Brock and Baretz followed the path leading into the corridor halls with Giovanni half passed out from the barbarous drinking he had. Luckystar and Finch soon followed thither as they exchanged conversations and making muttering understatements about Giovanni’s condition. As Brock expected, Giovanni was already used to consuming this amount of alcohol that may have saved him from a deep coma. That can have easily caused of his squad’s attention turn towards his situation, rather than the mission. Brock was glad this never happened in the end. But either way, he felt partially guilty for not stopping him.

Giovanni laid his hands on top of Brock’s and Baretz shoulders, he was perplexed and discomforted as they took the fastest route to the corridors. Hastening his phase, Brock drew closer to Giovanni’s quarters and took the identification key from his pocket. Brock called in for the help of Luckystar as he let go Giovanni’s hand from his shoulder.

“I need you to hold him up and put him steady on the bed.”

“Okay… I don’t know if I can keep this up, but I’ll try.” Luckystar fixed her posture before letting Giovanni’s hand rest on her shoulder.

Brock slid the key that gained him access to the room, and kept it wide open for the crew to come in. Luckystar who couldn’t bear the heavily drunken corpse, breathed in and out as her steps got louder and louder. Luckystar and Baretz laid the man on the bed, where he woke after the moment of impact.

“What the hell…” Giovanni responded in a tedious voice, as he looked over many directions with his eyes halve opened to see where he was and why in the world did they drop hin so harshly on the bed.

Luckystar whistled as she nodded her head from side to side.

“Sorry about that Gio, I just couldn’t hold you for that long.” She gave him an apology, and Giovanni replied silently; giving her an honest look of forgiveness.

Brock took some time to prepare some herbal tea that he acclaims to have a powerful effect against any sickness. At least he thought. But this will hopefully tranquilize Giovanni until the morning. The others saluted the drunken man and returned to their quarters one by one. In the meantime Brock was opening up two packs of Tea and slightly stuck them into a glass that was later filled with boiling water. He let it cool for a second and turned his attention to Giovanni who was almost sound asleep but still conscious enough to hear even the smallest things. Brock took a laid back seat near the door…

“Hey Giovanni, this tea has helped me in many cases when I used to be in your condition long ago. This can really help you get a hold of yourself tomorrow without feeling much pain. Take this before you sleep, and you’ll see that you will be feeling a lot better next morning.” Brock whispered while slapping Giovanni out of slumber a few times.

Giovanni opened his eyes wide and nodded his head upright. He was indeed a drunken man, but at least he had the heart to take Brock’s words for a minute. Brock handed the drink and helped him stand up right on the bed. Giovanni without much thinking took the horrible tasting Tea and chugged it, just like he did with his shots. Brock took a moment to salute him before he sounded fast asleep.

As Brock quietly walked out of his room and closed the door with careful precision, he pondered to himself as he saw his squad leader snore through the night.

I hope he’ll be alright, because if he’s not then I’ll make sure he gets stumped on his foot for taking that much alcohol. Brock thought in fear of serious intoxication that can someday threaten Giovanni’s life, like it did to him many years ago.

Viper consumed as much possible alcohol as he could without passing out. He rubbed his watering eyes, the fumes from his squad leaders burning shots drifting over into his eyes. Viper watched as Gio collapsed, going out cold.

Viper chuckled, but then realized that very thing may be getting him killed the next day. Viper sighed and rested his face in his hands again.

Viper listened the best he could to the man next to him, Baretz, who was trying to give him an inspirational speech...somewhat. Viper nodded at the man muttered, "I'm Viper. Nice to meet you."

Viper noticed Gio was awakening from his "slumber" and that his squad mates were carrying him away. He slammed down his drink and followed them, whispering a few curses. So many thoughts were running through his mind and he was blanking out. At one point he would just stop and stare dumbly and then he would start walking again.

When the squad arrived in their quarters, Viper leaned in the corner, his arms crossed. His eyes scanned over each and every one of them making sure he knew their name and rank. He tried to memorize it the best he could, because he knew he would need to know it in the battle to come.

Viper sighed and mumbled, "Does he always get that drunk?" I hope not... Viper thought. His heart sped up for a second and a became a little sweaty. Is this man going to get me killed? was the only thing Viper could think of.

