Victoria's call is not blocked.
#FreedomFalls – March 4, 2026
Victoria takes cover back around the corner to protect herself from the Biotic Throw. Vicky thanks a higher power for having a clear signal to contact Redrock. "Chief, it's Victoria. I need a team asap, Va'ynna was just taken right in front of me." Once the Throw triggers, Vicky makes a run towards the shuttle, while also entering in commands on her omni-tool to gather data on shuttle's
emission signature before it leaves the limited scanner. "I need a pickup with my gear. Trying to get what I can with an omni-tool."
Vasquez (Comms): "Understood. Give me details, Steels. Where are you? How many attackers? Are you under fire?"
The shuttle lurches forward as Victoria tries to run up to it, and accelerates quickly before slowing down two blocks down to turn to the left. The scan does not give a strong enough emissions trail to follow. The scan does recognize it as a lightweight civilian shuttle; it has barely any armor and modest kinetic barriers, but it is fast and fuel efficient.
Jason (Comms): "This is Wolfe. I'll be ready for lift off in five. If you can unlock your locker remotely I'll grab what I can, Vicky."
Victoria comes to a stop as the shuttle accelerates down the street. "Fuck, shuttle got away." She catches her breath to give the Chief a quick summary. "Armored asari, used her biotics to keep me useless. Had a civvie shuttle waiting. Only saw the asari, so two man team minimum on the shuttle." Upon hearing Jason chime in, Vicky starts entering the command to unlock her locker remotely.
It's 06:50am, 4 minutes since the armored asari gave someone 15 minutes. The shuttle remains out of sight from the Victoria's position, and the sound of its engines grows fainter as it continues south-south-east.
Vasquez (Comms): "Give me a description. Can you get eyes on the shuttle? What does it look like? What direction is it headed? Get footage if you can."
(Redrock-wide Comms): "This is Chief Vasquez, we have an urgent situation. Any personnel near the marked location are instructed to get combat ready and converge. Stand by for details. Sullivan, get the shuttle ready ASAP."
Zaylus hangs his head out of his open window, gripping the sill with flexing fingers. He breathes deeply, purposefully, in an almost meditative state as his omni tool starts beeping. He bumps his head withdrawing into his apartment, giving an irritated grunt as he leans in to listen. Too close to safely ignore. Bad idea to ignore. He closes the window and locks it, the heavy dust in
the air immediately returning. He collects his equipment and quickly dons it, shaking and blinking away lingering fatigue on his way out the door. "We'll sort this out when I get back." He mutters to the empty room. There is no response. As the front door closes and locks a small cardboard box topples over. "On my way." He affirms, hustling out of the building and on to the
Victoria catches her breath "A blue green shuttle, between a skycar and kodiak in size. It's sounds like it is going south-south-east." It's then when dread hits. "Fuck, that bitch said wheels up in fifteen like fourish minutes ago." She starts giving chase again, trying to get eyes on the shuttle. "Giving chase on foot, to see if I get eyes on again."
Leah (Redrock-wide Comms): Just arrived at the Respite. If I gear light, I should be able to reach the location in under ten minutes-.... [A few seconds of silence follow before her voice chimes back in] ....make that five minutes.
The shuttle manages to get out of hearing range despite her running. It cannot be seen over the rooftops either, so it must still be lying low. Or perhaps it has come to a stop somewhere.
There is no sign of the shuttle around the corner as Victoria reaches the intersection. If she looks the other way (west) instead, she'll see a salarian laying on the ground by the wall, and an old turian in a winter coat leaned over him trying to apply medi-gel. The turian is recognizable as the store owner Tutan Arix.
(Redrock-wide Comms): "Miner's Respite employee Va'ynna Atana has been abducted in a shuttle currently heading south-south-east from marked location. Confirmed attackers include armored asari with combat-grade biotics, and pilot. We have reason to believe they may be heading for a larger ship, possibly the port. Velrin, Mercier, D'Kira, eyes open, report any sightings and intercept if possible, but remember there's a
Victoria gets to the intersection and no longer seeing or hearing the shuttle. "FUUUUCK!" She screams, she turns her head to see Arix trying to help a salarian. "Arix, did you see where that shuttle went?" Hearing the Chief's last update, she switches over to the emergency operation channel.
