Chaos.

Thats what the room had devolved into. Utter and complete chaos.

Paric and Racus, the former Daggers were attempting to flank the RAIDERS in the large executive office while the Ferris brothers continued to hide behind their desk. Havock was surprised that they didn't have any genetic experiments or traps to throw at them in the executive office. Then again, how many people would have made it through the fun house they just did to actually reach the office.

Brightstar had managed a decent maneuver on the Dagger squad leader and jumped him from behind. Havock immediately changed her firing pattern as to miss the red-head, but Beta seemed to not notice, she had to grab his rifle so he didn't hit their squad mate. That was the second everything changed.

Havock scowled at the private first class, then turned back to look through the haze of smoke at the fight. Bright had a good position, but not good enough. Paric threw her off his back sending her into a wall, which she quickly recovered from and was just about to make her second assault when Havock saw Racus take aim. Havock jumped up and starting firing at the distracted zabrak who easily dodged the blasts due to whatever the brothers had dosed the squad up with earlier. But rather than ready himself for Brightstar, seeing the opportunity Paric aimed his rifle to fire at Havock. By the time she turned back the shots had already been fired.

“Havock!”

She frowned and willed her legs to move. A second later, the wind was knocked out of her lungs as someone dive tackled her to the ground. Havock could feel her body jerk twice from blast impacts just before she hit the ground hard enough to blind her for a few seconds.

Minutes must have passed, with her laying on the ground. Someone was still on top of her, pinning her there, but the screaming pain in her head prevented her from reasoning anything out beyond that. Someone grabbed her and yanked her helmet off, sending a new wave of searing pain down her spine.

She looked up, once her eyes could focus, to see Kanderin alternating between yelling something at her and looking a few feet to her left. He shook her and looked like he really wanted to slap her if only to snap her out of it. “Havock, where are you hit?”

She frowned and looked at her armor. Blood was everywhere, but she couldn't feel anything that felt like a blaster wound. Decembrist and Beta were working on securing the brothers to chairs on the far side of the room. Her ears were still ringing. “Havock!” She snapped her head painfully back to the medic. “Where are you hit?”

“I'm...I'm not.”

“Kand!” they both turned their heads to find Leon knelt over the trooper that had grabbed Havock during the fight. That's when Havock's heart stopped beating she was sure of it. “Two shots both to the abdomen, looks like one's in her chest, she's bleeding a ton here.”

She remembered screaming and Kanderin trying to push her away. She remembered grabbing him and saying something, an idle threat about saving Jaenna or joining her in death. But it was all disjointed in her memory, like watching a holovid you had already seen but this time with the sound off.

Njall and Grahim grabbed her and dragged her towards the door. One of them said something about Aeos needing help as they shook her. She tried to run back to Jaenna and they grabbed her again. The sound in the room was still off, everything seemed to be slower somehow.

“Bright...the comms work. Call Major...umm...the Major, tell her the executives are secure.” Havock managed to mutter at the other woman. She wasn't sure if there was a response, it didn't matter her eyes never left Jaenna.

The two troopers finally managed to drag their squad leader out of the office. Havock was a medic and it sounded like Aeos needed one. The three of them found the room Aeos was in just as the world was coming back into sync with itself, which made Havock dizzy. She leaned against the wall next to the lab doors, then stared at the floor after she vomited. Someone asked her if she was okay, and she nodded and pulled out her blaster.

They saw Aeos, lying on the floor of the mostly destroyed lab. Based on the damage an explosion had gone off not long ago. Then a dark haired woman ran at the trio, her weapons drawn. Havock lifted her pistol and fired, hitting the woman in the thigh. She fired again, hitting her in the arm holding the weapon, she could almost hear the pistol as it fell to the hard floor. Njall was already at Aeos' side checking on her, Grahim kept an eye on Havock. She closed the distance and punched the woman as hard as she could. She couldn't tell if the Dagger trooper was fighting back, she didn't care. Her fists came up over and over and over again, she only stopped when two familiar arms fell on her shaking shoulders and dragged her away.

Slowly she found her way to Aeos,who was coming around. Havock heard her ask what had happened, she even felt herself flinch when Aeos touched her arm. None of it seemed real, she grabbed some medicine from her pack and gave it to the injured woman. She must have told her what happened, she didn't remember speaking coherent words, but when she looked at Aeos she could tell she knew.


------ 2 weeks later - Tadath - RAIDERS Barracks ------

The alarm sounded in the dark room, she listened while staring at the same spot on the ceiling she had been examining the majority of the night. The beeping just kept on going no matter how much she willed it to stop. With a sigh, Havock twisted in the bed, letting her feet hit the cold floor as she sat up. The squad leader quarters in the barracks, weren't too bad. They were at least a bit larger than the regular trooper quarters, and the bed...well it was just as uncomfortable.

The alarm was still sounding, she stared at it. With a sigh, she stood and gently clicked the device off. Jaenna had to be taken directly to the med center when the RAIDERS returned from Arkania. Havock decided to stay in the barracks to be closer, she never thought she would be moving in permanently. She thought it was over the day Jaenna woke up, but she was so very wrong. Her injuries had been substantial and would take many more months of recovery, rather than be stuck in the med center then at Fort Sexton for all of that she had opted to return to Coruscant and retire from the army for a while. Havock thought about even going with her, but Jaenna refused to let her and then left suddenly.

So now, Havock stood in her dark quarters staring at her closet trying to force herself to get dressed and packed. She closed her eyes and sighed. Another mission.

The only thing that got her to get out of the bed, the one reason she was standing in front of the closet, the thing that kept her going was that they got to track down that no good traitor Paric Quelilles. On Arkania, Paric had convinced half of his squad to follow him and go against their orders to cause flat out mayhem. Then, to add insult to injury, they hired themselves out as mercs to the very people RAIDERS had been ordered to capture. They had completed the objectives, they captured the Ferris brothers, but in the fight Jaenna had been shot by that twi'lek bastard.

Havock ripped her jacket off the hanger, a bit harder than she intended leaving the device swinging on the rod. She stared at it for a minute until it slowly came to a halt, then finished getting dressed. The twin DT-57 pistols going into their holsters on her hip last. They were beyond overkill, but they fit her current mood better than her DE-10's.

-------~~~~-----------

The RAIDERS filled into the small briefing room, a few troopers less than the last time they gathered here. Havock was now the only medic, that should be interesting. Decembrist was taking to Aeos, well she was more glaring at him for something but he seemed to be amused. Njall was talking to Beta in the far corner of the room. Brightstar was leaning back in her chair looking curiously at Havock. One big happy family.

“New mission.” She punched buttons that brought up a mostly green moon on the screen. “This place is called Drazah, its a moon in the eastern territories. According to intel a survey team was sent to this moon approximately seventeen days ago. They landed and were checking in on schedule, until three days into their mission when all communication stopped. This is where we come in. One of the last communications intel received talked about a small unknown craft landing on the surface of the moon. When they looked closer at the ships specs, turns out it was from Arkania. Looks like they may be our missing Dagger boys.”

