In his luxury apartment onboard the orbital platform above Tadath, Alan relaxed on his couch.  He still felt battered and bruised from the last mission the Iron Horse squad had undertaken.  He was glad to be home once more.  Upon his arrival back, there had been a lot of changes.  The team had lost Verlock, who decided to pursue a career with the Navy.  Ken was away on extended leave and Hector was once again on the reserves.  With so many out, life found a way to compensate and compensate it did.  Now the squad saw the arrival of DracoKorr and several members transferred from the disbanded squad Eclipse, Jelly Bean, Saphira Striker and Xenos.  Alan was looking forward to meeting them and working with them, but right now he just wanted to relax.  His relaxation was cut short when his monitor emitted a beeping noise.  Sighing, he checked the screen and saw that it was an incoming message ordering him to report to the new Platoon Commander Rogueboy.  Damn thought Alan as he got up slowly there goes my rest.

The trip to Rogueboy’s new office was uneventful and Alan was soon seated opposite Rogueboy, eager to find out why the new Platoon Commander had summoned him.

“Tell me what you remember about the mission to Yuka?” queried Rogueboy.

Alan remembered quite a lot about the mission, namely how cold it had been.  He remembered his squad locating barrel upon barrel of bacta.  He had also remembered afterwards reading the reports and finding out that instead of the bacta being used to support an army, that it was actually contaminated and was going to be used to poison Imperial soldiers.

“I remember quite a lot Sir, I also read quite a lot of the reports from the aftermath of the campaign” replied Alan.

“What was never released in those reports was the fact that the people responsible for this attempted attack on us was Alderaanians” said Rogueboy.

Alan was quite surprised by the statement “Alderaanian’s, but I thought they were peaceful”.

Rogueboy replied “so did we, however I guess a small faction wanted some revenge on us after the Empire destroyed their home planet.  Reason why I’m telling you all this is because they escaped capture at Yuka but we have found them and they are working on something different.  This is a small transmission that was sent to us from Intelligence”.

The lights dimmed and Alan watched the main screen.  It looked like some form of laboratory and there were several men in white coats walking around.  The camera panned left and Alan’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, he drew in a deep breath.

“By all that is holy” muttered Alan under his breath.

The camera centred on one individual.  He was wearing only a pair of trousers but he towered over everyone in the room.  He must be eight feet tall thought Alan as he looked on.  The man’s naked chest rippled with muscles and Alan wondered how anyone could ever stop such a man.  The man was chained to the floor with several heavy duty chains.  Chains that if placed around Alan would probably crush him.  The man suddenly let forth a bellow and suddenly wrenched on the chains.  The chains snapped as he ripped them off, the camera then turned to static.

“My god” said Alan.

“My sentiments exactly” replied Rogueboy, “it seems that the Alderaanian’s are once more experimenting with bacta, however this time it is to create some sort of super soldier.  As you can see they have been very successful.  Intelligence however has informed me that they have learned that the soldiers aren’t yet perfect, they go berserk and then die.  I for one do not want to wait until they have this perfected.  That is why I am sending the Iron Horse squad to put an end to this threat”.

“Understood Sir” replied Alan, “where are they located?”

“Their base is located on a remote world known as Creos.  A shuttle is prepped and standing by.  Assemble your troops and depart immediately.  I wish you all the best” said Rogueboy

“Yes Sir” replied Alan as he stood up saluted and departed.

Rogueboy watched him leave and said softly “you’re going to need it”.

Alan headed straight for the barracks and upon entering saw so many new faces.  He wished he could get to know them before a mission but priority dictated otherwise.

“All right, listen up, we have an important mission.  Get your gear and get over to hangar bay four.  There is a shuttle already waiting for us” said Alan.

Alan looked around and saw confusion on people’s faces.  Having just arrived into the barracks, Alan was sure that the last thing they expected was to be suddenly thrown into a mission that they knew nothing about.  He would have to brief them on the way there.

“Well, what are you waiting for?  Let’s move, move, move!” ordered Alan.

