtroopers crewing it and then closed his eyes in concentration. After a moment; the tripod mounted Heavy Blaster began to slowly rise into the air and the sounds of confusion began to spread over the hangar bay and everyone turned to look up at the amazing spectacle of the weapon levitating into the air...

As this was happening; Gavin Storm moved out of the tunnel next and he moved towards the cover of the lowered ramp of the Out Runner and hurled the Stormtrooper helmet that Clark had dropped towards the magnetic-screen end of the Hangar Bay and as it clattered along the floor; the two Stormtroopers guarding the prisoners turned in that direction; leaving their backs to the Rebel band and Gavin was able to move up and duck down behind the lowered ramp of the Out Runner….

Zinn was the last one out of the tunnel and as he stepped out, he was amazed to see the Heavy Repeat Blaster floating in the air with virtually the entire Hangar staring up at it in wonder. He didn't notice Suskafoo slip out behind him; but he DID notice the two Stormtroopers closest to the main tunnel entrances finally notice the Rebel band and begin to call out a warning and turn their Blaster Carbines their way…

With the Imperial Stormtroopers turning their backs to the prisoners and everyone paying attention to the floating Repeat Blaster; SGT Glek and the Human and Mon Calamari prionsers grabbed their chance at escape. Glek rose up and wrapped his arms around one of the Stormtroopers' middle and bodily hurled him to the ground on his back where the Imperial landed in a clatter of armor and slid to end up on his back, right next to a crouching Gavin Storm. The Human and Mon Calamari prisoners yanked the feet out from under the other Stormtrooper guarding them and as the Imperial crashed on the ground on his face; his Blaster Carbine fell out of his hands and SGT Glek quickly snatched it up. The Imperial meanwhile shakily began to rise to his feet as Clark rushed in with his Vibroblade….

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin having helped distract the stormtroopers dashes out towards where the prisoners are does a rolls turns around in a crouched position in a spot where he has a clear shot at the stormtroopers on the catwalk and fires four shots twice at each of the stormtroopers. using a force point.

[Jedi Skyler]

Zinn, upon seeing the two troopers beginning to bring their weapons to bear upon the party, lines up the first trooper, takes a shot, then shifts aim to fire at the second trooper.

((OOC: Not using a Force point yet; I'm saving that for the flight out of here, where I suspect they may be needed more...))

[kipper]

Clark rushes the fallen-yet-still-armed stormtrooper near Gavin. If the 'trooper is still disoriented Clark will attempt to disarm him, if the 'trooper is attempting to use his blaster Clark will attack with his blade.

[angelicdoctor]

Realizing that their cover has been blown, the alien force user draws out the heavy repeating blaster away from the cat walk and then removes his concentration from the feat of telekinesis allowing gravity to take its natural hold of the object. Presumably, this act shall make the weapon all but useless for any potential aggressor. Once done, La'reth springs into action taking long strides towards the Out Runner.

[max_vale]

The Hangar Bay exploded into a state of chaos as the Heroes made their move and soon blaster bolts were cross-crossing the Verpine base and a cacophony of sound reverberated throughout the enclosed chamber of the Asteroid facility....

First, La'Reth moved the floating Heavy Repeat Blaster over the side of the catwalk and then released his Force-connection with it and it fell some 10 meters to the floor below and the tripod shattered while the weapon itself became dented and rolled around aimlessly while the Imperial crewman carrying crates towards the over-sized shuttle shouted in alarm and confusion and ducked every which way or froze still in a panic. Lost in all of this; Borsk ran for the Out Runner; reaching its ramp in time to see Gavin Storm take aim from behind the ramp and let fly with several Blaster bolts as a Stormtrooper with a carbine clutched in his hands started to rise up off the ground nearby as a wild-eyed Professor Clark rushed in with a Vibroblade ready to strike...

Gavin rose up and opened up on the two confused Stormtroopers on the catwalk who had been manning the Heavy Repeat Blaster. Feeling the world seem to slow-down; he raised his carbine and put a pair of perfectly placed bolts into the first Imperial who staggered back and fell off the edge. He then shifted over and put another pair of blaster shots into the second trooper; who fell face-down on the catwalk with only an arm that dangled over the edge visible; slightly swaying....

Clark noticed the Stormtrooper that SGT Glek had tossed aside was starting to rise up with his Blaster Carbine in hand and he rushed over and slammed his Vibroblade into the Imperial's side; where the vibrating weapon burned through the armor and into the trooper's side; leading to a weirdly distorted scream emanating from the Imperial's helmet mike and a blaster bolt to be fired into the ceiling as the wounded Trooper staggered away from the Professor; blood dripping down the ruined white armor shell...

Zinn took aim at the two Stormtroopers near the main tunnel entrances who were in turn taking aim at the Rebels. He fired a pair of shots; one at each of them and while one slammed into a Stormtrooper's chest and dropped him unmoving to the ground; he missed with his second shot. The Imperial in return fired back at the Rebel pilot and Valimar hissed in pain as the bolt burned along his ribs*....

SGT Glek barked out orders to the two non-Verpine prisoners with a "Get to the B-Wing and get it out of here Kylin!"; to the Human prisoner and; "Farrak; get the Verpine on the Shuttle and get them back to the evacuation fleet and Ackbar!" to the Mon Calamari prisoner. He said all this while taking aim and cutting loose with a pair of Blaster bolts which took out the two Imperial Stormtroopers near the shuttle. Kylin raced towards the unloaded B-Wing prototype as Farrak began to gather the Verpine prisoners and began to hustle them over towards the large Imperial Shuttle...

The two Stormtroopers who were still on the catwalk, closer to the control tower, opened up with their Blaster carbines; with one bolt slamming into the Ramp leading into the Out Runner near a crouching Gavin Storm; and the other bolt zipping past Professor Jones' head, missing by centimeters....

Across the hangar bay; LT Pollard suddenly popped up from behind a dropped crate and raising a Heavy Blaster Pistol; he took a shot that slammed into Glek's chest and the valiant Quarren NCO dropped stiffly to the Hangar Bay floor....

*Zinn is Wounded; he will be at -1D for all future actions

[angelicdoctor]

Borsk will make a mad dash towards the cockpit of the Out Runner and quickly run through the pre-flight checks to get the anti-personnel weapons and the engines on line.