There was a loud clamor from one of the tents of stuff falling over.  Riq turned his head towards the general direction and heaved at a sigh when he realized it came to the tent that Jersh was supposedly resting in.  The man must have tried moving about and the pain caused him to lean or fall into one of the equipment stacks that they unloaded from the speeders.

Rolling his eyes as he entered the tent, he quickly widen them at the sight, mouth hanging slightly open.  Jersh was having a sobbing fit while Saphira clutched a vibroblade imbedded into her upper right thigh.  Indeed many of the supplies had been pushed over from Saph colliding into them, but Riq was to focused on the two troopers to notice that.  Blinking to make sure the scene was actually before his eyes, Riq quickly moved towards Saph, who was obviously in more critical condition.

Setting her down while Jersh simply stared, Riqimo quickly began to diagnose the wound.  It was fairly deep, but luckily missed any major arteries or veins.  Grabbing his medkit that was sitting nearby from tending to Jersh earlier, the medic injected a painkiller and began to carefully remove the armor plates around the wound.  Except for the occasional sob of Jersh and Saph grinding her teeth, there was no sound within the tent.  Unable to get one of the plates off, Riq used a scalpel to cut the strap to be repaired later and now had her entire right thigh bare of armor.  Taking a small pair of scissors, he proceeded to cut the body glove suit around the wound, revealing her scarlet flesh that was becoming sticky with the blood flowing freely from the wound.  Applying a pressure point he used his free hand to grab some bandages and then wrap them tightly around her leg above the wound, almost where her leg met her torso.

By now the blood was beginning to clot on the wound and Riqimo gripped the vibroblade.  He knew that it was bad practice to just pull the blade out, but he didn't have the necessary tools for a full surgery procedure.  Whispering a slight warning to Saph to loosen her thigh muscles, he quickly jerked the blade out and pressed a gauze pad infused with bacta over the wound.  "It'll be fine Saph, hang in there," Riq rubbed her lekku, a calming trick that he learned from Namyr.  When her eyes were half closed and her breathing became slightly more regular, Riq raised the pad to see the blood had stopped flowing thanks to the bacta.  Shifting through his medic bag, he pulled out a small vial of liquid bacta.  Pulling it up a needle, he then proceed to give Saph a shot right next to her wound with the blue fluid.  Her muscle would be mended by morning, thanks to the miracle micro-organisms that had saved billions, if not trillions of lives galaxy wide.

While bandaging the wound, Riq looked back and forth from Jersh to Saph, "What the hell happened?"

Jersh could not help but feel a slight sense of abandonment as Saphira left with Blackout, but he knew that this was probably for the best. It was far better for her to be near someone in a more stable condition. With a sigh he controlled his breathing and the tears had long since stopped flowing from his eyes. He was upsetting the delicate balance of this mission, he knew this all too well. He felt as if his actions recently had not been his own, as if they had been controlled by another consciousness. Everything that had happened in the tent, and especially his argument with Blackout, was something Jersh would never have normally done.

Doc continued to give him his stare to question what had happened in the tent. With Saphira gone, he was the only other one involved he was expecting Jersh to explain what in the hell had happened. He managed to get to his feet and walk over to his resting place before he sat down heavily. Doc moved to sit down next to him and he let our a sigh that mirrored Jersh’s own. Apparently he had some relative idea of what was happening to Jersh. This amazed him since he did not even quite understand it himself.

“So are you going to tell me what happened?” Doc asked finally after several minutes of silence had passed between the two. It was awkward, Jersh knew, but Doc was trying to help in his own way.

“I was not myself” Jersh said, trying to explain it as best he could. It was not so simple to explain that he had another part of himself that was little less than demonic. That he had once been a soulless killing machine that had survived by killing day after day, night after night. That this betrayal had pushed him over the edge and made him revert back into his old persona against his will. He was the villain of the story yet again, it made Saphira’s betrayal look petty in comparison to what he had done. Jersh stood with a muffled groan issued from between gritted teeth and he slipped on his shadow suit gingerly.

“Where are you off to?” Doc asked quietly. His tone did not demand that he stayed, only that he knew where Jersh was going to be incase something happened. He nodded his thanks to Doc, at least he seemed to understand the situation he was going through right now. Jersh picked up his vibroblades and attached them to the sides of his suit.

“My muscles with cramp up if I don’t stretch them. I am going to inspect the ruins a little further” With that, he grabbed a light and wandered out the back of the tent. He had to be alone right now, to sort through his thoughts on what had just happened. Saphira had left with Blackout, that had been her choice. Jersh knew just where her feelings lay from that course of action. He had needed her back in that tent..... he knew that now....... but she had left..’To be with the one she loved’ just as Jersh had said. With these depressing thoughts in his mind, he entered into the darkness of the ruins....’A fitting tomb’ he thought to himself.

