The rebel cruiser, Indomitable sat motionless in space.  Underneath its sleek hull lay the planet Ventross.  Onboard the cruiser, the captain, a man by the name of Markal sat in his office.  On his desk sat a glowing ball.  He lifted it in his hands and gazed into it.  He looked up at the wall and saw a framed picture of the cruiser’s previous captain, Commander Sandros.

“Soon I will have my revenge and then this Galaxy will be mine” said Markal to the motionless picture.

The door to his office slid open and in walked his executive officer.  He had been waiting for him to show up and had instructed him to enter as soon as the preparations had been made.

“Everything is ready, we can begin the attack” stated the executive officer.

“Then unleash the orbs” ordered Markal.

“Very good Sir” replied the officer as he turned on his heels and strode out of the office.

Markal picked up the orb and held it to his face.  He gazed deeply into it and said to the inanimate object “your reign of terror has begun”.

The planet Ventross was a hot and humid planet.  It was and one that very few people enjoyed, especially stormtroopers in full body armour.  Ever since a secret rebel base had been destroyed the Vast Empire had insisted that they maintained a barrack there.

It was that time again that Sergeant Firefox would take his squad on another patrol of the surrounding area.  He wasn’t overly keen on it as he knew most of his squad weren’t keen either.  Every day they trudged through the dense forest and every day they saw nothing.  Gathering the squad together, they started heading out once more on their patrol.  Little did they know that today was going to be very different.

Firefox’s squad started their patrol through the forest.  Coming to a clearing in the jungle they stopped in their tracks as a small circular orb hung in the air.  The squad immediately readied their weapons having never seen such a thing before.

“What is that thing?” asked one of the Privates.

Firefox had never seen such a device before.  He never got a chance to reply to the Private’s query as the orb suddenly unleashed multiple blaster bolts.  It cut down three stormtroopers in its opening volley.  The Private that had asked the question launched himself at it, reaching out with his hands to bring it down.  Clutching the Orb, it suddenly glowed as inside it lightening streaks emanated from its centre outwards.  The Private screamed and collapsed to the ground, his body thrashed about uncontrollably.

Firefox watched helplessly as one by one, his squad was killed.  His blaster rifle blazed hot as he fired repeatedly at the orb, his shots bouncing off it.  Finally the orb spun round and looked at Firefox.  Firefox knew that this was it, all of his squad were now dead and now it was his turn.  He fired and yelled at the orb, expecting his death.  He was surprised when instead the orb stopped and dropped to the ground.

His rifle pointing at the seemingly dead orb, he advanced slowly towards it.  Nudging it with his rifle he was surprised that it was in fact dead.  He picked it up gingerly but found no shocks from it.  He stashed it under his arm and started to make his way back to the barracks.

Firefox was thankful that the barracks was just up ahead.  His jaw dropped and he sucked in a gulp of air as he looked on as numerous orbs whizzed round the base, firing repeatedly into it.  The barracks were ablaze and Firefox wondered whether or not anyone had survived.  He wanted desperately to search for survivors but after his last encounter with an orb, he knew that it was pointless going up against them.  Hanging his head, he retreated into the jungle.  They had a few shuttles deep in the jungle and he knew that all he could do was to get back to Tadath and warn Command.

Entering the shuttle, he placed the orb into the hold and initiated the engines.  He was glad to be getting away, yet mourned the loss of not only his squad but of all of his comrades that had been based there.  The shuttle flew out into space and then disappeared into hyperspace.  Firefox never noticed the Indomitable in the distance watching his every movement.

From the bridge of the Indomitable, Captain Markal watched as the shuttle disappeared into hyperspace.  A smile spread across his face as he knew his plan was now in motion.  His executive officer stood beside him and had a quizzical look on his face.

“You look perturbed” said Markal.

“Forgive me Sir, but I still fail to understand why you let him go and give him an orb for the Imperials to study.  We didn’t have to de-activate that orb or let him escape”

“True, but how else can I bring the people who killed Commander Sandros here to me.  How else will I have my revenge” replied Markal.

“I’m still not sure why you think that the Paladin squad will be sent here, the Imperials could send any squad they chose” commented the officer.

“True, but their technical guys will no doubt go looking at that orb.  Once they discover that it is very similar to the orb specs that the Paladin squad stole from us then it would make perfect sense to send the squad that has the most experience with the orbs” replied Markal.

“I guess you’re right, I just hope you don’t end up regretting your decision” added the officer as he went back to his duties.


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



“I feel like a beer, you want to go to the cantina?” asked Alan.