Havock paused and had to forcibly swallow to keep from bursting out into a rant and punching things. “So our mission is to go to Drazah, find out what happened to our survey team, and determine who was on the craft that landed fourteen days ago. On a side note,  HC would prefer if nobody knew we were there, so if we can avoid locals that would be ideal. That's all from me, you have an hour to gear up and meet in the hanger. We are taking our standard transport, nothing fancy. Dismissed.”

OOC:

You can take personal gear/weapons/etc just plan on initially wearing ST Armor and changing into civy clothes later in the mission.

Drazah is a forest/rocky moon with no known inhabitants. The survey team was there to determine if it had any use at all to the VE, and find out more about the inhabitants. So we have very little in the way of intel on the planet.

So you have 1 hour to gather your gear and get on the transport, once everyone has arrived on the transport myself or the mystery ASL can have us take off and head towards the planet. It should take us a day to a day in a half to reach Drazah.

Just let me know if I need to clear anything up. Happy Posting!

Beer was the first thought that went through Rogueboy’s head. No, breakfast was the second. Slowly getting out of bed, RB went to go open the blinds, the piercing sun made him squint a few times before turning towards the door. “Ah crap.” He muttered as he realized that today he was officially Raider’s assistant squad leader. How did that happen? It went a little like this.

“You asked to see me sir.” Rogueboy said as he mock saluted Tanus.

“Yes I did, shit for brains. I wanted to know if you want a job.” The Platoon Commander asked.

“I have a job.” Rogueboy said disinterested.

“I have an opening for ASL.” Tanus said as he shuffled through a stack of flimsiplasts.

There was still a little friction between the two, ever since Tanus had ordered Rogueboy to torch a town. “Where?” He asked coolly.

“Your old squad, Raiders.” His voice rose a bit as he said Raiders.

“Who will be my squad leader?” Rogueboy answered as he couldn’t recall who was currently in command of that squad.

“Sergeant First Class Havock.” Tanus said as he sighed. “Are you going to take it or just waste my fucking time?”

“Can I have some time to think about it?” Pleaded Rogueboy.

“No, I have twenty soldiers who have killed for this opportunity. If you don’t accept it right now I’ll find someone who will.”

And that was how Rogueboy became the newly promoted assistant squad leader of Raiders. Looking at the clock RB quickly realized that he was late, as a matter of fact not only was he late he missed the briefing.

“Holonet, dial Havock.” Rogueboy commanded.

A few seconds later and Havock’s face appeared before him. “You’re late.” She immediately accused.

“Sorry, I had an emergency.” Rogueboy lied. “One of Patch’s circuits fried and I couldn’t exactly leave the planet with him in that condition.”

A whistling sound from the back gave RB away. “He appears to be doing fine now.” Havock hinted as her eyes seemed to turn red.

“Don’t move I’ll be there shortly.” He begged.

“Don’t bother, meet us at the port hangar eleven please be geared up and do bring Patch.” Havock said as she ended the call.

“Thanks Patch.” Rogueboy remarked sarcastically to the astromech droid.

“Holonet, Armoury.” Raider’s new ASL commanded.

“Armoury, here.” A pale-skinned youth answered.

“This is sergeant major Rogueboy, ID number tango-kilo-1-1-6-9-3. I would like my standard load out prepared for me and I will be there in a few minutes.” He ordered.

“I’m sorry, but that ID does not check out.” The youth said.

Rolling his eyes Rogueboy repeated. “TK-11693.”

“Ah here it is. Are you sure you’re properly authorized to be carrying a grenade launcher?” He asked.

“Are you sure you’re old enough to be in the corps?” Rogueboy countered.

The youth blushed before answering. “Your gear will be waiting, confirmation code is 802 please present your ID ca...”

Rogueboy turned off the holonet after using a pen to write the number on the back of his hand. “Let’s go Patch.” He said as the droid beeped happily behind him as he headed for the door.

Just before reaching the door he paused and looked at a small display case that he had, inside was a short war axe, and a gladius. Every time before a mission he would stare at these two weapons for perhaps a minute and wonder how his life would have been without them. He also wondered if he should take them with him, after all they did save him many times when he was a slave-gladiator on Tatooine, reason always prevailed over feelings and he left them.

Arriving at the military starport, Rogueboy headed towards hangar eleven. Some might say that Rogueboy made a fearful sight; bedecked in the white armour of a stormtrooper he was equipped with an A280 carbine rifle that he carried in his arms, a small black pack that contained; personal tent, five concentrated rations, fifteen water packs, eight blaster power packs, an odd assortment of foldable pots and pans, and a glowrod. Additionally Rogueboy was wearing a bandolier that has grenade launcher rounds, and the grenade launcher was slung over his right shoulder. In his belt Rogueboy carried his canteen, two thermal detonators, two spare blaster power packs, and his trusty vibro-bayonet.

“Bout time you got here.” Havock chastised Rogueboy for his tardiness.

“Well I’m apparently the second one here.” He retorted.

“Where’s Patch?” Havock asked.

Looking behind him Rogueboy was unable to see the little red astromech. “He probably got lost...There he is.” He pointed. “Where’s the rest of the squad?”

“They are on their way.” Was all Havock said as she ducked inside the Model 2 transport.

OOC:

Alright so Havvy and I are at the shuttle waiting for the rest of the squad. I noted my character's standard load out for future use I know its terribly cliche and nooby but I don't want you guys to have me pull a concussion rifle out of my proverbial rear. Patch will be coming with us, he's an astromech like R2-D2 but red.

The hangar was cold and stark, it was exactly as he remembered it. He could see the transport that was meant for him and the rest of the squad, but for the time he decided to stand and wait just for a moment.

‘I know who the bloody woman is! I was in the squad for long enough and I left! And I have no intention of returning!” He did not mean to shout but even the thought of returning to the army made him uneasy.

“I am afraid you do not have any choice, you have been asked to travel with the squad on their mission.” The man behind the desk spoke calmly but made it clear that he was in charge.

“I don’t see why it has to be me, there are hundreds of other people that could go instead.” His tone had become more like a sulking teenager.

“You were chosen because of your experience with the squad in question. This is non-negotiable, so good luck Corporal.” With a curt nod the man signalled for his surly visitor to leave’.

Suddenly memory was changed to reality as a strange little astromech droid whizzed past and headed into the direction of the transport. Suffice to say the medic was not happy to be in the position that he was in, once again heading off to some doomed planet with a load of reprobates.

‘The room in front of him now looked even more empty than it usually did, as all the medical supplies that he possessed were now packed away in various containers waiting to be taken off to some far flung destination. As he was not going as a trooper he decided to take every piece of medical equipment he had but he was hoping that it would not have to be used.

“Why did I think that I would be able to enter the medical corps without being dragged back into the army?” he soliloquised.

He did not want to get involved in any fighting, though he decided that he would need to take one or two devices of protection and safely packed them also.’

“I don’t see why we need some fussy medic with us anyway.” Havock seemed to be talking more to herself than the familiar shaped man next to her. “And what the hell is up with all this stuff he thinks he needs, does he think we are a kamikaze squad?”