Blackout had taken her to the other side of camp. Things had gone from bad to worse as he helped Saphira lean against another tree trunk. He couldn't but stare at for a moment. Saphira on the other hand was still in shock. Her blank stare was enough to give that assumption.


What the hell was I thinking? She thought to herself. The pain was mostly gone, but she knew better then to do anything much before morning. The look Jersh gave her as Blackout took her away from him. Not that I had much choice in the matter

There were many possibilities at what would happen now. Saphira knew he would probably think she had left with Blackout because of him making her say who she loved. He's acting like a child.. She stated again to herself, turning her head finally to see Blackout standing over her with a concerned look in his eyes.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" He asked. Voice low as a cool wind picked up. He then knelled down besides her, keeping his distance but staying close enough. Saph looked up at him.

"What is there to explain?" She shrugged her shoulders at him.

"Damn it Saphira. This isn't time for games." Blackout growled, moving closer to her. Saph snapped her head at him. Eyes lowering to cool slits.

"Fine.. you want to know.. Jersh read on my face that something was wrong." She started, taking her right hand away from her leg wound. "He wanted to know why I was feeling upset.." Sighing her voice lowered to a whisper. Blackout remained close but still at a safe distance.

"ok.. go on.." He encouraged.

"I.. I told him.. I-I told him you comforted me after we lost the transmission. How you stopped me from taking a blow to Doc.. and.. and how we kissed.." Her words died out for a moment. All that could be heard were the sounds of the cool wind blowing gently threw the trees. Blackout looked at her for a moment. Unsure what to say.So he hit you for that? I'll kill him.. He thought as she started to speak again.

"I. Blackout.. I told him I enjoyed it.. that I was weak but I still enjoyed it.. After he got up despite the wounds. He.. He told me to go be with the one I loved.." Licking her lips she continued. "I told him I was with him.. I stepped up to touch his shoulders and he lost it.. Took a swing across my throat and I went flying back. My dagger somehow slipping from the sheaf and drove threw my leg... Jersh.. Jersh thought I was someone else.. and now he must hate me.." She breathed, shuddered in the cold as a few nocturnal insects began chirping.



Jersh then walked out of the tent. Saph looked up at Blackout as he moved farther away. Straining her leg she looked over at Jersh. He had to walk past them to head off where ever he was going anyway. Blackout slipped back behind the tree. Not wanting to cause more issues then need be for the moment.Jersh your a fool. You have a perfect female and you're going to lose her..



Saph pulled herself to her feet, leaning against the trunk for support as Jersh froze. Saphira only looked at him for a moment. "Jersh.." She began as he raised his hand and shook his head.

"You made your choice Saph.." He replied, watching as her face contorted with pain and anguish.

"I did.. and now you're going to walk away.. I didn't chose Blackout. Doc had him pull me away from you. But if you're going to be pig-headed about it then fine.." She snapped, her voice shaky as she pressed her wounded leg on the ground. Jersh set his Jaw.

"You said you liked it. Am I not good enough for you?" He asked, his voice low.

"I wasn't lying.. would you rather I had said no and not be honest with you? I was scared Jersh.. Blackout calmed me down before I ran off to go look for you. You said so yourself that those things could have killed you. What if I had ran into them? I would have died trying to come after you.." She snapped, feeling her anger get the best of her as she attempted to walk away from Jersh. Another tear rolling down her face.I don't need this.. I need to concentrate of the mission... She tried to say, placing her bad leg on the ground and fell over. Some pain now rolling up her body as she grabbed at her Leg. Gritting her teeth as a few more tears poured down.


Blackout couldn't stay hidden any longer. Coming out of the trees he looked at Jersh.

"What she said was true.. She wouldn't stop talking or thinking about you.. and now look.." He growled, going towards Saphira as Jersh stayed there. Laying a hand on her shoulder saphira shook him off.

"N--n-no I'm fine.." She said in a hoarse voice.

"Like Hell you aren't. Doc said to stay ff that.." Blackout repeated, his eyes looking over at Jersh. "She had to be restrained while doc patched you up. And you're reaction is Self-pity. Get off it Jersh. Whatever monster is haunting your past you need to let go. Or your going to lose more then just blood from those wounds." He snapped. Not believing himself the words coming from his mouth. Jersh looked shocked for a moment.

"What do you mean?" He asked. Blackout didn't look at him as he tried again to help Saph. The leg wound had re-opened and the blood started to leak threw the bandages.Wonderfull.. He thought.


"You know what I mean.. she admitted to you.. I'm not going to lie and say I did it on accident. I wanted to kiss her myself. I like her to Jersh.. and you would be a fool to let her go.."


