The Imperial Shipyards

Imperial Creative Engineering => Fan Fiction => Topic started by: Rezikai on November 21, 2015, 01:41:37 AM

Title: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on November 21, 2015, 01:41:37 AM
Someone reading this said they needed a refresher with so much changed/added... so here's a list of the characters and backlore.


Main and side characters and some backstory for them.

---------- GALACTIC EMPIRE ----------

Captain Kai- ISD Kumo Captain and senior ranking officer in command, former leader of Moon squadron has 2 brothers he sometimes speaks about. Listens to bands with loud rhythmic electro-stringers to the distaste of most of the other senior staff. With a fledgling appreciation for anatase crystal percussion flute orchestra's and opera pieces. Was promoted on the recommendation of Admiral Jaeger after his performance in the Halasian system campaign. Has been known to be crude and lewd at times but is fiercely loyal to those that show loyalty to him. He has an affection for one of his senior officers but his earlier crude manners as a tie pilot has all but dashed any chance of romance. He keeps to himself regarding most of his previous campaigns and missions unlike many of his fellow coreworld officers.

Lieutenant Celine Sylvon- ISD Kumo Strategic System Operations and Intelligence. Known for her quick wit and lesser known for her taste for violence she was hand chosen by Captain Kai for her position. Her tactical prowess often helps during ship-to-ship combat but is skilled in CQC fighting techniques. A deep cynical streak runs through her from previous experiences where she had hoped and lost.

Major Gridon- ISD Kumo Imperial Ground forces Assistant Commander Under Colonel Vimoshi of the 73rd Legion. Gridon's a no-nonsense commander with little tolerance for anyone or thing not falling into imperial regulations and doctrine. His large imposing stature is only surpassed by his deep intimidating voice and level of anger he is known to go into when he sees a threat or countermanded by a superior. He does not tolerate any sort of resistance from fellow officers at or below his rank and works to destroy any chance of it encroaching on his own goals. Has been noted to cut his losses when he sees a battle or situation get out of control which has included giving ground to resistant factions at the expense of imperial material and personnel in large amounts to the ire of some of his lower ranked officers.

Major Araed- ISD Kumo Ground forces of 73rd Legion and former Official Liason to multiple dignitaries in the core worlds that garnered her favor with imperial hierarchy. She suddenly requested military service and selected Kumo as her hand picked assignment just after the Halasian campaign for reasons unbeknownst but to her. She seems cool headed in combat but like many in the scout divisions she prefers to stay silent and out of sight while events unfold. Lt. Sylvon has taken notice of this and has mentioned it to the Captain who seems to have expected this type of behavior from Araed.

Corp. Zaym TK1979- Stormtrooper 73rd Imperial Legion detached to ISD Kumo, became personal trooper assistant to Capt. Kai after Kumo's crash. TK1979 was part of the Imperial infantry detached to the Kumo for ground operations under Colonel Vimoshi. After the events following the Endor debacle he is now a go-between for assignment commanders and Captain Kai himself.

Tech-Specialist Vishar- ISD Kumo Communications Operations became assistant to Capt. Kai following the events after the failed Endor battle. A regular tavern jumper he often can be found in the enlisted lounge during is off-duty time drinking mass amounts of ale and playing cards while letting his drunken rambling become the entertainment of the others around him. He has a one sided appreciation for Technician Yazit Qwistis who noticed but had other interests.

Sergeant Atter- ISD Kumo Naval trooper assigned to internal security assistant to Cmdr. Karamat. Clone War veteran of dozens of campaigns Sgt. Atter was one of the finest soldiers under Admiral Jaeger and one of the few Captain Kai asked to stay on after his retirement. A native of Phosmai and personal friend to retired Grand Admiral Sigal who claimed him the best soldier he ever served with. Atter is experienced and well versed in the underworld of the scum of the galaxy. He is often seen as the enlisted of the 73rd and the ships crew as the best soldier among them. Graying hair and near retirement himself Atter is attached to Cmdr. Karamat as her assistant and best non commissioned officer of the Kumo's forces. Often he's seen giving Karamat and Kai advice regarding military experience and has a tendency to go out-of-regulation in procedure and material when a decisive action has to be made.


Comdr. Vareese Karamat- ISD Kumo Executive officer, Assistant Field operations Commander to Colonel Vimoshi. A very strict upbringing was the solid base upon which Commander Karamat built her stone fortress of emotion on. She technically is under Major Gridon in rank but as they are close in work to Col. Vimoshi and he seemed to favor her in the way she executed his orders she garnered the ire and envy of Gridon. Which did not go unnoticed but Karamat's cold demeanor often belies her rage towards those that undermine or try and cut her stance with leadership due to her rank. A native of the capital of Phosmai she has known Sgt. Atter from a very young age and often sees him as a mentor and one of the very few she considers a friend. She was to rotate off of Kumo but a long unplanned delay on Coruscant while seeing her husband kept her on the ISD after Jaeger's retirement. Kai didn't ask Karamat to remain on the Kumo but after learning Sgt. Atter was staying at the behest of the new captain she has not requested to rotate off.

Lieutenant Vanders-- ISD Kumo Onyx Squadron Leader. Lt. Vanders was defacto Onyx lead when the former Onyx lead was lost at the Battle of Endor. While not very experienced he does have a atitude for leadership and strives to get results rather then flying the barely qualified hours to move on to ship-duty. This is why former Onyx Leader Cliner chose Vander's as his 2nd in command of the squadron. After the Endor trap failed Cliner's tie interceptor was severely damaged and unable to limp back to Kumo before the order to jump to lightspeed was carried out. An experience Vander's blames himself for. He now wishes to prove himself a competent leader of the squadron. He was designated Banshee Lead for raid over Riptide

Lieutenant Faraday- ISD Kumo Stryfe Squadron. A coreworld officer he was trained at the pilot academy on Coruscant. He often wishes to know as much as possible about any mission or person he meets but fails to put knowledge into practice as he often gets sidetracked when doing more then one activity. Has a very overly watchful sister as they're parents died to suspicious circumstances. Was designated Banshee 2 for raid over Riptide .

Lieutenant Commander Lodd- ISD Kumo Stryfe Squadron Leader was always willing to ask questions but for the sole purpose of his cynical view on ideas others had that hadn't come to him yet as his fellow officers saw him as an officer who sees himself an Admiral by age 30 without a shred of experience nor qualifications. He was rotated in after the Halasian campaign and given Stryfe Squadron. Was designated Banshee 3 in the first assault over the Riptide

Gunner Specialist Raem- ISD Kumo Gunnery Sergeant. Rotated onto Kumo after Admiral Jaeger's retirement.

Gunner Specialist Uwer SulDae-  ISD Kumo Gunnery Sergeant. Rotated onto Kumo after Admiral Jaeger's retirement.

Captain Ryvil- ISD Kumo Flight officer for 247th Fighter Wing. Often at odds with Captain Kai regarding flight deployments and procedures he is kept on due to his politics inside the Kumo as he continues to be one of the few pilots loyal to Maj. Gridon. Ryvil survived the Halasia campaign and was promoted after the retirement of Admiral Jaeger. Noteworthy for being one of the few officers to take a second tie tour after making his initial run and refusing fleet duty. But also noteworthy for being a leader that holds back and doesn't foray into battle until it's well decided that he's on the victorious side.

Private Karva- ISD enlisted as part of the 73rd infantry. Native of Phosmai and great grand nephew to former Grand Admiral Sigel.

Squadron compliment after Endor battle and before crash of Kumo -
ONYX Tie/ln (4survivng),
MOON Tie/ln (8survivng),
GREY Tie/ln (4survivng),
STRYFE Tie/ln (6survivng),
HAMMER Tie/bomber (4survivng),
STORM Tie/Interceptor (7survivng).

5 Tie/ln fighters of Stryfe and Moon lost in battle over Riptide ... 1 survivng.

Admiral Sequa- IIC Slipstream senior ranking officer in command. An admirlal with experience during some minor action in the Clone Wars Sequa was always more interested in watching the machinazations of Imperial politics rather then shaping them himself. He has a tendency to let his junior officers take command and be the day-to-day face of operations on his vessel while he is often found in his captain's quarters going over Holo-net information on political movements. This has proven to be useful and a hinderance as it keeps his junior officers in the fast track for promotion but often means his own tactics and procedures are seen as too antiquated relegating him to a fleet cruiser and not a more lavish or lustrous position on a Star Destroyer or on Cosuscant.

Commander Faraday- IIC Slipstream 1st officer and day-to-day operations commander of the Slipstream she is often known for her overbearing attention to detail and her unwillingness to back down in the face of opposition. A former tie pilot she finished her year of combat duty and took a fleet assignment where she could be more in control of her surroundings. Which works well with Admiral Sequa's own hands' off attitude regarding the Slipstream. She is often found speaking about her younger brother of which some of her fellow officers often tire of hearing.


(mentions)
Admiral Jaeger ret.- ISD Kumo Former Captain Senior ranked officer in command. Retired after the Halasian campaign.
Colonel Vimoshi- ISD Kumo Senior Ground forces commander KIA during Kumo crash.
Commander Cliner- ISD Kumo Former Lead of Onyx Squadron presumed KIA at Endor.
Colonel Telecco- ISD Kumo Former Ground commander, replaced by Col. Vimoshi, took a new position on Brental 4 after the victory of the Halasian campaign.
Grand Admiral Sigel ret.- Former Grand Admiral retired 8 years before Battle of Endor, still very active in Phosmai planetary politics.
Captain Zaq Vuris- Great grandson to Grand Admiral Sigel currently part of ISB stationed in the Outer Rim.
Lieutenant Pliskin- ISD Kumo Former officer of 73rd detachment during the initial search of Aranae


---------- REBEL ALLIANCE ----------

Captain Barrax- Mon Calamari Cruiser Riptide Captain. Formerly a Mon Calamari cruise liner captain Barrax hadn't the most combat experience before the galactic civil war, but was known for his keen intuition and having excellent tactical skills. He also has an affinity for cooking and often uses food or kitchen references when speaking to subordinates.

Commander Vorm- Blue Lead of Blue Squadron from Riptide. Vorm was originally a courier for Shell Surf delivery on his home world and came to join the rebellion before the battle of Hoth. He has a knack for exceptional skill for flying larger slower craft, pulling maneuvers that were hard to accomplish in slower moving fighters like the Y-Wing. Eventually forming a Mon Calamari bomber group called Shell Squardon after his old jobs name. He has an abraded working relationship with the Clarion's 1st officer Commander Shellish deeming his ideas and strategy too dangerous. Fortunately Captain Barrax had a more tempered attitude towards aerial missions.

Lieutenant Percy Zovish Designated Blue 3 while on the planet Aranae, he was the veteran of the Clarion's Y-Wing squadron. Starting his pilot career after the Clone Wars with light freighter runs but eventually meeting a younger Mon Calamari pilot Commander Vorm on their home world and both deciding to join the rebellion just before the battle of Hoth.
 
Lieutenant Cashil Designated Blue 5 while on the planet Aranae the young female Mon Cala pilot joined the rebellion after the battle of Hoth. Being told the evil's of the empire since birth she couldn't wait to find an agent from the alliance to join up with their forces.

Lieutenant Adax Designated Blue 6 at Aranae. Forming up with Vorm's Shell Squadron just after the battle of Hoth Adax was glad to see other Mon Calamari joining the rebellion to defeat the Empire after Hoth.

Lieutenant Draxan Designated as Blue 8 at Aranae Drax was more following the tales of others about strings of victories by the rebel alliance leading to the dramatic assault at Endor.

Lieutenant Lisson Designated Blue 11 on Aranae Lisson is Shell Squadron's best bomb delivery pilot. She was known for her excellent targeting and also skilled in medical procedures.

Lieutenant Kradam Designated Blue 12 at Aranae Kradam is a relative newcomer to Vorm's Shell Squadron. Joining up with the squadron just before the rebel alliance amassed at Sullust prior to their attack on the second Death Star. A middle aged Mon Calamari Kradam keeps to  himself and doesn't speak unless necessary.

Commander Shellis 1st Officer of Riptide. Shellis had lobbied early during the fledgling alliance to get command of a capital ship. He has tactical ingenuity but often is seen as unwilling to listen to ideas that may be contradictory to his own plans and crews often deem him overly confident.

Lieutenant Tarris Riptide's Communication's officer

Lieutenant Klavine Designated LONGSPEAR One of the few humans assigned to the Clarion Klavine was part of Captain Dryce's spec-ops unit "Dryce's Deck". He was very dubious about the assault on the second Death Star but was glad it worked. During the imperial retreat he was recalled to the Riptide instead of the Clarion to rejoin Captain Dryce's main unit. Fortunately for him as the Clarion was destroyed in a plume of fire in the atmosphere of the planet Aranae.

Lt. Aerrel Tritan Designated SPEAR. Part of "Dryce's Deck" Tritan was a well traveled pilot and former imperial academy graduate joined up with the Rebellion after the battle of Hoth. Known as the cool head in the "Deck" Tritan has often used her experiences to guide her in battle. She hopes to live long enough see the Empire's reign end over the galaxy.

Commander Glavyn Riptide Boarding party leader of Team B (Stormie Captain)

Corporal Smoldz Riptide Boarding party member of Team B (Stormie Lt.)

Maintenance LeadSgt. Lactah Riptide Maintenance Lead

Captain Dryce Alliance air/ground unit commander assigned to the Clarion. While technically not part of Captain Barrax's crew he was assigned to the ship under orders of General Cracken. He was originally hoping to capture a wounded ISD with it's computer core intact before being scuttled which had happened by multiple Star Destroyers at Endor. While the capture of the Kumo failed Dryce's Deck will continue to assist in the rescue operations to help the Clarion and Riptide survivors.

Lt. Plosshim Riptide Defense officer Ground commander.

mentions
Uncle Hestem - Big Hes  Aerrel Tritan's uncle.


DATAPAD NOTATION: ...

Planet Aranae- Originally Aranae was part of the Assembler's colony worlds. With vast oceans and large forested areas above ground that were complimented with deep caverns and large hollowed mountains made for excellent base components for an Assembler colony to start. However the colonie's sentience all but has escaped the most elder of the Viraxen leaders without explanation that even the remaining sentient Viraxen are puzzled by.

Vokral – former overqueen of the Viraxen, neutralized by order of Admiral Jaeger.

The Viraxen- A species of huge arachnids that have a semi-hive mind. They have One Overqueen and 3 visage queens that work as a network for their mind. Rarely does one see what the others do not. Their webbing is extremely durable and very sticky. The few that have seen the Viraxen often say the race's nightmarish attributes scar their minds and senses as the fanged mouths often give a loud wailing scream when hunting. They are comprised of 4 Royal nests, 1 main 3-visage queens in charge of the others. 8 assemblers made the council of of elders to ensure a the hierarchy is kept in check.

Imperial ISD contact at roughly 1-0BBY by accident. Admiral Jaeger commanding. Those that have dealt with the Viraxen have found very little knowledge from them as they cling to old religions of ancient webs of the under and over with their philosophical views changing from the position in the hives they take. 8 elder assemblers created the original colonial council for progression of the race however they're efforts were futile as sentience started to escape later nestlings early on in their growth. Suppression and extermination of the Royal hierarchy per order of Admrial Jaeger and agreement to spare the council of assembler elders.

-
Planet received quarantine designate by order of Grand Moff Tarkin.
-
Now there is.. ."She",... the one that was awakened. She is now current Overqueen and ruler of the remnants of the 4 original nests that now exacts her vengeance on those that slain her.

(https://i1.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/moffs-acknowlegments-page.png?ssl=1&w=450) (https://i2.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/moffs-story-page1.png?ssl=1&w=450) (https://i0.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/moffs-story-page2.png?ssl=1&w=450)

Phosmai-

Like many human dominated planets Phosmai was originally a Rakatan slavers colony. However with the decline and fall of the Rakatan's Infinite Empire the humans were freed but left to suvive the harsh conditions on Phosmai on their own.

Later after conflicts inflamed and extinquished the prosperity of Phosmai was had by many in the early days of the formation of the Republic.

Once long ago in the early years of the old republic the planet Phosmai was steward to the Valphosmai shipyards. Now no more then a distant memory on the fringe ofthe galaxy.

The remnants of the shipyards have been occupied the last several hundred years with nothing worth of note for the common good and decent citizens of the Empire. Smugglers and Pirates use the decaying orbital platforms and the wrecked hulks of ships long abandoned as hide outs and theives dens. It would have stayed like this long after Palpatine had passed on his inheritance of the Empire to his successor.


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<Backstory: I started this fanfic about 9 months ago when I thought I was going to do it as a Photonovel, the mods may remember a deleted post by me back in May with pics of a stormie figure near a rough dio of pillars covered in vines. I decided to take a more in depth perspective on the story and wrote about 80 pages. I may turn it into a photonovel eventually... but wanted to test the waters 1st. BTW i see an imperial commander in Chewbacca #3 is called Commander Kai... the same last name as my main imp captain... Kai is a word that has a lot of different meanings in different languages around the world... so I'm not sure the reason for Gerry Duggan using it as the imp officer in the Chewbacca series, but that character has no relation to my imperial Captain Kai, just saying... my Kai came 1st!   :P >

Prologue: The Battle of Endor.

During the battle the second Death Star was destroyed and the Imperial star fleet took heavy losses when the command vessel and many other imperial capital ships were captured or destroyed in the chaos of the engagement against the rebel fleet. During the disaster the retreat order was given by a Captain Paelleon sending many surviving ships to retreat to predestined fall back points should something as unthinkable as defeat taken place.

The escape saw multiple star destroyers captured by the Rebellion. Some imperial vessels were able to flee to their fall back positions while others made blind jumps to get away from the carnage. Some still tried to get away but had alliance capital ships still in pursuit racing behind the imps hoping to pounce on their wounded prey.


As the massive imperial star destroyer Kumo flew through hyperspace it's structure showed the heavy hand laid on it by the Alliance cruisers. The destroyer's ivory white armor scarred and torn with blaster marks and bombing hits. Long dark streaks were burned along it's bow as its starboard side showed bulk heads and decks ripped open from torpedo strikes. Burned out turbo laser gun ports put large blackened voids where normally lights illuminated the sides of the star destroyer's hull once showing the life and power of this symbol of imperial might. They now stood as dark sobering reminders of the imperial power in flux. Suddenly the blue tunnel of hyperspace retracted as the star destroyer fell back into real space high above a small blue and green planet.

The Kumo's bridge was controlled chaos. As crewmen and techs rush to different stations shouting reports as officers on the command walkway barked orders down towards the crew pits.

As a technician clad in gray with a back uniform cap looked at his reports he looked up from his readouts towards the command walkway and spoke up with his report. “Captain! Shields are back up to 20% after the micro jump. Repair crews are still trying to cover all the damage.” The words were directed towards the olive drab uniformed man standing in the front of the Kumo's massive view ports. A man of average height, dark blue eyes, pale skin and jet black hair under his green cap turned from the view ports towards the technician and nodded as he replied. “ Have them get on the most detrimental damage immediately especially any damage that may cause future hull breaches or bulk head leaks.” Captain Kai said in a slightly anxious voice. He had a distinct anger under his breath and the technician could tell he was working to restrain it. “Right sir!” the technician loudly replied.

Captain Kai held his arms on his waist, his black gloved hands clenching his belt as he tapped his boot against the command platform's hull. Impatience was growing in him. Impatience or the knowledge of what just occurred was truly sinking in. The strike fleet at Endor was decimated. Not only that but the Death Star destroyed and no reports of Palpatine making it off the station had came through before the jump away from the chaos. Had Palpatine really been killed? Kai thought to himself. A moment later one of the other technicians from a console turned and shouted out of the port side crew pit. “Captain! Multiple hostile signatures coming out of hyperspace behind us!” Kai bit down on his teeth in frustration for a half second before replying “Ready remaining batteries for combat, launch any current prepped Tie flights for defense ready remaining tie flights to prep for launch!”

From behind the star destroyer two large Mon Calamari cruisers emerged from hyperspace and start to flank the imperial ship in a pincer maneuver.



As the remaining starboard batteries erupted with defensive fire towards the closer side Mon Calamari cruiser Tie fighters poured out of the Kumo's main hangar heading towards the further away port side rebel cruiser. Turbo lasers from the closer Mon Calamari vessel scored direct hits over the few remaining starboard batteries trying to defend the imperial capital ship.

“Captain! Damage control reports all starboard batteries aft of the main hangar are now destroyed or disabled!” An officer from the starboard crew pit reported hastily towards Kai. “Bring us about to put the planet to our starboard side as quickly as possible so the port batteries can try to get an angle on the closer cruiser! Where is it?!”

Suddenly another score lurched the entire bridge of the imperial star destroyer. Making the officers stumble and replant their feet for balance. The blonde haired technician who reported the shield and damage earlier turned in a panic towards Kai ”Sir batteries report the closer cruiser went into atmosphere, but the port rebel ship is starting a barrage!” Captain Kai exhaled quickly and mumbled to himself “Most of their fighters are back at Endor then. Track the closer cruiser if able!” One of the technicians from a console spoke loudly but never turned from his view-screen, “The planets atmosphere is interfering with scanners and targeting we can no longer track or scan the rebel vessel Captain!”. A split second later Kai barked orders down into the crew pit and finished his sentence loud enough so the entire bridge could hear “Follow it into the planets atmosphere!” The helmsmen looked up from his displays in disbelief “Sir?” Kai yelled his reply “Do it!”. As the helm officer complied Kai continued “I want us deep into the planets atmosphere, make sure the storms and interference cover us.” The helmsmen nodded and complied. As the Kumo started into its new trajectory the previous technician spoke up “Sir the second cruiser is in pursuit!” Kai waited a few moments before acknowledging the information and spoke his orders back towards the helmsman. “Have engines ready to preform an all-stop descent in the atmosphere and reverse thrust at the rebel ships incoming heading, have remaining port batteries ready the ships heading as it comes closer”. “Yes sir!” the Tech replied.

Outside the Kumo's view ports the squadron of Tie fighters that launched had broken off from following the missing second Mon Calamari cruiser and returned to orbit with Kumo. Flight officers on the Kumo's bridge ordered them to run interference on the second Mon Calamari cruiser now in pursuit of their star destroyer.

A few moments later another officer from the port crew pit reported “Sir engineering is ready.” Kai swallowed and crooked an eyebrow as he turned back from the crew pit towards the view ports and replied “ All-Stop reverse thrusts! All batteries fire at target! All remaining fighters stay space side of the rebel ship! Keep it engaged on both sides!”. Kai clenched his teeth a moment after the words left him. He knew it was a cheap parlor trick for a strategy which was basically the same pincer maneuver the pair of Mon Calamari cruisers had tried to do to the Kumo but without the same amount of fire power. In the back of his mind something felt off to him, he knew it was risky but some odd bit of intuition told him to be mindful of the missing Mon Calamari cruiser. Though he put the feeling aside with the mental training he had learned at the academy reassuring himself the ion storms over the planet may have taken the other Calamari cruiser as a victim.

The Kumo's engines hummed loud in the planet's high atmosphere as it came to a stop and reversed skyward. The Mon Calamari Cruiser while agile in space for a capital ship was much as it's imperial counterpart was in atmosphere, slow and sluggish to respond. Giving all the more time to the star destroyer's gunners and Tie fighters to tear into it's hull as it's shields failed under the barrage from the turbo lasers on bow and the tie fighter squadrons at its aft. With most of it's A and B wing's launched during the assault on the second Death Star it had no umbrella of fighter cover to speak of.
The Kumo's turbo lasers were now so close the gunners could not miss as they  unleashed volley after volley onto the hull of the rebel ship.

As the the battle between the Star Destroyer and the Calamari vessel raged the bridge crew of the Mon Calamari cruiser Riptide watched the battle above them as they were trying to gain altitude out of the planet's atmosphere. A gray skinned Calamari wearing his white naval uniform, the Mon Calamari captain sat in his chair. Captain Barrax barked orders in a grumbled tone towards his comm officer ”Status of the Clarion!?” A Mon Cala officer looked up and replied “It's shields have failed their getting pummeled from both ends sir!” Barrax turned back towards the view ports looking at the small outline of the Star Destroyer's arrowhead shape far above him. “Bring us about and start towards the Star Destroyer from its lower starboard quarter. We'll have to be quick!” he ordered. The bridge crew scrambled and bristled with urgency to comply with Captain Barrax's orders.


The Kumo continued the barrage against the Mon Calamari cruiser. The Clarion tried to turn to reach space as it came about. However a volley of fire from the Star Destroyer's lasers hit their marks right through the center starboard hull. The Clarion then shuttered hard as multiple explosions are seen bursting through the rebel ship hull. The Mon Cal ship starts to roll over never achieving even a low orbit. The Calamari ship starts to roll over like a huge fish turning in the sea and then explodes in a huge fireball raining debris down through the planet's atmosphere, raining over its killer the star destroyer now slowly ascending back towards a low orbit above the planet.

Captain Kai watched as his ship's adversary exploded through the view port. He felt slightly relieved as he listened to the imperial officers and crewmen start to congratulate each other when loud clangs are heard and felt on the ship. The instant Kai heard the hull register the sound the feeling of unease from the back of his mind came back. He mentally stifled it and turned to one of the crew pit officers. “Was that debris?” he said concerned. The technician he spoke to widened his eyes in surprise and looked up from his console flustered “No! The second rebel ship came up through the chaos and is attaching a pair of boarding clamps!”. Kai's expression changed in an instant from concern to surprise and anger “What!?”. Just then another officer reported aloud “Sir their ship attached starboard and aft of the main hanger where the batteries are out of commission! We can't blast them away!”. Less then a second passed and the excited and fearful ramblings of the crew pits were starting. Kai turned toward the helmsmen barking orders “ENGINES PULL US INTO HIGH ORBIT! GET US AWAY FROM THEM!”. The helm officer flashed his hands over the console to comply with his orders and then stopped with a look of shock at his view-screen readouts, he replied back towards Kai “ Sir, there's no response from engineering. Not even negative confirmation...”

Kai stood there a second processing what was happening why wasn't Vimoshi replying had he been killed in the damage the Kumo took? If so one of the junior officers should have replied. A thought ran through Kai's mind just as another technician called up from the starboard crew pit “Sir! Reports of boarders on levels 27 and 35!” As the situation started to become panicked Kai's training started to take over as his thought process became more damage containment oriented. He turned towards one of the officers in the port side crew pit. “Seal all functional bulkheads! Contain them! All stations prepare to repel boarders!”. As soon as the order was given the initial technician who had reported the shields and bulk heads turned back towards Kai, the young man in his twenties with blonde hair had a frightened look over his face. “Sir only partial response from the bulkheads because of the damage.” Kai had figured as much. He had resigned himself to the realization that surviving a day like today will be a task in and of itself. A moment later a different officer updated the boarding party reports “Sir we have reports of boarders on levels 35 through 48 now! They are using slicers to shut down everything except life support and deck hatches!”. Kai clicked his teeth in controlled frustration before walking to the rear of the command walkway looking toward the large double doors that lead to the rest of the Kumo's decks he inhaled deeply and gave orders in a more clear and steeled manner “Troopers to the bridge! The rest of you arm yourselves!”. Kai pointed to an officer in the communication's alcove gesturing an order to him. A moment later the officer in the alcove bent down into a locker compartment under the terminal and took out an armful of holsters and officer issued SE-14r blaster pistols. The officer ran towards Kai handing him one and then dispersed the rest to the officers coming towards the center of the bridge to obtain a side arm. Kai strapped on his holster and watched as the rest of the officers in the crew pits did much of the same. His mind flashed for a second to his former commanding officer Captain Jaeger's words several years ago “Conscripts will fight as well as any man that has fear of death in them. The men that don't fear death are the one's you cannot trust.”.

Aboard the Riptide's bridge Captain Barrax looked out through the view ports at the massive image of the Star Destroyer filling the space outside as his ship was clamped onto it's hull. Without turning from the scene of the Kumo's damaged starboard side he started requesting reports “Status of our boarding parties?”. A Mon calamari officer looked up from her terminal at the captain and replied “We locked down their engines with TEAM A. TEAM B is fighting their way to the bridge. TEAM C is making their way towards the armory. TEAM D is encountering heavy resistance on their way towards the main flight hangar.”. Barrax gave a nod of acknowledgment as he continued to stare out of the view ports with his large eyes. He clamped his gray colored hands behind his back anxious to hear the boarding teams objectives completed.

The Kumo's bridge was becoming as anxious. Chaotic chatter had broken out on the bridge as technicians and officers in the crew pits were hunkering down behind their consoles. The command officers and navy troopers readied themselves in the communication and security alcoves to the sides of the crew pits. Kai now wearing his holster and blaster reach up and turned his cap backwards and pulled it down tight over his thick black hair. His breath was heavy as the dread started to creep back into his mind. He looked over towards the communications alcove and inquired with a mid-level shout “Where are the troopers!?”. A comm officer clicked a few controls on the panel and turned with a hastened reply. “They are encountering heavy resistance two decks below us!”. “Do we still control the flight hangars?” Kai replied. The comm officer turned his head towards the views-screens and back at Kai and nodded as he spoke “Yes sir for now, orders?” Kai's mind raced he turned toward the flight officer hunkering down behind his console and spoke “Have all remaining fighters launch now! All remaining flight crews and pilots to their ships. I want bombers flying sorties on that bastard boarding us!” The flight officer acknowledged the order with a nod as he came back to the front of the console and started punching in orders. He looked up at Captain Kai with a worried look “Will it be enough sir?” Kai continued to stare at the double doors at the rear of the bridge. Kai replied in a calm tone “No, launch everything. All bombers, shuttles, even transports and drop ships. Anything to break us free. Have all flights join with MOON Squadron in attack vectors, with luck we'll break free of them.”. As Kai finished his words an officer shouted from the security alcove “Sir troopers are here!”

A trio of stormtroopers with burns and scoring on their armor ran into the bridge towards the Captain, their boots clanging on the metal deck plates. Two of the troopers were in normal armor as the lead soldier was wearing a white sergeant's pauldron. Kai put his hands on his waist as the troopers stopped in front of him “Report!” he barked. The lead trooper's com crackled on as he spoke “Sir a large assault team is one deck below us. Most of my team are gone. We wont hold them off for long without additional support immediately.” Kai nodded at the news and it was as grim as he assumed it would be. He waived towards a pair of technicians standing in the security alcove giving them the command he had set up while the bridge crew armed themselves. The pair of techs went to the double doors with plasteel welder torches obtained from the maintenance lockers and started welding the doors shut in case the rebel slicers were good enough to get into the security overrides that kept the rear entrance sealed. Perhaps a physical barrier may slow them down. Kai's feeling of dread was creeping into his mind again as it did earlier but now he let it envelope his thoughts allowing him to think of worst case scenarios. “There is no time for reinforcements now sergeant, ready your men.” The trooper acknowledged the Captain's comment with a “Understood sir!” and ordered his pair of troopers into each crew pits. The technicians finished their welding and moved to the security alcove and readied their blasters. Loud banging on the hull were heard from behind the rear doors as well as the occasional blaster fire and yelling. Kai shouted out “BE READY!” as he sprinted to the security alcove with the other officers readying their blasters in a defensive position. As Kai knelt to one knee as he trained his blaster on the door. As if on cue the sound of a cutting torch was heard as sparks and smoke started to slice through the center of the recently sealed double doors.

The cutting torches stopped and then a moment later the rear bridge doors exploded open with a loud BANG! Before the smoke cleared laser shots shot through the charred opening. Blaster fire darted from both crew pits and the alcoves towards the opened whole. Kai unleashed short controlled bursts into the smoke as he watched the silhouettes of boarders crumble and fall to the waves of blaster fire. He had a rush of adrenaline going through him and for a small instant he thought maybe the few bodies on the deck plating were all they were going to need to deal with. He reminded himself he knew better and a moment later he was reminded his experience would be correct as a flurry of shots came into the bridge from the other side of the double doors blasted portal. The blasts found their mark on several of the techs and officers in the security and communications alcoves. Kai returned fire then a massive explosion rocked the bridge as the double doors flung open and several rebel troopers rushed the bridge of the Kumo. Many of the rebels wore green field uniforms with large blaster rifles. The Kumo's bridge became a web of laser fire as the rebel boarders and fought to gain control as the imperial officers and technicians shot from behind consoles and the crew pits. Both the imperials and the rebel boarders took massive casualties in the melee of laser fire  some of the rebel troopers rushed the starboard crew pit and leaped into it being shot as they landed on technicians and officers allowing other rebel boarders behind them to follow and start close quarters fighting in the pit. The rebels fought savagely. Kai blasted away at them as they turned the alcove corner assuming the rebels didn't wish to use thermal grenades to damage the bridge beyond repair, it gave him and the officer next to him some advantage in the fighting.


to be continued...
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Tamer on November 21, 2015, 05:46:47 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/Vq5otHT.png)

I created an image to go with the front page story I just posted. Looking forward to reading more.
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Rezikai on November 21, 2015, 07:53:15 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/Vq5otHT.png)

I created an image to go with the front page story I just posted. Looking forward to reading more.

Thanks Tamer, eventually I may do some photo novel shots to go with the story or some art I made.
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Rezikai on November 21, 2015, 09:42:27 PM
Through the view port of the Riptide Captain Barrax listened to more reports of spacecraft launching from the Kumo's hangars. Dozen's of fighters and other support craft of all make were streaming from the wounded star destroyer's bowels. “Captain! Enemy targets are maneuvering to flank our position!” a calamari officer shouted out anxiously. Barrax turned to the gunnery station and barked orders “All batteries mark targets and fire, keep them away from us!”. As Barrax spoke explosions rocked the Riptide. Barrax held his command station as he turned again to his gunnery officer “Batteries report!” The calamari officer shook her head as as she replied not looking up from her view-screen “Sir portside batteries are operational but the imp craft are staying to our starboard. Starboard batterings are being overwhelmed!” Another set of explosions rocked the Riptide as the gunnery officer finished her sentence. Barrax turned back toward the view ports with alarm in his voice “What's the boarding parties status?!” The calamari officer looked at her view-screens and replied “They hold the engineering and are encountering heavy resistance en route to the hangars and armory. TEAM B is currently engaged on the vessels bridge!” Captain Barrax felt his ship shutter as more hits landed on the hull of his cruiser. He mumbled to himself as he looked at the stream of imperial craft zooming past “Not fast enough...”.




In vacuum of space the starboard side batteries were being pummeled by star fighter strafing and bomber hits. Tie's of all make were making runs across the Mon Calamari cruiser while the slower vessels were staying making more moderate runs towards the rebel ships gun emplacements. Shuttles and drop ships flew past the rebel cruiser's hull hitting it with what damage they could. Individually a few fighters and shuttles armaments wouldn't be able to stand against one of the large Mon Calamari star cruisers but as this one is now held in a stationary position and cannot utilize a good portion of its defenses the lesser offensive craft are taking their toll on the alliance vessel.

During the fighting the Calamari gunners did all they could to keep the swarms of imperials at bay. So many craft made it easy to find targets but targeting a vessel or fighter meant two or more would be attacking unprovoked. During the battle a sentinel drop shuttle attacked on a strafing run but could not pull away from the fire zone quickly enough and the Calamari gunners targeted the slower shuttle and fired scoring direct hits that tore into the shuttle's hull. The body of the sentinel tore open from the barrage and started to spin out of control. At the same time a titan drop ship was coming from the Kumo's hangar to attack the Riptide's bow. The drop ship with a massive pyramid shaped hull was designed to land four of the AT-AT walkers to a planet's surface. The titan for it's massive size was only controlled by a small cockpit near the top of the pyramid shaped body. The slow drop ship's pilot could see the wounded sentinel shuttle spinning out of control directly at it but didn't have the speed to maneuver away in time as the tri-winged shuttle smashed into the small cockpit of the massive ship disintegrating instantly in a fiery explosion. The massive titan slowly careened out of control at a forty-five degree angle and descended toward the hull of the alliance cruiser being pulled by the planet's gravity.

The Calamari gunners saw the massive titan drop ship coming but their lasers couldn't break it's superstructure up quickly enough before the out of control vessel smashed into the Calamari cruisers aft docking clamp severing it in the collision as the pyramid shaped drop ship slowly churned itself into debris as it tore through the clamp and continued into the alliance cruiser's hull.




The severing of the Riptides boarding clamp shook the Kumo's starboard hull and the inertia pulled the massive star destroyer closer towards the smaller Calamari vessel. The explosions of the the boarding clamp and collision of the titan drop-ship against the cruisers hull shook the Riptide's bridge violently. Captain Barrax shouted orders in the chaos at his officers “Status!”. The female mon calamari officer reported as she held on to her console during the impact. “Mooring clamp A destroyed! The star destroyer is on a direct collision heading!” Barrax replied towards his engineering officer “Get us clear of it!”. But it was too late as a thunderous roar of metal and explosions shook the Riptide as the star destroyer smashed into the Calamari cruisers hull. The bow boarding clamp was crushed between the pair of vessels as the Kumo drew closer to the Riptide. The Calamari cruiser's engines ignited as the Kumo collided with it, giving the rebel ship enough push off from the star destroyer to avoid being smashed into debris. As the Riptide's hull sustained the impact its engines fell inert. Without a way to control their descent the Calamari cruiser started to go into a flat spin as it fell deeper into the planet's gravity well.




Aboard the Kumo's bridge the firefight was chaotic and bloody. Dead and dying imperials lay in the alcoves and crew pits along side surviving troopers and bridge crew trying to put up a meager resistance towards the relentless alliance troopers. Captain Kai was laying prone behind the body of the dead imperial officer that had taken cover with him in the security alcove. A rebel trooper came around the side of the alcove and must have assumed Kai was dead as the young rebel had his attention towards the crew pits. Kai stayed still a moment until he realized the rebel didn't see him as a threat, then leapt to one knee and put a free hand up as the motion garnered the rebel troopers attention and he spun towards Kai with his D H-17 blaster at his torso to fire. Kai anticipated the move and clamped his free hand under the rebel troopers blaster and raised it towards the ceiling as bolts of laser fire shot from it as the young trooper fired instinctively. During the motion Kai shoved his own blaster pistol into the rebels throat and pulled the trigger blowing through the rebel soldiers neck exiting with pieces of bone and muscle out of the base of the back of the man's skull. The soldier gurgled and fell over as Kai held onto the dead man's blaster and held flipped it around to use it himself.

Kai watched as occasional blaster fire was still coming from the crew pits towards the rebel positions near the double doors when suddenly the rebels stopped firing back then turned and fled. For a few moments the surviving bridge crew didn't leave their cover unsure of what happened. A few moments went by during the silence. It felt like an eternity to Kai who hugged the edge of the alcove he used for cover to peer towards the rebel positions to see what happened. Kai saw they had gone, unsure of why. He backed away from the double doors dual wielding the pair of blasters still pointed at the blasted doors. Then a huge shutter and lurch shook the bridge of the Kumo. Kai stumbled before regaining his footing as the Kumo's bridge then reverberated as a larger lurching impact was felt throwing Kai to his knees. Kai looked out the view ports to see the starfield start to move and realized the Kumo had smashed into the something and was now falling planetside.
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: JDeck on November 26, 2015, 01:56:30 PM
Cool story! Great story telling, I like the imagery.
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Rezikai on April 03, 2016, 01:15:09 AM
Captain Kai pulled himself up from his knees. The surviving bridge crew took their stations after they felt the Kumo was being pulled by the planet's gravity and started to go into free fall.

As he regained his footing Kai shouted towards the crew pits "HELM! Control?!" The blonde haired technician held onto the console as best he could through the shaking and replied up towards the captain from the starboard crew pit  "Gone sir! All we have is emergency thrusters!" The Kumo started to shake as it's massive form sheared through the upper atmosphere of the planet. The survivors of the Kumo's bridge started to hold on to consoles and control planels as the star destroyer started a slow flat spin in its descent towards the planet.

Kai's mind raced to think of options he balanced himself as he barked towards the other surviving crewers "What else do we have!?" A dark haired disheveled officer from the port pit yelled up from a console "All that's left we can control is internal comm, hatches, bulkheads and life support now, the slicers locked us from the rest!".

The Kumo broke into the lower atmosphere shuttering hard against the harsh winds of the planet. In it's slow spin the out of control vessel was peaking through the planet's clouds and landmass can be easily made out from its forward view ports. Kai had a thought and decided to put it into action. He yelled orders over the sound of bulk heads shearing and shuttering in the planets trade winds. "Time until impact!?" The female officer replied back to him "Sixty-three seconds!" Kai reach over to the communication terminal and slammed it on with his finger, unknowing if the actual system was even broadcasting internally to the rest of the ship."All remaining personnel to escape pods! Rally point ALPHA at the Northwest coast's peninsula!" Kai turned back to the crew pit and gave the coordinates seemingly too easily. But in excitement and fear mixed with adrenaline they didn't bother to ask. "Right! Coordinates marked!" The female from the crewpit yelped in reply. Kai never looked at the actual crew pits themselves keeping his eyes at the spinning scene outside the Kumo's forward viewports. He spoke above the noise of the howling wind whistling through the holes of the Kumo's superstructure. "Point of impact?" The blonde haired technician from the starboard crew pit shouted a reply "West on the main continent, near the western coastline!" Kai took a deep breathe and thought for a precious second and turned to the officer in the crew pit.  "Mark at five thousand kilometers to impact." The female waited a half second then replied "Impact in forty-eight seconds mark in sixteen!". Kai turned back towards the view ports and continued his orders "On my mark use starboard emergency thrusters and blow all starboard docking bays and battery wells into the planet's atmosphere." For a half second the officers and technicians were silent before the blonde haired technician replied back "Sir?!". " DO IT!" Was the only words Kai gave the younger man.

The female officer yelled up from the crew pit a few seconds later "Mark at five thousand kilometers in eight seconds. In five seconds. In three seconds. MARK!" As the female officer shouted the countdown Captain Kai felt relatively calm, the previous words of Admiral Jaeger still in his mind. As Kai heard the officer should the word -mark- he gave shouted his single word order to the crewpits "Now!".

With that single word from Kai all the hatches and wells were blown on the starboard side of the Kumo along with it's emergency thrusters used for when it has no main power to drive itself. The thrusters are enough to push the massive star destroyer in space but within atmosphere it was a near futile act.

From the surface of the planet the slow spinning Kumo looked like an ancient god falling from the heavens to the planet below, leaving a long trail of dark smoke through the clouds as it descended.
 
Following the massive vessel a stream of tiny spec sized shapes of fighters and spacecraft could be made out like flies following a dying animal. The arrow headed vessel continued to fall then the fighters broke from trailing it and started away in an unorganized scattering as the craft received their orders for the rally point. A small contingent of craft including a pair of tie fighters, a pair of tie interceptors and a sentinel shuttle continued to follow Kumo towards impact.

The continent below grew closer as the star destroyer was now very close to the surface of the planet. On board the sentinel shuttle Major Gridon leaned between the pair of shuttle pilots watching Kumo plummeting. One of the pilots turned towards the major with a questioning glance. "We're not going to the rally point sir?" The Major was an older officer in his mid forties with greying strands through his natural auburn hair. "No, we follow it all the way down." Suddenly the opposite pilot pointed towards the viewport with a surprised tone "Sir look!"

As Gridon turned from speaking to the first pilot he saw the falling star destroyer shutter with a large jolt as massive thrusts and compressed air was erupted out of the star destroyer's hatches and ports on their starboard side. The great blast of  decompressed air nearly stopped the flat spin to the ship and put it at softer degree coming inbound. No longer headed straight down for the surface the Kumo now was coming in from a much more manageable angle.

Back on the Kumo's bridge the surviving bridge crew worked feverishly to gain some kind of control after the ship had shuttered and the blastback from the decompressed hatches and gunnery wells had slowed it's spin considerably. Much the sound of the whistling through the bulk of vessel had stopped and the bridge crew found it easier to hear each other. The female officer shouted up from her crew pit "Thrusters and air blasts from the ports have stopped our spin but it we still don't have control to regain orbit sir!" Kai gave a smirk as if told a joke as he held onto the comm station bulk head replying "Orbit is the last thing on my mind! Port and Keel emergency thrusters to full on my mark!" As Kai finished the order both sets of crew pits replied with acknowledgments. The female officer gave started a second countdown"Sir thirteen seconds until impact! 12, 11, 10." At eleven Kai gave a shout over both crew pits "MARK! Thrusters to full!" Both crew pits gave their replies to his order as Kai shouted toward the crew pits "Hold onto something to brace yourselves!".

The thrusters on the port side of the star destroyer ignited straining to have any effect on the gravity that held the Kumo in its grasp. While unable to stop the ships descent it did give the ship much needed space from impacting inland and now it the great ship was headed toward the last half mile of land left before the coastline of the continent started. The coast of the continent was now filling the entirety of the bridges view ports. Kai jumped down into the legwell of the commstation bracing his legs and body in the small space. From his position Kai heard the officer in the crew pit continue the countdown. "Impact in five!" She shouted as coherent as she could considering.

[insert ISD smashing sideways into a savanah coast nosecone first here]

Without another word the port side of the star destroyer smashed into the surface of the planet's continent at an angle carving a massive gouge through it's coastline grassy plains. The entire left side of Kumo was crushed as the ship continued to plow through the grasslands buckling it's arrow head form against the massive pressure from the impact. The ship continued to destroy tree lines and flattening knolls as it was gouged a huge trench sliding across the grasslands heading for the coastline tearing away debris and bulkheads as it did. The ships wrecked hull and debris that pulled free from the ship littered the huge gash through the desomated streak it left behind.

As the Star Destroyer tore through the edge of the coast its port side smashed nearly a mile wide trench through the savanah's fields. It continued to scrape the grasslands, churning earth under it's port side until it reach the coastline. The Kumo's port side was momentarily scraping through the white sand beach for a moment before the sand caused the ship's hull to burn and buckle under the heat of the pressure and destruction.

The ship finally finished churning through the sand until it hit the shoreline. The water slowed the ship's momentum significantly which caused the buckled and broken hull to split and break open. The hissing sounds of steaming water meeting red hot metal from the hull caused the water to boil near the ships hull. After a distance the ship finally ceased moving laterally and buoyed above water about fifty meters out from shore. The massive damage to Kumo's hull allowed flooding into its decks and with the bulkheads already breached from the boarding parties the ship started to slowly sink. The much heavier engine section weighed down the aft of the ship as it sank to the bottom of the shallow coast much faster. The engine's filled with water the imbalance of weight started Kumo sinking so quickly on its aft end raised up the front of the ship's bow from the water. Allowing the bridge to be slightly above the waterline as well as the upper hangar. The star destroyer jutted out of the sea like a leaning ivory pillar as the aft settled into the shallow sediment. The midsection was mostly underwater,  the forward compartments of the Kumo's superstructure were now slightly above sea level. The angle at which the top of the command tower and the forward compartments slightly came above the waterline looked like huge stepping stones leading to the bow of the ship like an ancient ivory spire sticking out of the water. Kumo's command tower was initially submerged when the ship first sank but slowly rose up from the water line as the bow raised as water poured off of the command tower like a fountain gushing water over it. The star destroyer finally rested as the waterline settled half way up the bridges large triangular view ports. Through it all, the pounding Kumo took at Endor, the chase and assault on it hull here, even the collision with the rebel ship and the hard landing it took into the water, the large view ports of the bridge never ruptured. A testament to the manufacturing of the Kuat drive yards. Any that had survived the crash on the bridge would see the waterline stopped half way up the view ports giving them a semi aquatic view.

Captain Kai regained consciousness finding himself in the starboard crew-pit. He slowly started to rise, moving a dead stormtroopers body off of his torso. He wavered in a moment as he raised up sitting in an upright position moaning from the pain a bit. He then stoped as his imperial training kicked in. "Damage... Report." His request was met by silence. Had everyone  been killed in the battle and the watery crash? He looked out the view ports to see the half aquatic view before he spoke again louder this time. "Damage report!" Shuffling and moaning could be heard from the port crew pit, where much like the starboard side was littered with casualties. The blonde technician from earlier rose with a severe wound to his upper right forehead bleeding down over his face and and neck. He moved to a console and steadied himself as he started to go over the remaining information. "Major systems... unknown. Bulkheads were damaged from the boarding party and the crash we are taking on severe flooding to the aft section of nearly all decks." He finished his sentence and slumped over the small console holding his bleeding head. Kai slowly stood holding himself as he did feeling his body ache all over from being thrown around the bridge like a child's toy. "Have all surviving crew don gear and supplies. Get them into anything that has a respirator. I don't care if it's scout armor or Flight suits, anything that can hold air for them until the flooding stops or they can get to the surface."

Moaning could be heard from the communications alcove and the starboard crew pit as other survivors regain consciousness. The sound of metal scraping together can be heard from the rear bridge entrance. Captain Kai looked around as Lieutenant Sylvon raised her bruised head to the walkway along with a battered stormtrooper. She had been in the crew pit giving the count down to impact but during the crash had been tossed up and out of the crew pit. Kai turned to the moaning officer. "Sylvon, you survived!" He said surprised but slightly cheerful. Almost like this entire disaster was a joke. Sylvon coughed and checked her spit for blood turning to the stormtrooper who was also rising to his feet and then back towards the captain coughing again in a reply "Barely.... sir."

After the initial information regarding the crash terminals and displays started shutting down as the emergency power supplies were being flooded. Soon all of the crew-pit terminals were dark. Captain Kai looked over the handful of survivors from the bridge making sure everyone who had survived was in condition to travel the hulk that the Kumo had now became. Just before he started to make a judgment on where to try and get out either the view ports or through the ship a scraping of metal was heard from the rear where the rebels had blown the entrance to the bridge.

The metal scraping from the rear bridge entrance finally concluded with a ka-thunk! As bent pieces from the bridges entrance doors were shoved aside. A pair of stormtroopers wearing command paldrons came into view. They traversed the angled deck to reach the Captain. Who was climbing out of one of the crewpits holding onto one of the view port bulk heads as they came close. He turned to the pair and nodded as he spoke "Report."

The lead stormtrooper wore a squad commander's pauldron he was holding his E-11 to one side as a crack came over the internal microphone from his helmet. "Severe damage to all levels, most of the boarders retreated or got blown into atmo when the connection clamps were severed." As he finished his sentence the other stormtrooper spoke up through his damaged mic'd helmet. "We should get going sir, Major Gridon is waiting." Captian Kai raised his eyebrows in expectance of the news. He knew Gridon would make sure to survive any way he could but not in the way he could respect. Kai raised his hand above his head to pull his cap to its correct position but felt only his thick hair and guessed it was lost during the tumble he took. He gave a second to think of his reply but instead decided he needed to gain more information and simply replied in a faux surprised tone "He survived?" The lead stormtrooper replied "Yes sir. A decent number of craft made it off ship." Kai's brow darkened knowing now how Gridon survived. He wasn't even on the Kumo during the crash. He nodded towards the pair of men his eyes locked onto the second of the two troopers in an inquisitive glare "Good. Is there anyone else here to take with us?" Kai said as he turned toward the rest bridge taking tally of the survivng crew. Lt. Sylvon, one of the three initial stormtroopers that had come onto the bridge shortly before the raiding parties firefight. The blonde haired technician that indcideently Kai noticed had patched up the wound in his head Vishar was his name Kai remembered. He was terrible with names in his youth so he purposely learned any and all he could. Finally a badly injured female crewer from the opposite crew pit that had been thrown across it during the crash that left her with a broken leg. Her jet black hair reminded him of someone else but Kai surpressed the image in his mind to remember the woman's name. Ralix, Raliza, "We'll get you a splint Qwistis." Vishra said as he rubbed the wound on his head that had stopped bleeding and looked much better then it did a few minuted earlier.

Kai's memory triggered. Yazit Qwistis born on Coruscant to a servant of a noble house from the core, inlisted 3 years ago. Kai cursed himself for not remembering the woman's name immediately . Something he will always need to work on no matter how experienced he gets he told himself. Vishra looked up from bracing Qwistis' leg with a piece of paneling. "Sir only the few of us here." Kai nodded looked around for a hat to put on. It wasn't needed of course but he felt he should be in one to give others piece of mind. After looking and seeing the carnage of the dead and remaingng pieces of the bridge crew he thought better of it and instead puffed up his chest in a gesture of confidence that he knew was a lie but did for others piece of mind rather then worrying about his own.

Kai finally looked back at the troopers and said aloud "Fine, lets get out of here before we become permanent residents. We'll meet  and take any and all on the way." Vishar helped Qwistis rise from the crewpit floor as she held onto his blood smeared grey jumpsuit. He nodded towards Captian Kai "Gladly sir."

As the small group of survivors leave the bridge they forced themselves back through the now bent and burned rear entrance of the bridge doors. As they trudged through the ships decks they could hear the bulk heads filling with water as air was being pushed out of any exit it could find. The decks themselves were buckled and warped from the crash making the walk even harder on the wounded. As the group traversed the bent and disfigured decks Captain Kai kept asking questions at the pair of troopers that had given him Major Gridon's status. "Is Major Gridon taking command of the survivors at the rallying point?" Kai asked. The stormtrooper leader replied after a few seconds "No sir, he's waiting outside in a sentinel." Kai gritted his teeth in frustration. He knew Gridon would keep his own hands clean but he thought the man may have some integritiy to try and help the poor souls who're stranded in the pods or the craft and equipment at the rally point. Kai held back his anger and replied quietly "Hard headed fool, we could have used him to bring evac craft from the rally point." As the stormtrooper was silent before a comment came from behind Kai and the trooper. "Intelligence was never one of his strong points." The words cam from Lieutenant Sylvon who was walking behind the pair of stormtroopers and Kai. The pair of troopers turned back looking at Sylvon expecting to hear a finishing statement but none came. Kai just gestured for them to keep moving.

Traveling through the decks the group worked their way through halls of twisted metal covered in black soot from fire or spattered red with blood. Occasionally they would meet a group of survivors and they would join the rest of the bridges party. After several minutes the decks they climbed down to were half flooded with bodies floating in the water.

After a few minutes of traversing through the water Kai asked the pair of troopers how they got back inside Kumo with the hatches all damaged or twisted. The stormtrooper corporal replied. "We came in through the upper hangar." Kai turned from the stormtrooper squad leader and nodded towards the corporal with a blank expression before asking another question "Did you notice how damaged was deep storage and the armories were?" The stormtrooper leader gave a reply this time "The main armory was heavily damaged and half underwater, deep storage didn't look much better." The response made Captain Kai look down at his feet a moment as he put his hand on his chin in thought. The gesture obscured in the dark of the low lighted deck to whatever look he gave while doing so. After a moment he continued to walk on "If we have to engage the rebels on the beach we'll need armored support. Any walkers or support armor would help". After a few long seconds the stormtrooper leader replied "Yes sir, are they top priority?" Kai gave a moments glance back at the rest of the traveling party. From the seven that left the bridge to over two dozen now traveling through the decks with his party. "No, at this time casualty collection and the portable racks for the TIES. They'll be getting low on fuel by now and can't hard land easily like the shuttles". After the statement Lt. Sylvon spoke up "We'll have to get them from deep storage". Kai stopped a moment at mention of that and turned to her. "Sylvon, start that now. Any able bodies you find on the way use them to get the racks on shore as soon as possible. Keep whoever you need to keep." Kai said with a slightly gruff tone. Sylvon gave a inquisitive look as if expecting something to follow. Then Kai pointed toward the pair of stormtroopers "You two go with her and help make sure we get that done". "Yes sir" the pair said in unison. Kai nodded towards Sylvon and she gave a slight smile back.

After the words were spoke the trio of the two stromtroopers with pauldrons and Lt. Sylvon peeled away from the main group of survivors to start their new objective. Captain Kai and the surviving technician Vishar continued to lead the rest of the survivors through the darkened corridors of the star destroyer picking up others as they traversed the dimly lit decks of the ship.

An hour into the trek the group was over a hundred in number making their way past the lower hangar and stared to come out of the flooded decks. Eventually coming across the main corridors between the upper and lower hangars. The group winds their way through overturned supplies and abandoned equipment. The eventually make it to the main maintenance bay adjoined to the corridor and hangar. At the center of the large room an old troop transport rested where it had been tossed around when Kumo made it's plunge to the planet.

Vishar spoke up pointing at the rear of an overtunred AT-AT that had been at attached to maintenance scaffolding but was now smashed into the opposite end of the bay. Kai acknowledged Vishar's gesture "I see it. Well we're getting closer. Lets get ourselves to the bay doors and see if our piece of Kuat armor was tough enough to punch through them."

The group made their way to the end of the maintenance bay where the forward pilot compartment of the AT-AT had smashed through the maintenance bay doors like a fist through a screen. The doors had contorted concave on each other as the AT-AT had slammed into them punching through with such  force it was doubtful when the group made it past the bay doors to actually see the head of the AT-AT that there wouldn't be anything but smashed wreckage left.

They were mostly right.

The AT-AT's cockpit was mostly pulverized into smashed wreckage. No crew had been inside of it. But it seemed some of the power systems had been online during the crash where the wrecked remains of two main chin-guns would be were now just two huge black charred holes where they overloaded and exploded making a massive hole in the edge of the hangar bay floor where the cockpit wreckage was dangling over. Had it not been for the bay doors holding back the body section of the AT-AT it may have slid all the way through into the hole as well.

Kai looked over the hole and gave an annoyed expression. "Hmm, we'll have to make a traverse line. Troopers to the front!" About a half dozen beaten and battered stormtroopers wearing their armor some with some without their skull faced helmets came forth. Kai pointed towards the walls of the bay and gave orders "Lets get grappling line and get it tested. This is the last main section before we reach the upper hangar". The troopers nodded and each started unfastening lines and hooks from their utility belts. The troopers worked on tugging different sections of the wrecked AT-AT's cockpit and throwing hooklines across the hole in the deck to fasten to spots across. Once a few of the hooklines had securely fastened to a few terminals and another to a piece of the adjacent blast door frame bent open from the crash they tested to make sure the weight of a person would hold and then slowly started rope pulling themselves across. It would take time for the entire group of survivors to get to the other side. Captain Kai decided to stay until the last of them made it before pushing them forward. He watched as the stormtrooper corporal that had survived the firefight on the bridge started to head for the line but stopped him.

Kai remembered the younger man Corporal Zaym TK1979. It was odd to Kai he had trouble remembering names of certain crewers he could see the faces of but the troopers with their uniformity and all uniquness taken from them he remembered much easier. He held up a hand in front of the Corporal motioning him over moment to speak. "Corporal. Take a small team ahead to check the status of the upper hangar, make sure we can get ourselves back out." Zaym's micorphone crackled on as he replied from under his skull looking helmet "But sir didn't the others..." But before he could finish the sentence Captain Kai cut him off with a wave of his hand and then handed him a small comm-link. "Contact me with this. After assessing the damage make your way to deep storage and get the portable Tie racks out. Sylvon wont be there." Corporal Zaym nodded and took the small device placing it in his belt and then started traversing across the rope lines. Unsure why Sylvon who he had saw been ordered there suddenly not be but it wasn't his place to wonder why.

...to be continued.
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Tamer on April 03, 2016, 05:16:44 AM
Great chapter, time for the front pages. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Rezikai on July 01, 2016, 08:04:51 PM
continued...

The collision with the Star Destroyer sent the Mon Calamari cruiser spinning in a flat slow turn. The brave Calamari crew was struggling to hold their ship together as their cruiser started its' descent deep into the planet's atmosphere. The cruiser's gigantic wound billowed black smoke from the top of it's hull showing a spiral of smoke as it fell. From the bridge alarms blared as the Calamari crew struggled to keep their vessel airborne. “Helm! Status!?” Captain Barrax barked through his aged and gravely Mon Calamari voice. A young female Calamari controller officer shouted up from her station “Attitude control is gone! The Planets gravity has us!” Captain Barrax turned in his white captain's chair his gray skin with white spots creased and wrinkled. Barrax shouted towards another officer “Engines?!” A beige uniformed Calamari officer looked up from his station and shouted his reply over the alarm klaxons “Main's are offline. Aft thrusters are operable!” Barrax turned back towards the main view-port watching the horizon of the plant slowly turn in front him. “Bow thrusters?” he asked. “Destroyed!” the same Calamari technician replied. Barrax Turned back to the female Calamari officer “Distance to impact?!”. The female calamari replied with a shuttering in her voice as she replied “Sixty thousand kilometers and closing fast!” Another male calamari officer in the station adjacent to her shouted towards Captain Barrax as well “ We're dropping like a rock!”. Barrax took a second to think before starting his reply in his gravely aged voice. “Helm get the inertia dampers ready!”

Across from Captain Barrax first officer Shellis stood holding onto the holotable as reports from the ship flowed into it's display “Are you crazy!?” he yelped. Barrax didn't turn towards his first officer and just waved a webbed hand in his direction “Trust me!” As Barrax finished waving his arm the female calamari shouted her next report “Fourty thousand kilometers and closing fast!”. Barrax nodded as he continued to watch the horizon as he spoke his retort “At twenty-five thousand turn on the dampeners. How long can we keep them on until it shakes us apart?!” The beige uniformed calamari replied back “A few moments, a minute at best!”

A few tense moments went by as the alarm klaxon wailed throughout the bridge before the female calamari shouted her report “Twenty-five thousand mark!” Barrax nodded and turned pointing towards the beige uniformed engineer officer “Open them!”.

A second later the Riptide lived up to it's namesake as the inertia dampeners activated while the ship was spiraling down through the atmosphere. In the depths of space the dampeners bring would a ship to a halt from its own inertia, however in a spiral and now weighted from being in a planet's atmosphere the dampeners were smashing the fields of gravity around them to try and hold the Riptide in a stable position. The ship shuttered and shook violently from the dampeners trying to stop the effect of the planet's gravity on their momentous speed as it plunged closer to the planet surface.

The mighty shell shaped vessel shook and jerked as it's systems fought the gravity shaking it back and forth in hard convulsions each tearing more of the hull open and sending small pieces of the Riptide into free fall.

On the bridge the crew held on their lives as the calamari engineer shouted above the mixed sound of alarm klaxons and the low rumbled shutter the Riptide made as the dampeners fought against the planet's gravity. “We've slowed! But we can't keep it going!”. As he finished his words the female calamari shouted “We have to shut it down, it's shaking us apart!”. Barrax holding onto the commander's chair swing-arm looking out the view port. His vessel had stopped its slow spin and was now nose diving directly at the surface of the planet. He turned and barked his orders towards the group of bridge crewers “Start disengaging the dampeners! Just before they finish I want aft keel thrusters to full!” At the end of the sentence a calamari officer shouted a one word question about Barrax's order “But--”. The rest of his question was cut off in the sounds of the bridge alarms and the calamari engineer barked his reply to Barrax “Dampeners disengaging!”. Barrax shouted his next orders so loud it was over the alarms and the rumbling of the dampeners shutting down “Aft thrusters to full shoot them straight up!”. The sudden clear and loud order from the captain caught the bridge officers by surprise, it was the first time they had heard him strain his voice to make it that clear.

As the dampeners finished their deceleration of the Riptide the aft thrusters engaged shooting the rear of the Riptide up and over the bow flipping the Mon Calamari cruiser letting the engines free fall first.

As the crew felt the pull of the artificial gravity take hold of them keeping them upright as the Riptide flipped over itself the view in front of Barrax was starting to slowly change from the planet surface and slowly the planets sky started replacing the dark brown and tan land masses in front of him. Barrax turned and gave another loud order “Thrusters to balance on my mark!”. The female calamari officer gave another loud report “Five thousand kilometers to impact!”. Barrax waved his gray skinned webbed fin at the engineer as he shouted his next command “Aft thrusters now! Stabilize us!”

The aft thrusters on both the keel and topside of the Riptipe engaged shooting small bursts of thrust at the the rear of the rebel ship in different directions until the ship was no longer in a spiral but now was falling engines first in a straight descent.

The female calamari officer gave a very tense report towards Barrax “20 seconds until impact!”. Barrax looked through the viewport now seeing the blueish haze of the planet's sky instead of the brown patches of land masses below “Projected Landfall?!”. First officer Shellis yelled in a panic “Landfall!? Were going to smash like an egg!”. The female officer cut off his sentence shouting towards Barrax “Edge of the western valley possible mountain range!”. Barrax instantly replied gripping his command chair “All remaining thrusters engage on my order!”. A few seconds later the female calamari officer shouted again “Impact in 10!”. Barrax replied in a loud barking order “ All thrusters engage!”.

The Riptide's remaining thrusters all ignited in a symphony of steam looking looking plumes as the ship fell engine first. The bridge crew looked on as all they saw was the blue sky of the elevation they had just been part of. Their efforts slowed the ship slightly, then they felt the huge jolt as the rear of the ship smashed hard into the planet below. The ship port side clipped a cliff then it impacted the side of a mountain and tore a huge gash in forested incline of of the mountain. The engines cut the massive tear through the hill side as it churned up timber and boulders. The Mon Calamari cruiser's engine was becoming more entrenched in the earth of the mountain slowing it faster then the rest of the ship could naturally slow itself. The remaining force of the rest of the ship swung from the port side tearing into the side of the mountain toward the unobstructed starboard side, like a pivoting lever. The bridge crew watched as the mountain range they impacted with from their port view disappeared and saw the clouds and horizon spin from the right to left in front of them as the mountain's incline reappeared on their starboard as they felt the entire ship shake with a thunderous boom!

The ship took a massive blow as the starboard side hit the mountain. The impact shook the engines free of the earthen trench the ship had cut and slowly the Mon Calamari cruiser started to roll down the mountains incline. It tumbled a few hundred meters before coming to stop upright at the base of the mountain with the bow of the ship on the edge of a cliff over a huge bottomless looking ravine.

As the debris and dust settled around the Riptide like a shell shaped boulder that had dislodged and rolled down the mountain the Riptide came to a stop still intact.

Slowly after the thrashing they took from the impact the bridge crew slowly regained their senses. Barrax was the first to make a command order as low mumbling was heard from others on the bridge “Re... report.” he said in his normal graveled voice as he rubbed his large gray and white spotted aquatic forehead where a red mark now swelled. The command chairs control arm swung hard into him creating the bruise.


The beige uniformed engineer gave a report in a half moan “Heavy damage to all decks, engines are totally gone. But, we're still here.” The female calamari officer rubbed her shoulders, as she released the saftey straps from her control stations seat. “They took the brunt of the collision. Saved the rest of the ship though.” Captain Barrax looked over at Commander Shellis who lay still on the deck. Shellis hadn't strapped in securely when the collision took place and took severe injuries when he was thrown across the bridge. “Get med crews up here and to other wounded immediately. What happened to the Star Destroyer?” he said as he rushed towards Shellis and turned him over. The commander was still breathing but had his eyes shut and a nasty cut on his shoulder.

The young calamari officer adjacent to the female chimed in now more coherent “Imp fighter chatter last said it was crashing in a hard slide into the sea. Probably gone with all hands lost. Except their spacecraft that were in flight.” Barrax nodded and gave a somber reply “Calm tides or us. Alert all remaining fighter commands to start a rotation for umbrella cover as we assess the damage and wait for rescue. Communications, contact Home One relaying our situation.” He thought for a moment that he was glad the damned alarm klaxons had been killed by someone with common sense from it's blaring wail. But it was little solace to him knowing the rest of his old friend the Riptide was now little more then a large metal box to try and get a rescue signal sent from. The young calamari officer gave a sullen reply “Sir, long range transmitters are out. Maybe short range can reach them. A moment later the female officer interjected “Probably not, the interference from the planet and the massive wreckage from Endor would cause too much static”. Barrax looked up from Shellis still unmoving but breathing. “Well then, we'll have to send it personally on one of the remaining fighters. Speaking of which get whats left of Blue Squadron back to the deck they're probably low on fuel. If enough fueling containers survived lets try and get them refueled and prepped for a return trip to the fleet so they can relay our situation. “Yes sir!” the female calamari officer said as she started to punch up her half-lit console. The young male officer looked up at Captain Barrax “Should we scout the Imp crash site?” Barrax turned from Shellis still unconscious on the deck and looked out the view-port of the Riptide at the settling dirt and dust from the mountain side still rising from the impact. “Indeed we will. See if any of the A-Wings that were coming back in for repair and refuel from Endor survived our crash and we'll see what we can find out from their crash site”. The young male calamari nodded trying to punch one of the now extinguished buttons on his console “On it sir”. A few long moments went by as Barrax watched the settling debris through the view-port before turning back to the slightly moaning Commander Shellis “Did anyone make it off the Clarion?” he asked. The female calamari replied “During the battle, I saw a few pods launch but no more then a handful. It was too sudden” she said solemnly. Barrax nodded his reply and continued “While the scout finishes his run for the Star Destroyer's crash lets see if any other fighters are flight worthy enough to do a search and rescue on best approximate landing coordinates for the Clarions survivors.” Barrax said as he turned toward Shellis and placed a webbed hand on his comrade's arm. At Barrax's words The female officer nodded a reply.