With that everyone started moving in frenzy.  Alan headed into his office and started to get his gear in order.  He looked out through his window at all of his troops getting ready and hoped that once this was all over he would see all of them again in the barracks.

Rogueboy was nervous it was the first time he was doing this, and he felt completely unsure of himself. Dressed in a stormtrooper outfit complete with helmet and back up pistol, Rogue was sitting on a supply crate at hangar bay four. Slung over his shoulder he had an E-11 blaster with a modified tip that acted as a retardant for noise. Effectively silencing sound and eliminating the muzzle flash that the blaster would otherwise emit.  However the downside was that it weakens the strength of the bolt ensuring that a direct hit on plastoid armour would not pierce it but the heat would cause it to melt.

Gunnery Sergeant AlanRJ approached the shuttle, bedecked in the traditional uniform of an Imperial soldier with his helmet tucked under his arm. H is squad was not far behind as he looked at the lone trooper with a raised eyebrow.

Rogue stepped forward handing AlanRJ an official Vast Empire document. “Private Recruit, reporting for duty.” The voice distorter worked perfectly as Rogue’s voice came out as a robot.

AlanRJ looked heavenwards. “You’re callsign is Recruit? Why do you sound like a robot?”

Rogue already had a reason thought out. “Yes, and while in close combat training someone pressed a blade too close to my throat and cut my vocal cords, the corps was generous enough to give me this device.” The robotic voice said.

“Alright, I’ll brief you while we...” AlanRJ said before he was cut off.

“Platoon Commander Rogueboy briefed me, he said you guys might need the extra hand, and yes I saw the holoclip of the brute. Bigger they are the harder they fall, ready when you are Gunnery Sergeant.” Rogue said as he watched Alan’s reactions display across his face; first surprise and then gratitude, however he did not recognize Rogue through the guise.

“I see you got your gear, welcome aboard Iron Horse.” A few of the troopers gave Rogue a nod as he followed suit behind them all. The shuttle door closed with a hiss of air effectively sealing any attempt of Rogue backing out from what he was doing. Only two people knew what Rogueboy was actually doing; Rizzit and Darr.

Darr seemed to of had a problem with what Rogue was going to accomplish. “What if you get killed? Everything you strived for would die with you? A platoon commander running around on the field posing as a trooper its un-commander like.”
“If I’m not familiar with my troops than I have already failed them as a commander. Hell a desk job is boring anyways and I could use the exercise Nams thinks I’m getting a little fat and my accuracy has gone to shit.”

Sitting in the shuttle Rogue was starting to feel like this was not such a good idea, mind you he always got nervous before a mission but when the bolts started flying he never felt so alive.

What kind of a callsign is Recruit thought Alan as he led his troops onto the ship still, we need all the help we can get.  Entering the ship, Alan stopped at the door and watched everyone boarding.  He watched as so many new faces boarded the ship.  He spotted Anival boarding and nodded towards him.  He had hoped to let his troops get some rest after their last mission, especially considering that some had been shot but there was never any rest for the wicked.  When the last trooper had entered the ship, Alan pressed the door button and the ramp closed and sealed behind him.

Pressing an intercom button, Alan said “we’re all in, you can launch when ready”.

Alan could feel the hum of the ship as its engines purred to life.  Several seconds later and he could feel the ship taking off.  Here we go again thought Alan as he looked around his troops and decided that now was as good a time as any to let them know what they going to be facing.

During the flight, Alan proceeded to tell the squad about the Yuka mission, some had been there either with Iron Horse or with the Eclipse squad, whilst others had not.  He told them about the threat that Yuka had posed and the fact that the leaders behind the bacta threat had escaped.  He went on to inform them about how they had been located again and of the new threat that they posed.  He then showed them the vidclip and watched their expressions carefully.  Most where shocked with what they seen.  Good thought Alan they realise just how dangerous this mission will be.

After the briefing was over Alan asked “any questions?”

