posted November 14, 2000 02:56 PM               

Daishi watched as his prized ship fell from the sky and fought to hold back a cry as he heard it crash. That ship had saved his life many times over, and now it was most likely a ball of tin foil. He then jumped as he heard the sound of a Vibro-Katana being drawn from a sheath. He spun around to see Talon pointing the tip inches from Daishi's face.

Talon smiled and said, "Hello, Dai. Lovely day isn't it?"

Daishi laughed as he looked at Talon's once perfect armor. The Royal Guard armor that Talon use to polish until he could shave with it had sand etches in it and blood caked on it as well. Daishi stepped back and drew his own Katana and held it at ready. He smiled broadly as he silently thanked the ysalimiri that was in a hard case in his survival bag. Daishi was the first to strike and the two blades make visible sparks as they met. The two exchanged blow for blow, blocking each one. The fight was more intense than the heat that both of them were battling at the same time. Both had studied many different styles of sword fighting, and both were quite evenly matched. Talon did have one advantage, age, but he had been battling the harsh climate of Vix for almost about a week and was very tired. Talon had known that Daishi had his pet miri with him, but he fought anyway. Talon blocked one of Daishi's blows, quickly batted it away with all of his might, spun and knocked Daishi in the face with the handle of his Katana and cut the straps to his bag. After Daishi recovered from the blow, he placed himself between Talon and his ysalimiri, but still kept close. The battle continued on. Both opponents were tiring, and there didn't seem to be a clear winner. Suddenly, Talon dropped to the ground, wrapped his legs around Daishi's, and spun; driving Daishi to the ground, face first. Talon jumped to his feet quickly as Daishi spit out dust and he brought the blade of his Katana down hard through the middle of the bag, killing the ysalimiri. Talon spun around and grinned evilly at Daishi as he rose to his feet. Against his better judgement, Daishi dropped his Vibro-Katana and put his hands on his head.

posted November 14, 2000 03:13 PM               

He looked around the battlefield, crouched behind another downed tank, and saw as blood red armor dropped the bulk of blue team. His plan had faltered, and was not going well. Red seemed to have every trick possible up their sleeve. It was time he won, or died trying.

He stopped for but a moment, collected his thoughts, and said silent appologies to all his downed 'allies' and... all the downed Red's. This was a civil war that would not be won happily. His mind shot to the blood red armor, ExarKun. He quickly readied the double barreled blaster, they hadn't seen him... luckily. And then all of EIH stood up... this was not his day, they were all visible, save the few fallen or downed members.

A light smirk formed under his helmet, "If I make it out of this one alive... I owe you one..." He shook it off, and turned to Exar, he was making his way back to the rest of EIH... and so... he fired upon Exar. One bolt careening and missing his shoulder, the other slamming into his shoulder. Timber sighed... he couldn't aim for any type of kill shot, or remotely close to one... they were still, his ally in a sense.

With that, he found himself in a lose lose situation. A one man dog fight with all of the remaining EIH...

posted November 14, 2000 03:58 PM               

ExarKun watched as a bolt of energy passed through his arm. At first he stood frozen to the spot, almost in shock. He had never been shot before. Then the pain set it, it was like being burned by lightsaber only on the inside of his shoulder.

Exar quickly grabbed at his now inmobile arm and turned to look for his attempted killer. He watched as a man in white armor kneeled with his blaster down looking at Exar.

'Why had'nt he killed me?' Exar thought to himself.

Before he knew it Exar had used the Force to pull the weapon of of the trooper's hands, and had ran over grabbing the man by the neck the same way he had Cosmic. Exar's right hand clenched tightly around the man's neck then with his wounded hand he painfully reached up and pulled the helment off of him.

Exar glared at the face he only barly rememberd as Timber Saden. Although his left arm had been badly wounded his right arm was in fine condition. Exar lefted Timber a few inches off the ground, so that his feet dangled loosly.

"You fool!" Exar barked at the seemingly unafraid trooper.
"You will never get another chance to kill me, why did you miss? are you that poor at aiming?" Exar's skin seemd to tighten against his body with anger. even though Exar Kun was ready to kill this man, he couldnt help but have respect for his ethics.

The man coughed, and Exar rememberd that he had to let the man breath if he was to talk. Exar droped the man to the ground. As soon as he did pain flooded back into his shoulder.

"We are not enimies...we are allies, I don't know how this God damn war started, but I do know I have nothing against you...where would my honor be if I had killed you?"

Exar begin to grow dizzy from the wound in his shoulder. His arm dangled lifless by his side. Before Exar could say another word to Saden Troopers in red armor raced over and hit Timber over the head with the butt of their rifles.

"Don't kill him...put him with the others put him into a prison..don't kill him..."

If Exar was thinking clearly he most likly would have killed the man in a heart beat, but if it was either the bad wound or the fatigue from the war Exar did'nt know. All he knew was that for some reason the man had'nt killed him when he could of.

The next thing Exar saw was black comming in from the corners eyes. Then he heard the thump of his body against the sand...

posted November 14, 2000 04:13 PM               

"Better Red than Dead" or "Surrender or Die"

(sorry just thinking about Rocky & Bullwinkle for some reason)

"Status check, frak it!" Fury yelled as he tossed aside the fourth power cell in the last half hour. He stood over a dead enemy trooper and was making sure the rest of the squad was in relatively good shape. As the rest of the squad checked in, Yillamien was getting him up to date.

Iron Horse had summoned up their will and were making quite a show of mopping up the enemy forces that had been giving them grief. Thus, Squad 3 had no need to flank those forces. Good thing as they had been otherwise occupied.

Elsewhere, LT Anakin at Base Tengo/Tango/whatever it was these days, had reported one suicide scout bike headed towards the base. Apparently it had been loaded down with most of the explosives culled from the loyalist's initial attempt at this cave. Since they tracked it in from ten klicks out, all it meant was a new crater on a desolate crudhole of a planet...and one kibble and bits traitor.

Fury had directed the tank droids to cover the Royal Barnacle as DarkLord had taken to calling it. Thus far, the troopers inside were content to fight fires and save their necks rather than continue the conflict. The occasional shot ranged out, but only to ambitious worm beasts. The tanks, however, were content to pop the occasional shot into any power coupling that seemed to get an energy flow. There was no way the vessel would even power up a heat plate while the droids were on watch.

Fury did manage to get the take of the galant re-emergence of CPT Talon, but missed the finishing blow. Squad 3, the mobile part of it anyway was in pursuit of six traitors that had slipped by while the team was eating rations, loading blasters, and mending wounds. They had been covered by seven really, really determined troopers that had held the squad under cover for most of an hour until Fury and Marko had taken out the last of the attackers. It had taken a lot of effort not to just gun the infiltrators down in cold blood. Thinking they were after something, Fury, Yillamien, Marc, Marko, and DarkLord went after them.

Two klicks into the cave, the enemy team stopped and started kicking crates open. Power charges. This crew was out of juice for their weapons.

Fury nodded to his team. PFC Marc got up with a SoroSuub portable ion cannon. "Weps down, hands up! Your fight is over people."

Four blasters hit the ground as the one trooper covered by crates and his comrades rammed a charge cell home. The sound echoed in the cave.

Fury stood up and yelled at Marc, "Don't do it!" At the enemy trooper, "Put the frakkin' blaster down." The enemy blaster raised, Marc sized up his shot and fired. All of the other traitors hit the deck, careful to keep their hands in open view. A blue streak of lightning encircled the trooper as Marc kept his finger on the trigger, the force of the shot driving him back. He planted his feet, leaned in, and fought for control of the weapon bucking on his shoulder.

Fury and the others backed up, keeping cover on the already surrendered prisoners. For all the atrocities caused during the civil war, for all his fascination with power-packed weapons, this was indescribable.

The trooper was a circle of screaming blue agony. His cries echoed off the cave walls and were sure to be heard outside already. Fire poured from the soft parts of the armor. Already the blaster had exploded, taking off the right arm of what could only be called a victim. Indeed the only thing keeping the husk of a soldier up was the energy force surrounding him, growing around him.

"Sithspawn!" Fury yelled. "Get them out of there." He motioned for the prisoners to move forward, out of the direction of the lightning beam. Three troopers moved forward, steps shaky and uncertain. The fourth...was on the move and the lightning enveloped the crates of power cells.

Thankfully the explosion caused enough force to knock Marc down, taking his finger off the trigger. The surviving prisoners were on the ground rolling, trying to quench the plasma fires that now covered them from the cells.

"Yillamien, Marko, check to see if they're alright. DarkLord, cover me." Fury walked over to Marc and kicked the Equalizer away. He pointed his blaster at the still-prone form, reached over, and pulled the trooper's helmet off. He then took off his own.