That's it. I knew the High Command was uncaring, but this is...
It's suicide.

Dante had coolly listened several hours earlier as Rizzit had mentioned bobsleds. He wasn't sure what he had expected but it hadn't been this.

Dozens of angular, dull grey shapes were clustered together in the bay, with personnel and droids scattered between them. It was the shape that had caught Dante's attention.

The damn things look like the bastard offspring of a cross between a hover-platform and a BARC speederbike.

"They had better be more effective than they look, or  I'll be walking to the target." Dante muttered under his breath.

A matte-black repair droid was manipulating several tools, evidently making some last minute repairs. Sparks shot out from a console and the distressed robot made high pitched squeals as it attempted to undo the damage.

They look like they need weeks, not minutes of repairs.

The sleds were fairly large, with propulsion systems mounted in their back ends and several passenger seats. Dante could see the laser cannons gleaming on top of the sleds, and was pleasantly surprised to see that they were fairly high caliber. Taking a closer look from the hallway, he noted, with approval, the mountings where troopers could place other weapons.

Who knows? Maybe the enemy will be shocked by their ugliness long enough for us to open fire.

Dante shook his head in an attempt to clear it.

I think that was what's left of the alcohol talking...
I'd better pull myself together ;I can't go into battle with impared judgment.

Dante looked through a porthole and saw only black, occasional marred by streaks of blue light. He then turned around and headed back to the barracks to suit up and get ready for the mission.

For the first time in a very, very long time, Finch was grinning. It was very uncharacteristic of the young woman, who more often than not was stoic and reserved. The sight of her Squad Leader so comically incapacitated was just humorous enough to cause her to smile so big it actually hurt.

Done with alcohol. Riiighhht.

Once they got their SL to his bed, the rest of the squad seemed very much done with him. Let him get a hangover, serves him right. Only Brock seemed to be trying to give a helping hand.

It didn't make sense to Finch, however, to leave the poor man to power through whatever repercussions might come the next day. Not only that, he had to lead their squad, and she was not looking forward to having him at less than peak condition.

"Right, Gio, dear," Finch soothed, digging into the pouch on her waist until she found what she was looking for. Qualone. She popped out a pill, settling down on the bed next to her SL. "Take this, it'll help." She popped the pill into his mouth, making sure the man swallowed the pill before she set off. She would check up on him the next day, make sure that the Qualone was running its course before the mission.

Glancing to the new recruit, she studied him carefully before looking away. It was good to log features away into her mind to identify friend from foe, she'd always found.

"Brock," She said softly, looking up at the tall man. God, why were they all so tall? The petite woman cast him a questioning glance. "What was that brew? It smelled quite disgusting."

Well, welcome back. It's been a while since we last talked. I have still been sitting here, dozing of and on, being awoken every once and a while by the sound of the garbage compactor right next to us. Gimp and Saph haven't returned yet, I don't even want to know what's going on. Right now though I know one thing, they are out there and I am sitting in here, with the stench still lingering.

“Jelly, I am heading out.” I got up and headed towards the door. Wasn't much of a door more like a plywood board, at least that's what I saw it as. Really it was a sliding metal door that creaked as it moved. and I thought the Army was top notch

As I walked down the hall the smells of Wicket's air fresheners and the old garbage stench started to dissipate.

It was actually kind of refreshing, to get out of there that was until that intercom rang.

'Landing in one hour' I didn't know it was that close, and I should have left the compactor earlier, but I didn't so it didn't matter.

well this is just great.

Now all I can do is get ready, I mean it's just one thing after another, but that's what comes with the armor, isn't it?

Finishing her meal, Saph leaned back and streached. She was more awake now then a few minutes ago. Not that anyone could tell from just looking at her.

A whole hour...that's going to feel like forever.

Thinking to herself as she slid out from her chair. The metal  legs scrapping along the not so shiny floor, making an uncomfertable sound.  Lekku twitching she reached over and grabbed her tray and took it over to the cleaning droid and walked out.


"well, I don't see where the rest of my squad is.. I might as well go see if they lived threw the night.."


Speaking to herself as her boots tapped gently on the floor. Smiling mentally, she thought of how they all must have reacted to  having to sleep in such a place. Luckly for herself she had found other means of a better place to sleep.

