Alan was getting restless.  He hated long journeys and this one seemed to be taking forever.  When he was restless, he paced.  He wondered if his pacing was bothering any of his squad.  Looking around he saw that most were either chatting or sleeping, except for Kantar.  Kantar was still chuckling quietly.  Alan smiled as he watched his friend still enjoying what had happened to Hunter.  Alan glanced over at Hunter who had regained his composure somewhat.  He was looking forward to the mission.  Alan glanced over at Lucky who had settled back into her chair.  He thought about going over and talking with her but then decided not to.  Instead he went back to the view port and watched the stars streaking past as the ship hurtled through space on its way to Abregado-Rae.
 
-----------------------
ASL/SGT AlanRJ/3SQD/2PLT/1COM/1RGT/1BAT/Tadath/VEA [ES2]

-Paladin-
Army of the Vast Empire

Lucky stood near Renji and Alan. She could not see well in the dark, so she made sure to always stay with the squad and have her nightvision on.

She looked around her. it was shady and cool here. She kept her senses on full alert , and waited for their next orders.

-----------------------
TRP/CPL Luckystar/1SQD/2PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1RGT/ Tadath/VEA/VE [ES1]



-Paladin-



To Embrace the Darkness is to bring about the Light

Lucky looked around her for the third time in ten minutes. Everything was quiet except for the sonds of nighttime life. She looked at her surroundings. just trees , green leaves and lsuh, long grass.

She propped her Rifle against a tree and sat beside it. It wasn't really comfprtable, but atleast she got to rest her aching legs.
 
-----------------------
TRP/CPL Luckystar/1SQD/2PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1RGT/ Tadath/VEA/VE [ES1]



-Paladin-



To Embrace the Darkness is to bring about the Light

Kantar followed closely after Alan, jumping off before the ship landed, keeping as quiet as possible.

He then decided that he need to get a vantage point to get a bear on the squad's surroundings.

"Sarge, request permission to scope out our immediate surroundings."
"Permission granted, but stay frosty, always expect the worst."
"No problem, boss", Kanar said, making his way to the tree Lucky took refuge nest to, he used th ewinch on his armor to climb about 3/4th's of the way up the tree. Sitting on a V-shaped branch (branched otu to make a perfect seat, Kantar slugn his rifle off of his back, and began to scope the area.


After 45 minutes to an hour, Kantar saw nothing, and opned up a commlink to his squad.

"Alright people, aside from the usual woodland critters, as well as the occasional natives, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Yillis, would you like me to take first sentry watch, since I'm already up here?"

-----------------------
-Paladin-
TRP/CPL Kantar Seldar/3SQD/2PLT/1CMP/1RGT/1BAT/Tadath/VEA


It's a Good Day to die in the Empire's name, but it's also a better day to kill in the name of the Empire.

Lucky awoke a few hours ;ater. It was pitch black still, so she assumed that it would be a few hours at least before dawn. She heard deep snoring near her, she turned her head from side to side looking for it's source. She finally found it. Alan , her ASL was sleeping soundly , moderately volumed snores coming out of it's mouth. She smiled to herself and sat up, deciding to keep watch over the group until daen.
 
-----------------------
TRP/CPL Luckystar/1SQD/2PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1RGT/ Tadath/VEA/VE [ES1]



-Paladin-



To Embrace the Darkness is to bring about the Light

Renji started to wake up when he heard talking. He sat up looking around and noticed that it was getting light out. He looked over and noticed Alan and Lucky talking. I wonder why nobody woke me up for guard duty. he thought to himself. Is it because I am newer to the squad and they don't think I can? Well I will just have to try my hardest on this mission and prove to them that I can.

He got up and stretched. He heard something above him and looked up to see Some of the planets native birds on the tree branch. Even during the day this spot is peaceful. he thought to himself as he walked over to Lucky and Alan.

Alan's stomach suddenly took a back seat, he knew something was wrong.  Something was out of place, but what.  He scanned the camp, looking for whatever it was that was nagging him.  Then he realised what it was, Kantar.

"Anyone seen Kantar?" queried Alan.

Alan looked around the faces of his squad mates and was met with a variety of shaking heads or blank looks.

Lucky finally chipped in "I think he was going to take first watch but I never seen him when I took my watch and he never woke me up either".

Yillis then said "he told me he was going to go into the trees to do some scouting and he was going to take his watch there but he wouldn't".

Alan never really heard the last of Yillis's statement as he remembered now that Kantar was going to take watch up in the treetops.  Surely not thought Alan as his eyes drifted upward and scanned the tree's.  "You gotta be kidding me" muttered Alan under his breath as he finally spotted Kantar sleeping peacefully in a branch.

"Kantar, Kantar wake up!" shouted Alan.

Suddenly Kantar woke with a start, almost falling out of the tree.  Alan panicked slightly, thinking he was going to have to rescue him.

He shook his head and thought to himself only Kantar would do something like that.

Alan was glad when Kantar finally used his jetpack to come back down to the ground.  He was going to say something, reprimand him for sleeping in such a precarious position but thought better of it.  Kantar was just being Kantar, nothing new there.