Everyone still looked a bit stunned by what they had seen and didn’t venture a question.  Then a metallic voice pierced the silence.  “How are we planning on taking out such a soldier?” queried Recruit.

Good question thought Alan.  He hadn’t really thought about it until now.  “I have been informed that these super soldiers die very easily after being created so I am hoping that when we arrive, there won’t be any of these soldiers living.  If there is then we will overcome that threat one way or another” replied Alan, “any other questions?”

Alan looked around at the squad and saw that no-one ventured to say anything.  The comm. crackled and a voice came through saying “we are approaching the planet Creos”.

“Alright people, let’s gear up and get ready” said Alan as he knew they would be landing very shortly.  Let’s hope we don’t find any living super soldiers thought Alan as he got ready to start the mission.

"Still thinking about your family?"

Came Saphira's  smooth voice as she came up to Draco's side. The Twi'lek gave him a grin as she took a seat next t Draco. The ship was hummung as it started the engines  and took off. Draco looked up from his own thoughts.

"Saph?"


He questions as  his eyes looked her over. SHe was already dressed  for the battle and had an eagerness that paled to be measured in words.

"Suprised? Just got transfered  to the squad..."


SHe smiled  taking a hand to her hip and pulling out her favorite weapon.  The vibroblade spun in her hand for a moment before she poped it back into it's prper place.

"Actually..."


"Hurry and  get ready... were goign to be landing soon and I'd hate to drag your sorry ass threw the battle while you dress.."

Saph teased as she gavehim a nudge.

The ship had landed as Anival siad to no one in particular " here we go agian, another death defying mission, horay"

"What was that trooper" asked Alan

"Nothing sir" came Anival's qiuck response

Alan filled Everybody on the mission details and as they were heading back to the ship Alan called anival.

"Anival, I know you were recently injured but this mission is really important. If you think you cant go trough with this just tell me." siad Alan

" Sir, with all due respect i would never back from a mission i would gladly give my life for the empire. It just that ......We have been on missions non-stop..and...since i was..... you know, ..............kidnapped i;ve been having nightmares but i'm good" replied Anival

and with that walked    he joined his fellow troopers.

Draco exited the ship behind everyone else. He scanned the area with his eyes as he held his blaster at the ready. He took in al the thick vegitation and cursed. He hated being confined in trees. So many senarios that he had been in before where woods were involved ended disatrously.

But on this mission, it might actually be helpfull. If these super soldiers were as big as they looked on the holo, then moving in these tight quarters might hender their movements a bit, allowing for Iron Horse to get the drop on them. Draco then heard the report. "The base of operations is in this direction. Let's get moving."

He watched and followed as the entered the thick overgrown forest.
he then found himself wondering if they might meet up with some sort of wild carnivor and if so, then which ones. Hell, what was he worried about that for anyway? His squad had Draco Korr watching their backs. Draco would not let anything happen to his squadmates.

Everyone will be returning home safely from this mission. Especialy if he had anything to say about it.

Alan walked through the dense forest, weapon ready and alert for anything.  His comm suddenly crackled to life and Jelly informed him that two humanoids had been detected.  He had asked for permission to take them out but before Alan could answer back he heard a distinctive noise and knew they were dead.  He moved swiftly over to the location of the noise and found two dead soldiers, blood oozing out from two neat wounds on their foreheads.  Nice shooting thought Alan.

Jelly looked down at the bodies and then looked up at Alan and suggested "We could use their uniforms to get two people in undetected".

It's a good plan thought Alan as he mulled over the suggestion I don't like letting two of my troopers go in with no support.  As he thought it over, one of the dead soldier's comms crackled to life.

A voice came through the comms device and said "Attention all troopers, attention all troopers, one of the super soldiers has escaped and is heading west.  All troopers are to converge, apprehend if possible, eliminate if not".

"Excellent" said Alan, "this is just the break we need.  Whilst all the soldiers are away chasing after this super soldier, we can slip in easily and destroy all the bacta and their research".  I hope that's the only one living thought Alan as he was happy that the other soldiers were dealing with it.