Before the male trooper could answer, the ‘fussy medic’ spoke, “If I am not wanted ma’am I can leave.”

“What? Karash is that you?” The RAIDERS squad leader spoke in an almost hushed tone.

“Corporal Karash, designated medical officer for this little excursion, ma’am and it would appear sir.” Karash spoke with a sense of sarcastic dignity.

“How can you not remember me?” The clear voice of Rogue spoke next.

“I can assure you both that my heart has skipped a beat at the sight of the both of you but others are coming. I don’t want to delay you and your squad so I’ll just get aboard.” Karash left the both of them looking rather baffled.

The ship was nothing wondrous but looked sturdy enough, though the amount of stuff that Karash seemed to have brought looked like it might restrict the ships flying ability.

OOC:

Let me know if anything has been changed.

She let the water run over her hands just before she cupped her palms and splashed her face once again. So far, she had managed to snap at anyone who spoke to her today. Not a great track record. Havock looked at the woman staring back at her in the mirror. “You need to pull yourself together already. What the hell are you doing?”

With a final sigh, she turned in the very small fresher unit and grabbed a towel to dry her face. It was time to get back to the crew area and try talking to the people she considered her family again, this time hopefully she could manage to act somewhat normal.

The shuttle lurched slightly, a sign they had entered hyperspace. Rogueboy was right, this was going to be a very long flight. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a small bottle, shook a pill into her hand and popped it in her mouth as she collapsed into her seat.

“Oh great, do I even want to know what that was?” A dry and familiar voice muttered near her. She was beyond happy to see Karash back with the squad even if he didn't look very happy about it.

“Relax Karash, just some stim pills.” His eyes narrowed. “Don't start, there is no way I'm going to sleep right now. You thought I had bad nightmares before, heh.”

He shook his head and reached in his pack, digging for something which turned out to be a pen. “Yea, I'm going to go ahead and put your name on one of the medpacks then.” As he walked away he kept grumbling. “Never changes, just as stubborn as ever.”

Havock rolled her eyes, but could feel herself almost smirk. Well thats an improvement.

“How many days has it been since you slept...exactly?” She looked down the aisle at the red-head two seats down sitting calmly in her own chair.

“I'm fine, Bright.”

Brightstar closed her eyes tightly in slight frustration. “And that wasn't what I asked, Hav.”

She tapped her datapad as she considered her answer. It wasn't beyond her notice that Aeos was watching the conversation with much interest. With a final resigning sigh, Havock turned to Brightstar. “I know how many days I can go on the stim pills before things get...dangerous. But before you say that still wasn't the question you asked, the answer is about two days.”

Bright gave the squad leader a final look that screamed, I'll just keep my eye on you then. With a shake of her head she turned back to face forward and closed her eyes. Aeos had a similar look on her face but was also swatting Decembrist hand away from her poncho which kept her distracted.

Havock turned and faced the back of the small crew area to find the four former Dagger Squad members sitting together talking. They had requested to accompany RAIDERS on their mission, knowing that they would likely find their former squad leader hiding on the moon. None of them had been re-assigned yet, so the timing was perfect.

She settled in a seat next to Rogueboy. “I'll buy you a damn beer when we get back.”

“Aww, I was just getting used to bitchy Hav.”

She rolled her eyes and looked at the man. She was glad to have Rogueboy back in RAIDERS, even if he loved to do things that she knew was going to drive her crazy from time to time. “I'll see if I can't let her out just for you later on, I'm sure you can find something to do that will annoy me.”

He smirked and let out a short laugh. “What makes you think I haven't already done it? And you just haven't noticed yet.”

She eyed him for a moment before falling back into her chair. “Great.”

OOC:

Our NPC Troopers

Ray 'Smilez' Elkus – Medic - Human
Shalla 'Turnabout' Tark'ayen – HWS – Zabrak
Wecus 'Icicle' Tunrus – ComTech – Human
Morax 'Leadfoot' Nelin – CE – Human

Please don't kill an NPC without checking with me or RB first. Lets try to play nice with others for a little while huh? All of these are former Dagger troopers so they should be somewhat familiar to you, if not, they all have wiki's.

I'm going to give you guys a couple of days before posting us landing on the moon.

“You.”
Rogueboy jerked away with a grunt and continued his snore.
There was another soft shove to his shoulder and this time he woke up.

“What?”

He blinked his eyes against the light. Aeos. She held up something familiar and friendly to his face. Rogueboy felt himself cracking a grin at the heavily dressed trooper.  It’s been four hours since they departed and everyone was either bored stiff or sleeping. Until recently, he had been doing the latter.

“You know girl, I can demote you for this.” He grunted as he leaned over to her and grabbed the flask.

Aeos shrugged and smirked. She pulled out her own flask.

“Nope. That flask’s got your name engraved on it. “

Rogueboy frowned and turned the flask upside down to view the bottom. He arched one eyebrow.
“Engraved? This looks like it’s been scratched out by a first-grader with a combat knife.”
He felt a whack against the backside of his head. Ouch.

“Do not insult alcoholic art buddy and don’t you go looking a given horse in the mouth.”

Rogueboy felt himself grinning as he unscrewed the cap. Aeos smirked in reply before taking a swig.
“Say, have we worked together before somewhere?” he asked.  Aeos nodded her head and gulped the thin liquid down.

“Years ago. Raiders as well and I think I might have been your boss in Storm. Years ago as well and the other reason you can’t demote me.”

Rogueboy raised his eyebrows again and shook his head.

“I see.”
He didn't really see though and neither could he understand this trooper  disregard for her enviroment and the people around her. It was such a contrast next to Brightstar and Havock who were both emotional roller-coasters right now.

The two sat in comfortable silence as they drank from their flasks.  Aeos leaned her head against the seat and sighed.  She shouldn’t be drinking right now. But she was bored. And that bothered her. Boredom was never good. It indicated to a lack of ambition and a tendency for laziness. She didn’t suffer from either. No. She wasn’t bored. She just didn’t have the usual hang-ups of post-traumatic stress which her fellow comrades were currently suffering through. She had long-ago started digging a hole in her heart to bury those sentiments of regret, grief and anger. It was too much of bother to deal with really. Or maybe she didn’t really care that Jae almost died. That Havock was shattering apart or that Brightstar was almost dead as well.

Aeos blinked her eyes close in fury and took another furious swig from her flash and kept down for another few seconds. She did care. She cared a lot for them…

“Excuse me.” A voice hissed next to her ear. Aeos smiled guiltily and glanced up at Havock’s reddening face.

The squad-leader made a grab for Aeos’ flask but the trooper planted one boot firmly on Havock’s chest-plate and kept it there while taking another swipe. She leaned back at Rogue who rapped his knuckles against hers in victory. 

“Havock! You’re fighting a losing battle chief! Why don’t you join us?” Rogueboy invited with a small grin of his own. Aeos dropped her leg from Havock and suppressed a snicker as the squad-leader fell forward from the sudden shift of balance. Aeos caught Havock easily by the one wrist and pulled her in between her and Rogueboy. She produced another flash from thin-air and handed it to Havock.

