Alan was happy to see Lucky before him.  She staggered slightly and Alan helped her steady herself.  She looked around disorientated and Alan knew just how she felt as he had felt it too when he first awoke.

“Where, where am I?” queried Lucky in a very uncertain voice.

“Take it easy” replied Alan, “the disorientation will pass”.

Alan helped Lucky to a seat and sat with her so that she could get her bearings.  He knew how disorientating this was but he knew she would come around in time.  Getting her a glass of water he handed it to her and she started to come around.

“How do you feel?” asked Alan.

“Well I’ve got a splitting headache but I’m ok” replied Lucky, “where are we?”

“Look around” replied Alan, “doesn’t it look familiar?”

Lucky glanced around the room and her eyes started opening as she took in the surroundings.

“But this is” said Lucky.

Alan didn’t let her finish as he knew what she was going to say, “yeah, I know”.

“Is this a replica?” asked Lucky, “how can we be here, we were on Moorja a few moments ago”.

“I thought that at first but look over there” said Alan, pointing.

Lucky looked over in the direction that Alan pointed and she gasped.  She could hardly believe what she saw.

“What is going on?” she asked.

“You’d better see this” said Alan as he pressed a button on a nearby console.

A holographic image of a man appeared.  Lucky recognised him immediately and listened to the message that he had to say.  She couldn’t believe her ears as she listened to the message.

“You have got to be kidding me, it can’t be, it just can’t be” said Lucky.

“I’m afraid it is true” replied Alan, “I couldn’t believe it at first”.

“But that would mean” said Lucky.

“I know” replied Alan cutting her off again.

“I can’t get over this” said Lucky.

“Neither could I” replied Alan, “but we’ve got work to do”.

“Agreed” replied Lucky, “let’s get to it”.

Lucky and Alan set to work.

Looking out the window Katarn was content. Then a holographic image appeared. At first it startled Katarn, the fact that a Rebel leader contacted our squad for no apparent reason was puzzling. But it wasn't only just a leader, it was practically the leader of the Alliance, Mon Mothma!

“Was that who I think it was?” asked Katarn.

“Think so” said Zeshaun.

“Wondered what she wanted” said Finch sitting next to Zeshaun.

“Who knows Finch” said Katarn.

"Oh my, I just realised, that was Mon Mothma" said TK.

It dissapeared, and TK mumbled something about the storm, then it suddenly reappeared. But then second it came, it also went, but was replaced by a gigantic, and strange alien.

“Greetings, Imperial squad, Paladin” said the unyielding voice.

Katarn heard someone sigh then in the same direction, TK said "What do you want?"

The alien retorted and called them his pets, mumbled something then bid us a strange farewell. When it was gone, Katarn leaned over to Finch and asked what is was.

"I don't know that much, but they call it Vong." she stated.

"Hmm, thanks." replied Katarn then he went back to stare out the port side. About a minute later TK called the Vong a kid, and we all started laughing. Just then the ship was ripped apart by some unknown force. Everyone was thrown around and I noticed Zesh hit his head hard, and was thrown into uncounciousness. Katarn also hit his head, as his vision started to fade he heard one of his fellow squadmates cry for help. When the shuttle crashed to the ground, it woke Katarn. He got up and shook his head clear of the buzzes. He then looked around to see the rest of his squadmates awake, but there was someone missing. Katarn heard him name, and when he turned around he saw TK all banged up. He ran over to TK and noticed his foot lodged underneath the debris.

Crying out in pain TK shouted "Get my foot out of there!"

Nodding, Katarn grabbed his leg, and yanked.

Alan and Lucky looked in front of them and saw a row of people with wires strapped to their foreheads.  Alan still couldn’t get over the fact that here lay the Paladin squad.  Alan and Lucky set to work unplugging the squad from the machines. 

The squad groaned and rubbed their foreheads as they staggered around, dizzy and disorientated.  Lucky and Alan helped each of them to chairs and sat them down.  They waited until the squad had a chance to come around fully.

“Oh man, my head hurts” commented Zeshaun.

“Of course it hurts” replied TK, “you crashed the shuttle”.

“It wasn’t my fault” objected Zeshaun.

“He always says that” said Njall sarcastically.

“Wait a second, but where are we?” queried Finch.

