Session export: Succor and Safety - GALFMC/DM co-op mission

Two figures approached from the west path together. One donning the usual medic corps attire with a medical pack strung on his back and a holo-stretcher tucked under his arm. He was an average near-human height and fairly lanky in build. His shoulder length auburn hair was tied back into a low ponytail beneath a cap, and as they approach to halt before the Galeres Quaestor and acting Chief Surgeon the dark stripes on his tan face and neck betrayed his Selenian blood.

To the man’s left and a fair degree shorter, shorter than even Sivall herself, was an older Ryn in what looked to be her sixties. She donned similar med corp attire and gear with the exception of the environmental body glove having been adapted for her tail, wrapping it in the dark material. She too sported a medical backpack with her white helmet and breath mask strapped to it currently. Her long silver-streaked ashen hair was braided over her shoulder, standing stark contrast to her cinnamon colored fur of her face and her long tail.

Upon halting before the Chiss, the pair saluted and the Ryn addressed Siv first. “Vai reporting for duty, ma'am!”

“Ronpa Jaillita, here…to serve,” the Selenian joined, the slight break not out of nerrvousness but the fact that phrase always seemed cliche or cringe worthy to him, even if providing aid to those in need was literally his drive and mission. .

From where it must have been resting on top of Vai’s bag flew up a IT-S00.2 Medical Droid. It hoovered before the pair as if presenting itself before Siv and intoned a series of beeps to her, which the Chief Surgeon could understand. ‘5T-AN1U present and awaiting the sapients’ request of greater medical knowledge and assistance when the need inevitably comes.‘

There was a slight quiet whistle through Vai’s fluted chitin nose, almost like a chuff, but she otherwise said nothing about the droid’s introduction nor it’s opinion of itself.

Not long after Ronpa and Vai arrived, a group of four stepped into the courtyard from the north. Walking in front was the Starosta himself, Bril, joined by Morra on his right and another protege, Shamiir, on his left. Taking up the rear was K-8T0, his enforcer droid that had become something of a mascot for the Dajorran Marshals. As they entered, Bril made a point to greet everyone gathered there, already. Morra did also, but her manner of addressing the strangers was notably terser than his own.

His eyes settled on the fountain – the memorial – erected in the center of the courtyard. It had a somber beauty about it, a fine testament to those they had lost.

“Wow…” breathed Morra while staring at it.

“Yeah,” concurred Bril before breaking his gaze away to look over to Shamiir. As a native of Port Ol'val, they hadn’t spent much time on Selen since joining their ranks, but he was happy to hear that they were open to helping out in the relief efforts here.

<@315438760428961793> <@213338582511779840>

A tall human man approached the group, lingering towards the outskirts. He was sturdily built, and his newly acquired medical corp uniform was tight around his biceps as well as his middle. He carried a large, durable plastic case, which he carefully set down on the ground at his side.

Vince only knew of the gathering place from the directions given in the missive. He had yet to acquaint himself with many of the offices, and had spent the trek here worrying that he had taken the wrong route. Though as he stood before the austere monument, he knew he had come to the right place. His blue cybernetic optics took in the sight of the stakes, each with a name unknown to him. The others gathered were all strangers as well, though he recognized the Chiss as the Galeres Quaestrix at least. Though her name he would have to read from the page clutched in his hand. After a quick glance over it, he folded it and pushed it into his pocket.

“Vince Moretti. Uhh… nice to meet you all.” He gave a raised hand in greeting.

Shamiir mostly kept to themselves, preferring to stick to Bril’s side and keep their mouth shut. The fountain was clearly some kind of memorial, but it was for no clan they’d known. Pretending they had the capacity for truly understanding would be like walking into the nearest bar after hitting port and throwing their arms around the first person the met. Weird and uncomfortable. Still, they knew how to let people have space for things, even when the Echani didn’t feel the need.

This was decidedly out of their normal purview, knives and stealth would help little in a search and provide even less in the way of relief, but they weren’t a stranger to doing what needed being done after years bouncing from ship to ship. Despite the slight prickliness they projected between their apparent stoicism and prowling gait, Shamiir was not one to shrink from offering a hand when one was requested.

A female Firrerreo strolled towards the group, her black and red mane cascading down over a blue canvas jacket. It looked a little worse for wear, seeming like something she often worked in. Its condition was a stark contrast to the green tee underneath and grey tac pants that covered her legs. Her outfit ended in rugged military boots that had certainly seen their fair share of use in recent history.

Ellisyn’s footfalls were silent as she approached, a habit she picked up long ago, one that she was never able to shake. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the fountain the group was meeting at, her heart sinking as she realized what it represented. She hadn’t fought in the battle against the old gods, something she greatly regretted. Helping the Medical Corps was a way for the woman to ease her consciousness as she battled her demons.

Uncertainty crossed Elly’s face for a short moment as she wondered who she should talk to or what she should do. She only knew a couple people, and even then, she didn’t feel comfortable sparking conversation or interrupting ones they were already having, so she simply stood beside a bench and crossed her arms as she observed.

Clad in an array of gear and Mandalorian armor (minus his helmet), Avery Watson joined the Galeres Field Medic Corps group in the courtyard. His typically gentle eyes were stern and unsmiling. Usually, the Human might have taken the time to admire the handiwork of landscapers and builders; however, with lives potentially hanging in the balance, there was no time to split his focus.

Pausing his steps, Avery’s gaze swept over the group, recognizing some faces and noting the presence of new ones. A warm smile adorned his lips as he waved to those he knew and those he had yet to meet. With a decision made, he made his way to the fountain, his voice carrying over the small crowd as he introduced himself.

“Hello, everyone, I’m Doctor Avery Watson. Some of you know that; however, I’m eager to serve alongside and get to know each and every one of you. Along with medicine, I also specialize in mechanics if anything needs fixing along the way.”

Pivoting away from the party, he focused on the young Chiss beside him. “You must be Quaestrix Zosi'val'ria. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” His hand jutted toward her to shake.

Bril nodded politely in Vince’s direction. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Moretti. Though I wish it could have been under less somber circumstances.”

Anyone who knew Bril could easily recognize that he was being far more formal than was normal for him – a change befitting the gravity of their present situation.

“How are you feeling?” he asked Shamiir, leaning over and lowering his voice a tad to address them with a bit more privacy. “You being here means a lot. I know we haven’t had much time to get to know one another since Sofila suggested me as a mentor of sorts, but hopefully this will allow us to do so while also helping you become more familiar with your sibling House.”

To Ellisyn, Bril gave a wave. Somewhat of a wallflower, he was glad to see that that didn’t deter her from answering the call that he and Siva put out. If there was one thing he knew about her, it was that she cared about making a difference – about helping people – and she would have ample opportunity to do so today.

A look of silent recognition followed Dr. Watson arrival. An academic colleague and the other half of a burgeoning acquaintanceship, Avery had used his own credits to help Bril in repatriating a number of priceless artifacts during a previous mission. It was a gesture that the Starosta hadn’t forgotten, and would hopefully have the opportunity to repay some day.

Vince eyed the man in Mandalorian armor with some trepidation. Were they meant to be in full gear already? The invitation hadn’t specified, at least as far as he knew. He looked to the others, some in uniform and some not. If anything else, he could gear up on the way there.

He instead refocused his attention on the briefing, nodding as he looked over the map. Yes, with caxquettes in the area, he would need to gear up. He had had enough of those creatures having done triage during the battle. He would be glad to see the last of them.

Vince turned when he was addressed and inclined his head in solemn greeting to the Battleteam leader. “Picked a rough time to join up,” he said with a sigh. “But I’m glad I can do my part to help everyone out.”

As for questions, he had none save for where he might gear up, but that he could find out on his own. He didn’t want to show how ill-prepared he was for his first mission with Galeres. He put his hands in his pockets. “No questions, here.”

Shamiir clearly mulled the question over for a moment, silver eyes drifting between the others gathered for the task. This was strange for them. There was too much empty space here for them to feel truly comfortable. They’d rarely been this unconfined in their past life, and it always threw them for a loop. “Like a repair droid magnetized to the hull of a freighter.” They supposed they’d have to get used to it eventually, but that eventuality was not here in this moment or anywhere near it. They did their best not to dwell on the sensation as Sivall spoke up to explain the mission in more detail.

“What, exactly, is a caxquette?” They whispered in Bril’s direction.

It was a rough time, indeed.

“But we appreciate you coming, regardless. Every bit helps, especially in times like these.”

