OOC:

A short personal story about the Vast Empire's struggle on Celanon and Skarr's part in it. More to come.

Day 12
   
Rain fell around the soldiers who sat in their trenches. It was the most they could throw up against the New Republic, besides the waist high durasteel fences they could construct. And those hadn’t lasted long against the New Republic onslaught. Now they were things of the past. Along the trench walls E-Webs had been set up, all in an effort to stop the New Republic. Celanon wasn’t important, so why was the Vast Empire fighting so hard to take it.

Private First Class Norith Skarr sat in the trench waiting for the next engagement. He stared out into the forest where the New Republic laid in waiting. He cursed the rain falling around him and wondered exactly why High Command put him out here. A trooper like him was sent out here for a reason. But Skarr had no idea what that could be. It could be that the troops who were here were inexperienced. They were greens, a fresh new shiny group of youngsters who thought they were invincible. Skarr must’ve been sent to teach them a few lessons.

The greens were already calling Skarr, the old veteran, which annoyed the young man immensely. So yes, he was twenty-two and the young troopers were nineteen, but he was only a rank higher than them. It could have been Skarr’s physical presence; he was much bigger than the other soldier’s, but it must’ve been something else. It could even be the four Super Battle Droids that lingered around Skarr. Skarr shook off those thoughts, yes he was annoyed, but these young men were counting on him. High Command had given Skarr a temporary command position, for any one else who qualified was out on missions.

The soldiers shuffled around him, their discomfort showing. Skarr took pity on them; they shouldn’t have been out on the field, yet. He had already lost a lot of men and women. He didn’t know the exact numbers, but he didn’t have much to work with either and wouldn’t know until after this long battle. Only twelve days had passed and they had already fought almost forty engagements. Out of those twelve days, the Vast Empire troops had only been resupplied eight times.

Skarr checked his DC-17M’s charge and sighed. He would have to reload soon. He took a risk and chanced a glance over the trench walls. No one approached yet. The soldiers around him shifted again, all of them checking their weapons. Skarr couldn’t help but smile; they were all taking cues from him.

“Sir, our scanners are showing life forms approaching,” one of the Super Battle Droids commented almost casually. Skarr nodded and clicked on his helmet comm to the general channel.

“Alright men, get to your positions,” Skarr commanded. The troops carefully rushed to their positions. Some of them took up the E-Webs placed along the walls. Skarr checked his blaster one last time. And looked down at his muddied armor. Please let me get through this, Skarr thought. He heard the Super Battle Droids turn and raise their arms, blaster cannons attached.

All was silent. The rain picked up in heaviness. The trees in front of them swayed in the wind and New Republic soldiers burst from the trees. Skarr’s battle droids opened fire on the soldiers at the same time the troops did.

“Over the top!” Skarr yelled and the soldiers who hadn’t fired, including Skarr himself, climbed over the trench wall. The air in between the opposing forces flashed with laser blasts and men fell on both sides. Explosions sounded near Skarr and despite the mufflers in his helmet he was nearly deafened.

Ten minutes later, the fight was over and Skarr sat in the trench once again. Both sides had taken heavy casualties and Skarr couldn’t help but scream in frustration. These troops didn’t deserve to be stranded on Celanon; there was no sense in this battle. The planet wasn’t even in the Vast Empire’s invasion corridor. Skarr stared out in the forest and realized there were still several long days ahead of them.

Day 48

    A young woman sat in the trench. She was cleaning her E-11 and she felt good. They had beat the New Republic yesterday with few casualties and word had rippled through the ranks that Private First Class Norith Skarr intended to strike back at the NR forces today. Tannis Avers had not met Skarr, but she had heard he was a competent leader. And besides, only a competent leader could keep a force from crumbling under these conditions. She led her own part of the Vast Empire forces; they were further down the trench from where Skarr had set up command.

    Tannis sighed heavily, much like Skarr she did not feel as if these men were ready for something like this. Indeed, even she thought she was not ready. Her armor was dented, dirty, and she was missing pieces of it. Men were dying each day and Tannis was surprised no one had broken away and ran. It seemed as if the Vast Empire forces were doomed on Celanon.

    She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to see a tall man standing over her. He was heavily muscled and he had removed his helmet. His hair was closely cut and his goatee was well kept, despite the five-o-clock shadow growing around it. A scar ran down his left temple to his left cheek. Tannis knew this had to be Norith Skarr and she had to admit he looked the part of the commander of this force, despite his uniform.

    His armor was missing pieces like hers. A crack ran down his torso armor and he was missing an entire gauntlet. His right shoulder pauldron was chipped. His helmet was tucked under his arm and it was dented at the top. Tannis saw that Skarr had fought almost as hard as anyone else in the force.

    “Private Avers, I’m leaving you in charge of the trench while we’re gone,” Skarr said. Tannis was surprised that Skarr had just left her command of the trench. She was sure Johnathan Cade would be the one to get command. He was Skarr’s second in command here after all.

    “Sir, with all due respect, Private Cade would be a better choice,” Tannis objected. Skarr merely smiled.

    “Cade is coming with me. We’re going to attack, but we need someone here in case we have to retreat,” Skarr explained, he turned and walked away briskly. He left an overwhelmed Tannis behind.

    Oh he’s good, Tannis thought.



    Skarr stood at the edge of the forest with the attack force. He had left Tannis in charge of the trench; they would probably need to fall back on that position later. He checked his DC-17M and shoved his helmet on.

    “Let’s go,” Skarr said and they entered the forest.