Saphira ground her teeth together. The pain was barley tolerable as she tried to pull herself up. Shaking away blackout's help as her eyes looked over at Jersh. She wondered if he really did care. Blackout then spoke some other words but she didn't seem to hear them. Her eyes looked at her leg as the blood soaked threw.

He's holding onto something, something, but what? Blackout couldn't read minds but he could tell that Jersh was hurting. He was having thoughts that to blackout didn't make any sense. Soon though those thoughts made all the sense in the world. I...I hurt him, not saph, not anyone else me. Yet that wasn't good enough, he had to get through to jersh.

“Black, you may be right, but I am not the one who kissed her.” Jersh said, his hand drifting to one of his vibro-blades. He could tell that black was shifting his eyes to his hand. Hoping to god blackout wouldn't make this worse, if he did the first thing going through him was the blade, and black knew that.

“She told you what happened, why can't you just listen.” Blackout said. He looked at jersh' hand which slowly drifted towards his blade. Tyro was about to call Doc, but he knew this was his fight. It was petty yes, but no matter what he didn't want to make things worse. don't draw the blade Jersh, not now, wait for training, hold it in. black however slipped his hand involuntary to the pouch. He tried to be discreet but knew it wasn't going to happen.

“Let's not make a scene, just get out of here alright?” Jersha siad, his hand now laying on the hilt. He was hurting, he knew black knew. But did Saph, did saph know how much she had hurt him, how much he really cared? Did she? Or was it a show. No, it couldn't of been, they had know each other for a while now. He knew how she felt, but now black was here. What did she really feel about him? I do better alone, but I guess there are sometimes things that happen.

“Listen, I tried to lay it out, you hurt her, she told you the truth. Why? I don't know. I just don't want to fight.” Blackout looked over at Saph who was gritting her teeth, if this continued any longer soembody was going to get killed. Anger would consume them all and it would end up just like the time in the training area.

“Then what have we been doing the last few minutes?” Jersh countered, he was gripping the vibro-blade tighter. If black said anything more he would draw it, he wouldn't use it but it would be a warning. Just a warning.

Time felt like it was slowing. Tyro slowly looked over at saph who was getting redder and slowly swaying from side to side. He let out a hand to keep her from falling over but she threw it off. He knew that they had made matters worse. HE couldn't imagine what she was going to do, but something was welling up inside her. Blackout knew.

“I just want to get to the ruins, alright?” Jersh said. But was stopped when he tried to go by Saph's hand.

“No, your going to hear this out.” Saph looked at both of them. Blackout realized she was going to hurt someone and at the moment Blackout sure hoped it was him. this can't end good.

Jersh wandered off into the forest, but not deep enough to get himself into any trouble. He needed to be alone with his thoughts and the forest was the perfect place to do that. He walked along the camps perimeter, wondering how things had gone so wrong so quickly. He paced along the tree line, glancing into the shadows for any hostiles. He wanted something, anything to take out his anger on. He cracked his knuckles and growled slamming his fist into a nearby tree with enough force to cause some of the bark to flake away. He had to fix this.. Not only for himself, but also for the sake of the mission. With a sighed he headed back into the tent and closed his eyes, he would need all the rest he could get for tomorrow.

~_~_~_~_~ Time Lapse ~_~_~_~_~

The sun was barely peaking over the horizon when Jersh snuck into Saphira’s tent. She was just getting geared up when he entered and gave him a cold glare that he dared to enter her tent without permission. She opened her mouth to tell him to back off but Jersh’s cold glare stopped her cold. She had expected him to come bumbling into her tent apologizing and asking what he had to do for her to forgive him. She was wrong however, Jersh was almost the opposite. That moment of shock was all that Jersh needed as he roughly grabbed her and pulled her out of the tent. He moved swiftly across the grounds, apparently his wounds had healed over enough for him to move normally. Saphira wondered just how painful it was to move around much though.

She was tempted to fight back but she did not want to cause a scene in the middle of the camp and followed him, unable to break his firm grip. He remained silent as he dragged her through a few open halls and deeper into the ruins where they would not be disturbed. They finally reached what must have once been the lounge of the ruins. There was a space that must have once been a great, wide fireplace and various chucked of rotten cloth and wood suggested furniture had once sat in front of a roaring flame. Saphira broke away from his and his stare was one of loathing combined with what could be described as a morbid curiosity.

“What the hell do you think your doing Jer-“ She began to scold him, her voice full of malice. She voice caught in her throat as his hand went right past her cheek to slam into the wall behind her. She was shocked that he was acting this way, normally he was so meek when it came to dealing with her. She wondered where he had gotten his resolve from, and if she liked this new attitude or not.