“I aint leavin ya till ya took one sip.” Aeos stated.

“Might I remind you both we are on a mission?” Havock hissed between her teeth.

“We have about twenty-eight hours to get tipsy and sleep chief. Besides you and Bright both need a stiff drink. I won’t stand to see your sorry faces contorted in more agony during the mission. It might kill me.”  Aeos confessed dramatically.

Havock pulled herself away from Aeos with a disgusted expression on her face and walked away muttering to herself. Aeos smirked to herself noticing that Havock kept the flask with her.

“You know, you have a lot of nerve to speech her and then look at what you are doing ne.” Aeos stole a glance at Brightstar who sat across them with folded arms. The redhead shook her head. Rogueboy cleared his throat.
“Ladies, as much as I love your company Aeos dear, I think I should prolly head-“

“Nonsense Rogue. Sit down.” It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command. The ASL nodded and looked down into his flask sighing.  Aeos turned back to Brightstar.

“You girls wallow. I lighten my sorrows with a small drink. I’ve always done it this way and it has never before endangered my mission.”

Brightstar huffed. And shook her head at Aeos who threw another magical flask at her from underneath her poncho.

“And besides, get rid of that ugly thing.” Brightstar mumbled to Aeos while pointing to the gray poncho.
Aeos sighed.

“Yeah I suppose I need to let the cat out of the bag sooner or later.”

This grabbed the attention of Brightstar. She and the whole squad had been aware that Aeos has had some genetic implications during their last mission but Aeos had been secretive until now.

Aeos winced at herself and started pulling the poncho of off her torso. She proceeded to remove the extra long-sleeve shirt she been wearing. She heard a collective gasp from Rogueboy and Brightstar and a snicker? Aeos glared at Decembrist who was leaning against the doorway. From where did he appear all of a sudden?

“I guess I’ll stop yanking your chain and start yankin your tail. “He muttered with an amused smirk.

Aeos grumbled and leaned back into her seat with reddened cheeks. Though she did feel a lot better after removing some of the layers. She scratched her one exposed arm trying to ignore the alien feeling of the fur brushing through her fingers.

Rogueboy moved a seat away from her and chuckled as he tried to avoid the tail which had sprung from her confined form. It now whisked listlessly from side to side. Clearly she was annoyed.

“Why don’t you…cut it off?” Brightstar asked while trying to hold her own mirth in.

“Doc says that they need to work on a formula to reverse the effects since the fucking thing will just grow back. And the Army doesn’t see this affecting my life so they told the medics that it will budget next year. “ Aeos grumbled. She downed the whole of her flask and looked away from her comrades. The shame. She sighed.

"At least I have a good enough excuse to drink ya?"

Havock leaned back in the seat of the transport and looked over at the dimly lit crew cabin. Almost everyone was asleep, which was a good thing, between Aeos' drinks and the mood everyone was in they could all use some sleep. She continued to turn the flask that the now furry woman had handed her earlier in her hands as she thought about what Karash had told her. She thought that Aeos and Brightstar were going to beat the medic for starting anything with their highly unstable squad leader.

Before leaving the small cargo room she had her conversation with Karash in, Havock came to terms with a few things. Wallowing was not going to make Jaenna appear on the transport or be on the moon when they landed. No, in fact all it was going to do was get someone killed.

The self-pity may have been gone for now, but the anger remained. Havock knew that she would have to learn to control her anger all over again. When she was a kid, she had the worst temper out of everyone at the orphanage and probably before even though that was a blur. When she was taken in, by the gang, she had to keep her anger in check or risk other's lives. That was her situation once again, and she knew she did not want to let her squad, which was her family really, down.

She finally opened the flask and downed the contents in one long drink. “Wow, you okay boss?” She gulped the last bit and looked over at Njall who had walked up in the dark cabin.

“Yea, drinking is not that big of a deal for me. It'll take a lot more than this to get me near drunk. How can I help you private?”

“Pilot says we are almost there, just wanted to let you know.” With his message delivered he nodded and walked back to his seat towards the front with Beta.

More time than she realized must have passed, maybe she even nodded off during the trip, although she doubted that. She pulled out her datapad and put the flask away. It was time to get everyone woken up and geared up for the mission. A distraction from her thoughts would do her good, until she found Paric that is.

She was about to give some last minute instructions to the squad, but slapped Karash on the shoulder first. He scowled up at hr from his seat. “Don't forget to bring that extra med pack for me.”

Havock cleared her throat. “We should be coming out of hyperspace...” The sound of the engines slowing and the subtle jolt of the transport re-entering normal space was felt by everyone. “Right, never mind about that then. We have arrived, make sure you have everything you are going to be caring with you packed. The shuttle will be returning to orbit until we call for it, or assess the threat level to be low enough for them to linger on the ground. I'm in no mood to be stranded on this moon.”

A groan from a familiar person made Havock roll her eyes and pause. “Come on, do we really have to wear these smelly uniforms.”

She sighed. “Until we determine what the frak is down there yes. And Vasili maybe try washing once in a while and then you wouldn't smell so bad.” A few snickers could be heard, but Decembrist just stiffed his arm pit and shrugged. “Anyways, lets try to make this initial search a quick one.” She looked at Rogueboy. “Patch is all set?”

He nodded and pointed towards the back of he cabin where the droid was plugged in for the trip. “Ready when you are.”

“Okay, make sure he does a comm check before we spread out. I don't want anyone getting lost, we already have a survey team to find as it is.” She clicked a few buttons on her datapad to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. “We should only be a few hundred meters from the survey teams last known location, so first objective is to scout that area.” The ship shook slightly, the sign they had entered the atmosphere. Well, here goes nothing.

OOC:

Okay whoever posts next, we should be on the ground. Remember its a foresty/mountain type location. Head towards the survey teams location once we land. Carry on.

OOC:

Sorriest excuse for a post ever. Consider this a down payment for future posting.

“Hell, I don’t like this at all.”

“This place is abandoned.”

“What? Oh, right. The camp. Yeah. It’s empty. Kinda creepy, huh?”

Aeos glared at Decem under her helmet, who was too preoccupied with following the former’s tail around as it wagged to notice the eerie camp around them or his comrade’s contempt. RAIDERS had arrived at the last known location of the Survey Team sent to the moon. It was their camp, which looked as if it hadn’t even been fully unpacked. Barrels and cryosteel boxes were the untouched innards of the skeletal circle of research trailers around a comm. array that had been set up.

Curiously, Vee attempted to snatch the tail in front of him (coincidentally the new meaning of “chasing tail” ran through his head). “Vasili!” Aeos retracted her new appendage and smacked the side of Vee’s helmet. “Focus, dammit.”

“Everything alright?” their Leader called as she exited one of the trailers, hearing the commotion.

“Everything’s fine, Havock,” the higher ranked trooper responded. “Decembrist’s getting frisky.”

