The sky was dark and the only real light came from the ever more frequent bolts of lighting that seemed to striking in locations that would have been dangerous for the troopers defending the barricades. The rain had also begun to get stronger and was now pummelling the ground at such a speed that mini rivers where being produced within the town centre. Then a lingering source of light stuck in the distance, its was later found to be the building that Jae and Havock were in.

“I am going to move positions to try and fool the enemy.” Rogue stated as he pulled himself to his feet.

Karash’s expression showed great disapproval, “You can’t do that! If you move to the front line you won’t be able to retreat fast enough.”

RB screwed up his face as he tried to lift the E-web but fell back into his seat. “Damn it!” he cried.

“I told you that you won’t be able to move, let alone run to cover before becoming the latest victim.” Karash said, with a told you so attitude.

I the distance it pieces of buildings could be heard crumbling down and the barbarian spears could be also be heard smashing into buildings; Karash was concerned that no blaster fire could be heard as it either meant his squad mates were dead or that it could not be heard over the roar of rain and lightning. Karash decided that he and RB had better split up, so that when the time for the others to retreat came, the enemy would not be able to take them all out so easily.

“Rogue, I am going to move a few doors down to make sure we don’t get cornered by the enemy. And don’t try to move again without help.” Karash turned to leave.

“See ya later nurse.” RB gave a nod and a wave as Karash went out into the town centre.

The weather was actually worse than he had imagined as the rain really was pummelling down on to the streets and the thunder seemed to shake the fragile buildings. As more lightning struck just a few feet away from Karash he decided that he had better just get back inside and went into a building just two doors down from the one he had previously been in.

“Jae, its Karash. RB and I split up. I'm a few doors down from him still by the town centre. He tried to move but it would have taken too long with the E-web.” Karash explained.

“Copy that, Karash.” The squads SL sounded like she was very busy so Karash decided not to say anything else.

In the dim light that enveloped the building Karash could not really make out where he actually was so just decided to make sure the place wasn’t going to fall on him. On closer inspection it seemed that the place was pretty secure but there was another entrance that needed to be blocked off. Easily enough the other door had a bolt on it and was locked but just to make sure Karash moved some other debris and furniture to stop it being opened when it shouldn’t be.

A short time later there was a loud and earthshaking crash that was once again coming in the direction of Jae and Hav. Karash could see down the street in which they were and could see figures coming from the building they were in; he hoped that they were Raiders and not the enemy.

Joamer and Anival had moved from house to house slowly. In most the lights came on and stayed on, in others the simple act of flipping the switch caused a massive overload that gave the switch flipper a decent shock. They had stopped taking turns, and instead resorted to a simple game of rock paper scissors.

Hitting his fist three times Joamer played rock, but cursed when Anival played paper. Ignoring the grin the young trooper had Joamer marched into the house and flipped the switch. It took several seconds for anything to happen, but when the lights flickered Joamer swore. He felt the shock run up his arm and down his body to exit via his foot.

"I have had enough!" He shouted. He knew the barbarians were close, but at this point he did not care. "I am not doing another one. Kand can find someone else to flip lights on."

Joamer marched out of the house with Anival close behind, he gripped his DLT-20a with a tight fist. He turned west and made his way towards the village center.

They stopped at every corner, peering around the edge to see if the coast was clear. Nodding slowly, he jogged across the exposed area and took cover again.

"...Caldwin out!" His comm link crackled suddenly. Turning around he looked at Anival and said "You catch any of that?"

Anival shook his head and shrugged. Mumbling to himself he activated his comm link and said "What was that? We did not catch any of it."

They both went inside a house and kneeled down by the window. It took several seconds before anyone responded.

"Raiders SL has issued a general retreat, all forces fall back to the inner perimeter. We are going to set off the explosives. Reports show a massive force exiting the forest, looks to be their second wave of troops. Everyone fall back, that is an order." Kanderin said.

Joamer nodded at Anival and walked out the door, a fist hit him dead in the chest causing him to fly backwards, Anival began firing at the doorway. Hitting the ground Joamer felt himself continue to slide backwards, bringing up his DLT-20a he began firing at the barbarian. After a few moments the combined bolts caused the beast to stagger and fall backwards into the street.

The air was suddenly full of guttural shouts, it came from every direction. Standing up Joamer slammed the door shut and looked around, the room was clear of anything remotely useful in blocking the it. Motioning for Anival, he ran up the stairs and entered a room, waiting for Anival he slammed the door shut and backed away.

Walking to the window he looked down, the street was nearly packed of dark shapes moving back and forth. Stepping back slowly Joamer shook his head, he heard Anival sigh softly, but he noticed the young trooper grip his blaster tighter.

"Is everyone in place?" Joamer said into his comm link.

"Everyone accounted for, except you two." Kand said, there was a nervous edge to his voice.

"How long?" Joamer said.

"Seconds." He heard Helena said into the comm link.

Looking at Anival he gave a small nod, he saw the mans face crumple for an instant before it took on a calm appearance, he returned the nod.

"We are far enough away, do it." Joamer said into his comm link.

Walking to a wall Joamer slid down it and placed his head between his knees, he let his rifle fall to the ground beside him. He felt Anival join him a few moments later, he heard a banging from the front door but he did not bother to look up.

"I never thought I would die next to you." Anival say softly, "But, I guess if I had a choice how I would go out, this would be it."

Joamer sighed slowly, and said "I am sorry I got you into this. This was my mess to begin with."

Closing his eyes he waited for the end to come.



Kanderin clicked off his comm link with a grimace, he knew Joamer was lying. He also knew they had moments before being overrun. Walking over to the control box he keyed in the activation sequence and lifted the protective cover. He waited for the Raiders SL to do the same.

Star was being stubborn, the three medics in the room were trying to get her to get fixed up, but she had refused all of them. Hobbling over to the control box she keyed in the other activation sequence and raised the cover.

"Take this you damn barbarians." She said, she brought her fist down so hard it caused the button to crack. Luckily it still sent the signal.

Moments later multiple explosions were heard from one side of the village.

Kand closed his eyes and pushed his button, a second later a second set of explosions answered the first. He released his button after the echoes of the explosions went silent. He walked away staring at his hand for a long moment.

He turned to the group assembled in the building and said "Back to work people. I wanted this place secure two minutes ago!"

Helena and Karash surrounded Star, they had their arms outstretched blocking any escape. With a grimace she allowed them to lead her away.

Joamer did not hear the explosions, the first set from across the village was loud enough to cover up the second set. He did feel it start though, for two seconds he waited till he felt the building next to them explode. He did say they were clear of the explosives, and this was true. He did not say the building next to them had the last detpack in it.

It took the shock wave almost a second before it hit them, a second later the building exploded around them. The last thing Joamer saw was the roof getting closer, he felt vertigo and the sensation of falling.