“I will do the talking here” he growled at her, his tone rougher than Saphira had remembered it. “I am tired of dealing with this shit. You judge me and blame me for anything that goes wrong between us. You try to act strong and tough and just cant seem to see that you are hurting me as well as yourself. You say things like what happened last night and leave without even giving me a damn chance to say anything. I am through apologizing for what happened last night. We both made mistakes but at least I gave you a chance to explain yours” He ranted at her.

Saphira opened her mouth to say something but a growl from Jersh stopped her from the retort before it ever left her throat. Jersh continued speaking to her, his tone still harsh. “I know I am obsessed with the past, but Damn It Saph don’t you get it?! Im trying to get rid of Alira, her memory haunts me and i just cant get her cursed voice out of my mind!” With that he fell against her, his breath came in shudders. She could see how hard it was for him to be telling her all of this and her resolution faltered slightly as he fell against her.

Jersh’s fingers traced the bruise along her throat from what he had done the other night. “I need you Saph.... I need you to help me get rid of this demon...... I.. I don’t want to lose you” His voice finally broke. He did not want any pity from Saphira, this much even she could tell. He just wanted her, and her alone. He was willing to fight all of the Galaxy to get her.... if she still wanted him. “I love you Saph...... I live for you....... and I would die for you” He whispered and leaned in to kiss her softly, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. He prayed to whatever gods may exist that she would not pull away from him.

(p,s. I double posted so I could finish this little thing I had going and then we can move on.)



Blackout had no choice. He had to find them, whether Doc let him or not... it wasn't like he was going to let them die in there. Even if they weren't in there he had to find them. Besides if the dreams were right...

He ran off as fast as he could to grab his weaponry, there was no time to put on his armor, he had to hurry. As he ran off towards his tent he was wondering how long ago they had gone. Was he to late? What else might have happened? As he ran he passed alater, Saying hi quickly not even thinking about what he was up to.

When he got to the tent he strapped his knife case onto his leg and belt. He grabbed his DC-17 and as quickly as possible clipped it to his belt. Time was starting to run out. Might as well take my helmet. He grabbed it and put it on quickly, he probably looked like a retard without his armor, but he didn't have time to put it all on, he had to hurry. Evne if Saphira didn't want anything to do with him, he still carred about her, he still... loved her. Nothing would change that. He had to figure out what he was going to do.

don't worry, just get out there.  He finished getting ready and ran outside. He looked around to make sure that nobody was looking, luckily nobody was.

Running as fast as his legs could take him he started to worry. What if the dream were worng, what if they were okay. Maybe he was just paranoid, but he had dream like this before, they had come true hadn't they?

He got to the ruins and tried to find his way through them. He hadn't really gone through them enough to find his way that easily, but he found the room he was looking for. Nody was there. Yet. “Crap I am to late.” He looked to see that everything was exactly the same as the dream. the torch isn't out yet, it's still good. he waited, and waited and waited. Then suddenly. It start, the dream came to life.

Jersh was screaming. Dax didn't need to make out the words he knew what he as saying. Then suddenly the screaming stopped. And he heard a screeching sound. “It's them” Soon the animal came up. He took aim. But they ignored him. He let out and a few of them went down. Yet they still ignored him.

“You know what, if you don't out him down I am going to kill you.” They didn't care. He dropped the gun, which to his surprise caught there attention, accept for the ones that were taking on hooking up jersh. “you know what we may have not gotten along,but I still respected you jersh.”

Dax was soon over came by a few of the creatures, there teeth baring at him.”you better not have hurt her.” He kicked a couple away and then threw a few knives, pinning them to the wall. 

“unngh.” well at least he's conscious. “Alright this ends here. Then the real dream shifted. The Monkey men went back through the hole, ignoring him. He hurried and picked up his gun. Aiming it at the hole waiting for them to come through. ,i> this isn't exactly how I thought it would go. The animals came back up through the hole carrying Saphira. “Now you've crossed the line.” He let out a hail of fire taking all of the animals down. The fell blood going everywhere. Saph fell to the ground.

“WHAT THE HELL!!?” Jersh said, trying to get out of the chains.

“you know you should really sleep more, maybe you wouldn't fall asleep so much.” Blackout walked over and shot the chains as skilled as he could to release Jersh. By this time Saphira was waking up.
“SAPH!!!” Jersh ran over and picked her up. “Are, you alright?”

“Yea, nothing damaged, whatever they used really stung.” She said grinning wide.

“Well good to see you alive. We better get going.” Dax looked at them and mentally frowned. They are back, I guess that's how it was meant to be.

“He saved us?” Saph asked, starting to get up.