Lucky smiled and replied “you always want to go to the cantina, why don’t you ask Zeshaun, I’m sure he’d love to have a few beers with you”.

Alan’s train of thought was disturbed by the sound of the door buzzer.  I wonder who that could be pondered Alan.

“You want to get that” said Lucky, “maybe it’s Zeshaun coming to see if you want a beer”.

“It could be” replied Alan.

Alan headed to the door and opened it.  He was expecting Zeshaun, TK or someone from the squad but he was surprised when he saw who it was.  Alan couldn’t remember him ever visiting Alan and Lucky in their condo and he was already starting to wonder why the surprise visit.

“Rizzit!” exclaimed Alan, “come in, come in”.

“Thanks” replied Rizzit as he entered the condo.

“Did you say Rizzit” called out Lucky.

“Sure did” said Alan.

Lucky came out of the kitchen and was surprised when she did see Rizzit.  She hadn’t been sure whether Alan was teasing her or not as Rizzit had never visited their condo before.

“Rizzit, what a pleasant surprise” said Lucky, “can I offer you something”.

“A beer if you have one” replied Rizzit as he took a seat.

Lucky moved into the kitchen and fetched back three beers.  Alan had already sat down on the sofa by the time she returned.  She handed the beers out and curled up next to Alan on the sofa.

“I wish I could say I was here socially but I have bad news for you.  Do either of you remember the Planet Ventross or Commander Sandros” said Rizzit.

“Wasn’t he the guy that built some kind of space faring orb” said Alan.

“Yes, I remember that.  We destroyed the orb and killed Sandros” added Lucky.

“Why do you ask?” queried Alan.

“Because of this” replied Rizzit.

Alan had noticed that Rizzit had entered carrying a bag with him and now he watched as Rizzit opened the bag.  Alan gasped as Rizzit pulled out a glowing orb.  It was different from the one they had destroyed on Ventross.  This one was about the same size but lightening bolts shimmered from its centre outwards.

“Is that thing safe?” asked Alan.

“Yes” replied Rizzit, “the tech guys were able to reactivate it after they removed all of its weaponry”.

“It looks pretty” said Lucky as she watched the lightening streak out towards Rizzit’s hand.

“That it is” replied Rizzit, “after you destroyed the rebel facility on Ventross, it was decided that the VE set up a barracks on the planet.  That planet was attacked on the ground by several of these orbs.  The barracks was destroyed and only one trooper made it back”.

“Did you say the orbs?” asked Alan.

“Yes, and quite a few of them as well” replied Rizzit.

“The one that we destroyed was used in space, but you said these were used on the ground” commented Lucky.

“Correct” replied Rizzit, “the technology is very similar to the one you destroyed but yet it is different.  These orbs are ground attacking orbs only but they are very deadly.  I have sent you a detailed report of what the tech guys came up with”.

“But how did someone create them, we destroyed all evidence of them on that facility” said Alan.

“Yes, and you did a fine job” replied Rizzit, “When you returned home we dispatched the navy to destroy Sandros’s ship, the Indomitable.  However she had fled the scene by the time the navy arrived.  We have reason to believe that the Indomitable carried specs of the orb and now they are building them again but different ones”.

“I’m guessing you want us to go there and put a stop to them” said Lucky.

“Yes” replied Rizzit, “you have both dealt with them personally, in fact Finch was a member of Paladin when you squared off against the orbs so you have plenty of experience dealing with them, even if these are slightly different orbs”.

“So what are our orders?” asked Alan.

“There is a shuttle already ready in the hangar bay to take you to Ventross.  I want these orbs put a stop to once and for all.  Finish off what you started.  Stop whoever is behind these orbs and destroy every single orb there is” said Rizzit.

“You want us to go now?” asked Lucky.

“Yes, you can brief your squad en-route to the planet” said Rizzit.

“What are you going to do with that?” queried Alan as he pointed to the orb.

Rizzit glanced at it and replied “I think I’ll hold onto it for now, you never know when I will need to use it”.

“I’ll go summon the squad” said Lucky as she headed to the computer terminal.

“Good luck” called out Rizzit as he stood and headed to the door.

Alan watched him leave and thought to himself great, we barely survived the last time we squared off against one orb, now there are many and they are ground based orbs now

“Squad has been ordered to report to the shuttle immediately” called out Lucky, “let’s get ready”.

“Right with you” replied Alan as he headed off with Lucky to get ready for what could be Paladin’s toughest mission to-date.