As the bridge crew started fulfilling their orders a med team arrived for Commander Shellish, they began injecting him with fluids and used scanners on him to check for internal injuries. Outside the Riptide a handful of Y-wing fighters slowly descended to the exterior of the cruiser as maintenance crews started coming out of the ship to direct them into a holding pattern until a landing area can be cleared.

to be continued...
Title: Re: So trying my hand at a fanfic
Post by: Tamer on July 02, 2016, 05:58:16 AM
I will give this a better read later, but I like it. Off to share this with the rest of the world. Keep it coming!
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on July 31, 2016, 11:52:03 PM
Corporal Zaym TK1979 looked over the upper hangar he never saw any kind of obstruction that the captain was hinting at. He was unsure of what Captain Kai was referring to or why he gave him a communicator rather then just let him speak to him from his helmets internal communications band. Either way nothing seemed wrong. Zaym was relieved to know they'd be getting off the Kumo before any other bulk heads gave way or the girders collapsed trapping them inside.

A moment of personal thought crept into his mind before Zaym decided to report in to the Captain. He was still unsure why he was ordered to use the hand held comm when the helm comm-link seemed to still be functioning fine. However he knew better then to question the captains orders. He tapped the small cylindrical comm-link on it's side opening the communication channel. “Captain Kai?” Zaym said speaking into the small transmitter in the controlled tone that had been drilled into him when when speaking to superior officer. “Yes what is it?” Kai replied in an apparent annoyed tone. Zaym continued “Sir, the Upper Hangar looks unobstructed, doesn't seem there's major damage to the docking doors so we should be able have them open without too much issue” A second passed as Zaym's words sat there, for a half second he let the thought that his comm-link didn't send the transmission and Kai was still on the other end waiting for the status. Zaym started to reach the comm-link back up to his skull faced helmet to repeat himself when Captain Kai's voice crackled through it “Excellent. Get your team to deep storage as ordered for the Tie racks, also if you encounter other survivors use who you can send the rest to our location. Work quickly Corporal. Kai out.” Zaym replied into the comm-link with an affirmation and put the comm-link back on his utility belt.

The conversation with Captain Kai was normal enough given the extreme situation the Kumo's crew found itself in but they were far from his true feelings. What was the Captain doing with the double talk and strange orders. After a moment Zaym decided it was best to do as he was told and let the officers sort it out.


Riptide's Crashsite


High above the Riptide the remnants of Blue Squadron were taking back to the skies after carefully landing and refueling near the site of Riptides crash site. The seven Y-Wings were bruised and battered, some had came back to the Riptide after taking heavy damage during the battle over Endor. Some had been held in reserve should the Endor offensive fail and were needed to help cover a retreat. Thankfully for the pilots of Blue Squadron that wasn't the case. However the seven pilots understood how grave the situation could be for the crew of Riptide if word isn't gotten back to the Rebel fleet of her crash and the survivors.

In the cockpit of the flight lead was the veteran pilot commander Vorm. A Mon Calamari pilot that had joined up with the Rebellion early on even before most of the Mon Cala political movements joined the Alliance. As Vorm was just leveling his Y-wing from take off his communications cracked on. The voice of a younger Calamari female came through static “Commander Vorm respond please.” Vorm gave a tired sigh and clicked on his communicator “Vorm here.” The female was one of the bridge crew he was sure. One of Captain Barrax's protoges probably. She continued in a short professional manner “Commander, Captain Barrax has ordered all remaining fighters inbound to continue umbrella cover. He will be assigning new objectives later this hour for part of Blue Squadron, please make sure all your birds still on the deck are fed well.” Vorm looked down at the trio of Y-wings still on the makeshift clearing the Riptide's crew made for a medical collection and refueling point. He assessed their status as he replied to the woman “Command we have three birds that would need about fourty minutes to top their tanks off but Blue 6 took some heavy action from imp gunners he'll need some extra love before he's back in the air.” The Mon Calamari woman's voice crackled back through the speaker “Acknowledged lead, Lactah's work crews will heal'em up. Calm seas to you Commander”. Commander Vorm gave a slight grimace he knew Sergeant Lactah well enough that tough love was a requirement when getting refit and repairs by his ground crew “That's affirm command. After we finish tonight we'll swing down for some chow and drinks.” The Mon Calamari woman didn't reply to Vorm's cocky attempt to get the woman to let her professionalism down “Over and out Blue Lead.” the woman said before the speakers crackled again as the link was cut off.

Twenty minutes later Vorm sat back in his cockpit as the orders came through over his display. His large Mon Calamari eyes poured over the intelligence. He realized it would be taking part of an already beaten and battered squadron from umbrella cover for a search and rescue. Vorm was anxious to get the ball on this mission rolling so he could get his people back together and try and get off this rock but he knew from his years in the rebellion sometimes if not most of the time he never got what he wanted.


Kumo Crashsite


The Imperial Star Destroyer Kumo creaked and moaned as water slowly passed through its decks. The emergency lighting was out leaving the twisted and buckled decks inside the half submerged capital ship in total darkness. Traversing the dark labyrinth Lieutenant Sylvon sloshed through half flooded the dark corridors behind the pair of stormtroopers leading her to their new objective, the main armory. She was thankful the water was warm at least as she looked past the pair of troopers. The stormtroopers had attached torch lights to the sides of their skull faced helmets illuminating the twisted hallway. Neither of them really needed the lights as their helms provided infra-vision if needed. However their headlamps were much appreciated to Lt. Sylvon's eyes who couldn't see much of anything in the totally black corridors.

Sylvon was slightly annoyed by the pair of troopers lack of tact not waiting for her however they were Major Gridon's men and his sense of tact was non-existent. During their trek she let her thoughts drift to about Captain Kai and how the rest of the evacuation was proceeding. As the trio waded through the mesh of buckled deck plating and twisted bulkheads they would occasionally pass the body of a dead crewman or trooper floating in the water. They eventually reach an three way intersection along their flooded corridor. The pair of Stormtroopers stopped looking down each direction checking the passageways. Lt. Sylvon came to a stop behind them “What is it?”. The stormtrooper captains voice crackled through his helmet as he replied to her inquiry. “We're making sure which direction is least likely to be blocked.” Sylvon gave a half nod with a very blank expression towards the man “Ah, well lets head portside since we know the hangar was half flooded so maybe the water will have stopped rather then starboard towards the forward armory.” She said. After a moment the stormtrooper captain agreed pointing down the left corridor.

Lieutenant Sylvon made a small smirk at her own cunning. She now understood why Captain Kai chose her to lead this objective and was glad he was taking an interest in her prowess and intelligence.

As the group proceeded down the left corridor it banked right again as the trio slowly traversed around the Kumo's main hangar the decks the natural incline was much more pronounced as the water level was getting noticeably lower. Eventually the water stopped and the group traveled past the mid ship of Kumo. Soon after the group had cleared the water the pair of stormtroopers stopped and hovered over the body of an officer. Lieutenant Sylvon saw this as intriguing with the new information she had. She came upon the man's body illuminated by the pair of head lamps. It was an older man in his sixties, his white hair cropped short as the older republic style would have been in this dead mans younger days. The body was badly scarred and burned from what appeared to be wounds created by fire, not a blaster bolt. She could see the olive drab uniform carried the rank insignia and cylinders of a Colonel. She knew the man and spoke his name aloud “Colonel Vimoshi. He should have been near the hangar when the Captain ordered all the spacecraft to attack.” The stormtrooper captain turned his gaze from the dead man's corpse to Lt. Sylvon and replied through is helmets speaker. “I think the armory isn't too much further ahead.” Lt. Sylvon simply nodded her head in agreement as the other stormtrooper said nothing. The trio returned to moving down the corridor as it banked to the right again and then they came to a pair of large blast doors. Sylvon pointed through the darkness towards the heavy metal doors half ajar. ”There it is”.

The door itself had been damaged in the crash as the left side had buckled under the pressure of the twisting corridor. Leaving an opening on the lower left had side of the door between the deck and the lower section of the door's frame. It was an opening neither of them seemed willing or physically small enough to make. The stormtrooper Captain tried the door controls but as expected nothing happened. After a moment the other stormtrooper turned towards Lt. Sylvon holding his thumb towards the buckled section of the door. Lieutenant Sylvon half curled her lips in a wince knowing what she was going to be asked. “Think you can make it through?” He asked through the speaker in his helm. Lieutenant Sylvon simply shrugged and nodded. She knelt down to get a better look at the damage to the door first then stood again nodding. She felt her shoulder length dark brown hair touch her face as she nodded and stood up. “Hmph” She said and started unbuttoning her tunic and slid it off her shoulders. She wore a matching olive drab tank top underneath her uniform's tunic that she rolled up exposing her toned stomach and navel. She felt uneasy as she realized the headlamps giving her enough illumination to prep her clothes meant that the stormtroopers were focusing on her intently. Not that she minded giving a trooper a show once in a while. But she would have been able to prep her clothes as quickly without the assistance of the headlamps. However considering the situation she acted like it was natural and it gave her stomach slightly queasy feeling. Sylvon knelt down again looking at the small opening between the door and the bulkhead and crooked an eyebrow “Lets hope there's nothing blocking my way the other side.” Sylvon turned over and laid flat on her back against the deck and started to slide and squeeze through the blast door's opening. “This will be a bit trickier then I thought” she said aloud so the troopers could hear her. A moment later the pair of men heard her steps back and forth inside the room before hearing metal being scraped as what they assumed was Sylvon taking off the control panel to override the main door's power with it's auxiliary if any remained.


Kumo: Upper hangar


Captain Kai and the rest of the group of survivors were moved past the wreckage in the upper hangar and reach the main loading bay doors. Corporal Zaym TK1979 stood next to Kai as he had ordered him to upon meeting up with his group. As expected when the Kumo made landfall everything sealed shut to minimize damage. He rubbed his chin a moment in thought of what it also meant for Lieutenant Sylvon and hoped she'd fair well. A second later the screeching sound of metal being forced against each other was heard as a pair of navy troopers started forcing open one of the bay doors using a makeshift winch. Kai turned towards the stormtrooper corporal “Alright Corporal, lets get able bodies across the water and if possible lets get some repulsor craft up and running for the wounded and litter cases”. The helmets speaker crackled on as Corporal Zaym replied “Understood sir”. After giving his order to Zaym Captian Kai turned back towards the long line of survivors that now snaked along the darkened corridors leading to the hangar. An eclectic mix of officers, technicians, stormtroopers and naval corps. A few land crewer and drivers to as he noticed a pair of A.T.-A.T. Drivers in disheveled gear in the middle of the cluster of people. Kai held his hand to his mouth and shouted “Sergeant Atter! Take some men and try and get some power supplies out of the maintenance area or pull it from one of the wrecked walkers to get the doors open so we can start getting armor on the beach!”.

A distant yell of acknowledgment was heard from behind a few dozen survivors as a navy trooper wearing his signature black uniform and his large black helmet threw up his hand in affirmation that he had heard his captain's order. A few minutes later the bay doors were opened and the sounds and smell of the ocean still several hundred feet below the bay doors could be felt. As well as the warm fresh air from the planet washing away some of the aroma of smoke and burnt metal the hangar and corridor's were polluted with. Captain Kai looked down at the sea's crystal clear water and gave a small smirk but quickly wiped it from his face. He turned towards the group of soldiers setting up power supplies. “We're much closer to shore then I expected. Sergeant status on the lifts?”.

Sergeant Atter stood next to the captain his large helmet removed and held under his left arm looking down at the technicians working on the power supplies at the moment the captain's question was asked. An older man in his early fifties he had grey hair with specs of white salting it. He turned to Kai and replied in a anxious tone “We should have one of the old troop transports ready within the next few minutes but as soon as it hits the sea it'll have to make like a shot to get to the beach before it takes on too much water.” Kai nodded towards Sergeant Atter “It should be fine as long as it's fast enough. What about air skiffs?”. Sergeant Atter turned towards a large storage area of the upper hangar and waved at it with the palm of his gloved hand “There was one chariot not totaled during the crash we could use it for the litter cases immediately”. Kai nodded with a grin and replied “Get the ITT down there first, with armed troops and equipment for a momentarily   beach head, then we'll get the chariot for the litter cases”. Sergeant Atter gave a slightly confused look in the half dimmed hangar “Troops sir? I'd assume if the rebels were going to attack us after they crashed they would have done so by now?”. Kai turned around looking down the hundred or so feet into the clear water as the light ocean reflective waves poured light through the hangar and over his jet black hair. Kai gave a slight gesture for Atter to come closer to him. As Atter did Kai continued “The rebels will be too curious to not see if we survived, they'll send something at least a probe of some kind. But the indigenous are what I'm more worried about.” Sergeant Atter gave an inquisitive look “Sir?”. Kai nodded and quickly spoke “I'll explain once you get the ITT's crew ready. I'll also be going with them on the transport to meet with Major Gridon.” Atter gave a slight nod and acknowledgment. “Yes sir.”

The next few minutes the surviving crew of the Kumo watched from the upper hangar as the ITT was launched from the bay and hit the water at full speed to make it to the beach. Calling it a launch was a nice way of putting it. The crew had bascially shoved it out of the bay doors. The Troop Transport made the beach just in time before the waterline got too far up it's fuselage to start swathing it. Inside the Troop Transport Captain Kai stood in the front compartment overlooking the squad of four naval troopers including Sergeant Atter and three stormtroopers, all armed.

The other three naval troops were two men and one female. The trio of stormtroopers looked battered and had burn marks on much of their once pristine white armor as they had been inside Kumo when the crash and fires took place. They all remained silent and stoic holding their weapons. Even Captain Kai had kept his side arm from the fire fight on the bridge. The silence was broken from the pilots controlling the ITT shouting orders to each other as they free fell from the Kumo into a mid air repulsor maneuver to get lateral movement going as they hit the water. The hard splash followed by the quick humming of the engines engaged at full shot the transport racing for the beach. With a clicking sound as the transport rushed towards the shoreline and the feeling of the repulsor engines making solid press against solid ground was felt even in the troop compartment. As soon as Captain Kai felt the transport lift itself from the water onto the beach he started his briefing.

“Your objective is to set up a perimeter for the temporary shelters. We may have to spend the night here. We will not be here by midday tomorrow, the indigenous life forms on this rock are huge and dangerous the northwestern peninsula is the only safe zone on the continent. That's where the rally point was set up and where we'll be heading. As soon as we stop keep your guards up and also watch for any rebel activity they may try and send a probe to check on us or worse if they are in better shape then we are they could send a strike team to finish us off. Do you understand your assignments?” Kai barked at the group of soliders. Only Sergeant Atter spoke up with a raised hand “You said the indigenous were huge and dangerous sir? What do we recognize them as?”. Captain Kai thought for a long moment starring at the sergeant. Not at the question but remembering what had happened four years prior on this planet he had seen. After a moment he answered him.

A few minutes later the Troop Transport stopped and the stormtroopers and naval troops disembarked and set out securing a small area. Captain Kai used his comlink to keep in touch with Corporal Zaym to insure the chariot would down shortly with the wounded and supplies. A minutes passed as a stream of cargo and material poured from Kumo's upper hangar. Captain Kai walked along the beach head now crowded with survivors and supplies before seeing an imperial officer flanked by a pair of stormtroopers walking down from a sentinel shuttle.

The older man was in his late fifties but still in physically excellent shape. His dark auburn colored hair was salted with gray heavily on the sides and a gray stripe had worked it's way from above his left eye all the way back to the middle of his head. Captain Kai crooked an eyebrow as he folded his arms and called out to the older man.”Major Gridon.” He shouted and nodded towards the older man. Who in turn nodded an acknowledgment and simply replied “Orders... sir?” Girdon's tone was something less then professional and hinted at annoyance. Kai gave a curt reply himself “You mean aside from the ones putting you under arrest for refusing direct orders and dereliction of duty for not going on with the rest of the flights?!”. The Major gave a smug smile as he gave his response to the younger man “Yes,.. besides those.” Captain Kai gave a slight sneer knowing that the major knew the situation as well as he did regarding the planet and surface. Kai continued “Get to the rally point and bring medical supplies for our wounded. Start a casualty collection point and make sure the fighters conserve fuel on the way here until we get the port-a-racks out of storage. You're in command of the forces there.” Major Gridon smiled at the orders as his apprehensiveness towards the captain was slightly eased. “Anything else?”.

Captain Kai gave a half wince, he and the major were far from friends and had it not been out of line for a commanding officer to strike another Senior he'd have socked Gridon long ago for the smug way he acted towards him. A long history of animosity between the two while serving on the Kumo existed from even before he took command of the Star Destroyer. But here Kai decided it was time to get past that.

Kai turned back and saw the massive tear though the beach and grassland Kumo had made before hitting the water. He turned and looked at the wrecked star destroyer half sunken into the reef off the shore. The blue skies and clear water were a calm and stark contrast to the massive wrecked capital ship he had called home for years. He took a breath and balled his fists in anger as he answered. “Yes. When we find those who did this, I want their heads on pikes.” Major Gridon paused a moment before giving a simple “Yes... sir” before turning away with is pair of stormtroopers back towards his sentinel shuttle.

During the next hours the chariot made runs to and from the beach head to the upper hangar picking up wounded and supplies. Some of the less injured crew start working on other land vehicles that could make the drop into the shallow reef and survive. By the time the temporary shelters were built later that evening the survivors had a second Troop Transport and had started working on moving an AT-AT out of the hangar. Kai looked over the survivors his mind calculating the possibilities of what this world would do to them had they not been prepared. He then thought of Sylvon and wondered if she had completed her tasks. If she hadn't by the morning he would have to leave her. Something he regretted in leaving a good officer like her but he knew far too well the cost that would be paid if the survivors of slow and wounded humans were left this far away from the safe zone once the second night started.

to be continued..
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on August 01, 2016, 07:41:15 AM
Awesome sauce! So gonna go share this.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on August 01, 2016, 07:58:56 AM
Awesome sauce! So gonna go share this.

heh man I really need to start doing these at times other then 2-3am b/c now I'm re-reading it I'm noticing plenty of grammatical and typo errors... i'll try and clean it up today lol.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on February 12, 2017, 04:51:21 PM
2/12/17



The interior of the Riptide had taken quite a bit of damage from the crash but the main hangar was still operational with emergency power. Inside the hangar four of the seven Y-wings Commander Vorm had been lead of were parked getting refueled and repaired. Commander Vorm being the Mon Calamari squadron leader had a conversation with Captain Barrax over the viewer a few moments earlier and was taking in all the information. Seven Y-wings and a pair of A-Wings were all we had left from the reserves aboard. He opened his cockpit and hoped into the grav-couch as he reviewed the information.

One pair of Y-wings would go solo with med supplies to mark targets for possible survivors of their destroyed sister ship the Clarion on the eastern side of the planet. One of the A-Wings will head towards the star destroyer's crash site and see what their status is. The other A-Wing will head back towards Endor to reconnoiter with the fleet to give them our status so they can get a rescue started. Leaving the other five Y-wings including himself to fly aerial cover sorties over the Riptide should the imps hit us before we can get defenses prepped. The fuel would be tight but as long as the rescue ships get to the crash in a few days the supplies should last.

A moment later a crackle came through over his comm-link with the voice of the maintenance bay crew leader. Over the speaker the maintenance tech's tired voice came through. "Commander Vorm. Blue three and five are departing for a search and recon for Clarion survivors now.” as the Mon cala technician's sentence finished Vorm clicked on his com-link to reply “This is Blue Lead, that's affirm. Please let me know when Blues six and eight get airborne to relieve eleven and twelve for umbrella cover.” The maintenance tech gave a quick reply back “We'll keep you informed Lead. Over and out.”

Commander Vorm wondered about the pair of A-Wings, the pair of humans that flew them were good pilots. He knew them both to be well trained but the A-Wing was something he questioned. While the fastest of any fighter in the fleet it had limited offensive firepower should one have to engage with it. He wished calm waters to those two pilots with their objectives.

As the thoughts went through his mind he noticed it was taking longer to fill the tanks then usual on his Y-Wing. He assumed it was damage to the refuel rigging causing the delay. He had hoped to get airborne soon, being on the ground was fine but considering the dangerous situation his crew were being put into he'd rather be in the air to help support them.

Then a crackle came across his comm again but this time it was the young voice of Blue 5 Lieutenant Cashil, she was the most recent pilot to join Blue Squadron a few weeks prior to the preparations near Sullust for the Endor offensive. “Lead this is  Cashil. Me and Six are heading out for the med drop mission any second now.” Vorm reopened his com channel “I was informed Five, but thank you for the heads up. Take care of Zovish for me.” A moment later the young Calamari woman's voice sounded surprised “Lead, your... joking? Right?” Cashil replied. Vorm gave a smirk on the sides of his Calamari lips and blinked his large eyes humorously “Of course not as old as he is he'll start forgetting stuff mid-flight.” The older hardened voice of the veteran Mon Calamari pilot came through over the conversation. “You know I'm listening in on this chat right Lead?” Zovish's voice crackled through the speaker.
Vorm gave a quick reply back “Oh of course Zovish otherwise I wouldn't have said it.” Vorm smiled at the joke knowing Zovish for a while he understood that the much older Mon Calamari pilot had almost no humor left in him to pick up on the joke and grimaced at the thought if Zovish and Cashil thought he was serious. A moment later Lieutenant Cashil's voice came back through the com-channel “Lead were off the deck, heading out!” Vorm replied back through the channel in a more serious tone “Calm waters to you both.”

As the pair of Y-Wings left the Riptide's hangar Vorm noticed the pair of human pilots climbing into their A-Wings. He watched the man and woman in their green flight-suits doing their pre-flight checklist in their small sized fighters. Vorm watched them ready their engines and start to lift from the hangar deck he put his webbed hand against his cockpit glass understanding how important their mission was and repeated his blessing “Calm waters to all of you...”


-


The bridge of the Riptide was half lit with emergency lighting and portable lights set up with generators so the crew could work their consoles. Captain Barrax sat in his white captain's chair with his pair of webbed hands clasped together in his lap. He barked out an order towards the Mon Calamari crew still manning their posts “Comm... status of refuge and shelter area assessment?” One of the female Mon-calamari officers looked up and replied “Possibly caves deeper in the mountain range from what the scouts are reporting sir. It seems the geology deeper in the cave systems are much more moist and warm.” Barrax put a hand on his chair as he replied in a more neutral tone “Excellent. I don't want to leave Riptide but if we have to it's good to have a reserve area set up. What of the Imperial's status?” He ordered as he turned over his shoulder. “ As he did a young male calamari office replied “SPEAR just got off the deck for a full snoop and scoot. Other then that the Imp chatter on the far side of the continent sounds like they sent their fighters and craft to a rallying point. No word on how many if any survived the Star Destroyer's crash.”

Barrax gave the man an nod in acknowledgment and spoke out “Hmmm. They launched everything they had to break free of us. It's possible most of the remaining landing craft are at that rally point waiting for rescue.” The female officer spoke back up “Their shuttles would have hyperdrives, but the drop ships and fighters would have to find a spot try and soft land.” The male Calamari officer who reported the imperial status was Lieutenant Tarris, he looked up from his console over at the female officer “Tie's usually can't soft land for long, the solar panels aren't sturdy enough in normal gravity.” The opposed female mon calamari officer was Specialist Dreisha. Barrax interupted their conversation “What's the status of Blue Squadron?” Tarris replied “The pair searching for clarion survivors are already underway. The rest are rotating umbrella sorties. I'll link it to your station.” Barrax gave another nod going over the data on his screen and continued “After SPEAR reports back intell on the Imp positions and strength we'll do an assessment if we need to have Blue Squadron make a sortie. Tarris replied “You think they'll need to? The Star Destroyer probably didn't have many survivors.” Barrax barked back still going over the data relayed into his pad “Perhaps, but there was so much spacecraft she spewed out that if they got organized alone they could still hurt us. I want to make sure that can't happen.” Dreisha started punching up the sortie's status' on her console and gave a quick reply “I'll start the reports as soon as SPEAR returns.” Tarris looked at Dreisha then to Barrax who was still hunched over his data screen “Sir, should we try and make contact with FOCI or Captain Vonsil?” Barrax let the question sit a moment as he leaned his head forward blinking his large Mon Calamari eyes before replying smoothly. “No, we'd don't know their status yet. We'll see if they try and contact us.” Tarris gave a questioning look to Dreisha and gave his reply “Yes... sir.”.


-


Captian Kai moved through the survivors while speaking to other officers and troopers in a trail behind him. He shouted orders as he came across crewman and naval troops setting up temporary shelters and setting up supplies. “Keep the material moving, everyone able are to get the P.L.R's ready! They'll be arriving anytime now!” Kai barked, the PLR's he referred to were the portable-landing-racks that were able to move a tie fighter when inoperable. Normally they are used for maintenance or long distance ground travel but he knew they couldn't stay landed on their solar panels for longer then a day without damaging the panels themselves. Following Kai was Crewman Vishar still in his pale grey technician uniform and stormtrooper TK1979 Corporal Zaym. Vishar was holding his hand to the small earpiece he was wearing “Sir, Moon Squadron leader reports ties are inbound.” A moment later the stormtrooper held his hand to his helmet as incoming transmissions came through his skull shaped helmets receiver and relayed it to the Captain “Sir Major Gridon is signaling, he's requesting use of the two working chariots.”

Captain Kai thought for a moment at the request. The other working chariot was just made air worthy a few minutes ago. Did Gridon not know it was damaged? Or did he assume we'd be repairing them for the evac of the remaining survivors. Kai gave a wince as he replied “Tell the Major he'll have to split his men to assist in the salvage of them and only after the Ties are landed and the casualty collection duty is complete.”

The stormtrooper corporal held his hand to the side of his helm as he relayed the Captain's message. No sound came through the stormtrooper's speaker as he informed Major Gridon. Captain Kai stood awaiting the Major's reply when a pair of imperial navy troopers marched to the Captain and his entourage. One of the naval troopers was without his large black mushroomed helmet showing his short brown hair. Both of the men had tears and stains on their uniforms as everyone else that survived Kumo's crash did. They had soot and grease covering their faces from being too close to smoke or fires giving them a haggard look. As the Captain turned to address them they stood at attention.

“What is it?” Kai said quickly. The officer without a helmet replied “Sir, Commander Karamat reports she's setting up a large perimeter circle to the north to scout for routes for excursion to the rally point. She hopes to use landcraft that's still operational from Kumo for assistance.”

Captain Kai's mood which had been perpetual dread since arriving on the beach lightened slightly. “She survived did she? Good. Have her start a wide scout area when she makes her perimeter search to the North along the coast. Make sure she takes blockade hardware, trip alarms and even sensor sticks if she has to.“ The second naval trooper still wearing his large helmet gave a question back at Kai “So large sir? You think the rebels will attack us when we try to move?” Kai pointed as a pair of technicians walking by inquired where to organize some gear. He gave a sharp reply to the naval trooper “Quite possibly, Major Gridon reported the rebels ship went down near the near this continent's eastern mountain range.” The first trooper spoke up “Sir if it's down shouldn't we have Major Gridon destroy it with operational craft and personnel?” Kai turned looking at the pair of men “No, their starfighters were still in the air at last report and they only had a handful or more. Also they went down much closer to the planet's indigenous life forms densest area.” The second trooper inquired in a slightly informal tone “The locals aren't friendly? Kai gave them both a wary look “On the contrary, much too friendly. Have Sergeant Atter give the rest of your group indigenous assessment so you can keep yourselves prepared. Then get back to Commander Karamat with the intell for any in her group she plans on taking for that scouting trek. Tell her even if the rebels don't strike the indigenous life will. This entire planet is a deathtrap.” The first helmetless trooper acknowledged for both of them “Right!”

Captain Kai turned towards the stormtrooper corporal with a half smirk anticipating what the Major's response would be. “Well what was the Major's response?” Kai asked in a annoyed tone as if anticipating the answer “It was a, refusal.” Corporal Zaym replied through the speakers in his skull faced stormtrooper helmet. Kai gave a half smirk “A colorful one I'm sure, not that it matters. Vishar lets get some maintenance crews for the ties and other craft that will be here soon ready to swap to land craft salvage for Commander Karamat's scouting mission.” Vishar gave a measured response “Yes, sir.”

As the words left Vishar's mouth the small dots reminiscent of insects started to stream in from the horizon. After a moment they took full shapes against the low hanging sun as tie fighters and interceptors. Flanked by shuttles and drop craft. Anything that survived the assault on the rebel ship in orbit to the rallying point. After a few moments Vishar turned to the Captain with a curious look “Sir why bring the Ties here for the Port-a-racks? When we could just have easily had Major Gridon send a few of the shuttles back to pick them up in a few runs?”

Kai rubbed his chin as a slight smile crossed his face before it flashed away and he responded to Vishar's question “It's all part of the great game Vishar, just remember that when you see something crazy happening.” Vishar simply gave a confused look and replied again “Yes... sir.” Kai smiled and turned back around walking towards a group of technicians setting up the landing area.

-

Streaking across the low hanging sun Major Gridon's sentinel shuttle raced across the planet's red sky. Inside the cockpit the pair of pilots and Major Gridon watched the landscape slowly change from the coastal surf and grasslands to a more rocky dry area.

Major Gridon knew why Captain Kai picked the only desert area on the continent to use as a rally point. It allowed some of the tie fighters to soft land. But he remembered why the desert area was used as a sanctuary from the indigenous life forms on the planet.

As the shuttle was in sensor range of the rallying point Gridon saw more and more of the tie fighters launching to go back to Kai's position. Gridon stifled a curse under his breath but knew it was better to play his part. After a moment of thought one of the shuttles pilots turned towards him “ Major, there's sporadic distress signals coming in from escape pods from Kumo.” Gridon gave no emtion in his reply to the pilot “Mark the locations and reply that pick up missions are being organized and to stay with their pods.” “Right.” replied the co-pilot as he started relaying the information back to the escape pods on his console. Gridon simply lowered his brow and spoke again “Time to rally point?” The first pilot spoke again “Under two minutes.” As the first pilot relayed the time to the Major the co-pilot had finished his reply transmission to the pods and turned towards the other pilot “I can't believe that many from Kumo survived the crash.” The first pilot replied to the question “Must have been good construction and luck.” The co-pilot replied “Must have.” Major Gridon listened to the pair of pilot's chatter thinking luck had little to do with it. He knew Captain Kai was a cunning and intelligent leader. Something he would have to deal with later.

Shortly after the thoughts the Sentinel shuttle finished crossing the rocky dry region and headed inward toward the orange brown desert. As the shuttle entered the area the main pilot announced “Rally Point Alpha ahead sir.”

Major Gridon watched over the controlled chaos below. Rally Point Alpha was a small area on the northwestern peninsula where the west coast's beach line scrawled north into a dry rocky range only allowing small amounts of grassland to grow past it before becoming desert. The dry cracked ground nearest the grassland is where the majority of the ships had set down.

The collection of ships were parked in a semi circle with the concave side on the grassland side of the desert. Equipment and personnel were moving around keeping whatever they could intact. Some of the regular tie's hadn't been able to stay airborne and came down in the sand too hard and were now stuck. The Tie interceptors however with their angled solar panels were easy to soft land in the soft warm sand. At the far side of the semi circle of ships parked in the sand was the remaining Titan drop ship from the Kumo. It's silhouette against the setting sun looked like a pyramid as it towered over the other shuttles and craft.

Most of the interceptors and ties fighters were gone now, headed south to where Captain Kai was setting up a temporary point. Gridon didn't need wonder how much the Captain trusted him considering he didn't entrust the pair of chariots to his command.

As they approached the landing area Major Gridon looked over the supplies as they were being unloaded. He knew why didn't Kai wish to remain with Kumo and that thought pleased him. As he let the thought rest the sentinel turned on it's landing lights as it came down in the dusk of the setting sun.

Major Gridon let the ramp come down the shuttle before starting down it. As he did he was greeted by a pair of Imperial flight officers awaiting him. One donning his wool black imperial uniform and small cap covering his dark chocolate colored hair while the other was still in his black flightsuit with his helm off under his left arm his blonde hair tussled from being in the helmet. As the Major descended the ramp the brown haired flight officer approached. “Major Gridon!” the brown hair uniformed officer called out. Gridon gave a half reply “Yes captain?” The younger man in the wool flight suit was Captain Ryvil and he seemed anxious to ask his question “Sir how is the Kumo?” Gridon replied with a half smirk “It's sunken on a reef in an inlet off the coast. So far as to say it's not going anywhere ever again.” Ryvil gave a startled reply “Ah I see. Apologies.” Gridon raised a hand in acknowledgment “None needed Captain.” Ryvil settled himself and continued “And Captain Kai?” Gridon gave a slight wince looking at the brown haired man as he retorted “He was severely shaken and bruised but still in one piece, though the damage he took from the crash may have had an effect on his better judgment regarding objectives and assignments.” Ryvil gave a more somber “Oh?” in his reply in a more neutral tone. Gridon continued “Indeed instead of letting a senior officer take control of the situation like myself he's still grasping to the hulk of the Kumo pulling whatever pieces of equipment he can for the trek here while having the fighters go to him for racking which is ridiculous.” Ryvil gave a confused look after hearing what Captain Kai was doing but simply said “I...see...” in his reply. Gridon leaned in his eye slightly wider “You do? Good because it's as clear as mud to me. Either way I am in command of all forces here we're to set up a casualty collection point for his people on their trek north. What word if any... from crewman in escape pods?” Ryvil nodded at the inquiry “We've received multiple signals, dozens in fact but their spread all over the continent.” Gridon gave a smirk back “Good, there's a search and rescue already being dispatched from Rally Point Beta for them we're to stay here, mark coordinates for them and report them to my comm link directly no one else is to know their locations. I want any light vehicles and especially skiffs ready for scout use.” Ryvil gave a surprised look “Point Beta...? sir?” Gridon gave a stone face expression to the mans inquiry and gave said in a neutral tone “Another point set up by Captain Kai's orders.” Ryvil gave an nod in acknowledgment and simply said “Yes sir.”

A half second later Gridon turned to the much younger blond haired man in his black flight-suit. The other imperial officer was Lieutenant Vanders lead of Onyx Squadron. Vanders had assumed command after their squadron leader was killed over Endor hours earlier. A young officer he tried to act stoic with his fresh features and bright blond hair. Vanders had seen half his squadron destroyed at Endor including Commander Cliner. He himself had taken fire but had  made it back to Kumo just in time to dock before it jumped into hyperspace. Leaving two of the squadron behind at Endor to fend for themselves. That part hurt more then watching the others be destroyed by the rebels. Knowing he had to leave them behind. The thought of that happening to him terrified his senses. He worked hard to swallow that fear standing now in front of Major Gridon.

Gridon was staring at the young man and gave a louder bark “Lieutenant?” Vanders attention was pulled from his thoughts of the battle over Endor back to the man in front of him “Oh! Apologies sir I was reflecting on today's events.” Gridon gave a nod “Of your fellow Onyx wingmen I hope.” Vanders gave a slight nod in his reply “Yes sir. I don't like leaving them to go out on their own to Captain Kai. But I stayed behind as ordered.” Gridon gave a smile to Vanders “You did your duty as you always should lad. And with good reason, I have a new mission for you.” Vanders snapped back at attention “Sir?” Gridon continued “When the half dozen ties that weren't able to soft land easily and will need to be pulled from the sand get dug out I want you to lead them on a scout mission on the Rebel cruiser. Reports say it didn't crash nearly as bad as Kumo did and many of it's crew and supplies are still armed and operational. You'll be flying as a new designiation, Banshee Lead. The rest of your unit will be remnants of Moon and Stryfe Squadrons waiting to get their ties out of the sand and repaired. You should all be up and operable in a few hours. When this planet turns to night side you should have sufficient cover. Lieutenant Vanders gave a crisp reply “Just observational sir?” Gridon shook his head “No, should you engage do your duty to the Empire. Especially now of all times.” Vanders gave a nod with a quick reply back to Gridon “Yes sir, we will.”
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on February 13, 2017, 02:58:49 AM
Let me go share this and I will try to give it a read during my break at work today.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on February 13, 2017, 09:36:42 PM
odd,.. i had some more finished after that scene.. sec i'll find it and post it.


aha found it.

The air of the Riptide's bridge seemed heavier then just a few moments earlier as the information came across Captain Barrax's screen. The first message was that LONGSPEAR and SPEAR were both launched with his crews hopes for survival on them. However the more distressing information was just underneath that report from the maintenance crews observations. He read it again just to make sure it was correct.

“So how close we're we?” Barrax said going over the data on his chair display.
Lieutenant Tarris replied while going over his console's controls “Extremely, it was the Force alone that kept us from falling into that abyss of a ravine. Commander Vorm says they dropped flares to see how far it would go but the flare fell so far it was never seen hitting bottom.” Barrax's Calamari eyes squinted in annoyance “Hmmmm, and what is this about the fuel consumption? What is he trying to say about the gravity here?”. Specialist Dreisha looked up towards Barrax replying to him “As near as I read it the maintenance crews think the gravity here is having some effect of fluids making them flow more sluggishly and making it take longer to refuel the fighters.” Barrax turned in his white captains chair “But we don't feel the effect ourselves?” Tarris chimed in with an answer “We're unsure, we're on an dry rock without much moisture for several kilometers except for the traces the scouts reported in the cave system in the mountain tunnels we crashed next to.” Dreisha looked at Tarris as she commented “I don't feel worse off then I normally would be.” Barrix finally broke in “Nor I. Lets hope it's contained to just the fuel and fluids. Tarris gave a nod and replied “Yes sir.” A second later Dreisha leaned over her console towards the captain “Sir with Riptide this close to toppling wouldn't it be prudent to move supplies and personnel into the caves our scouts reported?” Barrix gave a quick nod as he went over the data coming in on his display “Indeed it would. Though I would hate to start moving then the Imps decide to visit us with our fins out.” Barrix said with a half chuckle.

The pair of Mon Calamari technicians started to chuckle in unison before letting the joke subside. It was good to have a laugh to lighten the mood  after an eventful few days. The destruction of the second Death Star and now surviving the crash. As the silence took over the trio's laughs Barrix continued “We'll move all the easiest mobile equipment to the tunnels and caves immediately. Lets leave the larger equipment for last in case the weight starts to become an unfavorable imbalance.” Tarris continued looking at his console he acknowledged “Yes sir, sending orders to the crews.

-

Clouds flew past the pair of A-Wings as they moved high into the planet's atmosphere. The pair of fighters were piloted by two human pilots detached to the Riptide prior to the Endor offensive. They human pilots turned to look at each other from across each others cockpits and nodded. The first A-Wing designated LONGSPEAR was heading back to the Alliance fleet with the data and situational reports for Riptide to get a rescue mission sent for them. Inside LONGSPEAR's cockpit Lieutenant Klavine set the course for high orbit to make his jump to hyperspace back to the fleet at Endor. He watched below as his comrade Lieutenant Tritan moved her A-Wing deeper into the planet's atmosphere as she broke away to scout the imperial position. He hoped to see her again soon. Klavine then readied the nav-computer for the jump to lightspeed. He watched the as his comrade's A-Wing became a tiny spec over the blue green planet before the navigation computer chimed in with the coordinates ready for his return course and his A-Wing jumped into hyperspace.

Lieutenant Aerrel Tritan had been flying for a while. She was eight years old when she first tried to learned to fly a land speeder. That was also the first year of Palpatine's great Galactic Empire. Aerrel held back her emotions as she thought about the stories of murder and planetary suppression by imperial Moff's seeking glory and riches for themselves when so many needed it more. She wanted a galaxy where people could find the help they needed and where those without a place to go had a meaning.

Her display buzzed its early warning signal letting her know she was only a few minutes from the target area. Aerrel gave a half smirk at the readout “Let's see what we can see”.


-


The sun was almost down as it drenched the sky red. Captain Kai walked through streams of survivors and the temporary shelters they had created on the beach just north of the Kumo's crash site. Standing next to him the stormtrooper Corporal Zaym accompanied, relaying orders from the internal comm-link the stormtrooper corproal  had in his skull shaped helmet.

Kai continued receiving messages from other officers in person while others used their temporary short range channels as they would report more survivors coming from Kumo he would give them Corporal Zaym's comm-link channel to ensure faster communication. No wanting every last report to take up too much of his time as he tried to get the survivors sheltered and ready for the night. He was thankful for the warmer climate of the planet but new it was a facade. Kai watched as the troopers and crew started setting up the shelters for the evening as work crews continued getting vehicles that could carry supplies operational. Kai had ordered a rotation of maintenance throughout the night. He turned looking across the remainder of the beach to the open grassland that came to the beaches edge. As if waiting.

Kai fixed his gaze on the darkening sky over the grasslands as he spoke to Zaym “Status on the fighters in the P.L.R.s?” He said to Zaym without actually facing the trooper. The stormtrooper put his hand down from the side of his helmet taking incoming transmissions to answer “All remaining ties that arrived have been sufficiently attached to the portable racks. Though a handful were still stuck in the sand at Rally Point Alpha sir.” Kai' turned to the North watching the beach wind off in the distance towards the survivors eventual destination before replying with a bit of short abrasiveness in his tone “Of course they were. Corporal find out which ties and pilots were stuck in the sand and make sure I have a report with that information within the hour. Zaym put his hand back to the side of his helmet and replied “Yes sir”.

Kai gave a slight nod still facing the winding beach full of survivors as he did he started to speak “Also inform the rack crews to keep moving the ties through the night, the rest of the survivor's and wounded can catch up in the morn... ing.”

As Kai finished his sentence his words trailed off as he noticed an officer in her olive drab uniform approaching. She like most every other officer that had survived had no cap upon her head but even with it on most anyone could see she was a short well built and toned woman with dark brownish red hair. It was pinned back into a bun except for a loch that had come undone and hung in front of her striking face. Her skin was an olive tone with dark soot blemishes around her chin and right cheek. Commander Karamat was a beautiful woman in her late thirties with high cheek bones and pronounced features but she rarely let the icy gaze her green eyes had warm to anyone. Captain Kai often thought of her as the precedent for what an imperial officer should be, strong, efficient, dependable and respected. Along her side a black uniformed naval trooper marched with her donning his large mushroom helmet and side arm. Kai gave a smirk as he realized the trooper was Sergeant Atter.

Kai gave a half formal nod towards the pair as they came within an earshot “Good evening commander. I'm glad to see you survived.” Most newer imperial officers would have shouted a reply back to their Captain as they approached however Karamat gave no immediate reaction until she was within a few steps of the Captain. She stood at ease in front of him and gave a her reply in her slightly deep husky voice “You know well and good I survived when my troopers reported to you earlier, quit pretending to be surprised with that foolish look on your face.”

Kai tried to restrain his emotions around her. Karamat was one of the few senior staff officers that could have easily been taken command of the Kumo when Admiral Jaeger retired. She rarely spoke out against someone or even let her emotions show but when they did it was a mix of an authoritarian scold and threat. Even so Kai felt so relieved to know she had survived. He realized his face must have been showing and he was thankful she mistook it as humor rather then something else. Kai widened his eyes and gave Karamat a slight nod “Apologies Commander. I thought that my instructions to them was clear enough.” Karamat kept her pose and simply tilted her head slightly “Well it was as muddled as anything else you would write when you first joined Kumo's crew, though I thought I had broke you of that bad habit.”. Now, that was one of those rare pokes, Kai's face gave a slight flush with emotion. He had been much rougher around the edges for an officer when he joined Kumo five years earlier. Writing next to nothing in reports if he filed one at all. Kai rubbed his squared off chin, partially in thought and partially remembering the punch Karamat gave him for his less then official comments regarding her uniform back then, even if they were meant to be flattering. “Yes well, we can reminisce of old times of me being your junior officer later. I didn't intend the report to be unclear as it was time sensitive. I needed to make sure we had a wide perimeter set up and quickly.” Karamat re-positioned her face forward and replied “That's another issue, why in the skies did you have us make such a huge perimeter if we're going to be moving so quickly? Even rebel commandos wouldn't come close to the net we set up that large let alone a strike team. Kai raised his hand in reply “As I said to your troops. The indigenous life forms here are extremely dangerous and cunning.” Karamat arched one of her dark brownish red eyebrows “We've over eight thousand survivors here alone. Not to mention heavy equipment out of the Kumo so far. I think we'll handle some local savages easily enough.” Karamat said. Kai lowered his brow a moment and then lifted it as his eyes found Karamat's green eyes in the fading light “You think wrong, Commander, respectfully.”

The immediate retort made Karamat bristle at him and the trooper and Zaym stand at attention ready for an order from either of them. Karamat had let her icy stare soften when around Kai reinforced it with daggers towards him, but Kai continued “This planet is restricted because of the indig's. They are large arachnids with a very high intelligence. We came here some four years ago while you were back on Coruscant. Admiral Jaeger sent multiple platoons reinforced with a division of AT-AT's. While on the ground Lieutenant Pliskin's group came across a cave housing ancient structures. We didn't have time to find out much about them before the creatures attacked. The indig's here these... creatures adapt rapidly fast. They tore into Colonel Tolecco's AT-AT's like they were made of paper. There were very few survivors.”.

Commander Karamat's gaze went from piercing to more rounded at hearing her old friend Tolecco's name. She remembered upon returning to Kumo from her stint on Coruscant learning he was wounded and reassigned a comfy job on Brental IV. Karamat gave a long sigh through her nostrils. It was well known among Kumo's senior staff it was her sign of frustration but as her outer persona dictated she said nothing to the fact and instead replied more casually “I, see. So these creatures are able to take blaster shots I take it?” It wasn't so much of an acceptance Kai was right in contrast to her, no Kai figured after years of knowing the woman she'd die in a pit of fire while being torn to shreds by vaskor's before she'd ever let that happen but it was enough for him as he continued “Easily but like most things their weak spot is their eyes, and since they have many in their head they can be wounded and killed but their thorax's are as hard as plasteel. Only large blasts from heavy weapons will damage them.” Karamat turned her head slightly to one side “Then your apologies for the report are accepted Captain.” Kai didn't show his relief but he was glad Karamat wasn't angry at him for being so blunt and in front of subordinates, as he had done so in the past together. “Thank you Commander.” Kai said with a nod “I'll be needing good leadership like yours on our trek to Rally Point Alpha.”

Karamat almost replied to ask why they were going to double quick it all the way to the rally point when Kumo's supplies and crash are right here. But she thought better of it remembering the new information she had just been told about the indigenous life's ferocity. The creatures would be all over Kumo in a day two at most. She turned to watch the column of survivors along with walkers and transports slowly heading north as she spoke again “Let's hope Gridon hasn't been so inept that we'll find the place overran and occupied with rebel troops in the days it'll take to mar-- “ She cut off her sentence and turned back towards Kai “What about the escape pods?” Kai gave a long sigh “Unfortunately he was already airborne and the only senior officer I had known was alive so I ordered Gridon to start a casualty and collection point at the rally point for them as well.” Karamat raised and lowered her brow slightly “You should have had me in charge of it. My men would be better suited for it.” Kai nodded “Apologies again. At the time I didn't know you had survived.”

Karamat threw a sidewards laser beam stare before returning it towards the column of men and material trudging through north along the beach. “How long before you'll be heading north with the rest of the materials?” Kai took a few steps to stand to her left side “I'm waiting for Lieutenant Sylvon to report. She was flushing out parasites from the rest of Kumo to ensure we get enough material and survivors off of it without being seen. Though with the way the sun is going down I'm hoping she'll be here soon. Karamat gave a non-expressive reply “I'll make sure our sentry line is extended for extra time should the savages make a run at us while we're slogging north.” Kai put his hand on his waist as he gave a short toned reply “Good Woman.”. “You know this.” Was Karamat's reply.

With her final words spoken Karamat turned her her gaze over her shoulder towards Kai and gave a nod in affirmation and marched off towards the edge of the beach where it started to change from sand to grass. Captain Kai watched her as she walked away admiring her not only for her excellent form fit inside her uniform but for her professionalism and indoctrination to the Imperial way. He almost cracked a smile before turning towards Corporal Zaym who still stood next to him awaiting orders. “Corporal, see if Major Araed survived and reported in yet. I'm going to be needing her skills for a mission.” The Corporal unfroze his standing position and replied as he held his hand to his helmet ready to send the Captain's request. ”Yes sir.“
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on February 21, 2017, 11:51:17 PM
The blue hyperspace tunnel surrounding Lieutenant Klavine's A-Wing washed his control panels in a light blue hue. He had been familiar with seeing the blue streaking light since he started piloting. He often thought during these quiet moments about after the civil war was over, how he would return to his mother and explain what he had done and if his father would even stand to look at him or turn on him for being a traitor. Those bothering thoughts were often washed away like mud in a river when he entered hyperspace. Away from the politics of it all, he sat alone in the cockpit of his A-Wing awaiting the tunnel to dissipate and the blackness of space dotted with the stars of a tens of thousands of systems full his view.

Klavine looked at his nav-computer he should be leaving hyperspace in a few minutes. He expected to see the Rebel fleet mopping up the imperial ships that stayed to fight it out and either scrapping them or capturing them. What he had seen that day will never be forgotten. The second huge Death Star exploding over Endor and the word that the Emperor and Vader were both on it when it did meant the Empire's days were numbered. Soon he wouldn't have to worry about the politics of it as he would be on the victors side. Then it didn't matter what his father would think as he would have the proof to show him he chose right.

Suddenly a huge lurch shook Klavine's ship as the blue hyperspace tunnel was torn away and his A-Wing swiveled to starboard. The starfields in front of him spun lateral as his ship seemed to be grabbed pulled. To his horror Klavine saw the stars turning sideways suddenly blocked by the huge arrow shaped vessel in front of him. The imperial vessel aligned with large spherical domes on its sides was instantly recognizable. The imperial ship's tracking beams slowly pulled him ever closer from far below it's underbelly towards its main landing bay. Klavine took a half second to realize what was going on before he said audibly “Stang a dragship! Why is it here?!” He furiously started punching up communications channels to try and reach any Alliance friendlies listening “This is Lt. Klavine of Rebel gold group to any within this transmission I'm being captured by an Imperial Interdictor Cruiser at coordinates 851---” But halfway through his distress call a loud “Zzzzzt” came from the com-channel then a loud hissing wail of interference.

Klavine held his ears to his helmet as loud whine burst though his comm channel jamming his transmission. He gritted his teeth as he reach for his fire control and checked his laser batteries seeing they read over half charged. A millisecond later Klavine  grabbed his control yoke and flipped off his safety as he started to open up his pair of cannon's the A-Wing was equipped with. He pulled the trigger and watched a the cannons start a pair of yellow green blasts at the massive imperial vessel. Then a second later both cannon's reported power failure, no longer able to fire as power banks were drained. Klavine's face reflected the horror coming over his fire control's data report. “Impossible! It read over half!” Klavine yelled to himself.

As the words escaped his mouth the side of the interdictor cruiser fired blue white shots from an ion cannon hitting his small fighters hull shutting down almost all systems. A moment later a female human's voice crackled through his helmet's comm-link as a forced transmission came in. “This is Commander Faraday of the Imperial Naval vessel Slipstream. You will stand down any further aggressive acts and prepare to be seized and taken prisoner.” The woman's voice sounded very annoyed as the transmission broke off. Klavine looked down at his left hip. He still had a side arm a DL-44 to fight with. Less then a second later he realized with his ship disabled he wasn't going to fight off an entire imperial naval crew. He sat back in his grav couch thinking of how silly it had been to think to try it as the small fighter was enveloped by the massive ship's main cargo hangar. The darkness of Klavine's A-wing cabin was soon washed with the glow of imperial scaffolding lighting and spot lights as he and his ship was locked into place. He unbuckled his blaster from his hip and held it in front of him with a regretful look on his face as he checked it's power pack for use. “Guess, this is it...” He mumbled to himself as the sounds of imperial crewman started moving an adjustable catwalk next to his A-wings cockpit.

-

Deep in the bowels of crashed Star Destroyer Kumo Lieutenant Sylvon cursed under her breath. She had been traversing the ship with her pair of stormtrooper escorts for hours before reaching their destination, a large bent framed door. She had been the only one small enough to squeeze through the small opening it had near the bottom and now after a few minutes of work using her comm-link's power supply to re-route into the door's system she was almost able to open it. As she sat cross legged on the deck of the darkened room she wondered how the Captain was faring with the rest of the survivors. It was getting later in the day and she knew she was against the clock. The captain wasn't one to wait for a sole crew officer even her. Sylvon clicked her teeth a moment at the thought and sighed before continuing to tinker with the door controls.

Sylvon was in thought a microphone filtered voice called out from the outside of the door. “How goes it?” Crackled the male voice of the Stormtrooper captain said. Sylvon arched one of her eyebrows as she replied back still working on the door control circuits “Almost done it'd be easier if I had one of those headlamps.”. The other stormtrooper's voice spoke with his skull shaped helmets speakered sound “It wouldn't be able to be slid through.”

Lieutenant Sylvon smirked at that response, knowing full well how terrible the appearance these two were trying to keep up was, knowing it was torn into pieces hours ago. She knew she'd be done playing that game in just a moment as she finished splicing the lines together but halted before touching it to her comm-links power circuit. Instead she quietly took out her blaster and adjusted it's settings. After finishing she called out to the pair of stormtroopers on the other side. “I've got it! It may need help being forced when it slides up. I'll tell you when I activate it!” Slyvon yelled from her side of the door. From outside the door one of the stormtrooper's voices crackled in acknowledgment “Sounds good.” Sylvon took the wire from the door controls in between two fingers hovering it over the comm-link power supply in the palm of the same hand. In her other hand her blaster was held upright. “Activating now!” She yelled.

Sylvon took the wire from the door control with two fingers and pulled it to her palm the crack from the power supply being routed into the controls popped and a millisecond later the large door started to raise but it stuttered half way due to the damage. She saw a pair of thick rubber gloved hands reach under the bottom of the door and start to lift it pulling it up high enough to get to waist level before the creaking of the metal started to screech as the damaged section of the door jammed itself in it's location halfway up.

The screeching halted, before the pair of stormtroopers leaned down to go under the now half open door. As the pair came through and stood upright in the darkened room they tracked back and forth with their headlamps shinning illumination on the area but saw no sign of Lieutenant Sylvon. Just the remnants of her small comm-link on the deck and a wire running from the door. The stormtrooper captain knelt down on one knee investigating the circuit and wiring Sylvon had been tinkering with. A second later the stormtrooper Lieutenant's voice cracked through his helmet. “Where is she?” he said before continuing with “Where in the world are we? This isn't where she was leading us.”

The words made the first kneeling stormtrooper turn his headlamp up and shown light on an area with dead monitors built into the wall and beds lined up alongside. Inert droids were frozen next to the walls and beds as if servicing ghosts laying in them. As the stormtrooper captain turned his headlamp to the side he saw containers of different sizes filling the opposite side of the the room adjacent to the beds. A second later the stormtrooper lieutenant turned his lamp towards the beds that the captain had been focusing on “What the?”. “Look out!” shouted the stormtrooper captain.

The stormtrooper captain shouted as a large arc of blue energy engulfed him sending him forward to the floor. The other stormtrooper immediately opened fire into the darkness of the room. A moment later another arc of blue energy hit him from behind sending him falling forward into one of the containers knocking it over spilling out the packets and supplies inside.

Lieutenant Sylvon crawled into the room from behind the pair of unconscious stormtroopers from under the same door they came in through. She had hidden in the shadows until they looked into the room and realized it wasn't the armory, using the distraction to slip behind them. She pulled the pair of men to the beds and started strapping them down as they moaned in their unconscious state. Sylvon gleamed at herself as she whispered in the darkness. “About time to end this charade.” she mumbled to herself.


-


The sun had set when the work crews finished cleaning out and repairing the tie fighters of Moon squadron that had sank in the sands of Rally Point Alpha. The maintenance techs had rigged up makeshift girders from parts of other craft and supplies found in the shuttles to keep the ties from re-sinking. The total was two ties from Moon squadron and four from Stryfe Squadron. The pilots were five of the six that had their ties being repaired the sixth would take Onyx Lead's slot back to Captain Kai's position.

Lieutenant Vanders sat on a supply crate in the room as he looked over the other five pilots with him. All six of them were sitting on crates or supply containers or in one case standing in front of a darkened holoscreen. They had been ordered to assemble in the Titan dropship's crew prepping area which had now been commandeered by Major Gridon as a command vessel. The other five men were older then he all in their mid to late thirties. He wondered if the other pilots thought him too young and inexperienced to be leading them at this time. Commander Cliner had been killed the day before at Endor so he had yet to even lead his own squadron. Let alone men who didn't know him. The thought sat in Vanders mind until the holo-display lit up in front of the half dozen men and Major Gridon walked into the makeshift area.

The six men shot up from their seats and stood at attention until the Major gave them a wave to sit back down. As they did he turned his back to them and pointed at the screen in front of them.

“Gentlemen, you've been assigned to a search and destroy mission. Recon intelligence has the Rebel ship position here at mark 428.08 on your maps. They were light on fighters as most of their flights were being used on the attack on the Emperors' space station. We expect little to no resistance. Intelligence has the Rebel ship stranded and without power so anti aircraft weapons and standard ship combat tubro lasers should be inoperable. Their may be light ground fire from the survivors but expect it to be light as well. The mission will take place from a high altitude orbit back down into the night side of the planet. The Rebel ship crashed in a semi wooded area near a mountain range as we understand it so their ability to detect attack prior to your engaging will be minimal.”

The Major took a finger and traced a finger over the planets surface up above it and almost a straight drop down into the planets atmosphere on the red circle marking the Rebel ships crash site. Gridon then turned towards the half dozen pilots. “Questions?” He asked. One of the older men in his early to mid forties in the front near the hologram raised a hand. “Yes, Commander Lodd?” Gridon barked. Commander Lodd sat meekly as he asked his question. “Sir, you think a half dozen fighters can finish off the Rebel survivors?” Gridon gave Lodd a half frown as he replied back “The point Commander, isn't to finish them off. The point is to find their position and exact as much damage to them as possible and if their destruction is possible to inflict that amount of necessary damage to them. If after exhausting your laser's power banks on the remnants of the Rebel ship and it has yet to be destroyed or their personnel disbursed or killed then return home for refuel and rearm.”

Commander Lodd simply nodded in agreement at the answer he was given. Lieutenant Vanders thought the plan was very lacking in details and like so many plans Commander Cliner complained about it was more about what the superiors ego could afford to lose rather then the lives the pilots could. Gridon turned from Lodd's direction to face the other five pilots “Any others?” Gridon said giving a slight pause after “Good. Now to your ships. Vander you'll be taking Lead as Banshee One.” The rest are re-designated Banshee for this op. Remember your call signs back to base and Rally point Alpha's callsign is Big Rock.” Gridon finished then turned to the door and walked out of the prepping area heading back into the corridor's of the Titan vessel.

-

On the bridge of the Riptide Captain Barrax overlooked the dismantling of the bridge's displays and supplies while keeping a skeleton crew available for tactical use. The cannibalizing of Riptide had gone much more smoothly then expected except for the slow drain on the fuel from the planets unique gravity. Barrax looked over the few readouts still coming across his tactical display “Estimated time?” He called over to Lieutenant Tarris “He should be arriving back at Endor within the next half hour sir.” Tarris replied from his station. A second later Specialist Dreisha chimed towards the Captain “Sir, the maintenance crews have readied a command station inside one of the larger caves with heavy moisture.” Barrax turned towards her “Good, lets set up the med crews for the wounded there as well.” Dreisha started to relay the information into her console when Tarris spoke up “Sir I'm getting a message coming in on the secure channel.” Barrix turned back to Tarris and nodded “To my display.” A moment later audio and graphs flashed across the small display in front of Barrax, as he sat and reviewed the information a few moments later he turned off his display then turned towards Dreisha “Estimated time for SPEAR to reach target destination?” Dreisha punched up SPEARS information at her console “Any minute now Captain.” Barrix gave a slight smile to his wide calamari mouth “Good, I need to confirm SPEARS information to what I've received. If it checks out we may have more work then we thought we did.” Dreisha gave a puzzled nod and replied back “Yes... sir.” She knew the secured channel wouldn't reach Alliance ships so it had to be someone here on this planet. Her thought was interrupted by Barrix giving her and Tarris new commands “Now lets get ourselves moving and quickly to the caves.”

-

5 kilometers above the planet's surface a small A-Wing fighter flies quietly through the night clouds. Lieutenant Aerrel Tritan readied her recon scans for the star destroyer's crash site. Aerrel was in her early thirties and a veteran pilot of the Alliance. As the scopes started to relay information back to her display it gave her readouts similar to what she expected. The scans came back with a huge gouge torn into the grasslands leading to the sea and the Star Destroyer was half sunken in the water of the coastal inlet. She gave a relieved sigh “Ah, there she lay. Dead as a rock.” She said as she swung the A-wing into a half curving turn to better reconnoiter the site.

The Lieutenant's words were very accurate the scopes shown the planet's moonlit ocean slowly pulling out the tide and a large dark area where a huge arrow headed obstruction now obstructed the ocean currents around it. The display swapped from night vision to a thermal scan and the dark arrow headed Imperial ship started to dot with signs of heat inside of it. Some of them slowly moving others stationary. “Hmmm seems there were a few survivors on her. I wonder if any got... out...” She trailed the sentence in her mind as the thermal scan swapped to a retro thermo active scan showing heat remnants of anything moving recently that had stirred the air with enough heat to augment the environment. Normally these thermal trails were much fainter then the true thermal scans so whoever watched them had to look hard to make them out, however what jumped out to the Lieutenant was something even a novice scan tech could make out. The upper hanger of the Star Destroyer had a large thick defined stream of heat that had recently came from it some of it dotted like personnel other parts huge and bulky like equipment or craft. She thought to herself a moment slightly baffled by the readouts “What in the skies, how many did they get off that rig? How in the Force did...” That's when she saw the heat signature trail of a huge column moving north along the coastline. Like the star destroyers upper hanger it had small dots for human signatures but huge bulky streaks for craft, some shorter to the ground others large and tall nearing twenty-three meters. This surprised Aerrel audibly said “They got tons off of it.” A second later she turned to her consoles and started marking data and murmured “The Riptide needs to know.”

Tritan pulled her fighter back high into the clouds and started north along the coastline. Her mind raced with questions about the imperial ship's crew. Where were they now and why would they mobilize so much of their equipment and craft away from their ship. “Did they think we'd try and finish them off?” She thought to herself. Her ships alarms sounded as her long range scanners indicated a massive collection of life forms in the area north of her along the coastline. Tritan pulled her A-Wing higher into the cloud cover to avoid any ground sentries or surveillance that may detect her. Tritan checked her scopes below and saw a large encampment of temporary shelters and make shift tents. The encampment could hold thousands of survivors. Fires dotted the large collection of shelters like hot embers on a smoldering piece of wood. She moved her A-Wing slightly closer to view but couldn't see much of any craft or land equipment. She knew from her previous scans that some of it had made it off the Star Destroyer. She wondered if they had been moved to a different location “They're up to something.” Tritan said aloud. She decided to make sure in case the imperials were moving it against the Riptide's position. Tritan checked her fuel gauges and she seemed to have plenty to do searching and report back. She calculated the best course would be to continue heading north along the coastline. She swung her A-Wing adjacent from the coast line and further out to sea so she could take better observational scans. Her suspicions paid off as  few minutes later as her scopes lit up with the signals from imperial hardware moving north. Three AT-AT's four AT-ST's four troop transports and at least a dozen or so smaller craft like speeders and light chariots moving troops north. Then the center of the column of material caught her eye.

“Hmmm, protecting the fighters?” Tritan thought as she touched her screen where the scan had showed a concentrated amount of tie fighters and bombers on portable hangar racks moving at the center of the column she observed over twenty of them. The portable hanger racks reminded her of a mini track wheeled siege machine with a rack with a pair of hangars on top for a Tie fighter to park in. The ties on the racks were able to be moved long distances without having to fly or be powered up and with no home ship in the area for them to return to she understood why they would be needed. She tried to assess the situation in her head “But why so far north?” it puzzled her why they had decided to move their collection point so far from their crash site.

Tritan's question almost answered itself as she heard her scopes signal a large concentration of life forms and material to the northwest. She swung her A-Wing down far beyond the column of imperial hardware trudging along the coastline to find small sandy peninsula on the northwestern edge of the coast. Her scopes illuminated the read outs of massive machinery and tech hardware. She recognized most of it as imperial shuttles and spacecraft. The semi circle of equipment curved away from the grasslands and coast more into the sandy peninsula. At the farthest point of the curve inward a large pyramid shaped ship sat away from the rest. She thought it looked as though the imps were setting up for something but she was puzzled as to what. At this point Tritan looked at her fuel gauge and decided she had scouted enough, she turned her A-Wing to the east and started at best possible speed back to the Riptide. She was just breaking away from the peninsula when she noticed a half dozen signatures moving skyward. She banked her A-Wing to get a better read on the signatures and saw a half dozen Tie Fighters moving up from the semi circle of equipment. She gave a frustrated huff “Just what I didn't need tonight.” She thought. Tritant pulled back hard on her control yoke banking the A-Wing easterly and hitting the acceleration. She half expected to be taking fire from the lead Tie by now she checked her scopes and what she saw made her do a double take. She turned herself around in her cockpit to verify what her sensors were saying was correct. The half dozen ties in fact launched for orbit. Far beyond the cloud cover she had so recently used they were moving into orbit and east. She gave a small smirk across her lips realizing the reason for the tie launches were not in response to her fighter “Hmmm seems we're not the only ones interested in the other.”
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on February 22, 2017, 03:39:37 AM
Off to share in all the right places. I need to catch up with this and leave better comments. Thanks for writing this for us!
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on April 11, 2017, 06:10:52 PM
Kumo Crashsite

The night fell hard upon the once might Star Destroyer Kumo. Its' once ivory hull burned and twisted. Its decks half sunken into bloody and littered waters. Deep inside the ship few souls remained, fewer still would remain by daybreak. As the tide slipped away from the ship the lower decks slowly emerged from the waves. The moon's pull against the water also lowered the water line of the inlet to a simple wading depth.

The crescent moon's rays fell over the sands of the beach, giving the sands dunes a shimmer to them. When the tide had been pulled out to its furthest point the skittering starts. It comes from the edges of beach where the sand is thin before the shadows are seen roaming across the dunes in small swarms and wading into the shallow tide's water.

The shadows move swiftly over the dunes and even when wading into the water. The shadows moved through the shallow depths to where the lower decks of Kumo were now exposed. The main hangar once flooded now only had a few feet of water near it's base leaving it exposed and open. The dark shadows flowed against the moons light in the water to the main hangar with swift and agile grace. The shadows leaped into the openings and pour into hangar's bays and decks.

-

The nights cool air from the ocean felt good against the back of Captain Kai's neck. He sat around one of the many fires in the middle Kumo's survivor's encampment. Around the fire Corporal Zaym sat to his right and Vishar sat next to his left. He looked down at his leg, noticing that his side arm was still armed and ready. Though he hoped the planet's hosts would keep their curiosity or their blood thirst at bay enough to allow his people to reach relative safety. He and his small entourage were near the rear of the column of survivors coming from their crashed star destroyer. The sandy beach had started to turn into grassland the more north they traversed with the edges of large forests dotting the horizon even before the sun had set allowing the darkness of night to overtake the large line of imperial personnel to make their way. Around the large fire were dozens of technical crew, support officers, troopers and a few stormtroopers checking in from the perimeter to keep updated. All of them covered in sand and dirt most covered in soot or blood  and all of them with a weary look on their faces. Behind them were containers of of different shapes and sizes filled with supplies and tools and anything that could take with them from the Kumo.