“Yea.”

“How did he know?”

“Dreams, I usually have them, well, that is when someone close to me, or someone is going to get hurt. I sometimes even have them randomly. This was one of thos random times.” Blackout grinned and walked away through the tunnel. He had taken his helmet off once he ahd finished.

“We better get back, we are probably going to move out soon.”

“Thanks Black.” It was Saphira. He just turned and smiled. He didn't know what to say at this point, but he didn't want to mess up.

“Your welcome.” was all Blackout could muster up.

(p,s. I double posted so I could finish this little thing I had going and then we can move on.)

camp packed up again, Riqimo revved his speeder and glanced over his shoulder to see his squad awaiting orders, "Okay, we're gonna be pushing these baby's to max speed for a change," Riq grinned at the hum the turbine engine emitted, "Make sure that you are hovering around ten feet above the surface and follow me over the river."



Saph couldn't help but grin from ear to ear as she placed her helmet back on. Speed was something she was good at. Yet she didn't miss the look Doc gave them as herself, Blackout and Jersh came out of the ruins. Worry about it later

She thought, placing her feet to the peddles and slowly began to accelerate. Saphira laughed, a whooping holler over the coms as others started laughing.

"Chill Saphira.." Came docs voice over the main com as they broke over the swampy area. Her engines revved louder as Saph veered over the many tree stumps and other depbre that was in their way.

"I am Doc.. Just having a little fun.." She cooed back. A few more snickers as she passed Alater and Rike. Saphira was glade for a moment that Blackout and Jersh were farther over. Her mind raced over the most recent events. I don't know what I am going to do She thought, thinking to Jersh as he still professed his love to her. Before they were attacked by those damned monkeys. She never had the chance to respond to him. There wasn't any time.


Her eyes darted ahead, a mound of rocks/boulders in the mass of a few trees. It was going to be a tight fit. Licking her lips she came up close to Doc. Tipping her head at him as he looked over and then back.


The Twi'lik couldn't help it. For some reason she had the inclination to test her boundaries once more. She sped up passing him as his voice crackled over the com.

"Corporal get your butt behind me. That's an Order." He snapped threw the coms. Saphira pretended not to hear him as she snapped again. This time she nodded but it was too late. The mass of obstacles were ahead and closing in. Saph knew she could exactly slam her breaks. A smile over her lips she heaved left and slammed against Doc.

What the hell is she doing? Doc thought, reacting to te hit as he pulled the steering back. His eyes opened wide as a tree stump was directly in his way. Reflexes took hold as he did a near impossible maneuver and swerved out of its way.


"Wow nice save Doc!" Piped Wicket. His voice statically threw the com. Otrhers piped in as well.

Heart beating rapidly Doc Swore and signaled her to private com. Saphira only grinned, flipping to the one indicated.


"What the hell were you doing Saphira?" The sound reverted threw. Full of anger as she stifled a chuckle.

"Sorry Doc.. It was an Accident.. Besides, you're ok." She responded back. Full amusement in her voice. "I just get carried away sometimes.." Finishing as she waited for another response as they continued their way threw the swamps.

what if… that was the only thing that was running through his mind. What if he hadn’t done what he did? What if he had, but had done it differently? What if he had never had those dreams? It was the only thing Blackout could think about as they were heading towards the Hill.

He didn’t know what would have happened, but he guessed it would have been alright. He had done something that he did regret. This wasn’t those times. Why was he worrying about this after all he had saved them, but he hadn’t stopped it from happening. That’s what ate him up the most. He could have stopped it.

Dax get yourself together. It all turned out for the better. But it hadn’t. He still felt the way he did, maybe it turned out good for others but not him… that was usually how it went was it. Or, maybe this is what it felt like to be a hero, regretting everything you did, questioning it all. Or was it?

Dax tried to knock the thoughts out of his head, but they wouldn’t leave him. Instead he decided to watch the comm. Systems. They were normal, except for one vital part which indicated somebody had been scanning the channels. I thought I encrypted that. He checked closer looking every few seconds to make sure he didn’t run into things. He was more worried about being hit by Saphira who was messing around up front.

Blackout went through different sequences scanning back to the source. Nothing was pinging back, maybe someone had opened a private channel no, cause somebody is scanning, but who? he pinged a couple more times trying to find out if he could get a response, still nothing. Maybe the encryption wasn’t secure had he messed up, because of his worries over something else. wait, a response.

As Blackout looked at the address he realized it wasn’t something normal. Luckily they hadn’t broken the encryption, but they had to known they were here… or was it his imagination.

“Doc, I have a problem someone is scanning the channels, I think they may know where here. I could be wrong I covered the channel well, but they may just think it’s some body going scouting.”

