Maturing Assets - Minka and Zephrin (Closed)

[GM Nicha]

It was just before dawn with the sun beginning to poke over the horizon that Minka and Zephrin received a high level communication from General Novar himself. The details of the message were sparse, given the risk of interception most comm track was kept to a medium, but the urgency was clear.

Both were required to report to Novar's field headquarters ASAP.

The HQ itself was a jury-rigged combination of tents and vehicles lashed to the side of the Concord Dawn and surrounded by an array of communications dishes. Even this early in the day it was abuzz with activity as Hopers came and went in a hurry.

[Zephrin Hayn]

Well, the General *had* said ASAP...

There was a blur of motion and some tent glass flapped had enough to tug at their fastenings. A figure resolved and pulled the hood of its cloak down to reveal a blindfold.

Nodding to the guards Zephrin gave them a faint smile and walked into General Novar's HQ. It was jury-rigged but no less impressive a feat of construction.

His force sight pulled him in what must been the right direction. "How may I be of assistance?"

[Minka Daivik]

The second of the two summoned to arrive did so in a much more subdued fashion. Minka had taken the time to dust her field uniform off and try to look at least marginally presentable for the meeting. After providing her identification to the guards she was let into the depths of the HQ.

Assuming the General was present she would snap to attention, "Lieutenant Daivik, reporting as ordered."

Her eyes flicked to Zephrin and she inclined her head in a small nod. The realization that such a motion would likely be lost on a Miraluka brought a bemused smile. "Master Jedi."

[GM Nicha]

Novar puffs on his cigar before exhaling a cloud of smoke that causes no fewer than 3 fire alarms to start beeping with concern. His salute is quick but polite.

"Lieutenant Daivik, Knight Hayn, at ease. Appreciate your attendance, just waiting on the last member of our little posse before I can begin." The words are hardly out of his mouth before Master Aola Mobok strides into the tent, a slight frown her only sign of annoyance at the smoke.

"General Novar, you know my opinion on this matter, I cannot and indeed will not-"
Novar holds up a hand gently. "Aola, the timeline's changed. The Solar Horizon doesn't have weeks now, it's got days." An aide hands a holoslate to the Jedi Master who nods distractedly at both Minka and Zephrin as she quickly scans the data.

"General, with respect, it's still a suicide mission."
"This whole expedition is a suicide mission, doesn't mean I'm not gonna try and save some lives on the way."
The Twi'lek smooths her expression and re-examines the slate as General Novar turns back to Minka and Zephrin.

"I've got a mission for the both of you. Long odds, very dangerous. And I'll be blunt, none of the soldiers under my command are expendable, but I can survive losing you both if it fails."
His gaze lingers on Minka for a moment. "But, you succeed and you'll save lives. Could be an opportunity to prove some things."

[Zephrin Hayn]

"Pleased to meet you Lieutenant Daivik." Zephrin smiled pleasantly. His force sense revealed Master Aola before she walked in and Zephrin listened intently.

The was a polite pause after the General made his pitch.

"Hmm. Well, that was refreshingly honest General. An opportunity to save lives? That is what all of this is ultimately about." He made a gesture to go with 'all of this'.

"A mission it is then."

[GM Nicha]

((Assuming Minka doesn't just take this opportunity to leave The Hopers and become a farmer, it's a peaceful life))


"Right then, the mission-"
"General, if I may." Master Mobok clears her throat. "I would like to provide the briefing, given this is a joint Army and Jedi mission." Novar shrugs and waves her towards a holo projector. "All yours Master Mobok." She nods before slotting her slate into the projector as it hums to life, flickering for a few moments before projecting a rudimentary map of Obroa-Skai and its orbit. A small icon pauses red in high orbit.

"This is the Solar Horizon, it's a medium freighter carrying a complement of the 3rd Taris garrison and their families. They were part of our assault on the system but suffered critical damage. Readings show both generators are leaking and liable to fail soon. For now the Mandalorians have been ignoring it as its power readings read as crippled. We hope they stay disinterested. But, if these latest calculations are correct it's going to experience re-entry in a matter of days."