After hearing Shamiir’s response, Bril offered a sympathetic look. “It gets easier, don’t worry,” he said reassuringly. “Caxqettes are … abominations. Corruptions of preexisting species endemic to the Dajorra System, especially those on Selen. Vile spawns of Sith alchemy created by powerful Dark Side wielders who had fashioned themselves into the gods of the Selenian people.”

<@213338582511779840>

He shifted his gaze to Morra after sensing feelings of concern bubble up from her subconscious. “But we’re going to be fine.”

And he truly believed that, but deep down, he nonetheless wondered if he had made a mistake in bringing Morra here. The caxqettes were exceptionally dangerous, after all, and she was still in training. Perhaps, she’d be better suited to helping out within the triage center?

<@315438760428961793>

Following the light greetings, assurances, and more importantly the debrief itself, one of the gathered medics stepped forth with a hand briefly raised. “No questions. Just, uh, have former volcanic emergency response training, if I may. ”

After permission was granted to do so, the selenian adjusted the holostretcher under his arm and turned to regard the entire group. His Ussun accent somewhat modulated as he addressed them briefly, “Ronpa Jailita, for those I haven’t met. Several things should keep in mind as we go forward. Number one, volcanic ash is hazardous to breath, for skin and eyes. Coverage and protection is crucial, breath masks even. In fact, get the breath mask. Gases can pull in low spots, ‘round tree wells, in dips and basements.”

“Next, be wary of the lava flows. By now, should have a crust safe enough to step on but they can stay hot for days, weeks afterwards depending how thick they are in a given spot. Mind the topography, and thermal readings will be our friend.”

“…And if your boots start to catch on fire, retreat.”

Ronpa took a breath and exhaled. A more solemn look crosses his face, his free hand raising and rubbing the back of his neck. “Aye, I don’t know what we’ll find. But, uh, likely ailments for any living: burns, respiratory issues and ash asphyxiation survivors, gas exposure, etc.”

With that, he stepped back beside the Ryn woman he arrived with. Vai gave him a nod and a pat on the shoulder, reaching up to do so. Their attention returned to Sival.

As Ronpa introduced himself and made his points – good points – Tagrei stood some distance away from the rest of the group. A newcomer to the clan itself, he’d yet to form any meaningful connections with those present or even his new comrades in Galeres’ Field Medic Corps, but that wouldn’t deter him from doing what he felt he was born to do: to render aid. The air was tense, somber; it was too be expected given the tragedy that befell Selen and its people. Ronpa’s citation of his experience with volcanic disasters brought him a small modicum of relief, and although Tagrei hadn’t intended to insert himself in the conversation, his instinctual need to hopefully pay that kindness forward to the others present prompted him to speak once Ronpa finished.

“I can help with that,” he commented with a languid, nigh muttering baritone voice. A distinctive softness to his t’s and the stress placed on his r’s alluded to him being a Varo (a Devaronese dialect) speaker, “My species’ anatomy allows me to tolerate extreme temperatures that would be fatal to most.”

As the eyes of his compatriots fell upon him, the golden-skinned man pulled at the straps of his WALK bag to make it more comfortable. His helmet, which sported two holes meant to accommodate his long horns, hung from his utility belt.

“Be handy. Better then burning any fur off.”

The old ryn combat medic spoke up from near Ronpa with a chuff. Any lingering glance may pick up some hint of annoyance ticking her feature after her light remark. Her long tail curled at her calf. The cinnamon colored fur and thick white tuft of hair at its tip were hidden by the dark temperature controlling body sleeve it was tucked in. As ridiculous as it felt, Vai preferred the oddness to getting a few new burn marks.

Avery bowed his head as Sivall spoke, quietly lamenting the ones fallen during the caxquette attacks. They were unpleasant creatures, though, with some of the reports, he learned they could somehow be tamed using the Force. The solution was beyond his grasp, and the Human was not a Force user. The best he could do was utilize his medical knowledge and prowess to aid his fellow clanmates and the citizens of Selen.

As Avery raised his eyes, he acknowledged the newcomers with a nod. Ronpa, with his wealth of knowledge on volcanic emergency response training, and the Devaronian, with his unique physiological advantages against extreme heat, were invaluable additions to their team. “My armor,” the doctor added, “provides heat resistance, a potential aid in the areas that need extra hands.”

He couldn’t imagine the suffering the victims in the more hazardous zones were experiencing.

Secure in his seat, Avery hunched forward, a pensive expression on his face. Every jostle of the LAAT/I reminded him why he disdained militaristic aircraft—one, for what it often represented, and two, the manufacturer’s designs.

As they neared the landing zone, he could get a glance at the carnage below. He wondered what the death toll was and how many lives and families were affected by the loss. His life of creature comforts was a stark contrast and made him feel he didn’t deserve all he had.

When Sivall gave them the heads up that they were landing, the doctor checked over his gear once more and put his helmet on. Once he ensured all of his gear was in check, he looked at their young and fearless leader. “Ready.”

Vincent had decided to leave his armor in the plastic case, taking the rest of the gear necessary for the trip. No doubt he’d cook in it without any temperature control.

He chose a seat closest to the door so that he could get a good look of the location as they landed. He scanned the area with his cybernetic eyes, searching for any movement.

“Got some smoke that way,” he said, pointing out the location to the others. “Spotted something yellow near that building to the south. Maybe something in the treeline. We should be careful as we touch down. Group up?” He looked to the others in his squad, Lektra and Avery. “The building might be a good place to hole up. Might find people inside.”

While looking out the side of their transport to examine the landscape beneath them, Tagrei paid particular attention to the massive crater in the ground below. To his shock, he saw what looked like someone’s hand peeking out from the rubble.

“I think I saw someone in the rubble!”

<:BrilSymbol:1229273661266067506>

Bril, meanwhile, was sitting next to Morra and Shamiir, and he gave each of them an encouraging smile. Then, he addressed them both.

“I’m needed at the landing zone that we’ve set up as our temporary Forward Operating Base, to help Sivall coordinate the relief efforts on the ground. Morra is going to be helping me with that,” he explained before looking to his Qel Droman protege. “Shamiir, I want you to go out in the field. You’ll be a great asset to the rest of the team. If you need me, I’m just a comm call away, alright?”

Morra nodded. “Got it.”

<@213338582511779840>

Shamiir’s eyes scanned the edge of the village, hunting for a sign of anything at all within the forest. It was almost certainly a waste of time, but, well, Bril’s rather light description suggested that what exactly they’d find in these abominations was up in the air to an extent. Variability would make the Marshalls’ presence more logical. They continued the search for any morsel of information before the transport landed and the height advantage was gone, but acknowledged the Zabrak’s words by producing the communicator from their belt.

“Serah,” Vai greeted with a nod of her head and a flick of her clothed tail. Her yellow eyes scanned the landing zone camp, watching as supplies were off-loaded and exchanged hands. Her own ashen brow set with a serious focus, an aura of someone who prefers to get right to the point. “Think getting a run down of whats happening on the ground would help. What quadrants still need response to? Etcetera.”

Ronpa halted beside her, dipping his head and waited for his comrade to finish speaking. His own wandering gaze paused on the AAF soldiers, noting their rifles in hand and now aware of his own strapped to his back. “Is there some signs of trouble? Aggressors or enemies?”

“Aah,” Ronpa exhaled slowly and rubbed at his striped neck, pushing aside the caxqette mention to which he and Vai shared a look over. But now was another matter to focus on first. He dropped his hand and fixed his green gaze back to Serah and Sivall, “I can talk with them maybe? Being, you'know a Selenian myself.”

The tiny, sobbing sniffles finally stopped.

But not for the reasons he was so very accustomed to.

“There, there, litlun…” the figure whispered, sagging as the child – perhaps, at a guess, some 18 months of age for their Near-Human species – suddenly stood up and dove into his mother’s arms where she crouched next to the table more than sitting in one of the salvaged chairs carried from a remaining home. The striped woman was the one crying now, hugging the little boy who started fussing again but this time in confused relief more than pain. The remains of his clothes and hers were tattered and blackened and burnt, but no longer was their flesh the same.

“Thank you,” the mother murmured over her boy’s golden head, meeting golden eyes. The hybrid smiled back at her and bowed his body, staying low for once more with tiredness than with obsequiousness.

After a moment, he rose, swaying slightly. It was fine.

“Thanks, Rue,” said another striped person nearby, whose name was Talta. The people here had been suspicious of the hybrid when he had first stumbled in following the sense of pain, loss, and need that permeated the fiery air. But being no threat, and having healed a few patients who were near death after begging to do so, his help had been permitted, for which he was most grateful.