Jason (Comms): "Any chance of you getting ahold of someone from the Foundation on short notice, Linda? Maybe see if they can do anything about delaying any flights out of the spaceport for the next 20 minutes or so?"
Leah (Comms): "Copy. One of the regulars is willing to give me a ride and get me close. Do you want me at the site of the attack or should I move to intercept at the port, Chief?"
Zaylus pushes faster as the update comes through, the realization that he's chasing a vehicle on foot inviting a frustrated growl. He slows enough to double check his destination, and cuts behind some buildings intending to eventually emerge south of the marked location. But he's still on his way, huffing in the cold air.
The turian is about to answer when the salarian stirs and wakes. "Easy, no sudden moves," he says as he holds him down. "Shooter's still out there, so call it in." The salarian is slow to bring it up and do as told, sending off a message he may not remember typing before opening his own system, but leaves it to Arix to type the report. While he does so, he glances up at Victoria. "It went south at the next corner, then I lost
06:51m (5m). There's still no sign of the shuttle. A message is sent to Redrock: https://www.aiterp.net/story/S3ptdakjzx3e9cmc
Celyna is in a careful run in an intercept path from the opposite direction to Zaylus, and will likely link up with him around the estimated shuttle path. Of course, it's hard to say if they'll be able to get there fast enough on foot. Her winter coat billows behind her as she moves, worn over her beat-up light armor, a Carnifex strapped to her hip.
Lucy (Comms): "Ngh... this is Captain Crawford. Want me to send some of my folks to keep an eye out around the port?"
Victoria nods at Arix. "An asari with yellow markings?" She questions to confirm that the shooter and kidnapper are one in the same. Vicky begins typing a message to send to Krath asking him to partol the port and keep an eye out for any ship getting ready for dust off or Va'ynna and the kidnapper. "Chief, I'm getting Krath to patrol the port as well."
Celyna and Zaylus might hear the shuttle move again over the soft morning breeze, but the faint sound is coming from the east now. It's hard to tell how far away it is, however, and they can't get a visual on it.
There does not appear to be any ships ready to take off on the landing pads outside on the space-port. There aren't any listed departures within the next 20 minutes on the timetable.
Zaylus slows briefly to catch his breath, still enmeshed between buildings and unable to see their target. Again he consults his local map, the chatter about the spaceport making the situation feel increasingly out of his hands. Just hoping to catch a glimpse he heads in that direction, veering further off the marked location as the minutes pass. He's uncertain if he's heard the shuttle
"I didn't get a good look at her," The turian shakes his head to Victoria's question, continuing to monitor the salarian who is barely conscious. "Looked like picture of Sala Piros," the salarian said in a weak voice. "I need to warn-..." he looks pained for a moment as he tried lifting his arm, and then he falls unconscious again.
Celyna curses and stops to look around for the shuttle, only to notice Zaylus come running. A faint biotic glow shimmers around her as she drops into a ready stance, trying to judge if he's hostile.
Victoria curses yet again, she knew she recognised the asari kidnapper. "Chief, it was fucking Sala Piros. She assaulted a salarian on the street before taking Va'ynna."
The turian tries to nudge him awake again. "No, stay with me," he says, poking through the med-kit, and produces a roll of bandages to help put pressure behind the heaping glob of medi-gel covering the messy wound. If he's as old as he looks, his military training might predate medi-gel by a couple of decades. He glances Victoria's way. "Do you know who he was going to warn?" he asked. "He's already contacted Redrock."
Zaylus had just gotten back into a good run when he intercepts Celyna, nearly slipping as he struggles to stop. He holds both hands palm out as he sucks in a breath to call out, "Whoa, wait!" He doesn't exactly recognize her, but since she's not attacking on sight he's optimistic. And hadn't the Chief called out an asari name in addition to his? "D'Kira?" He ventures hopefully.