The map flickers again, displaying a yellow dotted line of the reentry path down onto the surface.
"The ship should be able to perform an emergency landing like we did. But it's coming down right over several Mandalorian anti-air defences." A number of blue spikey runes pop up on the ground.
"They'll almost certainly destroy the ship if they aren't disabled in time. And they're well within Crusader territory."
She glances back to Novar.
"General Novar feels, and I can see his point, that a large force is just going to draw unwanted attention, not to mention we simply don't have the resources for an assault on that front. So he wants you to lead a small squad behind enemy lines to destroy the anti-air defences. I believe Lieutenant Daivik will be commanding the squad while Zepehrin you will be charged with their protection."

[Zephrin Hayn]

Force Senses made sense of the images in that tricsky Miralukan manner. Knight Hayn nodded and gave a wry smile.

"Why that sounds positively livable!"

He gestured to Aola. "Thank you Master, I do have to agree with the General. This sounds like the most sensible plan, given our resources."

Moving closer to the holo projector he waved a hand vaguely in the right direction. "What do we know of the Mandalorian forces in this area?"

[GM Nicha]

Novar looks at Aola who nods as he shifts and replies to Zephin's question.

"Garrison troops mostly, not their best. Crusaders don't like playing defence at the best of times so these will all be second rate troops out of favour with the Warlord. Still, given your encounters with lightsaber wielding Mandalorians we think there's a reasonable risk you'll run into one. They might be able to tap into the force as much as you."

Aola gives him a look.

"Okay, maybe slightly less than a trained Jedi, but the point stands. That's part of why I insisted on this mission having Jedi support."

[Minka Daivik]

Minka's eyes went wide, "Are you sure...Sir. It's, well..." She takes a deep breath and centers herself. Her words died in her throat, objections on account of her limited experience...her fear of failing again.

"I understand sir." The Lieutenant nodded, she was needed...maybe she wasn't the best but she was what they had.

"We'll get those guns silenced." Minka stood a little straighter and a lot more awkwardly stiff. "What's the plan for linking up with the survivors after the ship lands?"

[GM Nicha]

"I know you will lieutenant, those men and women are counting on you. I'm giving you command of Wampa Squad. They're the only remnants of their company and I don't know whether it was sheer dumb luck or tremendous skill that's seen them survive until now. I'm sure you can understand how that sort of experience can effect a soldier."

He pauses for a moment before continuing on. "Once the AA is down we can hopefully guide the freighter in for a controlled landing on the ice. If we can get it down safely then speeders are standing by to retrieve the survivors and ferry them back to us here. You'll need to bug out pretty swiftly, but we're hoping the location is swift enough the Crusaders won't realise the damage you've done until you're far away."

[Zephrin Hayn]

"Indeed. I will be on my guard for any such threats." He nodded and inclined his head toward the General.

"When do we leave? I presume timing will be crucial. Too soon and we alert the Crusaders. Too late..." It need not be said.

[GM Nicha]

The General nods.
"Take an hour to collect your things, if anyone asks you're going out on a long range scouting mission that's going to take you away for a few days. After that rendezvous with Wampa Squad at the barracks. From there you're to leave immediately, time is of the essence. But if you get their too early you can always enjoy half a day of holiday in a frozen cave somewhere."

An aide runs in with an urgent message about 'enemy artillery' and 'blown to pieces' and Novar's expression darkens. "Duty calls. You both know what you have to do. Now, dismissed."
And he's already off barking orders down an encrypted commline.

Master Mobok for her part still looks somewhat strained but manages a smile for the both of you.
"You heard the General. May the force guide you and bring you back to us safely. I sense darkness ahead for both of you. Remember to be the light."

Then she makes a shooing motion. "Now I also have duties to attend to, find me when you return."
And then she is off as well, striding out through the tent's opening and into the snow.

[Zephrin Hayn]

"May the Force be with you Master." Zephrin spent a moment to collect his thoughts. The sounds faded out for a moment as he focused on the energy field that surrounded them. The smoke from the General's cigar. The elevated heart beats of those in the adequate if slightly ramshackle HQ.

"Well then Lieutenant, we have our orders. I do not have many things to collect. I suppose you can think of me as a mission specialist if that helps? I also have medical training if it becomes relevant."

Hopefully there would be little need of it.

[GM Nicha]

----------
One hour later, just outside the barracks.


"Listen up you maggots! Officer present, atttttten-shun!"
The four members of Wampa Squad glance at eachother before coming to a sort of half attention implying that they were both bored and wanted to be anywhere else. Minka had been handed a short summary of the squad members:

Preston Marlowe a young soldier from a long line of republic soldiers. Keen to see action, mediocre pilot, handy with all weapons.