“Thank you, Sir,” Rue replied with another bow, causing Talta to grimace again. He didn’t like that Rue kept thanking him for every patient he was allowed near.

Much of the work was in triage. Rue used what supplies they could bring him to tend the wounds of those hurt, treating burns and breaks, checking each individual for signs of smoke inhalation and cardiac or respiratory distress. The healing had to be budgeted out, reserved for those in critical condition or field surgeries. And some, like those pinned under rubble and fully crushed, the most he could do was take away the pain while they passed.

That he was accustomed to.

Listening to the conversation, Bril waited for an opportunity to speak. “I could search the area with the Force to aid in the search. I can cast a pretty large net as well.”

- A roar sounded overhead, the very roof vibrating with it as the air did, and Rue flinched, looking up. Then he scurried to the doorway and peered out in horror, excepting the mountain to be spewing fire again. Only it was still, save the smoke and general presence of a devastated town moving about, the cries and soft moaning and shouts.

“What was that?” he asked, looking fearfully to Talta. His gaze went around the room, where many patients lay under any sheets that could be found and on any surface to brace them. Many were bandaged or splinted. Many had needed amputations, which he would spare healing enough only to close the excision site. Hardly any of them could be moved.

“Sounded like a ship,” Talta replied, joining him to look out. He squinted, his sclera as red as any of them from irritants and smoke in the air. “We were supposed to be getting more ‘help…’”

“…pardon, Sir, but…you do not sound pleased. Sir.”

“It’s…complicated.” Talta sjghed.

“…if they are here to help. This one should help.” The mother and child were the most recent patients pulled from rubble. It could be hours until more were freed or found. “It will go. If it may, Sir.”

“I’m not your keeper, Rue. If you want to go then go. Just be careful.”

The hybrid bowed, then went back to his bags, nearly empty though they were by now, and slung them on. He was soot-streaked from having wiped down, arriving covered in ash and blood but needing to be somewhat clean to attend medical attention. The bare soles of his feet burned constantly, but that was fine. His hair was knotted up in multiple braids and a bun to keep it away, his tail around his waist.

The hybrid ducked outside back into the worst of the air, trying to think of where to go next.

Lektra Kendis stepped off the LAAT/I with a mild amount of hesitation. The sight before her was something unlike anything she had seen before. The young woman grew up in a cityscape without a shred of nature, never even seeing a forest until a few months prior, and only then, it was simply from afar. Now, she was deep inside the tree-laden landscape she’d sometimes gaze at, with danger all around her. It terrified her. But, the Kendis was strong. She had faced nightmares and monstrosities before, so she knew how to steel herself in preparation. Though her former adversaries were made of metal, she was just as prepared to deal with ones made of flesh.

With a deep breath, she continued forward toward the folks in the group that were talking, not wanting to miss out on potential details. Though she had nothing to add, not knowing much about their foes, she was intent on learning all she could to prepare for whatever may come.

Vince listened closely to the conversation, having no questions for himself. He glanced over in the direction they had come, scuffing the dirt with his feet, eager to return to the field and begin their work. He moved to the side to allow Lektra to join the group with a better view of the speakers.

“Feeling like I should have questions, but my only one is ‘When do we start?’,” he said under his breath. He wasn’t accustomed to sit-reps, only a patient on his table in need of saving. The other’s all seemed far more used to this sort of thing. It certainly made him feel more the imposter for being there.

A question did spark in his head the longer he ruminated on it. He raised his hand hesitantly. “Oh! Uh. Yeah. What do you want us to do if we spot one of these caxqettes?”

“You kill it,” replied Bril, his voice stern and unyielding, “Normally, I would advocate for doing what we can to not kill living creatures, but the caxqettes are extremely dangerous. They won’t hesitate to either kill or ambush you to use you as a host for their brood.”

Not to mention that they were corruptions of the natural order, born from foul Sith alchemy in yet another ill-begotten attempt to subvert the Force’s will.

“You stay together, and keep your mind’s sharp, because they will try to control it should you encounter them.”

<:BrilSymbol:1229273661266067506>

Morra cringed at the description and pressed her thumb into her palm while listening. No wonder Bril had advised her to stay back with him. The thought of having her autonomy and freedom taken from her again made the hair on the back of her neck stand. And if these folks, as capable as they seemed, could fall to them, she surely would. Hopefully she could help them in some way back in camp.

“Excuse me, Chief. Handy as the abilities some folks have, I strongly suggest not using it on a patient without ensuring their bodies are rigidly supported, whether on a holostretcher or some flat surface, something,” Vai interjected about the request of the Zabrak in their ranks, a slight whistle to her tone as her tail flicked. “Don’t want ot compromise them any unintentionally.”

The old Ryn woman crossed her arms and thought about it briefly, “Yes, ma'am, should be adequate.”

Shamiir turned the stickers and the patch over in their hands. It all seemed fairly straightforward, although they weren’t quite sure what to make of being part of an organization that had so systematized its responses to events like this. It made sense on a ship, or in some similar environment. There it was driven by the persistence of various threats. There was no escaping the vacuum of space or the threat of fire in an enclosed space.

The Echani wasn’t sure they enjoyed the prospect of facing this sort of thing with a similar level of frequency. Although, with any luck they’d spend this mission in the far more ideologically simple role of warding off a bunch of monstrous science experiments. A far more pleasant task, in their eyes, provided you were the one doing the stabbing.

“Yes,” Rue replied quickly, tilting his head down to smile reassuringly for her. “Talta says there will be more to help. If I this one can help, I must.” He paused to search her young – and yet so, so old, to him, she was so healthy, a full adolescent – face. “What is it, Nnama?”

Tagrei remained silent while listening to what Serah had to say, making careful mental note of the most important information she provided about their situation and the enemies who would know doubt try to hinder their efforts. The triage stickers brought a smile to his face, born from the sense of pleasant familiarity they brought. He had his own pair in his bag, but there was no harm in having more.

As Bril explained the locations of villagers in vivid detail, Tagrei felt relieved to know that there were such capable Force users working alongside them. It made him wonder how differently things might have been during the Galactic Civil War if there were still Jedi around back then to help them locate the wounded on the battlefield; they would have saved many, many more lives.

Tagrei looked to the rest of his group – to Shamiir, Ronpa, and Vai.

“Would anyone prefer to take point when we head out?” he asked. Although he was experienced in this kind of mission, he was also a newer recruit to the clan, and as such felt like he was in no place to lead.

<@213338582511779840> <@244244400488710155>

“Understood,” Vince said with a dip of his head. From what he had seen of the injuries those caxqettes left behind, he had assumed ‘kill it with fire’ to be an appropriate response. Best to be certain, though.

The weight of the situation was beginning to settle as he took a packet of stickers. He looked to the others that would make up his squad. “Right, I’m… not a leader, so if either of you want to take the lead on this squad, be my guest. I’ll follow you.”

At the mention of Caxquettes, Avery stiffened. They were a force to be reckoned with, and his experience with them was… unpleasant. The doctor listened and observed the group, not providing feedback or questions. They were well-equipped to perform the task ahead of them.

Turning to Vincent and Lektra, he said, “I don’t mind taking the lead. You’re both likely a better shot than myself, so if any Caxxies pay us a visit, be ready to defend while I help potential casualties.”

<@301514304845381632> <@227960499948486666>

Rue’s expression stayed gentle, his smile still present, a sadness in his eyes. He hesitated only a moment before touching her hand, gripping it carefully.

“Even if the people have the guns…” a weapon of sorts he was only vaguely familiar with, as Hunyi had explained they were for hurting at a distance, herself carrying one that shot very large ‘blasts,’ “we cannot know they would want to hurt anyone. And if they did, that does not mean that they may not need help…”

Also, he had been hurt very very much in very many ways and could survive very much. But he had learned by now what a grave mistake it was to try and present this evidence as any comfort. No one on the outside seemed to respond with a positive to the reasoning. Chiefly, it made them angry, or sad.

So instead he paused to dig into his nearly empty pouches. Out came a sprig of dry yellow-green, and he offered it to her, rejoining their hands with it.

“This is birch,” he explained. “It is very strong in protection, and can be sworn upon.” With a flex of his fingers, the little sprig broke, and he pried it gently in twain while giving one side to her and keeping one for himself. “I promise you, I will come back. And I will be very safe with this, tied to you. It is magic. I swear on the Moon.”

