Dumpster Diving

[MikDaTv]

The Raider II - Class Corvette Corvis Ascension dropped out of hyperspace over Raxus Prime. The Corvis Ascension was the first ship to be constructed at the yards in Corvis Minor since the return of the Remnant. The systems limited shipyard facilities were originally built to help produce and maintain the oceans of TIE fighters but since the Remnants return a few of them have been retooled to produce smaller ships like shuttles and Raider Corvettes. Production is slow thanks to the factories not being designed for it but work is progressing and Corvis Ascension was the first result.

“Hyperspace jump complete, drive spinning down.” Came the report from the helm.

Commander Gram, Captain of the Ascension nodded as he looked out the viewport. “Low orbit please helm. Scan for a landing site.”

The helmsman looked back. “We’re not going to one of the starports?”

Gram shook his head. “Negative, not part of our mission. Look for a landing site in or near the biggest scrap field you can find.”

“Understood.” Helm acknowledged.

“Ops, once Helm finds that landing site, prep a viper to drop ahead of our landing, and get the AT-RTs ready.” The Captain

The bridge door opened Aleph Need walked onto the bridge, wearing his crimson trooper armor, complete with cape. Gram turned to him and smiled. “Ah, Lieutenant, i knew you’d be coming. We’re moving into low orbit and scanning for a landing zone.”

“Excellent Captain, lets keep a low profile for now.” Aleph said.

Gram nodded. “We’re not contacting the local starports or entering the local pattern. Ops is prepping a Viper for launch.”

The bridge door opened again and Kolar Wynn walked in. His armor resembled polished steel but was difficult to see through his fur cloak.

“Ah, our Paladin Apprentice arrives. We’re at Raxus Prime. The captain is searching for a place to land.” Aleph said.

Kolar nodded. “Very well Aleph, when do we plan to go down?”

Aleph paused for a fraction of a second and then turned to the captain. “Land us as soon as possible, i’m taking Paladin Wynn down to the embarkation room. Have our rides prepared.”

The Captain nodded. “The AT-RTs are already being prepped.”

“You’re the best Commander.” Aleph said and turned back towards the bridge door.

Kolar fell in step behind him and the pair of them boarded the turbo lift. Aleph punched the button for the lowest deck and the lift started to move. “Paladin Kolar, I know you are new to the Imperial way of things, and I intend to instruct you to the best of my ability. So with that in mind, in the future do not address me by my first name, especially not in front of the crew or my men. Call me Lieutenant, Guardsman, or even RG-4524 but using my first name implies a certain level of familiarity. Even if we were the most familiar people in the galaxy, it is inappropriate to display it to superiors and especially to subordinates.”

Kolar looked over at Aleph, paused for a few moments and nodded. “Understood… lieutenant. What is your plan?”

“We’ll scout around, make a log of everything we find. Raxus Prime is the scrap heap of the universe. Tons of Imperial equipment ended up here and Republic equipment before that. Even though it may be in disrepair or in ruin, there should be enough here to help our Empire regain some of it’s former glory.” Aleph replied. “We’ll fill up the Ascension with as much as it can carry and tag everything we can’t for other ships to come get.”

Kolar remained impassive. “Doesn’t seem like the kind of mission that requires a Paladin.”

“It isn’t.” Aleph said, turning to face Kolar. “It’s a mission that requires loyal subjects of the Empire which is what you are here to learn about.”

Kolar nodded. “I will go to the armory and acquire our weapons sir.”

Aleph smiled. “very well. I’ll get our mounts fired up. Teamwork Paladin. Teamwork is the foundation upon which the imperial armed forces are built.”

The turbolift opened and the pair stepped out into the lower decks.

[MikDaTv]

Several AT-RTs were arrayed out in the embarkation room and crews were breaking more of them out of storage. Two squads of stormtroopers stood against one wall, ready to deploy.

“I’ve never ridden one of these before.” Kolar said, examining the walkers.

Aleph shook his head dismissively, “Nothing to it. Stick with me, I’ll show you how to work the controls.”

The ships intercom came to life. “Attention, all hands, stand by for landing and ground deployment.” The captain’s voice said through the whole ship.

Kolar walked off towards the armory to secure their weapons. Aleph began powering up the walkers. The armory was an adjoining room lined with gun lockers. Kolar walked the isle down to the end and opened the locker up with a pass code. He withdrew an E-11 blaster rifle, his bowcaster, an imperial blast staff and a bandolier lined with throwable sensor beacons. Thus armed, he returned to the embarkation room and tossed the E-11 to Aleph. The Royal Guardsman snatched it from the air and strapped it under his shoulder.