  He felt numb, the world around him was absolutely silent. Trying to remember how open his eyes he squinted at the sky. His head was somehow clear of the debris, the rain had stopped and for an instant a space cleared in the sky to allow the stars to shine down. Joamer starred at them for an indefinable amount of time, he only came back to the present when he felt shifting beside him.

Trying to raise his left arm he panicked for a moment when nothing happened, his arm would not respond. His right arm was trapped behind his back. He breathed slowly and waited, it would be just his luck to survive the explosion only to die trapped here like a dog.

Whatever was coming took its time, he looked at the sky again. At least his last moment would be one of beauty. A familiar face filled his vision and he grimaced in spite of himself. Anival starred down at him, a nasty looking gash covered the left side of his face, his armor had seen better days. His chest plate was cracked in two places, and everything was plastered with dirt, mud, and pieces of wood.

Anival did not bother talking, seeing the blood coming out of Joamer's ears he figured it would not do any good anyway. He looked at the angry cut running up and over his forehead and frowned, he was no medic but he knew that would need stitches. Extending his hand he waited for Joamer to take it, seeing the expression on his friends face he frowned and leaned down. Gripping Joamer's shoulder he eased him up to a sitting position.

Joamer worked his right arm back and forth slowly, seeing that it worked correctly he tried his left arm, but it hung dead at his side. Problem with the cybernetics somewhere he hoped, if it was something worse he doubted he could fix it on this planet. Reaching out his hand he gripped Anival's shoulder and slowly got to his feet.

Using Anival as a support he tried to walk, his left leg worked fine, but there was a twitch in his right leg. Mumbling to himself he hobbled away from the wreckage and leaned against a beam that was still standing. He looked around slowly before looking at Anival, he saw the trooper holding up a barrel of some sort of rifle. It took him a long moment to realize it was part of the barrel to his DLT-20a, reaching behind him with his good hand he felt both parts of his DC-15 and sighed.

He saw Anival shake his head slowly and smirk. Limping away from the blast zone he slowly started making his way to the center of town. The area seemed clear of enemies at the moment, he figured the explosion would cause them to regroup, but he doubted it would last long.

Drawing his frontier model B pistol he flipped the power on and continued limping. He saw Anival step forward and take point, his own blaster held out in front of him.

Joamer nodded slowly and smiled, he was proud of the way Anival held up under fire. This mission had done a lot to change the young trooper, and Joamer felt for the first time he could actually handle himself well.

After what seemed an eternity Joamer stepped to the side of the city hall building and looked around the front, he could see blaster muzzles sticking out the windows, but no enemies in sight.


Opening his mouth he called out "Hold fire, friendlies to your right." What surprised him was that could actually make out what he said.

He heard muttering from inside, but the muzzles stayed in place. Mumbling he walked forward and reached the door. He holstered his pistol and banged on the door three times. He could hear more muttering from inside.

A voice called out from within  "Mesa want to knowsa thesa authorization code, yousa have it yousa can come in."

Joamer swore under his breath before shouting "Open the damn door before I break it down and rip your miserable head off! That is an order!"

He heard talking from inside, he limped in front of the door and prepared to punch it with his good hand. He drew his hand back just as the door was opened. He limped forward into the building with Anival following. Walking as far as the middle of the room he leaned against the wall and nearly fell to the floor.

Leaning his head back he closed his eyes, he heard someone walk up and begin pressing at the cut on his forehead, but he did not care.

He felt the blackness reach up and engulf him as he lost consciousness.

Joamer swam in an eternity of blackness, he could not feel, see, taste, but he could hear. He heard low mumbling from somewhere far off, and every few minutes a blaster would go off.

Opening his eyes he starred at a white ceiling, the room was brightly lit, and smelled like a typical med bay. Turning his head he spotted Helena with her arms on her head starring at something. Karash was standing next to her, the same annoyed expression on his face.

Quietly he turned his head the other way to see Caldwin sitting up in a corner, she had her arms crossed and a very angry glare on her face, the glare was directed at Karash and Helena.

He spotted Havock in the corner opposite, from the look on her face she was trying to not burst into laughter. Every few seconds Caldwin would meet the gaze of her ASL, this caused Havock to scrunch up her face even more from avoiding laughter.

Sitting up slowly Joamer mumbled under his breath, the bed he was laying on was not comfortable, and the sheet they had him wrapped up in smelled. He looked down to see his bare chest and stopped a angry curse from leaving his lips. He looked around and spotted his armor across the room on the floor, with his DC-15 propped on the wall. 

He tried to swing his feet off the bed, but an angry throat clearing stopped him.

He heard someone walk up and say "Not so fast, Sergeant. Without the use of both your arms you are next to useless out there, now stay put." The voice was not Helena's, so he figured this would be Karash. Ignoring the other squads medics he swing one foot off the edge.

"Joamer, that is an order." That was Helena's voice, he grumbled something unintelligible and put his leg back on the bed. He crossed his arms and started angrily glaring at the two medics who turned around and ignored their patients.

He ignored the looks Havock gave him ever few minutes, but he could see her battle with not laughing was quickly being lost. He imagined Star and him looked pretty much the same right now. They had both been told to stay, and they did not like staying when there was a battle going on.

"Let me out of here!" Caldwin shouted suddenly, "I am the SL of Raiders, and I order you to let me go! Keep Joamer and Havock, they need the attention more then I do." The last part was said in a nearly sulky voice.

"You know the rules, Star. As a medic I can overrule your command abilities if I see fit, and in this matter I have overruled  them. Give the bacta time to work, then you can go on your way to getting shot again." Karash said quietly from across the room.

The face Jaenna made suddenly did it for Havock, she leaned forward and burst into laughter. Star shot her ASL a dark glance, but only caused the laughter to increase.

"Like hell," Havock said in between fits "Sit your ass down. You need the attention more then we do." The last was nearly lost as she coughed a few times. She stopped laughing, but did not stop the smile on her face as she looked at Star.

Mumbling something about a mad house Joamer said "Can I at least get a electrical bag so I can work on my arm?"

"Not yet, you need rest as well." Helena said, Joamer shot her a dark look, then turned his gaze back on Havock as he heard her snicker.

Joamer starred at the far wall as the battle outside continued to increase in tempo.

Rk sighed out loud, trying to relieve some of the stress that he was feeling from the past few hours. It seemed like they were stuck in a standstill, even though the favor was in their hand at the moment. At least that’s how it felt.

“If this doesn’t end soon, I swear I will go dini’la.” Even as the words left his mouth another round of red fire was sent past his helmet, the enemy had decided to fight back again. How long he didn’t know, but RK was glad they hadn’t given up. He was getting bored , as he had expressed.

“If only we had a clue what you just said.” Anival said, almost screaming, considering his lack of helmet.