His thoughts of Kantar did not last long as his stomach growled, audibly this time.  Alan glanced around the squad, hoping that no-one heard it.  If they did, none was making it known.  That is except for Lucky, who Alan noted was giggling slightly.

Alan walked over to her, she opened her mouth but before she could utter a word Alan merely said "not one word Lucky" and walked off.

In the distance he could still hear Lucky giggling to herself.  It was going to be a long day, a very long day.

Alan watched as Lucky got out a ration pack.  Alan had never much cared for ration packs in the past but he suddenly realised how great an idea this was.  Alan was about to get a ration pack for himself until he heard Lucky's stomach grumbling.  Guess that didn't help thought Alan as he decided against getting a ration pack.

The forest now seemed alive with activity.  The sun started to shine more light and Alan could feel the warmth of the sun against him.  Even the animals seemed to be up and about as several chattering noises could be heard around them.

I guess we'll be heading out soon thought Alan as he looked around for Yillis.

Alan did not get time to seek out Yillis as Lucky interrupted him by asking him if she should seek out some vegetation and make some breakfast.  Alan had to compose himself to some degree as the first thoughts in his head was oh hell yes.  His stomach grumbled again as he replied "that's a wonderful idea Lucky".

He watched Lucky disappearing into the forest.  He wished that she would find some sausages lying around somewhere but he knew that that was not going to happen.  His stomach rumbled again attracting the attention of several of his squad mates.  Alan merely smiled and said "carry on".

His stomach would have to wait as he looked around for Yillis.  Now where the hell did he disappear to wondered Alan.

Alan watched Lucky disappear into the forest to look for some herbs and vegetation which would be edible for them.  He wondered that she would find and just how tasty it would be.  His stomach grumbled and he realised that it did not matter how tasty it was, just so long as it was edible was the only requirement his stomach was giving him.

It felt like hours but in reality Alan knew that only a short time had passed until Lucky had returned. 

"What have we got then?" queried Alan when she entered the camp.

"You'll just have to wait and find out" replied Lucky.

Alan watched in anticipation as she started cooking.  His eyes roamed over the concoction wondering what it could possibly be.  His nose sniffed the air and he could definitely smell a very flavoursome mint aroma wafting out.

Lucky finally gave him a small portion.  He heartily ate it, surprised as to how tasty it was.  His stomach wished that there were three or four portions for him rather than just one. 

Lucky watched him munching down on her concoction "I take it you are enjoying that Sir?" she queried.

Between mouthfuls, Alan replied "oh yes, very much so.  We may have to appoint you as the squad's cook from now on"

His eyes roamed around at the rest of his squad, wondering if any of them would not want their portion.  From the way his stomach had grumbled previously, he figured that they would all tuck into their tasty meal.

Finishing off his bowl he looked over at Lucky "wow that was very tasty indeed" he said.

Lucky smiled, glad that he had liked it and that it hadn't killed him, at least not yet anyway.  Alan looked around, he knew that they would be shortly heading off to meet the revolutionaries so he decided not to ask Lucky to make another round.

Alan's stomach grumbled slightly.  He knew that this time it was not because of any hunger, more because he did not know what was happening.  He did not like the fact that their newly appointed Squad Leader had not been seen for some time.  Was he just going over the plans in solitude?  Had he gone to meet the revolutionaries alone?  Alan hoped he hadn't, he did not know how receptive these revolutionaries would be.  Alan moved over and talked to Lucky.  Lucky reassured Alan that Yillis would not be far away, and he wasn't.  Yillis appeared and Alan and the rest of the squad saluted their Squad Leader.

Yillis saluted back and said "some of you may have been wondering where I have been.  Well I have been going over our mission brief.  As you know, we are here to seek out the revolutionaries and to assist them.  However, they may not be very receptive to us.  The last thing I want to do is get into a fire fight with them.  If we come under attack you are ordered not to return fire unless I order it, is that understood".

Alan and the rest of the squad replied "yes Sir".

Yillis said "we will figure out how to convince them of our good intentions when we meet them, now lets move out, their camp is this way".

With that, the squad moved out towards the revolutionary's camp.  It was a long trek through some dense foliage but they were soon approaching the camp.  Suddenly several blaster bolts flew through the air towards the squad.  A bolt shattered a tree trunk next to Alan.

"Take cover!" ordered Yillis.

The squad did not need to be told twice as they dove for cover.  Another volley of blaster bolts sent dirt over the hunkered down squad.  Alan was glad that these revolutionaries were not the best of shots.

Yillis then called out "we are Imperial officers from the Vast Empire, we're here to help"

"Liar" said a voice in the distance, closely followed by another barrage of blaster bolts.

"Dammit" muttered Alan from his location.  Looking over at Yillis he said "we're taking fire Sir, permission to return fire".

"Negative" replied Yillis "that's not why we're here".

"We have to do something" said Alan.

Yillis nodded and replied "set your blasters on stun, we'll convince them of our good intentions when they finally come round".