It's not like anyone is going to do something about it anyway. They know better


Naturally speaking, Saph wasn't afarid of anything Doc could and would throw at her. Proving to her SL that she was who she was and nothign he could do would bend her.  Biting her lower lip the Twi'lik made her way down towards the quartermaster.


Saph wasn't too far off from that part of the ship. Thinking that walking around was going to be as good as she was going to get forany type of morning workout she picked up her pace and continued at a brisk pace. When she finially managed to arrive she paused by the door, catching the last sentance from one of them.

"Oh! You meen you being a reptile and cold blooded and all. Yea, I'll see what I can do. I'll make sure it's as hot as a day on Barab-I in here for you. Come see me in a little while and I should have it ready."

That I know is Alater...


She thought to herself, taking a deep breath. Saph streached once more to the right and  leaned against the wall as  Alater walked out.

"Let's hope he does a good job for you..."


Alater stopped, turning his head towards her and said nothing for a moment.

"You have a habit of just showing up.." He replied, ignoring her first sentance. The Twi'lik curled her lips up into a smile.

"It's just luck.. that's all..Have ya eaten yet?" She replied back with a shrug.

Soon enough they would be planet side, getting shot at and returning the favor. They would be throwing grenades, or creeping through the snow, or stuck in a fierce blizzard. But they would be there, freezing their asses off.

Gimp had stayed in the repulsive room with the smell of garbage and the implied lack of respect. He probably couldn't eat and he wanted to get his mind in a state where it was used to ignoring bad conditions. About an hour to go and he was stretching, mind focused on the possibilities. His C3POD was cranked up high but he heard nothing except the screams and gurgling noises of some of the people he had killed.

His first battle was soon and not even the men in his head were talking. Bending over to touch his toes, all he saw was blood. Pulling his feet to stretch his quads, all he saw was blood. Jumping up and down, blood, blood, blood.

He had worked up a sweat and felt the need to stop. The lack of movement bringing him a sense of calm that coated the exterior of his mind and body. But just below the surface, hidden deep within his eyes, was rage.

He calmly collected the things he would need. Weapons found their alloted slots. Rations were stuffed where they may or may not fit. Helmet in hand he left the trash can looking for his squad sled.

His blades would get quite a workout before this day ended, though the E-11 may feel left out. He had been meaning to see what twin DoomBringers could do to a head point blank. most likely a rather gruesom scene. Today he would find out. He was ready for war.

Giovanni is way passed over his head… Brock looked at Finch who was watching Giovanni and changed her sight to Brock.

“Hey, how about we go hang out and leave him here to rest up?” Finch stood upright who sighted at Brock and took the lead into the corridors.

Both of them where tired but weren’t under any circumstance going to sleep anytime soon. Even though it was near midnight and the mission was early in the morning. Brock as well as Finch needed a talk before going off to the mission, they felt quite unconfident at the time with each other. That can become a weakness in squad coherence on the battlefield. The first impression that Brock captured of Finch was nothing more than a regular short women, of about the same age as him, if not some years older. Brock’s first encounter with her didn’t quite turn out as he planned, or wanted it to end. She was kind of settled in her own space of thought in the shuttle, something that Brock didn’t want to take away from her at that time.

It was although really kind of her to extend him some courtesy after she saw him preoccupied for their squad leader, or maybe it wasn’t that, who knows really. These thoughts came into Brocks mind as they were walking of about the same phase in search of a small lounge where they can sit at and relax for the time being.

“So you’re Brock Vik huh… I’ve heard about you lately, I heard you were quite a drinker back then and you’re our new Comm Tech...” Finch hallowed his attention towards her as she positioned both hands behind her neck.

“Well you got that right… I’ve been drinking since I was sixteen years old… Now I’m eighteen and haven’t approached alcohol as I used to. I gotta say, today I had a temptation, but Giovanni reminded me that I gotta stay sober for the next day.” Brock beckoned as he inclined to put his hands on his pockets as he strode the hallway.

“Well I gotta say I ain’t much of a drinking person for those obvious reasons” She chuckled as she pointed out an example of Giovanni’s state.

“Yeah, drinking can become very addictive. But I learned my ways, and now I can stock of my peace without it.” Brock smiled while opening the lounge door apace.