"No helmet, no open channels," he explained. He raised his voice for everyone else to hear. "This civil war is over. If not today, then very, very soon. What has happened over the past few weeks is a terrible, horrible thing. We have killed friends, shot brothers in arms. But there is this: we are all beings, humans mostly. We are not to be shot down and treated like a ronto with a broken spine and put down by a shot to the head." He pointed at the prisoners. "You and your people tortured an entire team of reservists for your own pleasure, knowing they knew nothing. Today you took delight in gunning lone troopers with starship turbolasers. You do not have the moral high ground here." He then looked at Marc. "Look, I understand what you did. I even understand why. We all do. The difference is that none of us acted on our feelings. We never went down to their level. These guys had surrendered. They were out of weapons to use against us. Yes, that one trooper wouldn't surrender...but don't massacre a team for one man's actions. And don't torture a corpse for palpatine's sake. You could have just let him die."

Fury took a breath. "Surrender your weapon to PFC DarkLord. You don't have to join the other prisoners, mostly for your own safety. But consider yourself under arrest. I can't judge you...I'll leave that to someone more objective. You will be treated as fairly as I can allow, but there will be no butchers under my command. Understand?"

"Yes Sarge," said Marko. He had a defeated, drained look to him. It was unfair to incarcerate him...they all could have given in to anger in just a matter of hours. Given in to madness. War was one thing...savagery another. It was time to draw the line between one and the other. Fury put his helmet back on and keyed the squad channel. "PFC Jediwannabe?"

"Yeah sarge?"

"We're coming out. Keep your eyes open and get the restraints ready. Fury out."

To the rest of the squad, he mumbled, "Get rid of their helmets and grab their weapons if possible. Form up and move out."

Squad 3 got up and escorted their prisoners to the cave mouth. As they neared the entrance, comm channel livened up a silent group. Fury looked over to the prisoners as they heard of a prisoner breaking the surrender and shooting an Elite. Their formerly smug looks disappeared as they knew that honor belonged to no one on this day.

"Hope Exar settles this for good," Fury mumbled as he settled the prisoners down and tried to contact General Athran to report the events of the past few hours.

------------------
SGT Fury
TRP/SGT Fury/3SQD/1PLT/IsisCOMP/DragonBAT/OsirisREG/TF Devastator/VEA/VE

posted November 14, 2000 08:15 PM               

"GO!" Agent yelled at the troopers.

Within seconds, a blue wave of reinforcements had sprung out from behind the rocky cliffs. It was funny, Agent couldn't help but think, that not one trooper on this entire battlefield had one idea what he was dying for, yet they all obeyed...like animals. Any thought and this wouldn't have happened in the first place. But soldiers weren't thinkers. Soldiers obeyed. With that thought, Agent launched himself into the frenzied fighting. He gave a loud yell and began firing his blaster like a madman. It was nothing extraordinary; every man around him fought with the same blind enthusiasm. In the middle of the blindness, out of nowhere, eight sandworms in a striaght line jumped up and swallowed twelve soldiers whole. The worms didn't care what side the men were on, Agent thought. He didn't know why, but that thought ran through his mind over and over. Strength, power, speed, accuracy... They were nothing compared to the ally of luck; the only thing that could have saved those dozen men. The battle came to a quick, panicked halt as the worms went back under the surface. Neither side did anything, mostly out of shock. Agent knew he had a good chance, and that if he didn't take it, a red would. He picked out a trooper in a blod-red armored suit. Taking as long as he thought possible for aiming in the middle of a battle, he aimed and shot the iron horse. His bolt hit the figure square in the kneecap, just like he had planned. The man fell to the ground, half of his leg hanging off. He was in severe pain, as was Agent from watching. The man wouldn't be fighting any more in the near future, but he'd be back on his feet in a short time. The more time Agent spent thinking about this ridiculous fight, the less useful it became in his mind. He wondered how many others thought the same... Anyone smart enough, he thought, taking out another soldier, this time a short one with bright white armor on. The man fell with one arm on his shoulder. This one would also live. Agent almost wished someone would be merciful enough to take him out of the battle in such a way; however, he knew his side needed him. He wouldn't be shooting to kill his friends over something neither of the sides believed in. If that happened, nobody would win this war, whether they were victorious or not. He knelt down behind a boulder and fought with renewed enthusiasm. He could see the tide turn to their favor, at least for the moment. The people around him had all started fighting long ago, following Agent's example, they had been firing toward limbs. Enough were dead already, Agent thought. He wondered how many of those he shot had been his friends...

Behind the cover of a line of boulders, Agent and the rest of the group continued to fight, to the death if necessary, for their blind cause. As did every man under the hot desert sun.

------------------
"Sanity is a Full Time Job in a World that's Always Changing."
- Bad Religon
"There's only ONE way of Life and it's Your Own"
- Levellers
"I think i'm Dumb or maybe just Happy..... think i'm just Happy"
- Nirvana
"Don't play stupid with me. I'm much better at it!"
-#63 Polt; Double_Agent

posted November 14, 2000 10:42 PM               

EIH and Raiders squad (what was left of them) retreated and made their way to the side of the mountain to the east of the caves.

"What just happened? TJ asked out of breath.

"A worm got about half of us. Do you know where Anakin went?" Fury said

"I'm not sure, I lost track of everyone when the blasting started... Oh no, I feel the ground shaking again. We need to get to higher ground." Everytime the ground started shaking one of the worms errupted from the gound and came crashing down, usually taking a few troops with them.

Agent and the blue team, seeing that the red team has retreated, decided to go down to the mouth of the cave and take the troops that they shot captive. When they got down there, they found that about 4 of them were still alive.

"I can tie these guys up and take them into the cave, the rest of you go after the red, we now have the advantage." Agent said seening that this was the first time they have been on top of the situation. The squad ran after the red team and Agent started tying up the red troops. Agent got the the last troop and started feeling the ground shake, and before he knew it, a worm had burst out of the ground and was flying straight above him.

Anakin, meanwhile, was starting to gain consiousness when after a blaster shot from earlier had hit his arm, and knocked him unconsious inside the cave. He opened his eyes to find a trooper in trouble. He jumped up and ran, with what felt like force speed, at the trooper. He lunged and flew right into the back of the troop knocking him to the ground just as the worm crashed into the ground and disappeared.

Anakin stood up and looked around as the dust started to settle, he found the troop laying on the ground unconsious. He knew the sand worm would be back for another try, so he grabbed the troop and dragged him to the swoop he arrived in. Not realizing that the troop was on the blue team, he loaded Agent and himself on to the swoop and hit the accelerator.

Anakin located another mountain side just to the North of the cave and decided he will take the troop there. About half way to the mountain he looked down at the troop to see how he was and notice that the troop had on a blue armband. He thought to himself...He's on the blue team...what should I do... His first instinct was to push him of the swoop and turn around to find the rest of the men...No, thats wrong, I would never do that to one of my men. So he kept going toward the mountain.

When he arrived he came to a stop by a dead tree. He jumped off and layed the blue troop on the ground. He began to tie the troop to the tree when the troop woke up.

"Where am I?" Agent asked totally lost and confused in the situation.

"Shhh, lay down, you need to rest..."

"Who are you?"

"Its Anakin..." Anakin hesitated before asking who he was and then decided not to.

Agent now completely lost, fainted and fell to the ground. Anakin stuck a tracking device inside the troops armor and finished tying him up.

"Stay here and you wont get hurt. I'll be back." Anakin jumped back on to his swoop and raced back to fight scene to rejoin his team......

------------------
2nd Lieutenant Anakin
Commander of Wildcard & Storm Platoons
Offical Sidekick of the CoP
PLT-CMDR/CoP:OSK/2LT Anakin/1,2PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE

"so...I want a tolet made out of solid gold, but its just not in the cards now is it..."

posted November 14, 2000 11:38 PM               

Once upon a time, when he was a young boy, Fury was told of a thing called dignity. he was instilled early on with a respect for all forms of life...learned especially well while living amongst tribes of peacful, cultured Bovorians.

Once upon a time, a runaway named Josev Dar'Namell ran with pirate gangs, stealing from the wealthy Hapan clans and giving to trader fleets and dirt-scrape colonists. He was fighting a good fight and never regretted the harm done for the benefit gained.

Once upon a time, looking out amongst a sea of death, of a scene of peaceful surrender shattered by vicious worm-beasts fulfilling a biological need, and even crueler, base human traitors who killed for pleasure and took advantage of a horrific situation, a young sergeant in the service of the Vast Empire lost his belief in dignity, honor, and justice.