"Roger that Sir" replied Jelly.

"Let's double time it to the base whilst all the soldiers are out" said Alan.

"You heard the man" said Jelly, "let's move it".

With that Alan, Jelly and the rest of the squad started moving hastily towards the base.  I hope we can get the job done in time before the soldiers return thought Alan as he raced through the forest.

While the rest of the squad was tantlized by the noises overtaking the natural sounds of the jungle, Draco decided to venture a short way down this walk way he had found. He didn't intend to go far, especially since he didn't want to be indisposed in case his squad needed him. He followed the signs through the path and it dead ended at a huge pile of brush.

Something just didn't add up. All the signs were there, but where did the traffic come from? He scanned the area and again saw nothing except the tracks that led right to this brush. This frustersted Draco beyond measures, he knew he was better than this. He closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath to clear his mind. He stated remembering past missions, past friends, past enemies and past discoveries.

Just then, he was struck in the chest with a memory that might be relevant to his current situation. It hit him like a Hutt on credits. Could it be? Could it actually be THAT simple? he stuck the barrel of his rifle into the bush and began moving it around. Just when he started to think that he might be wrong, he was rewarded with the sound he was so desperatly hoped to hear. *CLANK*

It was the sound of his gun contacting a extreamly solid metal. As he used his hands to push the brush aside, everything slowed in Draco's perspective. The calls of the birds became long whistles, the battle sounds played on his ear drums like a battle holo in slow motion. His squad's actions were slow and even Draco's movements seemed to lag.

When the brush was removed, Draco discovered an entrance with a domed metal door. It appeared to head straight down into the planet's crust. He opened it and it revealed a ladder leading down into who knew what. He activated his flashlight and fastened it to his helmet. He proceeded down, blaster raised and ready.

When he reached the bottom, he spun and shined his light down what seemed to be a tunnel. It was heading toward the direction of the base. Draco turned to his com. " Sir! I think I might have discovered a....safer....way in!"

Draco answered alan's question. "There's either another ladder or set of stairs, or a door at the end of this tunnel." Draco stated as he ran a hand over the rough interior of the wall. "These markings indicate something hard scraping the wall. And judging from the way they were made, I'd say whoever or whatever made them was coming from in front of us. Which leads me to believe that there is a way to enter this tunnel from the opposite end." Draco verbally noted.

He raised his weapon to his shoulder, glared down the sight and braced it with both hands. He stayed like this as he slowly lead his squad down the dark eriee tunnel. His heartbeat and breath was the only sounds he heard while navigating the dank and musky hall, and both seemed to be in sync with one another. Underneath his gloves, he could feel his palms becoming sweaty from the anticipation and excitment.

The tunnel seemed to continue on forever but he couldn't decide if this was due to the actual length of it or the slow cautious pace they were taking. Every few minutes, Draco could feel tiny tugs at his helmet which suggested that there were spider webs present. Finally, the tunnel rounded a corner and dead ended at a massive set of double doors constructed from a extreamly thick durasteel.

He put his back on the wall as he approached the door and reached into a compartment on his belt. When he withdrew his hand, he held a contraption which no one had ever seen. "Draco? What's that your holding?" came Alan's voice. "Well sir, it's a bomb which I created. It's basically a flash grenade and a smoke bomb attached to each other and linked to the same timer." Draco held it up and offered it to Alan, "Would you like the honors sir?"

Draco followed his squad as they entered yet another door and winded around what seemed to be another endless hallway, boots and armor clicking and gleaming in the lighting the entire way. They finally approach a doorway and the squad divided in equal numbers and took up posts on both of the flanks of the gaping metal maw.

Alan peeked his head around the corner and when he didn't see any resistance, he made a hand gesture that told his troops that it was clear. They rushed into the room in a tight back to back formation, gun sights playing upon everything the room had to offer. This room was massive in its own rights and this is an understatement.