Ronpa lifted his head from recording the reported possible numbers and locations down in his wristlink, the Selenian more tentative in this scenario than Vai who was more experienced with Force User enhanced senses due to her daughter and son-in-law. He shook his head lightly and jutted his chin towards Vai.

Meanwhile, the Ryn woman regarded the other two briefly and realized to be the eldest of the bunch. Although her AAF medic seniority was equal to her partner’s, she had decades more practice on him. Vai gave Tagrei a nod after fixing the pouch of stickers to her belt, “I’ll take lead here. If no other questions or preparations, we should get a move on. Time’s ticking.”

“Yeah, let’s get going,” Tagrei concurred while tightening the straps on his WALK bag. He gestured for Vai to take the lead.

Shamiir felt the tension rise momentarily, glancing in Bril’s direction as one of the other members of their group declined to take the lead, and then another. The tension was mercifully defused before the Shadow found themselves at the head of a formation, with Vai agreeing to take the lead. A finger tapped silently at the knight’s saber under their poncho. Perhaps these caxquettes would demand the jedi weapon, given the description. If they did, it’d be Shamiir at the spear’s tip, judging by what the other carried.

“Fine by me.” <@1056685516441006091>

A gentle touch of a thumb wiped an escaped tear away. It cut through the soot on her cheeks, leaving a paler line. There were several there, from earlier. He had ones too. He cried openly as he smiled, though not one death or injury so far, no matter how gruesome, no matter the age, had seemed to phase him in the slightest beyond a prayer and a comfort when he could not heal or tend.

“Thank you, brave little strelitzia. This one will go and meet them then. So they do not have to walk so far.” His little chirp here seemed to convey a genuine wish for helpfulness, and his hand fell away, but not before he tucked his half of the sprig into his mess of knotted, bundled hair, too covered in ash and sweat to shine.

Vai nodded and turned to lead them down the road with but a short whistle to call her medical droid back to her pack. As Ronpa fell in practices step with her and the group made its way, she passed a cursory glance over the other two. The Devaronian was medic through and through, donning the GAL-FMC uniform. The quiet Echani however, with their robes and poncho, she wasn’t sure.

“Shamiir was it?” the Ryn addressed them while they walked. “Didn’t get to meet you proper. What are you skilled in? Just to know where and what we should throw you at.”

<@1056685516441006091>

“Sneaking, typically.” Shamiir said, having also fallen in. It was somewhat difficult to explain that while they were less likely to attempt to fight everyone that looked at them, they still found the prospect of explaining themselves at any length somewhat foreign like many other Echani. Anyone could sell themselves with sweetened words that looked as substantive as a nebula from a distance, and as vacuous when closely inspected.

“Sometimes also stabbing.” They added, a hand emerging from under the poncho. A knight’s saber flitted past the flowing fabric into it a moment later. They looped a finger into an eyelet at the bottom of the saber and a knife slid free of a panel on the exterior of the poncho as the jedi weapon spun out of the way for them to catch its more primitive counterpart. Shamiir suspected their sabers would be the weapon of choice here, but they preferred the more easily concealed blades.

“Impressive,” said Tagrei upon witnessing how Shamiir handled the weapon, “I prefer blunt weapons myself. Never really took to blades like some members of my squad did.”

As they began their trek, Tagrei took up the rear, keeping Shamiir in front of him so he could keep an eye on them. They were the most inexperienced of the group, after all, and he hoped it provide them some modicum of comfort to know that they had someone watching their six. He knew that it did for him when he was a greenhorn (heh) in the Rebel army.

After leaving the camp, the group eventually passes the cadavers that belonged to what Tagrei suspected were the Caxqettes they’d discussed earlier. He didn’t hesitate in breaking off from the group to get a closer look at them.

“Let’s have a look-see…” he muttered to himself while slipping on a pair of nitrile gloves.

The creatures’ anatomy was … convoluted. That was best word that came to mind as he examined the strange blend of different faunal traits, occasionally using a small metal instrument to pull back a piece of hardened carapace or to peel away flesh that had been shredded or burned by DDF weaponry.

“Hard to make sense of them here,” he announced, more so speaking aloud than speaking directly to the group, but he spoke loud enough for them to hear, regardless, “but one thing that stands out is that their carapaces didn’t take any damage at all. Only soft tissue.”

Upon hearing that, Bril chimed in. “Yeah, that’s something that’s something everyone will want to keep in mind, even if you’ve encountered them before. Many of them have exoskeletons that are resistant to most conventional weapons, even lightsabers.”

<@227960499948486666> <@315438760428961793> <@301514304845381632> <@244244400488710155> <@213338582511779840>

Avery trailed behind Tagrei, gaining a closer look at the fallen creature. Beneath his helmet was a slight grimace as he took in its body and details that were familiar yet still alien.

“Then we simply target the soft tissue?” the doctor asked Bril, not confident in the solution as that required good aim. While he wasn’t a horrendous shot, the heat of battle often made him unsteady and shaky.

It was as the group paused for Tagrei’s medical examination and Avery’s conference that a new figure approached from through the gates, coming up from the village. They were nearly as chimerical at a glace as the caxqettes being examined, with a long tail tucked up close to their body, montrals, scales, and nubs like a Kessurian, and metallic sheen like a Fierrero, though it was in their strange tri-hued hair and tail tip and not their purple skin – at least for the moment. The figure was mostly covered in soot like the villagers and soldiers that had been present, though it looked like sweat and tear trails had left lines, as well as a fierce bit of scrubbing from the forearms – well, arm – down. Partially bare feet brushed the ground. They carried a satchel, and while tall, stooped as they scurried to approach, stopping well away and bowing nearly to the stones.

“Pardon this one,” they said. “A-are you the people he-here to help?” Indeed, he saw that they had the guns Nnama was afraid of. “Th-this one is also helping. And would help you if it is needed. It I can heal. And know medicine.”

“At first, yes. But if you don’t kill it quickly enough and give it the opportunity to begin healing, it’ll adapt and wounding it the same way a second time will be much, much harder,” explained Bril.

Lektra, a young woman who had been silent for nearly the whole mission thusfar, broke away from the main pack and approached Rue as non threateningly as she could.

“Rue, what are you doing here?” She asked, her voice, while gentle and concerned, was tainted by the tinny speaker of her helmet.

Rue looked up from his bow, a mix of relief, elation, and worry blooming across his face as a flower opening.

“Elly?” he asked, somewhat unsurely, the helmet distorting the voice to an older and strange version of his dear friend. Or was it…Lektra? “Or…my little Lycoris? Is that you?”

Vai liked the cut of the Echani’s demeanor, simple and direct responses with a bit of show. She had nodded approvingly both to the stabbing and the blunt weapons, and had just uttered her own practicality about weaponry, a preference to using her rifle with versatility pairing range with bayonet and bludgeoning with the stock, when Tagrei broke off to examine the carcasses. The Ryn halted and waited on the side with Ronpa and Shamiir for the Devoranian to finish. Her tail flicking centimeters about the ground was the only sign of her being less than enthused about the possibility the beasts were still present. Filling their soft bits up with slugs was absolutely her plan should they encounter them.

Muted color grabbed her attention as someone passed by them, through the gates, and doubled back out to kiss the ground practically before the group. Vai quirked an eyebrow and listened to their request. When the crimson armored woman, an assumption based on the feminine cut and modulated voice pitch, stepped forward to address the soot covered figure, Vai shifted towards Siv. She kept her voice low as a frown tugged her lips.

“I’m not sure that’s a great idea, Chief, for the lad to join us. Looks like he came from the village though, very least someone here,” she gestures at the landing zone encampment with her covered tail, “should interview him, and examine for injuries…If he does come with, should probably get some proper clothes, footwear.”

<@264959101384130560>

Lektra’s hand twitched as she winced at the mention of her mother. The physical damage from their encounter has healed but the emotional and mental damage was taking longer.

“As much as I wish I was as tall and big as Elly, I’m not her.” The Firrerreo approached Rue further. “Are you hurt?”

Rue shook his head. “No, this one is alright.” Now confirmed to be his friend, he scurried near and hugged the shorter woman with his one arm. When she tensed badly, he quickly let go with an apology and bowed again.

“Sorry, sorry, Lektra Lycoris…are you here to help also? Please! I can help heal. Please.” Familiar movement on the side drew his gaze like a compass to iron, the flick of a tail, and he gasped lightly as he beheld the short brown Ryn woman with silver hair some distance away.

“Grandmother?” he called in their fluting language. Then, scrambled to remember things from half a century past, fumbled in formality, “Matron! Greetings! Greetings. How spins your story?”