Blackout looked up to see Doc look back at him. They were almost up to the hill now and Doc probably didn’t want this kind of news.” Are you sure they haven’t been listening in?” He asked now facing forward.

“Positive, I could try setting up another Wall, if you feel more comfortable.” Dax knew that wasn’t going to help though.

“No, it’s fine, I trust you. Actually though it may have been anyone of us. Thanks for the warning though.” Doc replied.

Yea, maybe it’s one of us… but something didn’t make Blackout feel any more comfortable. He knew that the chances of one of them being the one who had scanned was possible, but the ping he got back was from an unknown source. Then again Blackout had made a comm. System from scratch for Jersh to use, maybe….

“Jersh, you there?” Dax called, hoping to get an answer.

“Yea, what’s up?” Jersh sounded irritated. did I interrupt something?

“Ummm, were you scanning by any chance? You’re the only one who wouldn’t have the same code as us, and I pinged.”

“No I didn’t. And why?”

“Thanks, nothing.” He said it fast and went back to checking the systems. It was hard while he was driving but he got used to it. They were about five- ten klicks from the hill; he could figure it out then, right now though he would just put another wall up.

“Sir, I hate to say I told ya so, but.. . I told ya so.” Dax said. He wasn’t trying to be sarcastic, but by all means he had the rights, even if he doubted the communications gear as well.

“Black, with all due respect, Shut up.” Doc looked over at him, his voice had been firm but warning. Dax couldn’t see the face under the mask but he knew it wasn’t a comforting look, even though he wasn’t supposed to be talking on the Radio.

He badly though wanted to reply to that last message, but he knew that their position had already been compromised, he didn’t worry though as much as he should.

Every step Dax felt like he was going to walk right into a trap, or worse. He usually wasn’t this nervous, but this was different… he hated losing the element of surprise. Without it your chances were death increased, which wasn’t comforting.

He decided to check the comm. Channel again to make sure he hadn’t overlooked something, it wouldn’t help though, only let the enemy know that they were up to something.

Stupid, you could have stopped it, you know that. But instead you attended to other matters… that could have waited.  flashbacks started to haunt him at that very moment, he really hadn’t double checked everything. He looked over all the details. Now it was too late.

-_-_-_-_-_---_-

The mud under his feet was starting to pile up. He was struggling with lifting his left and knocking branches or various plants out of the way. Jersh was laughing slightly. The fact that Dax was having such a hard time amused him, but it didn’t amuse Blackout.

“You know what.” Dax pulled out a few knives from his pouch and holstered his gun. He knew it would be easier, and also more efficient. Jersh just sighed.

Blackout had already cut down a couple of plants when Doc looked back at him. Instantly he reached for his gun. “I have it, just making my life… easier.” Doc didn’t laugh, it was a matter of life and death, Dax would be choosing death.

“Corporal, it’s your choice.” Doc shot a couple of branches of plants that were entangling him, if dax could see through he knew he would be grinning.

I hate this…Was all that Dax could think of to say, but he never said it. Mostly because he feared of what Doc would do to him, Though he really didn’t know the cull extent of punishment. Once this is over I am heading to the bar…

The thought reminded him that he had some Jawa juice left over, but his flask was left back with the speeders. Stupid comm. Situation, this can’t get any worse can it?
Sadly it did. The jungle was getting thicker, not to thick, but thick enough to be a nuisance. great I had to open  my mouth.  The thought slipped his mind as soon as a branch had wrapped around his leg. He let out a small scream and then just cut the branch. I need a drink…

After silencing the blaster fire with a grenade they had broken up into fire teams. In a way the Twi'lik was relieved to be placed in them. Jersh and Blackout were with Doc and that was a good thing. She had no time to deal with them.For now, anyway.

Wicket and Riker pushed off. Picking their feet up gently threw the mush. Saphira wasn't thrilled at walking threw it. Not after her armor now just drying from earlier. They were on a supposed com silence. Speak only when need to and it better be a damned good reason. The sun was half-way set now. A slow moving process as Saphira passed Wicket up.

Her senses pressed outward as she scanned the surrounding areas for anymore possible threats. Sneaking around wasn't something she would have enjoyed as Rike tapped her on the shoulder. Snapping her head over he pointed. Her eyes focused under the helmet. Fifty yards away was a turret.If there is one.. there was going to be more She thought.

Wicket kept going straight ahead a few more steps before he realised they stopped. The other teams were spread but within distance. Saphira rose her hand, making a signal for danger that caught the others.



Doc, was lost in mid-thought on what their next move was going to be when Blackout tapped him on the shoulder. This better be good. He thought, still not in the greatest of moods from the earlier ride over her. Blackout pointed over to Wickets team and Riq blinked and waved to go to Com's.

