The speeder bikes flew overhead trying to get a target as the Nighstalkers crawled slowly but methodically through the jungle. Crawling through the densest part of the forest, they evaded the bikes and the large contingent of republic troops.
Kairo scanned the vicinity and saw the base dead ahead with only one more team of rebel troops between them and safety. He scanned their lines closely to see a way around. The rest of the squad rested whilst Tina crawled up beside Kairo, flicking onto the private comm. channel.
"What's the situation sir?" she queried.
Kairo continued to scan for several more minutes before replying. "We have only one more squad to contend with before we are clear to the base, but they are heavily defended".
"Can we go around?" asked Tina
Looking back at the ranks of the squad ahead Kairo replied "there is a way through their ranks if we are cautious."
"Through them?" asked Tina.
"Yes" replied Kairo "There is a gap in their ranks where the bush is think, I'm guessing they're thinking that it is too thick to be used by anyone, yet..."
Kairo's unfinished sentence hung in the air, Tina waited for a minute before querying "yet what sir?"
"I don't know, there's something that I can't put my finger on. I designed this program myself, yet it feels like things are changing, that the program is adapting" replied a troubled Kairo.
"Is that even possible sir?"
"It shouldn't be, but with what's happened of late it wouldn't surprise me. We have to take the chance, we must end this program and soon. Assemble the squad" ordered Kairo, "we're moving out"
Tina crawled back to where the rest of the squad was sitting.
What's happening?" queried Alan when he seen the return of Tina.
"We're moving out, let's go people!" ordered Tina as the squad gathered together and started crawling towards the last squad.
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Meanwhile, at a secret location a Lieutenant of the Republic army ran up to Commander Munro, "sir, you were right, the Nightstalker's are heading this way"
"Excellent" replied the Commander, "everything is falling into place"
"How did you know sir?" queried the Lieutenant
"It's strange, it's like knowing what is to happen before it happens" replied the Commander "I know today will see the end of the Nightstalkers"
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The Nightstalkers had arrived at the last squad between them and the base. The troops were moving back and forth, scanning for enemy soldiers. Kairo signalled the squad to proceed through the dense brush. Crawling slowly, they started inching past the enemy.
Kantar was breathing heavily as he crawled slowly behind Alan. It had been some time since he had last had so much exercise. Without noticing, a loud snap was heard and Kantar looked down to see a broken twig
oh just great he thought.
Alan swallowed hard as he heard the soldiers nearby scanning the area closely, trying to find the source of the disturbance. Unholstering his weapon, he waited to jump into action when they were found. Suddenly blaster fire was heard, Alan was just about to jump up and start firing when he noticed that the soldiers were firing at a nearby creature.
That was too close he thought.
Kairo motioned for them to carry on moving as soon as the soldiers had resumed their normal pattern. It seemed like hours but they finally crawled out from the jungle to see the base before them.
"We made it!" exclaimed Tina.
"Not so fast"
The squad whirled round at the unfamiliar voice. Standing behind them was Commander Munro and seven of his most competent soldiers.
"Drop your weapons, now" barked the Commander.
Tina looked nervously over at Kairo, she knew that a firefight would result in some fatalities, yet if they surrendered their weapons then there may be fatalities anyway if the Commander decided to execute them.
Kairo gazed at the Commander, a million things whirled through his head. Why had the safeties not been restored yet, why had the program not ended but more importantly, what was this band of soldiers doing here. He had designed this program himself, knew every minute detail and he knew that they shouldn't be here.
Everyone's hands twitched on their weapons as Commander Munro shouted again "drop your weapons or I will start shooting you one at a time".
This can't be happening thought Kairo
this should be at an end
Commander Munro levelled his weapon at the squad and decided he had waited long enough, time to show them he meant business. Pointing his weapon at Tina he fired.
Alan's hand hovered over his blaster, his fingers twitching, wanting to start shooting but waiting for orders, he knew he couldn't die but he also wasn't looking forward to the pain that he would get from being shot. He watched as the Commander raised his weapon up decisively at Tina. Without even thinking, he launched himself in the air. Intense pain engulfed his body as he absorbed the blaster bolt on his chest. His body flew backwards and he landed down hard.
Tina screamed "no!" as she looked at his lifeless body.
Lion wasted no time. In the commotion, he launched himself at several nearby soldiers, smashing their heads. Kantar raised his weapon and started shooting at the enemy. Munro, enraged at the sudden development, brought his weapon to bear on Kantar.
Not so fast thought Kairo as he brought his weapon to bear on the Commander and fired. Munro dropped dead, his last thoughts were
this can't be happening, I should have won
The remaining soldiers fled as Tina crouched down beside Alan whispering softly "I can't believe he's gone".
Kantar kicked his body lightly "hey you, get up and stop faking it"
Kairo cleared his throat and told the squad the full horror of the situation. Their jubilant and triumphant faces soon fell as they realised that their first mission had cost them dearly,
Clearing his throat, Kairo said "let's get to the base so we can end this once and for all"
"What about Alan?" queried Tina "we can't just leave him here"
"We will retrieve the body once this is all over" replied Kairo "I will not be responsible for any more deaths"
The Nighstalkers squad moved out and walked slowly and forlornly to the base. With no more enemy troops, their journey was soon at an end.
Entering the base, the base itself shimmered and was replaced by darkness.
"It's over" said Kairo.
Tina removed her helmet, wiping a tear away "I still can't believe it" she said
"Can't believe what?" said a voice from the darkness.
The squad looked up and watched as a familiar face emerged from the shadows.
"Alan?" said Tina
"You were expecting someone else?" the voice replied.
"Alan!" shouted Tina as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Alan winced as she hugged him hard.
"I thought you were dead" Tina said.
"Dead?" replied Alan, "it's only a simulation but it damn well hurts".
A technician approached Kairo as he watched on. "I'm glad you made it back sir, we managed to get the safeties back online several minutes ago but couldn't shut down the program or get into contact with you. Is everyone alright?"
Kairo looked at the Nightstalkers squad and replied "yes everyone is fine, thank you".
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TRP/PFC AlanRJ/3SQD/2PLT/1CMP/1RGT/1BAT/Tadath/VEA