Quote:Madman
Heavy Weapons Specialist
Level 1: Cover Tactics
Story 1: Fire Support Tactics

It had been days after being stationed, and despite having long graduated the rigors of the Training Academy of _____, there was still plenty of skill and talent that could be wrung out of even the most addled of Stormtrooper personnel. Madman grew highly agitated at the end of the day, the Drill Sergeant in charge of beating in new lessons to those young hopefuls that had hoped not to end up as a mere smudge of the ass of some ill-begotten world.

“Alright Soldiers!” a Tall, male human with a slightly dark, tanned complexion would address the ling of men. Madman knew well enough to spare the discomfort of the various disciplinary measures of the camp by leaving his beloved mask at home. He always managed to bear a fairly rough look, with mild stubble and fairly long hair despite regular grooming, which accentuated his Long, gaunt features, fair enough to catch the eye of a female soldier or two who wasn’t some sort of cold fish already.

“Today, Your going to learn how to assemble your E-11 Blaster. By the end of this day, you will learn your weapon like the back of your hand, by the end of the day I expect NONE of you will take more than five minutes  to assemble a completely dismantled E-11, power cells included!” He’d then sigh soundlessly as he looked over them, pathetic, he could remember when recruits looked fresh, when they were young and had plenty of untapped talent but before him he only saw wretches, tramps, and madmen, was this all the talent that the great ‘empire’ could muster up?

Though he retained his mild weariness and lack of joy for the empire within himself, he’d maintain a sharp, harsh look about him “See CPL Iashdin in the right Wing of this facility, he’ll give you your training E-11 along with the tools needed to dismantle and rebuild your E-ll’s. And please, refrain from firing them…they may not be using lethal munitions, but for pete’s sake, your soldiers not children! Dismissed!”

Madman released a sharp sigh himself, he hated being so indecent without a mask, from what had gave him such a strange impression was anyone’s guess. Madman along with the rest of them made a line once they arrived at some point in camp. He was pressed between a male soldier named ‘Hal’, who shared the bunk right above him, and to Madman’s back was a female whom he didn’t really know the name of. Whilst in line, Hal would share a word with him, Madman was pleased by Hal because he found the humor in his jokes refreshing…even if Madman didn’t express this joy or love of humor through his solemn, unmoving features. It was displeasing when Hal took his lack of reactions personally so in the end it all worked out.

“Next!” the Corporal shouted, today certainly wasn’t the young man’s day though that didn’t matter, especially when the Woman behind him had seemingly dropped what appeared to me a sparing knife, blunt edged but made of high-tensile duranium. Feeling generous, Madman reached down, and handed back the weapon “You dropped this.” He’d hiss, “You shouldn’t be so clumsy…” He’d chime, as he got an unusual reaction “Oh, why thank you~” She replied back, voice trailing as if in a semi-affectionate manner. Curious. Madman then heard her introduce herself “My name is Re’allana. You may call me ‘Re’.” It was very strange, Madman didn’t quite know how to handle this, he didn’t want to make a fool of himself through a mere assumption…that would not make this day any better at all. Turning he’d nod stiffly “I am Skjoll. Others know me as Skjoll. You may also call me Skjoll, that is…until I change my mind.” He’d reply was an unusual one, perhaps just a notch below a possible protocol droid greeting.

Even more strange, it appeared the woman did not mind even smiling before Madman turned, baffled as he grabbed a heavy bag off the table, it must have weighed at least 25 pounds, as he heaved it up and rested the strap on his shoulder. Meticulously, Madman made a mental note for every part he dismantled on his bunk, which was much more smoother since he didn’t have to worry about gravity claiming him like it did for his bunk mate. Strips of metal plating were dislodged, as he’d examine the weapon with various layer stripped off one by one.

Why bother rushing first off? Best to get down every detail first, the put it together quickly. Sometimes he wondered if this was why he was one of the most well regarded soldiers of the camp outside of the officers. He wondered why jealous soldiers never berated him but he might have just overlooked any discontent anyhow.