Alan smiled and thought to himself now we're talking as he and the rest of the squad set their blasters on stun and got ready to engage the revolutionaries.

Alan was not happy, he was being shot at and yet he was not able to return fire.  He smiled wide when Yillis informed the squad that they could return fire with their weapons set on stun.  Peering up from his position, Alan set his blaster on stun and opened fire.  This is more like it he thought as numerous revolutionaries dropped.  Alan suddenly noticed that several revolutionaries were mere children.  Even though his weapon was set at stun, Alan felt his fingers relax around the firing mechanism.  He did not feel right about this.  One of the kids noticed his hesitation and sent a volley of blasts at his position.  Alan ducked as the bolts struck the ground around him, sending heaps of dirt over him.  Instinct took over and Alan moved up from his position, aimed and fired.  The kid went down.  Alan hoped that he would be alright, even though he knew that he would be.

As quickly as the fight had begun it was soon over.  The Paladin squad got up and surveyed the result.  All around them was revolutionaries.  All of them were alive which Alan was grateful for.  His eyes surveyed them, noticing how much the age differences were.  Alan could not imagine what kind of civilisation it was acceptable to have kids fighting in.  He knew then and there they had to help them, no matter what the cost.

The squad soon set about getting all of the revolutionaries together and restraining them so they could not move.  Now it was only a matter of time before they woke up.  Alan wasn't sure how they were ever going to convince them that they were allies but he knew that somehow they would make them understand and they would be grateful for the assistance they would be lending.

Alan sat down and waited.  He wondered if Lucky had any more of that concoction she had made.  Fighting always gave him such an appetite.

Alan paced amongst the bound revolutionaries, waiting, biding his time for when they would come to.  Looking over he suddenly noticed that Lucky had produced some more food.  He felt like his tongue had just dropped out of his mouth as he stared at the food and drooled.  He heard Lucky's laugh as she handed him a bowlful.  He munched his way into it, his stomach thanking him wholeheartedly.

After he had finished his meal, he waited once more, happy to finally have a full stomach.  Lucky had moved over to one of the revolutionaries and was staring at him, yet keeping her distance.  Alan watched as the kid slowly opened his eyes.  Lucky stepped back and called him and Yillis over.

When Alan and Yillis arrived the boy was struggling, trying to get out of his bonds.  Alan felt mean by not letting him go but he needed the boy to calm down and to realise that they were not his enemies.  My God thought Alan this kid can't be many years older then twelve.

"Let me go, let me go!" shouted the kid.

"Take it easy kid" said Alan as he removed his helmet so he could let the kid see him face to face.

"Who are you, what do you want from me?" asked the kid as he looked around to see his friends and fellow revolutionaries equally bound.

"I'm Sergeant Alan and we are here to help, what's your name?"

The kid looked at Alan, his mind reeling.  His thoughts turned to whether or not to divulge such information.  Finally he replied "my name is Takana and what do you mean you are here to help us"

Alan said "We've come from the Vast Empire and we are going to take down some of these influential politicians that are making your life miserable"

The kid looked deep into Alan's eyes, searching for a hint of whether this man, this soldier was lying to him or not.

"How do I know you are telling me the truth?" the kid asked, again searching deep into Alan's eyes.

Deciding action was called for more than words, Alan produced a long slender knife from behind his back.  The kid's eyes widened fearfully.  Alan moved the blade down to the side of the kid and slashed the bonds that were holding him prisoner.

The kid rubbed his tender wrists.  Alan beckoned Lucky over and she immediately moved to the kid's side and gently applied some lotion to ease the pain and help heal his wrists.

The kid looked over at the rest of the bound revolutionaries and said "and what of them?"

"They will be freed also" said Alan as he nodded to Renji and Lucky to start releasing them.

The kid smiled and said "so what do you need from us, I will gladly help anyone who will kill those murderous bastards".

Yillis kneeled down by the kid and said "my name is Yillis, I'm in charge of this operation and we have a lot to discuss".

Hunter Plasma had almost been killed by a kid. When the revolutionaries were firing on the squad he had gotten almost seriously wounded when a blaster bolt had gone between his forearm and armpit. They quickly shot the rest of them
unconscious. They then tied the kids up and Lucky was nice enough to share some of her food. Hunter ate it quickly for the portions were small, but still thanked Lucky because a little food was better than none at all. We all waited for the revolutionaries to awake. Hunter Plasma sat their thinking, I got be more careful and never underestimate someone trying to kill me, I'm not invincible and my squad members won't always be there to save me.

Just then one of the kids awoke shouting," You corrupt murdering pigs let me go I'll kill all of you."

" Calm down we're with you, we're from the Vast Empire.

The kid looked him dead in the eyes and said, " Prove it."

He quickly showed him his Imperial Tattoo. The kid chilled and soon Lucky and Renji came and cut the bonds. Renji then walked up to him and said, " I saw what happened during the fight and you need to watch yourself they may look like kids but their fierce.
Hunter nodded and said, " Thanks for your concern."