Kai looked around at their faces often to remember each of their names. Most of which he had only seen once or twice in the files as they were transferred into Kumo's crew. Now they were more then faces and names on files in a registration. They were the thin veil of protection between each other. Kai gave an inaudible sigh looking beyond the initial pack of people and seeing the squarish outline of a pair of imperial troop transports that some of this group would load onto in a few hours while others would march along side. All of them trying to make it to some imaginary line of safety at the rally point.

He had contemplated using what few shuttles and support craft had managed to make it off Kumo to start a shuttle relay between the column of survivors and the rally point location. But in doing so was asking the rebels for another serving of metal on an already engorged stomach of imperial blood. No, the rally point as an objective is too important to allow the rebels to know about. While this way would be slow and arguably just as dangerous they had a better chance to escape the indigenous life without confrontation. If the rebels found their column and rallying point there would be not need for chances as their fates were surely sealed.

Kai leaned back on his elbow in the grass looking into the fire as he replayed the evenings events in his mind. The ties had nearly all made it to the racks in time a few had to hard land on the sand and took some damage others were dismantled for travel and were being carried in one of the AT-AT's. The rest of the equipment was in tight formation still heading north to Rally Point Alpha with Commander Karamat leading. Kai winced slightly at the thought of hearing Major Gridon's annoying protests when  Karamat give's him the orders he relayed and the good Major finds out he is under her command.

The rest of the Kumo's survivors and wounded would camp here until the early morning and then set out as soon as possible. Kai wished they hadn't need to stop at all but too many wounded made them slow and ineffective. The sentries reported every fifteen minutes to give his people time to defend themselves if needed. But only a few I.T.T's and chariots were left with this slowest section of survivors. He had hoped Lt. Sylvon would have reported back by now but with it being so long since her last check in he had to assume the worst that sent her to her death. Kai frowned slightly at the thought and swallowed it as not to let the others see his expression change. He thought of what he asked of her, sending someone to their death for the survival of the rest of the crew was something expected of imperial officers but still he didn't take the loss of a good officer lightly.

Kai looked up at the stars wondering how the rest of the retreat went. The disaster at Endor over a day ago, an ambush that had backfired and sent the Imperial Navy reeling. As the thoughts crossed his mind he noticed Corporal Zaym lean over and held his helmet close to his ear as incoming information was being relayed. Captain Kai waited a moment until the stormtrooper started to lower his hand from his helmet before Kai turned to question him. “What is it?” Kai said in a light almost casual tone. TK1979 turned towards Kai with is dirty skull faced helmet “Sir, Major Araed is reporting in. She should be coming to check in shortly.” Kai gave an half smile and nodded “Good, at least that's some better news then expected.” Corporal Zaym's expression went unseen behind his stormtrooper helmet but gave a slight nod in reply “Yes sir.” As the stoomtrooper finished the order a pair of naval troopers  were walking over to the group. One was a light skinned female with her large black mushroomed helmet still on while the other was a dark skinned male with a short short cropped haircut without his helm like his companion. Both looked as the other survivors did with dirt and soot covering their uniforms. As they walked around the fire Kai noticed the sacks over their shoulders  as they started handing rations packs out to those that were wanting. Kai took one himself and unwrapped it. The ration itself was a small cylindrical shape in gray wrapping, on the side of it was a small elongated blister of nutrient drink attached to the same wrapper.

Most of the officers and crew who took them opened them and started to munch on them Kai looked at the edible nutrient bar inside. It was a tan in color and extremely dry to the tongue, Kai's mind flashed back to the academy and greedily opening one and taking a huge bite the first time he had saw it after a long day of training and working up his hunger. He spat out the dry brittle pieces that day, a mistake his drill instructor was not going to let him forget for a long time. Today under the night sky and looking at the hungry, worn faces of the survivors of Kumo he chewed it cheerfully to put on the example for his crew to let them see him enjoying possibly  their last meal ever.

The others also joined in eating their rations and taking swigs from drink packs attached to the side of each. Corporal Zaym waved off the female naval trooper that offered him a pack and pointed to his utility belt signaling he still had a partial one in it. Vishra winced as he ate his bar and coughed trying to down it. Kai gave a chuckle at the face that he made and finished the rest of his bar in a large chomp and washed it down with the bland nutrient drink. “Karva, private from Phosmai.” Kai shouted out towards the group of survivors on the other side of the fire. A second later a young private wearing a black jumpsuit covered in dirt stood up from his seated position. He was an olive skinned man medium brown hair slightly longer then most with darker highlights. “Sir!” he said loudly towards Kai who was already motioning him to sit back down “You are nephew to Grand Admiral Sigel aren't you?” The young man sat back done and nodded “Great grand nephew, yes sir.” Kai gave him a nod and continued “I've been to Phosmai and met him before.” Kai said leaving the statement slightly open ended. Karva gave a slightly swallow and gave a slight wince to his reply “Sorry Captain, there's not much there. Aside from the ruins of the old shipyards.” Kai gave a light chuckle “Oh I know, but most of the people of the surface were polite and orderly. Sigel however was still quite full of fire and ice.” Karva gave a smile in reply “Yes, he is. The former Grand Admiral, though I believe my cousin Zaq says he still acts like he was in service.” Kai gave a laugh in reply “Of course he does. He was retired for half a dozen years and still strode around the capital dressed in his full whites and kept offices there. I fear and hope that'll be myself someday.” Karva gave a head tilt in a questioning glance “Sir?” he simply asked. Kai gave a smile and nodded back “Resolute to still be that sane of mind when I hit his age and afraid like he I'll never give up an bit.” Kai started laughing as he finished the sentence as did a few of the others around him including Karva. Kai sat up and his legs and looked up at the sky. I hope we all get a chance to he thought.

A moment later Corporal Zaym's posture motioned to his helm as if he was listening and then shot up at attention pulling his E-11 free from it's holster. “What?” Kai said standing up with him. “Contacts made sir, just under 2 kilometers.” Kai pulled his weapon up as the pair of naval officers previously handing out rations ran over to join them. “Rebels?” Kai said almost knowing it was foolish to think it could be them but hoping for a better answer. Zaym shot a quick reply back without turning his skull faced helmet toward him “No sir, the scouts made contact and there was screaming another biker unit is going to intercept.” Kai slapped Zaym on his shoulder to grab his attention “Visual contact only! Tell them!”. Kai shouted. Seconds later Zaym's voice crackled through his microphone “Sir large multi legged creatures was the contact the biker unit lost one of its number trying to get away.” Kai looked at Zaym “Where were the creatures headed?” he asked Zaym tapped the side of his helmet without a voice relaying the inquiry before turning back “Here sir!” Kai gritted his teeth and cursed. “Fine, Vishra!” “Yes sir!” Vishra yelped standing next to Kai, get to the transports and pull out the crowd suppression packs we should have a pair in each. Then get the transports and on either side of the fire roughly 20 meters away. Make sure they can cross their fire lines.” “Right sir.” Vishra ran over to the transports to start relaying the orders to the drivers. “Corporal, get the crowd away from the fire and hike them near the waters edge it may be their only chance for safety and arm as many of them as you can.” Zaym gave a nod and started shouting orders towards the rest of the survivors moving them away form the fire and west into the darkness of night. A few moments later Vishra returned with a stormtrooper each holding a pair of the crowd suppression backpacks. Kai took one as did the pair of naval troopers and the stormtrooper. Kai turned to Vishra “Get into one of the transports to coordinate firing. With any luck their won't be many of them.” “Yes sir.” Vishra replied and ran towards the transport south of the campfire. The pair of naval troopers and the stormtrooper all slid into the shoulder harness' of the suppression packs. The packs themselves were slightly oval in shape with a pair of exhaust thrusters at the bottom to allow short jump bursts if needed. The left control hand of the pack worked the long grappling arm with a four pronged clamp at the end while the right control handle worked a large taser shaft that had the ability to shoot a larger then normal laser bolt if needed. Each control arm had tubes and wires both feeding to and from them into the backpack itself.

The packs were normally for stormtroopers to use on rioters or violent crowds. Controlling crowds with troopers in the packs helped suppress them though the actual combat effectiveness of the packs were limited due to the few shots the laser on the right taser arm could use before its power pack was drained.

“Will this be better then blasters on the indigenous hostiles sir?” The female trooper asked him “Kai turned towards the pair of them “No, but small arms won't do much against them at all. The P.L.R.s with the tie's are racked up near the center of the column so there's no chance of getting them back this far in time either. Small blasters usually just annoy the Viraxen, but the ITT's firepower should hurt them if we can keep them corralled.” The pair of naval troopers looked at each other with worry as Kai finished initializing his pack and testing the clamp and taser arm “Alright, positions!” He barked towards the others.

-

The flight had been going as planned for Lieutenant Vanders. He was Banshee Lead on this mission. His first as Lead for any squadron Onyx or otherwise. His squad mates on this flight were most of Stryfe and a few Moon squadron remnants. They had launched just under half an hour earlier and were well on their way making their descent from their observation arc. They should be coming up on the Rebel ship within the next few minutes.

Lieutenant Vanders swallowed hard inside his flight helmet. He was possibly the youngest pilot on the Kumo. Now less then a day later of being part of squadron of a fully armed star destroyer he was on a mission to find out if his enemy had the capacity to inflict more damage on his fellow crew and squadron mates.

Vander's thoughts were cut off by the target early warning signal in his Tie's cockpit. He looked over his read outs. It wasn't entirely accurate, the Rebel ship's position was much further up a mountain's slope then originally projected. Vander's blinked as the information came through. He had been on sorties where intelligence on a target had been skewed or in some cases totally wrong. Commander Cliner would often say half the time they went into battle formation the intel they received was probably given by rebel spies it was so bad. Now after the catastrophe at Endor the Lieutenant started to wonder if that joking comment held more weight. Just then a voice crackled through the intercom within Vander's helmet. Lieutenant Lodd's voice came over the speaker “Lead this is Three. We have target identified and marked. Intel really botched this one that thing still has power! Another pilot's voice came over the communicator “There's definitely power inside the lighting is still showing throughout that heap. Order's Lead?” Vander's pondered a half second to remember the name to the voice. It sounded like Banshee 2 was the person asking when Vander's instincts kicked in and he suddenly started speaking into the comm-link. “Banshee's Three, Five and Six swing around twenty degrees to come at them from a different angle. Two and Four fall in formation for an attack run on any remaining ground forces that survived.” Vanders finished as he did the replies came back through his helmet comm-link “Copy Lead” and “Affirmed Lead.” from other pilots of the flight.

-

Inside the Riptide most of the crew had already moved the majority of their equipment to the cave system just outside the Riptides engines in the mountain range they had crashed against. Captain Barrax was walking from the hangar into the night air. The sun had long set and he was supervising the last of the Riptides personnel and equipment that was salvageable off the vessel when a Mon Calamari crewman came walking towards him. The mon-calamari crewman wore the basic beige uniform and raised a hand towards the captain as he approached “Sir SPEAR is transmitting scout information from their run on the enemy position.” Captain Barrax's wide Calamari mouth smiled “Good lets head over to the command center. There should be data equipment to get at least a partial dump from SPEARS transmissions. We'll also see what status was.”

The pair of Mon Calamari walked through the darkness from the Riptides hull. The remaining power inside of it was only being used to illuminate rooms for extracting equipment for the area around the ship until the unloading was finished. With it mostly completed Captain Barrax expected the power to be shut down shortly except for the flight hangar. As the Captain and the Mon Calamari crewman walked into the large oval shaped cave on the side of the mountain many of the maintenance crewmen and officers inside stood at attention before he waved them back to work.

The command center little more then a large cave with communications and weapons stations for the other areas inside and around the mountain filled with the rest of the Riptide's crew. Barrax understood his situation and knew it may take weeks if not longer for a sizable rescue mission to be planned. The Empire took a massive blow at Endor but the Rebellion's ships couldn't just jump to any system with impunity the way the Empire's ships would. As Barrax walked into the center of the command area Commander Shellis gave him an acknowledging nod.

Barrax stopped in front of a clear data screen with a display reading out a small fighter on it's out edge of sensor range moving towards the Riptide's position. He'd hoped a cave would have been found big enough to house the fighters but the maintenance crews hadn't been able to. So they'll have to use the Riptide's hangar for preps and refuels until one is cut for them. As his thoughts finished the display in front of Barrax lit up in in white lettering signifying the data transfer was already taking place. He reviewed the information as it was coming in and put a webbed hand on his large squid shaped head “Hmmm some of it confirms what FOCI sent. But some of it is disturbing. Do we have a channel to SPEAR yet?” he asked looking back at Shellis “Patching through to SPEAR now sir.” A moment later the mon calamari communications officer Tarris spoke up at their console “SPEAR this is POND do you read?”

Over the static the voice of the human female Lieutenant Tritan came through crackled through. “Affirm POND, snoop and scoot came back with lots more recipes to cook our favorite dishes.” Commander Shellis scanned over the display in front of him as he replied back to the Lieutenant's word “Good to hear SPEAR, we'd like a full report on all the ways the stew was stirred.” he said turning a large calamari mouthed smile towards the Captain. Tritan's voice on the intercom crackled through again as he did “It was stirred oddly POND a few spices were snooping around the kettle, the grocery list is inbound.” Shellis nodded in approval at the message “Excellent SPEAR we'll leave a light on for you.”.

Captain Barrax listened to the exchange between his first officer and the young pilot. He was glad to know the information on the imperial positions would help restructure his own defenses. He was glad that SPEAR had confirmed the information that FOCI had relayed to him earlier. Hearing the spices were snooping meant he knew they were launching a probe or reconnaissance flight to check on them soon. Barrax thought to himself a moment and wondered what odd thing SPEAR had found

Suddenly a Mon Calamari technician turned to Commander Shellis. “Sir! Blue Eight reports enemy targets inbound!” Shellis turned towards the other “WHAT!?” A few short seconds later Tarris spoke up from the communications console “I have them,  Enemy fighter signatures confirmed! Bearing 174 at high altitude coming in fast from above.” A second later Shellis turned towards Barrax who nodded approval “It's expected Commander, they're as interested in us as we are them.” “However we should remind them it's not nice to peek at us while we're undressing.” Shellis stood there slightly stunned but remembered the communique Barrax had received from his hidden source earlier. “Ah I see.” Barrax turned towards the communication officer Tarris “Lets get the heavy blasters set up from the mountainside ready! All non essential personnel to get inside cover of the mountain and all remaining umbrella cover to converge on enemy marks!” Tarris was holding the earpiece to the side of his head and shouted a “Yes sir!” as his reply to Barrax. A second or two later Barrax turned to Shellis “Where is Spear re-entering our airspace at?” A quick flash of surprise hit Shellish as he checked the coordinates on the display A second later he replied “SPEAR'S heading will take them right under the enemy signatures!” Barrax gave a quick frown “Patch me through to SPEAR.” Tarris clicked his console a few times and looked up with a defeated look in his large circular eyes “I can't sir, the imps are jammimg!” Barrax stood there with a frown on his face as Shellish turned back towards the Captain with a confused look “Why would they be jamming if they are trying to remain hidden to spy on our position?” After a moment Barrax shook his head and shouted “Those fools! Ready everything! Now!”.

-

High above the Riptide the half dozen Tie fighters broke into two trio's as three of the ties banked towards the mountain's skyline. The remaining ties streamed straight for the Riptides maintenance and supply area that was finishing packing and moving. Banshee Two's voice came in over the comm-link “Not many on the ground Lead.” Lieutenant Vander's caught himself giving a nod inside the cockpit of his fighter even though it was impossible and impractical as no one could see him do it. It was out of instinct more then anything he thought to himself. A half second later he replied back over the communication channel “Give them a strafing and make sure none of that is usable. Also-” “Sir! Enemy targets coming in .39!” Banshee Four's voice yelped over his own on in the channel. Vander's turned and saw dark specs against the blue black background of the night sky far off in the distance “ Break left! Spread formation and swing them towards the mountains!”


Inside the cockpit of his Koensayr BTL-A4 Y-Wing Commander Vorm frantically raced over his controls setting up attack vectors as he watched a spray of blaster fire from the lead Tie tear into the ground crews “Six this is Lead, your closest get after the main group and keep them off of the ground pounders!” Blue Six's Lieutenant Adax's voice crackled back “On it Lead!”.

Lieutenant Adax's Y-Wing was the closest to the Ties and sped in launching his missiles and opening up his dual lasers. The Ties had superior speed as they turned away from the missiles and sped up into a half curl. None of the volleys landed on the incoming Ties the missiles trailed the first two ties before exploding into the sides of the mountain. Vorm banked his Y-wing as he shouted into the com-chanel “Twelve, they're coming towards you cut left and drop the hammer!” Lieutenant Kradam's voice replied back “On it Lead!”

As the trio of Ties turned from their initial strafe Blue Twelve held back his weapons as he dove in from high and right of the trio making sure his shots would be closer and easier to find their marks. As the Ties cleared the edge of the ravine that the Riptide hung over they turned left directly coming into Blue Twelves sights. Lieutenant Kradam couldn't believe his luck as he watched the Ties  in front of him grow closer he opened up his dual lasers and missiles. The pair of missiles hit square on the leading Tie fighter destroying it in a ball of fire. Kradam's lasers hit the edge of one of the other ties sending it smoking as it trailed away from the final imperial fighter.

Inside his cockpit Vander's yelled into his comm-channel “Banshee Two status!” Banshee two reported back quickly over the comm-link “Port panel has major damage it'll go soon, won't be able to hold it!” Vanders cursed and shouted orders into his comm-link as well as he could as his mind raced “Get yourself around the Mountains and back to BIG ROCK!” As he completed the order a spray of laser fire flew just above Vander's cockpit from behind. Vander's gritted his teeth as he corkscrewed down away from the next volley of laser fire.

Lieutenant Adax's spray of laser fire missed the final Tie. He cursed under his breath as he watched it corkscrew away and below him. He tried to turn his Y-Wing to keep up with the roll but the sluggish handling of the Y-Wing wasn't able to compensate for the turn and he had to break away from the roll early. A moment later Vorm's voice broke over his comm-link as he pulled out of the roll “Six pull back! He's too quick for you that close to the deck!” Adax started to reset is position as he replied back to Blue Lead “Moving to regroup with you Le-aaaah...”

Vorm turned behind in his cockpit to see Blue Six explode into a ball of fire as three more Ties poured laser volleys down from above. He turned back around in the cockpit and pulled up on his control yoke testing the limits of the Y-Wing's agility.

Vander's shouted into over the comm-channel “Cut left Squad! Ready for another run!” As he said that Banshee Three, Lieutenant Lodd's voice came over the channel “Negative Lead, we have multiple enemy targets chasing us from the rear.” Vanders gritted his teeth but he didn't have time to argue. Instead he cut his Tie in a hard twisting semi circle and headed back towards Lodd and the other original trio of Tie fighters.

Vorm finished his turn and brought his sights on the new trio of targets that had destroyed Blue Six. Vorm sped down from above the group as he saw the last unharmed Tie from the original trio speeding under the three new targets back towards Riptide. He barked into the comm channel “Blue Twelve keep the group in front of you!” Replying was Lieutenant Draxan in Blue Eight “Trying Lead, they're much faster then us!” Vorm gave an angry look at his monitors as he barked back “Eleven break far right keep raining on them! Herd them back left!” Lieutenant Lisson replied back over the comm channel “On it Lead!” Vorm continued as his reflexes were on edge “Twelve come back around on me and be ready to open up on my order!” Kradam shouted back “Following you Lead!”

The pair of Y-Wings Commander Vorm lead hung a far arcing left half circle from high above the descending Ties who were avoiding the continuous blasts from Blue Eleven's onslaught.

The three Ties pulled a half circle breaking up and left to stay away from volleys from behind and their right. They pulled up as Blue Twelve had just fell in formation with Commander Vorm and were now coming straight at each other. Vorm shouted into his comm at Kradam “Now Twelve! Open up!”

The pair of Y-Wings unleashed their dual blasters and missiles into the trio of Ties. The left Tie's solar panel exploded from the volley of Vorm's fighter. It spun down into the ground and exploded. The center Tie took both of Lt. Kradam's missiles and exploded in a fireball. The third Tie fighter broke for high altitude in a very steep climb before veering back towards the Riptide.

Vanders unleashed a volley of laser blasts across the top of Riptide's hull then spun around to see Banshee Three come out of the explosions behind him. He shouted into his helmet comm-link “Three you've got enemy fighters all over your tail!” Banshee Three Lt. Lodd's terrified voice came back through the comm channel “They got Five and Six! Bottled us into a roll!” Vander's took a half second and shouted back “Break hard left for the Mountain tops!” Lodd turned his Tie fighter hard and fast towards the left making for the mountains just past the great ravine Riptide was perched on. Two of the Y-Wings continued after him while two others following behind continued toward Vanders opening up their lasers.

Vanders grunted as he felt the gravity force pull at him as he did a fast and tight Talon roll corkscrewing around the Y-Wings laser blasts and then broke a hard back down the mountain side below Riptide into the tree tops. The pair of Y-Wings cut hard right to follow him as best they could. Vanders raced his Tie fighter down the mountain buzzing the tree tops so close he could hear the tops snapping against his solar panels. He saw the blasts from behind him continue to hit trees and fly past him as his two pursuers fired relentlessly after. During the chase Vanders flew over a large drop as the mountain's base dipped drastically. Cutting his engines to near nil as he descended deep into the now dipping tree line realizing he had his chance. His engines near cut he was able to do a quick turn and accelerated back around and up the tree tops but below the sight of the Y-Wings who continued sending bolts of laser fire over the tree tops giving him a good measure of where they would appear when he was close enough.

As the Y-Wings came closer to the dip Vanders sped up and as the shadows of the tree line became the Y-Wing silhouette he lined his lasers with the Y-Wings position and opened up sending laser blasts through the underbelly of the Y-wings shields and then as the blasts traced across the rebel fighters fuselage it tore through the shields and blew apart one of it's large engine housings that gave the Y-Wing it's name. The rebel fighter's engine exploded and the fighter fell deep into the tree line exploding.

The Y-Wings companion broke as hard as it could to the up and right. Away from the incoming fire. But by then Lt. Vanders was well on his way back up the tree line to the Riptide. 

Lieutenant Lisson broke in over the comm channel “Lead this is Eleven, Eight got smoked hard and went down in the trees. Eyeball is on the way back to Riptide!” Vorm replied back quickly “This one's trying to lose us in the mountain peaks! Twelve Break off and help Eleven!” Kradam's voice came over the channel in reply “Moving out Lead! On my way Lisson!”

Lieutenant Kradam banked his Y-Wing from the mountains peaks and sped back down it towards the Riptide. From the darkened tree tops he could make out the pair of solar panel shaped shadows of the Tie fighter against the moonlight. Kradam opened up his laser blasts from half way up the mountain but the Tie Pilot swerved around them. “This guy is good Lead!” Kradam shouted into the channel.

Just then from the mountain side large blasts of laser fire erupted from a handful of caves towards the tree tops at the Tie Fighter. The Tie pulled up away from its strafe run on Riptide high into the air again. Kradam gave a half smile as he realized the ground batteries were up and assisting as well. “He's going high!” Kradam shouted.

Then a pair of shots came from high across the sky towards the Tie fighter hitting it in the solar panel rocking it. Lieutenant Triton in her A-Wing had arrived to help the rebel defenders. Over the Mon Calamari pilot's headsets they heard her human voice break through. “Blue Lead this is SPEAR offering assistance!” Vorm gave a quick smile as he replied “Much appreciated SPEAR, keep them away from the POND!” Vorm replied as he stalked the remaining Tie through the mountain peaks above the Riptide. He followed until it pulled up over the peak and sped down the mountain side. Racing back towards towards Riptide. Vorm's voice broke through on the comm channel “These guys are relentless! Blue Squad and SPEAR my target it heading for Riptide!” Vorm banked his sluggish Y-Wing back down the mountain and pull himself level high to get a gauge on the Tie fighter's position. Triton's voice came back over the channel “On it Blue Lead!” Then Lisson's “We're waiting on him Lead!”

As the Tie fighter sped towards the Riptide the handful of ground batteries set up by crews on the mountain side lit up the night sky. They traced the fast moving fighter as best they could until finally it dove and strafed one of the ground batteries in what looked like frustration before pulling up for altitude. Vorm broke through the headsets of the remaining rebel fighters “He's going sky ward again SPEAR can you intercept!?” “Easily Lead!” Triton said back.

Just as Lieutenant Triton's A-Wing banked to start moving to intercept the remaining Tie fighter a blast of laser fire hit her A-Wing's shields disabling them. She gritted her teeth as she spoke to herself “What in the!?” Then Lisson's voice came over the channel “That wounded Eyeball came back for more!?” Triton winced and barked into the channel “He's mine Blue Squad! The last one I'll leave for you!” Lisson gave a quick reply “On it SPEAR!”

Lieutenant Vanders knew his damaged solar panel was too far gone to allow a safe return back to base. He wanted to inflict as much damage as he could back at the rebels for what they had done to his squadron this night, for Commander Cliner at Endor, for everything he knew they had done. The A-Wing's shields held against his initial barrage but he had no time nor ability to reposition his Tie for another shot. He turned towards the tree line again but this time was wounded and slower and instead of a sluggish Y-Wing in pursuit a fast A-Wing was chasing after him blasting at him from behind. He realized he wouldn't have a chance head on against his new type of adversary. No he needed to be cunning.

Vanders flew his wounded Tie down into the tree line into the same dip in the trees as before and slowly spun around to await the A-Wing, but the overshooting laser bolts never came to give him a position on where his enemy would emerge from the treeline. Vanders panicked, his ploy was found out he punched the accelerator to speed back up the dip in the trees. As he expected his A-Wing enemy to be raining death from above any second. But instead as he cleared the edge of the dip's tree line expecting to see the mountain range and Riptide's crash site again was horridly greeted by the rivets to an A-Wings fuselage as the A-Wing Pilot had accelerated as they flew close to the tree line dip.

Vanders banked his Tie fighter at the last mili-second smashing his already wounded solar panel into the fuselage underbelly of the A-Wing sending both fighters spinning away in the night like marbles smacking each other and zooming away at different angles.

Vorm's voice broke over the comm channel again “He's moving around to try the mountains again! Twelve come at him from above!” Kradam gave a quick response “ Already ahead of you Lead, sending love letters now!”

Lieutenant Kradam's Y-Wing had stayed high on the mountain range to give support and now found himself the main attraction in this aerial show of combat. He shot a pair of missiles from high on the mountain side above Riptide downward as the final remaining Tie again tried to run for the mountain peaks to escape death. The Tie's pilot either never saw the Y-Wings missiles or didn't register what they were in time as the pair of missiles bulls eyed the Tie's cockpit blowing the entire fighter to bits instantly in a ball of flaming debris. “Good work Twelve! Eleven what happened to SPEAR?” Lisson's voice broke in “Unknown sir! She went skipping after the wounded Tie and now I don't show either on the scopes.” Vorm gave a hard frown and chattered back “Lets get back to base and repaired we'll have recov-teams sent for Eight and SPEAR if they were able to eject and make it to the deck.” A second later Lisson's voice came back through the channel “I hate leaving them out there sir.” Vorm winced “As do I Eleven, but Riptide needs a stable umbrella cover should the Imps try this again. Shellis will make sure to send teams for our people.”.

In the command center Captain Barrax looked over the displays as the combat over head ceased “Status report!” He barked. Shellis turned towards him replying “All enemy targets are destroyed or bugged out Captain. We have possible pilot's on the deck in need of pick up.” Barrax gave a slight nod as he replied “Get to them Commander. Our fighters defended us admirably this night.” Shellish nodded and started sending orders through the headset he held to his face.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on April 12, 2017, 01:58:17 AM
Nice. Time to go share.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on May 07, 2017, 09:30:10 AM
- Kumo suvivors camp...


The sounds of scared gasps and angered voices shouting became the new background noise in the darkness behind Captain Vare Kai, of ISD Kumo. His breathing quickened as his eyes flashed back and forth from side to side into the darkness trying to make out any shadows moving against the dark blue and black star filled horizon. To his left was one of the rectangle shaped troop transports turning its guns in the same direction as Kai's vision. Slightly behind the transport was a stormtrooper and the female naval trooper both donning the crowd control packs that Kai himself wore. To Kai's right was the large campfire and the other naval trooper also wearing a control backpack. Beyond the trooper was the dark rectangle of the other troop transport where Vishra was inside scanning its cannons back and forth waiting for a target to come from the darkness.

Behind the small line of defense the four of them and two vehicles created was a small crowd of survivors being marched back away from the edge of the grassland coastline into the edge of the sandy ocean surf. Another small picket line of technicians and troopers took kneeling positions with blaster rifles and carbines to try and offer assistance to Kai's position more near the edge of the sand.

Kai tried to take deep breaths to control his nervousness. He looked back and forth trying to catch the slightest of movement against the darkened star speckled horizon as a small cloud front had shuffled into the area peppering the moonlight against the grasslands horizon.

Kai broke the nervous silence with instruction “There bodies and legs are extremely tough, go for the eyes on the front of the cephalothorax!” Their wasn't a reply from either of the troopers within shouting distance as each seemed staring into the darkness intensely. Each person of the group were ten meters away on either side. “There!” The dark skinned naval trooper to Kai's right yelped and pointed at a large round shadow barely visible against the darkness. “Fire!” Kai barked and the transport opened up with its dual canon's on top of its main body and the pair of single canon's in its forward pilot compartment. A loud ear piercing shriek cried out through the darkness from the shadow as it rolled back and forth showing it's long segmented legs flailing in moonlight for a few seconds.

Kai snapped himself out of the trance of watching the transport attacking the beast and turned to the left looking back to the north at the naval trooper and stormtrooper “Be ready it may be a-” Suddenly a large round bulbous body of a Viraxen leapt from the grassland shadows high into the air spreading its large segmented legs in the air and coming down on top of the other troop transport and crushing much of the middle main compartment as it tore into the durasteel with its sharp ends to its segmented legs. “There! Attack!” Kai yelled as he rushed towards the other transport. The female naval trooper and the stormtrooper also wearing their packs ignited their jump jets and quickly covered the ground between them and the large arachnid tearing into the transport's hull. Kai watched as the dark huge beast attached itself to the transports main compartment and started to peel its durasteel metal hull back like the skin of a fruit. The pair of imperials flew over to the transport towards the three meter wide diameter body of the Viraxen assaulting the imperial vehicle. As they came close the naval trooper powered up her taser shaft and shoved it hard into the nearest long segmented leg tearing into the transports hull. The beast shrieked in pain flinging its leg into the human woman and sent her reeling hard into the darkness. The stormtrooper took a second quick jump with his jets dodging a low swinging attack of the Viraxen rear legs. The trooper came down over top the arachnid's body and landed on its large round abdomen. Using the clamp claw arm of the riot pack the trooper grabbed one of the Viraxen's segmented legs shoving into the hull of the transport pulling it back out forcing the arachnid to release its grip.

Kai and the other naval trooper arrived just as the Viraxen swung itself off the transport and shuffled on its other legs into the grass. Kai and the naval trooper each clamped a leg and and started shocking the beasts body and head with their taser shafts. The arachnid rocked back and forth making it hard for Kai and the others to hold their grasping claws on it. Kai gave the beasts head a hard shock into the eye area trying to blind the arachnid as it shrieked out in pain and flailed in a hard jerk sending Kai and the naval trooper backwards toward the ground. The viraxen shook and turned just in time to have the transport's pilot compartment canon open up at point blank range into it's head. The stormtrooper jetted away from the beast towards Kai's landing place and saw the beast take hit after hit and refuse to fall as the laser blasts burned into its body. Kai and the male naval trooper rose and ran back towards the rear of the beast and shoved their taser shafts into the beasts rear abdomen. Finally the beast's movements slowed as its legs grew limp and it fell to one side against the shredded side of the transport it flung out its segmented legs trying to strike against the remaining attackers.

Kai and the others kept a safe distance and turned around towards the original Viraxen that attacked the first troop transport to see the other arachnid finally fall against the barrage of the dual canon and the port pilot gun. The starboard canon having been ripped from the pilot compartment. Kai's mind raced and turned back toward the others and scanned the area, the blood pumping through his ears as the adrenaline rushed through his body. “There's a third! Look for it!” He shouted out towards the others. As the words sat a moment the large arachnid shot from the grasslands shadows darting past the large campfire towards the survivors near the water's edge. “There!” Kai shouted towards the Viraxen as it arrived close to the picket line the few technicians and troopers opened up with their blasters. The Viraxen shrugged off the blasts and gave a blood curdling scream as it opened its wide fanged mouth and rose its front pair of segmented legs at the prey in front of it.

Vishra's transport opened up on the back of the Viraxen near the survivors as it sped towards it. “Kill it! Now!” Kai shouted, as he did the stormtrooper with the riot pack jump jetted to the backside of the arachnid to repeat the same move he had used against the previous beast. But the Viraxen turned quickly to get away from the transport's barrage and flung a long segmented leg up at the stormtrooper and impaled the trooper sticking its sharp segmented leg deep into the trooper through his riot pack up to the Viraxen's metatarsus. The riot pack's jets cut from the damage and the trooper's body went limp as the blood from the wound gushed down the dirty white armor. The viraxen turned and scissored another of its legs tarsus into the body of the impaled trooper bisecting it and flinging the parts away.

Vishra's transport finally arrived next to the beast and opened up on the arachnid monster continuing to fire landing hits but the beast took each blast keeping its attention turned from the survivors. Kai and the naval trooper jetted over towards fight overshooting the viraxen and landing between it and the survivors as the few with working blasters trying to continue to shoot at the beast. Kai tasered the back of the beasts abdomen and jumped back as the viraxen tried to scissor him as it had down the stormtrooper. It turned towards Kai and looked at him with its large single blood red eye with an onyx pupil. Kai was taken aback a moment “A royal...?” He muttered as the viraxen leapt towards him but as it did Kai used the claw to deflect one of the arachnid's tarsus claw as it tried to stab at him in a rage. The dark skinned naval trooper flew high above the beast garnering the viraxen's attention and it raised its front pair of segmented legs to try and impale him as it had done the stormtrooper but the naval trooper kept in the air and slowly flew away from the crowd and the beast followed until it stopped suddenly as the grass and  beach under the beasts legs started to become mushy from the edge of the tide wetting it. The viraxen gave a loud scream of frustration at the naval trooper as his jump jets cut off suddenly as their thrusters couldn't sustain the long aerial maneuver and he fell into the shallow water. The beast gave a loud audible hiss and turned back towards the crowd of survivors all the while taking blaster hits from TK1979 and others from the picket line that had rushed over to join the fray.

Vishra's transport arrived on scene just as the viraxen turned back and caught blasts from the transports dual cannon. Kai rushed towards the side of the transport and opened a compartment on it's side pulling out a cylindrical object and heaving it at the beast. Kai threw a thermal detonator that exploded just as it reach the beasts legs. The force of the blast blew Kai and the nearest picket defenders off their feet and lifted the transport a few feet in the air before it came down into the sand from the explosion. The arachnid shuddered loosing many of its legs and a loosing a sizable chunk of its abdomen and fell into the sand.

Kai shook his head as he stood up and shed his riot pack. He looked over at the survivors and nodded to them as he and a few of the technicians and troops with blasters walked closer to the viraxen in it's death throws. It was missing the entire left side of it's segmented legs and a large half circle blown away from its large abdomen. The arachnid hissed and slowly stopped moving as its life drained away. Kai looked at the beast's cephalothorax where its singular large red eye was now half closed. Kai shook his head slightly in thought.

Kai turned towards the others “Find our people!” he said pointing up the beach where the female naval trooper was knocked away early in the battle. The other dark skinned naval trooper had also shed his riot backpack as he trudged from the water completely soaked from his dunk in the coast. Kai let himself take some deep breathes holding a scowl over his face. TK1979 corporal Zaym marched up to Kai “No other units reporting contacts sir.” He said with the military sharpness that was instinctual to him when in combat. Kai nodded and turned toward the near destroyed troop transport and gave a long sigh. “It's had it, I'm sure. Corporal get the pilots out and have them fall in with the rest of us, we leave the area within three minutes and we pack Vishra's transport with every last person we can. The equipment will need to be left.” TK1979 nodded and held his hand to his helm giving orders silently under his helmet.

A few moments later the dark skinned naval trooper soaked from the ocean reported that the other trooper was found knocked unconscious in the sand. “Good, get her back here and on the transport.” Kai said relieved. Within the next few minutes the only pilot to survive the beaten and shredded vehicle hopped on Vishra's transport, as well a nearly two dozen other survivors that could fit on the large rectangle shaped vehicle.

TK1979 came over to Kai who had been kneeling over looking at the remains of the slain stormtrooper. “Sir, we're ready to move, over half will need to march alongside the transport however.”. Kai nodded at the statement “We'll all march, we'll take shifts as to give each group a rest every few hours. With luck this was a scouting party and we won't encounter more tonight”. Coropal Zaym just gave a slight nod unsure of how the captain would know that and held up a hand to the side of his helmet relaying the captain's instructions.

The remaining transport got underway packed with as many survivor's from Kumo it could while it crawled in speed alongside the rest of the survivors. Vishra was greeted by the Captain again as he sat in the pilot compartment with him. “Good to see you made it fine sir.” Vishra said to which Kai gave a frown but turned it into a neutral expression as he replied “Oh this is just the start Vishra, we'll have more then these to deal with by this time tomorrow night at the rally point”. Vishra gave a slight nod and a half smile unsure of what the captain was talking about but knew it was knowledge he'd probably not like knowing to begin with.

Over the next several hours the remainder of the rear column followed the last troop carrier until the start of daybreak. It was then Kai ordered a temporary halt for relief and food. He seemed relieved the morning light was coming as the blues and purples were being slowly transitioned into early morning light. Vishra remembered something the captain had said during the night's trek after the attack that the beasts don't like the sunlight so it would provide a small form of resistance against any curious Viraxen from approaching them. Vishra hoped he was right.

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Rally Point Alpha north western peninsula...

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Inside the hangar of the Imperial Titan dropship Major Gridon set up his command center. Usually the Titan housed four AT-AT's it could drop planet side for operations in it's massive hangar. None of the four were in the drop ship at the time of the Kumo's crash as the Titan was used to break free from the Rebel Ship attached to the star destroyer sending boarding parties over.

Now in the middle of the hangar a pair of portable holo-tables were set up  surrounded by clear scanning displays and technicians manning sensor terminals. Gridon was still wearing his olive drab uniform as he held his hands behind his back when the first reports from the strike on the Rebel vessel came in. A pair of stormtroopers armed and standing in the command center were positioned in front of the Titan's crew entrance near the bottom of the massive hangar to stop anyone trying to enter the makeshift command center during the operation. Aside from the group of technicians Captain Ryvil stood next to one of the holo-tables wearing his black officers jumpsuit reading the data as it was relayed.

Major Gridon had deployed his only pair of working probe droids at the extreme sensor ranges of the crashed rebel vessel. The droids were not adapting well to the environment for some odd reason and they were only bringing in bit and pieces of the battle as it took place far off in the distance of their visual scanners.

After the destruction of the Lieutenant Lodd's final Tie Fighter Gridon seemed gritted his teeth in frustration. ”If only that fool Kai would have allowed me to use the fighter craft instead of hoarding it. We would have overwhelmed them by now“. One of the ground technicians looked over from the clear display and nodded “ Yes sir.”. Gridon ignored the man's reply and continued his diatribe “But instead he took the fighters for himself for his own glorious hike along the coastline afraid if he's attacked by the rebels so he has to have them by his side at all times.” The rest of the ground crew said nothing to the remainder of Gridon's statement and the air sat uneasy a moment before another technician looked up from his console towards the Major “Sir, Banshee Two is limping home it should be able to make it if his solar panel holds”. Gridon gave no change to his expression nor looked in the technician's direction and replied “Track it until it gets close enough for a landing and if we need we'll set up an open area for a controlled crash.” “Yes sir.” the tech replied clicking on his console relaying the order.

A moments later the first tech turned towards the Major relaying information “Major, the head of Captain Kai's column has reach the our outer perimeter.” The technician's words sat in the air a moment as Gridon gave a half frown “... feh.” was the only reply the Major gave. The sound wasn't uncommon to the officers in Gridon's command, they knew it was the sound of unpleasantness about to happen. Usually when he was about to argue with the captain over a decision or when he takes a loss on something he expected to succeed at. Today would be both.

At the southern edge of the north western peninsula the first troops and vehicles from Kumo's column reach the peninsula's edge where the coast turned into a large sand bar that stretched out well beyond the horizon. In the lead was the massive imposing figure of an all terrain armored transport dubbed an AT-AT. Commander Karamat stood at the command station of the lead AT-AT. Her large green helmet hiding her jet black hair. She donned combat armor as most officers in the field would. Karamat balanced herself as she felt the floor of the AT-AT's rock slightly as the terrain started to change. The change of landscape started to coincide with the breaking light over the horizon as the evening darkness was shedding and slowly the warm colors of the planet's sun start to burn away the darkness of the star filled night's sky.

As the large lumbering vehicle crossed over the beaches rocky edge into the sand Karamat narrowed her green eyes as she saw the dawn start over the horizon. She let the thought that had been at the back of her mind this entire nights trek come to the front again, that the small peninsula was an odd place for a rally point so far from the crash. But if the Captain thought it the best place for survival she wasn't going to argue it, yet. “Not yet at any rate.” she murmured to herself watching the morning break across the peninsula's sand. One of the white helmeted At-At pilots leaned to one side as his voice broke through his helm speaker “Sir?” Asking if Karamat had said something intended for them.

Karamat gave no change in her cool expression as she replied “Nothing Sergeant, continue into Major Gridon's half circle of foolishness ahead.” The At-At driver leaned back upright as his reply came back through his helmet “Yes sir.” The huge lumbering vehicles trudged into Rally Point Alpha's semi-circle. Behind the three AT-AT's was a cluster of air speeders, light chariots and Troop Transports with various troops and personnel on foot carrying supplies.

Major Gridon cursed under his breath as he looked at the display screen showing the first part of the column entering in the semi-circle his shuttles and craft had created. One of the technicians gave an inaudible gulp as he looked up from his screen “Orders Major?”. Gridon gave a huff and replied “Tell Kai to meet me outside in the center of this forsaken spot he decided to declare our sanctuary. I want an audience to see his face when he learns what we've accomplished.” Gridon barked then as he turned to leave he shouted “Troopers, with me!”.

As the Major finished his words he stepped out of the hangar through the crew doors of the Titan dropship. The pair of stormtroopers quickly followed behind him along with Captain Ryvil. The technician on the display console watched him leave as he started to speak in a meak tone “Ummmm I think it's Commander Kara...” But before the words were out Gridon's entourage were out the door. The four other technicians working the command center's terminals and displays looked over at the fifth waiting for him to finish the sentence. Instead the technician just gave a cough and returned back to his console gulping again slightly.

Outside the Titan vehicle Major Gridon stepped quickly as the AT-AT slowly lowered itself by bending it's large front pair of legs at the knees and then lowered it's rear end to allow the main loading doors on the sides to be opened letting out survivors of the Kumo as well as supplies and equipment.

Gridon raised a hand to the blinding searchlights on the side of the AT-AT as it lit up the area directly in front of it. The red glow of the cockpit still showed the pair of pilot's silhouettes inside as Gridon walked past the head of the vehicle. He stopped in front of the disembarking troopers and technicians pulling out supplies and folded his arms across his chest expecting to see Captain Kai emerging soon. The pause gave Captian Ryvil and the pair of stormtroopers a chance to take their positions to the sides and behind him.

After a few minutes the heavy equipment being removed from the AT-AT's main compartments Gridon saw the AT-AT's commander walking down the loading ramp taking off her large green helmet revealing the brownish red hair of Commander Karamat. Gridon's body language changed as he was slightly surprised “What is this!?” he demanded. Commander Karamat tilted her head to one side a moment and gave the faintest of polite smiles before as she replied. “This, Major. Is the first bit of salvageable supplies and equipment from the Kumo.” Gridon gave a frown and elevated his voice speaking harshly “Don't toy with me Vareese. Where is Kai?” Gridon replied starting to grit his teeth. Commander Karamat's polite smile disappeared and her dagger filled stare shot back at him as she replied bluntly. ”He's still with the mass of survivors trekking here along the coast. You wouldn't have expected him to leave his crew just because he could? Did you Major?” Karamat said with a ambiguous tone. Gridon pulled his head to one side but kept his eyes that were now partially closed on Karamat “That-. Is old history Commander, not applying to our situation this night.” Karamat shot back a cold expression as she replied “While historical yes, it always applies Major. For nothing but to remember the lessons learned from previous experience. In learning from those hard lessons Captain Kai has put me in charge of all forces here while you're to remain under my command.”

The statement came and Gridon didn't seem to notice it at first and replied with a “What?” As a disgusted look started to fall over Gridon's face as Karamat's words sank in. Commander Karamat didn't wait for Gridon's assured conflicted reply and instead pointed towards the black jumpsuit wearing officer behind him “Captain Ryvil! You're now under my command along with all fighter and flight crew's from Kumo from this moment forward.” Gridon reach out and grabbed Karamat's arm pulling her down as he shouted at her. “You don't EVER undermine me! Do you UNDERSTAND!?”.

Commander Karamat winced a moment and looked up at the large man holding her arm down and gave him a cold smile. The next second the sounds of falling crates of materials and unlocking safeties and powerbanks being loaded into blasters made Gridon look up and take notice.

Hearing the noise Gridon looked up from Vareese while still holding the Commander's arm and saw five naval troopers coming down the loading ramp holding blasters on the him and his stormtrooper escort. A pair of technicians that were unloading the equipment behind the stormtroopers doing so as well. As was several partially armored stormtroopers that had been helping the technicians unload their supplies.

Gridon looked back down at Karamat still holding her and screamed “You treasonous slut!”

Afer Major Gridon's outburst one of the naval troopers on the loading ramp shouted at the Major in a respectful but serious and authoritative tone. “You have to three seconds to release her or you and every man here in your command and even you Ryvil are turned to smoldering corpses to be put in the ocean and listed as KIA in the crash. Captain Kai's orders.” Said the veteran voice of Sergeant Atter.

Captain Ryvil slowly raised his hands. As did the pair of stormtroopers escorting Gridon.

Major Gridon gave a sneer and released Karamat who raised back up rubbing her arm. She then unhooked her blaster and pointed it at Gridon who stepped back with an angry look. Karamat never said a word and fired her weapon into Gridon. Large blue arcs of power enveloped Gridon throwing him through the air almost a meter. His unconscious body landed between his stormtrooper escorts with their hands still raised. Karamat let the slightest expression of anger fill her words “Put him in a shuttle and seal it. He gets to cool down a while, you two can escort him in there as well.” She said pointing at the stormtroopers who were now handing over their blasters to the naval troopers. Karamat gave a wince and shouted at the black clad officer now far behind Gridon's slumbering body. “RYVIL! Front and center!”

Captain Ryvil snapped forward between the pair of stormtroopers and over Major Gridon's still breathing body. “Yes Ma'am.” he said with some anxiety in his tone. Karamat correctly him “Sir.” Ryvil nodded “Yes, sir.” Karamat gave no change to her expression and continued “Get your report ready, I want to know why half a dozen Ties never made it to Captain Kai. He was quite displeased when he learned this and will be more displeased when he learns they aren't here now.” Captain Ryvil swallowed hard. He felt Karamat's eyes over him and he knew the power she wielded with just a word or twitch of a finger his thirty one years in existence would end instantly. “Of course sir.” Karamat's facial expression didn't change but the tone in her voice elevated to an annoyed anger “Of course!? Of course stanging of course! We have new priorities for defense which makes any Hutt runs your doing on the Rebels all secondary.”

Captain Ryvil nodded and gestured back towards the towards the Titan dropship and started to march back towards it with Karamat following almost of top of him. Sergeant Atter's naval troops moved Major Gridon's sleeping body and his pair of stormtroopers more inward of the semi-circle of ships where they sealed them three inside a Sentinel troop shuttle.

During the small trek to the shuttle Gridon regained consciousness and tried to protest but was met by Atter giving him a toothy grin and a few curses before they slammed the doors shut and Atter put a pair of his naval troopers on guard duty. “If he gets out don't feel you have to restrain yourselves, burn'em. Captain's orders.” Atter said to the pair of men now guarding the shuttles doors. After the orders Atter started marching back across the semi-circle of spacecraft to Commander Karamat's position in the dropship, cursing his old legs out loud to himself the entire way.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on May 08, 2017, 01:55:35 AM
Off to share the new chapter.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on June 02, 2017, 10:40:02 PM
******Just a heads up from the author, some stuff may not be totally kid friendly in the chapter if you're reading it aloud. But nothing brutal mostly talk.******
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Inside the Kumo crash...

Lieutenant Sylvon sat in a small chair holding her head up by propping her arm against a display screen on a table in front of her. She was starting to drift asleep when she heard the moans of one of her captives as he started to stir awake. Sylvon smiled and stood up standing a little over a meter from a pair of medical beds containing the two other men. The room was cast in total darkness except for the light of one of the headlamps laying on the ground that until some hours ago was attached to the helm of one of the sleeping men.

“Wha... where” came the groggy groan of the older of the two men. A moment or two of dead silence filled the air before Sylvon spoke up “Inside Kumo of course, you must have fallen and hit your head”.


The man who awoke was an older man in his late forties comparatively to his captured companion who was also using stormtrooper armor. The other man was still unconscious on the parallel medical bed. He was a much younger man possibly into his early twenties if that. After a moment of silence following Sylvan's reply to his question the man started to come to his senses “What? No.. why can't I move, where am I?”. Sylvon continued in a formal tone replying to the man “I told you that already. You can't move because you're strapped in one of the medical beds in the port mid-forward sickbay. But you should have known that”. Sylvon added a slightly gleeful upturn in her voice as she finished her statement. The man struggled against his restraining straps but to no avail. The straps were used for restraining the most powerful of patients and easily handled his attempts at stretching them to escape. After a few moments of attempting to escape from the restraints he gave up and looked at Sylvon, who was little more then a silhouette of legs in front of the light thrown by one of the headlamps laying on the floor. Angrily the older man started to shout “What did you do to us?!”. Sylvon gave no real emotion in her reply “Why nothing yet. Aside from stripping both of you to make sure no little surprises like vibro-blades were concealed on you or in your nether regions.”

The sounds of the two talking must have alerted the senses of the other sleeping man. The younger man stirred as his groggy voice mumbled “Ugh... my head.” Sylvon let her voice raise in an appreciative tone as she noticed the second younger man was waking “Ah, now that everyone is awake we can start getting down to business.” The younger man clenched his eyes shut as he muttered on “Wh-Where... am I?” Sylvon gave a slight huff through her nostrils and replied to the younger man in a more annoyed tone “Again with the where. Gentlemen if we're going to have any fun you need to start using that large piece of matter in your skulls that are supposed to keep your intelligence.” The younger man seemed to not take in Lieutenant Syvlon's words as he tried to raise his body “What the, I can't move.”

The older man kept his head raised looking at the shadowed area where Sylvon stood “So... you knew?” Sylvon tried to keep a neutral tone to her voice but her excitement was starting to bleed through as she replied to the older man on the medical bed “Not at first. But you two aren't exactly regulation, nor acted like it.”

After saying the words Lieutenant Sylvon raised her arm in the darkened room while holding the second headlamp and turned it on pouring light over the pair of men strapped into the medical beds. They no longer wore the white stormtrooper armor nor the black insulation suits or any other stitch of clothing for that matter. Both of them squeezed their eyes shut the first moment or two the light hit their faces. The first older man to awaken was a scruffy looking human man with a salt and peppered beard. The other younger man had  brown hair was partially curled down the side of his young pale face and accented by his bright blue eyes. Now with the light cast on them they saw the thick black banded straps holding down their legs, arms and torso.

They both squinted as their eyes adjusted to the new light source glaring over them. Sylvon continued speaking as the men's eyes were adjusting “So, now. We're going to have a long chat about your information contacts and any informants helping you.” A slight pause came as the younger man reacted “She wants to know contacts? She knows who we are?” Sylvon gave a light chuckle towards the younger man in the med-bed. “Young man it's quite clear who you are... You're survivors of the Rebel raiding party.”

After revealing to the men she knew who they were their demeanor darkened.

A moment later the older man spoke up “What will you do with us?” Sylvon gave the older man a disgusted sneer as her brow lowered when she retorted “Well I thought after we speak for a bit I'd have my way with both of you strapped down so you couldn't resist and me being the kind and caring rapist I am I'd call your Rebel ship for a pick up.” Sylvon said as her lips curled in a hateful tone towards the pair of the captured rebels.

A long pause came between the men as they started to understand the gravity of the situation. Then Syvlon continued “You're enemy soldiers who not only tried to take the ship I serve on but helped bring it down and killed thousands on it and helped kill tens of thousands more at Endor and across the Galaxy with your terrorism. You should know what awaits you.” Sylvon finished the words with a cold emotionless tone that was more terrifying then the hateful voice she used just a moment earlier. She then walked between the two beds shinning the headlamp on the older man's face. The older man looked up at the light of the headlamp as he started speaking “M-My friend doesn't know anything, he was new and doesn't have the clearance.” Sylvon gave the man a quick acknowledgment “Oh I'm sure. By his young looks he's not old enough to have gone through any academy. Yet he was old enough to wield a weapon and use it against his own governments troops.”

The younger man hearing Sylvon and the other man speak about him as if he weren't there with them upset him and he shouted out “The Empire brought this on themselves!” But Sylvon kept shinning the light on the older man and simply exchanged hands she held the headlamp in and with without turning her gaze away from the older mans eyes her opposite arm swung back striking the young man hard in the face. “So, “Captain” lets begin with your ship's designation and compliment.” Sylvon said never turning to look at the damage her punch had given the younger man's face. The older man winced hearing his friend take the punch and looked up at the headlamps light “It's Commander. Commander Glavyn.” Sylvon's face couldn't be seen from the shadows as she held the lamp on the man's face but her voice's demeanor changed he could tell “Ah, I see. So who is your friend here Commander Glavyn?” She asked in a cold professional tone.

Lieutenant Sylvon turned the light back to the young man now wincing with a large red welt on his cheek below his eye. The older man looked over at his companion and nodded “Tell her Corporal.” Sylvon's voice chimed in “Yeeesss, tell me Corporal.” She said as she leaned over his medical bed. The younger man nodded and winced from the pain from the welt as he spoke “C-Corporal Smoldz.” He replied in a meek tone. Sylvon kept the light on Smoldz as she started to speak again “Hmmm you still follow his instruction. The well trained soldier you are.” She said tracing a finger over the closer of his restrained shoulders before continuing “So, Commander how many were in your boarding party?” But this questioned was met with silence as Commander Glavyn was hesitant to give up any more information.

Lieutenant Sylvon still looking at Corporal Smoldz with the headlamp clenched her free hand into a fist and struck her it hard against Smoldz's nose with a crunching sound. The Corporal shrieked in pain as his nose broke and started to bleed. Sylvon gave no emotion to the younger man's now bleeding face and continued to speak to Glavyn while facing the younger man “Oh Commander, I have yet to hear an answer.” She said in a slightly sinister voice. Glavyn raised his head and shouting at Sylvon “Stop this! He doesn't know anything!” he exclaimed towards her. Sylvon gave the slightest of smiles as she continued “I'm sure you're right. That he doesn't, the poor little harmless rebel. But he knows to follow orders against the Empire. He knows that it's no longer on his conscious to kill imperial troops and destroy imperial ships. No, Commander I'm sure he doesn't “know” much. He just does these things openly because it's what his friends were doing.”

After speaking Sylvon took her index finger and jammed it on the Corporal's nose making him cry out in pain and blood start to ooze out. Glavyn sneered at Sylvon “You vile person.” This reply made Sylvon give a slight chuckle “Oh Commander if you only knew.” She said. Commander Glavyn didn't respond instead he spat at her. His saliva landing on her cheek. Sylvon's eyes went wide a moment of anger then became razor thin. She wiped it with the back of her hand and turned the light back towards the older man. She spoke out loud again “ Boy, this old man thinks you don't know much. So I will teach you and he the first lesson. Knowing your situation.”
 
As her words finished Sylvon walked back to the medical supplies in the display terminal. She returned between the beds a moment later with a kit of some kind in her free hand. She glared at the Glavyn as she spoke aloud “So Corporal where do we start on your Commander? Hmmm? His face is quite ugly, unshaven. But his tongue and mouth is what spat on me. Disgusting and insulting to anyone in uniform Corporal. So do we start there?” She asked in a coy tone. Smoldz trying to speak through the pain of his broken nose gave a simple “Pweease dun hurr him.” Sylvon didn't turn from Glavyn as she replied to Smoldz “Oh? Then you wish to be the one I make speak? Hmmm. No. You're much to young and pretty for that as your Commander said.” Glavyn gave a shout as something stuck into the side of his skull and he tried to remain coherent “STOP this, kill us or let us go! Our forces will be here by--”

As Commander Glavyn spoke his words Sylvon took the headlamp she was holding over the pair of men and smashed it into Glavyn's chin and mouth before he finished. Nearly knocking him unconscious as a spurt of blood came out of his chin and cheek where the headlamp smashed into his face. Sylvon spoke with the darkness returned except the bit of light cast by the original lamp on the floor “Another lesson Corporal. It's best not to incur the wrath of your jailer when you don't have to.” She said in a polite tone towards him. Corporal Smoldz stayed quiet as Sylvon put the open medical kit on Glavyn's torso. What was inside was obscured to his vision as Sylvon appeared to pull items from the kit and used them on Glavyn. After a few minutes of curses she resolved herself “There we are, I was hoping to not have to go to such measures but your Commander was very strong and resistant.” Smoldz gave a half mutter “He's one of the best.”

Sylvon stepped away from the older man walking back to the display terminal and sat back in her chair facing them as she picked up the original headlamp and shone it on Glavyn's swollen face. A thin cut on the side of his bald head was now apparent though it wasn't bleeding profusely as the wound to his chin had been. She gave a smile “Indeed he is... or was. Now Commander your Corporal believes you to be one of the best of-- something or other. Is he correct?” She asked Glavyn with an inquisitive tone “No... nev...er.. was.” was Glavyn's reply. Sylvon continued “Such modesty. I'm actually impressed. Though it would be in line with the romantic ideals your kind seems to follow." At her statements Smoldz' anger boiled over and he started shouting at Sylvon “What'd you do to him!?” Sylvon turned taking the last headlamp and shown its light on Smoldz “Hush. Or have you forgotten the rule of the jailor already? Now Commander Glavyn. How many were in your team?” Glavn's voice was meek and without much tone to it “...F-Four...te-teams. A,..B,... C and D. Ten... or twel...ve sol-diers.. per.... t-...eam.” Sylvon gave an acknowledging nod in the darkness “I see. So you obviously had someone on board to give you the access and layouts of the Kumo correct?” She said leaning her head to one side. Glavyn gave his dead toned reply “Sli... cers.” Sylvon gave a frown even though it wasn't about to be seen “Now Commander that upsets me. You know I know there were slicers in your teams. Who gave you access to the mainframes and the layouts to ensure such a rapid shut down of the engines and other vital areas? Who was your collaborator.” A moment of pause fell after Sylvon's words before Glavyn continued “...per-son..... sor... source.” Smoldz spoke up “Pweese don commander.” Sylvon stood back up quickly and with and spoke at Smoldz in a curt tone “Corporal you were warned, now you must accept the consequences.”

Sylvon walked over to Corporal Smoldz and removed her glove gently she balled the glove in her fist. Then with a punching motion down she pushed it deep into the Corporal's mouth as he gagged for breath. Sylvon then punched him hard again in the throat. Smoldz gasped for breath as he tried to choke up the soot stained glove but could not, his lungs started to burn as he tried to breath but was unable to inhale.

After a few moments Sylvon reach down and pulled the glove up from his throat but kept it in his mouth and cupped her hand over it. “Now Corporal if that glove leaves your mouth. You will never need to gasp for air again, do you understand?”

The Corporal gave a slightly nod as he tried to breath through his broken nose and felt the blood oozing out start to coat the glove in his mouth. After a long moment Sylvon turned back to Glavyn. “So, Commander we were on the source of your infiltration, the person who allowed you access into the ships codes to shut Kumo down so easily. Glavyn gave a slight mutter as he replied “...s-source... wa ...was... Fff... Fo...ci.” Sylvon replied back a few times trying to pronounce the word “Faw-Kai, Faux-Kai? Fo-ci?” Glavyn gave a slight nod “...Foci...” Sylvon arched an eyebrow in frustration “Foci, I see. Thank you Commander. Now who or what was FOCI?” Glavyn continued his weak tone as he replied “ ...jus..t... in-tell...”.

Sylvon returned to her seat and crossed her legs smiling at the pair of men “Hmmm I see, so you never knew. Now Commander, I expect some few of your party wore imperial issued uniforms and armor hence why you were able to move about during the chaos less hindered. How many of your party survived?”. “J-ust... a... few...” Glavyn said. “How many that you know of?” Quickly retorted. “F-four.. or ...f-fi-ve...” Glavyn said meekly. Sylvon gave another huff through her nostrils “And your ships designate and compliment?” Glavyn gave her the information without hesitating “Rip...t-tide... one sq-ua.... uad... of... f-...igh...ters ...left. Crew... of Twel...ve-ousa...nd, low- ...er.. To... ha...lf.”

While the older man spoke his sluggish broken words the Corporal held his eyes shut not wanting to hear his friend give up the information to their captor. “Thank you Commander. For your cooperation you shall die a soldiers death.” Sylvon said standing up “Now Corporal, I'm going to remove the glove and if you try anything as foolish as your Comrade did I will not be as lenient as I was earlier.”

Sylvon walked back to the area between the beds and reach over to the Corporal's mouth pulling the glove free. She held the remaining headlamp up to the glove to look at it closely, still covered in soot from the Kumo's crash and fires but now dark red splotches where Smoldz' blood stained the fingers  . After inspecting the glove a moment in front of her Sylvon licked the gloves wet and slightly bloody area from Smoldz's mouth and put the glove back on her hand. The gesture caught the Corporal mentally off guard. “What,... do you want?” He asked from under his broken noses heavy tone. “At this point little to nothing is really left in him or you to get out.” She said with a smirk. Or did you have anything to add to his statements?” She said with one of her eyebrows raised.

The Rebel Corporal's mind raced he needed something to buy time, something that would give them a chance. After a milisecond he remembered “The dead Colonel in the hall. He was one of ours. We were trying to pull his data cylinders from his body when you interrupted.” Smoldz blurted out. Sylvon tilted her head slightly “Ah, Colonel Vimoshi I see. Well I suppose that could make sense, except he was killed from being shot in the back!” She said starting to let the anger run through her voice. Smoldz gave a hurried reply “He was! I swear, ask the Commander said he was!” Sylvon gave a near inaudible hum and turned back towards the barely conscious Glavyn “Commander? Was Vimoshi one of yours?” Glavyn stirred slightly as he responded “N-no... “

Lt. Sylvon turned back towards Smoldz, her eyes shooting daggers at him as she reach for a tool in the kit. Then Glavyn continued “T-trai... tor...”

The words slightly eased Sylvon's sinister look at the young Corporal as she turned back to the older man. “I... see. Commander what was he to do?” Glavyn tried to reply but the drugs had finally taken their toll on him as he slipped unconscious “Uuuh.. mmmmm... ehhh... shhhh....pppuuuuuuu...” Sylvon gave a slightly upbeat tone in her inquiry “Commander?” But no response came from Glavyn except light breathing. “Hmmm, it seems the good Commander is no longer able to respond.” She said in a near gleeful tone. Just then a clang from somewhere in the Kumo's decks caught Sylvon's attention for a moment as she continued her words “Perhaps others have come looking for assistance, or perhaps some of your fellow surviving raiders.”

Sylvon went over to the small terminal and reach down into the darkness pulling her blaster to her hip and re-holstering it. “Let's have a look shall we?”

After finishing her words Sylvon leaned under the door to the medical bay and shined the headlamp down the corridor. She saw a pair of men wearing black jumpsuits coming down the hall towards her location. One was holding the other up who seemed incapacitated both were wearing large black helmets with red visors distinguishing them as imperial gunners. A few moments later Sylvon brought them into the medical bay and lay the unconscious imperial on one of the remaining unused medical beds and removed his large black helmet revealing a brown haired man that looked very pale and sickly.

The other gunner didn't wait to watch Sylvon lay the unconscious man on one of the free beds. Breathing hard he collapsed into the small chair next to the display terminal Syvlon had just recently been sitting in. He pulled off his large shell like helmet revealing his sweating face. His skin was red from heat and covered in soot from fire with streaks from sweat that had poured out of him making his face look dirty and burned. His short red hair had streaks of dirt and grime through it. Sylvon turned back to the gunner sitting in the chair trying to regain his breath “Looks like you boys took it rough where were you stationed?” The gunner still breathing heavily in the chair kept his eyes closed as he replied. “We were near port gunnery station three before the crash. After we made landfall we had to claw our way out of the wreckage and the flooding.” he said as the words were forced from his lips between breaths. Sylvon continued as she walked towards the man “It's a wonder you survived. So now open your eyes ...sergeant. So I can ask you some more questions.”

The man in the chair breathing heavily opened his eyes as Sylvon shone the lamp's light directly at him. He winced and opened his eyes wide when he saw the blaster muzzle coming into focus. “S, sir?” He asked in a surprised and frightened voice. Sylvon didn't reply to his question and instead asked a question of her own “Crew compliment of the Kumo?” But the gunner still hesitated “Sir? I don't understand?” Sylvon kept her blaster pointed at him “It's simple specialist. The crew was infiltrated and had traitors aboard and I'm not taking any chances. What is the crew compliment?!” She said to the gunner sternly. The gunner's breathing was nearly normal when he replied “Fourtyseven thousand approximately with special detachments missing for Endor.” The gunner said wearily. Sylvon didn't give the question a chance to linger before she rifled off another “Last place Kumo had repair work done before the beginning of the Endor operation.” The gunner gulped starring at the blaster muzzle she held pointing at him “Bilbringi Shipyards.” he replied. “And Commander of the Ship?” Syvlon continued her barrage of questions. The gunner gave a sigh and a smirk before replying “One of the greatest men to command a Star Destroyer sir, Captain Kai.”

After the last answer Sylvon gave a slight smirk as she lifted her blaster from the man's face and re-holstered it. “What's your name Sergeant?” She asked in a cool manner. “Raem sir.” the gunner replied in a relieved voice. Sylvon let her eyes move back and forth over him rapidly “Hmmm... as in Gyce Raem, specialist Master Sergeant.” The answer catching Raem off guard “Y, yes sir. You know me?” Sylvon nodded “It's my job to know you Specialist.” Raem gave a slight nod “Apologies I don't know you sir.” Sylvon tilted her head “You don't and nor will you for now. Lieutenant is good enough for now after I know I can trust you and your friend.” Sylvon said turning the headlamp to the unconscious gunner the medical bed he laid in.

Raem stood from the chair with a questioning glance at the other men in the room “Who are these other two?” Sylvon gave a slight smirk turning the lamp on the pair of nude men in the medical beds. “They “we're” rebel infiltrators. However now one is unconscious unlikely to wake for a day or two and the other is being quiet hoping to save his own life.” she gleemed.

