Rukver looked up from his terminal; he was designing the latest simulation which would allow troops to spend days in training while being fed through tubes so that they do not run the risk of dying. This project has been a long time in the making as they have run into certain mental difficulties; troopers cannot seem to run for more than three or more days before collapsing from exhaustion and in a few isolated cases this has caused death. It was his job to design a program that would allow troopers to garner some kind of rest while inside the simulation that would allow them to feel refreshed in mind.

Seeing someone approach his glass door, Rukver quickly closed the newest sex simulation that was on his screen and opened the files containing his actual work. A knock on his door caused the Imperial technician to push the button that unlocked his door. Since one of the other techies went crazy and shot up the offices all techies with their own offices got a lock and blaster resistant windows. The man that walked in wore an army commander uniform and his rank denoted a gunnery sergeant.

Gunnery sergeant who’s also a commander? Things have changed since my kids served in the army. Running his hands through his salt and pepper hair before saluting the commander. Tipak, Rukver’s youngest had always told him that commanders always looked older, and it was apparent with this one.

“What can I do for you commander…?” He said hoping that his guest would fill in the blank.

“Rogueboy, I have need of your services.” The commander said as he pulled up the seat facing Rukver without asking.

“I am here to serve, sir.” Rukver said while internally moaning at all the distractions this man will cause him.

“Good, I have approximately forty troops who need to go through a radiation trooper armour simulation on a planet following these constraints.” Rogueboy said as he handed the technician a data cube.

Popping it into is terminal the holograph reader kicked in and showed the planet of Strak with its light gravity and short days. Rukver personally preferred light gravity everything seemed to require less energy unlike standard or heavy gravity.

“I’m guessing from these files there’s a plan in the making to form an offensive on Strak?’ Rukver asked, even though he wasn’t expecting an answer.

“Not allowed to discuss it, sorry.” The commander said flatly.

“I didn’t expect you to, it never hurts to ask. What weapons do you want me to load them with?” Rukver said as he opened a drawer filled with files, pulling out a folder he started searching through it.

The commander raised an eyebrow at the hard copies that Rukver kept. “It makes the likelihood of them being destroyed so much smaller.” He said as he pulled out a sheet quickly scanned the top and emitted a content sound. “This is the one; the squad will need to take a radioactive city while engaging New Republic troopers, well it’s really more of a town then a real city but it conveys what we want to accomplish. Is that satisfactory sir?”

The commander hesitated as he processed what the technician just said. “Yes that will do, I expect you and your team to personally run the simulation rooms. You will send a report to me every fifteen minutes detailing the squads’ progress, and allow them a more unrestricted load out short of their armour. Strak does not have radiation levels that would hamper or restrict weapon choice.” Commander Rogueboy said as he stood up to leave. “Oh and before I forget, Rukvek?” He continued.

“Yes sir?” Rukvek said as he groaned in his mind.

“I was instructed to let you know that you may find yourself rewarded should the training guarantee successful results while in mission, dare I say a boost in your budget to fund additional research?” The commander left the room leaving Rukvek with his thoughts.

Working throughout the night Rukvek had his team assembled and all the simulation rooms prepped when the first of the groups started arriving. They were meeting in an auditorium where the commander would give a speech detailing what was going on, than the teams would follow a technician to a room.

Rukvek hurried to the auditorium as he could hear the commander starting the announcement.

“You will each be assigned to a simulation room, where a member of our technical staff will load up a simulation that will hopefully gain you each some radiation trooper armour experience. I will be monitoring your progress and any I deem unsuitable will not be participating in the upcoming mission. You have your orders ladies and gentlemen I suggest you start filling them out.” As platoon commander Rogueboy left the podium the huge holoplate behind him broadcasted how the groups were to be split up.

The first group filed past Rukvek as a technical assistant carried a huge flimsiplast board with a huge black. “1.” Written on it.


OOC: The squad will start off in an urban radioactive environment, your objectives are to hold the city against an onslaught of NR troops while wearing rad trooper gear.