The walls and ceiling appeared to be constructed of the same material that the doors that Alan blew into scrap was made of. Placed around the top of the walls at regular intravals was mounted light fixtures that gave off a feint white aura around each light fixture. Directly across from the doorway from which they entered was an alcove set into the wall and it was packed with cargo crates and containers of the like.

On the right side of the room there was another door and computer console set on a single stilt like podeum and the door seemed to be magnetically sealed. On the left side of the cavernous room was a smaller room and with no visible door to divide it from the room in which they ocuppied at the present moment.

The smaller room to the left contained only two huge tanks filled with a transparent green liquid, one on either side of the room, and a lone desk containing a small computer. The lights on this computer grasped Draco's interest as they blinked on and off like fireflies playing at night. Draco aproached the computer and sat down.

The computer chirped as Draco activated it. Draco's features flashed like strobes as he scanned page after page, taking in all the tiny machine could offer him. Draco loved and craved to learn anything and everything he ever could. The computer squeeled a couple times here and there in protest to something he was trying to access, but just before Draco worked his magic and hacked in anyway.

Finally, Draco pulled out a tiny contraption and inserted it into the console. Bars and lines seemed to cover the screen as Draco down loaded what seemed to be pages and pages of files. Then the a message was displayed on the screen. Downloading of files 100% complete.

Draco then tapped busily at the keys and then the screen went all hypnotic will colors before it cut out and went blank. Draco removed his tiny contraption and replaced it in his belt. Then he stood. This is when he realized just how eriee this room seemed with the lights in the green tanks splattered emerald green patterns across the walls.

Alan's voice came over the com. "Draco? What was all that about?" Draco turned his gaze to Alan and responded. "Intel sir. There was massive amounts of information in the hard drives of that computer. I accessed it, copied it and simotaniously redirected to the hard drives back at base. They should recieve the info in approxamatly three standard minutes. Then I scrambled there codes and encrypted my own code into there main systems. Long story short Sir, we have their info now and they don't."

Draco then turned his attention to a tiny glass case next to the desk. He raised his rifle and smashed through it with its butt end. He reached inside and retrieved gas masks from the case. He threw one to each squad member. "We may want to put these on now. It would appear from the intel I read that they have also trying their hands at costructing chemical weapons as well. And judging from the amount of credits spent on the project, well I'd say they have probably already completed some of the weapons."

Alan looked shocked and asked, "How many credits were put into the funding of this project?"

Draco looked to each of the squad members in turn, then back to Alan. "Millions Sir."

Alan couldn't believe what Draco was telling him.  Millions he thought who the hell is funding this.  He didn't get time to mull over the query when alarm klaxons starting sounding.  Damn thought Alan as he heard an announcement stating that they had been discovered and calling on reserve forces.  So much for completing this mission undetected he thought as he realised this mission had just become twice as hard.

We need to get out of here thought Alan as he didn't like the sound of reserve forces.  His thinking was too late though as all of the doors to the lab came crashing down.

"Draco, you got anymore explosives?" queried Alan.

Draco looked to the closed doors and back to Alan and replied "not enough to take out one of those doors Sir, they're reinforced".

"Damn" muttered Alan.  He was about to think of what else to do when a voice sounded through the lab.

"Welcome Iron Horse, we've been expecting you" said the voice.

Expecting us, what the hell thought Alan as he looked around the lab searching for the location of the voice.

"Up here" said the voice.

Alan gazed upwards to see an observation deck high above them.  Several people were looking down at them.  Alan couldn't make out their faces.

"Who are you?" shouted Alan, wanting to know who it was that had trapped them and why.

"My name is unimportant, what is important is that we have been expecting you.  I must say you did surprise me when you came in through the secret entrance.  I was anticipating that you would come in through the main door especially after I led you to believe that our main force had left the facility" said the voice.

"How do you know so much about us?" queried Alan.

A slight laugh was heard from the man before he replied "that is none of your concern, what is your concern is that our chemical weapons have been completed and we are in the last stages of loading them onto my ship".

