Kami sat in the corner of her office, her feet propped up on a chair, her blaring earphones leading to her small portable disk player on the desk. Across from her, sprawled on one of the stiff military lounge suites, was Virius, a huge pile of paperwork spread in a jumbled mess before him. Kami held a similar pile in her lap, which she was currently using as an armrest as she gazed at the wall.

Iron Horse had been inactive for weeks, waiting impatiently for a new mission to come their way. Whilst Kami and Virius had kept the squad in top physical shape, there was little they could do about the boredom associated with being stuck at the barracks. And doing nothing...meant facing a lot of uncompleted and unsorted paperwork.

Stifling a yawn, Kami tore her gaze from the wall, focusing it on the less interesting figures on the top most page of the report. They'd been going for days, surviving on a diet of caffeine and sugar, forsaking sleep and base wide Sabacc competition which had seen Raziel become an extremely wealthy man.

Virius groaned loudly, interrupting her train of thought as he propped his head up on his hands to peer blearily at her. Sliding her earphones back, Kami threw her assistant squad leader a lopsided grin.

"Need another coffee?"

He gave her a mock grimace in return, "Maybe if you helped more and cross examined the wall less..."

Kami's grin widened, "Hey, I saw you 'close' your eyes for that hour or so"

Virius opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted as a steady beeping filled the room. The two squad leaders caught each others gazes, their eyes wide, as their comlinks beeped again, more persistently this time.

"Maybe it's the boys asking us down for a drink?" Kami asked, not willing to hope that they'd see a breather from the filing. Reaching over, she flicked the switch on her comm, "Speaking."

A soft crackle sounded, followed by the stiff voice of Major Rizzit.
"Come and see me Horsey's. You're headed off planet."

Identical grins simultaneously lit up Kami's and Virius's faces.
"Yes sir." Kami replied, before rolling to his feet to offer Virius a hand. "I think these reports are fine for now Vee."

Glancing at the mess of papers strewn about the room, Virius chuckled, took the offered hand, then followed Kami out of the Iron Horse bunker to see Rizzit.


*        *        *        *        *        *

"Escort Duty?"

The indignation in Virius's voice was clear for all to hear.

"You're giving a squad like Iron Horse escort duty?"

Rizzit sat unmoving behind his large desk, carefully watching the ASL's controlled tantrum. Kami was taking the announcement with a little more restraint, simply arching an eyebrow in Rizzit's direction as he had outlined Iron Horse's new mission.

"Its not escort duty." Rizzit continued, "The shuttle will be escorted by a flight of gunboats until you reach the Rheagent system. Your job doesn't begin until the..." he paused, flicking his gaze to his data screen, "...the Rumbler , touches down on Cepany. You're to make sure it's cargo reaches it destination on time, and in perfect condition."

Virius shook his head slightly, regaining his composure, "I just don't see why..."

To his right, Kami spoke up for the first time, her astute gaze catching Rizzit's.

"What exactly is it that we'll be protecting?"

Rizzit hesitated momentarily, unsure as how much he needed to reveal to those entrusted with the safeguarding of the cargo.

"A weapon supply of sorts," He told them smoothly, linking his fingers together to form a pyramid before him, "Whilst it is not of extreme value to the Vast Empire, I have a higher up that has taken a personal interest in this particular shipment, so I want to feel at ease sending it out into open space, especially with the amount of pirate activity that has been around lately. Nothing's safe anymore."

Kami glanced over at ASL, then turned her green gaze back to the Major

"When do we leave?"

Once again, Rizzit glanced at his screen, then smiled.

"Tomorrow."

*        *        *        *        *        *


Iron Horse sat sprawled about the small briefing room as Kami and Virius strolled in through the doorway. Virius dropped down next to Angel at the front of the room whilst Kami climbed the steps to the podium and moved to the small projector.

"Okay, you've heard the rumors." She began, facing her squad, "They are unfortunately, quite true."

A few groans answered this statement; Varron's the loudest of all as he hacked saliva on the floor near his clawed feet.

"Haven't we got better things to do?" The Trandoshan hissed violently, leaning forward to regard Kami with shining red eyes, "I haven't been training all this time to baby-sit some merchants."

Kami leaned casually on the projector, using her other hand to tuck loose strands of her jet black hair behind one ear, "Not merchants Var, actual soldiers."

"Two squads to be precise," Virius spoke up from the front, "We're protecting them, and they're protecting the cargo."

Flicking on the projector, Kami gestured at the scarred starship which flashed up on the screen, "This, is the Rumbler , a modified Corellian Corvette temporarily on loan from the navy to transport this particular cargo. We'll be escorted into the Rheagent system by a flight of gunboats under the command of a Captain Logan. Once we touch down on the planet of Cepany, we will, with the two other squads, ensure that the cargo reaches its final destination, a warehouse facility on the outskirts of the main town."

"That's a lot of manpower for one cargo delivery," Raziel said softly from where he seated on the other side of Angel, "This mission is definitely more important than it seems."

JR leaned forward, propping his elbows on the chair in front of him "Absolutely. If someone picks up on the troop movements, we could have a variety of unsavory sorts trying to find out exactly what the cargo is. Anything with that many guns guarding it has gotta be worth stealing."

"Perhaps after they do they'd be kind enough to fill us in on what it is we're exactly guarding?" Angel grinned, flicking his gaze momentarily to Virius's, "Or do you two already know?"

Virius shook his head, "As much of a mystery to us as it is to you guys."

"The possibility of an ambush is not out of the question, but it is however, as I have been informed, highly unlikely," Kami said, shutting off the projector, "It's not a long trip, and we have enough of an escort to scare off most petty thieves." With a soft sigh she let her eyes travel over each member of the squad, "Any questions?"