RK smiled a bit on the inside. One good thing of knowing a dead language and living out a dead set of rules and customs, was nobody knew what you were saying, unless they themselves learned it or had grown up in a family who had been ancestors of those who followed it. In the real scheme of things, he was just glad he was different, even if a little weird. “Good,then I can swear at you , and tell you it’s a compliment.”

“Great, a code, how mature.”

“Shut up, you Di’kut.” RK said as he fired a few shots in the south east direction;  only to see a gun and helmet fly through the air after his blue lights had made contact.

“I think he just swore at you, Anival.” Ananazi’s voice said, sounding a lot like sarcasm and annoyance. He hadn’t wanted to use the E-web, but they had voted him on it, so that’s were he had gotten stuck. So he was venting his anger, in a weird way.

“Thanks for stating the obvious.” Anival replied, noticeably irritated. “I think we should do less chatting and more shooting.”
“I agree.” RK wasn’t even paying attention really; he was focused on the attacking forces. Though it seemed they weren’t returning fire, it had ceased somewhere between him calling Anival a moron, and Anival trying his best to shut them up. “Lucky, we have time to chat.”

“You’re a hopeless Case, RK.” Anival said, his voice a sentiment of defeat.

“I know, why do you think I joined the empire in the first place?” RK grinned.

Anival stood after a while, and stretched his cramped legs, he flexed his hands and winced, at least it wasn’t his firing hand.

“Tell me when Joamer wakes up.” Anival said, getting up and checking his rifle, he took out his nearly depleted clip and laid it  on the floor, and hiding it under Joamer cot, in the old Yosnain tradition.

Anival left the room, wiped the blood that had formed around his eyebrow, and wiped it on the wall making a bloody arch.

“I know, why do you think I joined the empire in the first place?.”

Anival was getting frustrated, the sweat was getting into his cut, and was stinging.

Anival shot his rifle, and felt the recoil jar his finger. Anival decided to go inside the building, walking towards the stairs Anival could hear voices coming from the makeshift infirmary.

Anival stepped up to the second floor and, and looked through the sniper holes, Anival had never been or pretended to be a sniper, he was a good shot, but not a great shot.

Anival heard a voice, an incredibly irritating voice, and all his anger all his frustration focused on that voice, and he head toward the voice. It was irresistible, alluring, like a siren’s call.

The gungan looked up as Anival walked towards him, Anival felt a strong feeling in the pit of his stomach, like a Rancor and a Krytt Dragons love child. Stopping himself, Anival straightened his path and came to a halt, staring out at the landscape, and their future resting place.

“What did yousa doin, back theres?” came the gunman’s grating voice.

“A Yosnain tradition, it is for a quick recuperation.” said Anival through clenched teeth.

The gungan didn’t say anything else, after a while he started to open his mouth, Anival grabbed him by the ears and bashed his head against the wall.

“Shut up!”

Grabbing Anival’s head the gungan used the unexpected maneuver to hit Anival on the scabbing gash, sending fresh blood oozing out, Anival grunted, and kicked out with his legs, sending the gungan sprawling to the floor, and nearly toppling down the stairs.

Anival heard thuds coming from the lower levels, The gungan jumped at Anival, something gave him a warning, and he sidestepped and slammed the but of his rifle into the gungan’s gut, as RK tackled the Gungan, Anival stared in blind rage and started to make a leap when something hit him, slamming him back, and knocking the breath out of his lungs.

“Get off of me!” screamed Anival getting up put being pressed back down by another body.

“Ahh” screamed RK as the gungan kicked him, and ran towards Anival.

Anival took a DC-15 and aimed it at the gungan, he stopped cold, suddenly there was a nozzle pressed into Anival’s neck.

“Don’t do it” came Helena’s soft voice.

Anival squeezed the trigger and it clicked, it was empty. Kand and Jori moved Anival to his feet, and led him down stairs.

“We have better things to do than baby sit you!” screamed Kanderin, Anival looked away and focused on the knots in the wooden beams.

Anival tuned out Kand’s lecture, and started to think about his home world, the gravity was greater, and so was the air, Anival suddenly felt homesick.

“Pay attention!” screamed Kanderin, “we have injured troopers, and here you are injuring more!”

Anival hung his head in shame, he didn’t really feel sorry, but it was better for his SL to think he was.

“There will be repercussion for this, and you will be incredibly lucky if you don’t.” with that Kand walked away.

Helena gave him a stern look, “that’ll need stitches” she said motioning at his gash.

Anival ignored her and walked out, RK and Jori following behind him.

Anival turned his face into the breeze, allowing the air to hit his face.

“You know” said Jori, “I never noticed you’re eyes, they are different colors,brown and grey, but when I was in their they were, black, I don’t know how to describe it, but, you..” he stopped.

Anival let it go, he knew what he was talking about, it was as if his anger had been multiplied, and fed, fed by the events of the past few days.


“I am curious though, what did you do with the half empty clip.” asked RK

“It’s an old Yosnain tradition, it was said to be bad luck for you to use the same clip after someone close was injured.”

RK looked at him and turned around.

Anival kneeled near a pile of rubble, and looked at his surroundings, it would have been a beautiful place on any other circumstances, but now it was hideous, buildings broken down, or blown apart, makeshift barricades littering the streets, shards of glass laying on broken chairs.

"It is useless." Joamer said, he tossed down a medium length metal tube in disgust. After Havock and Star had been freed he had been still stuck here. After another hour of begging and pleading Helena had found him an electrical bag. He had spent the last two hours trying to elicit some response from his left arm.

"Do not give up hope, just yet. I am sure with more time you could get it to work again." Helena said softly as she walked over. Joamer shot her a dark look and mumbled something under his breath.

"I know what the problem is, and I know how to fix it. The issue is the primary and both secondary processors are fried. The arm works fine, it is just the chip in my head and it can not communicate. I did not think to bring a spare, and there is nothing we have that could even be rigged to work even part way." Joamer muttered angrily.

Helena sighed slowly and looked at the bed, she waited several long moments before speaking "Do you want to be ASL of Wraith?" She said it so softly it took Joamer almost thirty seconds for the news hit him.

Blinking several times he looked up, she met his gaze with a strong face, he had been fighting by her side for so long he could tell it was a a false facade. She never could get the eyes to appear strong.

"Helena," He reached out and took one of her hands with his right hand. "we all voted. You are ASL, not me. I do not want the job, you are the balance to Kanderin. You keep him in check, specially in times like this. He is the gung hoe, jump in head first one. You are the more reserved one, most of the time."

Joamer tightened his grip for an instant before letting go. The sound of blaster fire was increasing every few minutes. Joamer sighed slowly, he looked over at his armor and weapons sitting on the floor. Helena mumbled something to herself before standing up and nodding.

Silently thanking her Joamer stood up and took a step, his right leg twitched and he stumbled. Getting his balance he took another step, but this time he compensated for the twitch and made it to his armor without stumbling again.