The squad suddenly stopped their banter and looked around the room suddenly realising that they were no longer onboard a crashed shuttle.

“Call me crazy but it looks like Paladin’s briefing room on Tadath” said Katarn.

“Don’t be silly, how could we be back on Tadath, we are on Moorja” objected Greywolf.

“I’m afraid to say that Katarn is correct” said Alan, “we are on Tadath”.

“But how did we get here/” queried TK

“You all need to see this” stated Lucky with a grave look on her face, “and be prepared, this will shock some of you”.

Pressing a button a holographic image came up.  The squad instantly recognised it as Cosmic, Prefect of the Vast Empire.

“To all troops on Tadath, our defences have been deactivated and we are in lockdown mode.  A hostile force led by a Hutt name of Pratt has taken control.  Somehow they have gained our access codes and have shut us down.  If anyone is able to mobilise against this threat then do so.  This is a dark day for the Vast Empire”.

“Did he just say Pratt” commented Zeshaun.

“He’s dead” added TK.

“It seems that our mission to Nubia was not a success.  I’m guessing that at some point we were captured and linked into some form of artificial reality” said Alan.

“Hang on, let me get this straight.  You’re telling us that our mission to Moorja was just a simulation” commented Finch.

“Looks like it” said Lucky.

“Somehow my equipment malfunctioned and I was removed from the virtual environment, otherwise we would all still be in there now” added Alan.

“But how the heck did Pratt get access to our security codes?” queried Zeshaun.

“I think that must be my fault” said Lucky

“You’re fault?” queried Katarn.

“Yeah, when we thought the mission was over I entered in my security codes to send a message to Tadath.  Looks like in the virtual world, Pratt could monitor everything that was going on” said Lucky.

“So, what do we do?” queried TK/

“It looks like every squad has been put into lock down.  I’m guessing that Pratt thinks we are out of the picture because we are in his virtual world.  So the plan is simple, we take the fight to Pratt and put an end to him for real this time” said Alan.

“I like that plan” said Zeshaun.

Alan and Lucky slipped out of the briefing room and started to make their way down the corridors of Tadath and to their luxury condo.  Alan hoped that his droids were ok and wondered whether or not they had intruders.

“Someone’s coming” whispered Lucky.

Alan nodded and they moved into a darkened doorway.  Alan’s blasters were in his hands but he preferred not to draw any attention.  I wonder what kind of force Pratt has on Tadath pondered Alan as he watched two mercenaries walk past, their blaster rifles lowered.

“I guess they’re not expecting any kind of trouble” said Alan after the mercenaries had gone past.

“Indeed, but that will soon change once we start causing trouble” commented Lucky, “come on”.

They carried on down the corridors and finally came across their luxury condo.  Lucky’s rifle was in her hand as she nodded to Alan.  The door slid open and immediately Lucky and Alan burst through the room, weapons raised.

Immediately blaster bolts flew towards them and Alan realised that it was his own super battle droids that were causing the shots.

“Stand down!” yelled Alan.

The droids immediately stopped their firing and lowered their arms.  Alan stood up and glowered at them and then took in the sight before him.  Several dead mercenaries littered the floor.  Blaster bolt holes in the walls were still alight.

“What a mess” said Lucky as she looked around.

“Sir is that really you?” queried a metallic voice.

Alan smiled as he recognised the voice immediately as being his Betty droid.  Several beeps sounded shortly after the query and Alan was glad to see that both Betty and his R2 unit were undamaged.

“Hi Betty, how are you doing?” queried Alan.

“Oh I am just glad to see you intact Sir, when we heard about those evil vile men taking over Tadath we feared you might have been harmed” said Betty.

“I’m ok too” commented Lucky.

“Yes, we’re both fine” added Alan.

“Whatever should we do?” queried Betty, “what if those men come back”.

“Lock the door and hope they don’t have blasters” suggested Lucky.

Alan smiled and added “the battle droids here seem to have done a good job so far, stay here and let them protect you”.

“Very good” stated Betty, “take care of yourself”.

“We will” said Lucky, who then added “you could tidy up around here”.

Alan smiled as he nodded to Lucky that it was time to leave.  He could hear the grumblings of his droid as he locked the door behind him and headed back to the briefing room.