A resigned silence was her only reply.

"We leave at 0700 tomorrow, so you have a night to prep and get back into the swing of things," Kami continued, stepping down from the podium "Standard squad gear, with whatever else you think you may need to keep yourselves entertained during the flight. Though, gossip tells that the two squads accompanying us are somewhat renowned for their gambling habits."

Varron let out another growl, clearly disgusted, "I'll take fighting over credits any day."

Kami clapped Varron shoulder lightly as she passed him, throwing the lizard man a wink as she did so "Everyone get some rest, I'll see you bright and early in the hanger tomorrow morning."
 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad
SL/SSG Kami/1SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [CoR] [IG] [GCA] [BC]
TRN/JRN Kami/Training 1-3/VEDJ/VE
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before...=-

(o^_^o)

JR returned to his room from the meeting.  Oh well, he thought with a sigh, I guess escort duty's better than nothing. 

He opened his closet and pulled out his stormtooper armor.  It had started to collect some dust on it which again reminded JR just how long it had been since they had seen any action.  After givin it a little spit shine, he put it on.  Then reaching under his bed, he pulled out a container which held his weapons of choice.  Opening the container he began taking out his daggers, hatchets and throwing knives and putting them into the spots that he had added to his armor to hold these weapons.  The knives went on his upper arms, the hatchets beside his thighs, and the knives around his forearms and calfs.  Moving around to make sure that nothing felt out of place or was uncomfortable, he grabbed his E-11 and headed out the door.

Arriving at the hangar he saw that Varron was the only other trooper there.

"Hey Varron," JR said, "Can you believe they have us doing escort duty."

"I know," Varron replied, "Whatever the cargo is it better be pretty valuable to be wasting my time watching it."

JR agreed with a chuckle, then turned his head towards the door as the other squads and troopers began coming in.
 
-----------------------
Senior Seargent JR Iron Horse Squad

SSGT/JR/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR]
"And the battles just begun. There's many lost but tell me who has won." -> U2

Kami sat in the Rumbler's empty cockpit, watching her squad slowly filter into the hanger. Around them, the other two squads on loan stood nervously, helmets already in place, backs straight with a discipline drilled relentlessly into them during training.

"Greenies..." She muttered, the sound cut off by the swish of the cockpit door as it slid open. The captain of the Rumbler entered, sweeping graying hair off his temples before tucking it beneath his cap.

"Sergeant, there's a Captain Logan outside who has requested to talk with you."

Dropping her feet from the console, Kami tucked her helmet under her arm, and moved quickly to the cockpit door. Placing a hand on the access panel, she hesitated, then flicked her gaze to the captain's, "I have a bad feeling about this mission."

To her surprise, the captain declined his head in agreement, "I've never had to transport anything this heavily guarded before." He grimaced, clasping his hands behind his back, "But a mission's a mission Sergeant, so there's no going back now."

Then turning, he took his place in the center of the cockpit, his eyes already scanning the diagnostics of the ship.

Pressing the access panel, Kami moved from the cockpit, passing the rest of the crew in the corridor on the way. The Rumbler had been heavily modified for cargo transport, accounting for the small number of crew people required to run the ship. It also accounted for the strange, twisted design of the corridors, as they had been narrowed and moved further outwards to make space for more cargo in the center, the most secure area of the corvette.

Reaching the main entrance to the scarred ship, Kami trotted down the plank, elbowing her way through a crowd of stormtroopers. Eviscares caught site of her from where he stood next to JR, raising a hand in greeting. Throwing a wink in return, Kami elbowed past another trooper, then made her way towards the three assault gunboats sitting to the side beneath the Rumbler's bulk. A trio of pilots stood in a small group before them, all dressed in the shining black of the Imperial Navy. One glanced up as she arrived, throwing her a grin that could only be called dazzling. Stepping forwards, he extended his hand,

"You must be Sergeant Kami."

Clasping Kami's hand briefly, the pilot widened his smile, regarding her with twinkling blue eyes, "The name's Logan."

Briefly taken aback by the greeting, Kami covered her hesitation with a smile, "How well can you fly those things Captain?"

Logan grinned, then gestured to his two companions, both female, "Better than this lot."

Simultaneous glares from his companions finally caused Logan's smile to falter, "I was only joking ladies, you know me."

Kami rested her helmet on her hip, glancing over her shoulder in time to see the rest of IH arrive. Turning back to Logan, she rested suddenly solemn green eyes upon his, "I don't know what you've been told about this mission Captain, but I doubt me and my squad are along for the joy ride."

Logan frowned, "VE space isn't what it used to be. My pilots are growing up real quick out there with all the scum floating around." He paused, glancing up at the Rumbler, "This corvette ain't what she used to be either, which makes her all the more vulnerable."

Flicking a suddenly intense gaze to Kami's, Logan continued, his words softly spoken but filled with urgency, "I want you to promise me one thing Sergeant."

Kami took in the faces of Logan's companions, both equally serious, and then nodded.

"No matter what happens," Logan said, "No matter what happens to me and the gals, you keep that cargo safe y'hear? Anyone trying to steal the cargo isn't going to blow the ship sky high. Which means you and your squad, and that almost pathetic bunch of greenies they've jammed you with, are the last line of defence."

Alerted to the resignation in Logan's voice, Kami straightened, "You don't think you're going to make it to Cepany do you Captain?"

Logan's face was suddenly back into a cheerful facade, his white teeth gleaming as he smiled, "Just me setting the rules straight Sergeant, that's all."