Reaching down he started grabbing things and putting them on as best he could with one working arm. He managed to get most his armor on, but the vambraces and gauntlets on his right arm proved to be troublesome. He thought about leaving then but he saw Helena lean down and grab one of the pieces, he ignored the small smile she had on her face as he extended his arm.

With quick precise movements she had the remaining pieces of his armor on. She helped him buckle his weapons belt on, a procedure both of them forgot took place the instant it was done with. Reaching over to the table he griped his frontier model B pistol and checked it over slowly, he holstered it a few seconds later. Pulling out the barrel of his DC-15 he looked it over before placing it on the table, he then picked up the body of the rifle and gave it a quick once over. Kneeling down he gripped the body between his knees and placed the barrel into the slot and gave it a small twist. He stood up when he heard the soft thrum and the series of beeps emit from the rifle.

Standing up he picked up the rifle and looked at Helena, she had a worried expression on her face. Taking a deep breath he let it out slowly.

"I will be alright." He said softly, she mumbled something to herself and walked away. Shaking his head he walked out the door into the main room to a scene of trouble.

Anival was being pushed down the stairs by an angry Kanderin, he managed to catch himself before falling and just slammed into the far wall. The look on Kanderins face was murderous, it softened somewhat as he saw Joamer standing in the room.

Glaring at Anival, Kanderin walked up to Joamer and looked him up and down. Mumbling something to himself he glanced at his troopers left arm for a long moment.

"No luck?" He said.

Joamer shrugged and said "What is going on?"

"Your wingman decided to beat up the Gungan." Kanderin said angrily. Ignoring whatever Kanderin was going to say next Joamer walked towards Anival, he was leaning against the wall with a strange expression on his face.

He leaned his DC-15 against the wall, and in nearly the same second reached out his right arm to grip Anival's chest plate. The force in with he grabbed the younger man caused him to slam into the wall, he lifted him off the ground and let him hang there. He was not sure what his face was going, but Anival's was close to pure terror.

He could sense the others behind him paying attention now, he could see out of the corner of his eye Helena and Kanderin standing next to each other. He took a deep breath and slowly let his friend back onto the ground.

"This is a warning, you are my wingman Anival. Above anyone else I choose you to guard my back, and while I am gone you do this? Next time charges will be filed. Now come on."

Turning around Joamer picked up his rifle and walked up to Kanderin and Helena "Orders, sirs?"

Kanderin was tapping his chin with an index finger, he was trying to hide the small smile on his face. Helena was fighting laughter, he ignored both of their faces and starred at a point over their heads.

"Go up stairs, third floor. Find a suitable position and do what you do best." Kanderin said, when Joamer turned around towards the stairs he heard snickering.

Ignoring everyone in the room he walked up the stairs with Anival close behind him. Quickly making his way to the third floor he entered a room on the front side of the building and looked around. The windows gave a decent view of the front of the building. A single bed sat in a corner, a table sat in another corner, the chair was nowhere to be seen.

Joamer placed his rifle on the bed and dragged it to the center of the room, sitting down he propped the rifle against the bed frame and looked through the scope. Even with only one good arm he could still manage to be a decent shot, and with this setup maintaining the rifles accuracy was easy.

He began adjusting the settings while Anival went to stand next to a window, his A280 held out in front of him. Long moments passed while he waited for his friend to say something.

"I am sorry for how I acted." Anival said softly.

Shaking his head Joamer grinned "Don't worry about it, that was only done to placate anyone who thought you would get away from that scot free. Tell you the truth, I have wanted to give him a good thrashing the moment I saw him, just do not let it happen again."

Anival smiled slowly and kneeled down beside the window. Joamer nodded as he brought the rifle and glanced out the scope, now they waited for something dumb enough to come out of hiding.

Havock turned around as she heard the commotion behind her. Scanning the room she saw Joamer slam Anival into the wall, for some reason, then lift him off the ground. The scene made everyone else stop and gape wide-eyed, but not Havock. No, Havock nearly fell over she was laughing so hard at the whole situation.

Jae started to walk over, no doubt she had some choice words for Anival considering he roughed up a member of  RAIDERS. But seeing Havock's reaction, and the fact that it was obvious Joamer had taken care of the situation, she turned and walked back over to Havock.

Raelene looked at the ASL as if she had completely lost her mind. Jae knelt down, and winced from the wound in her hip as she did so. “Hav, look at me.”

Havock coughed as she tried to stop the fit of laughter. Her brain knew she was acting like a lunatic, but it was increasingly hard to stop herself once she got started. Looking up she met Jae's green eyes and took several deep breaths to get herself back under control.

“Okay, okay. I know.” Hav rubbed her head. “I'm not in the best shape, and I have no idea why Joamer lifting him off the ground was so funny, wait. How did he do that?”

Jae smirked, Hav may have been laughing at everything like a drunk but she was talking a lot clearer. The medicine Karash forced her to take must have been doing its job. “He has cybernetics, like me. Remember that time you thought it would be fun to try to arm wrestle me using that arm?”

“Ugh, yeah don't remind me.” Havock rubbed her arm opposite of Jae's cybernetic one. The girl almost pulled Havock's arm right out of its socket, but Hav knew Jae would never do that.

A number of bolts hitting the wall, brought Havock back to the task at hand. She turned and looked back out the window, getting her blasters ready. “We are thinning them out, unless they have more re-enforcements I think we are doing okay here.”

Jaenna took a deep breath. “Good, I don't like the fact that they know we are stuck here.”

“Yeah, its not my favorite part of the plan either.”

Jae patted Havock on the shoulder and walked towards the stairs, probably to check on Grahim. Havock smirked as she walked away and turned back towards the window, blasting a few bolts just for good measure. She had no clue what Karash had given her, but he was a much better medic than she had ever given him credit for. Her head was a dull ache now, and although she was still pretty dizzy as long as she stayed where she was she could deal with the sensation.

She heard Raelene yell, and snapped her head over just a little too fast. “Talk to me, Rae.”

“Ah, a bolt grazed my arm. Hurts but I'm okay.” Hav could see the black streak on the girls armor.

“I know your tired, your doing fine Private.” Havock fired a few more bolts and watched as one then two barbarians fell. It was nearly impossible in the war zone to know who specifically fired the shots. Havock could care less about the particulars, as long as they were the ones that kept falling, not members of her squad.

An explosion rocked the building, causing both Raelene and Havock to fall into a cover position to keep safe from the debris that rained down.

“What was that?” Raelene's shaky voice came through the comm.

“Another detpack? Or the barbarians, or it could have been Wraith's being cute.”

Raelene looked up horrified at the Lance Corporal. “Cute?”

Havock reached over and lifted Rae up by the back of her chest plate. “Keep firing, Private.”