The words reminded Raem of something and he quickly looked at the opened Med-bay doors and scooted away as he spoke up “Lieutenant we need to go. Myself and Uwer and two others were on our way to the main hangar to try and escape when we encountered these huge creatures in the darkness. They attacked us but we ran. One just grazed Uwer and it nearly killed him.” Sylvon turned her gaze back at the gunner with a questioning look “Huge creatures?”. Raem continued “Yessir, we weren't able to make them out too well because of the dark but they killed the other two in our group all we heard was a half muffled cry out and then they were gone. They came at us from the behind the bulk head tearing right through the metal and the decks.” Sylvon pulled her blaster back out as she grabbed the headlamp and shined it at the Med-bay door. Raem chimed in “Closing the door wont do much sir, they tore through the bulkheads like paper.” Sylvon gave a slight nod replying back “No need to worry about that, we forced the door up and it's now jammed open. So these things won't be hindered by it if they decided to come for us.” Raem started to look nervous and let it creep into his voice “We should go sir.” Sylvon gave a nod towards the other gunner in the bed shining the light on him as she started to speak “We will as soon as your frie-”

But Sylvon's words stopped the instant she projected the light on the wounded man Raem had come with. Uwer's exposed skin on his body had started to turn pale gray as he flesh started to slowly droop from his bones and puddle on the medical bed. “ What in the name of...” She exclaimed. Raem didn't hesitate “Sir we should go, now.” “I think you're right Specialist.” Just then Smoldz gave a yelp towards the pair of imperials “Wait please! Don't leave us!”

Sylvon turned back towards the pair of men on the beds and looked at them coldly. As she re-holstered her personal blaster. “Specialist get the pair of blasters these two used and any ammo they had  as well. You're in charge of it so I suggest using on of their utility belts.” Raem ran over to the pile of armor and clips on the floor as he replied “Yes sir.” Smoldz started to let fear drip into his voice as he pleaded with them “Please, don't.” Smoldz said twisting in his straps “At least give us a fighting chance!”

As Smoldz pleaded towards Sylvon Raem leaned over the grabbed the utility belts and blasters from the pile of equipment at the edge of Commander Glavyn's bed. Lieutenant Sylvon held the lamp slowly walking over towards Raem as he was standing up with the equipment. “Specialist, use the most fully charged blaster. Keep the power packs for reloads. Give me the other blaster from their equipment.” She said in quickly. “Yes sir.” Raem said handing Sylvon one of the stormtroopers E-11's.

Lieutenant Sylvon looked at the blaster a moment and held it to Commander Glavyn's head as if contemplating something. Smoldz was in terror afraid to say anything that might make her jump and pull the trigger but not wanting to see his friend killed. A second later Sylvon turned towards Smoldz. “You both die now, or you carry him out yourself. Either way you don't get to be alone.” Sylvon said with a half smirk to her tone.

Without a second thought Smoldz leaped at the opportunity to keep his life and nodded. After a long pause of Lieutenant Sylvon frowned at Commander Glavyn's unconscious body pulled the blaster away and walked to the side of the bed to move the control yoke for the straps. “In a few minutes the straps will decompress and you and your scum will be able to leave. I suggest never coming within sight of me or Specialist Raem, corporal. Or else I will personally make sure your body is cut into pieces while you're still alive.” Smoldz nodded quietly without saying a word. Sylvon gave a half smirk “You're remembering your lesson, good. Specialist come, we'll make our exit another way from which you came.” As Sylvon spoke to Raem Smoldz cried out “A blaster! Or something to fend these things off with?!” But instead Sylvon smirked as Raem passed her going into the corridor “You think too much of yourself young man, or too little of me. That's quite offensive.” Sylvon said as she turned away into the corridor.

A moment later Sylvon and Raem were gone. Down the opposite direction Specialists Raem and Uwer had come.

Although it was only a few more minutes before Smoldz heard the medical bed's straps start to decompress it felt like an eternity keeping his eyes in the direction of the door that had darkened drastically since the imperial's left with the headlamp. When the beds straps finally loosened enough for Smoldz to pull out of he slid from the bed and knelt behind it trying to contemplate his next step. His face was bruised and nose bleeding and Glavyn was going to need him to get out of here.


Back down the corridor Specialist Raem and Lieutenant Syvlon briskly jogged, each holding a utility belt around a shoulder. As they traversed the twisted decks beyond the Med-Bay the sounds of clanging and skittering could be heard from different sections of the ship. “Lieutenant, are you sure it was wise to let that scum live?” Raem said to Sylvon “Your tale of these creatures in the ship is the only reason I decided to Specialist.” Raem gave a confused look as they hustled down another corridor “Apologies sir I'm not sure I understand.” Sylvon gave a half breath in her reply “Understandable Specialist, I doubt you've had advanced tactics training.” Raem was slightly crestfallen “No... sir.” Sylvon continued “ The creatures, if they are as fierce as you say they, will find the pair of rebels and take care of them for us. While buying us additional time to escape.” Raem nodded his head as they continued to jog down another hallway “I see, no I hadn't thought of that, I just figured you were soft on them.” Sylvon gave a raised eyebrow but lowered it as they continued moving through the twisted hulk of Kumo “No I don't have the right bits to.” She said. The pair of them started to chuckle quietly as Sylvon finished her joke. Both still moving quickly down the maze of corridors and bulk head doors sealed or burned and twisted. The skittering behind them had grown further away for a time.

As they turned a corner they came to an intersection in the corridor. They could continue straight or turn right. Sylvon used the headlamp to check the corridor ahead. Like most it was partially buckled from the crash with areas scorched black from fire. The pair checked the right corridor and saw it buckled as well but along with black scorch marks fresh red blood was spattered on the walls and large streaks. Raem spoke first “Someone was here recently.” Sylvon nodded “ “Was” being the key word Specialist. I suggest we stay on course it may be longer to the upper hangar but considering we have guests it will probably be safer.” “Probably” being the key word there as well sir?” Raem replied.

Lt. Sylvon gave him a crooked eyebrow of annoyance to the reply the specialist gave. She decided to dismiss the man's untimely fraternization with a superior officer he just met and was not familiar with. Lieutenant Sylvon simply replied with “On we go.”
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on June 04, 2017, 05:06:14 AM
Off to share. Thanks for the warning.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on September 17, 2017, 06:41:50 PM

*****Riptide's crash site*****

It had been a few hours since the raid on his ship and Captain Barrax sat in his chair in the command center placed the mountain cave above his ship the Riptide going over the post battle report “Well people. We we're lucky at best.” the older calamari captain said in his throaty rough voice.

Around the small holotable in the middle of the command center sat the officers of the Riptide. Three Mon Calamari men and a Mon Calamari woman and a human male. Commander Shellis and Commander Vorm were two of the Mon Calamari men around the holographic image of the Riptide and mountain range with the frozen scene of the Tie fighters and Y-Wings dueling for air supremacy. Commander Shellis used the Captain's lead in statement to start the details of the report.

Commander Shellis waved a webbed hand over the table as he started to speak “ As far as we know this was their probe at our defenses. We must conclude that the imp's didn't expect us to be in as good of shape as we were or they would have sent more snubs, or a bombing sortie.” Shellis nodded toward Commander Vorm who used the motion towards him to start speaking “These pilots weren't your average cadets recruited and bucking for their year in fighter service either to make ship officer either. Some of their pilots had experience”. At that comment Barrax grumbled a comment “Yes, the Kumo was at the suppression of the Halasia system two years ago. It's possible most of the pilots have had experience from that campaign.” He continued “What is the status of LONGSPEAR?”.

The human male at the table was Captain Dryce. He was thin for a human with pale skin and bright red hair cut short and neat combed over to one side. Dryce was wearing his green fatigues and tan vest as many of the rebellion ground forces has worn. He reach a hand over and clicked on the controls of the holo table showing a holographic schematic of the planet and an exit vector of a small arrow as it left orbit and entered hyperspace.

Dryce spoke up “Lieutenant Klavine should have reported to the Alliance fleet at Endor by now though we've heard no word back in over 6 hours.” Commander Shellis leaned over the holo table pointing a webbed hand into the orange and green holographic images. He spoke with a more inquisitive tone “It's possible the Imperial Fleet had unaccounted for reserves and the rest of our fleet is still battling it out with them and he either was destroyed or is assisting.”

Captain Barrax spoke up after the statement. “Unlikely. While the Empire had the drop on us at the beginning of the battle they would have called up reserve ships after the Superstar Destroyer was destroyed and their own forces were getting pummeled. We left the battle long after it was decidedly over and Homeone never reported more imperial hardware moving into the system.”

Commander Shellis chimed in “Perhaps we can send another fighter out to make contact.” Vorm spoke up “I'd suggest against it. With the losses during the raid we're down to five Y-wings which isn't really enough to provide umbrella cover for our crash as is. If the imp try hitting us again which they are surely to do we'll need everything to try and repel them.” Captain Barrax interjected between the two after Commander Vorm's statement “Lieutenant Ploshim what is the status of our battery placements?” The female Mon Calamari turned towards Captain Barrax as she flipped controls of the holotable. The image of LONGSPEAR's projected heading flashed away and the mountainside and Riptide crash returned with a graph overlay with green squares marking multiple areas on the mountain above and lateral of the Riptide's crash site. Ploshim spoke up as the image changed “We still have eight of the heavy turbo laser's still operational. If the fighters come again this time we'll be able to give them the pasting they deserve.” she said with a confident tone.

Captain Barrax chuckled a moment at that statement as he imagined Tie fighters being hit by ground fire and exploding into blue icing and landing on small pastry cakes then eating them as the thought faded he spoke up “Well it seems the ground units will be able to defend ourselves better next time the imps return. Vorm, your pair of pilots set out for Clarion survivors and to set beacons? What's happened so far?” Commander Vorm's large eyes half closed as his mood darkened at the Captain's inquiry. He punched on the holotable controls and a graphic of the continent replaced the mountain range. On the green image of the continent four blue circles appeared with identification marks. Vorm started to reply “Blue Three and Five found four Clarion escape pods around the northern edge of the continent a few hours ago. However when they investigated the crewmen were no where to be found. The pods were open and some evidence of small camps were made but we're unsure of what happened. We think they may have been picked up by imperial sentries or formed up together to get to a centralized location.” Barrax responded “That's distressing Commander. I'm hoping the Imps didn't get a hold of them first. If any of the Clarion survivors knew about our spies it would mean their deaths for sure regardless if they survived the crash. What is your fighters E.T.A?” Vorm shot him a quick reply back “They were heading inbound but received a weak signal from the Southwest. They are going to see if it's another pod that drifted out from the others.”

Barrax nodded as he continued his inquiry “I see, give me a report when they are back to base. Now what of SPEAR?” Commander Vorm cleared his throat as he clicked controls on the holotable again. The image of the four circles over the continent was replaced by the forested area below Riptide further down the mountain. A red line showed the vector of SPEAR skimming the treed before careening sharply beyond sensor range off the holomap. “We haven't found the wreckage of her crash yet. We've been trying to re-establish contact with her fighters computer in case she is just too far beyond the search teams range and landed. But with the damage her A-wing took in the collision it's unlikely Lt. Tritan wasn't able to stay up for long before hitting the deck. We have yet to receive a transmitter signal if she did eject.”

Captai Barrax spoke again “One of Blue Squadron was lost near her last nav-point correct?” Vorm replied “Yes sir Lieutenant Draxan was shot down in the same area his craft hard landed through the trees and we don't expect him to recover from his wounds.” Barrax continued “Hmmm, we will hope for the best for Lieutenant Tritan but must assume the worst and plan accordingly. Recall the recovery teams to help man the defensive batteries.”

A moment later the human man raised a hand in protest to the last statement.

Barrax noticed the human's motion and nodded as he spoke “Yes Commander Dryce?”

Dryce cleared his throat and spoke “With permission sir a few of our team is still left, two or three of us that made it back to Riptide won't make any difference for the gunnery crews. I'd like to take them for an extended search for Tritan or at least her ship to confirm if she survived.” Captain Barrax let the statement sit a moment as he rubbed his webbed hand over his large squid like forehead before replying “Fine, take the men from your unit. But don't be too long Commander, should the Alliance have to do a fast pick-up as we've had to do so many times before I'd hate to leave you behind.” Dryce nodded in acknowledgment as he replied. “We'll be home before dinner is ready Sir.” Captain Barrax opened his large fishlike eyes wide and gave a broad smile back at the human as the mention of food reminded him of his previous thoughts “At least be home before the pastries are served for dessert Captain”.



-Kumo survivor's column *****

The morning skies looked serene to TK1979 Corporal Zaym. As serene as it could from behind  his optical lenses in his helmet. He continued his gaze sky ward even while more reports came through his helmets comm. He looked back down at the small circle of people sitting and resting next to supplies and equipment. They were survivors from Kumo's crash and now all of them were a sitting in one of the many small supply camps about half a day's hike from the rally point.

Zaym had stayed with Captain Kai all the previous day and through the evening until the column had read the resting point. Kai had ordered Zaym out of the command tent when Major Araed arrived. Zaym had noticed Major Araed was much younger then he expected for her rank but made sure not to stare. Araed was a slender woman wearing the black uniform of the imperial army stormtrooper officers corp. She had very pale skin with bright wide blue eyes and bright blonde hair tucked into a bun at the back of her head with her black cap covering her golden lock's.

Zaym felt a slight depression for being ordered away from Captain Kai as he was excited to be the Captain's private escort through the last few days. He was always there when reports came in and always was the first to know the news of what was going on. During stormtrooper assignments news of any kind was rare and for a few days Zaym had been the conduit from which the exciting events had been projected from Captain Kai to the rest of the Kumo's crew and vice versa. Zaym sat with his E-11 leaned up against a supply crate next to him as he sat resting a few moments and looking at the ground. Around the corporal was a handful of imperial technicians in varying positions of rest. Some were eating rations others were trying to catch sleep in the soft sand using whatever they could for comfort. One imperial navy trooper was snoozing on the sand using his large black mushroom shaped helmet under his head as a small albeit hard headrest.

Corpoal Zaym's thoughts bounced around his mind about the Captain's orders relieving Major Gridon of command of the 73rd Legion to Commander Karamat. They were close enough to the rally point that some of the long range sentries from Karamat's scouts were able to make contact with Zaym's communications and he had learned the Major was “cooling off” as the other troopers put it.

However the image of Major Araed kept recurring in his mind. He found her attractive and very polite. She said little to him except where the Captain was at when she entered the supply area and Zaym directed her to the small command tent. Perhaps he was just not used to seeing such a younger adult in such a high rank. He shook his head slightly trying to blur the image of her from his mind when the sound of foot steps crunching through the sand and makeshift walk planks came aloud and Zaym looked up from behind his optic lenses and saw his minds image standing in front of him in the form of the stormtrooper officer Araed. He quickly stood at attention and saw the others technicians and troopers in the small supply area had vacated. “Hello again Corpoal.” Araed said with a soft slow monotone voice. “Kai has ordered you back to him for a small briefing on a mission he's assigning to us.” TK1979 Zaym nodded and his microphoned voice came through his helmets speaker “Yes Major. I'll go immediately.” “Good, please report to the center of this column for an equipment check and load. Also, you are still familiar with using an Aratech 74-Z?” Zaym gave the slightest of pauses and nodded as he replied through his helmet “It's been a little while since I used one but yes.” Major Araed gave a warm smile towards him and nodded “Fair enough. I'll be waiting as will the rest of our mission team. Please be prompt Corporal.” Araed said with a slightly lighter warmer tone to her voice. Zaym gave his affirmative and marched off around the supply area to the command tent.

Inside Zaym found Captain Kai and Vishar standing around a small holomap of the Rally point. Kai waved him over to the map and Zaym strode over “Commander Araed said you requested me sir?” Kai gave him an nod with out much of any expression on his face and turned back to the holographic map of the rally point. “You're being assigned to Araed's scout unit for this mission.” Kai gave a slight pause and continued “I want direct communication with Araed of course but she has a habit of being quiet more then is necessary. Corporal Zaym remembered the prior few days with the crash and column of survivors, more to the point the fact Major Araed never reported in her survival nor her location until Kai requested it. “A product of her special training I assume.” Vishar muttered behind Kai who turned shooting him an angry frown which was signal enough for Vishar to stifle. Corporal Zaym had become familiar with Kai's angered face over the last few days since the crash of the Kumo as he kept it as a near permanent expression as the horrible reports from the crash or the survivor's trickled in. In fact about the only time he noticed the captain's mood change was when report of one of the other officers survived.

Kai turned toward the stormtrooper corporal and continued. “Understand Corporal that your primary objective is reconnaissance. You may find other issues arise during the setting of the mission parameters but I am to be fully aware of everything.” Corporal Zaym gave a slight nod as a “Understood sir.” in a microphone sounding voice came through his helmet. The Corporal was glad to be back in the excitement of things but something gave him a sense of dread. As Kai continued the hologram of the rally point zoomed out to show the entire continent. It was the first time the Corporal had a chance to take it in. The continent was shaped much like a five point star with it's northern point sheered off and the remaining four outcroppings of land seem to have slightly rough with beaches and forests. The hologram then zoomed back in to the northwestern peninsula and even more westward past the rally point to the red sandy area at peninsula's furthest reach before the ocean and beach took the screen. “Here, is your destination.” Kai began. “Major Araed is on a recovery mission and you're to assist her and her unit but reconnaissance and communication is your primary objective.” The stormtooper nodded and his voice cracked through his microphone “May I ask what we are recovering sir? One of the escape pods?” Zaym asked inquisitively. Kai gave a half snort through his nose and shook his head “No, Major Gridon's incompetence or outright lack of duty is going to be called into question regarding the loss of them. No corporal Major Araed is on a mission to recover an artifact. A...” Kai paused a moment subduing his next word and instead said “A, classified one. Understand?” The stormtrooper nodded again “Yes sir.” “Go now and report to her and get ready.” Kai finished. TK1979 nodded a final time and turned and strode out of the command tent without another word.

Kai watched him leave and without turning to Vishar he spoke up “You don't have to cower like a rodent Vishar, you know what you said was out of place. Get over your mistake we can't doddle over our follies.” Vishar cleared his throat and spoke up “Th-thank you sir. Do you think it wise to send someone so low in rank and clearance with the Major?” Kai turned with a smirk on his face “That's exactly why. Someone without their own motivations.” Vishar gave a slight nod as he remembered he himself was not much different from the corporal in rank. “So now let us get to the pressing matter.” Kai continued.

Vishar punched up a few buttons on the holotable and the map of the peninsula's outermost edge faded and a transmission call was placed. A moment later the holographic upper torso of Commander Karamat became visible. The blue and white hologram had some minor interference in the clearness of the image but Vishar could see that Karamat had kept the lock of her red hair dangling down in front of the side of her face. Kai finally gave the slightest of smiles before wiping it away from his face as he nodded towards the image of the Commander. “Good to see you arrived Commander, I hope everything went smoothly.” He said toward her. Karamat gave the faintest of smirks before letting her face return to her icy demeanor. “The trip was smooth. Though Gridon was personally insulted to know I was taking over his operation here.” Kai gave a feigned surprised expression but was not trying to be too serious with it “Oh?” Karamat continued “Yes, he tried to get personally physical so I arced him and put him and his personal escorts in a Sentinel to cool off until you arrive.” Kai gave a half smirk and replied “Good to know you still handle yourself as well as I remember.”

Karamat narrowed her eyes in an icy stare of something different Vishar could only assume was anger but the normal pursing of lips or clenching of teeth he would expect weren't there as he had seen earlier with the Commander. Karamat gave a more strained reply “In-deed Captain.” Vishar gave an inaudible gulp as he assumed this was another inside comment similar to the field report one between Kai and Karamat. However unlike last time this was much different. Vishar could see the contempt start to turn the cheeks of Karamat's holographic image into pursing her lips with annoyance towards the Captain.

However Kai continued to talk through Karamat's displeased image as if nothing were wrong “The report you sent of this little raid Gridon put together, was subtle and disturbing.” Karamat's gaze started to return to her normal cool professional demeanor as she replied “I thought you would notice this. I didn't know he had sent it until I reminded Ryvil of what happens to people that cross me. But with the exception of Ryvil it was our squadron leaders that were sent, which were our most experienced pilots.” Kai looked over at datapad laying on the holotable and winced “Disturbing.” Was his reply before continuing “As of now you're in command of the rescue operation for the escape pods from Kumo. If there are any left since no action was ever taken for them to begin with. Remember to use ties sparingly as most will be needed to convert solar energy to power cells so I suggest using a shuttle. We should be showing up around mid day if our luck holds.” Karamat gave a slight easing to her cool demeanor as she replied “I find that luck is just an assortment of skills used at the proper time in the correct way Captain. With no further engagement of the indig's it seems our plan to traverse the beaches was the correct choice.” Kai flashed her a smirk “Commander I have found many, many times that luck will beat skill every time.” The Commander crooked an eyebrow in a bit of annoyance and this time did curl her lip some Vishar noticed but he dared not mention it to the Captain. “Karamat out.” She said as she reach forward to turn off the transmission and her image faded away. Captain Kai leaned over the holotable running his hand through his thick jet black hair. He closed his eyes a moment “Vishar, that woman can be stressful.” Kai said before reopening them. Vishar gave a small nod unsure exactly what the Captain meant. Kai turned and gave a slight turn to his chin and shook his head “I suppose I'll tell you the story sometime, of why she hates me so.” Vishar gave a slight smile and measured chuckle as he tried to reply “I, I hope so sir.” Kai continued “Maybe when I'm out of the Navy or we're both retired.” Kai chuckled and then continued “Well lets hope we both live to see that.”

Vishar gave a slight chuckle with the Captain as he said the words but deep down he was screaming his agreement. He wanted nothing more then to be off this rock and find a tavern to dive into.


Back at the supply area Major Araed's team had assembled TK1979 Corporal Zaym had arrived a few moments after the rest. The group consisted of seven scout troopers of which at least two were female Zaym assumed from their stature. One of the scout troopers pointed to a supply crate and Zaym nodded and walked over towards it and looked in seeing a set of scout armor inside. He gave a sigh inside his helmet inaudible to the rest of the group.

He turned and saw that the rest of the group were all scout troopers and he assumed one of them was Major Araed. Zaym started to change his armor as a scout trooper gathered the rest around in a semi circle. “While the Corporal gears up I'll go over the objectives.” The female voice of Major Araed said through the microphoned helmet of the center scout trooper. She reach up and flipped up her helmet's mask revealing her face. Zaym had gotten his arm and leg armors off and rushed to get out of his chest armor and body bucket as she spoke. “Our primary objective is a small object. About fifteen centimeters in height in a pyramid shape. Color may vary as it may be corroded or sand pitted but it originally was red.” Araed looked to make sure Zaym was paying attention before continuing “The target area is the furthest point on the peninsula and unfortunately with most of the heavy weapons and armor being used as defensive perimeter screen we get the job of search and recovery.”

Araed leaned over in the sand of the beach and drew the edge of the peninsula and made a few marks representing the target location on the peninsula and the rally point. “The area is a large tilted rock formation with a cave entrance on the base of the elevated side. That cave opens into a larger system with some old ruins of a long dead species that lived here apparently.” She gave a slight sigh  “But this object is somehow important enough for the Captain to issue it as an objective even though most of the crew is waiting for pick up from this rock.” She gave a snort and a half laugh which garnered the half chuckle from a few of the other scout troopers. “So let's get it fast and get back.” Araed finished her mission statement towards as she drew lines from the rally point to the target and back, then looked up smiling at the others on the team.

By now Corporal Zaym had finished getting his armor off and had put on most of the scout armor. “Are there any questions?” Araed asked with her warm gaze towards the other men and women wearing the scout armor. She then turned her soft gaze towards Zaym who had finished his transition into the scout armor and was taking a place in the semi-circle of men and women also wearing the same. “None from you Corporal?” Araed asked slightly anxiously. Zaym gave her a slight shake of his head and a “No ma'am” as he voiced through the helmets speaker. He had thought he'd have some questions but the warm gaze from the Major made him forego anything else on his mind. “Good. We'll be in the rally point within two or three hours making a stop to resupply and refuel and pick up a chariot for support. Then another three to four to reach the target destination. Let's move out.” Araed said clapping her gloved hands together.

Araed finished and flipped her visor on her helmet back down over her face with a smile and turned walking toward her speeder bike. The speeder bikes had been parked in a line with a cadre of materials ranging from scouting equipment on some to heavy sniper rifles on others.

After the other seven scouts had left a sole unused speeder bike TK1979 took his E-11 and a scout pistol with him as he tossed the few items including the communicator the Captain had given him into one of the scout teams black satchel bags that he had brought from the supply crate. He looked up at the sky again now seeing the planet's sun burn away the last of the dark blues and purples from the sky and gave a breathe as he fired up his bike and with a whirl-whoop he bolted it into movement into the direction of the others on the team.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on September 18, 2017, 02:32:32 AM
Cool. A new chapter let me go share this.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on November 12, 2017, 08:52:07 PM
Clarion recovery flight mission from Bluesquadrons Y-wings

Zooming in the night sky a pair of Koensayr Manufacturing Y-Wings zoomed over the forested landscape of planet. The pair had been away from their ship the Riptide most of the evening searching for survivor's of the Clarion's destruction. Inside the cockpits the pair of pilots, young Lieutenant Cashil and the aged veteran Lieutenant Zovish scanned ahead for any trace of their comrades.

The pair had landed at all four of the Clarions escape pods they located. But each time the searched for the survivors inside all they found were traces. The first pod had a small campsite set up outside of it with a firepit that had been used and was burned down to ash and coals by the time their Y-Wing's arrived. By the fourth pod they found the only thing they found was a few footprints trailing off into the grass.

Lieutenant Cashil was thinking of what could the escape pod survivors be doing. Had they been captured perhaps? Or maybe met with other survivors and decided to try and hike to Riptide's crash in hopes of linking with it's survivors. As the myriad of questions were rattling around in her head her speakers crackled on and the aged graveled voice of the elder of the squadron Lt. Zovish came through “We're getting closer on this faint signal but it's much further southwest then I expected.” Cashil blinked her large mon calamari eyes and spoke into her helmets mic “Lets hope its something we're starting to get low on fuel as it is being out all night.” Zovish gave a half chuckle and turned his large dark grey and blue mon calamari head towards his right to gaze over at Cashil's Y-Wing as he did. Cashil continued to speak as Zovish turned back away from gazing at her Y-Wing “Though at least its away from the imperial signals we were picking up. I'm actually surprised at how many Imp escape pod signals we encountered.” Cashil let the statement hang a moment as she felt slightly sorry for the people in the imperial pods signatures pulsing out for assistance and pick up. But the pair of Y-Wing pilots decided not to land at them, they had their own people to worry about first. They recorded the locations so when the data is given over to Riptide's command they can decide what to do with them. The sorrow in her emotion soon steeled over when the mental image of the Clarion exploding into thousands of pieces tore into the planet's atmosphere. She had known many of the fellow pilots on the Clarion but none of them had been left before the jump away from Endor in pursuit of the Star Destroyer.

Which Cashil also found odd. But now was not the time to worry about it she told herself. During the moments of silence of her thoughts Zovish's voice crackled through her cockpit again. “Hopefully they didn't assemble and make make off with the Clarion's people.

After a few moments the sensors start to zero in on the faint signal and the pair of Y-Wings bank towards the northern edge of a small cluster of stout craggy hills the signal was coming from. The moon illuminated the sides of the crags enough to make them to judge the distance before the pair came across a small plateau atop a cluster of the hills. The plateau itself was covered in high grass and spotted with large rocks and boulders a larger rock formation was off to the northwestern side of the plateau creating a large slug looking rock formation.

Cashil spoke through her comm-link as the pair circled the plateau making sure it was safe to land “It's definitely come from here but I don't see anything. Should we hit the deck like the rest?”. After Cashil finished her sentence Zovish grumbled a reply “I think it should be fine, no Imp pods came down anywhere near here and this is about as far from their crash site on this rock as you can get. Even still, lets be careful.

A few moments later the Y-Wings come down and landed on the soft grass area. The pair of pilots hopped out of their cockpit each with a pack on their back for supplies and a blaster holstered. Zovish had a sensor tracker in his hands trying to keep with the faint signal. As they started towards the location of the signal Zovish extended the pair of antennae from the sensor reader and punched on it's controls “It's definitely in this direction.” He barked towards Cashil as she was out of her Y-Wing striding over to him. She scanned her younger Mon calamari eyes around the area “This would have been better during the daylight hours.” She said. Zovish kept his large mon-calamari eyes on the tracker “No argument here but we need to remember it's not about us and these convenient fighters to crawl back into. It's about who may be hurt down here.

Lieutenant Cashil nodded in agreement and the pair started to walk towards the craggy moonlit rock formation. Eventually the pair looked all over the large flat rocks but found nothing. Cashil climbed to the top of a small rock formation adjacent to the large slug shaped rock formation as Zovish stayed below checking the readings on his trackers scopes “It's got to be here the scopes say were right on top of it.” Zovish grouched his complaint aloud. Cashil turned around looking at the rock formations with a questioning tone “Well where is it then? I don't see anything out here other then rocks and shadows.”

Zovish looked up at the moonlit rocks and Cashil on the formation when he noticed the set of rocks at the bottom of the slug shaped rocks. Four round rocks sticking up like fat dinner plates. At first he thought it was similar to a set our power generators but on a much smaller scale. But the formation of all four were too near identical to occur naturally. An idea came to his mind as he stared at the forms “Wait,... I think--”. “Aha! Found something.” Cashil proclaimed.

Looking up from the four similar shaped rocks Zovish noticed Cashil had come back down from them near the bottom of the slug shaped rock formation next to a large rock covered in sediment and dirt. Zovish half closed his older mon calamari eyes “What is it?” He inquired towards Cashil “It's...a handle put on the top of this rock?” Cashil said in a more befuddled tone. Zovish climbed up to Cashil to inspect her finding. “Hmmm, I bet its a hatch of some kind.” She claimed. Zovish cleared his throat as he stood a moment in thought “Whatever it is, its not any of our people.” Cashil turned to him, “I wonder if it's a bunker, maybe this is where the occupants of the pod came to? Or maybe its an old settlers ship that got fossilized.” Zovish gave a half sigh looking back down at his tracker “Well whatever it is it's still putting out a weak signal.” A second later Cashil spoke up “Ah I think I got it.” With a screech of rusted metal Lieutenant Cashil pulled the handle and a meter of the dirt moved the section shifted and fell off the side of a large square section of the now exposed metal.

Cashil gave a curious look to the new opening of the top of the rock formation “Hmm, this thing isn't solid rock. It just looks that way.” Zovish leaned over looking into the opening “Maybe for a reason.” Cashil didn't respond and instead leaned down looking into the opening. She turned to Zovish and said “Well whatever that reason was looks like no one's been in or out in some time.” Zovish noticed the dirt and dark dust coming from the edge of the opening of the newly opened dark hole had rubbed onto Cashil's orange jumpsuit and he asked “You're not going in I hope.” Cashil gave her fellow pilot a squinted look with her large mon calamari eyes as she replied “Of course! Who knows whats in here. If there's a signal then there is someone in here and they might need help.” Zovish gave his large squid shaped head a rub with his flipper and and shook it back and forth “I don't know, I have a bad feeling about this.” But as he finished his words Cashil had slid out her hand lamp and shone it inside and saw what looked like dirt of a floor or ground inside. Without much hesitation she knelt down and lowered herself into the opening and dropped inside.

As Zovish knelt himself down to the edge of the opening he looked back at the slugg shape of the larger rock formation he was sitting on. The view from this angle started to cause him memory to click as if de-javu was slowly coming to him. He tried to think of where he had seen the shape of this kind before. After a moment in unsuccessful reflection he heard Cashil's voice say something inside. Zovish put a foot inside the newly square shaped hole and slowly dropped inside.

The opening immediately got wide and deep once inside Zovish's feet found register in damp ground and dirt before he realized he could easily stand at full height inside the structure.

The illumination from Lieutenant Cashil's hand lamp cast light over old metal plating and large piping going along the walls. The occasional set of hooks and and straps were dangling against wall mounted railings as if they were there to hang a flight suit or coat on. The thick coats of spider webbing continued down the right side of the corridor while the left side was relatively unaltered. Cashil gave a slight exhale as she started to speak “Well this is quaint. What do you think this is a ship maybe?” Zovish came up beside her “Hmmm, not sure.” He said as he moved his tracker deeper to one side of the darkened area “Our signal is coming that way.” Zovish finished by pointing towards their left.

Cashil and Zovish continued down their left until she reach a circular pressure hatch that was partially ajar. Cashil gripped it with her webbed flipper and the hatch swung inward to the side relatively easy. Past the hatch lay a smaller sized circular causeway with thick rotting dusty cables on the sides and dark stinking water between sides of dark mud on the floor. Cashil shone her light down the small causeway and spotted another circular hatch about 4 meters away. She spoke up upon seeing the other hatch “A pressure lock possibly?” Zovish nodded in agreement before Cashil continued “Hmph. Kind of small for us. I should fit fine.” Zovish turned to her “What's this “I” talk.” as he leaned into the darkened causeway.

Lieutenant Zovish lead the pair down the causeway as he continued looking on his sensor tracker. The mud and water on the floor of the causeway was sturdier then he expected and felt nearly organic to him. He couldn't help the nagging feeling he knew where he was. Then Cashil tripped and fell to one knee on the soft mud. When she arose blackish goo stained her orange flight-suit down past her knee. “Ugh, I can't think of the amount of time I'll need in the sonic shower after this.” She grumbled but Zovish wasn't in the mood for comedic statements “Shhh. We're almost there.” Cashil gave Zovish an annoyed look as she continued walking behind him. As she shown the hand lamp past him as they traversed towards the circular hatch at the end of the small causeway. “Thank the tides.” Cashil exclaimed over a sigh. Zovish just gave a look up from his tracker as he replied and moved forward towards the hatch “It's right ahead.”.

A second later Zovish let the sensor tracker rest on his side with the shoulder strap. He tried moving the second hatch and it opened inward towards him opposite of the previous hatch with Cashil it swung open form the top with relative ease. Zovish took out his own hand lamp and shown it past the second hatch to look inside. His vision was partially obscured by more webbing. He tore it down with his alternate flipper and stepped inside.

Inside the next chamber Zovish looked down and saw small round spheres in piles. The spheres were dark gray and about the size of a human fist. He assumed they were eggs from the piles and the shells of some of them cracked open. His eyes tracked the hand lamps light as he slowly moved it past the piles of sphere shaped eggs to a large metal plate sticking a half meter out from the side of the wall and a set of controls running down the side. The controls display were totally dark with no power so it wasn't the source of the signal.

From behind him Lieutenant Cashil stepped through the hatch holding her hand lamp's light on the eggs. Her eyes widened as she pulled out her blaster. “M--, maybe we should go.” She said starting to get anxious at the sight of the piles of spheres. Zovish didn't respond as he turned to the right and took a few steps he replied “The signal is from here somewhere.” Cashil stepped in a few steps after Zovish and kept the light down at the spheres “Are these eggs?”.

Zovish didn't reply instead he walked around the plate with dead controls making sure his feet overstepped the piles of fist sized eggs. As soon as he cleared the deck plating he stood still. From behind him Lieutenant Cashil whispered out to him. “What is it?”

Lieutenant Zovish stood there frozen as he realized what he was seeing. A pair of pilot chairs turned sideways still bolted to the side of the wall that as now he understood was originally a floor. The control panel was similar to the one he had stepped around. It stood in front of the pilot chairs a moderate sized rectangle area that Zovish assumed had been the main view port was now stuffed with dirt from the outside pushing into the cockpit. On the control panel nearly all of the controls and displays were darkened without power except for a small blinking indicator near what had been the far left side of the panel and now was near the ceiling.

The blinking light wasn't a surprise to Zovish. He expected to see some form of signal being transmitted from here but seeing a pair of control yokes set between the two chairs made him realize what he was inside. “I think we're--”

Just then above control yokes the dirt in the view port started to sift and slowly small holes opened. Zovish shone his light on the dirt quickly as dozens of small arachnid like creatures emerged squalling and hissing and starting to traverse down the dirt into the cockpit.
Zovish tried to take steps back quick and bumped into Cashil who had come around the plate in the middle of the room to inquire what he was seeing. Zovish just screamed as he backed into her “Run NOW!”

Zovish didn't bother not disturbing the eggs piles as he turned and run back past the control plating obscuring Lieutenant Cashil's view. He shoved her back into the hatchway as he turned and un-holstered his blaster. Zovish pointed down as the fist sized creatures scurried towards them and fired multiple shots scoring a few but only holding back the rest of the small horde. Cashil yelped as she almost fell back into the darkened mud of the causeway and saw Zovish open fire at the small creatures “What are they!?” Zovish jumped back shouting “Don't know! Don't care!”

By now Lieutenant Cashil had her own blaster out and opened up a few bots at the ground sizzling some of the horde of creatures near Zovish. As Zovish fell backwards through the hatchway Cashil ran up slamming the circular hatch shut. The sound of the creatures jumping on the hatch and pressing into it could be heard as they scraped the opposite side of the door.

One of the small arachnids made it past the hatch's door as Cashil closed it and turned hissing at her. A second later a red blaster bolt burned directly into the creature blowing it into pieces. Cashil looked back at Zovish holding his blaster pistol. “Thanks.” Cashil said breathing fast from the excitement. “Don't mention it. Can you lock the hatch?” Zovish said as he ran towards Cashil and put his weight onto the circular hatch as well. Cashil held a flipper with her foot against the hatch as she reach for her hand lamp laying in the dark watery mud and picked it up to shine light on the hatch. “I think the manual lock is around here somewhere.” Cashil said moving her flipper to the top of the circular doorway “Got it!” She said as she opened a mud covered access panel revealing a dusty latch lock handle inside. She shoved the small handle up into the ceiling of the causeway locking the door.

Zovish's breathing had returned to normal as he slowly tested moving from the circular hatchway door “Let's get out of here.” he said. Cashil nodded in agreement Sounds good, whoever thought to put an emergency lock on the ceiling in whatever this thing is.” Zovish's wide mouth gave a half chuckle “It's an overturned AT-AT. That was the command cockpit.” he proclaimed. Cashil didn't let the comment sit she shot back “Then we're in the neck?” Zovish nodded “Correct. Let's get back out the hole we made.” Cashil let a long sigh of relief out “Best idea I've heard all day.”

Zovish walked to the open circular hatchway where they had come from which he thought meant they entered through a maintenance door or equipment loading door to the main cargo area of the overturned walker. He stopped short. The fading moonlight came through the square hole they opened in the roof of the compartment they first entered and landed upon a large arachnid creature. Easily twice the size of a human it was facing opposite of the circular hatch to the AT-AT's neck area where Cashil and Zovish were.

The massive dark colored creature had large dark fur colored rear abdomen and a much smaller thorax. A second later the creature stiffened and turned on it's massive spidery legs towards Zovish. The head of the creature was much like a spider in shape but instead of a multitude of eyes a large red eye was centered above a fanged mouth and drooling mouth.

Zovish in a panic slammed the circular hatch back shut as the large arachnid leaped at him. The force from the creature landing on the hatch as Zovish tried to hold it shut Jolted him hard as he almost fell backwards “Ahhhh! Help!” he screamed. Cashil ran through the soft blackened sludge in the causeway to help Zovish hold the hatch down as the large arachnids' legs tried to dart and spear from under the pressure hatch's opening. After a second more Cashil took her blaster and aimed it under the circular hatch and opened a volley of blaster fire. As she did the creature retracted a moment allowing Zovish to close the door and then use the manual lock found in a similar location as the cockpit's hatch. As it locked in place the creatures legs could be heard smashing into the circular door which was now started to bend inward from the onslaught. Cashil's large mon calamari eyes went wide “That wont that hold it!” Zovish turned and shouted with fear “No. We need out of here! Fire your weapon straight up!”

As he said the words Zovish pointed his DL-44 blaster pistol and unleashed a volley on the roof of the causeway they were in. Cashil took her own DH17 and fired at the same spot as him. A moment later the roof of the causeway caved in with dirt and hot metal from continuous laser fire.

It wasn't a moment too soon as just as the roof caved in the hatch door started to give way from the barrage of strikes the arachnid creature was hitting it with its long thick spear shaped legs “Move!” Zovish yelled putting his hands around Cashil's waist and hoisting her up to the opening “I know!” She acknowledged and reache to the still hot blasted opening the pair and made and pulled herself up through it.

Zovish pushed Cashil's feet through the opening in the roof and jumped himself grabbing the hot edge of the metal hole he and Cashil had just created. As he started hoisting himself up Zovish heard the circular hatch door give way and the huge arachnid start hissing as it entered the AT-AT's neck. Zovish pulled his legs up just as a pair of the creature's long spear tipped legs clawed at his own legs as he cleared the newly made hole. “Down now!” Cashil yelled as she jumped from the rock like structure. Zovish followed a millisecond later leaping through the the cool night air as well. The pair of them landed hard in the grass. As Cashil landed she rolled but Zovish came down hard and yelled as his leg twisted in the grass. “C'mon we got to go now!” Cashill yelled as the sounds of the arachnid's hissing and metal scraping from the top of the rock formation could be heard. Zovish rolled  over and sat up “Keep moving! Don't wait for me!” he exclaimed.

Cashil started to protest when more hissing sound was heard from the top of the rock formation. The arachnid creature had pulled it's massive body up to put it's head through the hole the pair of pilots blasted out of. The rocks around the hole started to move up ward as the creature strained to pull it's large abdomen through. Lieutenant Cashil pointed her blaster and shot a few well aimed shots at the beast using the last of the moonlight. The blaster bolts hit the monsters legs and head as it was trying to pull through the hole but the shot's had little effect against it's hard chitinous covered abdomen. A moment later the rocks near the center of the formation a bit further down from the square hatch on the topside Cashil started to sift and move. Cashil turned to Zovish and pulled him up.

“Let's go! We're not going to stop it!” Cashil yelled. Zovish stood up limping and trying to get moving “I'm trying! We have to get to the fighters!” Then as if the large slug shaped rock formation had been awoken from all areas of it shifting rocks slowly lifted like a huge door. Inside the hissing sounds of more of the creatures could be heard. As the pair of pilots ran for their ships the huge square door of the side of the AT-AT creaked open enough for a half dozen of the creatures to rush out hissing and skittering along the grass and dirt. Cashil looked back as she ran towards her Y-wing “It has friends!”

A few seconds later the pair had made it to the grassy area they had landed their Y-Wings. Cashil ran to hers and started jump on the fuselage of her fighter before she remembered Zovish was hurt and turned to check on him. “Didn't get back a moment too soon!” He said putting his flippers up to his the fuselage. “Can you get in yours?!” She yelled over at him. Zovish turned and nodded “Yea I'll be fine! Get your's started to use your top guns on th-...” Zovish cut his words off quickly as a huge arachnid's silhouette rose from the the back fuselage of the Y-wing where the pair of engines attached. It spewed a long string of web at him catching his torso. “Ahhh! G-...” Zovish turned as the webbing knocked him off the cockpit fuselage back to the grass. “Percy!” Cashil screamed out. She hopped in her cock pit and powered up the top gun. The arachnid sucked the webbing back towards itsel and used its long spear like legs to impale Zovish like prey on the sharp legs. The creature tore Zovish's arm from his torso as he tried to resist in a futile effort. The next second the beast pulled his now still torso to its multi eyed head and opened it fang filled mouth as it started to devour his other shoulder and torso.

Cashil sat screaming as the guns read online and turned them to fire on the beast. The shots had some effect as the bolts burned into the beasts torso but did little to it's legs holding the corpse of her friend. The Y-wing powered to full as she sank into her cock pit quickly and lifted off.

The half dozen arachnid creatures coming from the rock formation had arrived in time to try and leap at Cashil's Y-Wing as it rose from the ground. One landed on her fighters nose plunging it's legs deep into the metal hull. It hissed at her trying to pull it's large abdomen onto the fighter. Cashil opened up her fighters front pair of blasters and after a volley it blew the arachnid off of it. To her horror the creature landed and seemed wounded but limped back towards the rocks. The rest continued to spew webbing at Cashil's ascending Y-Wing until she engaged her engines and pulled free.

Cashil pursed her mon calamari lips tight in anger remembering her friend still down there dead and being consumed. She banked her Y-Wing around and turned it around staying high hoping it was out of the creature's web range. She came over the rest of the arachnids now heading back to the rock formation. Cashil aimed her canons and opened up her pair of front lasers on the remaining creatures to avenge her friend.

The strafing hit three of the monsters. Two of which were hit multiple times, only one fell to the ground dead. The other two limped along with the others. Cashil decided she wasn't going to let any get away. Not now not after what they did to her friend. She banked around for another strafe run but as she opened up her blasters she noticed the power in her banks had dropped considerably. Then her early alarm on her fuel started going off. Cashil pulled up from her second strafe run and reviewed her blaster control's readings gritting her teeth as she said aloud “What in the name of? They were over half full when I took off.”

Cashil was unsure why her fighter's fuel and blasters power were lower then originally thought but it meant she would have to leave now to make it back safely home. Solemn and angry she turned her fighter back towards the Northeast and set a course for the Riptide.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on November 13, 2017, 03:47:43 AM
Off to share the new chapter!
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on November 24, 2017, 04:16:00 AM
Morning breaks over the continent.

The night's sky started to slowly burn away as the sun started to rise over the planet Aranea. Most of the nightmarish creatures that filled the shadows of the continent were retreating back to their lairs to avoid the suns hot rays. The warm feeling of the morning sun on her skin made Lieutenant Triton start to stir.

Her mind still only half conscious she kept her eyes closed as her thoughts drifted to her past. Her mind traveled back to her time as a child being raised with her uncle learning to pilot craft early on. She learned everything she could get her hands on. From land or air speeders to speeder bikes to swoops, skyhoppers and even an old Z-95 headhunter her uncle had owned. Her mind drifted to a mental image of him. He was a such a great man. She never knew her parents that well. They were killed in an accident when she was barely six years old. She was raised by her Mother's brother. Uncle Hestem or Big Hes, as many in the taverns called him. She loved his large round face and gruff appearance. He had bad health issues and with the Empire taking more and more resources work was sparse. When he was removed from his mining job near Gorse he took it hard. Eventually trying odd jobs for little pay.

Aerrel felt terrible being a burden on him even if Hes would never see it that way. She decided to leave home at fifteen to find work to help pay for her uncle's rising medical needs. However most of the outer rim wanted her for whore houses and dancing jobs for a girl with little to no experience. Aerrel found it too difficult trying to pass off as an adult to those that needed adults and tried to avoid those that wanted to pay her to look more like a child. She shivered at the thought of those days.

Triton's mind traveled to the thoughts of the Empire when they came looking for pilots and she got into the small Imperial pilot academy on Falshir. After a few attempts at lying about her age to join she was accepted. If only she had known about Uncle Hes's condition during her second semester, he lost his battle with his disease and was dead and cremated before she even found out. She had nothing to go back to then. Later Aerrel's secret about being under age was found out, she winced thinking about the unsavory things she had to do to keep her secret about her age safe. The things she did with the instructors who were twice her age made her feel all the more worthless. It made her remember why she left the Empire.

The unsavory memories of that past life helped bring her back to her current life. The rebels she met during the academy and later joining the them after her deployment on Gall went from sour and depressing to horrific.

The rebels reminded her much of herself, misfits and outcasts from society now struggling to survive. She had been with them only a few months after the evacuation of their main base on Hoth. Aerrel wanted to make an impression so she signed up for the most dangerous missions and requested the most combat expectant assignments. She was eager to show what she could do and it payed off with more and more victories for the Alliance. Then came the battle of Endor where the second dreaded Death Star was being constructed. Her thoughts flashed through the battle the mass of Tie fighters filling her scopes. During the battle she was recalled back to Riptide at Commander Dryce's orders. She didn't know why but by then the half finished Death Star was destroyed as well as the imperial super star destroyer. The route of imperial forces was on and it was a clear and solid defeat for the imperial starfleet. Aerrel's mind slowly started to think of more recent events. Of Riptide's crash on this strange world and later of... of her reconnoiter mission and later her... her... crash...at the last thought her eyes sprang open.

Lieutenant Triton scanned her surroundings, she was still in her cockpit of the A-Wing. The canopy was cracked with large areas of the viewer glass torn away. The fighter's controls were all dark and the right side of the cockpit had been crushed inward pinching against Aerrel's legs. She tried to rise up quickly but the pain in her left leg stopped her in motion and she settled back into her grav couch. Aerrel looked up beyond the shattered cockpit to see a forested trees canopy blocking most of the suns rays. She remembered chasing after the Tie fighter from the battle over Riptide but her mind was hazy after that. Had she been shot down from behind?

Aerrel clicked her helmets comm-link to try and transmit but like nearly everything else in the cockpit it was dead. She took off her green flight helmet and let her golden bangs fall over her brow and ears. For a moment she reminded herself she needs a haircut. A second later she twisted her legs out of the crushed side of the A-wing's cockpit and rose herself up slowly. She could see a wound on the side of her leg that looked like shrapnel had blown up from below into her cockpit and into her thigh and calf muscle. She winced as she spoke aloud to herself “Not the smoothest landing ever I must say. Unnngh...”

Aerrel grunted trying to hoist herself out of the cockpit and pushed up on the canopy. After a moment it finally popped open and she crawled out of the fighter onto the forest floor and lay there feeling her leg aching. She turned to look at her craft, its left side more intact side was buried deep almost to the edge of the canopy. The right side looked like she flew it through a bomb. The entire right side from the nose going back to the gun and starboard engine assembly looked to have been torn into shreds the fact the cockpit was still intact was a miracle. Had her fighter landed on its right side then the left she would have been crushed like an eggshell. On the A-wing's starboard engine tail fin which protruded out of the ground the furthest was coated in a strange green ooze seeping down the side of her crashed fighters tail assembly panels. Which had started to garner Triton's attention when something else caught her eye.

Behind the fighter she noticed something. Rather she noticed something not there, as in her skid track. Normally when a fighter crashes soft enough for a survivor there's churned up earth on the ground and grass or whatever happens to be on the deck when said fighter comes in for a hard landing.

Aerrel's fighter hadn't one. She looked up and saw the tops of the trees behind her fighter had been torn and severed off. She realized that's what softened her crash.  She paused to try and raise herself up but stopped as she looked up and noticed a large amount of webbing in the tree tops. “Hmmm, not sure I want to be here if whatever made that comes back to check and see if I'm alive.” she thought to herself.

As the words parted Aerrel's mouth the sounds of branches breaking was heard high through the trees in the distance. Then a low toned whine came from that direction before a large dark object fell through the smaller lower branches and impacted the forest floor about 60 meters behind her fighters crash point.

Triton reach for her blaster but noticed her holster empty. She had left it in the cockpit. She tried to stand but the pain in her bleeding leg prevented it so she scooted on her butt back to the cockpit and leaned in grabbing into the cockpit's depths until she felt her blaster's handle. As Aerrel pulled it free she heard a low shriek from the falling objects direction accompanied by the sounds of branches of trees being broken and thrown around. The shriek grew faint and the thrashing sounds slowly quieted. After a minute or two the sounds ended. Triton assumed it was a creature of some sort and by the way the noises faded away she hoped it was no longer part of the realm of the living.

Aerrel waited a moment to make sure, before pulling herself up and slowly limping over to the area where the noises where with her blaster in hand and ready in case of trouble or the creature not entirely dead. She was relieved and let out a long sigh when she came into a small cluster of saplings and saw the remains of the large beast and knew it was dead. The large arachnid creature had landed on one side with four of its long spear head tipped legs curled under what was left of it's abdomen, which was cut nearly in half and had a huge chunk missing from it's side along with whatever legs had been attached under that section of it's missing body. The multi eyed beast lay over on its torn and shredded remains and oozed out a green liquid that Aerrel assumed was it's lifeblood. After a few seconds to make sure the creature wasn't hostile she scanned the forest canopy to insure no more were in the trees above her as she turned and made her way back to her crashed fighter.

Triton's leg was still seeping blood. She leaned back into her half turned over A-wing and pulled out the first aid kit and started to fashion a crude bandage and injected her leg with anesthetic to keep the pain down. Triton looked back at the direction of the dead creature thinking it wasn't as big and mean as it seemed.

Triton realized her fighter must have collided with it as she crashed and torn part of it's massive body off. She turned to see her A-Wing's engines assembly and on the left engines tail fin was a coating of the same greenish blood splattered all over it. “It was still moving even after I slammed into it?”

After Aerrel spoke to herself she opened the med kit and quickly gave herself an aneth-shot and started to clean and tie up the tear across her lower thigh. For a while there was no noise which made Triton even more fearful. She finished patching up her wounds and looked around for a large piece of tree branch or metal for a crutch. Most of the tree branches were too small or too weak. She did however manage to pull off a section of the rear tail fin that had sliced open the arachnid beast during impact. It was long enough for a crutch and sturdy enough. Lieutenant Triton pulled off part of the grav-couch so the crutch would have a soft end for under her arm, as she started to tie on the piece of cushion from the grav-couch she noticed a lot of the green blood was still on the piece of metal. She thought about cleaning it off but decided the pain in her leg was foregoing anything else but getting the weight off of it. She finished rigging the crutch and tested it.

Aerrel took a few steps she was pleased with her work. She reach in her fighters cock pit for the survival kit in case she was on the ground for an extended time. She hoped her comrades were on their way but with as much time as had already passed it's possible they think she's KIA or out of range for a pick up. She rummaged around and found her spare her comm-link hoping for a sign of friendlies. She click it to an open channel and began to try and transmit. “This is SPEAR to the Kitchen come in please.” But her attempt was met with static. Frantically she tried again “This is SPEAR to Kitchen requesting pick up at this transmissions' coordinates, please respond.” But again she was met with static. She continued for twenty more minutes before giving up on any reply. She hoped the Riptide's crew heard her and couldn't respond or just didn't have the ability to reply. Aerrel became slightly depressed then took a long deep breathe as she tried to get upright with her newly crafted crutch.

Triton had expected as much but hoped for the best. She had been in worse situations she told herself. This to shall pass. She let a slight smile creep across her lips as she had her sobering thoughts.

As she smiled she heard another tree branch further away snap. She wasn't sure if it was part of the same lot the creature came from or if it was one of it's friends. She decided it was time to make her way out of the area as fast as possible and not bother finding out.

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



Riptide's crash site...



It was early in the morning hours when Captain Barrax awoke from the small bit of sleep he had gotten. His senses were too on edge from the previous night's raid. Barrax sat up from the small moist mat on the floor of the small cave junction he had used as a resting place. He gave a slight smile at the moisture deep in the cave that kept his skin from drying out overnight. Normally Mon Calamari's have to keep themselves moisturized regularly to keep from serious skin damage when outside of aquatic atmospheres.

Barrax reach over and grabbed the comm-link from the small rock he placed beside his mat and clicked it on. “This is Barrax, status report commander.” From the other end Commander Shellish's voice crackled through “You were only asleep for maybe two hours sir.” Barrax gave a slight frown with his mon calamari mouth at the comm-link after Shellish's reply. “Your concern for my health is comforting to know yet not needed Commander. What's our evaluation of the damage and battle preparedness?” Shellish's voice came through in a more professional tone after Barrax's brush back “Moderate damage to some of the refueling equipment and five casualties to the maintenance crew. They were awaiting Blue Squadron's return for refuel and re-prep when the Imps hit and strafed us.". Barrax let his large eyes wince slightly as he replied “Hmm, they must have thought most of us were still in the ship.”. “Seems so, we were lucky.” Shellish replied. “Lucky would be if they didn't hit anything Commander. What of LONGSPEAR?” Barrax ordered back through the com-channel. Shellish's voice sounded a bit crestfallen “Still no word yet Captain.” Barrax started to stand up grunting from the uncomfortable cave floor as he did “Hmmm it's well overdue. Either Endor reheated up or it was taken.” Shellish's unsurprised voice came back through the channel “Possibly sir. We know the Imps were moving to fall back positions. It's feasible an admiral with too much pride rallied a few ships to try and make a counter strike.” Barrax started to pull his tunic on and fastened it as he retorted “Possible but unlikely. What's the status of our umbrella cover?” Shellish's voice chimed up slightly at the question “Still up, sir Lt. Cashil returned from the Clarion's pods run just a few minutes with disturbing information.” Barrax quickly replied “Regarding the Imps commander?” Barrax finished dressing but couldn't locate his pair of white boots he had taken off before sleeping. He looked around blinking his large mon cala eyes thinking to himself he had put them at the end of the mat before he went to sleep he thought. After a few seconds Shellish's voice came back through the channel “Err, n-no sir it's regarding the wildlife of the planet it appears dangerous.” Barrax gave a frustrated grunt at hearing the news and still looking for his boots. “I'll be there in two minutes Commander. I want Flight Leader Vorm informed of the small snoop run we set up last evening after the imps hit us. Barrax out.” He barked in frustration. As Barrax keyed the com-link closed Shellish's voice muttered a “Yes sir.” before a zzzzt sound indicated the channel ended.

Captain Barrax stood dressed in his uniform circling around looking for his boots on when he turned inward towards the cavern's deeper interior and saw the faintest of white objects at deeper in the cave where his small survival lamps light started to fade and be overtaken by the darkness of the cavern. Barrax had taken the deepest possible cave for his rest area and wondered if he had kicked the pair of boots when he was asleep and sent them tumbling. It wasn't an issue he was going to spend time no now, he thought to himself. Barrax walked to the object and reach down picking it up and it was indeed one of his boots. He cursed and looked deeper into the cavern.  He could see it stretched out further and started to widen out.

Barrax walked further back trying to adjust his eyes and as he stepped a few steps into the darkness he saw the white outline of his other boot laying against the cavern wall where the cave widened out. Barrax walked over to it and spoke to himself “How hard could I have kicked them I wonder.” As the words left his mouth he reach down and picked it up to find it covered in a white webbing that was sticky and stretching to his flippers grasping at it to tear it from his boot. A moment later he had it freed and slid it on. “Enough of this now we--” Barrax's words froze as his large mon calamari eyes detected movement in the darkened cavern. He froze trying make the shape out of the darkness but instinctively took a step backward. As he did he felt something hit his abdomen. He put his flippers on his chest to find it was more of the sticky webbing clinging to him and now sticking his arms to his chest. As he started to yell another stream of the webbing hit his face and eyes. He turned trying to run but with a sudden forceful yank he was pulled back into the darkness of the cavern...

-----

The morning's sun felt warm over Flight Commander Vorm's aquatic skin. He had been up all night going over post battle analysis reports and trying to piece together where he could try to make adjustments with the small compliment of fighters he had left. Normally the Riptide would carry other support craft and shuttles but because the Endor assault was so risky it was deemed safer to leave it behind should the attack fail and the Alliance ships captured.

Vorm had a feeling of dread come over him. He had just finished reading Lieutenant Cashil's report of the Clarion survivor's search and the subsequent incident at the cave with the creatures that slain Lieutenant Zovish. He winced Zovish was an elder of the squad and everyone thought he would make it through to the end of this war. Especially with the Emperor and the new Death Star gone, but to die on the ground and in that way was terrifying to the mon calamari pilot. As Vorm was going over the reports his comm link crackled on with the voice of Commander Shellish. “Commander Vorm come in please.” Vorm reach his wrist pad to his wide mon calamari mouth and replied “Vorm here.”. “Commander, we're going to be needing you and some of your people for a mission Captain Barrax wants you to complete. I wanted to give you an early warning so you could prepare.”. Vorm gave a tired response to Shellish's more professional tone “With respects the Captain does understand our serious under supplied situation?” “He does, however it supersedes that.” Shellish replied with a slightly annoyed tone. Vorm gave a sigh under his voice as he spoke back into the comm-link “I,... see. Send it through.” Shellish's voice seemed to be tired of the conversation “He set it up last evening after the attack. I was just trying to be courteous.” Vorm gave a slight frown to his mon calamari mouth as he retorted “How polite you are.” Shellish just replied in a curt “Shellish out.” before the channel went dead.

Vorm sat a moment in his chair in the small cave now being used as a the pilots bunk. He and most of his Mon Cala pilots were glad to be in a more moist atmosphere but still, he wished he and his squadron would be given a chance to use the cave  at least a few times before the rescue shows up. His thoughts changed from the cave to Shellish's tone in his message. “That fool.” Vorm thought to himself.

Vorm and Shellish had long standing disagreements on fighter use during deployments and how they can best be effective. Fortunately Captain Barrax had agreed with Vorm more often then not and it still upset Shellish who was looking to make more of a name for himself in the alliance forces. He read over the mission parameters as they came in to his terminal. After a few seconds of reading Vorm raised his webbed hands into the air in disbelief “They can't be serious!”

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



Nektulos Forest...




The sun was raising higher into the sky when Lieutenant Vanders turned to look at it. He had awoken hours before in the cockpit of his wrecked Tie fighter hanging precariously in the treetops near the bottom of the mountain where the rebel ship had crashed. He had popped the hatch and slowly climbed out of his wrecked fighter. Then slowly and carefully climbed down from the tree tops. When he reach the forest floor he noticed the small flecks of light starting to come through the forest canopy as dawn began.

Vanders remembered the idiocy of his maneuver and cursed under his breath. He tried to contact the rally point from his suit's comm-link but it had been damaged in the crash. He checked his side arm to make sure it wasn't damaged and started his slow trek back across the continent. He was unsure if he could reach or even find the rally point. Best he could really hope for was for a flying ship to see him and do a pick up. After more then a few minutes of trekking over the forest floor he stared to feel the sun's rays over his pressure suit “So hot.” he murmured to himself.

Vanders had kept on his helmet so his respirator could filter out anything harmful from the planets atmosphere. But his suits cooling circuits had been damaged and were unable to activate. He tugged his at his flight suit trying to get relief. Vanders had took a second to play with the idea of removing it. In a more familiar environment he wouldn't care to strip down in the morning heat. But the sobering though of being in enemy territory and on an unfamiliar planet kept his adventurous thoughts at bay.

As Vanders trudged through the forest floor he heard a myriad of creatures either returning to sleep for the daylight or just awakening. It was getting close to mid-day before he finally risked taking off of his helmet. While the fear of airborne allergens had concerned him the hunger in his stomach was overtaking it. Unlike transport escorts or patrols where pilots would bring ration kits or protein packs this was a combat mission so he had brought neither. As he was reaching up to remove his helmet a crackle came through his comm-link's receiver. It surprised him because he had assumed when he couldn't transmit that he was no longer receiving as well.

(Commlink reception)-..xXxXxXx .***oO0Oo .. ****ear.. . oO0Oo ..  .*his...***xXxXxXx ..***** oO0Oo .. ***ease. .. oO0Oo ..xXxXxXx .. .. oO0Oo ..***ting.... ..**oO0Oo*or ..**ear .. ..***ance.... oO0Oo

Lt. Vander's transfixed the transmission from somewhere to the southwest. He had been trekking a northwestern direction in a futile attempt to reach the rally point but perhaps one of his team had survived or possibly it was Banshee 2. He remembered ordering Lt. Faraday back to base during the raid but he was severely damaged. Perhaps he didn't make it all the way back. Vanders took a deep breath and started towards the direction of the transmission. He needed to make sure he wasn't leaving someone behind. Not like Endor, not again.

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



Kumo Crash Site...



More and more the creaking of metal and the occasional muffled cry of a human was heard through the pitch black interior of the Kumo. Lieutenant Sylvon and Specialist Raem had kept the use of the hand lamp to a minimum as to not attract undo attention to themselves. They were closing in on the upper hangar of their formerly space worthy ship. Now they are just wishing to escape as fast as possible. Raem mumbled in a tired strained voice “If decks eleven through eighteen hadn't been crushed we would have been there by now.” To his left and a half body length ahead of him Lieutenant Sylvon marched on without turning to look at him. “Such things are expected after a landing like this Specialist.” She replied. Raem had his gaze at the slight outline of her body in the darkness as he replied “Apologies Lieutenant, I'm just a bit anxious to get away from those monsters.” Sylvon again didn't turn towards him and gave a sobering reply “As am I. We should be to the upper hangars midship entrance soon. Around one or two more corridors by my count.” Raem gave a sigh “Good, I've been wanting to see the sky aga--” “Shush! Be quiet!” Sylvon ordered from under her breath.

Specialist Raem stopped his words instantly as Sylvon crouched over in a prone position. Sylvon crept up on the upcoming turn in the hallway and edged her head to the bulkhead to get a view of what was laying ahead. She slowly drew her head back and crept back away from the turn in the deck. Raem was down in a prone position scanning the corridor's rear to make sure nothing was behind them. A second later Sylvon had returned to him. “Looks like our luck is about up. There's at least a pair of those arachnid things moving around in the darkness just up ahead.” Raem's voice went from quiet to a whisper “We should go. We won't be able to make it out this way.” Sylvon balled her hand into a tight fist and leaned her chin on it then spoke as if in angered thought “The upper hangar's mid-ship entrance was just beyond the pair of beasts...” Raem reach a hand and touched her arm to get her attention towards him “Sir, you don't plan to try and get past them? We'd be snatched up and ripped to pieces almost instantly.” Sylvon's brow while not visible furrowed and Raem could hear the frustration in her voice when Sylvon spoke again “Well no, but maybe if we could make a distraction.” Raem gave a quiet sigh and spoke “It's a possibility but we'd have to get both of them with it.” he said as he slowly released his grip on Sylvon's arm. The darkness cloaked her other arm's movements but had Raem not let go he was about become the distraction for the beasts as her opposite hand was almost to his neck in the darkness. When Raem let go she pulled her reaching arm back and then started to speak when small muffled footsteps started coming closer from behind them in the corridor they had previously been in. Raem turned his blaster towards the darkness but Sylvon grabbed his weapon and lowered it. “No, don't. Those footsteps aren't the beast's.” She said with a quick whisper.

Sylvon moved backwards past Raem as the footsteps crept closer. She motioned him to follow her as they backtracked into the corridor. As they crept back Sylvon found a small computer terminal alcove and ducked into it and crouched down making herself near invisible in the darkness. Raem followed by doing the same crouching next her, waiting for whoever came walking past. To Sylvon's dismay it was a shadowy figure of a man in a black body glove with another man draped over him. She held in her disgust of seeing the Rebel corporal and his commander still unconscious hanging over his shoulder. Sylvon waited a few seconds for them to pass by as did Raem, when the rebel carrying his friend trudged by they turned toward the same corridor Sylvon and Raem had just came from. The rebel moved through the darkened corridor with a small surgical light that is normally used to view inside dark areas of a humanoid. But Corporal Smoldz has been inventive enough to find one in the med-bay and use it as a tiny light to guide him on his journey through the Kumo's hulk.

Smoldz turned the corner of the hallway out of sight from Sylvon and Raem a moment later they heard a terrifying scream and a few thunks on the ground. Raem stood up as did Sylvon when the pair heard Smoldz start yelling and saw him rounding the corner from which he came in a full sprint towards Sylvon and Raem. Behind him one of the large arachnid creatures followed in a staggered motion. Raem stood there frozen as to not attract the attention of Smoldz or the beast but Smoldz ran into the alcove colliding with Raem head on. A moment later the beast was in front of the alcove thrusting it's remaining razor sharp legs at Smoldz. Sylvon who had been a few feet away from Raem on adjacent side of alcove was now raising for her weapon to open up on the beast. Raem shouted “This fool ran into us! Kill it!”

A flurry of shots opened up from Sylvon hitting the beast directly in its head and eyes. Raem followed suit raising his blaster and opening up underneath of the beast as he lay on his back. Smoldz turned and swiped at the beasts legs with what appeared to be a medical laser scalpel, hacking a chunk the end of a leg off. The chunk of leg clanked to the floor and came to a rest near Sylvon. She turned and yelled in the darkness towards Raem “Get out of here Specialist!”

At the moment Sylvon shouted at Raem Smoldz rolled out from under the beasts abdomen reaching up with his slicer and hacking off a much larger leg segment at the segment break. Smoldz pulled himself up just as Sylvon moved past him back into the original corridor she and Raem had let the rebel and his friend be ambushed in. Back in the darkened hall the second of the pair of beasts was gone no longer blocking the way to the upper hangar.

Lieutenant Sylvon flashed her lamp and waved her blaster in a circle motion towards Raem the few seconds it was on “Come on!” Raem slid out from under the beast's abdomen as Smoldz did but by now the creature was in a frenzy slashing at anything it could with its remaining legs catching Raem just behind the knee tossing him down the corridor near Sylvon. Sylvon shot another volley of laser fire into the back of the arachnid scorching it's back but having little effect on it's movement as it tried to turn itself to face her. Smoldz had ran back down the long entry corridor where he and the imperials had came from before.