Unconvinced, Kami nodded, then brought her hand up in a farewell salute that the Captain returned, "Good flying Captain, keep us safe."

Turning, she jogged back to the boarding plank of the Rumbler, which was slowly starting to bring its engines to life. Iron Horse stood in a small confined group at the bottom of the ramp, chatting and joking amongst themselves. Clapping the newest member of IH, Howmi, on the shoulder as she past, Kami called over her shoulder as she made her way up the ramp.

"C'mon boys, lets get going."

Hearing the clatter of boots behind her, Kami made her way towards the small passenger compartment of the corvette to where one of the squads, Delta judging by the red markings on their breastplates, were already sprawled about. She turned to Virius who stood at her shoulder, "I'm going up to the cockpit. There are two Sergeants' around here somewhere that run these two rag tag squads. Find them and organize some kind of defense plan." She paused, and lowered her voice, "Both the Captain's are on edge. They're expecting an ambush as soon as we're in deep space."

Virius nodded in response, and silently moved off into the crowd to begin his search.

Taking one last quick glance about the compartment, Kami briefly met the gazes of each of her squad members, silently urging them to be alert, then turned to make her way towards the cockpit...

 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad
SL/SSG Kami/1SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [CoR] [IG] [GCA] [BC]
TRN/JRN Kami/Training 1-3/VEDJ/VE
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before...=-

(o^_^o)

The Rumbler let out a collective groan as it roared up into Tadath's atmosphere, closely flanked by the three assault gunboats headed by Captain Logan. In the cockpit, the graying yet still distinguished Captain Tomas of the Rumbler watched his fellow pilot show off in a display of dazzling maneuvers.

"Kids..." He muttered to Kami, who stood at his shoulder after having completed her quick sweep of the ship, "Always showing off."

Despite the Captain's criticism, Kami watched Logan through the forward view port as he skewed his gunboat to the right, flashing across the front of the corvette in a display of perfect timing. Tomas let out a muffled curse, snapping at the communications officer to open lines to the escort craft.

"Dammit man!" Tomas snarled into the comm, "Are you trying to take us out before we even breach the atmosphere?"

There was a brief snarl of static, followed by the amused voice of one of Logan's female companions, "The Captain's just testing to see his craft is in working order."

Stifling another curse, Tomas slammed the comm down on the nearest work station, then seemed to remember Kami's presence. Turning, he threw her an apologetic smile, "Sorry Sergeant."

Kami smiled back, attempting to ease the man's discomfort. In the brief time in which she had known Tomas, he had earned a great deal of her respect. He was a fine pilot, and a devoted member of the Vast Empire, perfectly happy in his small and often meager role of delivering cargo as long as it aided the Empire's efforts in some ways.

The ship groaned again as it burst through Tadath's empire into open space, filling the view port with a dazzling array of stars. Tomas patrolled before Kami, leaning over workstations to check and double check details of their flight path. Then, he straightened, threw a brief look in her direction, and nodded at the communications officer once again.

"Captain Logan, hyperspace on my mark."

After receiving a double click of acknowledgement, the Captain rested his hand on the hyperspace lever.

"3...2...1...Mark"

Tomas pulled back on the lever, sending the Rumbler streaking beyond the protection of Tadath...

...and into the unknown...

 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad
SL/SSG Kami/1SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [CoR] [IG] [GCA] [BC]
TRN/JRN Kami/Training 1-3/VEDJ/VE
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before...=-

(o^_^o)

Standing next to one of the Windows in the Passenger Compartment, Eviscares could see the Stars becoming blurry Lines, which vanished as they entered Hyperspace. Even though he had experienced Hyperspace Jumps a dozen of Times Ago, he was amazed every Time. If this wasn't the sign of Victory over natures Laws, what else could it be.
After he gazed out the Window for about 5 minutes, he felt a Hand on his Shoulder.  As he turned around, he could see that it was one of Soldiers of Alpha Squad. It was the Private First Class, Eviscares had had a little Chat with when they were on the way to the Rumbler. If he remembered right, his name was Letro.

"Would you mind a small game of Sabbac?" he asked.

Smiling under his Helmet, D'kaleth replied:

"Yeah why not..." He could use a little distraction.

The two troopers sat down at one of the Tables, pulled their Decks out and started Playing. Right in the middle of the Game, a voice snarled through the ships Speakers.

"Private First Class Eviscares. Please report to Senior Sergeant Kami on the Bridge."

A little unhappy about this, mostly due to the fact that he was winning at the moment, he stashed his Deck, gave Letro a nod and went off to for the Bridge.

Saluting to Kami and the other Officers, he entered the Bridge.

"Private First Class Eviscares reporting in."

"At ease, Private" Kami answered, the distinct undertone that made clear that she didn't like formal behaviour when she was dealing with her squadmembers.

"Private First Class Eviscares, you have quite a reputation when it comes to close combat abilities. I would like you to examine the members of Alpha and Delta Squad, and create a close combat Squad. Just in case we are boarded by some Pirates."

"Ma'm yes ma'm" he responded before saluting and leaving the Bridge.


 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad

Take me out
To the black tell 'em I ain't coming back
Burn the land
And boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me

Who dares wins!
TRP/PFC Eviscares/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR]

Kami had just walked back into the cockpit when the whole ship suddenly shrieked, lurching beneath her feet to send everyone in the cockpit flying forwards to slam against consoles and bulkheads. Reacting with training honed reflexes, Kami latched onto the collar of Tomas' uniform with her left hand and a console with the other, preventing herself and the Captain from flying headfirst into the view port.

