[Episode IV – Cat. A][L9 - Coruscant - NR3F] Rancor 2-1 has boots on the ground

"Rancor 2-1, this is Rancor 2. Kinrath 3 has secured docking bay 327 on 500 Republica. Provide relief in place, ensuring a secure landing zone for Rancor Main Body. Rancor 2 is 10 minutes behind you. Rancor 2, out."

Lieutenant Argon put the communicator down and looked at the mix of troops in the speeder. So, this was the big op that had caused the shore leave on Coruscant to be canceled on short notice, he thought.

All who made it back to the Redoubt in time for the operation to kick off had been put into temporary units, with those still stuck ashore having been replaced by volunteers from the frigate's crew. Now all they needed to do was to go in, clean out the Black Sun, save the day. More details en route. Easy, peazy.

Argon himself had been supernumerary in the infantry company, and had been tasked with taking over the first squad of second platoon, as sergeant Galf had last been seen in The Khassad Grotto, a pazaak club in Uscru, when the club was taken over by local thugs.
The fleet trooper assigned to their speeder as driver, Mas, was weaving like crazy in the afternoon traffic. Dorfo, the rodian cook turned ammunition hauler in the squad, turned to look at him.

"Miski, ichuta, mini fattu kabisska! Lunkey!" 

Mas, almost as if ordered by the rodian, put the speeder into a steep turn, zipping downwards at the same time.

"Calm down: you stick with me, have the tripod ready, and keep them canisters coming; and I'll make sure you make it out alive, boy!" Lance Corporal Morro was a battle hardened veteran of the rebellion, having worn out more boots on strange worlds, than most new recruits had worn out underwear. Or so he claimed.

"Whoa", called private Goles from the other side, as the speeder twitched. Argon looked over to see the sharpshooter without his helmet. "Hey, Ell-Tee, can we go back for my helmet? It sorta slipped off."

"You should've thought of that when you didn't rig your helmet, private."

"You know that I shoot better without that strap under my chin. And, it messes up my hair!"

The speeder zipped closer to the gigantic building. Far behind them, five more speeders weaved through traffic, carrying the rest of the platoon, now only visible as small specs of light in the sky.

"60 seconds!" called Mas from the front.

"A recon team from Kinetic has secured the landing pad. We're to relieve them, and hold the Ell-Zee for the rest of the company. Morro, Mas: setup the Em-Forty-six facing the main door, and then we'll have to wing it from there."

The speeder touched down, and the squad leaped off. Goles leaped from the speeder to the ground, getting a good head start. "Show-off!" shouted Morro, while lugging the heavy blaster on his back.

"Good luck boys, see you back at the ship!" called Mas, as he headed back to the Redoubt.

"Rancor 2, this is 2-1",  called Argon. "We have boots on the ground. Out."  

Spoiler

More images

The members of Rancor 2-1 with their M46 heavy machine gun repeating blaster. From left: Pvt Lao Goles (sharpshooter), Lt Ra Argon (acting squad leader), LCpl Bir Morro (gunner), Pvt Dorfo (assistant gunner).

Close up images of the speeder below

Close up of the speeder.

Another close up image.

This one turned out quite nice, but the white-balance is completely off from the rest. Will have to learn to do better in the future!