<@244244400488710155>

The gasped heralded the oncoming ryn speech, nabbing the old woman’s attention. Her brow quickly furrowed in confusion, a low surprised whistle-snort through her sculpted chitin nose with its old healed cracks and breaks. Yellow eyes squinted with another hard flick of her tail.

“What? Grandmother? You are too old for a grandchild of mine,” Vai crossed her arms and squared her stance looking up at the tall rainbow man, switching back to basic with a confused huff. “Not sure what you’re asking, lad. I’m here to respond to this disaster.”

“Oh.” Rue’s face visibly fell as his shoulders slumped, and his one hand curled to his chest in a nervous gesture as he bowed deeply again directly to the Ryn this time. “Apologies, Mistress, this one apologizes for any offense. It merely thought– my grandmother was Ryn. She taught me our ways. But also that there were many different clans of the People and not all would have those same ways. I merely hoped to wish Mistress well and respect as an elder female.” He paused, considering her statement and briefly looked up. “Perhaps not older than this one, but an elder. Regardless, this one is also here helping with the disaster. Many are wounded. We have set a triage in the village and tend those the able-bodied bring from the wreckage. Many crushing injuries, smoke inhalation, burns…” he rattled off. “This one has performed and healed many amputations. Some of the villagers say you are here to help, so I would help you also. But also some are afraid of you and your guns. Please. I would help.”

Gold eyes flickered nervously to the collected faces and weapons.

After Lektra was released from Rue’s uncomfortable embrace, she opened her mouth to continue her questioning and assure him everything was alright, but in a flash he was gone. A solemn chuckle slipped past the woman’s lips and she simply walked a few paces away from the group to breathe.

Shamiir wrinkled their nose at the discussion. Annoying. This had exceptional potential to become annoying. “Sabers it is then.” They said, sliding the knife back into its slip and retrieving their other weapon. It was the most reach the Echani would get, and somehow they doubted knives would do much more than annoy these things. Maybe if they had more aptitude for manipulating things than pulling a knife. Sticking them like the common speaking species probably wasn’t going to do it though.

Silver eyes watched the Rue character’s hectic exchange, unsure what to make of it. They seemed unlikely to be the combat specialists’ problem, howewever. That the villagers were afraid was probably the most relevant. A reasonable response to Arcona’s show of force, although one that could complicate their assigned task.

“A plan to draw these things away, maybe?” Shamiir suggested as they peered over Tagrei’s shoulder as he picked through the mess. They had a hard time picturing the things moving, but the conclusion seemed clear enough. Aim for the soft bits.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve lured horrific Sithspawn away to help my allies,” said Bril, thinking back on his actions during his mission on Kenaari with TuQ'uan, the Big Hat himself. “I’ve done my part in pinpointing the locations of the wounded for you all, and if I find any more when I’m leading the caxqettes away, I can let you all know via comms.”

Bril spoke so nonchalantly about the prospect of him running off, possibly to his own death, that it may have seemed off putting to those who didn’t know him well.

“You’re going to go fight those things alone?” Morra asked, the concern in her voice ringing true.

He nodded. “Yep. They’ll have a much harder time getting through this armor than they did my robes like last time. Besides, I trust in the Force, and I trust in my abilities.” Bril smiled before turning his head to regard Rue for a moment, only to shift his attention to Lektra after she stepped away from the group. “Hold that thought, though.”

<@315438760428961793>

He stepped over to where Lektra was standing, greeting her with a wave. “Meowdy. You feeling okay?” he asked, though he didn’t have to. Not when he could feel her nerves buzzing in the Force like a vibroknife.

<@301514304845381632>

Lektra’s arms were crossed, her shoulders hunched forward just the slightest bit. She wanted to curl in on herself and shut down, but now wasn’t the time. She now knew why her mother hated working on a team so much, it was so easy for small little things to flare up and risk everything. Though, she doubted that was the true reason Ellisyn or anyone else chose to work alone more often than not.

“Hello,” she said, her voice cracking just a single time before the Firrerreo regained control of her cords. “I’ll be okay. Just… a lot going through my head right now.”

Sapphire eyes followed her friend and master, the sensation of guilt overwhelming her. What if something happened to him? Having seen so much loss in her life, she wouldn’t be able to bear losing another friend or person she was close to.

She was pulled from her thoughts when she felt a tap on her shoulder from Avery, someone familiar yet still mostly a stranger. “Hey, kid. Morra, right? Are you still playing chess these days?”

Morra rubbed the back of her neck offering a weak smile. Even though the doctor was a loose acquaintance at best, he still had an air and way about him that felt trustworthy. “Not… really, I haven’t had a lot of time. Bril’s been showing me how to be an effective user of the Force. I’d like to play again someday.”

“I’ll go easy on you this time,” joked Avery before he took on a more serious expression, head nodding toward Bril. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to talk our friend here out of going out alone like that.”

The teen Human shrugged nonchalantly. She didn’t want to think about it. “I dunno either. He’s never really been sensible when it comes to his own self-preservation.”

Shamiir visibly bristled at the proposition. “And what exactly am I supposed to fight?” They asked, an air of annoyance slipping into their tone. The Echani lacked ability that would be much use to the rescue teams. In a pinch they could move something within their normal capabilities, but they’d tire far faster than they were likely to run out of need. And if Bril did his job, they’d be standing around twidling their thumbs for all intents and purposes. Besides, that was before factoring in being thrown in with others they didn’t know. At least going with Bril meant doing something they possessed some competency for with someone they actually had some prior acquaintance.

Bril crossed his arms across the front of his armor’s chestplate, obscuring most of the geometric acid etchings decorating its surface. He didn’t know Lektra very well, having only a cursory understanding of her history and a single mission to go by. But that was enough to endear the woman to him … to make him see her as one of his own, as all Galeresians were.

“Yeah, that checks out,” he replied, “There’s a lot going on. A lot at stake. But I have no doubt you can rise to the occasion,” he lowered his voice a bit so only she could hear him. “Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been in high-stress scenarios, after all.”

A smile.

Having heard Shamiir’s question (and tone) as he departed to speak with Lektra, Bril decided to make us of telepathy to prevent him from having to cut his conversation with the latter short prematurely. He rarely used the power, but he was proficient enough with it that speaking with them would be easy enough.

“That’s a good point. I suppose you could come with me if you really wanted to, but I’d rather you stay with the group in case things get hairy out there.”

“Usually those high-stress scenarios involve duracrete and darkness… I’m very far out of my element.” Not to mention the thoughts and feelings swimming through her mind thanks to her short encounter with Rue mere moments ago. Ever since she ran into Elly, it felt as if everything reminded her of the woman.

Once Vince realized he would likely have a more direct confrontation with the caxqettes down the road, he used the group’s moment of pause to sort through his case once more. Sentimentality had no place with such dangers. He’d need his armor.

He disappeared to the far edge of the group and slipped on the beskar plates over his uniform. The armor was grey and black, well worn, and appeared heavily damaged around the visor. Vince held the helmet in his hands when he returned to the group, then shifted it to his hip.

He kept quiet as the others conversed, not sure whether he should add his voice to the conversation.

Rue’s eyes widened in shocked disbelief and his thin frame trembled. His entire face lit up with a golden shimmer of relief underneath the ash, only visible because the Chiss was so close. He nodded rapidly, taking the offered items with hand and tail.

“Yes! Yes, yes, Mistress, thank you, this one can be of help, thank you!” He bowed again. “This one d-does not have to take medicine anymore, everyone says, but will if it must. I c-can also replenish itself. It just needs time. Then the Goddess allows me to heal again.”

Despite his stuttering words, he stood taller than he had before, unaccustomed to being believed in. The inspiration kicked off a ramble.

“This one can spread word you are helpful, yes. For what purpose do you split your teams? Are you not all also healers? Do you take the weapons hunting? Is it more of the creatures? They are very strange. Amalgamations. This one understands. It is also an experiment. It saw many on the way here when the sky became fire. I will introduce you, are you the chief Mistress? The ‘teuctin’ has expired but her aide has taken charge. Nnama is very kind. And Talta is a medical technician. And…”

He kept going, naming various townsfolk and details of casualties.

Most of the hybrid’s cryptic speech about age and medicine and goddesses– were they sure this lad was of sound mind? –was set aside and ignored. Vai did, however, heed any intel Rue gave on the village, making note of it. A light chuff escaped her as it became apparent the lad was coming and she left it at that, command made the call.