Screams filled the air as the ship lurched again, whilst warning klaxons broke out about them, adding to the confusion. Then, the grayness beyond the view port shifted...and streaked back into a field of stars...

Cursing at the top of his lung's, Tomas slid free from Kami's grasp and immediately began to snap orders at his disorganized crew. "Every back to your stations! I want a full diagnostics report...you, get me onto Captain Logan..."

The ship shuddered violently as a follow up explosion rocked the ship.

"Sir!" One of the crew shouted out, a nasty looking cut marring the side of her face, "We've lost the engines!"

Tomas opened his mouth to reply, only to have his words cut out by another announcement, "Sir! We have multiple incoming assault shuttles!"

Tomas growled aloud, "Where's my link to Logan!?"

The communications officer looked up from his console, his face ash grey with fear, "I can't get through Captain, something's blocking us."

With another growl of fury, Tomas snatched his comm from the station, "Fire crew, to the engine room on the double. All Stations to alert status. Alpha Squad, secure the bridge..." Tomas flicked his gaze to Kami's, "...Iron Horse, secure the cargo hold. Delta Squad..."

The loud scream of engines rattled the cockpit of the corvette as a gunboat slipped past the view port, causing Kami to hesitate mid-step in the doorway. A sick feeling twisted in her stomach as the gunboat maneuvered about, bringing its ion guns in line with the Rumbler.

"Confirmed." Tomas was still speaking, totally unaware of the position of the friendly escort craft, "Enemy assault shuttles located off the starboard side. All soldiers prepare to repel boarders. Our gunboats should be able to..." Finally he noticed the gunboat screaming at full speed towards the ship, "Logan, what the hell..."

Kami dived at the Captain, knocking him aside just as the first of the ion bolts struck home. The communications console near which Tomas had been standing erupted in a mass of electricity and flames under the sudden onslaught of energy, leaping up to run along the communications officer behind it who fell back screaming, hands clasped over his burning face. About the room, consoles crackled and died, shooting sparks up to assault those within reach.

Kami and Tomas hit the steel floor of the corvette, Kami taking the brunt of the impact on her shoulder and coming quickly back to her feet. The light around her stuttered, then abruptly plunged into darkness as the last of the Rumbler's power drained away. Thrown completely into the dark apart front the faint light emitting from the cockpit, Kami flicked on her infrared in her helmet, ignoring the moans and cries of the wounded crew about her to watch the path of the gunboats through the main viewport. All three had formed up before the corvette, and looked to be escorting the remaining assault shuttles in towards the ship.

Swallowing the bitter taste of betrayal in her mouth, Kami pulled the Captain to his feet, "Stay here, take care of the wounded."

Through her infra red, Kami saw Tomas open his mouth to argue, but swiftly cut off his disgruntled reply, "This is my arena now Captain, not yours. I doubt whoever's boarding us is going to bother to make the distinction between troopers and crew. Arm yourself with whatever you can."

Without waiting to hear the Captain's reply, Kami spun on her heel, swung her E-11 into her hands, and strode out of the cockpit...just as the first assault shuttle moved forwards to latch onto the Rumbler...

 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad
SL/SSG Kami/1SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [CoR] [IG] [GCA] [BC]
TRN/JRN Kami/Training 1-3/VEDJ/VE
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before...=-

(o^_^o)

Eviscares had been with some of the members of Squad Alpha and Delta when the Chaos broke loose. It hadn't been enough time to form a close combat group, so everyone started running to the position where he was expected to be.

The corridors were almost blurring around Eviscares, as he was dashing to the Cargo hold.

All of a sudden he saw some humans,coming around a corner.
Before he even could think about what to do, his experience and his instincts kicked in. To him it seemed like everything was slowing down while he dropped his E-11 and he drew out the set of Ryyk Kerathorr like styled Blades.

The E-11 made a muted click as it hit the ground. This was enough to make the boarders turn around and look at Eviscares, who was charging them, both blades lifted high across his head, making him look like a dangerous Insect.

His enemys tried to open fire on D'kaleth, but the sight of a Stormtrooper actually charging them seemed to be too much, and their Shots hit the walls, the floor and the ceiling but not their target.

In an instance he was among his enemys and the dance of death began. Eviscares turned rapidly in complex, semmingly illogical patterns. His blades became trails of silver. Where he hit, crimson flowers bloomed for a moment and then vanished as the person hit the ground.

The last one of the group fell, and so the battle was over. The whole scene had taken only about ten seconds.

D'kaleth went back to pick up his Rifle, and continued his way to the holds.
  -----------------------
Iron Horse Squad

Take me out
To the black tell 'em I ain't coming back
Burn the land
And boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me

Who dares wins!
TRP/PFC Eviscares/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR]

Peering around the corner, Angel's mind started to work, creating and elminating possible courses of action. If he could use his saber, then he and raz dispatching the half dozen remaining members of Delta squad would have been little problem. But he couldn't risk it. The chances of someone making it back to one of the boarding craft was too high.

"I say we make for the elevator." Angel suggested, quickly running out of options. "We need to re-unite the squad."

"Normally I would agree," Raziel replied, "but the problem is..." Raising his pistol, he tapped an inactive glow panel.

"No power. Right." Angel removed his helmet and wiped off the think layer of sweat forming on his brow. "Well, I'm tapped on ideas, you got anything Raz?"

"We need to get the power back. We can't be more than a few parsecs away from Cepany. If we can at least get the sublights going, we might be able to make it to help...and we would get the weapons systems back online."

"Brilliant." Angel said, "The power generators should be almost directly below us. If this ship has been kept up with maintenance and standard service, there should have been a surge protector installed. When that ion blast hit, the generators shut fown automatically sho they wouldn't blow."