Fury turned around, grabbed the blaster off of DarkLord's shoulder and threw it to PFC Marc, who grabbed it with hands still manacled. "Any savages who act like that deserve to die. All charges are dropped. I'll make that official later or they can eat my stripes. Welcome back Marc." To the prisoners, "You would follow that? You would break bread with monsters such as those? You make me sick." He looked at PFC Jediwannabe and PFC Little, the not-so-walking wounded. "We've got to save who we can. These traitors move...vape 'em. If the battle gets close, stun 'em, leave 'em and hightail that gravsled you're on back to primary base. No heroes, you already earned the respect of the whole damned VE."

Fury checked his sensors and could not find Talon. Alright, he keyed in the squad's old IFF code that Talon certainly was packing and set a matching visual code of red. With only those restrictions, the tank droids were set to laze the entire remaining structure of the Barkalounger should anyone else exit it's confines. No more leniency with heartless traitors. He would brook no more tragedies.

"Yillamien, break the enemy's code sequence. We've got a damn helmet or three back up the path. I expect us to be heading that way soon. Let me know when you get something useful. The rest of ya, grab a swoop, speeder, and follow Marc and myself." Fury jumped into the hot seat of the MobileMortar. "If you don't mind private, I'll do the shooting this time."

Marc didn't exactly know how to take that. "Uh, sure thing Sarge...I'll steer you straight."

Two hours later

What the worms didn't eat were rotting in the blight of mid afternoon sun. This whole day had taken an eternity out of Fury.

The extraction of Iron Horse from the killing zone had shaken more than a few of everybody's already shaky nerves. Diving through a sea of slathering worms dining on canned troopers was disgusting enough. Seeing the traitorous forces driving through the carnage, some missing limbs, was incredible. All Fury could do was lay down a path of grenades and hope that would hold the enemy at bay. On more than one occasion, that meant yanking out a blaster and killing a couple at close range. The enemy was possessed with rage, poisoned by the corrupt soul that had led them to rebel. Hopefully the navy had plans for Sithspawn. If for nothing more than the gruesome deaths he was responsible for on both sides of this melee.

Troops boarded the swoops, sleds, and whatnot that Squad 3 was able to assemble. Once, twice, thrice, four times they ventured forth into the chaos, once losing a speeder - and almost DarkLord - to a still hungry worm.

Once back at the outpost, the remainders of the once-proud squads assessed their situation. This may very well end up a victory...but at what cost? Exar Kun, fighting for life, Anakin still fighting off damage that meant to take him down, Fury unable to walk well at all due to a couple errant blaster bolts that his luck could not totally deflect. And now, they had to move, further in and up the cave. Fury sent the wounded back to Tengo with the prisoners on a round-about path. He saw them off safely behind the barrel of an E-web. At least they would survive this fight.

Up they went, infighting taking a toll amongst the enemy. As they moved higher, Fury could see enemy troops braving the worms and scavenging corpses for power cells. He had already shot two troopers down who had tried to club him due to empty blasters.

And yet a spot of dignity. Fury watched as LT Anakin laid Agent down, gingerly, as a brother, and moved back to the front line of an every precarious situation.

"Yillamien...what ya got?" Fury yelled. "We are about out of options."

Well, between your idea, CPT TJ's pilfered codes - thank you sir - and LT Anakin's say-so, I have this message for you to present." Yillamien ran over and handed Fury a code cylinder.

Two blaster bolts rained overhead. "Damn it, Yillamien, cover me," Fury said handing over his blaster. Running the message through his datapad, he looked up. "This doesn't make any sense."

"Go ahead Sarge. It means what it says."

Fury cleared his voice, coded into the sequence given by Yillamien, and repeated the message. "Attention rebel troops. This is SGT Fury speaking for the loyalist Vast Empire forces. No matter how successful your rout appears, you are outgunned, you are about out of supplies. We have been more than lenient in response to your atrocities. We have programmed our probot drones to attack any biological keyed to your current IFF tags. I know for certain that you will not be able to change them in time." Fury looked up and saw two dozen of the jellyfish looking metal drones rush above, behind, and around the battlefield. Ah..."You have already been painted. There are no ships in near space, there are no biological or mechanicals within forty klicks that aren't yours down below, ours up here and around you...and the worms. Even if you managed to survive...you're worm food. Quit now and much will be forgiven. Fight...and you will die. You can try a two-front battle against us and the droids...with very little power cells left, or you can surrender in the next thirty seconds. Starting now. SGT Fury out."

Fury looked at the wounded around him, all bracing against rubble, all ready to complete their duty as soldiers, all willing to kill if necessary. CPT TJ's voiced chimed out as two dozen rifles were brought to the ready. As Fury's timer counted down to twelve, he heard "On my mark...kill them all."

------------------
SGT Fury
TRP/SGT Fury/3SQD/1PLT/IsisCOMP/DragonBAT/OsirisREG/TF Devastator/VEA/VE

[This message has been edited by Fury (edited November 15, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Fury (edited November 15, 2000).]

posted November 15, 2000 12:05 AM               

BOOOM...BOOOM..BOOM...BOOOM.BBOOM!
Went his stormtrooper rilfe.
Five troopers fell dead to the ground.
The other five aimed their blasters towards Cosmic and fired.
Cosmic ducked behind the rock and felt the rock shiver with lasers.
He quickly rose again and fired four blaster shots...but not a fith one...he had no more ammo!
Four fell dead but there was still that fith soldier.
He quickly jumped out from his haven and lounged at the trooper.
"Got you you piece of scrap metal!" Yelled Cosmic as he pinned the soldier.
"Tell me where the Red team army is located...now." Cosmic gave him a menacing stare.
He pulled out a knife from his belt-pocket and held it near the red soldiers throat.
"I won't tell!" Yelled the soldier.
"You BETTER tell you skunk!" Cosmic made presure on the knife.
The soldier panicked.
"Ok! Ok! I'll tell you." Said the soldier..tears were running down his cheeks. Though Cosmic couldn't see this because the red had a helmet on.
The soldier gave him the coordinates to Red Base.
"Good boy." Cosmic said.
"I will spare your life...but you must go back to RED base and tell them that BLUE is coming after them!"
The soldier got up and quickly ran away.
Cosmic put the knife back in his belt-pocket and walked off towards the remaining Blue Troopers.
"We are neck-to-neck." Thought Cosmic.
"So close..."

posted November 15, 2000 12:21 AM               

Exar Kun awoke inside the cave. The pain in his arm now was searing. At first he wasn't sure of where he was, or what was happening, but after sevral quick seconds Exar concluded what happend.

Some one had attempeted to tie him and his fellow troopers up. but was stoped by somthing. So Exar lay in pain, but at least he wasn't bound by a rope.

The dust inside the cave was tightly packed from the troopers marching back and forth over it. Exar let the cool packed dirt touch his face as he stayed on the ground with his men.

After what seemed like a long time one of the troopers let out a soft groan. Exar pulled himself off the ground and walked over to untie the wounded soldier.

Pain shot through Exar's arm as he walked over to the soldier and un-tied him.

"what...happend?" the Trooper asked

"I am not sure, I think someone tried to tie us up, but had to leave in a big hurry..."

"Well, for whatever reason they left, I am glad they did..."

"Me t....." suddenly the earth began to shake under their feet. It begain as a soft rumble then erupted into what Exar thought at first to be an earth-quake.

From under the ground one of the 'sand worms' erupted swolling the trooper Exar had been talking to.

"Holy frak!" Exar yelled as the huge monster snaked itself back into the ground.

Exar Kun instictvly reached for his Lightsaber. He grabbed it off his belt and activated it. An angry red glow erupted from the end illumanating some of the shadows of the cave.

Exar held his saber tightly trying to determine where the 'worm' would strike next. He then reached out to the force trying to concentrate on where the beast was. Exar fought to stay in control of the Force despite of the massive pain that came from his shoulder. As powerful as Exar was normally he could not keep his concentration with the titanic pain comming from his wound.

Exar felt the rumble of the worm under his feet, It would strike again, very soon. The pain flooding from his arm begain to make his mind swirel. He shook his head trying with his last bit of streangth to keep mentally awake.

Exar finally kneeled and summond the force to him, this time instead of irnoring his pain he let it in. He let in consume his spirt untill his pain became a power he could use.

Exar imeditly could sence the 'worm' moving under the ground. He could feel the living force around the troopers that still lay unconsious on the ground a few metors away. Exar felt as the 'worm' moved up through the sand and attacked him. Exar jumped backward as the massive 'worm' broke the surface of the sand missing him by only a few feet. As quick as he could Exar slashed at the creture allowing his blade to deeply barry itself into the 'worm'.