A green gaze flicked over at the exhale, and Ronpa signed in response. He gave a small shrug, not really having an opinion on the newcomer as much as a wish to get out into the field to perform their jobs. He shifted closer to the trio, nodding his head to Sivall.

“It might be best he helps the southern team then? I should be able to help ease tensions with the north, speak the language and well, a native here,” the Selenian suggested.

<@244244163002892288>

“Yes, Chief, Mistress,” Rue acknowledged with a very, very deep bow that dropped him to his knees before he stood again. He rose after with a tired poise of supplication, looking immediately to the man she gestured to and some guidance in which group he would be ‘stuck in.’

“Cax…quettes,” he tested the word. “Are weapons necessary? Can they not be left to themselves, or cared for? This one knows well a Mott who is a perfect gentleman. His name is Alk.” His speech was fond. “Sometimes, this one can…sway animals.”

Bril nodded upon hearing his lora’s question. “Yes. Same groups that we discussed earlier,” he concurred before turning to face the gathered group, “Large groups are ideal not only for locating and treating the injured, but also in the hopefully unlikely event that you encountered Caxqettes.”

Upon hearing Rue’s response, the zabrak turned to address him. “While I admire your desire to preserve the life of thse creatures, trust me when I say that if that were an option, we would be using it. Although they display behaviors similar to many natural organisms, the fact remains that these creatures were created for one purpose: to kill, and maim, and spread the chaos and fear that their creators sought to inflict on this world and its people.

"I have seen people use the Force to control their minds, yes, but that should only be in service to the only certain way to keep ourselves and Selen’s civilians safe: destroying them.”

After a moment’s pause to let the gravity of his words register in the ears of all who heard them, Bril continued to address the others.

“Now would be the time to do any final checks of your equipment before you head out.”

<@244244163002892288> <@244244400488710155> <@227960499948486666> <@301514304845381632> <@213338582511779840> <@315438760428961793>

“All set here,” Vai informed, looking particularly towards her team. Ronpa batted his belt once, more out of habit to the suggestion than any need. He gave a nod to Vai when finished.

Rue’s whole demeanor seemed to shrink inward at Bril’s explanation and instructions for explicit destruction. He slumped, clutching his hand close to his chest and tail cinching tight around his leg as his head bowed.

“Yes, Master, Sir,” he whispered, drawing back to linger at the very back of the group and follow dutifully where allowed, prepared to give any advice on the village. “This one shall obey.”

Bril frowned upon hearing Rue’s response—not only because he disliked how the man’s deferential mien made him feel, but also because of the acute sadness that punctured his senses like a pinprick. His own curiosity got the better of him when he explored that feeling further, turning a sliver into a veritable mountain of sadness, and grief, and feelings of inferiority and subservience; but also enduring hope and light, light that was as (perhaps more) radiant as the minds of any light-sider he knew.

An audible “hrm” escaped his lips as he contemplated on everything he felt. He’d need to talk to the man privately when this was all over, at least to clarify his position with the hopes of assuaging any offense his staunchness may have caused.

Shamiir made somewhat of a show of looking displeased at Bril’s outward lack of response, but hung their sabers back on their belt regardless. They understood not wanting to leave the others alone. It was strategically sound, and they’d heed his telepathic request - whether or not they liked it. He’d at least earned being listened to for the moment. Although they doubted they’d be much use for the search and rescue group. Invisibility and combat instincts offered little to the wounded aside from a potential vector for retribution, and aside from the creepy crawlies, there was little to point that at for now. Beyond that Shamiir could do little more than watch, a morbid task even for the icy Echani.

With gear checked on last time and the bags of color coded stickers secured on each person, the gathered responders continued forth in their traverse to the village’s western outskirts. They approached it fairly quickly, a hundred-fifty meters at a brisk working pace was covered in a metre couple minutes, slowed as they were by the barefooted ryn hybrid who was objectively less fit to such trekking as the others. A quick exchange occurred, the two teams taking leave while Siv and Bril prepared themselves to transport whatever wounded was directed their way – Morra waiting to assist the nurses back at the landing zone triage encampment.

As Avery, Vincent, Rue and the armor-clad woman whose name possibly was Lycoris made their way along the village towards the southern edge to start their sweep, Vai led her team towards the Northern section. Coming up to the farther most end, she raised a hand, and tail, to halt the group. The ryn looked to the other three with a nod, “Alright, best we work in pairs. Keep within hearing and sightlines. Comms on. Check each house as we push farther in. Ronpa, with me. Shamiir, I know you aren’t a medic but you’re a body. Keep an eye out for searching, and might need some physical help here and there.”

She flicked her tail, her yellow eyes looking up at all three. “Is that clear?”

South team: <@227960499948486666> <@301514304845381632> <@315438760428961793> <@244244163002892288>

North Team: <@213338582511779840> <@1056685516441006091>

Upon their approach to the village, those watching the gates tensed at the procession of armed and armored military-associated strangers, but seemed to relax when they spotted Rue among them. Not much further in as the group broke up into North, South, and Command units did a waiting face approach nervously, white-knuckling a bit of birch.

“You’re back,” Nnama said, looking Rue over for an obvious blaster holes. Her bright eyes darted nervously to the others.

“Yes,” the hybrid replied simply, aware of the other villagers watching too, those awake and aware enough. Many had brought eyes peering over makeshift cloth masks tied over their mouths and noses to help with the smoke inhalation, the center of the town itself still smoldering. Many wore bandages already. Greasy hair and skin stuck with ash, dust, and blood were prevalent, and gazes were as hungry and thirsty as they were afraid, pained, and desperate. But in some, there was hope. The teenage girl’s face softened with it as Rue gestured her nearer.

“Nnama, this is Masters Doctor Avery Watson and Sir Vincent as well as Mistress Lycoris. Sirs, ma'am, this is Nnama. She is this one’s friend. Her home was just outside the village and so still standing. She has been very helpful.” He glanced back. “Where is Mistress Icuill? The Arconians,” he said it unsurely, having only heard the Chief mention Arconans once, “are here to help and their Chief needs to speak to her.”

“Uh,” Nnama paused. “I don’t know. You could ask around? But Telta was looking for you. More patients.” She looked to the newcomers. “He said… you’re doctors?”

<@227960499948486666> <@301514304845381632> <@315438760428961793>

Avery stepped forward and offered a slight bow, unaware of the customs within the village. Rue’s greeting was polite, but a bit much he would have to remind him at a later time. Master was often used where he was from and it was a cringey reminder that he wanted to escape the tendrils of his father completely.

“A pleasure to meet you, Nnama. I am a doctor, the others are here to assist.” He gestured to Vincent and Lycoris with a warm smile. “Wherever is most critical is where we will go first.”

Tagrei nodded before taking a step closer to where Shamiir was standing. “On me, Shamiir. I’ll show you the ropes as we get going,” he said to the younger Arconan with an encouraging nod. It wouldn’t be the first time he was responsible for a less experienced squad member. He’d trained many soldiers during the war, and although Shamiir didn’t strike him as that, he knew he had plenty of valuable knowledge to offer them, nonetheless.

As they trailed behind Ronpa and Vai, he kept his eyes peeled, searching for movement amidst the scattered rubble and dense trees of the surrounding forest.

<@213338582511779840>

Shamiir fell in step behind Tagrei without a word, hands on the belt under their poncho as they moved. Silently they reached out for what they’d been taught of the force, but nothing answered back. Or at least, nothing that wasn’t obvious. Tagrei, Ronpa, Vai. They were clearly present. The fading of the others as well. But the Echani sensed nothing in their immediate vicinity. They wondered if this was their fault, it wouldn’t be the first time their senses had betrayed them since begining their training, or if the eerie absence in the distance was a sign of something to be worried about. They kept it to themselves for now, even as their fingers danced on the edge of the synthetic material that held their sabers.

Keeping within eyesight and no more than a few meters or so, Vai led Ronpa along one side of a passage between the outermost homes. Ash coated the ground in patches, wood smoldering on the buildings with smoke lingering low. They slipped their breathers on, limiting how much they end up breathing in themselves. Vai moved closer to one of the homes, a smear of crimson on its outer walls. A bloody hand print. Fresh it seemed.

“Got some blood here. Going to check inside for any injured. Ronpa.” The Selenian nodded and pressed forward with her, the pair locating the entrance of the building. They straddled the entrance, Vai calling in as she meant to peer into the dim lit space, Ronpa repeating in Selenian after her. “Hello? Medic here, anyone here? Need aid?”

Vince nodded his head in greeting and cracked a smile at Rue’s introduction. “Can just call me Vince. Haven’t done anything that’d warrant a ‘sir’ yet. And yes, wherever you have need of us. Want to help however we can.”