The beast turned and stumbled towards Raem who was trying to pull himself up. His bag of weapons still draped over his shoulder. The arachnid beast shot a stream of webbing at Raem clinging him to the ground as Sylvon continued to fire bolts into the beasts body and legs. The beast heaved itself in an uncoordinated jump due to it's newly missing leg segments. It's body landed in front of Raem as he started to scream and reach for a new weapon from the bag. Just as he pulled the weapon from his satchel the beast bit down on his arm that held the weapon hard. Raem yelled in agony and in a fit of adrenaline pulled his arm free even though the creatures fangs tore deep gashes into his skin upon doing so.

Raem completed his rush of a movement by shoving his fist with weapon and all into the creatures mouth and started firing. The beast rocked back and forth as it felt the hot blasts of heat tear through it's innards. Unlike it's extremely tough chitinous covered abdomen the interior of the creature was soft and vulnerable. The beast fell back screeching in pain the ripped melted meat and bone that had once been part of Raem's arm inside the beasts mouth collapsed to the floor as Raem went silent and lay on the ground in short violent shakes as his body stared to be overtaken by the beasts venom.

Sylvon thought for a moment to reach for the satchel and rest of the power packs and Raem's weapon that wasn't dissolving as his flesh was. But instead remembered the creature screeching will draw others.

Just then from behind the flailing and shaking wounded arachnid Smoldz came running back around from his previous retreat and jumped onto the collapsed beast and cut a deep slash over it's face and eyes. The creature gave a lurch then fell dead. Smoldz leaped from the creatures head and landed near the body of Raem who had went into shock and was for all practical purposes a corpse from the venom entering his bloodstream. In the darkness Smoldz couldn't see much of Raem but he saw what he wanted. Raem's blaster that had been inside the satchel, it had came out when Raem was knocked to the floor causing him to reach for the other one.

Smoldz dropped the scalpel and knelt down as he felt for and recognized the blasters grip, picking it up. As he did he heard the sounds of foot falls down the rest of the corridor. Smoldz assumed that Sylvon no doubt seeing the rest of the corridor open ran for her own life. Smoldz didn't have time to continue thinking as the sounds of skittering legs on the deck plates could be heard getting louder as more of creatures were on the way. He had lost Glavyn to one of the pair who snatched him off his shoulder and pulled him deeper into the ship. Now he was on his own.

Sylvon dashed down the darkened corridors as she fled the from the danger behind her. She saw the small flecks of sunlight coming through the bent and twisted bulkheads in front of her and knew she was close to the hangar. As the light from the hangar started to bleed into the corridor it started to lighten her vision making the gruesome image of slaughtered survivors from the crash and cocooned bodies left for consumption later hanging from the beasts webbing on the twisted bulkheads. She ran full sprint for the the last turn to enter the hangar when she saw a huge round abdomen in front of her. Sylvon tried to slow herself but running that fast she fell and slid on her butt into the backside of one of the huge arachnids creatures.

Smoldz darted down the hallway quickly keeping Sylvon's footfalls just ahead. He assumed she would be moving to get out of this nightmare and she knew this ship better then he. As Smoldz ran into the darkness he tried to keep up with the sound of Sylvon's steps. Eventually he noticed it was getting easier to see the corridor's walls. He realized he was getting closer to the hangar and the outside.

Smoldz saw the light from the buckled deck floors start to peak through from the hangar and knew he was soon to be out of this nightmarish place. Just as Smoldz turned the corner he saw a huge arachnid creature skittering from side to side. He gasped and ducked back around the corner and ducked behind a small computer console. A second later the large creature had leaped around the corner looking for something “Did it hear me?” he thought. Smoldz stayed perfectly still trying not to be seen. The beast clicked its mandibles as it slowly crawled through the corridor trying to lure out it's prey. Smoldz kept himself frozen even as one of the beast's large segmented legs stepped right next to his leg as it past him. Smoldz inhaled slightly readying himself as the beast crept down the darker corridor. He knew he would have to act fast, as the beast slowly moved about ten meters down the corridor it slowed itself. He assumed it was about to turn and come back down the hall towards himself and the hangar. This would be his best chance and decided he had to take it.

Jumping out Smoldz leapt up and started his sprint all in one motion. The sound of his movements instantly garnered the arachnid creature's attention as it turned in a flurry and chased after him. Smoldz ran through the large square hangar entrance doors. He saw the early morning's light bathing the hangar in golden rays from the hangar's ceiling to the blue ocean waves far below. For a moment paused as he saw the long drop from the hangar to the water below in a frightened realization on how he could get down. He didn't have time to wait he told himself, a moment later the creature was turning the corner just behind him. Smoldz jumped from the edge of the hangar's walkway and dove towards the water. As he fell Smoldz expected to hit the water any second but after a few seconds of free fall Smoldz felt his hands barely reach into the warm ocean below then his motion snapped back. He looked up to see one of his legs and gripped in a sticky stringy material. “Aaaah what the!?” he shouted.

The beast above him at the edge of the hangar's walkway had shot it's webbing after him and snared one of his legs. He felt himself being drawn back up. The creature started pulling it's sticky rope of webbing using it's mandibles in a slow knitting motion pulling its prey back to it. Smoldz didn't have much time to think. He started to rock back and forth stretching and pulling his weight as the webbing started to pull against the creature's grip. The beast strained to keep it taught and quickly worked to secure it's hold on the webbing. The arachnid saturated the rope webbing to reinforce it as it continued to pull it towards the hangar. Smoldz now halfway back up the drop he had taken was swinging a considerable amount back and forth. He reach for the blaster he had hooked on his belt. Pulling the blaster up and fired at the monstrous spider recoiling him back up to be its morning meal. Most of Smold'z shots were off target only a pair hitting the beast in the leg and body which caused it no noticeable harm. His swinging had slowed as he was pulled closer to the lip of the hangar.

Smoldz thought for an instant “Maybe if I can sever the webbing here!” he reach and shot a bot of laser into the webbing on his leg burning a bit into it. His adrenaline pumped as he shot a second shot into the sticky rope of web. One more and he'd be free when another lance of webbing came down from above hitting his arm gripping the blaster. He didn't hesitate more then a half second and fired a third shot into the webbing burning through and releasing his leg. Smoldz's legs now free of the webbing dangled below him as he moaned from the weight of his body now being held by the sticky thick rope of webbing on his bicep and forearm pulling him closer to certain death. He tried to fire the blaster upward but the webbing had secured the blaster grip and barrel in place against his palm even when tried to pull it free with his other hand. Smoldz's mind raced he needed something, anything to fight off this beast when he gets close enough to its mandibles. Had he not dropped the surgical scalpel when he found the blaster in the dark he could at least try to use it against the beast getting closer. Smoldz checked his waist with his free hand to see maybe if he could get his belt loose and somehow whip it against the monster. Suddenly the upward motion stopped. Smoldz looked up to see the giant arachnid's attention was no longer focused on him and while still holding the webbing in it's mandibles was turning away to see behind itself showing him its large round body. Smoldz wasn't going to let the chance go by as he started to swing his weight again this time he was able to get close to the side hull of the Kumo's hangar. As the beast turned back around to put more force into pulling up it's prey Smoldz swung his weight until his feet stamped against the hangar's hull plating. He then took the webbing attached to his arm and yanked hard down. Smoldz doubted he could pull the large much heavier beast down but he thought perhaps it'd consider him too much trouble for a meal and give up.

The large arachnid hissed it's displeasure at feeling its webbing pulled on so hard and reinforced itself as it continued to pull up. All the while Smoldz pressing his weight into his legs and feet on the side of the hangar's hull pulling away as if repelling a mountain. Smoldz had about another twenty seconds before his arms and legs would give up against such a heavier opponent. He yanked again as the beast pulled him up now slower as he ground his feet into the hull for traction against it. By now the arachnid was so close it leaned over the edge and swiped at it's prey with its long deadly mandible. Smoldz did his best to dodge the beasts swipes as the large mandibles struck the hangar's hull and gashed into the metal.

Smoldz was out of time as another few seconds and he'd be in the beasts grasps. As the arachnid leaned over again he dug his heels in hard and yanked as forceful as he could. Just then the beast hissed as it jolted outward and tumbled facing up passed him. Instantly it let go of the grip on Smoldz's webbed arm and he started to free fall with the monster. The moment the beast fell into the morning sunlight it gave a great shriek as if scalded by the rays. It shot ropes of sticky webbing back upwards at it fell trying to latch on to the Kumo's keel. It connected all three times it shot it's webbing but the sheer weight of the beast snapped each rope of webbing only a second after it stuck. Finally the pair of them hit the warm water below. The arachnid flailed and splashed in the shallow cover of water as it tried to swim itself towards the shore. Smoldz was afraid that the monster would try and grab him again under water but the creature was in a state of panic in the the shallow bay's waves as if fighting for it's life.

Smoldz hit the water and let himself sink under water as he watched a moment and when he saw he was no longer the beasts interest he swam for the surface. He reappeared treading the water as best he could. Smoldz looked up to see if any others of it's kind were at the hangar about to shoot a rope of webbing to snag him as the first did but instead he saw someone dive into the water from the from the hangar as well. As Smoldz watched the person hit the water a shriek from behind him turned his attention toward the arachnid in the water.

As the creature splashed and sloshed itself towards shore. Surprisingly enough the beast reach shore in a considerable quick amount of time. Smoldz watched as it climbed onto the beach a decent distance well away from himself and stumbled in the sand turning in a circle before clamoring towards a jut of rocks. The arachnid ran towards the rocky outcropping and started tearing into the sand at the rock formations base with it's mandibles until a considerable hole was dug all the while hissing and shrieking occasionally before the hole was deep enough for to squeeze itself under out of the light.

Smoldz turned back to where the other person had dove in but no one had surfaced. He thought for a moment perhaps they hit wreckage under the waves and didn't survive the fall. “Good.” Smoldz thought to himself hoping it was the lieutenant he and his commander had met in the medical bay. A moment later he heard water splash towards the beach towards the north of him. He knew it wasn't the arachnid as it had hid under rocks more towards the south and he could make out the dark shape of its abdomen in the small amount of shade in the distance. No this was the other diver. When he swam closer he saw it was indeed the lieutenant that had tortured him in the med-bay. She walked out of the water holding her boots and top to her uniform under her arm. A moment later she turned towards the water as if watching Smoldz treading towards the shoreline.

Lieutenant Sylvon walked from the water as small waves moved along the beach. She turned and tipped her boots over letting the water fall out of them. Smoldz's mind burned seeing her. He turned back towards the arachnid hoping it would try and shoot a rope of webbing for her even though she was quite a ways away. But the beast instead continued to slowly lurch and shuffle back and forth under the outcropping of rocks to continue sinking itself under the sand into the small amount of shade no longer worried about it's lost prey.

Sylvon sat down for a moment looking at the jut of rocks the arachnid hid itself under. Sylvon theorized the beasts were night hunters but wondered if the rays of sun actually hurt them. She turned her attention back to the human in the water who was coming ashore in a slow pace. She winced in disgust at the young man making his way towards the shoreline. As he reach the edge of the land he fell to his knees. Sylvon noticed the blaster was still in his hand as he crawled onto the beach. The man fell forward and laid face down on the pale off-white sand as his body heaved with labored breath.

Sylvon stretched out her uniform on the warm sand as she slid on her boots. She put her boots on not turning away from the man in the sand nor the beast hidden under the rocks much further past him along the southern section of shoreline. A moment later she had her other boot on and reach down to get her wet uniform top. As she did she looked up to see the young man start to stand up in the sand, as she rose up with her uniform top the young rebel had risen to his feet and started towards her.

Sylvon crooked an eyebrow at the young man, wondering what his intentions were. The young man strode up until he was about three meters from Sylvon. She kept silent and opened her uniform and and slid her arms through the sleeves. “Yes, corporal?” Sylvon said as if loathing the fact she used the man's rank out of force of habit. Smoldz was tired and stood with his weight on one leg as he as he raised his web covered arm with the blaster still firmly in hand. He looked at Sylvon and spoke “Your're not going anywhere. You going to die and I'm going to be the one to ki-” Just as Smoldz was speaking Sylvon rushed him knocking the aim of the blaster's barrel away from her and threw an elbow into Smoldz's chin. Smoldz grunted as he stumbled, Sylvon grabbed his blaster arm and raised it into the air as he pulled the trigger and a shot from it went past her cheek and flew into the sky. Smoldz gained his footing and as Sylvon grabbed him he lifted his knee and felt it register in her abdomen. Sylvon grunted and coughed feeling the taller and muscular man's knee hit her right in her bread basket. Sylvon cursed as she spun away and gave a high kick into Smoldz's face. Smoldz fell to the ground on his back, in an instant Sylvon was on top of him grabbing his blaster arm and punching his throat. Smoldz rolled over throwing Sylvon into the sand as she raised her knee aiming for his groin but missed hitting his hip as he rolled on top of her. Smoldz grabbed her throat with his free hand and pressed her hard into the sand while setting one of his thighs on her abdomen holding her down she clawed at his arm and shoulder as he held her squeezing her breath from her. Smoldz's grip was tiring as was Sylvon's engery and breath. Smoldz grunted and finally pushed the blaster still in his free hand to the side of her head. Sylvon felt the barrel against the temple of her head she grunted and yelled as Smoldz pulled the trigger. “Die!” he screamed and as the trigger was pulled Sylvon felt the barrel of the blaster stay dormant. It surprised Smoldz who pulled the trigger again and again with a surprised look on his face he he turned his gaze to the blaster and Sylvon saw her chance this time taking her hand and punching directly into Smoldz's groin and finding register. He tumbled over in pain and she jumped on him stomping his hand and pulling the blaster free from his hand as it was originally covered in webbing but the sand had been absorbed around it making the sticky substance much coarser. Sylvon pulled it free as Smoldz started to regain his strength and sat up reaching out grabbing Sylvon's thigh wrapping his long arm around her left thigh trying to raise her in the air and pull her down. Sylvon stumbled and pistol whipped the back of Smoldz's head sending him back to the sand unconscious. A moment later she sat back in the sand turning her gaze to the jut of rocks with the hiding arachnid and saw it still remained dormant. Sylvon's gaze turned toward the now bloodied Smoldz who had a bleeding tear on his skull just above his ear. Her thigh was hurting from the death grip Smoldz had it in and she squeezed it trying to massage the pain and sneering at Smoldz's unconscious body.

Lt. Sylvon looked up and down the beach for anything when she saw far in the distance the brown and gray outline of a parked speeder bike. For a moment Sylvon wondered if it had been damaged in the crash and was left but knew she had to check on it. She turned towards Smoldz who was starting to moan from the pain and stir. Slyvon reach down and grabbed the mans legs and pulled him down the sand bar until she got him within a few feet of the bike.

Sylvon looked the speeder bike over. It was still in good condition and even had a preset comm-channel on it set up for transmission. She keyed it on and tried to call out but received only static in return. She didn't find that surprising as she should have been back from dealing with the two rebel boarders last evening. “Kai hates losing anyone under his command.” Fortunately for her she thought as she started the bike's warm up ignition and reach into its survival pack on the back and found a long piece of secure-cord often used by maintenance techs to strap speeder bikes to decks or platforms of larger transports. In this case however Syvlon had other ideas.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on November 24, 2017, 09:07:40 AM
So gonna take some time over the holidays to catch up on this. Till then, off to share the latest chapter in all the right places.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on November 24, 2017, 04:13:47 PM
ugh wait a few days before you read it Tamer... 3-5 hour writing sessions ending at... 7am in the morning mean massive typos lol. i'll try and clean it up over the next day or so.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on November 26, 2017, 08:21:54 AM
ugh wait a few days before you read it Tamer... 3-5 hour writing sessions ending at... 7am in the morning mean massive typos lol. i'll try and clean it up over the next day or so.

Ok. Had it planned for this afternoon after I got done my web work. I will wait. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on November 28, 2017, 10:54:51 AM
well thats as good as it gets editing wise less me deleting the whole thing and starting from scratch...

hmmm... which might be better...

maybe the Halasia offensive or the Phosmai lore/history eluded to in earlier chapters would be better stories (I set them up as stand alone stories to) .... time to make more notes... have at it Tamer hehe!

Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on November 29, 2017, 03:43:34 AM
Ok, I will get this back on my read list. Hoping for a snow day soon so I can just get some internet play time.

Course its supposed to be almost 60 degrees today.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on December 06, 2017, 01:58:34 PM
Someone reading this said they needed a refresher with so much changed/added... so here's a list of the characters and backlore.


Main and side characters and some backstory for them.

---------- GALACTIC EMPIRE ----------

Captain Kai- ISD Kumo Captain and senior ranking officer in command, former leader of Moon squadron has 2 brothers he sometimes speaks about. Listens to bands with loud rhythmic electro-stringers to the distaste of most of the other senior staff. With a fledgling appreciation for anatase crystal percussion flute orchestra's and opera pieces. Was promoted on the recommendation of Admiral Jaeger after his performance in the Halasian system campaign. Has been known to be crude and lewd at times but is fiercely loyal to those that show loyalty to him. He has an affection for one of his senior officers but his earlier crude manners as a tie pilot has all but dashed any chance of romance. He keeps to himself regarding most of his previous campaigns and missions unlike many of his fellow coreworld officers.

Lieutenant Sylvon- ISD Kumo Strategic System Operations and Intelligence. Known for her quick wit and lesser known for her taste for violence she was hand chosen by Captain Kai for her position. Her tactical prowess often helps during ship-to-ship combat but is skilled in CQC fighting techniques. A deep cynical streak runs through her from previous experiences where she had hoped and lost.

Major Gridon- ISD Kumo Imperial Ground forces Assistant Commander Under Colonel Vimoshi of the 73rd Legion. Gridon's a no-nonsense commander with little tolerance for anyone or thing not falling into imperial regulations and doctrine. His large imposing stature is only surpassed by his deep intimidating voice and level of anger he is known to go into when he sees a threat or countermanded by a superior. He does not tolerate any sort of resistance from fellow officers at or below his rank and works to destroy any chance of it encroaching on his own goals. Has been noted to cut his losses when he sees a battle or situation get out of control which has included giving ground to resistant factions at the expense of imperial material and personnel in large amounts to the ire of some of his lower ranked officers.

Major Araed- ISD Kumo Ground forces of 73rd Legion and former Official Liason to multiple dignitaries in the core worlds that garnered her favor with imperial hierarchy. She suddenly requested military service and selected Kumo as her hand picked assignment just after the Halasian campaign for reasons unbeknownst but to her. She seems cool headed in combat but like many in the scout divisions she prefers to stay silent and out of sight while events unfold. Lt. Sylvon has taken notice of this and has mentioned it to the Captain who seems to have expected this type of behavior from Araed.

Corp. Zaym TK1979- Stormtrooper 73rd Imperial Legion detached to ISD Kumo, became personal trooper assistant to Capt. Kai after Kumo's crash. TK1979 was part of the Imperial infantry detached to the Kumo for ground operations under Colonel Vimoshi. After the events following the Endor debacle he is now a go-between for assignment commanders and Captain Kai himself.

Tech-Specialist Vishar- ISD Kumo Communications Operations became assistant to Capt. Kai following the events after the failed Endor battle. A regular tavern jumper he often can be found in the enlisted lounge during is off-duty time drinking mass amounts of ale and playing cards while letting his drunken rambling become the entertainment of the others around him. He has a one sided appreciation for Technician Yazit Qwistis who noticed but had other interests.

Sergeant Atter- ISD Kumo Naval trooper assigned to internal security assistant to Cmdr. Karamat. Clone War veteran of dozens of campaigns Sgt. Atter was one of the finest soldiers under Admiral Jaeger and one of the few Captain Kai asked to stay on after his retirement. A native of Phosmai and personal friend to retired Grand Admiral Sigal who claimed him the best soldier he ever served with. Atter is experienced and well versed in the underworld of the scum of the galaxy. He is often seen as the enlisted of the 73rd and the ships crew as the best soldier among them. Graying hair and near retirement himself Atter is attached to Cmdr. Karamat as her assistant and best non commissioned officer of the Kumo's forces. Often he's seen giving Karamat and Kai advice regarding military experience and has a tendency to go out-of-regulation in procedure and material when a decisive action has to be made.


Comdr. Vareese Karamat- ISD Kumo Executive officer, Assistant Field operations Commander to Colonel Vimoshi. A very strict upbringing was the solid base upon which Commander Karamat built her stone fortress of emotion on. She technically is under Major Gridon in rank but as they are close in work to Col. Vimoshi and he seemed to favor her in the way she executed his orders she garnered the ire and envy of Gridon. Which did not go unnoticed but Karamat's cold demeanor often belies her rage towards those that undermine or try and cut her stance with leadership due to her rank. A native of the capital of Phosmai she has known Sgt. Atter from a very young age and often sees him as a mentor and one of the very few she considers a friend. She was to rotate off of Kumo but a long unplanned delay on Coruscant while seeing her husband kept her on the ISD after Jaeger's retirement. Kai didn't ask Karamat to remain on the Kumo but after learning Sgt. Atter was staying at the behest of the new captain she has not requested to rotate off.

Lieutenant Vanders-- ISD Kumo Onyx Squadron Leader. Lt. Vanders was defacto Onyx lead when the former Onyx lead was lost at the Battle of Endor. While not very experienced he does have a atitude for leadership and strives to get results rather then flying the barely qualified hours to move on to ship-duty. This is why former Onyx Leader Cliner chose Vander's as his 2nd in command of the squadron. After the Endor trap failed Cliner's tie interceptor was severely damaged and unable to limp back to Kumo before the order to jump to lightspeed was carried out. An experience Vander's blames himself for. He now wishes to prove himself a competent leader of the squadron. He was designated Banshee Lead for raid over Riptide

Lieutenant Faraday- ISD Kumo Stryfe Squadron. A coreworld officer he was trained at the pilot academy on Coruscant. He often wishes to know as much as possible about any mission or person he meets but fails to put knowledge into practice as he often gets sidetracked when doing more then one activity. Has a very overly watchful sister as they're parents died to suspicious circumstances. Was designated Banshee 2 for raid over Riptide .

Lieutenant Commander Lodd- ISD Kumo Stryfe Squadron Leader was always willing to ask questions but for the sole purpose of his cynical view on ideas others had that hadn't come to him yet as his fellow officers saw him as an officer who sees himself an Admiral by age 30 without a shred of experience nor qualifications. He was rotated in after the Halasian campaign and given Stryfe Squadron. Was designated Banshee 3 in the first assault over the Riptide

Gunner Specialist Raem- ISD Kumo Gunnery Sergeant. Rotated onto Kumo after Admiral Jaeger's retirement.

Gunner Specialist Uwer SulDae-  ISD Kumo Gunnery Sergeant. Rotated onto Kumo after Admiral Jaeger's retirement.

Captain Ryvil- ISD Kumo Flight officer for 247th Fighter Wing. Often at odds with Captain Kai regarding flight deployments and procedures he is kept on due to his politics inside the Kumo as he continues to be one of the few pilots loyal to Maj. Gridon. Ryvil survived the Halasia campaign and was promoted after the retirement of Admiral Jaeger. Noteworthy for being one of the few officers to take a second tie tour after making his initial run and refusing fleet duty. But also noteworthy for being a leader that holds back and doesn't foray into battle until it's well decided that he's on the victorious side.

Private Karva- ISD enlisted as part of the 73rd infantry. Native of Phosmai and great grand nephew to former Grand Admiral Sigel.

Squadron compliment after Endor battle and before crash of Kumo -
ONYX Tie/ln (4survivng),
MOON Tie/ln (8survivng),
GREY Tie/ln (4survivng),
STRYFE Tie/ln (6survivng),
HAMMER Tie/bomber (4survivng),
STORM Tie/Interceptor (7survivng).

5 Tie/ln fighters of Stryfe and Moon lost in battle over Riptide ... 1 survivng.

Admiral Sequa- IIC Slipstream senior ranking officer in command. An admirlal with experience during some minor action in the Clone Wars Sequa was always more interested in watching the machinazations of Imperial politics rather then shaping them himself. He has a tendency to let his junior officers take command and be the day-to-day face of operations on his vessel while he is often found in his captain's quarters going over Holo-net information on political movements. This has proven to be useful and a hinderance as it keeps his junior officers in the fast track for promotion but often means his own tactics and procedures are seen as too antiquated relegating him to a fleet cruiser and not a more lavish or lustrous position on a Star Destroyer or on Cosuscant.

Commander Faraday- IIC Slipstream 1st officer and day-to-day operations commander of the Slipstream she is often known for her overbearing attention to detail and her unwillingness to back down in the face of opposition. A former tie pilot she finished her year of combat duty and took a fleet assignment where she could be more in control of her surroundings. Which works well with Admiral Sequa's own hands' off attitude regarding the Slipstream. She is often found speaking about her younger brother of which some of her fellow officers often tire of hearing.


(mentions)
Admiral Jaeger ret.- ISD Kumo Former Captain Senior ranked officer in command. Retired after the Halasian campaign.
Colonel Vimoshi- ISD Kumo Senior Ground forces commander KIA during Kumo crash.
Commander Cliner- ISD Kumo Former Lead of Onyx Squadron presumed KIA at Endor.
Colonel Telecco- ISD Kumo Former Ground commander, replaced by Col. Vimoshi, took a new position on Brental 4 after the victory of the Halasian campaign.
Grand Admiral Sigel ret.- Former Grand Admiral retired 8 years before Battle of Endor, still very active in Phosmai planetary politics.
Captain Zaq Vuris- Great grandson to Grand Admiral Sigel currently part of ISB stationed in the Outer Rim.
Lieutenant Pliskin- ISD Kumo Former officer of 73rd detachment during the initial search of Aranae


---------- REBEL ALLIANCE ----------

Captain Barrax- Mon Calamari Cruiser Riptide Captain. Formerly a Mon Calamari cruise liner captain Barrax hadn't the most combat experience before the galactic civil war, but was known for his keen intuition and having excellent tactical skills. He also has an affinity for cooking and often uses food or kitchen references when speaking to subordinates.

Commander Vorm- Blue Lead of Blue Squadron from Riptide. Vorm was originally a courier for Shell Surf delivery on his home world and came to join the rebellion before the battle of Hoth. He has a knack for exceptional skill for flying larger slower craft, pulling maneuvers that were hard to accomplish in slower moving fighters like the Y-Wing. Eventually forming a Mon Calamari bomber group called Shell Squardon after his old jobs name. He has an abraded working relationship with the Clarion's 1st officer Commander Shellish deeming his ideas and strategy too dangerous. Fortunately Captain Barrax had a more tempered attitude towards aerial missions.

Lieutenant Percy Zovish Designated Blue 3 while on the planet Aranae, he was the veteran of the Clarion's Y-Wing squadron. Starting his pilot career after the Clone Wars with light freighter runs but eventually meeting a younger Mon Calamari pilot Commander Vorm on their home world and both deciding to join the rebellion just before the battle of Hoth.
 
Lieutenant Cashil Designated Blue 5 while on the planet Aranae the young female Mon Cala pilot joined the rebellion after the battle of Hoth. Being told the evil's of the empire since birth she couldn't wait to find an agent from the alliance to join up with their forces.

Lieutenant Adax Designated Blue 6 at Aranae. Forming up with Vorm's Shell Squadron just after the battle of Hoth Adax was glad to see other Mon Calamari joining the rebellion to defeat the Empire after Hoth.

Lieutenant Draxan Designated as Blue 8 at Aranae Drax was more following the tales of others about strings of victories by the rebel alliance leading to the dramatic assault at Endor.

Lieutenant Lisson Designated Blue 11 on Aranae Lisson is Shell Squadron's best bomb delivery pilot. She was known for her excellent targeting and also skilled in medical procedures.

Lieutenant Kradam Designated Blue 12 at Aranae Kradam is a relative newcomer to Vorm's Shell Squadron. Joining up with the squadron just before the rebel alliance amassed at Sullust prior to their attack on the second Death Star. A middle aged Mon Calamari Kradam keeps to  himself and doesn't speak unless necessary.

Commander Shellis 1st Officer of Riptide. Shellis had lobbied early during the fledgling alliance to get command of a capital ship. He has tactical ingenuity but often is seen as unwilling to listen to ideas that may be contradictory to his own plans and crews often deem him overly confident.

Lieutenant Tarris Riptide's Communication's officer

Lieutenant Klavine Designated LONGSPEAR One of the few humans assigned to the Clarion Klavine was part of Captain Dryce's spec-ops unit "Dryce's Deck". He was very dubious about the assault on the second Death Star but was glad it worked. During the imperial retreat he was recalled to the Riptide instead of the Clarion to rejoin Captain Dryce's main unit. Fortunately for him as the Clarion was destroyed in a plume of fire in the atmosphere of the planet Aranae.

Lt. Aerrel Tritan Designated SPEAR. Part of "Dryce's Deck" Tritan was a well traveled pilot and former imperial academy graduate joined up with the Rebellion after the battle of Hoth. Known as the cool head in the "Deck" Tritan has often used her experiences to guide her in battle. She hopes to live long enough see the Empire's reign end over the galaxy.

Commander Glavyn Riptide Boarding party leader of Team B (Stormie Captain)

Corporal Smoldz Riptide Boarding party member of Team B (Stormie Lt.)

Maintenance LeadSgt. Lactah Riptide Maintenance Lead

Captain Dryce Alliance air/ground unit commander assigned to the Clarion. While technically not part of Captain Barrax's crew he was assigned to the ship under orders of General Cracken. He was originally hoping to capture a wounded ISD with it's computer core intact before being scuttled which had happened by multiple Star Destroyers at Endor. While the capture of the Kumo failed Dryce's Deck will continue to assist in the rescue operations to help the Clarion and Riptide survivors.

Lt. Plosshim Riptide Defense officer Ground commander.

mentions
Uncle Hestem - Big Hes  Aerrel Tritan's uncle.


DATAPAD NOTATION: ...

Planet Aranae- Originally Aranae was part of the Assembler's colony worlds. With vast oceans and large forested areas above ground that were complimented with deep caverns and large hollowed mountains made for excellent base components for an Assembler colony to start. However the colonie's sentience all but has escaped the most elder of the Viraxen leaders without explanation that even the remaining sentient Viraxen are puzzled by.

Vokral – former overqueen of the Viraxen, neutralized by order of Admiral Jaeger.

The Viraxen- A species of huge arachnids that have a semi-hive mind. They have One Overqueen and 3 visage queens that work as a network for their mind. Rarely does one see what the others do not. Their webbing is extremely durable and very sticky. The few that have seen the Viraxen often say the race's nightmarish attributes scar their minds and senses as the fanged mouths often give a loud wailing scream when hunting. They are comprised of 4 Royal nests, 1 main 3-visage queens in charge of the others. 8 assemblers made the council of of elders to ensure a the hierarchy is kept in check.

Imperial ISD contact at roughly 1-0BBY by accident. Admiral Jaeger commanding. Those that have dealt with the Viraxen have found very little knowledge from them as they cling to old religions of ancient webs of the under and over with their philosophical views changing from the position in the hives they take. 8 elder assemblers created the original colonial council for progression of the race however they're efforts were futile as sentience started to escape later nestlings early on in their growth. Suppression and extermination of the Royal hierarchy per order of Admrial Jaeger and agreement to spare the council of assembler elders.

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Planet received quarantine designate by order of Grand Moff Tarkin.
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Now there is.. ."She",... the one that was awakened. She is now current Overqueen and ruler of the remnants of the 4 original nests that now exacts her vengeance on those that slain her.

(https://i1.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/moffs-acknowlegments-page.png?ssl=1&w=450) (https://i2.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/moffs-story-page1.png?ssl=1&w=450) (https://i0.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/moffs-story-page2.png?ssl=1&w=450) (https://i1.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/imag0414.jpg?ssl=1&w=450)
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on December 07, 2017, 03:17:51 AM
Great idea, let me go share this before the day takes me away.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on December 26, 2017, 03:16:56 AM
IIC Slipstream

The bridge of the Imperial interdictor-class cruiser Slipstream was unusually quiet. It had been this way for the last day and a half following the debacle at the Endor Battle. Morale was low and with good reason. The imperials saw the second Death Star and much of their task force destroyed or captured. Not to mention the most lingering question of all, the Emperor. He was said to have been on the second Death Star with his head enforcer the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Now after the battle the gargantuan unfinished battle station and much of the fleet had been reduced to wreckage floating in space around the forest moon. Commander Telia Faraday had a frustrated look to her expression since the fall back command was given near the end of the battle.

“Battle...feh.” Faraday thought. It was supposed to be a trap to extinguish the rebellions hopes of overthrowing the Empire and had turned into a slaughter. Faraday straightened her shoulders squaring her torso to her chest and neck. Her almond colored skin with light honey shade undertones gave her face definition to the half annoyed expression she wore underneath her black imperial officers cap. She straightened her black uniform adjusting her rank plaque and cylinders. She had been strolling up and down the command walk way awaiting orders from Admrial Sequa still in his quarters on her request to follow Kumo's trail. While the standard procedure was to retreat to a fall back position should anything as doubtful as it were happen at the Endor where victory was all but a forgone conclusion. She requested waiting to the Admiral in case there were hostiles at the fall back positions waiting to pounce on damaged or distraught imperial vessels fleeing the fiasco above the Sentry moon. The true reason for the suggestion was fearful anxiety and the want to see her brother survive the previous days events. She had an obsession to protect him even when they were children and the fear of not knowing was gnawing at her core. As the battle wound down and she saw the Kumo jump away her hope raised slightly but only for a moment as she saw a pair of Mon Calamari cruisers chase after it into the hyperspace route.

That's when Faraday made the suggestion to Admiral Sequa about bypassing the fall back position for the time being and had the helm set a course to follow the trio of ships. But it had taken too long to maneuver through the wreckage of the remnants of the imperial and rebel fleets around Endor before safely jumping into hyperspace to follow the three ships. Nor was the Slipstream as fast as the larger cruisers or the Star Destroyer Kumo. When they emerged from Hyperspace to recalculate course and to trace any hyperspace trail signatures they were unable to do so and realized they had lost the trio of ships trail. There the Slipstream sat for over nearly a standard day before by chance a returning A-wing was captured in the Slipstream's artificial gravity projector fields. “At least it was something” Faraday thought. The gravity projectors were only being turned on in intervals throughout the day to conserve power and fuel. It just so happened on one of those attempts they snagged Lt. Klavine's A-wing fighter.

Faraday's memory burned with the face of the young rebel as they strapped him onto a prisoners restraining chair and went to work on him. He wasn't very forthcoming at first but after hours of interrogation he finally gave them what they needed, the Kumo's location. Klavine had mentioned the battle above some planet and the loss of one of their cruisers in orbit. He'd said only a handful of survivors in star fighters survived commenting that both the remaining rebel cruiser and the Kumo fell into deep orbits around the planet and crashed killing all aboard both vessels. Faraday gave a sneer, her brother was an experienced pilot if star fighters were the only survivors he'd be one of them. But a Tie fighter and suit only have so much fuel and breathable air to use before he'd be forced to land on the planet below. “He'll be there.” Faraday told herself. A moment later the helmsman called up from his octagonal control station in the starboard crewpit. “Ma'am, Admiral Sequa has authorized our departure for the planet the prisoner gave the info on, he says your thoughts on the rebel fighter's fuel was correct.” The helmsman a man pale skinned man wearing the standard grey imperial technicians uniform with dark black hair matching his black imperial cap. Faraday nodded as she replied but faced the large triangular window's of the Slipstream's bridge “Thank you specialist, with all due speed.” The young man nodded and started to punch buttons on his console. A moment later the starfield in front of the Slipstream stretched around the windows as they converged into the light blue cone of hyperspace. Faraday turned her back away from the windows and pointed to the helmsman, buzz me on my comm when we get a few minutes from the planet. I'm going to see how our guest is doing.” She said with a slight smirk. The technician in grey nodded with a smile on his face as he continued to click the controls on his console.

Deep in the Slipstream Lt. Klavine started to regain consciousness. His face was swollen and bruised. His red hair was dirty with sweat and soot. Klavine was dressed only in his underclothes, his uniform, helm and boots were taken after the initial struggle with the squad of stormtroopers that arrived to arrest him when his ship was snagged from hyperspace. Burn marks scorched his chest and neck where the interrogator droid's spark appendage burned his flesh badly. He coughed and the soreness of his chest made him wince and moan out in pain. A few moments later after the pain lessened but was still present he took tally of his surroundings. He sat in a small grey room no bigger then a 2 meters in length or width. A cell in the ships brig he surmised.“Not smooth at all.” he muttered to himself reflecting on his choice to not open up blasting from his cockpit when he was captured. He slowly twisted and turned in the small confined space trying to lay on his least bruised side as the room itself had no sleeping cot nor waste disposal drain. Not that he would risk trying to relieve himself in his current sore state. He groaned again as he sat up finding it slightly less painful to sit with his legs stretched out and his back against the back wall of his confinement room. Klavine was just moments from falling unconscious again when the hiss of a pressurized door was heard and the opposite wall he was facing being to rise revealing a trio of imperials. An officer and a pair of stormtroopers.

“You really like me that much,... do ya?” Klavine said through a sore cough as he looked up at the Imperials. A woman in her black officers uniform was flanked by the two white clad stormtroopers on either side of her. “We're going to discuss what happened again.” Faraday said with a frowning twinge to her lips. Her almond colored skin gave a slightly angered reddish hue to her face. Klavine lowered his head down into his chest looking between his legs as he replied. “I told you everything I knew.” he said with a tired groan. Faraday's raised an eyebrow in annoyance at his reply “Bring him.” was her only response and the pair of stormtroopers reach into the cell pulling him up and each took one of Klavine's arms over their shoulders pulling him along.

A few minutes later Klavine was back in the interrogation room. The slab of metal he was strapped to was horizontal and he felt the troopers toss him into it. Klavnie caught himself as best he could but to the floor next to it and sat next to the bed leaning against it as he looked up at Faraday. “Your bedside manner has something to be desi-” “Shut up!” Faraday interrupted him and kicked her boot onto his chest and held it there. “You're lying, you were found out.” Faraday said as she squeezed her boots heal into his pectoral muscle. Klavine gave a surprised look at her before remembering to wipe it away. “You forgot that your fighter had to be refueled for it's trip back to your destination. It's still over half full, not something that could have happened if your cruiser was destroyed in combat before that.” Klavine gave a long sigh and followed it with a smile and coughed “I suppose it'd be useless to try and use my charms to get your boot off of me.” Faraday gave a half sneer and shoved Klavine's body with her boot. Klavine fell over to the floor putting his arm up to soften his heads fall as his torso bowled over. He took a deep breath and slowly raised himself half way back up and sat upright on the floor again. “Yes.. the Riptide survived.” Faraday interjected “And the Kumo?” Klavine gave a half sideways nod trying to shrug but the pain in his arms severely hampered the motion. “They landed intact, we had some initial thoughts on survivors. But we assumed they were few, if any. The escape pods launched long before the big bastard crashed.”Klavine finished. Faraday narrowed one eye and raised her eyebrow over the other. Klavine coughed and leaned over trying to keep himself conscious as the strain of speaking and keeping himself upright was draining what precious little energy he had left. “C-can I go now.” He said in a tone just above a whisper. Faraday's face was frozen in an annoyed expression, she opened her mouth to speak when her com-link chimed. She pulled it off her belt and reach it to her mouth “Yes?” She simply said. The voice of the technician on the other bridge came through from the other end. “Ma'am. We've just crossed the ten minute mark. We should be there momentarily.”. Faraday's expression changed to a smile. She had learned the real truth of the Kumo and her survivor's. More then just fighter pilots but crew from the escape pods as well. Her relief crossed her expression for just a fraction of a second before a microphoned voice crackled through one of the stormtrooper's helmets towards her. “What are we to do with this scum ma'am.” Faraday gave a smirk to Klavine who had leaned back over on the floor trying to rest himself on one of his arms. “Bring him to the bridge with us. He'll get to see what happens to those that defy us.” She said in a more sinister tone. Klavine looked up from the floor at her as she finished her sentence “No clothes I assume?” Faraday just motioned her fingers toward him and the troopers rushed him grabbing Klavine off the floor and pulled him behind Faraday as she led them from out of the room.

On the bridge of the Slipstream Commander Faraday strode to the large traingular windows as the blue and white funnel of hyperspace reverted back to real space replacing the blue and white with the dark starfield surrounding a small blue and green planet. Faraday wasn't surprised to find the bridge without Admiral Sequa, he was still in his chambers reading the holonet news reports of the Endor engagement. Sequa was fanatical when it came to propaganda and loved to watch it unfold as much as he was part of it. Behind Faraday the pair of stormtroopers dumped Klavine in a pile about half way down the command walkway. She turned to face the crew pits awaiting the initial scanner and sensor reports. Faraday didn't have to wait long as the imperial techs started reporting strange things from the planets sun, particularly ultra violet radiation that seems to be on a very tight spectrum. It was harmless to humans but some alien species may find it severely discomforting or even hazardous. Faraday didn't care about this backwater system's environment she needed answers. A moment later the scanner information reported massive wreckage in the planet's orbit. Some fighter wreckage and some escape pods still spinning. “Tractor beam in the pods. Hopefully, someones left alive in them to tell us more information. What did you say about the fighter wreckage?” Faraday asked the short red haired man manning one of the octagon scanning consoles. He looked up in a near expressionless face as he replied “Most of it seems to be shuttles and transports very few tie fighters or rebellion snub fighters in the secondary wreckage orbit.” Faraday gave a crooked eyebrow “And the first?” she simply said to the technician who continued “A massive wreckage it appears that it was a mon-cala ship from the design of the more recognizable wreckage.” Faraday sucked in her breath and clasp her hands behind her back turning back towards the viewports. The space scape of the small planet was much larger now as the Slipstream was moving in to the area of the escape pods among the wreckage. “Number of signatures and signals?” She requested from the opposed crew pit. A pale skinned older woman turned looking up toward her “Comm-scan shows 8 among the wreckage or adrift with several beacons planetside ma'am”. Faraday didn't let the crewman's sentence hang she sharply replied “I want all eight in the hanger in the next thirty minutes. I don't care how, then we move on those planetside.” Faraday barked. Klavine raised himself up to a half slumped standing position with the pair of stormtroopers directly at his back. His mind gave a humorous thought as he realized how ridiculous he looked. After another second of contemplation he decided he'd have fun with this. Klavine came to the realization he's dead anyway he looks at it. There's no escaping them and he always thought himself quite the comedian. “It's kind of cold in here.” Klavine murmured towards Faraday. Her hands still clasped behind her back she didn't turn from the view ports and stood there watching the first pair of escape pods slowly become enveloped in the Slipstream's tractor beams making their way towards the ship. Klavine cleared his throat loudly and started to speak again “I said, it's cold in he-” THUMP. Was the next sound ending Klavine's sentence as one of the troopers kicked him in the shin from behind dropping him to his sore knees. Klavine gave a groan as the troopers microphoned voice came through his skull faced helm “Quiet scum!”. Klavine gave a nod and sat back on his calves as the pair of troopers flanked either side of him, his face coming to their mid torsos.

Just then an elder man's voice spoke up from behind him “You'd do best not to anger her young man, she becomes tunnel visioned with she is determined to get something.” Klavine turned his head slightly as the pair of troopers straightened at attention. The elder man was wearing the olive drab uniform of an imperial officer with an Admiral's rank plaque and code cylinders on it. He was much older then Faraday in his late sixties at least. A large white bushy mustache encompassed the old man's entire upper lip down the sides of his mouth touching the deep cheek lines of the man's chin and jawline. His stark white hair matched the mustache and was cut in a clean military style under his officer's cap. Klavine's gaze must have been noticed by the trooper behind him as he felt a gloved hand grab him by the neck turning him away from Admiral Sequa. “Now now, no need to be rough with the young man. Help him to his feet.” Sequa continued. Faraday for her part never turned from watching the third escape pod start to be pulled towards the Slipstream as the firs two were now being collected into the landing bays. After she heard him order Klavine to his feet she turned her head slightly and nodded back towards the Admiral with his small squinted eyes and a smile nodding back. Klavine reach his feet with some unneeded help from the stormtroopers who kept their gloves locked on his arms as Sequa walked in front of the man. “Indeed it would be cold for someone wearing nothing but small-clothes wouldn't it heh.” The old man said with a hint of humor in his voice. Klavine still sore and aching was able to eek out a feeble smile and nodded “Yes it is sir.” Sequa reach up stroking his own mustache as he looked the man up and down before continuing “I understand you're one of these fool sep-err... Rebels that Faraday brought on board.” Klavine's slight smile towards the older imperial man faded as he turned towards Faraday still staring out into the scene of escape pods being pulled in and the planet behind the wreckage before replying “I had thought about making a last stand with my blaster but my cowardice got the better of me, so yes. She did bring me aboard and gave me treatment.” Klavine said. “Heh, smart lad. Most go out in a blaze of glory spouting nonsense about the downfall of the Empire and death to the high command.” Sequa rebuttaled. That statement however had stirred a few of the crewman in the crewpits as the previous day's destruction of the second Death Star and apparent death of the Emperor had been witnessed. “Well we have a way of blowing things up.” Klavine said with a half smirk. Sequa gave a half chuckle “Indeed you do. So why were you so far from the Battle?” Klavine gave a half snort and nodded towards Faraday “I told her already even after she gave me this new massage treatment with her droids.” Sequa squinted his eyebrows and nodded “Ah yes, I see...quite thorough of her. It's why she is my second.” Klavine said nothing and just looked back at Sequa who stepped back a few steps “And what do you expect now Rebel? Sympathy? Perhaps a cup of hot cafe before we toss you out an airlock?” Klavine's humorous streak flashed as he smiled and replied “No, maybe just have her use her hands next time. If a fella has to die I'd rather be worked over by a good looking woman like her before going.”. “Hmph” was Sequa's reply but a small twinge of laughter was behind it. The thudding sound of steps were heard coming from behind the Admiral as Faraday arrived and raised a boot kicking Klavine in the stomach sending him to his knees again and then slapping him. She raised back to strike again when Sequa's voice chimed in “Enough Commander, the boy's trying to antagonize you into violence towards him.” Faraday turned and straightened her uniform “He did it well then. Troopers bring him!” Faraday ordered as the pair of troopers picked Klavine up following Faraday towards one of crewpits “Show them where the ships crashed.” She demanded. Klavine gave a wince and slowly pointed out the locations of the ships on the screen. For a moment he thought about purposely botching the locations but knew with just a sensor scan they'd be able to locate both ships and he'd be back in the cell after another round of torture. Faraday nodded and pointed to the side of the crewpit. The troopers pulled him to where she had pointed and forced him to sit. After some time had passed a tech from one of the consoles announced towards Admiral Sequa that all  of the escape pods had been brought aboard. “Good, good. Always good to bring back the leftovers I say.” Sequa said as he stroked his chin and mustache. Faraday now back at the front of the command walkway looking out among the wreckage ordered them closer to the planet into its atmosphere. A second after the order one of the technicians reported out “Ma'am the radiation and the planets atmosphere is causing havoc with the sensor's we can view anything with the scanners even from high orbit.”. Faraday frowned “Is it something to do with the system's sun?” She asked “ Possibly but there's no real in depth information on the sys-...” Faraday realized something caught the man's attention “What is it?” She asked quickly.

Just then another technician said they are receiving hyperspace signatures from rebellion ships coming into the system. “Get us into the atmosphere quickly.” Faraday ordered. A moment later Sequa walked up next to her as they watched the planet's mass fill the view ports as strange gray and red cloud formations that cloaked their sensors now enveloped them as they dove deeper into it's atmosphere. “We may be safe for now.” Faraday said. “We thought better of the fall back points, but now it may be our undoing eh?” Sequa said turning back around stroking his chin. Faraday ordered the helmsman to remain stable in the atmosphere and in as much cloud cover as possible. “What were the signatures of the ships coming into the system.” The red haired technician looked up from his data pad. “An alliance Nebulon-B frigate at least a squadron of starfighter signatures of varying types, possibly more and an old YT series light freighter.” Faraday gave a long exhale and looked over at Klavine. She had wanted to see his face when they blasted the rebels  crashed ship from orbit after he pointed them out to her. But now they would have to wait if the rebels sent starfighters to the surface to their own and saw bombardment they'd jump on the Slipstream quickly. “How many fighters do we have left?” she said towards the opposing crew pit. A young dark haired man turned form his octagon console “Fourteen, six from Web and eight from Venom squadrons remaining.” Faraday turned towards Sequa who's gaze was already upon her and crooked his head to the side with a half nod. Farady spun back towards the crewpit with ordering “Have the crews prepped and to their fighters but they aren't to launch, we'll wait and see what happens.” “Yes ma'am.” the dark haired technician said as he turned to start giving out Faraday's orders. “Good, very good.” Sequa said as he paced to the back of the command walk and stopped adjacent to Klavine before nodding towards the rebel pilot “And of him?” Sequa said towards Faraday who still had a half anxious look to her face. “Take him back to his cell.” Klavine gave a half smirk as he groaned standing up with the gloved hands of the pair of stormtroopers “I guess she likes me in small places...” he said allowed as one of the troopers gloved hands shoved his face down and moved him along through the rear bridge double doors. Faraday gave a slight sneer and turned back towards the view ports now covered in gray and red clouds as small red and white specs of dust clung to the windows and hull of the Slipstream as if the clouds were filled with a sticky dust to them. A moment later Admiral Sequa's elderly voice spoke up “Comm, find me all data regarding this planet this rebel has brought us to. I'll take it in my quarters of course.” Sequa finished nodding towards Faraday as she in turn gave an acknowledging nod. “Sir, on it.” the red haired technician said as he started to punch on his console. Nothing more was said as Sequa walked away from the bridge and like that the Slipstream's bridge was relatively quiet again except the small technical conversations among the crewpits. Faraday watched out trying to make out shapes through the red and gray clouds to see if she could see any engine trails coming towards them but the visibility was so low she gritted her teeth. Waiting was not one of her strong points.


As the small group of star fighters consisting of X-Wings, A-wings and a few B-Wings came out of hyperspace they fell into formations around the large Nebulon-B frigate. The chatter among the pilots started to kick up that they had no readings through the misty atmosphere of the planet. The chatter about searching for missing rebellion cruisers turned to frustration for some of the pilots hoping to make a quick entry and exit hoping to find the pair of cruisers disabled or surrounding the prey they were after the large Star Destroyer. However nether were the case.

Inside one of the X-wings the pilot checked his scopes trying to adjust for the planets interference but to no avail. “R5 see what you can do with it.” The young dark haired man said. The R5 astromech droid behind the pilot in the X-wing chirped a few low level beeps as it started what he assumed was a evaluation scan of the planet. A moment later another voice came through the man's comm in his helmet “Wedge, you sure know when how to pick'em.” After the initial comment Wedge Antilles gave a smile and opened his com channel “Well it may look inhospitable but I'm sure it's got plenty of casino's for you to check out.”

“Heh, me and Lando both.” The loud voice replied. On the other end of the conversation the dark haired man sitting in the YT-1300 freighter's pilot seat turned away from the comm channel button towards the pair of people next to him. The large fur covered wookiee co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon Chewbacca and sitting behind Chewy was the still dressed general garb was Lando Calrissian. Lando simply put his hands up in the air to his sides and replied to Wedge's comment “The man knows the company he keeps.” He said with a half smile towards the adjacent dark haired man in the pilots seat, Han Solo. Han gave Lando a half surprised smirk and nodded as he turned back to the pilot's controls “Maybe one of us will even the odds on this trip.” The inside comment between the two humans made them both chuckle as the slowly moved into formation with the star fighters nearing the planet.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on December 26, 2017, 07:23:42 AM
Now this is a Christmas Treat. Off to share.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on September 06, 2018, 05:07:47 AM
Rally Point Alpha, North Peninsula...


The planets beige white beaches turned more redish orange the closer to the rally point as far as TK-1979 could see. The sands of the northwestern peninsula kicked up dust and dust swirls in the wake of the biker squad unit lead by Major Araed.

The squad raced through the morning and saw the encirclement of vehicles and supplies at Major Gridon's rally point. The unit arrived mid morning and dismounted to refuel and assess the situation. Major Araed hopped off of her speeder bike as soon as it was in line with the rest at the refueling containers. TK-1979 Corporal Zaym dismounted as well like the rest of the biker unit. A few gray jump suit wearing technicians came over and started hooking up fuel lines into the speeder bikes fuel cells. Zaym assumed he would be hungry again this morning but his appetite had left him since the close call with the arachnid beasts the night before at the campfire with the Captain. Nor did he have a want to taste the ration packs at the moment. He turned from the line of speeder bikes hovering in place awaiting refueling and noticed Major Araed was marching off in the distance. The bright sunshine showed the dirt and soot on nearly everyone from the trooper's white armor to the technical personnel's uniforms. Then the sun reflected something that caught his eye. It was the black helmet of an imperial naval trooper who had shined it back to standard. This stuck Zaym as odd as most anyone in the situation the Kumo crew had been through hadn't given much thought or care to what their uniform looked like. He noticed the naval trooper was following an imperial officer that was shorter in stature wearing battlefield armor and were coincidentally heading towards Major Araed. After a moment Zaym realized it wasn't coincidence at all, it was Commander Karamat and the shined helmet belonged to Sergeant Atter.    Zaym thought about using the comm-link the Captain had given to but held his hand after a second of reflection. Aread and Karamat were part of Captain Kai's command staff and it would be assumed they'd be in communication or reporting to each other. Yet still, something didn't sit well with him. He decided not to immediately report to the Captain but when he checks in with him before they leave the rally point he'd mention it.

   As Major Araed jogged into the rally point she had started towards the titan drop ship the intell report had said been made the command post. It sat near the rear of the rally points half circle of vehicles. There she could see the report information on what had happened to Major Gridon. She wasn't especially fond of the man but she heard he was detained by Karamat. Which made her own plans slightly less obtainable. The thoughts of her personal plans made Kai's image flash into her minds eye and the image of him in her mind wearing his cadet uniform and a half smirk still lingered all these years later. She was focusing on erasing Kai's image from her mind as she approached the drop ship. Then a woman's loud authoritarian voice called out to her “Major! Over here!” Commander Karamat gestured with waving her arm as she called out to Araed. Araed instinctively turned towards Karamat but internally cursed as this was going to delay her attempt to locate Gridon. 

Araed jogged over to Commander Karamat noticing Karamat still wearing her field armor and helm. Araed stood at attention in front of Karamat of course as the Commander was quite the stickler for protocol even in this crazed situation. She and Karamat never agreed on a multitude of points and procedures regarding the Kumo's ground forces in most aspects from previous assignments. In fact it became a point of contention until Karamat pulled rank over the Major. Nor was Karamat hesitant about being the spit and polish type of soldier in regards to do it repeatedly weather it undermined Araed's position with the rest of the command staff or her own units. Araed however did find one kindred spirit who had no love lost for Karamat or the Captain, Major Gridon. Araed and Gridon shared certain opposing views regarding the way in which Captain Kai lead the Kumo during their assignments. While she had no illusions that Gridon was only out for himself and the command positions in the Kumo's senior staff Araed knew she needed to use him if she wished to keep her own objectives obtainable.

After a quick moment Karamat waived her hand towards her to at-ease and Araed relaxed her stance and wrapped her black body gloved hands behind her white armored belt and stood eased in front of the Commander. “Major, I understand you're only here temporarily?” Karamat asked with that cool professional voice she was so precise at projecting. Major Araed mircrophoned voice crackled through her helmets speaker “Yes sir. The Captain wants us to the edge of the peninsula to find an artifact.” Karamat nodded holding up a datapad going over the information scrolling across the screen. “As I am aware, And you were diligent to come to the command vehicle without being asked, a rare occasion for you.” Now Araed knew Karamat was testing her. Araed gave a slight nod and reset her stance “Yes Commander. I wanted to ensure my report was received.”. At that reply Karamat raised one of her brownish red eyebrows under the rim of her green armored officer's helm “I find that odd as you had been in contact with the communication techs and knew the titan was the command vehicle.” Araed swallowed inside her helm. She hadn't assumed Karamat would have already been so up on reports of her small unit making way to the Rally point with so many coming into the semi-circle from the column the Captain had with him. “A, lack of forethought of course.” Araed said quickly through her helm speaker so not to let on her throat was clenched holding in her slight anxiety. Karamat's eyes slightly narrowed and Araed assumed her less then stellar answer was satisfactory to persuade the Commander. But after a moment the naval trooper next to the Commander turned towards Karamat “Comman-deah, the Major.” Sergeant Atter said towards Karamat. His phrase hung an extra second longer then normal and Araed at first assumed that Atter meant herself but a quick flash of Gridon's face came into her mind's eye and Araed loosened her grip behind her back allowing her arms to prepare in case Karamat felt she to needed to be detained. “What does that fool want now?” Karamat hissed at Atter. “He says he's getting hungry. It's been a day now.” Karamat gave a the slightest of sneers flash across her face at that comment.  A second later she ordered Atter “Go find some rations for him and the pair of troopers we locked up in his sentinel and remind him the Captain will be here... soon.” The cold demeanor she was known for became icy as she reminded Atter to make sure he knows the Captain will be here at the rally-point later today.
   After the Sergeant turned and headed away from the pair of women Karamat turned back towards Araed who was still standing at ease during the Commander's exchange with Atter. “You're going on to the northwest then?” Karamat said as more of a statement then a a question. Aread kept her poise and nodded as her microphoned voice came through her helmet. “Yes sir, I sent what details I was permitted to through to the comm station.” Karamat's icy stare shot daggers through Araed's visor as her lip slightly twitched. “He's sliding back into old habits with details it seems.” There was no mistake with her tone this time. Karamat had always been apprehensive towards the way the Captain conducted the logistics and records of mission operations often chastising him when she was assigned to the Kumo when the Captain was a flight leader, filing his reports with vague details if any details at all Araed remembered. Araed gave a slight nod as to not contribute to furthering the line of questioning. Her chance to get to the command vehicle was thwarted but Araed learned Gridon was being locked up in a Sentinel Shuttle. She'd seen a schematic layout of the rallypoint and remembered a pair of sentinel shuttles near the northern edge of the semi-circle of vehicles and equipment. Perhaps her plans to meet him weren't dashed after all. With the gears in Araed's mind turning she hoped Karamat finished with her quickly. Araed wanted to go back to the rest of her unit to escape any more of the conversation. “Get your team on it's way Major, I'll expect regular reports until your comm-links get out of range.” Karamat said. Karamat finished her statement and Araed gave an attentive nod and swiveled as best she could in the sand below her and started to trot back to her biker unit. Karamat turned and now with Sergeant Atter gone proceeded towards the Titan dropship herself.

Back at Araed's unit about half of the speeder bikes were refueled as the other six members of her unit tinkered with adjustments to the bikes systems or sat drinking and eating from ration bags. Araed arrived in a quick jog her mind still putting her plan together. She couldn't just leave herself to go to the sentinel it'd draw too much attention. She'd have to wait until the unit was moving outbound of the rally-point. She walked over and stood next to Corporal Zaym and put a gloved hand on his arm to grab his attention. Zaym turned from watching the techs refill the last of the bikes feeling Araed touch his arm. She raised her visor from her helm revealing her face showing her cheeks flushed red from the heat and small glistening sweat droplets forming on her brow and under her eyes. She spoke to him as he turned “I'm going to need you to be ready when we get moving. Making sure the unit gets through to the objective point no matter the cost. Can I count on you?” Zaym gave a nod and after a half second realized he hadn't answered verbally which caught even him off guard. “Yes of course Major.” he quickly followed his nod with. “Good, I need you to lead the squad for a few minutes after we depart. There's a second objective I'm told I need to check on.” Zaym let the words hang a second and nodded again “I'll make sure Major.” he replied. Araed gave him a smile in return and closed her visor. She released her hand from his arm and turned walking back to the rest of the speeder bikes now nearly all refueled. Zaym thought it slightly odd she'd ask him instead of one of the others in the unit. Perhaps it was because she knew Kai had attached him to the unit and she trusted him. But a few minutes away from the rest of the unit shouldn't be too hard to deal with he told himself.
   After a few more minutes the group was refueled and headed northwest to exit the rally-point. As they started to clear the last of the semi-circle of vehicles and equipment Araed stopped the squad and turned to them. “I've got a secondary mission to complete. I'll meet up with you in about 20 minutes to the northwest at .658. TK-1979 will take lead for this small departure.” There was no verbal response from the rest of the troopers but the tension could be felt from the rest giving slight nods and quick turns to look at Zaym. “I'll be back shortly, move it out.” Zaym waived a hand and with a whirlwhoop his speederbike returned to its outbound direction with the rest of the group in tow. Araed watched them exit the rally-point and turned her bike back northeast towards the direction of the sentinel shuttles Gridon was in.



Riptide survivor's...

“Are you sure it disappeared lieutenant?” Commander Shellis' said in a grave voice. “Yes sir, it was there for a few moments and vanished. Like it dropped into orbit and them jumped out of the system.”. Shellis rubbed his webbed mon-cala flippers together. An Imperial interdictor cruiser jumps into the system sees the wreckage in orbit and jumps away? He thought. “Perhaps they assumed the ISD jumped away after the battle.” the technician responded. “Let us hope so.” Shellis said. He'd wish that Captain Barraxs would hurry and arrive at the command station. It seemed to be taking him forever to arrive from his makeshift quarters in one of the mountain's damper wetter caves.
   Then the same technician gave a yelp and shouted something almost incoherent about signatures and the system. “Again Specialist?” Shellis asked. The technician at the makeshift sensor station repeated the shout she gave a moment ago surprising the rest of the technicians and Commander Shellis but slower as she cleared her throat containing her excitement “Y-yes sir, confirmed Alliance signatures are in the system they're a little ways out and fading in and out but they're there!” Shellis let his wide mon calamari mouth give a smile. “By the tides.” Then after a moment he continued “You said fading in and out? Is it possible they are Clarion escape pods in orbit?” The technician shook her fishlike head as she replied “No sir, I've been checking and the few Clarion escape pods were plotted and now are gone. These signatures are new and a lot more of them. I think they've found us!” Shellis nodded still smiling with relief. He assumed the Alliance ships found the escape pods and tractor beamed them to safety then the thought of the tractor beam meant a larger Alliance vessel “Any information on the signatures? Types and class?” he responded. The technicians were still celebrating and turned to check a different mon-calamari technician replied. “Sir, reading remnants of Red, Gold and Green squadrons as well as the frigate Harken Threat and ...” Shellis turned to the mon-cala technician as the role of ships and their captains went through Shellis' mind “Yes and... Specialist?” Shellis asked “And, a YT-1300 called the Idiot's Array?” The mon-calamari technician said with a questioning tone. Shellis nodded and smiled at him “Captain Solo's ship. He often used different signatures and sometimes forgets to change them.”. The mon calamari technician smiled back as the rest of the station techs started to whisper and pat each other with compliments knowing the famed Millennium Falcon was now here to help. “Sir should we warn them of possible hostiles from the imperial site?” One of the other mon cala technicians asked. Shellis started to nod when he suddenly turned and said “Captain! We were starting to worry!”.
   At the entrance to the cave now converted to a command station stood Captain Barrax. “I was worrying about to.” Captain Barrax said in a slow monotone voice. Shellis looked at Captain Barrax noticing his uniform was dirty and was still bootless as his lower flipper feet stood out from his off white pants. “Are you feeling well sir? I see you didn't find your boots.” Shellis said. Barrax took a moment to slowly look down at his feet and back up at Shellis “I'm fine.” He replied to Shellis casually. “Sir, we just received signatures of Alliance vessels entering the system!” The female mon calamari technician proclaimed from behind her console. Shellis turned back towards her almost forgetting the news that had just broke. Barrax stood unemotional at the younger female mon calamari and then turned back to Shellis who himself was turning back to face Captain Barrax. Barrax looked at Shellis and spoke “Is that bad?” He said in a questioning tone towards Shellis. Commander Shellis gave his mon calamari Captain a strange look as he replied. “N-no sir. We believe it's a force with Captain Solo to rescue us.” Shellis said as he gazed back at Barrax. After Shellis finished his sentence Barrax walked slow and slightly jerky towards the female technician's console. Shellis noticed his legs moved more stiffly, but assumed it was because Barrax had no boots on his feet. As Barrax reach the console he leaned over towards the female mon calamari and spoke “Show me.” Barrax simply said again in a monotone manner. The female mon calamari punched a few buttons on her control console and her small screen lit up with a list of signature identifiers. Barrax continued to look on as if waiting for something else to happen before speaking a single word “And?”. The mon calamari tech turned towards him assuming perhaps he couldn't see “These are Alliance ships and we believe they've already recovered the Clarion's escape pods.” Barrax showed no change in emotion at the mention of the Clarion's survivors. Barrax sluggishly waved his webbed flipper hand in front of the console before standing straight again “No this is not a rescue, this is a trap by some others..” Barrax's clumsy words trailed off as he turned and walked back towards the middle of the room where Shellis stood. Shellis stood there slightly taken aback by Barrax's assessment “Sir how can you be sure?” Barrax didn't turn to meet Shellis' gaze as he started to walk towards the command stations exit which lead outside where tech crews were still working on repairing the few Y-wings the Riptide's crew had left. Shellis took a few quick steps to get close to Barrax as the Captain was about to exit the cavern “Sir! Please. We should try and at least contact them.” Barrax slowed to a uneven stop as his torso slightly leaned forward as he stopped walking into the command cave's exit and turned. “No, they are dangerous, leave them to me.” Was Barrax's reply. Shellis gave a shocked look and for a moment he let the word sit and then continued “What about the mission this morning for Commander Vorm? Perhaps this is something he should know about?!” Shellis blurted out in a confused tone. Barrax simply turned his large greying mon calamari head towards Shellis and repeated “Leave them to me.” before stiffly turning around and sluggishly walking out of the cave entrance. The technicians and crewman in the command station were a bit taken back by the Captain's refusal. Even Commander Shellis thought it odd. “Commander, what-” but stormed out of the cave following Barrax.


Millennium Falcon

“Han old buddy you reading this?” Lando Calrissian's smooth voice came into Han Solo's ears as the readouts on the Falcon's display gave him the same information. “Looks like there's some weird interference coming from the planet's weather systems. It'll damn near impossible to find any survivor's from orbit without going in close to better pinpoint tracking beacon's from escape pods.” Han said. Sitting in the pilot chair Han Solo clicked the controls to try and filter out some of the interference from the planet but to no avail. Next to Han his companion and co-pilot was the wookiee Chewbacca. Chewbacca grunted a few times and a small grow showing his frustration with the readings. Behind Chewy sat Lando Calrissian still in his general's uniform “We could get closer to take a look.” Lando said suggestively. Han gave a nod and moves the Falcon's control stick sending the ship downward into the planet's orbit. As he did Han flicked a comm-channel set for Alliance chatter and started speaking “Fighter squadron's, this is Solo we're heading into the atmosphere to look for survivors be careful the weather systems are playing havoc with the sensors.” Han called out over the Alliance channel. Chewbacca gave a sigh with a bit of a throaty growl to compliment Han's actions. Han in turn replied “Well I don't know all the squadron's designations! This way they were all covered.” Han said slightly annoyed. Behind the pair Lando gave a half chuckle and watched the viewports as the Falcon started lowering from orbit into the red misty clouds covering the center of the planet's main continent.


   From the intercom Wedge heard Captain Solo's warning and clicked on his squadron's local channel “Be careful if you're following him, the weather systems go high in the atmo, some of the wreckage could be stuck in the clouds in low orbit.” Wedge said over the fighter's intercom. Some of the pilot's acknowledged and peeled off from Wedge and the rest of the group around the Harken Threat. A pair of X-wings and a lone A-wing followed the Falcon into the masses of moving red cloud coverage over the planet.


Nektulos Forrest...