That struck Alan strangely, why was this man telling him of his plans, surely he knew that Iron Horse would do everything in their power to escape this lab, locate and destroy the ship.  "Why are you telling us this?" he queried.

"Because soon you will be dead, you will all be dead" replied the man.

A creaking noise suddenly pierced the lab and Alan swung round to locate the noise.  His eyes widened as a door opened to reveal a super soldier.  What surprised him the most was this one was different.  As soon as the soldier was in, the door closed swiftly behind him.  Alan gazed up at the man, no, not a man, a monster.  He stood ten to twelve feet in height, his legs and arms were as thick as tree trunks but there was something else different about him and it nagged on Alan as he couldn't figure out what it was.

"Let me introduce you to our super soldier.  What we allowed your Intel to see was a very early model.  We have since refined our process and as you can see, he is impressive.  Oh and by the way, this one does not go mad or insane and he certainly doesn't die" said the man.

Alan looked up at the monster.  The super soldier gazed down at them and laughed.  The laugh was a chilling laugh that sent a shiver up Alan's back.  Of course thought Alan as he realised what was different about the solider, he looks like he has his wits about him, he does not look like a crazed monster.

"Now that we have you here, we want to test our soldier in battle.  Your deaths will prove invaluable to us, as well as being great entertainment" said the man.

Alan didn't need to hear anything else.  "Open fire!" he shouted to the squad.

The squad sprang into action as they opened fire with their blasters.  Vince who was closest to the monster unslung his A280 and opened fire.  Alan was still surprised to see the arsenal that Vince carried with him but he was glad to have him as he heard the distinctive noise of the weapon.

The monster bellowed and in one swift motion brought his arm crashing towards Vince.  He connected with Vince and Vince's body flew through the air and hit the wall with a sickening crunch.  Alan's heart was in his mouth as he knew just from the sound that it was a fatality.

Ken shouted "Vince!" and rushed over to the lifeless body.  He searched for a pulse and then called out to Alan and said "he, he's dead".

Alan had never yet lost a trooper before and he gazed over at the lifeless Vince and then up at the monster that had just killed him.  The monster laughed and for the first time in his career Alan wondered if he or if any of his squad were going to live through this mission.

Draco stood stiff in anger as he watched his squadmate Vincent get hurled across the room like a play thing. When he was reported dead, Draco's body began shaking uncontrolabley from the instant hatred that that began flowing like liquid ice through his veins.

He turned and looked, not at the super soldier, but at the unknown man standing up top. All noise and chaos that was taking place around him suddenly muffled as if he were a mile away from the action. He then looked over and saw Saph flicked across the room. Laser bolts were flying around the room like meteors as they glanced off everything in sight. Smoke began billowing out of the walls, crates and the super soldier himself.

The room began to reek of carbon discharge, charred wood, super heated metal and charred flesh. Draco watched as Rogue proceeded to pull and load a grenade launcher and approach the back side of the giant. He watched as he stuck it up against the Super soldiers ass and proceeded to pull the trigger and give the monster a deadly enima.

The soldier's body parts scattered as the grenade's muffled bang went to work. The top half remained intact however and lifted and began crushing Rogue's neck between his boulder sized hands. No way I'm losing another trooper this day. Draco pulled out a blade and it gave a ring as it pulled free of its housing. Draco marched over and without a second thought he raised the blade high into the air. He stabbed down with all his force and heard a crack as the skull was penetrated. Goo shot in the air from the wound and the soldier realesed Rogue. Draco yanked the blade and felt resistance as the skull threatened not to let him retrieve it. The soldier's head lifted from the ground slightly and then slammed back down with a thud as the blade came free.

As he saw Jelly Bean scramble out from underneath the soldiers crushing grip, Draco pulled free his last two explosives. He tossed one to Jelly and motioned to the observation deck. Jelly nodded his understanding and then proceed to silently count to three with his fingers in the air. On three, Draco and Jelly ran side by side while activating the two explosives. Together, they threw them high into the air.