Alater took another raspy breath from his oxygen mask. The thing was highly annoying, but it was better than gasping for breath after an hour or two in the thin oxygen. The town that the simulation had placed them in seemed to be a very strange place to be defending, most humans being at least mildly uncomfortable if not dying from radiation poisoning. The hardened scales and protective fats inside his body absorbed most radiation and let him not only live in the very light radiation, but actually be more productive as the energy was converted to heat to run his cold-blooded body. Reaching behind the oxygen mask's strap Alater pushed a little button attached to his neck.

"You guys read me?" He said, hissing through the ComLink attached to his face. The mask made conversation a bit raspy, but so did his reptilian accent and mannerism.

"Loud and clear big guy." Came the voice of Alan.

"I've got ya right here." Blackout also responded. It had been a while since the two of them had been together in Eclipse.

"Alrighty guys, you all know the mission. Since Alan here is highest rank, and myself second, I say we split into two groups and get set up. I'm not sure what you all brought with you, or were expecting, but this is just a training simulation, remember that. Ok, Alan who do you want?" Alater asked, waiting for the Gunny's response.

"Hey there lizard man. If you've got no objection I'd like to have Muglug, Kantar who is already with me, and Blackout. We'll secure the west buildings and see about setting up a spotter on the north. What I need you guys to do is set up a base of operations in the core and watch. If I remember you correctly Alater, this is your specialty." Alan commented, and by the sound of the rustling he was already getting into place.

"I've brought Long Fang along. These rebels, simulated or otherwise, are definitely going to die. Everybody switch to a separate Com Channel. Valmet, Garryll you're with me. Switch to channel seven." Alater switched the dial on his ComLink and came over again.

"Alright, here's how this is going to go down. Val, you are going to climb to the forward most building both east and west and establish a listening post at each. We need to know where the enemy is coming from so we can prepare a defense and effective counterattack."

"Yes sir, Valmet out." Came the young trooper's voice, a little nervous despite it being just a simulation.

"Garryll, set up some sort of camp in the center of the town. If we need to fall back, we're going to need someplace to be and hide out."

"Where are you going to be sir?" Garryll asked.

"Me? While I'll be sharpening my sword and waiting. Get going!" Alater barked.

"Contact! Contact!" Came Kantar's voice across Alater's ComLink, but he ignored it. He had been keeping track of Alan's group but he had his own troubles. As he had rounded the corner he had come face to face with a small group of rebels in some sort of similar radiation suits as the rest of the troopers were wearing. That's when the fun started.

"Contact, four." Alater barked into his Com before he drew Long Fang in a ripping motion through the air as he charged into battle. At this point Valmet should be finished setting up her listening posts and Garryll sitting on his hands bored in the middle of the small town. That didn't matter now. Only the anger mattered.

As the krsst surged through him, Alater roared into combat. The light gravity of the planet accelerated his movements even more, but made his sword next to useless. The huge power behind Long Fang was its weight, but now Alater had another advantage; his size. Upon entering the group of Rebels, he immediately used it. Swinging the blade with his entire weight the serrated edges cut deep into the suits and armor of the Rebel wearing it. A muffled scream of pain and surprise came from inside the protected helmet, and blood dripped from the tip of the blade.

The other three immediately grabbed the closest weapons they could get; stun batons. The weak weapons vibrated and cracked with a blue like lightning, but Alater did not flinch. He swept his tail out in a sweep and knocked two from their feet. The third caught Alater in the back with the small stick, and gasped in astonishment. Alater spun, red eyes glowing, and backhanded the man so hard that upon impact something snapped and his body went limp. With a hiss audible through oxygen mask.

At this point the other two had gotten up and approached Alater from the front and his right side. The red eyes of the krsst burned in Alater's head, the fury of his genetic mutation pushing him forward in combat as it always did. The a mighty heave Alater flung Long Fang end over end into the chest of the rebel to his front. The man slumped over as the nearly six foot long blade sliced through his armor and into his body.

