A new squad, a new start.  That was how Riqimo saw going into Jester earlier this week.  Now however, it appears he got yet another new start, this time bumped up a couple positions to Squad Leader of Iron Horse.  It was an honor, as Iron Horse was the sole squad to ever hold the elite title in the history of the Stormtrooper Corps.

He really couldn't complain about being forced out of another squad into this role, after all his fondest memories were made during his squad leadership of Eclipse.  The man let out a small sigh as he fumbled through his pockets for the keycard to his new office.  Eclipse seemed so far away after all the positions he had run through in such a short span of time.

Nostalgia would have to wait for another time, for Riq was now settling into his new standard military issue desk with the files of the new troopers he had within his even newer squad.  Dante's file was on top, his Assistant Squad Leader.  Riqimo didn't spend much time flipping through that file as he had worked with Dante in the past, although not for any extended period of time.  Saph was also within his squad, the Twi'lek that seemed to have a slight grudge against him.  He never understood it, but she was a formidable trooper in her own right and he respected that.

The remaining four troopers were fresh out of basic and most likely eager to begin serving the cause of the Empire.  jk81 was a 19 year old human from Corellia, and Riqimo knew right off the start that that trooper would most likely be quick to action against the New Republic due to his blaming the NR for the deaths of his parents.  Riq winced slightly and knew that he'd have to keep a general eye at that one on some of their missions.

Private Hex was an interesting one, an Iridonian who also lost parents and went from weapon assembly to mercenary work.  What truly caught Riq's eye were the mentions of his getting along with Jawas, but that was another whole matter entirely that Riq shrugged off from his mind so he could actually read all the personnel files before deploying.

Wyrm was perhaps the first one he saw immediately suitable to the recon spec of the squad.  Apparently this 20 year old human smuggler/raider had a preference to stealth.  The psych profile which mentioned nightmares of his parents also dying started to give Riq the feeling he was now running an orphanage squad.

The fourth and last recruit, Beta40, apparently wasn't an orphan per se, but was thrown out of his home on Tatooine and lived with Jawas until about recently when he came to the Stormtrooper Corps at the age of 29, only one year Riqimo's senior, but still greener when it came to the Empire.

Riqimo set the files down and rubbed his eyes.  He had an interesting group, and he probably could find plenty of ways to connect to them on personal levels.  It would be an edgy first mission though, as the troopers didn't know each other quite well and thus the squad trust level wasn't as high as perhaps it would be ideally.

Still, Riq was confident that his group would work as efficiently as a military squad as possible.  Their lives did depend on it after all.  Riq flicked out his desk lamp and raised his feet upon his desk before dozing off.

---

The next day...

"I trust ya'll found the barracks suitable for the night?" Riqimo was now in front of a podium in the small briefing room assigned to Iron Horse.

Nods came from the troopers seated before him and Riq held off a slight shrug, "Glad to hear, as we'll be heading out with less suitable sleeping arrangements in a little while.  Our mission brings us to Corellia for recon purposes.  We will be landed under cover of night in a forest southeast of a small city called Kyrit.  The only defense we know about is a twenty meter tall wall that surrounds the city. Once we touch down, we only have seven hours to complete our objective. So, do any of you have questions about this thus far?"

"What equipment are be bringing along?" Dante asked.

"Good question. Your equipment will be this squad's standard equipment, without the speeder biks however.  Each of you will have a set of Storm Commando Armor, an E-11/M Marksman blaster rifle, a SH9 Silenced Slugthrower, and a hush-98 comlink.  If you feel the need to bring along a personal weapon or item, please do so within reason.  Dante and myself will both be carrying a SE-Vigilant Automated Sensor Beacon each.  Two of you will also have a PX-7 Heat Sensor, and another person will have a Communications Scanner.  I am not certain on whom will get those items yet though."

Riqimo shrugged, "We'll want to avoid as much enemy confrontation as possible and infiltrate ourselves into the city.  Once we actually find the munitions plants and weapons factories, we are to report their locations and plant beacons so they may be bombarded.  If we are not out before our time is up and the beacons are not active, the entire city will unfortunately be bombarded, civilian casualties will be through the roof, by the chance we are still alive, we will will probably be killed in the bombardment as well."

The squad leader tried to fake a small smile, "So I hope that's something that won't happen at all.  Else this squad is going to close rather quickly."

"Anyways," Riqimo shuffled his notes on the podium, "We're leaving from docking bay 7, section D in about 4 hours, so until then, familiarize yourselves with each other, equipment.  Maybe walk through the base a little to see what's around.  Just try to be there 30 minutes early so I can update you on any intel that we may have gained since then."