Kolar strapped the bandolier over his own shoulder and mag locked the bowcaster to the side of his AT-RT. Aleph mounted his and Kolar mirrored his movements. “It’s quite simple really.” Aleph said. “Controls are similar to that of a speeder bike but these require more of a firm hand both to control and keep from being thrown off, especially in rough terrain. It has a simple ground scanning sensor, a chin mounted laser cannon and a mortar launcher.”

Kolar tested his hands on the controls before powering it up then looked around it as Aleph listed off it’s features. “I like it. it reminds of riding some beast, like I used to do in the shadowlands. riding in ships and speeders seems too, easy, too sterile.”

“Not savage enough for our dangerous jungle survivalist eh?” Aleph patted the side of his AT-RT, which unlike the others, was painted crimson just like his armor. “I prefer them too. Speeder bikes have their place for scouting but these walkers are unmatched in versatility.”

Aleph’s comlink buzzed and he answered it. “Viper is on station, beginning its search pattern.” The captains voice said. “I’ll let you know if it pings on something. I’m also piping the feed to your datapad should you want to review it yourself.”

“Excellent work as always captain. Your support is appreciated. We will disembark as soon as we’re landed.” Aleph said and hung up the comlink.

[MikDaTv]

Aleph looked down at his datapad and the information being passed to him from the Viper Probe Droid. "Viper is picking up a faint signal west of us. It matches an old signal the Empire used on escape pod EPIBs and emergency kits. Might be worth checking out."

"Its the only lead we've had so far." Kolar said. "Might as well. Lead the way Lieutenant."

Aleph turned his AT-RT west and set off at a steady trot. Kolar followed close behind. The terrain was rough, strewn with various debris and wreckage. They were not the only team deployed from the ship but they were the leading team. Aleph guided the pair expertly on the walker and Kolar did a fair job of keeping up. The junk they were traversing over was years and years of discarded equipment and technology. A lot of it even dated back from before the Clone Wars.

After several minutes of travel they arrived at an older model Lambda-Class Shuttle. The shuttle itself was a wreck, most likely unserviceable. However, more interestingly, there were 4 large cargo pods that had once been attached to the shuttle that were now dislodged and strewn about the wreck. Aleph pointed out the containers. "No way the signal the EPIB is coming from the shuttle, that thing is dead but there might be something in these containers emitting the signal."

Kolar nodded and began to dismount. Leaving the AT-RTs behind, they came to the first canister and Aleph pressed the open button. There was the sound of something unlatching, but there wasn't enough power in the cells to actually open the container doors. Aleph was about to try jabbing his blast staff into the door when Kolar put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Let me try.”

Aleph gestured, signaling Kolar to give it his best shot. Kolar reached out with an empty hand clenched. The container door crumpled as if gripped by an invisible fist of immense power.

“Nicely done.” Aleph said with a snort. The pair peered inside and found racks of KX-Series Security Droids. “Jackpot. The Remnant will be able to make good use of these. Four containers, looks like about 40 droids each, thats enough to police quite a wide area.”

Aleph’s comlink buzzed and he answered it. “Lieutenant, this is Ascension. Be advised we’ve picked up three air contacts headed in your direction. We’re on passive sensors only to maintain our cover so we don’t have much more information than that.”

“Understood. We’ll keep an eye out. RG-4524 out.” Aleph said and pocketed the comlink. “Company is coming. Not sure who they are. Find cover.

Kolar nodded and ducked into the cargo pod, hiding behind one of the droid racks. Aleph stayed outside and got prone underneath one of the Lambda’s broken and shattered wings for cover.

[MikDaTv]

Aleph stayed crouched behind his cover. Very occasionally he wished his armor wasn't bright red and this was one of those times. He heard the distant sound of repulsor engines approaching so to help hide himself he grabbed a piece of corrugated metal and pulled it up over himself.

He keyed his com to Kolar. "Paladin, I can't see much from my hiding spot here. Do you see anything?"

Kolar, who was taking cover inside the cargo container they had been investigating poked his head out and scanned the skies. There were three boxy looking craft descending towards them. He ducked back inside and replied over the com. "Three air units. They look like transports of some kind. I don't recognize the configuration. Simple rectangular hull with a slanted front"

As the engine noise got louder Aleph risked sticking his head out for a look himself. He saw the aerial vessels and confirmed what he thought from Kolar's description. "They're Atmospheric Assault Landers. Modern troop transports. Probably deployed from a mothership in orbit."