In a last and futile attempt the final rebel charged with a mighty battle cry. In his hands was a piece of shrapnel from one of the buildings. The suit made him slower than usual, which was just too slow. Alater twisted the man's arm back into his chest, ripping the suit open and leaving the man cut, disabled, and with an arm removed from its socket. Alater walked towards where he knew Valmet would be.

"Val, this is Alater. We've just had contact with the enemy. I need readings on your end, where are they?" Alater barked through the Com, rushing towards the center checkpoint.

"Um, a little busy here Sergeant, we've got contacts here as well." She responded back, the sound of blasterfire in the background.

"Shit." Alater muttered.

Alater hopped into the small bunker as Blackout motioned him over. Sand bags, shrapnel, and other methods of random construction that had yet to be completed in the little town formed a barrier of holes, sharps, and dangerous points. It had to do. Alater immediately grabbed hold of Blackout and wrapped himself against the ground as more enemy fire flew over his head and crisped onto the barrier.

"What the hell is going on?" Blackout asked as he lifted his E-11 over the barrier to fire half blind at the enemy. They were nowhere to be seen, and you couldn't watch for their fire as that would just end up in your death.

"The rebels have already infiltrated the city. They've got little check points set up all over this damned place, and they're running patrols. It seems that they got here first. This isn't an attack, it's a defense. They're trying to drive us out of the city. The damned headquarters has got us running random scenarios." Alater responded, trying to keep his head down.

"Where's Valmet?" Alater asked, reaching for his Com and a datapad to get a readout from her listening devices.

"She hasn't checked in." Blackout responded, taking time to chuck a small frag grenade into the estimated enemy position, and the screams of dying enemies answered the question of whether or not he had scored a hit.

"Damn it." Alater said, picking up his Com. "Valmet, Val, come in. This is Alater, respond." He barked through the Com. The response was only a click followed by static. She was obviously very busy.

"Blackout, patch me through to Alan." Alater ordered, holding out his hand for the separate Com that Blackout was carrying around. Blackout handed Alater the Com after making a few minor adjustments to account for whatever problem he had been encountering with interference.

"Alan, Alater here. How's it going on your end?" Alater asked, ignoring Blackout's fire right over his head.

"A little busy here big guy, what do ya need?" Alan responded, the sound of battle in the background.

"If you haven't found out already, we're not the first here. It seems that the rebels have gotten here first, and even have managed to set up checkpoint camps and are running patrols. We definitely need to take them out. What do you suggest?" Alater asked.

"Give me a minute!" Alan said, firing his gun in the background.

"Dammit!" Alater muttered.

Having finally gotten rid of the Rebels that had surprised her, Val placed her blaster pistol back in its holster and wondered what to do then.
What a rush… She said to herself, catching her breath after going through the shortness of it and exhilaration that battle offered her.  She’d had a lot of fun, though, and was wanting more, being only new; she hadn’t done much of that kind of thing.

Her heart was pounding in her chest, even though she realised that it was only a simulation. At the beginning she may have been nervous, but now she was getting into the swing of things and loving it.

She checked that the listening posts her still functioning correctly and also made sure that there was no more surprises waiting for her nearby before she made contact with Alater.
“Alater, Valmet here, where do you want me now? Listening posts are good to go and I’ve cleared my area of Rebels.”

Waiting for a reply she wondered about what was to come, hoping that she’d do okay and maybe get into a few good books, because she really didn’t like being at the bottom…

The smoke cleared from the grenade that Alan had hurled at the rebels.  Alan was feeling happy that the rebel barricade had been destroyed but he knew that it was only a small victory.  A blaster bolt flew past his helmet and he cursed.  The sound of the grenade had obviously gotten the attention of a nearby rebel patrol.  Both Muglug and Blackout dived for cover and started to return fire.  Alan was impressed with their instincts as he dove for cover himself.

Alan's helmet chattered and it was the sound of Muglug, "when are we moving out Sir?"

Alan needed to know what he was facing before making any kind of decision.

"Kantar, we've got some more rebels that have us pinned down.  Can you see from your vantage point how many of them there are?" queried Alan.