"So all we'd have to do is turn them on right?"

"Exactly."

"So how do we get down there?" Raziel asked, peering around the corner once more. The half-dozen Delta's were still surrounding the service hatch.

"I have no idea." Angel replied with a chuckle, "But I say we take care of them first."

"Absolutely." Raziel said with a grin. "I thought you'd never ask."

The pair of Dark Jedi drew their blaster pistols. Angel dove across the intersection, siently hitting the ground and rolling to his feet. Pressing his back up against the wall, he opened his mind to the Force and searched the darkness ahead for the deltas.

Ready? Raziel sent through the Force.

I'll lay down heavy fire, you pick 'em off Angel replied.

Affirmative. On my mark...3...2...1..NOW!

Angel stepped around the corner, pistols drawn in front of him. Pressing the trigger, he launched a fuious barrage of blue energy darts. The quick flashes of light, accentuated by the red bolts lancing out from Raziel below him, illuminated the slagged engine room.

Screams rose from within as the previously occupied troops struggled to coordinate an effective response. Three went down in the initial barrage, with Raziel picking off another two.

The IR-5 in Angel's left hand clicked, indicating an empty magazine. Rolling back behind the corner, Angel shouted to Raziel. "RELOADING!"

Popping the power packs out of both repeating pistols, Angel quickly slammed new ones in and was greated by the humm of now armed blasters. He stepped back into the corridor and resumed laying down fire. The two remaining troops had take cover behind the ruined hyperdrive, and were now returning poorly aimed shots.

Greenies Angel thought to himself.

Angel, Raziel sent to him, rising from the floor and drawing twin black bladed knives. Cover me.

Splitting the fire from his pistols, one pointed at the top of the cover the Deltas had taken, Angel kept the two enemies pinned down. Silently, Raziel crept in the darkness, then dispatched first one, then the other with quick, effective strikes.

"We need to move quickly" He said, "all that fire will have drawn some attention."

"Right, if we can get through this hatch, the generators are along the corridor that lead to the cargo hold." Bending over to examine the service hatch, Angel saw what was keping the Deltas. "It's fused shut. Damnit."

Producing his two lightsabers, Raziel winked at Angel and said, "Not for long."
 
-----------------------
=[Arrogant Elitist Fire Team Captain]= Iron Horse Squad
FTC/SGT Jikkyo "Angel" Nimiichi/1SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1RGT/1BAT/VEA/VE/Tadath [LoR] [RoM] [BC] [CDS] {BoA}
------------------------
=[Dark Knight of the Sith]= Eagle Sect
CM/DJK Jikkyo "Angel" Nimiichi/Eagle 1-1/Sith/VEDJ/VE/Lopen [VP:1]
------------------------
Fallen....only to rise.
Risen...only to fall.
The circle is now complete:
The Angel of Death has returned

    Virius was running down the hall with his E-11/H at the ready senses blaring looking for any trouble at all. Up ahead there was a clank and Virius stopped dead in his tracks rifle trained into the dark corridor. He flicked on his low light goggles and silently moved ahead.

    Around a corner up ahead there was another bang and Virius took a quick peek. He relaxed as he saw Varron banging a control panel for the small turbolift.
    "You know the power is out, the lift isn't going to work." Virius said.

    The red eyed trandoshan spun around with his rifle raised and then relaxed as he saw that it was a friendly. "I hate turbolifts." Varron said licking his lips angrily.

    "We should get to the cargo hold and defend it from boarders. I also can't seem to get a hold of anyone, they must be blocking the comm systems." Virius said shouldering his E-11 and checking his datapad for the schematics. "There are some access tubes that we can use to get to the cargo deck, lets move." Virius turned around and pointed his rifle down the hall.

    Varron followed suit growling a little as he was anxious to kill anyone who was an enemy. Virius backpeddled down the hallway and to the left. Stopping he pulled open an access panel which revealed a small tunnel with a ladder to climb in.

    Virius stepped in and started to climb. Varron stepped in and propped himself up against the ladder to close the access panel so as to look like no one was there.

    Sounds of a firefight were coming from the outside of the panel that went to the cargo deck. "Things might get hot out there so be ready to fight as soon as you get clear of the access hatch." Virius said.

    Virius readied to go through the hatch. He propped himself up against the ladder and opposing wall. Placing his hand on the hatch he readied his rifle in the other. Bringing up his feet Virius pushed on the panel hard, using his pushing momentum he shot his legs out and flew into the small corridor.

    Bolts stopped flying as both sides were surprised to see a stormtrooper fly out of an access panel. To Virius's luck he popped out behind the cover of two boarders, Virius pulled the trigger on his rifle and the heavy bolts ripped apart the enemies.

    Varron crawled through the hatch and growled at Virius for taking his potential kills. JR walked out from his cover and up to Virius and Varron. "I am glad to see you guys, they are jamming our communications and are trying to get to the cargo area. Also most of Alpha and Delta squad betrayed us. I think that our escort fighters did too." JR said.

    "There goes most of our backup." Virius said shaking his head. "Lets get into the hold and make it harder for the pirates to get to it. Maybe we can find some other IH members too."

    The trio brought up there rifles and moved toward the area of where the cargo was being held in.   
 
-----------------------
Staff Sergeant
Frank "Virius" Carter
Combat Slicer
Executive Officer - Iron Horse Squad
ASL/SSG Virius/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [ES1] [WM]
"Duckie!" -- Dr. Mallard
-----------------------
Mr. VE/Mr. VE Virius/Show Host/VE Today Show/VE/VET

    The three Iron Horse members walked silently through the tight corridors of the modified corvette. There was a clatter of boots as some pirates came running from a cross corridor. Virius put up his hand signaling for the other two to crouch and prepare to fire.