Nnama only looked back to Rue for that particular tidbit on where to help and where was most critical, and Rue’s tail gave a small flick of urgency.

“Then we shall go back to the triage – that is where Telta is. It is where we are bringing those found that can be moved. Others who cannot, we go to, as they are discovered. There is much rubble. Those around the impact site were vaporized,” the hybrid explained with his heretofore classic placid attitude towards such horrors, if with sadness in his tone for those lost. “This one has had to oversee and heal many amputations, either due to extensiveness of the injury or due to urgency…being pinned under burning rubble, or in smoke, the like.” He shook his head. “Let us go.”

The group was lead to a large building, a single story like most of the village, near to the southern edge where they had been assigned by Sivall. It was likely a storehouse, previously, now with its contents piled mostly outside in a mess or shoved up to walls. Behind it and at the very edge of town in a clear line between buildings and the treeline were bodies awaiting a mass grave or other sorts of burial. Very few were covered, and Nnama looked away from it all and stepped closer to take Rue’s only hand. Each had some jungle flower tucked with them, in their hands if they had any left, or in another spot.

Inside the building, whose door had been torn off, they found many more bodies. These, however, all had pulses. People were lined up in rows and organized in clusters, made more obvious by their various states: lying on purloined bedding or repurposed tarps on the floor or on mattresses or any kind of padding, sitting upright in misery, or even standing. Several had other people clustered near, likely family or friends. Several were adults. Several were children. There were many missing limbs. Burns. Blackened faces. Splints on crushed or broken feet and hands.

1/

A Selenian rushed up to Rue, then stopped abruptly when he saw the other three. He especially stared at the woman in full armor and mask with her large sword, and squinted at Vince, then at Avery.

“You…found the…help, I see,” he said, sounding like he was talking about Rue bringing back infectious disease. He grimaced, then shook his head. “Bloody it. Fine, whatever. We need to go. They got into Mica’s.”

“The general store,” Nnama supplied, which got her a glare from the other man.

“Telta,” Rue attempted. “Please, they say they will help. This is–”

“I don’t care about introductions. Let’s just go. You people…” He huffed. “Just. We go first. Come on.”

He headed right back out the door, making a beeline for some direction. The group could follow or linger to explore the wounded already present.

<@227960499948486666> <@301514304845381632> <@315438760428961793>

The bloody handprint on the remains of the ashen wall didn’t bode well, nor did the silence that initially answered Vai’s call nor Shamiir’s senses. But as the group crept further, diverging upon two different paths, the medics into the building to look for injured, Tagrei and Shamiir watchful outside, something could just be barely heard.

Distant screaming.

<@1056685516441006091> <@244244400488710155>

Seeing the wounded in the state they were in made the Human’s stomach churn. Avery wished he could multiply himself and provide aid to each individual who was hurt. The man dubbed Telta seemed to be aware of an urgent situation because before the doctor could ask any questions he was already gone.

He glanced at Rue, thankful that he seemed to have built some trust with the locals, otherwise none of them may have been welcome. “I’m going to see what that’s about, if you want to join,” he said to the hybrid, reaching out to touch a lanky forearm. Picking up his pace, he followed after the local to see if he could aid.

Tagrei’s head turned in the direction he heard the sound coming from. Was that … screaming?

“Sounds like trouble,” he announced, pointing in that same direction before looking to Vai for guidance, “What do you think we should do?”

Vai paused halfway into the doorway and looked in the direction of the noise. Her tail still and her jaw set for a moment. She looked back to Tagrei and Shamiir. “You two go investigate. We’ll tack down this area. Comm if need back up.”

<@213338582511779840>

Shamiir’s tongue clicked as their feet dug into a debris tilled patch of earth and propelled them towards the sound. How had they not sensed whatever made that scream? Or what had elicited it? Perhaps Bril was right, and their aloof attitude towards the force was coming full circle - as vague and fleeting as their relationship to it during training. The thought annoyed them, although they set it aside for the time being.

They’d be of little use if Tagrei walked into combat first, and of no less use arriving on the scene of something that required one of the medics’ attention. Better to take the lead and anything that came with it. Hands hovered once more over weapons, unsure of what exactly they were racing towards even as the Echani effortlessly wove through the ruined settlement.

<@244244400488710155> <@1056685516441006091> <@244244163002892288>

As the group split, Ronpa and Vai entering the house to find several wounded to tend to, Shamiir took the lead. As he and Tagrei advanced, the Echani’s pale hands close to his weapons, a blur through the burnt and burning homes, so focused was he on searching out the sounds that lead to what he hadn’t sensed that he didn’t see the at all the shape of a shadow moving through shadow, liquid black.

But fhe Force had not abandoned him, and his senses did scream then, a warning barely a heartbeat in advance. Shamiir had the wherewithal to duck, body moving of its own preternatural accord, as something leapt low for his legs. It darted off again when it missed, but Tagrei’s sharp eyes caught the motion, noting as a short, vaguely quadrupedal form disappeared behind rubble.

Elsewhere, the screams came again.

“What the…” remarked Tagrei upon seeing the creature’s form vanish behind a pile of nearby debris. It was sleek yet muscular, moving in ways that seemed unnatural compared to the animals he’d seen before. But as much as his instincts beckoned him to recoil from the sight of such a bizarre, the combat medic steeled himself to do what he had done countless times before: to fight, and to provide backup for his comrades.

One hand swiped across his utility belt to free both ends of his electrostaff, which he promptly united with its magnetic coupler before performing a quick flourish by spinning it around his hand. He kept his senses sharp, and nodded to Shamiir to show that he was with them.

<@213338582511779840>

Sabers were in Shamiir’s hands before their dodge finished, but they didn’t ignite the blades. They’d only barely noticed what it was that had taken a swipe at them, moving more out of instinct than actual recognition. They also knew their own way around the shadows, and what advantages they looked for while utilizing them. It wasn’t a guarantee that the creature thought in the same way, but, well, there were only a few reasons to scurry back off out of sight like that.

Silver eyes darted back to Tagrei, who seemed at least aware of what was going on here. Good, that meant the Echani could count on him to assist. Moving quickly was always a challenge when attempting to be stealthy, and so they’d attempt to use that to gain a bit of control here.

“Gimme a couple seconds head start. If it takes the bait I’ll make sure you have an opening.” Shamiir said, taking a deep breath before once again propelling themselves through the ruins, this time taking a route perpendicular to where this creature had disappeared in an attempt to look like they were flanking around towards the screams. With any luck, a desire to track the enticing source of sound and light would conflict with its ability to stay concealed, giving Tagrei a chance at a strike. Or, failing that, at least they’d know where their assailant was as it attempted to keep up. <@244244163002892288> <@1056685516441006091>

“Yes, Master Doctor Watson,” hurried Rue, in speech and step, following after close to Avery after the touch on his arm.

While Vincent was quick to go about assessing the several amputees, including a small child and two young adults that reminded him closely of his own adopted Rodian son, Lektra returned outside, keeping watch over them all. The youngest in particular seemed to take some distraction and comfort in Vince’s own cybernetics, leaving their parent with the smallest bit of hope they’d had all day.

Meanwhile, Telta, Avery, and Rue arrived at the general store. A sign that had once proclaimed it MICA’S GOODS was smashed in, as was the entire front half of the building, from black rocks and rubble. It seemed the back half was inaccessible, save that someone had finally been able to get through with gathered tools, if the sweating and panting men and women gathered nearby in a heap with various household tools was any indication. They pointed, and Telta hurried around to a carved out doorway that a lightsaber or plasma cutter could’ve made in seconds. Inside it was pitch dark and dust and ash was everywhere, still blowing out the opening with the change in air pressure. Moans of pain and desperate voices could be heard.

Rue rushed forward, only for Telta to grab on to the back of his clothes and reel him back.

“Cover your mouth,” the Selenian snapped impatiently, tone suggesting this was a frequent reminder, tugging up his own makeshift mask of cloth that was probably a shirt. Rue scrabbled to do the same with one of his many scarves, then looked to Avery and untied another to offer.

<@227960499948486666> <@301514304845381632> <@315438760428961793>

A rustling indicated that Shamiir was being chased, the creature, whatever it was, seemingly falling for his ploy. In the near distance, the screaming continued, rising, along with a croaking, wet roar of some kind.

Then, silence. Even the immediately surrounding jungle was quiet. Just the ash still fluttering down and the brush that crunched around Shamiir much more quietly than most who would attempt such a pursuit; he moved like a silvery jungle cat.