"One moment Boss" replied Kantar.

"Sir, Sir, hello" came the voice of Muglug sounding slightly panicky.

"Stay put for now Muglug" replied Alan, eager to hear back from Kantar.

"OK, looks like you've got three rebels" said Kantar.

Alan smiled, three would be easy.  Then he heard a distinctive low noise and his com chattered.

"Make that two" said Kantar, "now one".

Alan sat down and waited for the inevitable report.

"Ok Sir, you're all clear" said Kantar.

"Good work Kantar, however, next time can you let us have some fun as well" said Alan.

Alan could hear Kantar's laugh coming through the com as he replied "I'll do my best".

Standing up Alan got on to the com and said to both Muglug and Blackout "let's move it people, we've got plenty of territory to clear out".

With that the group of Imperial troopers moved out.

Alater sighed to himself as the sound of Valmet's voice rang into his Comm. Though it was just a simulation, Alater always prepared himself as if it was the real thing. One day he may indeed loose another trooper in such a manner, but nothing would compare to what he had had to deal with in Eclipse. Sometimes the strong had to give backbone to the weak, but sometimes the follower had to give the leader the strength he needed. Alater dreaded ever having to kill another one of his comrades.

"Alrighty guys, new thought. I'm predicting about 12 of these mini outposts between here and the center of the city. The patrols are annoying but it seems that every time we eliminate one of them, their numbers grow fewer and fewer." Alater commented, ducking his head around a corner as another rebel group lobbed a volley of fire at him. Armed with only Long Fang, he had to find another way around.

"You guys all have some training in urban warfare. Hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast. Toss a few 'nades and let it be done with. We don't want to sit down and get pinned." He finished, waiting for response.

"Sergeant, I'm already pinned, and I have absolutely no clue where they are." Garryll responded, the fire of a large gun opening up in the background.

"Valmet has set up several listening post devices. Tap into them with your datapads and they should give you bio signatures at the very least. That goes for both of you, and remember that we're traveling alone. Be quick, and just run. I know the suits make it hard, but you're going to have to deal." Alater said, rolling around a corner.

"Got it." Valmet responded, and Garryll sent a similar message.

Alater peeked his head around the corner again, and no fire was spat from enemy guns. There, across the street was a small building that formed one of the checkpoints. Inside where an untold number of rebels, probably around twelve to twenty. Faced with the decision to attempt to take them out himself, or find another method, Alater chose the safer path. Just because it was a simulation did not mean he had to be illogical. There was a high risk of injury in the matter and no point in becoming slower and weaker.

Circling around the building in a stealthy manner, Alater decided to wait for an opportunity. Something would have to eventually reveal itself to him, and all that was required was time and patience. Time and patience.

Kantar thought quick and let a volley of shots towards the rebels, this halted both groups, the rebels and Alan, Lucas and blackout.

The rebels looked up surprised to see a group of three men moving towards them.
"What was that about?"Alan asked Kantar, all he heard was static.
mutt heard this and spoke through the com link to Alan.
"probably important or he wouldn't have done it?"he questioned there commander.

OOC:sorry about the short post but i don't want to make a decision sound uber or disrespectful.

What the hell thought Alan as he cursed silently as several blaster bolts rained down from Kantar's location, alerting the rebels to their presence.  What the devil is he doing pondered Alan.

Alan's helmet com sparked to life and Alan hoped it was Kantar to explain himself, instead it was Muglug "it's probably important or he wouldn't have done it".

Alan agreed but for the life of him he couldn't fathom out why and right now there were rebels to be dealt with no matter what the reason for Kantar's shots were.

"We have to take out those rebels before they can get reinforcements" said Alan, "let's advance and take them out".

"What about the warning shot from Kantar?" queried Muglug.

"We will advance slowly, keep your eyes peeled for anything" replied Alan as he took the lead, advancing slowly and cautiously.