“Oi, Grahim. What happened with Anival?” The RAIDERS SL’s voice was soft and showed that she was obviously in pain. Sea-foam eyes were drooping, and her hair was an utter mess, no longer up in that bun that she usually had it in while in combat or in uniform. It was down and krimpy, some flecks of dried blood sticking to strands here and there, and a little damp from sweat, and other forms of moisture. As she climbed the last bit of stairs, a small explosion set her balance off a bit, a grimace coming to her pale pink lips as they drew back in a snarl, pain shooting through her hip. Quickly, she gripped the railing and stopped her slow ascent up the stairs, waiting for the pain to subside once more. Of course, Karash’s treatment did help, but going against orders from a medic and moving about right after the aforementioned treatment was never a good idea. But then again… it was Jaenna Caldwin after all.

It didn’t matter to her that another attack had started. While she was downstairs getting fixed up by her medic, she had heard yelling and a whole shit load of commotion. She had stepped up for a moment to see what was happening, but found that it was nothing since Joamer had apparently taken care of it. After that, she had spoken to Havock, then went back downstairs to rest her hip up a bit more. Problem was… the entire time she was down there, she was thinking about what could have happened. And so, here’s she was, making her way up the steps slowly, in the middle of the final attack from those dammed Barbarians, wincing in pain.

Finally, she reached the top of the steps and hobbled her way over to a desk. There, Grahim was kneeling with his DC-15 aimed out of one of the broken windows. Jae grimaced at the site of his now half-gone ear, then sighed and tapped him on the shoulder. “Private. What happened earlier with Anival? Cease fire and take cover so I can know the story.”

Nodding, Grahim set his rifle down and knelt behind the desk, looking at Jae with wide eyes, a frown covering his face. “Dassa dirty hissen tried toosa shotsa mesa.”

Jae’s expression instantly dropped. “What do you mean ‘he tried to shoot you?” Her voice had gone rough, anger rising deep in the pit of her stomach. Even though she had only been SL for a day now, she thoughts of Grahim as a friend from the beginning.

The Gungan grumbled and sighed softly. “Hesse pulled da trigger. Butsa der was noosa ammos lefts.”

That was it. Jae growled deep in her throat and looked down at the floor. Grahim seemed to have backed away a little as she growled. “Private. Return to your position, keep firing. I will take care of this problem. No worried, Grahim.” Standing she winced again in pain. That dammed bacta patch was doing nothing to help her pain. As she looked around, she didn’t see Anival, and so she decided to wait until this battle was over to approach him about it. Heh. It would be better to approach Kand with the issue anyways. Drawing her Starslaher, she positioned herself by one of the windows and set the muzzle of the shotgun on the ledge.

“Raawwrrrgurgle! You will die imperials!” The throat yell came from a large Barbarian as he was sprinting towards the town hall building. Shots were being fired, the yellowish bolts flying past the large brute of a man. His arm was raised a spear of sorts held in his palm, the serrated arrow head pointing at the building itself. Blood was spilling from his stomach were a bolt had penetrated. An ear was gone from his head, and one eyes was shut as blood and puss poured from the socket.

Havock took aim and fired, the bolt hitting him in the leg. Raelene followed suit and fired a shot as well, her shot striking him in the arm opposite the one carrying the spear. More and more Barbarians fell around this one large one. Again and again, the Troopers shot at it. But it never seemed to be falling. It just kept coming. It was meters away. But then… it stopped. It stood there, and watched the troopers as they stopped firing, in pure confusion. It was as if the large thing were taunting the StormTroopers and the other imperials.

“What is he doing?” Jaenna heard Helena ask from somewhere next to her.

No body answered, for nobody knew what was going on.

Jaenna, though, had a horrid feeling. Slowly, she reached her left hand behind her and gripped the hilt of one of her Vibrobaldes.

That was when it happened. Everybody fell to the floor as the ceiling seemed to just cave in, three large bodies falling down with it. They were Barbarians. Jaenna heard the large one outside laugh in triumph. The troopers were screaming, and shooting the best they could in the small vicinity of the town hall main room. Bolts hit the Barbarians, but they didn’t fall. They just growled and smashed things about. One knocked Grahim flying to the right, and into a wall. He crashed through the old wood and flew outside, his body limp on the ground. Karash saw this and ran after him, medipack in his arms. The second one picked up a desk and threw it at a group of Wraith, Joamer and Kand falling under it’s weight. The others rushed to their aid. It was carnage. Total carnage. The Barbarians were laughing as they smashed and swung their arms about, throwing troopers into walls and smashing the building.

“It’ coming down! Get out of here! Everyone!” Helena yelled as finally, Joamer and Kand were freed from under the desk, both of them hurt and bleeding.

Everyone grabbed their weapons and the injured from the building and hobbled their way from the wreckage. They ran out, and fell into the wet and muddy ground, bloodied and in pain. Most of them stood back up, weapons aimed at the rampaging Barbarians. Shots continued to be fired. Yells were erupting from the damaged Platoon. Wraiths were screaming, Iron Horses were cursing, RAIDERS were blasting their weapons at full power. The bolts hit the Barbarians, but still nothing happened. The brutes were bleeding and were still yelling. They threw things about, knocking down the walls of the town hall. It was all very frightening. It was odd. It was raining. It was storming. Lightning crashed down in the center of town, lighting up the battle field. Blood was everywhere. Bits of troopers, bits of Barbarians. It was all almost too much. Everyone was tired. It needed to end.

“Dammit!” Jaenna yelled as she tried to stand, but fell back into the mud and blood, her hip screaming out in utter and agonizing pain.

Havock ran over to her, the ASL’s head bandage showing a blood stain. But the girl didn’t seem to care. “Jae! We need to end this!”

“I know, Havock! You distract the main Barb by running about. Draw him towards the ruins of the bar at the east of the village. Com me once he’s there, then take cover!” She yelled the orders over the rampaging Barbs and the rain. She spat on the ground, blood and spittle coming from her lips. She wiped her mouth and grumbled. Then she smiled up at Havock and wrapped her arms around the younger trooper. “Be careful, Hav.”

“I will be, Jae.” With that, Havock took off running towards the larger Barbarian, obviously the leader of the rest of the fallen. “Come get some you big fumbling idiot!” She yelled at it before running for the eastern part of the village, wincing in pain as she did so. But… the girl was determined to make Jaenna proud. The Big Barb ran after Havock, it’s lumbering weight shaking the ground with each stomp it made. It was significantly larger than the rest. Again: obviously the leader. Havock continued running, the BB continued chasing. Jaenna watched, a nervous wreck.