The lifless worm dropped to the bottem of the cave. Exar took a deep breath as he deactivated his weapon.

Exar switched on his com-unit an despretly called into it. "Is anyone there!?! I need asistance now!"

Exar waited a minute and pulled up his com-unit getting ready to speak again when Anakin called in.

"This is Anakin, I am on a swoop heading toward the cave, whatda need?"

"to get the hell out of here!" Exar called into the Com-unit despretly.

"'K, I am on my way full speed, be there in a minute or two..."

posted November 15, 2000 12:47 AM               

(/me sighs loudly)

"Fire!" came the order from CPT TJ. Fury followed up the shout with a series of shots. To be honest, the loyalists would need some supplies too if this kept dragging on until a never-ending stand-off. A group of troopers to Fury's left had been mowed down in an advance. Somebody had forgotten to spread out and fire and move. "Marc, DarkLord...that rock outcropping..." as he pointed to where one blue trooper had released a loyalist who was now running back to the lines, clearly shaken.

Exar piped over the command channel weakly, "...it's Cosmic."

Marc rejoined, "It's parts...." as he popped three grenades in the general direction. DarkLord followed with the repeater. Judging by the amount of splatter that came off the armor, old Cosmic was seriously out some critical limbs. Fury took this opportunity to turn down the rebel channel he still had keyed open. The probe droids were really doing a number on the enemy. If they had only surrendered. It wasn't as if the enemy were not given enough chances to surrender with honor. Now, they had nothing but small arms...and not enough juice for even that. This was a massacre. Such needless violence. Because of foolish pride.

Oh well...let the probe droids herd them in...the blasters and heavy weapons of the true Vast Empire would put an end to this.

posted November 15, 2000 01:57 AM               

He shook his head, sweat shooting from his brow. All efforts thus far were for not. Some how... he could sense the depletion of the Blue forces. A wave of anger rushed over him... Cos... no... Agent... "Thank you Anakin... thank you." He sat on the ground, EIH troopers scattered around him. He glanced at his boot... they hadn't noticed the mini-blaster stored there.

He turned to the Elites, his turquoise eyes piercing the black viewports on their helmets. "It's over... this state of civil war must come to a close. I believed in nothing but fight till the death in this, no matter the cost, as long as I helped in putting this nonsense to a close. But somewhere along the line, all honor, dignity, and everything I was trained by was lost. To either the higher command, or as a whole. Allies in arms, slaughtered without a second thought. Lives taken needlessly, on both sides."

A heavy sigh escaped him as he lowered his head; "Countless lives of my fellow troopers rest on my head, because of some foolish act of heroism, I sacraficed the lives of uncountable men. No more... there is no winner in this war, no true winner can ever come from war. Only survivors... and after such a thing, I would rather lie dead on the ground than live knowing I helped in the deaths."

His head dropped, sweat creeping from his brow, and dropping to the ground like the rubbel of a TIE. "I surrender myself... I can no longer fight this war. Not against those whom I once called allies." And at that, he let out a deep breath... a hand reaching into his boot, and sliding free the blaster. The EIH were already trained on him with their blaster's, or whatever means of weapons they had at this point in time. He tossed the blaster aside, and grasped his head in his hands, his eye's falling shut.

"You can radio your superiors. There is no one left to fight against you. It's over..." One of the EIH looked at Timber and nodded, "It's already done trooper. The comm channel was open... Fury, Anakin and the others recieved it as you spoke." A solemn tear streaked down his cheek, as he rested his head in his hands.

(I see no point in going on. It's over. The tactical genius of the Red team is unsurpassed. I gave it my all though... but it just wasn't good enough.)

------------------
PFC Timber Saden
Ore wa kisama taosu mono da yo!
Ore wa kono youji de kisama o korosu
Kore wa bata no hocho watakushi no mono desu yo
Mandi utsukushii totemo desu
Anata wa zeri no donattsu desu yo

posted November 15, 2000 11:49 AM               

Elite Iron Horse picked Timber Saden up and carried him off.

"That was the right thing to do soldier, you would have been killed otherwise," said one of the EIH troops.

They carried him back to the mouth of the cave were they meet back with Anakin and Exarkun, who were finishing up untying red troops.

"Welcome back men. Is that the last of the blue?" Anakin asked.

"I'm afraid so, Timber here made his surrender and we blasted everyone else," Fury replied.

"Good, You have done well," Anakin said and then thought to himself as he looked at his troops...this is the last of the platoon, there is nothing left..."This will take a long time to rebuild," he said out loud.

"what?" the troops asked him

"Nevermind, listen up, there is still much to be done. Fury I would like you to go pick up Agent, he is tied up to a tree." Anakin handed him the tracking computer and pointed out where he was. "TJ, I want you and Exar to start cleaning this up, gather up as many weapons and equipment that you can find, and round up the swoops that haven't been destroyed."

The troops went on their way doing their jobs and Anakin just stood in his postion and lowered his head. He looked up and turned toward the sunset, took a deep breath, saviouring the moment. "I hope to God this tragedy will never happen again." He took another deep breath and flipped on his comlink and established a connection with Athran.

"Athran....Its over....There is nothing left of the blue and very little of the red teams...We are rounding up the rest of the troops and w will be leaving this blood bath shortly,"

"I'm sorry to hear that, but you have done an excellent job," Athran replied. "I will arrange a pickup of your men, you have worked and suffered long enough, you don't need to work anymore."
........

------------------
2nd Lieutenant Anakin
Commander of Wildcard & Storm Platoons
Offical Sidekick of the CoP
PLT-CMDR/CoP:OSK/2LT Anakin/1,2PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE

"so...I want a tolet made out of solid gold, but its just not in the cards now is it..."

posted November 15, 2000 12:14 PM               

Despite the heat, Fury had taken off his helmet and had an comm cylinder keyed open and clipped to his armor.

Already, he and the remaining elements of Squad 3 had grabbed some gravsleds and swoops and had headed out towards the location LT Anakin had left Agent. Apparently he had had some time to think things over. Fury untied him, helped him up and gave him a salute before placing him on the gravsled. The process of reconciliation had to begin...and soon. There was a lot of bad blood to deal with. Others had joined in that effort...PFC Marc tossed the Master Sergeant a ration pack and a canteen. While not entirely thrilled to be held captive, Agent seemed a bit surprised at the reaction.

DarkLord put it to him best, "You are a soldier. You were just following orders. I can live with that."

That accomplished, the squad went on to the wreck of the Barkalounger, where the tank droids were still standing tall as sentinels. After a bit of convincing...and reprogramming the droids...the survivors were willing to lay down their arms and jump on the gravsleds as well. Thankfully, the native worms had declined on further trooper snacks and were absent from this exchange. They had dealt more than enough death on this day.

Fury looked at the solemn group he and his team were guarding. Prisoners for now, hopefully brothers again in some short time. He lit up a cigarra and whinced at his leg moved. Surely, if not for the performance that had earned him the special armor, he would have been crippled for life. It could have been worse. On more than one occasion, the loyalists were in danger of losing this fight. A solid base for the rebels would have meant a long, protracted war. Now they could collectively start solving the problems that divided them and move on with expanding the empire.

While nerf-gathering and smoking - as if he hadn't risked his life enough this day - Fury almost passed the sight of a solitary trooper bent over and panting next to a recently slaughtered worm. He then saw the battered blaster ten feet from him...and the unpowered lightsaber still gripped in the trooper's right hand.

Fury grabbed the comlink and asked, "Hey, trooper...want a lift? The rest of us were heading back to base to get some bandages and beer, but if you want to be the game warden...."

Talon looked up, saw the situation for what it was, and replied, "You're getting pretty damn lippy for a sergeant. Now how about that ride you were talking about?"

"All apologies, sir. Hey Marc, got some room at the gunner's spot on the MobileMortar?"

"Sure thing Sarge. I'd be honored Captain." Talon hooked his lightsaber back on, picked up his blaster...looked at it's crumpled barrel and tossed it away. He then jumped in the shotgun seat of the sled and announced, "Move out."

Fury looked up at the sky and wondered if events in space were any clearer. If the results of the ground war didn't end the civil war, then truly madness reigned. The smart money, however, was on an end to the death and destruction that signified their stay on Vix. But that was up to the navy...and to Sithspawn to realize that his revolt was over.

Fury's duty on this rock was over. As instructed by his superiors, he had gathered up the defeated stragglers yet unaccounted for...and one missing officer. That accomplished, the squad, followed by some battered tank droids, headed towards Bravo Base and hopefully a quick trip home.

------------------
SGT Fury
TRP/SGT Fury/3SQD/1PLT/IsisCOMP/DragonBAT/OsirisREG/TF Devastator/VEA/VE
[IOC]

posted November 15, 2000 03:05 PM               

[This was written a little bit before hand, so it takes place just after the surrender.]