“So Madman,” Hal replied down, as he hung upside down, taking a break…after all, Hal wasn’t the hardest working lad around “I managed to catch your conversation with Re’. Seems like you two get along pretty well.” He’d tease, as Madman pondered whether the first or second M.A. Tracks [Magnetic Alignment] track went down first, as he had difficulty fitting a piece “Hmm? Oh the woman…right.” He’d recall vaguely, his mind had been focused on the assembly of the weapon. He was mildly curious, but did they share chemistry and would a relationship work with her in a military setting?

“Well…she had a pretty nice figure…” He admitted, he had no shame doing so as any straight or otherwise male could have pointed that out. Hal laughed “Your so fecking weird…How can she see anything in you?” He’d reply as he slipped back up to keep working “Even though we gotta jump hoops for the Sergeant, I don’t recall anything in the Conduct Handbook about-“ Madman would shake his head “Not now Hal, busy…”

By the end of the day, The Sergeant was pleased…for a while at least, everyone managed to assemble and disassemble their weapons like it was the back of their own hands even if some of the troops did so awkwardly. Several Days passed of physical training, before they were broken into groups to take the shooting Range. Skjoll was in group two, though He couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t just by barracks. He got dressed, groomed, showered before he went out and it was time to handle some heavier firepower. Lined up were several E-Webs Squad Support weapons.

“Alright you Maggots! I’m going to call you up and if any of you manages to hit atleast 45 of the 60 targets with a single depletable power cell,  I will personally see to them getting a meal besides Potato Skin BROTH in the kitchen! Albert, your up! “ A thing looking man would step up, wearing some sort of vision correction gear. He got up, as the automated Turret Drones were released. The Man was almost unnerved by the feal of the device as he began to let loose the long, powerful beams as they shot forth rapidy. The Drones had a small circular shield that would glow red as they registered a hit, and relayed the information to a datapad in the Sergeant’s hands. By the time he started getting a hang of it, with the exhilaration of the power leaving him as the Power Cell Pack went dead. “Alright, Albert. 36 hits. Not bad, I expected LESS of you. Next is Gen’arall.” It went like this for a while, only after Re’allana finished did he notice she was in his group “Hey there.” She greeted him with her sweet words, as he apprehensively replied “Must we keep meeting so long after introductions?” He’d ask, before recollecting himself “I hadn’t thought you’d get 40 hits…that gun looks inaccurate…”

She’d pout “Aww, come on and stop being such a sour puss, that’s an order.” She teased, he wondered if she was an air head but perhaps he just didn’t get out much “I can try…especially if I see yeh more, Hehh.” He opened up just a tiny bit, before he was called ‘Skjoll! Skjoll! Damn it, you Madman, get up here!” He’d fume, as Skjoll swaggered up, taking the proper checks to ensure the E-Webs was in safe, working form. He atleast had the satisfaction of watching the others use the beastly machine.

As he tugged on the trigger, he used his strength to jerk the machine to eliminate the humming recoil as he sprayed shots in small bursts to increase his accuracy. He managed to hit often, though miss often as well. When he was finally done, outta energy and aching lightly, he was surprised to learn he’d scored 46 hits “So…does that mean I don’t get shoe-leather broth tonight?”Much to the Sergeants chagrin, he had made that obligation “Tomorrow, meet me at my quarters at lunch.” He’d then turn to the rest “Alright you pack of jackals, Dismissed!”

Later that night, Madman was surprised by a surprised meeting. The two talked, and Madman genuinely opened up. It wasn’t because he loved or cared for her, especially on their third meeting. No, Madman was fooled into believing so, mistaking his own painful lack of companionship from friends, family and otherwise, and letting her use that Vulnerability to her advantage. It was here he finally had his first kiss, and learned just how many more things one could do in the public showers after hours. Prior to doing so, he had his suspicions though waved it away at the glimmer of a possibility of finally feeling human again.