Now on the move, Shamiir had a choice. Try to keep away? Fight? Similarly, Tagrei could follow as intended or try to head in the direction there had last been shouting heard.

<@213338582511779840> <@1056685516441006091>

The distant screams rang like metal drums in Tagrei’s mind – all too real reminders of the stakes of their present situation. Despite his instincts pleading with him to break away and race as quickly toward the sound of distress, toward what undoubtedly were people who needed the medical care he’d dedicated his life to administering, his training as a soldier stood as a buttress against that most exigent call. He could never abandon a comrade, even a new one; he could never fail a comrade again.

As Shamiir changed directions and traveled apace, Tagrei trailed behind them with Tal'ra in hand. One may have doubted a man of his stature could move as swiftly as he did, but his time in the Galactic Civil War had given him ample opportunities to perfect the art of crossing the battlefield quickly and efficiently. His work as a combat medic demanded it, but even he surprised himself. Whether it was his desire to eliminate the present threat so he could help the people who needed him or simply the returns of his recent training revealing themselves when he needed it most, the devaronian managed to get ahead of both Shamiir and their pursuer, which placed him in the perfect position to intercept the caxqette as it closed in on his ally.

A digitigrade monstrosity of muscle and fur sprang from the cover of nearby debris, opening its frothing maw at an impossible angle with every intention of skewering one (or both) of them with fangs as long as his forearm. As intimidating as its jaws – stretched well beyond what nature had intended with skin and fur struggling to contain it all – may have been, it also possessed a glaring weakness in that it served as a larger target. So, when Tagrei whirled one end of his electrostaff around to bat it aside, fate dictated that its jaw offered itself up as tribute for the damage its nigh indestructible phrik alloy often did to whatever it struck.

CRACK

ZZZT

<:BrilSymbol:1229273661266067506>

The sound of breaking bone was unmistakable; Tagrei couldn’t count the number of times he’d heard it, usually when having to “rebreak” a poorly healed fracture to administer the proper care. And he’d certainly heard the muffled crunch and pop of bones failing beneath white plastoid armor when this same electrostaff smashed into Stormtroopers. But this was even more visceral than that, somehow. A section of the creature’s jaw shattered completely, sending a streak of crimson spraying through the air before the staff’s EM generator sent a concentrated pulse of electricity surging into its body.

It seized for a moment before lurching backward – a body’s desperate, instinctual attempt to rescue it from sudden and acute harm – before hitting the ground in a fit of convulsions prompted by a nervous wracked with a sudden and powerful electric shock.

“You alright?” Tagrei called to Shamiir, but he never took his eyes off the caxqette.

Avery waved away the hybrid’s offer and unclipped his helmet from his utility belt, pulling it over his head. Since it had its own built in filtration system, it was more than suitable to get the job done.

The sounds of weakened moans drew the doctor’s undivided attention. No doubt they would be in critical condition if not worse. He brandished a glowrod and, with urgency, paced into the dark and cloudy space looking for souls to save.

Avery’s hustled footfalls slowed as he became a firsthand witness to the carnage. His attention was immediately pulled to the limb and subsequently the body that was beneath a fallen fridge. The weak sounds and breathing were enough to indicate that there was someone there. Alive.

Acting fast, he approached and began to assess the situation. “Hello, can you hear me?” His modulated voice came through the helmet. “I’m Doctor Watson and I’m here with some friends. We’re going to get you out of here.”

Although the fridge was something he could lift with his own strength, he feared that may be acting as a tourniquet. The applied might be the only thing keeping the young soul alive.

“Rue? Could I get your hand over here?” He urgently beckoned the hybrid over for assistance while he found a nearby piece of rebar to hang his glow rod from.

“Yes Master!” came an immediate and muffled reply from inside the freezer. A moment later Rue popped back out, though his movement was mildly slower, and a face peered through the gap after him. It was another Selenian, a man, this one larger and visibly frustrated at not being able to get out or help. Despite a great deal.of dried blood on his face, he now seemed fine.

“Is that Quiseo? Kark, get me out of here…”

Rue scrambled to Avery’s side while Telta went to try and assist the other man, bracing to shove and shelves.

“What can this one do?”

Shamiir’s response came, initially, from their action. A quick shift of weight redirected them towards a large piece of rubble. They kicked off almost as soon as their feet found purchase, propelling them back towards the staggered creature. Both of the Echani’s sabers ignited as they twisted over the injured caxquette, seeking purchase in it before the window of opportunity closed. The warning about their resillience in the face of repeated attacks echoed in Shamiir’s head as they struck for the area Tagrei had already damaged.

“I am fine. Thank you.” They said as they skid to a halt nearby. That was at best an… over simplification. Shamiir was unsure what to make of the creature. It was hard to gain the same insight gleaned from trading blows with a creature closer to themselves. Was it scared? Angry? Desperate? Did the concepts even exist for it? The Echani found little in the way of an answer.

<@1056685516441006091>

Avery glanced at Rue then nodded to the victim who was beneath the fridge. “I need you to pull them from beneath this as I lift this up, alright? After that, we need to act fast as it may be the only thing keeping them from bleeding out.”

Once the pair seemed to have an agreement, Avery used his might and his legs to lift the industrial refrigerator off of the patient. Relying on his stamina and lung capacity, he held it up until Rue was able to successfully free them.

“Yessir,” Rue replied immediately, and together the two executed Avery’s plan while Telta continued to try and free the man in the walk-in freezer. As the skinn(t)y hybrid dragged the teenage girl clear of the fridge, Avery let it drop with a clatter, and they then beheld her more clearly, particularly Avery with his mask keeping dust from his eyes as well as mouth and nose.

The girl obviously had some injuries from being stuck under the fridge when it fell, one arm bent at an angle for a break, deep black blood bruises covering her exposed skin. There didn’t seem, however, to be any external bleeding the fridge had stopped. Whether or not there was something internal would need more review. Her chest expanded as she was able to breathe more deeply, and she whimpered in pain from it. Nonetheless, her eyes wheeled as she looked upon her rescuers and tried to speak.

“Th– there’s–” she coughed and wheezed, trying with her good arm to gesture.

Between Tagrei’s blow shattering one of the creature'e massive mandibular jawbones and the electric stun that sent it reeling, it was unable to react at all to Shamiir. The Echani’s sabers struck repeatedly into split bone and marrow and muscles, carving through to slice into softer facial tissues.

As the plume of ash settled behind Shamiir’s slowed form, the caxqette collapsed, its face partially bisected with burning edges, leaking blood in a steady slog that wet the parched, blackened ground.

And indeed, the Echani wasn’t blind or deaf to those emotions the creature held: anger, loneliness, desperation, hunger, pain, it all echoed with a dying scream not only in the Force but in the air as the beast released a mournful, agonized howl, wet and choking, that slowly tapered in fits and starts into quiet. Under their combined might, life shuddered, wetly coughing, and died.

The screaming in the distance was suddenly overcome by an much louder, answering below that shook the very leaves on the ash-laden trees. The boughs shook. Splintering wood and glass echoed. Rage and blind grief bled into the Force.

They had angered something. But was it going to come to them? Or take it out on whatever civilians were left?

<@1056685516441006091>

Ash scattered and fell as Shamiir and Tagrei raced towards the shouts that called them, coming upon a great beast of a caxqette nearly as tall one of the homes it was terrorizing. Between the two, they vanquished it quickly, Tagrei and his sparking staff providing great distraction while Shamiir, silent a blade, snuck about its flank for the kill. From there they discovered the villagers pinned in their homes, and escorted the well and wounded who were able to move back to the village proper. For those more hurt, Tagrei began triage, while Vai and Ronpa soon caught up to offer their medical skills as well, and Shamiir kept escort.

Meanwhile, Avery and Rue together tended the teenage store clerk, and with Telta were able to free the other employee. The trio then discovered several more villagers who had been shopping at the time, including a young child whose Selenian stripped skin was a pearly blue a few shades lighter than her Chiss father’s.

By the time several hours had passed, the two teams reconvened in the village center to find Sivall and Bril with the new ‘chief,’ a Selenian woman named Icuill whose daughter had been pulled from the general store. The villagers generally seemed to regard the Galerians and Marshalls with much more gratitude than upon their arrival, and from one tired, bloodied, ash-streaked face to another, it was obvious the impact they’d all had here. Many lives would continue on to another day, safe and succored.

There would be much more to do in the months and years to come to recover from the eruption, but for today, rest had been earned.