“Please don’t let her die. I would never forgive myself…” She sighed and looked at the rest of the troopers, still occupied with the other three Barbs. They continued shooting. They were doing some good amount of damage now; the three brutes were bleeding profusely and were slowing their attack on the town hall. Smiling at this, Jaenna looked behind her, her sea-foam eyes setting themselves on the ruins of the inn. A smirk crossed her pale lips. “Alright. Not much time.” She grunted, and began to crawl her way towards the building. In about five painful minutes, she reached the threshold of the crumbling door. She punched it with her cybernetic arm, the rest of the wood crumbling down in front of her. She crawled into the building and set herself against the wall next to the receptionist desk… or what was left of it. There, she reached behind it and, after many moments and grunting and grumbling, pulled out a detonation system, just like the ones used earlier to blow the perimeter.

She heard it happen. The three Barbs fall. The troopers yelled in triumph. But the yelling didn’t last long. She saw some of them looking about, searching for something, or someone. “Where’s the RAIDERS SL and ASL?!” One of the Iron Horses yelled, panicking. The rest started to panic, running about searching for the two girls. Jaenna could only chuckle. They would soon know. But right now… she just hoped Havock would make it.

“Jae! He’s about to pass by the building in about fifteen seconds!” The com crackled with Havock’s voice and Jaenna’s eyes spilled over with tears.

“Thank you, Havock.” Jaenna winced again, she looked down quickly, blood was once again spilling from her hip, a new gash in her stomach as well from when the ceiling collapsed. She had noticed it until now. The SL was losing blood quickly. She needed to finish this. Now. Grunting in pain, she sat up, and unlocked the detonation box, and flipped the transperiglass top up, revealing the red button. She placed her thumb over the button, and took a deep breath. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…” She coughed, blood dirbbling from her mouth.

“Jae! Come on! JAE!” Havock screamed through the com.

“Where are they!?!” The others were still looking for them. Again, Jaenna chuckled, more blood spitting from her mouth.

She grunted again. “Two…” She pressed the button. “One.”

The explosion rocked the entire village, flames erupting from the eastern side of the village, debris raining down, mixing in with the rain itself. Another crash of lightning struck down, and the Imperials and StormTroopers all jumped. None of them knew what had just happened. Chuckling once more, the detonation box fell from Jaenna’s arms. She spit up again, vomit and blood alike spill from her mouth as her vision blurred. The amount of blood she had lost was bad. But she couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s over…” She sighed, before coughing again, her chest heaving.

“She’s over here!” She heard someone yell. It was Kand. He was running towards Jae’s position, followed by Havock and few others from RAIDERS. “Corporal! Stay with us!” He kept yelling, he knelt down by Jaenna after kicked the detbox aside. He grabbed her shoulders and looked at her. “You did well, Corporal, now just stay with us!” Jaenna could hear Havock whimpering and sobbing in the background. Karash rushed over next, followed by Helena. They all gathered around her trying to find out what they could do.

“It’s… over…” Jaenna coughed one more time and set her head back against the ruined wall behind her, her body going limp, her eyes slowly shutting, the sea-foam color fading behind her eyelids.

OOC:

There. I think I ended the battle.

Oh and Jaenna isn't dead. She's just lost a whole shiton of blood, and has passed out.

Havock was sitting on the ground, her legs were drawn up to her chest, elbows resting on her knees with her hands clasped resting against her lips. She was shaking, it felt cold. Looking out from the ruined building she could see some of the troopers working to clean up what was left of the battle. Part of Hav, felt like she should have been out there helping. But right now she really didn't give a damn.

A hand reached over and touched her fists. Hav flinched and almost punched the presumptuous fool, until her eyes met Karash and she relaxed slightly. He wasn't really looking at her as much as he was examining something on her face.

“You know your nose is bleeding?” His eyes flicked from her nose to her forehead, he seemed to be looking for the source of the blood.

Havock snatched her hands back and put them to her lips again. “I think you have something more important to do, Private”

Hav looked past the medic, towards the street. Karash had already given her the run down. Jae had lost a ton of blood, but they had some on hand and she was going to be fine. Havock was in charge while Jae was sedated on the floor next to her, the least she could do was keep an eye on everyone. She didn't feel like doing anything else, not until her friend was okay. Really okay, not just Karash's word that she was going to be okay at some later date.

Karash's face softened, he looked tired. “She's fine, Hav.”

Hav slowly brought her eyes back to meet the medics, her voice was little more than a growl. “Then your job will be all the easier, now won't it?”

Karash just looked at the ASL. She could imagine many choice phrases he wanted to say to that last comment of hers, but something held him back. Havock rubbed the bandage on her forehead and became aware of something warm on her face. Holding her hands out in front of her she could see that they were covered in blood.

Kar nodded and their eyes met again. “You realize what Jae would say to you right now.”

Hav looked over at Jaenna, who was sleeping. Havock's whole body felt like it was collapsing in on itself. It had been a long mission, hell it had been a long day. When she finally spoke her voice was no more than a whisper. “Yeah, okay. But go tell the others her condition first. Then you can fix me again.”

Karash just shook his head at the tired, but still stubborn as ever Havock. Rolling his eyes he started to stand up but Havock grabbed his hand. “Thank you, Karash.”

He just smiled nervously before continuing into the other room to let the rest of the squad know that Jae was going to be okay. Looking around the room she could see Grahim resting on a near-by cot. He had been thrown about during the fighting, he was lucky to not have been hurt worse. They all were lucky.


She could hear the others cheer just as Karash walked back through the door and came straight over to Havock. “Let me see your face.”

Havock dropped her arms and glanced up as Rogueboy walked into the room. Karash took a cloth and started to wipe away the blood from her face.

“Hey Hav, what do you want us to do?” Rogueboy may have been talking to Havock but his eyes were glued to Jae the whole time.

“Tell me whats going on out there right now.”

“You know this would be easier if you would just go sit in that cot over there.” Karash growled softly.

Havock smirked at the medic. “I'm sure you can manage.” Then she looked back at Rogueboy waiting for his answer.

“Kand just left to talk to Arnaut, other than that we are just waiting.” He had to shift his weight as he leaned on the crutches in the doorway. Havock wondered why he didn't just come in the room, but this wasn't the time to ask such questions.

“Okay we need to wait for word from Arnaut to make any big decisions. Just help clean up and keep an eye on the perimeter, just in case.”

RB nodded. “You got it.” With that he turned and left the room completely.

Havock turned her eyes back to Karash and smirked. “So come on, lets hear it. Am I going to live?”

Karash just sneered.

It hurt, but she chuckled.

“Finish him off, and keep your eyes peeled for more.” Riq ordered, stepping outside one of the huts.