The next day, Madman arrived at the Drill Sergeant’s quarters, knocking on the metal door. “Sir. Requesting entrance.” Madman would request as the metal doors hissed opened and he walked inside, the interior was hardly of what he expected and atleast hoped the food would suffice for his sub-par results through training prior to eating.

Inside he saw the Sergeant, on the floor was a circle painted in some strange, white paste. There appeared to be a couple Trandoshan and Wookie skulls around as he appeared to be sitting on a stool, his back bare, and brandishing a whip. “Sir. I don’t like where this looks like it’s going.” However before he could think of leaving…but really, what was keeping him from thinking so earlier? The door would shut,as he’d grin “Well, finally you’re here…one of the top, green recruits around here…” He’d finally stand up, as a thin coil of synthetic wire hung from a pair of grips “Now it’s time to see if your worthy of the Empire…” oh this did not seem good, either this was going to be a gory, battle to the death…or the officer was putting on his rape face…either way, he wished the door wasn’t locked.

“I never am getting that food am I?” He’d quirkily retort as the man leaped forward, only then did his Trandoshan tattoo’s finally hit Madman…literally as his thick, muscled breast jammed into his face, trying to wrestle his arm around so He could headlock him and strangle him. Unfortunately for the man, Madman wasn’t keen on letting people strangle him Or driving his head in their armpit. He stumbled forward, falling flat on his chest, he could hear the light pounding of the ad of his feet just below his toes…likely readying to drive a knee into his back.

The man laughed “I KNEW I wasn’t imagining things! You new recruits make me sick!” He’d grin, throwing his knee down, only to have it connect with metal, Skjoll with a Trandoshan skull and beating it against the man’s head…the Transoshan’s ad a place in his book ‘The aliens with the thickest skulls…’ as the blow managed to rupture the skin over his forehead. Recoiling, with a look of pain he managed to get on his feet, injured leg bent mildly due to the swelling pain “Uhg, your more crafty than I thought…but I can’t let you leave…nope, you have to die.” As he reached down, he realized his blaster was gone.

In His hand, Madman pointed up “Snagged this when I fell forward…” Madman grunted as he stood up. The man stared sharply at him “Well then…go ahead and Shoo-“ Before he could finish, Madman had used his time to close in and Pistol Whip the Man in the side of the head, driving him unconscious due to the trauma. Suddenly there was a knock “Hello? Sir? He’s dead right?” It was Re’? How curious…Madman removed the power cell to the blaster pistol, and dismantled the barrel, and tossed it on the body.

The Door hissed open, and before her eyes she saw the opposite “Oh my god…” She spoke in a hushed voice “This wasn’t supposed to happen!” She’d scream, overwhelmed with anger and confused “Do you want to know why?!” She’d ask, somewhat hoping to get rid of the guilt, and perhaps she’d be able to hurt him more, mostly because as of now his blank stare cast on her with little emotion “Why? No…I wouldn’t…” though just by answering he felt himself break down, the pain drawing his fist to her face, as she fell to the ground in confusion.

“Jealousy…Is a bitch, like you, isn’t it?” He hissed maliciously, as she screamed and he stomped and twisted on her stomach with his rugged boots. Blood ran down her lip before a group of troops came, spotting what appeared to be Skjoll gone rogue. Quickly they jumped to her rescue, They beat him to a pump before the more experienced and senior troops came in armor to break everything up.

Skjoll was questioned, asking him why he had done what he had…he explained everything, though he wasn’t charged with anything pertaining to the assault of a commanding officer, as that officer shouldn’t have even been in the Stormtrooper Corps at all, let alone a Drill Sergeant, however he was charged with the assault of another Trooper with no provocation and had to take a psychological evaluation, and retake the course. Of course Re’ and the Drill Sergeant were booted off, Incarcerated even, however Madman managed to clear the course with flying colors.

Comments wrote:HAHA! NO FOOD FOR YOU! Seriously, though, I like your creation of NPCs for you story and the level of detail that went into them. Very well thought out story and the grasp of the concept is obviously there. Good work! (And next time don't let this sit so long before getting our attention)