Celyna narrows her eyes briefly, and then the glow dissipates as she nods. "Velrin?" she hazards, waiting for confirmation before casting another look around for any sign of the shuttle, although she doesn't exactly have high hopes.
Victoria thinks for a moment, before coming to the conclusion. Vicky cusses under her breath, the situation and the stress getting the better of her for a time. "Chief, I believe the injured Salarian here was trying to warn Wenera about Sala." She looks at Arix. "Are you good to keeping helping them?"
Tutan nods, but sighs as salarian stays unconscious. "I don't like the boy's chances if we don't get him to the hospital soon," he says grimly, "but I'll keep him alive."
Vasquez (Comms): "Understood. I'll try to reach her. If Piros is going after her too, we may be able to use that to intercept them."
Zaylus exhales in relief. Not getting thrown today. Or at least not right now. "You got it." He confirms, letting his hands drop. "I feel pretty fucking useless chasing a shuttle on foot. Did you see anything?"
Celyna shakes her head, eyes on the sky. "Haven't seen shit," she says, taking a moment to catch her breath as she considers their next move. "This is pointless."
Victoria nods at Arix. "Chief, we might also need a medical assistance here. The Salarian is looking pretty rough."
Jason (Comms): "We're lifting off now, Vicky. Should be at your location in a few minutes. And yeah, that sounds like a solid lead. If Wenera is still in town, I'd say there's a good chance that's Piros' next destination."
Zaylus sighs, shoulders sagging. "Well it sounds like Victoria's out here, we should regroup with her." He suggests, "Or steal a car." He deadpans, glancing at his map.
Celyna nods in agreement, moving closer, ready to follow Zaylus since he already has a map up, but she keeps looking around for any sign of trouble.
Zaylus looks at Celyna, hesitating briefly before setting off in Victoria's direction. He picks up a little speed, giving up looking for the shuttle. He just glances backwards occasionally.
Victoria moves closer to Arix and the salarian, and starts seeing if there is anything she can help with despite her little medical experience. "Understood, Jason. Tell Jasper to punch it."
Celyna moves alongside Zaylus, remaining vigilant as they head for Victoria. "This is D'Kira, no sign of the shuttle. Me and the turian are on our way to..." She looks to Zaylus as she realizes she missed the name of the person they're heading for.
Vasquez (Comms): "Jason, I've got Wenera's location. Once you've grabbed the rest of the team, head there ASAP. See if you can get eyes on the shuttle from above. Fergus hasn't seen anything, they must be flying low. Mercier, do you think you could get there before the Kodiak?"
Zaylus misses the cue for a few seconds before blurting, "Victoria. We're not far." He breathes a small helpless laugh as he jogs.
Tutan stands back up. "There's nothing more we can do for him now until the militia gets him to the hospital."
The salarian's injury looked pretty bad before it was bandaged, so the old rusty medical training is probably better than just a little training.
Jason (Comms): "We'll be touching down soon. Zaylus and D'Kira, hustle. I want you both ready for takeoff by the time we arrive.
Victoria nods at Arix, and moves a little away from the pair. "Alright." Not being having anything to do, Vicky starts jogging on the spot. She needs something to do or the situation will get to her.
Celyna seems to be dealing with the unscheduled early-morning run better than Zaylus, despite the dark circles under her eyes. "Come on, pick it up!" she calls out as she speeds up, faint shimmer returning as she uses a weak biotic field to lighten herself and help stabilize her as she runs over icy ground, to enable moving at a higher speed without slipping. She slows down once Victoria and the two others come into view, jogging
and then coming to a full stop, catching her breath. "Victoria?" she calls out, not entirely sure if that'd be the human or the turian.
Zaylus grunts irritably as he's left in the dust. He focuses on his faster strides instead of replying, plodding heavily on the ice. It's not his first rodeo in the cold but he can't compete with a biotic advantage. He continues right up to Victoria, glancing around at the three present. "Hey." He breathes, leaning forward. "We couldn't catch up to it."