Barman and Brock slowly advanced with another army trooper, their barrels fixated on the immobile barbarian body. They drew closer, meter by meter, until it was decided they had gone far enough. Urak noticed the beast’s finger twitch, and in that instance, was blown to shreds. Satisfied, the troopers returned back to where Saph and Riq were now. Sam was close by, getting a visual of the surrounding area and army troopers. Rising from the cart, which he found to have more then a few bolts embedded into it, Urakai likewise surveyed the area. Hoping that another attack would delay for a while, he remembered the injured trooper and, wishing to locate him, turned to the small hut he had previously encountered them. A small look of determination slowly intensified into a frown of confusion as now, behind the small hut, all that remained of the troopers was mud and a helmet. I guess they’ve already gone for help.

Saph was quickly talking to the officer in command of the army fragments ordered to hold the northern section. Urakai had now joined the group as Saph gave her plans, “We should deploy any heavy weapons we have now get ready for another attack. That means moving them in shelters out of the rain. Now, what we’ll do is spread them out, keep them well supplied and protected so groups of one or two manning while main forces stretch out around them. Agreed? Good.”

It was settled. Men were now popping out from behind obscure objects such as chairs or huts, dragging either the dead or themselves away, taking orders from their barking leaders. The dead were piled away from the font line and battered by the rain. The dead barbarian body, however intact it was, remained in the mud as a momentum for the troops. Urakai clipped his E-11 back onto his utility belt and help heavy a heavy repeater down a pathway in-between huts about ten meters away from where they made their stand. Sam was helping him lift it as an army trooper picked out a decent hut to fortify with the heavy weapon. Behind them was the rustle of men and clanking of weapons moving, half drowned out by the pouring of rain.

“Howsa is Jae?” Grahim said and looked over to the room where Jae was treated. Grahim didn’t really like Jae but she was his friend and boss, and because of all the SL changes Grahim didn’t think the squad could handle another one.

“She is going to be just fine.” Karash replied before now addressing Havock. “As for you Hav, that long awaited and proper rest will take place.”

“No I have got to look after the squad. More enemies might come!” Havoc said stubbornly.

“The squad can look after themselves for a little while and if anymore barb’s come I shall tell them to wait until after you have rested.” Karash said and smiled. ”Grahim I will come see to your wounds too.” Grahim sat down waiting for Karash to get Havock to sleep. Grahim had cuts from both enemies and friends. Grahim didn’t really understand why Anival hated him so much.

“Mesa haven’t done any thingsa wrong against himsa.” Grahim whispered to himself.

“What did you say Grahim?” Karash asked.

“Mesa was wondering whysa Anival had attacked mesa.” Grahim answered.

“I don’t know either.” Karash said. ”Grahim let me examine your wounds.”

“Okeeday mesa won’t move” Grahim said as Karash looked at Grahim left ear.

“How did you lose this?” Karash said.

“Mesa lost itsa to una sniper.” Grahim answered.

“Okay let me put the bandage back on and then you can get out of here.” Karash said and started to wrap Grahim’s left ear in bandage.

“And if you would like to you could try to take that barb that is running around killing wounded troopers.” RB said as he came in the door.

“Whatsa barbarian?” Grahim asked.

“Urukai from IH has seen a barbarian that only kills wounded troopers, Or that is what Uruk says.” RB said.

Rogueboy’s combat action from his E-web was less than heroic; he had ambushed a half-score of barbarians. It wasn’t really an ambush more like they walked in front of RB’s hidey hole, the fact they had been walking in two lines made it that much easier for the platoon sergeant to mow them down. Five of them had been killed in the initial shooting as RB brought the gun around firing off three thousand rounds a minute. Three had been wounded and were lying on the ground squirming in pain, one of them tried to crawl away but RB brought the E-web around for a second sweep riddling the barbarian with blaster bolts. Between the two survivors one of them dove through a window while the other flipped over a corpse and tried to use it as cover. Leaning over to the power control side of the E-web, RB flipped a switch and turned a knob. A crossbow bolt sailed over Rogue’s head. Glancing up he spied the one in the house pull its head back from the smashed window. RB turned the knob all the way, the barbarian was in for a rude surprise.

The rage must be kept under control, for if the rage overcomes you will only lose. The barbarian named Gerlich thought to himself as he cranked his crossbow and fitted another bolt on it. His back pressed against the wall Gerlich felt the wall start to vibrate and the smell of burning wood reached his nose. Those weak blasters can’t come through...can they?  Gerlich asked himself as the wood gave way and a blaster bolt punched through his chest.

A low whirring sound caught Rogue’s attention and he immediately he stopped firing, glancing at the portable terminal which showed the temperature gauge in the deep red. With serpent like quickness Rogue turned the knob all the way to the left. Lowering the E-11 Rogueboy sat down on the stool he found, picking up his beer he brought it to take a sip. A large hand grabbed Rogue’s arm and brought use Rogue’s weight in an attempt to pull itself up. That action failed as RB tried to use his legs to keep his ground but pain shot through his leg and RB just managed to get pulled down. Instinctively Rogue brought his beer bottle up and smashed it over the barbarian’s head, raining down beer and glass all over Rogue’s helmeted face. The barbarian had been one of the wounded ones, most likely a shot that crippled him. Using his free hand the barb attempted to bring a small dagger into Rogue’s unprotected throat, RB’s arm shot up and the dagger chipped a piece off of his bracer. Using the smashed bottle RB buried it in the barb’s face, killing it.

With Starfruit out of commission and Hav giddy and with a concussion Rogue was the most senior trooper so in essence he was the acting squad leader. RB did a quick peek on SF just to make sure she was alive before going to do his own personal mission. After giving Grahim, Beta, and Raelene orders he wandered through the village popping his head into the ruined houses until he found what he was looking for, pulling out the dagger he took from the barbarian that tried to kill him RB went to work.

“What are these?” Starfruit asked.

“Roses.” Rogueboy responded while he placed the vase on the floor as there were no countertops or night tables on the cot that SF was lying.

“Their beautiful.” SF said while she picked them up and sniffed them.

“Beautiful flowers should only be given to beautiful girls and beauty takes many forms.” Rogueboy stated.

“Are you implying I’m not beautiful in the traditional sense?” SF teased while a grin spread across her face.

Taken aback Rogue stammered. “nno, I tried not to sound shallow.”

“I know silly, now kiss me.” SF commanded, and Rogueboy did.

Havock looked down as a charred branch broke beneath her feet. They were back in the forest, RAIDERS had been assigned scouting duty, frankly she could not imagine why. They were by far the most beat up group of troopers she had ever seen. The breeze came across Havock's face, the lack of trees and the fact that Hav couldn't put her helmet back on gave the wind free reign. Her head was still swollen from all the abuse it had been getting on this mission. She swayed as she walked the weight of her E-11, Sniper Rifle, and twin DC-15 pistols all bearing down on her.

Shifting her equipment, Havock looked around at what was a forest before the RAIDERS came through and introduced the trees to their flamethrowers. Rogueboy was managing with his crutches, but it was a slow march for him with all the debris from the fallen foliage. Karash had started to limp as well, something must have happened to his ankle. But one of the purviews of being the medic is you don't have to share your medial problems with anyone at all. Havock smirked at Grahim. He had his sniper rifle in both hands as he walked, flicking his head back and forth looking for the enemy.