Dark reddish clouds swathed across the forest canopy as the early morning grew into the midday. But unlike the previous day filled with bright skies the reddish white mist overcast hung over the forest giving it a more ominous feel. Aerrel Triton had been walking for hours using a make shift crutch she'd salvaged from parts of her crashed A-wing. She'd tried using her com-link a few times during the early morning but never received an answer. It was hard to navigate the forest floor with no navigation or tracking equipment. She knew she needed to go east towards the Riptide to see what became of the crew after the tie fighter assault the previous night.
   Aerrel chugged slowly through the the forest it was sometime before midday when she realized the sound or rather lack there of. Very little sounds came from the forest. The wind stirred up the leaves and tree branches of course but a forest this size should have wild life or insects or something to give it a backdrop to the gusts of air blowing through the tree trunks beneath the forest canopy. Twice during her hike she had spotted the beginnings of small patches of tree trunks coated in an extremely sticky residue. Like ultra thick spider webbing which seemed to crawl from the bottoms of the trunks to near the tops of the large trees themselves. Remembering the large creature from her crash Aarrel though better then continuing forward through these areas and circumvented around them traversing longer to avoid them then she wished but knew it may be for the best if more of those creatures were around.

It was a bit after midday by the position small reddish yellow dot poking through the forest canopy signifying the location of the planet's sun when Aerrel found a small path. It was generous to call it a foot path more like a place where there had once been a small meter length path years go and decades of non use let the foliage and fauna grow at the edges while grass started encroaching deeper into its middle. Aerrel thought it odd, but the planet hadn't be researched before coming here in the pursuit of the Star Destroyer Kumo, the Endor battle had taken such a dramatic turn so quickly anyone with sub assignments such as capturing vessels like Captain Dryce's Deck as she and her unit called themselves had those opportunities quickly vanishing in the wreckage of the recently destroyed second Death Star.
   Word was back at Endor two of the large arrow headed Star Destroyers were captured and Captain Dryce's unit were going after the third. Little did they know that it'd cost them the Clarion. Aerrel bit her lip at that thought. Many of her friends and fellow Alliance members were aboard when it exploded over this planet. Aerrel choked down her emotion and continued trudging along the small path noticing occasionally small blue black stones were prominent in some areas of the path where the fauna had yet to consume it. Aerrel wondered if there were sentient humanoids on this planet, which ever planet this one happens to be. Then she stopped thinking she heard for the first time this trip wildlife. But it wasn't a high sounding tweet from a bird or buzz from insects but a low rumbling sound. Aerrel started moving quicker towards the sound which was also in the same direction the weathered path led.
   After a few minutes the rumble became a low gushing sound and Aerrel gave a guess it may be river. A few moments passed and Aerrel saw the forest canopy started to dissipate as the trees thinned and the weathered path slowly faded away as the path came to a small embankment and there was the rushing water of a large creek. Aerrel gave a small sigh of relief, she was glad to be out of the forest. She looked up at the sky and the reddish white misty overcast still encompassed the sky with the small pinkish yellow sphere of the sun off showing it was now late in the afternoon of this planets cycle. Aerrel hobbled with her crutch to the edge of the creek and sat down next to the rushing water. At first Aerrel thought the water was reddish white but quickly dismissed it as the overcast. In fact it was very clear. It was very clean and the bed of the creek near the bank was very smooth as if it hadn't been disturbed in a very long time. She dipped her hand in testing it with a finger first. It was cool as if it was moving for quite a while.
   Aerrel decided to rest here and try her comm again. “Kitchen this is SPEAR, the Arrowhead was broken. Need pickup at these coordinates.” Static was the reply to her request for rescue. She cursed under her breath and then tried to move from her seated position and felt the sear of pain hit her wounded leg. Her aneth-shot must be wearing off she thought. Aerrel checked her med pack and saw she had one more in it but none after that. She hoped a rescue was coming or she was close enough to the Riptide before another wore off. Aerrel unholstered her blaster and set it down before unbuckling her flight gear and slipped out of the green suit spattered with red staining the lower half. Aerrel wore a gray pair of shorts and a white shirt under her suit. She turned the suit over and saw the large tear through it's leg where the piece of shrapnel from her A-wings fighter pinched a sliced into her thigh. A moment later she injected the anesthetic into her leg and scooted next to the water and cupped some water and cleaned the dried blood and dirt around her thigh's wound. It was a few minutes later when Aerrel finished cleaning her thigh's wound and was about to put a fresh wrap of bandage from the medkit over it when a thought crossed her mind. Aerrel gave a smile and edged herself into the water she saw the bottom of the creek and waded slowly out into the creek steadying herself against the moderate rush of water. She pulled off her shirt and tossed it back to the bank next to her crutch and the medkit.
   After watching it sail through the air Aerrel's shirt landed on her blaster concealing it. She then continued towards the middle of the creek measuring her distance. About a third of the way across and she could feel the water would easily go above her head. Deciding not to go further she held her nose and dunked herself in the water, under the water she saw the creeks bed was very undisturbed and she turned to see her steps into the creek were moving small bits of dirt being rushed away downstream. After a few seconds Aerrel resurfaced and took a long deep breath and put her hands into her blonde hair. Moving the water through it trying to wash the sweat, smoke and grease from the crash away. She remembered while moving her hands through her hair that she left the cleanse gel pack in the med kit. Aerrel walked back through the creek's water towards the bank and stopped just short of the medkit. Her attention was now on the two and a half meter high obelisk a few yards adjacent from the exit of the weathered path she had taken in the forest. It was an onyx colored structure with moss and vines growing over it. Aerrel tried to make sense of the runes on the obelisk but quickly realized it was a language she wasn't familiar with. She took note of the runes, they were very curvy with slashes and dots accenting the main stems   

(https://i2.wp.com/dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/neriaks-torrent-river-sign.jpg?ssl=1&w=450) 

Aerrel always categorized information in her mind when it may be important languages, runes, symbols, cultural characteristics. It was part of her training and often parts of her duties when working undercover with Dryce's Deck. Now she would place these runes in the crevices of her mind for investigation later. A few moments of looking at the obelisk passed and Aerrel took the cleanse gel from the med kit and waded back out into the creek, not as far as before stopped as the water came up past her waist. She added her cleanse gel and scrubbed her blonde lochs of hair which were stained with sweat and grease from the crash. As Aerrel finished her hair she moved on to leg wound and the rest of the grease and soot stains on her.

   A few hours of trudging the forest had put Lt. Vanders stamina to the test. He was always fit but his hikes and marches usually weren't with the cumbersome weight of a flight-suit and enviro-system.  The sweat and heat bored down on him during the early morning but by midday the reddish white overcast had dispersed some of the sun's heat. He had flipped helmet over his head and let it dangle behind his neck after reluctantly taking it off.  Vander's short dirty blonde hair was coated in sweat from his long march. His breathe was labored as he huffed through the forest he didn't notice the change in his environment for some time. The wildlife and sounds of the forest had went near mute. Vanders stopped a moment and turned around gauging his surroundings trying to assess why the wildlife had went silent. Vanders swallowed hard hoping it wasn't due to a predator near him. He had kept his SE-14C side arm and now his instincts overcame his thoughts and he pulled his side arm and turned off the safety. Vanders slowly trudged along the forest floor as the reddish white overcast let the small bits of light from planet's sun poke through. He pulled his emotions together and kept moving quicker through the forest. The adrenaline rushed through Vanders to a point where his senses were dotting he'd see a shadow from a broken tree branch dangling on the side of a trunk and nearly turned an fired on it. He cursed himself and continued southward. He really didn't care what direction he went at this point his instinct's just told him to get away from here. A few moments later his helmet's comm crackled for the first time in hours. Vanders took his free hand and pulled his helm over his head as he kept his pistol outstreched waiting for the slightest movement. He brought up the signal and replayed it while half holding his helmet over his ears and listened. “Kit-sshh-en this is xXXxEAR, the ArrowoOOo was broken. Need pickxXXx at oOOoese coordinates. Vanders let his helm slip over his head and the heat that he he sweltered in returned around his head. He transfixed the coordinates and surprisingly it wasn't in the same spot as the earlier transmission but in the same direct Southwest. More significantly the voice this time was much higher and female. Not Lt. Faraday's voice as he had hoped. Vanders pulled his helmet over his head letting it drape over the back of his neck. But the signal was much closer he thought.
   As Vanders quickened his pace he saw the reddish white light of the overcast start to take further parts of the landscape as the forest started to draw back. Vander's adrenaline was still racing to the point where he didn't hear the rushing of water until he stumbled from the treeline of the forest and took a few steps away from it staring at the rushing water of a creek before him. Vanders' reluctance to infect himself with allergens or bacteria disappeared as ran towards the creek bed and leaned over and cupped some of the clear moving water in his free hand and slurpped it out of his palm and repeated the action before taking a few palm fulls and doused his sweaty head letting the water run down his neck before pooling where his black bodysuit started. It was a few seconds of relief for him when the adrenaline in him was still rushing and he turned up and and down the creek checking his surroundings for imaginary predators his mind and instincts tolled on him. He didn't see these predators but about 75 meters down the creeks streaming water he saw a figure in the distance wading into the water. Vander's jumped back away from the water and shuffled back to forests tree line. After a moment he realized the person didn't seem to notice his presence. Vander's didn't know who it was but wasn't going to be naive enough to trot up to a person this deep into enemy territory. Vander's slowly tacked down the river bank from the forest canopy's edge. He crept along the shadows of the forest edge as the reddish white mist overcast moved across the landscape.
   Vander's stopped his stalking of the figure when he was roughly 20 meters from the figure from the forest edge. The figure had her back to him, she was a human female with blonde hair and a lithe build standing in the water up to her waist. Vander's saw her moving and leaning into the water as bubbles and foam came from her hands. Vander's thought it odd this person was cleaning herself. He looked beyond the woman with her back to him and saw her belongings on the creek's bank. It was a med kit and a crutch and then he saw it. A green pilot's uniform. One he recognized used by the Rebel Alliance. His adrenaline rushed as he drew his pistol's aim on the woman's back. As he held his aim he took step after step edging closer to the side of the creek until he was only a meter or two from it's edge. The woman had stopped moving and was standing up straight but turned away from him. Vander's emotions got the better of him as he stood there with his pistol aimed “REBEL! HALT!” Vander's said in his loudest and sternest voice. The figure in the water stood with their back to him. “Hands up! Turn! REBEL!” he shouted again. The figure in the water slowly raised her hands into the air and turned to face Lt. Vanders. Standing there in the moment Vander's emotions almost overcame him again and he felt his thick gloved hand almost squeeze the trigger to his blaster pistol. But he stopped himself trying to get a handle on his racing thoughts. His adrenaline was surging now and the woman facing him could see how enraged he'd become. “You going to kill me?” Aerrel Triton said her hands in the air. Vanders huffed threw his nose as he tried to reply “Kill yes!?” was his reply. Aerrel crooked an eyebrow at him. She gave a long breathe as Vanders held his aim at her. Vander's finally realized he was staring at the woman and shouted an order “Out! Out of the water!” he demanded. Aerrel nodded and slowly started to turn towards her suit and supplied when Vander shouted again “NO! This side!” he yelled. Aerrel gave a sigh and turned back still with her hands up. “The water in the center is too deep to wade over to you.” She replied. “Stop Lying!” he barked “Now move!”. With a long sigh Aerrel turned back towards the imperial and waded to the center and held a hand up as she swam past the middle of the creek nearly submerging at one point. Vander's rushed into the water and grabbed her raised hand and pulled her over to his side of the shallow water before letting go and taking a few steps back. Aerrel gave a few long breathes and thought the imperial would be satisfied with this but then Vander's shouted again “Get over here!” he said backing back out of the creek. Aerrel's mind raced trying to figure a way out of this as she slowly walked out of the creek towards Vanders.
   Lt. Vanders kept his weapon trained on Aerrel as she crept her way out of the water. She winced slowly as walked up the creek bank and started to ascend up the muddy ground. Her leg was slightly bleeding Vander's noticed. His eyes traced up from her leg and the water streaming down her body which Vander's tried to remain stalwart and not let his eyes roam. “Down on the ground!” He shouted. Aerrel winced hard as she bent down and and lay on her healthy thigh. Vander's kept hearing his former instructor's voices ringing in his head when it came to capturing rebels. Don't trust traitors, give them no heed, nor quarter. He tried to stay focused as he turned to see her supplies on the other side of the creek. “You're a pilot?!” he barked again. Aerrel just gave a nod before Vander's realized she had lowered her hands and shouted at her again “Hands back up!”. Aerrel had about enough of this. The young man tried much too hard to be assertive she'd known the types at the academy. But that was a dozen or so years ago, Aerrel was now in her thirties and even before joining the Alliance she had learned which young men could be bent and which could be broken. This one about 10 years younger then her she noticed had been broken before she thought. She raised her hands and gave a loud aching sound to her voice. Vanders' took his eyes off of Aerrel's supplies on the opposite bank and turned back towards Aerrel “How many others here with you?!” He shouted again. Aerrel shook her head “None, I'm stranded out here.” She said giving a light and needful tone to her voice. She played this character many times before finding her place in the Alliance she'd play it again now. “Where is your craft?” Vander's said now slightly lessening his forced authoritarian tone. “I was on a recon mission, I crashed in the forest.” Vanders let a long breathe flow from his nose before continuing his interrogation “How many in your unit?” he followed his breath now in a more standard tone. Aerrel's expression didn't change but inside her mind her lips smirked with accomplishment “Two, the other was sent back to, base.” Aerrel had thought for a moment to say the Alliance but if the imperial had communications to his other units it's possible the imps could be monitoring for hyperspace activity or even bring in a few ships for pick up and intercept LONGSPEAR.
   Vanders gritted his teeth, his mind flashed to the A-wing from last night slamming into his tie fighter. It must have been this pilot's wingman he thought to himself. And he left her here in the forest, like the scum the rebel's were. Vander's then looked back at the supplies across the creek. He wanted her supplies but wasn't about to let her get behind him. “You need something to eat?” Aerrel asked in a very nurturing tone. Vanders turned back towards Aerrel's gaze as her cool blue eyes looked at him. “You look tired, and hungry.” Aerrel's smirk in her mind was stretching to a smile as she realized the young man's want of food grabbed his attention. Not that he should really need to as she realized by the breeze her shirt was still on the other creek bank and she sat topless. “I think the war is over for us both for now.” She said sounding melancholy. “I was starting to get hungry and was cleaning up before popping open some ration packs.” Aerrel finished. She knew full well there was no food in the medkit and her uniform but this imp didn't know that. “ Vanders gave a half sneer at the mention of the war as memories of dead allies started to come to mind but then those images faded as his stomach rumbled at the rebel's mention of ration packs. He tried to think straight but his hunger mixed with his adrenaline starting to crash made him feel much more tired then he was. “Go- go get me yours.” Aerrel gave a slow nod and turned away from him and edged back into the creek water. This time as she waded out into the water Vanders followed still holding his blaster pistol on her. Aerrel came to the deeper middle of the creek and swam across it easily enough. Vander's however stopped as the water became deeper at the center and kept his gun trained on Aerrel. She reach the other side and turned seeing Vander's holding his pistol on her. Vander's tried hard to keep attentive but his exhausting feeling and his mind wandrering into placed he shouldn't made it an exercise to keep focus. Aerrel got to her supplies and held up the small medkit to show Vander's. “Toss it here!” He yelled and Aerrel nodded in compliance. As she held the medkit she looked at him and asked “Can I dress?” in a polite tone. Vanders was slightly annoyed she didn't through the medkit but his instincts that had been so rabid earlier hit him as he realized the woman was half nude and he nodded and yelled back “Through me the supplies then go ahead.” He finished the sentence with a long exhale through his nose and watched as the woman tossed the medkit in his direction. Being cautious he watched her lean over for her shirt as the medkit arced through the air. Vanders watched the medkit sail up and slightly passed him as he reach up with his free hand and knocked the small cloth pouch with a strap on it down into the water. After a moment of grabbing the small sinking pouch he pulled it to him. Holding the gun in place he looked down and rummaged through the medkit and frowned realizing there was no rations in it he could see. He turned to look up and asked “Where are-” but he stopped mid sentence to see the the creek bank empty except for a cloth shirt and a metal stake of some kind but the woman was gone. “Wha?” He lurched forward out of instinct and his feet fell considerably deeper into the water giving him enough of a fright to shout “Ah! Wha!?” he yelped as he gave a few treads of his legs and swam to shallower ground on the opposite side of the creek. He pulled himself up to the bank and struggled as his black bodysuit was now soaked and partially filled with the water making his body much more heavy and sluggish. Vanders picked up the stake made of metal and saw a piece of grav couch made up one end. He tossed it aside and picked up the small white shirt the woman and been wearing, he clenched his fist for a moment then turned 360 degrees to find her but she was no where in site. “Lying scum.” he said aloud. A half second after he muttered the words a splash came from the creek and he turned his attention and his pistol to water. Something a few meters up the river. Vanders realized it was the rebel she slipped back in the water. He almost decided to let her go, but his honor of his mind suddenly rang of his comrades and he dashed up the bank to capture the rebel. As he sprinted he noticed an obelisk structure between the bank and the tree line and then turned back to search where the splash had come. His pistol held out in front of him he gritted his teeth. When his instincts got the better of him and he quickly turned around back towards the obelisk only to see the large blue arcing waves of energy hit him and shove him back over a meter into the water. “Ungh” was his only word as he splashed backwards into the river his grip on the SE-14C let go and it splashed into the water with him as he lost consciousness he heard the rebel woman's voice say something but his burning nervous system made it unrecognizable as vision went black.
   Aerrel had watched the ambitious young man run past her as she crouched behind the rune covered obelisk. He was too inexperienced she noted to herself and when her time came she pounced. She gave the young man credit though. He figured it out just a bit too late as she shot him with her blasters stun setting. “Now what to do...” Aerrel thought to herself. She's lost in a forest with dangerous arachnids with no contact from her fellow Alliance at all and now this young imperial fellow disgraced himself for her. Aerrel chuckled at that last part, it had been a kind of slang saying at the academy. That's when the thoughts of those rough years came back and she looked at the young man laying face up and slowly starting to sink into the water. After a few more moments of contemplation she sighed and waded into the water and grabbed the young man's blaster in one hand and tossed it to the creek bank and then grabbed his suits collar and hauled him onto the dry bank as well. She noted he was a lot heavier with the water in his suit but also because his frame was heavier and more athletic then the imperial jump suit revealed. Aerrel went back to her crutch and donned her shirt and flight suit again. She tried her comm link again but this time she heard it come through the unconscious man's helmet. “So that's how...” Her mind trailed off as she realized she had given him a map to find her trying the comm-link so much. She'd wait a while from now to try again. Aerrel almost decided to leave the imperial here but her compassion weighed heavy and instead she sat at the creek bank and waited until the young man's groans of unconscious pain turned into light snoring of exhausted sleep. “The things we do... “ She said to herself as she started stripping the man from his flight suit and helmet.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on September 07, 2018, 02:40:11 AM
Wow, great update. Let me go share this. I am gonna try to read this at my lunch break and leave better comments.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on November 12, 2018, 07:14:01 PM
Small update today as I finish the 1st battle of Rally point Alpha for next week sometime hehe. :D

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IIC Slipstream...

While the stormtrooper guards shoved Lt. Klavine through the corridors of the Interdictor cruiser Slipstream he almost didn't notice the thick gloved stormtrooper's hands were no longer on his back. The troopers had been holding the side of their skull like helmets to their ears to make sure the incoming orders in them were heard clearly.
   Klavine's thoughts were of his comrades back on the planet, “Which ever planet it was” he thought. He didn't even know the name of the place he had lost many of his friends and fellow alliance combatants. Klavine hoped for a second they'd shoot him already and be done with it. After another stray thought creeped into his mind he hoped the attractive first officer would be there to watch him die. He'd give her and the rest of these imps a show Klavine thought. A moment later he realized he wasn't being taken back to the small container cell he was previously inside. He was being moved to the living quarters of the Interdictor. For another second a more lewd stray thought crossed Klavine's mind about the first officer when he was stopped in front of an officer's quarters.

Klavine held in his smirk but any additional carnal thoughts were dashed when the door opened and inside the mid-sized quarters the aged white haired man with a bushy mustache sat in a chair in front of a small display console. “Ah, come in lad.” Admiral Sequa said from the chair waving Klavine and the troopers inside “You may go.” Sequa said with a nod towards the pair of stormtroopers who nodded an acknowledgment and spun on their heels and exited the quarters. “You...” Was all Klavine could get out of his mouth as his mind tried to find the words to put together a coherent thought. Sequa gave a half chuckle and pointed over towards a small pile of clothes on a desk in front of a mirrored vanity alcove in the side of the quarter's wall. As the thoughts to rush at the Admiral dulled Klavine walked over to the clothes he noticed it wasn't a pile but a grey imperial jumpsuit that technicians wore and a pair of legging socks that were too long for him but Klavine would make work. Klavine finished dressing and stood there a moment as Sequa raised an arm over the back of the chair he was sitting in looking at the back of Klavine “Well?” was all Sequa asked and Klavine gave a half nod and turned around. The grey jumpsuit fit well enough but Klavine kept the collar undone letting him look slightly more dishelved then Imperial regulation would allow a normal tech “Why?” Klavine answered Sequa's one word question in turn with a one word answer. “Because civilized people treat others like people and not animals.” Sequa said in a slightly gruff tone. Klavine pointed to the small sleeping bed with a boxy metal gray frame around it protruding from the side of the wall next to the small vanity alcove “May I?” Sequa nodded “Of course, I must say. You handled yourself better then I would.” The elder man said.
   Klavine took a seat on the edge of the bed, it was made with the coverings tightly binded to the folds and edges as imperial doctrine would demand of recruits and most young officers. Sequa as an admiral wouldn't have to worry about a superior officer condemning him for it but he seems to kept the habit all these years. “How so?” Klavine asked towards Sequa giving him a half inquisitive look and also taking note of any weapons near the small display console in case he needed to fight his way out of the Admiral's quarters. Sequa gave a stroke to his bushy white mustache and gave his wrinkled face a small squint as he replied “I'd have done what you were thinking on your capture, opening up my cockpit canopy with blasters blazing taking out as many of those clank-...err. Enemies as I could before I was torched.” Sequa said with a whimsical tone giving a small smile under his mustache after finishing the words. Klavine nodded back at the Admiral remembering when he was captured by the Imperials it was something he had seriously considered as soon as the tractor beams disengaged when Klavin's A-wing was secured in the Slipstream's hold. “Well, I have a bit of life I still wish to live.” Klavine replied as the thoughts of the previous days events took hold and the gigantic flash of the second Death Star filled the view of the ships and fighters of the Alliance fleet. Klavine for the first time felt there was truly a second chance to live life again at that moment. It was one of the things he thought about when he decided not to die guns blazing in the Slipstream's grasp. He wanted to live long enough to see the Empire fall. Sequa gave a sigh from under his mustache at Klavine's reply “You think you'd live long enough for a second life after the Empire's rule is retracted eh?” Which Klavine stayed silent for but from his surprising reaction Sequa realized he'd hit the target dead on. “Lad, your grandchildren may be able to live in a life without Imperial rule, but destroying the Emperor and his massive folly's of death won't bring the Empire to it's knees.” Sequa countered. “It's a good start!” Klavine replied quickly letting the blood rush to his head as he felt anger start to brew within him. “Come look at the holonet.” Sequa said waving Klavine over to the console display. Klavine was surprised at how casually the imperial admiral was acting. Was he so sure Klavine wouldn't rush him and wound the old man? No, Klavine wasn't that kind of person and he realized the Admiral realized that to. After a moment of thought Klavine rose and walked over to the Admiral's desk where the small console was displaying information of a battle at a Sentry Moon in the Endor system. “See, here were the reporting on details start.” Sequa said pointing to the small text on the screen. 

[[[[[[[[[[“Reports of a massive clash crippling the Rebel Alliance fleet in the Endor system has come in from the Imperial Security Bureau's announcements. It's estimated over 90% of the small rebel fleet was destroyed with the rest running into hiding from the devastating blow the Empires' best strike fleet, Lord Vader's Death's Head. The fleet's flagship the Executor was said to have laid the deathblow against the rebel's flagship. Casualty reports are estimated to be moderate to low as Lord Vader's fleet is expected to rearm and pursue the remnants of the rebel fleet.]]]]]]]]]]

Klavine leaned up from the display disgusted “Lies, someone will know.” Sequa gave a nod and a chuckle “Of course people will know the truth. But the truth is hard to decipher from facts laced with propaganda.” Klavine gritted his teeth he almost demanded the admiral send him away back to his holding cell. But he hesitated thinking of the Admiral's words about being civilized “This is what you wanted me to see?!” Klavine said with a tinge of anger in his voice. Sequa shook his head as he leaned back in his chair “Soon the reports will dwindle and in a half year the reports of the battle will have been forgotten as the hierarchy changes over with the head of the Empire finding it's footing again. You and your friends are quite the disturbers of civilized people. You may make your gains eventually but it will take more then the Emperor's death.” Sequa finished. Klavine gave a half sneer thinking this imperial was mocking him and the cause, a cause Klavine remembered was worth fighting for. The freeing of worlds across the galaxy and bringing an end to the tyranny of the Empire's rule. “Our gains will be faster then that. You imps have a habit of underestimating people who are willing to die for their beliefs.” Klavine said as dignified as he could. In the back of his mind the images of dead friends and destroyed cities filled his mind with anger. “You may be right about that. The others do have a bad habit of believing their impervious to destruction caused by you and your friends.” Klavine noticed unlike most imperials he's interrogated Sequa didn't call him a traitor, or scum like so many other imperials had done. In fact after the scene on the bridge Sequa had been quite cordial with him. “You wanted me to discuss propaganda and how long it could last?” Klavine asked in an annoyed tone as he tired of this game Sequa was playing. “Partially young man. You see, I have few humor's in my old life left and the moment I saw the you and the way you knew how to anger others around you I knew you were a man of refined tastes. Klavine crooked an eyebrow unsure of what the imperial was speaking about. He always acted cocky, most fighter pilots do. But why was it important to this admiral? Sequa reach over and punched the latch button on one of the desk's drawers and it opened in a slow mechanical motion. Inside of it Sequa pulled out a small black imperial technician cap, some data cylinders and a data pad “I want to give you a chance to live.” Klavine's brow furrowed at the notion of this admiral “You are a fool if you think I'm joining the Empire.” Klavine said coldly as he started to scan the rest of the room for something he could use as a weapon if this offer of Sequa's was one he couldn't refuse. “No no, nothing as esteemed as that.” Sequa continued “I need you to spy for the Alliance.” Sequa said reaching the datapad outward towards Klavine. Klavine took the datapad bewildered and looked at the information. “You want me to spy on the Empire? For the Alliance?” Klavine said almost lost to the turn of events in this admiral's quarters. “No, not just the Alliance and for myself. From this moment consider yourself a member of FOCI.” Sequa said in a very serious tone.
   The name FOCI rang so hard in Klavine's head he felt the chills go down his body. FOCI was the best of the best spy intelligence in the Galaxy. Not just the Alliance but everywhere into everything. They were hard to find, even harder to evade. He remembered reports they intercepted from ISB about trying to track it's members and the group was always one step ahead of the imps evading ensarement. Now as the realization that FOCI was made of possible high ranking Imperial fifth columnists inside the Empire it's slightly more clear how the members staved off capture for so long. Klavine realized his mouth was agape after a few seconds and closed it with a swallow. “H-How?” Sequa leaned over his desk and closed the drawer. Sequa simply looked up the much younger man and shook his head “A story I can't go into here nor would you want to wait the hours it would take to tell. Needless to say. You will be under my mentorship and you cannot report back to your Alliance forces right away.” Sequa said. The strange numbness washed over Klavine as he was accustomed to staying in deep cover on covert missions with Dryce's Deck but being offered such a mission while imprisoned was a first. Klavine gave a long winded exhale as he looked at the datapad filled with information on imperial armament and locations. Klavine looked up at the bushy mustached admiral as he spoke again “And I should trust you because?” he said in a monotone. Sequa gave a half smirk under his mustache and turned back to his display “Because if I had any suspicions you'd decline my offer or attack me the pair of troopers standing outside the door I dismissed earlier would come in blasters blazing for you.” Klavine remembered the troopers not questioning why the Admiral would be allowed with the prisoner, perhaps they were conspirators as well. “Are they?” Klavine said inquiring about the troopers. “No, they're good little Imperials like most of them are. A tool to be used for one purpose or another.” Sequa said almost relaying a coincidental tone to his words as Klavine understood the phrase's double meaning “I... see.” Klavine said now with that twinge of anger subdued and replaced with dread. “What if I do decline?” Klavine said in a curt tone to see how far Sequa would go along with his request. Sequa turned back towards Klavine and gave him a deathly stare with his brow lowered and his mustache slanted down on the sides showing the Admiral's frown “Then I'd have the troopers kill you and throw you out of an airlock to ensure no chance of survival now that you know what you do.” Sequa finished. Klavine realized it was indeed an offer he couldn't refuse “Well then no need to worry about the troopers. You have yourself a spy.” Klavine agreed with a slightly reluctant tone to his voice. Sequa nodded and turned pressing a button on the controls on the console in front of the display screen “6854, our guest will be leaving shortly show him to his quarters.” Sequa said aloud into the comm button. A moment later the pair of stormtroopers returned and one put a hand on Klavine's shoulder “Come along.” the troopers microphoned voice said from under his helmet. Klavine gave a long sigh and nodded tucking the datapad inside the opened front of the gray jumpsuit.
        As he turned and was lead out of Admiral Sequa's quarters he was lead down another few corridors until he was shown to a door of non commissioned officer's barracks and was lead inside. The small cramped quarters were desolate, a small sleeping bed and smaller version of the mirror vanity similar to the one in Admiral Sequa's chambers. But for now, this was where he'd have to start the next steps to getting away and back to the Alliance. Klavine sat on the bed as the door closed behind the stormtrooper escorts as they left the room, he heard their metal boots clanging on the deck hull as they trailed off. Klavine remembered a phrase Ariel would say to him whenever he would get himself into trouble and she'd have to give him advice to get out...  “The things we do...”.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on November 13, 2018, 03:01:36 AM
Time to go share.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on January 05, 2019, 12:41:04 PM
So I've had an update but it was smaller and not too exciting like the last one. So i'm deciding to instead wait and release it with a larger portion of the story with more blasters and pew-pewing.

Since I love action figures (This is ISY of course) I plan to set it up for a PN. Not sure if I should condense the story or just post a few images for each wall of text.. meh ill figure something out.

Here's some of the human cast (no mon cala's nor Arachnid beasts customed yet- but the base items have been started heh) most of those painted up have already shown up in the story so far.

(https://dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/cast-in-resin-e1546717227742.jpg?w=450)
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on January 06, 2019, 07:07:43 AM
They look great to me.

Off to share the update.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on January 09, 2019, 12:44:17 AM
Blue Lead in flight Top Secret...

The comm chatter had faded away a few minutes earlier as the Koyensayer Y-wing had sped out of range of the crashed Alliance ship Riptide. Once the Y-wing's home, the great ship now rested at the edge of a ravine on the side of a forest covered mountain.
   Inside the low flying Y-wing Commander Vorm went over the plans again. It was a very dubious plan created by Captain Barrax but it was marked essential and with the Imps laying off the Riptide after the pasting they took the previous night he doubt they'd be so quick to try again. As Vorm toggled through the flight plans some static came through his comm-channels on the emergency frequency. “Zzzzzt.... sshhhhh ---liance personnel on planet please respond. This is Alliance flight to any Alliance personnel on planet please reply.” The initial shock of the message quickly faded from Vorm's mind as he reach for the transmitter to reply. After another quick milisecond he stopped himself. Vorm had almost let his mission go and broke transmission silence as was per the Captain's orders. “Please respond. Alliance surviving personnel, please respond.” The voice said however this time more faded then the first time. Perhaps the scout ship was moving away from his location Vorm thought to himself.
   The thought of him not responding because of orders and the Riptide's crew missing it's chance to get off his rock was a not a chance he was willing to take. Vorm reach over with his webbed hand and clicked on the transmitter “This is Blue Lead from Riptide calling out for pick up of Alliance personnel including senior officers. Glad you found us!” Vorm said with a smile starting to form on the edges of his mon cala mouth. The voice came back through the comm speaker slightly faded “Good to see you're still alive Blue Lead! Send us coordinates for dust up and we'll grab any and all from yours and the Clarion's group.” The other Alliance pilot's mention of the Clarion caught Vorm offguard. None from the Clarion seemed to survive its explosion except Dryce and his tactical squad. It was a shame he thought as he clicked his comm speaker to reply “Sending pick up coordinates now!” Vorm announced. Vorm knew he'd could be reprimanded for breaking orders but he was pretty sure in regards to the situation the other senior Alliance officers will overlook it. Vorm looked at his krono and saw he was only a few minutes from his target area. He'd need to find a small clearing to set his Y-wing down.
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Alliance ships...

After a few minutes of sweeping over parts of the half mist covered continent Wedge Antilles was getting anxious. A large red and white gray cloud formation had descended over most of the continent and was playing havoc with his sensors. As if hearing his thoughts his astromech droid R2-A3 chimed and beeped behind him “No, I don't know why the cloud cover is blinding the sensors. I wish I did.” he replied back. The green domed astromech droid swiveled it sensors around trying to rescan the surrounding red and white misty clouds starting to stick to its body and the body of Wedge's T-65 Incom X-wing when suddenly it stopped. Wedge was in the middle of a half turn when R2-A3 started chiming and whirling excitedly “What is it A3?” Wedge asked. A few seconds later the information came across Wedge's screen showing other alliance ships have made contact with the Riptide survivors “Thank the skies, lets recall everyone and get down there quick.” Wedge finished his sentence with his astromech as it started beeping compliant sounds.
   Wedge clicked on his intercom and transmitted out “General Solo, I think we've got a reading.” he said anxiously, the gruff sounding voice of fellow Corellian captain of the Millennium Falcon came back through Wedges' speakers “I know, we're already heading that way. Lets get them and get out of here.” the agitated voice of Han Solo replied. Wedge noticed the slight annoyance in Han's demeanor. Han and everyone were still on edge since the destruction of the second Death Star but something sounded off with Solo he thought as he clicked back his reply in the comm-channel “Everything alright sir?” he said in a half questioning tone “I don't know, I got a bad feeling about this.” Han replied as he held his words a moment and then continued “Wedge stay off the ground as long as you can, Chewy, Lando and I will meet with the alliance survivors and make pick up runs. I want to make sure we have someone in the air with experience. There's no signs of imperials but that doesn't mean they aren't here.” Han said quickly back into the comm. Wedge gave a nod to the statement of Han's and replied “Right with you boss.” he acknowledged and turned his comm to the squadron's channel. “Red, Gold, Grey and Green squadrons form up. I want Red and Gold running umbrella cover for the Falcon and any shuttling of survivors found. Grey and Green will be escort duty for the shuttles and Falcon in question.”
   Wedge winced as he said the words knowing the responses he'd get back through the channel as audible groans and curses came through as pilots of the squadrons learned they wouldn't be going back to the frigate or the fleet anytime soon. “Sir Green 4 and 5 are still in the middle of that dense cloud cover moving west across the continent.” The voice of a young pilot said through the intercom. Wedge's mind clicked to remember the pilot, a young man named Jezter from Corellia was his name Wedge remembered because as a fellow Corellian he appreciated pilots coming from his and General Solo's home planet as someone to set an example for. Wedge replied back through the com-channel “We'll go without them, if they can't be reach through normal channels when they come out of the mist clouds we'll give them their orders.” He said confidently then turned his X-wing to form up with the rest of the Red and Gold squadrons heading to the eastern part of the small continent for cover flying.


-

ICC Slipstream...

The view ports were so densely covered in the small red and white cloudy dust particles that Commander Faraday could barely make out shapes of the misty clouds the Interdictor cruiser Slipstream hid inside. Out of the cloud system an Alliance light frigate and few patchwork squadrons of Alliance fighters had swarmed into the system in search of their missing comrades. Much like Faraday brought the Slipstream to this planet in search of her brother. A pilot aboard the now crashed ISD Kuomo.
   “Commander... look.” a red haired technician wearing a light gray suit and black cap said pointed to the barely visible exhaust fumes of a Y-wing slowly tracking out of the cloud system. Faraday turned and gave the young man a nod before her gazed returned to stair through the heavily covered viewports. Faraday's eyes tracked to the left as she saw the white-blue power exhausting from the alliance fighters engines as it tracked away slowly getting smaller and smaller in the distance. Faraday thought for a moment and turned to the technician again “Where was the other one? The A-wing.” she said in quick questioning tone. The technician gave a hum and shook his head unable to locate it. Faraday turned back to the mist covered viewport and watched as the pair of whiteblue lights from the Y-wings engines flew out of vision into the mist. Suddenly the loud hum pair of engines zipped past and over the viewports as the pair of engines of the other alliance fighter had come so close to the Slipstream it had nearly collided with it. Faraday instinctively bent half over as the triangular shape of the A-wing buzzed by and continued its exit vector following a similar path as the Y-wing had just moments earlier. “It, it didn't see us.” Faraday said with a slight relief to her tone. “N-no ma'am. It's sensors and scanners are just as blind as we are so unless it saw us and even then with all the particles of this cloud system attached to our hull, it wouldn't be easy to tell us apart from the rest of the clouds unless he knew what to look for.” The technician replied with his long winded explanation. Faraday winced at the image of the A-wings white blue engine exhaust zipping out to the edge of the clouds much quicker then the Y-wing had. “Fine...” was all Faraday replied with as an annoyed expression draped over her face.
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Northern Rally point...

It had been roughly 10 minutes since Commander Araed had departed the other 7 members of the biker scout squadron on what she said was secondary objective she'd been given Araed told TK1979 Corporal Zaym. The coordinates she gave for a rendezvous point was quickly approaching and Zaym realized that the group would have to stop momentarily to wait for Commander Araed to reassemble with the rest of the squad.

Aread raced across the red sand. The few rays of sunlight still uncovered by the forming red and white clouds peppering the small red sand dunes as she zipped across the landscape heading towards the pair of sentinel shuttles at the northern section of the Rally point. She had thought the time would be on her side but realized too late the sand dunes constant sliding and moving under the speeder bikes' repulsor's slows its speed allowing the bike to compensate and adjust itself for the moving ground beneath it. Araed cursed as her timer for the 10 minute mark chimed in her helmet. She could see in the distance the pair of large tri-winged troop carrier shuttles that was her destination. “He's in one of them.” Aread thought to herself. As Aread reach the pair of shuttles she took note of their orientation. Each shuttle sat about 20 meters apart facing inward to the wide lengthy encirclement of vehicles and equipment.
   Araed noticed that the shuttles were nearly isolated from the rest of the vehicles and equipment as the nearest eyes to watch the shuttles were only a heavily damaged Tie Fighter on a portable rack and a large area of container crates.  Araed assumed the shuttles would need a large area to lift off with considering their large wingspans and that place would work to her advantage she thought. Araed sped to a stop between the pair of shuttles one turned slightly adjacent to the center of the rally point. Araed saw a pair of footprints leading to and from one of the shuttles platform ramp and deduced this was where Gridon was being held. Araed zipped her bike around the back end of the damaged tie fighter in its P.L.R. cradle vehicle and dashed quickly back to the sentinel shuttle's in question boarding ramp. She pulled out her small boot blaster in case of trouble and made her way up the ramp to the sentinel's hatch and keyed the controls opening it.
   Inside Araed stopped slightly concerned as the body of an imperial trooper wearing a black uniform and recognizable black mushroomed helmet lay just inside the shuttles opening face down on the hull. A scorched blaster shot in the middle of his back and a tray of rations was strewn about the small loading area of the shuttle. Araed also took note that the dead had trooper had an empty blaster holster.
   Aread quickly shook off her surprise and stepped deeper into the shuttle passing the cargo area and troop seating. As she neared the cockpit another pair of bodies laid strewn out just before the cockpit. The pair of men were wearing black body suits and half dressed in pieces of stormtrooper armor. Each had taken a blaster shot to their head.
   Araed gave a small frown as she continued to the cockpit. The soft sounds of buttons and switches being activated and the electric whir of the shuttle's internal controls coming to life. Araed held a moment as a pair of figures in each of the pilot seats came into view. Another imperial trooper with his large mushroom shaped helmet sitting on the control panel in front of him. He was a young man with dark brown hair wearing a blaster in his holster as he leaned forward in the pilot's chair clicking on the shuttles' controls in what Araed assumed was the start up sequence. Sitting in the copilot's seat sat the olive drab uniformed figure of Major Gridon who also had a blaster holstered on his side that Araed realized was the dead imperial trooper's at the shuttle's entryway. Aread eased her blaster and reach over to the hull of the shuttle and gave it a few loud knocks.
    The trooper in the pilot seat turned around quickly and reach for his blaster as fast as he could but stopped when Gridon's hand reach quickly over and grabbed his arm. The trooper looked up and Gridon shook his head at the younger man “No need.” Was Gridon's order to the trooper. “Why are you hear Fajro?” Gridon said in a slightly bemused tone. Major Araed gave the slightest of smirks hearing her given name “I came for information.” She said in a very monotone voice as she kept her hand holding her blaster at her waist but ready to use if needed. “Information?” Gridon gave an almost surprised reply “You're not here on Kai's orders?” Gridon asked her. Araed shook her head as she replied “He never trusted me, nor did you.” she finished. The words washed over Gridon as he suspected the double meaning behind them. “What do you want?” Gridon replied in a slightly annoyed tone. Araed felt a warm feeling rush through her cool demeanor. She was unsure why but the feeling of hatred boiled her blood as she felt the words start to come from her lips “I want to know where Kai's brother is.” Gridon gave a long hard look at the flushing red cheeks of Araed as her nose flared finishing the words. Gridon always found the woman very attractive with her bright blond hair and round dimples. But now he saw her features turn to that of scorn that passed through her cheeks and eyes. Gridon gave a quick look to the trooper in the pilot seat and nodded towards the controls letting the younger man know to continue the start up sequence.
   As Gridon turned back towards Araed he almost thought about telling her outright. But it seems her intelligence connections have revealed his identity to her. “Kai's older brother is still on Couscant he's stationed with---” “NO!” Araed said in a short loud shout catching the attention of the trooper again as he turned back looking at Gridon and Araed. “Where is his younger brother!?” She demanded “Where is Rezikai!” Gridon gave a defeated huff. Gridon let his expression soften as old thoughts of Araed's previous imperial intelligence work come to mind. He gave a long sigh as he replied “You were adored among the imperial hierarchy and set on track to be a powerful agent for multiple figures on Coruscant. Why?... Why worry where a worthless pirate is?” Araed felt the heat inside her face draw to a numbing pain as she gritted her teeth trying to hold in her hated thoughts flowing through her mind “My vices are mine own. Yours as a procurer of information for your... organization. But information doesn't help one get off this rock. Or give you enough rations to survive trekking this continent or fuel to jump to a safe system.” She huffed.
   Gridon took a long inhale at Araed's words. She was correct of course but under normal circumstances her openly speaking about FOCI even in an indirect way would mean her immediate death by any means necessary. However in this very stressed situation Gridon understood that a shootout in the middle of the shuttle cockpit could wound him and worse damage the cockpit controls. He weighed his options for half a second and decided to give his friend what she wished “He's part of some small time pirate group working the Vedel belt caravans.” Araed gave a sigh and she nodded as she kept her hand on her blaster “I appreciate that Mal.” Gridon nodded a reply as Aread used his given name as well and what it meant “If we never see each other again, I thank you for this.” Araed finished and started to back away without turning her back. Gridon nodded and called out to her “You waste your talents on vagabonds and brigands Fajro.” Gridon finished as Araed backed into the darkness of the shuttles troop area and then he heard the rampway and door retract and shut.
   Gridon turned back towards the trooper finishing the start up sequences and ordered him to take off when the shuttle is ready. For a split second Gridon thought he heard movement from the darker rear of the shuttles troop area. He gave a measured inhale as his mind tracked on what it could be. He didn't believe Araed had stowed away but one of the bodies may have been moved as she left. Gridon thought for a moment on the conversation with Araed and the use of their given names and not ranks. Somewhere deep in his consciousness he was glad she was leaving imperial service. He always liked Fajro Araed, but not for imperial military. She was too used to using others for her own pleasures and gains at her level to be effective as a combat leader he thought to himself. As the thought passed Commander Karamat's face and voice flashed through his mind and he gritted his teeth in disgust. “Get us airborne soon, we'll have a rendezvous point already waiting for us once we're airborne” Gridon ordered to the trooper in the pilot seat.
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Kumo survivor's column...

As the midday sun was continually being darkened by the red and white cloud overcast Vishar let a small feeling of dread become a large one. He turned towards Captain Kai where both men and nearly a half dozen others rode atop an imperial troop transport's hull. Vishar's dread must have come across his face as Kai finally broke his silence and remarked on it “You're right to be worried Vishar. The overcast will eventually allow our arachnid friends to move from their holes to come out into the open if the overcast becomes thick enough.” Vishar gave a nod from under his black cap. He was amazed that the captain could be so calm about the possible threat of those horrific creatures returning. “We'll be safe once we hit the peninsula, the beasts won't follow us passed the rocky crags leading into it.” Kai said. “They won't?” Vishar said asking. Kai kept his eyes towards the quickly approaching rocky crags and ridges leading the sandy beaches and adjoining grasslands into the red sandy peninsula “The creatures won't tread into the red sands, it's toxic to them.” Kai finished. Vishar gave another nod and turned towards his view towards the east where the savannah grasslands were slowly transitioning to more dry cracked ground of the craggy ridges they were quickly coming up to. Vishar wondered how the captain knew about the creatures weakness but not dared question him openly. Perhaps not at all.
   Kai noticed Vishar's worried look and gave a wince as he continued speaking towards the seemingly frightened crewman looking into the grasslands “I'd be more worried about the rebel ships retaliating from the tie fighter raid.” Kai said. Vishar turned back towards Kai nodding. Kai continued speaking as Vishar seemed to take to the conversation change “Long ago this planet was inhabited by a sentient race that went extinct and the arachnoids here were not originally part of this world's history. They assumed this would be one of the worlds they would colonize should the Old Republic find their homeworld. The planet however has some strange attributes, with sun rays that damage the arachnoids exoskeleton and certain areas of the continent itself that has massive drains on fuel and power not to mention our friend above.” Kai said pointing up at the red and white overcast. Vishar gave Captain Kai an inquisitive look and Kai nodded “It's alive to a certain point as well. One could say the draining ebb of the planet itself may be a form of life itself, but that's a tale for another time.” Kai finished. Vishar gave a confused look but Kai turned back towards the oncoming scenery.
   A moment later Captain Kai's small hand communicator chimed and Kai held it up to his face. On the other end was Commander Karamat. An expression of relief washed over Kai's face but Vishar couldn't tell if it was due to the knowledge they were in short range communication's range or that Karamat was contacting them.
    Kai's facial expression would have been humorous to anyone watching as he tried to hide his satisfied look on his face. After a few moments of listening to her report he told the Commander to wait a moment and he'd reply via the troop transport's communication transmitter. Kai opened the ITT's top hatch and climbed down the ladder in measured movements as the ITT jolted across the now cracked ground under it. Kai reach the inside of the transport and turned towards the cockpit ordering the driver to hail the Commander's com-channel as he did. Kai waved Vishar to follow and the technician climbed down the entry ladder as well leaving the mass of troops and crewman still riding on top of the ITT's hull.
   Inside the ITT Kai made his way to the cockpit. Once there he punched up the communication channel that was audio only. After a half second Karamat's strict breathy female voice came over the speaker. “Apologies Captain.” Kai shook his head as he stared out the high and horizontal view-ports of the ITT. He reach down and clicked on the transmitter to reply. “None needed. So this IIC disappeared after the Rebel ships entered the system?” Kai said replying to the information Karamat gave over the hand communicator. Karamat's voice came in a more annoyed tone “It did, we got a partial reading on it with our limited sensor sweeps before we lost it.” she replied. “What did you pick up?” Kai asked. Karamat's tone didn't change as she gave her response “Apparently it was the IIC Slipstream. But why an Interdictor is out here is unknown to me. Perhaps an ISB op we weren't cleared for?” Karamat said.
   Kai shook his head as he turned towards Vishar who had a blank look on his face as well. But Kai knew why, just by the name “No, Commander it's not gone. At least not far if it is. I suspect it has something to do with the odd cloud cover engulfing this small continent.” Karamat gave a half second pause before replying “You think the commander of the vessel took it into the overcast for cover?” Karamat said with an enlightened tone. She obviously knew from the sensor sweeps she had tried to do that the cloud cover was reeking havoc with their readings. Kai gave a nod as he replied “I do. It's in there, it knew better not to get ambushed by some curious Rebel ships coming into the system.” Kai countered. Karamat continued with a twinge of anger in her icy tone “Yes, we read them. However they seem to be heading towards the far end of the continent where the rebel cruiser crashed. They may miss us all together.” Karamat replied. Kai gave a nod as he spoke back to the command station speaker “They may, but the rebels at the crash will tell them we're alive enough on our side of the continent to launch a small raid on their position with tie fighters.” Karamat gave an audible exhale through the speaker “That's why he needed to be reigned in years ago.” Karamat said letting that twinge of anger in her voice start to pierce through her words. Kai gave a half frown as he replied “Believe me, I tried. But old grudges are not an issue we have the luxury of taking care of today. I want you to move your armor into the east end of the peninsula where the sand meets the rocky crags leading into the grasslands. We'll be traversing passed you as you do. Then I want every available fighter craft prepped for combat should the rebels decide to come finish us off.” Kai said in a authoritative tone.
   Vishar took note of the easy laid back tone Kai had usually kept was now changed into that of a commander over troops stressing his words towards subordinates. Karamat gave a quick reply back “Understood do we launch for counter attack now?” She asked. Kai put his hand to his mouth in thought and replied “All but old Moon 1.” he finished. The next few seconds of dead air of the speaker seemed like hours to Vishar it was odd for Karamat not to reply to an order “Are you sure about that... Captain?” She replied as if the message had an underlying meaning to it. Kai gave a have smirk as he retorted to the speaker “Of course. Make sure your armor has good defilade from their aerial support.” Karamat's voice started to say something when another chime came in over Kai's communicator. Kai clicked it on as he held it to his face. The voice on the other end was TK1979 Corporal Zaym. “Hold a moment Commander. Go on corporal.” After a few moments of information being relayed to Kai his face flashed a rare glimpse of visible anger and he replied quickly into the communicator “If she's not back in 10 minutes you push on without her. Kai out!” he clamped onto the communicator as he turned back towards the speaker “Commander, make sure Gridon is secure. Also find Lieutenant Faraday for a briefing when I arrive which will be momentarily. After those are complete take your armor into position.” Kai finished. Karamat's voice gave a slight twinge of confusion “Understood Captain.” she finished in a monotone voice. Kai gave a half wince at the confusing orders he had to give and replied “We'll wave as we pass you on the way in.” he said. Karamat didn't respond to the humor the Captain tried and her icy tone had returned “Karamat out.” as the speaker crackled back dead. Kai gave a long frustrated sigh and turned to Vishar “Arm all personnel we can as we come into the rally-point.” he said towards Vishar who nodded an acknowledgment but had an unsure expression on his face. “With any luck, nothing will happen.” Kai finished.
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Riptide crash site...

“Sir! Please! Captain Barrax!” Commander Shellish pleaded towards Captain Barrax as the Captain walked from the command station's cave entrance into the open midday air. Shellish followed closely behind slightly unintentional as Captain Barrax was taking slow measured steps. “We have to make contact with any Alliance vessels regardless if LONGSPEAR has sent them back or not!” Shellish shouted as Barrax slowly tread his bare webbed feet onto the grassy sloping ground that protruded from the edge of the cave leading down towards the Riptide's crash. But Barrax jerked his knees and weight as he took steps down the mountain side. “No need, our help is... coming.” Barrax said in a monotone emotionless voice. Shellish couldn't believe what he was hearing “Sir respectfully, if this is about FOCI again we already have the information of Alliance ships in the system.” Shellish said slowly following Barrax into the grass. “They are enemies! I will hear it... no long..er.” Barrax said as he continued passed pieces of equipment and technicians moving parts and materials into the mountains caves. It was more difficult to hear Barrax as he didn't rase his tone even out in the open where the sounds of crewers working on equipment with welders and spanners and technicians shouting instructions to each other on repair work.
   Shellish gave a frustrated huff and stood there stunned at the Captain's actions. As he stood there Lieutenant Plosshim came over with a few ground crew carrying equipment. The Moncalamari officer Lt. Plosshim had been recovering damage parts from Riptide since the Tie fighter attack the night before. “What's going on?” he asked Shellish. Shellish stood there stunned until Plosshim's request jolted him back to reality. “Th-the Captain won't let us contact the Alliance ships that entered the system a few minutes ago so we can be rescued.” Shellish said in a dry tone as he kept his gaze on Barrax now walking passed the corner of the Riptide's aft hull and strode into the shaded area near the treeline. Plosshim was unsure of the issue “If the Captain says not to contact them, he's probably got a good reason for it. Imp trap to get a fix on our site maybe.” Shellish shook his head “You don't understand something's different.” Shellish said with a grumble. Shellish trotted after Barrax leaving Plosshim and the technicians behind. He strode quickly, easily covering the ground Barrax had traversed in a few moments. As Shellish got within a few meters of Barrax he shouted out to the Captain “Sir! Why?!” Shellish contested. Barrax didn't seem to even hear the first officers barking request and turned his large fisheye head back and forth reviewing the treeline. It was when Barrax scanned his eyes back towards the Riptide he saw Shellish yelling his demand. Barrax's ignored the first officers request and simply turned back towards the treeline and his large squidlike head nodded towards the tree trunks.
  Just as Shellish was about to scream at the Captain he was stopped by a shout behind him as communication officer Tarris came running out of the cave sprinting down the grassy hillside. Her beige mon-cala uniform getting grass stains on her white boots as she passed by Lt. Plosshim chasing after Barrax and Shellish “Captain! We've received word from the Alliance ships! They made contact with Lieutenant Vorm on his way out. They're confirmed friendlies!” She pleaded towards Barrax as she came to a stop next to Shellish, Plosshim and the pair of technicians with him also came across the grass hillside to stand behind her and Shellish. “Sir please!” Shellish added to convince the Captain. “I don't trust LONGSPEAR they will harm us!” Barrax replied now with a loud voice that sounded scratchy and airy in his tone. Shellish gave a confused look, did he think Vorm was designated LONGSPEAR ? No. He knew he had sent Vorm on a mission to pick up an imperial ally. “Sir, with respects. Are you ill?” Shellish replied back towards Barrax. The request brought nothing but silence from Barrax who had his attention towards the tree line as the shadow of the overcast red and white mist was slowly pulling a shadow across the grass from the treeline to the Riptides hull. “Sir, we have Alliance ships inbound. Multiple fighters and General Solo's freighter will be here momentarily.” Tarris said to Commander Shellish. Shellish nodded towards Tarris thanking her for the information “Well that's it then. They'll be here for pick up and get us off this rock.” he said towards Barrax who had turned away from them and started walking into the treeline. Shellish shook his head “He's lost it, Plosshim go back and start the evac procedures for our personnel. Tarris make contact with the General Solo's ships and bring guide them in.” “Yes sir.” Tarris said turning and sprinting back towards the command station's cave. Plosshim and the pair of mon-calamari technicians with him stood askew to Tarris as she sprinted passed them before Plosshim spoke up in a confused tone “Is the Captain going to be... “ Plosshim trailed off as Shellish held up a webbed hand towards him. “Go get started. I'll get the Captain. We're getting out of here.” As he finished his sentence Shellish marched off towards the shaded area stretching out from the treeline and entered it following Barrax's steps. Plosshim turned to the pair of techs with him “C'mon. We have to let everyone know to get ready.”
   Inside the command cave Tarris put the comm-channel on speaker so the rest of the technicians in the cave could hear the gruffy voice of General Solo come through. “Good Morning!” Han Solo's cracking and slightly distorted voice came through the speakers as the mon-cala techs smiles and patted each glad and relieved that help had finally arrived. “General Solo, we've got you on the scopes just ride the beam tight.” Tarris replied into her headsets microphone. “Good lets get you folks back to Home One.” Han's said as his voice became much clearer over the speaker. “General, we have birds in the air we'll try and recall them. But keep your eyes and ears up the far side of the continent has plenty of Imp activity from the crashed ISD that went down.” Tarris finished. A few long seconds passed and then a different voice came over the speaker “We logged it when we did a flyover the imps are quiet for right now.” The quick and acute voice of Wedge Antilles chimed in. “Hopefully they stay that way.” Han's voice came through the speaker and a few moments later the loud hum and roar of incom X-wing engines and the Millennium Falcon were heard outside the cave.
   As Tarris and the other technicians came out of the command cave she saw the disc shaped ship of General Solo, the Millennium Falcon started to come down along the hillside near the southern side of the mountain away from the Riptide's crashed hulk. The smaller X-wing and A-wing fighters didn't land but instead went into umbrella covering routes over the landing area. Tarris and Plosshim walked over towards the trio of crew coming out of the Falcon a dark haired Corellian known throughout the Rebellion as General Solo and his co-pilot the tall wookiee Chewbacca. Behind them on the Falcon's loading ramp stood General Calrissian. “Good to see you.” Plosshim called out as them and a small thrawn of Riptide crewers came over to the pilots. Han heard Plosshim call out and waved a greeting towards the group of mon-calamari crewmen coming to meet them. “Alright.” Han shouted as they mon-cala's came up to him. “Are you in command?” Lt. Plosshim shook his large squidlike head “N-no sir, Captain Barrax and Commander Shellish are here but the Captain... strode off somewhere.” Han's neutral expression changed to one of confusion “Strode off? Where to?” Plosshim shrugged “We don't don't exactly know.” Han tilted his head slightly with an annoyed look covering his face “Well why don't you go find out.” Han gave a quick frustrated order. Plosshim nodded and turned back towards the direction of the Riptide's hulk. Communication officer Tarris stood there looking at Han and Chewie as Plosshim turned to walk away before interjecting “Sir, Captain Barrax may be mentally unstable. He was acting in a daze as if he had no care about your caravan of ships arriving.” she blurted out. At this point Lando had walked up to stand between Han and Chewie as he heard Tarris's  statement. “Maybe he's lost it mentally?” Lando said in a low measured tone towards Han. Solo gave an agreeing nod before replying back to Tarris “The first officer was also around somewhere?” Han said in a more inquisitive tone. Tarris nodded and started to speak again “Y-yes he went after the Captain arguing to bring you in. The Captain was sure you were imps setting a trap when we told him you had made contact. The captain wondered into the woods and Commander Shellish went after him.” As Tarris finished her words a half dozen Riptide surviving crewers started to walk up to the Falcon and Tarris, some holding equipment others bare-webbed handed with dirt and soot stained uniforms. “Chewie, get as many as we can on the Falcon and when we're full we'll get them to the frigate.” Han said not turning his eyes from the mon calamari officer. Chewie gave an affirmative roaring moan and waved the mon calamari crewers closing in on the Falcon as the wookiee turned starting to walk up the loading ramp.
   Han and Lando walked up to Tarris flanking each side of her and asked her to show them where the Captain went. Tarris turned and pointed towards the wooded treeline slightly down the sloping hill from the hulk of the Riptide. “C'mon we'll give it a look around but if we can't find them we'll get them last.” Han commented Lando gave an agreeing nod as the three of them started towards the Riptides crashsite. Lando was the next to speak as the trio walked past the edge of Riptides  hull “The ship sure was lucky. Another twenty meters and it may have went over into the ravine.” Lando said pointing down the hull of the Riptide towards its bow. Tarris nodded as she replied “Yes, it was rough, Captain Barrax's quick thinking kept us from being totally destroyed in the crash.” Han gave a half frown and chimed in “Well he had his mind a day ago. I wonder what changed.” Tarris gave a sigh and shook her squid like head “I wish I knew General.”. As Tarris finished her statement the trio reach the edge of the treeline. Han and Lando both took long looks across the the shaded woods and the much darker shadows stretching deep into the forest. The second of silence was accented by Lando giving a measured whistle “I dunno old buddy. I've heard some bad things about what lives on this place.” Han gave a half measured nod with a fearful expression starting to creep into his face. “Well lets just take a quick look and if we don't find anything we'll head out.” Lando gave a nod in Han's direction. Han turned back towards Tarris as he gave her orders “Go back to the rest of the crew and tell Chewie to get the shuttles from the frigate started down here for the rest of the survivors.” Tarris gave a nod and turned striding off towards the command station cave.
   As Han and Lando took a few more steps into the forest treeline both men's eyes darted across the treetops and into the shaded forest floor. The fact the red and white mist cloud overcast was blocking out much of the sun making a red and black shadows in the forest gave it an ominous feel. Lando was the first to draw his blaster from his holster and a milisecond later Han pulled his DL-44 from his holster as well. “Han, I got a bad feeling about this.” Lando said a moment later. “Yea, me to.” Han replied. The pair of men moved deeper into the wood with an uneasy feeling starting to drift into their thoughts.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on January 09, 2019, 05:15:09 AM
Cool deal, I am gonna make sure my  next snow day I get a nice cup of coffee and just sit down and catch up on this. Thanks for sharing and off to the front page.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on April 29, 2019, 01:15:09 AM
As Han Solo and Lando Calrissian walked further under the shadows of the forest's natural canopy the warm colors of the mountain side they had left behind bled away to cooler blues and purples bouncing off green and brown plant life that was well above waist high. A few moments after the pair of men pulled their blasters from their holsters a rustling came from the shaded foliage to their right. Both Han and Lando were startled and pointed their pistols at the shadowy image emerging from the bushes and hanging tree vines. Out stuttered the labored steps of the gray skinned Mon Calamari Captain Barrax. He spoke with his natural graveled voice but in a much softer tone “Men... good you are... here.” The elder Mon Calamari stammered as he seemed to struggle to open his lips to speak. Lando quickly replied “Captain Barrax! We thought something happened to you?”. A moment later movement in the shadows to Han and Lando's left caught Solo's attention. Solo spun to his left to see the shadow emerge from the tree vines and shrubs as Barrax had done a second earlier but on their right. The visage of a bruised and bleeding mon calamari came out of the foliage wearing a white Alliance naval uniform. After less then a second had passed Commander Shellis fell to his knees breathing heavily as he started to slump over in his blood stained suit. “What in the Skies?!” Han yelped. Shellis to his credit mustered up his strength and cried out as the Solo and Lando started towards him to offer assistance. “Run! He's not... real! Run... away!” he said before slumping over face down in the grassy forest floor. Shellish's face was covered in blood and his eyes had large cuts and gashes on them. His mouth spewed blood as the sound of air leaving his mon calamari mouth stopped and Shellish died there in the grass.

Han and Lando were almost to Shellis when a loud cackling shrill came from Barrax stopping Han and lando in their tracks. Barrax rushed at the pair of men his webbed flipper hands outstretched as his lips made a loud hiss sound. Lando turned and pointed his weapon at Barrax but the mon calamari captain made no hesitation to stop a half second later he was on Lando locked in arms trying to force him down to his knees. Less then a second after it became obvious Lando wasn't in trouble a pair of large blue arcs zoomed across the forest floor hitting Barrax throwing his mon calamari grip off of Lando and stumbling him back. Han still held out his blaster at Barrax with a surprised look on his face as the mon calamari captain simply stumbled back and regained his footing. “What in the?!” Han screamed seeing Barrax take the stun blast as if it were a simple shove. Lando jumped back up to his feet to see Barrax regain his footing and rushed at Han. Lando was done with this and pulled his blaster from the grass on the forest floor and squeezed off a round of hot red laser into Barrax's leg. Barrax didn't stop, not only did he not stop he gained speed rushing at Solo who was also not taking chances and opened up his DL-44 to kill and blasted the Mon Calamari in the lower torso. Barrax took the blaster hits that burned through his uniform and into and through his torso and the blast from Calrissian in the leg as if they were pebbles thrown at a large beast. A moment later Barrax was on Solo still shrilling a high screeching sound as Han blasted two more shots into the mon calamari's chest and a third squarely its mouth. Barrax reach Solo lifted Han well above his head. Han knew Mon Calamari's were strong but not like this and not when shot. A second later a trio of shots from Lando landed squarely on the back of Barrax's large squid like head and neck, burning away Barrax's skin and bone in his head cavity. Still Barrax shrugged it away as if he felt nothing. Han's eyes squinted trying to free himself from the Mon Calamari's grip when the shrieking grew louder and Barrax's head retracted backwards. At first Han though he was finally dying from the head shots he and Lando put into him but instead he was greeted with a horrific nightmare as a pair of long gray spider legs protruded from the edges of Barrax's laser burned mouth. Lando kept firing his blaster into Barrax's back and head as the squid-like head flipped further back and the sound of spinal vertibrae cracked as Barrax's mouth opened unnaturally wide as the mon calamari's neck cracked backwards allowed Barrax's head to flip nearly all the way backward. The gaping hole that was Barrax's mouth now wide with a pair of spidering legs at each side was joined by another pair of legs in similar color and size from inside the mouth pulling themselves up and out of the mon calamari's esophagus. “What in the name of-!” Han screamed as Lando rushed over and through all his weight into his shoulder smashing it into the mon calamari's back and part of his burned squid-like head now all flipped all the way back. Barrax stumbled and released Solo sending Han to the ground with a whump. As soon as Han was mid drop Lando opened up with his blaster over and over burning away the back and head of Barrax as the body of Barrax stumbled and regained its footing. “We gotta go now!” Lando shouted at Han who was standing back up. As Calrissian finished his sentence a third pair of gray legs protruded from the wide opening that had been Barrax's mouth and throat a few moments earlier. As Han picked up his blaster and the pair started to turn Barrax's throat bulged and a large gray spider with shiny chitonous coating arose from the opening screeching as it showed burn marks over its forward body and legs. Han and Lando opened up repeatedly with both blasters as they bothed walked backwards towards the edge of the forest's exit. The gray spider pulled itself free from Barrax's body and lept over towards the body of Shellis. Mid air it was hit twice. Once by Lando and once by Han before it landed a few feet from Shellis's body. The barrage of blaster fire continued as the now burned and wounded spider tried to reach Shellis' head. Solo and Calrissian didn't let up the volleys of red lasers until the spider was turned to a burning husk of legs and ash. It took a good 15 seconds of continuous firing for them to achieve the kill. As they finished another more dense sounding rustling came from the shaded area deeper in the forest canopy and above them from the treetops.

The sounds of blaster fire drew some of the Riptide's ground crew into the forest edge. As a trio of Riptide crewers entered they were greeted with Hand and Lando racing from the from canopy shaded forest full speed. One of the ground crew put up a webbed flipper to see if the pair of humans were okay but instead Han and Lando just pointed their blasters behind them and fired still at full sprint out of the deeper foliage “Go go go!” Han shouted at the Mon Cala crewers. Behind Hand and Lando the rumbling sound of large arachnid legs pounding into the ground were heard and the shrieking hiss of the Viraxen was heard behind them. The trio of crewers didn't wait for an explanation and turned to run with the pair of humans coming out of the forest edge. A second after shouting at the mon cala crewers Han grabbed his communicator and shouted into it “Chewie get us out of here!”. As Calrissian passed the hulk of the Riptide he noticed the sounds of the large arachnid steps following closer and closer. The pair of smugglers and the mon calamari crew ran past the Riptide throwing their hands up “Get everyone out of here!” Lando yelled. A few seconds later the Falcon was moving in the direction of the Riptide as large shrieking arachnids emerged from the forest shadows launching long sticky strands of webbing at the surrounding ground crew and mon calamari naval crew in and around the Riptide's crash site at the base of the hill next to the forest edge.