From his vantage point Kantar looked on and cursed, muttering to himself "what the hell are they doing, didn't they see my warning shot".  Kantar zoomed in on the situation.  He wasn't able to get a clear shot of the rebels or their jamming device.  He also couldn't figure out a way to warn them of the mines they were about to walk into.

Kantar suddenly had a brainstorm.  He brought his sniper rifle up to maximum magnification.  "This is going to be a tricky shot" he murmured to no-one.  He let loose a shot and hoped for the best.

Alan advanced slowly, with Muglug and Blackout behind him.  The rebels had taken up defensive positions but were not mounting any kind of defence and things just didn't add up for Alan but he still couldn't fathom out the danger.

Suddenly another blaster bolt shot down from Kantar's location, this time though it struck the ground.  A massive explosion went off and Alan was flung up in the air and landed down hard.

"Yes!" exclaimed Kantar from his vantage point as his precision shot had struck one of the mines perfectly.

From the ground, Alan just had one word to say, "oww".

When the smoke had finally cleared Alan took a look around through binoculars he had around his belt.  He could tell that there were no rebel soldiers left alive.  As he pondered his next move, his helmet com chattered to life.

"Do you read me Sir?"

Alan smiled, it was Kantar.  He was happy to hear from Kantar, knowing now that he was alive and well.  The explosions must have destroyed whatever jamming signal had been in operation.

"Reading you loud and clear Kantar, thanks for the warning, though next time, try to do it when I'm not as close as that" replied Alan as he rubbed his sore and probably rather bruised backside.

"Sorry about that Boss" replied Kantar.

"Can you give me a safe route around these mines?" queried Alan.

"Should do, give me a few" said Kantar.

Whilst Alan waited, he got on the com to Alater, "Alater, are you there?"

Several seconds passed before a reply came through Alan's helmet, "Alater here, how's it going on your end?"

"Pretty busy" replied Alan, "just wanted to give you the heads up that some of these rebel barricades have been mined so watch your step".

"Oh great" replied Alater, "something else to keep and eye on.  Thanks for the heads up".

Kantar's voice came through Alan's helmet next as he provided Alan a clear path away from the minefield but still heading towards the centre of the city.

"Thanks for that Kantar" replied Alan as he moved down the alley that Kantar had specified with Muglug and Blackout following behind.  I wonder what other surprises this simulation has to offer thought Alan as he kept his weapon raised and an eye peeled for trouble.

Lucas walked down the ally not sure what to expect, this was the safe ally, did the rebels know this.

he circled the corner at the end to find they were closer to the center than expected, they all crouched down, Lucas reached for his binoculars to see another barricade of about 7 men standing at attention waiting for something.

"sir we have 7 about 200 meters, expectant."he quickly said through the com link.

"take them by surprise, is there any way around."he replied, black out took a look through his binoculars.

"route found sir."he replied through the com link.

OOC: this is a simulater  =_=

Alan looked through his binoculars at the route that Blackout had found.  The route would take them around the barricade and bring them out on the other side.  From there they should be able to take them by surprise.  Nice thought Alan as he put away his binoculars.

Getting on the com, Alan got in contact with Kantar.  "Kantar, do you see the barricade just north of us, it's currently manned by seven rebels?"

Kantar got a bead on where Alan was and moved his scope northwards.  True enough there was the barricade.  "I see it" he replied.

"Good, are you able to take them out from your position?" queried Alan.

Kantar took another look through his scope and replied "yeah, I got a good firing line on them".

"Excellent, please wait for my signal before commencing your attack.  We are going to skirt around the barricade and attack them from a location that is poorly guarded.  We should be able to take them by complete surprise" said Alan.

"Roger that" said Kantar, "I'll be waiting for your signal".

With that, Alan led Muglug and Blackout down the route that had been selected.  True enough, it led them past the barricade without them being detected.  Once past, they doubled back to the location of the barricade.

Alan spoke into his com just one word "now".  At the same time as he spoke the word, he waved his hand in an attacking motion to Muglug and Blackout.  In a split second Kantar had opened fire and Alan, Muglug and Blackout leapt out from their position and started firing on the rebels manning the barricade.