It was hard for Havock to even care about another attack. When they evacuated the village, she almost didn't even run. Nothing seemed to matter, which she could only attribute to exhaustion and her head injury.  The only thing Havock could feel for sure, was the need to get herself and the rest of this squad off this planet while they all were still breathing.

A branch snapped and Havock looked up to see Jae stumble from the sudden loss of traction. Havock reached over and grabbed her arm to steady her.

“Gah.” Jae looked around, once she was satisfied that Havock was the only one that saw her fumble she turned back to her ASL. “Thanks Hav.”

Havock still hadn't let go of her arm, she didn't plan to either. “You shouldn't be walking.”

“Heh, your not going to start that up again, are you?” Jae smiled, but it was a small forced smile. She looked tired, like she could fall over at any moment. She had lost a lot of blood and there was no way all this walking was good for her right now. But given the result of Havock's attempt to discuss this matter in the village before they left she knew better than to try to talk any since into the strong-willed SL.

Havock grumbled and let Jae's arm go. The bandage on her head kept slipping, Hav reached up and readjusted it. A loud bang caused both Jae and Hav turn around to see Beta, sheepishly fighting with the wheelbarrow they had stolen from the village.

“Why did you tell him to bring that thing?” Jae was shaking her head and looked like she was going to fall forward.

Havock reached out and put a hand on her shoulder to steady her, an action she was certain Jae was getting sick of. That feeling was confirmed when Jae shot Havock a glare and turned around to keep walking. Havock sighed, waiting an extra second to make sure Beta tamed the wild wheelbarrow, she turned and took two large steps to catch up with Jae.

“Oh come on Jae, it wasn't that bad of an idea.” Havock rolled her eyes and thought back to the discussion they had in the village about the wheelbarrow. She knew that Jae just didn't want to be pushed around in the thing, she wanted to be perceived as strong by the rest of the squad. Hav's only point was they needed her strong once they reached their destination, not for the journey.

Havock almost jumped back when Jae sneered at her. “You really want me to ride in that thing? That wasn't a hallucination Hav, Beta really did almost take out a tree trunk with it. No way, you can find someone else to play wheelbarrow derby with.”

Jae swished her hand in the air to emphasis her distaste for Havock's plan, only her body tried to follow it. She stumbled a few steps in the direction of the unruly hand but managed to stay upright. She noticed a few of the other RAIDERS looking at her, Karash in particular. Jae swallowed and turned around to see Havock, standing with her arms crossed looking perturbed at her SL.

They just stood there like that, staring at each other, blue eyes versus green. Havock barely noticed when Karash walked up. She could see him wave Beta over, but her brain wasn't registering what he was doing. All she knew was that she had to figure out a way to get Jae in that stupid wheelbarrow. Closing the distance between them, Havock worked her jaw but didn't move her eyes.

She wanted to be stern, order Jae to get in the wheelbarrow. Hell, part of her wanted to knock the girl on the head for just being plain stubborn. But she couldn't, she just couldn't do it. Looking into Jae's green eyes she could see just how much she hated the fact that she knew she wasn't going to make it if she kept on walking. Karash was looking nervously between the two of them, and the rest of the squad had slowed their pace. Havock's voice was little more than a whisper when she finally did speak. “Please, get in the stupid wheelbarrow. I'll shoot the rookie if he bumps into a leaf the wrong way. Just get in it.”

“Or I'll be sedating you and putting you in it anyway.” Karash added in a normal voice, that was so much louder than Havock's whisper she almost jumped.

Jae looked from Havock to Karash, then narrowed her eyes at Beta. “You promise to shoot him.”

Beta swallowed and looked at the two girls with wide eyes. Havock smirked but tried to hide it as she winked at Jae. “You know it, one bump and his ass is mine.”

Jae smiled and shook her head, her arms coming up just to slap back down in obvious defeat. She turned and sat, as dignified as possible, in the wheelbarrow. “Well, what are we waiting for? Lets go, people.”

Beta pushed the wheelbarrow a bit too vigorously, sending Jae falling back just a fraction before she caught herself. Havock didn't miss a beat, pulling out her pistol and starting to turn towards the now ghostly white Beta.

“Oh sorry, thought I heard a bump. Must have just been my imagination.” As she turned and re-holstered the weapon she smiled.

Rogueboy watched as Havock and SF bickered, he had injected the thought of using the wheelbarrow into Havock because he knew Starfruit would hate him. Sometimes it was far safer for the girl your dating to hate someone else, makes things a lot more smooth, mind you RB didn’t know how much longer he was going to live. Rogueboy had seen his fare share of military tactical errors, at least enough of them to have a favourite top five, but sending mostly incapacitated soldiers to garner aid from star destroyers because the comms were out seemed somewhere up there. However RB would rather be up in the front than way in the back, fighting a delaying action in the shape they’re in would be suicidal.

Looking down at his armour RB could hardly see any white; black charred plastoid greeted his gaze, mixed in with enough blood to make him look like an undead trooper. Up ahead a whistling sound like that of a bird sounded and RB instinctively dropped to his belly, causing his crutches to fall on the scorched ground underneath a darkened tree. Pain shot up through his busted kneecap, an all too agonizing reminder, the squad followed suit with Beta leaving Jae in the wheelbarrow. The bird whistle repeated itself this time with a sense of urgency. The squad knew that it was Raelene as she was the forward scout in the party and she had spotted a potential threat. A few torturous minutes passed before a low crooning brought the squad up, with Jae giving Beta shit for forgetting about her.

Raelene verbally reported that she had sighted a quarter score barbarians on patrol, and that up ahead were numerous dead army elements, some of them in grotesque shape. Rae was obviously shaken up by the dead bodies most likely because they had been lying there for a few days, causing scavengers and insects to grab whatever meat they could while it was still fresh. The stench of a freshly killed trooper was bad, the smell of one killed three days must smell terrible. RB had been lucky so far in that he never had the pleasure in meeting one before.

Night was setting on the first day of their three day march and while the squad needed the rest Starfruit was loathe to camp out at night while the enemy’s patrols were all over the burnt out forest. Karash had finally convinced SF that if they did not get rest most of the squad would be dead by the next night including herself. The squads food supplies were virtually non-existent and starting tomorrow morning they would be out of rations, and out of water unless they got lucky enough to find a source of fresh water, and an edible animal.

Rogue was exhausted and as he laid down eating his ration bar all he could think of was sleep, however he would be awaken in the middle of the night to keep watch, before falling asleep, or after falling asleep were the best of times. Going to bed, being waken up and expecting to fall back asleep was easily the worst but since Rogue was in no fighting  shape he volunteered for that watch.