Across the way, at another one of the three trailers, Sergeant Gorjam and Sergeant D’Jonoc hopped back out into the circle. “This place is deader than Solvona’s last girlfriend,” the newly appointed ASL exclaimed.

Having checked the trailers for signs of life or evidence that there was clearly none, the squad met up in the middle of the circular camp to plan what next. Between the eight of them not a single clue could be found. It seemed as if the survey team had found a suitable location to set up shop but were either chased out or worse before they could finish. The only thing notable was that the comm. array was still intact and active, though only broadcasting on a local frequency. Private Archaeon, being the closest thing to a Comm. Technician RAIDERS had currently, had just finished the diagnostics. After discussing how odd this was, Havock decided that the most the squad could do was salvage VE material and head back to the ship for now.

“Ow, what the hell RB?” Decembrist yelled as he reached down to push the crate off his foot. He looked up in confusion as Rogueboy collapsed to the ground. The crate finally came to rest on the forest floor with a thud as he scanned the trees for whatever had caused the ASL to fall. A shot buzzed passed his ear sending him immediately to the ground, taking cover behind the crate. “Havock, problem!”

Another man ran at him from behind and fired his weapon before Decembrist could react. The comlink fell from his hand as he fell unconscious from the stun bolt.

==---===---==---===---==---===

Havock pushed another useless flimsy away from her on the desk. The survey team, or whoever had done this to them, left a huge mess in all the trailers. The team had only been working for three days, and that ship that landed the very same day they lost communication with them had to be more than a coincidence. She knew that somewhere in the mess was more information on that ship and they needed it.

“Havock, problem!”

She rubbed her face, if he was calling to complain again she was going to shoot him. “What is it Vee?”

Aeos jumped into the trailer. “Shots fired.”

“Dammit.” Havock grabbed her DT-57 pistol out of her right holster and followed Aeos cautiously into the clearing. Everyone had taken up defensive positions around the camp, but she couldn't find any shots being fired from the forest around them. “Ae are you sure...” Three shots hit the trailer behind her sending both of them to the ground. “Sorry, nevermind.”

She started to get up and felt cold durasteel just behind her ear. Looking over Aeos was in a similar predicament. Havock watched as everyone was marched to the center of the clearing by a mismatch group of men and women holding older but effective blaster rifles.

A hand reached down and yanked Havock up by the back of her storm commando armor, keeping the blaster rifle pointed at her head. He pushed her towards the rest of the squad as they were being ordered to remove all weapons and helmets, if they were still wearing them. She made eye contact with Njall who nodded upwards towards a rise just past the trailers. There were no less than three men holding rifles pointed at the group. With that on top of being outnumbered on the ground, any hope of getting out of this would have to wait for a better opportunity.

Two more of the locals appeared dragging Decembrist and Rogueboy to the clearing and started to strip them of their weapons. She counted no less than five species among the locals, all had different styles of clothing and weapons. As Havock was reaching for her combat knife she discreetly pushed a button on her comlink which sent a message to the pilot of their transport to get the hell out of here and go into orbit until we call for you. The last thing they needed was to lose their ride home.

“Which one of you murderers is in charge?” A tall zabrak spoke as he inspected one of the A280 rifles.

“Murderers? I think you have the wrong crew buddy. We only just got here.” Icicle dryly commented from his kneeling position.

The zabrak wasted no time he marched over and slammed the butt of the rifle into Ice's head. “Wrong answer.” The trooper didn't make a sound, he just held his now pounding and bleeding head while glaring at the local. “Now lets try this again, tell me who's in charge or I start shooting, which works for me, the less of you I have to deal with the better.”

Havock sighed. “Oh fine, what do you want?”

The man looked confused for a second. “You?” He walked over and grabbed her by her chest plate until she was standing. “You're in charge?”

“What you want my kriffin birth certificate or you want to tell me why you're interrupting my day.”

He laughed. “My dear, you really do need to relax.”

Havock flinched and balled her fist. “Hav!” Aeos yelled, which snapped her out of the suicidal fight she was about to get into and sent a blaster rifle digging into Aeos' neck.

“Heh, cute. Anyways, I want to make myself very clear to you. We are going to march your little gang back to our city, where we can properly arrest you all. If any of your people sneeze and I don't like it, we will shoot them. There are snipers all over these mountain that have been just dying to practice on moving targets.”

“Do I even get to know what we did?”

He glanced around with a dumbfounded look. “You killed the people in these trailers. And its likely you were working on a plan to kill us too.”

“No.”

“Save it, my job is to bring you in. You convince my bosses of whatever story you were about to give me and they will let you go. But until we get there I'm in charge.” He motioned to the others in his group. “Let's go.”

There was no dreaming in this sleep. The stun-bolt that collided with Vasili’s spine knocked him forward with so much force that he knocked his helmetless head against the ground. Out cold. By the time he woke up, the scenery had changed. He was alone in a small metal room; another jail cell. This being the fourth or fifth one he had seen (who can remember?), Vee didn’t need any clues other than the locked door with a small food opening in it to figure it out.

Firstly, Vasili checked himself. His foot was in extreme pain but he could wiggle his toes, barely, so he knew it wasn’t broken. Friggin’ Gorjan. If he didn’t drop that kriffin’ crate I could’ve got these bastards. His back felt fine and his helmet took the brunt of his collision with the surface of the moon. Alright.

“Well, it appears my captors aren’t completely dumb. They took my helmet.” Vasili knew the Comm on the arm of his armor was useless without the receiver in the helmet. Similarly, he too was useless without his pistol and shotgun. As such, he flopped to the floor and resigned himself to staring at the ceiling.

There was one fluorescent light that seemed like it was close to death, it barely and ominously illuminated the cell. The only furnishings available to him were pipes that created a ceiling and one wall. It was a makeshift place, not intended to be used as a prison. Certainly less homey than some of the cells I’ve been in. Vee reached out from his back and grasped one. He felt no vibration, so he spun and pressed his ear up against it. Nothing. Wherever he was, there wasn’t much, if any, power.

As Vee pulled his head away, he caught a glimpse of movement through the slivers of opening between the pipes on the wall they created. Two men were approaching, and the engines of resistance in the captive’s head started cranking. As far as he could tell he was the only one there. They were coming for him. The Stormtrooper tore off his armor, carefully laid the legs in a corner next to the door and pressed himself into a corner next to the door of his cell and waited. A diversion to catch them off guard.

The door cracked open and in poked a gun. “Stay right there, outsider. We’ll shoot you!” someone called in. The man saw the leg armor through the cracked door and entered the cell expecting it to be the prisoner. With his back turned, the prisoner attacked.

Vasili jumped forward, shoving his chest armor over the man’s head to blind and disorient him then delivered a kick to his lower back, sending him head first into the pipes. The escape attempt was short-lived, though, for when he turned to face the second man a stun-bolt thumped into his chest. Wheezing on the floor, unable to move from the stun gun, Vasili was handcuffed and dragged out by the second man.