The Millennium Falcon came hovered over the ground lowering it's entry ramp as Han and Lando made it to ship and jumped onto the ramp pulling up one of the crewers that was running with them. “Lando get on the guns!” Han yelled as Lando apparently already thinking ahead of Han was two thirds the way up the entry ramp and heading towards the gun-shaft ladder. The other crewers escaping the scene weren't as lucky  as large strands of webbing caught some sticking them to the grassy ground at the base of the hillside while others were coated with it and sucked back into the shadowy edge of the forest. The screams of the remaining crewers drew the attention to other technicians and crew in the hillside caves who came running out to see what was happening. Some were thrown back by webbing sticking them back in some of the caverns entrances while others were struck and being pulled, albeit not as forcefully as closer targets to the forest. Then a few moments after random blaster fire came from some of the crew and officers that realized they were being attacked the quad lasers on the underbelly of the Falcon opened up on the forest edge setting it ablaze. A few seconds later nearly a dozen of the arachnids poured out of the forest edge and scurried through the blaster fire towards the Riptides crashed hulk. The creatures were on it and ripped into it's hull, easily puncturing through outer bulkheads and tearing off hatches and loading doors. The Riptide still had a few crewers left inside who screamed in terror as the large arachnid beasts tore through the ships levels. Lando kept the quad fire on the Viraxen beasts hitting them gave them a good burn on their large spider like bodies wounding them but not badly enough to slow them down. Lando's mind went back to the terrifying sight of the creature emerging from Captain Barrax's throat and how tough it had taken his own blaster along with Solo's in tandem to kill a small version of these types of creature. Lando never let off the trigger spraying swathes of laser fire into the forest and the shaded area of grass that stretched from the forests canopy to the Riptides hull keeping any of the arachnids that tried to dash back and forth under harassment. “Han we got to get these people out of here!” Lando yelled as he held the side of the headset's mic closer to his ear. A second later Han replied “I know! I know! We're hailing Wedge now!”

Wedge Antilles had been irritated since the large red and gray cloud above the main continent of this world kept spreading and wreaking havoc with his squadron's sensors and scanners. He knew there could be imperial activity on the surface but he'd be blind if this cloud of whatever it was to cover more and more of the area. Then a welcomed distraction came through his comm-link as he heard the beep of General Solo's hail come through “Antilles here.” Wedge said as professional as ever. “Wedge! We need a dust up with lots of covering fire NOW!” Han's stressed and excited voice came through “Are you alright Sir? Is it imperials?” Wedge replied as he punched the controls on his X-Wing veering it away from the holding pattern he'd had the squadron take and turned back towards the wreck of the Riptide. “No! Big bugs! Killing everyone GET HERE NOW!” Hans flustered voice said as the sounds of quad lasers filled the background of Solo's message. Wedge gave no more questions and clicked on his comm-channels as he increased his speed to max in atmosphere towards Solo's transmission “All fighters regroup General Solo and Calrissian are in trouble! Form up for strafe runs and get Captain Jogen on the line for a drop ship from Harken Threat for a pick up!” Wedge said with anticipation in his voice.” The voices of concern came from some of the other pilots before Wedge cut back in “Cut the chatter! They're under attack by indigenous life. Open up with whatever you can but be alert what you shoot at we still have personnel on the ground on-site! Go now!” Wedge said with a rank and authority to his tone.

A few moments later Antilles and the other fighters reach the Riptide's crash site to see chaos, the Millennium Falcon was hovering above the surface firing into the tree line and at the Riptide's crash herself. The few mon calamari crew still on the ground were laying down in some strange white covering threading and random blaster fire intermittently came from some of the cave entrances also at the forest. It was a few seconds before Wedge saw the shadows at the treeline weren't shadows at all and instead were huge arachnids trying to rush the Riptide's hulk and shoot white threading at the survivors. The front and starboard side of the Falcon was almost entirely covered in the white thready strands as the quad lasers were barely able to rotate and fire in the mess. “Red squdron on my lead, green and grey cover the survivors!” Wedge barked into his comm-link. A few seconds later the four lasers on Wedge's X-wing opened up on the tree line as well as another pair of X-wings continuing his strafing run. To Wedge's shock the lasers burned the bodies of the large creatures but only wounded them instead of vaporizing them or blasting huge chunks of their spider-like appendages in all directions. Wedge banked his X-wing around and clicked on his comm-channel “These things look tough Generals.” he said. His statement garnered a cracking microphoned reply with the voice of Lando Calrissian “Wedge they can take a quad laser pretty handily. You have to lay it on them in waves to even kill one. Just keep them busy until we get the rest of the crew off the surface. Do you have an ETA on a pickup?” Wedge looked at his krono on his cockpits HUD at Lando's request “Should be here in a few minutes at most.” he replied. “Great! Now watch out for those survivors in the caves.” Wedge punched his comm-channel off and spun his X-wing down for another pass and unleashed a long volley all across the treeline. This time he was surprised to see white strands of a gooey material shoot up from the forests shade at his fighter. “Watch out fo-” Wedge started to say but was interrupted by the groan of Lt. Jezter “Ah they got one of my engines with that stuff!” Wedge gritted his teeth and barked orders into the comm-channel “Split up and do your runs unevenly, don't give these things a chance to swat at you.” Wedge chomped the words into the comm. A few minutes passed and the alliance fighters held off the rest of the spider beasts. When one would be daring enough to rush from the Riptide towards the caves or at the Falcon the quad lasers of Solo's ship in tandem with the fighters blasts usually hurt the beasts enough to fall back in bloody messes. It was amazing to Wedge to see natural beasts have exoskeletons that tough. A moment into his observation the chime of the jump shuttle came over his comm and Wedge ordered it to land at an angle behind the Millennium Falcon's covering fire. “Ok Wedge they're coming out!” Han Solo's voice cracked through the microphone. Just as Wedge acknowledged the message he noticed the large red and gray cloud overcast starting to spread from the center of the forest to its edge where the Riptide and Falcon were. “Antilles to General Solo, lets make this fast.” Han gave an approving reply to Wedge as a few dozen mon calamari technicians and naval crew poured out from the cavern entrances. As they did suddenly the side of the hill the Riptide had crashed slid down and was laying at the base of exploded.

From inside the earthen dirt and sod came hundreds of the smaller arachnid creatures pouring out over the side of the mountain. Han and Lando both turned their guns on the Falcon towards the new threat as the smaller spider-like creatures cascaded down upon the Riptide's fleeing crew. The Falcon's entrance ramp reopened with Lt. Tarris waving in survivors that weren't going to make it to the jumpship. “Move move! Come on Lactah!” Tarris screamed at the older maintenance sergeant rushing out of the caves. From the furthest area between the caves and the hulk of the Riptide Lt. Plosshim came sprinting across the grass towards the jumpship. He got about half way before a section of earth and sod opened up in front of him and spewed out dozens of the ferocious smaller spiders. Plosshim tried to run up the hillside but was swathed immediately screaming a death scream as his body was ripped and chewed to pieces in a matter of seconds. Lactah was almost to the Falcon's ramp when a large strand of white webbing hit his legs sending him to the ground. Tarris  looked out in frightened shock as dozens of long strands of white webbing were being shot from the forest and the Riptides punctured hull at all areas of the hillside. The webbing fell coating some of the fleeing survivors as well as the aggressive smaller arachnids tearing out of the ground to find easy prey. It didn't matter of the webbing landed on anything or anyone just so it kept whoever it held in place long enough to be consumed. Some of later stragglers from the caves tried to hide in the entrances before they themselves were pulled back into the darkness of the caves and their quick screams were silences as dozens more smaller spiders emerged. Tarris heard a growling roar form the Falcon's cockpit and realized the webbing was landing all over the Falcon. She punched the controls and started to raise the ramp as it struggled to pull up she reach a webbed hand out to Lactah who struggled to reach one back as his legs and now part of his abdomen were covered in white webbing. A few moments later the arachnids were upon him and started to feast on him. To his credit Lactah didn't scream and instead erupted in a flame of fuel as he was torn free of the webbing by the smaller spider creatures tearing into his flesh he pulled a liquid fueling rod from a re-engergizer station he had on his belt and smashed it into what was left of his legs. The fire burned him to death near instantly. It had little effect on the swarms of smaller arachnids devouring him.

Tarris pulled up the ramp as she squinted her large squid-like eyes shut in distress and held it there before she heard the first set of thumps on the Falcon's hull. Tarris rushed to the cockpit to see many of the smaller arachnids jumping onto the Falcon's hull trying to gain entry. In the cockpit Chewbacca was in the pilot seat and a Mon Calamari technician sat in the co-pilot seat trying to hit the appropriate controls Chewbacca growled at him to get the Falcon moving. “Are the others away yet?” Tarris said nervously. The Mon calamari technician turned and nodded pointing toward the now distant and fading glowing engines of the jump ship making for space fast also significantly covered in the white webbing. As Tarris sighed a small half warmed sigh of relief Han Solo's voice came over the cockpit microphone “Chewie take off!” Solo yelled. Chewbacca returned the yell with a long growling set of roars and pulled the nearly totally covered Millennium Falcon away from the nightmarish site. Suddenly more and more thuds were heard and a large smashing sound of metal twisting and sparks flying came from deep in the Falcon's interior. A moment later Han Solo was in the cockpit running to the pilot's seat. He took the controls as Chewbacca pulled the mon cala technician out of the co-pilot seat to control it himself. “Their on the hull!” Tarris looked out of the cockpit windows as wave after wave of white webbing fell onto the Falcon obstructing her view. “Are we going to make it away?!” She yelped in fear “I'm not going to let these things tear us apart.” Han barked. Suddenly a large booming explosion and hissing of ventilation was heard in the rear of the Falcon's interior “Those things are tearing my ship apart!” Lando said as he rushed into the cockpit. Chewbacca turned and roared something that caught Han's attention and he turned with a surprised and fearful look “Are you sure!?” As Chewbacca nodded Han jumped out of the pilots seat dashing past Lando “Keep us in the air Lando!” he said as he dashed towards the Falcon's rear. Lando jumped into the pilot's seat and hit switches and buttons in a flurry as Chewbacca growled status of the ship at him “I know I know!” Lando said. “Just get as much as you can from them before we crash!” Lando said in a panic. Tarris who had been edged in the rear of the cockpit next to the other mon calamri both took a step and looked at each other in surprise. At the rear of the Falcon Han ran passed a few other Riptide survivors to get to the engine area and saw a huge claw gash had been torn in the underbelly of the bulk head into the interior of the ship pushing the floor up in a serrated manner. The hissing shrieks of one of the larger arachnids could be heard as more attempts to claw into the ship shoved and tore the Falcon's underbelly. Han rushed over to the cockpit comm “Lando! We're not going to get off this rock.. smash this thing on our gut into pieces!” Han finished and held onto the bulk head as the Falcon fell sharply through the forest canopy and into tree trunks smashing through them before skidding across the forest floor. The large arachnid beast on the Falcon's underside tore away and left a huge metatarsus pincer still poking through the floorboard. The Falcon skidded across a small clearing and past it to a small creek's muddy bank and came to rest half listing into the shallow water of the creek.

On board the Falcon the Riptide survivors met with Tarris around the entrance ramp that was partially in water thanks to the angle of the landing. Han Solo and Lando Calrissian waited and extraordinary long time to open the hatch ramp fearful those creatures were waiting to pounce until Chewbacca barked a reminder that with the creatures strength and the Falcon out of flying commission those creatures could have tore into the hull by now. As the ramp lowered the creek water flowed into the Falcon's interior slightly but not so deep the passengers couldn't get out. Chewbacca followed by Han and then Lando lead the rest out of the ship with weapons drawn. As they waded into the creek and took at look at the ship it was a sight to behold. The areas that had touched he creek water dissolved the white webbing and a few of the smaller torn and battered spider creatures adorned the top of the ship with. Overhead the red-gray overcast was still thick and seemed to move in all directions. Han told Chewy to go back inside and get try and get a distress call made. “Hopefully Wedge has an idea where we went down.” Han said deflated. Lando nodded as he replied “This whole place reminds me of a story I heard way back before I hooked up with you old buddy. I just can't place it.” Calrissian said as he shook his head looking at the tree line of the forest a few hundred yards away.
Han turned to his old friend “You're going to die here ya know.” Lando gave a wince and shook his head “At least I got to fly her one last time.” he replied with a sigh as the pair of men tread up the creek bank to the mud and grass to observe the rest of the Falcon's damage. After a few minutes assessing the damage some of the Riptide's technicians now sitting on the creek bank and dosing themselves with the water got Calrissians attention. “Han look!” Lando said pointing up at the gray and red overcast clouds. “I don't get it?” Han said then his eyes adjusted and the un-mistaken arrowhead silhouette of an Imperial ship formed in the clouds “Damn.” was all that Solo said when realizing the ship was above them.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on April 29, 2019, 02:24:09 AM
Nice update. I am off to share it.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on July 09, 2019, 02:50:33 PM
((short update still working on it ..
but wanted to get this part out of the way, I've never been skilled at writing unrequitted love or tsundere romances... so this part gets its own post to get it done so the action can start picking up...
 also Kenner easter-egg for you vintage commercial watching media watching types... hehe))



Kumo survivor's Column

As the long column of imperial equipment and personnel started to crest the horizon of the Rally Point's view the rectangle silhouette of the lead imperial troop transport was clearly racing past the head of the people on foot. Inside the transport the pair of transport drivers huddled over their instruments as the scenery out of the view port raced passed. Standing between and slightly behind the pair of drivers in his olive drab uniform Captain Kai stood with a hand holding on to the side of the open doorway as he leaned on the doorways' frame and watched out the view port with a half scowl on his face as his distaste was coming to the surface of his expression. “It's confirmed from the rally-point observers as well sir.” the copilot of the transport turned his large gray mushroom sized helmet towards Kai to give the statement. “Of course it is... damned fools.” was Kai's reply. He was sure the Slipstream ducked into the large overcast of red and white mist after it had arrived in the system. Kai assumed it was the first officer Faraday that made the order since he knew Sequa enough to know if he'd been a competent commander the ship would be no where near this planet of death and reforming with the rest of the fleet that fled from the Endor debacle a few days earlier.

A moment later the image of the sand and rocks of the beach strayed into the grasslands edge as the grass turned into rocky pebbles and a sandbar that stretched out over the horizon showing the edge of the northwestern peninsula. “Finally.” A humbled and tired voice came from behind Kai. From behind Kai in a dirty soot smudged light gray crewer's uniform Vishar stood, leaning to one side trying to see past Kai's shoulder at the scenery through the forward view port. Kai turned and gave Vishar a nod before turning back towards the image of the sandbar slowly turning into sandy red terrain with high jagged rock formations making a natural border between the remnants of the grassland and the beginning of the red sandy area of the northwestern peninsula. Kai took notice of the high jagged rock formations as they jutted out of the ground remembering years early watching them being created as the Kumo fired down into the hillsides that once was the border between the sand and the grass. Now these high jagged rocky ridges were the aftermath of old Admiral Jaeger's orders to destroy the grassy hills leading to the sandy peninsula, keeping the regions separated via the ridge created by the intense barrage from the Kumo's turbo lasers.

The chime of the imperial troop transports communication channel broke Kai's memory flashback. “Yes?” Kai asked the copilot. “It's Commander Karamat Sir.” the copilot replied back. Kai leaned over the panel between the drivers and started to speak “Commander please hold your position, I'll be there momentarily.” Kai said and reach to switch off the channel. Kai ran a hand through his jet black hair to make it presentable and pulled on his tunic before turning around passed Vishar exiting the cockpit and climbing the small ladder to open the top hatch of the ITT. As he exited the hatch and balanced himself on the still moving transport he looked out and saw far off in the distance the profiles of three large mechanical AT-AT walkers in the distance trudging along. As the ITT quickly came closer to the walkers the silhouettes of the a two pairs of smaller AT-ST's could be made out at the AT-AT's flanks. The ITT was nearing the turn northwest to start traversing the small grassland edges of the ridge and make it into the rally point as one of the AT-ST's broke from he pack and headed towards Kai and the ITT. Kai had a good hunch it was Karamat. His intuition would be validated a few moments later as Vishar climbed half up the ladder notifying him Karamat was communicating to them over the comm-channel and wished to speak to Kai. “We'll speak in person.” was Kai's only reply and shot Vishar a nod to relay that message. As Kai watched Vishar disappear back down the top hatch he turned back towards the oncoming AT-ST. A moment later the 2 legged scout walker stopped. Kai winced a moment to himself hiding the faintest of smiles. Then as he expected the ITT turned slightly off the edge of the sanded beach towards the outcropping of the ridge where the scout walker had stopped. As Kai rode atop the ITT he saw the convoy of AT-AT's continue on into the ridges not waiting on the lone detoured scout walker. Another few moments and the ITT came to rest with the scout walker's large mechanical feet resting in front of the ITT's main view-port.

Kai stood on the now stationary ITT and raised a hand to his face to shade his eyes, though it was more reactionary as the overcast reddish white mist was providing adequate cover from the planet's sun. “A horrifying thought.” Kai said to himself as the hatch on the AT-ST's top popped open. From the AT-ST's hatch the mushroomed helmet of Commander Karamat ascended as she pulled herself up using her arms to bring up the weight of her legs and stood atop the hull of the AT-ST. She stood there looking down at Kai standing on the ITT looking up at her and for a slightest of microseconds she let the thought of taking control of the Kumo's survivors flash across her mind. A traitorous and criminal act. Though with his request for Onyx 1's prep she may not need to she thought. The thought quickly faded with the mental images of Kai fighting her to his death and then she shook her head to wash away an image of Kai laying dead burned and broken. Not an image she wished ever to dream again.

Kai stood atop the ITT watching Karamat pull herself up from the higher perspective of the AT-ST he faced. She stood balancing herself atop the hull of the higher AT-ST looking down at Kai on the ITT and he thought for just an instant he saw her expression change and then she shook her head slightly. “We haven't the time for pleasantries!” Kai shouted quickly after Karamat shook her head. Knowing full well she hated unneeded waste of time especially in a situation like this. But Kai did have a knack for prodding sleeping beasts, he thought to himself. Even those – his next thought was broken by Karamat's voice “WHY didn't you communicate over the comm-channel?” Karamat blurted back at Kai from above. Karamat's tone was that husky authoritarian Kai had come to recognize as her normal speech but it was laced with a hint of annoyance this time the best he could tell.

Kai gave a relieved sigh and put his hand down from shading his eyes to his waist and decided to remember he was the actual commander of the Kumo's forces and gave a stiff and commanding point to the ground while looking at Karamat and placed his hand back on his waist. It wasn't often he'd get a chance to chide Karamat on imperial procedure and this shouldn't be one of those times but he had alternative reasons for doing so. Karamat saw his hand motion and gave a slight wince as she curled the edge of her lips in annoyance and for another second the flash of Kai's burned and broken body came into her mind though this time it wasn't as painful as it had been a few moments earlier. Karamat leaned over the AT-ST's hatch and gave a command to the co-pilot to order the walker into loading position and the pair legs on the walker hummed and clicked as the circular leg joints slowly clicked into position lowering the head and body of the walker close to the ground. A moment later Karamat hopped off the walker's hull balancing herself on the leg joints and gears finding handholds where she could to reach the patchy grass dirt to place her boots on.

Kai noticed she was still in her officers uniform and armor, remembering how constricting it felt and to squeeze the armor through an AT-ST's top hatch was something he didn't wish to ever try again. As the thought finished Karamat reach the patchy ground and Kai hopped down from the ITT and walked over to meet her. As he started to walk towards her Vishar appeared from the ITT's top hatch but only halfway out and stood waist down inside the ITT on it's ladder. As Kai trudged over to the AT-ST Karamat took a few steps over to meet him. Kai's eyes noticed her features were a bit cleaner and more kept then they had been when he met her just after the Kumo crashed. Kai realized his leering and averted from her features and looked up and noticed the co-pilot wasn't Sergeant Atter but a younger mans face but he wasn't exactly sure if it was someone he knew. A few seconds passed and the two officers came within an arm's length of each other and they stopped Karamat was chiding herself internally for giving Kai a reason to mark her on a lesson on imperial doctrine with his demanding her to lower and speak to him directly. Even in the peril filled situation imperial doctrine was to be maintained at all times. Under it all Karamat had the slightest of internal satisfactions that the slipshod and carefree pilot that had turned her stomach was becoming an officer, with no short thanks to her own strict discipline over his antics. Karamat stifled the emotion a second later as Kai spoke “Reprot please Commander.”. Karamat noticed a more authoritative tone to his demeanor and for the faintest of seconds she paused to drink in Captain Kai's stature. Karamat put her arms behind her back standing with her legs at the correct measured distance apart as she replied “We've started the first stage of the plan as ordered as you can see the convoy is on it's way to the ridges for cover. The spotters made out Rebel ships heading towards their crash site but no indication they'll attack so far.”. Kai nodded as she spoke and added “And if they do, our air defensive capabilities?”. Karamat's cold gaze gave the slightest edge of softening, still extremely rigid by most anyone else's facial expressions but Kai had learned every micron of her face to know when Karamat changed emotions as they were no changes to the casual observer. Karamat replied “The rest of the ties squadron's are prepped as ordered.” Karamat said almost not expecting a follow up. But Kai intervened “And old Moon 1?” he asked her more casually. Karamat gave the slightest of pauses knowing the meaning of Kai's request. “Moon 1 was prepped with a waiting flight suit and helmet and could be flown by any of the surviving officers or pilots without a craft to fly... Captain.” Karamat emphasized the rank in her reply as she had done over the comm-channel earlier hoping that it would try and make him see the idea he had as too dangerous. “That won't be needed. You know I'll be the one taking it.” Kai said slightly softer in tone then previously.

Karamat internally cursed him for the choice. While not a fan of his way of commanding he was the most experienced with this hostile planet and still in command of the imperial forces from the Kumo. Imperial procedure would have him safely back at the rally-point no matter how much he believes it could be a target. Inside a tie in a scrap with rebel fighters is infinat more dangerous. She must have let her demeanor slip as she felt her eyes widen slightly and saw Kai's expression slightly changed from a Captain's authority to slightly surprised. She quickly pulled her professional expression over herself again hoping Kai followed suit and replied. “May I remind you that you command the survivors... Captain? You are too important to start falling into old habits.”. That last part changed Kai's expression that had started to soften back to a professional demeanor as Karamat hoped it would. Suddenly Kai turned his face from Karamat back towards the ITT and saw Vishar still half up the top hatch watching the pair of officers. “Vishar start up the ITT we'll be going in a moment.” Kai ordered which was more of a dust off for Vishar from snooping on the officers conversation as it was a way for Kai to tell himself this small conversation is more dangerous then flying his old Tie Fighter. Vishar gave a fingered salute wave and dropped back down the ITT's top hatch and a moment later it hummed to life as Kai turned back to Karamat.

Karamat was glad to be rid of the eavesdropper and watched Vishar disappear into the ITT and expected this small unneeded face to face conversation to end now that Kai was readying to leave. What Karamat didn't expect was Kai's next words as he turned and looked at her for a long hard few seconds “Thank you, Vareese.” Kai simply replied. Karamat's icy expression faded for a long moment trying to decipher his words. She had almost replied in quirt tone -of course you are, I trained you-. But Karamat internally shook her said and started to tell Kai enough “Thats not nee-”. “No.” Kai interrupted her holding his hand up. Karamat gave an audible exhale from her nostrils as she was about done with Kai pretending to play disciplinary one moment and his normal laissez faire attitude the next.

“Thank you, Vareese for everything” Kai started as he looked first at the ground and up at her as her green eyes had slightly widened in surprise. For an instant Kai thought of looking away as he felt his face flush red. His old self would have decided to pull her to him but he knew it'd only end with a bloody face if not more. Kai choked the feeling down and gave a sigh and saluted Karamat as she stood a moment motionless then nodded as she replied “Is that all Captain?” Karamat said with the annoyance gone from her tone. “No, tell your husband he's a lucky man.” Kai said almost blurting his words out. Karamat arced an eyebrow as the cold demeanor she was known to have came back over the surprised expression that Kai's earlier words had caused. Karamat was about to reply when Kai spoke again quickly with a more professional tone “Good hunting sir.” Kai said giving Karamat a nodding salute. Karamate returned the salute almost on instinct and gave a nod to Kai. Captain Kai turned from Karamat and walked towards the ITT and pulled himself on top of it as Karamat imitated him by pulling herself up the body of the still lowered AT-ST.

Karamat slid half into the top-hatch and turned to look down at ITT with Kai on it as the scout walkers body rose up to full height. Internally she felt surprised by the timing of the Captain's words but not as much by their message. She had thought herself a very attractive disciplinary mentor to many others and Kai was just one of those that saw her in light other then merely professional she told herself. Her mind tracked slowly to the thought of her husband the tall beautiful man with short blond hair and a wide grin. A moment later Karamat's imagination drifted as she sat down in the pilot's cushion of the scout walker and the image of Kai's broken and burned body reappeared in her minds eye and she stifled the urge to reach for the comm-channel to press her doubts on him flying in the wings defense.

Back at the ITT Kai sat on the top of it's hull watching Karamats' scout walker speed up to reform with the rest of the convoy of imerpial walkers deeper into the rocky ridges that separated the grasslands from the northwestern sandy peninsula. Kai heard Vishar come up the ladder and again stopped half way “We'll be at the rally-point in the next few minutes, we didn't lose much time.” Vishar reported. Kai had mentally noted how much Vishar wanted away from the grasslands to the safety of the peninsula. Not realizing with the Alliance forces now around the planet the safety was only half measured.


Aranae System edge-

A lone X-wing fighter exits hyperspace into the system heading towards the planet. The battered and laser scored fighter flew gracefully as it swooped around wreckage from Kumo's fighters and the Alliance vessel that exploded over the planets atmosphere. The pale and red pain scheme on the fighter shown its squad designation on the wing with five chevron's depicting its call-sign. Inside the cockpit the astromech droid readout flashes text across it's screen and the pilot turns with a half smile on his face towards his old friend “I know , it looks like a mess down there.” The pilot said as the blue and white astromech droid beeped and whistled its dubious tones toward the pilot.

A moment later the astromech driod beeped and whistled an acknowledging sound as the pilot looked around and nodded in agreement “They're hailing us?” the pilot said reaching over in his orange flight suit and pressing one of the buttons on his controls activating his comm-channel the channel opened with static before a voice could be heard “ksh-mder of the Alliance vessel. Please identify yourself.” The pilot click on his transmitting function and replied “This is Commander Skywalker of Rogue Squadron. Here to lend assistance.” The pilot replied as he looked over to the far edge of the planet's circumference catching the silhouette of the Nebulon-B escort frigate. A second later the voice over the comm-channel came on in a lighter tone “Glad to have you with us Commander. We'll send crashed Alliance coordinates momentarily, there's a ton of interference from the planet's atmosphere.” Luke replied into the comm system “I read ya. I'll wait for transmission.” he said in a friendly tone.

A moment later a more serious expression came over Luke's face as he closed his eyes, as if feeling for an emotion. He then mouthed a few words inaudible and smiled still with his eyes closed and gave a wide grin “Take care and thank you again. Make sure to stay in touch.” Luke said as R2 beeped as he opened his eyes. The boyish grin on his face still showing as he looked over the readouts of the X-wing “No R2, we're not leaving. I just was saying goodluck to old friends.” Luke said as the words and images of Ben and Anakin faded from the force perspective he had entered. They spoke to him in soft tones and he was glad to know he'd be able to speak to Ben and more eagerly his father Anakin more often eventually.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on July 11, 2019, 08:41:12 AM
Off to share.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on March 09, 2020, 12:33:13 AM
((Back again, haven't forgotten the struggle and strife of the Rebels and Imps on planet Aranae. In light of some recent events i've been able to start making the story into a Photonovel, w/Diorama's galore.... that will happen eventually. HOWEVER I'm in need of imperial officer caps, there's 5 sizes I know of large/small black and Large/Medium/Small greyish-green. see pics below....))

(https://dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200302_230337.jpg?resize=450%2C450) (https://dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200302_230332.jpg?resize=450%2C450)

(https://dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200302_230516.jpg?resize=450%2C450)
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on March 09, 2020, 02:18:26 AM
Wow, turning this into a photonovel sounds great. Off to share your update.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Darth More on March 14, 2020, 03:58:26 AM
I agree! Seeing the different head sculpts and hats alone triggers me! I certainly know what I'm going to read after my exam next week! Looking forward to seeing you turn your Story into a photonovel! Awesome stuff here!
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on April 16, 2020, 01:15:54 PM
((writers note: .. ugh... 7 days a week as an essential worker means Rezikai didnt proofread this chapter... typos and run on sentences galore! ... however i'll be posting some rough test pics of this story as a photonovel w/no backgrounds and such in the next few days.))
Over planet Aranae

The tri-winged silhouette of a tyderium shuttle flew through the northern edges of the great red mist cloud that had until a few minutes earlier been giving sufficient cloud cover for the majority of the continent. It was Imperial Army officer Major Gridon's luck that it had thinned and started to dissipate as his rendezvous was going to take place. He leaned over the controls and gave instruction to the younger man in an imperial naval trooper uniform to land at the coordinates he dictated.
   Gridon's shuttle came to rest at a small clearing on the northeastern section of the main continent. The thick forest treeline was close enough to give most casual scanner observers a few extra seconds of coverage before they could be seen from a low orbit. If any rebel or imperial ships happened to pinpoint the area from atmosphere the vantage point would give them clear site of the clearing. But that far away mean Gridon would have time to escape. Not that he assumed the rebels nor imperials would waste resources for a perceived rogue angry imperial army officer that fled his post. No that was the ruse he had kept up this whole time. The gruff exterior and overbearing way aura to keep up his deception of an army officer disgruntled by a younger and less experienced leader taking his rightful command over him. Nothing could be further from the truth however. Gridon got high enough for influence but made sure not to allow too many victories or chances for imperial glory to be grasped as to keep his position safe.
   A few moments later a battered Koensayer Y-Wing was spotted on his ships sensors and a few moments later it came to rest itself in the same small clearing nose to nose with Gridon's shuttle. Girdon adjusted his uniform and he and the younger man walked out of the cockpit into the crew area where the bodies of the imperial stormtroopers and the other imperial naval trooper assigned to the young escort now with Gridon laid. Gridon didn't give the bodies of the imperials a second thought. He had no love for imperials and their usefulness to his escape plan had given his apprentice a chance to make his escape with him. Gridon shot a glance back a the younger man in the naval uniform also stepping over the armored troopers. When these imperials had outlived their usefulness they were terminated as all who learn too much of FOCI must be. That thought made the image of Araed, and how she had overplayed her hand in hinting she knew what Gridon's true motives were. “Foolish woman.” Gridon thought to himself as the tyderium's exit ramp lowered and he started to descend.
   From across the nose of the imperial shuttle the pilot of the Y-wing watched the imperial vessel's “mouth” open with the disembark ramp lower. A second later a pair of humans in imperial uniforms stepped down the ramp. The rebel pilot slowly disengaged his cockpit's canopy and opened it to one side. The Mon Calamari pilot was Commander Vorm and he let his large squid-like eyes half close as his as a dubious expression came over his face. Vorm had his doubts about this mission, in fact he had thought this entire venture a fools errand but it was Captain Barrax's orders and he trusted Barrax serving with the Captain for a few years now.
   As the pair of imperials stopped at the bottom of their shuttles' ramp Vorm stood up in his cockpit. Vorm hadn't expected there to be two of them. The backseat of his Y-wing could carry a sole passenger and that was for his contact FOCI. Vorm was given his description just hours earlier while in the makeshift flight area of the Riptides crashed material. He thought the idea of picking up an imperial ludicrous considering the situation the Riptide's crew was put into but he knew Barrax wouldn't have dissension among pilots not wanting to contradict orders even in these extremely taxing situations. “Your the pick up?” Vorm projected his Mon Calamari voice as he watched the pair of humans. He directed his large squid like features at Gridon who was in front of the younger man. From below and in front of the nose of the Y-wing the older man with dark hair and a white stripe in the front gave a barked reply towards Vorm.
   “I am Major Gridon, that's correct.” Gridon replied his voice back to the harsh tone he used when keeping up his persona. Gridon looked over the Mon Calamari and wasn't thrilled with sharing a cockpit with a rebel let alone the backseat of a slow bomber trying to make its way back to rebel controlled skies. He mentally gave himself a pat on the back for bringing the shuttle and his apprentice along. Vorm gave a nod towards the older of the pair of imperials and gave a half wave with his right webbed hand towards his backseat of his fighter. Gridon raised his hand while shaking his head. “No need, we'll bring the shuttle with us. Just let your Captain Barrax was it? Let him know the shuttle is designated friendly.” Vorms half lowered lids on his large fishlike eyes opened and dropped half shut again. This FOCI knew of Captain Barrax but seemed to not have any appreciation in his tone for the Captain who set up this whole rendezvous for this FOCI's rescue. “That's fine.” Vorm agreed. Vorm knew he'd get an ear full from the Captain for not demanding the target come in his fighter securely but given the extreme circumstances he assumed the Captain will let it slide. By now the pair of humans were standing in the space between the pair of vessels. The rebel Y-wing facing them and the imperial shuttle at their back. “Also my friend here comes along, he's my protege.” Gridon finished. Vorm only had orders for the Major and couldn't care less if the other imperial wanted to defect to be with his mentor. Vorm gave a quick nod and replied “As long as he keeps this to himself. Vorm demanded in a slightly more aggressive tone. Gridon seemed to have a half second of thought before turning back to the younger man in the all black naval trooper uniform and spoke “We'll follow him in on his tail. After that we'll continue with our plans on where to go.” Gridon finished saying towards the younger man nodding at Gridon's statement. Gridon turned and started to tell Vorm the his plan to guide them into the rebel ships position.
   A moment later a rustle from the treeline caught the attention of the Vorm and the younger naval trooper. Gridon was too busy giving instructions to Vorm as he nodded agreeing to whatever this mole wanted as long as it doesn't compromise what happened in today's morning. Vorm turned away from the rustle in the treeline just as a large white streak flew across the the y-wing. Vorm ducked down away from the incoming streak as his training to dodge laser fire in combat kicked in. The white streak of webbing shot over the y-wing and landed on the ground in a pile of goo. Gridon and the naval trooper turned towards the treeline as the naval trooper drew his weapon as he and Gridon hunkered over to look for some kind of cover as if they may be coming under ground fire. A second later the large dark form of an arachnids legs and body came to the edge of the treeline hissing in a shriek as another long white shot of webbing shot at the pair of imperials.
   Within the next few seconds of the missed webbing Vorm ducked to avoid he sat back up in his cockpit and started up the launch sequence letting the hum of the Y-wings engine come on. Gridon avoided the second shot from the arachnid and ran towards the shuttle ramp to stop short as another white shot of webbing goo hit the bottom of the loading ramp less then a meter in front of Gridon. The beast had anticipated him fleeing up the ramp. Gridon turned to see a pair of red bolts of laser fire launch from his naval trooper apprentice striking the arachnid beast. Gridon turned away from the ramp and ran towards the Y-wing.

   Vorm had completed the start up sequence as Gridon jumped up the the Y-wings body using the engine nacelle  to climb up on the Y-wings cocktpit and jumped into the backseat with Vorm who was closing the canopy to the fighter as it lifted off the ground. The next second the another shot of webbing stretched out towards the Y-wing and landed on the side of the cockpit fuselage. Vorm turned seeing the white sticky mess on his port side “Bah.. dam thing!” Vorm cursed as Gridon settled into the rear seat he shouted looking at the same white webbing “Just kill it and get us on our way!” Gridon barked. Vorm ruffled his mouth at his disgust being shouted at by an imperial but he also had planned to shoot off this animal whatever it was Vorm thought. While the webbing tried to pull on the Y-wing Vorm banked it to it's port side and turned the fighter's nose guns towards the arachnid still mostly hidden in the shadow of the treeline. Vorm opened up at the shadowy area the arachnid had shot the webbing from. The laser shots landed in the shadows and the tree trunks of the treeline catching a few of them on fire after leaving dark score marks. A second later a hard lurch jerked the Y-wing surprising both Vorm and Gridon “Ah!” Gridon shouted as the cockpit rocked from the unseen tether pulling on the white webbing. Vorm turned the fighters guns towards the white and fired burning through it after a few shots. Another shot of webbing lashed out from the shadows of the treeline this time landing on the nose of the Y-wing covering one of the guns. Unlike the previous shots of webbing this one was more of a glob without the rope of web attached to it leading back to the treeline. Vorm cursed again “Damn thing is persistent!” He shouted. Gridon turned to see the second blast of webbing covering half the nose of the Y-wing and exclaimed “Forget the indigs, just get us airborne.” He huffed.
   A moment later Gridon remembered his apprentice on the ground and turned his vision to see the Naval trooper leaping over the patch of webbing at the base of the shuttle's ramp and head up into it. “Good.” Gridon mumbled when another shot of webbing came from the treeline this time from a different position hitting the side of the cockpit with a WUMP! Gridon gave a scared and surprised cry “Ah!” as it landed and Vorm turned to his starboard side unsure if it was a new target or the same that had moved. This clump of webbing was much like the first with the long rope of white goo leading back to the treeline becoming taught and pulling against the cockpit. Like before Vorm banked the Y-wing to the right this time and opened fire on the white rope of goo but this time only one of the front nose guns opened fire. The starboard side burned and overloaded being covered in webbing from the earlier shot. “This is getting troublesome!” Vorm exclaimed and then fired the singe nose gun into the rope of webbing and after several shots he burned through it. Vorm decided to raise the Y-wing higher in the air as another shot of webbing just missed the undercarriage of the Y-wing. “We'll head out.” Vorm shouted back towards Gridon. Gridon had his vision locked on the imperial shuttle that had closed it's walk ramp a few moments earlier as the Y-wing had lifted up out of arachnid's range and now started to lift off. “We will guide in my assistant.” Gridon said. Vorm gave a half audible huff and had started to comment on the shuttle staying with them when suddenly a pair of the huge arachnids leaped from the treeline and landed on the shuttle as it tried to take off. “Stang!” Vorm cried out nodding at the shuttle. “Too slow to take off.” Was all Gridon said as the pair of arachnids started to tear into the hull of the shuttle. A second later Vorm turned the Y-wing towards the shuttle as the pair of craft lifted higher into the air. “I can try and blast them off.” Vorm said turning his squid like head towards Gridon. “No. He has to learn to take care of himself.” Was Gridon's reply. Vorm found the other mans composure cold. Vorm waited a second as he was a bit taken aback at Gridon's words but then turned to his controls and banked the Y-wing away from the shuttle “Fine.” Was the only reply Vorm gave to Gridon as their fighter pulled away from the area still drapped in the sticky white webbing.
   A moment later the imperial shuttle was struggling to lift off started shuttered. In the cockpit the young imperial sat at the controls trying to steady the craft as he turned the nose of the shuttle skyward. As the view of the treeline started to raise away the dark long legs of one of the arachnids clattered over the  roof of the shuttle and then slide down the nose as it screeched and started tearing into the shuttles nose. Gridon's assistant frantically banked the shuttle over to its side quickly and watched the arachnid fall back to the ground with a half bounce and skitter in a circle below the shuttle as it did more screeching from the other arachnid on the back of the shuttle started ripping into the dorsal fin of the shuttle hanging on by impaling the sharp ends of its legs through the shuttles dorsal fin and started shooting more webbing onto the shuttles body to keep attached to it. The young man at the controls tried to rise and fall to shake the beast loose but the shuttle wasn't designed to make quick radical moves while in atmosphere and the maneuver started to shutter the shuttles hull and fins. Gridon's assistant cursed under his breathe trying to keep the shuttle from spinning out of control as he flew away form the landing area now over the trees. A moment later another loud screech came from the arachnid on the shuttle's hull as the sound of more ripping metal came from the top of the shuttles hull. The young imperial was in a near panic as he flicked switches and clicked buttons to spin the  shuttle more to shake the arachnid free. The young man was mid motion flipping switches when a blue arc of light filled the cockpit.
   As the arachnid clung to the shuttles hull screeching and tearing into the outer hull when the shuttle slowly rotated over exposing its underbelly to the sky. The arachnid holding onto the dorsal fin started to claw its way up to the body of the shuttle. It was midway up the dorsal fin when the shuttle sped up and dipped hard into the treetops smashing its fins into the treetops raking the arachnid into the trees it screeched as it struggled to hang onto the dorsal fin but after a few seconds enough treetops tore into the beast and it pulled free of the shuttle and jumped into the trees. A second later the shuttle lifted itself from the treetops still upside down and slowly rotated itself right side up as it continued upwards heading up into the lower atmosphere passing into the reddish white cloud that was slowly starting to dissipate.
   
   

Millennium Falcon crash site.

Almost half an hour had passed since the Falcon fell into the trees and skidded into the shallow creek and rested half sank into the water and Solo had come outside to see the arrow head shaped imperial ship in low orbit. Most of the Riptide's survivors were standing on the bank of the small river watching the large wookiee Chewbacca kneeling on top of the rear quarter of the YT-1300 pulling off panels and working on the internal workings of the Falcon. The landing ramp was lowered and half sank into the the creeks water. Standing in the water was a tall Corellian man with his hands on his hips and a disgusted look on his face. “Well how bad is it?” Han Solo shouted up to Chewy. A pair of short controlled roars from Chewbacca was the reply the wookiee gave without looking up from the opened maintenance panel.
   In the cockpit of the Falcon Lando Calrissian sat in the pilot seat clicking buttons on and off. Lando flipped a switch and talked into the mic on the control panel. “That's the one Chewy.” Lando said testing the control panel. A moment later Han entered the cockpit tracking in water and sitting in the copilot seat with an annoyed expression. “It's not as bad as we thought at least.” Lando said trying to ease the tension. Han gave a huff and exhaled “We need to get airborne before any of those things decide to come after us.” Han said in a short dejected tone. Lando gave a nod and looked out the cockpit behind the Falcon to see the small group of Mon Calamari's on the bank of the creek.
   On the creek bank Tarris and the other about a dozen other Mon Cala's dipped their webbed hands and feet into the water basting each other in the clear liquid hydrating their skin and pours of their fish like bodies. A sudden blur of movement in the distance was caught by one of the Mon cala pouring water over his face and he backed up from the water towards the hull of the Falcon. A second later the rest of the group wadding in the river took notice of a shape trudging along the riverbank in the distance. After a few moments of tense silence Lt. Tarris noticed the curious figure moving towards their group and called out “Identify yourself!” she yelped as she took a few steps backward towards the Falcon with the rest of the mon calamari's as a of officers force from the Riptide pulled their water logged blasters. In the distance the figure slowly took form at first the shape was odd, it was larger then a humanoid but not as large as the arachnid beasts. The figure slowly started to separate into two distinct figures both seemingly humanoid in shape. After a few moments a female voice called out “Friendlies!” Tarris gave a slight sigh of relief and trudged along the riverbank towards the figures. Two of the other half dozen remaining Mon Cala wadding in the river came with Tarris both being the security forces with the blasters.
   As the figures came closer the distinct shapes of a man and a woman came into view. The man a blonde haired human was in the lead walking more measured steps with his black uniform easily identifying him as an imperial tie pilot. The woman walking behind him was slightly taller and also blonde wearing her green and white flight suit from her A-wing. They came closer still as the woman spoke up aloud and projecting her voice so the mon Cala's could hear “Lt. Aerrel Tritan. From Dryce's Deck.” Tarris took the other woman's words with a measured trust and called back as they both came closer to the Falcon “Lieutenant what was your designate and your co-pilot's designate?” Tarris said letting the ruse slip between the sentence. If this was Tritan she'd pick up on it easily. As the pair of blonde humans came closer to the mon cala's Triton spoke up loudly “There was no copilot of course, we Ace flyers are solo jobs, but I was the SPEAR and my wing-man was LONGSPEAR.” Triton said confidently. Tarris's fish-like mouth smiled wide and she and the other pair of Riptide officers rushed over to the pair. The two security officers keeping their blasters trained on the imperial while Tarris ran up to Tritan and gave her a squeezing hug. “We thought you were dead!” Tarris exclaimed. Tritan nodded and wiggled free from Tarris' hug replying “I almost was, this one here was nearly the end of me. But he was a bit fresh in grav-couch.” Tritan teased as she lifted the nuzzle of her blaster pointing it at the imperial pilot's back. Tarris gave a frown towards the blonde imperial pilot standing there with his hands now in the air as the pair of mon cala security picked over his flight-suit. “He'll pay for his crimes.” she said to Tritan. Aerrel nodded “He's got quite a fury in him but he's went silent since I captured him.” Tarris let her fishlike eyelids half close over her eyes “He was talking to you prior?” Tritan shook her head “No, more like demanding, pointing a blaster in my face and screaming about something.” Tritan finished and put the nuzzle in the imperial's back. “We'll take him from here Lieutenant.” One of the mon calamari officers said and marched Lt. Vanders away and behind the Falcon. Tarris and Tritan closely followed behind as Tritan greeted the rest of the survivor's from the Riptide at the base of the Falcon's loading ramp.
   Tritan and Tarris chatted a few moments about the current status of the Falcon's repair work and offered to help. Tarris waded into the creek and waved a webbed hand up at the Falcon's cockpit where Han and Lando were working on the Falcon's systems. “General Solo! The Lieutenant would like to assist in the repairs. Solo waved back from behind the Falcon's segmented cockpit windows and waved the pair to come up.
   Inside the cockpit Han and and mon calamari technician worked with some tools on open control panels in the rear of the Falcon's cockpit. Lando sat in the pilot seat clicking buttons and switches and talked into the intercom “That's it for that one Chewie.” Aerrel and Tarris strode up to the rear entrance of the cockpit and gave a nod to Han who was twisting a few wires together. “General, the Lieutenant just dropped off a prisoner and wants to help with repairs and we're wanting to help.” Han didn't turn to them right away cursing under his breath as a small spark of electricity popped as he finished connecting some of the wiring he was working on “Fine, one of you get in the top gun turret just in case our large legged friends come to finish us off. I figured we'd be in the air by now.” he grumbled. “I told ya this was worse then you thought.” Lando grumbled back from the pilot seat without looking back. A look of annoyance came across Han's face as he turned finally facing the Mon calamari officer and the human A-wing pilot offering assistance. “You two can decide who gets in the gun turret the other put the prisoner out somewhere out of the way. Then help the techs get the deck plates and inner hull panels space worthy in the rear quarter of the Falcon.” After explaining the prisoner was already taken away to an isolated area outside the Falcon to which Han nodded and continued working on the control panels. Aerrel and Tarris both nodded in reply and turned deciding who was going to take what. Aerrel decided to help the other mon calamari techs welding the internal hull plates near the commons area of the Falcon while Tarris decided to post up inside the top gun turret.



ICC Slipstream...

Deep in the Slipstream's decks Lieutenant Klavine strode the corridor's passing imperial technicians and the occasional stormtrooper. His Grey uniform and black cap given to him from Admiral Sequa let him fit into the aesthetic of the crew easily enough. Though some of of the officers did take a quick glance at his face as if trying to place a name to go with him as if he were a recent transfer to the crew they hadn't been made aware of. Klavine had been in his tiny quarters and went over his data pad given to him by the Imperial Admiral before being escorted to said quarters. The data pad had a few bits of information regarding imperial munitions movements and a message popped up after a few minutes on it.

[[[Once settled head to the flight bay and take inventory of all spacecraft and select one of the smaller hyperspace able shuttles for your use. Then return to your quarters and give your findings with the data cylinder to one of the stormtroopers that will be sent to your quarters once you've returned. -S ]]]

“Awfully confident”. Klavine thought to himself as the image of Sequa's smiling face appeared in his mind. Maybe he should just take one of the craft hyperspace ready and run. Klavine cracked a small smile then it faded when he remembered as soon as he cleared the bay or maybe even before the Slipstreams gravity wells would snatch him up. “Fine.” He thought to himself “I'll see where this little game leads.”. So Klavine was on his way to the flight bays. A few times along the way he almost thought about torching this old man's plan and taking his A-wing back and running for the planet if he couldn't jump from the system. He contemplated the idea a few times until he reach the flight bay of the Slipstream that dashed those hopes in a instant as he saw flight crews and maintenance workers readying the ties on the interdcitor cruiser for launch.
   Klavine looked down into his datapad trying to act as natural as any of the other techs in the large hangar bay. He slowly made his way to his A-wing and his rebellious ambitions were dashed seeing the maintenance crews had been tearing into his A-wings cockpit and had strewn wiring and circuit boards about the A-wings cockpit as the covers to the control panels were laid on and around the small fighter's hull. Klavine gave a defeated sigh and looked at his data pad again and decided to think about Sequa's offer in earnest this time. Perhaps the old man anticipated Klavine's escapist line of thinking and be part of the mythical FOCI organization he claimed. FOCI was a cryptic word used by admiral's and generals to give weight a strategy or information gathered. For years Klavine thought the organization didn't really exist. Yet this Imperial admiral had claimed to be part of it. A more sinister thought crossed Klavine's mind as the image of Sequa revealing his association and offer to join FOCI so casually. The sentence the imperial admiral used about using the imperial's as tools echoed in Klavine's mind and he looked down at the gray imperial tech suit he wore. Klavine gritted his teeth and continued to take visual note of the hangar as maintenance and ordinance crews on elevated platforms worked on touch ups on the tie fighters hanging in their racks.
   A few minutes in the crews started to scatter and move around as if something had changed. Klavine didn't bother to care what it was, he was more interested in getting off this imperial ship as fast as he could. A few moments later he came across a trio of shuttles tucked into the far rear corner of the hangar bay. Klavine gave a confident stride over to them looking at the data pad and pretending to make entries on it as he approached them to sell his charade to any casual onlookers. As Klavine got closer another gray clad technician came from around the body of the closest shuttle and gave a half nod as if acknowledging a fellow tech. Klavine returned the nod as he drew closer and pretended to punch a few more entries into his data pad. Klavine looked over the trio of shuttles parked corner of the hangar. One was a Lambda T-4 a shuttle polished and cleaned to imperial specs. Its black transparasteel view port polished to a black fine reflective finish. Klavine assumed that would be Sequa's personal vessel. Adjacent to Sequa's shuttle were a pair of score marked and rugged worn looking Sentinel shuttles.
   Klavine assumed Sequa intended him to take choose the flashy command shuttle but Klavine knew that would be too expected. Not that Klavine expected himself to steal and escape successfully with any of the shuttles at the moment just chose one for later use. Klavine looked over the pair of Sentinel shuttles remembering to occasionally pause and punch in some imaginary data on the pad. Both shuttles had seen action with its carbon scoring and repaired hull welds showing. Klavine opened the boarding ramp to the first shuttle and looked inside seeing the seating for troops in the rear area looking in adequate condition. He went to the cockpit and tested some of the internal low power tests but not starting up the shuttle and garnering any unneeded attention. Klavine left the shuttle and closed it's ramp and went to the second Sentinel and inspected it as well.
   Inside the troop area had many of its seats removed and maintenance equipment where they had been. Around the internal hull control panels and sidewalls were removed with bits of wiring frayed and exposed with their panels left open. Klavine went to the cock pit and tested the power and like the first showed it was ready to power up if needed for a dust off. Klavine gave a smirk of approval then turned and left the Sentinel and closed its ramp deciding this was the best to use as an escape vehicle of the three shuttles. After some fake data pad entry to any onlookers Klavine noticed something had changed in the minutes since he started inspecting the shuttles. The technicians and maintenance crews were rushing around  in double quick time as they finished spot checks put away energizer stands as they hustled back and forth over platforms along with pilots scrambling to get back into their cockpits. The increased activity started raising internal concerns in Klavine's mind and he decided not to get caught up by any techs that in a rush noticed he wasn't. After another quick moment Klavine decided to leave the hangar in a quickened step as to avoid any unwanted attention as he strode out of the hangar with his datapad unsure of what the correct course of action would be. A  quick moment dodging other technicians in the corridors of the Slipstream he decided to humor Sequa with his request. Perhaps instead of blasting his way out of the ship Sequa was serious about his offer or at least serious enough to allow Klavine to use the Sentinel with it's interior torn apart to leave this imperial ship and return to the Rebellion.


Commander Faraday barked orders at her crew pits as the reddish white clouds dissipated. Strangely enough as the cloud cover giving the Slipstream its hidden position dissipated it seemed to sink lower into the planets atmosphere near the top of the forests treetops and seemed to coalesce into a much smaller condensed form of its original self. Faraday gritted her teeth as her eyes were affixed on the forward view port at the small bright illumination of the engines of the Rebel frigate and the danger it posed. “Status!” she barked at an officer in the starboard crewpit. A young dark haired officer in his grey-green uniform looked up replying “It's seen us, sensors swept over us 2 minutes ago our scans say.” Faraday's expression went from annoyance to slight frustration “Are the crews still at the ready?” she said back to the port crewpit. An older red haired female officer in a black uniform and cap replied “Still at the ready Commander ready to launch.” Faraday sucked in air between her teeth. She wanted to launch fighters immediately and attack the frigate but doing so meant the rebel ship would call back their fighters and shuttles currently moving their people from the surface crash. More then likely they'll wait until they have all their people aboard before going hostile she thought to herself.
   Faraday gave a wince and started to ask something when a technician called over to the scanner officer loud enough that Faraday could hear “What is it?” she called out. The young man in the gray-green uniform looked up from the technicians read out “A new signal from the edge of the system moving in fast. It's signature reads as a rebel fighter  X-wing class.” the officer finished. “A rear sentry perhaps.” Faraday said aloud. “Keep an eye on it while we prepare defensive measures.” Faraday finished. The officers in the crew pits acknowledged but the sense of dread was worn openly on their faces. Faraday knew they took a beating a day and a half ago and didn't want to get into a battle so soon again. “Too bad.” she said to herself under her breathe. Her brother was on the Kumo and dead or alive she'll be taking him back.




Red Squadron...

With the horizon of the planet quickly descending below his X-wing rebel pilot and red-leader Wedge Antilles ascended into the lower atmosphere to make sure his transmissions were received without interference. The image of the arrow headed interdictor cruiser lighting up on his cockpit scanner readings meant that the entire situation has changed drastically. “This is Red Leader to Harken's Threat, do you read?” Wedge said as he held down the transmission button in his cockpit. A moment later a crackle through his cockpit's speaker came through with the voice of the Harken's captain. “We read you Red Leader. Things have gotten serious up here.” He replied. “So I read, any trouble from our new friend yet?” Wedge replied anxiously. Captain Jogen's voice returned through the speaker “Not yet, but considering they've been here a while they might have not expected to be found out so quickly.”
   The words sat there a half second and just as Wedge was about to reply a new voice came in through his receiver “Ya know Wedge, we can go do a fly by and see if they'll take a shot at us.” the familiar voice of Luke Skylwalker filled Wedge's ears. “Luke! Glad to have you with us boss!” Wedge replied excitedly as a smile started to creep across his face “Wedge, I just made it in-system. Captain Jogen said you were covering shuttles with the survivor's? Were Han and the others with you?” Wedge's demeanor clouded slightly, “We got as many as we could before these beasts attacked us. They were spider-like and very tough even for our cannons.” Wedge held the breathe a second before continuing “A few of them pounced on Generals Solo and Calrissian and brought the Falcon down in the forest in the middle of the continent.” Less then a second after finishing his words Luke blurted in “Are they hurt?” Wedge gave a half breathe as he replied “As far as we heard no, General Solo said they fought the beasts off but the Falcon took damage and has to be repaired before she's space worthy again. Hopefully he can hold out.” Wedge finished the words and waited for a reply which came almost instantly “He can, he's a pretty good card player.” Luke said with a smirk across his face and continued “Wedge after you ferry the last of the survivor's to the frigate form up a sentry line around it but hold some of your fighters back to engage if needed we're going to take a look at that drag ship.”
   Luke finished speaking as Wedge's voice crackled back through the com-channel “I'll have them up and ready in less then a 10 minutes.” Wedge said with anxiousness in his voice. Luke held onto Wedge's words a moment before gritting his teeth and opening his comm again. “Send me the coordinates your fighters saw the Falcon go down at I'll see if I can get Han a hand.” Wedge nodded in his cockpit towards his comm speaker as he replied “Sending them now Luke.” Wedge replied and punched the navi-computers buttons on his control panels as he transmitted the information to Artoo inside Luke's X-wing. A moment later Luke's X-wing dashed downwards towards the forested center of the planet below them as Wedge turned his attention back up towards the shuttles and fighters heading back to the frigate.

Harken's Threat bridge...

Captain Jorgen turned to the communications officer a young human man in his standard rebel naval uniform and replied to him with a questioning tone “Are you sure?” The young man at the communications station nodded as he replied “Yes sir, they haven't activated their grav-wells yet but they are jamming all but short range transmissions. Captain Jorgen rubbed a hand over his layered skin mouth his Bith race was distinct for having. “Something about this doesn't add up. They know we've been here and now that they're found out they sit there?” He turned to the human man with dark hair in a rebel uniform standing next to a holo-table. “Perhaps they were damaged during the fight at Endor a few days ago and weren't able to make repairs to their gravity wells.” Was the reply of the Harken Threat's first officer. “Hmmm possible but unlikely, why come out to this nearly unknown system. Why not a shipyard or repair station to get repp'd and refitted?” Jorgen said as he turned back to a clear navi-display attached to a small bench and table at the side of the bridge. A second later he turned back to the first officer “Let's get our fighters up here immediately.” Jorgen finished.


Interdictor Slipstream Bridge...

“THIS IS INSANE! Not only does it border on treason! It's going to get us all killed!” Was the bark of protest from Commander Farday towards the Slipstreams commanding officer, Admiral Sequa. It was notable that the Admiral was again on the bridge. An unusual fact the bridge crew in their pits and consoles had taken notice of. Only in times of extreme importance did Admiral Sequa bless them with multiple visits in the same rotation. Commander Faraday's protest was heard throughout the bridge over the heads of the technicians and gunners putting their heads down and dared not be caught looking up at the Faraday face to face with Sequa on the command walkway. “Plans or not that ship has to be disabled or they'll bring more rebel ships and we wont be able to outrun nor outgun them all.” Faraday said her brow furrowed in discontent at the gray bearded Sequa. Sequa to his credit didn't interrupt her during her emotional outburst even though he had the rank and the wish to. “I understand your concerns Commander and they are noted however a more pressing matter is upon us.”
   Sequa let the conversation die there and thought of a few minutes prior to Lieutenant Klavine being escorted back to meet him and telling him the gutted Lambda shuttle was his choice. Sequa gave the younger man a pair of datapads to be read in-transit and he was to take the shuttle out of the system immediately. As Sequa's words cleared away one of the communications technicians spoke up “Admiral, we have an incoming transmission.” Sequa turned to the middle aged man with brown hair “From the rebels?” Sequa scoffed. “No sir, an imperial code.” The man replied punching buttons on his console. Sequa gritted his teeth would Klavine be as obnoxious enough to out himself now that he's just gotten back to the lambda shuttle? Sequa wondered. “What's the source?” Sequa said in a slightly authoritarian tone. The technician looked up at the admiral “It's from Captain Kai, sir. He apparently survived the Kumo's crash.”. Sequa gave a half frown before replying “Put him through...” He said nonchalantly. A moment later the crackle of a microphoned voice came through the console as Sequa stood over the man overlooking him from the command walkway. “--aday, listen! He's alive. He's hurt but alive. If you have any compliment of fighters ready them I'll have mine sky bound in less then 5 minutes. Wait for my signal then launch. Don't make a hostile move against the rebel ships yet until we're skyborne.” The hastened voice of Captiain Kai said coming through the comm-channel. Sequa simply pointed at the communications officer with a finger and nodded giving him the signal to open a channel to reply. Faraday who was a moment ago angered by the unwillingness by the Admiral to engage the rebel ship walked over to Sequa with a half apologetic glance and because she wanted to listen to Kai's words. “Admiral Sequa here Capain. We're going to be activating the gravity wells in a few moments we can't allow any of them to leave the system and bring reinforcements. You'll have to join the fray afterwards.” Sequa finished. The words sat for a second before Kai's voice cracked back “Wait until the last second if you can Admiral. The crashed rebel ship had fighters and crews up and flight worthy along with whatever else they've brought into the system.” Kai finished.
   Sequa winced. The rebel frigate and fighters were going to be a challenge for the Slipstreams fighters and crew as is, if they have additional support from the planet this will quickly turn into a real scrap against the rebels. Sequa pointed again at the communications officer who nodded and opened the mic “Move quickly Captain.” was all that Sequa replied. Faraday stood behind him gritting her teeth. Kai had said “he was hurt” did he mean her brother? Did he know that much about him. Her mind raced if they attacked the battle would be difficult if they waited the rebels were sure to bring additional reinforcements. Her thoughts were cut off by one of the flight officers in the adjacent crew pit behind her and Sequa
   “Sir, one of the Sentinel's is leaving the main bay.” Faraday spun around on her boot heel “What?! Who?” She barked at the young brown haired man who raised a hand signaling he wasn't in contact with the pilot. “No need to worry Commander.” came the words from Sequa still at the edge of the opposite crew pit. “It's one of my messengers. As soon as he jumps from the system momentarily we'll activate the gravity wells.” The Amdiral finished. Faraday wasn't unaccustomed to Sequa sending a messenger as he called it on occasion but this seemed like and extremely bad time. “Will they bring reinforcements?” She said aloud. Less then a milisecond later she internally cursed herself knowing that the Empire's fall back points weren't going to leave to engage on a whim. No the messenger must have been something separate for Sequa. “No, I am sending information as we've jammed all long range communications.” Faraday nodded as Sequa confirmed her own thoughts a half second before. A few seconds later the navigation officer behind the flight officer spoke up “A rebel fighter is breaking away from the ferrying and on an intercept course with the shuttle Commander.” Faraday turned to Sequa who only nodded in reply. Faraday turned back to the crewman as she spoke “Launch fighters keep them away from the shuttle until it breaks for hyperspace then activate the gravity wells.”

Harken's Threat Bridge

“It'll be a race to the edge of the system Captain.” The first officer spoke up towards the Bith Captain Jorgen. A moment ago a Sentinel shuttle left the interdictor cruisers hangar and made its way towards the hyperspace lane. It'd need a few moments for the navicomputer to make the jump. Jorgen had ordered one of the X-wings closest to the Harken to intercept it. “The shuttle can't be afforded to leave in case it's trying to bring additional reinforcements.” Jorgen said aloud then the first officer spoke again “They must have their engines damaged and can't jump away but we caught them by surprise before they could send a signal so they're trying to get word to their fleet physically. It must be why they haven't activated the gravity wells yet.” the first officer finished. Jorgen turned and nodded at the first officer in reply. “It appears that way.” he said as his large black Bith eyes  looked out from the forward viewer.


Kumo survivor column at Rally-point Alpha.

The ITT came to a quick stop at the edge of the rally point. The encirclement of shuttles and transports forming the semi-circle of ships in the dusty redish sands on the northwestern peninsula. The ITT had barely stopped and lowered as Kai hopped off the hull Vishar hopping of behind him. As they did Lieutenant Ryvil approached wearing his black flight suit. “Captain we're glad you arrived.” Ryvil said as he got within earshot. Kai grimaced and replied walking past Ryvil towards the Tie fighters and interceptors parked near the center of the semi-circle with a large titan drop-ship looming in the background. “Is my fight suit ready?” Was Kai's reply not even stopping to look at Ryvil as he bustled past heading towards the fighters. Ryvil turned and matched Kai's quick steps “Yes of course Commander Karamat had it ready a few hours ago.” Ryvil replied. “Good I want all remaining  interceptors and fighters skyborne in the next 3 minutes the bombers are to be held in reserve in case of a counter attack.” Kai barked as he continued toward the fighters and shed his olive drab tunic tossing it behind himself towards Vishar and started unbuckling his trousers. To his credit Vishar caught Kai's tunic and kept in stride the hole time. Ryvil had a confused look on his face “Counter attack sir?” was his reply. “Yes, the rebels will come to finish us off once they get into a scrap with the Slipstream and disengage it.” Kai barked and tossed his trousers at Vishar as he grabbed the black fight suit sitting on a cargo crate next to the tie fighters. “Disengage?” Ryvil replied again with a questioning tone. Kai flashed him an angry look “I don't have time to explain. Keep yourself alive up there and break away from fighting when I say we may both live to see tomorrow.” Kai's words barked again at Ryvil. Visha remembered the Captain said something similar to himself the day before and now another situation has become dire enough to say it again.

Ryvil gave Kai a nod and headed toward his fighter. Kai finished donning his large black tie pilot helmet and linked up his oxygen chestbox controls. A moment later Kai's microphoned voice came through towards Vishar who stood there holding his uniform. “Get to the command center and take control of the situation, make sure Karamat's crews are ready. We'll need them to go at a moments notice.” Vishar nodded and turned and hustled off to the titan dropship looming behind the cluster of Tie fighters and interceptors on P.L.R. Moving units starting to disengage as technicians worked the control boards on the sides of the P.L.R.s releasing the fighters to fly.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on April 17, 2020, 05:52:35 AM
Nice. Off to the front pages.

Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on April 18, 2020, 09:28:41 PM
Here's a rough test of the Kumo column. The background picture is just clip art from somewhere and I slapped on bubbles and a lensflare... i think it could work...

(https://dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/kumo-column1.png)

(https://dejariktable.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/kumo-column1copy2.png)

Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on April 19, 2020, 06:44:01 AM
Now that looks like it will work great. Very nice.

Off to share.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on March 24, 2021, 02:13:58 AM
(((Nearly a year since the last post! I actually sketched up the next few chapters months ago but works kept me from cleaning it up and post them.. i figure a few more updates coming sooner rather then later)))



Western coast...

Lt. Sylvon had spent a near sleepless night wadding in the still ocean as she watched the tall grass at the beaches sandy edge rustle back and forth some few dozen meters past the edge of the sandbar. Her speeder bike floated in front of her between her and the beach line so Sylvon could keep behind it in case anything dangerous or hungry came out of the grass. Her prisoner, the young rebel man had his arms tied above him and to the front airfoils of the speeder bike. Neither of them spoke either out of contempt for each other or for the fear that spiked through each of them as the hisses and rustling from the tall grass grew louder and then rescinded away as if a hunter had lost it's prey and made the growling hiss sound in frustration.