"What is it?"


"Trouble Doc.. Automatic blaster turret about fifty ahead." Came Saphira's reply. Looks like shes not trying to at least let you walk into it.. He thought. Course he wasn't sure whether to be pleased or more aware of Saphira. Looking up and over he saw what she met.Looks new. Someone is expecting trouble. This should prove an interesting mission after all With the res t of the squad wanting more action it was starting to look like they were going to get it.

"Alright, obviously someone is expecting trouble. I need you guy sto take that turbo out.. but take it out quietly.."

He knew the Twi'lik would probably be disappointed in that. Bringing a lighter smile to his face he signaled the Squad to find ay others. Giving them the same direction he ordered Wicket's group.



A FEW MINUTES LATER

Damn! Saphira thought, palming some of the mechanicals of the turbolazer. She was hoping for more of a firefight. Instead the thing was programed first off wrong.. and secondly it wasn't hard to stay out of it's sensor range to get to it. Yet no sooner then it was taken care of was another trap noticed. A thin wire that would have alerted whomever was here of their presence. They must be a little out of hearing range.. or maybe it was an insurance policy in case other things failed.. She thought. The other teams each found one themselves. Disposing them with ease.


Sun lowered even more as the water sloshed around them they all soon closed intot he tree line leading into the base area. Signaling her team she walked over to doc and took the helmet off for a moment in order to speak to him in a losw voice without using the coms.

"I found a wire connected to ours. Looks like it was ain insurance policy. Had those gone off it would have alerted whomever here." She whispered. Doc sighed as he held his own bucket in his hands.

"Are you sure it didn't send a signale?" Doc asked. Watching her movements as he fought to keep civil.Deal with her once we get back from this mission.. He reminded himself as she shook her head.

"No doc.. I'm not..."

Dax was starting to feel like the Twilight Zone was coming alive. If they found the body, all that would complete it was the body coming alive. At least that isn't for a while his head started to spin though, somehow he had to get the thoughts out of his head.

“Alright, let's go.” Doc lead the way to the tunnel entrance. Inside the mud was worse than outside. Even some of the stench was starting to come through the filter on his mask. Okay, I am can't wait to get back home and take a long shower. Sadly though that thought was starting to seem a lot less appealing the farther they went in.

>i> slosh, squish. was the only sound that Dax could here above the static of his radio. He was about to rip his ears out if he hadn't known any better he probably would have used one of his knifes right then and there to do it.

“Okay how much longer does this thing last?” He asked finally. Hoping somebody was keeping track.

“don't know, think you could do a scan or something of comm devices with in reach.” Doc replied, obviously he to was getting sick and tired of this tunnel. After all even the green plants that grew along the walls were worse than the smell.

“I could try.” Dax started flipping controls with his tongue and quick blinks of his eye. The worst part was he wasn't even thinking about it, it was second nature to him, even though he had to enter a couple of codes into his arm gauntlet. Gotta love technology. As the final code was entered, he got his answer back pretty quick.  “We are standing right under it, the entrance is right up ahead, think we can get in without being noticed?”

Jersh looked over him and if Dax knew he was probably grinning. Or giving him a questioning look. “Do you really have to ask that?” Jersh commented, a small laugh followed. Dax just frowned under his helmet.

“I know... just making sure.” He really didn't think they could do it, after all they're element of surprise was gone. Of course if they didn't expect them to come through the tunnel. as long as they don't scan... That's when he remembered to close the channel off... luckily it was still stable and they hadn't talked over it. whewclosing the channel he just say.

“Alright Stay together, we have a little further to go.” Doc's metallic filtered voice crept through the hall, it was almost scary.

“Don't have to say it to say it twice.” Wicket said behind them. Dax snickered under his breath, and other's as well joined in.

“Well then in that case let's move.” suddenly lights urned on all around. The brightness almost blinded Dax. just one more annoyance added to my list. Ah well. He sighed heavily then followed along.

Saphira kept up with her team. The crackling of orders over coms was heard as they made their way inside.

"Alright Stay together, we have a little further to go.” Doc's metallic filtered voice crept through the hall, it was almost scary.

“Don't have to say it to say it twice.” Wicket said behind them. Dax snickered under his breath, and other's as well joined in. Saphira couldn't help but grin as she gripped her weapon in her right hand.

"First thing I am doing is peeling this armor off when we get back and taking a nice long shower.."

Her voice crackled over the com. Knowing it would receive a comment back.

"You and me both Saph.." Came Blackoits reply. A few more chuckles as Wicket crept closer to her. The Twi'lek didn't mind. So long as things went as planned for the moment.

"Alright, cut it.." Came Doc's voice over the com once more.