“Yeh, I got you… Hopefully this mission doesn’t turn out much of a stock still deployment. Foremost, we need some freggin ground and adventure to explore. That is my definition of what we should hopefully do these couple of weeks.” She nodded her head.

They both took a seat by the nearest table where they rested in some cozy high chairs that provided more than a comfortable seat, but a soothing sensation to the legs. Finch stood up and picked up the control remote from the counter where a bartender stood reading a magazine. Finch loathed as she changed channels every second, signifying that there wasn’t entertainment in the TV. She was actually happier to talk for a few more minutes than just sit there and watch some random show that she didn’t know what it was about. Her and the TV didn’t have a much of a covalent bond on comedy together, so she wasn’t interested in any comedies that were usually on at this time. She requested for the assistance of the bartender, and ordered two fruit flavored Imperial smoothies that were exclusive only at the bar. Brock didn’t really care what she ordered, and in fact didn’t hate the idea of a smoothie this late at night.

The bartender filled them the two orders and placed them along with two glasses filed with grinned ice for them to serve their drink in there if the felt like it. Although neither cared really.  Brock took a sip and tasted the flavor of tropical fruits, in which wondered around his tasting buds for some seconds before he swallowed.

I should tell Fury to have these delicious drinks available for the Imperial Center Store… Brock uttered on his conscience.

Finch smiled at Brock’s overly delighted face, and choked on her last drink. After recuperation, she burst out laughing. Brock couldn’t help to do the same, and continue to enjoy his drink.

“So… Whats good?”

The Dominion came out of hyperspace not too far off from Yuka. They didn't want to come out too close in case they were being watched. Rizzit was just finishing up a conversation with his trusted Communications Officer Ruu'Dolf Dere, which meant he had a face full of saliva from Dere's sneezing and spitting. Dere would contact Rizzit the moment he heard anything of transmissions being intercepted. Rizzit left Dere and made his way back to the cantina. When he got there, he noticed everyone had gone and the bartender was cleaning up.

"They're in their quarters getting ready." The bartender said scruffly to Rizzit.

"Thanks...and sorry about the mess, I realize they can be quite a handful."

"You kidding? If it weren't for them I'd have another boring night! Do you think any of these goody-goods drink on the job? If they do, it's a small drink on break. I'm glad just to have something to do."

"Well...if you're sure....."

"Yeah I am. Hey listen...I normally don't say repeat what goes on in a bar, but you boys are going on a mission. Your so-called Squad Leaders filled their canteens with some alcohol, you might want to comfiscate that."

Rizzit laughed. "No...I think I'll let them keep it."

The bartender looked puzzled. "But they'll be slightly out of it...no?"

"Any other mission...I'd be worried. This mission..." Rizzit laughed again. "I'll give it two minutes before that alcohol freezes" Rizzit walked out of the room laughing.

Rizzit stopped by Iron Horse's quarters first. "Hey Alan...ready to go?"

"Yes sir." replied a sober AlanRJ.

"Good...gather your horsies and meet me in the hangar bay."

AlanRJ saluted and left. Rizzit went to each of the remaining quarters and got everyone ready to go. About a half an hour later, everyone was down in the hangar bay with various other members such as Fury, the idiotic Deck Officer, and Bob. Rizzit addressed everyone for a final time before they left.

"Listen up everyone! We're going to head down there in shuttles....we're a short bit outside of Yuka's orbit so we shouldn't attract too much attention. When we get down there if the spot you land in is NOT hostile...stay together and wait for the others. Once we all land....we need to find a spot to set up base and signal the drop ships. The sleds will be dropping via dropship all the shuttles are given for equipment is your basic ammo, base supplies, portable heaters, and a small assortment of grenades. Keeping this in mind, it might not be a bad idea to set up base close to where we land. Good luck everyone....let's try and accomplish this mission without completely freezing in this piece of plastic!" Rizzit said as he put on his helmet. He would be shuttling down with Fury and the rest, cause there would be more room. The squads after all, needed all the space they could get....they had more people. When they got on-planet though, he'd be tagging along with Raiders and probably DD if they decided to team up.

Here we go again....Rizzit thought to himself. It's not enough they want to kill us, but before they kill us they want to deep-freeze us!