Alan and Lucky moved back through the corridors and soon returned back to the briefing room.  They were glad to see that everyone was still there, although they looked like they were fully kitted with weapons and armour. 

I guess they must have went and got their gear together thought Alan as he was glad to see the fully loaded squad.  Something was wrong thought Alan, looking around the ranks Alan suddenly noticed that two troopers were missing.

“Where’s TK and Katarn?” queried Alan.

“They went to Katarn’s room but haven’t returned” replied Finch

“Great, I hope they haven’t got into any trouble” said Alan.

“Why not get onto the com and find out where they are?” queried Zeshaun.

“Too risky” replied Lucky, “Pratt and his goons may be monitoring”.

“Well I guess we go to Katarn’s room and look for them there” said Alan.

Suddenly his pad buzzed.  Alan took out his pad and glanced down at it.  There was a message from TK, he read it quickly.  He sighed as he read that TK and Katarn had been captured.

“Looks like we need to rescue TK and Katarn from the armoury” said Alan.

“Let’s move out to the armoury” said Lucky. “but lets keep our wits about us, if Pratt’s goons have intercepted that message then we will be walking into a trap”.

“Well only thing to do is spring the trap” commented Zeshaun.

“Sounds like fun” said Alan as he grabbed his blasters from his holsters, “let’s move it people”.

Exiting the briefing room, the squad started to make their way slowly through the corridors towards the armoury.  They were expecting trouble at any minute and Alan’s senses were on high alert.

I’m sure Pratt will have a welcoming party for us in the armoury thought Alan as they approached the armoury.

Greywolf left the droid and slowly made his way back to his apartment. In the hall, was a mercenary standing outside a door. there were other voices from in side but that mattered not. The man did not hear Greywolf as he aproached from the rear. when he was withing grabbing distance Grey reached out, grabed the merc's head and gave a hard twist to the right.

the merc dropped to the floor dead. Greywolf bent to search the body for a knife when he heard the other mercs head back for the door. He found one just as the first merc stepped out. Greywolf plunged the knife deep in the mercs head. As he dropped Greywolf shot the third.

He dragged all the bodies into the apartment and closed the door. As he made it to his apartment he found the door wide open. He readied his rifle and stepped into the room. Nothing. He walked into the bedroom and still nothing. the roids were still deactivated, his clothes were strewn around the room though. he walked back into the other room and liffted the rug in the center. his safe box was untouched aswell as its contents.

Greywolf reactivated the assassin droid and told it to shot any unfriendly targets.

"Understood master"

Greywolf headed back to the briefing room and made it there just before Lucky and Alan. He noticed that two of their squad members were missing, TK and Katarn.

Where are TK and Katarn?" asked Greywolf to finch.

"They went to Katarn's room and haven't come back yet."

Chas was looking down over the armoury he hid himself well on one of the supportbeams of the building, he was looking over his LJ-90 Sniper Blaster Rifle, waiting for the right moment. When he was reporting in for duty and checking in at the armoury he had quiet the surprise waiting for him. 

There were strangers in the base, and he only just escaped from their grasp, being unarmoured as he was at the time, the situation could've gone bad in just a few seconds.

In the moments waiting he found the time and some gear to get him occupied. But now he got stuck in the armoury. There was a huge ammount of mercenaries piling up.....

Time ticked by.. untill the doors were kicked open. And support was at hand. Chas quickly took aim and starting taking people out. :" How the hell am i going to talk myself out of this one" i thought to myself."

It seemed that the squad of troopers were giving preasure on them. They were needing to find shelter, rather stacked up he added. a evil smirk crossed his face, and he undid a few grenades tapping em for the good time sequence. he threw em in one by one. Shedding through the numbers. Screams of agony and torment. The drug of battle was getting to much. Chas uncovered his blaster rifle, and let himself slip down to ground level.

A little eased up Chas moves into line.  putting his sniper on his back again.  Still there was soo much adrenaline in his body that it was hard to keep check. When the people that had surprised the mercenaries almost shot 'm. 

"Great meeting" he thought to himself. " Must be my bloody luck"

He took a quick minute to still check all the rest of his gear. Glad that atleast he got away from his hiding spot." It was starting to get cramped up there. " he thought.

Moments later he noticed that these guys weren't joking either. There were even more introducers in the base. And they took care of em with iron fist. Or so he would've guessed.


