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The Recon Op
The Marauder was flying through hyperspace.
The new stealth device installed on the ship after having been test run by Echo’s team functioning perfectly. As the Bad Batch certainly needed it for this mission. Heading right into the Serpent’s lair this time around. Not just an outpost of the Empire, but the actual planet where the infamous testing facility was situated at. The recon operation before the rescue mission.
Despite the stealth mode of their ship, Hunter had decided they would still land a few klicks away to be on the safe side of things. Make it on foot the rest of the way to the mountain complex to install a few select devices to aid in the actual rescue when the time was upon.
Dropping out from hyperspace the ship was flying undetected towards their location. Picking up a good landing place while scanning the area, Hunter piloted the Marauder to the ground with a soft thud. The Havoc Marauder having gotten several more upgrades prior to the mission.
Crosshair and Wrecker were part of Hunter’s team, Echo having others things to do and Omega having remained on base. Just because as Hunter had commented. The only member missing, was Tech. Still a prisoner of the Empire. But hopefully that would change and soon too, the rescue mission planned for a few rotations in the near future.
After all, a mission such as this despite the somewhat lucky escape by Omega and Crosshair, there was more at stake this time around. Tech for one and the rest of the clones being held captive in the faculty. Possibly a few allies as well to be rescued from there. As the imperials were now well aware the clones could and would escape, it was a given thing, that security was tightened. Verified also from the intel Echo had gotten from the little heist he and his team had pulled prior to this mission.
“Five klicks southward bound from here.” Hunter was reading the scanner while the trio was standing on the ramp of the ship only too ready to be on their way. “We should make good time of it too. The terrain will keep us hidden from most security devices and scanners in the area.” At least Hunter hoped it would, even if the team had taken precautions, camouflage being key.
“I wouldn’t count on it Hunter. Better safe than sorry.” Crosshair knew well how the Empire operated by now, first hand experience and all.
“We’ll be as stealthy as we can. No shooting anything, no noise whatsoever, no nothing from now on end.” Hunter ordered the other two simply getting a nod as response from them. This was no time for complaints after all. “Wrecker, is your pack prepped and ready?”
“Yep Sarge!” Wrecker had a surprise care pack with him, something the team was going to deploy around the facility, their other goal besides the recon they were doing. “Ready to pounce when ya give the order.”
“Let’s get moving then.” And so, the order was given.
*
“That’s one helluva mote!”
They had arrived at the base of the mountain, the entrance to the facility just ahed. The one they weren’t supposed to know about. Alas, the obstacle as so aptly pointed out by Wrecker, stood wide and filled with water. As far as eyes could see, surrounding pretty much the mountain area.
“Yeah! That wasn’t part of the intel.” Crosshair snarled.
Hunter was silent for a moment, scanning the area with his device, before kneeling and touching the ground. Trying to use his enhanced senses to figure their way around it.
“Well, I have good news and bad news.”
“Oh-kay?”
“The mote surrounds the whole mountain according to scans. But, it’s shallow enough to get through on foot.”
“So no swimming?” Crosshair remarked.
“What are we waiting for, let’s get movin’!”
Wrecker was ready to take the step into the water, when Hunter grabbed a hold of him and quickly drew him back getting a confused stare from the powerhouse. Hunter then leaned towards the waters edge. Crouching there for a spell, watching, listening… and then it happened. Something jumped out from the water and grabbed a hold of Hunter. Dragging the scout with it, Hunter disappearing form sight into the murky waters.
“HUNTER!!!”
Wrecker and Crosshair were desperately trying to find Hunter, short from getting in themselves, they tried to see where he had been dragged to. Alas, nothing on the scanners nor their visors.
“HUNTER!!!”
Just then, Hunter’s torso popped up just above the surface. He was being held in the jaws of… something big and rather toothy too!
“Grab my hand!” Wrecker shouted.
Hunter tried, but failed, being dragged under once again.
“I’m going in.” Wrecker shed his pack and weapons.
“Here.” Crosshair had loosened the rope from his riffle pack and helped Wrecker put it around his waist.
“Hold on tight!!” Wrecker was diving into the dark waters after Hunter.
Crosshair remained on edge, his eyes honed into where Wrecker had dived into. The rope tight and secure in his grip despite the pull of it. Crosshair would not lose either of them that much he was sure of!
Several agonising moments passed, the sniper grinding his teeth, holding onto the rope, feeling the tugs on it every now and again. Thankfully soon enough, Hunter popped out and started swimming towards the ledge, Crosshair reaching out and helping Hunter from the water.
“Wrecker?”
“He… Wreck is wrestling the beast.”
“Beast?”
“Yup. Wanna bet whose winning?” Hunter chuckled, shaking off the water of his armour like the ordeal had been nothing at all.
Crosshair shook his head, he was pretty sure as to whom the winner would be.
And so, Crosshair’s predictions were right on the credits. Wrecker, after a spell popped up from under the water. Dragging the unconscious animal behind him by its tail.
“Alligators! Why does it always have to be alligators!?” Wrecker hurled the body of the sea beast once, twice before hurling it as far away from them as possible, then shaking off the water like Hunter had.
“This is the first for me. Alligator!” Crosshair chuckled.
“Yeah, well, some monster or another.” Wrecker did not find it too funny. Well, mostly not.
“So, we’re clear to move along?”
“Should be.”
Hunter made one more scan, nothing popping up there, not that it had the first time around. But they needed to get to the mountain base.
“Wrecker will lead. Just in case.” Hunter getting only a smirk in response from Wrecker as he took his position.
The alligators wrestled down, the trio was finally back on track, they still had their job to do after all.
“Let’s get moving, we still have intel to gather and the package to deliver before getting outta here.”
Alligators! What next? Zillo Beasts??? Certainly, the missions were never boring!