Alater adjusted a bit inside his suit as Rizzit gave his final briefing and headed towards the shuttle. The suit was made to adjust by a console on his left wrist, and did a very good job of keeping him warm. Made to specially fit him and keep it as warm as possible inside the suit, the only disadvantage to the suit being it's slightly increased weight and the enlraged heat signature.

He cracked his knuckles as the shuttle descended into the atmosphere, rattling as its shielding compensated for the heat of the entry. As the rear shuttle door opened Alater laughed a little to himself in the suit. He had done probably dozens of dead drops but none onto a frozen ground that may or may not be strong enough to support his weight. They never thought these darned things through.

When he thudded onto the planet he exhaled a breath that he thought was possibly one of the warmest he'd had since his visit to his home on Barab-I. The snow and ice crunched under his boots as he awaited orders. Paladin Squad, mostly green except for a few, was checking in with Eclipse before Doc and Gio turned to their respective squads.

"Alrighty folks, I know it's fucking cold but we're going to have to get used it. It looks like the majority of Pheonix Company is about 750 meters west of our current position. This ice may or may not be exactly safe so I want you all to keep an ear out for cracking. Don't fall in, don't freeze, don't die. Move out!" Doc ordered, and turned with Gio and Jelly Bean west towards the remainder of Phoenix Company.

A chill passed down Namyr's neck as she entered, she knew it, it had to be true, she was late and missed out on the free boozes. She let out a long string of curses that made the nearest people to her turn their heads and stare, those who could understand her stared with large offended eyes. Namyr's beautiful face twitches in disgust and humor, she had really needed a drink, anything to help her cope with having to be around other squads. Speaking of squads, where were the members of Raiders? She had at least expected Rogueboy to be hitting on someone and Leon dancing around with his underwear on his head and Darr passed out in a corner, but there wasn't any sign of such things. Namyr felt disappointed, after all it was once in a blue moon that the Raider Squad missed out in free booze. A pang went through Namyr's chest as she remembered that Leon had been moved from Raiders to lead his own squad. She missed him, her little brother, but she couldn't help but be proud of him and also a little jealous. She felt like she had been in the Army forever and what did she have to show for it a bunch of scars and one or two metals, it made her wonder if this was actually a living, or even something to risk her life for.

An announcement overhead warned Namyr that she'd better get her butt on the shuttle or it would leave her and then she would be considered AWOL, which would add another wonderful moment in her day. Sighing, Namyr adjusted her armor, putting on her helmet she made her way to the hanger. Not before she made a complete ass out of herself and dived behind a few boxes at the sight of a former lover's short stature and swaggering walk. After fishing herself out of the boxes Namyr headed to the shuttle that she had been directed to by one of the maintenance men she climbed aboard.

"Nams! Bout time you showed up!" Leon grinned throwing his arms around Namyr's waist, "You look good, as always!"

"Thanks Leon," Namyr murmured her face going red as the members of Leon's squad stared at her.

"Alrighty folks, I know it's fucking cold but we're going to have to get used it. It looks like the majority of Pheonix Company is about 750 meters west of our current position. This ice may or may not be exactly safe so I want you all to keep an ear out for cracking. Don't fall in, don't freeze, don't die. Move out!" Doc ordered, and turned with Gio and Jelly Bean west towards the remainder of Phoenix Company.


Saphira grinned as she twisted and moved  in her new armor. It felt diffrent wearing Snowtrooper armor and she could only hope it was just as good to keep her and the others warm.

"Don't die..Is that an order Doc?"

She shouted out. Loud enough for most of the squad to hear. A few chuckles were heard and it was good for some humer amongst the seriousness of the mission.


"Especially  don't die.." Came Doc's response as they all started to file out onto the cold planet.  Saphira moved up quickly to stand to the right of Jelly. Slighty back as she  fought the urge to take off her helmet.

“So Orobos, what do you think?” Leon asked, a huge grin on his face as he admired how good the armor looked on the Whiphid.

“It’s… Wow, you really outdid yourself. Am I going to have to pay anything for this?” Asked the giant Whiphid, staring at himself in disbelief.

“Nope, I got it all under control. Anything you don’t like about it?”