"Bloody well made a mess down ere, Didn't i boss? " he said to AlanJR

Only responds Chas was a weird look back though.

Lucky quickly stepped forwrd to him and smacked 'm across the face.

"You do know that this place is filled with explosives don't you? Enough to blow half the base to pieces numskull." She said.

Chasme shrugged. "Took care of the job still  didn't i? " 

AlanJR laughed: "Hehe thank god you were lucky enough not to hit any of the explosives."

"We can't have any luck, we're trained to do this. Next time think before you act. " Lucky said.

"I'd rather be lucky then skilled any day." Chas whimperedto himself.

"So uhm, what'd you want me to do Sir?" He asked

TK pondered vigorously, trying to entrench a plan into his head. Within moments of the message Pratt delivered TK had an idea. The first in some time; since his last mission, against Pratt, the unbearable surprises and suspense he had placed upon the squad.

“Maybe, if we disguise our self with these selfish scumbags, we can slip in without a doubt” suggested TK bending over a large body

“Well, I suppose, he didn’t see our faces, worth a try” said Lucky

“There it is, drag the corpses into the armory and loot them dry and report back up top” whispered Alan

TK gave a ice cold glare the new recruit just what we need, new blood he thought shaking his head hard

“What is it” asked Chas

“Oh, nothing, another idea, but it would have been suicide” covered TK

The repulserlift shot down the tube, within moments the squad was looking for the “right size” disguise

TK found his and dragged it behind a small locker; he took his armor off, showing his fine body, and his underwear. He took off the guard’s mabari armorweave armor and equipped it.

“You suit purple” snorted Katarn

TK clipped Katarn as he walked by to Lucky

“Reporting” he said at attention

“Okay, your orders are as follows: Act tough, if someone provokes, shrug it off” she said peacefully

“Oh my lord, we’re gangsters” laughed TK

“Act like him?” asked Chas in amazement

“Don’t worry kid, you will get over him, I did” said Katarn before unleashing a grimace

“Wowwy, almost killed me with ya breath” retorted TK

“Shut up, you two” ordered Lucky

“All up” yelled Alan
TK stepped on with the squad, his first undercover mission was underway.

TK left the lift by pushing Chas aside, he may be a head taller but TK was ahead of him in strength and stamina. Chas fell to the floor but stood back up to throw a punch at TK. However, due to Chas’ predictable movements Alan prevented him from going any further.

“Fracking stop it you two” said Alan trying to bring peace “Your like babies, you don’t even know each other”

“Yeah maybe we can get to know him at a dinner party” laughed Katarn

“Yes with miniscule cups of tea and teddy bears” said TK continuing the laughter

TK watched as Chas lifted a hand, but heard voices behind him; he lifted his hand and placed the other on his blaster.

“Ah, did you find those petty Imperials?” asked a mercenary

“No, we did not, punks must of slipped away” said TK ferousously

“Calm down kid, we will find them soon don’t worry” said the mercenary, who was completely falling for the trick

“We better” said Katarn following TK’s example again

“Pardon?” quiered the mercenary

“What my misguided counterpart is trying to say is: that he wants to bring down these punks to an inhuman death” said Finch

“I like his style” laughed the Mercenary

“You guys better go see Hamlin” said another mercenary

“Pratt’s right hand man?” asked Lucky

“Yup” said the mercenary “You work for his ‘lord’ and you don’t know who he is?”

“Just making sure, but we will head right on up there” said Lucky

The disguised squad made their way down some corridors until they reached a halt, the briefing room had been taken over. They stepped inside and was greeted by a hollow voice

“You must be Hamlin?” asked Alan

“Sure am” said Hamlin keeping with his hollow voice
TK investigated the man, but instead he was not a man, he was the Vong from the simulation.

“He was from the simulation” whispered TK

“I know, now keep quiet” said Alan nudging him

“What did you say kid?” Hamlin asked

“Asking when Pratt got out of his Palace” said TK

“Ah, he got out several days ago” Hamlin said

“Thank you” said Alan

More information on this guy and Pratt may lead us to ending this once and for all considered TK

TK watched as Hamlin pulled out several chairs

“Sit” Hamlin said

The squad walked over and sat down

“Now, I believe I never saw you lot before” said Hamlin curiously

“Newbies” said TK

“Names?” asked Hamlin

“I am Vaas Lowrider” said TK

“Vaas?” asked Hamlin

TK nodded hoping he would get this over with.