    The three got behind cover and waited to ambush the unexpecting and loud pirates. JR readied a grenade, Varron pulled off his armored stormtrooper gloves and flexed his claws, and Virius switched his modified E-11/H to full auto.

    A small group of five pirates came running through the cross corridor, JR tossed the grenade ahead of the group. A loud *fwomp* echoed through the small confines of the darkened corridors. Two of the pirates were disentigrated by the grenade and the other three were stunned by the unexpected attack.

    Varron jumped out from behind cover and used his claws to attack one of the pirates necks. Virius opened up with his heavy rifle, the huge bolts ripped through the light armor of the other two pirates ripping their torsos apart.

    Varrons glowing eyes closed as he dropped the limp corpse of the pirate, the body hit the floor with a thud. Virius smiled with his success and JR just stood up and looked around.

    "Lets get to that cargo bay." Virius said charging ahead toward the blast door.

    The trio stopped to see that the door was disabled. Varron shrugged and tugged on the door with all his might. The door didn't budge a bit.

    "I can fix that," JR pulled out a plasma torch.

    "Good, get started we will cover you." Virius nodded setting up some cover incase they got some more company.

    JR started up the torch and the darkened corridor glowed a pulsing light blue as he started to cut through the cargo bay door.
 
-----------------------
Staff Sergeant
Frank "Virius" Carter
Combat Slicer
Executive Officer - Iron Horse Squad
ASL/SSG Virius/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [ES1] [WM]
"Duckie!" -- Dr. Mallard
-----------------------
Mr. VE/Mr. VE Virius/Show Host/VE Today Show/VE/VET

The screeching echoes of blaster fire resounded down the small service tunnel as Angel and Raziel slowly crept their way to the lowest level of the Corvette. Spotting the bottom, Angel dropped the last few rungs and landed in a silent crouch. His senses were already pushed out around him, warning him of any hidden surprises  that might be waiting for them.

All Clear He sent to Raziel through the Force.

The service hatch gave way to a small enclosed pathway, one that made it necessary to crouch to pass through. In full stormtrooper gear, it was that much tighter.

"Good thing I'm not claustrophobic eh?" Angel joked. Suddenly a wave of grief and anger flooded his mind, burning with its white hot intensity. Angel's balance wavered for a moment, as the emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Shaking his head, he regained his balance and cleared his mind.

"What was that?" Raziel inquired.

"Kami's in trouble...and she's REALLY pissed off." Angel responded monotonously.

"Heh." Raziel responded with a soft chuckle. "Well Its the people she's fighting that should be worried then."

"Yeah." Angel wanted to agree with the Lieutenant, but his protectiveness over Kami prevented him from doing so. Reaching out with the Force, he brushed her mind and immediately was relieved to find her unharmed.

"Here it is" He called back to Raziel. "This hatch leads to the generator room." Brandishing his saber, Angel activated it with a *snap-hiss*, and lopped off the lock sealing the small hatch.

The metal gave way like a paper under the intense energy of the saber, unlocking the door. Angel opened the hatch then dropped doen again, landing in a crouch and making a quick sweep of the area.

"Clear."

Raziel dropped in behind him, then produced a glow stick from his belt pouch. Cracking the stick, the room was immediately bathed in a green chemical light.

Motioning for Raziel to follow, Angel lead him to a dead computer console attached to the front of the rightmost of the four generators.

"When I was training to become a bounty hunter," Angel explained as he pulled the panel off the computer terminal. "Dicer, one of my "trio," taught me all about the computer systems on these older ships. Right here underneath the power inverted should be...." Reaching his hands into the guts of the terminal, Angel quicklu located the switch he was looking for.


"Got it." Angel flicked the switch, and was immediately greeted by the hum of a computer warming up. Rising to his feet, he tapped a few buttons on the console. The smiled as the generator began to whine as it powered up.

The lights of the generator room flickered on, and the remaining three consoles powered up. "Raz, you take the last two, I'll get this one here."

"Right. good work Angel." As Raziel headed off to activate the other power supplies to the ship, he called back. "Our next move should be to take the bridge."

"Yeah, that would be a good idea. That way we can lay in a course for Cepany then get back to help the others."

As Raziel activated the final generator, the lights illuminated to their full intensity. "Back the way we came?" Angel inquired.

"Yeah, first lets weld this door shut. Raz motioned to the main access door for the room. Activating his saber, her slowly melted the durasteel around the door jam, liquifying the metal, which then cooled almost instantaneously, sealing the door shut. "Let's move."

Hang on babe... Angel sent to Kami through the Force. Help is on the way.
 
-----------------------
=[Arrogant Elitist Fire Team Captain]= Iron Horse Squad
AS-2/FTC/SGT Jikkyo "Angel" Nimiichi/1SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1RGT/1BAT/VEA/VE/Tadath [LoR] [RoM] [BC] [CDS] {BoA}
------------------------
=[Dark Knight of the Sith]= Eagle Sect
CM/DJK Jikkyo "Angel" Nimiichi/Eagle 1-1/Sith/VEDJ/VE/Lopen [VP:1]
------------------------
Fallen....only to rise.
Risen...only to fall.
The circle is now complete:
The Angel of Death has returned

JR finished cutting the hole and looked into the cargo bay.  I feeling of relief ran through him when he saw that he Virius and Varron were the first ones to reach it.  Stepping through the hole, JR looked around to get a bearing of his surroundings.  He swore under his breath when he saw that their cargo was almost dead centre of the bay, and it was too big for them to move.