"WHAT?" Sythspawn roared as he pounded on his desk. "You are letting my troopers get the frack kicked out of them? What are you waiting for? Vix to freeze? GET OUT THERE!!!"

2Lt Claw quickly followed his squadron leader out of the room. He and PJ double-timed it to the hanger.

Claw thought back through the times of this war. The Navy hadn't been very active, but had still played a big role in it. Now it was their turn to burn some tail.

Claw stood half in his fighter, looking at PJ. The two exchanged nods and jumped into their TIEs.

The Elite Viper squadron sped through the atmosphere, faster than they should have, and quickly spotted the battle. Things were winding down, and it looked like the end of World War 9. Viper formed into a perfect diamond form and zoomed down to the battlefield.

Sergeant Fury looked up from a datapad and cursed as he saw the blue markings on the TIE Advanced streaking toward them. No one had time to run, most people stood their ground and waited. As if thinking as one, Viper peeled out of their formation and went to a line astern position. Again, as one, slowing down and hovering over all of the gaping troopers. The squadron was so low to the ground that the troopers could read on the side who was in what TIE. The one marked "2LT CLAW" turned and pointed its nose at a Blue team trooper that was cheering with his arms over his head. Bursts of green light erupted from the lower two cannons and landed on either side of the trooper. Everyone knew that the Elite squadron rarely missed. After the dust settled, everyone could see the trooper curled into a small ball on the ground. A faint crackle could be heard over the Red team's comm channel as the Commander of the Elite Viper Squadron, PJ said, "Red team, this is the Commander of the Elite Viper Squadron. We are at your disposal." Every Red team member and a few Blue team members burst into a roar of cheers.

posted November 15, 2000 03:07 PM               

For the first time in a long time Daishi thought about what had been done. His actions were brillantly executed but for the wrong reason, blind fanatiscism. Daishi could tell Talon was watching Daishi for hostile intent from Talon's stance.

"Worry not Talon. You have bested me." Daishi said as he stood slowly from the ground.

"Heh. You're very perceptive for an old man." Talon replied.

Daishi was mentally hitting himself for his failure in battle and for going to battle so readily. He was personally responsible for far too many deaths and he'd have to pay for that.

"I know what must come next. so let's get it over with." Daishi said as he started slowly pulling out his remaining weapons, two super heavy blaster pistols, three knives, and the two lightsabers he wore as trophies, and tossed them on the ground.

"Stang you are armed. How the frak can you carry all that stuff?" Talon said when he looked at all the weapons.

"Simple, I am strong for my size." Daishi replied.

"Well then you can carry all that stuff back to base." Talon replied.

"Very well." Daishi said as he put all his weapons and pack back in place.

The march back to the cave, which by this time had become a symbol for reunification as both sides were gathering there in peace, was a long and uneventfull one. Daishi knew the Royal Barkalounger was toasted beyond salvage, all he could hope was that his collection of rifles was still intact.

Then he saw it. A red trooper with his Timbique Edition Zues heavy rifle. Another with his BAR. His Scoped Lee Enfeild was propped up against a tree. Daishi felt slightly better as his collection of weapons was still intact even if he could never get them back, but he would try to get them back.

------------------
"Indecent exposure is fun." Sonatina

"If we have all knowladge then we would not wish to seek what we know, but if we had no knowledge how could we even ask a question?" Plato on knowladge.

posted November 15, 2000 03:45 PM               

PJ brought Viper squadron in for a landing. As soon as he landed he and Claw hopped out of their T/D and rushed towards what was left of the two sides. Walking up to Anakin he began.

"Commander could I speak to you for a moment? Oh, and bring Exar and TJ with you."

PJ and Claw walked and stood next to a large cliff. Anakin nodded to TJ and Exar and the three followed. As they arrived PJ began a short speech...

"We...I had once been with this uprising and wanted to take you down. ...well, after what I've heard about what went on down here, I and Viper squadron, along with typhoon squadron would like to turn over a new leaf, start over...in other words help you guys take them out in the air...besides Syths is getting WAY out of hand. so let's go show them what the Vast Empire can do...as a whole."

Anakin nodded and walked off to the the rest of the troopers what was hapening....

posted November 15, 2000 05:08 PM              

Blue

As the blue team stagered back to the base, japer looked for Agentn he found him he ran up to him and started to talk" we cant let are men walk away. We cant give up. If we are going to win this war we have to fight and win, or fight until we are all dead. I dont know about you but im charging the red troops right know!

As japer gathed his men to attack the remaing troops on the battle field. He could hear Agents cries for his men and him to return.

As soon as they started to run he and his squad were firing, but then simes ran out ahead of him. As japer cried for him to retrun he wouldent listen. Then, he got shot. As japer ran over to him, he pulled of his helmet and checked for a pulse... he was dead. AS japer shot up he took his rifle and charged shooting at anything that moved.

But then all of a sudden he fell... he was hit

posted November 15, 2000 05:52 PM               

The redemption of PFC Marc

"Frakkin' Sithspawn...what the hell is that?!" screamed PFC Marc as Japer and Agent bowled over a trooper guarding them and grabbed a blaster. Japer was trying to assemble his men and the seemingly calm Agent was trying to rally his troops as well.

"Sergeant...permission to fire on the prisoners?," Marc screamed. He had stopped the MobileMortar and was ready to knock Talon out of the gunner's seat, when the captain realized what was happening. "Uh, Fury, take care of your trooper."

Fury was involved in a discussion to possibly prepare for some extra-planetary ship boardings in the event Sithspawn planned to continue the fight. He looked up at Talon and Marc, and over at the prisoners. Already four prisoners had loosened their shackles and two had obtained weapons. One guard gunned down an armed trooper, and was felled by his comrade. As SGT Japer ran to get his trooper's blaster, Fury keyed the squad channel.

"Frak it Marc, no murder, no destruction. Besides, the launcher ran out of grenades back when we were roasting worms during the extraction. Stun them, knock 'em in the head. Just don't kill anybody."

"Acknowledged, sarge. Sorry, Captain." The emotional strung PFC Marc grabbed his blaster and pulled a pistol out of the craft's pilot holster. Setting the rifle to stun he ventured forth into the crowd. Without orders, most of the troopers were content to back up and watch. The wounded trooper had pulled a bead on Sergeant Japer, who was shooting wildly, and had dropped him with a precision shot. Fury finally made out who it was...PFC Marko.

That left one gunman. Most of the prisoners had ignored their leaders' suicidal call to arms and were clustered on the ground, hands up with full peaceful intent. Only five troopers were standing in opposition. As Marc dropped the first two with a stun bolt, it was apparent that the others were shielding the gunner.

As with one voice, the assembled troopers yelled something on the order of "Look out" as the traitor-turned-rebel-turned-backstabber took his shot.

PFC Marc took the bolt square in the chest. Carbon scoring could be seen on his armor from the back where Fury stood watching the events unfold. His right arm useless, the trooper dropped his rifle and took three quick shots with the pistol. All three found purchase...two in the Japer's head, one taking down the still-standing recalcitrant trooper. Being a simple blaster pistol...there was no stun setting. Sensible, but ugly all the same.

The other prisoners saw this and silently watched the bodies fall on both sides. As Iron Horse and the Raiders moved in to surround the prisoners, Private Timber stood up. He pointed at the bodies on the ground. "They do not speak for us. We surrendered peacefully. Even our pilots have rejoined you. We want nothing more than surrender. This will take time to get over...but it will be done. No more hotheads...no more treachery. We are your's to command."

Fury looked over at Captains TJ, Talon, and LT Anakin. They all nodded in assent to Timber's plea for sanity.

CPT Talon spoke up. "Pick up the bodies and load them on the gravsleds. I guess we're walking the rest of the way."

With that...the ground battle for Vix was finally over.

posted November 15, 2000 05:53 PM              

As the squad batteld, japer tried to hold on. As he watched the battle, he started to think. I died to simes i died for simes. As he heard some medics coming tward him he decided its time to die.

So then as he went he sumed up all his energy and yelled" FREEDOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM" then he passed on...

as they carried him off of the field agent called back his troops.