As the squad walked down the streets, Greywolf noticed something on his armor.

"Hey Alan come here and check this out."

"What is it?" asked Alan.

"I think its a map of the city and locations of opposing forces. it even shows us what buildings they are in." rplied Greywolf.

"I think it will be easier to find Pratt than we first thought." said Alan. "First we checkout the the building over there. it says there are quite a bit of people inside, but don't fire till i give the signal."

The sqaud fell into line and followed Alan into the building. Chass and TK were split up in the line to prevent further arguing. Once insie they made their way up to the top checking every room on the way for pratt and more of his goons.

Alan was right there were quite a few mercs in this building but with the disguises the mercs were easily disposed of. Unfortunatley Pratt was not inside.

"Let me see that again," said Alan, refering to the wrist computer. "I think i just found him. It's an apartment complex on the other side of the city."

"So what are we waiting for?" Asked Chass.

Tk mumbled something to Chass and they started to go at it again. Alan and Lucky got them broke up. And told them something. It seemed to get their attention.

The squad followed Alan to the building they though Pratt was in.

On the sign Chas instantly moved out to the left. Trying to avoid any other unpleasant surprise. This magna guards we're enough to handle for the minute.

Chas could hear lucky shout something over the sound of blasters. But he didn't quite hear it right.

A second  later he had Jumped free of a grenade. They were being ambushed from out of the building. There were atleast a half a dozen of them Shooting at the squad.

Mere instincts took over. As he rolled behind a wall. Taking up Position. Chas shouted: "Alan i need some assistance we're getting heavy fire from inside the building. "

Chas was surprised how fast alan reacted. In a mere heartbeat he was right next to chas. Already giving support fire for the rest to take care of the magna warriors.
"What are you waiting for! Take that sniper and start taking em out, i can't hold em out forever. " Alan sounded a bit annoyed.

Chas took up position and take his sniper out. And started to pick out easy targets. The first shot he blew half of a mercenaries scalp off. He noticed that Alan already had taken one down aswell. "Very impressive shot sir from this distance" Alan only laughed. Another shot of chas got one right into the neck. And another quick shot shot one of them straight through the heart. Chas laughed aloud. Alan gave him a puzzling look, What the hell are you laughing for?

Chas only laughed louder and through his laughter he was barely able to speak out the words "haha he.... fell... funny.... hehe"

He noticed that TK also put one of the mercenaries down.  Now there was only one left untill the 2 of em could help the rest with the magna guards.

With one guard down Greywolf got an idea. "Chas come here" called greywolf.

Chas ran over, "yes?"

Greywolf said, "Can you throw a grenade?" and without waiting fo a response handed Chas a frag grenade.

"What am i supposed to do with this?" asked Chas.

"Throw it as close to that guards face as you can, when i give the ready." replied Greywolf, as he brought up his sniper. "Ready!"

Chas trew the grenade. just as it passed by the magna guards head Greywolf fired. Direct shot. There was a moment when Greywolf thought it didn't work. he couldn't quite see because the dust the grenade kicked up. as the smoke cleared, the squad saw the guard standing up right rifle still raised, but without a face and a good chunk of arm missing. The guard toppled over to the ground.

"Good shot." Alan said walking over to Greywolf and Chas.

"Thankyou sir" they replied in unison.

"I could have done better." remarked Tk.

Greywolf held Chas as he tried to move over to Tk.

"Tk, one more time and I'm gunna get involved." said Alan, "you two are part of the same team. Start acting like it."

The squad moved over to the building now with more care then before.

"Watch yourselves, this is a great place for an ambush." said Lucky.

As the squad stepped in, the door closed and locked behind them.

"Ah. Paladin squad. So nice for you to join us. The welcoming party you just met was but a fraction of the forces you will face. Goodluck." The intercom died to the laghing of Pratt the hut.

"I'm really starting to hate that over grown slug" said greywolf.

"Now you know how we feel" Said Zeshaun thinking of how they killed Pratt the last mission.