"That's going to make things difficult for us to protect."  Vee said, "We're going to have to think of a way to set up a perimeter around it.  Try to find anything that can be set up as walls, and start setting them up around the cargo.  Hurry, I have a feeling that we'll have company any minute."

The three IH members spread out and searched the area.  JR found a few pieces of scrap metal, and a few empty steel cargo boxes.  Bringing them back to the middle of the bay, he saw that the other two troopers had found realtively the same amount.  They began building a wall around the crate that contained the mysterious cargo.  Laying out the steel boxes, then connecting them with the scrap metal, and melting it all together with JR's plasma torch, the three troopers managed to construct a fairly sturdy four foot high wall.  As JR was welding the last pieces together, they heard the sounds of footsteps coming down the hall.  Diving behind their makeshift wall JR, Virius and Varron prepared themselves for the battle that lay ahead.
 
OOC// Sorry bout the small post I have to get off for the parents.

-----------------------
Senior Seargent JR Iron Horse Squad

SSGT/JR/1SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR]
"And the battles just begun. There's many lost but tell me who has won." -> U2

Kami had been jogging along at full speed, Eviscares at her shoulder, and ten battered crew following in their wake when Howmi came skidding about the corner in front of her.

The newest Horsey paused in his flight to gasp two words as he sprinted past his squad leader, "Better...run..."

Kami was already backing up into the crewman's ranks, well aware of the heavy pounding of boots coming towards them. "Get back," She snapped at the disorganized crew, "Sustained fire, follow my man."

With a few encouraging shoves from Eviscares, the crew began to backtrack the way they had come, scrounged blasters and rifles raised tentatively before them. Kami hovered at the rear of the group as they moved swiftly down the hall, watching as the first of the boarding party came into sight. Dressed in the unremarkable brown armor of a typical backwater mercenary, the raider dug his feet in to slow himself as he brought up the battered rifle he held in his hands. Kami shot the man in the gut, flicking a grenade up within her grasp. Four more figures replaced the mercenary, wearing a strange, unmarked black armor. Kami turned her head, taking in the stunned faces of the crew.

"Fire dammit!"

The crew opened up, Eviscares among them, sending a flurry of blaster fire into the first rank of raiders. All four collapsed within seconds to slump lifeless to the steel floor.

Sliding the pin from her grenade with a twitch of her thumb, Kami pegged it at the next raider to appear about the sharp corner in the corridor, hitting him in the face. Blood flew, followed by a flash of flame and smock as the raider disappeared from view.

Ignoring the ringing of her ears, Kami screamed at the crew to move faster as more black figures broke through the cloud of smoke, climbing over their comrades' bodies to bring rifles to bear.

Two crewmen fell as the invaders opened fire with an accuracy aided by the jagged narrowness of the corridor. Kami downed three of the figures, Eviscares and Howmi materializing at her side to shoot another five. Blaster fire assaulted the ceiling and walls about the three Horsey's, who stood unflinchingly in place. Seven more raiders died before Kami called again for a retreat, well aware that her force was dwindling by the second.

The small group continued their withdrawal, the trio of Horses laying a steady stream of blaster fire in order to keep the armored figures at a reasonable range.

"Grenades!"

Kami's request was answered seconds later as two grenades went flying over her head. As one, the small group turned, and propelled themselves about the next turn in the corridor.

"We need to get to the cargo hold," Kami yelled above the dying sounds of the explosion at her back, "Then we can make some kind of stand." A crewman before her answered without turning his head, "I know a way."

Enemy fire sounded up once again, drilling into the walls behind them.

Kami hesitated only briefly, still unsure as to how much she could trust anyone beyond her squad, but aware that current circumstances excluded a choice "Lead the way."

The officer grinned, and then sprinted ahead of the group, slapping a cleverly concealed panel on the side of the corridor. Widening his grin, the crewman pushed the first of his men though the small hatch then paused in the doorway "These are throughout the ship."

Not at all amused at the waste of time, Eviscares kicked the man non-too lightly, forcing him through the hatch, "Get moving."

The remaining six crew ducked into the hatch, followed by Howmi, leaving Eviscares and Kami alone in the corridor. Kami glanced over at the private, "Go with the crew, I'll lead them away."

Eviscares kept his visored gaze on the incoming troopers, "Not leaving without you ma'am."

"Dammit 'cares..."

Kami shot a brown clad figure that came skidding into range, then slapped the panel, sending the door sliding shut, concealing Howmi and the crew within...

 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad
SL/SSG Kami/1SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [CoR] [IG] [GCA] [BC]
TRN/JRN Kami/Training 1-3/VEDJ/VE
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before...=-

(o^_^o)

Raziel and Angel, on the third deck of the Corvette, reached the bridge turbolift with surprising ease. They could hear the continuous rattle of blasterfire above and below them, but this level seemed to be mostly empty.

"We need to hurry." Raziel said as they entered the turbolift. "Thos gunboats will figure out we're powered up again pretty soon, and then we're back to square one."

Angel nodded in agreement, a plan already formulating in his mind. He hit the button that would take them up two levels to the bridge, then checked and reloaded his IR-5s.

"Damn" Angel cursed, "Raz, how much ammo do you have left? I'm done to my last two power packs, and this one if half empty."

"I've only got one spare left." Raziel responded dimly. The Krath closed his eyes briefly then said, "I don't sense much coming from the bridge...a few scared people, but it looks like its been mostly cleared out..."

"Good. Then this should go fairly easy." The turbolift dinged as it reached its destination. Durasteel doors rotated open, revealing a gigantic mess.