Zeshaun was sitting in front of his holo projector, flipping through channels to try and finda good show. It's kinda early to start drinking, but it's too late to take a nap Zeshaun thought as he tried to come up with a way to solve his dilemma. He turned off the holo projector and got up from his couch. He walked around the room, searching for something that would pique his interest. As he was about to leave his room to get some fresh air his datapad started to beep. Zeshaun walked over, picked it up and read the new message from Lucky. It read Report to the shuttle immediately, bring all your gear Zeshaun sighed.

He went back to his wardrobe and started to get all his weapons and armor ready. He clasped on his armor, holstered his weapons and then swung his bag over his shoulder. He turned off allt he lights in his room and left. He walked down the street toward the hangar where they kept their shuttle, the sun was setting behind him and it warmed up his body. As he entered the hangar, he saw Rizzit, Lucky and Alan standing near the shuttle talking. That's weird, not everyday I get to see Rizzit Zeshaun quickened his step, excited to know what was going on. The other members of the squad started to show up slowly and Zeshaun was intrigued by the story behind their new mission.

Zeshaun had never encountered one of the balls before but he was looking forward to facing one, although by the tone of Alan and Lucky's voices he shouldn't have been so excited. The orb was some kind of superior fighting machine, finally a real challenge The one thing Zeshaun was not happy with was the fact that this mission was the spawn of another mission, successfully completed by the Paladin's in the past but the navy wasn't able to pound in the last nail.

Lucky ordered everyone on the shuttle and said that she would brief them on the way over. This was very unlike her, she normally didn't hesitate to wake everyone in the early morning to brief them on their new missions. Zeshaun walked up the ramp and took a seat near one of the windows, he always tried to get a window seat whenever he could, he like seeing the planet from space before they actually landed.

Lucky and Alan moved up to the front of the shuttle and started the engine, once everyone was aboard, they closed the ramp and then flew out of the hangar. The shuttle flew up toward space quickly passing through Tadath's atmosphere.

"So Lucky, what's the deal." Zeshaun finally asked when they had successfully entered hyperspace and were on their way to a destination unknown to Zeshaun.

TK sat motionless on the shuttle. What is the palancer of doom? TK thought to himself. TK edged over and collected his two weapons. He took off his helmet and gave it a scrub with Gleen.

"Here have this" said Katarn handing TK some weapon polish

TK smiled and got to work on polishing his weapons.

Just as TK stood up he felt a rumbling sensation under his feet.

"Lets get this underway" shouted Zeshaun

TK sat down and prepared for another mission. Though he had concerns about Greywolf And Katarn

"Good luck" said TK

TK watched as the base slowly got smaller and smaller, and suddenly vanish. TK watched as the squad conversed about the mission.

Lucky sat quietly in her seat, staring in front of her but not really looking at anything in particular, she was lost deep in her thoughts. She remembered the previous mission, it had been exciting, tough and....explosive. She had been young and full of ideas, she had also discovered her talent with grenades and such explosive devices.

Her forehead creased as she thought harder. She had seen the previous Orb be destroyed, she had even made the arrangements then to finish it off herself. But, she had been young and somewhat fresh, maybe her skills hadn't been enough to truly finish it off. Sinking deeper in her seat, she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.

She sensed Alan approach from behind and pas in front of her before she heard him take a seat beside her.  keeping her eyes closed, she reached up and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Something tells me all this is my fault..."

"Don't second guess yourself hun, I was there, I saw you do the deed and you made a good job of it."

"Apparently not well enough."

"They got hold of the technology previously used and made new ones, you'll see. Yours is dead and gone."

"Alright..I'll stop mentally kicking myself"

"That's better."

Zeshaun suppressed his laughter as he saw Alan turn down the new troopers demand. Zeshaun waved over the defeated trooper and motioned for him to sit down. He patted Katarn on the shoulder and smiled under his helmet. Ah, I love new kids Zeshaun waited a bit before he started talking to Katarn, letting him calm down if he needed too.

"How are ya?" Zeshaun asked.

"I don't think the Assistant Squad Leader likes me." Katarn said, drooping his head.

"Naw, Alan likes everyone." Zeshaun reassured him, "Just wait."

Before they could talk anymore Lucky and Alan came out of the pilot's cabin, and stood in front of the squad. They started to give a briefing on the new mission. Zeshaun didn't like what he heard, they were risking their lives because the navy messed up and couldn't finish the job. Zeshaun also didn't like the fact that they were facing these machines that could take out whole barracks, without any back up. Further more no one had any real experience with these aggressors, granted that the members of the old paladin had fought something like this, but not exactly like this. the only highlight of that briefing was that they may get to take over a rebel cruiser, and possible pilot it.

Other than that, it seemed like they were walking into a death trap. Not a big fan of throwing my life away Zeshaun thought skeptically. Lucky and Alan finished her briefing and returned to the pilot's cabin.

