Showdown at the Shuttle-bay

Posted on Thu Oct 5th, 2023 @ 1:53am by Remal Kajun & Patin & Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Edited on on Thu Oct 5th, 2023 @ 2:24am

Mission: Repairs and Retribution
Location: Kunar
Timeline: Current

The dark corridor held a light at the end, the opening to the shuttle area. It was easy to see out into the opening, but difficult to see in. Still, they moved with caution, weapons in hand slightly hunched over for their protection. Smaller stature, smaller target, despite being 6'7" tall. As they neared to within 6 meters, the lights flickered on and then back off. But it was enough.

A disruptor blast struck the wall next to Remal's head causing him to stop, duck low, and reach out his arm effectively stopping Rhen in her tracks. "Looks like they know we are here." He looked at her with her ruffled hair now in her face due to the abrupt stop, "Sorry."

Swiping her locks out of her eyes and jamming them into an impromptu plait at the back of her head she ducked back behind a large container for cover. It wasn't much but it was the only thing in the corridor that afforded protection without retreating back around the corner. She poked her head out and around, eyes straining in the dark to see against the brightness of the outside world. There were a number of Cardassians, and a shuttle ramping up to launch. Yet they had not boarded. The epic markings of a final standoff in the making.

"They are indeed waiting for us" She whispered back as they considered their next move.

He hunkered down next to her and thought about their next move. Somewhere outside, from behind them, a series of small explosions erupted effectively splitting the air and garnering their attention. "Looks like it's getting bad out there, what our play here?" He asked her while wondering, was it worth it to go after the Mrs. or if they'd be better off spending their time trying to escape the prison altogether.

All it would take to have them pinned is a group of soldiers coming around the corner to their backside. The corridor was tight and there was nowhere to go. Backward into the soldiers or forward into the disruptor fire. "What we need is something to get her attention." He commented as his thoughts spilled from his lips.

"What I wouldn't give for a little Patin Boom right about now" Rhenora mused as she took one of the smaller weapons they had acquired and went about setting it to overload. It was a basic Cardassian design that she had seen before and this wasn't too hard. The problem was there was no timer, just a sustained buildup of energy that would be released when it reached critical.

"You wanted a distraction?" She raised an eyebrow at her husband before tossing the weapon towards the soldiers in front of them. They had to press forward and into the open.

"That'll do." He barely got out as the rifle sailed through the air and through the opening. It clattered to the ground with a metal-on-concrete bounce before coming to a rest.

On the other side of that opening, behind crates for cover fire, one of the 5 guards yelled "Grenade!"

The Mrs.' eyes widened and then a moment later was tackled to the ground by her Captain of the guard.

As the weapon charge increased the sound it created was intolerably high pitched, and then for a brief moment silence. As if the weapon itself had inhaled all of the noise in the surrounding area. Then it released all that it was. The pressure exploded outwards and upwards along the paths of least resistance.

The first two guards that were behind the crates felt it first as they were thrown backward at a rate that meant their death. The second set of soldiers were thrown off guard, the crates in front of them caught the shrapnel and fire which sprayed in their direction.

Some of the explosion raced back down the hallway toward Rhenora and Remal, but only enough for them to feel the heat. Once it dissipated Remal looked at Rhenora and joked, "Patin would be proud."

"Patin would have done much better, but the result was okay" Rhenora shrugged as she peered towards the shuttle once more. Bootsteps could be heard behind them, running toward the explosion. Suddenly retreat was no longer an option. The grenade had floored the majority of those on the transporter pad however those still alive were beginning to regroup. Time to press their advantage.

"Let's go" she called as she ran forward, weapon raised and ready to fire at anything that moved.

The Captain rolled off the Mrs and quickly assessed the situation and tried to regroup. "On your feet!" He shouted, "Defend this position!" But there was only two left and they were pretty beaten by the explosion. The Mrs, aided by the Captain, stood and looked into the doorway where the 'grenade' originated.

Remal went through first, he swept the bay for cover, targets, and then laid his eyes on the Mrs herself. "I only see two, careful though." He said to Rhenora as she emerged. It was now a showdown. The Captain and the Mrs versus the Husband and his Missus. Somewhere in the mix lay two hidden snakes in the grass.

"Rhenora Kaylen, come to finish what you started, eh?" The Mrs. practically taunted. "One Maccet wasn't enough for you? Now you want the entire lineage?" She wasn't armed herself, save the dagger she had hidden in her boot. But her words, baiting, like razors they cut.

The words made the Captain stop and pause for a minute. Why was she here? Why were they heading into danger instead of running away from it? Is this what they had become? Ruthless revenge-seeking assassins that kill without thought?

"I'm here to say I'm sorry for how your husband's death has skewed your life. I pity you and what you've chosen to become" The words were honest and heartfelt, taking precious moments to say and leaving the duo vulnerable.

"Have you not been paying attention?" The Mrs barked back. "People like you and I don't get to choose who we become." She cackled. "This was my family home. You think I chose for it to be plundered and become a prison mining camp for desolate pathetic creatures like yourself?" She laughed again, her hair becoming unfluffed in the steam that rose from the prepped shuttle.

"You and your people probably didn't choose to kill my husband, but..." She motioned around and then back at Rhenora, "Here we are." Her face grew staunch and her jaw clenched before she spoke again. "Save your pity for your beloved Prophets, Now!"

On her word, the Captain of the guard fired, striking Remal in the shoulder. Even as he recoiled and fell, the Captain was hit by a shot from Rhenora's weapon. Remal landed with a thud. The Mrs and Rhenora now stood, alone. Or were there still two snakes hidden in the grass?

"Well, here's your chance Captain. I am unarmed and vulnerable. Just know, if you kill me, the last Maccet will know and he will continue to hunt you all the days of your life. Or, you can walk away now. Return to your people. We'll call it even shall we?" She was gesturing to Remal, fallen upon the ground.

" I can't let you go," Rhenora said simply, "You're like a snake in the grass who will simply hide until the right opportunity comes along and then you'll strike again." Despite her shorter stature she still glared at the towering Cardassian with almost a beg for her to try something foolish.

The standoff continued.

~SNIP~ Patin had made it to the corridor leading to the shuttle landing pad and was watching from the darkness within. From her vantage, she could see Nozzie's backside and a fallen Remal. She could see the Mrs standing alone against the backdrop of a shuttle and on either side of her framed by fire-damaged crates. She raised her rifle and realized she had a clean shot but couldn't take it unless Noz gave her the okay.

She quickly analyzed the playing field and determined they needed a better playing card. Just behind Patin there was a small maintenance hatch, she motioned to Sarah and Monty to hold their position and then proceeded to climb up the tower and into the hatch. It led to a cross-section and emptied out into the control room well above the shuttle pad.

She boldly stepped up to the control console and looked down. Now she could see, the Mrs had two more pawns waiting to strike. "No you don't." She took aim, and fired. The first one fell. The second looked for where the shot came from instead of taking the time to hide better. "You're mistake." She fired again, downing the second.

She shouted out the window, "You're all clear Nozzie, now let's finish this and get the fuck outta here!"
~SNIP~

TBC