“Well it’s somewhat crude, but what can you expect, it was made in less then an hour. Thanks Leon.” Replied the young trooper, hopping around a bit so he could adjust to the Dura Steel plating that now covered his body.

It covered every vital organ in his body, and that was the only thing the Whiphid would need. It was made up of a chest plate, shoulder plates with spikes coming out the end, and the DD insignia on the left shoulder. He had vambraces, gauntlets, and some thigh plating. As for the Whiphids head, the only thing they could find suitable was a special visor that would adjust to the light and keep the harsh, ice cold winds from blowing into his eye’s. The Quarter Master had managed to put a small electronic device on the left side of the yellow colored visor, allowing him to have a mini HUD Display so he wouldn’t be left out from the rest of the squad.

Now that the squad was all set and ready to go, Leon decided to give them a little motivational speech. “Alright guy’s, huddle around.” Motioned Leon, the squad forming a small circle around the Squad Leader. “So it look’s like this is gonna be my first mission as Squad Leader, and your first mission with me. So hey, we’re a little on the green side, but that doesn’t really mean a thing now, does it? We’ve all been in fire fights before, and we all know thing’s can get quite messy. Really messy. But this mission right here, it’s no different from any other mission you’ve been on before. Yes, you guy’s have all the right to be nervous, but don’t freak out, you know better then that. Now when we’re out there for these next couple of days, I want to see CONSTANT communication. If we communicate, then that minimizes are chances of making mistakes, mistakes that could lead to a very painful death. But that’s not gonna happen now, is it?”

“No sir.”

“Good. I believe in you guy’s, and I’m willing to put my life in each and every one of your hands. I just hope you all are willing to do the same for me… Now let’s go out there, and show these bastards who the big dog of the Galaxy is. Now gimme a big Hoo-Rah!”

“HOO-RAH!!!!!” Shouted the squad in perfect unison.

Leon took his helmet from underneath his arm and slid it on, hearing a hiss as it locked into place, trapping all the warmth inside. Within seconds, the lenses adjusted to the dim lighting of the hangar bay, and he proceeded to the shuttle they were assigned to. A grinning Rogue stopped Leon in his tracks, laying a heavy hand on his friends sholder.

“I saw that little huddle thing you had going over there. Giving them one of my motivational speeches I’m guessing.”

“Oh yeah, you know it Rogueboy. I told them we’d get some stripper’s after the mission. Maybe Namyr could even be one of them,” Joked Leon, winking inside his helmet.

“Hey, she could very well be a stripper. I’ve seen her in action before, and she seems to have a lot of practice. Go ahead, take her, I don’t want the woman anymore.” Rogue replied, saying it just loud enough for Namyr to make out.

“What was that Rogue? You want to say that a little bit louder?”

“What? I wasn’t talking about you, jeez. Don’t be so quick to react.” Rogueboy gave Leon a little wink before donning his helmet, walking up the boarding ramp and into the shuttle. A couple of Dark Dragoon’s chuckled at the Raiders ASL, who somehow always managed to make people laugh in the worst of situations. Once everyone was seated and ready to launch, the boarding ramp started to recline. A few seconds later, they shot off into the black void, making their way to Yuka’s orbit.

So this is it. After all that waiting, all that training, and all that suffering, I’ll finally be put to the test. This mission… This mission will determine my ability as an SL, and as a person. Will I make it out alive? Yes. I know this for a fact. But will they make it out alive? That is the challenge I am being faced with, and that is the question I need to answer. Let’s just hope the answer is yes…

The young Squad Leader was shook from his train of thought as the shuttle hit the planets orbit. He reached for the straps that hung above his head, trying to hold himself in place as the shuttle began to shake violently. His head bobbled from side to side, and his teeth clicked together as the shaking increased its intensity, almost throwing him off the bench. He closed his eyes, waiting for the ordeal to end, hoping that they wouldn’t be shot out of the sky, ending their mission before it had even started.

And then it stopped.

They had finally landed, or at least he thought they did. “I’m sorry, but you guy’s are going to have to hop off, I can’t risk landing on a patch of ice. Good luck!” Called the shuttle pilot over the comm System.