The next morning once the sun was well up and the rustling of the grass at the edge of the sandy beach had long since went silent Sylvon moved the speeder bike and her prisoner out of the water to the white sandy coastline. She and her rebel prisoner were half water logged and mostly exhausted. She thought of how long many hours she still had yet to travel and her tired eyes shut their lids and her body half drifted as her sense felt dulled and flat. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes stretching her arms out and unbuckling her tunic that was water logged from the waist down. She tossed it onto the field pack at the back of the speeder bike and tied it down using some of the rope still in the bike's satchel. She turned to the rebel still slumped against the airfoil of the speeder bike, his body also covered in water from the waist down but unlike Sylvon he was still attached to the speeder bike unable to do much more then slump next to it and like her only half awake.
   Sylvon gave him a half angered sneer at the thought of him burning holes through her shipmates as he fought through the Kumo's decks. Her anger was only sated by her sinister thoughts that came afterwards and the mental images of pain that danced through her mind. “Wake up scum.” She said in a tone slightly above a casual phrase. The young man Lt. Smoldz startled and woke blinking his eyelids awake. The young man turned to face Sylvon but was pulled back as his wrists were still bound with rope to the speeders airfoil. “We going?” he replied in a weak monotone voice. Sylvon gave a flash of a sneer and quickly turned it into a smile “No, no this is where you and I part ways rebel.” she said in a similar monotone voice as the smile on her face crept away into a more serious expression. “Part ways?” Smoldz asked. “You're letting me go?” he continued with a mixed look of sleepiness and surprise on his face. “Sylvon didn't bother looking at him and instead took out the vibro-knife from the supply satchel and walked to the air foil and quickly cut the cable holding the young man's wrists. She suspected he had no energy to fight once freed and her suspicions were correct as Smoldz let his arms fall limp to his sides his legs felt compelled to join and he collapsed his exhausted body onto the warm sand as his legs started to dry in the sun.
   Sylvon said nothing and returned to the seat of the speeder bike. Taking notice of the vibro blade as not to let it get away from her should her tired prisoner turn vengeful. She started the pre-start sequence and noticed the night in the water had flooded some of the exhaust vents and would have to warm up the bike before she departed. As she started the warm-up prepping Smoldz slowly stood rubbing his wrists. The sand clung to his back and legs as he walked around the speeder bike looking out into the sunny grasslands as Sylvon continued to ready the bike. “We're too far out...” Smoldz mumbled. “What?” Sylvon replied with a faux surprise tone to her reply. “We're too far from the Riptide or anything, I'll never make it back to them in a day.” He finished while looking past the sand into the tall grasslands. Sylvon knew this full well and it was part of what kept her hatred for the young man tempered, knowing he was about to be marooned with monstrous creature's only a nightfall away from tearing him to bloody pieces. Another few moments and she'd be on her way and done with this fool. She had thought of bringing him in to the rally point for interrogation, but with the hours yet to traverse and no telling if more of the arachnids would follow she deemed anything this young man may know for intelligence would be a casualty of war.
   Smoldz looked around seeing the sandbar trailing off into the horizon in front and behind him. The tall grasslands reflected some of the suns rays on one side of him as the ocean's waves stretched out to the horizon in the opposite direction of the grasslands. He thought for a moment at trying to rush the woman kicking her off the levitating bike but his energy and stamina were all but spent. He may have enough upper body strength left to knock her away but not enough to sustain a fight nor control the speeder bike for long. Then there was the fact he didn't know where he was and by evening if he was still around the sandbar he'd not survive the night if the arachnid creatures returned once the sun had set. He decided to make one last chance at survival he was part of Dryce's Deck and they worked with one foot in the grave as it was. “Please... take me with you and I'll tell you everything. Our contacts and the command officer that was feeding us information.” Smoldz sputtered the words out of his lips as Sylvan kicked a boot against the body of the speeder bike trying to get it to drain water from its ports. “Your contact was killed remember? The colonel we found.” Sylvan spat back at him her eyes crazed with a sneer. “No, not just him.” Smoldz replied. “He was only one of our priority pick ups. There was another.” he finished. Sylvan finished warming up the speeder and began operational sequence when he finished his sentence and she looked over at him as with a fury in her mind. Her tunic laid behind her on the bike's utility satchel. The bright sun had been beating on the pale skin of her shoulders a moment ago but it was starting to dull from a reddish white cloud swirling over the area. Sylvon didn't reply as she looked at the rebel in a furious snarl leaped from the bikes cushion her arms outstretched at the man's face and socked him in the in his chin. Smoldz's instinct's told him to back away but his energy and reaction time was so slowed Sylvon's punch landed cleanly on his chin her other hand scratched his face as she landed her body on his and they both fell into the small waves of the shore. The next few minutes was a melee of punches blocks and and kicks until both he and she spent their stamina and both collapsed into the water. Sylvon sat on her legs as the water came up to her waist her tank top soaked in sea water. Smoldz laid on his side trying to rise to his knees as he groaned. “Who!?” was Sylvon's only words towards him during this moment of truce. Smoldz coughed and slowly slogged to the speeder bike and lay against it as it hovered slightly above the waves repulsing the shallow water letting the sandbar beneath the few feet of water give it the resistance to levitate. Smoldz wasn't picky with his words “Later,... when safe.” Was his words as he pulled himself onto the back half of the bike and nearly slumped over.
   Sylvon groaned as she slowly stood her spite for this rebel the only energy giving her station to function. Her body was almost as exhausted as Smoldz's seemed. She imagined walking up to the speeder bike and pulling out the vibro knife from the satchel and plunging it into the younger man and tossing him into the waves. A moment later, Smoldz turned to Sylvon still half slumped over and looked up his face cut and slightly bleeding as he stared at her “The Captain,.. didn't seem to know who the contact was.” he finished. Sylvon gave a grunt as she imagined Captain Kai's questions on what the rebel knew and why didn't she bring him in. “We're about an hour away from the rally point.” Was her reply to him her own words betraying her minds vengeful imagination. Smoldz nodded and scooted back on the cushion. Sylvon walked towards the speeder bike and pulled back up on it noticing her lack of strength to gain register on the bike itself once she was atop it. She thought of the vibro-knife in the satchel and had she remember prior to mounting the speeder bike she may have pulled it from it's utility satchel but with her strength depleted and her prisoner now in an uneasy truce she decided not to remind him where it was. A few seconds later she clicked the switches to start the bikes movement and the pair were off moving down the sandbar north towards the rally-point.

Above Aranae...

Through the reddish white cloud Luke Skywalkers X-wing was having its scopes and sensors give false readings or none at all. Luke had descended through the pinkish mist towards the center of the continent where a large forest covered most of the central part of it's landmass. R2D2 gave a few beeps and boops as red text spawned over the Luke's cockpit screen. “I know! We'll be out of it soon I think. Keep senors marked for Han's crash site.” Luke said back to R2 who gave an affirmative whirl and beeps in reply.
   A few minutes later the crash site was visible near the center of the continent. A long winding river trailed over the middle of the forest from its northern area to its southern shore. About halfway up the river Luke saw the familiar disc with a fork forward sticking up from the from the riverbank and a gathering of beings around it. Luke gave a half smile and clicked on his comm system “Han old buddy, ya read me?” He said in an upbeat voice. A few seconds later the voice of Han Solo cracked over the speaker “Luke! Luke be careful there's these things on this world, crazy looking spider creatures. They can take a pistol or rifle blast like a light punch!” Han expelled as if he had been holding in the words awaiting the right time to say the mouthful. Luke gave a cautious look over the treeline near the river where the Falcon was resting. “R2 take the controls a moment and lower us over the treetops. I'm going to try something.” Luke said into his microphone. R2 gave a few cautious whines as Luke closed his eyes and reach out with the force. His minds eye extended beyond the cockpit and beyond the X-wing into the trees and past the forest canopy. A moment later he his closed eyes and brow and furrowed as he felt so many emotions wash over him, dark angry emotions. Spite, Hate, Dread, Vengence, were but of a few of the feelings that washed over Luke in a rush of emotion and he gritted his teeth at the feeling of contempt rising out of him. R2 gave out a whirl and beep questioning Luke's method. Luke opened his eyes and coughed “I can't believe it... its drenched in Hatred.. this place... is dark R2.” R2 for his credit gave the affirmative beep and whirl as Luke took the controls back and slowly brought the X-wing down to hover over the Falcon.
   Han Solo had exited the Falcon and waved to Luke's x-wing still hovering over his own ship. In the top gun turret Tarris watched the X-wing hover a moment as she took her eyes on and off the ship scanning the trees for possible hostiles. Han reach up the small cylindrical communicator to his face clicked it on as he spoke into its mic “Thanks a lot kid but we'll be back airborne in a few minutes.” He said in a relieved tone. “Sure you will...” Luke replied his mind scolding him for replying in such a harsh tone towards his friend and he snapped his emotions in line as Hand came back through the com-channel “Well even I'm not hedging bets on the Falcon.” Luke was glad his friend gave another sentence for him to reply to as he composted himself. “I'm sure you'll be back in the air quick old buddy. You want me to come down?” Han shook his head as he replied back in the communicator “No, I think we'll be fine. Might want to check on the survivor's heading up to the frigate. They may be able to explain what happened. Luke felt the urge to click off the microphone letting Han go unreplied, then the thought of replying to him how if he'd been a good pilot he'd be with the frigate himself. Luke swallowed and stifled that thought, and replied “Sounds good I'll head on out. See ya there!” He replied as Han held in the instinct to curse the younger man out for interrupting him. Luke took a moment and removed his gloves rubbing his bare fingers together in the X-wing cockpit. “Why am I feeling like this...” Luke mummured to himself a bit less sure of himself.

The last of the shuttles were enroute to the Harken's threat and Wedge Antilles clicked on his communicator “Rogues, form up. Be ready for hostiles.” The corresponding fighters replied back to him in his helmet. Nine other fighters aside from himself. A mix of X-wings and Y-wings and A-wings were the current compliment of Rogue Squadron after the battle a 2 days earlier at Endor. Wedge watched a lone X-wing slowly descend to the middle of the reddish white cloud towards the middle of the continent. His friend Luke Skywalker heading down to check on Generals Solo and Calrissian. A moment later one of the other Rogue pilots crackled in his helm's headset “Lead! Marks coming up from planetside! A mix of eyeballs and squints!”. Wedge gave a reply back “Rogues 3, 4, and 8. Run sentry for the frigate. The rest are with me!” he announced as he banked his X-wing away from the Harken's threat towards the mix of other Alliance fighters forming up around his position.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on March 24, 2021, 02:56:18 AM
Good to see you back. Time to go get this on the front pages.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on October 12, 2021, 07:35:45 AM
Rally-point Alpha...

Vishar stood in the makeshift command center inside the titan drop-ship. A few scrounged screens from the Kuomo hooked up to portable generators. At the screens were gray clad imperial technicians some without their signature black caps. In the middle of the center was the familiar face of Sergeant Atter. Vishar stopped in front of him. The much older grizzled Atter turned nodding an acknowledgment to Vishar as the younger man spoke. “The Captain has sent direct orders for Commander Karamat's forces.” he finished as Atter's demeanor remained stoic. “Spit it out lad.” Vishar explained the Captain's order to Atter who nodded again and barked an order over at one of the stations to a technician working their comm-channels. While Atter sent the message Vishar walked over behind a seated technician taking notice on the screen showing a red line readout of the area of space above the planet. Small bright red symbols designated the rebel fighters and a rebel frigate orbiting the planet. Slightly above the rebel signals in bright blue was the arrow headed shape symbol of an interdictor cruiser with a small stream of blue imperial symbols ascending from the planet as Kai's fighters entered the sensor readout's range.
   Vishar grabbed an empty supply crate next to one of the consoles and sat next to the communications terminal as the grey clad tech worked it's control making sure the information from Captain Kai was being received by Commander Karamat's ground forces successfully. After the tech finished the transmission he gave Vishar a successful nod as Vishar stood and looked at the screen readouts with the blue and red fighter symbols mixing as the combat between the rebels and imperial fighters had begun. “Do you think we'll be safe here?” Vishar threw the question towards Atter who was leaning over another grey technician in front of one of the tactical screens. Sergeant Atter simply barked back “No... none of us are, even here.” without even turning to look at Vishar. Vishar gulped silently in response and turned to one of unmanned communication stations that had been rigged for use but because of the scramble from the aerial battle had kept other techs from coming into the titan ship. Vishar took the supply crate and sat on it in front of the battered console trying to listen into the comms chatter of the battle above...


Streams of green and red laser fire doused the sky like a light show crossing each other and landing on each sides targets. Eruptions of metal and smoke illuminated the daytime sky even more as rebel and imperial fighters exploded. Crackling through the helmets of the tie fighters and interceptors came the voice of Captain Kai entering the fray “Keep distance from the frigate don't let their stragglers pull you within it's turbolaser's range! Keep a good distance make them come to you and burn their shields up to get closer to your vectors!” Kai gritted his teeth beneath his black skull like tie pilot helm as he felt his fighter's movements slightly sluggish from the plant's atmosphere but start fade away behind his fighter for the unrestricted movement of low orbit space. “Remember this isn't a destroy mission, keep the rebels off the cruiser and get it planet side fast. Then get yourselves to the ground once the order is given. There will be not second chances on this.” Kai barked into his helmets comm-channel.

In low orbit the fight that had started off with a thick webbing of laser fire had careened towards most of the tie fighters streaming for the interdictor cruiser in the distance in high orbit above the planet. Along an intercept vector with the group of rebel fighters also heading towards the arrow-head shaped cruiser and the exit vector of the Sentinel shuttle breaking for hyperspace.

Wedge Anitlles glanced back and forth at his readouts and cursed under his breath. The imps had sent the majority of their fighters on an intercept vector towards their own fighters heading towards the imp shuttle. Wedge hoped they would be heading towards the cruiser or would turn tail and run but it seems these imps are wanting to try and slug it out with them. “Fine.” Wedge mumbled to himself prepping his torpedoes and ranging his quad laser cannons. A moment later the shouts of the other rebel pilots filled the comm-channels as the squadrons of ties waded into the rebel fighters. “Break right 8 you've got one on your tail!” “Keep on that shuttle rogues we're almost there!” “I'm hit! I'm hit!”. Wedge spun his X-wing as green laser fight doused over his x-foils and and turned it to see a pair of tie fighters closing on his position. He rolled down towards the exit vector of the sentinel shuttle and launched a pair of torpedos he knew evading the pair of imps would cost his chances of catching the shuttle but thought the torps might make the shuttle recalculate for hyperspace for a few more moments. Wedge couldn't sit and see if his gamble paid off as the pair of fighters split in a pincer maneuver trying to flank his vector but keeping their distance. This surprised Wedge as most imp pilots are trained to go straight for an enemy and destroy it casualties be damned. “Well trained I see.” Wedge mumbled as he let out a volley of red laser fire from his quad cannons catching one of the Ties as it tried to swing wide exposing its large rectangular solar panel. The fighter erupted in an explosion of gas and metal flame. Wedge instantly turned to engage the second tie to find it no longer in the pincer maneuver and now fleeing back to the main force of imperials. He thought to give it chase for a split second then he remembered the priority was the shuttle. Wedge turned just in time to see his torps explode in a glorious ball of blue and white flame. But it was for not as the shuttle swung wide just enough to dodge the explosion and as Wedge saw a pair of A-wing's close in the shuttle leaped. “Stang!” Wedge cursed into his mic. Wedge turned to see the imperial's breaking for the planet. “Oh no you don't” Wedge said as he clicked on his mic. “Let's break this party up fast before more imps show up rogues.” He said clicking off his mic. “On it lead! Will do Rogue Leader!” came the responses to his orders when Captain Jorgen's voice from the Harken's Threat came through his helm “We saw it get away Rogue Leader, lets do what we can and see if we can clean up these imps, I'm sending for additional reinforc-” Suddenly a loud squawking noice filled the comm-channel as it did when imperial's jam them. Wedge checked his readings and that's when he noticed that his hyperspace navi-computer was bugging. The interdictor activated it's gravity wells. “What in the hells?” Wedge thought. Just them from the belly of the Interdictor several more tie fighters spewed from it adding to the already chaotic space battle going on. The precious seconds went by as Wedge sped to re-enter the fray of battle now with over a dozen ties from the interdcitor opposite in the rear of the rebel fighters chasing after the first sets of imperial fighters that were now racing planet side. Wedge knew the ties would be at a disadvantage in atmosphere but with another squadron bearing down on his units from behind the rebels would be caught in a cross fire of enemy targets. Worse yet the interdictor started slowly slithering towards the planet as well as if overseeing the slow descent of the three sets of fighters.



Harken's Threat

“What in the skies is it doing?!” Captain Jorgen flustered as his cheek flaps ruffled and he shook his large spherical head. One of the human officers called out behind him “It's confirmed comms are jamed and the imperial threw it's gravity fields up as soon as the shuttle leapt.” he said looking up from his console. Jorgen huffed “We'll worry about it if we have to, hopefully this mess will be finished before any more imps arrive.” Jorgen said then paused watching the interdictor “Move us to an intercept vector of the imp cruiser to keep it off our friendlies.”. The Harken's Threat crew rushed to complete their orders and start the maneuver as Captain Jorgen sat in his command chair watching the battle unfold.


Low Orbit

“All fighters to rally-point alpha you know your assignments!” Kai barked from his helmet. The skirmish with the rebel fighters had went worse then he expected losing 9 of the compliment of ties while the rebels lost only a pair. He remembered Captain Girdon's night strike on the Rebel's crashed cruiser day and a half before and Gridon selecting the best half dozen pilots of the remaining Kuomo's fighter wing. It was no wonder the least experienced and least trained pilots fell to the battle hardened rebels. Kai spun his interceptor towards the northern peninsula in the distance with the remaining ties forming up on him.

A sparatic blast of red laser fire caught one of the interceptor's next to him and tore its triangular wing from it's strut sending the fellow interceptor to a firey crash in the continent's forested area. Kai gritted his teeth, he knew the Viraxen would be on anyone in the forest now. He looked down seeing the second set of tie signals coming from a rear vector behind the rebels giving chase to his own ties. Kai gave a clearing breath into his helm as the sight of the continent below him transitioned from grassland to reddish dirt and rolling hills. “This is it.” he thought to himself. As he barked into his comm-channel “Make for your target areas and keep low altitude only engage if you absolutely must and be ready to ditch if your power drops to red levels!” Kai finsihed. A few acknowledgements from the remaining squadron leaders came through. He knew the Slipstreams pilots wouldn't be aware of the impending barrage about to happen nor would he try and warn them for fear of the rebels breaking through the jamming signals. Faraday's pilots would have to navigate the coming cross fire themselves.


ICC Slipstream

“Rebel frigate moving to intercept!” one of the grey clad techs shouted from his console in the starboard crew pit. Captain Faraday turned her head and nodded an acknowledgment to her crewman. She had only launched her fighters a few minutes earlier to entrap the rebel fighters as Kai had suggested. She knew this was the best route to victory but more importantly for her to see her sibling again. “Distance until it's in our batterie's range?” She barked at the port side crew pit. A woman in a green officers uniform leaning over a grey clad imperial tech turned to Faraday “30 seconds!”. “Have gunners ready and mark on the frigate's engines, keep us away from it as much as possible.” She gave a swift reply before turning back towards the view port. The distant dark specs that were her ships fighters sending small thin green blaster bolts and the even smaller darker specs that were the rebel fighters gave her an idea of where the fighters had entered the atmosphere and the strange red mist that now seemed to be spreading again like a thick mist of miasma engulfing the skies above the western side of the continent. She know Admiral Sequa would question her reasoning for entering the planet and the fighter combat she had an idea of what Kai had planned for his crew. To shuttle and grav lift his crew to the Slipstream before more Alliance forces arrive.


Aranae skies...

The fleeing ties were given a moment reprieve as most of the rebel fighters slowed and turned to engage the set of fighters behind them spraying them with laser fire. Wedge Antilles followed behind all three sets of fighters and saw his squadron's turn to engage the interdictor's fighters closing on them from behind. He himelf coming in behind even them. His R2 unit gave a wailing warning sound as it signaled the large imperial interdictor had started towards the planet itself as well. Wedge gave a worried sigh as he knew this was getting messy and sloppy fast. The next few seconds flashed by as he saw eruptions in the red mist slowly engulfing the entire battle above the continent. Wedge sped into the hairball of fighters as he unleashed a set of quad laser blasts catching a tie in the wingstrut and eyeball cockpit blowing it into scrap. Wedge looked up to see the shadow of the arrow-head shaped interdictor slowly bank away from the dog-fight as it headed quickly into the atmosphere. “Where are they going.” he wondered for a second before he saw the shape of the Harken's Threat pass overhead in pursuit of the interdictor. “Sloppy and fast.” Wedge mumbled again.

A few moments later Kai flew his tie next to Lt. Ryvil's interceptor who was leading the pack of ties fleeing from the battle. The pair didn't speak over the mics but soon Ryvil and a handful of the surviving ties broke for the continent's northern peninsula's grassy hills that transition the grasslands into the hills and red desert area of the rally point. Kai broke high heading towards the actual rally point itself with the remaining surviving ties meeting the tie bombers already in the air in a sentry line above the peninsula. A few minutes later the word came over the comm-channel that the rebels had torn through the Slipstream's ties and what few survived broke off and fled. Kai gave a half sigh of relief as the ties had given them enough time to save a few of his own forces. Kai banked his interceptor around and barked into his helms comm “Here they come, be ready and lead them in!”. Were the last words he half shouted into the comm-channel.


Wedge Antilles counted his blessing and those of his squadron his fighters had torn through the interdictor's fighters pummeling them and sending them skipping off into the atmosphere. Less then a half minute after the rear ties were destroyed and dispersed he ordered the rest of the rogue's after the lead ties heading for the planet. Just then heard rough crackled voices through the imperial jamming on the broad channel. “Captain Jorgen?” Wedge tested his mic but no recognizable words came back through. Did the imps stop their jamming? But he didn't get a second chance to ask as green sprays of laser fire just missed his quad canon as some of the tie's had used the thick red mist lowering itself into the skies above the continent as cover to surprise attack the rebel fighters. The tactic worked as an A-wing took a volley in the cockpit breaking the small fighter in half and sending it's flaming pieces falling towards the continent's forests. “Break LEFT!” Wedge shouted as more ties emerged from the red mist and headed down towards the grasslands of the continent. Wedge and his fighters turned in chase spraying red shots of laser fire across the fighters hitting a tie/ln and a tie bomber turning them into flaming wreckage as they imperial fell into the grasslands and hills at the southern edge of the continents peninsula. “Keep on'em! Don't let them get away.” Wedge shouted into his mic. For a split second he felt a sudden rush of heat and adrenaline through his face that he dismissed as his voice sounded angry in his orders. The rebel fighters were on the ties banking and weaving through the hills at the edge of the grasslands. Wedge felt his anger and animosity grow and tried to quell it and remain calm with a hard breath. It was unlike Wedge to feel this but something had enraged his emotions as if he needed to watch these imperials burn for their aggression.

As Ryvil's group of surviving ties banked and cut to avoid being blasted by the rebel fighters. It became obvious the rebels weren't going to let the imperial's run. They were tenacious tracking after the ties. Ryvil banked his tie around a high jutting rock formation and slowed allowing the rebel fighters in pursuit to see him make the turn easily. Wedge saw the interceptor in front of him make the bank around the jutting crags and make the turn almost too leisurely it had been all his effort from punching his engines full throttle and blazing away with his quads. In that split second Wedge let his control yoke and exhaled. The emotional toll on his senses was making his head hurt he felt anger, hatred, spite in his mind for these imps... nothing he hadn't before but he was becoming tunnel visioned in that second he pulled up above the jutting rock formation expecting to come down on the tie from above. Instead as he cleared the rock formation to see the other side of the rolling grass hill he was met with a volley of fire from ground forces AT-ST's and an AT-AT unleashed on his X-wing scoring hits and tearing his forward shields away almost instantly. Wedge cursed and banked on his control yoke as he felt multiple hits score on his rear fuselage and take out two of his engines. “Rogues this is lead! I'm hit.. I can't hold it!” “B**ail ou** lead!” “***unch out ***oss!” were the muffled sounds coming through the imperial jamming sounds as wedge grabbed his vape-mask and on his face and smashed the ejection control. The cockpit of the X-wing turned blue in the containment field as the cockpits thorn shape propelled itself from Wedge's X-wing and the small thrusters under the cock pit engaged to control its descent.
   Wedge held onto his grav-couch's harness as he saw his X-wing smash into one of the rolling grass hills next to the reddish red desert colored crags exploding in a ball of flame and scrap. Wedge's breathing was rushed as he felt the hard crash of the cockpit land hard on the grasslands throwing him into the ground and rolling onto his leg. “Aaaahhh” Wedge yelled as he felt the weight of the cockpit crushing and cutting in this legs as he tried to push it off. Above him the other Y-wings and X-wing's flew over and he reach a gloved hand to them trying to warn them as he tried to shout in pain into his mic “Don't Rogues! It's a TRAP!”. But the static from the imperials jamming took most of the message to crackling noise. A moment later AT-AT's and AT-ST's opened up from defended positions along the attack vector of the rebel fighters. Wedge laid back on the grass unable to pull free of the cockpit. “The lead us into a trap. How...” These words escaped his lips as Wedge passed out from the bloodloss and pain trapped under his own X-wing's ejected cockpit that had just moments ago saved his life.


The imperial driver turned to Commander Karamat inside their AT-ST cockpit “Targets in the open Sir.” Karamat turned on her comm-channel to the rest of her forces in their positions in and around the grassland hills and jutting crags the hills transitioned to as the grasslands became the red dirt and desert of the northern peninsula. “All units open fire, fire at will!” She barked into the comm-channel as the AT-ST's and AT-AT walkers opened up from their defilade positions on the unassuming rebel fighters in pursuit. The Rebels were experienced but not expecting heavy ground forces. They had just torn through a read guard of ties and had their confidence on high. What they didn't expect was much like the wave of ties behind them earlier they had destroyed they targets on the ground in front of and from above Ryvil and Kai's ties swarmed on them from above using the red mist as cover. Unlike the same battle a few moments earlier the Rebel fighters weren't in orbit with kilometer's of space to bank and maneuver to overtake the Slipstreams ties. Here they pulled up from the crags and hills escaping the hail of ground fire into the green lasers of the ties spraying into them from above. The Y-wings were the first to go as they were the slowest and and Kai had told his pilots they were the priority. 

The rebel fighters turned away from the red mist and headed across the norther western peninsula. Eventually coming across another set of tie bombers circling a mass amount of imperial material and vehicles.

From the bridge of the Harken's Threat Captain Jorgen pointed at the viewport as he turned to his gunner command officer. “Open up everything on them we have to bring comm's back!” “Yes-sir!” one of the rebel fleet officers said as rebel frigate opened up on the fleeing interdictor. Both capital ships exchanged volleys of turbo laser fire smashing into each others hulls. The Threat's smaller silhouette gave it a slight advantage as the gunners on both ships scored hits. One volley hit the command tower and tore into one of the round shield generators on the interdictor.

Faraday cursed out loud and turned towards the port crewpit as the Slipstream rocked from the laser fire. “Status!” An officer looked up at her “Shields are holding but comms are out, as well as the grav wells!”. Faraday turned towards the helmsman “That scum is getting close, keep them away from Kai's position understood?” A man in a black officers uniform shouted “Yes-sir!”. Faraday winced after a moment realizing that the rebel frigates volleys had knocked out their comms and their jamming signal.


The group of ties from Kai's group swarmed the rebel fighters from the North as Ryvil's group attacked from the East using the red mist as cover. The rebel pilots held as long as they could but being attacked from three sides they realized they would have to break off the attack. As Captain Kai watched the dog fighting unfold what had concerned him the most was that the battle had slowly shifted from the crags where the walkers were putting fire on the rebel fighters from below towards the West over the peninsula where the Rally-point was. Kai started to open his comm-channel when suddenly from above a hail of red laser fire poured into the ties from the East, from the red mist cloud the ties had been using for their surprise attack on the rebel fighters just moments before. Kai clicked on his comm “Onyx group turn and intercept!” Kai barked into the helm as a pair of ties fell flaming into the ground. Kai gritted his teeth and banked his tie to engage just as a pair of rebel fighters threw a hail of laser fire at him clipping the top of his statboard solar panel “Stang” Kai cursed as he turned away from the intercept vector, away from the newly arrived X-wing.

   Inside the X-wing joining the fray a scowl came over Luke Skywalker's face. He clicked on his comm noticing the jamming was gone. “Rogue Group! Pull up high and towards the West, all X-wing's form up on me we'll cover for the rest!”. Luke shouted into his mic.

The battle had naturally shifted west away from the ever creeping red mist cloud that was now again thick and opaque. Luke sprayed fire over a tie bomber joining the fray and sent it careening down into a hillside as it exploded and detonated it's concussion missiles and proton bombs inside it making a huge explosion that took out a nearby Imperial Troop Transport and topped an AT-ST. The ground fire from the AT-AT's and other ground troops had slowed but another X-wing and an A-wing were shot down during the fight before the rebel pilots had gotten the orders to pull up and out of the area. When Luke and the other fighters pulled up out of the fray they saw the large arrow-head interdictor off in the distance heading Northwest across the peninsula. Laying a volley of turbo laser fire at the smaller silhouette of the Harken's Threat in pursuit.


A few moments later Luke and the X-wing's had laid waste to half a dozen more ties sending them into hillsides or turning them into fire and scrap to fall in chunks to the grasslands. Inside the his interceptor Kai clicked switches and fought the control yoke to keep himself aloft. He turned on his comm channel “Remaining Onyx group head back for Rally-point Alpha be ready to reengage! All ground forces are to rendezvous at the fall back point.” Kai finished his words trying to hold them back, he had hoped they would repel the rebel forces but he had only delayed the inevitable. At Kai's orders the remaining ties only a half dozen left and himself banked away and headed towards the peninsula's coast.

 Watching the ties bank away and head towards the coastline leading towards the peninsula Luke smiled and clicked on his mic “That's our exit vector, Wedge where are you?” Luke shouted into his comm. “He's on the deck Boss! The imps clipped him and he ditched!” came the response from one of the other Rogue pilots. Luke gave a heavy breathe he was trying hard to control his emotions. He gritted his teeth as he heard the news of his friend and the anger started to creep into him again Luke swung his X-wing back on the ground forces now starting to disperse in the grassy hills. He flew until he found a well hidden AT-AT next to a jutting rock crag formation and unleashed a volley of quad laser fire into it, ripping through the rear of it's hull and launched a torp into the hole his quad lasers made blowing the walker apart from the inside in spectacular fashion sending shrapnel high into the air.
   A few beeps and blurbs from R2-D2 came over his cockpit screen and Luke gave it a second look “Really R2?” The droid responded with an affirmative.” Luke gave a sigh and opened his comms again. “Rogue Group head west over the peninsula and mark targets to take out. I'm going after Rogue 2 on the deck.” “You sure about that Luke? It's dangerous!” said one of the mon calamari pilots in a passing Y-wing. “I'll be fine, make sure to leave a few for me.” Luke said feeling the urge to suppress a curse back at the other pilot. Luke felt his hatred and his anger had become so intensified during this battle he could hardly focus.


Rally-point Alpha

During the multiple aerial battles going on Sergeant Atter had been coordinating ground forces from his position in the command center as Vishar was sending and receiving transmissions to and from the Tie groups and the Slipstream. A moment ago Captain Kai ordered the retreat of his forces which meant the remaining imperial personnel at the Rally-point started to scurry and prepare for an attack. Vishar was trying to reach Lt. Ryvil's interceptor when a tattered looking stormtrooper and naval trooper came into the command center informing Sergeant Atter that Lt. Sylvon had just arrived at the Rally-point and had a prisoner. “A fine time for procedures isn't it?” Atter scoffed “Get her in here and put a blaster in her hand we'll need every last trooper for this fight coming.” Atter backed back at the pair of men as they turned and left. Vishar had made contact with Ryvil's incterceptor when he heard something strange coming through the comm-channel. Vishar tried to make sense of it but it sounded like, chanting. He took the earpiece from his head and gave it to another tech in the control center who agreed. Vishar then turned to Atter who had no interest in how Lt. Ryvil's mental state had become at the moment. “We're about to be strafed and you bother me with that!?” Atter huffed. Get yourselves armed and get the Captain the position on the incoming rebels!” Atter yelled and Vishar and the other techs turned carrying out the orders.

A moment later a bruised and beaten looking Lt. Sylvon staggered into the command center. “I've returned with information for the Captain, sergeant.” Atter looked at the battered woman and shook his head. “So do we all get yourself armed the rebel fighters will be over us any second!” Atter spoke loudly so everyone in the command center could hear. A few moments later the sounds of torpedoes and bombs cascading into the supply depot's echoed with the sounds of dual and quad laser canons strafing the Rally point's vehicles and supplies drowned out the orders being shouted by sergeant Atter. “We need to go!” Vishar yelled as bombs dropped into the other shuttles and vehicles parked in the half circle around the rally-point. A moment later a pair of large explosions rocked the large titan drop ship and Atter turned to the other imperials “Everyone out now!”. Vishar and the rest of the crew had just cleared the door of the dropship to see a pair of red lasers tear the sands to their left up in a volley of laser fire. Vishar hit the ground and started to crawl away from the titan dropship. A few seconds later Sergeant Atter emerged from the titan with Lt. Sylvon in tow when over head a Y-wing launched a volley of torpedoes and blaster fire into the titan vehicle makeshift command base. It tore open the top of the pyramid shaped vehicle sending Lt. Sylvon and Sergeant Atter flying across the sandy ground. Atter came to a stop with a battered and bloodied face as the top of his head was bleeding and a chunk of shrapnel stuck in his large dark mushroom shaped helmet.
   Laying next to Atter was the barely responding body of Lt.Sylvon who had been the last to get out of the titan dropship. A piece of shrapnel from the explosion and blew into her back and tore into her shoulderblade and the sharp edge of the shrapnel protruded from under Sylvon's right collarbone. Vishar tried to stand to get assistance but the volleys of fire from the rebel ships prevented him.
   As the last pair of Y-wings's from Harken's Threat found their marks on the large titan dropship the pilots congratulated themselves “Wohoo!” “Got'tem!”they shouted across their recently unjammed com channels. Vishar looked up to see the Lt. Sylvon's blood staining the read desert ground and crawled over to her battered body as another man with no shirt and tattered trousers ran over to her and tried to pull on the shrapnel. Vishar screamed at the man who turned to him without an expression and tried to continue to extract the piece of metal out of Sylvon's body.

... to be continued...

Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on October 13, 2021, 02:58:03 AM
Great to see an update!

Back to the front pages.
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Rezikai on March 01, 2022, 12:12:30 AM
**authors note**
((So just a heads up this one has 2 different dream states, it gets a little trippy in each of them but there's a reason for that which will be revealed later!))


Rally-point alpha...

Vishar stood and ran at the shirtless man who was concentrated on Sylvon's body. The man was too engulfed in Sylvon to notice Vishar running at him. The shirtless man quit trying to pull on the piece of shrapnel protruding from Sylvon's collar bone and instead moved to her trouser's pockets searching them. The man never heard Vishar but rather felt him smash his arms into him as Vishar's shoulder thrust him into the sand next to Sylvon's twitching body. The pair of men grunted and struggled as they rolled on the ground. Neither man heard the “blsswoop” of the blue rings of a stun bolts washing over them and sending them both back into the sand unconscious.
   Across from the men bleeding from the top of his head and splattered in sand  over his face and body was Sergeant Atter holding his DH17 blaster after delivering the stun arcs that pacified both men. “Damn fools.” Atter muttered as he looked up seeing the Alliance Y-wings flying overhead start a steep climb and twist into a return arc. Atter wasn't sure if they had any munitions left to drop but he wasn't going to find out. Atter shuffled over to the men and pulled them both from the remnants of the smoldering titan drop ship just in time to see the Y-Wings pass over and give a few passing shots at the larger cargo containers beyond Atter and the others. He turned back to see Sylvon's body and gave a wince. Sylvon had stopped twitching and laid still blood staining the sand around her. Atter had the quick thought to leave her but he remembered the Captain mentioning her and while the younger generation may leave a fellow soldier Atter's mind flashed to his brothers in arms in the old GAR. It was unthinkable to leave a brother on the field that he could bring home and by the time he finished that thought he had Syvlon's body in hands and tucked her under his arm. Sylvon's face was covered in sand and blood with a lifeless expression as her eyes half open showed her pupils expanded as death took her. A moment later he laid her lifeless body next to the pair of unconscious men that Atter had moved next to a battered and smoking P.L.R. The vehicle no longer held a tie fighter and sat empty when the Y-Wings made their initial strafing run. Atter could only hope the Rebels thought it out of action and wouldn't attempt another run on it again.


Above the Rally-point

Captian Kai clicked his com open his com as he and the few remaining Tie fighters sped across the sky back to the rally point. They had failed to slow the Alliance attack and now he was trying to work at damage control as fast as he could. The voice of Commander Karamat in the back of his mind as she showed her displeasure at Kai's decision to fly in a Tie in the survivor's defense. He spoke into it in quick concise tones “Flight this is Lead, you're to get to the Slipstream for extraction if possible. Those of you unable to make it back across the peninsula to the grasslands find a place to ditch. I suggest somewhere near the Rally-Ring area.”. As the few remaining pilots acknowledged one of the pilots came over the com with a concerned tone.
   “Captain, Lieutenant Riyval was going off on his own over the continent we cant raise him.” Kai gritted his teeth. He had no love for Ryvil but he was a good pilot but more importantly Ryvil was an ally to Gridon. He thought for a second that Ryvil was bugging out when another of the few tie bomber pilots voices remaining came over the com “Sir it was odd, he was chanting something into the com, over and over and flying out past the rally-point into the grasslands.”. That sentence caught Kai's attention. “Did you record it?”. “Yes sir, sending it now.” said the other imperial pilot and a second later the voice of Lt. Ryvil came over the com chanting in a strange non common language. Kai stammered into his com as his sensor reading showed a pair of X-wings coming into the range of him an his remaining tie fighters and bombers “X-wing's a pair of them coming into range!” Kai shouted and the tie bombers and his own swung around to escape “Break for the Slipstream I'll follow!”. As Kai clicked off his com he watched the half dozen mix of bombers and fighters swing towards the southeast towards the Slipstream's last position.
   In the cockpit of the lead X-wing the large muscular man Wes Janson scanned his sensor readout “Got a half dozen eyeballs and dupes breaking out towards the dragship old buddy.”. In the other X-wing an accented voice called back through the comm-channel and Hobbie Kilikvan's voice replied “Not our hunt now old buddy, Wedge's bird went down somewhere around here and his signal is getting weaker and he's not responding.”
   Captain Kai watched the pair of X-wings swinging low to the ground and he understood. They were searching for something. Maybe a downed pilot. While the Ties had been thoroughly routed they had been able to bring down a half dozen or more of the Alliance fighters. Kai thought about trying to reach the Slipstream but he knew he couldn't, not after he heard Ryvil's disembodied chanting. He had heard it once before years ago when he was here with Admiral Jaeger. It had almost lead to disaster but was stopped just in time. But now the sacrifice is alone and in a fast moving fighter. Kai sped from the Ties and locked in the coordinates of Ryvil's last known signal and headed out towards the headed hard east at top speed.
   
   In the cockpit of his X-wing Luke Skywalker was irritated he had missed most of the air battle with the imperial forces over the grasslands and had to expend unwanted energy chasing a pair of wounded Tie's trying to flee and blasted them into pieces. He felt his rage growing as he saw his sensor scopes cleared of any targets or even friendlies. He huffed and cursed and felt his skin tighten around his eyes and cheeks as the spite drifted into his emotions.
   It was then the whistles and beeps of R2D2 behind his cockpit broke his hateful half trance and Luke looked at his gloved hand realizing how the feelings of hate and spite have been running through him so much more then it should be. Luke's mind flashed back at the pair of ties he destroyed and remembered he was going to let them flee until the feeling of rage took him and he hunted them down. Luke loosened the chin strap of his helmet and tore it off his head tossing it into his lap as he took deep gasps of breathes before looking out at the grasslands and turned slightly to glimpse the worried astromech behind him “R2.... I'm sorry I.. I feel .. anger.. I feel cold... like death is all around. Something about this place.. is making me feel.. hate.”. R2 gave some soft wobbles in reply and Luke nodded reading the X-wings astromech transreader “Y-yes I think I can control it.. it's tough but I .. I can handle it.”. A moment later a lone tie fighter's signal came at the edge of R2's sensor readings. Luke looked down at the reading and said “Come on, lets follow it.. it may lead us to more.” Luke finished. R2 gave a worried set of beeps in reply as Luke replaced his helmet on his head.



Karamat's toppled AT-ST...

The volley of laser fire and torps exploding was jarring and much more damaging then expected. Karamat had been mid order to her co-pilot of her AT-ST when one of the torps exploded next to her walker's leg and sent the scout vehicle tumbling to the ground. It hadn't exploded but the top hatch had blown off and Karamat was thrown from the wreckage into the half grass half dusty sand that the crags around the edge of the peninsula was covered with. Karamat tried to raise to her feet but made it only half way before her body crumpled over and she slumped to the ground as her eyes  view faded into darkness.


What felt like hours later Karamat found herself in a gray void as if she was floating through a storm cloud. Her mind was only slightly aware of her new perspective as she looked down to realize she was nude and high above a small green form below her which she made out was the green grasslands she had been battling the rebel forces with. As Karamat looked down she saw the green form of the continent slowly approach as she realized she was descending towards the grasslands. Karamat descended for what felt like hours before her feet finally touched the grassland. As she did she looked up to see the gray sky and the gray red cloud that had been above the continent the last few days since the Kumo and the rebel forces arrived. A moment later the grassland below her feet felt cold and hard and she looked down to see the grasslands started to morph from dirt and plant life to grayblue checkered stone stretching away from her in all directions for about 10 meters before the checkered stone floor stopped and started rising as stone walls.

The stone walls made of the same grayblue stone that matched the now stone floor appeared and formed a grand cathedral around Karamat. The landscape of the grasslands around her faded away as she looked to each side of her seeing the grayblue stone walls climb fifteen meters high and forming a vaulted roof of a gothic styled cathedral ceiling with dark wood beams supporting the stone and blood red etchings and paintings hanging on the stone walls. Runes in a language she didn't recognize ran down some of the walls and wall tapestries.


As Karamat traced her vision down from the roof of the newly formed gothic looking cathedral she was surprised to see a dozen or more figures standing about six meters in front of her in a group. The figures about average humanoid height were adorned in ornate garb, robes in dark blue or red colors with dark colored fringe and velvet trim. Some of the figures were armored with large heavy pauldrons on their shoulders, others in simple uniforms with gold epaulettes on their shoulders with gold cording on their chests accenting their ornate silver buttons. To each side of the group were more tall thin candelabras burning bright blue flames. Karamat looked passed them and noticed the building had formed a complete cathedral with a pair of tall ornate doors and realized the building that appeared almost from the ether itself had engulfed her completely no longer allowing her to see the skies or the grasslands she was on just a moment earlier.

A second after Karamat again looked at figures once again taking in their clothing she realized their faces. Each of the dozen or more figures were blue skinned aliens, some were bright blue some dark indigo others dark midnight blue or even dark charcoal gray in skin tone. Their eyes were humanoid some of their eyes were totally white from their eye's sclera where no pupil nor iris were even present. Others of the blue skinned aliens had a vibrating blue glow from their eyes and some even had a red translucent glow to them. Karamat noticed their hair, most of the aliens in uniforms had short cropped hair in blue-black or stark white while the aliens wearing robes had long fine hair in the same trio of colors white or light gray, black or dark blue on their heads. But all of the aliens Karamat noticed had pointed ears to each side of their heads. Some had higher pointed ears while others had slightly lower and out turned ears but still pointed none the less. After another second Karamat noticed the group of aliens blank expressions started to smile and smirk at her as some of them lowered their brows in more sinister expressions.

Karamat took a step back from them in reaction to their expressions changing and her backside unknowingly hit a stone object. She turned around to see a large stone slab with ornate edges and a long flat area sitting on legs that brought the flat slab about chest high with an ornate dagger laying in its center. The slab was flanked by a pair of candelabras on each end of it with blue flames dancing from them.

A sacrificial slab if Karamat had ever saw one, and she had back on Phosmai but they were made of jagged edged stone from the Phosmiri tribes that carried out the bloody rituals. Behind the ornate carved slab was a large throne made of red bones and skulls in different sizes. Some were human sized others were huge but all were arranged to draw the center of attention to the sacrificial slab. At the base of the over sized throne and behind the slab stood another of the blue skinned aliens, a female from what Karamat could see. A woman in robes and her skin a bright blue with eyes totally lacking pupils or iris just pure sclera and pointed ears adorning a smirking face with long fine stark white hair. Karamat looked down at the slab and in doing so realized she maybe the one the aliens intended to use as the sacrifice. She turned away quickly instinctively and spread her legs stance and raised her arms open into a combat position. Karamat let the thought of herself play a note of humor in the back of her mind at the sight of her, nude as the day she was born and poised to defend for her life. If she was to be sacrificed she was going out fighting she thought to herself. But to her surprise the dozen figures had spread into two smaller groups on each side of each other allowing a space between them.

They still stood about six meters away from Karamat and she had wondered for a moment if they were waiting for her to walk towards them as they parted ways but then a sense of dread came over her a sense of spite spiked in her temper, flashes of a cold hatred easing her temper in a way even Karamat was not used to she then saw the space between the crowd form small dark red orbs of glowing light that floated up form the stone floor and swirled with each other into a large dustdevil type of phenomenon. Karamat eased her stance a moment as more of the red and black orbs rose from the stone floor and joined the already swirling group of orbs that started to form an almost gelatinous form and then suddenly a huge nearly ten meter tall being started to coalesce from the glowing orbs.

Karamat's defense stance bled away as if some force had entranced her and the large dark form started to turn from a translucent tall being into a more opaque visage. A tall bluegray skinned humanoid being with not hair but a large elongated cranium that gave the being a repulsive appearance. The face was twisted with gaunt dark features and hollowed dark eyes with a permanent furrowed brow and arched fierce eyebrows. The being's nose was small and turned up in a scowl as it's mouth had turned down lips in an angered expression to match its brow. The beings body was long and lanky with malnourished looking arms that were over sized for its torso as the being was hunched over and its legs while in a half squat position was still standing. Karamat had seen holo's of rancor's that took a slouched squatting stance while in captivity she remembered. The being was clothed in a tattered dark silk looking tunic adorned with a yellow trim shapes on the tunic's chest and completed with rolls at the shoulder as well as complementing the beings bicorn outfit with dark silk trousers and full length dark cape running down it's back.

Karamat traced her eyes up and similar to the aliens this beings ears were also pointed at the top but were dwarfed by the large elongated cranium. It appeared male as she could see. After another second the being completed its coalescence and the small sounds of it's large lizard like feet gave a light clap on the bluegray stone. Upon the huge beings feet making physical contact with the stone the blue skinned aliens on either side of the now fully formed being all dropped to one knee as if honoring a sovereign. Karamat never had the privilege of meeting the Emperor but had seen his loyal followers kneel at his arrival much in the same way. Then the huge being looked down at Karamat who stood there half frozen from fear but more so as if a force held her keeping her bare feet dead and and unable to respond to her mental commands to move. Karamat tried to speak but her mouth refused to move at her mental command. The huge being took a long step coming to stand in front of her. Then the huge ugly being spoke and the sound pierced Karamats ears causing her pain, she instinctively tried put her palms over her ears but like her feet and mouth her arms failed her respond. Karamat could feel small bits drips of warm liquid coming from her ears as the bled.

   "You have run afoul my realm again... human." the huge ugly being in a deep malignant tone as it motioned a huge lanky arm to Karamat and his long gangly fingers that looked swollen and gray as if infected and healed over came close to her head. One of the soured looked fingers rubbed against Karamat's head and dwarfed her frame as the finger was easily the size of a small tree trunk. Karamat felt the rough patchy skin of the beings finger rub her head and cheek. The hate in her swelled, she was forsaken her attire leaving her exposed, and now this alien dared touch her. Karamat tried to speak against the power that held her mouth still and the tiniest of exhale came from her lips.
   The being continued to speak "Why have you returned human?" Karmat felt her body start to spike in pain as if a vibroblade had been stuck into her spine and she tried to turn her body to see if the woman behind her had taken advantage of her current paralyzed state but again her body refused to respond to her wishes. Being stabbed was a consequence of her situation Karamat thought and could rationalize that, the fact that she was in this ornate cathedral in front of these alien creatures and this large ugly being made her mind think of nothing but enacting vengeance on them for placing her here. Mental images of the aliens in pain and despair raced through her mind and it was all Karamat could do not to lose herself in her minds eye with the mental horrors her mind was conjuring.

"Yesss... the hateful fury swells in you." the being said. Karamat's mind snapped back to the being in front of her as she raised her eyes and saw his jagged and yellowed teeth as it spoke. The voice still hurt her ears but the thought of the being and the aliens dying in gruesome torturous ways eased the pain of the beings voice. A half second later she tried to clear her mind and endure the pain of her bleeding ears to allow herself to regain attention to the situation at hand. She was unsure why her mind wanted to keep returning to the deaths of these creatures but mentally told herself to focus even it meant taking the pain of the beings voice. "I ask again... why?" the being said, this time the pain in Karamat's earlobes while throbbing was expected and she mentally endured the physical pain and could hear the tone of the beings voice this time. A deep voice that traced up to a nasally whine was the best description her mind could come with the type of voice the huge ugly creature had. It took another second to realize he spoke galactic basic as she stood there nude and brooding as the trickles of blood trailed down her cheeks and neck.

Then to Karamat's surprise her mouth moved but not at her command as if it was alive on it's own and she stood there listening to her own voice speak "We were led here, we came at his order...". Karamat's voice stopped not because she commanded it to stop but stop it did. The huge ugly being raised a gnarly finger to his chin and spoke spiking Karamat's ears again "The Queenslayer... yes... his presence was felt.". Karamat wasn't sure who or what the queenslayer was or why her own voice no, her own consciousness spoke to this vile being. She attempted to speak herself and this time found her mouth was indeed under her control "Who are you?" she said as commanding as she could in her situation. The being winced his large eyes back at her and gave a half snarl and replied "You are me, you are loathsome, spiteful, ire filled. You are hate...." the being finished.

The words again were piercing Karamat's ears and she endured the pain even though the beings voice seemed not to jump into high octaves it made them bleed all the same. But this time the final word the being said kept ringing in her head over and over. Hate. Karamat tried to still her as her eyes darted with the word still reverberating through her mind. Suddenly the being bent down its body and drew its large head and torso to Karamat, she stood looking at the being eye to huge eye unable to move. Karamat's body was perhaps as large the beings face and head and she felt the breathe from the being touch her naked skin. It was cold as if no warmth of life came from the being's lungs. All the while the last word of his sentence ringing in her bleeding ears.
   Hate... Then the being spoke again and as it did Karamat's mouth mimicked word for word syllable for syllable the exact words the huge being spoke aloud as his words left his own repulsive lips Karamat's lips matched them to the instant "Hate empowers us to destroy our enemies. Hate protects us from betrayal. Hate liberates us from the weaknesses of love and mercy.". Karamat stared deep into the dark eyes of the huge being in front of her as the words poured from both their mouths unable to stop her lips from uttering as if they were being controlled. For a few seconds Karamat thought perhaps the being was a telepath that held her in a sort of mind control over her body but her self consciousness being able to question this would undermine that fact. No this was something else..

A moment after the words finished the huge being raised up to his full height easily dwarfing Karamat or any human of the approximate galactic standard height. Karamat for another second tried to return to her combat stance but yet again her arms and legs refused to move as if her body had gone inert bare and lifeless with a still functioning brain. The being again reach out a lanky arm with a gangly finger and placed it on Karamat's forehead, the single fingertip was as big as Karamat's entire face and it touched her forehead covering her eyes and laying up into her hairline. Karamat felt the rough blotchy skin on hers but a split second as her minds eye was suddenly filled with a brilliant white light like a new star imploding and images flooded her mind as did names and places that her conscious self waded through unable to understand them but knew they were something this being was showing her. Fields of grass, more of the blue skinned aliens in grand armies on the march. Magnificent azure and white marble towers that stood along a mountain range and quickly crumbled to ruins. Grand fields of grass and humans similar to those found on Coruscant with armor and clothing similar to the aliens also in the visions as well as matching the ones standing a few meters away. Other aliens flashed in her minds eyes, some she thought she recognized others completely foreign to her, some large and green others small and covered in dark stains. A kaleidoscope of colors flashed between the visions as one was wiped for another and she saw grand mountains with a dark forest at its base. A city inside a huge cavernous system with more blue skinned aliens. Humans in a city on a desert world, as well as an icy plain. After what felt an eternity the large fingertip of the being was removed as it pulled its hand away and Karamat's vision of the goth cathedral's roof returned.

The huge being stood in front of Karamat and simply said "Remember..." with the same voice that again hurt Karamat's ears. Then the huge being turned letting it's dark cape swirl with it's motion and with only a few strides it's large body was over a dozen meters away walking past the twisted looking blue skinned aliens heading towards the huge double doors to the cathedral.
   The hold on Karamat's body released and she crumbled to the ground like a wet sack of fruit. Her body lay there nude on the stone bleeding still from her ears and twitching from the experience. She started to fade into unconsciousness just as the blue skinned aliens turned their backs to her and cheered for the large being now opening the huge double doors to this chamber where Karamat and the other aliens stood. The being fit through comfortably and as he swung the door open from her position with her head on the stone ground she could see a red sky with black swirling clouds and what looked like other goth styled buildings of a city from the view she had looking through the door as the being stepped out of the gothic cathedral. The last thing Karamat heard through her bleeding ears was the chanting and cheering of the aliens and a word of praise "rook, or in rook" was all she could consciously make out before her eyes shut and darkness took her.


What felt like hours later the shaking of Commander Karamat's shoulders roused her conscious again and she wavered as she raised up feeling a gloved hand on her body. She instinctively jerked away from the gloved arm on her expecting it to be one of the blue skinned aliens touching her and in the condition she tried to remember she was in it may be for bloody ritual reasons. Then Karamat's eyes focused and she saw the gray uniform and large mushroom helm of her copilot Lt. Manqu shaking her awake. "Sir! Are you hurt bad?" he yelled over the sounds of laser fire ripping through the air and the crackling of metal and fire melting. It took Karamat less then a second to reconnoiter her surroundings. Commander Karamat was laying in the grassy area around the crags where Kai had positioned her ground forces. To her left was the burning remains of the AT-ST she and Lt. Manqu had been piloting and to her left was the squat image of one of the troop transports with personnel rushing into it. Less then a second went by and her imperial training kicked in she stood reaching up to cast off her own helmet but felt nothing on her head except blood trickling down her ears. Karamat looked over and saw her helm laying in the grass. "How- How long was I unconscious?!" She barked at Manqu turning a cold angry stare at him. Manqu snapped upright "A few seconds, maybe a half minute is all sir?" Manqu finished in a questioning tone to the reply. Karamat shook the feeling in her mind that she'd been out for longer, she may be concussed from the explosion she thought to herself it would explain her ears bleeding. "Status?" She said in a less aggressive but very dubious tone. Manqu turned towards the AT-ST and pointed towards an AT-AT that had been flanked to their left for support. Both turned into scrap piles on fire. "We were lucky, the explosion cracked open the side of the cockpit and threw us clear of the wreck when our rig went down. The others in the AT-AT weren't so lucky." Karamat sneered as she looked at its flaming debris. "Death for them either way, by fire or by fall." was her reply. She turned to Manqu his dark skin now covered in blood and soot from the wreckage "Are you wounded?" Karamat questioned. "N-no sir. Shook up but I'm fi-". Karamat cut him off "Good get us to the transport so we can regroup at the rally point. That was the plan should the push back attempt fail." She said rubbing her ear clear of some of the blood that had started to dry on her lobe and in her hair. "Right sir!" Manqu replied as he started towards the transport.

Karamat turned to look at the wreckage of her AT-ST and the few fighters still in the sky overhead, she wondered if they had been destroyed or had the fight moved towards the Rally Point. If it did the rebels would tear it to pieces. The grizzled face of Sergeant Atter flashed in her mind and she winced before turning and following Manqu to the transport. As Karamat got into the transport she looked at the survivors inside. Most were stormtroopers with a few personnel from the AT-AT.    It was then she thought of her husband and his original profession was that of an AT-AT driver and she looked to see if any of the driver crew had survived but none were present. Karamat went up to the portal area between the drivers and the rear load area and shouted "Driver! Get us moving within the next minute!" Karamat barked to the nods of the pair of gray clad troop transport drivers in their seats. Then Karamat popped the top hatch on the troop transport to scan the area with a pair of binocs for more survivors but saw none. What Karamat did see was the huge red mist cloud to the east was gone and in its place far in the distance was devastation. The grasslands had been totally destroyed like a fire wave had hit the area to the east of their position in a wave miles long. Karamat was unsure what caused such destruction but assumed it was something the rebels or the interdictor may have done during the firefight. Either way it was not her concern and just as she dropped back down and closed the top hatch the image of Kai's face flashed in her mind's eye and she gritted her teeth knowing of the rebels smashed through them this easily Kai and his aerial forces were probably killed or scattered. She gave a slight breath and turned to see Manqu sitting in one of the fold out seats his helmet off with his hands on his head. Manqu's helmet sitting on his thigh of his scorch stained gray uniform tattered with blood and soot on it. Karamat gritted her teeth and pounded the cockpit wall "Move out! To the fall back point!" She barked. The fallback point was still on the north western peninsula but not at Rally point Alpha in case it's overrun. The drivers instantly started moving the troop transport and circled it away from the burning AT-ST and headed out of the battlefield.



Grasslands, Wedge's X-wing crash

As the pain in his legs became overwhelming Wedge Antilles continued to try and relay his position on his sleeve communicator to his fellow squad mates. The static that filled the comm channels making it difficult for any clear transmission to or from his allies. He made sure to activate the homing beacon on his ejection seat but knew his rebel friends were in a fight in the skies above so he may have a while to wait. Wedge took a look down at the cuts into his lower legs, the blood from his legs had slowed partially to his lack of movement but also because it his legs were starting to clot the blood at the tears in his flesh and muscle. "If you get out of this friend you deserve a few days in the bacta tank." he said aloud to himself. As he lay back on the grasslands Wedge felt his head start to swirl he reach the point of his pain limit with his legs pinned. A few moments later he passed out unconscious.

   Wedge's sub conscious took over and he drifted off and his eyes closed. He awoke some time later opening his eyes and seeing a dark gray ceiling above him. Wedge stirred realizing his was laying back still but no longer in pain. He turned his head and small he was in a small bunk with a gray cloth bed cover over his body. After a moment Wedge sat up and swung his legs off the end of the cot. He looked around seeing the familiar dark gray and dark blue paneling of his room. Every few feet a blue or gray panel had a small control panel or button on it to open the panel or activate something meant for the inhabitant of the room. The room itself was small and quite a mess with clothing and data pads strewn about. After a moment of looking around Wedge hopped out of the bunk and strode over towards the small sanitation nook and punched a button in the corner of one of the dark blue panels.
   A quick mechanized sound of a whir followed with the small rectangular panel sliding open revealing a small sink and water dispenser head in one corner of the small sink. Wedge tapped it and a small stream of clear water came from the dispenser to allow Wedge to cup his hands under it and fill it with the few seconds of water before it auto-shut off. Wedge leaned over the sink and splashed the water onto his face and hair wetting it as he did he pressed the button again closing the sink and reach up tapping a control button on one of the gray panels at his head and it slid to the side revealing a mirror. Wedge used his fingers to comb over his tattered slept looking hair and wipe his face clean with the water and stared at himself in the mirror for a moment. Seeing his young face and giving himself a humble smirk.”You could pass for 19 or maybe 20.” Wedge said to his young reflection in the mirror. A moment later he closed the mirror panel and slipped on his boots and opened his cabin door.
   Beyond Wedge's cabin was the familiar hallway of his parents fuel depot on Gus Treta. His mind started his checklist of things to do before he was ready to spend the week down on Corellia for school. Most of the time he'd never get to see his parents Jagged and Zena but on holidays or the occasional time off from his schooling he was glad to spend time with them.
   After a few seconds of walking the interior of the fueling depot hallways Wedge came to a small living area where his parent's had made their residence on the market station. Wedge walked up to the door to the living area and punched on the door control and the door slid open. Inside was the small dining area with a small square table with metal chairs on each side. To back of the area Zena was standing next to a sink and food prep area taking a long sip from a cup as she stared at Jagged who was standing a few inches from her giving her a long loving smile behind his beard. As Wedge stood in the door for a moment watching them the pair turned, Zena lowering the cup from her lips. “How are ya lad?” Jagged said jokingly said to Wedge. “Fine,.. I'm not a lad.” Wedge said slightly annoyed as walked over to the small square table and sat in one of the metal chairs. The door behind him shutting with a hiss. As he sat Wedge noticed a small bowl filled with some small citrus fruits of different kinds and reach for one and picked it up. “Eat up, you're going back to Corellia in a few hours.” Zena said giving Wedge a warm smile.
   Wedge peeled off some of the skin of the green and blue colored fruit and took a bite giving his mother a nod “I know.” he replied with his mouth still half full. Wedge swallowed the bit of fruit as he heard the hiss of the door opening again. He turned to see a small petite girl in a while shiny dress behind him standing in the doorway the same he had done a few moments before. She was human perhaps 9 or 10 years of age. Her hair was a blonde gold that came just above her shoulder with a small princess braid at the top of her head. Around her neck was a small thin shiny gold collar. Her skin was soft and pale, so much so Wedge blinked his eyes unsure if his eyes were unable to focus because of how soft the girls skin seemed.
   As Wedge sat looking over his shoulder at the small girl smiled at him with a soft smile but to Wedge's surprise was the voices of his parents. “Well we need to prep, we'll leave you two alone.” Jagged said as Zena put her cup on the prep counter. “Don't be too long with him please.” Zena said towards the girl as the pair of adults walked passed Wedge and the girl before Zena turned and took a few steps back and leaned over hugging Wedge and rubbed his head to Wedge's slight annoyance but didn't mind too much. “I won't.” the girl replied as she gave the adults a soft smile. Wedge took note of how soft and calming the girl's voice was.    As he watched his parents walk out the door and it give a hissing close the girl walked over to one of the other chairs at the small square table and pulled it out and tucked her dress as she hopped onto it. Wedge saw how small and petite she was as the chair of average size still dwarfed her. “I hope I didn't startle you.” She said as she turned her gaze towards Wedge staring at him with soft green eyes. Wedge wondered who this girl was and more importantly how she knew his parents and why they left him with her. “N, no.” Wedge started with a slight stutter trying to find the words. “Who..?” Wedge started to say as his words for some reason trailed off as if his mind wasn't able to to finish the sentence. “I am a friend.” was the girls soft spoken reply as she sat her eyes glistened in the filtered light and it was as if the aura around her started to glow but more surprising to Wedge he didn't find it strange or even comment on it as if his mind already expected it.
   It took a moment for Wedge to gain his mental bearings before he started to think and while doing so the lights flickered in the small living area. “What do you want?” was as much as Wedge's mental capacity could conjure forth towards the small girl in the white dress at the table with him. “I need you Wedge Antilles.”. Was her next words coming in a soft yet louder tone. To which Wedge quirked his young head at her as if to ask why. “Are you up for my charge, young Antilles?” the girl spoke again. A second later Wedge shook his head trying to clear it as he did the lights in the area flickered a few times. It was as if he was blinking away sleep from his mind. “Why me?” Wedge could focus enough to ask that simple question.
   The young blonde girl in the white dress gave Wedge a soft almost unrecognizable smile and gazed at him “Because you have the commitment.” she replied. Wedge sat there and finished his fruit as he swallowed thoughts crept into his mind sounds and places he didn't recognize yet somehow knew, he shook his head again and the this time the lights flickered several times as his mind became slightly more focused. “Wait,.. where..” Wedge said half coherently as he turned to look at the gray and dark blue panels of the living area walls. “Back at your home, when you had happier and more tranquil memories.” the girl said as she stared at Wedge who stopped looking around and shook his head again.
   This time the lights flickered out totally and the darkness consumed the room only a radiant golden light from the small girl siting in the chair was left giving a soft glow to the table and Wedge and in the darkness images flickered behind her. Of a jungle moon with large pyramid structures in the distance and squadrons of fighters rising in past them and zooming off into the sky, the sky then bled into white puddles on the dark ground of the darkness and turned to the ice and snow of an frozen tundra and the images of troops fleeing from the massive metal behemoths towering over them as it sprayed laser fire into them. Then the metal behemoths blurred into a large metallic sphere as the white snowy plain was whisked away to the darken star peppered sky above a green moon with the second dreaded Death Star above it.
   “The Alliance!” young Wedge called out towards the images behind the small girl in the chair. As he did they bled into darkness and after a second the lights to the living quarters returned and Wedge was again sitting at the square table. “What is this?” Wedge said projecting a more serious tone at the girl. “As I told you this is a happier more tranquil vision of your memory then the horror's you've been facing.” she replied. “This is not real, is it? This is.. I'm asleep aren't I?” Wedge said in a dubious tone. “Yes, you sleep under the wreckage of your metallic craft.”
   “Who are you really?” Wedge said again this time in a more inquisitive tone. “I am a friend Wedge Antilles. One who is thankful for your crash.” she said to Wedge's surprise. “Thankful? Why?” he shot back. “It was a blessing really. As so many on this accursed land are so emotional from the hate permeating into them it's seeped into their dreams making them inert to my call. You're one of the few that have retained your calmness.” the girl said. “My calmness?” Wedge asked as he tried to keep pace with the girl's phrases, “Hold out your hand my friend and I'll explain.” she said offering her small petite hand that was small enough Wedge could have easily clasped it and for a quick moment he contemplated doing just that to force this girl or whatever she was for answers. Wedge reach out his hand and grabbed the girl's hand but to his surprise and terror his hand with right through her own as if she was a hologram and in that same instant her hand recoalesced with her tiny fingers holding his palm and in that instant his rising anger and annoyance washed away as his body went warm and his mind cleared he realized he was no longer sitting in the chair at the square table in his parent's depot but standing in the darkness that had returned and the girl was gone. Wedge turned around looking for her or anything for that matter in the darkness that surrounded him.

   Wedge looked down at his hands and noticed he was once again wearing his orange flight suit and taller no longer in his teenage form. As Wedge looked around in the darkness he notice a large meter length object that was covered in white cloth and a white curtain partially concealing them hung from above the object. Almost without thinking Wedge tried to move the curtain away from the strange cloth cushioned items before he heard the girls voice again “Please do not touch my dress. Mortals are not permitted.” the voice thundered this time unlike the soft spoken girl in the memory of his parents depot. Wedge turned around and then his mind registered her words meaning, and he looked up
   “Ah...” Was the gasp that he let out as towering above Wedge Antilles the small petite girl stood over him easily 10 meters in height. Wedge stood back looking up at the girl, who still retained her childlike appearance and still donning her soft smile looked down at him. But her body glowed a golden radiance around her and Wedge could not turn away as if she held his gaze to look up at her as she spoke again.
   “I ask you Wedge Antilles, son of Zena and Jagged, brother to Syal, lover of Mala, guard captain of your red knights of the sky. Will you by my champion?”
   Wedge was still trying to understand how this being knew all of this but his mind remembered hearing stories from Luke about the force and all the strange powers some being possessed and thought perhaps this being has them to. “What happens if I decline?” Wedge asked trying to turn his head but an invisible force wouldn't allows his muscles to respond. The girl gave a half frown and replied “Then you will return to your point of mortality. Under your craft and bleeding out into the grassland of Tunaria's Corridor as those who bathe in hate and zealotry spill each others blood in crafts and on the land as well. Where you will most likely never awaken from your injuries.” Wedge gave a gulp trying to parse the girl's words. He assumed she spoke of the Alliance and the Imperials, though he had know idea if that was the planet's name or where he crashed. Nor was it lost on him she mentioned his bleeding injuries and if he would live through his wounds. After a half moment Wedge asked meekly “And if I accept?”. “Then I will heal you, and ask for your life a simple charge.” she replied. “To be your champion? But what does that mean?” Wedge said. The towering girl leaned over letting her face come close to Wedge's as her skin was still the soft pale texture that radiated a warm glow. Wedge stared into the girl's barrel size eyes as the soft green and black of the girl's eyes and iris reflected his image showing him again in his mid twenties in age.
   “If you accept then you will be the voice of reason, you will be the stability when chaos descends, you will slay those that you must, protect your friends and your foes. You will be my champion, my avatar. Will you be tranquility in this world of hate.“ the small girl finished.
   The words of the girl washed over him as she raised back up and suddenly Wedge could move his neck and body again. He stood there a moment and looked around the total darkness that surrounded him was surreal but must have been the girl's doing. He thought for a long few moments contemplating the girl's offer and then she vanished leaving him in the darkness. “Wait! Don't go!” Wedge shouted as if her leaving him was akin to relinquishing to his death “I'll do it! I accept! I'll be your champion!” he shouted.
   “Blessing of Quellious bestow upon you.” The girl's voice thundered from the darkness and suddenly the darkness enveloped Wedge and he saw and felt nothing.

What felt like an eternity went by as the girls words thundered through his mind and suddenly his eyes opened. He was back laying in the grassland next to his ejected cockpit. Wedge noticed he was no longer under the wreckage of his X-wing and instead laying next to it. The blood stains were still on his orange flight-suit's legs but his legs themselves felt fine. Wedge shook his head trying to focus on the dream or vision that had disseminated through his mind while he was unconscious. He looked over and spied his commlink laying in the grass and picked it up and tried it. It was still giving static as a reply to his call outs. “Still jammed?” Wedge wondered as he slowly stood up standing next to what was left of his X-wing's cockpit. He reach in and took out his DL44 heavy laser pistol and had thought of walking away from his crash but realized it'd be futile effort as the Riptide's crash was overwhelmed by those arachnids and he was on the other edge of the continent near imperial positions. “I suppose we wait and see if Wes or one of the others picks up the beacon.” Wedge said to his pistol as he holstered it.

...to be continued...
Title: Re: The last orders of Captain Kai...
Post by: Tamer on March 01, 2022, 03:26:05 AM
Awesome to see a new installment.

Off to the front pages.