The 1st Lieutenant gave a small wave in place of a salute, "Ya'll are dismissed."

OOC:

Alright then. Here it is. I want everyone to try to get a post out about what they do in those three hours and then getting to the hangar bay by the end of tomorrow (Friday night). Let's get to this and prove that this Iron Horse generation deserves a place in the army and can more than live up to it's prestigious past.

Oh, and I kind of rushed it a little, so that's why it's a short beginning and there may be a few errors. Just forgive those little things if there are any.

Any questions, feel free to ask on our squad topic or via PM to me.

After just being in Jester squad and taken out quite quickly, Beta was wondering what was going to happen. He stood up, trying to ignore the eyes staring holes in the back of his head, and he left the room. As Beta and the rest of the squad had three hours, he needed to make the best of his time. As Beta wanted to prepare for the mission he had some preparing to do...

(45 minutes later)

On his way back from picking up some items, Beta looked at what he bought: some beer, water, and a couple of grenades. Beta decided that he was going to bring the grenades, just incase someone needed them. Beta had his blaster rifle, two blaster pistols, two combat knives and his grenades.

Am I over packed? He thought Nah.

Beta paused, looked behind, left and right, and then decided that no one was looking. He pulled up his sleeve and looked at what he had never shown anyone and he didn't even put it in his profile, his mechanical elbow. It was his biggest secret and no one knew and no one is supposed to know. Beta detected footsteps behind him so he hid his elbow and turned around. It was TK5791, his third friend in the VE.

"Hey..." Beta started off saying but was interrupted by TK.

"So I heard you were moved already"

"Ya, I was put in Iron Horse right after being put in Jester"

"I know, I haven't even been even put in a squad yet"

At that point there was silence. Beta started walking the other way and quickly waved goodbye. He could hear TK walking away so as a joke he searched his pockets and found a coin. Beta threw the coin at TK and ran off. As he felt safe he started walking again. While Beta was walking back he tripped and fell on the ground. He looked and saw a pair of boots in front of him. Beta stood up, grabbed his blaster pistol and pointed it at the man’s face. He put the blaster away when he saw Riqimo standing in front of him with a faint smile on his face.

“Sorry, sir” Beta said as he was about to walk off. His squad leader stopped him and Beta turned around.

“2 hours left, Beta. Make sure to be ready.”

“Yes, sir” were Beta’s last words and he walked off.

As Beta was walking to his personal items, Dante glared at him. Trying to ignore that Beta found his armour and weapons. He picked them up and glanced at them. He had an hour and a half left before he had to be at the hangar. Beta picked up his rifle and sat in the corner, finding all the settings for it and even taking it apart and rebuilding it. It is what he is the most skilled at, building things.

(Another hour later)

Beta had half an hour left before he had to be at the hangar.

Docking bay seven, Docking bay seven, Beta thought as he stood up.

He put on his storm commando armour, which seemed a lot like the armour he had in Jester, yet a lot different. Beta grabbed his rifle, put is blaster pistols in their respective holsters, put his knives in their holsters, right behind the blaster pistols and put his duffel bag over his shoulder. Beta was ready for his first mission in this squad and he knew it. He ran to the docking bay and was the only one there. So he sat and waited...

Novacaine walked into the briefing room as everyone began to stand up and exit it. Without hesitation, the overly large Wookiee strode up to the First Lieutenant and introduced himself while he gave a quick salute.

[Prrivate Firrst Class Wirrika rreporting forr duty sirr,] he growled. Taking the transfer request papers and glancing over them rather speedily. Shifting his gaze once more to the newly reinstated troop, Riqimo gave a small, but thoughtful welcome before discussing the squad's first mission.

*****

The Wookiee held his new blaster, the E-11/M marksman blaster, in one hand, while examining it's many settings and adjustments on both the scope and the weapon itself. He placed it back in his bag of goodies and pulled out a new stromtrooper suit next. It looked beautiful freshly painted black. Nova gazed at it with awe for a few moments before slipping the armor on just to make sure it fit.

Several minutes, and several heartbeats later, and the Iron Horse's signature armor was on. It felt a bit tight around the arms and thighs, but was otherwise comfortable. After a few missions it would loosen up and feel like his old armor. Novacaine precariously gandered a peek at the clock in the barracks and realized that he was running late. Slinging his bag over his shoulder and running out of the door, Nova sprinted toward the docking bay in an attempt to salvage anytime that he had already lost.