If he was able to call out, he would’ve responded to Aeos’ screams as he was dragged past her cell. “Tell them nothing, Decembrist! TELL THEM NOTHING!” she ordered from him, using their callsigns as well they should in these situations. Further down in this section was Karash, who asked if Vasili was hurt as he was dragged by. Could use a smoke, was all he would’ve responded. “Try to move your toes, Decem!” Karash called out as Vee was dragged around another corner.

As he for once paid attention to the doctor’s orders, Vee realized the unbelievable pain from the bruised foot he was being dragged by. The stunning wore off as the pain kicked in. He wrenched himself away from the man dragging him and jerked to his knees and then his feet. Putting pressure on his injured foot was debilitating and he fell against a door. Through the hole for food was Sergeant Gorjan, passed out on the floor. “WAKE UP ROGUEBOY!” Vasili urged his ASL as he was being pulled away by his collar. “WAKE UP DAMMIT!”

Decembrist was brought into a room that was already occupied. Forced to sit in a chair at one end of the room and blinded by a light in his face, he couldn’t see who else was with him though he could hear the voices.

“Dec, where are your pants?” Sergeant Katash asked strangely. Vasili was in too much panic to pick up the intention of such a question.

“We’re guests here, in Finder’s Landing, Decembrist. You should be wearing pants for our hosts. We’re in Finder’s Landing.” Havock put emphasis on the place, though it meant nothing to him.

“What are you- why are you talking like that?” Vee squinted to try and see through the light in his face. He found the silhouette of Havock across the room as well as four other men. They had guns and they were trained on him.

“Oh hell, Havvie. You finally got me with no pants and you’re gonna let them kill me? You tell them what they want to know.” Vasili understood the gravity of what was going on now. She was trying to avoid giving up any information to these people. This did not sit well with her trooper.

Rogueboy came to the sounds of men screaming, and he watched from his cell as Aeos was dragged away. “You know it’s only a matter of time until they come to get you.” A man’s voice came from somewhere outside the cells.

“Probably, but that’s not my concern.” Rogueboy’s answer received a chuckle.

“Your life is not your concern?” The unnamed voice asked.

“Well I imagine they are going to torture me and kill me, after all what’s the point in letting someone go after you torture them? They can only be a liability.” Rogueboy explained.

“And you’re just going to go along with it?” The incredulous voice questioned.

“It’s not like I have a choice.” Rogueboy answered.

“Silence you two!” A guard yelled from somewhere down the narrow corridor.

Ten minutes passed before a banging on Rogueboy’s cell bars ruined his thoughts. “You’re coming with us.”

Looking up Rogueboy saw that two guards were standing outside his cell which was no open. There was a loud clang as the guards threw in a pair of binders. “Since you’re buddies decided to be stubborn we’re being extra cautious with you, put the binders on.” He commanded.

Rogueboy clicked the binders on. “Tighter.” The other man ordered.

The binders bit into Rogueboy’s skin and drew blood. “Much better.” The first guard said before adding. “Now, come out.”

The first guard positioned himself in front of Rogueboy while the other was behind him. Rogueboy frowned to himself for an instant before making his move, he rapidly brought his hands over the guard’s back and grabbed his forehead with his left hand and the man’s jaw with his right hand. Quickly Rogueboy spun around with his captor still in his grasp. “Drop your stun gun or I’ll snap his neck as easily as a rancor would a child.” He commanded both of them

The one he was holding immediately dropped his stun gun, but the other one hesitated for an instant before complying. “Keys to the binder, please.”  Rogueboy added as an afterthought.

“We don’t have the keys.” The guard that Rogueboy was holding uttered.

“They don’t want us to have the keys because of situations like these, the inside guards don’t have keys but the exterior guards do.” The second one added.

“Typical backwater planet nerfshit.” Rogueboy complained to no one. “Get in the cell, lock yourself in and throw the key at the wall.” Rogueboy commanded to the guard that he was not holding.

After the guard did what he was told, Rogueboy ordered the guard he was holding to pick up the key. As he bent over to pick the key, he immediately spun around and punched Rogueboy in the face. Caught unaware by the blow Rogueboy’s head snapped back and his nose began to bleed. The guard then tackled Rogueboy and started punching him, using his arms to block his face Rogueboy adjusted his block so that the guard’s next punch hit the binder.  The man reeled back in pain; RB used the opportunity to throw him off and bunched his hands together and with one powerful swing hit the man on the side of the face and sent him headfirst into one of the pipes.

Looking over the man’s unconscious body, Rogueboy wiped his nose on the arm of his plastoid armour. Grabbing the key Rogueboy went to unlock the rest of the cells that housed his squad mates. Because his hands were in the binders Rogueboy was unable to use the stun guns, however that did not stop Karash (who had first criticized him of his bleeding lip) to equip the weapon, Smilez had equipped the other stun gun.

Smilez was the first one to open the door that lead from the holding cells into the guard room. Inside the room was a single desk equipped with terminal and stack of flimsies. There was a guard at the desk, however he had his feet on the desk and was reading something from a magazine. Smilez just walked around the desk and stunned the guard; searching the guard he pulled out a set of keys that he threw towards Rogueboy.

After trying a few of the keys finally there was one that fit and the binders were taken off. “Eureka!” Smilez exclaimed loudly.

“What?” Rogueboy asked.

“A blaster pistol.” Smilez was living up to his name, as he had a grin from ear to ear.

“Pass me the stun gun.” Rogueboy suggested.

“Patch, hack this terminal and find out where Hav is.” Rogueboy commanded.

The little droid let out a stream of beeps but headed towards the terminal and used his scomplink to plug into it. After a few seconds a small map was created on the terminal screen, one of the rooms was red whereas two rooms next to it was blue with a “You are here.” Etched onto it.

“Let’s go rescue Havock.” Rogueboy ordered.

The room that Havock was in, was very Spartan; a long desk was in the middle with chairs on either side. It was more of a meeting room then it was an interrogation room. There were seven people inside the room; Havock, Aeos, Decembrist, the interrogator, and three armed guards. At least there was seven people until the door opened up and five more people entered the room.

“Havock we’re here to save you!” Rogueboy screamed as he fired a stun bolt at one of the armed guards.

“Rogue what the hell are you doing?” Havock screamed.

“Saving you.” Rogueboy yelled back.

“They’re letting us go.”

“Aw...shit.” Rogueboy answered.

Grahim and Brightstar had been sneaking around in this forest and the only thing they had seen were bugs.

“There must be a sort of encampment in the surrounding area.” Bright said.

“How do yousa know datsa?” Grahim asked and looked at Bright.

“Because there are almost no animals here.” Brightstar said. Grahim looked how long they had been out hunting.

“Wesa have been out hunting for five hours wesa should head back to the camp it should be up now.“ Grahim said.

“But we won’t survive long on the food we have.” Bright said. “You are probably right we should head back before they put up a search party.” The two of them started to walk back towards the camp.

~ ~ ~

Grahim and Brightstar didn’t talk much on the way back but both of them started to cheer up when they knew that they could meet up with their mates. But that joy got smashed to pieces when they noticed that no one was there and that all much of the equipment that they knew should have been there were gone.