"So, what does everyone think?" Zeshaun asked to the rest of the squad.

"We'll survive." Finch said with a smile on her face.

"Easy for you to say, you've already faced these things once." TK_421 said, raising his head from where he was resting it on an empty seat next to him.

"But they're not the same." Finch retaliated.

"True." TK_421 nodded.

"Either way, I don't like our odds on this one," Zeshaun added, grimly. "We're gonna hafta work 100 times harder than normal to stay alive."

The room went silent, Zeshaun had laid out the truth, not to intentionally damper everyone's happiness and excitement that always came before a mission, but more as a reminder that this mission was different from all the rest. I'm almost reluctant to step off this shuttle when we get there Zeshaun thought, letting out a deep breath and leaning back in his seat.

"Soooo, anyone up for a game of sabaac?" Njall asked, whipping out a stack of cards from a pocket on his belt.

"Why not." Zeshaun said, smiling, taking off his helmet and walking over to where Njall was sitting at the table.

TK_421 also joined in, Finch decided she would stay out and get the extra sleep, but Katarn and Greywolf stood awkwardly not sure what to do.

"Come on." TK_421 said motioning to Katarn.

"Are you sure, we're on a mission aren't we..." Greywolf answered a little worried.

"Don't worry we won't tell anyone." Zeshaun said with a smile.

The two new troopers joined in and they started a game. After a bit, Alan came out, and decided to join in on the game as well. Zeshaun was glad they weren't playing with any real money since he would have lost a substantial amount in the number of rounds that they had played. Soon, Alan announced that everyone should get some rest,

"You're gonna need it." Alan returned to the pilot's cabin and called it a day.

Zeshaun also decided to take his advice and sat himself comfortably and sat himself down, and drifted to sleep

Alan followed Lucky back into the cockpit and sat down next to her.  The stars streaked past as the ship hurtled through hyperspace.  The couple didn’t say anything but just sat and gazed at the stars.  Alan became aware of a stifled noise.  He glanced over at Lucky and saw her try to stifle a yawn.

“You’re tired, you should get some rest” said Alan.

“We both should” replied Lucky, “the computer will alert us as to when the ship exits hyperspace” replied Lucky.

“Sounds like a good plan to me” commented Alan.

Lucky made sure that the alarm systems were set to maximum before sliding out of her seat and making her way into the main area of the ship.  Alan followed suit and noticed that Lucky had found a sofa and sat down on it.  Alan sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her. 

He felt her head drop softly onto his shoulder as she drifted off to sleep.  Alan didn’t think he was going to sleep much but he was wrong as his eyelids fluttered downwards as he drifted off into a deep sleep.

“You need to get up” said Finch.

Alan’s eyes forced themselves open as he felt Lucky lift herself off his shoulder.  He wondered what it was that was wrong and why Finch had disturbed them

“What is it?” queried Lucky.

“The ship has exited hyperspace” commented Finch.

Alan suddenly felt the ship lurch violently and he wondered immediately what was going on and what was causing the poor flying.

“Who is flying?” asked Lucky.

“Zeshaun is” stated TK.

“He’s what!” exclaimed Alan as he suddenly knew why the ship was rocking so violently.

Alan stormed into the cockpit to get an update as to what was going on.

“Hey” commented Zeshaun as he saw Alan sit down in the co-pilot’s seat.

“Status?” queried Alan.

“Well the Indomitable has targeted us and we are coming in hot” stated Zeshaun, “better strap yourself in”.

“Guys!” shouted Alan.

“We’re going to crash, aren’t we?” asked Greywolf.

“Yeah, fraid so” replied Alan.

“Hey, it’s not my fault” called out Zeshaun as he struggled with the controls of the ship as it came crashing to the ground.

Onboard the Indomitable Captain Markal was just briefed on the fact that an Imperial shuttle had just crash landed on the planet below.

“So, the Paladin squad has arrived, excellent.  Send in the orbs” ordered Markal.

Alan looked over at Zeshaun and made sure he was ok.  Getting out of his seat he felt his body ache from the impact of the crash.  He wasn’t sure what state the shuttle was in but the lights were flickering on and off and he could hear sparks from damaged consoles.  I don’t think this will fly again thought Alan.

Entering the main cabin, he looked around to see if everyone was ok.  He saw most of the squad getting up slowly.  Then he spotted Lucky and she was on her knees tending to Katarn who looked like he was unconscious.

“How is he?” asked Alan as he moved over to Lucky.

