Five Parsecs from Home turn 6 - Escort the VIP

 Invion. A planet with a dust problem. From 400k klicks out it doesn't look like much, but the nearer you fly, the more impressive it looks. Reflective dust swirling in the atmosphere gives the impression of a constantly moving, crystal-like surface, but beneath the dust, there lies a thriving mineral-rich ecosystem. As such, many groups have set up camp here, some more centralised, some independent, some less than legal, but all with one common goal - exploit the mineral-rich atmospheric dust. 

When approacing Invion the crew of The Pelican realised that jobs would likely come easily, and it would be an interesting place to try and lay low for a time. Sector government, local ground level government, individual settlement bosses would all have things they would need some hired guns for, and during their final approach to one of the spaceports a number of stock introductory messages popped up on the comm system. The crew could filter through them later.

As the dust settled and the hydraulics creaked a figure approached The Pelican. Dressed in what looked like a uniform she insisted on a meeting with the captain. The Dockworkers' Guild of Launia it would seem maintains a network of communications with other dockworkers' guilds, who in turn share with allies. Thanks to this network the local government of Pickmouth Heights (a mayor and a few long term business owners) had decided to hire the crew of The Pelican to help them out of a predicament. A person needed to be escorted to a... quiet location for extraction off planet. The less they knew the better, but people wanted to stop this happening, and enforcers were on the way. Enforcers with money and training behind them.

The journey to the landing pad was uneventful. Out of the way, private landing areas like this are quite widespread on the rim for people wishing to have options. If anything was going to happen, it would be here, now, in this fairly exposed area.

Two figures approached. They were well armed and well armoured. 

Splitting into three pairs the crew advanced. It was cautious. Their VIP remained to their rear, in order to avoid any unwanted attention. She was wearing a similar uniform to that of the person who approached the crew upon landing. 

Taking up well covered positions the two figures prepared to ambush anyone silly enough to cross the landing pad. This would be simple, they had both served together for a long time and had fought some of the deadliest opponents possible.

Estelle Phillips and Aralay Brenko began rushing up the centre. Estelle chanced it, in order to circle around the back of the landing pad and cover from the rear. Aralay was more cautious, remaining in more solid cover.

Holmes tucked himself next to one of the buildings and looked down his scope. Movement behind the crates! He fired off a burst, adrenaline pumping!

One of the figures staggered back, his helmet emitting a red spray, then fell to the ground. His partner looked down, checked his weapon was charged and hugged his cover tighter. He knew a fatal hit when he saw one and there was nothing he could do. "See you soon, brother," he thought.

 

Lars decided to flank around the outskirts, in order to cover a large area with his large calibre gun, while Mao and Oslan Baratski hugged cover on the left of the group. The shooting had started, so it was time to take extra care!

Oslan tried to remain hidden behind the shipping containers, but the mysterious figure moved, fired, and took her down with a glancing shot across the abdomen. She dropped, rolled and hid behind the container while opening her med-gel.

Mao and Holmes opened up on thier tormentor, but their shots did nothing more than tear chunks out of plasteel crates, and throw up dust plumes. 

The figure returned fire, less successfully this time, his beam slicing gouges out of the truck Mao was using for cover.

Thus distracted, Estelle saw an opportunity. She ran up, let loose a grenade and dove to the ground! The crumpling thud and smoke plume gave little away. Cautiously she looked up and saw the armoured figure lying on his back. 

After some careful movement and searching the crew realised no-one else was here. It was safe to bring their VIP up to the landing pad and await transport.

She explained that she had information about the planetary government's rampant corruption and was hoping to take it higher if she could just make it off planet to the sector overseer. However, there had been goons following her for a while now. Getting this information out there might give the local communities a chance to be heard and have to stop paying protection money to those corrupt officials.

A scream of engines rose slowly, then quickly until it filled the air around them. It was time to step off of the platform.

Payment organised. The sector representative and her armed guards took the VIP into their custody with little more than a nod. 

The crew checked around. One of the bodies was carrying some grenades, and there were some useable starship parts in one of the sheds. Oslan Baratski would have to spend some time in the med-bay but otherwise today had been a successful payday.