Grahim and Brightstar started to search through the camp in order to find any clues what had happened to the squad. Bright found some marks that told them that someone had been dragged there. They followed the tracks towards a large open area where there were signs of some sort of ship. Grahim didn’t know what kind of ship it was because he didn’t care very much the different ship types. He was just glad if they worked properly.

“Okay it is obvious that we should fall back to camp and wait for the squads return.” Bright said.

“Okeeday wesa will wait.” Grahim said but disliked it. Grahim took of his helmet because he liked the fresh air of the forest better than the conserved one that was in the armor. Bright also took of her helmet.

“Do you have a deck of cards?”

“No, because wesa usually don’t have time to play dem cards while wesa are on a mission.” Grahim looked around him and got homesick because the forest were a lot like the one’s on Naboo.

OOC:

Forgive me for bad quality and probably som bad spelling and a short text but I am sick so just take it easy.

The squad split off into various directions. The shuttle was a fascinating place she had to admit, they had turned a medium transport into a full fledged city. It was short on merchants but there were shops set up in the main cargo area for basic needs to be filled by the inhabitants. Speaking of, the people looked at the RAIDERS with skeptical but not angry eyes. They ultimately didn't seem to mind them being there it was more that they were not sure why they were there.

She nodded to the bartender who promptly brought her another drink. The people had taken to making their own liquor, which wasn't half bad. Havock probably should not have been drinking, but it was really hard for her to care.

===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===

“Wesa need to move.” Grahim was watching the patrols through the scope on his sniper rifle.

Brightstar was still lost in thought. “What?”

“He said, that you need to move.”

They both froze and slowly looked at each other before turning their heads downward to see the three men holding older model blaster rifles pointed up at the pair. “Come on down here Red.” He held up a comlink. “Your boss lady wants a word.”

“Should wesa go?”

Bright fingered the hilt of her Ryyk blade. “It doesn't look like we have a choice.”

The two of them made their way down the tree they had been perched in, and looked skeptically at the three men still pointing blaster rifles at them. “You boys think you could put those away, it only seems fair.”

The man with the comlink smirked and lowered his weapon and handed the device to the red-head standing in front of him.

“This is Brightstar.”

The reply wasn't instant which made Bright want to pull out her weapons on the spot, but then a tired voice did come through. “Hey Bright, its about time, I was starting to wonder what happened to you guys. The locals are okay, go with them and they will take you to us. Grahim is with you right?”

“Yes, he's here. We will see you soon then.”

===----===---===---===---===---===---===---===

“I'm telling you that thing shocked me!”

Havock rubbed her head and tossed the comlink on the bar. “Patch may have been a bit disoriented, give the poor droid a break Njall.”

“Hey, is this the guy that tried to re-program my droid?”

“RB, please. You know what why don't you boys go work out your issues with the droid and I'll just stay here and keep an eye on things. Bye bye now.” She rolled her eyes and tried not to slam her head into the bar. She quickly ordered another drink, that made three...no four, dammit.

She knew that Karash was looking into getting their medical supplies back, even though she couldn't see why they would need them before they left 'Finder's Landing'. She also failed to see why he would find that fact so damned amusing.

“What are you doing?”

Havock frowned at the tone she heard and put the drink she had been sipping back down on the bar. “Oh hey Bright, good to see both of you in one piece.” She nodded to the gungan standing behind her.

“Hav, what are you doing?”

She smirked. “Having a drink, waiting for you two, generally keeping an eye on things, take your pick.”

“You shouldn't be doing that, for quite a few reasons actually.” Bright's voice was getting louder, Havock really didn't like where she was going with this.

“Which one shouldn't I be doing? I listed a few things.” Havock knew she was being a smart-ass but she really was starting to get angry at this line of questioning.

OOC:

Bright and Grahim on the ship, check

“What do you mean they are being held for investigational purposes?” Karash was completely dumbfounded by the droid speaking to him from behind the glass barrier.

“They are being held by the coroner’s office for further investigation into the recent deaths.” The droid spoke in the same dull tone.

“Well then I wish to speak to the coroner.” Karash was still trying to remain calm.

“The coroner is currently unavailable, if you wish to make an appointment between the hours of...”

“For goodness sake, will you just get to the damned coroner?!” Karash had relinquished all rationality was ready to shoot a hole in the droids head.

“Can I help you?” a woman appeared from the doorway.

“What? Who are you?” Karash turned like some deranged lunatic.

The woman standing there appeared to be in her late sixties and had fuzzy white hair; that made her look like she had recently been electrocuted. Perched on her nose were half-moon glasses, she was wrapped in a white lab coat and she was balanced on a walking stick; most interestingly the woman reeked of bacta and disinfectant.

“I am Dr Bauserman, the coroner and I understand that you are one of our visitors.” The woman’s voice sounded gravelly.

“Yes I want to know where my medical supplies are and why I can’t have them.” Karash was still annoyed at the droid now whizzing behind him.

“We are still examining them. After we found those other people dead, we have been trying to work out what happened to them.” The old doctor swayed slightly on her stick as she rubbed her forehead.

“Well I don’t see what our medical supplies have to do with your investigations, and before I leave I want them back.” Karash had no time for these people; they all seemed rather inadequate to him.

“There is no obvious cause of death, so as far as explaining what happened to my employers... well I don’t suppose a great imperial medic like yourself could help us?” Her tone became lighter.

“Well, if you put it like that.” Karash seemed to become giddy with the flattery. “How do you know I am a medic?” Karash suddenly realised what she was trying to do.

“We may appear to be some back water nobodies to important people such as yourself, but some of us used to be politicians and business moguls and some were soldiers such as yourself. But if you can’t help us I will get the stuff back to you as quickly as possible.” Dr Bauserman turned and was about to leave the room back into her office.

Suddenly Karash was compelled to ask the woman who she was, “What did you used to do Dr Bauserman?”

“Me?” she turned to face Karash once again. “I used to be a veterinarian.”

This accompanied by the continual whirring of the droid behind Karash sent him a new colour of red, one reserved for when Hav or Rogue was getting on his nerves. As he stormed back through the transports many areas, he began to think that maybe these people knew more than they let on, that maybe things were not quite as simple as they appeared. ‘Pull yourself together man, now get on with it’.

“Havock! Is that you?” Karash shouted out across a busy bar.

The RAIDERS squad leader looked up from her drink in a less than enthusiastic manner and tried to shield herself from Karash’s gave; it did not work.

“You will not believe what I have been through just now...”

“Karash.” Havock spoke in a fair tone.

“Mhm?” there was a quizzical look on the medics face. 

“Shut-up!” with that she took another sip of her drink and got up and left.

‘Well I never’, the shocked look on Karash’s face must have looked quite comical but he decided not to follow the squad leader; he ordered just one drink instead.

“So here is where we found you, and about two weeks ago the...survey team, you called it?”

Havock stopped gulping down water long enough to nod back at Dane. They were in his office which was located in what probably was once a storage room off the main cargo hold of the ship. Dane had been showing them a rather primitive, but still effective map of the surrounding area. Her head was still a bit groggy from the combination of liquor and stim pills, but the water was helping.