“I think he’s hurt his hand.  I’ve bandaged it up as best as I could and I was just going to get some smelling salts to revive him” replied Lucky.

“Good work” commented Alan.

“Guys, I think we’ve got trouble” called out Zeshaun from the cockpit.

Alan rushed into the cockpit to see what Zeshaun was talking about.  Through the damaged cockpit Alan could make out three orbs flying towards the damaged shuttle.  Oh hell thought Alan as he grabbed his blasters out of their holsters.

“We’ve got incoming orbs, let’s get to work defending the shuttle” called out Alan.

“Shouldn’t we just abandon it Sir?” queried TK.

“That would be the most logical course of action but we have a man down and Lucky is tending to him so we need to defend this position until he is ready to move out” said Alan.

The squad nodded and grabbed their gear as they exited the shuttle.  The orbs were approaching fast and Alan wondered just how difficult they were going to bring down.  I guess we are about to find out thought Alan as the orbs began their attack.

TK ran behind Katarn, holding onto his arm

“Man, if this gets any worse…” retorted TK

TK ran on in front of Katarn, he noticed the squad was running of to a bunch of cliffs. TK beckoned for Katarn to follow him, TK was annoyed of these orbs already.

“Lucky these don’t have the power of a sun crusher” joked Katarn

TK felt annoyed with Katarn after that comment. Especially, that it was a joke.

“Do you know how many people died from that monstrosity?” asked TK angrily

“Nope, just heard it was over empowered” said Katarn

TK stopped in his footsteps, and heard as three orbs passed over head towards farm land.

“Star systems were destroyed” retorted TK

“I never knew…” said Katarn, in a way he was trying to take the comment back, but cant.

“I don’t care, that was despicable, what you just joked about” said TK brushing past Katarn to the rest of the squad.

“What was that” asked Lucky concenrned

“Nothing” said TK crouching back awaiting new orders.

When the squad realized they lost the Orbs, they regrouped next to a rock and caught there breath. Alan gave them a plan, they where to go to the weapons facility in which the Orbs where created and find a weakness.

"Look TK im sorry alright, I had no idea." apologized Katarn.

"Whatever, as of now your forgiven, but it is only because we have a mission to do, once this is over we need to talk." spat TK.

Full of shame, Katarn walked next to Zesh and slumped down, listening to the rest of the plan.

"Alright Paladin, this is it, we head out in 30 minutes." finished Alan.

"We need to stock up on whatever explosives we have, the facility is bound to be guarded by heavy Rebel forces, if there even is a facility." put in Lucky.

"Alright, for now lets all rest up, huh?" Zeshaun said trying to raise our morale.

About 35 minutes later the squad was ready to head out. As Katarn examined the squad, he saw Lucky with a bandolier full of grenades, Zeshaun with two Anti-Tank mines on his back, and TK with ammo going around his chest.

"We look like we are going on a suicide mission." thought Katarn.

"Lets hope we aren't."

Alan ordered the team so move toward the direction where the Orbs retreated to. The team started foward with Katarn at the rear.

The squad looked ready for anything, and he knew they were.

TK ripped out his concussion rifle, and handed the squad each two grenades

“Any plans sir?” TK asked as he crawled up to Alan

“Any plans Lucky?” asked Alan

“Any plans Paladin?” asked Lucky

“I have one” said TK peering down on some sand, he lifted a stick and drew a rough sketch of the facility.

“Right now their here” said TK drawing on the rebel’s frontline

“And we are here” said Zeshaun joining TK

“Yeah, so if we split up eight people into two sides of the jungle, miniscule squads of four could take down their squads, especially we have the element of surprise” said TK getting frustrated, incase it didn’t work.

“Sounds like a plan” said Lucky

“But who goes where?” asked Njall

“Me, Alan, TK and Zeshaun will head into the west side of the jungle, the others head in the opposite side” said Lucky

TK lead the way into the density of the rainforest, he heard several insects crash into his helmet

“Damn Bugs” he said

“I hear you” said Zeshaun whacking the bugs away with the butt of his blaster

TK noticed men patrolling the jungle bed, directly below them. TK peered down the pinnacle of the cliff and watched as the lightly armed rebels patrol through the area.

“Let’s kill them” motioned TK with gratitude

TK heard the blaster slugs slither past him, into the flesh of the enemy below. TK jumped to the floor, aiming his rifle he shot at a large tree, he watched as the blue bolt hit it’s target, ripping the tree out of its roots, crushing the rebels who where residing behind it for cover.

“Easy pickings” commented Zeshaun

“It’s not over yet” said Alan taking the lead
TK followed on, wanting to get this mission over, by god he hated these missions.