(someone needs to post a funerl)

posted November 15, 2000 07:05 PM               

*Aboard the m/SSD Mustang*

Talon stood silently as the service came to a close. Because he was in High Command, he had a spot in front of the crowd. Before him were the caskets of the fellow officers to die in this senseless civil war. He mumbled along with his thoughts, "Crysus, Craff, Atrus, Schnapps..." The ground war was over, but there was still a small Navy under Sithspawn's control. The Navy had been lessened when Viper gave up their keys to their TIEs, but Syths still had his capital ships and a few squadrons of TIEs left. Many more people had died, but this service was for the officers. Talon silently vowed that he would have Sithspawn's head in a dehydrator box before the end of the month. He knew that many others around him vowed something quite like it, but this one man was responsible for the death of the members of the only family he ever knew. It came to the part in the service where everyone walked passed the caskets and say their last words. The last in the line was the casket of Schnapps. He had always valued Say's friendship. She had helped him with becoming a Dark Jedi, and had given him emotional support when he needed it the most. As he bowed at the foot of her casket, Talon felt a chill run up his spine and he heard... no, felt the voice of the Krath Pontiflex Schnapps say, "We will be with you... always." Despite where he was, Talon could not hide a smile. He did try to hide it as he walked past Sesswanna, who was in front of him in the line.

When Talon got back to his office, he found a small note saying: "Tal, the Emperor has heard of our civil war. He's sent 3 armies to 'deal' with us. No worries ;-) -Sess" Talon dropped the paper and his jaw followed the same direction.

posted November 15, 2000 07:54 PM               

Apparently a quick trip home was out of the question. Most of the troopers had been quickly patched up - physically at least - and brought up to the flagship for the funeral of the most prominent, distinguished losses, as well as upper echelon meetings. Fury had just left the funeral service when he was pulled aside for an emergency meeting by his platoon commander and even General Athran.

It seemed that comm chatter had gotten a little loose up here in space...and that the Emperor himself decided that he had a vested interest in settling this conflict himself. In short...they were all persona non grata in the Empire until further notice.

"So what can we do?" asked LT Anakin.

"Simple, we patch ourselves up as best we can...either to present ourselves to the fleet when it arrives...or to fight for our lives if need be." responded the general.

"And the prisoners...?" Fury ventured to ask.

"Good question. We shouldn't be holding our own people in cages...but quite a few of them have shown little willingness to cooperate. Here's what I will do. You officers stay here after this meeting. I have a pile of after-action reports by nearly every living trooper that fought on Vix. Sorry Fury, some command decisions need a bar on the shoulder or better to enforce."

"No offense taken. Whatever you decide will be fine with me."

"Then it is settled. We, among other things, will review the possibility of releasing some members of the blue team to stand alongside us, come what may."

Fury took this as his hint to go. He rose and saluted his leadership. "By your leave, sirs."

"Dismissed."

posted November 15, 2000 08:05 PM               

As PJ walked out of the service he held his head high, 'this isn't over, many have died...I'm going to make Syths pay." PJ thought to himself. Suddenly his ComLink beeped.

"PJ, I need you and Viper squadron to head an attack on a small group of Syths' capitol ships that we've located at the following co-ordinates." Athran said. "You have 20 minutes to get your pilots together and prepared."

"Copy that, Athran." PJ replied. 'Now's our chance.'

-*In the Briefing Room*-

PJ looked around...eight squadrons sat waiting for him to speak.

"All right pilots," PJ began,"you'll be split up into three groups, group one will be lead by me. This will be Viper and Steel squadrons, we will make a head on attack well group two will circle and attack the other side of the group. Group two consists of squadrons Sting, Typhoon and Kaph." PJ looked at the pilots expresions, most so far seemed happy about their assignment. PJ continued,"group three will wait in the shadows and wait till one of the ships begins to evacuate, in this case they will probably be going to the main fleet...follow them and inform us of the fleet's location...stay at a distaance till we arrive. This final group is Alpha, Avenger and Hunter squadrons. Got what you have to do troops?"

PJ got many grunts, "Yes, sir" and nods as responces.

"Let's go out there and make Syths' pay! Also, those pilots once fought along side us so try to disable instead of kill if possible...Let's go!" Cheers and roars broke in the small chamber and PJ could feel it shake as the 60+ pilots marched out the door.

-*Approaching the Ships*-

"All fighters, move into position," PJ ordered. He watched as the seven squadrons moved off in different directions. Their destination now only 12 kliks away and the distance decreasing fast. 'This s going to be the turning point of the space war,' PJ thought to himself.

As Viper and Steel moved within five kliks, PJ saw the oppositon begin to react.

"Viper and Steel, fire on my mark...MARK!" The two squadrons opened fire as the distance hit 2 kliks. Some of the small shuttles exploded instantly.

PJ watched as group two circled around to attack the other side.

"Group two, fire at will." Suddenly g5's voice popped onto the radio,

"Sir, Steel is losing shields fast."

"PJ, Kaph and half oh Hunter have lost their shields too." This couldn't be happening. At least they hadn't suffered any losses...yet.

"All right this is what's going to happen...all shieldless fighters find a fighter with shieds in your group now..." PJ planned over the Comm. "You've all got a partner now...shielded fighters positon yourself in front of the shieldless ones. A little up to give them the chance to fire..."

"Now, switch all your shields to forward...this will protect you while you ships shields recharge and will let you continue to do damage." PJ immediately saw results... the ships were being destroyed, the fighters ships were recharging rapidly. Then, PJ noticed one of the shuttles move off and put it's engines to full...it was evacuating.

"Group three, follow that shuttle! Keep at a distance, though." PJ ordered.

As the small blue fleet was finished being turned to rubble the five remaining squadrons waited for a message from group three. Then it came.

"PJ! Here are the co-ordinates, " Apocalypse cheered over the radio.

"Copy that Apoc," PJ confirmed, he swithced to the squadron comm. "Pilots, follow these co-ordinates and wait for further orders

'The end of this death march is now!' PJ said to himself....

------------------
Captain TJ
SL Elite Iron Horse
Dark Jedi Knight
Griffen Sect.
Commander PJ
CMDR Viper Squadron

posted November 15, 2000 08:57 PM               

TJ approached Athran, "Is there anything further I can do sir?" He asked.

"Hmmmm, now that you mention it, I need you to take a few troopers out and patrol for any remaining enemy troops."

"Gotcha," TJ confirmed as he saluted a walked off to gather some guys.

-*In the Desert of Vix*-

"Well, looks empty here." TJ mumbled to himself as he reduced his swoop to a slow putter. It was deserted, no-one within three kliks. Suddenly something popped onto his ComLink...

"Help us...we're...stranded...no vehicles...no maps...help us." TJ tried to locate it's sender, but it ended too quickly.
Then it repeated again...

"Help...we...stranded...vehicles...need weapons...maps...us." TJ didn't whether to find it or not, it sounded like a redording they could be dead already, but still...he had to do all he could to reunithe the Vast Empire. TJ waited for it to repeat and found it's origin. Waving the other troops to follow him he flipped his swoop into high-speed and zipped off over the jagged rocks of the barren planet, Vix....

[If any Red would like to volunteer on this mission, tell me]

posted November 15, 2000 09:27 PM               

Private First Class Cosmic died a soldiers death that day.

posted November 15, 2000 11:40 PM               

--------------------------------------------

"Beer, please," Agent said.

"Here ya go."

"Thanks."

Agent went to sit down. "What the hell happened?" He asked. "One minute we're fighting and the next we're sittin' down an' havin' beers together..."

"We're all dead," came the reply. Anakin stared down at his drink. "There's nothing else we can do."

"What the hell are you talkin' about?" Agent demanded.

"The emperor's sending three armies. They're gonna take us all out, red or blue. It doesn't really matter anymore."

"Screw that!" Agent announced to the entire roomful of soldiers. "The emperor can go to hell an' die! All three of his armies, too!"

"Agent, it's three armies. C'mon, admit defeat here," came the reply. "We're dead men."

"Well I'm still alive!" Agent yelled again. The alcohol must've been going to his head again...or maybe it was just his will to survive. "An' I ain't gonna give up 'til I'm dead!" It sounded pretty likely...

A thought occured to Agent... "How much of my squad is left?"

"You don't wanna know..."

Agent couldn't take any more bad news. Finishing the last beer he had, he slowly walked to his bed.

posted November 15, 2000 11:44 PM               

btw, flask said something about that he thought the emperor was dead... i dunno, but i just thought i'd mention it... =)

posted November 16, 2000 12:13 AM               

Agent lay on his bed, not moving. He was deep in thought... half his squad was dead... three armies... and these troops weren't going to be as merciful as the red team had been... They weren't friends... Their orders would be to kill everyone... The Vast Empire would be no more... The only thing left to do... was... wait...

Agent's thoughts wandered everywhere from basic training to his last birthday, and finally came to rest on a plan.