Exploded consoles had thrown shrapnel all over the bridge. Free wires, before at rest from the blackout, now snapped and crackled with the power flowing through them. Sparks shot out from computer screens, and in the middle of the bridge lat the body of Captain Tomas. A medic crouched nearby, tending to a few wounded crewman. He looked up as the turbolift doors opened, recoiling at the sight of stormtroopers.

"Hey, its ok. We're from Iron Horse...have you seen Sergeant Sharpe?" Angel asked impatiently.

"S-she left about 10 minutes ago. Said she was headed for the cargo bay." The medic stammered.

"Angel, you go after Kami. I'll take care of things here." Raziel ordered, sensing his comrades trepidation.

"Thanks Raz. Get the turbolasers online. After I find her I'm going to blast those damn gunboats into oblivion." The depth of the betrayal had finally set in as Angel looked at the blaster burnt body of Captain Tomas. His eyes blackened as the Dark Side flooded his mind.

Tapping into the Force, he used it to increase his speed to superhuman levels.  Blasting out of the bridge, he pushed his senses out around him to find his squad leader.

Raziel shook his head as he watched Angel go. He felt the dark power surging through the young knight, and pitied anyone who got in his way. Turning back to the task at hand, he located the weapons control console. By some miracle it was undamaged, probably from the being offline during the attack.

Raziel quickly powered it up, and all six double turbolasers went green, showing full power. He grinned as he loaded up the targetting programs into each.

His next task however, would prove much more difficult...The engine control console, nav-comp and shield controls were all wrecked abominations of their former selves...

I get all the fun jobs...
 
-----------------------
=[Arrogant Elitist Fire Team Captain]= Iron Horse Squad
AS-2/FTC/SGT Jikkyo "Angel" Nimiichi/1SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1RGT/1BAT/VEA/VE/Tadath [LoR] [RoM] [BC] [CDS] {BoA}
------------------------
=[Dark Knight of the Sith]= Eagle Sect
CM/DJK Jikkyo "Angel" Nimiichi/Eagle 1-1/Sith/VEDJ/VE/Lopen [VP:1]
------------------------
Fallen....only to rise.
Risen...only to fall.
The circle is now complete:
The Angel of Death has returned

Kami latched onto Eviscares arm, pulling him from the ragged hole in the floor. Keeping her grip on his armored arm, she slapped the nearest panel, dragging the private out of the main hallway and into a darkened room.

Letting the door slide shut, she motioned for Eviscares to move further into the room. The private complied, stepping backwards only to bump into a large metal grill. He tilted his helmet to the side, regarding the grill, "I'm guessing we're in the galley."

Kami was by now crouched beside the door, carefully listening for the approach of the raiders. Sliding her helmet from her head, she placed it on the ground before her, dropped her empty rifle with a soft clatter and pulled a Kylan-3 heavy pistol to bear.

"This is a dead end 'cares."

Eviscares stiffened, then shrugged, "This whole ship's a dead end Sarge, no matter where we run."

Kami flashed the young man a sad smile, "Not bad for your first mission. Ambushed, betrayed, then pinned in a kitchen for the final showdown." Her green eyes skimmed to his pistols, "How much ammo do you have left?"

Again, Eviscares shrugged, "When I'm out, I'm out." She sensed the private smile beneath his helmet, "Plenty of frying pans in here if I happen to need an alternate weapon."

Seconds passed...then minutes, the sound of the patrolling raiders growing as they steadily made their way up the corridor. Imperial resistance had proved to be well over that which they had expected, and now, they were wary.

Kami and Eviscares waited in silence, feeling the ship rock gently beneath their feet as yet another shuttle leached onto the side of the corvette.

Then, suddenly, a shout sounded, so close Kami tensed from where she now stood poised at the doorway, hidden in the shadows. The shout was answered by others, and soon the volume of noise increased until the first raider stood outside the galley's doorway. Curling her fingers about the familiar hilt of her curved dagger, Kami closed her eyes briefly, letting the rage within her give her focus. When her green eyes snapped open once again, they saw beyond the shadows, and beyond the boundaries of flesh...

The first trooper who opened the hatch was terrified. He was young...naive...and dreaming of home. Images of beauty filtered in front of Kami's eyes as she touched the man's mind.

Rolling hills, lush forests...
...and a city of shining crystal...

Her hand clamped over the young man's mouth as he moved through the doorway, and immediately her senses, still linked to the raider's, were battered by the blind, deafening emotion of fear. Withdrawing from the Force, Kami pulled back, the strength of her anger more than enough to break the man's neck. The pirate toppled, grey eyes rolling back into his head, visions of home and comfort fading beneath the icy chill of death.

Time seemed to slow as a shout of discovery sounded, spurring the wary raiders into action. They piled through the doorway, some falling to Eviscares fire, others to Kami's glistening blade.

Then steadily, she and her squad mate were pushed back beneath the wave, then forced behind the cover of benches and tables. Kami emptied one pistol cartridge, then another, as more and more of the raiders took the places of their fallen comrades. Finally, one paused long enough to loosen a grenade from his belt.

Praying desperately for a miracle, Kami threw herself to the right as the grenade rattled to stop on her left. She aimed for the shiny, stolid form of the grill, seeing Eviscares do the same.

Then the grenade blew...and the world about her became a tunnel of flame...

 
-----------------------
Iron Horse Squad
SL/SSG Kami/1SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE [LoR] [CoR] [IG] [GCA] [BC]
TRN/JRN Kami/Training 1-3/VEDJ/VE
-=Surrender to your darkest dreams, and you'll live as you've never lived before...=-

(o^_^o)