A loud mechanical whirring sound emitted from the back of the ship, signaling that the boarding ramp was going down. “Safeties off, we might have some unexpected company. Be ready for anything.” Leon ordered over the squad’s comm Channel. A couple of clicks resounded in reply, Leon doing the same to his carbine. The ramp stopped half way, leaving them a good three meter’s above the ground. Darr-Rann and Leon were the first to hop off, landing as lightly on their toes.

The first thing that hit Leon was the cold. They were right about Yuka… It was freezing cold, ice cold. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like without the armor they were provided, but he did guess one thing. It would have sucked. At the same time though, Leon couldn’t help but feel slightly mesmerized by the planets beauty. Not that there was much to look at, but snow always seemed to hypnotize Leon. There was something about it that just intrigued the hell out of him.

“Dark Dragoon’s, set up a perimeter around the landing area, and keep your eyes sharp. We’ll wait here until we receive the final orders. Don’t let your guard down one bit.”

Note to self.. Never come back to ANY ice ball of a planet


Saph grumbled to herself, pulling her right leg out from a deep snow drift. For once she was glade that she had not the time for a workout. This was enough that she swore her armor was going to melt off.

"We're almost there," Doc called out on comm
.
His voice came over , mingeling in the staticy effect it had on his voice. Saph looked up and  pressed farther. No one wanted to walk more threw the snow. There was also that fear that they could fall threw to an icy grave.


Quickly she caught up with their SL. The crunching of the snow whooshed around in swirls as the wind blew against them. Her eyes only stayed on the target.


"Hey Doc?"  Saph asked. Deciding that she had to now have a question be raised.

"Yea?"

"Go to a private channel.."


Doc arched an eyebrow under the helmet, but did what she asked. Normaly she had the nack for just spurting out whatever. Part of him was concerned.


"What's up Saph?" 


"Just a question... I know we have to wear this armor.. but has anyone ever thought that we could easily loose site of each other with all the snow around?"


Doc blinked and took a deep breath before answering.


"That's why we have trackers.. besides, it's  more so the enemy has a harder time seeing us."


"I get that doc.. but sometimes the equipment is faulty. For once I wish they made the armor in say Grey or silver. God forbid one of us can't see a team mate and accidenty gets shot by friendly fire..."


She made a good point. One that was worth thinking on but then again...


"I understand.. but I don't make the rules. We follow them. Keep moving..."

"Yea.. "


"Oh and Saph.." Doc stated.

"What?"


"I appreciate the private channel..."

Under her helmet the Twi'lik smiled and they went back to the main only to be inturpted by Wicket.

"You two lovebirds have a good chat?"


"Shut up Wicket!" Both Doc and Saph said in unison. The coms erupted in laughter.

Alan noticed Rizzit enter, informing the squads that they would be going down to the planet in shuttles.  As soon as the order was given, all of the squads started getting onto shuttles.  Alan quickly motioned for the squad to get onboard and they moved quickly up the ramp.

“Who is piloting?” queried Verlock as Alan came up last and closed the ramp.

“Me of course” replied Alan as he moved into the cockpit.

“You do know how to fly?” queried Ken.

“Of course I know how to fly” replied Alan as he started the shuttles engines.

“I don’t mind who flies” commented Vince, “so long as we land in one piece”.

“Oh, landings the easy part” said Alan “unless, I could always try crash landing the shuttle, been a while since I done that”.

“You are kidding” said Dwarf.

Alan smiled and piloted the shuttle out of the Dominion’s hangar deck, deciding not to answer the question.

The shuttle flew down through the planet’s atmosphere and Alan thought to himself what a desolate frozen world this is.  The planet grew bigger and bigger as they descended downwards.  Alan could make out more details on the planet.  However, the only detail he could see though was snow and more snow.

“Isn’t that a beautiful sight” said Vince.

Alan looked around, seeking, searching, but not finding anything.  Finally he replied “where?”

“All around, such beautiful snow, such tranquillity” said Vince.

All Alan could think of was such cold, freezing snow.  He brought the ship on final approach and soon he felt the landing struts of the shuttle sink into the snow and they were down.  The shuttles engines came to a resounding stop.

“All right people, welcome to the ice planet of Yuka” said Alan as he pressed a button and the ramp of the shuttle descended and the cold wind whipped instantly inside the shuttle.