Agent wondered what the rest of the guys thought about... Kamikaze missions... Troops on the ground... ships above them come crashing down onto both sides... and boom! we're all dead... not that we aren't all dead anyway... the emperor's men won't be taking prisoners... they couldn't run... that would only dig deeper graves for them... They were an army tied to one giant stake... The dogs of The Emperor would soon arrive. The odds didn't look good any way Agent cut it. He was slowly giving in to their fate. It was amazing that the two sides were brought so close together by their shared doom. However, it didn't amaze him that the teams could put thier differences aside... WHAT DIFFERENCES? Agent thought. NO GOOD REASONS TO FIGHT...SO WHY ARE HALF OF MY MEN DEAD?!

Agent thought a while longer... what if's moved through his mind, most gone before they had time to reach the back of his mind... but he had nothing but time to think of what to do... then, a thought occurred to him. Agent practically sprinted out of the room, not sure whom he should tell. In his half-sprinting half-going crazy rage, Agent rounded a corner and almost knocked Talon over.

"Tal," Agent said, "How many planets around here have armed natives?"

Talon got the idea... they were still damned, but by gawd, they would fight to the death. They were soldiers, dammit, not flies waiting to be swatted by The Emperor's fist. A familiar motto summed it all up. "Die on your feet, not on your knees." Agent couldn't remember whether he had heard that on a commercial for GI Joe or on Barney... (perhaps from the roster.. ) but it didn't matter. They would fight.

It would be hard to convince a native army to fight, Agent thought, but look at the civil war the VE had just fought... not one reason... convincing them may turn out to be the easy part...

"I'll get right on that question.." Talon said, a grin spreading across both mens' faces. On the same side once again, Red and Blue went off to find an answer, and hopefully, an army...

posted November 16, 2000 03:56 AM               

Sweat glistened his face, his hair, and quite frankly his entire body. He was alive... but unsure if he was glad. Too many had been killed... so many lives lost... and for what?! For naught! All for naught! Anger rushed through him... a light glistening over giving a lighter hue to his turquoise eyes as he walked over the now barren battlefield.

With the fresh treaty abroad, Timber was allowed to leave custody... though against their wishes. A light sigh escaped him as he marched along. And he reached a familiar, though not so much now, Royal Barkalounger. Daishi... he thought. The man whom gave Blue an upper hand... only to feel the suffering Timber felt inside. And now... the civil war didn't matter at all... Palpatine put an expensive price on everyones head... 'Destroy or be Destroyed' not much incentive, but that's what kept everyone in line. The man they served... wanting them DOA(Dead On Arrival, arrival of the troops. ). All because of this fraggin war!

Nothing good ever comes from war... only survivors... but this one may not even hold survivors. Doesn't Palpatine realize what he is doing?! He is doing the exact same thing... pitting the Empire against itself! Such ignorance... another sigh passed his lips. He decided it best not to think about it now. Instead... he decided to enter the ship, which wasn't exactly hard considering it's current state.

Inside he found secured explosives... grenades... blaster rifles with recharges... a small attack line. Even now his face was emotionless, this war had taken it's toll on him. He felt no joy... though he did arm himself for the oncoming battle. He though about contacting the others and reporting the find... but he had barely spoken since the retreat, and wasn't in the mood now. He grabbed two blaster rifles, and made makeshift satchels to throw them over his shoulder. He then found a makeshift 'bag' to throw a bunch of recharges in, he hefted that over his right shoulder. He came up with another bag, stuffed it with grenades, and hefted it over his left shoulder. A wave of anger rushed over him... it was supposed to be over... and now this. Someone was going to pay, and it wasn't anyone in the VE.

He made his way out of the ship, barely slower than before, unoticable to the naked eye. He was young, and muscular. He just kept walking until he came to the spot where he had shot that horrific blast upon Exar... the double barrled blaster was still there. And so he picked it up, and hopped onto the downed tank. They had a lot of waiting to do... and that wasn't his strong suit. And so he sat... waiting for something... anything.

------------------
PFC Timber Saden
Ore wa kisama taosu mono da yo!
Ore wa kono youji de kisama o korosu
Kore wa bata no hocho watakushi no mono desu yo
Mandi utsukushii totemo desu
Anata wa zeri no donattsu desu yo

posted November 16, 2000 08:53 AM               

Exar Kun walked through the dusty ground of Vix. He wasn't sure why he had come back, but for some reason he felt very compelled to.

He walked areound the huge cave and just outside it where the biggest battle had taken place. Exar wasn't sure what he felt at that moment. From his day of birth he was tought not to feel pitty or regreat, but to feel anger, hate, and fear. And he did. Exar was afraid, more afraid then he had ever been.

He closed his eyes as a warm breeze floated through his hair. The ground was spotted all over with black patches on the ground where stray blaster fire had hit.

The dull pain where he had been shot was slowly fadeing as the days past, but it was still there as a reminder of what had happend.

Suddenly Exar heard metal clank togather from behind him. He turned and saw Timber Saden standing on top of an un-operational tank. Timber was armed to the teeth, and stood glaring at Exar. Both men wern't sure what to do. would they kill each other? Or would they just stand there forever staring at each other?

Exar broke the Ice as he said,"what are you doing here?"

Timber took at slow breath and looked up at the sky, "The same thing you are...getting away, and paying my last respects to my fallen men." He gritted his teeth. "And preparing for the three armies to come...I don't know about you Exar, but I am not dieng without one hell of a fight!"

Timber hopped down from the tank and walked over toward Exar. they both stood next to each other not saying a word, neither of them knew if they were enimies or friends. Then Exar broke the ice again, "My arm huts like hell."

Timber let out a quiet laugh, "Yeah sorry bout that, I didn't really have a choice.."

"Oh well nothing a few treatments of bacta won't fix"

"So what is happening?" Timber questioned
"Is the VE back togather?"

"I don't know, I don't think anyone does... But as of now I myself have nothing against you, or anyone from Blue."

"Yes," Timber said, "We are all the VE, and we will not die without a fight damned! Let the emporer come! Let him see that we are not weak, that even he cannot defeat us! Let him see that WE are the mighty Vast Empire!"

With that Timber suddenly rememberd somthing he had seen in the downd ship that lay on the ground. He ran over entering the shttle, for only a few seconds he looked around then he saw it. He grabed a long pole and ran out back toward Exar.

On the end of the pole was a banner, the banner of the Vast Empire. Exar and Timber both grabed the end of the pole and togather shoved it into the gound.

posted November 16, 2000 09:28 AM               

They stood silent for a while... glancing back and forth between the flag and eachother. VE was reborn... and nothing will break that, not a civil war, not an army, not an Empire. And certainly, not the Emperor himself. It was a day to remember... the end of a war, the birth of friendships, and the beginning of a trail that none of them would soon forget.

Timber had to break the silence... it was unbearable. "I envy you. I hope you know that." Exar looked at him with an inquisitive brow raised. "You are truly elite... the armor has nothing to do with it. You have the mindset. And the force(no pun intended) to back it up." Exar just looked at him for a moment, their eyes locked. And as he went to speak, Timber cut him off. "Maybe one day I'll work alongside you, not in a war... but in the Elite Iron Horse's." Timber smiled as he saw Exar smirk. "I worked hard to get where I am today. And you will have to do the same."

Timber decided it was time to change the subject... he motioned for Exar to follow him. They both walked into the R.B.. Timber pointed out the various stocks of grenade's, explosives, blaster rifles, sniper scopes, and of course blaster recharges. A light smirk broadened acrossed his face. "Daishi never comes unprepared is what I gathered. Stock up on whatever you want, and if you wish you can contact the others and report this to get them passed out. But I am not planning on staying with the entire army. I prefer small numbers, it makes for better suprise attacks. I will be waiting for the Emperor's armies. Whenever they arrive." Exar looked at him for but a moment, "We don't even know the size of the armies." Timber shook his head slowly, "Size doesn't matter. If anyone needs me... I have a feeling at least you could find me." A light grin floated acrossed his lips, Timber turned and went to pat Exar on his wounded shoulder, but patted the other as his grin broadened.

Without another word or hesitation, Timber walked out of the ship and made his way along the Vix desert, hoping a sand storm didn't come up anytime soon...

(Well, it's completely open. Post away. Especially you Exar!)

posted November 16, 2000 01:54 PM               

Exar was left standing inside of the smashed ship. The stale air was humid and dusty, cousing the feeling like Exar was going to sneeze. Sun light filterd through cracks, and view ports making trails of light that traveld through the flooting sand particals.