What a grreat way to starrt off in a new squad he thought to himself.

Saphira nodded with the others during the meeting. After a long time of bein ginbetween squads she  was happy to once again belong ina group. Although  she wasn't pleased that Doc was their  leader ( it brought back memories of Eclipse) she wasn't about to  play er little tircks on him..  yet.

PLesent thought.. I'll have time to  toy with his min dlater.. Heck.. I can do it now by simply smiling..


So smile she did as she saw doc take a glance in her direction and then roll it off.  With her own shrug she listened to the breif and hugged her data pad under her arm before filing out.  Her muscles ached to  fight and have once again the freedom of being with team mates. Though, she didn't know many of them it was all good. To ap oint at least. She had  never seen the others in comabt so it woul d be more placing out on a wing when it came to a fight. How their response time would  be among other things.

So, while the others walked off to prep their own gear and  bags Saph did the same. Though, she tossed in a few extra things like her favorite vibroblade that held the hand of a wrench. Antother memory of her days long  past of being a rookie in a squad.  She also tossed in one TD and a spare hip blaster. One couldn't  have enough firepower and Saphire prefered being extra prepeared. Besides, when things went BOOM it was fun to watch.  Finialy, after finishing she hurried to grab something to eat and then raced off to the hanger bay. Finishing off a ration  as she entered and paced up to where  their SL was. Perfect timing as their ship was now comming forth.


"That is our ship?" Saphira asked in the only time he heard her whisper with a slight hint of shock.

"Aye, that is the trademark ship of the Iron Horsies.  Unfortunately they didn't spend much time repairing it while the squad was closed, so we'll make do.

"And let's start boarding," Riqimo gestured to the now lowered loading ramp.


Saph couldn't help but look to the others of the squad as her Lek twitched. Her black flamed  pattern seemed to roll as she watched the others start to board.

"Ah.. Are you sure it won't fall apart with a single lazer shot.. or worse.. Hyperspace?"

Riq gave her a grin.

"What?  Are you afarid Saphira?"


He could see her tense with that as she turned and glared at him.


" I am not afarid..."

Stomping her feet up the ramp she quickly stowed her bag and buckled up next to Beta and JK81.  The ship  then  drew out of the docking bay as she felt the thing make  metalic rumbeling noises from the engine.


"Standby, hyperspace jump in three, two, one,"


They jumped into hyperspace and Saph braced for warning blares in case the thing was  being torn apart. WHen it didn't she was suprised.


I guess it's tougher then it looks

Most of the time during the prep and even during the flight Hex just seemed to be keeping to himself, picking up the conversations around him but not really wanted to join into any.

The whole parent thing between Beta and JK had put in a lot of un-need tension, it made Hex smirk for a split second that JK seemed to have cached in the corner of his eye. Hex just continued to keep his eye closed listening on though.

To avoid too much conversation Hex sat there checking every little piece of his LJ-90 Sniper Blaster Rifle and sharpening the Vibroaxe that he brought along. His excuse was the best way to kill on recon is with a sharp blade. Also that the standard rifle was too un-accurate for his own preferences.

He also brought along a Coynite Disruptor Pistol for quite kills, and a DARK EYE PROBE DROID for scouting. It is Hex's personal droid, it's also obvious that Hex has had it for a long time.

Riqimo sat down next to Hex telling him he should get to know the squad, "we do have to be able to depend on each other."  Hex said nothing for a min untill he looked over and replied:
"You can only learn about and how to trust another in battle, any other attempt is pointless..."

Riqimo sighed at Hex not to sure what to say back...

Hex was in the same mind set as Beta.. This was gonna be a good long 15 hours.

Saphira arched her right eye when one of the troopers opend a beer and then offered another to his compaion. It wasn't the best ideas. Drinking before a mission. Even if they did have some time. But, it was their choice if they chose. All she had to do was sit back and  watch them for now. It was the yell of not talking about so-and-so's parents that made the Twi'lek move from her spot.


I feel like these guys are kids...


It was an inital reaction when she pushed past Riq and the others to find somethign to eat. At least she found a much better way to obscure her time and eating a few protin bars would help with energy.  Drinking would slow senses down even on the best and it made Saph  un easy that  their SL actually wanted one.

"Some things.. change. I guess..."


She muttered before chewing thoughtfully on a  chocolate flaverd  ration. It was good and  offered plently of  energy she would need for later.


"You can only learn about and how to trust another in battle, any other attempt is pointless..."