Zeshaun was surprised at how easy those magna guards were to defeat. Pratt's losing his touch Zeshaun thought as he walked by the heaps of junk that used to be the magna guards. AS they entered the lobby of the building guarded by the magna guards, the laughter of Pratt filled the hallways. Zeshaun shuddered, he had heard that laugh one too many times. The lobby suddenly erupted in blaster fire and shards of the walls sprayed across their armor. Zeshaun took cover behind a large pillar that was holding up the ceilings. The blaster fire was coming form two E-webs down the hall. damn those things are annoying Zeshaun tried to wait for an opening in the E-web fire but with two of them they could fire continuously, one covering while the other reloaded. these mercs are almost as smart as the one's i worked with Zeshaun thought quickly pulling his head back as blaster bolts chewed through the corner of the pillar.

"Someone, needs to deal with those things." Chas yelled.

"We're all out of grenades." Greywolf and TK_421 said.

Zeshaun checked his stash as well and he only found smoke grenades. these probably won't do much Zeshaun pulled them out of his bag anyways and left them somewhere he could easily access them.

"All I got is smoke bombs." Zeshaun announced, in case anyone had any good ideas.

"Just use'm, better than nothing." Alan said.

Zeshaun shrugged and pulled the pins on the three smoke grenades. He rolled all three down the hall, a look of horror flashed across the gunners faces and then a sudden smoke screen and then an unexpected flash from within the smoke and the blaster fire suddenly stopped. Zeshaun, not suspecting a flashbang wasn't able to pull away fast enough and the he was blinded by the light.

"Zeshaun I said smoke bombs." Alan said, stumbling toward his position.

"My bad, I didn't know that their was a flashbang in their." Zeshaun said trying to regain his vision.

With everyone's vision slightly impaired it became a race of who would recover from the effects of the flashbang first, the paladin's or the mercenaries. Lucky seemed less effected then everyone else, she ushered other squad members to safe spots, more concerned with the safety of her squad than the easy kills she could be getting against the helpless mercenaries. This is why I love Paladin Zeshaun thought smiling to himself. His vision was coming back and he could still see the smoke screen although the smoke was starting to get thinner.

"Some one shoot those merc bastards!" Zeshaun yelled.

He heard a few blaster shots and Zeshaun tried to fire his rifle as well but the loud noise and the flash of the rifle hurt his eye and he couldn't aim at what he couldn't see through the smoke screen. Just as his eye sight was coming back to normal one of the E-webs started up again and Zeshaun had to take cover behind a reception desk. Damn, we coulda hade'm too. Zeshaun thought cursing himself for not realizing he had a flashbang in the mix. The squad started to open fire into the smoke as well, with the smoke screen still up the E-webs weren't as accurate and gave the paladin's more chances to fire back.

"How about if we use thermal vision." Chas suggested.

"Not a bad idea kid." TK_421 said.

Zeshaun smiled, hearing TK_421 call someone a kid was amusing, seeing as TK_421 was the kid of the squad not to long ago. Zeshaun switched to his thermal vision but the smoke was radiating enough heat to not clearly distinguish the mercenaries from the smoke. Zeshaun suddenly realized that the E-webs however were giving off enough heat to still be distinguishable and the mercenaries couldn't be too far away.

"Aim for the E-webs." Zeshaun yelled out.

"Guys! get their fire towards you!" yelled Greywolf as he equiped his two Ryyk kerathor Blades.

The squad look at him confused but did as he asked. Greywolf kept low and to the left side of the hallway as he charged the remaining E-Web. He was 3 feet away before the E-web saw him and by that time Greywolf was flying through the air at it blades ready to slash.

As greywolf landed on the E-Web the blades were a blur of steel. The mercenaries noticed the e-web down and greywolf on top of it feigning death. "I hope they buy it" though Greywolf to himself.

The fight continued as he hoped. shots flew past him in both directions. After the fight was over, Paladin squad cautiosly moved down the hall. Greywolf did not move incase any remaining mercs lurked close by.

As the squad moved closer, they noticed Greywolf lying dead on the floor. They squad was stunned at the fate of one of its members. As they offered there silent prayers, the pile started moving. In immediate responce the squad aimed their rifles. shortly noticing that the movement was caused by Greywolf getting up.

"Sorry if i startled you, but I didn't want to let the mercs know i was still alive inches away from them" said Greywolf.