"Killjoy.. just trying to paint a picture here to lighten the mood.." She replied tautly.

"Lighten the mood in this?" Came wickets reply. Course he had a point. The stuff was foul and she had an idea that it was going to take a very long shower indeed to clean the stench of this world from her armor as well as herself.

"Enough!" Doc shouted again. The coms went silent. Though Saphira had a smile on her face the whole time. No doubt I'm in for it again after the mission..


---------



Once the Squad reached solid ground and their boots dripped off the clamored water they moved quickly. The tapping's echoing off the walls like drums. This better get interesting.. I can't believe we're on a mission for a rotting piece of flesh.. Saphira thought to herself as she looked up to notice Jersh ahead of the others. She could tell it was him in the way he carried himself. Her stomach tightened.Not now..

"Does anyone have any clue we're we are going. I would prefer a plan to at least look like we're capable.."

Her voice crackled threw with bitterness as another chuckle came froma few team mates. More then likely they were thinking the same thing.

Doc rolled his eyes as the female again opened her mouth.What the hell am I going to do with her? Leave it to command to give me the pain in the ass newbie. He thought as they continued along. Of course he knew she was damn good at her job, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Still, she had tried to knock him into hte trees back on the speeders. Anger rose for a moment. His mental voice picking at him to come out.No.. I can handle it.. Outloud:

"Saph there is a pl - "


His words were drowned out by the hiss and slam of a blast-door. The group froze and fanned back to the sides as Jersh went to investigate. When it was cleared they moved. Weapons out and ready as they came up to the door. Alatar and wicket guarding the opposite side of the halls as the others formed an almost half circle as it was looked at.

"Well, looks like we've been spotted.. Maybe this won't be such a bad mission after all.."

Came Blackouts voice. Saphira grinned, blinking a few times as she waited for a moment before speaking.

"Good, maybe this rotten flesh that we need is more valuable.. or there's something here that needs our attention..Hell I'd take both.. Lets blow the place to make sure.." She added the last for kicks as again people grinned and chuckled. Leave it to Saph to make a light moment out of something serious. Doc's head turned to glare at her. The female only stared blankly back for a moment.

"Well, why else would this have just closed? Either its a trap or, there's something more behind there. I'm betting it's probably both but it could be a way to mislead us from the right way.." Saphira added.

As soon as the door hissed open, all hell seemed to break loose. The moment the door had opened, a wall of blaster fire erupted from both sides.  The ping of laser bolts clashing against each other filled the hall with an unimaginable racket. Jersh thought he heard Doc yelling something into the comm, but he could not hear him over all the noise. He wrapped his carbine around the corner and fired off a few shots of his own, just to keep the enemy on their toes. He heard a muffled thud and looked to see one of his fireteam, Blackout he assumed, slump down onto the floor.

With a growl of pent up rage he jumped in a roll across the floor, firing at random while taking an enemy headcount. He could make out a few people ducking for cover under his sudden assault before he came to a stop near the prone body of his comrade. Throwing his gun on its strap over his shoulder, he lifted blackout up onto his back. A bolt ricochet off Jersh’s shoulder and he dove back for his cover and threw the unconscious Blackout into the corner. He pulled his carbine up before him and saw the gun smoking. Its firing mechanism had been fried by another laser bolt.

That only served to infuriate Jersh further as his blades suddenly seemed to whip out of nowhere, his hands were a blur in drawing them. He waited only a moment for a slight break in the fire before dashing out of cover and running low along the ground up the hall. “COVER ME!” Jersh yelled, hoping for some cover fire as he made his run. Thankfully someone back there heard him and precisely aimed shots guided his way along the expanse. A pair of blasters came up over the side of a make-shift barricade and were shortly followed by the heads of what appeared to be a mercenary group. Reaching into his primal being, Jersh reacted and depended entirely upon his instincts.

The laser bolts splashed against the floor where Jersh has been a moment before, only to jump to the side even before the shots were fired. Zig-zagging along the corridor to dodge the fire, he climbed up the wall unnaturally fast. As he reached the top he leapt out in a half flip. He twisted in midair to face the way he had come, as well as the backs of three enemy soldiers. Two were already downed from the laser fire his team had been spraying at them. His blades flashed before him as he set about his brutal work to finish the job. Bloodcurdling screams echoed across the short expanse to the rest of the team and the laser fire seemed to stop for just a moment.

Jersh came rolling backwards and rested his back against the side of the barricade visible to his squad, laser bolts whizzed past him as he narrowly escaped. His blades were bloodied and drips stained the floor as he motioned to his team to advance. “More on the other side” He managed to gasp between deep breaths. He had pushed his body hard in that short burst of speed.