Saph paused  and leaned on  the her right shoudler on the bulkhead when she  saw the one named Hex speak.  A slow smile curved her lips as Riq seemed to just move on to whatever duties he had.


"Ya know.. you're right about that.. But alot can be learned as far as reaction timing by just getting to know them..."


The Twi'lek spoke up to  Hex wih a slow curve of a smile on her lips.

" I do not think that I have ever tried testing that out... well out side of combat that is."



Saphira gave a slight nod to him. The feeling of  something more amusing  streached across her face, but more showed in her eyes.  She had seen a group like this.. but last time it was  with new trainees when she ran a few  groups of trainees.


"Think of an obcerver to the rancor or Wampa.. By tracking movements and habits you learn much about that creature. The same can be said for your teammates. If one plays and gambles with Sabbacc too much, you  could  take they are a gambler and may risk more in a tight spot.. or other logical assumptions."

==REMOVED FOR SANITY==

Hex quickly snatched the container a cm in front of his face.
Giving Saphira a wink he simply replied "ehh nothing is ever what it seems, that's the beauty of it." As Hex put his arms behind his head relaxing, then added in "Also assuming can cost you your life in some situations, don't assume I underestimated you, I just wanted to see your reaction"

Just then Hex heard a blaster shoot...that not everyone semed to notice. He thought to himself "I wonder if Beta and JK got into a fight? they are the only ones who come to mind.... ehh its probably nothing serious"

Hex rolled his eyes saying with a grin

" The ship is not going to fall apart from the trip let alone under us. but with whatever those guys are doing... Its better they do it on the ship then off it I guess....  If they try this during the mission I wont hesitate to immobile anyone of them with my coynite pistol if i have to.."

Hex question Saphire "So do you really think we are the best squad of troopers for recon? I'll just find it amusing when we pull it of"

Hex relaxed as if he was in a comfy bed slowly saying: "All too true, but everyone has tainted blood for one reason or another... so why is it in your blood?"

He could also hear commotion going on in the other part of the ship. Perhaps someone actually got shot.. ether way Hex was too relaxed to really worry about it.

Hearing the all-too-familiar sounds of blasters, he gave a silent laugh to himself. I'm quite sure the blood runs after we get to the target location, not before. he joked with himself a lot to amuse him of things he doesnt understand, then he goes to try and look.

Moving down the small corridor from where he heard the blaster shots. When he got there, he was amazed by the sight: a bloody arm. "Aww shit," he yelled out, "Is anyone a medic on this ship?"

A few people came by to see it, spotting the arm on the ground. A few groans, mutters, and sighes rang out, but the real questions were of whom and where. "Better go tell Doc..." he said to himself.

He made his way to the pilot's area, seeing Doc. "Umm, sir, we have a minor inconvenience right now." He told him.

"I know, I heard the blaster shots and I still haven't been told what the hell happened." Doc replied.

"Well, err, I kinda found a dismembered arm and Beta, one of the new guys, is most likely the guy who lost it since he has a missing one, sir." He said.

Doc got up from his seat, "By the dead emperor, can't the kids behave till we get there? Take me to the arm." He said as he put the ship on auto-pilot.

"All too true, but everyone has tainted blood for one reason or another... so why is it in your blood?"

  The Twi'lek  straightend and looked at him with a glare that was of cold steel She was trying to find an answer when Dante walked in and gave them all cold looks that said they were all in trouble,

Oh snap..

"All of you, over there, now." the Platoon Sergeant ground out, a finger twitching against his M5 rifle's trigger.


"Great.. a Party? This should be fun..." Growled Saphira as she stood with Hex right behind her. They filed out as Dante gave her a cold look that said it wasn't funny. "They always over dramatise it.."

"Horses, this is Private Beta-40. The wound on his arm was inflicted by a blaster rifle of some sort. One of you shot him. Hand over your helmets, all of you."

The squad blinked and simply stared.

"All of you, now!" Riqimo roared. The troopers quickly complied, even Dante. Pressing a button mounted on a wall panel, the Squad Leader set up a feed from the helmet recorders and another from the cabin's security holocam.


Wel lthis can't be good..



Thankfully she was glade for once that  she had stayed out of trouble. Gathering the feed woudln't be an issue other then mabey Riq seeing  Hex launch the ration bowl at her head  to which she complied. That wasn't warrent for nothing at the moment. Though, the way  Riq was staring them all down he was mighty pissed at them for what happened.


"Come on Doc.. It was -"

"Quiet Saphira..." 