Exar tilted his head back so he was looking at the top of the ship then he closed his eyes. He didn't know what to do. All he knew was that the VE was in for one hell of a fight. He took a deep breath and let his hand rest on his Lightsaber. Exar looked down at the Lightsaber resting on his hip, and squinted his eye brows. Exar un-cliped his weapon from it's place and activated it. The red beam burst from the hilt, glowing enough to cast a large shadow behind Exar.

posted November 16, 2000 02:42 PM               

Daishi had ruined his chance to be in the space battle with his stunt but now it gave him an excelent opportunity to do something he was far better at, ground combat. Grabing the crates of C-8 that had not already been looted Daishi quickly set to work on laying out traps. Within a few hours no one that Daishi didn't want to get within his perimiter could without considerable effort.

The next task of Daishi's was to get the command and control ability of the Royal Barkalounger operational again. This would definately serve as an excelent forward base against the coming onslaught. The armies of the Emporer would be here soon and they didn't care what colors you wore. All Daishi could hope for now was that Sithspawn would come to his senses and call off this war.

"Daishi to main base, I got a forward command post established and it is as ready as it will ever be." Daishi commed from the now operational command station.

The sun was setting fast and the day had been long. The cave that was the site of the biggest battle of the civil war was nearby and would serve as an decent fall back point or front line depending on which way the incoming armies approached from.

To Daishi the number and size of the armies did not matter, he had always faught out-numbered, out-gunned, and sometimes even out-commanded. Though the Vast Empire may loose the conflict it would win the war of morality.

------------------
"Indecent exposure is fun." Sonatina

"If we have all knowladge then we would not wish to seek what we know, but if we had no knowledge how could we even ask a question?" Plato on knowladge.

posted November 16, 2000 03:09 PM               

TJ ran as fast as he could towards his goal. What he would find he didn't know...what he'd do about it...who knows. As he turned the cliff he expected to see carcasses begining to rot, but it was something worse, FAR worse...

Rows of troops, standing there at attention. 'Mabye they're here to resolve our conflict,' he thought to himself. Suddenly one of the troopers turned and pointed at him and within seconds the many stormies had there rifles and blasters locked on him. TJ had to think of something fast, then he noticed a small cave just to the right of him, then as he ran towards it the troopers erupted in....the ground began to shake as TJ reached the mouth of the cave.

The troopers began to run towards the cave also and shot in after TJ. Igniting his lightsabre, TJ turned to block shot after shot as he backed down through the cave. TJ knew he couldn't keep it up forever. There had to be a way out of their line of fire.

Suddenly TJ noticed a hole in the roof just above his head and he quickly leaped up. Switching on his ComLink TJ radioed out...

"Athran, do you hear me? We've got company.....

posted November 16, 2000 04:36 PM               

United... sounds pretty cool, huh?

Daishi began rummaging through the wreckage that use to be his ship. He had found a few rifles that were in working order. Some one must not have closed the cabnet before the crash. He then looked up to see Talon sitting on a box, watching him. Daishi shook his head and mumbled, "I hate Jedi."

Talon mumbled, "I heard that." He jumped off the box and said, "I also heard you are going to use the Barnacle as a base... Need two more hands, a few guns, and a saber?

Daishi smirked at the disrespect for his ship and thought for a minute. He nodded and handed Talon a small screwdriver saying, "See what you can do to get the power working to the turrets again."

------------------
CoT/CPT Talon/HCA-4/Erewhon/VEA/VE{BC}
CM/DJK Talon/VSD-II Griffen/VEDJ/VE
FL/2LT Claw/Elite Viper 2-1/Wing III/M-SSD Mustang/2ESF/VEN/VE(=A=){LoM}
XO of the Elite Viper squadron

posted November 16, 2000 05:15 PM               

Fury stepped out of the refresher and gingerly stepped for the cot in his quarters. A fresh bacta dip had made all the difference in his mobility...but it would be a few days more before he was up to speed.

Besides the need to wash off the bacta, the shower was doing wonders for Fury's need to be away from the battlefield. He was not alone. Already a posting had come forth on the orders of the day to restrict showers and cafeteria visits in lieu of resupply problems. Basically, too many troopers coming out of the field going for the primary comforts of civilization...warm food and clean living.

Unfortuately, clean living had taken a new turn since the announcement of the Emperor's response. To be all branded as traitors to the realm while Fury had thought he had fought on the side of justice...well, who knew what to do now? Command knew enough to ban all alcoholic beverages.

Fury shrugged on some duty fatigues, sat down, and lit up a cigarra from a pack picked up at the PX. Fresh smokes were basically valued at the level of gold ingots on Vix these days, so that perversely made smoking more enjoyable of a vice somehow.

In an hour or so, Fury was to meet with LT Anakin and CPT TJ to discuss the possiblity of future deployment. Either they would stand down on the planet and secure some forward positions...or try to take out Sithspawn's fleet before the imperial emissaries reach local space. Either way, it was about to be a busy time for the ground troops.

Fury was a little concerned on what to do himself. Both Iron Horse and the Raiders had taken atrocious losses during the Vix campaign...where would the replacements come from? Only a few rebels had been chosen as trustworthy to come back to the front lines. At any other time, even the still active members would have been forced to take a medical leave.

Fury's leg was still sore. Yillamien had flash burns and a fractured arm, Jediwannabe had come back from a ten-hour bacta treatment with fresh pink flesh on half of his face. The rest were either perfectly fine, slightly injured, or, in the case of PFC Marko, in some seriously intensive care. As for PFC Marc...well, Fury wasn't quite ready to deal with that yet.

Other squads had not been faring any better. Of course, the former rebel squads had been severely, drastically reduced in numbers. It would probably be best to incorporate the survivors into existing squads...would be a better political statement as well. Given the situation, it would be even more to anyone's detriment to continue squabbling.

As for Iron Horse, Fury was a bit concerned. Not that it was his area to worry about, but CPT TJ had confessed to having nightmares about the dead rising up in accusation. Exar Kun seemed to be in deep thought. Some serious mental reassessment was probably in that young man's future.

Fury's comlink chirped on the other side of the table. Groaning a bit, he reach over and answered. "Sergeant Fury."

"Yes, this is LT Anakin. Have you happened to see and sight of Iron Horse?"

"No sir, I was just cleaning up and have been in my quarters for the past hour or so. Won't CPT TJ be meeting with you soon?"

A moment of silence passed. "I seriously doubt it. Iron Horse went out on manuevers this morning to scout out possible alternate base camp locations. They came back a bit ago and are eating...with the exception of SGT Kun and CPT TJ." Even more silence. "I suppose you should have all the details. Apparently Exar had something to check out. TJ, however, returned to base, checked out a swoop, tried to gather another scout team to check for a transmission only he could hear...and disappeared. His squad is pretty worried about him. They said he was acting out of sorts this morning. I was just hoping you had some piece of information you could provide. I really do not know what to do."

Fury though about TJ's earlier statement told in confidence. "I hope I'm not betraying a trust here sir, but TJ has been a bit...troubled, I would say, about the violence we've seen recently. The need to kill our brothers for no apparent reason."

"And by 'troubled' you mean...?"

"Nightmares I guess. He didn't really go into it in too much detail, but we've all got our ghosts these days so I didn't want to pry."

"Understood. Tell you what. Consider the meeting cancelled. I'll get whatever details you can out of command and relay those later. Grab a few troopers and patrol around...see if you can find TJ. I think he's in trouble, but not in any legal way."

"I understand sir. Treat him with kid gloves if I see him. It's been a stressful time. I'll let you know as soon as I find something. Fury out."

posted November 16, 2000 08:10 PM               

TJ ran through the rock cave with only the force to guide him. He had undoubtedly lost his attackers, but...wthere was he?...when was he going to reach the exit? He had been running for hours, stopping every so often to catch what little breath he needed.

Then as he took another rest his eyes shut and he drifted of to a deep sleep.....

TJ looked around, what was left of the now united Vast Empire trudged through the sands of Vix, searching for any survivors...as they turned a bend in the rocks they came upon three tents two burned and one ripped to bits...TJ remembered this place...a small fight that saw two tents torch, and third get torn in half by a sandworm who took with it a very promising trooper.

Suddenly the earth began to shake, many of the troopers turning and putting their backs to the cliff waiting for the sandworms to show their faces...

No sandworms showed...the shaking became stronger...around the corner marched squad after squad of stormtroopers. They seperated to two sides letting a couple squads-worth march through....TJ recognized them from somewhere, then he noticed the small red and blue markings on their armour...

"Noooo!" he yelled as they opened fire on the searchers and TJ watched as man after man...friend after friend fell to the ground in a lifeless heap. Then it was his turn as he hit the sand the world turned black.....

"Nooooo!" TJ screamed...the cry echoing down through the cave. 'It was just a dream...a terrible, awful dream.' Then he heard the call again...

"Help...stranded...no food...dying..." TJ got up and ran, where? once again who knows, all he knew was he had to save his friends......