"The important thing to remember," Mike recalled, "is that even when cloaked, a ship will still create atmospheric disturbance. Engine exhausts, turbulence, even sonic booms will remain detectable. Do not assume that just because you can't be seen, that this means you can't be found."
At such times, minor issues like operational security will always fall by the wayside. A team-member was in trouble, therefore the Red Home was redlined. In truth, it wasn't far from where the ship had been resting to where Vickie was, but speed was of the essence.
"Xtreme, find Vickie's blaster signal please," Mike asked, referring to the electronic tags General Cracken had ordered planted in all GFFA tech sent to Terra. Xtreme beeped, and scanned the channels while Mike brought the Home in to hover above the Old City.
"Ready to disembark?" Mike asked over the comm. The video screen showing the Home's exit ramp displayed the rest of Terra Sancta Group, most kitted out with the standard NR lightfight equipment. In addition, OzJosh bore a stormtrooper rifle in addition to the standard pistol, while Cochran had his lightsabre ready and in hand. Mike checked his own weapons, and then slaved control of the ship to Xtreme. "Bring us in to drop height," he said, on his way back through the bead curtain. Xtreme's bleeped affirmative was met only by silence.
"I don't think we need a target lock," Becki said nervously, as the hatch dropped gracefully through the cool nighttime air. Below them, they could see a pack of blaster-toting tough guys advancing through the Old City's twisting alleys.
"Nerfsith," PK muttered, anxiously checking the charge in her pistol for the seventh time. "There's a lot of them."
"Right now, yeah," Mike said, stepping onto the ramp as it locked in place. "Sabres forward?"
Josh Cochran joined Mike on the ramp and, as the Home descended sluggishly toward the ground, the two men leapt forward, plummeting groundwards as Brad and Josh Nolan took their place.
The familiar feel of the Force enveloped Mike as Cochran slowed their descent a few metres above the ground. The enemy didn't see them, the gloom of night masking their arrival. Wordlessly, the team-mates split up, taking separate forks to try and catch their foes in a pincer.
It wasn't hard for them to find the bad guys. Vickie stood defiantly in the middle of a large ring of them, blaster bolts snapping against her lightsabre's blade, and ricocheting harmlessly against the walls of the surrounding building. Mike could tell that it was taking all her concentration not to send any of the shots back among the shooters, in case they lost their composure and rushed her. Even Vickie couldn't have coped with this many opponents in close combat.
Mike's blaster hung at his side, the clasps on the holster securely fastened. His lightsaber hung in his hand, awaiting the simple command that would convert an apparently innocent length of pipe into a lethal weapon of combat. He looked at the tracking device he held in his other hand. The others were in position, ready to help Vickie. Josh Cochran had drilled the idea into their heads: To act without preparation would be foolhardy at best, lethal to their side at worst.
The micro-comlink crackled in his ear. "Four and I have disruption duty, One, Three, Five and Ten, as we discussed. Remember we want some of these alive."
A chorus of single-clicks greeted this confirmation of orders. Cochran's voice returned.
"Four, report readiness."
"Awaiting your command," Mike replied.
"On three, then. One... Two... Three!"
Mike and Josh leapt forward, their hiding places briefly illuminated as a new sound was added to the turmoil of the Old City.
Snap. Hissss...
Vickie's purple blade was suddenly flanked by bright blue and purple-and-yellow brethren. Those who saw the new enemies shuddered involuntarily. Both men held their lightsabres low, the alien glow from the blades casting eerie, unsettling shadows over their countenances.
Those who saw the new enemies and could think on their feet realised that they were in the middle of something way out of their league.
Josh and Mike charged.