"Republic?" Kolar asked via the com.

"Negative. Another group who claims to be the Empire. They call themselves The First Order." Aleph responded. He'd read the briefing on the First Order. They wore the white armor and used Imperial Weapons and Tactics but they were not the Empire. The Empire was lawful, impartial and absolutely loyal. The First Order was powerful but passionate. The speeches given by their leadership were nothing but hate and vitriol and their rank and file were nothing but programed children who were no more loyal than robots.

One of the AALs broke formation and descended down to their position while the other two carried on. It was likely following the same emergency beacon that he and Kolar had followed. "Incoming Kolar, prepare for contact. We aren't letting the First Order take this find."

He changed channels on his comlink and contacted the Corvis Ascension. "Ascension, this is RG-4524. My paladin and I have sighted zero three Assault Landers at our position. One has broken from the group and is on its way towards our position. Requesting backup."

"Two Four, this is Ascension Actual. AT-RT Scout teams are being rerouted to your position to provide support. Will contact when they are within range so you can call in mortar support. Sitting on the ground in stealth mode like we are, there's not much information we have about where those ships came from, except that when we did pick them up on short rage sensors their inbound vector suggested they were coming in from low orbit."

Aleph cursed. A First Order presence in order would not be a good thing. The Remnant right now was relatively unknown which kept their list of enemies small. If the First Order found out the Remnant had returned to known space they would surely spare no effort to eliminate the competition. "Understood Ascension."

He switched it back over to his local channel. "Kolar, backup is incoming. We hold our ground, but we can't let them know who we work for."

Kolar tightened his grip on his bowcaster. "Very well. How many aboard one of those transports?"

"Usually twenty troopers, plus a pilot and a gunner." Aleph replied. The engine noise was very loud now as the AAL circled the site looking for a landing zone.

"Misdirection and speed. You cause a distraction, I will make a rush for the ship and attempt to kill its pilot before a distress can be issued. The chaos should buy us some time." Kolar said.

Aleph began taking mental notes of the terrain around them. "Good plan. I will access my walker by remote and fire off one of the mortars into the midst of their deployment. Do not charge until that mortar has detonated."

Kolar did not respond. He merely waited. He used the breathing technique his master had taught him to calm his nerves and checked his bowcaster. The bolts were loaded and the action was primed. If his shots hit, some stormtroopers were definitely going to feel it.

The AAL began its landing sequence and its landing gear touched down in the dirt nearby. Aleph heard the sound of the hydrolics in the boarding ramp begin to hiss and he began typing furiously on his datapad. He accessed his AT-RT's remote function, did some quick and dirty math in his head and triggered the mortar launcher. Just as the ramp began to descend, the AT-RT mortar launched.

First Order Stormtroopers stormed down the ramp forming a little semicircle around the entrance as they cleared the area. The mortar round came down directly in front of them and detonated. Dirt spewed into the air and three of the troopers were hurled back onto the boarding ramp and others were pushed off balance. The fire and heat from the blast burnt equipment packs and weapon slings.

Kolar rushed forward, bursting from the cargo container and running at full sprint towards the AAL. His bowcaster fired a few times, sending one or two stormtroopers hurtling back from the impact.

Aleph switched his E-11 over to auto fire and began firing. He wasn't trying to hit anything in particular, just lay down a wall of fire to give the First Order yet another thing to think about.

[MikDaTv]

The Resurgent-Class Star Destroyer Venomous sat in orbit around Raxus Prime. Her open presence in the system represented the First Orders ever expanding power and might. She was outside of the normal traffic pattern though, Captain Viss didn't want to disrupt the planet too much. Just gently remind them that the First Order was around and had no fear of the weakling New Republic.

He had already ordered some teams down to the surface. They weren't on any specific mission other than to show some muscle in the system but Viss decided it might be a good training opportunity to deploy some troops to the ground and secure some sites before loading back up and returning to the ship. So far they'd met with absolutely no resistance.

"Captain, AAL Flight 97 has detected an old Imperial Distress beacon. They're dispatching one transport secure and investigate." Came a call from the flight operations station.

"Curious." Viss said. "Let me know when they report if or when they find anything."

"Understood" Flight ops said.

Viss looked out the viewport at the planet below. Sure enough there was a lot of older Imperial Equipment buried on Raxus Prime but it was nothing they needed. The First Order had plenty of its own equipment. He was interested about what might be sending that signal. Perhaps something he could add to his personal collection of historical Imperial items.