It seemed like everyone had taken their turn trying to shake her out of the mood she was currently stuck in. Before they left on the mission she decided that being angry would not compromise the mission. The problem was, she was being reckless, and that would end up putting the people around her in danger.

Aeos tried to talk sense into her before they left, Brightstar tried again, but when she snapped at Karash in the cantina thats when she realized just how out of it she really was. She took a long walk after that, to try to clear her head.

The ship was cramped in many places but the people had done a remarkable job converting every available square inch into something useful. Havock spent some time in the upper deck overlooking the cargo area. It served as the marketplace and general hang out area for the people that called Founder's Landing a home.

The one thing she was looking for that seemed nowhere to be found was Paric. The only rational thought she had left was that he had taken away the one thing that she loved, and she really wanted to hurt him for that. Havock was becoming aware of the fact that the only way to find Paric was to focus on what she was doing, and stop acting like a reckless idiot.

“Hav.”

She blinked and shook her head, willing herself to return to the present. Every eye in the room was turned staring at her, a few with raised eyebrows. Ray leaned forward and whispered something to Aeos who held up her hand and grimaced, but kept her eyes on Havock.

“Sorry, you were saying Dane.”

“What's that large unmarked area up there, there isn't even topography shown for that whole section.” Decembrist seemed very interested in the map for some reason. She was thrilled that he found it fascinating, since he seem to be the only one no longer watching her.

Dane's expression changed, the color seemed to drain from his face. “That area we call the Black Woods. We don't go there.”

Njall crossed his arms and shrugged. “Why?”

“Depends on who you talk to around here. Most folks will tell you that the Black Woods are haunted, which I think is  a bunch of bull. I think people live out there, people who were here a long time before any of us arrived.” He sighed. “All I know is, any one who has ever gone into the Black Woods never comes back. But if it is people and not spirits, as far as I know they have never attacked anyone outside of the Black Woods.” His voice got very quiet and he looked right at Decembrist. “I'll tell you one thing though, if they are people, they have been terrorizing my people for a long time. And if they ever did attack anyone out side of those woods, I would have a militia raised faster than you could spit and we would be clearing them right out.”

Grahim, Roguboy and Decembrist straightened and started to talk, but Havock quickly interrupted them. “Thank you Dane. I think we have enough information. Really all we needed to do here was find the survey team, and we have.”


She watched the trees as she checked her pistols outside the main entrance. She was waiting for the others to finish up inside so they could head back to the clearing.

“That guy might have had more information, you know.”

She didn't look up at Rogueboy, but she could tell he was glaring daggers at her. “Not really. He found the survey team already attacked and looted. The patrols roam that area daily, apparently its good hunting ground.”

He stared at her, and made an agitated motion for her to continue. She sighed. “These people didn't kill the survey team, and they assumed we did it because they thought we were on the shuttle that arrived two weeks ago. Paric's shuttle. So Paric and Racus are not here either.” Havock slammed the pistols into her hip holsters and turned to look at her ASL. “Someone is in those woods that they are so damned afraid of. I think that Paric is there too, maybe even the survey team equipment. If we can find what they did here at least their mission wasn't pointless.”

“Those woods were a few klicks to the north, and we know nothing at all about what to find there. I'm not sure I like that.”

She narrowed her gaze and almost argued. Then she remembered she needed to prove she wasn't completely insane. “I don't like it either. But you have to admit its worth checking out. If we don't see anything we call the shuttle and get out of here. I'm well aware we will be on their turf with their tactical advantage. Contrary to popular belief I do not have a death wish.”

Rogueboy nodded. “Alright Havvy.” He eyed her cautiously for a few minutes. “You know from the way Dane was talking, if we do find hostiles in those woods he may be convinced to help us go in there.”

“No, not exactly.”

He looked skeptically at his SL, that 'should I relieve her of duty look' she had gotten used to. “Hav, thats pretty much exactly what...”

“No. He said if he could prove that they are people not ghosts and that they are attacking people outside of the Black Woods he would raise a militia. So we don't need to convince him to help, we just need to convince him the hostiles are leaving the woods and attacking people, then he'll do the rest on his own.”

“If we find hostiles.”

She smirked. “Yea, if we find hostiles.”

OOC:

We are leaving 'Founder's Landing' and heading back into the woods. It should take about a day on foot to reach the Black Woods, consider the destroyed survey team camp about a midpoint marker along the way. The woods we are going to are wicked dense and massively difficult terrain. We are walking through a forest, which should have your typical spread of animals (just something to keep in mind).

So assume that RB and I told you all the plan once we regrouped outside the city and are now on our way towards the Black Woods.

Karash wiped the few drops of sweat off from his face and sat down on one of the discarded logs which circled the dead campfire site.  This would be a temporary break giving all troopers some chance for a catch of breath, inspecting the area and preparing them mentally for what lied ahead. A sneer pulled across his face as he sighed and dropped his head. He felt another weight plopping down next to him but on the ground however. He glanced at Aeos with a mildly surprised expression.  Interaction between and the rest of Raiders have often been so limited due to his own preference for solitude and Aeos usually operated in a different fire-team then him.

She pulled one cigarette from the cartonbox in her hands drawing a disgusted face from Karash.

“I smoke less than I used to Kar, so no need for that face.” She mumbled at him in-between lighting the little stump between her teeth. He grunted but said nothing however. He turned his gaze away from her and threw his head back to the sky in a forced sigh. Couldn’t she get the hint and get away?

Aeos took her time with her cigarette. She dropped her elbows up on the log behind and rested her back against. Karash moved one pace awat causing Aeos to glance at him.

“I couldn’t help overhearing some tid-bits between you and Hav.” She drawled.

Karash grunted and frowned.

“None of your business.” He muttered.

“I definitely conceder it my business when a Corporal such as yourself interferes with the morale of a squad. “ 

“As far as I understand your mission briefing, you are to observe. If Havock proves herself insane and incapable Rogueboy will take over. He’s quite the experienced veteran as well. You are effing the squad moral by letting us know that we are under inspection.  You can kick our asses after the mission but right now stay put and keep the shit to yourself. I’ll leave you to your own decision. Just remember, mess with this mission and you mess with me Corporal.”

She was not just addressing his rank in respect but also reminding him that she was a Lieutenant against which he could yield no influence and in effect no influence with his report on Raiders.


Calmly yet with a stiff face Aeos pulled herself up and walked away from Karash leaving him alone with his thoughts. She hated pulling rank in a squad, especially in a mission. In fact she had only done it handful of times but right now Havock’s sanity needed to be stabilized. The girl could handle pressure very well but lately has been a whirlpool of chaos for the whole squad. Aeos sincerely hoped however that things wouldnt sour further between Karash and the squad.

“Okay squad! We move in ten minutes. I want Decem running our water and firewood by sunset tonight!” Havock yelled from the back. Aeos repressed to smirk as Decembrist usual amount of whinery sounded back at Havock. They will be having  a long march.