Srynthel Reddae the squad's sergeant. A long time veteran he's seen some shit and was looking forward to retiring, but the Mandalorian Wars cut that short. Loyal to his men, cool under fire, carries a rifle with a grenade launcher.

Terraen Sweetwell the squad's operator. A specialist who would have been operating at an analyst at base if he'd been able to afford the education back home. Cautious, intelligent, carries a sidewinder gattling cannon.

Georgina Haggaradi the demolitions expert. A loud woman who enjoys cracking jokes and pitching ludicrous plans, Georgina handles the explosives. A little addicted to explosions, doesn't take things seriously, carries a dangerous amount of grenades.

These were the men and women you would be commanding on your mission.

Georgina and Terraen were loudly bickering about some alleged cheating at cards the night before. Preston just looked nervous and was clearly hoping nobody was going to ask him to drive anywhere and Sergeant Reddae looked both sleep-deprived and quietly furious about...everything.

[Zephrin Hayn]

Zephrin arrived right on time. He was ready for action, but this was the Lieutenant's show so he just offered a simple: "Hello there."

While Minka sized up the squad Zeph reached out with his force senses, looking for anything unusual about the members of Wampa squad. The anger coming from Reddae was noticeable.

[Minka Daivik]

Minka nodded to the Sergeant, "At ease."

She sized them up quietly, it brought memories of her first days in command. The young LT at least had experience now...for what it was worth.

"I am Lieutenant Minka Daivik, formally of the 33rd Republic Light Infantry. I'll be commanding this mission." She glanced over to the Jedi, "Knight Hayn will be joining us as well. This will be a long range scouting and patrol mission, but bring plenty of ordinance. As much as you can and still stay foot mobile." She dipped her head to Georgina, "For reasons of security that is all I can say for now. I'll brief you all more in depth when we are underway. Suffice to say this mission is important."

[GM Nicha]

Preston just looked glum, clearly blaming this assignment on some past failing.
Reddae's irritation stayed noticeable, although if he was concentrating Zephrin would be able to tell it was radiating out in a 'feck the universe' manner rather than directed at anyone in particular.
Terraen starts asking Minka a bunch of questions about mission specifics while Georgina started gleefully listing all the ordinance she would have to take.

((Minka, an average difficulty leadership check with a setback to get these soldiers in line! ◆◆ ■ ))

Zephrin's keen senses would also note that despite their complaining and frankly slovenly dress the soldier's weapons were clean and clearly well used. There wasn't much fear in any of them, they'd seen worse than this scouting mission sounded like.

[Minka Daivik]

Minka let them carry on for a moment, a sort of pressure release before establishing order. Despite her relative inexperience, Daivik knew how to project authority.

"Alright, that's enough for now." She gives them a tired smile, "If I could tell you more now I would. But let me just say this mission will save lives. We leave as soon as everything is prepared. With in the hour if possible."

--------------------
Leadership/Presence. Cascader for +1 skill, Commanding Presence removes setback. Average difficulty.

Net Successes: 1; Net Advantages: 1

[GM Nicha]

The squad bickers for a few more moments but eventually subsides for now, their minds turning to the mission ahead...and getting home from it safely.

And what a journey it is.

For the first day you walk in a long arc out from Kandra's Run and across the Frozen Sea well out of the range of most Neo-Crusader patrols. But it is bitterly cold and the wind never seems to let up even for a moment. But it's not until the morning of the second day that you encounter your first real obstacle.

A large frozen river blocks your progress back inland. While it is thinly iced over the top, the water below it runs swift and deep.

Minka can choose to roll their choice of survival, mechanics or knowledge warfare at average difficulty ◆ ◆ to come up with a way to safely cross the river. If they describe how one member of the squad helps they can add a boost dice to this roll ■ .

On a success you cross the river safely, on a failure the crossing is only partially succesful and everyone gets dunked in some near freezing water, both player characters take 3 strain with no soak allowed.

Zephrin, a pocket of shadow in your force sight catches your eye. Roll an average difficulty vigilance with one setback dice ◆◆■.

[Zephrin Hayn]

The frozen river was an unusual challenge. No one needed a dunking, a thermal cloak could only do so much.

While the Squad made preparations he used his force senses to check the area. Nothing immediately leapt out, but there was something out of place...

D2. Assests. Vigilance heck. Average with 1 setback. Net Successes: 0; Net Advantages: 1

Fail with advantage (use it for at least something useful!)