They immedately jumped for cover behind another huge packing crate and soon after, an explosion rocked like an earthquake through the cavernous room. Screams of pain and horror replaced the sounds that were present a moment before. Draco popped his head up over the crate to check on the success of their attack. The men up top were bracing themselves on the walls and rails that surrounded them. Damn. We missed. We didn't get them high enough. Think Draco, think.

Just then, Draco noticed a small flame under the deck and on a support that was still flickering its existence. Draco quickly looked around and discovered a canister resting beside Jelly's legs. He motioned to him, almost as if Jelly was reading his mind, he picked it up and removed the lid. Jelly Bean took a whiff and the nodded to Draco. It was indeed a low grade fuel. Jelly rose and raced from crate to crate with the canister. When he got under the supports, he popped the top once again. He threw it up toward the tiny flame and raced back out before he got caught in the intense flames that was certain to follow.

Draco didn't give up in the debate easily though, for Vincent was an Iron Horse member. Draco hoisted Vincent's lifeless form up onto his shoulders. "Ok. I'm ready to go sir." Draco said under shaky words due to sadness. Alan turned around to see Draco hunched over from the weight. Then Vincent began to shift and slide off Draco's back. Rogue saw it as well and rushed to help Draco support the weight.

Alan shook his head and his voice was filled with concern. "Draco, he's dead, let him go. He'll only slow us down."

Draco responded promptly. "No. Sir I can hold him---"
Draco was cut off.

"Draco. What do you suppose Vincent would choose. Him being alive, or Iron Horse's success? Draco looked to the floor. "Our success." Draco answered quietly. Alan put a hand on Draco's head. "Your dedication does not go unoticed soldier, and is quite admirable. Now Rogue, help Draco to unload Vincent."

"Yes sir" came the short response. Together they sat Vincent down against a wall and Rogue looted his body for needed equipment. The squad quickly regathered and headed through the door. Draco looked back at vincent before the door hissed loudly while shutting and slowly shut out Vincent from view. Draco turned to follow his squad as the hatred built inside him like a volcano about to erupt.

The distinctive noise of blaster fire pierced the air and Alan ducked under the ship to find out what was going on.  Damn it he thought as he noticed Jelly, Draco and Recruit diving for cover whilst a mini turbo laser turret spat out lasers in the hopes of hitting one of them.

Kneeling down, Alan took aim at the turret and fired.  The turret seemed to absorb the blaster bolt and Alan cursed silently.  Knowing that a new threat was out there, the turret left Draco and the others and started swivelling round to get a lock on Alan.  Alan let loose with a volley of shots, all absorbed by the turret.  Damn it thought Alan just blow up already.

Whilst the turret was now interested in Alan, Draco moved up behind it.  Alan watched Draco carefully and lowered his weapon as he didn't want to his blaster bolts bouncing off the turret and accidentally hitting Draco.  The turret had finally acquired Alan and had it in its sights.  Draco began running frantically away from the turret.  The turret, having acquired Alan, started firing.  Alan threw himself behind a bush, several bolts narrowly missing him.  Before the turret could get another lock it blew up.  Peeking up from the bush, Alan was happy to see that the turret was no more.

"Nice work Draco" commented Alan.

"Thank you Sir, I do enjoy blowing things up" replied Draco.

"Sir" interrupted Jelly.

"Yes?" queried Alan, wondering what his ASL had found.

"Look" said Jelly, pointing to the ground.

Alan looked closely and saw several footprints leading away from the ship.

"Damn" said Alan as he slammed his fist against the hull of the ship.

"What is it?" queried Draco.

"Tracks" stated Saphira who had looked at what Jelly had been pointing at, "the people on the ship must have escaped whilst we were busy with the turret".

"Is that really a problem" replied Draco, "we've defeated the super soldier and apprehended the ship with the chemical weapons".

"Very true" replied Alan "but what if even one of those persons is the scientist responsible for the creation of the super soldier.  He could simply create another one.  No, we have to go after them and stop them".