Doc  growled and started to watch the feed fly by.


"Iron Horse is not a Joke.. and were not even oin a mission yet and someone decides to pull this crap?! I won't  have this Squadrens name be slandered in the mud."


"Uh. Doc.. Don't you mean blood?"  Saph added to which  Doc turned and gave her a deathly cold glare. Shuttign her mouth she only smirked and stared the challenge down as a few troopers snickered from her comment.

OOC:

Alright, no shot whatsoever was fired.  Work for everyone?  Sorry if it invalidates most of your posts, but it would be quite a headache to try and sort that out so it actually worked   As such, I am jumping ahead slightly in the story.

"We've bypassed their security checkpoints, heading in for planetary descent shortly," Riq shouted back to the rest of the squad, "I haven't done any landings for a while, so I suggest you buckle up."

Hrm, probably shouldn't have said that, Riq shrugged as he turned back to the controls and guided their descent towards a small clearing in the wooded area that was their Deployment Zone.

Besides the small rumble that shuddered through the ship and the sound of what may have been bits of metal plating falling off the ship in the atmospheric entry, the Iron Stallion landed without a problem.  It was after the smooth landing that a slight issue arose.

Suddenly the ship lurched forward and anything not tied down went rolling to the front of the ship rather quickly.  Riqimo winced as he climbed out of his pilot's chair, very thankful that it had a full back that prevented anything from actually injuring him.

"Erm, well, front landing leg snapped," Riqimo smiled weakly, "but we're here, about an hour til actual nightfall, so ahead of schedule.    We have eight hours instead of the seven, so should give us time to actually scout our way around this place.  We do not enter the city until nightfall actually occurs."

Riq glanced back at the cockpit, "I'll let you guys sort out which blaster is yours, let's get our armor on and be ready to head out in about 20 minutes.  We'll be splitting into three groups of three, we'll go by the standard roster assignment process."

My group, Alpha Group, will take the straight path to the city.  Dante's group, which is Beta group, will veer slightly off to the right.  Gamma Group, Saph's folks, will venture off to the left slightly.

Our first priority is scouting defenses and determining how to get over the wall.  Once we have a means, we'll go over.  Please maintain regular check ins via comm.  Our comm systems are more then well encrypted and we should thus be fine."

With that, Riqimo started donning the black armor plastoid plates and clipping the rest of his equipment on carefully so that it would make as little noise as possible while he moved.  For a personal weapon, he had brought along both a short virbosword (about 20" long) and his signature sai that almost never left his side.

When Iron Horse was all geared up and ready to go, Riqimo hoisted up the SE-Vigilant's strap over his neck so the pole would be secured on his back, but not catching any branches as he passed and whipping them into the helmets of those following behind him,  "Alright Iron Horse, time for a little hike, remember check in via comm every 10 minutes and if you are forced to engage enemy forces, report the contact immediately if it is safe to do so.  Good luck out there."

OOC:

Standard Roster Assignment process for groups of three will put us as follows:

Riqimo
jk81
Beta40

Dante
Alucard
Nova

Saphira
Wyrm780
Tyrantis


In the incident where no SL or ASL is present in a group, seniority takes precedence.  So Saph is treated as the leader of group 3, although she holds no actual position to do so.

Sitting up from the unexpected fall and failing of landing gear. With a look-up on side of things, he is at least a little bit woke up. "Heh, either Doc is too much of a good driver or this ship is a piece of shit as of the moment." Vaas said.

"Cut the crap Tyrantis and go get your weapon." Beta said in a angry slur as he held his head.

With that said, he went to his duffle bag that he carries his mission weapons in. He took out an E-11/M, a few extra magazines, and his M3 Pistol as a sidearm. After that, he met up with Saphira, the scout leader.

"So what's the plan, ma'am?" He asked Saph.

"First, please do not call me ma'am. And two... we just do what Doc says. We go to the left." Saphira responded.

"So... nothing more, nothing less?" He said with another question.

"That seems to be the case. I'm sure the group will come up with something more as we go along." She said.

"Makes sense to me. Just tell me when we move out, please." Tyrantis said as he took out a lung blaster and lit it in his mouth.

"Don't worry, I won't." She said with a slight smile as she walked away from him. As he waited for the cue to go, he ventured into his thoughts, of all unknown answers crawled out of the caves in his mind.

_______________________________________________________________

With about 2 minutes passed, Saph gave him and Wyrm the go. The 3 man, and woman, team began their scouting of the mission area....